Our next chapter begins

Mark completed his Masters of Real Estate Development (MREV) in December. He worked really hard for 18 straight months to attend class full-time and keep Alice at home on the days I went to work. I'm proud of the way he juggled things well enough to have a great GPA and become a really good daddy to our girl. Mark has been on the job hunt for quite a while and figured that 2012 would be a realistic start to his new career since classes are complete and his full time is available to work.

In about twelve hours Mark will report to work on Monday morning for an architecture firm in DC to manage the detailing of the exterior facade of a medical office building for the next six weeks. After that time it looks promising that he will begin rehabilitating row houses in Baltimore with a local investor. It's as if God's heard all of our requests for provision, job, stability, etc then waited until (what feels like) the last minute to provide. Two weeks ago someone asked us what 2012 would look like and the only answer I had was that we are adding a son to our family. Now I feel like we might be here a while longer and I like the idea. We've made friends with some families we really enjoy. This region of the country seems to have more job opportunities than places farther South, where we instinctively wish we could be.

My goal is to appreciate the good things God has for us NOW and not wish away these days. I don't know what's next or how long this will last but I do know that God walks with us daily and Mark's recent employment is proof that he's listening and will use his own timing.

Baby Shower for Sawyer

Laura, Michelle, Kate, me, Alice, Rachel, Bobbie and Claire

Claire hosted a brunch to celebrate baby Sawyer on Saturday with other friends from our church. The conversations, food, and fun BOY clothes, towels, bibs, books, and games were a fun way to get ready for our son's arrival.

Alice is 19 months old

Alice is 19 months old as of Friday. Just two weeks ago I thought she and her brother might be only 18 months apart, but my pregnancy is going well and Sawyer is due in only three weeks. We hope that Alice's love of babies, pictured above, translates into being a great big sister.

Alice's day is dominated by her love of eating, reading, and playing outside. Her vocabulary grows every week with some sentences popping into our daily conversations. She's confident on the playground and tackles slides, tunnels and steps without fear. Alice recently started Sunday School at church and does not seem intimidated by other older kids and new teachers. We enjoy watching her grow and develop into her own little personality.

New Year's fun

We had dinner at Mark's cousin's, the Setons, on New Year's Night. I never knew I love grits & greens until that night! It was fun to see the kids enjoy each other and know the adults do too.

 Little River Canyon National Preserve is a beautiful section of Northeast Alabama with waterfalls, canyons and the Little Rivers that runs atop Lookout Mountain. We drove the ridge on New Year's Eve and got out so check the views along the beautiful, winding road that ended near Fort Payne, AL. Mark and I didn't know this type of terrain exists in Alabama and look forward to another easy road trip from my parents' house when we can go back and really hike some of the trails.

we chose an easy hike because Mark's girls aren't up for strenuous these days :)

Pearson took Alice for her first ride on January 1st and she LOVED it. We loved getting to see Laura and Darrell, and meet their newest babe, sweet little Philip.

Quick cancer update on Mama

We had a great Christmas, full of fun family time with everyone, plus a few days of just us three at my parents' house in Gadsden, AL. It was good to relax and spend some time with Mama and Daddy, plus a quick visit to some friends and my grandmothers.

Mama was WORN out after having us all there and started to feel worse with some sharp pains as the weekend closed. Her January oncology appointment was yesterday (Wednesday) and they found an existing tumor had grown and pushed into her ureter, causing the left kidney not to drain. Today, post-surgery, her pain is reduced because a stent was inserted to allow her kidney to function normally. Please pray her blood sugar stabilizes, the antibiotics kill her infection and she will quickly recover. I asked why they can't just remove the tumor and her doctor said that operating on the six tumors she has is too dangerous because it could release more cancer cells and spread during the process. Their goal is preventing growth and multiplication of tumors. I pray for shrinking tumors and that they all go away. Seems like Mama needs a miracle.