This is a good sign...

Sold! This is a good sign. A very good sign. This whole process has been overwhelming, as least for me. Jeff, on the other hand, has been as cool as a cucumber the entire time. He says things to me like, "You know God's going to take care of us, don't you?" or "You know everything is going to be okay, right?". Yes, yes, I know, but I've be worried since we found out that we were moving last September about everything....Who will be our realtor? What should our asking price be? What improvements should we make to the house? How much will improvements cost? When should we put the house on the market? How long will it be on the market? How on earth will I keep the house tidy with a dog and a 1-year-old? Where will we go when there are showings at random times throughout the day? How should we negotiate? Where will we stay between closing day and Jeff's last day of residency? And so on and so on. And never mind all of the concerns I had about moving to St. Louis. There's a whole other set of questions that ran through my mind with that prospect. Will we find a safe place to live? Can we find a place to rent in our budget that is decent and will take a dog? Will Jeff be stuck in traffic for hours each day?  Will I love our new home as much as I have loved this one? Am I even going to like the city? And what about friends? Blah, blah, blah. The questions and worry plagued my mind (and if I'm being totally honest, they still do if I don't keep them at bay). Every time something gets settled I seem to move on to another concern, big or small. I've had to continually remind myself that worrying will do no good and that in fact my worry is evidence that I am not trusting God. And why shouldn't I trust Him??? If He takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers in the field, will he not also provide for us? Of course He will. I've known that in my head through this entire process. But I've had such a hard time letting go and just trusting that God has a plan for us and will make a way for us.

Looking back on everything that has happened in the last year, from Jeff's interviews for fellowship to seeing that red sign in our front yard today, it is so easy for me to see how God has laid out a path for us and has provided for us. And all the while I was so wrapped up in my self-reliance that I was unaware of how He was orchestrating everything. Our house is no longer for sale (and I don't have to hide Benjamin's toys every time we leave the house!). My parents are going to let me stay with them after the house closes until we officially move to St. Louis. Jeff is going to a great job. We're moving to a city that I've discovered is actually quite family friendly and not so scary as I thought. Our new landlord seems like a nice, reasonable guy. I already have a dear friend who recently moved to St. Louis. She just happened to find out that her husband was being stationed there right after we heard that was where we were headed. The house we found is in a beautiful, quiet, safe neighborhood and will have plenty of room for our growing family.

I love our home and our neighborhood. I love this city. And I love the friends that we have made here. I'll be sad to say goodbye to the last 3 years of our lives here in this place, but God's faithfulness through this whole process gives me confidence to know that He has a plan for us in this next chapter of our lives.

Thank you, Lord, for showing your faithfulness to me even when my faith was wavering. You are so good.

All to Him I owe...

Today as Benjamin and I were driving in the car this track popped up on the cd we were listening to and I couldn't keep myself from hitting the repeat button as I sang along and felt the tears fall on my cheeks. What a gift we have been given...in spite of ourselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7QQGPv1Ikc

The secret to having a good day: Do a lot, but don't do anything.

Benjamin and I had the most wonderfully unproductive yet eventful day together. I love those days. The morning started out by starting late. Sleeping in until 7:30am is a glorious feeling. We enjoyed a relaxing morning eating breakfast, reading books, and wrestling. Benjamin and I were having such a good time entertaining each other that I lost track of time and we were late for a morning play date with our friends.

We headed over to see our lovely friends and their sweet babies. There we found donuts, toys, good conversation, lunch and plenty of teachable moments (you know...those moments when your kid gets together with other kids and then sometimes demonstrates a little bit of ugly). Benjamin had such a good time running around with his pals that he fell asleep during the short car ride home.

Benjamin went down for his nap and I knit on the couch while catching up on The Voice. I probably should have spent his nap cleaning the house, but truth be told I'm sick of cleaning (1 month of having a house up for sale will do that to you) and sometimes a girl has just got to put her feet up and relax. To my credit I was knitting a gift for somebody which will save us money which is sort of the same as making money which is like working which is productive. Oh yes, and did I mention that I'm busy growing a baby here. I'd say that's cause for a rest during the day. (I feel the need to justify my laziness...must be feeling a tad guilty...but not so guilty that I can't sit down to blog about my lazy day)

By the end of Ben's nap we had company in the form of another fun play date filled with more good conversation, toys and teachable moments, of course.

Benjamin smothering his friend with affection.

Watching for puppies outside.

Running laps.

Tag, you're it!

My little pal and I wrapped up the evening with a frozen dinner, playing cars, and bath time. The only way this day could have been better is if we had gotten to spend some time with Jeff. We really miss him when he's working these long crazy hours, but it sure is nice to have a precious little boy to love on and great friends to fill in the gap.

Meet Me in St. Louis (part 2)

Things I learned on our trip to St. Louis...

*There is no shortage of fireworks stores or gun shops once you cross the border into Missouri. We were in the state all of one minute before we passed 5 places that sold fireworks and a few gun establishments....oh, and a trailer park or two.

*I need to teach Benjamin that leopards, lions and tigers are not "kitties". Pretty sure he would have tried to hug this cat if he could have gotten out of his stroller.

Benjamin calling out to the "kitties".

Here, kitty, kitty.

*I have a "cute" accent (according to a waitress). I don't know what she was talking about. I sound just like the people on TV.


*You can't drive across town in 10 minutes, but 30 minutes isn't too bad.

*There is an abundance of family activities in St. Louis. We went to 4 parks, all lovely, the children's museum and the zoo while we were there. We didn't even have a chance to hit the art and science museums let alone the various "farms"...we were house-hunting after all.

*North Dakota and Minnesota are not the only states that have nice people. I randomly met the cousin of one of the doctors that Jeff is going to be working with at his new job while we were at a playground. Benjamin just had to say hi to her dogs and while we were casually visiting we discovered the connection. She gave me her business card and encouraged me to call or email if I needed anything.

*I love QuikTrip....I may be picking up a blended coffee drink every time I get gas in MO.

*Living in a big city won't be as scary as I thought it was going to be.

*I am getting really excited for this next chapter in our lives.

Meet Me in St. Louis (must own this movie!)