October

 leftover picture from the fair on Christian's birthday

Surprisingly, he was drove the bumper car really well.

 purse, phone, mermaid and half Snow White costume

What else does a girl need?

Tommy and Alissha treated us to friend day at Six Flags the weekend after Christian's birthday. 

He's better at bumper cars than old timey cars.

 little chat in the kitchen

Sweet Alissha invited Georgia and me to Frozen on Ice on my birthday!

Pretty nieces Madison and Emily

Christian was awesome at the WINGS spelling bee this past Friday. 

He came in second. 

 It's been a difficult 2.5 months to say the least. I don't think I had a true understanding of our need for Andrew's presence and authority in our home until now. Times when I've been on the verge of tearful breakdowns I remember all the military wives I know who go through months (often many times throughout life) of husbands being thousands of miles away, and it makes my pity party seem incredibly ridiculous.

On one hand, I look forward to moving back to Louisville: to go back to the church I love dearly, the friends I've missed desperately, to know my husband works somewhere his gifts are utilized and valued, and to have the fierce desire for my children to attend a particular school come to fruition. On the other hand, I feel like I've betrayed my family, teased them by living here a year and a half. We've stated that if our original plans had worked out we'd be living on an island thousands of miles away that would take days to get to by plane. I don't think that makes them feel any better. If I had a third hand, I feel foolish. Why did we move away from Louisville in the first place? I had no idea how much Andrew was treasured at his school until he gave his notice. We just wanted to live near our family. I think we gave it a good try. I suppose Andrew could have kept looking for work here. Maybe he would have found something. Maybe not.

I miss many things about Louisville. As I drive around this Georgia home, though, I realize I will miss many things here as well. I look back at living in Auburn and miss many things there. What a beautiful earth, landscape and even creative city planning that our God has given us so that we can say there are countless wonderful places to live. The statement "Mary treasured up all these things in her heart" occurs more than once in Scripture. I at least understand that statement in a sentimental way.

As I type, Andrew is going over the home inspection report with the inspector at our hopeful house.