Life as We Know It

Life has been equal parts fun, exciting, and busy around our house lately - never a dull moment!

Since school ended for Katelee,we've enjoyed our summer schedule.  Kassandra has been spending most days at our house, which we adore, and we've been keeping busy with reading, riding bikes, playing outside, craft and science projects, and more.

 Here we are going to the pool.  We couldn't resist pictures of Blake in his swimming robe in the wagon - what a cutie!

 Over the weekend of June 2, we made a trip to Utah, where we were so blessed to be at the baptism and also baby blessing for the children of our dear friends the Shills. 

We stayed with Grandma Kaye while in Utah, and LOVED spending time with her as always!

 Here is a picture of Adalynn, the sweetie who received her baby blessing while we were in town, with Blake.  I'm already planning an arranged marriage for these two!

 We were so LUCKY to get to see Aunt Taylor while we were in town.  Love that girl!

 And of course, we spent some time with the Willdens. We love this family!  We were there to help celebrate Jacob's 13th birthday - can't believe he is already a teenager!  And I love this picture of Laurinda and Blake.

 While we were in town, Gerald was also actively job-seeking.  He had set up like eight appointments throughout Monday; two of them actual job interviews, and felt really good about the contacts he had made.

After returning home from Utah, we resumed our busy summer schedule.  The following weekend was our annual Families Supporting Adoption conference.  As usual, we LOVED it.  The theme was: Blessed by a Miracle, which we have definitely been.  What an uplifting, inspiring, educational, amazing time we had.  We always leave these events feeling so incredibly blessed to be touched by adoption.

A week or so after returning home from Utah, we were feeling overwhelmingly blessed when Gerald received not one but TWO job offers.  They are both great offers, and we are excited to be moving back to Utah NEXT WEEK!  What a whirlwind.  Because of Blake's temple sealing and blessing this weekend in St. George, this meant that only a day or two after having the offers, we were having our very last Sunday in the Summit View Ward.  We have loved being a part of this ward - it's such a very special place full of amazing, caring people, and we are sad to leave it.  I have really enjoyed my calling as Primary Chorister for the past year and a half, and I cried my way through most of singing time on Sunday.  The kids made these beautiful cards for me, and the Primary presidency gave me a sweet treat and gift.  I will sorely miss singing time and all my friends in the Summit View Ward.

Monday, Aurianna and Annalee came to spend the day with us.  We wanted to make the most of our time together with us moving farther away.  We had a wonderful time, as usual, and they were so thoughtful to bring some moving boxes and help me do some packing while they were here!

 Oh, and I just love this fun picture of Blake playing this toy keyboard.  The kid already loves playing the piano!  (Hope he still feels that way when he is ten.)  ;)

 

So much is happening so quickly, and we just feel so many conflicting things: excited, blessed, sad, happy, rushed, impatient, anxious, and definitely stressed.  It is bittersweet, but ultimately we are joyful and feeling the hand of the Lord in our lives.