A long journey to here.

Last January was the last time I wrote anything. I have meant to write many times, but life has a way of taking one by surprise. Early last year I found out that my husband and I were expecting our second child. A beautiful boy born in October. SWR is such an amazing little boy. In the past few days he has started army crawling and jibber jabbering.

My unexpected pregnancy was not an easy one. I was sick and very sleepy while raising a toddler. Last year was not my best year. But despite everything that went on, I did grow closer to the Lord. An unexpected pregnancy can take a toll on a marriage, but my husband and I endured together. And day by day we are getting stronger and stronger in our bond. Our 4th anniversary is just two weeks away. We have had so much happen to us in such that short span of time.

Several moves, family health issues, job changes, uncertainty of the future, sleep deprivation, baby boy had RSV. Despite the ups and downs, there are truths I have held onto:

• God will bring into your life the people you need.
• God will remove the people you do not need.
• If you keep your focus on the Lord you will get through the troubles.
• If your heart is set on Him, He will be your strength.

The future is bright. We are busy but have much to look forward to. My husband has started a new business venture. I have finished up my certifications for the state. Little Miss A is growing like a weed, and extremely bright! She has adapted to being a big sister better than I expected. Within the next month my father will be moving in with us. Not too long ago he suffered a heart attack, and we decided as a family that him moving in with us was the best solution. With that in mind we have been getting our house ready.

I do not know if I should be proud or ashamed. We have cleaned things out and up, and the amount of trash we are throwing away is pitiful (not in quantity!). Bag after bag of stuff that we have managed to put into nooks, crannies and on shelves. And with a three day weekend I have filled a good portion of our garage with stuff ready for the curb later this week.

It is over due though. I have felt the call for a while now (since early in my second pregnancy) to simplify our lives. With two children I imagine it can easily happen that a household is overcome wit stuff. We are fighting that every day. And with the big clean out that we have been doing we are setting a great example for our children. That more is not more. In fact we are teaching them that less is more. We are about the experience not the souvenir. Having children is a beautiful but weighty obligation.