So, TWO more weeks in Kansas!

I've already said goodbye to one friend because she's leaving the country and won't be back before I leave. We were both in tears and I finally just had to walk away. Sad.

We are spending so much time outdoors soaking in this amazing Fall weather. It's my favorite of all seasons--especially here in the Midwest--and I will mourn the loss of it.

We are hanging out with our wonderful next door neighbors more than usual because again...we will so miss them!

Kansas has been good to us. I never in a million years thought we would live here, but it's an unexpected friend I made that I'm now leaving.

In the mean time, I'm a bit bored...no packing to do thanks to movers, no school for the kids thanks to moving, no activities to dive in to, etc. We are, however, taking advantage of Fall festivities on the weekends...they are awesome here!

So, I set my sights on a new place...again. I remind myself that in March, I can be warm instead of shoveling snow; that Austin is hip, musical, artsy, family friendly, etc.; we will be close to our best friends and the Prices; it will be GOOD. But...it will take a while to settle, to feel like it's home. I will grieve the loss of our place here. I've felt very plugged in and used up since we got here. The loss of our church family and the stuff we are involved in there will break my heart. This house that is only something material and that I should not be attached to...will always be in my memory. We overhauled it and it is beautiful.

Life goes on and we are stronger for it. Everything is temporary in the long run anyway, right? And we do not go alone - someone always goes before us. We are are so thankful to God for his care and provision.

We will miss you, Kansas City!

Trading in Sunflowers for Bluebonnets...

When I was younger, I lived in Austin, TX for 6 years. I made the best memories and had a great childhood (age 6-12) there. After my family left, I always wanted to go back and even after Tyler and I married, we dreamed of living there. Then...we moved to Kansas City and fell in love with everything here...the atmosphere, our neighborhood, the food, the feel. It felt like home from day 1. So, of course, 2 years later, AUSTIN would be thrown in our face as a possible transfer! If it had been any other place, our answer would have been a strong NO. But Austin?? That was considerable. So, after considering, we gave an apprehensive yes and that yes has been growing and growing. We just came back from spending Labor Day weekend enjoying Austin, TX, our new home; exploring the city all over again; and finding a really cute house. We are now fully excited to move to the place I always wished I had never left. I feel like it's been a full circle experience...now raising my kids where I was raised. God is tricky sometimes, but He is always good. We are trusting Him in this new phase of life and enjoying every minute, soaking up the adventure and diving in head first as we are known to do. We live fairly passionately and are ready to do so in Austin. Come see us there--you'll have a blast!