It's Almost Spring!

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've given you an update! There is a lot to catch up on, so I hope this gets you up to speed with our lives.

We have had a crazy two and a half months. Our lives have been busy and at times overwhelming, but we are taking it one day at a time and trusting that we will be taken care of in the midst of the craziness.

Layla is growing so fast. I know I say that every time I post something, but it's the truth! She is talking and communicating so clearly; understanding and responding to things we say and ask her to do. She is saying a lot of new words and letting us know when she does or doesn't like something. Her birthday is still a few months away, but I find myself amazed that we are going to have a two year old running around soon. Sometimes life goes by too fast! I wish I could freeze time and keep Layla in this phase for awhile. She is amazing!

Bobby and I joined a small group of about 4 other young couples. Though Bobby's work schedule is sometimes unpredictable and we have had to miss a few weeks, we are genuinely grateful for the relationships we are forming and the growth we feel like we will receive from this group. Our church, Christ's Church of Scottsdale, is wonderful. We feel like it's exactly where we need to be and are so thankful for the way God provided this church for us. We hope to get more involved and meet even more people.

We are loving Phoenix more and more. Or maybe I should say that I am loving Phoenix more and more :). The weather is starting to heat up again. Slowly, which is good. We're not in the 100's yet, thank goodness, but will be there within the next 6-8 weeks. The high 70's and low 80's are what we get to wake up to and enjoy right now. This is the perfect time for me. If any visitors want to come to see us, now is when Arizona is at its best!

We will be going through a big transition in the next few months, with trying to find a new place to live. Our lease is up in June and though we love our apartment, we would like to move closer to Bobby's family and to the things that we have started doing. Please pray for the right place to come along and that the moving process and details are simple and smooth.

Thanks for your continued friendships and love! We hope you are all doing well!

Here are few pictures of Layla and our family, so you can see what we've been up to...




Our little "Layla-bug" in her new ladybug towel. Thanks Gainer's!




We taught Layla how to say, "Go Cards" every time she saw anything Cardinals. This picture is her cheering on her team.




Bobby was beyond excited that this year is team made it to the Super Bowl! Here were are with the NFC West Trophy. It was so fun to go see it!



Bobby and Layla waiting to see the NFC West Trophy. Twins!




Layla loves her hair clips, but doesn't keep them in for long. However, this particular day, she wanted ALL of her hair clips in her hair. It was hilarious!



Then she wanted them out :)

We are Eternal Beings

It's hard to believe that after about 18 months of campaigning and getting their agenda's out for America to identify with or criticize, we finally have a new president. On the other hand, it's not hard to believe; it's about time. I am sick of all the politics and am tired. I'm glad to see this election over.

However, this election, more than ever, seems to have great significance in all of our lives. Regardless of what side of the political spectrum you are on, there is a lot riding on the leadership of the next president. There are wars, economics, and health-care to be dealt with, along with all of the other pressing responsibilities the leader of the free world has. I find myself thinking that it wouldn't matter who would have won, because one man, no matter how powerful, will never match the power, wisdom, and sovereignty of Jesus.

This brings me to my point. I think we all were very engrossed with this election, which isn't a bad thing. In fact, we are responsible to be engaged, and make good decisions for ourselves, and our families, so being active in the political process is good. BUT, we cannot forget that our hope doesn't lie in a political figure. We will be let down. We would have been let down by McCain, had he won, and we will be let down by Obama, simply because they are humans. Jesus, however, will not let us down. He has promised life eternally for those who love him, by the power of his death and resurrection. If we truly believe Jesus is who he says he is, Obama, or any political figure, has nothing on Jesus. We are eternal beings. We will last forever, therefore, we need not be too worried or concerned with the future of our country. God loves us deeply, and cares for our well-being. I have to choose to trust in his power and authority and hold myself accountable only to him.

I will be honest, that I am disappointed in the outcome of this election, but, my fears and angst are carried by the one who knows this world, country, you and me, and everything we care about, best. I may not like what Obama stands for, but he is our new leader, and needs all the prayer this world can give him.

God Bless America

My Arbonne Opportunity

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to tell you about a new opportunity I have!

About a month ago, Lindsey Allen, a 2nd grade teacher at Bellevue Christian, emailed me and asked me about joining her in selling products from the Skin Care/Health and Wellness company, Arbonne. Her email was totally out of blue, but ironically came in the most perfect timing. My current job has been a struggle, and getting her email gave me hope that I don't have to be stuck there AND I can achieve my goal of staying home with my kids.

My initial reaction was, 'I'm not a salesperson.' and Lindsey said, 'Neither am I.' As we talked more and I learned about the product and what the company can offer, I began to get really excited about the possibilities it could entail for our family. Not only is the product amazing and made with best quality ingredients, but the company offers an enormous amount of opportunity for those who choose to get involved.

Example: As most of you know, my ultimately goal is to be able to stay home with my kids. We aren't there quite yet, but Lindsey explained that Arbonne can help me reach that goal and is in fact, very popular among women who want to stay home with their children. That honestly got my attention right there. Lindsey's sister and her sister's best friend are two, tangible success stories themselves. This company has allowed both of them to stay home with their children, and have their husbands work less, so they too, can be with their kids more. Lindsey is having success herself, and is confident that when her and husband decide to have kids that Arbonne with allow her to stay home with them. I was absolutely blown away. I thought about it more and talked it over with Bobby and decided that this was an opportunity I would be silly pass up. So, two weeks ago I became an Independent Consultant for Arbonne and am working on starting my business.... I do believe that a large part of this move to Phoenix is for me to do newthings, therefore allowing God to provide for me in new ways. Itruly believe this is something God has for me, knowing my desire tostay home with my children, and the goals our family has. This verse has given me more hope than I could ever imagine and I want to share it with you because it so deeply ties into me selling Arbonne, and everything else I am going through in this transition with moving to Phoenix.

'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.'
Isaiah 43:18-19

The reason I am telling about my opportunity, is because you have all been and still are very important to me, therefore are a huge component to my success. I'm not just talking about you buying the products, though you're welcome too if you'd like :). I am telling you this because I would love your support in this venture. It is definitely outside of my comfort zone, not anything that I've ever seen myself doing, and will force me to connect people in ways I haven't before. Here are some really specific ways you can support me...

1) Please pray for confidence, strength, continued motivation, and vision.

2) Please pray that my ultimate goal of staying home with my kids will be met in this next year. That I would have enough success for my current to be replaced with Arbonne, which I can do from home.

3) Pray that others who could potentially benefit from doing this same thing, would come into my path. That I could share this opportunity with the right people.

4) Would you consider hosting a party for me if you are in the Phoenix and Seattle area? I can do parties when I visit Seattle and anytime in Phoenix. There are lots of host benefits that I can tell you about. This would greatly help my business. If you personally, don't feel up for hosting a party, do you know someone that would?

5) Encouragement. Ask me questions. Check in and see how things are going. Keep me motivated and focused on my goal. Help me to see the big picture when I am feeling discouraged.

6) Buy products! I'm not trying to push the envelope, but if you are interested in using pure and safe products, that actually give you results, I think you would love Arbonne. There are all sorts of products for all different needs. Just ask me if you'd like!

7) Tell people you know what I'm doing. I would love to be able to offer someone that same opportunities that were offered to me.

Thank you for letting me share this opportunity with you. I am enthusiastic, motivated, and am excited to move forward. I can'ttell you how hopeful I feel about this and how much I believe this willbenefit our family. I appreciate you reading through the entire thing. I felt it was important to give you the whole picture. I can't wait to share more about this with you as it happens.

Letting Go... Being an Adult is Hard.

These past few weeks I have really been missing home. Everything about the beautiful Northwest, I miss. As this fall has come around, I am feeling a bit nostalgic, reminiscing about the life I left behind only 3 months ago.

I LOVE the fall! The leaves change colors, the air is crisp, and smell of the season changing makes me feel so alive. Well, here in the desert we have two season. Hot Summer, and mild summer. It's always sunny, there are no trees that change colors, and the heat makes me feel trapped sometimes. This brings me to my point...

In moving to Phoenix, I knew there were going to be changes I had to make and things that I needed to let go of. I didn't know what those things were, so recently I have been trying to figure it out. What are the things that I will always hold onto that would be bad to let go of, and what are the things that I need to let go of in order to be fully here in Phoenix, where my life inevitably is now? Tough questions, and I hate growing up sometimes.

I am reading a book called, "After the Boxes are Unpacked," and it's been my second bible. It's basically a woman's perspective on how hard moving can be and tools to get through some of the tough times. The part of this book that I have been thinking about recently is the chapter called "Letting Go." It's encouraged me to write down the things that I need to let go of, while also writing the things that will always be important in my life. So, here is what I have come up with thus far...

I Need to Let Go of....

1) The comparisons I make between Seattle and Phoenix. I love Seattle and miss it terribly, but comparing places will only take me a million steps back. So, the seasons, favorite places, starting sentences with, "Well, in Seattle..." all need to be fond memories and things I enjoy when I'm there, not dwelling on them when I'm in Phoenix.

2) I need let go of the some of the hurts I have had in my life. Whether they happened in Seattle or other places, holding grudges, and harboring bitterness can't be a part of my journey here. It needs to stop now, so I can move forward as a whole person. Though, I'm not completely there yet, I'm trying, and with help, I have hope I can leave some things behind for good.

3) I have deep, meaningful, and long-standing relationships with my friends in Seattle. I have known my dear friends for the majority of my life. Leaving them behind was absolutely one of the hardest things I have had to do. I will NEVER EVER let go of my friendships, however I have to let go of the desire to be a part of their everyday life. Not because they don't want me to be a part of their life, but because physically I can't. I'm not there, I'm not close in distance anymore, and it kills me everyday that when really exciting things are going in their lives I can't be there to witness it first hand.

Things I Will Not Let Go of...

1) The relationships I have with my family and friends. If we have made it this far and still love each other, I have full confidence in the future, that we will be able to keep our relationships growing and fresh. Deep relationships don't happen overnight, and when you find people who know, understand, and love you well, you don't let go of them.

2) The memories I have of the best times of my life in Seattle. Those memories hold me together, give me hope that good people exist, and define the first 23 years of my life. Though sometimes going over memories can throw me back into the world that I am no longer in, they help me remember the times that made me who I am today and remind me, that even when life is hard, God is good, and he blesses our lives abundantly. So for that reason alone, I will not let go of my memories.

3) The hope I have for the future. Whether it keeps us in Phoenix or takes us elsewhere, the hope I have for our family will not be squelched. We are learning, and growing closer because of this move and without it, we wouldn't be where we are today. I can't let go of that hope.


As I fumble and stumble through this journey of being in a new place, I can honestly say that I have hope, I am doing well, not excellent, but well (which I think is part of the experience), and I am genuinely looking forward to what God has for me. I am trying to jump in with both feet, though it's hard and painful at times. I have people that love me, a family who would do anything for me (both mine and Bobby's), and God is good.

Layla-bug is on the move!

Layla is finally walking! After 14 months of life, she has at last felt ready to brave the world on two feet instead of on all four's :). We have been delighted to watch her figure out her new mode of transportation and feel such a sense of pride in her accomplishment. For those of you who said to me, "It just keeps getting better," I couldn't agree more. With each new "talent" (as I like to call them), I am increasingly more in love with Layla and am grateful for a healthy, growing little one. She is happy as can be and getting bigger by the day. Bobby and I are trying to take in every moment because we know how fast those moments fade away.

So, here's to Layla walking!

More California Pictures!

Here are more pictures from our Labor Day trip to California. Enjoy!

California Adventure!

Hello from the Desert!

It's been about a month and I thought an update and a few pictures were in order. The most recent thing to tell you about is our trip to California...

Over Labor Day weekend all of Bobby's family went to Disneyland and the beach. I cannot tell you how much fun this weekend was. Though it was a whirlwind trip, and we only had two full days there, this was one of the best weekends we've had as a family.

The five hour drive seemed like nothing. Layla was a little fussy, but the goal of Disneyland and the beach was well worth hearing her scream :). We went straight to bed on Friday night, when we got there, and woke up bright and early Saturday morning so we didn't waste a second of precious Disneyland time. Every time I am at Disneyland it throws me back into "kid mode." I have such fond memories there and it was so neat to share the joy and fun with Layla this time. She was stimulated beyond belief, and loved it all. I'm glad she was able to experience such a happy place!

The lines we short and we went on every ride we wanted to in no time at all! We watched shows, ate yummy food, and enjoyed being together. It's hard to sum up such a fantastic day, but let's just say by the end of the day Layla was fast asleep in the car, we were dripping with sweat, had really soar feet, and were the happiest, most content bunch of people you've ever seen. We want to do it again right away!

After a long Disneyland day, we spent Sunday at Huntington Beach. I am very partial to Newport Beach and am used the familiarity that beach brings, BUT Huntington was so much fun with Bobby's family! The water was delightful, the kids we so happy to play together in the sand, we had a great lunch at Ruby's, and simply relaxed. There is nothing like the beach!!!

We were exhausted when we returned home on Monday evening, but it was worth every second! It was such a blast to be together, play together, eat together, and rest together. I feel refreshed and excited to do it all over again!

**More Pictures to come!