Back Home Again in Indiana

Whew! That was a long 3 years (plus a bit more), but WE ARE BACK. HOME. AGAIN! I am so glad to be writing this post and more excited to be able to say that GOD has been SO faithful to cover our needs during this move. When we left Ft. Wayne for a job in Chicagoland in the fall of 2008, we knew that would be a temporary move, but when we moved to New Jersey (exactly a year to the day) we thought that would be our home for MANY years to come (8-10 was my estimate). Immediately we began "throwing down our roots" in a small community in what the locals affectionately refer to as South Jersey. It's true. You wouldn't know it from the news coverage about the "armpit of America," but loys of the middle and southern parts of that tiny state are quite lovely...much like the rolling fields and orchards found in Indiana. Often as we explored on Sunday drives and field trip adventures, I felt like I was back in my native homeland...with the exception of knowing where I was! (Having a GPS is a beautiful thing when you're living new places.) Well, I have some catching up to do and it may take me awhile to get all the photos and entries added. Slowly but surely though I hope to get our blog up to date and eventually have it as a memoir of our comings & goings while living a year in Naperville & 2 in NJ and now during our return to the good old Midwest. It's been quite a journey...but with God all things are [SURELY] possible. -Mark 9:23 (emphasis, mine)

To the Hobsons: Our Friends Forever!

I am forever mystified by God's abundant provision for our lives...have you ever felt that way?

About 6 years ago, Aaron & I joined a small group for the class "Growing Kids God's Way" with 2 other couple-friends from our church. Then we heard that another couple had called the church looking for a group and would be joining us. I still remember meeting them. All of us botched her name, but quickly adopted the "new couple."

As the weeks turned to months, we grew from sharing our parenting struggles with one another...and then, as quickly as it started, the class was over. Having never met her kids at that point and already feeling "connected" with my group of friends, I'm not sure that I ever thought we'd develop much of a friendship.

And then the following fall, we four women from the class took an overnight trip to a mothers-only seminar. That's where it all began...a true deepening of our connection and friendship.

Today, I can't imagine my life without them.

These are the memories we have to treasure...lots of piano lessons, a little crafting, sharing tea & goodies, visiting the zoo, "swing & dress-up," co-oping, gingerbread festival, Blue Man Group, watching the ballet, and just hanging out being friends.

Now we say, "goodbye" or at least "see ya later," as we move away to a new home.

We will miss each of you so much! Thanks for being our friends even at a distance!

Neglect? or Priorities?

Unintentionlly, I have neglected posting here since school started...one reason is we're EXTREMELY busy with our adoption paperwork and, as if that wasn't enough, Aaron took a job in Chicago for which he will leave tomorrow! Therefore his past two weeks have been filled with house projects...way to go hubby!

Another issue is that our computer basically crashed and I lost capability to download/upload my photos, but on the brighter side...God is blessing us big time.

Windy City--part V??

This morning Aaron got "the call." (The good call. The one we've been waiting on for 3 weeks.)

He's starts in October and we will join him later in the month...for a while. Until the housing gets settled we'll be back and forth a bit.

Now to make the dreaded phone calls to my local sister & parents.

Only God knows where we're going from here, but we're confident in him and ready to see him strong in our weaknesses. As my dear friend, Tara, said today, "It's bittersweet!" (Thanks for your love & encouragement!)

THE ZOO!

It's been a fun summer of zoo visits and instead of making LOTS of entries...I decided to sum it all up in this ONE post...I know I'm ahead of my time!

These are from our FREE boat ride at the Zoo-loo-au. It's a member's only party with hot dog dinner, blow-up jumpy things [moonwalks, we used to call them], an ice cream treat and a free ride in the zoo. This year we went at 4pm and got straight in the food line, then went inside to ride the train...the line was AWFULLY long so we skipped over to Austrailia to ride the boats, then back out to jump a bunch. We even saw lots of friends, new & old! (This is where we all met Ava Lan Sprunger.)

These are all from our trip with Missy & Timmy on July 25th:



After they left...Claire & I convinced Hannah to take our FIRST ride on the new-ish Sky Ride over the "coming soon" African Journey.