An Aunt's Life

To my sweet, eldest niece:

You make me laugh! Do I tell you that enough? You exude feeling - perhaps more than anyone I know, you feel things deeply and truly. You are full of life, drama, conversation, opinions, and all sorts of hilarity. I don't always know what a day with you will entail, but I know that at the end I will have many more stories than time to tell them. And so here are a few....

First, you are learning Spanish right now, and a few phrases that have continued to bring you (and us) joy are:

"Mama, may I go to the bano, please?"

"Hola, Tia!"

"Hola Papa, Como Esta?"

Next, While all of us adults were talking, rather passionately and loudly as we often do, you seemed to be in your own world of play. But when we couldn't decide on the time of a recent event ("It was 8:00 I think"..."No it must have been 9:00...") you burst into the conversation and with your loudest, most authoritative voice you stood up to say "It was 9!!" Then, with a look around the room a heavy sigh you said, "I just can't handle this anymore.." and left us in astonished laughter.

Third and finally, You have truly grown up a Georgia Peach. While singing the song "Little Bunny Foo Foo" (Lyrics Here) you changed the chorus to say "..Down came the good ol' fairy..." in perfect southern style!

Hanging with you has always been and continues to be one of my favorite things to do. I love you, Chica!

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

We are more or less settled here in Georgia, and have had so many reminders of God's faithfulness throughout the process. The mantra and phrase that keeps coming up in conversation for us is "our daily bread", and we are finding that God's faithfulness and goodness, though abundant, is making itself known in small, sweet packages. It comes in the form of a phone call invitation to interview for med school when we weren't sure we would hear back at all, or a text message about a beautiful little townhome in our price range that was available immediately one we pulled into the state. 

We're doing our best to be wise, prayerful, and have discernment in all things - and I think we keep both sense that we will be Ok, that we're covered, cared-for, and looked after. It doesn't change the need to make good decisions or be thoughtful, and we've certainly had our share of doubts, second guesses, and frustrations, but God's faithfulness continues to be stronger than our faults and failures.

That being said, there is much to be grateful for, and I look ahead with hope and gladness to this new season - whatever may come!

Home Sweet Home: Georgia Style

Here is it! 

Home, Sweet Home!

We are here in Smyrna, Georgia and couldn't feel more blessed with this little spot. We've enjoyed so much turning "house" into "home", decorating, dreaming, and enjoying the space. It's a great neighborhood, and we've already enjoyed conversations with neighbors. Piper is taken with the yard, and keeps us laughing with the way she tears around the entire house running freely. 

I can't wait to take a picture of the house during each season here. The tree in the front yard is already starting to change color, and I'm sure it will be gorgeous! There is even a bit of mistletoe we can pick off the lower branches to keep in the house during the Christmas season. Sweet!

We are so comfortable here, and look forward to more happy seasons to come! And for a bit more about where we live:

Smyrna: Jonquil City

Population: About 51,000+

Location: 10 miles NW of Atlanta

Fun Facts: A scene from the movie "Joyful Noise" was filmed here; though part of Cobb County, Smyrna has its own library system; Julia Roberts lived here, and Atlanta Bread Company headquarters are located here.