Just when I didn’t think 2011 could get any better, we decided to mix it all up. In 2012, we made every major life changing decision. We had a baby, sold our home, moved to ‘burbs of Kansas City, Anthony took a new job and I stopped working (well almost), and my sister Katelynn, along with her baby girl Scarlett, moved in with us. Now…we can only hope 2013 will be much calmer.
When interviewing for jobs in Dallas, Anthony was simultaneously offered a job here in Olathe, which happened to be right next to my family. Growing up in Dallas his whole life, he was itching for something different. That, and the hour plus commute every day was getting old. I, on the other hand, needed more convincing. It was hard to leave Dallas, my part-time job at Deloitte, my fellow book-clubbers in Lake Highlands, and my home that I had grown so fond of after 6 years and finally remodeled exactly how I wanted it. But after much praying, we felt it the right decision for our family.
So far, we’ve loved being here in Kansas. I love everything about the new house – especially all the extra space—which we’re still trying to fill. Anthony loves practicing dentistry in his brand new dental office and we love him being just a few miles away -- so he’s home in time for dinner, or better yet, to help make dinner. We love the wide open spaces, the rolling hills and green scenery, and let’s not forget – the rows of cornfields. We love instant access to highways free of Dallas’ horrific traffic. And we love being close to my family – my parents and siblings, and the kids growing up next to cousins. But for our friends and family in Dallas, there’s no replacement and we miss them dearly.
Brooke is now 21 pounds of pure joy! When she gets excited, she flaps her hands like she’s a bird and at her rate, is going to learn how to fly before learning to crawl. Rather, she insists on doing crunches until she’s sitting up and looking around. She claps her hands, insists on feeding herself the tiniest bits of food, eats anything in site, and begs until you share. She’s the quietly stubborn and already knows how to get her way, evidenced by having to be being rocked to sleep. Then again, she sleeps 10+ hours (well, on good nights!) so we can’t complain. She loves to serenade us with her sweet melodies and is quite the little jibber –jabber. If you ask my mom, she’ll insist that she’ll say Ma-ma when she’s crying or Da-da when she’s excited, which is 99% of the time. And if you want to hear her laugh hysterically, let Tanner enter the room and greet her with a big hug. There’s no sweeter sound!
Tanner just doesn’t stop growing. Every now and then, I still see in Brooke my little round baby boy, but it’s hard to imagine now that he’s so tall and lean. He’s just the happiest 4 year old to be left to his own imagination and play 24/7. He comes up with all sorts of adventures involving firefighters, superheroes, robbers, and pirates. His love for Legos has turned into border line obsession. Last year he would follow the instructions to a tee and point out our every variation, such as “No, that’s the wrong color, it has to be ___”. Now, he’ll freely builds all sorts of pirate ships, fire engines, space shuttles – it changes every day—and plays with the Lego minifigures like they’re Barbie’s – switching out heads, outfits, hats, and yes, even the hands.
Tanner started his first year in sports – starting with private swim lessons, playing “Me & Mini Me” Soccer with Anthony, gymnastics to get all that extra energy, and Rookie Basketball. Not to shatter any future in sports, let’s be honest and say he made a better observer than participant. We hope to change that one day…
But in spite of the chaos and commotion this year has brought, we have felt the tender mercies of the Lord blessing and enriching our lives. We hope this Christmas season you have time to pause – even if just momentarily – to feel the warmth of the Savior’s Light and Life. May His peace and joy fill your homes and hearts!
