since I never post, here's a ton of words and pictures

Best part of January was closing the sale of our home! 

Is it really the middle of February? Already?! Time is going faster, right? And not just for me... my kids say they feel it too.

2015 arrived with a flurry of lots of things happening. We had just gotten back from our Christmas trip to California and I hit the floor running. School started back up a week earlier than usual and since I homeschool my kids and tutor for Classical Conversations, there was lots of prep work to be done. I hosted two baby showers within a week of each other and just had the every day (constant) chores, errands, emails, etc... to get to.

I hosted a shower for my good friend Sarah and a few weeks later 

she gave birth to this beautiful baby boy, Isaac David. 

David and Sarah lost their baby girl, Ava Grace at 18 weeks 

and walking through that with them and being able to experience the joy 

of Isaac's birth has been nothing short of awesome. 

So happy for them! 

 We're a busy family, but we're not THAT busy. I find my jaw dropping when I hear some of the schedules some families keep. It amazes me. Mostly because I feel like I'm drowning with my schedule and its not that bad. 

Right now our oldest 2 are on basketball teams so they have practice once a week with Saturday games. For me, that's enough sports filling our lives to last us a while. 

My general rule of thumb is to avoid the whole "kids in sports" until my kids are literally begging me. Then we discuss it. I want it to be something they really want and desire and not me throwing them at 5 million different activities. 

Miles gave up his pacifier addiction back in January. Well, it was taken away from him. He had a rough 24 hours and then seemed to move on as if it never existed. Funny how they all react differently.
We also took the guard rail down on his bottom bunk which he feels really special about. He lets everyone know he's no longer a baby and is a BIG boy.

his 2nd night without the paci. Went to sleep like a pro 

Ethan and I had our birthdays and turned 35 and 10. I told him I remember so well the day he was born; holding him and thinking "wow, when I'm 35 he'll be 10 years old" and feeling like that was SO far off. My, how quickly the time has gone.

Jason's Dad and sister spent a week with us and were here to celebrate our big day, which was so fun. We spent the day in Seattle at the Pacific Science Center, Columbia Tower and Pike Place Market.
Jason and his Dad took a few days to do some work under the house, installing a heater vent in the master bathroom and some new wiring for our projector. Its so fun to be able to get totally settled and know we're going to stay here for a long time. Much harder to unpack and set up, wondering if you're going to be asked to move in 12 months.

it was such a beautiful birthday sunset 

Oh, the Seahawks went to their 2nd Superbowl in a row!! ... and... I won't tell you how it ended. Lets just leave it at, they went to their 2nd Superbowl in a row and we are really, really proud of them.
We watched the Superbowl at our friends house and enjoyed ending the season with a bang.
Ethan and I counted and there are about 28 weeks until football season starts up again, so we're pretty much in mourning until then ;-)

this is how we feel about our Seahawks  

Seattle is truly the best place to live if you love football. 

Everyone here is insanely devoted and bandwagon fans are easy to spot ;-) 

We've been so blessed at our new (to us) church. I signed up to serve in Sunday School and was placed with 1st and 2nd graders which are my favorite <insert heart eyes here>
We've enjoyed getting to know new families and making new friends, being challenged by the Word and finding a Bible Study group that's going to press up and encourage us in literally all the areas I asked God back in December to help me grow in. Thanks, God <3
Last year (well, the last 2 years) as I was struggling more and more with the church we were at and feeling like it wasn't where God wanted us, I kept making short lists of what church means to me; what I'd like to get out of it and put into it. It amazed me how much my opinion has changed over the years. The top few things on my list were:
1.) solid, unapologetic preaching from God's word. 
2.) genuine people who love and serve God. Not to post it on social media or get praise or attention, but because they know God's love for them runs so deep, they are compelled to love and serve. 
3.) a church that is truly, deeply rooted in the community. Simply to get the gospel out and to love people well. Not looking to serve only those who can profit them in some way. 
4.) A church dedicated to helping us train and raise up the next generation, understanding that our kid's generation is the proof for our efforts and Worship to God. 
5.) a church IN our community. Close to home, where we can be involved and serve without a long trek. 
So those were my top 5 things. I told myself that when God moved us to try new places, I would throw away the silly ideas I so often get caught up with and simply focus on things I knew God wanted us to be focusing on.
Its hard to do. Because I'm self centered. So its hard to actually say "Lord, show me where you want us to be; to serve, to be used for your Kingdom." and not get wrapped up in the lame, music, clothing, people, popularity, entertainment aspect that seems to be everywhere these days.
Anyway, we're feeling settled and blessed there.

Kara's wonderland in our front yard 

our Christmas gift to the kids was a huge trampoline

Spring is fast approaching and I guess I'm happy about it. The draught on the west coast (mostly just in CA) has me a bit worried. I noticed our winter seemed to be different this year and I can't help but wonder if it means the draught issues will creep up here. We have flowers blooming way too early this year, but I'm doing my best to trust God and enjoy it.
The kids are SO anxious to use the new pool, so they're all thrilled at signs of summer coming quickly :)

He woke up, ate some breakfast and went out to play with his 

water toy and dreamt about swimming... 

Oh! I'm no longer on Facebook, so for those of you reading who think I deleted you, I didn't. Jason and I deleted our accounts back in August and it was for us and had nothing to do with any of you, so no worries there :)

Went to a new donut spot with amazingly huge donuts... 

followed by a park visit to run off the sugar :) 

Happy Valentine's Day!