Since we moved in mid-April from Ohio to Texas, we knew we might completely miss "spring". It was still hovering around freezing in Ohio, and a normal April in Texas is in the mid-80's, gradually reaching 90.
The weather here the last four weeks has been just one of the many ways we're seeing the awesomeness of God. It has been beautiful and unusually cool Spring days. Several days have come close to breaking 100-year records for lows. And we have loved it. Sunshine, 60's & 70's, powerful thunderstorms... God blessed us with Spring.
If you're wondering if we're getting settled in down here, the answer is yes and no.
About a week after we moved here (that crazy week where Nathan had two huge job interviews), my parents had new granite flooring laid to finish out the new addition to the house (the back porch closed in to form a sunroom/playroom). The living room & dining room were also laid in the same stone. This is a project that has dragged out for three weeks now (hopefully will be finished this next week), and so we have gotten to spend a lot of time outdoors, visiting local playgrounds, and made several trips to my grandparents in East Texas. So physically, we haven't had a lot of time to "settle"---we still have been living out of boxes, and I can't wait to unpack so I can actually access my normal everyday things!
This has drained me personally as a mom quite a bit, and many days I'm at my wits-end on how to keep my kids occupied while still trying to keep up with life things like paying bills, grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry. I continue to focus on the day, and remember this is just a season we are going through and things will get better soon.
On the other side of things, I am continually amazed by how God is taking care of us. Nathan has been working full-time for almost two weeks now and progressing with his job at ChickFilA. Tomorrow he will get to be a part of the worship team for the second time at the little church plant we've been attending. And when he hasn't been at work or practicing guitar, he has been hired to do landscaping type projects for someone. So he is busy-busy, but we're so grateful for the way God is so quickly providing for our little family.
Levi and Ellie have been such amazing troopers throughout this entire adventure. After the unrest of packing up a house to move, then traveling to Texas, adjusting here to new friends, new church, and daddy's new work schedule... They continue to adapt in incredible ways. They have their days of pushing each other's (or mommy's) buttons, and testing new boundaries, but overall they are just loving this new life (probably because they get to spend most of their time outdoors).
I also have been caught off-guard by how quickly my heart has become attached to this part of Texas. I was born and raised in the general area, but my parents didn't move to Magnolia until I was a senior in highschool, I only lived here a few years. I am loving the sun, the people, the food, the community courtesies when out and about, being able to spend time with family in person, and so many other things. So I keep giving all that over to the Lord as well, that if this is the region of Texas we're supposed to end up in, He opens the doors for us to stay here.
That's about it for now. Continue to pray for us as we adjust to this new life. I specifically ask for prayer for me that I get some times of encouragement and get refreshed soon. God is carrying me day by day for sure, but right now I feel like I'm wearing out a bit.
Love from the Sliters in Texas!
