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Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Morning Glory

Miami is so awesome. All three of us are loving every minute of being here. One of the best new things about living in Miami is our mornings. We no longer get up before the rooster even thinks about crowing. We sleep in till a lazy 7:15. Then, as tradition has made it, AJ goes and wakes up Eli and brings him into our bed and we all play for a few minutes.

This is my favorite time of the day. These precious few minutes we all share as family laughing together and passing hugs and "I love you's" are so wonderful. This time is something we couldn't have in DC because we were always too tired and too rushed to get out the door to make the bus on time, to make the metro on time, to get to work on time.

I get so much joy out of watching AJ and Eli sharing this time. They are always exchanging huge smiles and giggles between each other. It is amazing to see how much they love each other. Their bond is growing so strong. Eli's face lights up with joy whenever he even hears his daddy's voice much less sees his handsome face.

Mostly during this morning glory time I just sit back and watch. I get to be with Eli all day so I love to let AJ get this special time with his son. It is amazing to watch their relationship blossom. I can already envision the father/son days out throwing the baseball, swimming in the pool, going for drives, and having long talks together where AJ can impart to Eli some of his wisdom.

Their father/son relationship is so special and so wonderful for a mother to see. This morning glory is one of the most special times for the two of them to be together snuggling and tickling and laughing together. Eli always makes the biggest smiles during this time in the morning- he must love it. He doesn't smile like that at any other time during the day. He loves smiling with his daddy because he loves his daddy, and he certainly has a wonderful daddy- he makes me smile too!!!

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Miami

Well,

We are here. We made it. We moved in.

Its great. The weather is warm, work is great, the apartment is great. Everything is smooth. So, we are snaggin someone elses wi-fi connection until our modem arrives this week, but just wanted to give the update.

Eli is doing well, smiling and laughing quite a bit now. That is rewarding.

Shoot us an email if you get a chance. We'd love to hear from you, for real! Don't think, "Oh they don't mean me..." YES WE MEAN YOU! We always love hearing what's going on in our friends' and those we haven't heard from in a while.

Hopefully we will "chat" soon.

AJ

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Cardboard Smiles

Saturday daddy went to go wake up Eli as he often does. He goes in his room and says his name and Eli squirms and stretches and then curls up into a tight ball. Then he picks him up and they usually play for about 5 minutes before Eli starts to eat. Well last Saturday when daddy brought Eli into our room and put him on his lap Eli sat there and looked at daddy and gave him the biggest gummy grin!! It was so precious and AJ was so excited, it truly melted his heart like wax near heat. Eli hasn't really smiled since then but at least now we know he has the ability, he is just very picky to when he decides to use that ability. I know he will only begin to smile more and more and very soon he will be smiling everyday. I will try to catch one of these adorable expressions with the camera so I can post it on the site.

Our house is full of cardboard boxes and plastic bins. Most all of our belongings are now carefully stacked in a box inside our dining room and our family room. Even most of our furniture now resides in these 2 rooms. We are ready to go. Today is AJ's last day at work. Then tomorrow starts the busy-ness of the big move through five states and down into sunny and warm Miami, FL. It has been in the low forties at night and the sixties during the day- it is already too cold for me! I am welcoming the warmth we'll find down in Miami.

So, this will be the last post till we can get our internet hooked up again. Hopefully that won't be more then a week from now. So please continue to check back to the site for what is new with our family, don't be discouraged when there is no new info for a few days. We appreciate everyone who stays current on our lives through our website. Also, shoot us an email, or post a comment, and let us know what is new with you guys and how we can be praying for you guys better.

God bless. See you again from Miami!!!

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Relationships Matter

We just returned from an incredible time with IJM on a staff retreat at an amazing retreat center. Check it out. The family at IJM is truly incredible. They are a model of Christian community and the most incredible example that I have witnessed of a truly God-fearing, accountable Christian work environment. I feel priviledged and blessed to have been invited into this family and have experienced incredible facets of the body of Christ. My view of the Christian body has been dramatically impacted by my short stay at IJM HQ.

I wanted to write a couple thoughts on the topic of "Why Miami?" or even "Why move? AGAIN?". It is probably clear that Kellie and I love being part of IJM and the work they are doing. That factor made our decision even more difficult. But, what I have realized in the past 2 months is that Kellie and Eli are my primary ministry, and they need to be my focus. I need to learn to be the best father and husband that I can be. I believe that is what God has called me to. I also believe that I can't be the best father and husband when I am commuting 3 or 4 hours a day, after a 9 hour work day. We have looked at other possible options in DC -- renting, moving in closer, working from home during a day or two -- but we feel that the BEST decision for our family at this time is to take the offer to move to Miami, work with Kevin Finn at propeller and be close to home.

We are sad and excited at the same time. Everything has happened so quickly. We thank God for this experience. We have grown so much as a family. We have grown spiritually and emotionally. God has really revealed to us the meaningful aspects of life, and that is what we plan to live for -- relationships. Our relationship with our God and Father, the Creator of Life itself. Our relationship with our family, those that God has surrounded us with as our lifelong community. Our relationships with our extended family, those that support and protect us, and that let us fall down but help us back to our feet as we learn our way through this life. And also those individuals that God brings into our lives for a season - whether that season be short-lived or lifelong. When it comes down to it, above all else relationships matter.

We'll keep things posted on the blog as we pack up and roll south. Right now here is the plan. We'll continue packing today through next Thursday. We will pick up a truck from Richmond on Thursday, October 14 (its over $1100 cheaper to pick it up in Richmond than the DC area) and load up. Kellie and Eli will fly to Jacksonville on the 14th. We'll drive the truck and the JEEP down to Jacksonville on Friday, stay overnight, and then Kellie and Eli will join us for the final leg to Miami on Saturday. We'll unload, settle in and maybe even take a swim on Sunday.

God's plan is always exciting. And God is always good.

Saturday, October 02, 2004

Under Contract

Well to our amazement we got 2 contracts on our house after it was on the market only two days. So Friday night we met with Shirley, our realtor, and picked a contract. I just received a call from her that everything is signed and official. Our house is under contract!! That was very quick and we got exactly what we were asking for our house- truly amazing.

Now AJ and I face the daunting task of packing up our entire house again!!! The good thing is we've gotten a lot of practice packing boxes lately- but I don't know if that'll make it any easier- I'll keep you posted. Today marks the beginning of the end of our time here in 12417 Turtle Dove PL. We will start packing up the house this afternoon.

It sure was great being here in this great house as long as we were, and I am sure we will continue to make even more great memories in the next place we live in Miami. Did I mention our apartment has 28 floors and is right on Biscayne Bay- pretty cool stuff.

Here is a link to our new apartment, check out the views from the pool:

http://www.hamiltononthebay.com

So that is all that is new with AJ and Kellie- well and I guess Eli too. Still no smiles from Mr. Eli- but we are still so proud of him and love him so much and think he is the cutest baby ever!!!!