Advent

I stumbled across this resource from The Village Church in Dallas thanks to a friend on facebook who posted it. It's a way to reflect during this season of Advent. There's a little write up about different topics every week and then questions to reflect on after.

I'm really looking forward to redirecting all of my anxiousness about the upcoming move in 2 weeks to focusing on celebrating the past Advent (coming/arrival in Latin) of Jesus as a baby, and look forward to the future (second Advent) arrival of Jesus!

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/advent-guide.pdf

What a better way to anxiously await an arrival to the states!

I also thought this is such a brilliant idea for an advent calendar. Unique and creative! I hope to make it next year when we are settled in our LA home. 

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/11/our-simple-advent-calendar.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PassionateHomemaking+%28Passionate+Homemaking%29

Time

Our time here in London is quickly flying by and way too fast for my taste! Have you ever felt like you are trying to be so intentional with your time but see it slipping away so fast right in front of your eyes? Time is a strange thing, isn't it? I've been thinking a lot about this phenomenon lately and haven't come to very many conclusions. I have realized that I can't be so concerned with the fact that I'm "running out of time" because it will just go faster and I won't actually have time to do what I want to do before I leave. Make any sense??

I have also been worrying way too much over canceling final bills, selling items on gumtree, shipping boxes, giving away stuff and the like instead of relaxing and trusting God that it will all get accomplished because He has given me the gift of organization (definitely to a fault in this case). I'm learning how to use my gift to help our family, but not let it take over to where it's becoming a hindrance to enjoying time with  Jared and Camden, and also enjoying time spent alone and with friends. 

I have anxiety about what life will be like for us as we transition back to the states because we have lived here for 19 months now and have immersed ourselves in the culture here. 

I am wondering how the plane flight back to Texas will be with a 13 month old who is almost walking! 

I worry about how Camden will adjust to being in someone else's house for a month, then another house in LA for a couple weeks until we find a flat there. Then he will have to adjust to our new home (which I am worried about finding!)! 

I get stressed about seeing everyone in Texas over the holidays.

So there's everything out on "paper"! I'm working on releasing these things from my grip and handing them over to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit (the Helper) to help me gain a different view on these things. 

John 16:7 (Jesus speaking before his death)
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."

Playtime!

Camden had fun with his friend Isla at our house today trying to follow her around and figure out how she climbed up on the couch. They have both had growth spurts recently and are so big!! Camden doesn't have other kids in the house very often so he was VERY excited the whole time.

Guess what??

I'll give you one guess... 

We are moving back to the states in December! Yes, we have been thinking and praying about when we should move back for a good while, and we finally decided that it's time to pack up our lives here after 20 months and head back. Jared got a job offer from Sony a month or so ago and we decided to go for it. We are leaving London mid-December to spend the holidays with our families in Texas, then we will be moving to LA in January. It's such a bittersweet time for sure. We are so sad to end our time here. We have made so many great friends and really do love a lot about the city, but there have also been a lot of challenges, too. We are excited to be closer to family (ie the same country, cheaper flights, seeing them more often, etc.!) and will be reunited with many of our LA friends! Camden and I are looking forward to the sunshine and we are also excited about spending time in Texas for Christmas. Needless to say we have had a lot going on this last month as we literally have to shut everything down here. Moving out of the country, having a baby, and living in a different country is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to experience, but it has been a wild and crazy ride I wouldn't trade for anything!

More to come!

Camden's b day party

On Saturday, we had Camden's proper birthday party at the nearby pub, The Queen's Head. He had 10 friends come to the party (Mostly adults, and his one little friend out here, Isla). She is so adorable and they always hold hands in their buggies when we hang out! I think he had a great time!

 Camden blowing out his candle.

 Yay for birthday! He can clap now and it is oh so cute.

 The birthday cake I made. My first attempt at fondant. It was really fun to make!

 Isla...so gorgeous! We met her and her mum, Laura on the green right outside the pub.

 icing hands :)

 thoroughly enjoying the cake!

 the fam

 birthday boy! Thanks Meme for the party decorations! They were a big hit!

Camden showing Isla his party trick....wah wah wah wah...Don't know if she's impressed or not!

Well, I can't believe my little boy is 1 year old! Sniff Sniff...but he is such a precious little one and we are amazed at all the blessings we have had this year through him and just how much more he can do every day! :) Can't wait for many more celebrations to come.

Camden is 1 year!!

Here's a short video of Camden's first birthday pancake! He wanted to pull the whole plate closer soooo bad! He enjoyed his 1st birthday celebration immensely. At the end of the day, Jared and I shared a few tears in thinking about how much we have been through out here in London this first year of his life. It has definitely been the most difficult year of our lives so far, but also the best year of our lives! We can't wait to see what else God has in store for us and Camden in the many years to come! We love you soooooo much little buddy!!!! More than you will ever know (probably until you have kids of your own one day).

The Incredible Hulk

Camden was the Incredible Hulk for Halloween! We kept trying to make him grunt at us and finally did. :)