Alabama

A few days ago Dad stood outside by what I like to call his "Elder Car" as one by one each of his children took turns hugging him goodbye. Dad, being in the service of the ministry, has hugged us goodbye many a times before as he prepares to head out to a special meeting, or to fill in for another minister on Sunday. This time however the hugs lasted much longer and the goodbyes lingered. You see, Dad was saying goodbye to us because he was moving to Alabama to start training for his new job. He won't be gone for the weekend, no he wouldn't need all of his belongings and his entire suit collection for that.

Let me start here.
After many months, days, and hours spent praying that the Lord would open a door, Dad has been blessed with a very promising job offer in our old home state of Alabama. While Dad will continue his service in the ministry,  this job offer is a grand blessing from the Lord and we are all so thankful for it! Dad was required to start work this October, yet we all still live here in Florida and have a house to sell. So Dad moved, and the rest of the gang stayed behind to start preparing the house for the market.

That was a hard goodbye, the true definition of bittersweet right there. So happy to know that the Lord has once again provided for us, yet very sad to know that for a time Dad will have to be separated from the family. Makes me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have a Dad who has been so involved and so present in my life. The void is certainly felt and we are all practicing our stiff upper lips and adjusting as best we can!

We will be moving. again.
God has been good,once again.

This will be our fifth time moving, and I've come to the realization that all the moves before I have had a overwhelming sense of excitement and curiosity. This time around I almost feel split right down the middle. I've had to think a lot more about it, and realize that I have begun to set down roots here in Florida these past five years and it's going to be not so easy  uprooting them. It's not so much the location of where I live, but the people who I've come to love. I'm going to have to really prepare myself this time.

But oh what a blessing moving to Alabama will be for my family! Alabama is home to us. Dad has a job there now ( and soon we will be with him again!), my parents were both born and raised there, we will be near our only living grandparent, and we will be living in a familiar place surrounded by family and church family we haven't seen in a long time.

I'm still attempting to wrap my head around it all and face the many different emotions the want to creep up on me.Sometimes this is where being a girl ain't my cup of tea.

I have no idea when we will move, it all depends on how fast our house sells. It  could be 6 months or a few years!

I do know however,  that I feel like God has blessed me with a great sense of peace for what is to come. Everything will be alright. It isn't  always going to be easy, but it will be alright.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Ten

( Abel and I, college graduation)

Today my one and only little brother turns ten years old. TEN YEARS OLD!
Wow, I feel like it was only a few moments ago that my entire family was crammed inside of  that delivery room with Mom waiting for kid number six to arrive. We all wondered if it would be girl #6 or would we all be surprised with a boy?! Mom was exhausted and this baby was a big one. Next thing I know the doctor is holding up a big screaming baby announcing " it's a boy!!!" whoa. waaaaiiiit a minute. I vividly remember standing in the corner thinking " no, it's always been a girl, a boy?! no way!!!!" it took a moment for the reality of the situation to sink in, but when the doctor called me over and gave me the opportunity to cut the cord I was most definitely looking at a bright red, screaming, dark headed baby boy. The entire family was thrilled! I don't know how many times I asked Mom for a baby brother, being the tomboy of the family I needed a partner in crime and a little brother was the perfect solution.  Now he was finally here and Abel James has been a blessing to us all ever since! Abel is a crazy smart kid with a lot of personality and the sarcastic humor of my father. He has put up with a lot growing up with five older sisters these past ten years but let me tell you, he takes it all in stride and keeps us on our toes. Abel and I have spent many afternoons playing football, learning how to ride horses, catching critters and exploring. He loves to build, create, and fix things and with his incredibly deep voice for his age you would think he was already a little man. Abel and I may have eleven years separating us but that doesn't stop us from having a great time. Abel sure can be an ornery little brother sometimes but I love him to pieces.

Happy birthday bro!

Bloglovin'

I have been using bloglovin' for some time now and I love it! 

Such an easy and convenient way to keep track of all the blogs I enjoy reading.

You can find Ever Growing on Bloglovin'

Click Here 

Family Dinner

This past week we had a family dinner.  Our version of a family dinner means that everyone pitches in and helps with part of the meal. It was a rare moment to have all six children, both parents, and the future brother in-law all in the kitchen at one time!  The older we all get,  the more I cherish the times we can all be home together for a good meal. Oh how crowded that little kitchen was, and how we all loved it and laughed so much!  Daddy made his signature rice krispie treats, something only he can make although some of the girls attempted to give him advice on the art of mixing from time to time. However, Daddy knows Krispies best and as always they turned out perfect. It also warmed my heart so much to see my oldest sister Sara and her fiance Kenneth working side by side. They make quite the couple and Kenneth is already like a big brother to the rest of girls ( and little brother Abel of course).

Good food, laughter, and Daddy's booming voice...I love my family.

The Gluten Free Girls

image courtesy of Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/89720217546014340/

Sofie( creator of Cosmic Creation Design)  and I have joined forces and started a food blog!

It is called "The Gluten Free Girls" and we are looking forward to sharing with you our tasty alternatives to gluten and sugar! Even if you aren't gluten free you might enjoy some of the recipes and food ideas we have to share so please stop by and pay our new little blog a visit. 

The Gluten Free Girls

Happy Wednesday!

Little Old Church

There's something so reassuring about walking up the steps of a little old church to enter in for Sunday worship. Walking in and being greeted by brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. Watching as the women aged with wisdom hug each other and take their spot on the wooden pew that they have sat in for years. Seeing the little ones sing hymns as loudly as they can. Listening to the minister speak from the word of God and thumbing through the familiar pages of the bible.

I am thankful for Sundays, and that little old church I am blessed to visit.

(image courtesy of Pinterest)

Indiana Trip Through Photos

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I finally have a working computer I can use!

 My trip to Indiana was wonderful. Everyday was filled with good food, best friends, flashbacks to my childhood, music, and horses. 

I can't wait to go back and visit again.

 Indiana will always be one of my favorite homes.