I just found this--me holding Alan. Elijah thought it was him holding Olivia, of course. 

Since you asked...

I'll give you a quick Olivia update. She's doing SO much better. She's eating almost completely a la natural for the last 2 days. It's as if something finally clicked and she figured out how to nurse on her own. HOORAY! We still have a few adjustments to make, but I am confident that within a week I can put away the pot that's been sitting on my stove for 5 weeks for boiling all the paraphenalia we've been using! (Lee Ann--please pass our thanks on to Jinx and tell her Olivia's doing great. She was so frustrated that she couldn't give more help.)

Olivia's also going 5-6 hours at night, so life is looking so much better! She continues to be sweet and easygoing and so very fun. God is so good!

Anda, how's it going in Como?

Our little baby doll! Who do you think she looks like? 

She smiles a lot. We still haven't gotten a great picture of it though! We need you, Anda! 

Who loves Olivia? "I do!" says Elijah. 

Job hunt

Hi everyone,

I wanted to let you know that I've started a job search to look for something that will help me get accounting experience. I will need at least a year of experience as an Accountant to become a CPA. It would be great for it to be with UT, but I am also looking elsewhere in Austin. I've already had a little success. I had an interview with a CPA in the International Department at UT yesterday for an "Accountant I" position performing data entry, and I have an interview with an ACU grad at Robert Half, a nationwide accounting recruiter/staffing firm. Please pray for my search.

I plan on coming with April and Lena to the MCS reunion on October 13-15 (assuming a job change doesn't impact that), and I look forward to seeing you all then.

Love to everyone,

James

Olivia

Hey Trisha (I'm up with sick Isaac), and I think we need a little update and some recent pics of sweet little Olivia!

Anda

Happy Birthday, Josh!

 

Josh was telling Papa all about his big day

 

Everyone got a big surprise on Josh's birthday

 

Our new puppy was born early on Josh's birthday!

 

Mama "Ruby" and her 7 new pups

 

we're alive!

Is it someone's birthday today? I'm sitting here having this moment of fear that it's someone's b'day and I've missed it!

Here I am blogging in my Lake Como Dr. living room like it's normal or something! If you had told me that I would be living in this reality even 2 months ago I would've laughed in your face. Living on Lake Como Dr. just a few houses down from some apartments, next to Lake Como, with no gate that locks and a shabby fence (they're supposed to start building a new fence, etc. this week), and no alarm system yet. One of my worst fears used to be sleeping - I thought I would never sleep because of anxiety. I haven't experienced anxiety one time at any time of day. We have a wonderful 83 year old neighbor who is very active and so sweet. I can't wait until we settle in little more and I can just hang out with her. We met one of the cops on this "beat" on Sunday and got the scoop on the neighborhood. I should be scared to death and I'm not. He said that they don't deal drugs at the apartments; it's just a "smoke house". Should this comfort me?! Ha! I've met a couple of the women from the apartments and they have been friendly and welcoming (one said, "Welcome to the hood!") The cop also told us that teens like to hang out at the lake and put marajuana inside cigar wrappers (quite a joint) - this had a name but I can't remember it. So far, we're getting quite an education.

This whole experience is surreal. But God just keeps confirming that it's His move over and over again. On Sunday, I took a tour of this beautiful Bed and Breakfast that is located a few streets over from us - how random is that. The house was built in the late 1800's and was renovated by this sweet couple about 9 years ago. After visiting with them for a while, we realized that 2 of their grandkids are in class at Covenant with Luke and Josiah. The lady was so excited and immediately started asking what they could do to help and told me that they would be praying for us.

Here's my favorite story so far. The realtor of the people who bought our other house is pretty well-known in Fort Worth and very successful, an older and experienced realtor. She called Randy today to get an address to send a check to and when Randy told her our address (3300 Lake Como Dr.) she paused for a moment and said, "Is that c/o John Peter Smith?" Randy said, "No, that's my home address." She paused briefly again and said (without laughing), "I DON'T BELIEVE YOU." Is that not hilarious??! Randy gave her the condensed version of why we're here and then she kind of back tracks and says that this land over here really is hidden treasure in Fort Worth! Ha, HA!

There are many more stories, but the bottom line is that we are humbled and amazed at what God has done and continues to do. I've never been more aware of my need for Him and of the fact that anything good coming out of us in this whole deal is Jesus. And while I've been preferring my world of imagined "safety" for many years now, I wouldn't trade this "scary" place of faith for all the safe days on the planet. He has never been more real. As Beth Moore recently said in the Patriarchs Bible study, "You better fear God more than the fear itself!" SO true!! Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement. We praise God for the grace that He is pouring out right now to walk into this - we won't always be in this "honeymoon" phase, but we're enjoying it now.

Blessings on you as you seek His beautiful face,
Anda

Our new address:
3300 Lake Como Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76107

(817) 377-4708

thank goodness for school! it gives our kids at least some sense of normalcy and predictability during a slightly unstable season! 

my living room - sad to say that things haven't changed much in one week! UGH! Moving into a smaller space while still doing life with 5 kids has been a challenge! We've kind of changed our goals a bit - we're now shooting for having all boxes unpacked by Xmas... 

Van stuck with Randy until about 9:30 p.m. the night we moved - longer than anyone else. We were so thankful for all his help ( and for Denver's periodic updates on the Cowboy game!). He and Cindy gave us rocking chairs for our front porch - made me cry. We're praying God moves them to Como with us. Wouldn't that be WILD! 

the guys moving our playard from Mesa Dr. It was quite a scene. 

the second try at yellow - this has now also been primed over and I've finally found a softer, warmer yellow (NOT pictured here!) I've just about had it with yellow paint! 

New roof and already looking much better. So much for now drawing much attention when we moved - with the loud banging, hammering, and blaring tejano music, the entire block knew something was happening! 

I'll send a more updated picture once it's completely painted, but this was our porch about one week ago. Now there are rails and it's been primed, etc. We LOVE it!! 

Lena has a tooth!

Lena's first tooth finally poked through today. Yeah! When I put her to bed tonight, I felt her gums to see if her tooth had poked through yet, and was excited to feel the jagged edge of her first tooth. She still won't let me see it, but maybe I can get a picture when it's all the way in. We've had some rough nights in the last few weeks with teething, so I'm glad the tooth is here. Let's just hope she doesn't bite me.

April

New Phone # for Randy and Anda

Sorry, I forgot to include the new phone number for Randy and Anda:
(817) 377-4708

Update on Randy and Anda

I am going to blog a little update based on my phone conversation with Anda a few minutes ago. She can write much more later, but I think she is under stacks of boxes at the moment. A direct quote from Anda: "I LOVE this house!" She says it has character. They are still in the midst of chaos from what I heard, but feeling great about the move. Van Gravitt helped with the move, staying until the end. Beyond that, he and Cindy gave Randy and Anda rockiing chairs from Cracker Barrel as a housewarming gift. They have enlarged the porch and Anda loves it. They sit out on the porch in their rocking chairs every night in Como loving it. Isn't God good!!! They still don't have a stove or microwave, but hopefully soon. I can't wait to visit them. She said the kids are struggling a bit with the chaos, but fine other than that. We both agreed that in-town moves are the worst. Keep them in your prayers. I am so proud of them. mom

A Great Bug night

About 25 students gathered last night at "the club" (I'm not sure what to call the facility previously known as the Odessa Country Club. Maybe we could just use a logo....hmmm) for our midweek devo that we call "Oasis." 5 teens came for the first time--which was so encouraging. We've started a new tradition where we give each 1st time guest a $5 Sonic gift card--to which they all were like, "this is soo cool."

But here's my question, should we do anything more for the friends who brought them? Like mail them a card with a note thanking them for bringing their friends? or the first time they bring a friend, send them a sonic card too?

I don't want to bribe students --but I do want to find fun, simple ways to affirm the way these teens are partnering with Christ to impact their friends lives. Got a suggestion? bw

Wondering about...

Jennifer's baby and Randy and Anda's move. Have you returned to the blog world yet?

Lena update

We went to the doctor on Friday for Lena's 9 month appointment and the doctor said she is doing well. Lena weighed 21 lbs and 2 oz. She is 29 in. long. She almost has her tooth in. You can feel it right there under the skin. The doctor was surprised at how verbal Lena is and said that she is also ahead in motor skills. Basically, Lena is doing great. The doctor said that whatever I am doing to just keep on doing it. Any day now, she should have a tooth poking through.

We enjoyed seeing everyone last weekend. We miss being around everyone.

April

Praise God for growth!!!

I'm not usually so thankful for weight gain, and don't recall ever praying for it, but we are praising God that Olivia has finally made it back up to her birthweight. Hooray! And thank you for praying for her.

I'll try to post (or get mom to post) pix of our first day at church tomorrow. It's New Life's 1-year anniversary. What a year it's been! Another reason to praise God!

Olivia's belly button

Just a quick note to all her curious cousins. Olivia's umbilical cord fell off today (with a little help from Elijah). Just thought you'd be happy to know. She's almost got a normal belly button now.

Met with another lactation consultant today and have now successfully baffled 2 professionals with Olivia's particular set of circumstances. I think the plan is to continue what we're doing for another 4 to 6 weeks, then regroup. By then we'll know if she is going to ever figure out how to nurse. I truly wonder if God is trying to force me to slow down enough to really enjoy this last precious baby. If so, I'll take the hint and stop stressing about it and just enjoy my special little girl! I will praise Him for making her wonderfully healthy and sweet.

We loved our time with all of you at the lake! I needed to be around all you encouragers!

Labor Day with the Family!

Just a note to thank each one of you for another wonderful family weekend together. I always finish such weekends with a heart overflowing with gratitude. I especially thank Jill, Holly and Anda for taking care of all the food for us. I thank Trisha and Ben for making the effort to come with such a new baby and all the complications of that situation. I thank Tod and Lee Ann for coming in the midst of such a busy schedule. It would be hard to express to God how thankful I am for each one of you. I never cease to marvel that God can fill my heart with so much love for each one of those 22 grandchildren. I have so much fun with each one of them.

These pictures are just a sampling of a wonderful, joy-filled weekend. I love each one of you and continue to pray for you always, thanking God for you always. Love, mom

Sunday morning worship is always special.

 

Playing on the "beach"!!

The lake level was so low that the cousins had a new "beach" to entertain them. They seemed to enjoy the new adventure. 

Cousins!!!

The cousins never seem to tire of being together. One of my greatest blessings in life is to watch them enjoy one another. 

The Star of the Show!!

Olivia seemed to thoroughly enjoy all the attention from her cousins at her first family get together. There has probably never been so much handwashing in one weekend as they all lined up to hold her. She never complained; she either watched them as they talked to her or fell asleep in their arms. 

A Tea Party at the lake!

Moriah, Katy, and Abby Claire found time for a tea party. 

Elijah LOVES his new baby sister!!!

 

Olivia gets another Elijah kiss!!

Olivia has probably gotten as many kisses from her brother Elijah as anyone else.

Tia Larissa meets Olivia!!

We always love it when Larissa comes to the lake with us. 

Emily and Abby Claire give Olivia a bath!