Eli's first haircut

Before we had our photos taken a few weeks ago, now, we got Eli's haircut.  My sweet hairstylist has always told me to just bring Eli with me when I have an appointment so I took her up on it and he really did great.   I think part of the success was that Eli fell asleep in the car on the way, so when he arrived he was a bit groggy.  His hair was really not that long, just bushy around his ears and in the back, I think she shaped it up quite nice.  Here are a few pics:

The before shot

Waiting patiently

Snip, snip

It is nice that there was a mirror for him to look at, kept him occupied.

As I mentioned a few posts before we are leaving tomorrow, so my posts may be few while I am in North Carolina but I hope to update when I can.  Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers for us as we make this transition.  If you would please pray for sleep for everyone (especially Eli) and good adjustment.  Thank you!

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

The Dortch Family

These friends have been with us from the beginning, actually I have known them longer (they lived in the same city in China as I did), but they were Keith and my first friends in Austin.

When we drove from North Carolina to Texas after we got married we stayed our first night in Austin at their house.  They were one of the first families we told that I was pregnant with Eli.  We've spent holidays with them, gone tubing down a river together, laughed and cried with them.  Steve and Tamara were the main reason we decided to move to Texas and I was blessed to work beside them my last 3 years with Bridges.  Their kids daughters have even said that Eli is the little brother they never had :) (I think they forgot for a moment about their biological brother, haha).

Needless to say, they are like family to us.  We also have a special bond because all 4 of us have spent time overseas and just something about that makes us closer.  Another really special thing is that they love Eli.  If you are a parent you know how it is when someone (other than family) really loves your kids.  We will miss seeing their kids grow up as well as miss them being part of our everyday life.  We pray that the Lord will allow our paths to cross again in the future.

We love you Steve, Tamara, Kami, Madi and Tyler!  Thanks for inviting us into your life and being such a special part of ours!

the park

Going to the park each day is one of our favorite things.  We are blessed to have lived in a neighborhood with such a nice one.  Eli started off only liking the swings, but now just loves all the open space so he can walk around.  We will miss this place, but are thankful to know our new neighborhood has one too!  (that was on the "must have" list for the realtor.  Enjoy some more pictures below...

**We leave in 3 days, so there are only a few "last Austin" posts left.  Thanks for reminiscing with us!**  

friends

Friends are special and such a blessing from the Lord, but when your child has friends it is an even greater blessing.  Even though Eli is too young to express what a friend is or that he wants to see a certain friend, etc he still has some.  I have been blessed with great mommy friends here in Austin and it is adorable to see our children play together.  Here's a video with a sweet friend that we will miss SO much...

We were privileged to live near the Cox family here in Austin and it is always fun to see Eli & their daughter play. Their daughter, who is a few months older has even called Eli her "best friend".  How cute is that!

Even though it is hard to say goodbye to this family (& so many others) we are thankful that the Lord gave us this time together.  For me to have a friend who was going through many of the same "new mommy" things and to watch our children grow together.  The Lord does give good gifts, he doesn't have to but he does. 

The cowboy boots

Since Austin has been home to us for the past 3+ years and lots of memories are wrapped up here we decided to schedule a downtown photo shoot for the family.  It was a beautiful (hot) day, but it wouldn't be Texas if it were any different.  Since Eli is our only Texan we decided to dress him in the boots.  I hope you enjoy the pictures. 

Sweet boy

Austin Mural

Skyline

The park we were in had a fountain, we couldn't leave without getting wet

Father & son

1.5 weeks to go...

Last week Keith and I traveled to Louisville to house hunt, thanks to those of you who prayed for us, it was definitely a full 3 days of looking and narrowing down.  By the last day we were there we decided we liked 3 houses.  Keith stayed up late crunching numbers the night before, weighing the pros and cons, and just praying for wisdom.  Me, I went to sleep (I'm so thankful for my husband!)  So, on the last day we went and re-visited the 3 houses we liked and decided to put an offer down on our favorite one.  This house was our favorite because of location to Keith's work, good neighborhood, close to good schools and it is a house we can grow into.  The negative was the price.  The other 2 were less but did not have as much room and we felt we may out grow them sooner.  So, we put an offer in, got on a plane and headed back to Austin.  By the time we got in at 11pm and turned on our phone we had an email from our realtor telling us they rejected it, but countered.  Their counter offer was still too high for us, so we slept on it and decided to counter one more time the next day.  Praying that if this was not the house for us, they would reject the offer and we would choose from the other 2 houses.  Much to our surprise they accepted the offer!!  We now are on our way to owning a house in Kentucky (wow).  Even though this house was more expensive both Keith and I did experience a great peace after our offer was accepted.  We know the Lord is continuing to guide us. 

Next step...packing.  It is getting real now.  At this moment Keith is out getting boxes and packing supplies and the packers are coming next week, so I am trying to organize as much as possible, only buy what is absolutely necessary at the grocery store and figure out what I can give/throw away.  Our plan is for Eli & I to fly to NC on the 25th and Keith to drive to LVille and start working.  we will be reunited when the house closes.  Please pray for a 30 day closing!!

Before we left last week we did do a few more Austin things.  Austin (as well as other places) is known for it's food trucks.  The 3 of us headed downtown to find one last week, I think everyone was happy. Yummy Tacos.

 

 



The Countdown Continues...

Well, we are down to less than a month before we leave Austin for good.  It has been a blessing to have this much time to say goodbye to people and things but it can also be hard saying "goodbyes" over and over again.  Keith's last day at his old job was yesterday so today the boxes are coming out and we are starting to pack.  Next week Keith and I are going to Louisville to house hunt, please pray the Lord will provide and we will find the perfect house for us!

Since last weekend was labor day we decided to get outside for a little fun.  Saturday, after a Cracker Barrel breakfast we ventured over to the "Play for all Abilities" park in Round Rock, TX.  I think Eli could have stayed there all day.  They have a giant sandbox, lots of slides, musical play and more, a great place to take your little ones.  You can find out more about it here if you live in/near Austin, but one of the best things is there is a double fence all the way around so you can let the kids run but they won't wander off.  It is also 100% handicap accessible!

On Monday we tried to beat the heat with a visit to the splash pad.  We went here last year when Eli was about 6 months old and I must say once they can hold themselves up and walk, splash pads are a lot more fun.

Eli always find friends, or maybe they find him :).

It is so much fun watching him grow up into a little man, one last picture just for laughs, Eli trying to walk in cowboy boots, more pictures to come about this one.