Chaos...

It’s been so long since we’ve blogged that it would take a book to catch up on everything that is happening here. Let’s just sum in all up into one word. Chaos. =) Moving is always chaotic. Moving overseas…extremely chaotic. We’re surviving it all though. There are overwhelming days where we don’t even want to utter any word that has to do with the move and other days are more productive. God is taking care of everything…even if it’s not all going the way we want it to. Once again…I learn that my ways and my plans are not always the best. God reminds me many times of this. I know He has a bigger better plan, so we’re trying our hardest not to stress too much. Although to say there haven’t been any stressful moments would be a lie. =)

All of our plans have changed…a few times over. As of now, the plan consists of me driving all the animals and Luke to St. Louis in a few days, Chris staying here to finish up school and get the apartment ready, and hopefully the movers will come before our lease is up. Then Chris will drive his truck and a trailer to St. Louis. We’ll leave the truck and the cats and a few household items at Mom and Dad’s house and drive to Maryland where we’ll fly out to Germany (as long as Luke and I get our passports in time). Riley will be accompanying us to Maryland since she’ll be staying with her best friend Kaylee (ha ha! – they are still working out the dominant dog thing…but it’s getting much better) at Mom and Dad Scott’s house. That’s the short version of our plan. There are many other things that will happen in that span of time, but those are at least the move details.

Let’s see, there is so so so much going on, that I don’t even know where to start. God is really our Stronghold right now. This has been hands down the most difficult move we’ve made – and that’s saying a lot. When I moved from our house on Marlatt (Manhattan) to on-post housing at Fort Riley, I swore a move couldn’t get any worse than that (Randy and my Dad can attest to that one!) That move was physically very hard – this one is mentally very hard. We’ve been left in the dark on a lot of things, we’ve been told we can do this and that and then we’re told we can’t do it after all, everything is hurry up and wait, everything takes so much paperwork and finagling to get accomplished…the list goes on. I think being at the mercy of what and how the Army wants everything done makes it hard. We think we have a say in things…until we find out we don’t. =) All that being said, we’re staying surprisingly calm. I know it’s because God is constantly showing us that He will take care of us…even if it looks like complete chaos right now, there is a bigger plan at work. Alright, enough of my venting about the move…

Since our last blog, we had a great visit from Mom and Dad Scott. Luke was so excited to see visitors again! He loves it when he sees someone else walk through our door. I guess Chris and I have become old news to him. I’ll post details about our visit with the pictures below.

We celebrated Luke’s first birthday! I can’t believe he’s already 1! He got lots of great presents and had a blast!

I’m trying to think of the new things he’s done since I last posted…hmmm…he’s learning how to give kisses. It’s so cute! I don’t think he really knows what he’s doing, but he thinks it’s hilarious. He’s dancing too. A song will come on tv or Chris will play a song on the computer and he bounces, nobs his head up and down and waves his arms – it’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen! We took a little video, so we’ll see if we can post it soon.

I’m in the process of weaning him, and it’s actually going remarkably well. He had started to show signs he was ready, and it’s been pretty easy. As of now, he hasn’t nursed in 5 days! He seems perfectly content to devour whole milk now. I really thought it would be a harder process because, let’s face it – the boy liked to nurse. I guess when it’s time it’s time though!

Did you know they had a chicken pox vaccine now? Back in the old days we all had to suffer through the chicken pox. Luke got 5 shots last week, one of which was the chicken pox vaccination. Now if only they can make a cold and flu vaccination that really made you immune to all colds and flu’s. A girl can dream, right?

Some very exciting news happened this morning….drum roll please…Luke is cutting his first tooth! It took over a year, but he’s finally teething! I knew it would happen when we were in the middle of this move, but I’m just happy he’s finally getting his little chompers. He’s been more fussy then usual, so we checked and sure enough – a sharp little razor is popping up! YAY!

Alright, on to the best part – pictures! I haven’t had time to go in and reduce the red-eye on these pictures, but I figured if I waited until I was able to do that, this blog wouldn’t get posted until after we got to Germany. So, just look past all the red eyes. =)

Here are some more pictures from my parents (Mom and Dad Shotts) visit...

My mom made this great book for Luke. It has velcro patches, pockets, and slots. He LOVES it!

Riley doing a diaper check...

Playing the piano with Grandma...


Luke opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Kerri. He got a ton of cute cute clothes! Thanks so much guys!

Fun times!

Grammy-Mom and Grandpa Scott's Visit...

We hit the Boll Weevil in downtown Augusta for lunch while they were here...

Luke walking around in Grandpa Steve's shoes...

Cool Dude!

Happy Birthday Luke!!!

Riley thought she needed some cake too...

Opening Presents!

Luke got a box full of cute books and a Veggie Tales movie from Aunt Cherry! He loves it all so much! Thanks Cherry!

Luke got some adoreable clothes from Uncle Randy and Aunt Jamie! They are so cute! Thanks guys!

This is so cool! Aunt Jenny sent a cloth high-chair that you can use on any regular chair. It is so adoreable and will be so helpful in all our moving and traveling. Thanks so much Jenny!

Grandpa and Grammy got him a little red wagon for his birthday(and some cute clothes)...he loves going for rides! Thanks guys!

We took him to the pool in his wagon

Mommy and Daddy got him a dump truck seat. He hasn't used it as a seat, but he loves to climb all over it!

On the Sunday, we went to the church where Chris's grandparents (Mom's side) met in Columbia, South Carolina during the war. They're in a new building, but Grammy got to meet a few ladies who knew her mom.

After church, we went to see Judy's cousins who lived nearby and had a great visit. Cousin Stanley took us all out on the lake in his pontoon boat- fun times!

Luke making funny faces...

Luke had his first haircut the other day. We ended up doing it at home. I was pretty insistent that we go somewhere, but Chris was convinced he could do it. Although I wasn’t sure, we went for it. Chris did an exceptional job, I must say. Luke was pretty funny through the whole thing, but he did surprisingly well.

After the haircut, Luke got a bath. There's a hilarious picture of him hanging off the shower curtain rod, but the full frontal nudity kept me from posting it. =)

Once again, I’m sorry we’ve kind of fallen off the face of the earth right now. Things are just so crazy busy and chaotic. We’ll do our best to update as we can. Once we get to Germany, we hope to get the internet, but we don’t know how long that will take. We probably won’t get a phone line while we’re there as international calls are extremely expensive; which is all the more reason we want to get set up with the internet. Please forgive our lack of communication. We’ll try to be better throughout the next few weeks…but I can’t make any guarantees…=)

Alrighty, I think it's finally time to post this. It's taken me days and days to get it to this point. =) I'm off to pack pack pack...yay yay yay! =)

We do hope all is going well for everyone!

Until Next Time!