Well, we are here, in our new apartment. We have anticipated this moment since we left Columbia... getting a new apartment to call our own again. Our first surprise was finding out that we did not get seminary houseing in Ft. Worth. So, around late June we found ourselves rady to move into the complete unknown... an unknown state, no place to live, me with no job, no insurance, and no way of finding these things until we arrived in Texas after kamp. We were feeling pretty desperate, but all we knew to do was to rely on the grace and provision of our Heavenly Father... and of course, he provided. We then met the Alexander's at kamp, and in August were welcomed by three sweet families into the big state of Texas - the Alexander's, Turner's and Saxon's. We lived in the Alexander's home and loved every moment of thir sweet generosity and hospitality to us. But, at the same time feeling like we were on an odd vacation. We were living with a great family, had made some sweet new friends, were working, but still did not feel like Texas was our home. Now, we are here, in our very own apartment, surrounded by all our stuff... this is home. After all the excitment of moving, painting, and decorating our place, what do I do on our first night??? CRY. Yes, I cried. (my mom lefte the same night -- this may have added to the slight over-reaction on my part :) ) Matt and I watched Father of the Bride, my all-time favorite movie... bad idea. I cried through most of it, too. I found myself so overwhelmed that we were really living in Texas and were on our own, away from family, and not even being able to ask the Lord why he brought us here... because I already knew why. In the midst of all my tears and fear, I couldn't question the Lord's desire for us to be here because I knew he wanted us here. How can I be afraid, sad, overwhelmed even, about being here when there is no doubt in my mind we are walking in the Lord's will?? HE has provided for our every single need, HE has given us sweet friends, HE has blessed us with things we didn't even ask for, Matt is loving school, I am really enjoying teaching. Is he not SO good to us??
Eventually, I got past the "really living in Texas" part and have learned that there is no better place than in the Lord's will. We have been here a weeknow, and are in love. We are in love with who HE is and what HE has done for us. Thank you Lord for the great and awesome things you have done for us!!
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalms 100:4,5
Things are finally settled around here, and like I said we are loving our new place. Thanks to my mom and Deedee, we were able to get the walls painted, the furniture touched up, and everything out of boxes. Another huge thanks to our friends who helped carry everything up the the three flights of stairs to our 3rd floor apartment! We couldn't have done it without you. Mom and Deedee, you were a tremendous help and we absolutely LOVED having you here! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
As I look around, I am now overwhelmed in another way... with a grateful heart for what the Lord has done. Do I really know why we are here? We are here so Matt can be equipped to do ministry and so we can gain a little more independance as a couple. After all, I am here living out my dream of being a wife, with my best friend and all the family I need - my sweet hubby. Everyone kept telling us how this time would be one of the greatest times in our marriage, just the two of us. And it has been so great. It is just the two of us... what could be better?
BUT most importantly we are here to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Sometimes walking in God's will can be scary and even hard at times, but all he asks is that we trust him with every moment along the way, knowing our lives are HIS. The Lord may have seperated me from my wonderful family, my best friends, and everything that fit into my life as "home," but now I must rely solely on who He is ... and I think this is right where he wants me.
I know that He is my provider, my protector, and I can trust him with our future... even if we are "really living in Texas" :)
The chalkboard in our kitchen, totally Matt's idea (I can't steal the credit)
Our new waasher and dryer... also a sweet gift from another family here in town!!
All the painting ...
All the painting ...
Deedee
Marissa, our sweet new friend helped too!
Dinner in Ft. Worth
Pure Bliss, of course 
Mom 
This sweet family will soon be welcoming baby #6, wohoo!! Welcome Seth! Check out their blog to read more :)
Look what seminary is doing to Matt... so pitiful!
I also made some onsies for a friend. Again, just another experiment with something I thought could either turn out cute, or a total disaster.
I took all the kids, including Abe, to get pumpkins! It was a lot of fun to help the kids pick out and carve their pumpkins, and this will mark the first time I was asked "are they all yours??" by the sales clerk. "Yes, ma'am. All 5 are mine, including the 13 year old... and can you believe it that I'm only 22!" Looking forward to the day when I can answer, yes, all mine! 
A very sweet family, the Turners, have given us this truck to use until we get another car. Again, the Lord shows himself as Jehovah Jirah! They found out that we only had one car and gave us this one for the time being. The timing could not be more perfect, we are about to move and will definately be needing a second car. Thank you, Thank you Turners! You are a blessing!
Matt is clearly a good 'ole boy, trucker at heart. We'll call him Big Tex from now on :)
The long anticipated arrival of our sweetest friends Megan and Chris! Wohoo! Here they are arriving at the airport in Dallas. Such a joyous sight to see them walking towards us with big smiles!!
Of course we had to take them to our favorite place, Pure Bliss. 
Showing them around Southwestern, where Matt is in school.
We thought we would re-enact some engagement pictures.
And now for the married photo shoot... Gotta love my hot hubby. 
Typical thumbs up pose
The sweetest couple... love you guys
Matt loves these pictures... can you guess why?? Let's see, they all involve football, his best friends, me, and the Seattle Seahawks... what's not to love, right??
Nothing like a muddy game of flag football in the dark 
Every Sunday, we are at Buffalo Wild Wings, watching the Seahawks play, this Sunday we took the kids. The boys are always so sweet to get so pumped for the Seahawks, win or loose.
I know, we may ave gone a little overboard on the pictures, but before this trip we had ZERO of the four of us. (Notice again, the thumbs up from Matt and Chris, nice boys. :) )
Chris, Just wanted to wish you a very Happy 24th Birthday!! We wish so badly we could be there with you to celebrate, but the celebration will continue next weekend :) You have been such a great friend to Matt... someone he can always count on to be a consistant, encouraging, and faithful friend. You have really become like a brother to me, and I am grateful for your friendship, aside from the friendship you have with Matt. We are even more blessed to get you and Megan as a packaged deal.... What could be better?? We love you and are so glad you were born 24 years ago!! Have a great day and know we are wishing we could be their with you! Love, Lauren
Matt & Chris
are flying to Texas to see us!! Wohoo!! Can't wait to see you guys. The anticipation is nearly killing me!! Love you both.
