A Baby, a Move, and a Little PPD

It's been a really long time since I have sat down and wrote a blog. After we moved, I just barely had time to post a few pictures of the kids.  The last 6 months have flown by! My pregnancy was like a year long (well 9 months, but felt like 12 months), then I had Grace and BOOM! Time to move all the way down the west coast to sunny Southern California! 

Can we say CULTURE SHOCK?! My Alaskan roots run deep.  I wasn't so sure I was going to fit in down here.  We had a terrible time finding the right church to attend, but after many Sundays and lots of prayer were were lead to a little Foursquare church. There are about 80 people. Much smaller than we are used to, but we were so drawn to it because of the people in the church. They are so friendly, so welcoming, and just seemed really genuine. 

I had a few really hard months after the move.  Take hormones from just having a baby, mixed with a little postpartum depression, and then top it off with a huge move and you'll have what I was... a basketcase! 

After three months of being here, my hormones got in check and I started to feel more like myself. I got back to the gym, started making some YMCA friends, enrolled Ezra in preschool and swim lessons.  

The Lord is always teaching me things and when I choose to be still and listen, I am always amazed.  Just when I think my faith is strong, it gets tested and once again I have to surrender and cry out to God how and admit that  I am unable to do things on my own. I have to ask for forgiveness for even trying to handle situations by myself. Why can't I just trust God from the beginning?!  I KNOW that I KNOW that He has His best for me.

Anyway, I waved the white flag high and asked God for help. 

I have met so many nice people the last few months.  God is just bringing wonderful people into my life.  I have play dates with new friends every week and I love it! Ezra is making many friends and is asking less and less to go back to Washington.  Ross and I have had so much fun with our slower pace of life and just enjoying each other, our kids, and our new surroundings.

I am loving this Southern Californian adventure.  We only have another a year and a half here, which is so crazy to think about. We are loving our church here and I get to help in the nursery for the first time on Sunday. I am excited to get involved and see what God has planned for us while we are here. I am trying not to waste a day and just live it up while we are here.  We will get to live in many different places during Ross' military career, so I have chosen to enjoy what each place has to offer and just give our time to God and let Him use us.  I have realized that life is way to short to spend it worrying or wallowing in self pity. Life is a gift and I pray that I don't waste it.