A New Chapter

It seems like I've been waiting for the next thing my whole life... always wanting what I couldn't have or thought I needed at different stages of my life.  Quique was ordained last Sunday in a very powerful service that pointed to the faithfulness and provision of our great God!  As I reflect on our last 7 years of marriage, I am tempted to think that all those years were not "real life," or that life is just now beginning.  I don't want to relive those years ever again, but I also would not trade them.  Those years were the years and experiences that God used to make me more like him.  Jesus wanted me to experience those difficulties and joys to show me my utter dependency and reliance on Him alone, nothing else!!!
Thank you, LORD, for being the God who provided financially.  Thank you, LORD, for sustaining our marriage and growing us to love you and each other more.  Thank you, LORD, for our children and the joy they bring.  Thank you, LORD, for our church family and friends that were so faithful and kind to us.

Just a few parting stats for the last seven years:

* 7 years of marriage
* 6 jobs (between the two of us)
* 5 homes
* 2 church plants with no buildings
* 2 dogs... no longer our dogs now:)
* 2 wonderful children
* 1 bachelor's degree finished
* 1 seminary education & ordination
* 1 tired and thankful Autrey family = PRICELESS

May I never forget these last seven years that taught me to trust the LORD for each day.  Praise be to our God and King!  

"... for apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5  
Trusting God for the next chapter in our life!

Christmas 2012 was one of my favorite because James had so much wonder and excitement!  He really didn't remember last year, so all our traditions became so much more powerful because we were experiencing them with James for the first time!  The Advent candles became Jesus' birthday candles.  The small electric candle at the Christmas Eve church service was a fabulous sword.  He could not contain his excitement over presents or decorating the tree with hot chocolate.  He wants to go the yearly Christmas celebration in our neighborhood every day.  He loves singing Christmas hymns.  "Away in a Manger" was his all time favorite this year! Sara Kate is such an observer.  Nothing gets past her.  She watches her brother with amazement and takes it all in.  She is starting to crawl and get into all his new toys.  Lessons on sharing and patience are already in full swing.  We are thankful to be celebrating so much this year- Jesus' birth, Quique finishing seminary and our little Sara Kate.  Thank you, Jesus!   

Love them so much!  Everyone is changing each day.  James speaks in complete sentences and has so many opinions about everything.  He really enjoys reading his library books each week. His attention span has really increased.   We are going to have a half-year birthday party for him soon!  He wants a Yo Gabba Gabba theme, but I think we're going to go with "Bubbles & Balloons."  Sara Kate is a happy little girl, but her tummy has been hurting lately.  She has many opinions too, but she has a different way of expressing them.  Sometimes she will just break out into a huge grin when I go into her room in the morning.  She coos and and smiles all the time.  I love being able to dress her in anything I want right now.  I know that will change.   James loves going swimming- he jumps, slides, splashes, and kicks nonstop. 
Quique is about to finish his Spring quarter.  We only have two quarters left until we are FINISHED.  It seems so close, but these last few months are shaping up to be pretty stressful and jam packed.  Trusting God will give us the stamina, perseverance, and strength to see it through until the end.  We are thankful for so many things.  Give us grace, Lord Jesus,  to go where you call us to go in the next year!

Easter 2012

We celebrated Easter with our new family of four with resurrection rolls and the Easter story. James had his Easter egg basket from the church egg hunt last weekend. It was definitely a low-key Easter three in a half weeks after the birth of Sara Kate. We read the Easter story, and we taught James to say "Jesus is ALIVE." I told him the Resurrection rolls were empty on the inside just like the tomb. Jesus was ALIVE. He was not there. A few minutes later, James pointed to the hollow center of the roll and said, "Jesus ALL GONE." I don't know if I should be leaping for joy that he knew Jesus wasn't in the tomb or if Quique and I have warped our son's understanding of the Resurrection by reducing it to an empty crescent roll. Trusting in God's goodness to bring the Gospel to my little guy's heart. Praise God, Christ is RISEN!!!!

Starting Week 4... Our New Normal

All my friends say that having a baby changes everything. Having a SECOND baby with a toddler changes everything AGAIN. I'm loving my time with them, but I am tired as I negotiate two schedules and two sets of needs with two very different children. James is very sweet and kind to Sara Kate, but he is still adjusting to not being the center of attention in our home. His language has exploded these last few weeks. He is talking in complete sentences and repeating everything we say. Sara Kate is nursing, pooping, and sleeping. After a bit of a scare at the beginning when she lost too much weight, she gained above her birth weight at her two week check up. He cheeks are getting chubby, and she is sleeping 5-6 hours at night. Praise the Lord! We are so thankful for Lovie and Auntie Paula's help these last three weeks. Mrs. Lore has been a lifesaver. The meals have been fabulous, and there are still frozen meals in my freezer. What provision the Lord has made for us! I'm looking forward to this new normal with our growing family. Quique even told me at the hospital that he wants another baby. I heartily agree ... in a couple of years!

My Children

It's so crazy that I'm the mom of two wonderful children! I haven't been very good about keeping up with the blog I've committed to write in more times than I can count. Here's to turning a new leaf and blogging to chronicle our life together.

Fun in the Sun

Our friend, Mrs. Lore, knows the best places for kids... and she doesn't even have any yet. She tells us about tons of fun things for families. Last week she took us to Discovery Green for a fun bubble day. There was a really cool fountain and park that James loved! The bubbles were a little overwhelming at first, but James eventually warmed up and jumped right in. I envy the freedom he feels as he finds joy in bubbles and fountains!