february

Geoff stayed home and worked for a week while meals were brought in by Miami friends, Betsey tried a week alone with some friends visiting to take the older kids out and about, then the calvery arrived and Ahbi and Papi came for a week followed by Maga and Papa for a week. The grandparents overlapped by a couple days so we could have Emmy’s blessing. The big kids (funny I call a 3 year old and 18 mo. old the big kids- can I just say I have 3 kids under 3- I’d like to get that down in the record books while I can- not because no one else has ever done it just because its freakin nuts!) anywho- the big kids enjoyed swimming and park play with Ahbi and Papi and fieldtrips to the zoo, the childrens museum, and the beach with Maga and Papa.

We are soooo appreciative of all of the help we received. When Jocie was born we had just moved back to Miami and our ward had 12 babies born in the space of 6 months so we kinda got lost in the shuffle. We have since worked our tails off for the ward (because we want to and believe in the power of revelation which tells leaders who would be good to fulfill certain responsibilities in the ward) I have a renewed testimony of those same things and also in service. I know that when you serve people they grow to love you and you them- this time when Emmy was born our ward brought in meals every other night for two weeks. It wasn’t even a sign up sheet they sent around it was people calling me directly and asking when they could bring food or when they could take kids out to play etc. We were so overwhelmed by the love we felt. Of course we knew the love of family and their desire to help but that doesn’t downplay the sacrifices of our parents to spend their money and work vacations coming to help us. We also appreciate the phone calls, emails, and gifts sent to Emmy from those of you who wished to be with us but couldn’t.

Anywho, now here we are at the end of February- we have come to Fort Mill to stay with Ahbi and Papi while Geoff goes to NYC on business for 2 weeks. We will miss him but are glad he gets to visit with Buck niki and Millie next weekend and checkout the team he has the most interest in working for on our next rotation and area we might live in if we end up there.

Just this morning we got a surprise phone call from our stake president asking if Geoff could serve as 2^nd counselor in our ward’s bishopric (right hand man to the bishop). We are humbled at another chance to serve. We accepted the calling in faith and excitement at what the Lord will teach us with our sacrifice this time. We love life, our 3 kids!, our family and Lord! All is well. All is well.