California...

I think the last time I was on here, James had just decided that he was going to resign his commission. That feels like an eternity ago! And now here we are…officially Californians. Due to the cost of living, I would've never imagined we'd settle here, but we're here now and hope to never leave. We feel very blessed that everything fell into place. Not long after James accepted a job offer, we found a house that we loved and got the offer accepted. It's really hard to believe that this time last year, I was recovering from gallbladder surgery and preparing for a move from Ft. Bliss, TX to Ft. Irwin, CA with a newborn Caleb in my arms. SO much has happened since then! Life couldn't be better. God is good.

Since settling into our new home, we've enjoyed having a lot of family time. It's nice knowing James won't have crazy long hours and gets to come home every night. He recently had his first corporate business trip in which we decided to tag along -- we joked that it's nice being able to spend his time in a suite in La Jolla vs. somewhere overseas where people want to hurt you. I may forever miss military health care, but civilian life definitely has its perks.

The boys and I have started to get involved in various activities -- MOPS, soccer for Samuel, I'm leading a local story time, AWANA, etc. I feel like my to-do lists never get knocked out, but we're staying busy which is good. I plan to start homeschooling Samuel this fall. It won't be anything major since he's still only doing preschool, but Samuel's beyond excited. In fact, he already asks if we can "do school" every afternoon -- love that kid!

To recap from the last time I was on here…

Last November, I decided it was time to update the family portrait for our Christmas card. It took two days due to various boys not cooperating, but I think we got a few good ones…

 

The final winner, our 2014 Christmas card...

Speaking of Christmas, I can't tell you how blessed I feel to be able to celebrate with these two miracles! I know I'm a broken record, but it really is indescribable. The joy these two bring -- something I never thought we'd be able to experience after so many years of pain and loss…

A random shot from December. I just love watching these two together. They absolutely adore each other...

In January, James started the job hunt. While in Dallas, he texted me this picture before he headed to an interview. I must say, I'm not used to seeing him in a suit, but I'm liking it. He has enjoyed having a reason to pull them out with the new job...

Since one of the job conferences was only a few hours away, we decided to tag along. I love San Diego, so we soaked up our time there in between interviews... 

The only shot Samuel was willing to get in…

Samuel's favorite spot on Earth. La Jolla Children's Pool -- home to lots of seals…

A lot happened in March. Samuel said goodbye to his preschool teacher at Ft. Irwin, James officially left the Army, and the sad part…we said goodbye to our sweet, sweet Obadiah. He was 8 days shy of 13 years old when he passed away. My heart still aches as we miss that stinky basset. Samuel talks about him daily and will sometimes break out in tears with how much he misses him -- breaks my heart. It also gets a little uncomfortable when he tells random people (like the cashier at Target), "My Obie died…" with a sad look on his face. Poor kid...

Anyways, here he is with Ms. Bellani…

This was the last day James wore that uniform, as we said goodbye to Ft. Irwin…

And sadly, we said goodbye to our pudgy pup. We miss you, Obs…

Soon after we left Irwin, we closed on our house, switched over our driver's licenses, and officially became Californians…

I must say, I love that this is our new Saturday afternoon activity when we're bored -- or when we're sick of unpacking and want to take a break...

On another note, Caleb had his first haircut in April. That was bittersweet -- he needed it, but it took away the sweet curls and gave him a totally different look...

In May, we celebrated Caleb turning ONE! He handled his smash cake about as well as his brother did...

If you remember how I took Samuel's picture in his chair every month, I couldn't help but do the same for Caleb…

Then in June, Samuel turned FOUR! How on earth is he that old already?!?!

(Can you tell he likes Paw Patrol?)

We spent his big day at Disneyland. He was thrilled to say the least…

  

And most recently, I was able to get Samuel and Caleb's 4 year and 1 year pictures that I hope to frame if I ever get around to it. I did (shockingly) already order a print of our most recent family portrait. I could stare at it all day. I just look at these two boys in awe and still can't believe they're mine. James and I will find ourselves talking about it sometimes -- when walking back from the neighborhood pool or when they're passed out in the car on a long drive looking so sweet and innocent -- how lucky we are to have these miracles. Ahhhh…life is good...