I'll be back!

Dear blog followers,
I am a little busy for the next four months so please forgive the long lapses between posts. Blogging is one thing that gets bumped when I'm taking 19 hours worth of classes, and working 24 hours a week at my job and 10 at my internship.

Loves to all of you!

We are going to be the best parents EVER!!

So the other day Brooke and I decided to take a trip down to Charlotte to see my sister and her family. We left Sunday afternoon and got back late on Wednesday night. We debated for a long time about what to do about our precious little daughter Phoenix (that is our very annoying but also ridiculously cute cat in case you didn't know). Brooke was very concerned about leaving her outside the entire time we were gone because it was supposed to be quite cold that we even contemplated not going. As to not spoil what was going to be a very fun visit, we devised a little house for her to stay in. We took a cardboard box, filled it with warm blankets, and sprayed it with a little cat nip ;-) for a little added bonus. We then went and paid our neighbors son to make sure the cat had food and water each day. We gave the cat loves, put her outside, loaded the car up, and we were off for a fun filled trip.

Brooke was such a caring "mother" as she worried about her little baby in the cold (she even prayed for her warmth and safety).

After 3 hours in the car we pulled into the driveway expecting our precious family member to come running to us yelling about her woes over the past days. Instead, there was no Phoenix. As I called for her I could hear the faint ringing of the bell on her collar. Was it coming from outside...NO...it was coming from INSIDE my house. Somehow the little pill had run back inside the house and was then inside the house for 3 days straight. No water, no food, and most importantly no bathroom.

We came inside and found that the cat had resorted back to her survival instincts to make it through such rough conditions. She had licked every drop of water out of each sink and shower in the house. In the kitchen we found that she had acquired some morsels of nutrition with my Almond Nougat Italian candy bar (that was an imported gift from an Italian family) and corn tortillas. And last but absolutely not least, she made a bathroom out of the down comforter on our bed and a bag that was on the couch!!!!

It was a little difficult to be mad at her since we were the ones who left her inside but I managed to do it just fine!

I got some news...

So I got a call today from the school I interviewed at and


I GOT THE INTERNSHIP!!

Everything IS going my way!

Everything is falling in place.

I bore my testimony on Sunday about the power of prayer because so many things have just been going right lately!

• A few weeks ago we were audited and the government said we owe $1800 from our 2007 taxes. That's a pretty big deal! We freaked for a while and procrastinated calling our financial advisor. After talking with him he said we just forgot to file our 1099 for some money we took out of a Roth IRA to put a down payment on our house. We also owed for a nominal amount my W-2 that never showed up and we were prepared to pay the $60 for that. Kevan called the IRS and they said they would take care of the 1099 situation and they said that the $60 was under their "threshold" to have to pay so we got off without paying a penny. Thank goodness!
• I was planning on taking classes this next semester at which ever university would take me! I need to take two classes in class and I was looking at State and Central. I was half way done with applying to be a non-degree student at Central when Kevan asked me when I could register for classes at State (I had already been accepted there and it is MUCH closer). Usually registration is not until one week before classes start but when I looked it had started Nov.7th! Then I found two OPEN classes that would fulfill the requirements and after talking to a couple different advisers I got the two classes I need. We had enough money to pay the tuition and so everything is set for next semester. I cannot express how different that was from last semester and how grateful I am to have those classes.
• I need an internship to graduate and I got to interview at the school this past Monday. Wish me luck!
  

We prayed so hard for those things and seeing them fall in our laps was such a faith building experience. This past year our testimonies have both grown through the Lord answering our prayers. The answers come usually as we don't expect but in a much better way that helps us to learn and grow.


We decorated our house yesterday and I love seeing it glow in the evenings with the festive lights. I am so close to being done with Christmas shopping after preparing for a long time of what to give each person. The one thing I'm having trouble with is letting myself feel festive, I guess. The classes that I take online are all self taught and I go at my own pace. I want to get them done ASAP so when I have free time I feel like it should be spent on this English class that's really tedious that I'm working on instead of baking or decorating. I'm going to set a time when I will take a vacation from school just like I would have it I was going to school right now. Anyways I can't wait to give people the gifts that I have in store for them! I love giving!

Cara took our 2009 family pictures and they are gorgeous. I'm having a tough time deciding which picture to choose for our Christmas card. She is an awesome photographer. To look at them go here.

Everything is falling in place.

guess what.

Dear car,

I OWN YOU,

B (and K)


P.S. WE'RE DEBT FREEEEE! (other than our mortgage)

What we've been up to lately:

We've been really busy lately (obviously hence the lack of posts) so here is what we've been up to:

• Early October baby Isabella was born and we've enjoyed kissing those sweet cheeks! There are pictures but I need to get them from others!
  
• I've been working on school like crazy trying to get it done ASAP. I applied for Graduation last week!
• We had our birthdays! One year older. Here is a picture of some of our awesome presents!

• A couple days later I got the rest of my presents in the mail including a new phone. It's called a Razzle and the bottom swivels.
  

• Kevan is really enjoying working for Garner PD. Here some pictures from his swearing in ceremony on October 16th. Thanks to all who came!

I'm sure we'll be even more busy for the next couple months with the holidays but I'm getting so excited so bring it on! I can't wait to see my family!

Homeward Bound

I'm about 4 days late but the anniversary of the War on Terrorism was on the 7th. It has been 8 years of huge sacrifices by the men and women serving for us. We can never thank them enough for their sacrifices.