Moving Day

Alright, time for some updating!

Sooo much has happened in the three years since we last wrote on this blog. Brandon is now a flight instructor and flying all the time, we have been accepted as members with Wycliffe Bible Translators, and most importantly, have given birth to beautiful twin daughters! We've been living in Lynden now since October and plan on being here about another year. Brandon is working at the Bellingham airport as a flight instructor and I'm so grateful to be able to stay home with the girls full time. (And wow is it a full time job!) We are loving life as parents and just feel like our hearts about to pop with love for these girls. What a gift!

Today is moving day. We were living in a rental house when the girls were born, but then had to move in with my parents for a few months when our landlords came home from overseas. Now it is time to move back again. I have very mixed feelings about this b/c it has been soo wonderful having all the extra help of my parents and sister. I have hardly had to cook any meals in months! But it will be nice to have our own space too. The girls especially are ready to move from one crib to two. I have found them kicking each other in the head multiple times in the middle of the night. They are professional wigglers :-) The next few weeks will be a big transition (mostly for me).

I've been realizing that with parenting, life is ALWAYS about transitions. Just when you think you've got one issue tackled, it's time to address a new one. You trade one puzzle for another. I am really learning about relinquishing control. I like to have things just the way I plan them, under my control. But that's just not always possible with 2 little new individuals asserting their individuality :-). But I have to say that we're in a truly beautiful phase with the girls right now. They love our snuggles, smiles, and care. Their cries seems to generally be about problems or needs, not willful demands. And they are just sweet, sweet, sweet through and through! Some things you'll hear at our house: "Ohhh, I want to squeeze you so hard your toes pop off!" "You're gonna get a ticket for being excessively cute!" "I love you so much it hurts!" I'm sure all you parents can relate.

Back to updates. This year is a year of preparing to move overseas - yes it's finally happening! We've accepted an invitation to work in the country of Cameroon which is a French-speaking country in central Africa. We'll be in the capital city to begin with. BUT, first we have to learn French. We currently speak NO French. So this means a year and a half in France (I know I know tough life). The school is in Chambery at the base of the Alps (I know it's going to be torture). We'd like to move to France by next summer, but it depends on things like putting together our support team, visas, and timing with flight training.

So that's what's on our plate for now. Questions or comments are welcome! Now ... time to get moving!

Rachel

PS here's a few pics of Anika and Alexa