~The next chapter~

January 1st officially marks the beginning of a new chapter in our lives - I am going to be a full-time wife! :) Technically, I have already begun this new adventure because last week and this week are Christmas break at Concordia, so I am already done reporting to the office. We are so excited to see what the Lord is going to do in our home, our marriage, and with my time during this new season. This is a decision we have been praying about for nearly 18 months, and the Lord has made it abundantly clear to us that this is what He is calling us to do. And since making the decision in September, He has continued to confirm our decision in many many ways.

In honor of this momentous occasion, my lovely and amazing friends (along with some input from my wonderful husband!) threw me a little "retirement party" during our Christmas brunch at the Tuttles. I was completely caught off guard. They seriously are the most wonderful godly friends I could ask for. They put fun little signs in all the food dishes celebrating my new role and the closing of another chapter in life. And, they gifted me with a very handy gift...a monogrammed apron! :) It will get lots of use in our kitchen. Thanks Gals!

~Welcome Aiden Thomas Keithley~

Monday evening, our newest nephew was born! We can't wait to meet Mr. Aiden next week when we visit my family in Nebraska for the holidays. Aiden was a big boy - 8 lbs 9 oz and 21.5 inches long! He was a whole pound more than Avery was when she was born! Congratulations to the best brother in the whole world - Josh - and my absolutely fabulous sister-in-law Kari! She rocks labor by the way...less than 4 hours from the time she left for the hospital and his birth!

We don't have any pictures of him yet, but there are tons on their blog! So feel free to check it out (it's on our blog roll).

~Golden Puppy~

As of the end of January, one of these gorgeous golden retriever puppies is coming home with us! We will be getting one of the 4 girls (there are 10 puppies total). Molly is a fabulous and beautiful mom and Boomer is a big husky dad. We are so excited to be proud new puppy owners!!!!

~ Welcome Cole James Porterfield ~

Last night at 5:35 PM, our second nephew was born! His momma is Dustin's younger sister, Heidi. We were bummed to miss his birth (especially since we were there the whole time leading up to Reid's birth), but we were so happy we got to spend a few hours with them last night. Congratulations to Heidi and Aaron, the proud new momma and poppa.

Cole meets some of the family and is curious what all this space and this new place is all about...
Proud Mommy & Daddy!
Cole meets his cousin, Reid! They are going to be the bestest of buds for many years to come...
And I couldn't help but post some updated pictures of our other adorable nephew - Reid! He is growing so fast. Nephew #3 (Aiden Thomas Keithley) is on his way and should be here anytime in the next 2 weeks.

~Deck the Halls...Fa la la la la~

The older I get the more I love decorating my home for the holidays...any of them! But decorating for Christmas is now so much fun. I always thought my dad was silly for getting so into the Christmas Spirit. But now all I can say is "like father, like daughter."

Hanging lights on the house
Decorating the tree
Making the wreath
Other fun stuff
A broader view, but still not quite finished (Christmas cards strung along the mantle and a few other tidbits)

~Growing Babies~

I am one proud auntie...and Dustin is equally proud to be an uncle! We just love our niece and nephew so much. Since we don't get to see them as often as we'd like, we stay as up to date as possible through pictures. Thankfully their moms are pretty good about sending them to us. Here is a picture of each of them recently. Avery (15 months) is getting so big and just becoming such a little girl. She was helping her dad put the lights on the tree. I think she is pretty excited to meet her little brother - Aiden Thomas - who will be here in just a few weeks. We are excited, too! And Mr. Reid (2 months) is just growing like a weed. At this age, he does a lot of this (we are jealous!). We love you both so very much and can't wait to meet our two newest nephews any day now... Cole James and Aiden Thomas.

~Auntie Erinn & Uncle Dustin~