We have landed in Arizona, which now means I can share bits and pieces of our journey with you! The New Year is approaching and I appreciate your patience as we get things together in our new home and I then proceed to get the blog back in my routine and running!


Our move began a bit complicated. We had a friend watching Michael one day to load our trailer, only to discover it wasn't enough room at all. The next day we had to switch out the trailer with a truck, and our moving plans altered completely. A very long drive that was supposed to take a certain amount of time with switching drivers switched gears and extended (only by a day!) when we both had to drive the entire journey. But, as you know, we survived.

Our first stop was Fayetteville, NC to see the in-laws. Not only were we celebrating Clark's birthday and an early Christmas, but we had stuff stored there. Another reason the switch to a big UHAUL truck was definitely needed.

It was a lot of fun. We are so excited that we are now only five hours away from Clark's brother and (almost) sister-in-law. We'll be taking another trip in barely any time to get to their wedding in CA!

Here's what you're here for... pictures!








The last picture is my absolute favorite. Trying to get a picture of four men-- that's it. Clark's maternal grandfather, PaPa, is looking at Michael/the cake, Clark is looking at his Mama's camera, Pop (Tim-- Clark's dad) is also watching Michael, and Michael is trying to blow out the candles. Classic.

Almost Clark's entire family is settled in NC. His brother is in CA because he's in the USMC, almost a sort of "family thing". But it's a pretty big deal for us to be moving. The only reason there weren't crazy, tearful good-byes is because we're seeing them again soon. I don't know what it's going to be like then!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We had such a wonderful day full of family and fun. I will make sure to share details with you very soon. At the moment, we are on the road once more headed for our new home. Please keep our travels and moving process in your prayers!

Two years ago we spent Christmas with my family in Kansas, their previous home. It was also the year that Michael was baptized, and the first time the cousins were together since they were born. It was such an exciting experience, and it definitely ignited the desire to make sure Maile and Michael (and any future littles) grow up close so that they can be the best of friends.



I'm biased, and I love spending Christmas with my family, but I have a feeling upcoming years may get more and more complicated and it won't always be the same. But, like many say, home is where the heart is-- and that's what I always make sure to keep in mind.

Last week was our last week in NC, and Clark decided we needed one last amazing date night to commemorate our time in NC. And, boy, did he go all out. That means, of course, I have to praise him publicly. On my site. I may be bragging just the slightest bit.

He hired the babysitter, made the reservations, and told me my dress code. Actually, he really picked out my outfit. It was adorable. I had no idea what he was up to.

In case you are unaware, Wester NC, specifically Asheville, is home to the largest historical house in the country, The Biltmore Estate. Follow the link for more information!

We've lived in the area for, well, about six years and had never been. One way or another we talked ourselves out of it or never justified so. Clark decided what better time of year to see the house than at Christmas time, with a candlelight dinner before, and all the joys of Christmas for atmosphere?

Yeah... the man did good.

I don't have a ton of pictures, and the ones I do have are all thanks to my phone. But just so you can get a glimpse at how blessed I am, they're below.

TWO DAYS TO GO!

Boy has it been a week. Not only is our move in full swing, but we faced some serious challenges earlier in the week. Do you ever feel like you're making the right decision, and then everything comes crashing in and you wonder what the heck you were thinking?

No... we haven't been feeling that way at all... I was just curious, that's all! HA!

Dear Weather, Please keep for us while we make our way across the Midwest. Having spent many winters in that part of the country, I know what it can be like. Hauling a trailer, a toddler, a dog, and a cat that way is intimidating. Please, PLEASE don't have any blizzards on our route.

Dear Clark, I am so very blessed to have you as my better half. Not only did you surprise me with the best Christmas present/ last NC date imaginable, but you have kept your patience with all the frustrations of moving and with me, as I have no been patient at all. Thank you for supporting your family with your entire person. You don't just support us financially, but spiritually and emotionally. I'm just so blessed to have you. Oh, and by the way, HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY! (Tomorrow he's the big 2-5, haha.)

Dear NC Friends, I am currently still in state, but in just two days we set out into the "unknown". Those of you we left behind in the Asheville area, I already miss you.

Dear Christmas, I'M SO EXCITED! Michael is going to have a blast being with his cousin Maile, aunts, and maternal grandparents this year. I just can't wait. Plus, we're spoiled, because we're having Christmas with the in-laws today.

Things to look forward to:

2010 was the year we spent Christmas with Clark's family. We always tend to do Thanksgiving with them, Christmas with mine. This was because my family has always been the farthest away and Christmas is ALWAYS the time of year we have the most time to go somewhere.

But, in 2010, my family was about the same distance from us as Clark's... so we switched it up. Thanksgiving was with my parents, and Christmas was with his.


Their traditions weren't quite what I was used to, but it was so much fun to spend it with them. I think we've finally decided that after a little recovery time, holidays will be switched every other year. How do you divide holidays with your families?

CHRISTMAS IS ONE WEEK AWAY! We are also leaving to begin our move TOMORROW. While you're reading this we are probably frantically trying to figure out how we accumulated so much stuff over the last few years and trying to convince each other what's really important to take in the UHAUL.

Can you picture it?

Well, while you are, maybe you should think about making these amazingly delicious, super easy, healthy citrus scones! That's why you're here, isn't it?


Ingredients:

- 1/3 C chopped cranberries
- zest of one orange
- 1/3 C freshly squeezed [orange or clementine] juice

*Note: I used clementine juice because Michael stole my orange while I wasn't looking after I zested it! Sneaky bugger.*

- 4 tbsp non dairy milk (I used vanilla soy milk)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1.25 tsp olive oil
- 1 C whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350.
- In a medium to large bowl, whisk together your juice, non dairy milk, syrup and olive oil.
- Add your flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and orange zest to your wet mix. Next fold in your chopped cranberries.
- Prepare a baking sheet by spraying it or lining it with parchment paper. Scoop your mix and put it on your baking sheet. I used 1/4 C per scone and got five scones exactly.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until slightly golden on top.


Confession: I made two batches of these. Why? Because I made them for friends initially but I kept going back for more... until there weren't any. To be fair, Michael had one, too, as did one of our neighbors. So... I only ate two... but still! They're that addicting.


Inspired from My Inspriation's Recipe.

Today I've asked one of my dearest and oldest friends to post and share her story. ShaCarol is trying to raise money to go to Belize to work with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. But, why read what I have to say, when ShaCarol herself has prepared something so wonderful for you?

Last spring, ShaCarol visited Gallaudet University—the world’s only University developed for deaf and hard of hearing people. Look closely… she's saying, “I LOVE YOU!”
Hi, everyone!

I’m ShaCarol. Emily, as usual, is being an amazing friend and sharing some space on her blog for my behalf. So I do hope I entertain you all with my ramblings and insight. Emily and I have been friends ever since the 8th grade, yeah, I think that’s right. I don’t quite remember exactly how we became friends, but then again, that’s how all of the best friendships start. Emily says it started with me telling her my name and her constantly forgetting it. Hm. Anyway…about eleven years later and we’re still Emizzle and ShaCizzle. Farther apart, but closer in heart. Hey, I just made that up. I’m pretty good at this writing thing.

Anyway, I thought before I get into the meat of this post, it would be helpful to really explain my background and connection with Emily.

Emily knows me really well. She knows how I often like to ‘play it safe.’ She knows how shy I am. She knows how I like to stay in my comfort zone and appreciate the familiar. And she knows when I do stick a foot out of my bubble—it’s a pretty big deal. The bubble I’ve wanted to pop lately is my inspiration to travel. I have never been out of the country and recently I’ve had an opportunity present itself to me. But of course, like most things, not without a price.

Let me rewind.

You see, I’m a graduate student. Last spring, one of my professors mentioned a trip she had taken and how she would really like to see me join in the next year as I may be able to help students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

“I’m a part of something bigger…” My school system’s deaf and hard of hearing staff and students made their mark on a collage to show their togetherness and support of the field of deaf education.
There I go again, jumping ahead of myself. Rewind. You see, I’m a teacher. To be specific, I teach students with hearing loss. Usually, right about now, I get a resounding, “Woah! You know sign language?” Yes, I do. However, in actuality, many of my students use listening and spoken language. You’d be here for days reading if I went in detail, but if you’re puzzled by what I’m saying, take a look at THIS. But this is kind of irrelevant….the point is I teach deaf kids and it’s a pretty awesome gig.

Alright, fast-forward.

Because of my background in deaf education, this professor of mine really encouraged me to join her group on their next trip. Her thoughts were that I may be able to provide some educational insights to this community where their deaf and hard of hearing children virtually have no language whatsoever.

What an amazing and rewarding opportunity, am I right?

I love and adore my students here in NC. But being able to work with students in a different country is just an experience I can’t pass up and that would inevitably benefit me as a teacher and my current students. I would be changing them. They would be changing me. It would be beautiful to experience that transaction. I’ve heard about the benefits of traveling and I can only imagine how tremendous time spent with these students could be, but I’ll never know until I leave my bubble.
This trip I have so ambiguously hinted at is to Belize. Yes, Central America. So, actually, not too far away. A 7 hour flight. It will be the 2nd week of March, the 10th-15th. The group that regularly goes is called 4 the World. 4 the World writes it best in on their website: “We collaborate with communities across the globe by empowering them to identify and solve their most pressing health and educational needs.”

At first I thought, there’s no way I can miss an entire week of work to do this. Nah. I’ll try and see if the leader can set something up over the summer (which would be a long shot).

In October, I even met up with the leader to get some more details about the program and what we would be doing. I expressed my hesitancy about missing work, but that little voice in the back of my head kept nudging me. It was my desperation to break out of the mold and seize the opportunity NOW instead of letting it pass by again…and again…and again. As Emily would say, “No day but today.”
All this to say, I’ve decided to step out of the bubble.

I’ve been trying to fundraise for this trip to Belize. However, I’ve realized I’m quite awful at talking up things. I have received a few donations so far, but not yet enough to commit to the trip.

This brings me to my personal request. For all of you that have been so kind to take the time to read, or skim, through this, please click the attached link and consider making a donation. If you can’t make a donation, that’s okay, I still love you.
There are other ways you can support my endeavor. You can forward this blog post to a friend or two…or ten. You can tweet out the attached link to your friends. You can say a prayer, or two, or ten that I am able to meet my goal. You can pray for my safety in traveling. You can pray for the wisdom and courage to lead these children and educate them. You could send me an e-mail with some uplifting words of encouragement to get me through this process.

I would like to reach my goal of $1350 by Jan 1st.

With your help, I am excited to seize the opportunity presented and step out of my bubble. With Emily’s help, I’ll be sure to post again and let you all know how my journey to the outside of the bubble goes.

Signing “CHEESE” and smiling for the camera at Hanging Rock State Park back in 2009!
Happy Holidays,
ShaCarol

Want to help my dearest friend with her goal? Follow this LINK, share it, and help her break out of her shell and help those in need in Belize.