Winter is here!

We've been really lacking in the blog business. There's so much going on yet somehow I find it hard to put it in writing.

So what has happened in the last SIX months?

-Jared had surgery on his deviated septum. It put him out about 1 1/2 weeks in July with about 2 months before he was totally healed. He's breathing alot better now. However, his other nostril wants to act up these days. He hasn't sinusitis again since the surgery which is wonderful!

-We ended our teaching contract after 6 months in Korea! I'm still a little too excited about that I think.

-Australia! Yes, we were lucky enough to get a great deal on a flight to Australia to visit Mark & Karen before we headed back to the States. It was great to see where Jared grew up and actually see so many of the landmarks he loves (Great Ocean Road). I loved the overpriced Australian food and oh the desserts. Don't get me started, they were delicious. We got up close and personal with kangaroos, koalas, and sand dunes, oh yeah.

-Home sweet southern home! When we got back to the States, we stayed in Winnsboro for a little over one month. During that time, we hung out with Mrs. Carolyn and Dennis, learned to make homemade pizza (my favorite pizza of all time), took a trip to Chattanooga, went to Baton Rouge to see Kari who unfortunately was in the hospital with kidney stones (Jared and I shared a twin couch for two nights), ate lots of great Southern food, had a great night with my dad and siblings, had a great weekend visiting with all of our siblings, Josh, and cutie pie Drew.

-With the job search going nowhere over the internet, we decided to take a leap of faith, pack up all our stuff and move to Portland. We are especially thankful for Sascha, John Mark, and Nicole. Within 3 days of moving to Portland God provided us a one room apartment in NW portland...where we will eventually move Rusty back down to the lower 48 from Anchorage where he's staying with Jared's awesome friend Darren. I should add that Keri is also giving Rusty lots of love too.

-We got the best news the days after we arrived in Portland. I'm pregnant and we're going to have a baby at the end of June! Right now I'm 11 weeks along and hoping the "morning" sickness will go away soon! I am so thankful for all He has provided us with; full coverage insurance for this pregnancy and a little extra money each month to help with the food. During this whole jobless time for both of us, I decided to read "Calm My Anxious Heart". It really made me focus more on all that God has provided, is providing, and will provide. I will choose to rejoice in this time of trial and sing praises of the Father.

-Jared found a job working from home as a case manager and will be in training for the next couple of weeks. I think he's going to be great in this line of work.

I'm sure there is so much more that I've left out but that is the majority of it. My mom made it safely back from Iraq and will be here tonight for a 5 days visit. Erin and Josh are pregnant and will have a baby about a month before us! Yay!

Pictures from the last year soon to be posted at www.jaredandalisia.shutterfly.com