I finally have a chance to sit down and post on California Dreaming. Welcome, and my apologies for waiting so long to post. We have just been so busy...I almost don't know where to start. I'll just do a few bullet points to fill you in on the past couple of months, and hopefully I won't forget anything. Here they are in a somewhat chronological order:

--I got a job at Biola University. I am very blessed: I was able to land a job in the accounting department, as a clerk. I find that I am actually pretty good with numbers, (gasp!) and I very much enjoy working with my fellow employees. It's great to be able to work in a Christian environment. I have several different responsibilities; including, but not limited to: all wires, incoming and outgoing; cashflow and several other related reports, and clerical support for other staff members. This is also the only job I've ever had where I've been told I need to "talk and socialize more"...Hahaha...Because we work in accounting, the department wants us to be friendly and socialize with each other, so we won't be so wrapped up in numbers...it is probably the easiest part of my job...heehee; I just can't believe they WANT me to talk more!!

--Tracy and Justin spent Thanksgiving with us. It was so much fun. We took them down to Legoland (Justin really likes legos) and we did the cooking thing; turkey, dressing, and all the bells and whistles. It was great to hang out with them, and we got to see family for the holidays.

--We went home to AL for Christmas....yey!!!!!! It was wonderful to see everyone again. We love you all so much, and it makes life out here easier since we were able to see so many of you. (For those we didn't get to see, I am sorry...and miss you too!!!) Frankie and Steven really had fun hanging out with cousins, and we got to see the latest member of our family: Ashlyn Ewing, my brother Jacob's little girl. She is so special and we were glad to get to know her! I also got to spend a lot of time with my best friend, Crissy and all our other sister chicks. It was neat to go to the New Year's Eve Party and see all the Community Pres gang...I got there and it felt as if I had never left. Love that feeling of being able to pick up where I left off!! Many thanks to Crissy and Kim for throwing a great party! We also had a blast celebrating the boys' birthdays: Steven on 12/30 and Frankie on 01/01. So....holidays were full....

--Got back to CA and routine, and then got a fun call from Justin and Tracy: Tracy's having a baby!!!!! Yey...more cousins...:0) She's due late June, so we are looking to come back to AL for a visit then. Please pray for Justin and Tracy: he's in Iraq, and it would be great if he can come back to the States early for the birth of his child. Thankfully, Tracy is back in AL and close to lots of friends and family, so she has a lot support.

--I applied to the Conservatory of Music at Biola U and got accepted! Because I work at Biola, I get a huge tuition break, and I'm allowed to take up to 6 credits/semester...so...I'm looking at working on a music ed degree while we're here in CA.

--Frank is having the time of his life in a Philosophy class with William Lane Craig. I am so proud of him; he got the required reading done for his class: 1800 pages! He is determined to do his best; we are of a mindset of get as much out of school as we can while we're here. I think although the work is hard, Frank is content to be pushing toward a goal and thankful to be learning so much.

--Frankie and Steven also have "jobs"--kid jobs of course. Frankie goes to school every day, and loves it. He told me the other day that he doesn't miss any of us when he goes to school--he likes school too much! Steven goes to Melinda's house (a neighbor) while Frank is in class. He does fairly well, although he is a mama/daddy's boy; he would rather stay with us. But, he lets us know that he want to go to school with Frankie--he doesn't realize that he's not old enough.

So, that's life right now...kind of busy, but God is good. Let us know how it goes with you...