Beginning of the end

Tonight marks one week out from our last night in Kansas City, so I thought I'd take a break from packing to write once more before the big move. We're entering into our week of lasts (does anyone else ever look at change this way)?!? Brian mowed the lawn for the last time today, it's our last Sunday night here, I'm getting my last haircut in KC tomorrow, etc, etc... :) I'm sitting on the couch surrounded by boxes - my parents came up this week for several days and were an incredibly huge help, serving us by doing everything from cleaning our carpets to washing my car (both were embarrassingly dirty)! We could not have done this without them! Although we still have a lot to do, we're feeling on track and hopeful that everything we own will be in a box by this time next week.

The last couple of weeks have been bittersweet as we have started saying goodbye to dear friends here in KC. The Lord answered our prayers by surrounding us these last three years with people who are not only really fun, but who have also challenged, encouraged and sharpened us. We feel truly blessed.

Our great friends, Lea and Valerie Bailes - at the Royals vs. Rangers "buck night" last week. 

Camping at Smithville Lake last weekend with Jake and Jamie Kirby and Mike and Camille Potchad. Got to pull two ticks off Stryder afterward (one of the nastiest things I have EVER done), but getting to spend time with these two couples was totally worth it!

Our Tuesday night Bible Study group sent us off with a special dinner last week. We have never been around such a warm and welcoming group of friends - what an example each of them has been to us as they have lived out what it looks like to be the body of Christ.

Windemere, Wichita and a Wii

Brian and I are pretty excited. We returned to KC last night after spending four days in Wichita, where we were able to check some major things off our moving to-do list. Not only did God provide us with $400 worth of great moving boxes (THANK YOU Myma and CH!!!), but we were able to find a place to rent when we move back to Wichita in the fall. This is a lot harder than you might think, especially when you have an 80 lb. dog and you need a lease less than 12 months. After introducing Stryder to the management staff (they required this), the Windemere at Tallgrass approved us. For those of you from Wichita - we'll be on Rock between 21st and 29th, which is about a mile from where Brian will be working.

Since last October, I have been actively searching for a Wii for Brian. I absolutely refuse to pay $600 on ebay, so I've checked at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Gamestop and multiple other electronics stores. Yet the Wiis continued to elude me. A couple of weeks ago, Brian heard that Nebraska Furniture Mart (a GIGANTIC store here in KC that carries a little of everything) had gotten a big shipment in. Although they had already sold out by the time we drove out there, they encouraged him to keep calling back over the next few weeks, as another large shipment was due in soon. Last Wednesday, Brian called and heard the words we had been waiting for - "Yes, we just got a shipment, but you better get out here NOW! We can't hold one for you, and these things are flying off the shelf!" Brian called from school to report the news, so I immediately jumped in my car and sped the 20 miles to go pick up our new toy. As I walked in the door, three guys walked out carrying Wiis, so I quickened my pace and headed for electronics. Five minutes later, I was headed home with our Wii in the front seat beside me.

To go along with our Wii, we were also hoping to get a Wii Fit, but NFM was out. These exercise/balance boards were just recently released, so I resigned myself to the fact that I probably wouldn't be getting one for a while. When we played the Wii with our parents this weekend, they had so much fun that Brian's mom wanted to get one. When she called Best Buy to check their stock, they told her to come on over, and she was excited to find not only Wiis but some Fits as well. She picked one up for us, and it is even better than we had imagined! It has all kinds of aerobic games that get your heart pumping and balance games that improve your posture and core strength.

Anyways, we would highly recommend both the Wii and the Wii Fit to anyone who is considering purchasing one. We would also recommend looking for it in Wichita, as we searched for 9 months to find one in KC, and it only took Brian's mom 9 minutes. :)