Glancing back while looking ahead

And just like that....Schooooooool's out-for-summer!! (insert instant humming to the catchy tune) The days were painfully long at times but the weeks zipped right on by faster than I can think to describe right now. The fastest year gone by to date. As the last few days of school were winding down, I found myself caught up in random heartfelt conversations at various times throughout the day, both in hallways and classrooms alike, with teachers and staff across the board. A few of them probed as to how we (and by we, I mean this entire family of five) were doing after our first year teaching/learning/investing/doing life at Legacy. It's a loaded question really. One that I find my answer changes to as I quickly, yet in a 'gazing off in the distance kind of way', think back to all that has happened these past ten months to our tight-knit fam of five. I mean, it hasn't technically been a year since we've lived here but the answers bounce back and forth like a ping pong ball. I referred to it as 'whiplash' many months ago. And I think that answer still suffices. 

So blessed to do life alongside this man...(insert heart eyes..)

Not too long ago I found myself enjoying the rarity of a quiet Saturday morning, coffee in hand and listening to spring singing it's joyful music outside. As I sat in the comforts of what we now call 'home sweet home', I began compiling a comprehensive list of those things we went through this past year. But like I stated above, it wasn't even really a 'year', but nonetheless, I started that list dating back to the night Andy's cell phone rang-- that devastating and gut-kicking phone call we received on August 10th with the news that the sale of our Nevada house fell through. I thought back to the rain that was falling as we sat down to eat our Chipotle dinner, just the two of us, gearing up to start our new teaching roles at Legacy the very next morning....and we had absolutely no idea of what the months ahead would bring us. 

*side note*
I don't share these things (and this isn't even the full-on exhaustive list) to seek pity or to showcase all that we've muddled our way through at times-- but rather, it's to show God's faithfulness, His mercy, His grace, His unwavering promises that the Bible continues to prove as Truth!   HE is so Good amidst the mess. 

And if I can be so candidly honest, had we known the difficult details of what this year would have presented itself with prior to our saying 'yes' to a move to Minnesota, I can't say as though we would have made such a move....

But then again, that's walkin' by faith.....and not by sight.

--coming home on a variety of occasions to a dog who had chewed through cords/put holes in walls/shredded this, that, and the other thing/ etc.
--the continual barrage of setbacks with our home buying/selling process (here and NV) and finally having that paperwork completed on October 21 (if I listed the details of that process in and of itself, well...we'd be here a long while) 
--our dear neighbor's house fire (there was a previous blog about that:  "A Firestorm")
--the overall balancing of a new routine, new area of living, new classes to teach, the new & unforseen stresses of all that entailed, etc.
--losing Aunt Peggy (KJ)
--losing Uncle Jim (Andy) but God working out the details for Andy to head west to be a part of the service and family time
--our well having a pretty serious leak (our lack of water & the use of, greatly impacted until it was fixed)
--our truck being broken into & tools/straps/etc. stolen (in our driveway...in the middle of the night...)

These handsome gents....always smilin!

As I look back over those bullet-pointed items and try to wrap my mind around how we "survived" (in a sense), overcoming the defeating obstacles, and how we've already fully completed our first year at Legacy, I can't help but let a tear escape as I see the sun peek it's beautiful bright beams through the bold green colors of the 'forest' that surrounds our home. God has been with us every single step of the way, no matter how difficult at times. Our boys would attest that they've been challenged and loved on and inspired in a variety of ways this past year. They truly love Legacy! The five of us have all shed many tears, partook in belly aching laughter, raised questions while seeking answers, but we did our best to remain steadfast. And we did it all together. There's no reason to spend too much time looking through the rearview mirror when we have the wide-open road right in front of us. Sure, we may not know what lies just around the bend, but we'll miss it if we're not keeping our eyes forward, anticipating with great faith what God wants to show us and where He wants to take us. One foot in front of the other.


And now of course, what kind of blogger/friend/family member/etc. would I be if I didn't give the Anderson highlights in picture form?! Gracious! Let the year-end celebration continue with the typical highlight reel of the latest and greatest, but reality of the Anderson life as of lately! Grab a cup o' joe and enjoy!! :) 

Austin 'starring' as Gavroche in Legacy's "Les Miserables"

 (and I cried...every single time I watched our boy on stage...seriously. Cried. Thank goodness I wasn't alone in my shedding of tears...)

 (a video doesn't do justice to the 'real thing' ;) )

Gavroche :)

Such an amazing cast!!!

So very proud of our lil' man

The awesome Cast Party!! (that went until 3am...literally...)

Carson's 4th Grade Graduation!! 

Carson giving a speech to his classmates and audience! #SOPROUD!

Carson and his sweet teacher Mrs. Niessen!

handsome fellas!

Class of 2025!!!

Carson, Kyle, and Drew! :)

Carson & Drew--friends since birth pretty much!! Love these two :)

LCA Track and Field Day!!

Carson & Mason

Carson long-jumping! First!

First place for Mason!!

Carson getting 1st in the 100m dash!

Como Zoo Day!

The last day of school for K-4 is spent at Como--so much fun with Mason and Carson & friends!

Andover Baseball!!

Mason up to bad--homer!!

Carson--sawing batta...for a double! :)

Summer is officially underway which means a lot of family time (the 5 of us and extended's), friend time (aka...game nights!!), baseball games and bonfires, lake time, travel adventures, and a whole host of new memories ready to be made!!