Crawfords On The Move: The closing of an EXCITING and EVENTFUL year in our life and the beginning of a new, just as EVENTFUL and FUN-FILLED year!

I find it hard to believe that this will be our last post before the New Year! So many wonderful events and people have come into our lives this past year. We were reflecting on where we were at this time last year and amazed at the things that have changed for us. Some of the changes were hard such as moving FAR away from those we love the most, leaving a school where I adored my co-teachers and kiddos, and of course being farther away from JMU. Some of the changes were easy such as moving to a beautiful location where each day you have to pinch yourself to check that you aren't in a dream, meeting wonderful people through the military and school, finding my true place as a teacher at a Title 1 school and loving the staff and kids more than I could have imagined, Robert loving each second of his job even though there are more demands and sacrifices, and completing our family by gaining Bentley and Fannie Crawford. Overall, we have become a stronger family because of all these changes and look forward to years ahead of moving, but growing together. Having faith in ourselves and God is what gave us the courage to change and showed us the ways in which change needed to be made. Thanks to all of you, our family and friends, for making our lives better and supporting us even when it was difficult.

We spent the Christmas Holiday in Whidbey Island, which was our first time being away from both families. The nice thing is we were able to Skype with both Christmas morning, while at the same time start our own family traditions that we plan to take into future Christmas celebrations. Yes, the pups were included in many of our new traditions. We had a delicious Christmas dinner with some friends and I had my first taste of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," which was awesome! Christmas dinner consisted of steaks, twice baked potatoes, garlic and cheese biscuits, and of course a vegetable medley. We relaxed quite a lot this break which was a good thing because this past Wednesday I found out I have mono. Throughout the winter I have continued to get sick, extremely tired, and been sore quite often so I finally went to the doctor after being sick for the fourth time and asked for a blood test. Sure enough the results came back that it is mono, which in a way is a relief because I started to feel like a lazy bones. However, it hasn't stopped me from running around, but I will be resting up and trying my best to relax these next couple of weeks.

Some highlights from the two previous weeks:

1. OHE Staff Holiday Party at our house was a success and a great way to ring in the Holidays.

2. Robert's Wardroom Holiday dinner was wonderful and delicious (so I was told...had a teacher training).

3. My kiddos Winter Concert was adorable, hilarious, entertaining, and great!

4. Finding and becoming members of a church, Whidbey Presbyterian Church, and finding joy in spending advent Sunday with the congregation.

5. Adopting Fannie Crawford our 7 1/2 year old Goldendoodle. She was a breeding dog in Spokane, Washington and we were lucky to find her. Bentley adores her and they already cuddle at night!

6. I started learning how to knit thanks to a great teacher friend who makes her own sweaters!!! I am very excited to continue learning.

Coming Attractions:

1. Ringing in New Years by having a game-night with some friends (Robert's last night of being on-call :)! )

2. Officially kicking off my Book Club/Wine Club!

3. Having lunch with SARA STERNER (one of my coworkers, dear friends, and mentor from ATS) in Centralia, WA while she is here for a quick visit.

4.Robert is going on fishing trips and we are learning/taking a class to fly-fish (probably in the spring though)

5. Skiing at Mt. Baker this coming Friday

6. *Heading into Seattle to see "BOOK OF MORMON!!!!!!!!!!"

7. *Robert's parents are coming for their first trip to Whidbey Island, WA the end of January!!!!!!!!!!! I will have many photos to share and updates from their trip. The grandpups are looking forward to seeing their other amazing grandparents!

We wish you all a beautiful, wonderful, enjoyable, memorable, and loving start to the New Year!!!