Change...

If becoming a family of five wasn't enough of a change for the year, we have added another one - we are now a homeschooling family! We have never been opposed to any schooling option, but have always said that we would take it year by year and allow our family dynamic and the needs of each child to determine our decision. So, as our Brielle has grown and changed over the years we have constantly discussed the best option for her and finally came to the conclusion that six and a half hours away from home each day would be a little much for our sensitive natured girl. So here we are doing kindergarden at home! I can't say that it's been a breeze, but I can say that we have all been enjoying it more than I had anticipated. Elaina has joined right in and her little three-year-old mind is absorbing much of what Brielle is learning!

If anyone is wondering how Titus has been faring in the nighttime hours, we would have to say that we are still praying for change in that area! Things have gotten a tiny bit better since reducing his nap schedule and moving him into his own room complete with a lovely white noise machine and a warm radiator, but we are probably going to have to take away his beloved nighttime bottles before we see more significant improvement - something that we're not looking forward to! Regardless of this little issue, he continues to charm us and seems to be getting sweeter every day. He is quite a proficient walker now, is learning sign language, and will be celebrating his first birthday at the end of the month - hard to believe!

Here are some photos to catch you up on the changes of the past few months. Enjoy...

June brought with it our sweet Elaina's third birthday!

July brought many wonderful visits to our parents' homes and lots of fun in the bay with Papa Bill! My parents live next to the same piece of property where my Dad grew up and where I was also raised - such a blessing to share this dear place with our children!

July also brought a wonderful visit from our friends, the Newtons. Our years in Texas are filled with many sweet memories with these dear friends. Friends who continue to set a beautiful example living an intentional Christ-centered, others-focused life! Thanks for a great visit, John and Darcie!!

August brought the most exciting event of the year, of course - the arrival of our precious son, Titus!

August also brought another cousin into the family! My brother, Billy and his wife, Andrea welcomed Liam to the world on the very same day that we arrived home from Korea with Titus! Two grandsons in one day for my parents! And my brother, Mark and his wife, Heather welcomed Cole in March of this year. That makes three boy cousins within nine months of each other - what a sweet blessing from our good God!

And last, but not least, August brought our ten year anniversary! The day of our celebration came only two weeks after returning from Korea so we happily brought Titus along on our Port Townsend visit. The day was spent eating great food, seeing beautiful sights, and reminiscing about the past ten years of our sweet friendship and God's amazing goodness to us! Apart from God Himself, our greatest joy has been the gift of each other!

We are so thankful to have Uncle Luke and Aunt Karen back in the Northwest! Congratulations to both of them on their graduations from Covenant Theological Seminary!!

What could be better than a ride on Papa's shoulders and a smooth, bald head to rest on? :)

Our twentieth try (literally) at getting a new Goodnough family portrait!

God has been so very good to our family! We are blessed beyond words!