New Year!

Wow, it's been SO long since I've written! We are moving right along with plans for the big move.  It keeps getting closer and closer...only 3 1/2 more months!

We've chosen an official move date of May 29.  The kids last day of school is Friday, May 27, and it's only to pick up their report cards, not a "real" school day.  We will take that day and the next to pack and load our U-Haul, and then leave out Sunday morning.  My sister Meri will be sharing the U-Haul with us, so we'll coordinate getting her things packed on Saturday as well.

It's kind of overwhelming to think of all that will happen between now and then!  First, the home improvements/renovations.  We were officially approved in late December for a line of credit that will cover the cost of upgrading the basement to add 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.  Yay!  We will also start the process of widening the driveway, as well as purchase a larger, tankless water heater to accomodate the number of people living in one home.  Mom is calling this week to get the ball rolling on those things.
In approximately 90 days, Meri will graduate with her Masters in Social Work on May 6!!  We are SO proud of her!  Her internship is proving to be an incredible resource, and the company that owns the hospital she's working for also owns hospitals in the Chicagoland area.  Her supervisor has already contacted the HR rep there and will be giving a great reference so that she may land a position before we even move!!  Wouldn't that be awesome??  Tony officially closed his business, Cann-Do Interior Painting, after 3 successful years, on 12/31/15.  It just made sense to do then rather that adding that to our to-do list before we move.  He easily landed a full-time job as a delivery driver for Sherwin Williams, delivering paint.  That gives him consistent income with benefits for our family, which is a good thing right now.  He doesn't love the job, and this probably won't be what he continues once we move, but it's for a season, and has a purpose right now.  Please keep him in your prayers, and anyone who may have connections for job opportunities in the Roselle area, let us know!  Lastly, Mom will retire officially at the beginning of June when school ends!  Exciting stuff.

We are all looking forward to the next few months, and can't wait to celebrate all these positive changes!