Miami Thus Far!!

It's almost our 1 month anniversary of being Miami residents, and we have thoroughly LOVED our time here so far!! God has been so faithful to provide exactly what we need! J's mom has kindly opened her home to us and it has been such a blessing! It's nice to be in a house again as opposed to apartment living! (I forgot how quiet it can be!) She has watched Jonelle a lot for us so we can run errands and spend some time together :)

Our dear friend Rachel has introduced us to her family and we have officially been "adopted" into the awesome Bartel family! They have helped us so much and loved on us since the day we got here! Mrs. Bartel even gave Jonelle a "welcome to Miami" package!

beach toys, bubbles, cute clothes, a beach chair, chalk :)

(Rach and Jonelle)

(The Bartel Ladies)

Jonelle is surrounded with LOVE <3

We have definitely been enjoying the sun and warm weather too! Lots of pool days and even a weekend trip to Vero Beach. SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!

It's hard to imagine that we actually LIVE here- I don't have to leave this dream city! :) We have had lots of fun date nights and took some trips to ikea to make a cozy little room for us.

(Big girl bed!)

(My sleepy princess- what a trooper!)

love my hubby!

Rach and Myles- double date :)

SOUTH BEACH!

We are LIVIN it up here! School starts the 1st week of August. I am thrilled! I have been waiting for this time in my life for 2 years now. God's timing is BEST! I hope that I have learned some patience through all of this! We have been getting involved in the youth group at UBC with Pastor Ray Sanchez. Jaakan had the opportunity to preach on James and "favoritism" last Sunday and he did an AWESOME job! I'm really proud of him! Tomorrow he leaves for youth camp till Wednesday. He is a leader in charge of 7 senior-high school kids so keep him in your prayers (it will be a fun filled week!)

It has been nothing but GREAT so far (besides the palmetto bugs and roaches- beyond disgusting!!!!!!!!) but I do miss my family and dear friends back in Chicago A LOT still! (probably always will...) It's weird being away from a place that I lived in for SO long. I miss my mom a ton and I know Jonelle does too! I appreciate, even more now, all she did to give Jonelle a fun time at her house!

(Me and Bethany-so thankful for her!)

(sisters!! and baby Finn!)

(Grandma and Jonelle)

We have been challenged, humbled, strengthened, encouraged and discouraged at times, and have learned a lot this past month. We are experiencing another side of life and another piece of the heart of God. I am thankful for every great and hard time so far!! It has drawn the 3 of us MUCH closer and that was my prayer all along. I've realized that HOME is where my husband and baby girl are, so we are HOME here :) And Miami is feeling more like home everyday. I thank the Lord for that! He is so GOOD!