Facebook reminded me today that it is Sibling Day. Today I am even more aware of the miles between my siblings and I and it made me sad. Still, I am super proud of both of them and and their current adventures.

This is my big brother, Bryan, and his family. Currently, they live in Doha, Qatar.

source: kids.brittanica.com

Here is a map for people who don’t know where Qatar is.

He and his wife work for a branch of Texas A&M University in Doha. They are quite the world travelers. They just returned from a trip to Singapore and spent Christmas in Japan. Last year they celebrated Christmas in London. I haven’t seen them in forever, but I am so happy for them and their chance at this amazing life experience. Someday I hope to join them for a visit and actually get out of the US.

This is my baby sister, Tammy, in the Texas bluebonnets. We didn’t get along too well growing up until we moved to Texas from Missouri. We had to share a room at first and we had no friends but each other so we were forced to love each other. We are very different. She is A-type, a CPA, soft-spoken, and a fashionista. And recently, she is a new mommy. And she’s a pretty great one. I get to see her soon and I couldn’t be happier.

This is still one of my favorite photos of us. In typical middle child fashion, I went my own way and didn’t graduate from Texas A&M like the other two. The Aggie cult is real.

Happy Sibling Day, Bryan and Tammy! I love you and miss you!

I’d be lying if I said our move went smoothly. The week before we left, Jack was treated for strep throat but was on the mend the day of our move. As we got on the road, it was pretty obvious that Doug wasn’t well and needed medical attention. We found an urgent care in Ponca City, OK where Doug tested positive for strep. We decided to stop for the night instead of trying to get there in one day because of the delay. The next day, we stopped for lunch somewhere in Kansas and heard from our realtor that we had an offer on our house that we accepted! Upon our arrival at our new apartment complex, we were greeted by a large group of people from our church who unloaded the entire Uhaul for us. This was a huge blessing and a perfect welcome. Our first morning in SD I woke up ill and tested positive for strep as well. I will always be grateful for Doug’s parents and brother who not only helped us move, but had to pick up our slack while we were sick. To say we couldn’t have done it without them is an understatement. As it turns out, Doug had to call in sick his first weekend and another leader was on the schedule for Palm Sunday, so his first official weekend leading worship was Easter.

Our church had three Good Friday services in the chapel.

First Sunday

Jack and I were asked to participate in a testimony time during the closing song. We had to finish the  phrase, “Because he lives…” Jack’s sign said, “I tell others about Him.” Mine said, “I go where He leads.”♥

Lucy’s first pair of heels. She burst into tears in the store when I suggested she pick out some flats instead. Someone once suggested that I should let her wear heels because it would slow her down. That was a lie.

We finished the day by relaxing and playing with some new friends.

Doug had a glorious day off on Monday so while Jack and I did school, Doug took Lucy on her first ever daddy/daughter date. Monkey came too. They went to the movies and saw Cinderella. According to Lucy, Monkey really liked it. Then, while Lucy took a nap, Jack got to go out with Daddy too. They bought Legos.

And even though it was a day late, we dyed eggs and baked a cake.

She was so over pictures.

Happy Easter! He has risen, indeed!

We are settling into our new home and I finally had some time this weekend to download some photographs of our last few days in Oklahoma. These represent some of the hardest goodbyes we have ever made. We love and miss you all.

Jenna and Lucy

Lainey and Lucy

Hayden and Jack

Lucy and Marshmellow

Love you, Kiah Papaya! Sorry Doug ruined this picture. Before she was Doug’s band mate, she was my co-worker and friend. So many memories. So many IHOPs at 2 AM.

Lucy and Layla

Doug and his besties

The men of the worship team. And Lucy.

My girls

Pictures from our last Wednesday night at church.

They let Jack carry the flag on his last day.

Most of this group were all babies together in the nursery.

Our goodbye to our favorite pediatrician and nurse. They have taken care of my babies since birth.

Mrs. Buckhalter and Mrs. Williams were the mentors with the homeschool group we have been a part of for 2 years. If we achieve any level of educational success, it will be due to these selfless women.

Spontaneous Ashley treated me to a movie in the midst of the moving craziness. She and Michael are the best college ministers in the world. It’s true.

Last Sunday.

Grace and Jonathan were in our newlywed class back in the day and are part of our small group. And they will be awesome parents.

THE SONGWRITERS! Let the record show that I am Lindsey Compton’s #1 fan. Remember that name.

We go way back with the Rowlands. Thank you for giving my husband an outlet for his tabletop gaming. I’m forever grateful.

Me and Pretty Ruth

Friends

And more friends

Jack and his friends

Daniel and Lucy!

One last play date with Miss Catie.

We left the conversion van.

Kayla tried to come with us.

The last night in our first home. It was sad.

We had to stop in her hometown (long story) so Brittni was our last goodbye. Goodbye, Oklahoma!

Today wrapped up Jack’s very first season of basketball.  He’s found another sport he loves and we are sure this is the first of many seasons.

His first practice he insisted on wearing his Spurs championship shirt. I still thinks its funny that our kid from the OKC metro area roots for his parent’s hometown instead of the Thunder. Although he is still a Durant and Westbrook fan, but honestly, who isn’t?

k

Jack spent many hours practicing in his room with his trampoline and net.

The Nuggets were mainly first graders who played teams that were mainly second graders. It was a tough season, but I know Jack learned so much and played so much better later in the season.

Go Jack!

Not surprisingly, game time was serious business to Jack.

One of the coaches is on the worship team with Doug so it was sweet watching our kids play on the same team as well.

Clayton and Jack spot a foul.

Today they played their last game and received their medals. It was very obvious how much each player had improved. Jack told me his stats for the game were 3 rebounds, 3 points, 1 for 2 in free throws, 1 foul, and 3 assists.

We’re so proud of our handsome baller.

We are moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A place I didn’t even know existed a couple of months ago. We’re moving north after I told Doug I wasn’t moving anywhere cold and just assumed we’d end up back where we started in Texas.  Doug actually misunderstood the “SD” on the job posting and told me it was in San Diego. After a few rounds of phone conversations, interviews, seeking counsel, and prayer, we found ourselves on a plane during our Thanksgiving break to SD (South Dakota, not San Diego).  This trip was exploratory to visit the church and the community and observe the weekend worship services.

This was our welcome sign at the airport.

Sioux Falls has actual falls!

And we got to see them! They were frozen.

Our first picture in our new place.

Doug went by himself last month to actually lead the weekend services. Between the Saturday night service and the Sunday morning service, SF was hit with 8 inches of snow. Doug thought it was important I see this snowdrift.

I watched all three services via live streaming back in Oklahoma. All three. Because I’m a very supportive wife like that.

We were both welcomed back so Doug could lead again and the church could conduct an official vote. On Feb. 22nd Doug accepted the position of Pastor of Worship Arts at Central Baptist Church. Doug read his resignation letter last Sunday and it was my first time to hear it along with everyone else. I cried. It’s all so happy and sad at the same time. It sums up my heart and thoughts on this next step and I couldn’t add or improve upon it so I am posting it here:

Dear friends and family of Immanuel Baptist Church,
It has been an honor to serve here at Immanuel as the Associate Minister of Media and Worship.
I have had an amazing opportunity placed before me to be the main worship pastor at a large church in South Dakota. After several interviews and visits, as well as many hours of prayer and consideration, Lori and I have decided to accept the position of Pastor of Worship Arts at Central Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Our time here has been one of forging, sharpening, and sometimes even breaking. This has been our church home since Lori and I have been married, over eleven years and now with two children. Immanuel has given me an opportunity to grow as a Christian, husband, father, teacher and musician. Significantly, Immanuel was also key in helping me realize God’s call on my life to be a pastor and worship leader.
From playing bass in the Living Christmas Tree on Main Street, to leading the ninethirty service for over five years, from being a college student to teaching college students, from young married to father of two, God has been using this place, this church, this family, to make me more like Christ. That is the highest compliment that I, that anyone, can give.
My family covets your prayers as we embark on an adventure to the high plains of the Midwest. And I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it is very cold. But there is a great church there doing great ministry in a growing community and I fit their needs as a worship leader and pastor.
I cannot communicate to you how dear you are to our family. You will always be precious to us, close to our hearts and we will treasure the memories of our time together. Thank you and may Christ fill you with all wisdom and knowledge for His name’s sake.
In Christ,
Doug, Lori, Jack and Lucy Hurt

I happened upon this article online. I’m hopefully optimistic that it’s all true. Especially numbers 14 and 18.

21 Things You Need to Know About Sioux Falls.

– 3 bed/2 bath 1340 square feet, open floor plan, huge (almost 1.5) acre corner lot on super quiet street
-easy access to I-40 and north Shawnee retail
-move in ready, appliances (except washer/dryer) and riding lawn mower to stay with reasonable offer
-non smoking/non pet home
-won’t last long at asking price of $115,000. The best home in this price range.

Brand new exterior paint and fixtures

s

Brand new 10X12 storage shed

master bedroom

master bath with brand new paint and fixtures

walk- in master bath closet

Bedroom #2

bath #2 with brand new paint and fixtures

Bedroom #3

Pic shows large dining area and large laundry room in background (moving boxes everywhere so I have to use these pics instead)

open living room with built-ins and brand new floors

Today is Lucy Valentine’s fourth birthday. It truly feels like a milestone. Four years. We made it. And we all still love each other. In honor of this important day, I have another installment of Lucy Was Here. Also available in the series is Part One and Part Two

This is how she dressed herself for a doctor’s appointment one morning. And that’s how she looked in public. Some battles are not worth fighting.

Lucy does very well drawing whatever she wants so it was no surprise she started copying letters on her own. This was her first attempt at tracing letters. Now I have two kids with better handwriting than me.

I guess Jack’s game play wasn’t very exciting.

Lucy saw a collage in a book we were reading and asked if she could make her own. I cut out some magazine pictures for her and then gave her free reign of the glue. My sister is a collage queen so I guess it’s in her blood.

Sweet Daniel may never want to come over again. She actually talked him into painting her nails.

Lucy asked Doug to draw a picture of Elsa. Then she colored it herself. I think they make a great team.

“Mommy, I’m STUCK!” Which all parents know is code for, “grab the camera.”

After an overnight stay in a hotel, this mysteriously appeared on her bedroom door.

She is aware that it’s trendy to wear your baby so she improvised with her hoodie.

She likes to keep Joseph close to her in her plastic pink purse.

I told the kids we were going to bake and decorate cookies, so Lucy added her own supplies.

And after the cookies were done cooling, I came back to this.

This is how she watches Brave.

The kids were laughing maniacally in  the living room which is never a good sign.  She had incorporated her underwear drawer into our home decor.

She had a hard time explaining how a glob of strawberry yoghurt ended up behind my nightstand and nowhere else.

Lucy’s first attempt at stained glass.

We decided the groceries were better off in my fridge. Her electric had been shut off.

You can always tell when little sister has been in her brother’s legos. The teddy bear and happy kids seem to be enjoying their ride on the killer dragon.

“Look what I can do!”

And a Lucy post wouldn’t be complete without a massive glitter mess. The glitter was hidden up high out of reach and she still found it. We’ve since invested in a glitter safe.

Photo by Tasha York

Happy Birthday, Lucy! For four years, our lives have never been the same (or boring).