Well here it is.... our last month in Iowa before returning to Duhok. It was a whirlwind with lots of things to do, people to see, and holiday celebrations to be had. It was great and stressful all at the same time. I just read that moving is probably one of the most stressful things in life. Well since Andy and I have been married, we have moved 7 times in 6 years! And yes, it's stressful for us too. But it's becoming our normal I guess. So we moved out of Iowa City in the middle of December saying good-bye to lots of amazing, and I mean AMAZING friends!
Our last weeks in Iowa City weren't all good-byes. We enjoyed some yummy American food
Had an overnight Christmas Vacay at Williamsburg "water-park"
Fun times with our House Church
Went on some double-dates with no kiddos with the Baums, Nellys, and Goodies. Super fun!
Here's our roommates that we had for 6 months. Truly one of the amazing blessings God provided for us while we were back: Our living situation! Grace Community Church hooked us up with the G. St. House, then allowed us to live in community with these Rock Stars! Ahhh... We'll miss you guys sooooo much!
Zander enjoyed his last couple of nights in his room playing with all his toys before we started packing them up.
Then we loaded this truck and our minivan with all our possessions to take it to a storage unit where it will sit for at least 6 months. Bye-Bye G. St. I hope we can meet again this summer :)
And then, in a way, we were "homeless".... Yes we were staying with our family but honestly there were so many emotions/changes of not having our own space (see below).
We spent the week visiting family for the holidays
Celebrating Zephie's 1st Christmas
Seeing Santa for the first time.
Getting lots of cool things to take to Kurdistan that we can't get there (English books, DVD's for kids, games, puzzles, etc.)
Enjoyed playing outside a lot since there wasn't any snow yet. Something that Zander LOVED to do was go on my parents swingset and sing loudly and beautifully "Jesus Loves Me" It's awesome!
Zander also had some great QT with his cousin Dax.
"This old man, he played one, he played knick-knack..." singing on Grandma and Grumpa's new merry-go-round.
and the new "Playhouse" under construction
Zephie with Auntie Katie
Auntie Alice got both her nephews and her niece something that will remind them of her.... Cowboy boots!
Cowboy models in training... or should I say potty-training!
Made some Christmas Cookies at Oma's
Family pic with the Bishop's.... TAKE 12 :)
So there you have our last couple of weeks in Iowa in pictures (lots of them) It was a super busy time finalizing last minute leaving the country stuff, packing, paying bills, sending Christmas cards, packing, talking lots of hours with insurance reps, packing, etc. Did I mention re-packing? :)
As you can see we are SO BLESSED to have loving family and so many supporters in Iowa. We couldn't do it otherwise.
January 4th we left Iowa to move once again. To our new home in Duhok, Iraq.
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