New Year's Eve

Brad and I went to our very first official New Year's Eve party this year! We have spent the last 7 years either at home by ourselves or with students. So it was great to spend the evening with three other couples from church.

We got together at 7:00, chatted, ate some food (everybody brought a bunch to share), and played with our kids (there were 5 total) until around 8:00. Then the three Davis kids went to bed in their own rooms, while Caleb and Sammy got the master bedroom and a very large closet. (Pack-n-plays are WONDERFUL things!) After they all quieted down, we played one of our favorite Aust (made-up) games called "The Name Game". We had a great time laughing and playing, and we got to know each other much better. Once everyone kinda got the feel for the game, we had to get out the video camera. (I wonder who's got that tape!) Some moments were just too good not to get on film!

We toasted the New Year in with some sparkling juice and good cheer. We even managed to sneak a quick kiss to our spouses! We played another game until around 1:30 and decided it was probably time to get home. Even though it was hard waking Sammy up, getting her dressed in her coat and hat, and putting her to bed AGAIN once we got home, it was well worth it. And, for the first time, I felt like we had friends here in Brainerd (which I TOTALLY should have already known), and it felt so good.

I have to say that for the first time in my 7 1/2 year marriage (and three major moves) that my introverted husband has planted roots quicker and made friends faster than my extroverted self. While my greatest wish (2 1/2 years ago) was for a church (and community) that was a good fit for Brad and me, it was a harder transition for me than I thought. Even though I was able to teach for a year and am now involved with MOPS and BSF, it's hard walking into preset groups of people...people who have known each other for years... and not feel like the odd man out. And even though I have made SO MUCH progress, I can't help but get SO EXCITED about seeing my Twin Cities friends this weekend.

It's hard to leave a place and people that feel so comfortable.

But the truth is, I am so blessed! And even though it takes time to get settled, what I have gained has been so worth it. Yes, we call Jonathan and Paula Davis our Brainerd gamers, but NOBODY will ever replace Andy and Dacia Olson in the Cities. And even though I compartmentalize our Brainerd and Twin Cities life and friends, we’re all members of God’s family and are going to be together in heaven some day.

And what a great day that will be!