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Has it been 5 months already???

Ok so I totally had full intention of updating the blog throughout the last 5 months buuuuut lots happened--life happened, work happened, being a single mom continued to happen, but the blog just didn't happen :).  Sooo I'd love to recap the last few months for you! :)

After Eli's 1 year Gotcha Day, we moved our new life to Euless, Texas where we began our very first home together as the Malnar family!  It was so excited to move to the DFW area and start focusing on the future! :)

Literally, the day after we moved everything up here, I went on my "New Teacher Orientation". Yep... the next day. Boy was I exhausted!!  Good thing my mom was here to do all the unpacking ;).






Eli went on his first day of Kindergarten in America and it was awesome!! He had so much fun and instantly made friends!! I mean, of course he did...he's such a charmer.




In September, we basically just survived... and by survived I literally mean we barely survived!! The transition to work and to Eli being in school was difficult but Jesus was steady and faithful.  Several times through the fall we had the opportunity to hang out with our family. (Something very rare when you live in Africa) And boy were we blessed!  A couple hours in a car to see family is SOOO easy compared to a 20 hour plane ride!! :)
 At Octoberfest in Grapevine with Gammy and Papa!



 Playing at Main Event with Uncle James




 We even took a mommy-son date to Legoland!!


Eli got to go to Lufkin for his very first LUFKIN PANTHERS FOOTBALL GAME!!


On October 24th, we celebrated Zambia's Independence Day. Eli showed his excitement for his country by wearing his Chipolopolo jersey (the soccer team) proudly!!


Of course Halloween would not be Halloween 
without an 80s Mom and Iron Man!



In November, we had the PLEASURE of welcoming my best friend Katy (Lego) back to America for her furlough!  We even got to take a trip to North Carolina with her for another good friends wedding! She was the bridesmaid and Eli was the ring bearer! Boy were those two cute!!



 He couldn't stop dancing!!


Before I knew it, my baby boy started learning how to read. :)


Before the break, the Lord handed us an AMAZING opportunity!!  We moved into a house (with a backyard!!!) near our school and church! Jesus is soooo good.




During Thanksgiving, Mr. T decided to join us with 
his best impression of Sulley on Monsters Inc.


AND we welcomed my NEW niece and Eli's new 
cousin, Baby Avery, into the world!




December hit and this bad boy went up! 
Our first Christmas tree as the Malnar family!!


Then the ice storm blew in, and we were stuck at home for a few days!!





 Eli started to get more in the Christmas spirit by letting Darth Vader fly in the wind like Santa...

By watching Elf over and over again...

And by being silly with his mommy... 



 Before Christmas break, Eli got to show off his classroom and play games with his friends at the end of the year Christmas party!!


Eli's teacher is SUCH a joy.


Two weeks of Christmas break came and went but not without Eli learning how to ride his new bike with training wheels!! :)




The new year couldn't end without meeting a new friend!! Katy invited us over to her friends house who happens to have a son Eli's age!! What a joy it was to ring in the new year with lots of fun and laughter!!


We are so excited to see what the Lord has for us in the 2014 year!!  Not only has he blessed us with a great community, he's also blessed us with an amazing church!! We are excited to get more involved and become the light of Jesus to all who we encounter. :)

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