Kyle, Tawnya, James, and William: November 2011

So here we are in Brooklyn New York! I hardly know where to begin with an update on the last couple months of our lives. There is no question it has been the hardest struggle Kyle and I have gone through together so far, yet we have been strengthened and we have been blessed to see many small and large miracles. Kyle took some time to write many of our experiences in his blog, so to make this easier here is his post if you are interested in details.http://www.Kylefackrellmusic.com/blog.html Since I really can't say it better, I'm not going to add many details.

What we have found at the end of this journey, is that God is so aware of us and he has heard our prayers. We are not done yet though. It has been a struggle here in Brooklyn. Kyle's work hours are long and the pay is little. I am struggling to find a way to get around this city with two children! It is so different! Most stores don't have parking lots! That means for a lot of looking for parking and walking and fighting traffic (not my most favorite thing). So, it has been an interesting experience. I also am finding that I don't really like city living. It is so busy and noisy and crowded. Our ward is also very different from what we are used to. This is a cool thing in many ways. It is fun to be the minority and to listen to a range of accents and experiences from all over the world. It is neat to be around so many different kinds of people. There aren't many kids in the ward though, so I am hoping to get to know people in neighboring wards that we can be friends with for play dates and things like that. Despite the challenges of living here, I have been able to find some places that are easier to get to and there are some beautiful parks and beaches very near. I do keep in mind that it takes a long time to feel at home in a new place. So, we are going to give it a couple years. The longer I am here the better I get at city living and I know there is a reason we are here. I think I can say pretty confidently that this is not where we want to settle down by any means, but I am hopeful that it will become a place that we will be sad to leave when the time comes. We will see how our journey unfolds.

Here are some pictures. Sorry about the poor quality, they are from my phone, I can't find our regular camera at the moment...in a box somewhere maybe!?

Also, to those of you who are wanting to visit NYC you have a place to make home base for a couple days! We are about 1 hour from our door to Manhattan on the subway, shorter by cab. We would love to have visitors and we have a living room and a blow-up mattress and couches! Feel free to call or email and reserve at date at the Fackrell Inn. :)

Here are some pictures and other updates.

So, in the craziness of everything James has stated to not take a regular nap, and when he does he won't go to sleep at night! So, we have tried to keep him awake in order to keep bedtime reasonable. (With a nap he will literlly stay up until 11 still bouncing around!!) However, the poor child still gets tired and will fall asleep anywhere. We are getting into a better pattern now that things are a little more stable, but in the transition it was funny to see all the places he fell asleep!

Yes, he is totally asleep here!

Also, WIlliam is growing and I am pretty sure he is bigger than James was at this age. He is not a great sleeper anymore, although he is getting better. He is 4 1/2 months and I just put the 12 month clothes in his drawers because he has grown out of most of the 9 months clothes! He is quick to smile and laugh and he adores James. He will watch him and smile at him all the time. He prefers to be held and is not great at being left while I do things, so my arm is getting strong to say the least. My patience is being tried at times too. :) He has started rolling both ways in the last few weeks and he grabs at everything!

James being a "light pole" at Prospect Park

Sadly we didn't get to do anything Halloween related this year because of
weather and James was sick, but he is a darn cute pirate!

Here are some pictures of our new house, as it is right now...so its not really clean and organized, but if I wait until its perfect, i will never get pictures. :)

This is our house! The lady standing in front is the angel that owns it and is letting us rent from her for ridiculously low price. She is standing on her level and we are on the bottom just below her.