Happy New Year...Well, it has been a very blessed year in the Elliott household with many new adventures, sadnesses, and celebrations. We started the year trying to sell our farm and taking a leap of faith to move to Long Beach, NY before it was actually sold. We left Marietta, OK on April 2 loaded down with a moving van, our car, 2 adults, and 2 kids. We drove across country seeing parts of the U.S. (Tennessee, Virginia, W. Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, NY) and finally crossing the Verrazano Bridge in NY around midnight on the 6th. Unfortunately, we learned on the way across country that my beloved Ma Honey had passed away so once we arrived in NY, I immediately jumped on a plane to Arkansas for her funeral. Thank the Lord for John and my mom, who had flown in to help, who held down the fort taking care of kids and moving us in to our apartment.

The next phase of the adventure began with exploring our new town, finding a GREAT church, becoming regular beach bums, and regulars at all the great parks and library within walking distance of our house. We had a great time visiting NYC, taking our first train ride, and getting to know many new friends and old acquaintances (Jayme from college and her family).

We also finally got word that Bill, John's dad, was continuing to improve health-wise. It had been a very long summer for them.

At the end of September, I got a part time job hostessing at a local restaurant. I really enjoy it and am able to add a couple of hundred bucks a money to the family income. Win-win for everyone.

With fall came our first experiences with public school as Jacob started kindergarten and Julia started a 2-day a week 3 yr old program at our church. We've had some victories and bumps but all-in-all a wonderful experience. We had a wonderful Halloween with Julia as Snow White and Jacob as Robin. We made a quick plane ride back to OK to see John's parents (Julia's first plane trip). And came back just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas quietly at home as a family. We are truly blessed and thank our Lord every day for all he has given us.

Happy New Year and I hope 2007 is as rich as 2006 was to us!