All our bags are packed, we're ready to go...

Whoa! The past two days have been crazy with packing and last minute details. As of 6am Wednesday morning, we have 8 bags to check (don't get too worried, Brendan's got special status with Continental since he's flown so much in the past so we get 6 bags for free :)) plus 4 carry-ons, a stroller, and a car seat. For some reason we think we need all this "stuff", but it seems a bit ridiculous now that we're moving overseas...I wonder if God is trying to tell us something. :)

My (Anne's) parents came out to NC one final time and have been helping us with our last minute preparations. I think Charlotte snuggled with her Papa just about all day yesterday! I really don't know how we would have finished everything without them here...they have been such a blessing.

Our flight leaves this afternoon from RDU. We have 1 stop w/4 hour layover in NYC then a 7 hour flight to Madrid. We'll arrive there around 9am local time.

And so, our newest adventure begins...

As I lay in bed last night trying to get to sleep, my mind drifted back on memories we had made in the past 2 1/2 years since we'd moved to Raleigh - people in our lives, our church, vacations, happenings in our families - and I was struck by these words from the book of John - the abundant life (John 10:10). Jesus came so that we could have an abundant life. While remembering our life over the past few years, I realized that we were finally living the life to which He had called us.

We are living la vida abundante! (The title of my next blog post!)

Moving Day...sort of

Today our shipping crate was packed up & will arrive in Spain in approx 2 weeks. This is the first stage of our moving process. We got all of Charlotte's stuff in the crate plus most of the items that Brendan and I wanted to send ahead. We had pre-packaged a lot of clothing and linens in vaccuum bags thinking that this was going to save alot of space...wrong! The vaccuum bags didn't fit in the boxes so Brendan had to unpack many of them. :( Oh well...hopefully we can still use the bags to help us get more stuff in our suitcases when we fly to Spain next week.

We have less than a week until we leave. Brendan's brother, Sean, and his wife, Ambyr, are visiting us this weekend. We'll put them to work helping us pack up the stuff we are leaving behind in Raleigh. Then my Dad and Lisa are visiting us the beginning of next week so they can help us finalize our packing, cleaning, etc and of course get plenty of cuddling in with Charlotte!

Even though we've spent most of our time the past few days packing, we did fit in some time to catch up on Season 8 of 24. As you'll see below, Charlotte also thinks Jack Bauer is pretty awesome!

Getting Brendan off my back about Facebook

So, my sneaky husband decided to see how committed I was to our blog since my entrance into the world of Facebook. I have to admit that it is harder to keep up with making blog posts than it is to check Facebook. But I see Facebook as a great way to get more people to view our blog...which means I really do need to keep up with it. I'm sure we'll have some really interesting posts once we move to Spain and as Charlotte passes the 3 month mark and becomes a much more interesting child!

For now, y'all will have to be satisfied with an update on our move to Spain. Throughout this whole process of accepting the job in Spain and then procuring the needed documents to move there, Brendan has kept asking me "Does it feel real yet?". For me it's felt real since we decided to accept the offer, but we are now in the final stages of packing and readying ourselves for the move and I have to admit that it is very REAL now that we are moving out of the country far away from family and friends.

God has blessed us with incredible friendships here in Raleigh. When He first lead us to attend church in a movie theater we weren't sure what to expect. But what we found at Southbridge was authentic community amoung Christ-followers that lead Brendan into a relationship with Christ and lead both of us into much deeper relationships with Jesus. So, as hard as it is to leave these people who have become family to us, we know that God used this time in Raleigh to prepare us for the move to Spain...AND we know that God has proved himself a provider of more than we could imagine, so we KNOW He'll provide in the same way now. The theme of our blog comes from Ephesians 3 where Paul prays that others will experience God's love which is beyond knowledge. Immediately after that, Paul writes "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!". Brendan and I really have seen God do immeasurably more than we could have ever imagined for our lives! We're excited to keep sharing with you what He does in our lives...and our prayer is that you would all experience a personal relationship with Christ as well.

As for specifics of our move, our flight to Spain is booked for January 27th - less than 2 weeks away. We are finalizing our packing and tying up loose ends. We have a few more visitors before we leave and I know we'll appreciate their help with any last minute items - and I know my Dad and Lisa with enjoy a little more time with Charlotte.

I'll end this post with a few pictures from our trip to visit my family in Plains, TX last weekend. Charlotte's first impression of her Uncle Bradley was quite interesting!

Friends from high school w/our babies

5 Generations of Palmers

Charlotte & PoPo

Distracted by Facebook

I (Brendan) am secretly posting this to see how long it takes Anne to see it. She has become distracted by her recent entrance into the 'World of Facebook' and I fear that her blog updates will now be far and few between. Please do not tip her off by writing on her wall or other ingenious ways in which you can tag - text - hit - ping - tweet - link with someone through the numerous channels available.

As for the Kinne clan, please pray for us as we travel with Charlotte on her first airplane ride. We have been practicing with her by lifting her up on our legs and moving hem around the sky, but something tells me the altitude change in real life may be more exciting. We plan to entertain her with either goo gooing with her OR her personal favorite is her goo gooing herself and looking in the mirror at an eerie similar baby. She is a doll and is a much loved baby.

Remember no hints to Anne - I am sure she will post something when she figures it out. Day 1 and counting...

Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year to all! As 2009 ended, we reflected on the many blessing received in the past year and the faith of those to come in twenty ten (2010 - Anne is very passionate about the correct way in which to say the numerical value of this new year). The above picture is from the celebrations in Madrid, Spain. We were not there, but excited to think about our upcoming move and the new things that await us.

Charlotte is doing great and is a much loved child. Her grandparents from Plains (Popo and Papa) came and spoiled her during the Christmas holiday. She has new toys, clothes and a little dog friend that only speaks Spanish. She is now ready to go to Spain as well. We have a big month ahead of us to get everything ready for the move. We appreciate all of the support available to us and will keep you posted with our needs.

We love you all and look forward to the good news to come in 2010!!!