It's Official...

We're home! As of 8:00 pm, Saturday, December 6th, we are once again official residents of Arizona! The last month has been a whirlwind of events and major life change, so I will do my best to sum up what we've been through... (Those of you who know me well, know that I don't "sum up" very well. You could be in for a very long post)

Since word of Alltel's buyout reached us in June, we've been very unsure of where we would end up. Our nature was to assume that Fernando would most likely lose his job and look elsewhere for employment, meaning we would most likely be moving out of Little Rock some time in the following months.

About 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, we were asked if Fernando would be willing to lose his title in order for us to be transferred back home. There was a chance that could be worked out and we would most likely receive a little money to help cover the expense of our move. He decided it would be worth it, since he would eventually be unemployed anyway. At least that way, we'd be back in Phoenix. Later that day, he received a call asking if we would like to drive or fly back to Arizona. His boss was putting together a full relocation package for us! We were told it was pending approval by the Executive Vice President, so not to get our hopes up. Obviously, we chose to fly home and prepared to wait what we expected to be a few days before we knew one way or the other. Not 20 minutes later, another call came through. The EVP took one look at the proposed relocation package and said, "Make this work. Take care of the Oronas"- without so much as a glance at how much it would cost the company. We were headed home! In less than 3 weeks!

We were shocked and thrilled, but couldn't believe it when Fernando was even able to retain his current position. The very best part? He will have a job when the buyout is complete. There is much to work out and lots of confidentiality surrounding the decisions being made at the moment. So look for more to come on that...

Even as I write, the moving truck is being loaded with the last of our belongings in Little Rock and will hit the road. Our renters have vacated our old house in Goodyear and the truck is expected to arrive by Saturday- it will be like we never left, with the exception of our newest addition, of course!

We are so thankful for our 14 months in Little Rock. We made some wonderful friends and learned so much about ourselves and what is most important to us. Our family is stronger and has grown (not only in number) tremendously. In addition, we have come back with a fresh perspective and new appreciation for our life in Arizona. We are thrilled to be back with family and friends and anxious to serve again at Palm Valley Church as soon as possible!

We are eternally grateful to our Alltel "family" for the love and support we've been given over the last year. Fernando has learned so much from the leadership at Alltel and we have been so blessed by the character and concern of the management there for their employees and our family in particular. How can we ever say enough thanks to CJ Duvall, Debbie Northington, and Naomi Stratton? Adam, we love you and will miss you terribly! You better plan a trip to Arizona soon. Sharon and Julie, my shopping buddies, thanks for making us feel loved and getting me out of the house when I SO desperately needed it! There's much better shopping here so let me know when you're coming. We will do some SERIOUS damage! To the rest of the Talent Acquisition team, thanks for your constant smiles and hugs for our kids. You're the best!

Our amazing small group from The Summit church- the Halberg, Kennedy, Cleveland, Thomas, and Copeland families- you are loved and will be missed tremendously. We knew the first week we were there, you were the group for us! Thanks for being our family away from home and for making us feel loved and connected.

We are excited to see what God has in store for us back in Arizona and are so grateful He chose to bring us back here and are looking forward to a fresh start...