MIA No More

The Pardues are back! Our life has been in major transition over the last 8 months, which I realize barely accounts for our unexplained absence here at Chez Pardue. We are so sorry for all the times you've checked in us, hoping for an update on little Harper, big Norm, or perhaps one of us. We're so sorry to have disappointed you, but fully intend to keep things more up-to-date around here. No promises for daily updates or anything, but maybe just a few times a month. Better, huh?

Here are just a few of the things that have kept us busy in 2010:

• We packed up our condo in DC, which had been our home-sweet-home since we got married in 2002


• We moved to Texas, where Joel got a new job in Gov. Perry's office


• We lived temporarily with Melissa's parents in San Antonio for 3 months while we house-hunted in Austin (Joel stayed in Austin during the week and returned to SA on the weekends)


• We found a great house in a great neighborhood and moved in late April


• We've been keeping busy with our new house, getting plugged in here in Austin, and watching our sweet baby turn into a toddler right before our very eyes


• We've found a great church, some great activities to be involved in, and are enjoying meeting new friends

God has been so faithful in providing for us during many months of job-searching and ultimately leading us to Austin. While it was SO bittersweet for us to leave DC, we are excited to be close to our families and are enjoying a slower pace of life here in Texas.

We will be gradually catching you up on some of the major milestones that you've missed during our blog sabbatical including: our move to Austin; Harper's first birthday; holidays; and lots of fun visits with family and friends. Stay tuned for some of those posts to trickle in. (See the post below for an update on all things Harper these days).

Meanwhile, here is where we call home in Austin:


We've missed the chance to keep you all posted on our life and are looking forward to sharing our new adventures down here in Texas. It's good to be back! :)