Easter 2011

Time away....

Thanks to some wonderful friends, we've been away for the past 10 days. It could have been 2 weeks, but we had to get back a little sooner.

The time away was precious time as a family filled with daily experiences like these...

And wonderful nightly times in God's Word and much time spent in prayer..

The past 3 months have definitely been the hardest our family has ever faced. It has also honestly been the sweetest times as well. I've seen the benefit of stepping away from the computer and spending more time face to face with friends. Since January 3rd I still don't buy Brian lunch groceries as his schedule fills up, quickly, with friends that want to talk. I've cherished the precious time with friends as well. There just aren't adequate words for how much people have carried us during this time.

Well.....we traveled home today and still went to Tae Kwon Do and eased back into it with only 2 hours. I know....crazy.

The fact that my husband blogged this week has prompted my own post. I'd like to just end with a post he made and maybe I'll come back on here to post more pictures at some point.

Childlike Faith

Reece asked Jesus to come into his heart, after our nightly 'family Bible time', on January 31, 2011. (Can't you see the 'transformation' in his face??? :)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

January 2011

I truly have to laugh when I said I'd become some 'boring mom'/hermit the month of January. Things can change on a dime. We've actually been out and about more than home this month. We've been blessed with friends who have walked a journey with us this entire month. Some day I'll write down all of that, but for now I'll share just a few pictures from our month.

I really am not joking that I've hardly been at the computer - hence the lack of time on this blog. The time I have spent here has been replying to e-mails. Returning phones calls, replying to e-mails, doing school in the mornings, afternoon field trips, and evenings with friends. Wow! I've actually not even cooked this month - and I'm not complaining at all! :) We've been overwhelmed and blessed beyond measure! Even tonight we'll be spending the evening with precious friends and tomorrow as well.

These aren't the "get together s" where you pull out a camera, but I do have a few pictures that I finally took off of the camera. So....here goes:

Austin's first time 'rock climbing'. Had to post these pictures as this is a HUGE ordeal for our cautious first born. So thankful that he had this opportunity with some great friends!


One week we ended up in downtown Raleigh 3 times. Now...that is a big deal for me! This farm girl doesn't enjoy driving downtown, but we had some great reasons to do so. (and thank the Lord for the GPS my sister got us a few years ago) One was when we met a group of friends to tour the George Washington special exhibit that was at the History Museum for a short time. Completely worth it!!

A special evening making pizzas at a friend's house. Chris and Scott have spoiled our children over the past few years and this was no exception.


Their outside hot tub gave us plenty of time to talk with our friends. The kids were simply in heaven and sure came out looking like raisins.
Another downtown trip, with friends, to the Science Museum. This time the girls, little boys, and big boys all had something separate going on. I was able to hang out with Reece's group. The leaders felt like this group would need the most supervision. Yep...very true.
I did peek in on "the girl's group". Don't think Lindsey even saw me..

Wish I had my camera at Mike's football party. There were a few gals with the rhythm section men, so some conversation was had. Laughed until we cried with Bob and Patty. That's NOT unusual. I did leave that party saying: "Wow...you men REALLY do watch football when you have a football party." :) Mike had made his awesome chili and it was just a treat to be with so many friends. That was a sweet time that I don't want to forget!!

This next picture was a party at our friends, Jeff and Karen. It was an impromptu party and, like Jeff told me...you expect it hard for people to do "impromptu anything". Well..everyone that was invited came and their house was packed out. SO much fun! It was cold that evening but we still took some of the party outside to try out Karen's new fire pit. I never want to forget the laughter we had watching Brian and Bob go off in their back yard and come back with some big branches. Then Brian would hold onto Bob and jump up and down on the thick branches trying to break them. Jeff comes out and says: "Hey guys, I do have a saw!". I know it's a "you had to be there" kind of a moment, but the laughter was so great!



What a precious month this has been! We know we are here (1) By God's appointment, (2) In HIS keeping, (3) Under HIS training, and (4) For HIS time.

A glimpse....

Sunday after church..

2011

Austin, Lindsey and Reece on January 9, 2011.

"The stories of our lives are authored by the Grace of God."

Sundays and mentors...

Sundays are a powerful way to start our week around here. Ways that are expected (excellent preaching as always) and future gifts (Steve, our Lifeclass teacher, will be challenging us with the book of James. My FAVORITE book of the Bible!) and a very unexpected, to the heart, meeting each week....having Master Cromwell instruct us in Tae Kwon Do and then sharing what the Lord has laid on his heart.

Pastor Horner gives a New Year's message that I know I'll be mulling over for some time. I hang on to my Life Class teacher's every word as I know the Lord speaks through Steve. And then there is Master Cromwell..

I knew we'd learn Tae Kwon Do from this black belt but little did I know how God would use him in my spiritual walk.

If you looked up his name you'd find that he has several initials behind it: MD, FAHA, FNLA. It also would show that he is a Chief, Division of Atherosclerosis and Lipoprotein Disorders. A Medical Director, an Adjunct Associate Professor and a Diplomate. This is just in the first paragraph. Even though it isn't the case I'd like to add that he should be a preacher of the Word. After 60 min. of patiently working with us on blocks, kicks, and punches this humble gentleman has us sit on the floor for another 30 min. as he shares with us what God has laid on his heart.

Of course with the New Year ahead of us he shared how we all know there will be joys and challenges and that clearly, as followers of Christ, we need to make sure our steps are laid out by the Lord and not our own agenda. At the end he said something (I know you had to be there to get the impact of this statement) that will stick with me for a long time. He said:

Fear CANNOT occupy the same space as Faith.

That was from the Lord and it was for my ears. I read this somewhere and it fits where I want to go for the new year and I want this because I struggle with it:

Yesterday is HISTORY
Tomorrow is a MYSTERY
Today is a GIFT

I realize more and more that I fret over the past, I worry about tomorrow and therefore I do not enjoy the gift that is today and the fact that the Lord gives me all that I need for each day.

I cannot have Faith and fear. It just doesn't work. Only January 2nd and I know I have SO much to learn this year!

It is also so good to surround yourself with wise counsel, friends, and mentors. Looking at my Sundays with Pastor Horner, Steve, and Master Cromwell... I think I'm starting my weeks out right and -meant in the best of ways - some sleepless Sunday nights mulling over all that I've learned from my mentors. Happy New Year indeed!

Finishing up 2010 and moving into 2011

After being snowed in Dec. 26th we left a day later and went to see Brian's family in PA. in the picture above is Granddad and below is Brian's sister, Sharla, with the twins from the D.R. It was a second round of Christmas presents for us and the kids sure didn't mind a bit..
Austin had to open several boxes to get to a gift card for Game Stop.
While we stayed at the Grandparent's house, we spent time traveling to see Aunts, Uncles, cousins, etc. Here is Brian's cousin, Angela, with her daughter, the twins, and Reece. More presents and toys to play with.
After a brunch at Aunt Joelle's we went on to see Granny. We spent the rest of the afternoon and supper with Granny. I highly recommend spending time with older generations. It is good medicine for the soul. I think I laughed (the kind where you laugh so hard you cry) a good couple of hours listening to Granny.
Reece and the twins LOVE any toy that has wheels on them so they were very content to play with cars and trucks the whole time. West Chester had also gotten some snow and to see the twins (who live in Texas) rush out to jump in the snow was priceless.
Cars, cars, and more cars..
Even Brian jumped into the fun of cars and tracks.
At home the kids quickly unpacked their Christmas presents and were thrilled. Here is Lindsey with her new art set from Grandmom and Granddad.
A kid's cookbook from them as well..
Anything with wheels brings out a huge smile..
Aw.....New Year's Eve. Sweet New Year's Eve.. We slept in and played Angry Birds just because we could.. We cuddled and hugged our kids a lot. Took down our decorations and played with Christmas toys.
We had our traditional Chinese and played games the rest of the night.
I must say it is SO nice having older kids and being able to play more than Candy Land.
Did you all know that QI is actually a word? The kids sure had fun hearing Brian and I go back and forth on what constituted a word. What did we ever do without dictionary.com on our phones?
Reece loves his new remote control car from Granddad and Grandmom.
Jenga is serious business around here...
The kids wanted me to wake them up at midnight and I went in to hug and kiss all of them, but I don't think they remember that.

Didn't take pictures of New Year's Day, but it couldn't have been better. We spent the day with our church and TKD friends Kevin, Marsha, Brooke, and Bailey. Kevin cooked all kinds of barbecue and baked chicken. He also made homemade potato salad, homemade coleslaw and peach cobbler. He spoiled us with all his cooking! The kids played in their woods ALL afternoon and built some bridges over the creek. I can't believe it kept them happy and busy the entire day and evening.

Once again we forgot our manners and talked the day away into the evening hours. When we did leave we found that the kids were not only out playing in the dark (we were fine with that part), but it was pouring down rain. Thankfully it was in the 60's that day and they had a wonderful time getting all soaking wet. It was so nice to just sit and share the day with Kevin and Marsha. Sweet people that we are privileged to call friends.

Well....staying up to the New Year just about did me in. Brian did shake me awake to see the excitement in NYC -- I'm such a party animal. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's!!