Thankful List ~ October and November 2015

October and November Thankful Lists

Again, I’m late in posting and I want to partially blame it on the fact that I haven’t had time to sit down and write the many, many ways we’ve been blessed over the past two months.  Yea, that’s going to be my excuse.  ;)  I am going to try and quickly bullet point just a few of the highlights.

We’ve been able to have a lot of great experiences with the kids, soccer, reading the Secret Garden with the Shephard’s Co-op book club, a field trip to Fisher Farm with Josiah’s preschool, a Veteran’s Day Band Concert, experiencing the play Lion King Jr. with the kids, and even catching the last 45 minutes of the Raleigh Christmas Parade.

In addition, we’ve had lots of great things going on at church.  The Life Action One Cry conference, home groups, Homecoming, an Operation Christmas Child party, and I’ve personally been very encouraged by WMU!  We’ve hosted several youth events including a trip to Defy Gravity, a Rend Collective and Chris Tomlin Concert, a Youth ladies night, a Youth Guys Night, and our Fall Bonfire!

One of our favorite Calvary events this season was the Fall Festival. This year our family costumes were The Incredibles.  Addilyn played each game about 20 times and took home an amazing loot of sugar.  Oh my.  Personally, I was thrilled that the cake I made sold for $210 in the cake auction.  It’s even more exciting because the money goes towards missions!

I was given the opportunity to speak on Colossians 3 at a women’s retreat in TN.  I was most thankful for the time with my dear friend who helped care for Eli while I was in the sessions.  She and I had great conversation on the long ride there and back, and we even got to explore Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in our free time.

Last but not least I’m thankful for our family who we got go visit again!  We’ve been able to go down more this year than we have in the past few years combined.  This trip I even got to introduce Elias to his great-great-grandmother, Nettie.

We have so much to be thankful for and not a day goes by that I do not realize how blessed I am!

Thankful List ~ September 2015

September 2015 Thankful List
Classical Conversations began and I have the joy of tutoring Addilyn’s class.  We have had a great time so far and there are only a handful of times when I’ve felt completely incompetent (I was expecting this to be a constant thing- lol). In addition to our community days, there are two families who come over to our house every Monday to do additional lessons that correspond to the weekly memory work.  It’s been fun to do additional crafts and/or experiments that we don’t have time for on community days!

I finally was able to attend WMU.  I was so thankful to be surrounded by missions minded women.  We had great discussion about how to be mindful of those in our church, community, and around the world.  We planned several practical ways to serve throughout the month and we began a video series about a missionary. I left feeling very encouraged.

Josiah started PRESCHOOL at Englewood Baptist Church!!!  This was so bittersweet for me.  He is the first one to “go off” to school.  My little buddy bear is doing so well so far.  We are SO thankful for his WONDERFUL teacher, Ms. Wanda and her helper Ms. Annette!  They are such blessings.

We made a very quick trip to Georgia!  Josh and I went to a UGA game and my mom watched ALL three kids ALL day!  We also had a pool day with my cousins and their kids, which was such a sweet time with family.  It made me miss home so much more than I already did.

My mom came back with us for a week-long visit.  She helped around the house and did a TON of work in the yard for us.  She really doesn’t know how much of a blessing she is!

The kids started a lot of their extracurricular activities this month.  We are trying out American Heritage Girls with Addi but we are considering waiting until next year when she’ll be just a little older.

Addi participated in a book club this month.  She read Oliver Twist and each week completed an assignment (like making an acrostic with the name of their favorite character) to discuss with the group of other kids.  She and I spent lots of time reading together outside.  She would ride her bike in circles around me while I pushed Eli in the stroller and read aloud.  It was a fun time for all of us.  One more reason why I love the flexiability of homeschooling.

Addi and Josiah are both playing soccer this year.  They are so fun to watch.  Addi is really good this year.  She has scored quite a few goals and when she does play goalie she dives on top of the ball every time.  Josiah, my crazy-fun and goofy kiddo, just kicks the ball as far and as long as he can.  Even when it goes out of bounds he doesn’t stop until a coach catches up with him.  During one game, he was about 50 yards away when he finally kicked the ball into a fence and stopped running.  After a celebratory dance, he high-fived everyone on the way back.  The coaches, the referee, and all the parents on the bleachers got a great laugh.

We were able to experience Three Bears Acers with several other families from church (and my mom).  We had SO much fun!  The jumping pillow, sledding track, slip and slide, and paddle-boats were our favorite.  The kids also had a great time painting on the graffiti wall, playing “angry birds” with the sling shot launcher, and playing tag on the HUGE tree house playground.  We definitely plan to go back sometime soon.

This may sound silly, but I was thankful to make some homemade baby food this month.  Eli really started eating a lot more and I had a great time creating food pouches for him.

We started our new schedule at church; having Revive (an extended youth group time with games, music, and a lesson) and CLU classes on Sunday nights and home groups on Wednesdays. So far, it’s been great.  Our small group is made up of a lot of wonderful people and each week we’ve had a few new faces show up.

We had a youth movie night at our house and were jam-packed!  We made breakfast for dinner, watched Big Hero Six, and then played several games.  I think we all had a blast!

In addition, many of the youth at our church play fall sports or are involved in the arts.  So far we’ve been able to go to a volleyball match, a tennis match, and watch one of the ladies who played Anne Frank in the play The Diaries of Anne Frank.  God has also allowed us the opportunity to meet with several for one on one time so we can begin building deeper relationships with them. I’m thankful for the occasional coffee date with one of the ladies.

Bible Study Fellowship started this month. I’ve known of a lot of really Godly women who have been part of this bible study and so I thought I would give it a try.  This year we will be studying the book of Revelation.

Josh hosted Calvary’s 2^nd Family Room this month.  He spoke on the topic of marriage and it seemed to have gone really well.

Our little Eli has not only started eating a ton but when he’s hungry sometimes he’ll say “maaaaama.”  We’re not sure if he is actually calling to me but it sure does sound like it and it melts my heart every time.  In addition, he has started clapping.  He uses big wide arms and gets really excited.

Thankful List ~ August 2015

August 2015 Thankful List
We celebrated Josiah’s 4^th Birthday with a Water War birthday party!  He seemed to have had a blast!

Josh gave me lot of time to plan for homeschool and get ready for the start of the school year.

I had several medical issues and was able to get an appointment to see my doctor.  Praise the Lord it was nothing more than just exhaustion taking it’s toll.

We took the kids to their very first baseball game.  Addi and Josiah love Muddy the Mud-cat and Addi had a great time figuring out all the cheers, chants, and claps.  We went a second time a few weeks later with a large group from our church.  That night the kids ran the bases and we had our first successful watching of fireworks (other than at Disney World).

We hosted a youth game night at our house and had a great time.

Josh’s car had some issues but we were able to get a great deal on a rental long enough for him to go to Atlanta for a funeral

I’ve really begun to meet and hang out with other moms with kids the same ages as our own. I thankful to be joining a few different things that are helping us to connect.  CHARM- Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount (we had an ice cream social and pool party which my kids LOVED).  I’ve been blessed to be invited to a group called Shephard’s Co-op.  The other moms have similar passions and convictions in parenting and most of them have children the same ages as my own.  In addition, the kids will be starting soccer soon.

Addilyn started riding her bike without training wheels!!! She just picked up one day while at a friend’s house and when we came home Josh took off the training wheels from her bike.  A few times up and down the driveway and she had it!  I was so proud.

Life has been crazy with making preparations to start a new schedule.  I will be a tutor for Classical Conversations this year.  We are preparing for Josiah to be in preschool. We will be starting home groups through Calvary soon.  And we had a meeting  with the youth and parents to explain vision for the youth group and calendar of events for the upcoming academic year.

Thankful List ~ July 2015

July Thankful List

We began the month with a wonderful visit from my mom, my brother, and his girlfriend.  It was such a nice surprise and it was great to spend Independence Day weekend with them!  My mom is such a blessing to have around.  The kids LOVE playing with her!

We have been finding quite a bit of fun things to do in our new town.  The library hosted a summer series of events and each Wednesday the kids and I had a great time either listening to an amazing storyteller or participating in a magic show.  Addi and Josiah had such a great time.  We also were able to go to the city splash park to play in the water, ride the train, and meet new friends. In addition, the movie theater was offering $1 summer movies and we took advantage of the opportunity a time or two.  We also participated in group games and a scavenger hunt with the Down East Partnership.  We also went to the Children’s museum a time or two where Addi and Josiah put on a play for us!

Josh and I celebrated our 11^th anniversary.  This past year has been one of the most difficult but I am so thankful for a man who loves the Lord and strives to lead his family well.  I can’t imagine being on this journey with anyone else!

One of my very best friends is nearing the end of her pregnancy and we had the joy and honor to throw her two different baby showers to celebrate their little girls life!

Josh has had several opportunities to preach this month which I always love.  However, it was really neat that our former church invited him back to preach one Sunday.  It was a great to see many of our friends and it was encouraging to hear their feedback about how much they enjoyed Josh’s sermon.

We were blessed to have several friends come visit us this month.  Traci, who is faithful to visit at least once a month came by again in addition to my friend Joy who encouraged me with the truth of the gospel and has continued to do so the rest of the month through text messages and blog recommendations.  In addition, my dear friend Martha (and her four kiddos) came to visit from Charlotte and stayed several days.  I was SO blessed to have her visit and thankful for friendships like hers!

Calvary had their annual Vacation Bible School this month.  It had been over 15 years since I had participated in a VBS.  Josh had the opportunity to teach the bible lesson to the older kids and I got to teach the bible lessons to the younger children.  Addi and Josiah had a great time.  We are still singing the songs every time we get in the van.

My dad came and stayed the weekend with us.  He had been at the beach and caught lots of crabs so he spent one evening making us a delicious low country boil with fresh crab.

Susu also came to visit us this month.  She, as usual spoiled the kiddos with little gifts and clothes.  She was able to stay for almost a week and celebrate both my birthday and stay for Josiah’s birthday party.

Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful to report that Eli has gained enough weight that he is now in the 5^th percentile!  Keep praying that this little guy will continue to eat well!  He is growing and changing so much.   His laugh is contagious and I love how he gives me baby kisses all the time.

Thankful List ~ June 2015

June Thankful List

This month we’ve been able to discover more things to do in our new city.  Explored the children’s museum a couple times, had fun at library story time, went bowling, went to two different pools with friends, and sweated through an outdoor festival at the library.  We are excited about July because we have lots more fun things planned as we learn more about our new community and get to know some new friends a little better.

This month was also very difficult in that we celebrated what would have been our baby’s 1^st birthday.  Taylor, the little one we lost at 11 weeks old, will never be forgotten.  I think June 9^th will always be very emotionally difficult.  There is such a weird aspect to this because last year, on baby Taylor’s due date, we discovered we were pregnant.  So, yes, we are grieved that we lost our baby, but yet, had Taylor joined us we would not have our little Eli whom we love to pieces.  Each year we want to remember baby Taylor by having a little cake of some sort.  This year I went to three stores who didn’t have exactly what I was looking for.  After finally deciding on a cake in the fourth store I took it to the register but the price was mislabeled so the manager gave it to me for free.  On the spot I started crying.  I just thought it was neat how God was present in the smallest of details that day.

Sweet little Elias had a pretty eventful month.  He found his toes, began grabbing anything and everything within reach, and started “talking” (more like squawking) very loudly. He had his four-month check up mid-June and we were told he was in the 2^nd percentile.  The doctor recommended that I nurse him every 2 hours, that we give him rice cereal twice a day as well has vegetables twice a day.  Wow.  The first few days of rice cereal were hard.  He did NOT want it, but we persevered and he started eating it better as we thickened it up a bit.  Then we started him on some green beans, which also presented similar challenges.  All was well until one day shortly after eating he began violently vomiting.  We eventually had to take him to the hospital for dehydration.  Since then any day that we try to give him solid foods he begins vomiting.  Please join with us in prayer for our little guy because the doctor has said that if he does not gain weight he will be classified as “Failure to Thrive” and will most likely have to be hospitalized so they can help him to gain weight.  I am thankful that during this time the Lord is helping me to fight anxious thoughts.  He is reminding me through this circumstance that HE alone is the author and sustainer of life!

Probably the most time consuming and impactful thing we did this month was taking the youth group to Orlando, Florida.  We spent 10 days together being intentional in a variety of ways. The students attended the Son Power Conference in which they, as a youth choir, rehearsed 13 songs and eventual recorded an album that will be released in September of 2015.  Many IMB missionaries will be given a copy of the CD as they are commissioned to go overseas. Before coming on the trip we had all read the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris.  We discussed this book and brainstormed ways we could be intentional in our personal lives, in our homes, in our communities, and in the world to do things for the impact and glory of God and His kingdom despite challenges and in the midst of our cultures’ low expectations. To complement these discussions, we studied through the books of 1 Peter and Nehemiah.  We also spent two days preparing bags of food for hungry children with the assistance of the organization Feeding Children Everywhere.  In addition we also had lots of opportunities to fellowship either by going to the pool, playing board games, making meals together, and even visiting Disney World!  We were so encouraged that even while at the parks the youth were focused on the bigger purpose and were actively seeking opportunities to encourage others, pray with people, and even share the gospel.  It was an amazing opportunity to bond with the youth group and focus on eternal things.  I’m so thankful that the kids and I got to go and take part in such a great trip.

Thankful List ~ May 2015

May Thankful List

Sadly, my grandmother, Nana, passed away.  This was very bitter sweet.  My grandmother had been battling cancer for a long time and was in a lot of pain.  I am so very sad not to have her here with me anymore but I know she trusted in Jesus so I believe she is in heaven.  Josh officiated the funeral and the Gospel was shared.  Although the circumstances were not ideal, it was great to see the entire family together. The reception at Dede’s house afterwards went well.  One huge blessing was that on the drive to and from Georgia the kids did very well.

My MOM!  My mom has been a pillar of strength.  She has faithfully cared for my Nana over the past several years.  She has taken her to numerous doctor’s appointments, taken care of Nana’s house and pets, she has cared for Nana physically in some of the most difficult circumstances, and she has rarely if ever complained.  My mom has been an inspiration to me and I’m more proud of her than I could ever say!

JOSH!  I am so absolutely blessed to be married to a loving husband, excellent father, and dedicated pastor.  He has been trying to serve me by helping around the house and caring for the kids.  He plays with all three kids out of joy and not duty.  He is doing a phenomenal job in his pastoral role.  This month he planned and implemented Calvary’s very first Family Room seminar and it went very well.

This month I was able to start a bible study with ladies from the youth group.  I thought I would have about four girls coming and but in all actuality there ended up being 14!  So far it’s been going well.  I’m just so thankful for the opportunity.

Our new neighborhood had a community yard sale, which gave us the opportunity to sell a bunch of random stuff we had stored in our garage and to make a few extra dollars.

May is the best time for strawberry picking!  So we went TWICE!  We’ve had a great time making jam, strawberry waffles, strawberry lemonade cupcakes, strawberry smoothies, and more..

We went as a family to the Wings over Wayne Air show.  Although it was a VERY Difficult day we were still thankful for the opportunity.  We learned from the experience and hope to go back next year.  And when all is said and done, we did have fun.

My mom, my cousin Cassie and her family all come to visit us.  This was such a blessing.  Since Nana passed away I’ve been feeling very homesick and I’m so thankful for the sacrifice they made to come see us.  We had a GREAT time.

One of the most neat things we got to do this month was go to the Hot Air Balloon festival.  I wanted to ride in one so bad but the line was too long so we’ll try again next time.  It was beautiful to see them light up the sky.  I think we’ll remember this one for a long time.

I also had the opportunity to go to one of the Classical Conversation Practicums.  It was wonderful.  We learned more about how to Classically educate our kids and shared ideas from one parent to another.  I left so encouraged and inspired to really give it my all this next year.