Our Weekend

We had a great time in North Carolina last weekend! Sorry I'm a week late posting; but with traveling, seeing parents in Louisville, and a state tennis tournament, here it is Saturday already!!
The first big surprise was that it only took 7 hours instead of 9 to get there. And our boys traveled great. Noah was just disappointed there were only TWO big tunnels in West Virginia! We stayed with our good friends, the Currys, all weekend which was a blast! Noah and their son, Ethan, had so much fun together, and it only took them 3 days to really start fighting over the ONE prized toy (Lightning McQueen). Tucker spent most of his time trying to tackle their dogs, and they avoided him at all cost!! So after being up with Tucker for half the night Thursday with some wheezing thing going on and him wanting to play with a ball at 2 a.m., we started our time pretty tired, but we fought through.
My nephew from MS played in the south regional soccer tournament in Raleigh while we were there so we got to see him play in a couple of games. What a treat!!! The Martins(as already posted on their blog) came down to see us Friday morning which was such a treat for us! It was amazing to see our kids running around together at the park and playing at the table at Red Robin. Crazy what can happen in four years!! Then Matt left with a friend from Christ Covenant and went to Charleston, SC for some guy time with seafood, BBQ, and lots of laughter. I stayed with the boys in Raleigh and was able to see some youth from Christ Covenant and hang out with the Perdue Clan, small group friends for CCC, on Saturday. Church was amazing on Sunday, not just seeing people but hearing the Word broken well and clear. We still feel like that body is our church family. We had coffee with the pastor and his wife; good time just dialoguing about ministry and life. One of our youth offered to keep our boys for Matt and I to go out Sunday night. What a thought--on vacation with kids and going on a date!! We went to our favortie Raleigh restaurant-Porter's-downtown by NCState. Monday we went to a pool and enjoyed the day just hanging out before traveling back on Tuesday.
It's hard to describe vacations these days as relaxing with the four of us, but it was an adventurous breath of fresh air which was much needed and a super duper BLAST!!!

Feel the Breeze!!!!

So I just had to post about the amazing day we're having in Winchester, KY today. Not a cloud in the sky and there's actually a breeze blowing!!! I just want to be outside all day, but here I am at the computer listening to my youngest make some "tucker noises" instead of sleeping. We're going to friends later today to swim. Noah has had 2 swim lessons at our Y and he blows bubbles and kind of puts his head under. Last summer he was all about the water, but he seems to have "learned too much" and is somewhat hesitant. Hopefully going today and seeing four other big boys swimming he'll get into it. Tucker is on the road to running. We've noticed over the last couple of days that he is literally making laps around our kitchen/den trying to get faster and faster. He desperately wants to keep up with his big bro...or maybe run to safety with his toys before you know who gets them!!! what a sight to see them together. they do struggle to share, but honestly they have a blast together and love each other so much. maybe they just have a unique way of expressing it!!!

Space Alien Captured on Tape

that settles it, they're real!

Unbelieveable

As I talked with someone who is in the middle of a divorce, I was struck anew by God's grace to me. He has given me a gorgeous wife that is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. There is always such gentle encouragement and beauty and kindness to be found in our home because "mommy" is so amazing. Jen does such a great job with managing our home in humility but with such strength and beauty. It is my favorite place to be. We have now reached the average length of marriage. Weird how close our anniversary is falling in proximity to our anniversary. God has really reminded me of what He has drawn me out of from 2 dads that left and never looked back and the first 18 years of self centered church attendance. For me to speak of Jesus to anyone is such a gift and I am so thankful that for 7 years I have been able to love and grow in my ability to serve and "wash" my wife with the word. Unbelieveable.

To the Love of My Life!!

Happy Father's Day to a daddy that never pretends to be perfect, but loves his boys with so much selfless and sacrificial love that it blows his wife away!! I'm amazed to watch a daddy that has no earthly examples before him seek to live a legacy worth leaving. To watch a daddy look to his DADDY for wisdom and direction in every situation; small or big, simple or challenging, old or new; continually encourages his wife to greater obedience. It is such a joy to be a mommy with such an incredible daddy by my side!!! I love you!!
Happy 7 years!!!! Tomorrow we celebrate 7 years of committing our lives to each other. I thought 7 years ago around 4:00 in the afternoon I would absolutely burst with so much love for you. Little did I know that that love would continue to grow and deepen as each day passed; so much that it makes me more "giddy" inside than even imaginable. You are such a gift to me and a treasure that I never forget is from the Lord. I'm amazed that He gave me you and how much of Him I see in you. You do truly promote my joy in Christ as you "cleanse me by washing me with water through the word!" Eph. 5:26
I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM!!!

IT'S FRIDAY!!

What exciting news that we made it through the week. I absolutely loved hanging out with the 1st graders, but I'm glad it was only for 5 days!! Matt got to lead 2 of his guys to Christ today!! How amazing for the Lord to allow him to be a part of His work. Along with the challenges of ministry right now, God has really kept our eyes on Him because of how He's using us. It's unbelieveable how a Perfect Savior would use very imperfect people to do His Perfect work. What a grace to His children!!
So now we shift our focus to "vacating" to the great state of NC that we all love and miss! We're going next Thursday for a long weekend. An added bonus is that my nephew is playing in the South Regional Soccer tournament in Raleigh the very days we're there!!! How cool to get to see him play!! We're probably not going to see the beach, which stinks, but we'll see so many precious friends and be able to go to Christ Covenant on Sunday...what a blessing!

2 MORE DAYS!!!

Want to know what I've been thinking about for the last week...."A-ya wiki, B-ya wiki, C-ya wiki...." I've spent the last several days in the Hawaiian part of Winchester at our VBS. I'm doing 1st grade music and, as it is fun, I can't wait until Friday!!!! Matt has been leading worship and teaching the 5th and 6th graders to get them excited about coming to youth group in the fall. It has been a great week so far, but we're exhausted!!!

Mommy's Heart

I am so blown away with God's goodness and grace in my life and how quickly I can turn to complaining or pouting. My amazing husband continually spurs me on in my relationship with Jesus. He challenges and encourages me with the Word and I love to be with him!!!! My precious boys definitely keep me moving and on my toes, but, man, do we have fun!! Just today I had them both piled on me practicing their tackling skills. All I have to say is...Tucker may not be 3 yet, but Noah better watch out!!! Those smiling faces are such a joy and such gifts from the Lord! He does give in abundance!!! And what incredible riches I've been given through God's Word. I crave it more and more and just can't get enough!!! I've started really trying to read through entire books in one sitting and the truth just comes alive and penetrates through the filth in my heart!! What a mighty God we serve!!!