An Unexpected Beach Trip

One of the couples in our church planting residency invited us to go to the beach with them this weekend.  And since we knew we wouldn't have our typical family beach trip this year, we were glad to have a few days at Topsail.

We could not have asked for better weather!  It was perfect!  No clouds, a perfect low 80s, and clear blue water.  The only other thing I would've wanted was a chair to sit in and relax!  But that just doesn't happen when you have 5 kids to watch and play with.

playing in the "pool" we dug

this makes it look like they dug it...they did not.  just ask my back muscles.

a key ingredient to a good beach day...lots of snacks!

this guy was wiped

lunch

the older boys took a little kayak trip in the sound

We love this family, and those of you who are keeping up with us in our newsletters, this is the Kohouts.  They have become such dear friends to us.  It's as if we've known them for years!  We had a chance this weekend to talk about a lot as far as the church planting thing goes, and a chance to pray together and really seek the Lord in this.  We are so desperate for the Lord to act, and to lead us in this journey.  This is not our doing but his.  He is building a people.  We are just his chosen instruments.

Now its time to prepare for Runner's Camp.  We are all so excited for this week!  Micah even slept in his camp shirt and shorts for tomorrow!

It's been a while...

Hi there.  It's been a long time.  

We've been absent from the blogging world, and I've missed it.  

There was a point I wasn't sure if I would come back.  But here I am.  I decided it was worth it and worth my time.  

Where have we been?  Well, working on life.  

Our move to Raleigh has changed a lot of things for us.  A lot of adjustments came with it.  So I've just been trying to figure out life for these past few months and it was nice not to have "blog" on my to do list anymore.

But I have found I've missed it.  I've missed the community.  I've missed the reflection for me to think about my day or what the kids have done.  I know family members have missed pictures of the kids.  And maybe just maybe my readers have missed us.

So here we are...A little update on the crew!

Haleigh - 2.5 years old, She is an absolute delight to be around.  She loves to play dress up and wear a tutu and walk around in heels.  She comments on my earrings everyday so we may be piercing her ears soon.  She is a little mommy to her two babies - pink baby and purple baby.  And every other baby, real or fake, she plays mommy to...even if their real mommy is present and accounted for.  And she may or may not be known to boss around those mommys and tell them what to do with their babies.  Because clearly she knows what she is talking about!  Where does she get that bossiness from???

Caleb - just turned 4, Caleb has changed the most since our move.  He has matured in so many ways.  He eats most anything now which is a nice change from the extremely picky eater he was.  His temper tantrums are few and far between.  He has completely mastered potty training...whew!  So he is growing and maturing into the sweetest little boy.  He has learned how to ride a bike and loves it.  He has a fascination with letters and coloring.  He is repeatedly showing us his tender heart towards others, always thinking of their needs before his own.  And his little personality is full of expression, emotion, and good humor.  He still is the one who makes us laugh...all the time!

Micah - 6.5 years old, He is growing into an intelligent little boy.  He has finished Kindergarten and as his teacher, I had the joy of watching him learn.  He has learned addition and subtraction this year, as well as reading.  He catches on pretty quickly and is determined to work hard till he masters it.  He has taken quite a liking to Dr. Seuss books because he can read them!  He also is continuing to grow and develop in his athleticism.  We always knew he was gifted in sports, but we are constantly amazed at his love for sports and his crazy ability.  He played baseball this year and LOVED it.  His best game was a triple (which could've been a home run - the ball wasn't even in the infield yet and they stopped him at third), double, and a great play at second base.  His heart to honor God in all he does is inspiring.  He really seeks to do well at all he does which can be good and bad.

Ed - I have fallen in love with this man all over again in the past months.  We have been through some hard spots this year, but God has been so gracious to us in that.  We have come out more in love and a better understanding of our roles in marriage.  He is working with our church's runner camp this summer which is in just a few weeks.  He has preached at our church about church planting and is teaching Life Change this summer.  I love to sit back and watch the Lord use him in mighty ways.  It is an honor to be his wife.  We are still in the Church Planting Residency at our church and have been so encouraged by it.  We love all the families that are in it as well and have really developed some lifelong relationships through this.  Ed is meeting a lot with the guys and the elders at our church and praying his brains out to seek where and with whom the Lord may lead us to plant with.

Katie - I have finished my current role as homeschool teacher!  What a treasure the last two years have been for me and Micah.  But we feel the Lord directing our family in a different way next year.  So I will work as a Preschool teacher two days a week and take Caleb and Haleigh with me.  I am really looking forward to this new phase for us although I will miss Micah like crazy.  

Sorry no pictures this time, but I promise them next time!

A family affair

We love the ncaa tournament around here.  We fill out our brackets.  We watch most of the games, even if our team isn't in the tourney.  We all love it.

Since Micah was a baby we have filled out a bracket for him.  Each year it is neat to see how he understands it more and more.  Haleigh and Caleb have brackets too.

So today is a fun day for us.  I took Micah on a date to get some cokes, fries, and watch the games.  He was in heaven!  And as I cook dinner, they are updating brackets from the day.

Its moments like these that I will treasure forever!

How did this get here?

We had one of our rare grocery shopping trips as a whole family the other night.  We weren't getting much so I figured it wouldn't be a big deal.  It wasn't.  And I actually enjoyed it! 

But as we got home and started to put away groceries we realized there were a few mysterious purchases.

One a box of Apple Jacks cereal...one of Caleb's favorites.

The other a box of Snack Wells chocolate chocolate granola bars.  Something I didn't even know existed! 

Well you can guess who the culprit was!  Caleb!  We asked him if he put those things in the cart, and he said, "ha, yes!"  With his perfect Caleb expression!

And the best part...i was trying to cut out processed foods.  So we were deliberately making healthy choices, and not buying anything processed.  He didn't get that memo!  Love that kid!

Absolutely Nothing

I've been learning a lesson recently.  One that I thought I knew, but apparently I didn't.  


"...for apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5


Nothing.  Absolutely Nothing.
Nothing of worth that is.


Why do we try to do life without him?  
Why do we think that our way is better than His way?
Why do we think we can accomplish more without Him?


"...for apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5


Nothing.  Absolutely Nothing.

The Winter of Soups

This is a fitting post for such a cold wet day.  


I am a fan of all things cozy.  I love slippers, a good blanket, sitting by the fire, a good pair of cozy pants, and a cup of coffee.  Are you feeling me?  


This winter I decided to expand my collection of soup recipes.  So we are having the winter of soups.  Every Sunday is Soup Day.  I've used some old tried and true recipes.  And I've found some new ones.  I thought I would share some of our favorites so far.

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

{photo courtesy of lulu the baker}

This soup is full of vegetables - carrots, onions, celery, broccoli, and potatoes.
This was a hit with the whole family.  

Cheesy Tortilla Soup

{photo courtesy of Taste of Home}

My husband loved this soup.  It is good topped with pepper jack cheese.   Tortilla chips go well with this one!

Cream of Broccoli Soup
{sorry no picture}

Bunch of Broccoli, chopped
1/2 c. butter
6 Tbsp flour
5 cups chicken broth
pepper
nutmeg
about 1 cup of milk

Melt butter in pot, add flour.  Mix together.  Then add in broth slowly, and add the cut up broccoli.
Simmer for 20 minutes.  Put all of it in a blender and puree.  Put back in pot, add milk, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg.  Stir together and serve.

This is a family recipe that my mom used to make when we were little.  It makes a lot so it is good for leftovers.  Admittedly, my husband doesn't love it, but I do.  Its basically a broccoli soup, but blended down smooth.  So no chunks...easy for picky kids who may not like to eat broccoli.  I like to serve it with baked potatoes.

Hopefully, you will find these recipes as yummy as we have.  And maybe you'll even take part in our winter of soups, even though it is half over!  

Family Togetherness