Day #89

March 30th

Change is in our horizon.  We picked up our newest addition today.  We are now proudly Mini-Van Peeps! One Step Closer to being ready for when our little person arrives...

 We celebrated by going to get ice cream with my family!  Brianna would like to borrow our mini-van when we are not using it!  :-)

Day #87

March 28th,,

When you come home after a 12 hour day at work to this...

A:  You think your husband has watched too many episodes of Chopped
B:  Wonder did he try one of those hard boiled eggs as he was making them?
C:   Realize just how much you are loved
D:  All of the Above

I would say D, all of the above...and I come to find out he was watching chopped as he made this, and he texted me to ask if he was chopped...I say He moves on to the next round...

We haven't seen each other the past 2 days as he has had class, and then was helping Caleb work on his house last night...but I know that I am known and loved!

Day #85

March 26th

Today we had our life group over to watch the sermon live and then enjoy breakfast together.  I will say I was slightly surprised that 11 people showed up!  But I should never under estimate God!  What a great time of connecting and being community!  Again, I was busy chatting and never took a picture of everyone at the table  :-(

After everyone left Brad and Mindy dropped of Brianna and Bennett for a couple hours while they went paint shopping!  I love our hang out times.  Brianna and I planted tomato and cucumber seeds for our garden.  She did such a great job!

After they left we had 2 hours to relax before Mike came over for dinner.  I haven't gotten to chat with Mike in over a month.  It was good to have him at our table to catch up!

Yes, it was a busy day.  Yes, it was full of people!  But it was great getting to invest in so many different people and getting to do it all in our home!

Day #84

March 25th

Had Breakfast with Moses and Joanna at their house...how I wish I would have captured a photo.  Joanna does such a wonderful job at making the table look fantastic!  She is a wonderful hostess!!!  Nothing better than to start your weekend with good conversation and great friends.

Followed by minivan shopping and getting our exhaust fixed on one of our cars!

Followed by Kevin and Katie Parson's wedding!  It was a beautiful day outsides for a beautiful bride to get married!!!  Got to have a mini double date with Austen and Erik in between the wedding and reception.  Fun, Fun, Fun!

Day #82

March 23rd

Well, I thought I would try to be wise and go to the Red Wagon...Basically the largest consignment for Baby and Maternity items.  I walked away with a door jumper and 3 inserts for clothe diapers.  And the inserts weren't even a great deal  :-(

 But we got to hang out with my mom and dad for the evening and try a new restaurant.  PJ Marley's in Medina.  

Day #80

March 21st!

We Celebrated  Aunt Jill's 65th, I mean 60th Birthday this evening!  When Luke was 10 his Aunt Jill thought he was turning eight...and it was an insult to him that she would think he was so young.  So, Luke wanted me to get her a 80th Birthday card.  I settled on 65.  She thought it was very clever!  

What a fun time with some of the family!  26 Peeps came out to celebrate!  There will be lots of new Koi in the pond this year!  

Day #78

March 19th,

Today we celebrated Mindy's Birthday.  Lots of fun gathering around the table at Burntwood Tavern in Brecksville for Lunch followed by Cookie Cake and Ice cCeam at our house.  What a fun Celebration...Happy Birthday Mindy!!!!

Day #77

March 18th

What a fun evening.  Got to spend sometime with Kristen, walking around Joann Fabric's trying to figure out how to Jazz up Mindy's Birthday present...a door "wreath"  I love that being friends means we can be open and honest about what is transpiring in our lives.  That we can share a Starbuck's and walk around Joann's for over an hour.
Followed by Church and dinner with some old friends and new where we get to laugh and learn about each other!

Day #74

March 15th

Some days it is very unclear where we are headed.  It is hard to see the sunshine, it is hard to see the road before us.  It is on these days where you have to lean in and Trust God.  God will light the path, He will go before us, and we need not understand just follow!

Day #68

March 9th

Date Night.  We haven't had a date night in awhile...something always comes up and we feel that it is important to invest in others...So tonight we had a date night planned.  LaLa Custom Cakes and Barrios!  I make cupcakes but generally don't get to enjoy them because they aren't gluten free.  LaLa Custom cakes in Lakewood has a trendy spot that serves GF cupcakes everyday...and Barrios is less then a block away.

Luke and I enjoyed some dreaming time about a shop we want to own one day, I love dreaming what the future will look like with THIS GUY!!!...while I had a Cherry Almond cupcake and he had a Carrot Cake cupcake!

Afterwards we walked to Barrio's to meet Moses and Joanna for dinner.  Double Date time...and my first Mexican experience in 6 months.  It might be my last Mexican experience for the next 3 months.  I enjoyed what I ate immensely but I have been SUPER nauseous since.

Day #66

March 8th
Tonight will be the launch of our new life group.  I read this devotion this morning and thought about how much I saw myself in this woman.  Impatient/Distracted/Comfortable

We live on the edge of town so we enjoy all sorts of wildlife while still being just a few minutes away from most conveniences. As we wound our way down the hill we came upon a flock of wild turkeys casually crossing the road. There were around 25 of them, all ages and sizes, and I had no other choice but to stop the car to allow them to pass.

My son and I laughed at the sheer mass of them as we observed their awkwardness. Eventually, all of them crossed the road except for one small turkey that finally looked up and realized he wasn’t with his clan. Slowly, he began to meander toward the rest of the group. He did not take the direct route but instead, he went this way and that, pecking at the road, seemingly not in any kind of hurry. It was at that moment I realized that we had better get moving or my son would be late for school.

Without thinking I impatiently called out, “Hey, Turkey, God gave you wings, now use them!”

I paused for a moment as I heard my own words echo in my head. I had rarely seen a turkey fly, except when they were chased by one of my black labs or getting ready to roost in our trees. They can fly, in fact they can soar for short bursts up to 55 mph, but their tendency is to stay on the ground.

God gave them wings; He equipped them with what they need. But they don’t use them unless they have to.

Eventually, the little guy crossed the road but I found myself wondering what has God equipped me with that I am choosing not to use (or only using if I absolutely have to). So often I act just like that turkey: pecking away at one thing, distracted by another, and not feeling any real urgency to move forward.

I take the route that seems safest or most comfortable rather than trusting God to help me soar in the direction that He has prepared for me.

Even though He has already equipped me with gifts and talents (Romans 12:6-8), with His Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5), and through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), sometimes I still hesitate, afraid to take a risk. Perhaps God used that awkward turkey on a cold Midwest morning to remind me of what I already have.

Maybe you find yourself struggling with purpose or fearful to take a step in the direction that you feel God nudging you towards. Remember that God has already equipped you to serve Him wherever you are right now.

He will give you the strength to use all you have been given, so get ready to fly!

Day #65

March 7th

Tuesday is Payroll day which tend to be stressful days at work.  I tend to be grouchy.  I tend to react negatively to everything people say...Overall they are usually days I plan nothing in the evening.
If I were honest after working 11.5 hours I was not excited about having dinner with people and having to be "on".  I just wanted to go home and not have to talk to anyone...But God always has a Plan, and it is ALWAYS better than mine.
Sweet and Spunky Little Nora said to Luke and I as were sitting on the couch..."You are Pretty and You are cool"...Together we are pretty cool  :-)
Turns out hanging out with the Jensen's was exactly what I needed to turn my sour attitude into one of gratefulness and enjoyment. I am thankful for the time we had at the table and to play with the kiddos, and get to hang out!
As we were walking out the door...Nora who was supposed to be in bed came running down the stairs..."Wait, Wait you forgot something... "  Hugs and Kisses!

Day #63

March 5th

Pancake Breakfast Time.  A tradition in my family that has been going on since my Mom was 12 years old.  We go to Burton, OH for all you can eat Pancakes.  While lots of thins change...some things remain the same.  Like the man who takes your "ticket"  He has been there every Sunday since I was a little kid.  While this wasn't Bennett's first pancake Breakfast it was his first time getting to hold up the stick.

Luke has been sick the past week and I have been trying to stay away from him.  :-)  Today was the first day we have really hung out all week.  It was great to reconnect!  We got to cook together something we love to do...we made Taco Pizza and an Adult version (the only thing that makes it adult is the fact that we were going to eat it.)  Dirt cup  :-)   Thankful for a husband who will eat Gluten Free with me, so we aren't making double!!

We were sitting on the couch waiting for our pizza dough to rise...when what to our ears...but the door bell was ringing...Luke sprung to his feet to see who it might be...he looked out the door but no one was there...he flung open the door...and what to his eyes...I hear "Who is this little kid?"  

What a pleasant surprise.  My brother missed the road home, and decided to turn around in our driveway...B couldn't stop by without saying Hi.  We got to show them the Baby's room although it is not done...as Brianna still has to help me finish hanging the stars and a few other things...it is a start.