Merida and Louboutins...

Processing every experience that we had while in Merida, Mexico has been so daunting. God's hands were all over this trip. I saw my children have compassion for those less fortunate than us or probably anyone they've ever met before. I saw my five-year old make friends with a little girl that we spent time with despite the language barrier. Love transcends everything! I wanted to share an experience that I had while there.

My 30th birthday is quickly approaching and unlike most of my friends I actually LOVE my birthday!! I can not wait to turn 30; the whole idea excites me. I had been hinting around about a certain pair of black patent pumps with those signature red lacquer bottoms. And, knowing my husband, I actually would've gotten them! Anyway, it's hot, like 115* with 90% humidity hot, and we're at a building site where a house was starting to take shape. A family of five was going to have the opportunity to live in their very first home. Until this time, they had been living with several relatives. They are young parents with 3 small children. This house was roughly the size of our dining room. They visited the site the day that we were there and the mother was so grateful that she was crying and thanking us. Earlier we had been talking with a great guy that we met named Tim and he was talking to me about clean water and how wells there could be built (do you built a well? or access?) for roughly $300 dollars. So, there we are, sweating, raking rocks around to make a foundation and I felt convicted immediately about these shoes. Running the numbers in my head as I did a sad price comparison made me feel so ashamed. I would wear 4 times the cost of a well in Mexico...on my feet. I knew at once that I wasn't going to get the shoes because I didn't want them. Wayne and I have been praying and praying about being good stewards over what God has given us. And something as subtle as a birthday present had ended up with a good, long reevaluation of myself. Those shoes are still at Neiman Marcus, where they belong. But that money, it's sponsoring orphans and missionaries just like He planned. God can use anything in your life in order to help you grow and I'm so glad that He's not finished with me, yet.

Yikes!

I just laughed at the fact that the previous post was written on June 1 after I had not written anything for 3 months and now my next post followed over one month later. I guess I'm just not going to be a super blogger-and that's okay with me. So many things are going on or have gone on and I'd just like life to slow down a little bit. Tomorrow we (Wayne, the kids and me, along with 10 others from our church) leave for our mission trip to Merida, Mexico and I am so excited to finally be heading out somewhere with a mission team!! Three years ago Pastor Alan and I started talking about missions and making plans for a summer trip that just didn't come together, because it wasn't our time to go. I'm so super excited about what God's planning to do with us and how He's going to use us in Mexico.

I'm holding off on writing down other things that have gone on these past few weeks. I have a million things swirling around in my head that I want to write, I'm just not ready yet. :(

Staving off a migraine and looking at a pile of laundry...

xoxo~Jenn

3 month hiatus...

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I've last posted anything! My Project Life crashed and burned, sadly. I'll have to take it up again next year! So much has gone on since the last time I was on here and the one person that reads is the first person I call (after my husband) usually so this is all old news to her. I have so much that I want to write down here about how God has been working in our lives, but I'll probably never remember it all!

So, as of last week all of our initial paperwork that we needed to submit to Holt International went through and they were just waiting on us to select a home study agency. We were really discouraged to find out that there were only two places in MD that were listed as cooperating agencies. One agency had a phone that just rang and rang, no answer ever with no means to leave a message. So, it looked like we were going to be (I hate to say stuck-but that's how I felt) with an agency that required the full amount for the study and incidentals ($5,000!!!!) up front.
Add that on top of other things that we have going on (trying to landscape our home and get together money for the four of us to go on a mission trip in July) it was just an overwhelming cost. Even without anything else going on the cost still would overwhelm me! Anyway, a lot has been happening and Friday night in desperation Wayne prayed for our finances, the mission trip and most of all, about our adoption. The next day I felt like I should check Holt's website again for cooperating agencies in surrounding states but I clicked on MD instead and saw that a third agency had been added. I quickly downloaded their application and saw that they offer a sort of pay as you go plan which is great! Better yet, the home study is $1,3oo!! I was so overcome with emotion, God had met us where we were and blessed us yet again. What an answer to our prayers!! Our application for the new agency will go in the mail tomorrow and we'll be on our way! Please continue to be in prayer for us as we walk this path that will lead to another child!

So, although I have few readers, I hope to be better about journaling our adoption experience and also just life in general. Be blessed.

Ready, set....LEAP!!

I just realized that I've not written anything on here since the beginning of February. I still have a penny lodged into my card reader so I'm behind on Project Life and our church Easter drama and mission trip planning have just taken up all of my time. I'm exhausted and renewed all at the same time. Does that make sense? Of course it does! So, Wayne and I have also spent the past few weeks sharing an exciting new beginning in our story together: we've decided to adopt a child. To say that I'm excited is an understatement! I just smile a lot while thinking about being able to plan a nursery, buy clothes and love and welcome another child into our family. When the Holt application came in the mail a few weeks ago I just held it and cried. It must have alarmed Wayne a little as he stopped right away and said "You're happy, right?" Lol. I love that man. The kids are warming to the idea-by the time it's all said and done I think that between us and our friends and Fred at Main Street Books they'll be thoroughly prepared. Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this journey!! I just wanted to pop in and update the two people who read this. Ha.

In lieu of a card

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is as strong as death, jealousy is as cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which have a most vehement flame." Song of Solomon 8:6

Capri, Italy 2007


So, I am embarrassed to admit that due to two major back to back snowstorms and a stomach virus at Chez Porter I did not get Wayne anything for Valentine's Day this year. Although this day falls way at the bottom of the list for me I still acknowledge it with cards, candy and/or small presents for my love. I also realize that people shouldn't need an 'I love you' holiday to tell those important to them just that-but that's not the case here. So, in lieu of a card, I've compiled a list of things that I love about my Urby and hope that this will move him more than any glittery Hallmark card out there.

I love that when you send me flowers for no reason you try to have the florist include a few gerbera daisies-the flower that I carried down the aisle on our wedding day-and my fave :)

I love your smile and the look on your face as you glance at me in the passenger seat. Beside you is one of my favorite places to be.

I love the way you are with our kids.

I love that you're the kind of man that my Nanny wanted me to have. That makes me smile.

I love his determination. You've never given up on me...even when I've given up on myself.

I love that even in sleep your hand still finds mine to hold.

Holding hands in the car...love that, too.

Your eyes light up when I come to ACS to visit you. That melts my heart.

I love that you sing Italian Restaurant to me sometimes when I'm ready to go to sleep.

I love that your parents value your opinion so much.

I love that you're an upstanding businessman.

I love that you love our babies so selflessly.

You are the epitome of selfless.

Or that you don't get mad when I download 50 albums on iTunes in one month.

Or that I go over my cell phone minutes sometimes, okay, oftentimes.

I guess I love that you're so even tempered. I've never seen you really angry and I've done some pretty dumb things.

I love that I can trust you enough to tell you anything.

You watch movies like Steel Magnolias and The Notebook with me.

I love that we can laugh together (even though we both know that I'm funnier).

I love getting LOST with you. :)

I love that you've taken my heart so completely that I cannot imagine my life before you or without you-and that's just fine with me.

@ the lake 2010

Our other baby

This pup and I spend a lot of time together. And, sadly most of my friends and family do not appreciate her attention and affection as much as I do. Yes, she's eaten many a Longaberger basket, she chewed my favorite patent leather peep toe heels, she sheds small fur tumbleweeds all over our hardwood floors, but she's faithful. She needs to be where I am-right beside me-and even though her being underfoot is sometimes annoying I still love her. She lays in bed with me all day when I'm sick with a migraine. She keeps my feet warm (and my heart). She's sweet and still thinks that she's a lapdog. She just hasn't quite realized that she's not winning anyone over with the knee licking thing. But, we're working on it. :)

I really wanted to play with picture size and found this one that I took the other day and it was all over. I couldn't keep looking through pictures to try :)

Project Life: Week 5 :)

With all this snow I was hoping to be ahead of the game and just be ready to post this bright and early this morning. However, I'm too into my Pioneer Woman cookbook. And, I just found out it's on sale here for under $20!!! I've always had an aversion to cooking but I'm having so much fun! I'm mincing garlic, making my own meat sauce for lasagna and planning an herb garden. I love the feeling of picking out something from her book and preparing it for my family. That sounds strange, maybe, but the thought of Wayne walking in the door to some yummy home cooked meal makes me giddy. Plus, our family eats out waaaay too much and I really am liking the time at home more than I like having to go out or order in somewhere. We live in a college town which means there are about 15 pizza joints and one questionable Chinese establishment in our surrounding area-needless to say-we go out a lot more than we order in. Anyway, if you haven't checked her out, I encourage you to do so. She's awesome and can be found here. Have a blessed week!!

1.31.10-We picked the kids up from my in-laws house on Sunday as Wayne surprised me with a concert weekend away and it was wonderful. My sweet mother in law was teaching Mia to knit and I tried and tried to capture that moment. Mia is very excited for her next lesson with Grammy.

1.1.10-Peyton's cub scout gang (do they have an official name?) went to our local bookstore and Mr. Fred had the Pioneer Woman book waiting for me. When I was in earlier and asked him to order it he said "I need to find out more about this Pioneer Woman! I just read an article about her in Woman's Day!!" LOL

1.2.10-Today, I attempted PW's Restaurant Style Salsa. It was heavenly. I impressed my husband and my friends with this easy, yummy treat. I made it during the snowstorm and delivered it to my neighbors who had been helping us keep on top of snow blowing. Love it.
1.3.10-The kids came home from school today and wanted to help wash up some dishes. They were so nice about it and were actually working nicely together that I had to photograph it!
1.4.10-We had friends over for dinner on Thursday after dance class. Macey and Mia had a lot of fun playing together. The adults also had fun sitting around a table full of food from Giuseppe's and talking/laughing.
1.5.10-I made my first roast ever and although the snowfall was going to be my picture for this day, I'm just so proud of myself that the roast wins. :) It was delicious and went perfectly with homemade scalloped potatoes and mac&cheese-all from PW's website. Can I say again, I heart the Pioneer Woman!!
1.6.10-We woke up to about two feet of snow on Saturday morning and it was still falling. One of the city plow trucks got stuck right in front of our driveway. Over all, I believe Frostburg was covered with about 40inches total. As I type this Tuesday morning, we're waiting to see if the 12 additional inches that could come today and tomorrow is going to start. Is it Spring yet?

Project Life: Week 4

Hey, all! I actually forgot that today was PLTuesday-I'm in the midst of making The Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa. Yummy. Seriously...check her out. She's funny and makes things that even I'm not afraid to try-and that's saying a lot.

1.24.10-After church Mia had a friend over to play. They wanted to do facials and make lip gloss. What a mess! This was right at the beginning of oatmeal masks. :)

1.25.10-My baby lost her first tooth! I blogged about it here.
1.26.10-My Nanny is in a care facility and has been diagnosed with dementia. I always struggle when going to visit her because it's just emotionally draining. During each visit, I pray that my outlook and attitude are cheerful. God has shown up in little ways by making me smile. It's in something funny that Nanny says, a phone call from my husband before I walk into the building and then, there was this:
1.27.10-The forth Wednesday of each month I participate in our school's SIT committee meeting. I enjoy the adult interaction and it keeps me up to date with things going on in our school. I also enjoy the teacher speak :)
1.28.10-Yay! It finally arrived. I can't wait to get started in putting it together!
1.29.10-This is one of the two sweet faces that we left with my in-laws for the weekend. She's so attached to us (esp. me) and whenever we've been gone from them she says "I cried 'bout you." It warms my heart! <3
1.30.10-Wayne and I went to WinterJam in State College, PA. He planned this surprised weekend for us and we had a blast! He even got VIP seating so that we didn't have to stand in the cold and we were front row right beside the catwalk! It was great.
And, I would be remiss if I didn't include this picture of one of my favorite men...

Project Life Tuesday Week 3

Good morning! This week was hectic, but provided lots of opportunities for pictures. I had a hard time picking from some of the days! I love this project because I'm getting better at having my camera handy!

1.17.10-Wii Fit-have been doing this fairly consistently (with room for improvement) have lost 5lbs so far! This past week has been not so good-so I need to step it up. St. Thomas in June is my motivation! 1.18.10-This is what $250 bucks will get you during a semester of graduate classes. I'm applying for graduation in February so hopefully this will be the last gaggle of books I purchase for a while!
1.19.10-We love doing things as a family and Wayne and I try to do some one on one things with the kids, too. This night, Emilia and I were spending some time together and were talking about The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Disney had some clips on youtube of the musical so we checked them out. She's growing up so quickly and although most of the time I want to strangle her and her newfound attitude (she's 5!) I love this time together! FYI-the National tour of TLM starts this Fall!
1.20.10-Forgive me if you're tired of pictures of this big sleeping beast. :) In this one, she's laid down right on my laptop cord and pulled it out of the wall-that didn't bother her one bit. This week as I write this she's perched on my brand-new leather reading chair watching it snow.

1.21.10-We got furniture for Wayne's office! I've wanted to have a chair in this room so that I can read while he works and we had talked about a couch in front of his desk so that the kids can be in there with us watching movies or playing games. The best part? We got it on clearance at Wolf Furniture outlet!! I love, love, love it! The back walls look pretty bare-I'm framing some kind of flight maps for him to put there.
1.22.10-My mom turned 50 on the tenth so I did what I do best-threw her a party! Some family came in and her friends from work were there, too. It was a really nice night. I love this picture but hate the the bottle of Asti made it's way in there, too. And, because it's now a game-another picture of Dad & I from this night is included as an added bonus lol.

1.23.10-Peyton's birthday is the day after Christmas and we usually wait a little while before doing anything with his friends. This year, he elected to bring three friends to the Lake for dinner and a movie. It was a really fun night!

I have a confession....

I keep my children's teeth in my jewelry box. Does that make me morbid? And tonight, with a sweet solution of joy and sadness I get to put another tooth in the box. My baby (she's 5-I can't help it) lost her first tooth tonight! We were laying in bed together watching The Little Mermaid and we were wiggling and wiggling it and it just came out! She let out the sweetest little squeal of excitement while inside I got a little sad. We had a celebration with each tooth that entered their little mouths...at least that's how I like to think of it now...then it was drool and fevers and those herbal teething tablets by the gallon. I can't help but keep them. I only have about 4 now so it's not too weird yet, right? Peyton lost 2-literally-and I dropped one of his down the drain!

When Peyton started to loose his teeth Mia cried and announced in her no longer present baby voice that she wanted "dog teeth, too!" We laughed so hard when, days later, we finally figured out that dog=adult! Now, she's got a gap in her sweet smile and it's just one more way that she's growing up. So-one of these will prob. be my Project Life pic for this day, but I wanted to post them tonight, too.

Love, actually :)

"I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest."

~Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing

I LOVE my husband. I also love literature and sappy love quotes. I really love leaving them on his Facebook page despite the fact that he rarely uses Facebook. He gets an email notification and he has an Outlook folder dedicated to the messages declaring that yet another post (by me) has been made on his wall. It may sound geeky, but when I saw that folder on his laptop one evening, it made me swoon. Really.

I love this quote from MAAN as Beatrice declares her love for Benedick. I get excited when I stumble upon new quotes while reading. I dog-ear the pages and draw hearts in the margin and underline, circle and star words and lines until my heart's content! (You should see my copy of Wuthering Heights :)

This evening these few, simple words kept running through my mind at a funeral home-of all places! My FIL's sister had passed away and although Wayne and I didn't really know her we went as a show of support for his dad. I spent the evening sitting at one end of the room while Wayne stayed with his dad and cousins on another end. Anyway, at one point Wayne's dad quickly left the room and I saw that Wayne hadn't noticed. I spoke his name, "Wayne." not loud but in a normal volume level sure that he wouldn't hear me. Almost as quickly as I spoke he turned around and his gaze met mine. I looked at this man, my heart, who knew my voice in a crowded room full of people and just melted. I love big stuff that he does, but this little stuff, something as simple as the act of turning around at the sound of my voice just puts me over the edge somedays.

I know he lurks on here sometimes, and if you're reading this:

I love YOU, U.W.P with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.

Beatrice and I, we have it pretty bad.

Project Life: Week 2

Hello, all! It's so neat to connect with different women through this project! I've been really swamped this week as my (hopefully) last semester of graduate school is underway! But, I still managed to capture my family and our life this week!


1.10.10-I grew up on a family farm and love going there and looking through all the buildings with my dad in order to find some new treasure to bring home. I always joke with my dad telling him that's it's okay to leave the farm to my brother, Chris, as long as I get to go through and take what I want beforehand. Dad gave me this shovel after we moved into our new house. I love it although everyone who comes over thinks it's strange that I have a rusty old shovel hanging on my wall!!
10.11.01-Emilia loves jewelry. Right now I'm into layering a lot of long necklaces and when we were getting her ready for school she told me that she wanted to wear a necklace to school as well. I went to get her something that would be practical for her to wear and came down to find her already wearing one of my brand-new Silpada necklaces! She was so proud of herself that I couldn't take it from her. She wore it to Kindergarten and it came home that day without incident!
1.12.10-I feel like I don't ever get enough pictures of Wayne and I together. And, I LOVE the squished together take it yourself pics. Maybe because you never know how they're going to turn out. Mine always seem to be funny...so Wayne tried to take one and it's a little blurry and WAY zoomed in but I love it. I think we look happy and I just love my husband's smiling face :)

11.13.10-This picture turned out so great. I was thrilled to get a good one of Peyton because he's in the stage where he doesn't like to see the camera come out! I think he looks boyish in this one and I love it!

1.14.10-I think all this dog does is sleep! As I type this she's under Wayne's desk laying on my feet (keeping them nice and toasty) and snoring! She sheds a lot and is constantly underfoot and she licks my friend's knees all the time but I love her!

1.15.10-My mom is out of town so Dad hung out with us a good bit this week. As I explained last week, my dad and I always take these kind of photos. I love looking at them-they make me laugh. A LOT. And I love that he acts like he hates doing it, but I know that he loves it. He makes my heart happy! 1.16.10-My goal for the start of the new year was to become more organized than before. I've cleaned out closets and two junk drawers so far (we have 3 and I'm thinking that the other one has to remain a junk drawer). In one of the drawers I found these little water shoes that we bought for Peyton during his first beach trip. They are SO small. So, I pulled out current shoes from my newly organized hall closet to compare! I loved finding them and holding them again, but to see the old and the present shoes side by side made me long for baby days again.

"The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

For children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."
~Ruth Hulburt Hamilton, 1958

Check out Jessica Turner's blog to see many more Project Life pictures! Be blessed this week!!

Voicemail: 1.7.10

The following is a voicemail message that I received that just made me laugh so hard I had to write it down:

"Mrs. Porter, this is the Nurse X at local elementary school goes here. I wanted to call you in case I didn't see you this afternoon for pick up. Peyton was in the health room today. It seems that he stabbed himself in the hand with his pencil. I cleaned it out really well, but I think it just looks bad. Okay, well, have a great day if you have any questions call me."

My children bring me joy without even knowing that they're doing so. I wasn't happy that his little hand had been hurt, but for some reason this message just made my day. I can picture him in class bouncing his pencil on his desk before impaling himself with it. I can picture the dramatics that ensued before he was ushered to the nurse. I just love that kid!

Project Life: Week One

I haven't been able to order my kit yet because of the switch to Amazon, but hopefully soon!! :) I'm trying to be really organized with this. Also, if anyone stops by my sad little blog I'm still new at everything. I started one in the fall as part of an assignment for one of my graduate classes and would love to get better about posting. Also, new to posting pictures, so brace yourselves.

1.3.10-Elphaba Garinda our 4 year old Lab loves to snooze on any piece of furniture that she can find. I just love to see her curled up on the couch or this chair....

1.4.10- Our sweet Mia. She loves posing for pictures and I love taking them of her! She's getting to be so grown up. I can't believe that she's five already.

1.5.10-I have to admit...I have no picture from this day :(

1.6.10-So, two from this day because they're two of my faves...Our handsome man Peyton and then an adorable shot of the two of them!

1.7.10-Peyton loves hats. He wears them everywhere and whenever we go somewhere on vacation or just out shopping and he sees a new hat he has to have it. I admit that I indulge him a little more than I guess I should but I think it's so cool that he has his own interests and it just makes him such a neat little guy! So, this is his "Uncle John" hat because Wayne's Uncle John (whom Pey adores) wears one like this all the time. I even had to order a spare one from Gymboree just in case anything should happen to this one. 1.8.10-My best friend Mandy and I took our girls to see The Princess and the Frog movie on Friday night fully intending to get pics of the girls with their Baby be Blessed dolls and at the movies...but I made no use of the camera in my purse! I need to get better about that. I also need to get a point and shoot one again to make it easier. Anyway, anytime Mandy and I are together (she's a professional photog) I'm always saying "You take the pictures, I'll just get them from you." We're doing this Project Life together as a way to spend some time with each other and she took our Friday picture...which I need to get! lol **Update: I stole this from Mandy's site!**

1.9.10-My mom turned 50 on January 5th. My family celebrated by going to the Lake for dinner at Unos. It's our fave. For about a year now I've been taking these crazy pics of my dad and I so it's a running joke. Everytime he sees me whip out the camera he's now trained to squish his head close to mine! The results, as you can imagine, are hysterical at times. I'm planning on making him a book of them for Father's Day. Here's my new favorite picture that came from that Saturday night dinner...

**To see other awesome Project Life participants please visit Jessica Turner, an awesome crafter and person whom I'm enjoying getting to know-you will, too. :)

End of an Era

When my son was about 3 years old he found a pair of bug rain boots in Target that he had to have. Of course, I bought them! He wore those boots out! We ended up having to replace them the next year with a pair of green frog rain boots. They went with everything, dress up church pants, shorts, swim trunks, just underwear, whatever!! After he outgrew the frogs two years later we didn't end up requiring any more for a while. Last year, Gymboree had adorable monster rain boots on sale and thinking that I'd surprise Peyton, I bought them for him for Easter. He loved them. Took them to my parents farm, stomped around in puddles with them, you get the idea. Well, this year I neglected to buy snow boots for the kids and now they're sold out everywhere. In lieu of actual snow boots, the kids have been playing outside in their rain boots with layers upon layers of socks. :) Whatever works...

The heart breaking part of this seemingly pointless story happened two days ago when I asked the kids to put on their boots so that we could go to the store. Peyton came up to me and said "Mom, do I have to wear the boots out? They're MONSTERS, they have EYES and they're EMBARASSING!" It made me sad....I want my little boy back!

Quick recap on 2009

2009 brought so many wonderful things into our lives. First, Wayne and I sold our the first home that we'd had to purchase our 'forever' house. We had outgrown the first house the minute we moved in, but it was where the Lord had purposed for us at that moment and we loved that house. However, after praying for almost a year about a house (we really loved the one we bought, but wanted God's will more) we got the house. Beyond excitement! There is not a doubt in my mind that the whole process was a God thing.


This was also the year (fall) that I was supposed to start looking for a teaching job again. I think my being home is as much a blessing to Wayne as it is to me and we made the decision that I would stay home. This time, we didn't put an expiration date on when I would go back to the classroom. Sometimes, I feel bad that I'm still getting my Masters even though I'm not putting it to use at the moment, but I know that I'm doing what I'm supposed to....and that's a great feeling.

We visited Disney World for the first time as well. I just loved it! I think we waited a little too long and should've gone there before doing the cruises because the kids were over the characters and didn't want to pose for pictures, etc. :( My parents went with us and we had a blast! My mom and dad were really a lot of fun on this trip. It was nice to see them enjoy themselves. Dad himself is just like a kid and loved being there as much (if not more!) than we did! This year also brought my dad's diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. He's in early stages with tremors mainly focused on his hands and arms, but we are hopeful. Michael J. Fox once said that he was grateful for the disease because for as much as it's taken away it's given back. I get that now. Once we were told what the doctors said I made up my that we would never look back and wish we would've done something when dad was able to go. There may come a time when he's unable, but with the advances in medicine that time may never come! I just didn't want to be at the end of anything full of regret. So, Wayne and I went to the travel agent and booked 2 rooms. It was a great decision.

Peyton went off to second grade this year while our baby started Kindergarten. That really hit me a lot harder than I anticipated. I continue to struggle with not having a baby/toddler/not so grown up know-it-all child in the house as now I have two very bright, silly but sometimes sassy children to contend with. The kids love school and I LOVE being the one to take them, make lunches, lay out clothes, and pick them up. It's such a blessing to be able to be home I just can't say enough how grateful and thankful I am for that part of my life.

Kristen also came to live with us in the fall. It's had it's periods of adjustment, but it's been great. We love having her around. She has jumped right in as a regular part of this family and I just pray that we're helping to make her feel comfortable and loved. She joins us for family dinner almost every night, she has movie nights with the kids (and sometimes with Wayne and I), we chat and goof around with her and it's safe to say that we're all happy she's here with us.

We look to 2010 with great hope and excitement for what God has in store for us. I hope to get started with our Associate Pastor with a mission trip for this summer with the youth of our church. I also look forward to seeing Him move within our church family.