What a beautiful day in the neighborhood

So we are loving of neighborhood and our neighbors, it is something about spring time that makes me want to invite everyone i know to sit on the deck, listen to children play, talk, solve the worlds problems, and just be in community. It is what we were called to do right?

Well we have some good friends that live in our hood' and some more friends who are moving in at the end of the month. So we decided to have a little impromtu cookout. It was great (minus the grill running out of gas during the grilling... but thankfully Krogers is only right up the street). There were lot of giggle from the 5 (soon to be 6 children) lots of playing, talking, and just all in all a good night! Oh and LOTS of good food provided by my wonderful husband, last nights burger truly should be marketed!

As I sat and reflected on last night I started thinking about where I was one year ago. We knew no one in this town, and it was just our little family of three. God has truly blessed us. Eric and I both love to entertian, it's our thing. During our time at Valleyview we did not get to do that very often, many nights it was me, him, and JH, and honestly I would not trade one moment of that. We learned so much about each other, spending time together, and really getting reacquinted. It was a season of change for us.

Now as I type this on the deck of our new home, water gently flowing, fire going, I am reminded that at times like this God knew what he had in store for us. We have made lifelong friends I never thought we would make. I was plagued with fear of being lonely here (and dont get me wrong... I have had PLENTY of lonely days). But today I stand (well sit) in awe of his faithfullnes. He is God, His ways are good, he is just, holy, and He is LOVE. He has never left our side, he had a plan. I struggled with it (and at times still do), but I feel that He is rewarding us for our obediences by providing us exactly what we need, our manna if you will!

PS... sorry there are no pics, I did not even get my camera out. How sad, but trust me when I say we had 5 of the most beautiful children at our home ( oh and funniest too)

A Small Boys Obession

So John Hunter has always had a love for music. When he was jut week old every time we played a hymn sung by Alan Jackson he would freeze and just listen! His love has grown big time over the past year and as his parents we are loving watching it develop!

Well his latest obsession is the Aaron Pelsue Band... they are the band that leads worship at our church and some of our good friends! So it is so cute to watch him. He is truly obsessed, he is constantly talking about them, the guitars, the drums, and all that entail a band!

During the good Friday Service at our church Aaron was talking to JH about something and JH noticed the tattoos up his arm. He has talked non stop about them. Yesterday at lunch with our friend Emily he was telling her all about Mr. Aaron's tattoos... this is funny because Emily is married to Aaron :) She so sweetly told him what the tattoos meant "love God" on one arm and "love people" on the other. Well when we got home JH took his crayon and starting drawing his own tattoo. Too sweet!

We have been have a LOT of trouble with JH and his bedtime (I will save that saga for another post). So last night we told him we would put the Aaron Pelsue Band CD on if he stayed in his room. We could hear him singing sweetly broken all night long! This morning during morning chores he put the music on and I walked in and saw this....

Have you ever seen anything sweeter.... what a heart of worship our little man has! We are so blessed!

From Our Family To yours... Happy Easter

It's been a year!

I promise and Easter post will happen soon. But for now!

One year ago this weekend John Hunter and I said good-bye to and officially moved to Indy. Seriously one of the hardest things I have done. I remember being so sad as we said goodbye to Gigi and Grandad but being so happy when we pulled into Valleyview and jumping out to hug Eric. The past year has been a blur, it has had it's highs and lows, but one thing remains... God has been our constant.

Today as we sat through Easter service the theme was Grief turn to Joy. Last year I would have said I was in the grieving stages of life. My perfect plan, my comfort zone was in place. I loved living in Lexington, I loved my life, and I was comfortable there. To move to the Midwest was never apart of my plan, but His ways are higher.

Over the past year I have been so sad at times, but he has bottled each tear I have cried and slowing my grief has turned to joy. Cardboard Testimonies were done at church today and I was watched people share their story, some I knew many I did not, I felt a lump form in my throat! What would mind say... oh there are so many options, but all I could think of was "Had to move away from home I loved and was known" and on the backside saying "this world is not my home, he is preparing a place just for me"

I have seen His hand in my life more in the past year than in such a long time. He is faithful, he is constant, he provides, and he cares. The is the wiper of tears, healer of all things broken, lover of my soul, friend to the friendless.

The words of this song has been our anthem over the past year, read them, mediate on them, and cherish them. I only wish you could hear my dear friend Emily sing it... she will lead to to the throne!

Jesus draw me ever nearer

As I labor through the storm

You have called me to this passage

And I'll follow though I'm worn

May this journey bring a blessing

May I rise on wings of faith

And at the end of my heart's testing

With Your likeness let me wake

Jesus guide me through the tempest

Keep my spirit staid and sure

When the midnight meets the morning

Let me love You even more

May the treasures of the trial

Form within me as I go

And at the end of this long passage

Let me leave them at Your throne

Bunco baby.... I hosted Bunco at my house on Wednesday night and was a blast. Women, fellowship, a few dice rolled and fun times had by all! John Hunter and I had a great time getting everything ready and making a cake for our friends!

What a fun time:)

Today we kicked our Spring Break weekend and what a great day to do it. MOPS play date this morning and then Good Friday Service at our church.

This afternoon Eric dug out the firepit and put up the hammock... how sweet it is! We are looking forward to a relaxing weekend celebrating the Resurection of our KING! Up from the GRAVE he AROSE!

PS... my parents surprised us and are coming up tomorrow! I could not be more excited

Wow what a week (end)

As you know we left JH in Lexington so we could go to the Need to Breath Concert and it was WONDERFUL, if you ever have a chance to go and see them....you MUST go! Eric and I got to sleep in a bit on Friday and it was wonderful!

Friday I went and got JH from my parents and it was so good to see them. It was so good to be back together as a family. Saturday we had a good morning at home ( well John Hunter and I did... Eric bought a new car). And Saturday afternoon we went on a little adventure to our friends Matt and Joy's in Cincy to watch the UK. It was so much fun and we had a blast. The boys sent Joy and I to get mani/pedi's and it made me feel like a princess!

I was really miss my momma so Eric suggested we leave their house and go stay in Lexington with them... so we surprised my mom and showed up! It was so wonderful to get up Sunday morning and have breakfast with them... I loved it!

In other big news in our lives our dearest friends John and Britney are expecting their second child.. and I am almost giddy about it. Maybe I will post the pic of the cutest thing in the world I picked up for the babe!

And..... MY SISTER IN LAW Sarah is Engaged to "the" Greg! We are soooooo thrilled. What a wonderful addition to our family! We love Greg for so many reasons but most importantly for how much he loves our sister... Congrats GUYS

Update on TODAY!

What a fun couple of days we have been having. Yesterday we had a great day. My dad's cousin and her husband came in for a visit and we had a great time with Steve and Janet. They are always so much fun. They left this morning and John Hunter is still talking about Grandma Jan... too sweet!

We played and played today and did a little shopping.... I got a really cool UK shirt but I am anxiously waiting for the BIG reveal!

Got my haircut and highlighted and once I get it fixed I will post pictures, other than that I have been monogramming!

Tomorrow we are eating breakfast with my dearest friend and then having dinner with a wonderful family... what a great trip this has been...

And tomorrow there will be PICS.... I promise!