O.M.Goodness…it’s been FOREVER. I so have missed blogging!!! And you have so missed the fact the Boo is in Kindergarten and Peanut is 19 months old….HOLY MOLY! I am back now and ready to get my fill with blogging and chatting with all of you.  I will post a recent pic so you can see how big my boys are now and I want to hear from you and how you are!!! I promise to come visit!

Just to catch you up on the last year…2009 was full of busy-ness and figuring out where we all belong.  Our pastor gave his notice for him and his wife to return to the mission field…exciting for everyone, but a grieving time as well.  We had an incredible interim pastor come in and it took about 9 months, but the search committee worked hard and the Lord led them to a great man of God who actually starts in about a week.  To God be the Glory! Last summer Jeremy and I got away for about 4 days without the kids and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Hilton Head Island. I fell in love and can’t wait to take the boys and my mom this coming summer.  In the fall we went to Ridgecrest in North Carolina and Boo and Peanut LOVED it there…so much that we are headed back there for Spring Break! Lots of traveling on the agenda for the year!  I began my third year of teaching preschool and this year I am in three year olds. I am loving that and my lead teacher is teaching me A LOT!  Boo is enjoying Kindergarten and Peanut enjoys mommy, mommy, and more mommy.   He is talking a lot and the boys both enjoy trying to make each other jealous when possible.  It’s a journey for sure….hold on tight for the ride, okay?

In His Love-

Karen

I must apologize for my lack of writing lately…juggling a newborn and busy 4 year old, well, it’s enough to wipe ya right out! I have written and thought about so many things in my head while resting or washing bottles or feeding, and with some time this morning, I figured I would finally get my words out.
I was thinking about distance and the old addage that the distance between two points is a straight line, and although on paper that might be true, it isn’t always the case in real life. I often imagine the image of a path God is leading us on and the twists and turns it takes to get to the destination…I must admit I don’t always like the twists and turns, but if I keep pressing on, moving forward, the destination is coming. I think I know what the destination is going to look like, but it sometimes turns out to be something completely different. Am I okay with that? Depends…depends where my eyesight is. Am I focused on the destination or the Deliverer who go us to the destination? Am I only focused on getting there or the road that leads up to getting there??? Come on, admit it, no one likes the twists, the turns, the bumps, but isn’t that part of getting to the destination? What if we changed our focus and learned to ride through the obstacles? Whether together or by yourself, you have to come to a point at some time where you choose to kick and scream and pout at the obstacles or embrace it. I am not saying your shouldn’t sometimes question the obstacles…for instance, I received an email this morning from a friend of mine who is stuck in a destination that she doesn’t want to be at, physically. She would prefer to be closer to home, to family, but God moved them some years ago and has proceeded not to move them back just yet. I, personally, think she has done her time and have pleaded to God to grant their hearts desires to return closer to home. With that being said, God may not be finished with them in that place yet…she knows that, she is wise beyond her years, but it’s still hard to swallow.
So, in light of all that, I have been pondering my own response while on this journey to the bumps, bruises, twists and turns of life…I need to be better about it, my husband needs to be better at it, we, as a couple, need to be better about it. It’s a long journey, and the ultimate destination with the Lord is better than any small destination of church or city or anything else.

So many people say how Peanut looks like me or looks like Jeremy…this past weekend, they all thought he looks like him. He really looks like my dad…seriously! So, we named him appropriately.

And he wanted everyone to know…Good Looks Run in the Family!

Last Friday was consignment weekend and though I didn’t do as well as I thought I would, I bought Boo big 5 year old clothes!!! He had NOTHING for Fall…not a one shirt, so I racked up some of those and some nice pants as well. He had 5 pair of jeans already, so I think he will be okay through Fall and Winter. Unless of course he gains 10 pounds and grows 5 inches, then, my friends, we are in TROUBLE!
At least Peanut will be able to wear some of the clothes in a few years…ahh the joys of hand me downs…never experienced that as a child.

Here is Boo wearing his “new” favorite shirt that I got him at the sale…it was my best find, seeing as we are going to the Magical Place next year…

Here is Peanut chillin’ on Grandma’s couch…

Enjoy!!

I love birthdays…if you have read this blog for more than a year, you will know that, because at the turn of August each year I declare it’s birthday month! I begin to accept gifts, money, cards, emails, love and adoration on the first of August and despite the fact my birthday is today, the 24th, I will accept all of those things and more till the 31st. I used to circle and highlight things I wanted to receive for my birthday in all of the sale papers, but I have given that up…although I taught my child to do it, so it’s not all lost on me getting older.
I enjoy birthdays for several reasons…I am an only child, so every day was “about me” so to speak, not in the actual literal sense, but in the sense that I didn’t have to share every other day with anyone else, but birthdays were just extra special. I had 2 major birthday parties in my childhood…my 8th birthday and my 16th birthday. My 21st birthday was celebrated by a huge amount of friends at my one my favorite restaurants, Provino’s, and since then I haven’t really had a party. Sad, huh? I was hoping for a huge party last year for my 30th, but that didn’t happen, but none the less, it’s not really about the party so much…although I would love one again!
It’s more about reflection these days…taking the time to look back and see all that has happened in the last year, all that God has done for me, and all the things He blew my mind with. This time last year was crazy crazy. I changed jobs to work at our church preschool – 4 days of 2 year olds, God help me – and my son was still in the midst of potty training at 3 1/4 years old. To top all that, we wanted another child. God’s hand was all over it (duh!) and just months after we found out we were indeed pregnant. In the same month, we purchased a house and through the holidays remodeled it, then moved into it in January of this past year. Spring approached, my belly got bigger, and we ventured to the beach on vacation. As school ended, I spent my time playing and sleeping – both necessities – finished up teaching 2-year old choir and delivered Peanut last month.
God has been most gracious during this time…working through our finances; the love and support of people from our church and our neighborhood; giving me strength to endure sleepless nights and focus on what in hindsight is most important…loving Him.

Lord, thank you for the last year and the days, months and years to come…you have blessed me so much and there really aren’t words to express my gratitude. You have been faithful when I haven’t. You have been merciful and gracefilled when I didn’t deserve it and you have given us life…life IN you, new life in Peanut, and life eternally WITH you. Thank you Lord…how could I ask for more?

Daddy and his snuggler…

My two boys…aren’t they cute??

And the Peanut…I love him

The days seem to pass quickly…guess that’s because the clock is my solace in feeding and doing things. All things considered, the transition has been good. Jeremy was home last week and we have had people over the past few days. There is no such thing as staying inside…it’s boring and the walls start closing in – Boo needs activity and playmates!

Life hasn’t really changed much honestly…Boo wants to look and touch Peanut and talks so sweet to him, but other than that he doesn’t really bother him. He doesn’t like it when he cries, so he lets me know “he’s crying mom!” He’s my big helper and fetches anything he thinks Peanut or I might need.

Peanut is curious about his world…loves looking around and keeps a solid schedule. He has a fussy time, which he managed to move to the late evening time, which suits me fine, since it was in the middle of the night!!! He is cuddly and snuggly and we are enjoying that!

I am back in normal clothes (please do not be jealous) and I am enjoying that. I am not enjoying my lower belly, however, until I can get back to working out, it will just have to remain.

Next Monday is a significant day in our life…Jeremy and I will celebrate 7 years of marriage! WAAAHOOO! I don’t know where the last 2 years went personally…consumed with working, ministry, juggling, teaching, and getting pregnant! Craziness abounds I suppose. I am working on the tribute to my husband…it will be up on Monday.

And last…a few pics of the kiddos…
still loving being a big brother!

is it too early to be sucking his thumb??? this disturbs me…he does NOT take a paci…he’s so like his momma…

Boo reading to Peanut…(I LOVE THIS SHOT!)

My boys enjoying their new sofa…

Boo and best buddy Jackson, who leaves for Africa on Monday!

–Karen

Ahh, it’s the end of June and I am feeling pretty accomplished, if I must brag on myself… And I ask, what 37 week pregnant woman wouldn’t want to feel accomplished the last day of month before she is due??

So, we survived VBS, swim lessons (last pictures and video below), a trip to the dentist and I managed to sneak in a playdate and birthday party for my friend’s 1 year old little girl! I also managed to clean the house…and I must say my swiffer wetjet has been put to good use on my wood floors and I venture to say it will clean my bathroom later this week. Ahhh…yes, I am nesting and my mom is coming on Thursday to help me finish my nesting…I am thankful.

jumping in…The cool slide…

Countdown is on till Baby Greer arrives!

It seems like so much time has passed and then at the same time it seems like it was yesterday that I received the phone call from my Dad. “He’s gone, Karen.” This day a year ago was a sad day for our family. My grandfather’s battle with cancer ended and in the same second he was present with our Almighty God. I ponder what that moment was like for him, knowing I won’t know fully till I arrive there myself. It was sad telling my little man, who was just shy of 3 then…it was still sad praying and talking with him tonight as we both cried and remembered how much Pepaw loved him. Oh, boy, was I ever grateful for those trips that we took to see him…Boo…his only great grandson. Pepaw certainly loved that little man. I asked Boo if he would tell his little brother about his Pepaw…he agreed he would.
The pain isn’t there any longer, but the memories and the loss still grow. From experience I know the loss will get less difficult as the years pass and I pray the memories grow by leaps and bounds.
God proved Himself faithful through those days leading up to his memorial service. It was a beautiful ceremony, with family and baseball friends speaking about what kind of man and baseball player he was. The video tribute was incredible! I just watched it and I still love all the pictures that were chosen for it.
It’s probably a hard day for my family still, so at this time I pray for God’s all-surpassing peace to overwhelm them all. God’s perfect plan is still in order and effect and we need to continue to turn to Him during the rough patches that still lie ahead.

If you would like to read my tribute to him, please read My Grandfather.
Love,
Karen

HELLO!!!!
We finally got our Internet connection hooked up at the new house…whew…I was going through some withdrawl!
We are settled in the house and loving every minute of it…even the bills that come with it. When you have waited as long as I have to own a home, at this point, you revel and thank God for everything!
Boo is loving his room and his bonus room – notice I said it was his bonus room! My mom made us some drapes for the dining room, and they are cuteness. The kitchen looks great and most nights I feel like Rachel Ray in my gourmet kitchen! It’s a dream come true. The nursery is the only room really uncompleted, with items and furniture in no order and the walls haven’t been painted yet…but we do know what color they will be painted…..drum roll please…

BLUE! We are having another boy and we are excited. Boo was thrilled and said that was what he always wanted…and God heard his prayer. Isn’t that sweet? Yeah, at that moment I felt horrible that I had been calling it “she” for the last 6 weeks. My blood pressure is staying down and the specialist is thrilled with that. I even got a 3-D sonogram and it was pretty cool too…they said the 20 week appointment will be so much more clear. Can’t wait!

I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to get around to visit you all soon…I miss my bloggy friends!

Love,
Karen