Happy Birthday RVC

It was a year ago tomorrow that we opened the doors to the River Vineyard Church, nervous, yet excited about what would happen. We had spent months as a team praying over this exact moment. I remember we all stood in shock as we had 50 people that first Sunday. We had no idea where they came from...except from God. The last year has grown this church to around 200 regular attenders. We have seen lives changed, people come to Jesus, leaders raised up, marriages saved, marriages happen, babies born and community expand. The image I get is of people holding hands, but always adding more so it just keeps growing stronger, yet wider...and Jesus is our common thread...what holds us all together.

Today, we celebrated that. We had our 1 year anniversary picnic at Columbian Park. It was great. There were so many people there...many of whom I did not even recognize. It was a lot of fun and a time to rejoice for all that God has done this past year. Noah, as shown in the picture below, had a blast.

Yesterday was an awesome day. We started by hitting some garage sales (not unusual for a Friday morning). We found a few things, but I am still on the hunt for boys clothes. The last two weeks have netted...none. Oh well. Noah got a few new toys, a flashlight, and an outdoor chair. I think he is pretty happy. :-)

Afterwards, we had lunch and ALL took 2 hour naps...It was heavenly. When we woke up, Dave and Noah mowed the lawn (Noah watched or used his little lawnmower) and I cleaned up the kitchen/living room. Later we headed over to Bill and Summer's so that Dave could help Bill move a swingset. Summer made yummy spaghetti and it was nice to catch up.

This morning, Dave went into work and Noah and I attempted to see the free matinee at the movies. We lasted 15 minutes. I was in a sweat by the time we left, and Noah was starting to throw fits. He was much more interested in all the kids, then sitting down to watch a movie. Not unlike what I anticipated...so at least we did it during the free movie. Now, we are back home. Soon it will be lunch and nap time...and I am contemplating a hike to Happy Hollow this afternoon...if I can put the wheel back on Noah's stroller that broke off that is.

There's something to be said for time away. Since Noah is my job, and I am never off the clock...I have found that lately I have been a little frustrated with child-rearing and having pets and the whole gammut. Don't get me wrong. I love being Noah's mom and I am proud to be in this position. It's just sometimes, I need a night off...to be duty free...to not clean up puke or change a diaper. Tonight was great. Noah was in good hands with Adam and Becky...Dave and I enjoyed a movie and when we came back to pick up Noah, I found that I had really missed him and was anxious to see him again. I got big hugs as if he too, were happy to see me (it goes both ways I think in frustration and in joy). We took him home, I read him a story and tucked him right into bed without any fuss. It was angelic. :-) I actually wanted to just lay down beside him and relish in this kiddo...my child...my son. At the end of the day, he is all mine. He is my job, my ministry, my responsibility...and I love him. I also think I did him a favor tonight by being a wife and enjoying quality time with my husband. Life is a balance and I, for one, am still figuring out all the intricacies that come with it. Soon, we will be adding one more and making it all the more interesting.

Lord, thank you for my amazing son. Thank you for allowing me to find the "God" moments in him. Help me to have patience as a mom and raise Noah to be a responsible godly part of your kingdom. Thank you for entrusting someone so precious in my care. Amen.

Date Night tonight!

...and I can't wait. I love my kid and for the most part, love my dog...but I need a break. Dave and I are catching a movie and eating buttery popcorn and I won't have to get up to correct/reprimand my son for 2 whole hours. Thanks Adam and Becky for watching the imp tonight!

The irony about Sunday's blog is that yesterday was a complete wash. He took a nap in his crib only because he fought me tooth and nail about it. (Sunday's really screw up our schedule with church...so it generally makes the start of the week a little rough as we regain routine). Last night he slept in the big boy bed, but we battled it out again. I finally had to whip out some super nanny tactics, and thankfully they worked. I love that woman. She is brilliant!

So...I promised spirtual thoughts, but perhaps I may just share some spiritual experiences. Lately, God has been moving in really cool ways through our church. A lot of the leaders are noticing that things are happening...people's prayers are changing, people are really being affected by the holy spirit, and lives are changing...but it seems like its on a grander scale. My lifegroup is amazing. People continue to surprise me as we do prayer time and I have seen God moving in the lives of our lifegroup....Mine included. I have finally started to discipline myself in my quiet times. I am not allowing myself to turn on the computer or the TV until I spend some time with Jesus...It is working. It's so nice to start my day on the right foot and I feel so much more productive this way. The result is feeling much more connected to the Lord...and I love it.

This morning, I am busy cleaning. Noah, Chester, and I are all working each others nerves, and I feel an outing later this afternoon is in order. We didn't get out much yesterday and I think we are all feeling it. Noah is generally a good helper...this morning however, has been most trying. He means well...its just hard for me to redo everything 3 times when I barely find enough time to do it once. I think after we all take naps, maybe we will all be in better moods.

Well, off to go vacuum and then put my kiddo down for his nap.

Big boy!

When my head is not so congested...I intend to write some deeper spiritual thoughts...for the moment however...this is what I have:

Noah is sleeping in his big boy bed and has been for the last 3 days! We were fully expecting a rough transition...or a transition, period. He just lays down and falls asleep. At most, we have had to go down and re-lay him down once. I'm flabbergasted. So, now Dave and I are needing to finish the rest of the room by ordering the bookcase and cleaning out the rest of his closet and I guess...move him completely in there. What a big boy!

Elsewhere, things are going well. I'm fighting a cold. The Colt's won. Church was good. Tony preached a great sermon today. We all took naps. Clearly my brain is too congested to move beyond simple sentences...so until later.

Update

I suppose I can update...

Noah is doing well. He played with Abby and Rocky last night while Dave and I went out on a date. He watched Rocky's flag football game and was apparently really into it. He had his own ball and would run up and down the sidelines yelling, "ball" over and over. What a funny kid.

We have an awesome lifegroup and God continues to do cool things through it. I pretty much just stand back in awe and have to say, "You are so worthy God!". We are all hanging out on Saturday morning and then going to Learning to Minister Like Jesus at church...which is a prayer training that our church offers. Noah gets to hang with his buddy River on lifegroup days. They are 2 weeks apart and are learning to play really well together. It's pretty cute.

I got a massage on Wednesday to help with my sciatica...it was WONDERFUL...probably one of the better ones that I have ever received. It was just super nice to relax and just be for an hour. When I came home, Dave had somehow gotten Noah to take a nap in his big boy bed. It was his first time sleeping there. We are not sure now when we are going to transition him. We were thinking December, but we might start with naps and if that goes well, maybe we'll transition him sooner.

In our spare time, Dave and I have been watching season 2 of Bones. We are getting pretty into it. I love how the characters interact...it amuses me. The new season starts next week.

My house has all but gone to pot though...I should really spend the morning picking up and cleaning. I'm sure Noah will "help" me. I think I am starting to get enough energy again to keep up with the house...now its a matter of just doing it. I'm meeting with Leah at 11:30 though...so I need to get hopping if I hope to get it done. Have an awesome day!