I love my lifegroup

The title speaks for itself. We had an awesome group tonight. We had great childcare, great snacks, and great community. Here's why. We are doing our life-temonies in group right now. It's kind of like your testimony but its a 5-10 minute rundown of your life story, where you're at on your journey, and how you ended up here. I was one of the 3 that gave theirs tonight. The purpose is to really get to know people on a deeper level and bring vulnerability into the group. People are welcome to share as much/ little as they want to. As it was, people were really respectful and listened to everyone with sincerity. I felt the beginnings of togetherness forming and we had a great time of ministry! I left there thinking...I can't wait until we can do this next week!

Thanks God for putting this group of people together. Thank you for the journey's you have taken us all on that have lead us to you. Thank you for always being there for us...despite the sometimes more trying circumstances we have had to face. We love you Lord!

Grrrrrrrr Van

Our van has been making a funny noise when we veer right. It is very consistent when it does it on the curve by our house. It has also done it other places as well...except for when we actually WANT it to make the noise. We took it in last week to try and have it looked at while we were still under warranty. Dave turned and tried and he couldn't make it do it so the guy could hear it. We left defeated, but as soon as we took the curve by our house, it made the sound again.
I was determined to have this fixed while still under warranty (we had about 100 miles left). So, this morning, we tried again. Noah and I waited about an hour and then we took it out with the mechanic. We even pre-scoped out some curves that might have done it...no dice. We must have tried 5-6 times and NOTHING. There is nothing more irritating then having this happen not once, but twice. The guy was sympathetic and reported that there was an issue so that it would still be covered under warranty if it got worse. Not kidding, as soon as we hit our subdivision, it happened...twice. The only problem is, our house is about a 10 minute drive from the place...so if we wanted someone to come all the way out here so that they could actually HEAR it, it might take some enticing. However, that is our next plan. I need a week or so to gear up for it again. Maybe next week, we'll try again...this time on home turf and see what happens. In the meantime, all I have to say is GRRRRRRRRR!

Family Fun

Dave worked all day yesterday. :-( So, instead of sitting at home, Noah and I decided to take a mini-road trip. It seemed all sorts of family was in the Kankakee area, so we headed towards home. We went to Dave's family's side first. We got to play with Noah's cousin, Tyler and Mike and Laura. It was nice to visit with Laura as she is pregnant too (28 weeks along). We had a nice chance to chat and catch up. After lunch and nap, we headed up to see my family (30 min drive). My step-sister was there with her two kids who love playing with Noah. So, we went to to the park and played outside and had a grand old time. My dad fixed this savory chicken on the charcoal grill. He brined it with garlic and rosemary...mmmmmmm it was SO good. I love it when he cooks. He is masterful.
We had to leave shortly after dinner because we lose an hour coming back. We saw Dave briefly last night. Enough for Noah to jump in his arms and fall back asleep again.
This morning, we had church...and I had my first break week from teaching. We went to the first service with Abby and Rocky and then Rocky and Dave went off and did manly things at Menards, while Abby and I stuck it out at the church for a little while. By manly things, I mean getting tools at Menards to hang the outdoor sign to the church office. Abby, Noah, and I sat and cheered them on. Noah "helped" by stealing the anchors and trying to "drill". After this project was done, we had a very quick lunch at Fazolis and then Abby and Rocky went home and Dave went back to church to tear down.
We got home around 2pm and all promptly fell asleep. It's now shortly after 4 and we are all awake (barely). Noah is in a fantastic mood (a 2.5 hour nap does wonders) and is chasing the dog laughing. The football game is on. Life is good.

Pics of Noah's new room

Here are some "in-transition" pictures of Noah's new room. Dave has done an all-star job of painting. He has finished the 3 green walls. Now all that is left is painting the blue wall and ordering the bed. We are giving the queen bed to Dave's brother and sister-in-law. They are turning it into a guest bed...so we will see it again.

You know how one project always begets another project. Well, every thing in our house was brass when we moved in. Dave and I aren't very brassy people. Slowly, we have been changing things into more of a brushed nickel. Well, Dave had to paint Noah's door and in doing that he decided to change the knobs and hinges...but of course you can't change one and not change the rest of them in the near vicinity. So, he ended up changing 6 doors total. Honestly, I think he was OK with it mainly because it was a break from painting.

So, yes....it's a BOLD green. I wasn't lying, but we really like it. I'm just ready to have the project finished and reclaim my house once again. I imagine Dave echos these sentiments. :-)

Riding the baby train

Well, we can finally let the cat out of the bag...Dave and I are expecting our second baby! Well, I'm the one that's pregnant...he just has to deal with me for 7 more months. :-) We went to the doctor today and were able to hear the baby's heartbeat...It was incredible...I love hearing that sound. Everything looks good and she set my due date for March 30. I'm so relieved to have hit this first milestone. In another ten or so weeks, we will be able to find out if we're having a boy or a girl. Bet's anyone?

So, Noah gets to be a big brother. We have been trying to tell him this fact, but he's obviously too young to really grasp the concept. Soon enough, he will get it. I imagine, once he gets used to it, he will be a very good big brother.

Dave and I are both really excited. I have been feeling really tired, but only slightly nauseous...Not nearly as bad as I had it with Noah. I will admit that its hard being pregnant with a toddler. :-) I am finding that napping when he does is a really great thing.

So, here we are...riding the baby train again. We're ready for the ride (We think! :-))

Lord, thank you for bringing this baby this far. Help him/her develop completely and wholly. Help us to be worthy parents to yet another one of your precious children. Amen.

Lifegroup Kickoff

Last night was our lifegroup kickoff. Dave and I are leading a new one this fall. Lifegroup is another name for bible study, except our purpose is to really do life with people (and get more into God's word)...so we call them lifegroups.

Anyway, we've had a lot of interest, but weren't really sure what to expect...It was awesome. We had our few established people, but the rest were all new...either BRAND new (like doesn't even attend our church) or has been involved in church for awhile, but not in a lifegroup. We totalled 15 people.

I think its going to be a good mix of people. We have some outgoing and some very shy and a good mix in between. Jonelly's house is awesome to host and she was the perfect hostess last night (thanks Jonell!). It really is a great place to have lifegroup.

I'm really excited to see where God takes this group and am honored to be along for the ride.

Thank you Jesus for this group. We pray that it would bring you honor and that people feel safe here. We ask that it be lifechanging and that, in time we would truly become a family of sorts.

Sunday

So this morning started with me in a really bad funk about having to teach again. Not sure why I was in it besides the fact that I feel really burnt out and it makes for a very long day. Anyway, I knew that I needed an attitude check, so I started listening to worship on the way there. When I got there, I pulled Darlene, the other teacher aside and had her pray for me. It really helped jump me into gear. I also received prayer from Sarah, our children's pastor...and some really positive encouragement from Tony, our pastor. Through all of this, I really felt God working on my heart and softening it to the task ahead. Children's church went really well, although we only had 3 kids. I think they all got the concept of the lesson...we talked about Lazarus dying and raising again from the dead. We then had a celebration with cupcakes to celebrate the miracle of Lazarus coming back from the dead. Then we wrapped Henry in toilet paper and made him Lazarus...it was pretty cute.
The other great part was, Dave and I swapped Noah at the clinic where he took Noah home after his shift and they both caught a morning nap. This way, we bought a little more time at church (and the picnic afterwards). It worked great. After church, we had a church picnic. It was really great to get outdoors and let the kids play and for me to chat with others.
When we got home, we were ALL exhausted and took nice long naps. Now, I am trying my hand at this cooking thing by making ham and homemade macaroni and cheese...we'll see how it turns out. Dave may put another layer of paint on if he gets ambitious. Other than that, I think we're all planning on laying low this evening.