Our "Vacation" Week - House and Ladies Guild updates

Jay had the first week of November off for his "vacation" week.  They assign the vacation time.  I took off Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the same week.

We had plans, big plans.  First we wanted to tackle the garage.  It's not easy to maneuver around in there.  I have some appliances in there from the move that my dad was going to take.  6 months ago.  But I cannot blame the craziness on them alone.  It is so overwhelming.

We also wanted to finish hanging stuff and putting things away in Lauryn's room, organize the laundry room, and to complete our week, make a trip to Ikea on Friday.

Well, we got partially through with the garage.  Most of the way through actually.  Unfortunately, we did not grow up in the digital age.  Most of the "stuff"left to go through are the boxes and boxes of photos and memorabilia I have from childhood, along with scrapbook supplies, and yes, still the appliances.  We also have a lot of cameras to go through to sort what to sell, keep, and give away.  They are all non-digital but were really nice in their day.

I still need to organize the laundry room but I came up with the brilliant idea to use the nice fabric baskets I had in Keegan's nursery that are now replaced by bolder brighter colors.  Hopefully I will be able to post on that soon.  As for Lauryn's room, I was able to hang everything.  By. My. Self.  That was a huge feat as I normally make my dad come over and hang stuff in trade for pizza.  I do still have a huge box in the middle of her room but overall, a lot of progress.

These pictures are in progress.  I do not have any good before pictures - it was CRAZY.  The top picture has everything pulled out in the drive-way etc. 
The bottom picture is still in progress but it shows the piles we made.  The appliances are on the left and the majority of the middle is old photos etc we have to go through.  I will probably scan a lot of them.  I also want to do old school scrapbooking for those photos (which I love but have very little time for).  I plan to do digital scrapbooks mainly for the future.  I never thought I would convert to digital scrapbooks but time and money wins out.

 

Lauryn's room - minus the big "L" that will go above her headboard.  It's already painted and the last thing I need to hang. The first Picture is mid-way. I painted the picture frames and printed quotes to go in them.  I put a lot of thought in to the quotes so I was excited that LJ really loved the quotes in them.  I painted the missing "L" too, it's the darker pink with the lighter pink on the sides. It will go around the white frame above the headboard.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday night was our monthly Ladies Guild meeting.  It was also time to put our names in for office. I am officially the new VP of Ladies Guild come January.  I am quite excited about it.  I do believe it is where I should be and I am surrounded by such an amazing group of women.  Now to make God proud :-)

 

Keegan's School Pictures Part II (And some thoughts on the presidential election)

Remember my post of Keegan getting ready for his school pictures in October?  You know, the one where he so determinedly tried to start my car with the house keys, in the tire?

Well he took "cute" photos this time around - yay!  In the spring his pictures were less than desirable and did not catch my Lovie and his ultimate cuteness.  This time, the pictures are pretty cool.  I think it is extremely hard to catch his true cuteness in any photos so I was pleased.

The results:

Speaking of results, if you really know me (and the majority of my family), you would know that the results of this year's presidential election did not match my voting.  I remember wishing last go round that Romney had won the Republican nomination.  He's an economist and we need(ed) that.  He appears to be a part of a good moral background with similar values and beliefs that I myself hold to be true.  I do not believe one must be white or a Christian to be our president.  I was deeply saddened to hear people berating people I know that if they did not vote for Obama then they were racist.  Surprise!  Look at my child.  He's black, like Obama.  I am not racist.  Sorry, I digress....

What I am trying to say is I am super proud to be an American.  We are a system of checks and balances. The President has my respect and my prayers as do the rest of our leaders.  And our Great Nation shall go on. I think a great way for people to make a difference is to start locally.

God Bless America. Amen.

For my sweet Keegan at two...

My sweet, sweet Keegan, 2 years ago you came in to our lives and changed it forever for the better. God's timing is impeccable. You are an amazing child filled with so much curiosity and wonder and sass. I hope that as you grow you will know that you are so loved and have been even before you made an appearance in to this world. I watch you in amazement each day as you continue to grow and learn.

Now that you are "one two," as you say, I cannot help but to feel bittersweet - I miss the time when you were growing inside me, and those first few months of sweet cuddles, I love the excitement and wonder you face each day, and I look forward to your many journeys ahead. Always keep God close in your heart as I will keep you close in mine. Mommy loves you forever and ever.

 

More Fall Fun!

On a lighter note, we tried to take advantage of the beautiful start to our fall and have some fun this last week or so.

Friday Night (10/26) we went to Lehigh Elementary where Aunt Kiki (my sister) works and had a blast with Grandma and cousins Craig and Connor.  There were bounce houses, games, face painting, popcorn, and a fire truck!

THE Famous "Aunt Kiki"

The hand holding melts my heart every time!

After our fun night at the Lehigh Elementary School Fall Festival, the next day was costume day at Music Class!  Keegan and his first love Avery are in music class together.  How cute are they!?!?!

 What's that you said?

It's time for the lullaby?  Time for the lullaby!

Ahhhhshuuuu.....

 

Sunday Keegan had breakfast in bed before church - so spoiled!  Then that evening we went to the Lakes Park Pumpkin Patch where we met Aunt Kiki and then Grandma & Bob stopped by briefly.

More pancakes, pleeeesseee!!!

 

 

 

Tuesday Keegan got sent home from school early.  He had a fever and his cough was back with his bad breathing and snotty nose.  I decided to definitely take him to the doctor in the morning because he seemed even sicker than normal and was a bit lethargic with no appetite.  My poor boy.  I was able to get him an appointment first thing on Wednesday (Halloween) morning.  The diagnosis was.....

Pneumonia!  I couldn't believe it.  It made me so sad.  Worst mom of the year here!  I felt like crying in the doctor's office.  The doctor tried to assure me that it could have just become pneumonia in the last day or so and he most likely wasn't walking around with it for weeks.  He also had fluid in both of his middle ears.  The start of ear infections but not too bad yet.  I told Keegan "looks like you'll miss out on all of the Halloween festivities later" and the doctor actually said once he has his first dose of medicine and some rest throughout the day he should be fine to go out for a little while at night.  So I did what most moms would be appalled at, and I took my pneumonia ridden child to Trunk or Treat to help Kara with our Mickey themed trunk.  Granted, she did all of the work there for the most part.  I was dealing with a very cranky Keegan and seriously doubting my decision to bring him to the event.  The decorating was a joint project for Kara and I.  Here's some pictures of the decor and trunk. Judge me if you must.  It didn't hurt Keegan at all and he was back at school by Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday was another awesome music class and the charity sale at Belk. I managed to do some serious damage - yikes!  Then Sunday was Keegan's sweet Avery's 2nd birthday party at Lakes Park!  I love those kids!

Keegan and the birthday girl ditching their game of "Soccer" to go get cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jay's actually off this week from work and I have a few days off, so the plan is to get a lot of stuff done around the house (who takes 6 months to move in?!?!?  we do, unfortunately....) and then we are having a get together on Saturday.  I can't believe it, but Keegan's party is only 1 week after that.  Our lil man is growing up!

 

 



Blah...

Just feeling blah.... so I posted a bunch of pictures from this last week's fun times on Facebook to try to cheer up.

First, I just feel so torn about what I should be doing and what I should be involved in.  I have so many doubts.  I think I am going to go for VP of Ladies Guild but if someone else really wants to, I will probably just let them.  Also I am torn on getting involved in more ministry things.  Little things keep happening that make doubts come in to my head about both.... ahhh decisions....

Then of course there are the awful news headlines that seem to pop up every day.  Tonight I saw a really sad headline about a child similar to Keegan's age.  I won't go in to exactly what because I don't want to sadden anyone or keep rehashing it but it was tragic and also seemed a bit like it could happen to anyone.  So sad.

So I decided to post my fall pictures.

Refreshed (BSLC)

Some people just have a way of making you feel rejuvenated, energized, motivated, and plain old good.

My dear friend Tiffany is like that.  What a blessing she has been in my life the last 15+ years let alone just the last few!

Family Music Time had parent play date night last night and we (after being torn as to what to do and wanting to be in two places at one time) bypassed our monthly Young Adults Beef O'Brady's bible study (how cool is that!? You should come some time!) and went to the parent play date.  It was so informative and will help us make the most of our time as members of the Family Music Time community.  Keegan has just grown leaps and bounds in so many facets due to this music class - and it's only our second semester!

But alas, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church was not far from our minds!  After the music class we went to dinner and talked all things BSLC.  We are so excited about some new areas for growth and ministry in our small little church that is also growing leaps and bounds. 

It was an interesting discussion and realization that WE will be the potential future leadership of the church.  Some day WE will take over the reigns and so it is important to get involved now and keep our children and families and friends all growing together in a positive way.  Also by WE I don't just mean Tiffany and I, but Tiffany and I know we are a part of the WE.

We both really believe that God put is in this church for a reason, whether it just be for our benefit or to serve as well. Okay, God, we hear you loud and clear! 

Our discussion of course came to vocation.  We have our standard vocations and things we each feel compelled to be a part of.  Our vocations in life cross many paths with each other and we can build off of each other's strengths and support each other's weaknesses. We also talked about how vocations don't necessarily mean always enjoying what you do or the easy way etc.  Sometimes our purpose, our vocations, can be the hard thing to do and include sacrifice. It's also so easy to question when I feel like my own life is a mess and broken. Man am I broken.  Simul justus et peccator. But I digress....

I still don't completely know what I am to do in life.  I truly, truly feel that God's path for me is to be a mom.  I feel I am meant to have more kids and to be hands on in raising them.  What more noble cause is there?! I also truly, truly feel God wants me to be at BSLC and to serve him there.  Of course going to worship each week is something He wants.  But that's not really serving Him.  That's reinforcement of his grace and a recharge for the week. He wants me to Serve.  I think this next year is going to start bringing some of this to the forefront.  For now, I am ready!  I have my co-conspirator Tiffany by my side which just makes me more energized. I may struggle along the way but I know His Will will be done.

Church Commitments

It's weird, but I really feel like there is a specific purpose or role for me that God has set out above and beyond my primary roles of wife and mother (and employer but I really wouldn't say that my "work" role is a calling but more of a means to an end).  Of course, I do not know what this role is. 

I feel a connection with my church home.  Not just a "I love the people and it makes me feel good" sort of connection but more of a "a-ha, I hear you God, this is where I am supposed to be whether I want to fight it or not."  (And I do love the people!)

Sure it would be easier to sleep in on Sundays, skip bible study, and keep my comfortable relationship with the Lord that requires minimal commitment.  Sometimes I crave that. Then I think how ridiculous that is. Jesus said pick up your cross and follow me REGARDLESS of what you may lose.  And how blessed to be in position to not lose much (other than that sleep on a Sunday morning - although Keegan kind of puts a stop to that anyways).  I do know I should not let my responsibilities as wife and mother suffer for my involvement in church activities but really they don't.  If anything, they are enriched by it.

I had a series of events, both good and bad, that have solidified my spot in my church family.  God directing me every step of the way through blessings and sorrows.

Why am I writing about this?  What am I rambling on about?  Well I feel like I am at a crossroads. 

Commitments.  A crossroads as to what to commit to and what those commitments entail.  They can all kind of go hand in hand.  It will be interesting to see what these next few months bring.

Sometimes I want to step back and not step up. Why?  I don't know.  To not be commited.  To not have the accountability that comes along with commitment.

Then I think, "I would rather have my hands full, than my hands empty." What a blessing it is to have a house to clean, a child to raise, activities to do, things to learn, people to help. Sometimes it is all about how you think of it.

To be continued.....