Settling In

Things are starting to come together at the new house. It feels more like home when you hang pictures on the walls, doesn't it?

After spending waaay to much time on Pinterest looking at photos of beautiful homes, I was feeling kind of crafty so I hunted up some black paint and started updating some accessories. Micah contributed to our home decor by painting a picture frame :).

Stop by sometime if you want to check it out (Yes, I'm talking to YOU). How long does, "We just moved," work as an excuse for a messy house?

Later Days!
Kelly

Party Time!

Happy 16th Birthday to my wonderful niece Anna Beth! How well I remember her impatience to make her debut in this world. She made her mark then & is still making it today. Love you, AB!

What a blessing to be able to celebrate special occasions with family. Anna Beth and several other members of the family have been a little under the weather lately, so it's great that everyone was well enough to party.

In fact, the party is still going on, but it moved to our house. AB's younger sis, Molly, came back to our house to have a sleepover w/ K. Make that a no-sleep-til-it's-over. Wii, Netflix, & popcorn, anyone?

Later Days!
Kelly

P.S. Congrats to Molly for overcoming her fear of cats!

New Leap of Faith

Since almost all of my readers are relatives of mine, you all probably already know that we've moved Back Home!! We're settling into a new house, a new ministry, and a new routine...one which includes making up for lost time with the grandparents :). Never fear, we're still planning to go to the library on Tuesdays so the world will keep rockin' on!

Our move is a blessing in so many ways BUT there are friends that we already miss. One such special friend, who has been a little sis to me and a big sis to E., is Leanne M. She's been a godly influence and a listening ear to us so many times. We've enjoyed our coffee talks...sometimes silly & sometimes serious...always comforting, knowing that we have a true friend who "has our backs".

Here is Leanne with her adorable new friend, Biscuit!

She and her husband Wes have been through severe trials during the time we've known them, but they are terrific examples of steadfast faith. We appreciate the time we had to serve God alongside them.


We love you guys!!

Later Days,
Kelly

Pittypat

Let me introduce you to a special friend of ours. Pat has been a friend and fellow-laborer (as Apostle Paul would say) during the three years we've been re-located to the Midlands. She's rejoiced with us in good times and mourned with us in difficult ones. She's near and dear to my heart for many reasons but one of the most important is that she has been a loving, patient mentor to our oldest child.

E. had the opportunity to work with "Pittypat" at the church office, worship with her, socialize with her (see, homeschoolers DO socialize), and talk about Pat's adorable grandson :). Through it all, E. had the opportunity to see that Pat's godly character is the real deal, inside the church and out.

Pat took E. to lunch today and then blessed her with a beautiful quilt that she made...one that not only is a piece of art, but also reflects E.'s personality...her love of God...and coffee.

So, though she's probably going to be embarrassed if she reads this shoutout, I just had to say WE LOVE YOU, PAT!

Later Days!
Kelly

Happy Birthday, N!

This cute little guy is 15 today!!! He has brought us so much joy over the last 15 years and we are proud of the young man he has become.



N. is a history buff and much of his "wish list" for his birthday and Christmas consisted of books on various periods of history, military campaigns, and such. When you see him, ask him any history question and he will be able to answer it...or make you believe he has answered you authoritatively. History professor one day, maybe?



We love you, N!

Later Days!
Kelly

P.S. Sorry that the baby pic is so tiny...I'm not tech-savvy enough to do anything about it :).

Quick Takes 12/2/11

*1*
Our VW Beetle conked out so we're now a one-car family. Silver lining: we're saving money by only insuring one car, buying gas for one car, and paying taxes on one car plus selling the VW will give us a little more money for Christmas :)

*2*
I'm loving doing most of my Christmas shopping on Amazon. It's exciting to see those packages arrive!

*3*
We're slowly getting the halls decked...getting all those empty totes put away is a different matter.

*4*
Lots of strumming going on at our place...N. and hubby are learning to play the banjo and K. is learning guitar! M. is just making noise :).

*5*
Favorite seasonal beverages: Peppermint Chocolate Chip milkshakes from Chik-fil-A, Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks, and King's Tavern Ginger Ale shipped from Colonial Williamsburg, courtesy of my sweet hubby.

*6*
Our Christmas tree is gorgeous...my favorite ornaments are the ones chosen to represent our family each year.

*7*
I am unreasonably excited about changing the background on my computer to winter/holiday scenes! "Decking" my computer is so 21st century.

Later Days,
Kelly

It's beginning to look a lot like....

DECEMBER!

It's really too early to say it's beginning to look like Christmas because we still have 3 family birthdays, our 21st anniversary and my parents' anniversary before Christmas Day! Needless to say, this is a crazy busy time of year with all of those celebrations plus special church services and family memory-making.

While our lives have taken some unexpected turns this year, making this holiday season look much different from our usual, we're trying to make it a priority to focus on on the REAL reason for the season...the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, we love decorating a Christmas tree and shopping for presents but we also love to set up all our nativity sets to remind of of the miracle of Emmanuel...God with us.



My youngest set up this special "utility set" and loves to move the pieces around. I love how he did this grouping of EVERYBODY (animals included) gathered around the stable, admiring Baby Jesus.

Later Days!
Kelly