First Day of Fall!

 Last Saturday was the first day of Fall so though Jeremiah and I had colds and were feeling a bit under the weather, we got out the fire pit for the first time and cooked hot dogs and roasted S'mores with our sweet family- Ben & Laura & Jonathan!  Kinda a last minute get together but we pulled it off pulling all our food resources together.  I was nervous about Jeremiah with the fire- but overall, he did pretty well.  We only had to dart after him a few times as he lunged toward the fire.

Happy 7th Anniversary!!!

Happy 7th Anniversary to my hubby!  It is hard to believe we have been married 7 years!  The Lord has been so faithful to us over those years and we He have seen us provide for us again and again!  I am so thankful the Lord has allowed me to be your wife and that you asked me to marry you!  I am so thankful for your Godly example to Jeremiah and me and your leadership in our family!  I am thankful for all the ways you work so hard to provide for us and how you are diligent where God has placed you!  Thanks for being a wonderful, awesome hubby and daddy to Jeremiah! 

Memories from our past 7 years together!

Summer 2006 at Pikes Peak

2007 at Southern Seminary- where else?

2008 at Southern still!

2009 at Erin Joiners' wedding

Sledding with the Dawkins at Southern

2010 Getway to Branson & Dallas

Christmas 2010

February 2011- Meeting the little guy

June 2012- Trip to Israel

En Gedi in Israel

Lions Gate in Jerusalem- they named a street after us!

Pressing On...

This weekend, Jeremiah and I both seem to have gotten a bad cold.  Though I admit, the little guy is doing better than I am doing.  He seems happy and is running around and I feel tired and just grumpy.  I realize in these moments that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle and it is a reminder that He gives us sustaining grace for each moment and each day!  I had to remember this as I was up almost all night last night!  Yesterday, we also had my first doc appointment with the Faculty Medical Center downtown as we had to switch OB practices because of a lack of insurance.  We praise God for how he provided this clinic to meet our needs which charges a sum total for the whole works.  Yet, as I was sitting at the appointment which took 3 hours and had many kids running around and single parents, I had this feeling that I was out of my comfort zone.  There was a huge room of people and they were calling people's names and handing pee cups out left and right.  I had this feeling that I was not in my private practice anymore. :)  The nurses and doctors seemed nice but definitely not my small "comfortable" practice and yet we know the Lord has his hand in leading and guiding us.  We pray He will make us a light in this practice for His glory!  After waiting almost 2 hours to be called back, I had to wait 30 more minutes for blood to be drawn and almost had it with that as I was really feeling sick that day.  Thank goodness for a patient husband!  I am still a little nervous about how it will all work but know the Lord is providing each step of the way.  There was a sweet little African American boy whose name was Jeremiah- he was really cute but kept getting in trouble- poor boy.  Thank goodness for grandmas- if I had brought my boy in that place- he would have torn it a part in 3 hours. 

Pork Festival...

 This weekend was a whirlwind, a lot of fun but also the Lord exposing our hearts! ;)  Friday night Michael and I were supposed to go to counseling training at a church in Florence, KY.  Tim Lane was a wonderful speaker that evening but the trip down took us 1 hr and 30 which should have been a 30 minute trip.  For the life of us we could not find the road the church was on, oh my!!!  As I was getting frustrated and upset that we were missing the conference- the Lord was exposing my heart!  Halfway through the night, we got a text from sister Laura that our apartment door was locked which meant that I ran out and locked the door and now Mom could not put Jeremiah to bed and had to hang out with Ben & Laura the whole night!  I give Laura L. extra credit for feeding both mom and my boy and being so flexible with the whole situation!  So we really only made it to 2 of the 4 sessions- at least we learned something right!  :) 

 Saturday, the Lyons' family headed to the Pork Festival in Eaton, OH- about an hour away!  It was definitely worth the trip though we didn't see many pigs- maybe because of the "swine flu" going around in some fairs?  Who knows!  We saw a parade with lots of trucks and cars too!!!!

 Jeremiah almost had a meltdown when we took him away from this tractor.  And we even saw a dalmatian, "fire dog" which Jeremiah loved!  We even were privileged to have Beka, Michael's sister, drive all the way from Columbus to join us for the day!  It was a lot of fun!

Here is my little piggie!  He just loves his pig stuffed family that he has in his room!  He just kept asking- where was all the pigs?

Thankful for the Body of Christ...

This week, we are so thankful for sweet family and friends!  It is always a blessing that Mom Lyons is so willing to watch Jeremiah when we need her and often Laura, my sister-in-law as well.  Tonight Michael and I are headed to a Counseling Training night and I am excited for the break away from Jeremiah and just time to sit and soak.  But I am realizing more and more, as a mom you just can't pick up and do those things without planning and people being willing to help so thanks Mom & Laura!

Also this week, Michael was super busy with school and stuff at church.  I think he barely survived the week but the Lord was good!  I am also thankful for Becky V. from church, a sweet Godly lady who is a true servant!  She so graciously had us over for dinner on Monday so that Jeremiah and I could get out esp. as Michael was gone all day.  And she came over Wednesday when I was watching Katy and helped me get lunches ready and clean up toys and help feed the baby!  She is a true servant and I am so thankful for Godly older women who have been there and done that and are willing to help a young mom out!  :)  We definitely need each other in the body of Christ!

Jeremiah & Katy

When my parents were visiting & we went to Winton Woods Splash Park

Faithful in the Few...

 I have been thinking a lot tonight about how my deepest desire is to be faithful in the few, faithful in the little things- the most mundane things of this life.  Some days I feel like it is so tiring being the mom of a very active little toddler boy.  He makes the mess, I clean it up, he makes the same mess, I clean it up.  I cook the dinner, we eat and then I clean it up.  (Ok, usually Michael is very helpful with dishes but this week he has been extremely busy and not around much.)  By the time I am through with the whole routine and put the boy to bed, I sit on the couch and think- I did the same thing over and over today.  And then I think how will I do it with two let alone more kids?  I know the Lord gives grace for the moment and grace for each day!  I am praying that the Lord would give me a joyful attitude in these mundane tasks instead of a huffy, pouting spirit.  After all, who could resist this little hammy.  As my sweet friend Laura said as well, I do need to also work on letting go as I tend to obsess over the clutter at my feet or tripping over pots and pans as I make dinner.  Maybe it is my obsessive nature or maybe it is apartment living but clutter causes me to "loose control."  Michael called to check in one day at lunch and I told him this was probably my worst hour as lunch is everywhere, dishes are in the sink, Jeremiah is covered with PB & J from head to toe and the house looks like a tornado went through it- all from one little boy!  And I realized that clutter makes me feel unorganized and out of control.  And yet, I need to begin to let go of this and learn to be thankful and faithful in the small things- even if it is picking up the same blocks for the hundredth time this week. 

Jeremiah is now 19 months- hard to believe the time is flying by.  His new favorites this month are "Beans" our pillow pet and the penguin from the Newport Aquarium.  He also has discovered climbing chairs and tables this week with an obsession which has led to many more pumps and bruises on that little boys' head.  Good thing kids are pretty resilient- especially their head! :)

Clifty Falls Inn

While my parents were in town, we also took a one night getaway.  We left Michael at home since it was the first week of classes for him and Jman and I headed out with them.  It was fun to get away with my parents and relax and enjoy the state park.  For any of you Cincinnatians or Louisvillians who have yet to visit Clifty Falls- it is a really great state park.  We went for a short hike and had a picnic lunch and played in the really dried up creek bed.  Jeremiah LOVED the stuffed animals they had in the Inn and the elevator and the hot tub.  I know you are probably supposed to not put a 18 month old in a hot tub but he just sat on the steps.  He loved it.  We had a beautiful view of the Ohio River from our room and a full moon and just the birds and crickets in the evening- it was refreshing! 

J saying goodbye to his friend!

Newport Aquarium

While my parents were here we also took a trip to the Newport Aquarium.  I had never been to Cincinnati's Aquarium.  I think Jeremiah enjoyed the fish and the sharks.  I think his favorite was Mighty Mike the alligator, the penguins swimming around and maybe the sharks or turtle swimming in the tank.