First Snow and Christmas Card outtakes

So we woke up this morning to the beautiful whiteness that is our first Illinois Snow. It was a light snow (maybe 2 inches?) and has kept coming throughout the day. After we got home from Church, Judah got his shovel and started to work. What a little man.

(secret: i did must of the porch with a broom, hehe)

So then I remember that we still had not taken a picture for our Christmas card. I was inspired by my bay window and the snowy scene outside. I decided to get some of my Christmas ornaments out and decorate the window a little. We have not decorated much since we will be in Ohio for the last 2 weeks of the year and it seemed like wasted effort. (or laziness? you be the judge) So once I had the window looking good, I had Judah do some test shots as I created a tripod from a tv tray stand and books. I will walk you through the agony that is trying to do a "self portrait" Christmas card with a 10 second timer and a grumpy six year old.

First a little preparation: "staging the windowscape"

Second: Test shots

test shot 1: looking "relaxed"

This was Judah's creative as he went from a jumping position into "criss cross apple sauce" (We used to call this "indian style". I guess that isnt "pc" anymore. )

Test shot 2: we are blocking all of my hard work on the window sill... try again

Timer too fast, not ready!!

Um, no. Judah too much.... me not enough

Cute, but no.

Now listen here... we are going to get this right!

Ok this is better but not quite there yet (fast foward like 100 takes later)....

Be looking in your mailbox for the final shot!

Then while my 6 yr old had his last tantrum after like 35 different shots (im cruel) I headed outside to enjoy the snowy flakes coming down.

RANDOM

what am I contemplating? hmmm..... its a mystery

hehe : )

you wanna piece a me?

Judah

After the Christmas Program the "conveniently" had the Book Fair located in the center of the school. Of course it was packed with all of the parents and their children begging them for this and that. I could not escape either. I dont remember book fairs being that expensive! Most of the books were 10-20 dollars! So I bought Judah a super secret Christmas present and then let him pick out a poster. He cracked up at this one and just "had to have it!"

Judah and his Kindergarten teacher, Ms. May (she is Awesome!)

One of Judah's art work posted outside of the class in the hall

(you are asking your self, is he wearing a mid-rif shirt?)

I love the randomness that is Kindergarten.

Christmas Program - Greenville Elementary K-2

On Tuesday (12/7), We went to Judah's school for the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade presentation of Trouble on Candy Cane Lane. It was this super cute play where the residents of Candy Cane Lane were fighting over which color candy canes were better - red or green. Judah was part of the Green Candy Canes (Kindergarten classes) and sang in the chorus. The 1st graders were the Red Candy Canes and the 2nd graders had the speaking parts up on stage. They were all dressed up in the cutest out fits. My co-worker's son was Rudolph. It was humorous and cute and the all of the kids memorized their lines and did a great job! It was weird going to one of these things by myself, but I did see quite a few friendly faces (co-workers, church members, etc.) Judah did great but he was in the back row so I did not get a good shot (even with my 10x zoom!!) Why would they put one of the shortest kids in the back row? : ) Here are a few pics from the night.

Can you find Judah?

The parent club taped the performance so I will buy the dvd from them. I cant wait for Judah to be in 2nd grade so he can get a speaking part! : ) He says he wants to be Rudolph

My little Candycane!

Weekend Visitors

Mom, Dad and Josiah came to visit us for the weekend. I know we just saw them for Thanksgiving, but we can never get enough!!! They came in Thursday afternoon. I thought it would be nice after being on the road to come into the inviting warmth and smells of beef stew simmering all day. So I bought a slow cooker, looked up some recipes and put together something very very yummy. I marinated beef tips in merlot and garlic overnight and then put the rest of the contents of the stew together the next morning to let it simmer all day. It was soo very good! I was able to sneak out of work a little early on Thursday and I took Friday off. Thursday night we relaxed with the stew and homemade banana bread (a friend gave to me). We watched the Sound of Music and drank hot chocolate. It was so great to watch this family loved classic-- we sang along to all of the songs! It was Josiah's first time seeing it and he didnt mind it too much. Judah keeps singing, "When the dog bites! when the bee stings! when Im feeling sad..."

The next day I took Judah to school and then we went out to breakfast at The Red Apple. It is a little diner much like Ohio Deli. I took them for a little tour around town. First stop was what Judah deemed as one of the coolest things about Greenville-- The buffalo!

There is a buffalo farm (?) at the edge of town and it is neat to see them close up. They are huge majestic animals. Thank goodness for the electric fence!


Then we went to a few of the little antique shops around town. We found some interesting finds. Mom made the comment that it was interesting how some items she remembered using as a kid are now "antiques" and how that made her feel "old". These were some of my finds--

Owl salt and pepper shakers hanging from a little tree!!! I thought these were so cute.



an old mason jar and I bought a "sprig" of snowflakes to decorate for winter.

We also checked out the thrift store, a chocolate shop, and book store. It was fun checking out all of the little shops that always seem to be closed when I have the time to venture out. I think I pushed Dad to his limit, but he was good and didnt complain. He found a few treasures as well.

Mom and I had a little fun picking out sweet treats at the chocolate shop too. My favorite were the dark chocolate truffles. We met my friend and her son at Cunetto's for a late lunch before picking up Judah. I also took them by Greenville college and we visited the christian book store and had some "java" at Jo's Java on campus. I think Josiah may consider coming to Greenville for college... haha! we'll see : )

Friday evening we headed out to Lebanon to a little town that was supposed to have a lot to see in the way of Christmas lights and shops. When we finally got there we found the beautiful shops with decorated windows but all of the shops were closed. Classic small town theme I am learning. I really have no idea when these places of business actual do business as they are always closed when normal people can visit them. Mom and Dad were total optimists and had fun "window shopping" anyways, before we got too cold. Here are some of the pictures..

what you see here is after I asked Judah to stop making "gang" signs in our photos.

Cute but Cold Mama

I asked mom to give me "wonder"

The boys

see the gang signs? Judah says its "I love you" and when I asked him to stop, he says, "you dont want me to say I love you anymore!?" ---sigh, I cant win.

We did not find the winter wonderland light show that was supposed to be in Lebanon as well so we mapped the nearest applebees and ended the night with dinner before returning home.

On Saturday morning I took mom to pick out donuts at the Bakery Nook in town. It is this little place that makes really good donuts like vanilla creme filled devils food with chocolate frosting!!!! ridiculous.

I then took them into St. Louis and we visited the St. Louis Science Center. It is a lot like COSI except it is FREE!! We had fun "learning" and exploring the different exhibits. We had lunch at Triumph Grill and Moto Museum (motorcycles!) which was DELICIOUS! Then we headed back home saw some Christmas lights along the way.

Josiah and Judah manipulating a tornado with the BARE HANDS!

Christmas tree exhibit

My lil bro!

Cute little moment between Gpa and Judah at the dinner. He loves him so much!

Gma and Judah proudly displaying his "lego cabin"

Yay for our Visitors! Thank you for a fabulous weekend!

Thanksgiving

I was able to go home to Columbus for Thanksgiving. The rental car and some meals were paid for by my company as I actually worked in the Columbus facility for part of the week. This made it easy to spend the holiday with my family and I get to do it again for the last 2 weeks of December!

I was able to spend some time with different friends during the work week for dinner and then thanksgiving weekend I was able to just enjoy my family. We had an excellent thanksgiving feast, played games, did some shopping, saw a movie, and on Saturday I was able to take my family to visit a new find-- the Plantain Cafe. It is an authentic Cuban restaurant down town. They have a small but DELICIOUS menu filled with all of our Cuban favs like Arroz con Pollo, Ropa Vieja, Fritas, Platanos Maduros, and of course black beans (frijoles negros). The family behind the cute little restaurant had a very similiar story to my grandparents who immigrated to the states in the 50s. The food had so much sabor or flavor and you could tell it was made with their family recipes. We had a good time enjoying the different tastes and I could tell that it brought Dad back to his childhood a little. If you are in Columbus, check it out!!

Things Judah and I are Thankful for this year:

1. Our faithful and merciful Savior - now more than ever we witness His blessings and protection over us.

2. Our family - We are so blessed to have a God loving family who is supportive, hilarious, loving, gives great hugs, hearty laughs, a little crazy, and is close. I know so many people that do not have all of those things and I know that my family is such a unique and priceless gift.

3. Job - I am thankful to have a job that allows me to provide for my family

4. Cameras- I really enjoy taking and sharing photos. God has created such beauty that the possibilties and moments to capture are simply endless.

5. Internet - what did I do with out the internet?? Such information, such a great way to share your lives with family and friends all around the world!!

6. Bible study - our bible study group in Greenville has recently been just the support group, friends, substitute family we have needed and we both truly enjoy getting together to share our lives and God's word.

7. Music - Oh how I love to sing! and listen to music! and explore worship and feelings and emotions through song!!!

And lastly, I am so thankful for my son- Judah. I wake up every morning a hero because he adores me and believes in me and knows that with me, he is safe, and loved, and will always have fun! He is such a beautiful boy with a great sense of humor, creative mind, joyful spirit, and earnest wonder as he learns more about the world around him. He is my best friend and while he is only 6, I am really not sure what I did or who I was without him. I am so proud to be his Mama! His hugs and kisses are the bestest!!!

i only had an old pic on this computer, but oh, how cute is that!!!!

Wow its been too long

I never really could keep a diary. Every year in January, I would start one and make it to maybe Janurary 4th if I was really extra motivated. And so with this blog, I have failed once again.

I have a million excuses like work is just crazy, and I feel like I keep saying that, but it is--- It is really crazy. I have had a pretty decent week if I get to friday without crying. I just havent been able to get a handle on it. Too many people, too many facilities with too many problems all at the same time. But you know what has been pretty cool about all of the craziness? God. He really knows how to work it when I think it is impossible.

For example, at the end of September I was down to the wire with hiring an entire crew for a new start up in Kansas City. The main county where all of my potential candidates lived in was stalling on the background checks and said they wouldnt be able to get them back to me until a week or more after my target start date. I was at my wit's end making calls, begging, anything and I was getting no where. To fail was not an option as the entire operation was set on this new hire class starting 9/27. My boss was out of commision due to a horrific tragedy, and I was also recruiting for St. Louis Lagasse and the Call center-- basically I was in an impossible situation with pressure and accountability stacking up to a crushing weight I could barely continue to withstand.

So I prayed. In my office, while the phones were ringing and my email was blowing up, I prayed. I told the Lord that the only way I was going to get these guys hired was if He worked a miracle. I asked Him to make it happen or show me what else to do because I was out of answers and time. The next day, the Friday before the new hires were to start, I checked the background checks one last time hoping for a miracle--- and sure enough--- all of them were complete! I instantly called my Region manager in Chicago to tell him the good news and he was blown away. He congratulated me on doing the impossible and was amazed at my ability to deliver despite all of the issues. I told him that it was God. That I made a whole lot of phone calls and did a whole lot of praying and that it was prayer that worked. He didnt really know what to do with that so he laughed and said whatever it was, he was impressed.

I know this is probably not the most relatable story as I dont know if I can really describe the nightmare that was September, but I am amazed that my God cares so much about me that he would assist in making background checks come back 2 weeks early. That he doesnt just care about the big needs like health and wellbeing, he helps me excel in a career that is trying to swallow me and he keeps me above water. This is just one example among many.

Other updates---
WE HAVE FRIENDS!
I never thought it would happen, but finally, both Judah and I have friends! We have been attending the Greenville Free Methodist Church and really loving it. I have yet to walk away from a Sunday morning service without being challenged through song, prayer, the sermon, or just the presence of the Holy Spirit. It has been amazing what the Lord has been revealing to me-- areas that I thought I had gotten rid of (or at least burried deep enough), he is revealing that still need to be cleansed and allow for Him to reign.

The church has a great children's program and Judah has been learning about Noah and the Ark. He also attends a christian day care after school and has made some good friends there as well. We went to our first birthday party last sunday and it was a blast watching him with the other kids and I was able to meet some moms too. It was definitely a differnt experience being in a small town like Greenville-- one of the dads was a terminated associate (awkward) and one of the moms is a manager at the call center. Never a day without seeing someone from work.

I have been attending a young adults group that meets the 3rd sunday night of each month. It is a really cool gathering in a worship type setting. It is amazing to be standing in a room full of young people who are having a personal encounter with God. The worship is great and each time they have a different type of "message" like last month when they interviewed a college grad who resolved to being silent for one month so he could hear the Lord better. In October they offered small groups for those that were interested. I signed up for the "post grad singles" group. It is basically the group where the leftover young adults go... We meet every tuesday night at a couple's home. It is an "eclectic" group to say the least with people from all walks of life. The couple that lead the group (Dan and Patti) are about mom and dad's age and they are just the most loving people I have met. Dan reminds me a lot of Dad. He has the gift of descernment and just always asks the right questions and ldirects the study in the way the Spirit leads. The second night I was actually overwhelmed by it all that during prayer I literally could not stop sobbing. And Dan read this verse that just opened me right up.

Isaiah 42:16 (new living translation)
I will lead blind Israel down a new path,
Guiding them along an unfamiliar way.
I will brighten the darkness before them
and smooth out the road ahead of them.
Yes, I will indeed do these things;
I will not forsake them.

Up until like 2 weeks ago, I have been feeling so very lost and alone. I have been second guessing why I moved out here, why I took on this insane job, why I would put myself in a place where no one knows me or loves me (or appreciates my awkward/inappropriate (yet still a little witty) humor!) And it was like, a flash of brilliance took over and God revealed that--- it is for all of those reasons that I am here. I really feel like God wanted to strip me of all of my crutches and "comfort zones"---

My awesome close-knit, God centered family, my friends, my job that i had mastered, my church family who adored me and appreciated my talents, my support group that made being a single mom (a little) easier... taking all of that away and moving to Greenville--- I have a chance to really put my faith to the test, to re-invent myself but for Christ, not others. I really think that being apart of this small group will continue to strech and challenge me in this effort. I yearn to get it "all" together.. to live for Christ with reckless abandon. I feel like I am so close! and so far away at the same time.

So that is where I am right now. Stay tuned.

Match.com for Moms and other random thoughts

I wish such a thing existed... maybe it does. I should research. I desperately need to meet people and I have no idea how!?! I have to go to Kansas City at the end of September and I really cant take Judah out of school... rather I shouldnt. If anyone has ideas, let me know... should i open up a lemonande stand? roam the streets with a sign?

I have nothing new to report. I got a pretty decent review for my mid year which has left me with some much needed renewed confidence. I am making progress at getting work under control, but I am also working every evening from home which is just not good. Hopefully I will continue to make progress and get some much needed work life balance.

I do have a really really good friend though... Judah. He is hilarious and we are really enjoying each other's company. He has the best stories and outlook on things. He told me just the other day at dinner that he hopes when I get married and have a baby that it is a boy so he can name him Luke Skywalker... or Han Solo.
I agree. both very noble names. The randomness is my favorite part.

Well Judah and I are geering up for our (tentative) first official visitors since getting settled. YAY! Ti and Kevin may be doing a crazy whirlwind road trip this weekend. I hope they can come, but due to their crazy schedules, I totally understand if they reconsider. To all, please come visit! any time!! I am saving up a few adventures for our guests so come on out : )

Love you all!
K