ONE Year of Sweetness

Tonight we hosted a little birthday dinner for Farrah.

Cupcakes seem to fit her little personality.

So we went with it.

I make a mean lasagna, but decided to try the Pioneer Woman's recipe instead. It was better. I'm not gonna lie.

For some reason, I believe all little girls should have strawberry cake for their first birthday. Marley did and so it was only fit for Farrah to have strawberry as well!

Here is the birthday girl. She still loves sitting in that dang bumbo. It is a must for every parent. It's one of my Wee Trade steals.

Brent brought her cupcake out. I like how he put his hand on his hip to look manly with the pink cupcake;).

After a good cry because Uncle Kyle sings loud and annoying, she calmed down. As you can see the cupcake is quite sweet.

Really? What girl doesn't like cake?

Marley did a great job accepting the fact that tonight was about Farrah and not her. There she goes with those crazy eyes again.

It is safe to say cake is one of her favorite foods now.

Go Farrah! It's Ya Burfday!

Hey Little gal!

We brought you home almost a year ago.

Looking so cute with that horrible outfit on that your mom and dad picked out for you...

Because of you we are now a happy family of four!

Marley Roo loves ya to pieces. Yes, we know she can squeeze too tight. We are working on that.

You have grown so much in the past year.

As that facebook group says, "it tends to happen".

We just can't get over how sweet you are!

From your first trip to the beach,

to your sister doing ridiculous things to you,

this family is blessed that you are here with us!

And... in every effort to be cheesy, "you complete us!".

So much more than Renee and Tom C. could ever imagine.

Happy 1st Birthday Farrah Blake!

Multitude Monday

40. pink retro kitchens

39. a semi-healed husband

37. macintosh apples

36. red velvet cake balls

35. gifts given in love

34. students that sacrifice even when taken advantage of

33. pink fluffy princess dresses

32. peanut butter and jelly

31. 2 Peter

Multitude Monday

30. Multi colored Christmas lights

29. The honor of having my Mamow's tree

28. Sparkling birds she collected

27. Excited little ears ready to hear of the Christ Child's coming

26. Long eyelashes of an 11 month old

25. Felt

24. Hazelnut candles

23. Paper towel Bridal veils made for dress up

22. Modge Podge

21. Sweet kisses between sisters

20. First steps of our baby

He Knows What We Need

God knows exactly what He is doing.

He knows exactly what we need.

Christmas shopping

plays

church

work

religious acts

consume us.

He knows when we need a break

to stop

refocus.

There are times we just need to play

stay at home

rest

enjoy the smiles of the ones we love.

He knows when we need to meditate

on the Christ Child that He sent.

Thank you

for knowing what we need.

This weekend

it came in the form of snow:).

The Stockings Were hung from the Chimney with Care...

The stockings are finally finished! I cut out the patterns (obviously, by the look of Brent's heel). My mom sewed it all on. I still haven't really learned exactly how to use that little machine of mine.

Marley asked for a Christmas tree on her stocking. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but who argues with a three year old?

Just incase we get old and forget the first letter in our name I had our initials put on.

The pink and brown is my attempt to keep Farrah a baby instead of turning one in two weeks.

He's a good man, he deserves a stocking with his favorite team. No crying Tebow jokes here.

I am aware that I need to trim the heel.

It's Tree Time

Don't worry little baby...

you won't be the one who tears it down...

I will get there before you...

all will be well...

just be happy it wasn't you.

Multitude Monday

Today I am thankful for...

11. infant vapo rub

12. chocolate milk

13. snuggling

14. a friend and her new union in marriage

15. spicy hummus

16. wedding cake

17. in laws willing to serve and share their faith in Thailand

18. Barnes and Noble (yes, I said that)

19. throwing the nerf ball Sunday nights

20. smiles between sisters

Multitude Monday!

Give a thousand thanks.

I'm beginning the journey.

Will you?....

1. A Savior who forgives

2. humble husband who works hard

3. ever joyful three year old

4. pinchable cheeks of my 10 month old

5. this little white house God literally saved and gave to us

6. the friend who passed up living here for free, bc she said God told her it was ours.

7. patched holes

8. fixed toilets

9. a sink with clean water

10. my Bible to pick up freely

Halloween Don'ts:

1. Do not take your children to a large shopping area for candy. Too much work for little return.

2. Do not dress up like Cruella Da Vill and put your children on leashes. It's just wrong.

3. Do not cover your 3 year old in fake blood and dress up like murdered people. Once again...it's just wrong.

4. Do not give out menus for your restaurant with a miniscule piece of candy.

5. If your child is a newborn DO NOT take him around to collect candy. Especially if it is obvious that you are like me and a little on the chubby side.

Halloween Do's

1. Give up the fight and let your little gal dress like the princess she wants to be. Give up the dreams of her being mac-n-cheese, or being a star w/ a water gun. The shooting star is your dream not hers.

2. Let the baby take off the duck hat. She hates it.

3. Go as a family and have fun.

4. Help your child unwrap her candy. She WILL eat through the wrapper if you don't. Foil just isn't the taste your looking for with a Reese's.

I get annoyed when blogger underlines everything and won't let me undo it:(

blah!

We are at Myrtle Beach.

It's October.

It is free Time Share from Donna and Bruce.

So I won't complain.

The place is bigger than our house.

Funny how that happens.

We have cooked every night to save money.

I will not wear a Piggly Wiggly shirt bc that place is EXPENSIVE compared to

Food Lion and (*gasp*) Super Wal-Mart.

We can't afford the Pig.

Speaking of Pig.

I need to immunize my children.

Time? Money? Supply?

They are all factors here.

I digress....

Today we earned $100 by going to a Time Share tour.

Man those people are good sales men/ women.

They still lost.

We won.

During the tour Marley walked right into a large glass door.

SMACK!

Knocked her right down.

As a mom, do I laugh?

Cause it was freaking hilarious!

It scared the poor baby.

We comforted her.

Then, we belly laughed.

The tour guide joined in.

The indoor pool has been our only activity.

Scratch that.

The huge, and flippin' cold outdoor pool as well.

Aren't they cute?

Yep. She's a licker. It's gross.

We are having fun. No doubt.

Modern Baby Give Away!

True Cuddles is having a give away! Not only are they having a give away, but they are giving away blankets from local mom-preneur, Jessica Bellemare of Modern Baby Co. I blogged earlier this week about finding her goodies at a thrift store called "a fact". Cute, Cute stuff!

A Sick Baby and Great New Finds

This morning I decided that I just couldn't stay in this little house all day with a screaming sick baby and an attention hungry three year old. The obvious thing to do for a baby who can't lay down due to congestion is to lay them upright. However, nothing was making her happy. After many attempts to get her comfortable I decided to put them in the car and head to Asheville. All moms know a baby can sleep best strapped in a baby carrier in the car. And nothing says fun to a three year like having goofy uninterrupted talks with mommy. So that is exactly what we did. We drove to Asheville to pick up my brides maid dress and gain some sanity on the way.

My mom tagged along because it was her day off. Being the generous person she is mom said she would pay if we ate Mexican food ( I had a cooler packed w/ sandwiches and snacks 'cause we beez po). Luckly I remembered a place my friends had told me about called PAPA'S and BEER. Oh baby! We were blown away. The stank Lone Star Steakhouse had been transformed into the most gorgeous and fun atmosphere! That's right.... AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE! This is not your Brevard El Chapala's we are talking about here. No, not even Celito's can compare to this place. All I'm saying is GO! You'll thank me I promise.

The next amazing find occurred when we were driving home and we were stopped in traffic. We spotted a trendy little building and decided to whip in. The name of the place was called "a fact". I found a vintage sheet set for $5 (I'll post pictures later) to make the girls a couple of outfits. But the greatest find there was a local mom who sells handmade bibs, fabric canvases, burp clothes, and such. Her company is Modern Baby Co. The prices were much cheaper at the thrift store than on her website!!! Eighteen dollar bibs were going for five dollars at the thrift store!?!?!

On four hours of sleep with a fussy baby, I would say that it turned out to be a stellar day.

Pooped

Brent worked hard on menial chores around the house today. He mowed the lawn, fixed the leaky toilet, caulked my car window (that was flooded due to all the rain), took and picked up Marley from Pre-school, and ran errands for me.

Usually when we are home for the night (rare in student ministry) we eat at the table and usually make our way outside to play. While swinging on the porch tonight Brent said, "WHEW! I'm pooped!". Marley replied, "Dad, all you have to do is say excuse me!". See, we teach her manners. On the other hand she did tell him to "Shut it" at church last night. It looks as if I need to find the student that taught that to her;).

She is growing up too fast, all the while getting more beautiful and straight up hilarious.

She's gone from this tiny tyke....

to this gorgeous big sister...

I wish time would slow down a bit.

Missing Out

It feels as if the rain has caused all of to miss out on the joys of September. Sky Top Orchard has been a place that we have visited every September. It donned on me this morning that we haven't been there yet. This September it seems as if we missed out on some serious apple picking, sun sets on the parkway, visiting the fish hatchery, etc. All things I love dearly. October is approaching and our Student Ministry calendar is FILLED! I hope the Metcalfs get to make up the September we seem to have lost. Fall is officially here so I pray the sunshine is too!

New Life!

We have known Brooke and Brad since High School. In fact, they were in the Student Ministry together when I was the intern (before Brent was hired). It's crazy they are married, it's seriously crazy that Brad is now a Pastor on staff with us, even crazier that last night they welcomed the most precious baby girl, Ava Kate Snipes, into the world! WE LOVE THEM AND ARE SO HAPPY FOR THEM!  I left my camera at church, so I'm kicking myself in the pants for not having pictures of the cute little booger. I'll work on that:).

So This is Three...

Marley above giving Farrah a "rat"

Quotes from the Day...

Marley in her ballet get-up, " Daddy, don't be afraid. I will teach you how. Hold my hand and dance!"

"Thank you Jesus forever, and ever, and ever, and ever..... have a great day."

"Mom, that was a BEAUTIFUL prayer. Did you like it?"

Me: "Go drag the recycling bin out here on the porch."

Mar: "Okay...."

Two minutes later I have a recycling bin on my porch with nothing in it. She dumped out all the junk. I did say just the bin right? Next time I'll be more clear.

Mar: "Mommy, I'm scared."

Me: "Of what the obscene amount of toys in your room?"

Mar: "That's so silly mom.....The net holding them up!"

Me: "That makes sense. If it falls we're all in trouble."

I love the little energetic gal.

College Students

I have loved having all of our former BCSM students home for the summer. They have become close friends over the years. For some reason adults have a hard time hanging out with MS and HS students. I'm not sure if they are intimidated, if it takes too much time, they don't like them? Whatever it is, these college students have picked up the slack this summer and hit a home run in terms of serving students and building relationships with them! They have made me take a second look at myself and wonder if I'm giving all of myself or just being half butt. It makes me completely excited that they catch the vision and carry it out. As I type, they are all meeting together to plan a service for the students on Sunday morning. The college students are leading it by themselves, and have let the Spirit lead the planning process. Not to mention that this entire week before they go back to college life, they have painted the entire student building. IT LOOKS STELLAR! I love you guys and I am blown away by the growth I have seen in your lives!

Please Pray for them as they head back to college...

Breanna Mason

Lindsey Alewine

Lauren Alewine

Jordan Limerick

Megan Briscoe

Lindsey Briscoe

Alex Norton

AJ Metcalf

Tyler Snipes

(these are the student volunteers this summer)

Oblique?

I'm not sure what that is, but my husband says I pulled it.

It flippin' hurts. Yep, it's all bc of my strenuous running routine.

Okay, that's a lie. We just kicked it up a little. I seem to now have the body

of a seventy year old since having babies. In the words of my late Mamow, "Boo".

PS-My running mate is cute when she runs, and she has enough breath to talk as we go?

I too want to look cute when I run. One day, I say. One day.

It makes me giggle. I don't know why.

"We all Know About Pastor's Kids"....

Lindsey and Lauren

Carmen

Farrah

Jordan

Jackson, Marley, and Walker

MY RANT FOR THE DAY

"We all know about Pastor's kids"......

I'm not sure if people have seen the movie Footloose one too many times or what, but there is such a stigma with Pastor's kids (especially girls). Seriously, like three people this week have made comments to me about Pastor's children and what I'm "in for". We have been working with students for around nine years now. I have seen students who have been raised by amazing parents turn completely away from God. There have also been students who's parents could care less about what they do, and the student loves God. Then, there have been students who have AMAZING parents and turn out to be AMAZING. I  have heard hundreds of heartbreaking stories and I've got to tell you, out of all of the students that have turned their backs on God.....NOT ONE OF THEM WAS A PASTOR'S KID. Now, let me make this clear. Pastor's children can most definitely screw up, and they will at some point. I just hope that if Marley or Farrah ever struggle or turn away from God my fellow believers don't sit with their arms crossed and say, "I told you they would screw up". Instead I pray that God provides Godly mentors for my girls who will pray for them and encourage them when they fail. Also, that they have people in their church (besides their parents) that will love them unconditionally, and pray for us as parents. The great thing is that we have a wonderful church family, and I know many love my children. 

Here's what the Bible says:

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

John 8:7 "When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is 

without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Please pray for and uplift the eight pastor's kids (just counting the one's under 21:) at Brevard Community Church. Pray that they will be the one's that create culture instead of go along with it. Pray that the little ones come to know Christ and His full love for them and never turn away. Pray they have Godly mentors placed in their lives and that their parents will have wisdom on how to handle the ups and downs of life. Actually, let's pray this for all of our students!:)

Footnote: I know four Pastor's kids that have turned out REMARKABLE (see above pics). Let's pray for the youngest four and for baby Snipes on the way!