Kaden has been begging to "Go on a trip to see Grammy & Grampy!" So, Mother mine, if you are reading this - I'm a comin'! I was going to try and totally surprise you, but Aaron says that you suspect something, so my secret's out. For my dear friends and fam., here's the plan: I'll be in Bangor from Sunday night the 27th thru Thursday morning the 31st. Then, I'll be heading up to Canada (as Peter likes to say) to see my Quint clan. I'll be up in Hodgdon from the 31st thru Wednesday the 6th, and then I'll come back down to Bangor and stay until Saturday. This will give me about six days with each family - not too shabby. This will be a decent hold-over until Christmas! Kaden and I are both super excited!!!
On a different note...
I just can not tell you all how in love I am with my little family. God has been SO good to us, and He has blessed us so deeply. Kevin is my bestest of best friends, he is my soul-mate, and he is the love of my life. Adding Kaden to our family has only deepened and solidified our love for each other. Kev knows me better than I know myself, he is so very perceptive to my needs, he sacrifices and works so hard for our family, and he serves and loves me selflessly. He is the most amazing father, and he absolutely loves spending time with Kaden and building into him. Kaden adores him and lives for the moment that he hears the key turn in the lock and he can yell, "Daddy's hoooome!" There is nothing I love more than watching the two of them play and wrestle together laughing at the top of their lungs.
And my Kaden......oh how I love my little boy! He is my joy! I never imagined that I would love motherhood like I do. He delights me, he stretches me, and he teaches me lessons daily. He loves me unconditionally, he makes me laugh constantly, and he is saying and doing new things every day that constantly amaze me. I love spending our days together, I love reading books, snuggling together when we both first wake up, cooking together, and going on adventures with him. I can not wait for all of you to see how much he's changed and grown. He is so sweet, so tender, and so full of life and love.
I am blessed.
The Greatest Birthday Ever!
Last Sunday was my 29th birthday, and my hubby outdid himself! He took me to dinner and a movie one night, a couple of days later we did a family day trip to a fun State Park out in the boondocks where we played in a river and had a picnic.....and that was all just to throw me off the scent of his real BIG plans!
Kev wanted my first birthday away from home to be special and memorable - so he planned a huge surprise birthday party for me, and he invited just about every person that I have met thus far out here! It was SUCH a blast and a total and complete surprise! When we got home from church, he suggested for us to go and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at a local park where we could just be outside and Kaden could play on the playground. When we got there, he told us to go on ahead and play while he ran to the bathroom. A few minutes later, he comes running up to us all excited saying that he found another really cool playground that had a really huge slide for Kaden to play on. So, off we go trekking across this huge park to find another playground. (Or so I thought! - I KNOW THAT I'M GULLIBLE, O.K? It just made planning this surprise that much easier for Kev!) We came walking around a corner, and suddenly about thirty or forty people yelled, "Surprise!" It was so sweet - Kev had invited friends from our apartment complex, friends from MOPS, and friends from church - my whole Philly family! We had a huge BBQ, we played fun games, and I had lots of fun gifts to unwrap. I was totally blown away!!! This was a truly a birthday to be remembered....Now how am I going to top this for his 30th this fall???
Other big happenings.....we went to Six Flags this past Wednesday where I rode my very first roller coasters! This was very fun and exiting, and I think that I could become quite the adrenaline junkie. However, I think I am phasing out of the whole commercialized entertainment scenario. We were there for seven hours and only managed to go on five rides. That's a whole lotta' waiting in my opinion. I'm far more drawn to the fun of ocean, lakes, and rivers, 4-wheeling, camping, and conquering new unexplored territories. Maybe I'm just starting to grow up, but I am beginning to MUCH prefer the quiet solitude of country and God's creation as opposed to large crowds of craziness.
On a VERY exciting note....Kaden and I are coming home for a few days at the end of the month! (Mom, I was going to try to surprise you, but Aaron says that you already suspect something....so....SURPRISE!) Anyway, sweet Katya is coming to PBU for college, and since I have the month of September off from classes, Kev and I decided that this might be a good time to skip home to see family and friends for a bit before Christmas. I'll catch a ride to Maine with the Burt's, and my little bro is going to take some time off from arresting people to give me a ride back, and then he'll spend a few days with us here. So, I am SUPER excited and cannot wait to get home to breathe the fresh air of Maine and see some loved ones for a few days. Good times! See you soon!
Kev wanted my first birthday away from home to be special and memorable - so he planned a huge surprise birthday party for me, and he invited just about every person that I have met thus far out here! It was SUCH a blast and a total and complete surprise! When we got home from church, he suggested for us to go and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at a local park where we could just be outside and Kaden could play on the playground. When we got there, he told us to go on ahead and play while he ran to the bathroom. A few minutes later, he comes running up to us all excited saying that he found another really cool playground that had a really huge slide for Kaden to play on. So, off we go trekking across this huge park to find another playground. (Or so I thought! - I KNOW THAT I'M GULLIBLE, O.K? It just made planning this surprise that much easier for Kev!) We came walking around a corner, and suddenly about thirty or forty people yelled, "Surprise!" It was so sweet - Kev had invited friends from our apartment complex, friends from MOPS, and friends from church - my whole Philly family! We had a huge BBQ, we played fun games, and I had lots of fun gifts to unwrap. I was totally blown away!!! This was a truly a birthday to be remembered....Now how am I going to top this for his 30th this fall???
Other big happenings.....we went to Six Flags this past Wednesday where I rode my very first roller coasters! This was very fun and exiting, and I think that I could become quite the adrenaline junkie. However, I think I am phasing out of the whole commercialized entertainment scenario. We were there for seven hours and only managed to go on five rides. That's a whole lotta' waiting in my opinion. I'm far more drawn to the fun of ocean, lakes, and rivers, 4-wheeling, camping, and conquering new unexplored territories. Maybe I'm just starting to grow up, but I am beginning to MUCH prefer the quiet solitude of country and God's creation as opposed to large crowds of craziness.
On a VERY exciting note....Kaden and I are coming home for a few days at the end of the month! (Mom, I was going to try to surprise you, but Aaron says that you already suspect something....so....SURPRISE!) Anyway, sweet Katya is coming to PBU for college, and since I have the month of September off from classes, Kev and I decided that this might be a good time to skip home to see family and friends for a bit before Christmas. I'll catch a ride to Maine with the Burt's, and my little bro is going to take some time off from arresting people to give me a ride back, and then he'll spend a few days with us here. So, I am SUPER excited and cannot wait to get home to breathe the fresh air of Maine and see some loved ones for a few days. Good times! See you soon!
Happenings.....
So, the heat index for today is supposed to hit 115! They say the regular temp. may possibly hit 106, and if that's the case, it will be the hottest it has EVER been here! Oh, how blessed we are to be able to experience personally this glorious event. I can't tell you how excited I am about this!!!
Actually, it hasn't been too awfully horrid. Kaden and I went to our favorite Tyler State Park and played in the water all morning. The huge sign by the bridge clearly reads "No Swimming," so we had to play it cool and look like we really weren't swimming. We would build sand castles, collect shells, try to catch little minnows, and then......WHOOPS!!!.....Mommy all of a sudden "fell" in! How terrible - whatever am I to do about this? I mean, I'm already wet, so I might as well just play in the water now, right?! Good times! Kaden is getting very brave and loves to see just how far out he can go. He says, "I big boy Mommy! I SO brave!" This is our new favorite place to go and have a Mommy/Kaden date. Very fun! Today we saw tons of dogs swimming, lots of geese, huge fish, and a big ole' snake swimming in the river. Very exciting things for a little boy to see.
My season of Saturday classes is over after this coming Saturday. It has been a great class, but I am ready to have my Saturdays back to myself and my family. I am learning lots about communicating effectively, what true leadership looks like, and all kinds of good stuff like that. We are learning to really analyze ourselves - our strengths, weaknesses, gifts, compulsions etc., and seeing how we can first bring about change in ourselves before we ever seek to try and change those around us. They are also hammering home to us the fact that TRUE leadership is servant leadership. The example that Christ gave us to follow was in washing His disciples feet. He took the lowliest job that even the lowest servant despised, and he initiated this service for His loved ones. He was more concerned about the "towel" than the "title." This is such an unnatural thing to strive for, but such a needed thing in today's society. Very challenging stuff.
Before graduating we each have to write a five chapter book on a program that we would like to see implemented in our church. I have been hashing a couple of ideas around in my head, but I think I am finally beginning to narrow my topic down. I think I am going to write something about marriage and family - and particularly the role that we women play in marriage. The basic premise of my topic will be based around the book For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. (Thank you, Esther, for introducing me to this book!) Shaunti has done significant national research by surveying and interviewing hundreds of men. She has compiled tons of information and has written this book to give insight and show women things we need to know to not only better understand the man in our lives, but also to know how to support and love him in the way that he needs to be loved. Many churches have begun implementing programs for men - I know our church back home has a "men mentoring men" ministry, and there are established MOPS programs for moms, but I haven't really seen anything specifically yet for women and their role in their marriages. What do you all think? I still have a month to decide before I finalize my topic, but this is where I'm heading.
Well, I guess that's a long enough ramble for now. Stay cool!
Actually, it hasn't been too awfully horrid. Kaden and I went to our favorite Tyler State Park and played in the water all morning. The huge sign by the bridge clearly reads "No Swimming," so we had to play it cool and look like we really weren't swimming. We would build sand castles, collect shells, try to catch little minnows, and then......WHOOPS!!!.....Mommy all of a sudden "fell" in! How terrible - whatever am I to do about this? I mean, I'm already wet, so I might as well just play in the water now, right?! Good times! Kaden is getting very brave and loves to see just how far out he can go. He says, "I big boy Mommy! I SO brave!" This is our new favorite place to go and have a Mommy/Kaden date. Very fun! Today we saw tons of dogs swimming, lots of geese, huge fish, and a big ole' snake swimming in the river. Very exciting things for a little boy to see.
My season of Saturday classes is over after this coming Saturday. It has been a great class, but I am ready to have my Saturdays back to myself and my family. I am learning lots about communicating effectively, what true leadership looks like, and all kinds of good stuff like that. We are learning to really analyze ourselves - our strengths, weaknesses, gifts, compulsions etc., and seeing how we can first bring about change in ourselves before we ever seek to try and change those around us. They are also hammering home to us the fact that TRUE leadership is servant leadership. The example that Christ gave us to follow was in washing His disciples feet. He took the lowliest job that even the lowest servant despised, and he initiated this service for His loved ones. He was more concerned about the "towel" than the "title." This is such an unnatural thing to strive for, but such a needed thing in today's society. Very challenging stuff.
Before graduating we each have to write a five chapter book on a program that we would like to see implemented in our church. I have been hashing a couple of ideas around in my head, but I think I am finally beginning to narrow my topic down. I think I am going to write something about marriage and family - and particularly the role that we women play in marriage. The basic premise of my topic will be based around the book For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. (Thank you, Esther, for introducing me to this book!) Shaunti has done significant national research by surveying and interviewing hundreds of men. She has compiled tons of information and has written this book to give insight and show women things we need to know to not only better understand the man in our lives, but also to know how to support and love him in the way that he needs to be loved. Many churches have begun implementing programs for men - I know our church back home has a "men mentoring men" ministry, and there are established MOPS programs for moms, but I haven't really seen anything specifically yet for women and their role in their marriages. What do you all think? I still have a month to decide before I finalize my topic, but this is where I'm heading.
Well, I guess that's a long enough ramble for now. Stay cool!
Just What the Doctor Ordered!
Ahhhh......Well, after posting that enormous blog a couple of hours ago, our little family went and had the family date outing that I was so badly wanting. The weather has not been humid at all today, so right after Kaden woke up from his nap we drove about ten minutes away to Tyler State Park which we love (I don't know how to do all of that fancy shmancy stuff where you create a direct link to their site) and we had a BBQ picnic and played in the water. It was SO lovely and so much fun! We had lots of yummies, Kaden got to see lots of "doggies" and get soaking wet in the lake which he loved, and Kev and I got to be outside in gorgeous creation in beautiful bearable weather! What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening! EXACTLY what we needed. Happy girl.........O.k., it is WAAAAY past Kaden's bedtime. Good night!
Rain! - Oh the Blessed Relief!
Well, I really don't have anything overly exciting to report - except that it has rained off and on for the past couple of days. This has cut down our humidity quite significantly, so as a result, we can now actually walk outside without running into an instant wall of muggy heat. Sheer bliss! The weather actually felt a bit "Maine-like" today and was quite the welcome change. When Kaden wakes up from his nap, we may even all go play outside. Imagine that!
So, I've been feeling a little off lately. I think that it's been a combination of many things, and I am just trying to process through them. The heat really got to me for a few days (could you tell?), and then all of the rain kind of bummed me out (I know I know...I should be grateful...and I am...it's just been so dreary), I've been really missing family and friends, and I'm doubling classes so I feel more busy than usual right now. I think that's the biggest thing. For four Saturdays in a row I am taking a five hour class. This is our family date day, so I think I am just craving a day for the three of us to be able to pick up and go somewhere in the morning and have absolutely no time schedule of when we need to be back home. And also, we're trying to decide if Kev should take a shift supervisor position at Starbucks or if he should pick up more hours at the church and help out with needs there. Either option makes us more busy, but at this stage in the game, one of the options is necessary. So, we're just waiting on the Lord and trying to see which option would be the best fit for our little family.
This next semester will be our craziest so far, so between classes and work schedules, we're going to have to be really careful to make time for each other and our family. It is something that we've been committed to since our early days of marriage, and it gets trickier with each new life change, but we both believe that it is so so important for us. Many families here are just going full steam ahead with the motto: Get in, Get out, and Get 'er done! That has been kind of our mentality too - and oh so tempting! We have clear goals as to the ONLY reason why we are here. But, we also need to LIVE, and we've decided that we're not willing to do anything at the expense of our family. So, this means we are always having to revamp schedules and reassess our priorities. It may even mean that a class might have to be dropped and picked up at a later date. Who knows? But, this is where we are at right now. School is priority - this is why we are here. But, family is top priority. So, for next semester, our date nights may consist of studying at Borders after Kaden has gone to bed - having friends upstairs babysit the moniter! Anthing can be made fun as long as coffee is involved....at least that's our motto!
Anways...this whole post has been somewhat of a ramble. But, isn't that what these sort of things are for in the first place?! Overall, life is good, we are good, and God is always good! We are happy and blessed, our family is healthy, and we have a sweet little place to call our home. God is meeting our needs and blessing our family, and we have so much to be grateful for. O.k., I am off to watch some mindless humor with my hubby before our wild child wakes up from his nap and destroys all semblances of restful peace this afternoon! Good times!
So, I've been feeling a little off lately. I think that it's been a combination of many things, and I am just trying to process through them. The heat really got to me for a few days (could you tell?), and then all of the rain kind of bummed me out (I know I know...I should be grateful...and I am...it's just been so dreary), I've been really missing family and friends, and I'm doubling classes so I feel more busy than usual right now. I think that's the biggest thing. For four Saturdays in a row I am taking a five hour class. This is our family date day, so I think I am just craving a day for the three of us to be able to pick up and go somewhere in the morning and have absolutely no time schedule of when we need to be back home. And also, we're trying to decide if Kev should take a shift supervisor position at Starbucks or if he should pick up more hours at the church and help out with needs there. Either option makes us more busy, but at this stage in the game, one of the options is necessary. So, we're just waiting on the Lord and trying to see which option would be the best fit for our little family.
This next semester will be our craziest so far, so between classes and work schedules, we're going to have to be really careful to make time for each other and our family. It is something that we've been committed to since our early days of marriage, and it gets trickier with each new life change, but we both believe that it is so so important for us. Many families here are just going full steam ahead with the motto: Get in, Get out, and Get 'er done! That has been kind of our mentality too - and oh so tempting! We have clear goals as to the ONLY reason why we are here. But, we also need to LIVE, and we've decided that we're not willing to do anything at the expense of our family. So, this means we are always having to revamp schedules and reassess our priorities. It may even mean that a class might have to be dropped and picked up at a later date. Who knows? But, this is where we are at right now. School is priority - this is why we are here. But, family is top priority. So, for next semester, our date nights may consist of studying at Borders after Kaden has gone to bed - having friends upstairs babysit the moniter! Anthing can be made fun as long as coffee is involved....at least that's our motto!
Anways...this whole post has been somewhat of a ramble. But, isn't that what these sort of things are for in the first place?! Overall, life is good, we are good, and God is always good! We are happy and blessed, our family is healthy, and we have a sweet little place to call our home. God is meeting our needs and blessing our family, and we have so much to be grateful for. O.k., I am off to watch some mindless humor with my hubby before our wild child wakes up from his nap and destroys all semblances of restful peace this afternoon! Good times!
We're Melting! We're Melting!
So, the reports say that our weather is going to be "dangerously hot" for the next few days - over 100 degrees. I think that I am already starting to mold, and my hair is staying perpetually wet after I shower. In fact, I'm not really sure if I'm even getting clean as I am sweating DURING my shower! Seriously, I think we're going to either melt or mildew before this heat wave is over. If I am bald when you see me next, you will know why.....my hair rotted. I used my oven yesterday to cook us a meal for supper and drove us all out of the house. We spent part of our evening just driving somewhat aimlessly around in our car waiting for the apartment to cool back down...but we were quite happy and cool in our air conditioning! Maybe this is where we'll spend the rest of our days. So, for the rest of the summer our oven will get a vacation. Good grief....Lord give us grace. They say that August is the hotest month to live in PA - I pray that we are remotely acclimated by then.
On a lighter note - Kaden prayed for the first time the other day. He said, "DEAR JESUS (He yelled this part)...thank you....for today....and supper.....aaaand Mommy, Daddy, Kaden (notice that he thanked Jesus for food BEFORE thanking Jesus for Mommy and Daddy!).....and fans (he now loves them.......we all do).....and JESUS (yelling again)......AAAAMEN!" It was the sweetest thing, and now that he knows what reaction he'll get from Mommy and Daddy, he is quite willing and enthusiastic to pray before every meal, naptime, and bedtime! So, yesterday, his prayer before naptime was this: "Dear Jesus...thank you for today, and Mommy, Daddy, Kaden, and fans, and puppy, and teddy, and juice, and nappy time - no crying - no tears, and fans, and supper, and beep beeps (his new love is smoke alarms) and snackies and........(Finally, oh-so-spiritual Mommy prompts..."and Jesus' name") AMEN!" Oh my - so cute, so sweet, so fun!
Well, this is all for now. I'm off to sit beside my best friend Mr. Air Conditioner and try to get some homework done in this blasted sweltering heat. Seriously though....we'd love for you all to come out and see us! Good times!
On a lighter note - Kaden prayed for the first time the other day. He said, "DEAR JESUS (He yelled this part)...thank you....for today....and supper.....aaaand Mommy, Daddy, Kaden (notice that he thanked Jesus for food BEFORE thanking Jesus for Mommy and Daddy!).....and fans (he now loves them.......we all do).....and JESUS (yelling again)......AAAAMEN!" It was the sweetest thing, and now that he knows what reaction he'll get from Mommy and Daddy, he is quite willing and enthusiastic to pray before every meal, naptime, and bedtime! So, yesterday, his prayer before naptime was this: "Dear Jesus...thank you for today, and Mommy, Daddy, Kaden, and fans, and puppy, and teddy, and juice, and nappy time - no crying - no tears, and fans, and supper, and beep beeps (his new love is smoke alarms) and snackies and........(Finally, oh-so-spiritual Mommy prompts..."and Jesus' name") AMEN!" Oh my - so cute, so sweet, so fun!
Well, this is all for now. I'm off to sit beside my best friend Mr. Air Conditioner and try to get some homework done in this blasted sweltering heat. Seriously though....we'd love for you all to come out and see us! Good times!
Haven't been here in awhile...
Holy blast - it just took me about fifteen minutes to try and remember my username and password. That shows me that I have not posted for quite the long time. So great ready - this might be a long one!
So - life in Philly these days...always crazy busy, but always good. I can't really complain at all. Kev has the summer off from classes, so he has been busy getting wired - I mean, he's been busy WORKING at Starbucks and memorizing how to make the fifty million drinks they sell. He comes home quite happy, and he usually brings me a drink, as well, so this arrangement works out quite nicely. Good times! He was offered the position of shift supervisor, and we are really praying about taking it. It would make his fall semester very very busy, as he would be working way more hours than he originally intended, but it is looking like it might be necessary for us to do at this stage of the game financially. It will be a little crazy, but he's making sure to still have plenty of time with Kaden, and he and I will probably be going on lots of study dates to Borders after Kaden is in bed while a friend upstairs babysits the monitor!
Kaden is growing like crazy and is saying so many new things every day. He truly is our joy out here. He keeps us sane and laughing, so this is good. He is busy busy busy, but oh so much fun! Every Saturday we try and go explore a new beach around here. Kaden loves the waves, playing in the sand, and digging for crabs. He is quite fearless about some things - like the ocean, and quite timid about others.....like fans! Very strange. Anyway, he is getting over his fear of fans - just the other day, he went over and hugged our stand up one and said, "Ohhh, nice cozy cozy fan!" Hmmm, who's child is this anyway? He is very much into doing everything himself now and is quite proud when he can accomplish something. The next stage for us will be potty training. I really think that he is ready right now, I am the one who is just not quite ready yet. I'll be doubling classes for the next month and half. So, when those have been completed, we'll start the potty training.
Life in this apartment complex is a blessing as there are many accessible friends who are on this same crazy journey that we are, but it is also a little strange. This is just a stopover point for all of us - a chapter to complete in our lives so that we can go on to other great adventures. So, it's always a little weird when the journey ends for one family and the rest of us are left here for a little longer. Kev and I think that we will probably be here the longest of all of the couples that are in our complex, so that will be very weird. A family just left last month, another will leave at Christmas, one in February, and probably two next summer. Meanwhile, Kev and Amy will still have at least one more year to go after that. Kinda' yucky - but we're trying to look at the big picture. One year is already down, and it really did fly quite quickly, so hopefully the next two will, as well.
All in all, I really do feel quite content here. We really really miss our family and our friends back home, and we really really want to end up in Maine when this is completed. But, we also want to view this chapter in our lives as an adventure, as well and just really make the most of our time out here. So, once again we say to you all - we would LOVE for you to come and take a road trip out to see us. We have a super uncomfortable sofa bed waiting with your name all over it! And we could probably do a pretty good job of getting us all lost in the big city - but we'd have fun doing it!
I'll try to post more often and not write such an epistle the next time!
So - life in Philly these days...always crazy busy, but always good. I can't really complain at all. Kev has the summer off from classes, so he has been busy getting wired - I mean, he's been busy WORKING at Starbucks and memorizing how to make the fifty million drinks they sell. He comes home quite happy, and he usually brings me a drink, as well, so this arrangement works out quite nicely. Good times! He was offered the position of shift supervisor, and we are really praying about taking it. It would make his fall semester very very busy, as he would be working way more hours than he originally intended, but it is looking like it might be necessary for us to do at this stage of the game financially. It will be a little crazy, but he's making sure to still have plenty of time with Kaden, and he and I will probably be going on lots of study dates to Borders after Kaden is in bed while a friend upstairs babysits the monitor!
Kaden is growing like crazy and is saying so many new things every day. He truly is our joy out here. He keeps us sane and laughing, so this is good. He is busy busy busy, but oh so much fun! Every Saturday we try and go explore a new beach around here. Kaden loves the waves, playing in the sand, and digging for crabs. He is quite fearless about some things - like the ocean, and quite timid about others.....like fans! Very strange. Anyway, he is getting over his fear of fans - just the other day, he went over and hugged our stand up one and said, "Ohhh, nice cozy cozy fan!" Hmmm, who's child is this anyway? He is very much into doing everything himself now and is quite proud when he can accomplish something. The next stage for us will be potty training. I really think that he is ready right now, I am the one who is just not quite ready yet. I'll be doubling classes for the next month and half. So, when those have been completed, we'll start the potty training.
Life in this apartment complex is a blessing as there are many accessible friends who are on this same crazy journey that we are, but it is also a little strange. This is just a stopover point for all of us - a chapter to complete in our lives so that we can go on to other great adventures. So, it's always a little weird when the journey ends for one family and the rest of us are left here for a little longer. Kev and I think that we will probably be here the longest of all of the couples that are in our complex, so that will be very weird. A family just left last month, another will leave at Christmas, one in February, and probably two next summer. Meanwhile, Kev and Amy will still have at least one more year to go after that. Kinda' yucky - but we're trying to look at the big picture. One year is already down, and it really did fly quite quickly, so hopefully the next two will, as well.
All in all, I really do feel quite content here. We really really miss our family and our friends back home, and we really really want to end up in Maine when this is completed. But, we also want to view this chapter in our lives as an adventure, as well and just really make the most of our time out here. So, once again we say to you all - we would LOVE for you to come and take a road trip out to see us. We have a super uncomfortable sofa bed waiting with your name all over it! And we could probably do a pretty good job of getting us all lost in the big city - but we'd have fun doing it!
I'll try to post more often and not write such an epistle the next time!
"My Life as a Youth Pastor"
So I'm thinking about writing a book. Of course, with all the extra time I have, it should be out next month. Seriously though, what do you think? It would be a book for youth pastors sharing lessons learned, blessings & challenges of youth ministry, etc. Who knows? I do think I could really get into it though. Books have been written about such topics, but I would like to write it somewhat like a journal. The real deal.
Free pour cappucino?
So last week I learned how to free pour a cappucino. Very interesting. This means you make the foam and milk as one so you can free pour it over espresso. If you have done it right, the milk and foam will separate to a half and half ratio.
Bet you can't do it!
Kev
Bet you can't do it!
Kev
Back in Philly.....
Well, here we are back in the city. It was great to be in our "homeland" for a couple of weeks - always a crazy whirlwind visit and never enough time to see everyone that we would like to see but always a blast nonetheless. (This is Amy, by the way, as I am sure you can tell by the "verboseness.") And now we are back in our "home away from home" until Christmas probably. Good times. We are, once again, settling back into our rhythm and routine of life - Kev is working full time at Starbucks while he is on vacation from classes, I am taking classes year round, so I am TRYING to not have a "vacation mentality" - but I can't help it -, and Kaden has grown into a "wild child" since we've returned. He is keeping us hopping - OH MY WORD! Just a couple of minutes ago, he put our car keys into an outlet, and his new favorite expression is "I WANT!...." So, presently we are really working on teaching him to say, "Please, may I have...." instead. I wouldn't say that he has entered the "terrible two's," stage quite yet, but I would definitly say that he is twice as busy as he was before we left for Maine. Maybe it was something in the water up there..... Anyhoo - nothing overly exciting to report here. Brenda McCleary may be coming to spend Saturday night with us this next week, and the entire Burt family will be staying with us when they drop Katie off in August. Fun! Fun! Open invite, by the way, to all of you fellow Maineiacs! Party at the Bookers! Hopefully, we'll have something more exciting to post later. Hey - at least we're posting!
Fish on ferns?
Hey guys!
This is Kev. We went on a canoe trip the other day down the millstream. I caught my limit in trout--5 fish all over 12". This is why I love Maine! We didn't have a frying pan so we made a fire and smoked them on a bed of ferns--delicious! It was my father-in-law's invention, and it worked great!
Hope all is well,
Kev
First Time For Everything!
Well, well, well.....Everyone and their dog has a blog - and now, thanks to my dear friend Esther, I am able to join in the fun! Good times! I'm not sure how well this will go or how committed I will be, but I think this will be tons of fun. Can't write much for now.....it's Scott and Esther's last night visiting us in Philly and we're leaving at 4:30 in the morning to head home to see friends and family. Yay! We live for these visits. So, we're off to show them where Kev works.....Starbucks! Imagine that - my coffee addict husband working at a place where he gets unlimited coffee and a free pound bag each week. Then, we're hitting the hay early to head home for our beautiful state.
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