Our biggest
news, from 2013, is that we moved. J
We loved the twelve years spent in our first house. Many memories were made there, especially
since it was our boys’ first home. We
treasure those memories & we are grateful for the friendly neighbors met while
living there. We feel doubly blessed
that, since day one in our new place, we’ve also felt completely at home. It’s a new, perfect fit! We’re thankful, because moving is
exhausting. Basically, we don’t ever
plan to move again. J
The boys
have adjusted well, & they’re doing great!
I’m not sure how it’s possible, but Levi is already ten & Jared is
seven. Chad & I are keenly aware
that the baby, toddler, preschool, & early elementary years are behind
us. We are in the midst of days with massive
chapter books & sports played with the real rules. (Did you see Parental Guidance, when
Billy Chrystal’s character went crazy over kids not being out after three
strikes?) Now, the boys write in
paragraphs, & they watch shows that no longer include Sesame Street
characters. At the same time, we are
past the days of diapers, eh hem…“wiping,” & stuffing a diaper bag with
fourteen jars of baby food (while probably forgetting a spoon). There are many delights about their current
ages/stages. Still, we’d REALLY be ok
with time slowing down a bit, because did I mention Levi was ten???
Well, time
for the obligatory paragraph or two about the grown-ups in this house. Relatives appreciate that sort of
information…I think. If you keep up on
Facebook or face to face, you can just skip to the end. Otherwise, I’ll make it as painless, as
possible. Here goes…
Chad has
continued with Cessna, as a processing engineering manager. He still loves hunting, which means we still
have discussions about whether or not we have room to display more game. God has been good to Chad, though. He’s given him two boys who couldn’t be
happier about eating deer burgers. They also
share his love of camping, & it really is a joy to see them all bond…even
if it’s while they sleep outside…on the hard ground…in 83% Kansas humidity. It’s so cool to see my husband teach our
little guys about becoming men of adventure, faith & character.
Last year, I
stepped back into the classroom as an elementary substitute teacher. I honestly couldn’t love it more. I get my teaching fix & there’s still
plenty of time to help in the boys’ classrooms, get in a workout or run errands. Now, there isn’t a title for this, but I’m also
the official “What’s for breakfast/lunch/dinner” answerer. It would be heavenly to ask my own personal
chef those questions, so that I’d really know.
Something tells me he/she wouldn’t feel the urge to scream into a pillow
whenever pressed with meal questions. Did
I just say that out loud? Maybe one day
I’ll miss being asked & I’ll want to softly cry into that pillow. Pretty sure I just cracked the code on why
grandmas spoil their grandkids with lavish amounts of treats.
I’m thankful that when I want to
scream or when I mess up in life (which is frequent), it’s not up to me to keep
my place in Heaven secure. It’s already
done, because I follow Jesus. Doing a
bunch of “good things” to hopefully offset the “bad things” isn’t necessary,
because Jesus already paid the price.
It’s so simple, yet so profound.
Majesty, Majesty. Your grace has found me just as I am, Empty
handed but alive in your hands. We sang those words,
during church. Leaning against Chad (for
warmth & because I just plain love the guy), the lyrics stood out to
me. So beautiful, & unlike the icy,
cold weather that was just beyond the building doors, the words warmed me. They reminded me that I’m a blessed girl, I
have a Savior, and it all comes back to grace.
As you
celebrate this season, consider grace…how it’s been extended to you & how
you can extend it to others.
Love
from Chad, Katie, Levi & Jared
Handed my brother my fancy camera. He took a picture. Boom...family picture! This was taken out on the Kansas farmland where my maternal grandma was raised.
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