Confession...

     My husband and I are part of a new church in Erie.  It has been a learning experience and there is more involved than I have ever experienced at a church.  I am used to just walking in and having everything ready to go (or only a few things to set up) - no intensive work necessary.  Elevate Church is located in a local elementary school, so every Sunday morning dedicated folks come in to set up (and afterward tear down) everything to help make the worship experience meaningful.  The band comes in at 7 am to make sure their equipment and sound is perfect for the service, as well as sound and tech teams who help create the atmosphere for worship.  Soon after the other teams arrive to set up the other parts of the church (e.g. children's areas). 
    As with anything new, it's a learning process.  Part of this can be trial and error as we reach out to the City of Erie.  I'm finding it's easy to complain.  I don't like being up early to help set up - I don't like that my daughter's schedule is thrown off and Caleb is always looking for things to do until other children arrive - I'm not comfortable discussing my faith with strangers - I just want to sit in my own bubble and wait for God to bless me - It makes for a long day - I don't like sharing my husband's time at home with his desire to practice and play with the worship band.  (You may laugh at how silly all of this sounds, but at one time or another this has run through my head.)
     The reality is:  it isn't about me.  I want to make church about me.  Church is about sharing Jesus.  I need to show the people around me He loves them - every day and I need to do it without complaining.  It's so easy to pick apart those elements of the church that aren't working in my favor, but what I really need to do is make them positive.  I can't expect things to change if I'm not willing to change as well.  It's important that I stay open minded and focused so there isn't an opportunity to lose sight of what Elevate is really about.

Today...

is my 30th birthday!  My friend Angela took me out for the mouth watering confection that is pictured above (Bacon Maple donut - imagine the Homer Simpson drool moment).  As we were talking about our milestone birthdays I mentioned that I'm happy where I am at this point in my life.  I realized how true it really was, especially when I think back to the way I "planned" my life.  I wanted to go to college - check.  I wanted my Master's degree before I married - check.  I wanted to get married - check.  Children were there too - double check.  I've learned a lot, mostly that life is what you make it.  If I spend all of my time focused on what is negative or what is eventually going to leave me empty - that's who I will become.  The other lesson I've learned is that God has great things for you.  I can't tell you the number of times that I've messed up my life, and at times, the lives of others.  Yet, God has handed me blessing after blessing.  That doesn't mean the rain doesn't fall; but He will be what I need when it storms.  So here's to 30 and the hope for another year full of great things!

It's been awhile...

     Well, I'm finally back to blogging!  It has been months, but with all that has happened I figured it could be excused!  I am a mom!  I had my daughter in December and it was one of the most amazing and crazy experiences of my life.  I'm so thankful that I was able to avoid a c-section, but a little overwhelmed by what pitocin can do!  I did break down and have an epidural in the end, but I needed sleep so bad at that point I wasn't going to fight it!   

     Our house has been in chaos since and I'm finally back to finding time for me somewhere in the madness of this wonderful life I have. 

Buddy

     We have a member in our household that can be overlooked at times.  This is Buddy!  We found Buddy at the humane society last year in December.  He had been there for a month and a half waiting for us!  Jake and I had picked out, with the little man, two dogs to meet and spend a little time with.  The first dog was beautiful and very high energy.  Caleb wouldn't even get off the chair to come near her she was so energetic!  They brought Buddy in and he immediately began interacting with Jake and I.  Caleb came down off of his chair and began tossing the tennis ball for Buddy and it was sealed for us that this was the dog.
     When we brought him home we began to realize that he was used to some different rules and habits - but he's been amazingly easy to train.  Buddy's skin and intestines are sensitive (corn allergies and anxiety) but we have learned to keep him healthy with the help of a great vet.  What has been so wonderful is that he is protective of our family and a faithful guard dog.  I sleep better knowing he's in the house.
     Buddy was sick last week and I realized that at times I take him for granted.  He's just like another member of our family and I was pretty scared as he had an allergic reaction to an injection he'd received earlier in the week.  He was pretty spoiled while down but he deserves it and we're all thankful for him! (He also has the entire staff at the animal hospital wrapped around his paw with his charming/friendly behavior!)

Jubilee

     This past weekend my husband, little man, and I went to visit his family for Jubilee and Mountain Craft Days.  Above you can see the men in my life with their heads together over a large engine that was running.  Little guy had a million questions and Jake was happy to answer - father and son bonding!  There were also tractor pulls, homemade cider, and horses to see!  The guys were lucky and drove one of the steam tractors that was owned by a family friend!

     Before Jubilee, I enjoyed time with family and went to a farm market, where I bought my apples for the treats I hope to make!  I received them for a deal, in my mind, which makes it better!  I also found a bib at the farmer's market with a Steelers logo on it - had to buy it for our future fan!  My mother-in-law bought Amish made donuts (and they were amazing!) and I was able to find homemade egg noodles as well!  I felt like I was making out for the pantry all weekend!  It was a great time and the weekend was sealed with our little guy feeling his baby brother/sister kick him for the first time!  It was a great moment and he was excited! 

Millions of Peaches...

     Yes, while I was canning yesterday I had the song from the '90s by The Presidents of the United States of America running through my head.  I decided to try my hand at peach butter.  Apple butter has to be one of my all time favorite treats from the fall/winter, so why not try it with another fruit that I like?  I went to Frank's Farm Market for peaches and after a pep talk from the wonderful woman who runs it; I was ready!  (A nap was thrown in there too.)  It took a couple hours from start to finish, but that included processing the fruit as well as their time in the water bath.
     It turned out thinner than I like but the taste is wonderful!  I was kinda sad this morning when I opened the jar and it was a little runny, but after my husband put it on toast, he encouraged me to make another batch!  I'm not sure if I will because of my plans to make apple butter and applesauce in the next few weeks.  (Oh, and did I mention that my kitchen looked awful once I had finished?)  I will definitely put it on my list for next year! 
    

What's happening at our house...

It all started like this!

My husband has been working on the kids' room for the last few weeks.  Opening up the room was a surprise as we found damage from previous ownership as well as the realization that water had been damaging things worse than we thought (roof leak).

Our parent's came and gave us a hand, putting in new electrical as well as ceiling insulation - it was a big job! (Plus my mother-in-law and sister-in-law primed my kitchen for the beautiful shade of green I have intended for it!) 

Now my husband is getting the drywall on the ceiling!  I am so excited!  He puts down his skills with drywall, but I can tell you that he is doing great (our home is an older manufactured home so it has its little quirks...ok, big quirks!)  What I'm most excited about is the space for our smallest family members is coming together and it makes me so happy.  It also reminds me how lucky I am to have a hubby that is willing to take his time and do things right because that's the kinda guy he is!  (I'm often in awe of his stubborn nature that makes him a perfectionist at times...must be where little man and the baby get it!)