10 Year Anniversary

This Sunday marks the 10 year anniversary of our church. Tonight I was setting up for our Women's Ministry event that's tomorrow, and I got to hear the praise team practice for Sunday. Dave has pulled out all the stops and has every person and instrument from every part of the worship team on stage this week. We are actually meeting at one of the local schools to have this super big service. Listening to them sing and practice tonight was awesome. It made me stroll down memory lane, and reminded me of how blessed I am to be a part of Grace. Matt and I had church hopped our first year of marriage, never finding a place that "fit." Our first Sunday at Grace half way through the service we both looked each other and knew we'd found our home. That was the first Sunday in January of 2003. Our church quickly became our family as God knitted together His divine plan for Matt and I in Marion. 4 months after our first Sunday at Grace, I became the ministry assistant. 3 months later I found out I was pregnant with Noah. When I was sick, our church rallied around us, in a way I didn't expect or imagine. They showed us what true Grace and unconditional love was through their selfless prayers and the way they blessed us. Wendy volunteered to watch Noah so I could return to work, and loved him for almost 3 years until I had Ella. 4 years ago we joined our lifegroup Bible study, and they have walked beside us through so much as accountability partners and friends. While I was working at the church I got to see up close all the lives that were being changed in our county as God used Grace to bring people to Him. I got to work alongside a staff that was honest, humble, and longed to be used to bring Him glory. Through couples retreats, Bible Fellowship classes, lifegroup, church softball leagues, christmas musicals, Common Ground mommies groups, and so much more, I know that we are blessed. So very blessed to have our Marion "family," Grace Community Church. Happy Anniversary Grace.

The Birthday Song

Ella Grace

To say that I am blessed is the understatement of the year. I have the two most amazing kids on the planet and I am so thankful that God gave them to me. 3 years ago today was a normal day at work for me. I wasn't feeling 100% and decided to go by my obgyn. Little did I know, that later that afternoon I would have my sweet Ella in my arms! Matt almost missed the delivery by showing up 1 hour before I was wheeled back. Thank goodness for Wally keeping me company all day! And for Wendy being available to watch Noah for us. That evening on November 6th of 2006 I had no clue how God would bless my life through this precious child. Ella brings me endless amounts of joy. Her sweet personality is amazing. She is so kind to the other children in our house. She is nurturing to her friends and to her baby dolls. She shows empathy to Noah if he gets hurt. She looks me straight in my eyes and tells my I am being "idicuwous." She gives sweet kisses and hugs. She loves to snuggle. She gave up her passy this week like a champ and was so excited that the doctors were giving it to the little babys. She makes me sing Wheels on the Bus over and over and over. She truly believes that she is a princess and that the day you get married is the day that you are a princess when you are a grown up (she calls me a princess whenever she sees my wedding photos). She has an incredible imagination. And I am so, so in love with her! Happy 3rd birthday Ella!

ps: this is the first picture I took of her where I caught her smile. She was 2 months old.

Our crazy Princess!

The long awaited tea set

A week or so ago we got a copy of the Toys R Us big toy book. Since then our lives have not been the same. Ella has gone over and over everything that she wants for her birthday and Christmas. She really wanted a tea set, a princess table, the castle set, a princess dress, and a few other things. Thankfully, she's gotten almost everything she wants! We had a very long tea party this morning with her tea set and she has loved it. Check out her "I'm the Birthday Girl" tshirt :).

Noah's Veterans Day Program at School

Parents had the option to go to the Veterans Day program at Noah's school on Thursday. I was so glad that Ella and I got to go, because not too many other parents came. Noah got to sing a song about the flag with his kindergarten class. (He's in the front row with the red puffy vest on). He was so cute and kept looking at Ella and I while he was singing, making sure that we were watching. I was glad too that he is learning such an appreciation for our country and the people who serve now and who have served in the past.

Noah's last soccer game - on Halloween

Noah had his final game of the season last week. We have all enjoyed his soccer season so much! And he got to get a medal! He was so proud of his medal.