Goofy Evan

Evan is just over 2 years old and is such a funny kid. I keep meaning to post a little about him these days but never seem to find the time. Yesterday, Haley and I just sat on the couch and laughed at him for at least 10 minutes while he danced, shook and rolled his eyes. What a goofball!

He is always making us laugh...when he isn't terrorizing someone. Yesterday our friend Nora was over and just when I thought they were going to share, Nora borrowed a teacup that he wasn't holding and he let out this crazy, primal scream that brought Nora to tears. I don't blame her if she didn't want to see him again. Then, after he realized it was ridiculous, he would follow her around the room and reenact the crazy scream (in a silly way). Yes Evan, you are crazy...but cute!

I thought he would never use words and now he is speaking in full sentences. His favorite is: "Mommy, I don't want to..." This goes for anything that gives him displeasure. He LOVES Haley and cries almost every school day begging me to go back and get her (while she secretly LOVES being at school away from him touching her things). It is hard to be the big sister.

He is such a pest but such a joy. He is intense but full of love. He showers us all over with kisses every day. Really, it is out of control and I am already praying about his dating years. Yikes. Testosterone please calm down. I remember my grandmother saying that I never walked anywhere, that I always was running and now I know what she meant. Literally I don't think he walked once yesterday in our house, he only ran. Whew. Evan, you wear me out but I love you more than you know:) Haley you are a doll to endure his energy and I love you too sweet girl.

Fall Festivals

Fall is such a busy time I can barely keep up. Despite the rainy weather, the kids have had such a wonderful fall. Here are a couple pictures, one from Haley's dance class and one from school. Everyone one at school dresses up as a Bible character or local hero.

Hannah was so cute, she wanted to be a crossing guard. Haley decided to squeeze into her 18 month old angel costume. I told her this was the last year. They were in a little parade around the school building and had a blast. Haley was a little shy leading the group but perked right up for the party afterward. Haley and Evan would dress up everyday if I would let them. I am trying to figure out where else we can go this weekend to get extra wear out of all our costumes.

Glorious First Service at Restoration

Words can't even describe the amazing ways that God brought everything together for the opening service at Restoration this past Sunday. It was a glorious morning! What an awesome yet humbling sight to see the launch team join together early in the morning to set the stage for the morning. They each gave with true servants' hearts to prepare the space for worship. Because we meet at a restaurant, set up and tear down has to be done each week and a great team came to get things set and ready for worship at 10:30. Prayer teams covered the space, even over each chair, before people arrived.

By 10:15 the parking lot was filling up and people were pouring into the restaurant. Today we would be offering something different in the space, spiritual food for everyone who would enter. As people came in they were greeted by a welcoming team of folks who lead them from the front door towards the coffee and on to their seats. With almost 200 visiting Restoration, most for the first time, the room was full. Once the floor space filled up people were able to find seats in booths, barstools and around the perimeter of the room. Thankfully, the restaurant is set-up for live music so there isn't a bad seat in the house.

The worship music was full of passion and energy as Matt lead our time together. There was a joyous spirit that surrounded everyone as they worshiped as one body giving thanks for this amazing new opportunity at hand. Father Jed then offered a heart-felt message as the beginning of a series entitled, "Permission to Speak Freely". His desire is to address our misconceptions about church so that people feel comfortable coming to church. In short, God is full of mercy who loves us right where we are and wants us to do the same towards others. His vulnerable yet passion-filled message set the tone for our life together as one of grace filled mercy from the Father.

Two main prayers were answered: that God's glory would be present and and the room would be full. And to think, we will be doing all of this again every Sunday....what a gift.

Thank you friends and family who have supported us, prayed for us and believed in us as we have stepped out in faith to start Restoration. God has blessed us with your love and I can't imagine doing it without you!

www.restorationchurchonline.com

Butterflies in the World

Our sweet friend, Ms. Fran, gave Haley and Evan a butterfly kit. I know, who knew you could order such a thing. We sent away for our "home" of caterpillars and they arrived a couple of weeks ago in a small container. After watching them eat and grow, eat and grow they finally spun into their cocoon. After almost a week of waiting, butterflies emerged.

What an amazing process to witness in our house. We will never understand the mystery of how God changes those little worms into beautiful butterflies.

Yesterday we let them go, and one didn't want to fly off sweet Haley's hand. She just held it and held it until she had to brush it off into the air.

As Jed and I have prepared to start our new church, we constantly feel like we are being transformed and refined. To look back four months ago when we were leaving Christ Church with just a couple of friends by our side and now we are starting a church with a congregation of people is unbelievable. It was definitely more comfortable & safe to stay where we were, but God called us out to grow in faith and get ready for the work He was calling us to do. He gave us a little shake like Haley did with the butterfly, to push us out into the world. I am so thankful that He did!

How did God do it? I will never know. But I can only hope and pray that God continues to take ordinary people like us and transform them into servants willing to go out into the world carrying His amazing message of grace and love to others.

Come join us Sunday at 10:30am
www.restorationchurchonline.com

Train Table Pose

Evan and I were zooming a car back and forth under the train table and he would rest his face on his hands. It was so sweet. I was able to run and get the camera and catch this precious moment. It isn't often that I can catch Evan still, so it was a miracle to get such a sweet shot of him. Even though he is one busy little boy, he has so much life and energy. It is contagious!

We've moved to Seattle

OK, so we technically didn't move across the country to Seattle, but it sure feels like it around here. It has been gloomy and cloudy for weeks now. I love the cool weather, but the clouds don't even always mean it is cool....sometimes just hot and muggy. Anyway, the rain has really put a damper on some of our favorite fall festivities, mainly going to the farm.

Each year we enjoy a trip or two out to a pumpkin farm to pick pumpkins and play. Yesterday, Haley's class took a field trip up to Celina to the Pumpkin Patch despite the weather. It was the biggest muddy mess I have ever seen.

We all had on boots with our pants tucked inside and sloshed around for a couple of hours until we just couldn't stand anymore mud. Haley was entirely repelled at first, especially when she saw all the poor farm animals standing inches deep in mud and whatever else was in their stalls. While other kids ran to let animals eat out of their cups & hands, Haley hung back to greet her friends and avoid the gross tongue licking from the animals as they devoured the food. Then, the tractor pulling the hay ride got stuck in the mud and everyone had to be rescued. Haley decided we better not risk that kind of adventure so instead we ventured into the muddy field to pick a pumpkin.

This is where we encounter the greatest mud of all. Haley and her girlfriends actually got stuck in the mud. We had to yank their boots free of the thick mud that had built up around their boots. Their feet were so heavy, they couldn't move. Finally after scraping a ton off we found a puddle to jump in to "wash" off our boots. They had a blast. I think it was the highlight of the morning splashing and kicking in the mud puddle. You know, the best fun is always free...well, almost we did have to pay to play in the mud today.

Oh, and yes, all the girls in the pictures are 4 years old. In fact, one of the girls is 6 months younger than Haley:)

Arboretum Outing

Who doesn't love a trip to the Dallas arboretum in the fall. It embodies everything that is fall in Dallas...bright mums, amazing pumpkins, cool breeze and tons of kids laughing and playing outside and our family together enjoying it all. I live for days like this!

Bike Rider

Evan in his usual fashion, decided that he wasn't going to ride a tricycle. He was going to jump straight to a bike. Haley rides a bike, why in the world should he ride anything else? So, we spent the morning trying to teach him to pedal. He is such a determined little guy!