First Field Trip to the Apple Orchard

Eating donuts and cider with their best friend, Tori.

Coloring on gourds. Kenzie can't say gourd, so she calls it her girl.

Hayride with their other good friend, Mia.

Their whole class.

The girls went on their very first field trip the other day to the apple orchard. They seemed to have a good time. They both are attached to one friend, Tori, but it seemed to be a mutual attachment. I was worried that they were overwhelming her with too much attention, but she liked being around them too. I was so grateful to be able to go along with them and get to know some of the other mothers in a deeper way. More than just a hi, how are you, passing in the hall. I hope to build some relationships with three of them, I'm having the first over next Tuesday for lunch and a play date. Be praying for some open doors there.

Date night has been postponed. Instead of having an intimate time with my hubby, we will be picking up trash at the Caledonia HS football game in the rain. All in the name of outreach! Jon said he owes me big time...you better believe it! No free dates to make up for missing this one! We had done the trash pick up thing a couple weeks ago with the whole group that worked in the concessions and it went so well that the Athletic Director called and asked if Journey would do it again. So here we are...getting ready to go pick up trash in the rain...we love you Caledonia, can you tell?! I have a little ray of hope that we may be able to go out for a date tomorrow night since the girls are at grandma's and she thought she was keeping them for two nights and not just tonight. If Jon's not feeling to overwhelmed after being at a conference all day, then I may get my date this weekend anyway! We'll see! Just so you all know...Jon is the best hubby on the earth and after all he's ever done for me, I can allow him to skip out on a little date with me. My good friend Teresa reminded me yesterday about the Myrtle Beach trip when I was whining about my date night...thanks for the reminder, Teresa.

Busy, Busy Fall

I can't wait to see commercials that are not political. I am so sick of these! Can you tell I'm watching TV while I'm blogging?

I'm going to be keeping you updated in the next few months with my weight loss. My good friend Lori and I are going to be doing Body-for-Life together, which is the same program that I did back in 1999 and lost over 20 pounds. I kept it off for 4 years and then had the girls, now I've tried too many things in the last three years and I'm going back to the only thing that has ever really worked for me. And with an accountability partner this time...I'm so excited about it! Our goal date is New Year's Day. We will both have reached our goals and then we will go on a shopping spree while our hubbies watch football all day! My goal this time is 28 pounds...I'll keep you in the loop!

Jon is leaving tomorrow morning to go with Dennis Jackson to IWU for two days and then he's at a conference this weekend. In two weeks he will be going to CA for a conference with Chad McCallum and then two weeks after that he's making a quick trip to Roanoke to meet with the Parkway Church Board. We are coming into a very busy time for us and we appreciate your prayers. And...as always, Journey needs lots of prayer too. Luckily, I think Jon and I will be able to get a date this Friday night. It will be much needed, we have not had alone time in months. Last weekend, Jon did a wedding and I was not able to go to the rehearsal dinner since we didn't have a babysitter. Anyway, the parents of the groom felt so bad that I wasn't able to be there (the dinner was at Red Lobster, one of my faves) that they bought us a gift card. So our next date will be free! Nice.

I'm having so much fun with these new backgrounds! You can get them too at www.thecutestblogontheblock.com. You may never know what you will get visiting Erica's blog...wow, isn't she a wild one?!

Certified Again!

Let me just boast a bit here. It's usually about my girls or my hubby, but this time it's all about me! I passed another national certification test for interpreting! This probably doesn't mean much to most of you, but I now have my CI and CT! Basically, more letters after your name always shows higher qualifications...same is true in the interpreting field. It's hard for me to believe that I have actually attained these certifications, because for so long it seemed impossible. I have always looked up to other nationally certified interpreters and never actually put myself in the same arena as them, I have to keep telling myself that I'm in the same class as them. Amazing! This will also mean a pay raise for some of the places I work! Yeah!

Journey's Anniversary!!

Today, Journey Church turned one! Not only did we have an anniversary, but we also went to two service times (9:30 & 11:00). After awhile, our core people were on board, but there was still some fear, not knowing how it was going to work out. Of course, no surprise, God is good! We had a great Sunday, new people there, lots of people serving, and about 8 or so new salvations! WooHoo! It's awesome to think that if we had not listened to God's calling a year ago and come to Caledonia to plant Journey Church, then those 8 people would not have met Christ today. I am absolutely not taking the credit for their salvations, but I'm honored that God used us in His perfect plan for their lives.