by Heather | 0 comments
Cassidy had her first dentist appointment! She’s watched Ben a few times and was wonderful when it came to her turn. They counted her teeth (which she thought was great, she loves counting) and even did a full cleaning and flossing.
The “water fountain” was the best part though!
by Heather | 0 comments
So, apparently I’m several months behind on posts :) We spent Memorial weekend at my mom and Paul’s cottage, it was such a perfect start to summer!
by Heather | 0 comments
Our little church plant had its last service today (location issues, not enough people attending and just not financially viable to stay open). So many emotions! We started our journey 4 years ago and have grown so much with the team that became family. I feel sad, but don’t regret a single thing.
A few pictures from our last building (4th one in 4 years, not including all the homes we met in) as we painted and prepped for services.
What I shared in service today:
Curtis and Eileen, thank you for being faithful and coming to NY to plant a church. I know it didn’t turn out how any of us thought, but your leadership and friendship over the past 4 years has been something I’ll treasure. What you helped plant in my heart and my faith is something I’ll be able to share with my kids and take with us on the next part of our family’s journey.
Curtis, I’m just blown away by your always-ready willingness to serve others. I don’t know another pastor who would get down on hands and knees and do childcare for our moms group. Out of necessity, yes…but you did it every single time. I’m so thankful for your leadership, hard work and perseverance.
Eileen, thank you for showing me how a strong woman can be in ministry. Thank you for your friendship, your hit-the-nail-on-the-head preaching and your openness. Always willing to listen, show compassion and just being yourself. Please don’t ever stop being you, I like you.
Justin, I hope Ben grows up to be like you. You’re a kind, compassionate leader and I loved seeing you succeed at pretty much everything you tried a hand at up here. Listen for God’s move first, and then follow him with everything you’ve got. You’re going to be an awesome husband and dad some day!
Jeremy, thank you for being so awesome with my kids! Whether it was at Mops, Kid’s church or just at your house, they always looked forward to their time with you. Ben prays any time one of his friends gets a boo-boo because you modeled that for him.
Josh, thanks for sharing your legos with the kids and reading with them. Ben still wants to find a kid’s version of “The Hobbit” because you introduced him to chapter books. Also, thanks for diligently helping with set up, mops, kids church and everything else I’m sure you got “dragged” into, but did anyway!
Jaeleya, you’ve always been so welcoming and made us feel special every time we see you…like there’s no one else you’d rather see! That and your smile are some of your beautiful strengths. Keep figuring out who you are in God as his daughter and princess, totally accepted and completely secure.
To the whole family: You might be scared and incredibly overwhelmed but God says “I am with you, I want you to follow my lead. This will be a ride but if you trust me you’ll soar.” Also, guys, don’t be afraid to pastor again, it’s in your DNA. Love you guys!
Here’s to the next chapter!
by Heather | 0 comments
Is the plural of Lego, Lego? Legos? Either way, we’re pretty serious about them around here. Ben follows the directions and puts sets together all by himself. Cassidy needs a little help, but still holds her own. But the best creations are all the random stuff they come up with!
by Heather | 0 comments
It’s been a while since I’ve done a “life update” post, but I just wanted to share some of the things that have been going on around here.
I signed Ben up for Kindergarten! He had his screening last week and I had the parent info night tonight. I’m SO glad we waited, he seems perfectly ready this year. It’s been neat to watch him turn into a little leader and build his confidence over the last few months. I even had another mom come up to me at the playground and tell me since Ben had befriended her son in class this year, her little guy has really come out of his shell.
Cassidy has entered the “terrible three’s” a few months early :) She’s not really that bad, just moody and screamy sometimes. Poor Ben never knows what mood his sister is in these days, I feel for him. She still loves counting things any chance she can get, her princesses, dinosaurs and all the books.
I’ve started working at an organic farm! Just Wednesday afternoons and then when the season picks up, early Friday mornings before Andy leaves for work. I love it! It’s something I’ve always been interested in and sometime down the road would like to pair with graphic design. Agritourism, agricultural education, farm marketing…there’s something in there for me. These are just some first steps :) Right now I’m working in the greenhouse planting seeds, lots and lots of seeds!
Andy officially registered a DBA and has been doing a lot of side engineering projects. He’s also been working really hard on a set of gorgeous oak stairs we’re putting in our front entryway. Seriously who replaces the whole stairs in their house? Ours are just 60s style boards with no backs though, they’re falling apart and not supported well at all. Andy’s been staining, polyurethaning and sanding like a madman in preparation for his parents coming this weekend to help us tear out the old ones and put the new set in.
Our church has a new home! We’re renting out the Victor Sports Academy and it’s been working great for the past month. Sure church is held on astroturf, but considering how much it’s taken to get us here, we’re thrilled! The kids get to have children’s church on tumble mats in the gym, which they love. Andy helped set up all the tech equipment and screens too.
We are thiiiiiiis close to paying off my student loans. I didn’t think it could happen this year but it’s looking like it might! Stay tuned for updates! Afterwards, money will be allocated to pay off Andy’s truck and then we can start saving for land/a cabin/acres in the woods. Or, something like that. We’d be open to staying here if we had a cabin in the woods to escape to. Or if we could find a house with 5-10+ acres around here, that could work too. We love Victor (especially since Ben will be in school here) but would consider Macedon, Bloomfield or Farmington too. The Bristol and Naples areas are beautiful, but with Andy working in Greece it’s a bit unrealistic for us to live there. Maybe a cabin there though? Who knows, we’ll see what happens in the next few years :)
I turn 30 next month! And we’ll have our 10th wedding anniversary the month after that. Whaaaaat? 20s have been great, it’s been awesome to have started life with my best friend by my side. Add a house, a couple of kids, real jobs and two cats and you could almost call me an adult :)
by Heather | 0 comments
We celebrated Maddie’s first birthday last weekend. HOW can she be one already? Becky and Jared picked a Minnie Mouse theme for the party and now Cassidy wants to bring all her Minnie stuff to their house. It was such a nice afternoon celebrating a super sweet little girl :)
