Chris & Kate

Blog transition...

2009-12-07T12:29:00.002-05:00

NEW BLOG

Well, it's just going to be a continuation of this blog. But, it's a new web address. This one is an older format and has some quirks. So...if you follow us, please put this new address in your feeder so you can keep up with us:

www.chrisandkateborders.blogspot.com

Still an odd combination of funny, goofy, serious, random...but that's us :)

Come check us out!

...and in everything give thanks...

2009-11-29T17:19:00.003-05:00

We had a delightful long weekend. Celebrated Thanksgiving at my mom's, then on Friday had a shower for Jess - it was so nice to have time with friends and family. Came home yesterday so we have today to relax and gear up for the week.

But...I left my camera at my mom's, so don't have any pictures to show you. Also left my crocheting there...I was a little disoriented last night when we sat down to watch TV...couldn't blog, couldn't crochet - no project to work on, aahhh! Thankfully I realized it's not too early to start on Christmas cards, so that's what I'll be doing until I get my crocheting back, maybe it's good that I left it at my mom's :)

So until I have pictures to share, you can check out my sister-in-law's blog (that I'm guessing will have pictures soon), and I'll leave you with the verses that were talked about at church this morning. It was wonderfully challenging and encouraging....

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I very much desire to live in light of that - joyful and prayerful, regardless of circumstances, because of Christ.

Comic Relief...

2009-11-24T11:42:00.002-05:00

Got to see my dear friends Sandy and Rachel this past weekend. Sandy was here from Chicago with her beautiful daughter Kiah and Rachel from New York. It was so wonderful to have time with them. BUT...my computer is having major issues so I can't post pictures :( And, it's sad that they are gone (and that my computer is having issues) so, I don't really feel like elaborating - I'll just stick with being so thankful for their friendship and so thankful that we had time together.

Very excited about time with the fam for Thanksgiving...hopefully by next week I'll be able to post pictures and feel like writing details.

For now..the comic relief.

Do you know why most men from Italy are named Tony?
On the boat over to America they put a sticker on them that said TO NY

You know you're Italian when . . . .
You can bench press 325 pounds, shave twice a day and still cry when your mother yells at you.
You carry your lunch in a produce bag because you can't fit two cappicola sandwiches, 4 oranges, 2 bananas and pizzelles into a regularlunch bag.
Your 20 mechanic, plumber, electrician, accountant, travel agent and lawyers are all your cousins.
You have at least 5 cousins living in the same town or on the same block. All five of those cousins are named after your grandfather or grandmother.
You are on a first name basis with at least 8 banquet hall owners.
You only get one good shave from a disposable razor.
If someone in your family grows beyond 5' 9", it is presumed his Mother had an affair.
There were more than 28 people in your bridal party.
You netted more than $50,000 on your first communion.

And you REALLY, REALLY know you're Italian when . . . .
Your grandfather had a fig tree.
You eat Sunday dinner at 2:00.
Christmas Eve . . . only fish.
Your mom's meatballs are the best.
You've been hit with a wooden spoon or had a shoe thrown at you.
Clear plastic covers on all the furniture.
You know how to pronounce "manicotti" and "mozzarella."
You fight over whether it's called "sauce" or "gravy."
You've heard someone called a "mamaluke."
And you understand "bada bing."

Rejoicing and Mourning...

2009-11-19T12:00:00.002-05:00

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15

That's all that we can do. I am so struck by the fact that there are wonderful things and terrible things all happening at the same time...

Rejoicing over new life and mourning over sickness and death

Celebrating life and the delightful good things...birthdays, promotions, coffee with a friend, a yummy meal, new babies, getting ready for the holidays...

Mourning and grieving over sin and brokenness...abuse and injustice, lost jobs, broken relationships, cancer, those who don't have family...

Praise the Lord for mercy. It's only by His grace that we can handle the reality that there is good and bad, rejoicing and mourning, celebrating and grieving. Praise Him for His presence...

Today...

2009-11-11T15:37:00.003-05:00

Today...is Veteran's Day. I have to be honest, there have been years when the day has gone by and I didn't really think about it. And to continue being honest, I would not consider myself particularly patriotic. I am so very thankful for the freedom and safety we have as American's - but I also really struggle with the fact that we have SO much when most others have SO little.

Today, however, I've been thinking about it more. Both of my grandfather's fought in past wars. My grandmother asked me to go with her to the borough hall in the next town where there was a flag flying in my grandfather's honor. Being there, watching her look through the flags to find the one with his name on it, looking at all the flags and thinking of the people who have fought and are fighting RIGHT now....wow.

So as I think about it, here is my conclusion: regardless of your political affiliation or your opinion about the current war we are fighting...we HAVE to be thankful.

Two years ago in Kazakhstan, huge portions of the country did not have heat for the winter. Newborn babies were freezing to death in maternity wards because hospitals did not have heat. Well, hospitals in the poorer parts of the country - the electricity was going to the homes, businesses and restaurants in the wealthier parts of the country so the people who could afford it were nice and toasty. I thought of that almost every night last winter and I'm thinking of it again as the weather turns chilly.

Yes there are people in America who struggle. Very sadly there are people here who sleep outside during the winter. And yes, as a country we make plenty of mistakes. But as a country, we experience freedom and comfort in abundance. So again - whether or not we agree with our government, we have to be so very thankful because by default we enjoy the fruit of the sacrifice of many individuals and families.

1st Hospital Day!

2009-11-05T11:30:00.004-05:00

Today is the first (of what will be many by time school is over) day that Chris will be at a hospital and have his own patient! He'll do the patient's history and basic exams (eyes, ears, nose, throat; basic cardiac, muscular, nerve; etc.) He's nervous but very excited!

For those of you who know Chris you know that he has a great smile when he's really smiling...but that he hates posing for pictures :) So...here's what I got:

Doesn't he look so professional!

I tried to make him laugh so he'd really smile :)

Tough guy headed out the door!

He's working so hard and I'm so super proud of him. He's very much looking forward to the nice long break that he'll get for Christmas...that starts in 5 weeks!

Tomorrow I'm off to upstate New York with mom and Bub for the weekend to spend time with Jon and Jess and go to Jess's baby shower - I can't wait!

New Jersey Moments...

2009-11-02T19:17:00.004-05:00

Chris surprised me and got us tickets to Seton Hall's first pre-season game this past Friday night. Being that I grew up watching them play...it was a fantastic surprise.

Definitely getting back into the college basketball scene now that Chris is in school there.

Go Pirates!!

The fall weather continues to amaze me. Even the rainy days are just beautiful. Walking through the fallen leaves from different trees is like walking through a rainbow...

We had a church dinner last night. We love our church family in Tennessee and miss them terribly. But...we are very thankful that we are making friends and getting connected at the Rutherford Bible Chapel. And I have to say...the cuisine at a church dinner in New Jersey further proves the cultural differences between the north and the south. There were no green beans, no casseroles, no mac and cheese. There was chili and pulled pork, good American staples. Then there was a delicious variety of Indian food, and of course the chicken parm and baked ziti - wouldn't be Jersey without the Italian food. Chris and I had to laugh at how different it was...

We really like the ethnic and cultural diversity around here (and we love that that's reflected in our church). I'm doing some ESL tutoring and enjoying it. The hardest part is not getting to spend more time with the girls. They are in middle school and I can't imagine how hard it is to be new in middle school...and not speak the language. I could get really excited about spending a lot of time in immigrant communities...

For those of you who care what the garage looks like these days...Chris treasures his study breaks.

Happy November!

Flying days...

2009-10-26T14:46:00.003-05:00

I love the fall. We walked to church yesterday - it was cool and crisp, the sun was shining, the leaves were brilliant. It was beautiful. This morning as I walked Shadow, it was chilly and quiet and the leaves rustling beneath my feet were soothing. Fall is a time that makes me want to take a deep breath and absorb the peaceful moments.

While I am very much enjoying the season...I'm feeling a little torn. In some ways I want the days to go slowly so I don't miss anything. But in other ways, I have to admit I like that they are flying by. I like that the end of Chris's semester and seeing his family is in sight.

I'm also feeling torn about about my perspective. In some ways I like the idea of this season of life (Chris being in school) being a quiet one for me. I can enjoy being at home, working and helping Chris...not taking on much else. But then the other part of me is really enjoying the friends we are making and things I'm getting involved in. I don't want to run around crazy, but I like days that are full - productive time at the computer for work and then time spent investing in people.

So...I've decided to be okay with the fact that I have moments of just wanting to watch from a distance, but more moments excited about diving into the new friendship that the Lord has for us here in New Jersey. Enjoying the quiet moments and the crazy ones, thankful that the time is going quickly, but at the same time soaking up as much as I can as it goes...

Back to the routine...

2009-10-20T14:03:00.004-05:00

I am so, so thankful that Chris was able to join me for the last few days of my trip to Maryville. I really don't have words for how much I love the sight and sound of Chris and his friends working and laughing in the garage...

In our friends' house, where we spent most of our time for the few days we were in Maryville together, the living room shares a wall with the garage. So as the girls and I sat there and talked we would occasionally hear uproars of laughter from Chris and the guys in the garage. Music to my ears.

Not only is time in the garage a good mental break from school for Chris, but the garage is where they connect, where they have fun and have real conversations about what's really going on. I am eternally grateful to the men in Maryville (you know who you are even though you're not all in these pictures...) who are real community, the church, to Chris.

Honestly, I don't have many more pictures :) Never remembered to use my camera when I was hanging out with the girls and had no time to use the camera for all the work stuff that went on!

Because I don't have the energy to go into all the work details...it suffices to say that my time in Marville was a very productive for work and wonderfully refreshing for me personally.

And now it's back to the routine. At the computer working, sitting in class, cooking with Bub, studying, looking for ways to get connected in Rutherford.

While we really miss everyone in Maryville and it was hard to say goodbye again, the trip was a good opportunity to see that we can stay connected with people from a distance and that's it is possible to stay connected with Maryville people as we connect with people here in Rutherford.

Praying that whether close or far away, that you know real community...

Surprise!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-15T21:24:00.003-05:00

This picture is Chris and Curt, in the Newvines garage....in Maryville TN....about 20 minutes ago!!!! Chris came to Maryville! He had off today and tomorrow for fall break. When we talked about it before we didn't think it would work, but Chris made it work! Of course I'm soooo excited to see him, makes it even MORE fun for me to be here. But...mostly I'm excited that he gets guy time!!!!

Other pics from my time in Maryville...

Birthday celebration

Chris and some of his favorite girls - I arrived for a short visit with some friends this afternoon....and there he was!!!

Work has been busy and stressful, but good. Seeing friends has been fantastic. More later, just wanted to share my surprise with you :)

Travels and Tests...

2009-10-08T16:28:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lack of updating...things have been a little busy recently. I'm at the airport in Charlotte at the moment waiting to go to Knoxville. The trip is for work, but I am very much looking forward to seeing friends. Very bummed that Chris could not come (can't miss class)...but hopefully it will be a good trip. Main purpose for the trip is a video shoot we're doing for work. It's all I've thought about for the past few days so I don't feel like writing about it at the moment - sorry! For those of you interested I'll fill you in another time...

On an exciting note....Chris did SO WELL on his first practical exam. For this practical he had to do a patient examination in a certain amount of time. I won't tell you that he did PERFECT on it...because he wouldn't want me bragging about him. But he did :) He works so hard and I am so, so proud of him.

I have to say...I'm enjoying being in New Jersey, but the South is just less stressful. Ya'll have a good week :)

Probably won't be an update until after I get back to New Jersey, which is on the 18th.

The weekend in food...

2009-09-27T15:11:00.002-05:00

My dear husband turned 27 yesterday. His requested birthday breakfast? Biscuits and Gravy :) I hear that for a Yankee I make pretty good gravy. So... we started the day with a nice breakfast.

After Chris spent most of the day studying, we decided to try our hand at being local. Chris thought finding a local pub sounded like fun - the reviews of the one we found said things like "...best burger you have ever had" (Chris was hooked) and "...if you're not local and your last name isn't Italian, be prepared to feel very out of place." Chris did say his burger was the best he's had since living in NJ, and I think we an okay job of blending. We sat at the bar waiting for a table. The guy sitting next to us...works on motorcycles and wants to move to East Tennessee!

For weeks my grandmother has been talking about the vegetable market that she goes to. I went yesterday to stock up - she and I are spending the next 2 weeks detoxing. The market is basically an indoor, year-round farmers market. Great selection, great prices - no more supermarket produce for me!

The gist of the detox is to cut out foods that are hard for your body to process to give your body and break and a chance to clear out your systems/organs: lymph, digestive, liver, kidneys, etc. So we'll be cutting out processed food, caffeine and alcohol, sugars, wheat, pork...
So I was intrigued when I read on a friends blog that she put spinach into a fruit smoothie. She assured me that you could not taste the spinach.

So Bub and I kicked of the detox this morning with a strawberry-banana-peach-almond milk-spinach smoothie. It was delicious! The banana was the strongest flavor. Other than the very green color - you'd never know it had a ton of spinach in it! Not sure how much I'll blog about the detox. If you have questions let me know. This is my 3rd (or 4th?) time doing it and I'm a big fan. I really like the idea of once a year just giving my body a break, making a concerted effort to get rid of some of the junk that has built up. There is plenty of really yummy food to eat, just takes a little effort. Read about it HERE and let me know if you have questions....(and just because it says "for women" it can be for anyone - Chris has done it before and felt like it made a difference). Oh - and we're using THIS natural supplement to aid in the detox...

Doesn't it just make you want to try it?? :)

Little House...

2009-09-19T22:21:00.002-05:00

I wanted to be Laura Ingles Wilder when I was a little girl. We were not allowed to watch a lot of television...and I always chose Little House on the Prairie. So...it was really special and really fun that mom, Bub and I got to go see Little House on the Prairie the musical to celebrate Bub's birthday.

In honor of Bub I wore my red heels. She and mom looked fantastic and were wonderful company, as always. We went to this really great new cafe in Rutherford. I will most definitely be going back there - they have wireless internet and reasonably priced tea and coffee drinks. It'll be a nice change of pace for work :)

The musical was fun - they combined a lot of books/seasons/years of the story into a few hours...but it was still very entertaining. We got there a few minutes late because we ended up going through Newark (crazy traffic, the crazy New Jersey driver in me came out...but that's a whole different story.) But...since we were late we had to park the car in the back parking lot. After the show we took our time leaving the theater, waited in the long line for the ladies room and started making our way to the car. But...since it had been a little while and our car was behind the building...Melissa Gilbert was out there! So, we snapped a few pictures and since there wasn't much of a crowd left - got her autograph :)

Yup - that's a woman wearing a bonnet getting her autograph - there was a lot of those!

This morning we had a lovely breakfast and wandered around the Rutherford farmers market. I do have to say I felt pretty Laura Ingles today. We bought apple cider at the market that was pressed yesterday and I made an apple pie that made the house smell oh-so cozy...

And...Chris is studying his brains out. Yes...that entire peace of paper is covered with information he had to learn between Friday and Monday

Happy reminiscing :)

Familiar Comforts...

2009-09-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Fall is quickly approaching - there are extra blankets on the bed, sweatpants are a regular, the leaves are just starting to change and I'm excited. Fall is so...cozy. It's comforting.

My main comfort? People. And it always reminds me that God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other. While we are really missing our people in Maryville, I'm thankful for the people who are here.

Love that we see Bub all the time, mom on a regular basis, Dad & Katy and Jon & Jess are not too much of a drive, and although we haven't seen many of the aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...they are around and that's nice to know :)

And interestingly enough - friends that go back all the way to the beginning of my life are around as well.

Megan was born 3 weeks before I was - our mom's met while they were pregnant, so literally we have known each other since we were born. We kept in pretty good touch for the first 18 years, but the last 11 have just been the occasional email or phone call. But now...we live about 10 minutes from each other! We've had lunch a few times and I'm excited that we can be friends-that-see-each-other-on-a-regular-basis. Very comforting.

Christy, Benssy, Isaiah, and Josiah - some good friends form TN live just an hour and a half from here. I was able to be there when Josiah was born and we look forward to seeing them on a regular basis...

A number of close friends from college are on the East coast (NY and DC) and I look forward to seeing them...Kathy stayed with us this past weekend and it was wonderful to have time with her...

This afternoon I'm headed to VA for a few days to visit a friend from high school. Get to hang out with her, her hubby and their baby and watch her perform in a show.

Very thankful for my people.

Most of Chris's time is spent at school and studying...pray that he'll find some people around here too!

Trivia Answers

2009-09-03T17:30:00.004-05:00

Well, blog readers...you are good.

The answers, are indeed:

Chick-fil-a for the restaurant I didn't think existed above the Mason-Dixon line and has a location a mere 20 minutes from us!!
And Sonic for the restaurant I didn't think existed in the northeast and has 2 locations not far from us that are CONSTANTLY packed and CONSTANTLY have lines at the drive through and ALL THE WAY AROUND THE BUILDING AND DOWN THE ROAD.

And now for some details...

I had never heard of Chick-fil-A until I was 22, out of college and moved to Tennessee. And for the first few years I didn't even try it. I thought people were weird (or just had never had good food) for how excited they were about it. But then...I eventually tried it, and I was hooked.

Okay, it is fast food. But for fast food it's real and it's good and it is now comfort food for Chris and I. And I totally thought there were none around here (which is why I gave away my coupons). And thanks to my new friend Stephanie (who I have never met, but we plan to remedy that soon) I now know that there is one just 11 miles away!

And...Chris wants some comfort food, so we're going tonight for dinner :) Seriously, I know you don't believe me and you think it was my idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited...but it was Chris's idea.

And...free sandwiches on Monday if you were sports attire!

Sonic. Never heard of this one until I was in college - had a milk shake (which I loved) and didn't really think of it again until we lived in Maryville. No where near as good as Chick-fil-A, but if we were on the road Chris would get a burger and I would get the chicken fingers - it worked.

But COME ON! You would think they invented a new food group or something! I'm not exaggerating with the lines down the road....at 11:00 at night! It is absolutely ridiculous. And while we will go to Chick-fil-A every once in a while for comfort food, I don't know that we'll go to Sonic. There is SO MUCH good food around here...why waste calories, right?

Speaking of which...your prize is that when you come to visit I will take you someplace BESIDES Sonic or Chick-fil-A :) I know...kind of lame. But when you come you'll be glad. There is nothing like the pizza or the bagels and you can get excellent Italian...or just about any kind of cuisine you would like. So...come redeem your prizes :)

A toast....to another first

2009-08-31T17:20:00.000-05:00

In some ways today feels like just another day. But I know how different these next few years are going to be from the last few. So, if we were making a big deal out of today (which, in very Chris fashion, we're not) I would make a toast. And if I were to make a toast, this is what I would say...

To Chris - my servant-hearted, hard-working husband...

First day of classes to work towards applying to PA school - January 2007

To the last 5 years that have been crazy and wonderful. Full of friends and projects, lots of hard work and lots of fun...full of flexibility to do what needed to be done whenever the need arose.

More science classes - August 2007

To the next 5 years that are going to be full of medical terminology, hospitals and studying, and seeing what's in store for our lives as you become a PA
Celebrating the end of a semester

And to trusting that although this next season is going to be different than the last one, that we'll walk through it with joy and thankfulness and still find time for the motorcycles....

Cheers.

Today, the first day of grad school

We're off to a good start - Chris was home by 4:30, we took Shadow for a walk and he told us about his day. He's studying, I'm catching up on paperwork (and blogging) and we're looking forward to having dinner together.

Praise the Lord for His grace...

Family time...

2009-08-31T08:08:00.005-05:00

So I have to say...it's been really hard being away from our friends in Maryville - we miss you guys! But, what has made being in New Jersey great is that we are near my family. Here's how this past weekend went.

Thursday Chris and I drove to mom's to drop off Shadow so he could stay with her for the weekend. I helped (well, tried unsuccessfully to help) her with her computer and we had pizza together.

Friday morning we headed to CT for a weekend with Dad and Katy. They both work from home so it was easy for me to spend the afternoon working and Chris to spend it studying.

Chris likes to study walking around...

Being that it was chilly and rainy, we had a very relaxing weekend, mostly just hanging out. Our big outing for the weekend was to this very cool truck museum...The Golden Age of Trucking.

Of course Chris made friends with one of the gentlemen who worked there, and he told us about this amazingly rare Cadillac. If I'm remembering correctly...it was made in 1931, only one of 5 that was shipped to England to be put together, only had 2 owners since 1931, and is worth 1.2 million dollars. Wow. And the guy popped the hood and was telling us all about it :)

Behind the very expensive Cadillac...Chris's favorite in the whole place - the tow truck :)

These (above and below) are for Darden - someone make sure he sees them :) There were a number of cool, old fire trucks and Chris kept saying, "This is what Darden wants!"

They let me take one for a test drive!!! Just kidding :) But it was cool that they had an open cab so you could see what the inside looked like.

A number of the wheels were made at Alcoa!

So, after a lovely weekend in CT we got back home just as Bub was putting together her famous eggplant parmigiana - it's the best ever. Mom came over to bring Shadow back...and bring our hangers that have been at her house since we moved here 6 weeks ago! So Bub cooked, mom helped me hang clothes, Chris played in the garage, and then we all ate together.

So, while we really miss everyone, we are thoroughly enjoying being near family.

Yes, Chris started school today and yes I took pictures. That post will be coming very soon, don't worry :)

And yes, answers to the trivia in the previous post coming soon as well.

Guess what???

2009-08-28T16:30:00.001-05:00

A little blog trivia for you...

Guess what restaurant I didn't think existed above the Mason-Dixon line has a location just 20 minutes from us??? (I'm embarrassed by how excited I am about this one!)

On similar yet different note: still the restaurant category, (using the word restaurant loosely) but this one I don't find exciting so much as I do mind-boggling
Guess what restaurant I didn't think existed in the northeast has 2 locations not far from us and is CONSTANTLY packed and CONSTANTLY has a line at the drive through and ALL THE WAY AROUND THE BUILDING AND DOWN THE ROAD? I'm talking cones set up, employees out there talking to the people, even at 11PM!! It's ridiculous...

And if you guess correctly...there will be prizes! (Let's see who's really reading...)

No prizes for these - but...

We went out on the motorcycles with my mom and her friends! She doesn't have her own, but she was riding :) It was fun...and more beautiful New Jersey roads!!

We are in Connecticut visiting Dad and Katy this weekend...and it's 61 degrees! We are anticipating a lovely weekend, but chilly for the end of August!

Happy Friday :)

A new season...

2009-08-24T10:07:00.000-05:00

I ironed Chris's clothes last night. Dress pants and a dress shirt. I can count of one hand the number of times I've ironed for either of us in the last 5 years. I have a feeling I'll be ironing on a regular basis for awhile.

At Jon and Jess's wedding - June, 2006

For the past 5 years our lives have been very flexible. Our first year of marriage Chris was in school and we both worked part time - me in the office at Wears Valley Ranch and Chris with the youth at our church. Right around when Chris finished school I started on my adventure with HisKdis Sports and Chris started his home repair/remodel business. Two and a half years ago Chris started taking classes to pursue a medical degree, and continued the home repair work. 6 months ago right around when we found out he was accepted to Seton Hall, HisKids Sports merged with World Orphans.

Working on the house in Maryville

All that to say, we've been working very hard but our schedules were flexible and work clothes were casual. I'll maintain a fair amount of flexibility and casual attire since I work from home, but today Chris dove into the world of schedules and professional attire. Orientation today and tomorrow and then he officially starts PA school on Monday.

Visiting Kari and Jonathan - France, December, 2006

We've been getting ready for this for awhile. We are so grateful that the Lord has brought us here and we look forward to seeing what He's going to do during these 3 years that Chris is in school. Thank you for walking with us.

Working on the house in Maryville

Note: The picture have no connection to the post - just random pics of us :)

A walk downtown....

2009-08-14T15:54:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are interested...Shadow and I went for a walk downtown (which is less than a mile from where we live now) - and this is what we saw...

Dunkin Donuts is everywhere in New Jersey - I like that ours is not free standing and tucked behind some trees :)

I remember going to this restaurant...20 plus years ago - I love that it's still here.

Our street

And our house! Well, not ours - grandma's. But, home for the next few years and we love it!

Family Time

2009-08-08T21:52:00.003-05:00

We really miss our friends in Tennessee. But...one of the major reasons we're so glad to be in New Jersey, is that we will have opportunities we haven't had in the last lot of years to do the family stuff that goes on here. This weekend...celebrating my mom's birthday with Jon and Jess (who are in town from New York state...about 3 hours from here.)

Lovely walk in a park not far from my mom's

Out to eat (Our server was a lady we have known since we lived here in the mid-80's. So fun to see her!)

Ice cream and walk after dinner...

Nice things about New Jersey...

2009-08-06T14:20:00.008-05:00

I happen to think there are a lot of nice things about New Jersey. But I know that's hard to believe for those of you who have never been here. So...a look at what we've been up to.

We participated in a HUGE charity motorcycle ride with my youth pastor from high school, Peter, and a few people from his church...it was so fun!

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture, but a dog with goggles and a helmet was the passenger in this side car - it was awesome!

Also unfortunately, I did not get any picture of the scenery (being that I was riding my motorcycle) BUT....there are a lot of beautiful places around here! And if you don't believe me (Joe Covert) you'll just have to come see for yourself!

Chris and Peter. I know, not the best picture of Chris - but I like that they have the same style:)

Went to the city a few nights ago to see my dear friend Felicia...

...and have dinner with my Uncle Joe. I have to say I love that we are a quick, cheap bus ride away from Manhattan. A few random pics from our evening...

Another nice thing about New Jersey....my 2 best friends from growing up are close! Actually neither of them actually live here anymore, but their parents do! I've already seen them and we've only been here a few weeks - so I'm looking forward to seeing them on a somewhat regular basis! (Which has not happened in the last...10 years!)

Me, Nicole, Jess

Jess's son Cameron - how cute is he??

Posts Coming Soon:

A tour of Rutherford
Pictures of my grandma's house where we're living
Chris rides his motorcycle through Newark

Until then...

Chris's work bench - I know, looks like he's lived here for years :)

And his other work bench! He is LOVING the garage!

Introduced Bub to skpye! She's talking to my mom here, even though mom only lives 30 minutes away and we get to see her on a regular basis too!!

Lots of deer in New Jersey - pretty in your backyard (but this pic is not our yard) - not so pretty when they run in front of your car...

Sneak preview of the house:

My work space in the attic - more organized picture coming...when I get more organized :)

The attic which is both my office and our bedroom for the moment...

Common sight these days and probably for the next 3 years - Chris studying is medical terminology

Shadow during a storm...he is so pathetic.

Cozy corner in the sunroom, which I think is my favorite part of the house!

We're doing pretty well - really miss everyone in Maryville, but glad to be here and be near everyone who is here....

A cause worth getting behind...

2009-07-28T13:27:00.003-05:00

Some may say I'm biased about World Orphans because I work for them, but I'm not so sure. I am beyond grateful to work for them, but that is because I'm passionate about seeing orphans rescued...and that is what they are about!

In a nutshell, World Orphans exists to partner churches in the West with indigenous churches around the world (mostly in 3rd world countries) who are caring for orphans.

Why is getting involved with churches around the world important? Because...there are over 143 million orphans in the world.

In the past hour…

1,625 children were forced to live on the streets by the death or abuse of an adult
1,667 children under the age of five died from malnutrition and vaccine-preventable diseases
115 children became prostitutes
66 children under 15 were infected with HIV
257 children were orphaned because of HIV/AIDS

There are lots of ways you can get involved - here are some of your options to stay current with what World Orphans is doing, know how to pray, and know how to take action (donate and tell others how to donate, see options for travel, etc.):

Join the World Orphans facebook page by clicking HERE
Read the World Orphan blogs - this link will tell you when people update
Sign up to be on World Orphans mailing list by clicking HERE

Walking...

2009-07-25T18:27:00.001-05:00

A few catchup pictures of the walking we did last week...

Times Square with the Newvine crew

We were at FAO Shwarz...I HAD to play on the big piano :)

These two (above and below) are for Curt....full-size made from Legos. Awesome.

This one is for LaDonna - we miss you!

So I think Bub's house is giving me a workout - the only bathroom is on the second floor, and my office (and our bedroom at the moment) is in the attic...which has some steep steps. My legs and back feel like I've been doing some major exercising. Case in point - Chris just asked me to do something for him in the basement. That was 3 flights down and 3 back up...definitely a workout!

Looking towards downtown from the park

And I am thoroughly enjoying the sidewalks and the pretty streets of Rutherford. Shadow and I went for 2 walks yesterday. In the morning we wandered through the streets of pretty houses near where we live and walked by the place where my grandparents taught me to ride a bike...26ish years ago. Then last night Bub came with us - we went the other direction and enjoyed more pretty houses and walked past the school I went to from Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

The park

Then this morning Chris and I took Shadow and explored downtown Rutherford to get a feel for what's there. After walking through the downtown we got a pastry and coffee from the local bakery and sat in the park to eat them.

Our list of things to do after our walk through downtown Rutherford (including but not limited to) - and this is all within walking distance of where we are living:

The Park Avenue Sweet Shop (lots of chocolate and cupcakes)
Freshly baked bagels
The little Greek place that looks like it has really yummy gyros
2 for the price of 1 burgers
Breakfast outside of the Steakhouse the just started doing breakfast Saturday and Sunday
Farmers Market on Wednesday
And lots more walking to take care of all the eating we'll be doing!

Tomorrow we're going to visit a church that is right downtown and my mom has know the Pastor and his wife for as long as I can remember.

Chris wired the garage today - he's very excited about his workshop :)

Still plugging away at the unpacking, but already enjoying the walks, meeting the neighbors, going to an art class with Bub, having meals with her, and her friends that always seem to be stopping by :) We feel like it's going to take awhile to really have our stuff settled, but we are very thankful that although we miss our friends in Maryville and our family that is still far away - our hearts feel settled here and we are excited to see how life unfolds.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

The Trip North...

2009-07-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

How much of our goodbye pictures and thoughts make in on the blog is yet to be determined. My dear friend LaDonna has some on her blog...

One of the things we really wanted to do before leaving was go to the vintage bike night with our bike-riding friends. We were able to do that just a few nights before leaving, which we are so thankful for...

I have had this clock since I was about 5 years old! And it still worked fine, but...we couldn't keep everything and Chris finally talked me into getting rid of it. Sad face saying goodbye to the clock :)

The bike night was just one of many wonderful times we had with our friends getting ready to say goodbye. Last Friday we loaded up the truck...

...and loaded up the motorcycles...

...and the bicycles....

...and headed north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Sweet LaDonna made me comfort food for the road - popcorn and brownies! I polished off both before getting to New Jersey.

Shadow was a bit unsettled with all the packing and moving around. He was very happy when he realized he was going with us. He did wonderfully on the long ride.

We are so, so thankful to our good friends Joy and David for making the trip from TN with us, and to Christy and Benssy for coming from Southern NJ to help unload - they were all a huge help!

Our stuff sprawled in Bub's backyard

Chris eying the space for his new work bench

Which was one of the first things he did when we got here :)

Bub made a feast for us to enjoy after unloading the truck - it was delicious as always!

Joy and David both had birthdays while being here. We celebrated Joy's with a cake...David got to go to Yankee stadium and see a game for his!

And seeing Isaiah just made everything a little easier

So Sunday and Monday we unloaded and worked on unpacking, Tuesday was the Yankee game, yesterday we went to Manhattan (possibly pictures coming...we'll see how things go!), today Joy and David are heading to PA to visit family then back to TN (sad face) and Chris and I are going to start figuring out what life looks like in New Jersey...stay tuned :)

Catch 'ya on the flip side

2009-07-17T15:16:00.002-05:00

We're pulling out in a few hours to move to New Jersey. We're excited about our new adventure, very sad about leaving Maryville, and at the moment exhausted. But...the Lord is good and things are getting done and we are so thankful for the support we have here and up North. Pictures and real thoughts to come when I have a little more energy. Love ya :)

BRIEF update

2009-07-09T15:11:00.001-05:00

We just closed on our house. It's been an exhausting and emotional few days. It's been amazing to watch the Lord order our steps and provide what we need. We have a week of down time and then head to NJ next Friday. Hopefully I'll have the energy to post some pictures and real thoughts between now and then. But at the moment...I'm taking a deep breath and being relieved that we're through the process of getting out of the house and closing on the sale.

Guess who is going to be an aunt????????

2009-07-07T16:27:00.002-05:00

Yup....ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jon and Jess are having a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can keep up with them on their blog.

I've been itching to tell you...I'm glad I can now!! :)

See you later...part 2

2009-07-06T13:46:00.007-05:00

This was a very common site this weekend...everyone walking towards the boat dock. We had a fantastically fun and relaxing time with Chris's family in South Carolina this past weekend. It was great to have the time with them and we were very thankful to have the downtime before the craziness of moving and closing on the house...

Morgan and Ree

Don't all those pictures just say "peaceful" to you...

Chris and I had sooo much fun playing on the jet skies!

Corrie and Stephen (is that how you spell his name Corrie?)

Yes - that is Emogene on the tube with me, Morgan and Corrie - it was awesome!

I purposefully went with Emogene so I'd have an easier ride - Eric wasn't quite so nice to these guys!

Eric had entirely too much fun with the fireworks - they were like little kids on Christmas morning getting them ready!

We went and saw the lake fireworks (we had a perfect spot) and then we went back to Karin and Eric's for our own personal fireworks show. Some of the best I've seen in a long time - it was so fun!

So Karin and Eric and crew....thanks for a wonderful weekend!!

I believe next time you hear from me we'll have closed on our house...I'll let you know how it goes! Toodles :)

See you later...part one

2009-07-01T12:53:00.011-05:00

Unfortunately the time to say goodbye (which I am referring to as "see you later") is quickly approaching. We have been keeping busy with work (normal World Orphans stuff for me and Chris is building a deck for some friends) and of course...packing up the house. We are making as much time as possible for just being with friends and family. Last weekend we went to Marietta to say "see you later" to some of Chris's family. We're sad that we won't be an easy 3 hour drive away, but so thankful that we'll still get to see them!

Note: This may only be interesting if you are a Borders or know the family well :)

Always a pleasure to see Ed and Jo Chupp

Pop and Emogene...the ever gracious hosts (we get to be with them again this weekend in South Carolina...visiting with more of Chris's family!)

We had a blast spending all of Saturday evening with the Allgood Road Borders...

Madeline just loves Chris!

The kids are getting so big!

Queenie and Pa are doing well...it was great to have some time to sit and chat

The rest are pictures of all the amazing work Stephen and Beth have done to the house on the hill - another note: they may only be interesting if you have seen/lived in the house :)

Looking from the new room (where the porch used to be) into the kitchen

Kitchen fireplace

Stephen in his new kitchen!

The new room (where the porch was)

Another view from the new room

Living room fireplace

Living room doors...

More living room

Beth and her red front door! She's very excited about it :)

Madeline's (Kari's) Room (above and below)

Jackson's (Queenie and Pa's) Room

The master bath (above and below)

Master (Carolyn's I think) bedroom

Upstairs laundry room and Beth's secret prayer room

From the upstairs addition looking into the old part of upstairs

Upstairs (in addition) bath

Upstairs (addition) great room - love this picture of Beth!

Stephen and the kids playing...priceless

So...this weekend we're in Columbia South Carolina with Chris's family. We are looking forward to a relaxing time, before the craziness of final packing, moving and closing on our house (we close this coming Thursday, July 9). So...I'm off to take pictures and relax :) I'll attempt to get pics from this weekend posted before we close - but if not I'll get to it shortly thereafter. We're in TN for a week after we close staying with some friends (taking a deep breath and saying "see you later" to everyone there) and we're heading to NJ on Friday July 19th.

Ta-ta for now!

The Last Hurrah...

2009-06-20T17:54:00.000-05:00

That's what I called the party we had at our hast last night....The Last Hurrah at the Borders. We wanted one last time to have people to our home before it doesn't look like home anymore as we start really packing.

We close in a little less than 3 weeks. Logistically things are coming along, which we are very thankful for. The reality of saying goodbye is getting harder...but we also continue to be excited about New Jersey.

Chris got his packet of info from Seton Hall and is even more excited about starting school.

Curt and Justin bolted out the door at the sound of the ice cream man. Turned out to just be the slushy man, but they were still excited :)

I didn't remember to take pictures of everyone :( But...it was wonderful to have time to hang out with people - certainly a significant part of the closure process...

Pictures of the yard...interspersed with more ramblings :)

Speaking of closure...it's been a good day. I was tempted to try to run around being productive, but Chris reminded me of how busy we have been and will continue to be and that a quiet day would be good.

And it's been great. I walked through the Maryville Farmer's Market and then went and got my favorite drink at the coffee shop downtown and sat and read my book.

Then after wandering through the cute boutique downtown I came back and baked a cake...and am about to watch a movie :)

Chris took his motorcycle and went to his favorite spot in the mountains and read for a while. After coming back here for lunch he's been riding and working on motorcycles with friends.

Cile, these are the ones from you!

So, I'm thankful we have both had the time to go to favorite places we may not go to again and have a restful day...

I'm pretty sure both the hydrangeas are from Chris's grandparents...

Busy week with work and packing ahead, but we have time with friends on the calendar and we're headed to Marietta next weekend...so it'll be good :)

I'm so thankful for Chris's work in the yard - I love it!

We went to the mountains...

2009-06-15T18:35:00.005-05:00

Well, first we went to the Sunsphere! Located at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville (built for the 1982 World Fair) there is a bar on the 5th floor of the sphere (only there since last year - they remodeled the sphere around 2007-2008) that looks out over downtown Knoxville. I love seeing a city from the highest point, so this was definitely on my to do list before moving. We had a long week and a long day on Friday, but we put on our big kid shoes and had a nice night just hanging out. Unfortunately I got NO good pictures from the top...lighting was terrible. But trust me, it was cool.

Then Saturday morning we headed to Black Mountain, NC with Joe and LaDonna. I think it's impossible for Joe and Chris in the same space without taking something apart, changing it, and putting it back together again. So of course they decided they needed to modify Joe's bike before we left...

All packed and ready to go (Chris's is the cool looking bike, mine is the pack mule. Don't let the looks fool you, I can totally go faster than he can.)

Joe and Ladonna - all ready to go!

LaDonna took way more pictures than I did, but I think if I don't blog about this now it won't happen. So either I'll post more pictures when I get them from her, or I'll just send you to her blog :)

We stayed with good friends of ours, Breena and David, who live in Black Mountain. They very graciously hosted us and we had a great time hanging out with them.

Of course Joe and Chris found a car show...

I think they were drooling :)

So we headed over on Saturday, tooled around Black Mountain a bit (super cute downtown) then grilled out with Breena and David.

Sunday morning we slept in and had a leisurely morning at this awesome coffee shop, and hopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a lovely, leisurely ride home.

Like I said, LaDonna took more pictures than I did, so I don't have good scenery pictures. But...I definitely had a moment (a long moment) on the way home thinking about the mountains. I moved to Tennessee after graduating from college very unsure about whether or not I even wanted to come. Just the other day I was talking to a friend from college who said she remembered me debating over whether or not I wanted to move here (to work at Wears Valley Ranch) and she remembered me saying, "well, it's just a year - I can always do something else in a year." Well, here I am....SEVEN YEARS later, sad about saying goodbye to East Tennessee. She pointed out that you just never know what's in store...

So I realized that for some reason I'm really going to miss the mountains. (Not like I'm going to miss my friends, but still...) As I was driving through them yesterday I realized it's because they feel safe and secure. The trees and the rocks are so big and beautiful, they just swallow you in peace. Whether I'm hiking or driving through them or looking at them out the window of an airplane, the mountains are comforting to me.

As I was thinking about it I realized what about that I want to take with me when we leave. The reality is that just like New Jersey will always be a part of me because I grew up there, and Chicago will always be a part of me because I went to school there, now East Tennessee will always be a part of me because of the years I have spent here. And I hope we have more motorcycle trips through the mountains. But mostly I hope to remember that God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) So that wherever I am, longing for the sense of security I feel in the wooded mountains, God is my ever-present, never-failing refuge...regardless of what's around me.

Well....there's my thought for the day. And it made me think of this Thoreau quote:
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Stay tuned...party on Friday!

Get ready....

2009-06-12T11:21:00.005-05:00

...because Monday is National Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day!

For some of you that may be more work than others (like if you have to go out and buy a motorcycle! :) For those of you who have one...ride to work on Monday!

And not as exciting, but get ready for my post about the date Chris and I will have tonight...266 feet above Knoxville. And...about our motorcycle trip to Black Mountain, NC this weekend! Stay tuned :)

Happy Friday!!

A day full of gifts...

2009-06-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a very full, but wonderful day. I've been worried that I'll get focused on either work or moving and one will suffer. Yesterday was well balanced and for that I'm very thankful.

I was super productive with work stuff during the day. Then I came home and....

Bonus: Hurray for fruit being yummy and affordable in the summer!

Chris was working on the attic, which was something I really wanted to get done. So...while I don't like that it's time to start packing, it is - and I'm thankful we got some organizing and packing done in a short amount of time. And then....

We went to a tea/coffee shop in Knoxville the caters to the vintage motorcycle crowd! Combining coffee and motorcycles - perfect for us :) The Time Warp Tea Room has a vintage bike night every Tuesday. We've been talking for years about going, and we finally went last night - it was super fun. So....to have a productive day at work, a productive few hours packing, and a fun date (that included a delicious iced mocha) all in one day...fantastic!

Lilies in the yard...

Flowers from my garden (read Chris's garden - he does all the work, I get to enjoy the flowers! I did make the arrangement though :)

And another gift from yesterday...Chris came home planning (but not wanting) to mow the yard. And....it was already mowed! We think it was an angel. It was probably our next door neighbor....but definitely a gift from the Lord!

We're really going to miss the yard...so we're really enjoying the flowers. If you're in Maryville you have to come hang out with us the evening of Friday June 19th (anytime after 5)...especially to see the flowers :)

That sinking feeling....

2009-06-08T11:27:00.002-05:00

You know the one. You have a thought, you realize something you hadn't realized before...your stomach knots up and then drops.

I had that feeling yesterday. We were at church, the service was over, I was chatting with the sweet couple sitting next to us...and it hit me. We're only going to be at church 2 more times before we move! (Feeling worse as I write this...)

River Oaks has been home and family to us for the last 7 years.
Chris has been at River Oaks since 2001
I've been there since 2002
We met there and started dating in 2003
We got married in 2004
In 2005 we decided NOT to move away from Maryville...because of River Oaks and our friends there.

And now here we are...North Carolina next weekend (motorcycle trip with good friends)
Here in Maryville the weekend of June 20th
Marietta the last weekend in June (visiting Chris's family)
South Carolina 4th of July weekend (visiting more of Chris's family)
Final Sunday at River Oaks July 12th
Heading to NJ Saturday July 18th.

Craziness.

Some first lasts...

2009-06-02T18:16:00.003-05:00

I had my first real good-bye already...a few of them actually. Some of the dear girls from church that I have walked with since they were in middle school/early high school are now in college! They are off to working at camp and going on mission trips this summer - by the time they are back in town we'll be in New Jersey...

Can't believe I forgot to take pics for the last time I'll see these girls before we move to New Jersey. But...good thing I've taken lots of pics over the years!

On a happier note...We got our last mortgage bill! We'll pay this one and the next time we hear from our mortgage company they'll be writing us a check - praise the Lord!! :)

Sigh of Relief....

2009-05-25T15:15:00.004-05:00

A big concern of mine was just put to rest...it looks like Rutherford, NJ (where Chris and I will be living) has a nice public library. Whew!!

Fall view from the wall of windows at the library

Yes, in case you're wondering, I was being sarcastic about it being a big concern. Well...kind of :) Chris and I LOVE the public library here in Maryville and we use it ALL the time.

Part of the park you can walk to from the library

I'm not expecting anywhere else in the world to have as nice of a library as we have here...it overlooks the park, good combination of common and private space, COFFEE SHOP IN THE LIBRARY, good movies, good book selection, Wi-Fi...it's just a beautiful place to be. But...Rutherford's library does have Wi-Fi, so it can be an office for me if I'm going stir-crazy in my home office. (Remember...I'm keeping my job and working from home - praise the Lord! While I anticipate loving the office I'll have in my grandmother's attic...I know I'll need to get out sometimes.)

Farmer Market within walking distance from the library

So in other not-so-urgent news...we're just plugging away here. Oh, I guess this is a big deal - we have a contract on our house! We're praising the Lord - we are so thankful for how smoothly things have gone. If all goes according to plan we'll close on our house in early July and head to NJ around July 18th.

So, we're preparing to pack (but won't actually do it until right before we close on our house) and spending as much time as we can with our friends, who we are going to miss terribly...

I'm plugging away with work as usual and Chris is keeping very busy with odd jobs - everyone wants to get him to do the projects they've had in mind before we're gone :)

Hope you're enjoying your day off and remembering the great sacrifice that many have made for us to enjoy the freedom that we do. Cheers!

Prest-O....change-O!

2009-05-12T16:14:00.006-05:00

We had a request for pictures of the yard. So if you're interested in details of what the backyard looks like having gone from this...

...and this...

...to now THIS...

And what the front yard looks like having gone from this....

...and this...

...to now THIS...

...JUST CLICK HERE!
Yes, Shadow is pooping in the nice picture of the backyard - sorry!!

To the women in my life...

2009-05-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

I am grateful beyond words for the countless amazing women God has placed in my life.
But especially grateful for the ones who give me life, not just physically but who have made my life what it is...I praise and thank God for you.
In preparation for moving I was going through old letters and cards that I have saved - I was struck, again, by how well I am loved...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom and Bub, I love you!

Going through old photos too - I can spend hours looking through them! 4 generations of Rago/Guidetti women - Circa...1993ish? Mom, do you have a more accurate idea of when this picture was taken?

And Cile, I am so thankful that you are my mother-in-law...love and hugs from both of us - Happy Mother's Day!

Fight for Justice: Drink Coffee

2009-05-04T13:06:00.004-05:00

I take the issue of fighting for justice very seriously, so I'm not being funny by saying "fight for justice: drink coffee".

During the month of May, Storyville Coffee is giving ALL of it's revenue to the International Justice Mission. So...buy some coffee for someone and you'll be supporting the awesome work IJM is doing around the world. Please, take some time to read about them...

Here's what IJM says about it: "Storyville is based on the idea that coffee is a ritual that gives us time to think, create and dream. In dreaming, we remember those who cannot. Your support can enable victims of modern-day slavery to dream again and to build new lives."

Click HERE (and click on the picture of four people in the lower right-hand corner) for details on why Storyville Coffee is giving 100% of it's revenue to IJM during the month of May...go buy some coffee!

Listing...

2009-04-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

Our house is officially listed on the real estate market. If you want to see the official site you can click HERE. And it's listing number: 661605

Our agent putting the sign on the lawn...under Shadow's supervision of course

Some lists that have been forming in my mind as we prepare to move...

Things I'll miss about living in Maryville:

The Greenbelt
The Library
The Capitol, Dolce's, Sweet Celebrations...all those cute coffee/dessert places Maryville has acquired in the last few years.
Knowing where everything is at the grocery store
The fact that the people at the bank know my name
The way that Maryville is so pretty with each season change
Being able to ride my motorcycle anywhere and feel safe
Don't even get me started on the people I'm going to miss...

Things I'm looking forward to about living in New Jersey:

Not having to miss weddings, funerals, birthday parties, etc. It's been 10 years since I've lived near my family and I am really excited about not missing things for awhile!
The food
Living with Bub!!!! (Bub is only the coolest grandmother EVER.)
Getting to see my mom (and the endless list of people I'm excited to be near) on a regular basis.

A Lifestyle lessons I've learned from getting ready to move that I hope will carry with me:

When I realized it would be silly to moves things like candles, nice-smelly lotion, bubble bath, the good wine, the fancy chocolate and coffee, etc - I decided I would use those things and stop saving them for a "special occasion". And I've decided I would like to live like that whether or not we're getting ready to move. Every day is a gift from God, a special occasion - and any person I'm spending time with is worth honoring with the "nice stuff".

Those are my lists for now - there will probably be more :)

The weekend...30 Hours...

2009-04-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the average person around the world goes for 30 hours between meals and that every...3...seconds a child dies somewhere in the world - mostly from preventable causes like hunger and malnutrition?

This weekend Chris and I participated in the 30 Hour Famine with the high school students at our church. The kids go without food for 30 hours to raise awareness of the needs that exist both locally and around the world, and also to raise money to help bring food to those that don't have it.

If you would like to give to support the 30 Hour Famine you can click HERE, or send a check to Chris and I - our church is collecting funds through next month.

If you would like to be involved in fighting in a hands-on and long-term basis, please ask me about World Orphans, the ministry I work for the partners churches in the west with churches in the developing world to care for orphans and strength communities through the local church.

Family time and ATL

2009-04-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

My mom and grandmother came to TN for a visit last week, we spent the majority of our time in Atlanta, visiting with Chris's family and seeing the sites downtown - we had a great time...

Emogene was a wonderful hostess! (And Pop was a wonderful host as well...but I neglected to take a picture of him!)

First stop (Thursday) - the World of Coke Museum

This is not part of the museum - but I couldn't resist taking a picture of this kid walking around in a shark costume! There was a robotics competition this weekend...???

This picture is for you, Cile!

Bubba liked the red dresses :)

Stop 2 (also Thursday): The Aquarium - it was amazing!!

Centennial Olympic Park - who knew that a french guy had something to do with starting the Olympics - that's what this statue is for.

Chris forgot his sunglasses - so he's wearing mine. He looks good with the bling, huh? :)

Stop 3 (on Friday): The Zoo - so fun!

Stop 4 (also on Friday): The Botanical Gardens - so beautiful!

And we had a short but wonderful visit with the Marietta Borders...

My mom is so great with kids - she and Jackson walking up the hill

Chris has enjoyed the time he's been able to spend helping Stephen work on their house

For everyone that we would have loved to have with us...

And after our time in Atlanta we had fun cooking and cleaning, getting ready for our plant party and to put our house on the market!

My renaissance man of a husband - taking a break from making popsicles (for our perennial plant exchange that he did all the work for) to consult with a friend on a bathroom re-model - he's amazing!

Bub's meatballs - the best ever!

I loved having my grandmother and her cooking in my kitchen and I'm thankful that we'll have lots of time with her when we live with her!

Mom and Bub - thanks for a great visit!! We love you :)

My Princess!

2009-04-10T12:58:00.005-05:00

Okay, so I feel like I have a taste for why parents are obsessed with posting tons of pictures of their kids. It took a lot of self control to not post all the 60-something pictures I took of Princess Kiah when I was visiting her, Sandy and Ian this past weekend in Chicago.

Sandy is a FANTASTIC mommy!

And Kiah is the cutest, happiest, best baby EVER!

I can't help myself from calling her "my baby" or "my princess". And since Sandy knows that I do actually know that she's not really my baby...I'll continue to call her that :)

I hope if I have kids that I can be a hot mom like Sandy - she just looks fantastic!

Speaking of fantastic, Ian is a wonderful daddy - he and Kiah are checking out the menu :)

Kiah was learning to sit-up as I was there - it was awesome! And her smile and laugh....incredible. Enjoy the video :)

In other not-as-exciting news...I was in Denver for work the first part of the week, now back and just plugging away at stuff! Mom and Bub are coming to visit on Tuesday - I can't wait! So...pics of our time with them and the house/yard as we get ready to put it on the market will be coming soon!

Chris is becoming a Pirate!!

2009-04-01T13:03:00.002-05:00

Before I tell you whether not Chris is actually going to start sporting an eye patch and making people walk the plank...I want to make sure you know that the POST FROM MY TRIP is HERE at my World Orphans Blog.

(Preface - this is a rather significant announcement.) Okay, so Chris won't be searching for buried treasure or capturing ships, but...he really is becoming a Pirate. A Seton Hall Pirate that is.

For those of you we are close with, I hope this is not the first you are hearing of this - I've been waiting to put it on the blog until our close friends and family heard from us. So in very utilitarian fashion - here it is...

We are moving to New Jersey this summer.

Chris will be attending grad school at Seton Hall University to be a physician assistant. (And the Seton Hall University mascot is...a pirate.)
Seton Hall is in northern New Jersey, very close to almost all of my family.
We're going to live with my grandmother.
I'm going to keep my job.
We're not sure exactly when we're moving. Ideally June or July but it will all depend on selling our house.
Chris starts classes the end of August.
We are so, so sad about leaving our dear friends here in Maryville who have become family to us. But we are so excited about being near my family and about the opportunity for Chris to go to school.

So, there will be many more posts regarding our transition from the south to the north - but there you have it folks...that's the big announcement! We're blog-public now as Kari would say :)

P.S. I apologize if all the "big announcement coming" lingo lead you to think I was pregnant!

Trip post and b'day pics...

2009-03-26T14:13:00.005-05:00

My big post about my trip is HERE on my World Orphans Blog.

I feel very loved by the all the amazing people in my life. Chris made me breakfast yesterday morning and my day was full of phone calls and facebook messages...it was delightful.

Tuesday afternoon Natasha and Dawn took me to the park for lunch - it was a beautiful day and such a fun time.

Auntie Dawn, Natasha and Ashlynn

Ashlynn approves :)

We did too!

Tuesday night LaDonna surprised me by having her Beauty Control party be a birthday party for me - it was so super fun.

Couldn't resist sharing this one - Chris taking a spin on Jared's new toy. Jared is 8 - Chris will always be young at heart!

Gifts...

2009-03-25T06:59:00.000-05:00

As I come back from being in East Africa and celebrate the life that God has given me, I am overwhelmed by His good gifts. Regardless of the color of our skin, the language we speak, the culture we know to be ours, the amount of money we earn...when it comes down to it the question is are we captivated by the gift of God's grace in sending Jesus Christ.

I think sometimes the material prosperity we know as westerners makes it more challenging for us to treasure the gift of Christ above all else.

Hopefully in the next few days I'll have pictures and stories from my trip on my WO blog, but the overarching theme of the trip that encouraged and challenged me is the number of times I heard people say, "and we thank God because..."

The ministry team from Fountain of Hope, Nairobi who reach out to HIV/AIDS patients

We had the privilege of spending time with many brothers and sisters who humbly and gently overflow with the love, grace and compassion of Christ. The situations they find themselves in are challenging...drought, famine, sickness, lack of resources...

But oh do they know the riches of the gifts of God. There were smiles and praises in abundance because HE provides. He provides food and clothing and medical care, He provides energy to go and go and go...caring for those who are hurting - because of Christ HE IS their source for everything.

Teacher Lucy

These children eat, are educated, and hear the Gospel because we have brothers and sisters who live out of the gifts God gives them.

So while I am so grateful for the material gifts I have been given, I deeply desire to learn from my brothers and sisters I visited with in Ethiopia and Kenya and see the riches of the more intangible gifts...the family I have, the friends I have, the health and energy I have to serve.

It's funny, as I reflect on God's faithfulness to me on this birthday, the abundance of good gifts He has given me and how those in my life reflect His love, today I find myself the recipient of a different kind of gift...I am brought to tears by the generosity a child of God who is covering a cost for Chris and I. With no one watching, the quiet generous joy of giving blows me away...

There is nothing like an African sunset

Aside from the unspeakable greatness of the gift of Christ, one of the greatest gifts I have been given is the man I get to walk this journey with. He is a gift to me everyday and I am honored to have him as a husband.

Side-note: Here are a few pictures of one of the many things he did while I was gone. The way he reflects God's heart and the compassion of Christ by serving is amazing to me...

Isn't it pretty??

In case you can't tell...the shutters and foundation are painted and I love it!

Luke 12:48 "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

We have been given much, we have been entrusted with much. Praise God that there is nothing we can do to earn His love, it is a gift. But what a joy and an honor that we get to reflect His heart by serving with what He has given us.

Back home...

2009-03-22T16:41:00.003-05:00

Hi - I'm back from Africa, safe and sound. I'm so thankful for another opportunity to see what God is doing around the world and spend time with brothers and sisters who are following Christ. I have lots of pictures and lots of thoughts...I'll get them up here as soon as I can.

And Chris kept himself super busy while I was gone (I'm pretty sure his two weeks were more exhausting than mine!) One of his projects was painting the foundation and shutters on the house! Yes I'll post pictures and yes it looks so, so good. At the moment I'm just enjoying being with him and setting back in...more soon.

Ta Da!! LaDonna is 40 today!!!

2009-03-13T09:05:00.001-05:00

If I correctly scheduled this post, than even though I'm in Africa with no internet access you can all read....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADONNA!! I love you and I'm so thankful for your friendship. I hope you have a wonderful day!

LaDonna and her hubby Joe...celebrating 20 years next month!

Aren't we so biker?? :)

I love you my friend - enjoy celebrating that you are beautiful and 40 and fabulous!!

Back in a few....with pictures and updates!!

2009-03-09T14:36:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posting, been a little crazy getting ready for the trip (Ethiopia and Kenya with World Orphans), and...busy doing fun stuff :) We did find time to enjoy the weather yesterday - maybe I'll get pics up here before I go, if not a friend put some on my facebook page :)

Hurray - I have a few minutes to post pictures!

So the weather yesterday was gorgeous and we had a blast riding with some friends.

Mark your calendars people...Chris found something he needed to hire someone else to do! But, only because he doesn't have one of these:

And because the guy he hired is a good friend :) We're very thankful for Joe and his brother coming to trim trees for us - Chris has worked on the trees multiple times, even renting a boom. But...these called for professionals!

And another house update - the front porch is tiled! Chris asked me to please post pictures so that certain people (not mentioning any names GLENN) would stop giving him a hard time about it :) I LOVE how it came out. Doesn't it make you want to come visit us?

And not to forget my funny tidbit...yesterday I danced with some friends...in a Baptist church...and while it was very worshipful and before the Lord...it included the electric slide. Personally, I find that very redemptive!

Lots going on...please see HERE for prayer requests.

Okay, I'm off in the morning. Hugs to you if you're reading this and there will be posts after I get back on the 21st! - Kate :)

4, much lighter, things for Wednesday...

2009-03-04T12:13:00.003-05:00

#1:
I pulled out of the driveway with my commuter mug of coffee on top of my car. Bummer that I didn't get to drink the coffee, but thankfully I rescued the mug from the middle of the street before the mailman ran over it, and thankfully it wasn't freezing cold out and it was easy to hose off the car.

#2:
It's noon and I forgot to eat breakfast - so I'm deciding if I want to eat breakfast...or lunch. Yup, it's been on of those days :)

#3:
I stopped at the mall on my way to work today to get a birthday gift for a friend. While I was there I decided if I didn't have a job, I would totally go there in the morning and hang out with the senior citizens. They are so cute! They sit together drinking coffee and then they walk around the mall and chat - how fun! I also decided I would walk with the cute old man who was by himself because he couldn't keep up with the crowd...that was a little sad.

# 4:
The patio in the backyard is done!! When Chris rebuilt the front porch, he saved the old marble to build a patio in the backyard - cool, huh? He finished it last week, and not only did he finish it, but he cooked dinner so we could sit outside and enjoy it! Yes, it was warm enough last week (I think it was Thursday) then it was freezing over the weekend, and it's going to be warm again in a few days - gotta love East TN in February!

Wait until things are in bloom - the yard will look amazing - he's done such a great job!

Three thoughts for Monday...

2009-03-02T12:44:00.002-05:00

A challenge, a secret, and a confession.

Please see my World Orphans blog HERE for the challenge, and the same blog HERE for the secret.

Disclaimer: I'll probably do that fairly often, send you to my World Orphans blog. My writings there are all things I'd would put here, but not vice versa. So...if you don't mind, that will happen a lot :)

The confession...
My heart is heavy and torn...

A friend just had a baby, everyone is happy and healthy and I am rejoicing with them
A friend's mom died this past weekend. No sickness, no warning, she is just gone and my heart is breaking...
A friend just found out she's going to be a grandmother and I am thrilled for her and her family...
A friend just received some really shocking and difficult news and I am grieving...
Later this week I'll celebrate a friend's birthday and I am reminded of the amazing people I have the privilege of knowing and how fun it is to celebrate life...
I see in a new ways how my words and actions can be hurtful and I am broken...
I am in awe of the doors God is opening and the opportunities He is providing and I am so thankful..

Wow. As the days and the months and the years go by I realize more and more - that is life. It is full of good and bad, joy and grief. It is easier not to feel it, but oh so rich to embrace it and depend on God's grace through the laughter and through the tears.

Question...

2009-02-26T12:42:00.002-05:00

What compels you? On this Thursday morning as you work or play or rest...what drives what you are doing? THIS is what compels me.

On a totally different note...(different in contrast to the nature of the question and different because it's in the 60's and sunny here today!) These are pictures a good friend took when it snowed here last month and I think they are just beautiful...

The Work Announcement...

2009-02-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry I don't have anything super creative....so here you go!

Over the past year (and in my recent posts) I've referenced the involvement that HisKids Sports has had with World Orphans. Long story short (let me know if you want the long story - I'm happy to tell it!)...HisKids Sports has merged with World Orphans, which means that I'm now an employee of World Orphans!!

I cannot begin to express how humbled and honored I am to be a part of an organization led by men who weep over the plight of orphans and commit their lives to seeing that resources are used well so that by the power of the Gospel of Christ, churches around the world can be mobilized to care for widows and orphans...men who are passionate about fighting for justice and who are driven by a deep gratitude to God and the compassion He has given them.

So I'll still very much be involved with HisKids Sports, but now as a part of World Orphans. Again, the fact that I get to have a job that is about working to fight against poverty, injustice, disease, hunger, hurt around the world by connecting and mobilizing churches to care for orphans...I am beyond grateful.

So, this is my new World Orphans blog. I'll still be updating this blog (Chris & Kate) regularly about what's going on personally with us (and all the other randomness that ends up on here) but I'll also regularly be posting on my WO blog.

So - that's the big work announcement, sorry if it was anti-climactic :) One more big announcement coming soon...

Finally...the work that's been keeping me busy...

2009-02-19T11:40:00.000-05:00

So, back in the summer I did a post entitled "So, tell me again what you do?" If you'd like more background, I'll send you to that post.

In a nutshell I've been writing biblically-based PE curriculum. We, HisKids Sports, feel strongly that sports and games are an excellent way to help children better understand and apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We also feel that can happen while children are learning to be healthy and developing their skills in an age-appropriate and excellent way.

So what does that mean? We have created a very detailed curriculum that is very easy to use. The curriculum includes lesson plans for Pre-K through 4th grade detailing exactly what a teacher would do each day. The best part is that the curriculum includes cards detailing every activity included in the lesson plans.

We did this because often at a private school the PE teacher is not trained to teach PE. When they end up teaching PE by default, they are even more in need of the details to run a class. Often, the PE teacher is very busy and doesn't have a lot of time to prepare. And, generally, they don't have a curriculum so they are improvising as they go. All that to say, we felt like a great way to serve the teachers, the schools and the students would be by providing an affordable, excellent, fun, yet simple PE curriculum. Also, we encourage the use of parent volunteers - so the cards make it easy and fun for them to show up and help.

So...under the supervision of two very smart, experienced and knowledgeable men - I've been developing this curriculum over the past few years. Over the past year we've been refining it and getting it ready for production. Over the past 6 months I've been doing hard-core edits and reformatting. Over the past two weeks I've been running around like crazy to get the first edition printed and get ready to showcase the curriculum at an ACSI convention in Birmingham. It's been a ton of work, but I believe it's been worth it.

Our booth at the ACSI convention.

We are excited to see what the future holds for the material we've been working so hard on. If you know someone who may be interested, please have them contact me. The other exciting news is our connection with World Orphans and the opportunity for the material to be used internationally. But...more on that in the next post :)

Pluto and Sandy

2009-02-18T10:09:00.002-05:00

Did you know it was today in 1930 that Pluto was discovered? Yup. Now there's the whole is it a planet, is it not a planet debate - blah, blah, blah.

Did you know that my Sandy's birthday is today? Yup.

Which has more impact on my life? Take a wild guess. No offense to Pluto, but I really don't care when it was discovered and whether or not it's considered a planet. Sandy however, I don't know what I would do without her. I praise the Lord for her life and am thankful beyond words that she's in mine.

Tagged: 4th Folder, 4th Picture

2009-02-17T14:33:00.003-05:00

I was recently tagged by my blog friend Peggy, to post on my blog the fourth picture in the fourth folder on my computer. Here it is:

This is from this past Christmas (2008), my brother holding his Christmas present from us. My good-looking, talented, wonderful Valentine (see previous post) MADE this Mets sign for Jon's "man-room".
(Side note: my hot, handy Valentine also helped - - build - - Jon's - - man - - - room . I know, I'm bragging about him. I'm allowed to.)

So...I'm tagging Joy, LaDonna, Jess and Sandy. Hope you're having a good week - those promised posts are in the works :)

My Valentine...

2009-02-14T11:19:00.005-05:00

...is amazing.

As I keep repeating, things have been crazy for me with work recently. And thankfully...the craziness is over!! Still plenty to keep me busy - but the big push is over. And yes...the details of what I've been doing coming very soon! (For those of you who will know what this means...the conference went really well - praise the Lord!!)

Anyway, Chris has been amazingly supportive. He's been understanding of 10-12 hour days at the office, doing the grocery shopping, doing the laundry, picking up around the house - all while working his tail off on multiple home-projects with friends.

Plus...I've been gone much more than normal these past few months. Two weeks in Africa in October, a weekend in Chicago in November, a few days in Colorado in December, almost a week in Colorado in January, in Birmingham the past few days, and 10 days in Africa next month. Wow - that's some amount of time away from home every month since October!

And do you know what he told me last night? Wipe away tears... for my birthday (the end of next month) he's sending me to Chicago again to see my dear friend Sandy and her family. Oh. my. goodness.

So here is to my good-looking, hard-working, caring, thoughtful, sacrificing, smart, hilarious, all-around amazing husband.

The best valentine ever.

Shout Out...

2009-02-06T08:31:00.004-05:00

...to my dear Sandy and Ian and Princess. They are going through the craziness of adjusting to new baby and new job and all the in's and out's that come with that. You guys are the best - I love you and wish I could be there!!

The beautiful family in November, not long after Kiah was born

To my good friends Joy and LaDonna. I have had two home-cooked meals this week, one from Joy and one from LaDonna. The best part was having time with them, but I'm thankful that they fed Chris and I. You ladies are amazing!

Me, LaDonna and Joy - Summer '08

Random Tid-bit: Recently Chris and I have both been working really hard - for Chris it's been physical labor, for me it's been brain work. But none-the-less, we were both exhausted last night and needed to chill. We chatted while I made dinner, ate together, and then I watched Jane Eyre on our TV and Chris watched Gone in 60 Seconds on the laptop. Our choice in movies when we want to relax makes me chuckle :) And just for the record - Jane Austin's stories are amazing.

I know I've been saying I have a big update coming about work...there's another big update in addition to that one - stay tuned :) Happy Friday!

And Punxsutawney Phil says...

2009-02-02T14:16:00.002-05:00

6 more weeks of winter!! Bummer....

Happy Groundhog Day - click HERE for details.

I guess it's not surprising that Mr. Groundhog says more winter...here the ground is covered with snow and everyone and their mom (except me) gets to go home at noon today. But it's all good - me and my hot cup of tea will be working on my curriculum. When the craziness is over...I'll do the promised "news about work post". (Look for it the week of Feb. 16.) Until then...be warm and cozy as you gear up for more winter :)

Boring Update

2009-01-29T00:31:00.002-05:00

So, I was going to try to do a quick update that was entertaining, but...my brain can't be creative right now. So - we are good. I've been super busy with work (details that actually are interesting to come soon) and Chris is busy with a whole lot of things. At the moment I'm in Colorado (that's part of the interesting work news that I'll write about later). I'll be back in TN late Friday, but the craziness doesn't end until February 13th. So...may or may not blog before then. If I don't - hope all is well - Cheers!

A Request for Change

2009-01-20T09:58:00.002-05:00

As President Obama is inaugurated today, let's join with International Justice Mission in asking the President to fight human trafficking. This is a letter from IJM with the opportunity to sign a letter to President Obama. Thank you!

The inauguration of President Barack Obama has historic significance that citizens across the political spectrum can appreciate and celebrate. With at least nine new Senators and 52 new Congressional Representatives coming to Capitol Hill, change is in the air in Washington.

But there are some things that haven’t changed. Beyond our borders, the poorest of the poor are victimized by violent crime – sexual violence, slavery, trafficking, police brutality, and property theft from widows and orphans. And justice systems in poor countries are ill-equipped to protect victims of violent oppression and apprehend and prosecute perpetrators. Add your name to a letter bringing these important issues to President Obama’s attention.

IJM works in twelve countries to investigate and prosecute exploitation of poor and vulnerable children, women and men, but we alone cannot provide relief for all the victims who desperately need it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Make sure that the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress help make public justice systems capable of protecting the poorest of the poor, and the most vulnerable among them: children and women.

Please add your name to a letter bringing these important issues to President Obama’s attention – and share this message with others. Thank you for raising your voice.

Warmly, Eileen Campbell Director of Justice Campaigns

Cold...Cozy...

2009-01-16T18:56:00.002-05:00

This is my view as I sit with my coffee in the morning. (Yes, we still have our Christmas decorations up. Remember...didn't get time to enjoy them in December so we left them up. And they are just so pretty. But...I think they are coming down this weekend.)

Anyway, it's very cozy in my living room as I emerge from sleep wrapped in a blanket with my coffee, Richard Foster's book Prayer and my bible. I don't think anyone in America needs reminding that it's been abnormally cold this week. Our county schools were canceled today, simply because of the cold. (Let me guess - don't even get you started on that. When you were a kid... I know - me too.)

But seriously, I could cry thinking about the people spending their days, and maybe even their nights on the street, suffering through the cold. And I pray...that our lives would be about helping them be warm, and fed, and educated, and loved, and mostly about knowing Jesus. So stay warm...and think about what it looks like to help other people be warm.

National WHAT Day??

2009-01-12T15:43:00.005-05:00

Yup, I heard it on the radio this morning (and you know that EVERYTHING you hear on the radio is true.) Today is not merely one, but two "National Day of..."
So, without further adieu...

Today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day:
Actually, I cleaned off my desk pretty well the first day I was back after being gone for the holidays. It's always nice to start the year off organized. At the moment it's a mess because I'm working on about 10 things at one time. But....there's a method to my madness and I'm feeling pretty good about all that has to get done in the next month...praise the Lord.

Today is National Organize Your House Day:
(I couldn't find a website, but the writer of this blog has some tips in honor of the day)
With all the remodeling that we have done, things have been gone through, sorted, organized, and gotten rid of on a fairly regular basis over the last three years. So while there are definitely shelves, drawers and boxes that could use a go-through, I am very thankful that we have stayed on top of it. I say we...I really like to be organized and when I get in the zone you better watch out. But...Chris is a huge help in the "we don't really need this" decisions.

So...what are your desk and your house like today? Confessions? Tips? Questions?
Happy Monday!

A reminder...

2009-01-07T11:13:00.001-05:00

I don't have my camera with me at work, so I can't take a picture...but not exaggerating, this picture off the internet accurately represents the rainbow I am looking at out the window of my office. The one I'm looking at is not double, but it is that clear and I can see almost the entire thing, end to end - it is amazing.

I am very thankful for this timely reminder of God's promises. Not just his promise to never flood the earth again (although Chris is questioning that one as our basement fills with water) but ALL of His promises. As we juggle feeling rather overwhelmed with work (me) and not feeling well physically (Chris), I am very thankful for God's promise to never leave us and to work all things together for good, even those things that are hard.

So whatever it is that you are dealing with today, I pray a rainbow reminder over you, that you will be able to hold to God's promises in the midst of struggles....most notably His promise of salvation that He fulfilled in Christ.

The 12 Days of Christmas Bonus...and a Happy New Year

2009-01-05T20:14:00.000-05:00

Our good friends Christy and Benssy just moved to New Jersey! (Bennsy is in the Navy and was just stationed at Lakehurst, the Navy's air engineering base). Anywhoo...we got to see them on our way from NJ back to TN - it was such a treat!

Isaiah is seriously one of the cutest kids EVER.

Christy's parents and her sister helped them move and were able to have a few days with them in NJ. Doesn't Isaiah have the best smile!!!

When Isaiah called me 'friend' (which was so adorable) Christy told him my name was Kate...and he called me by name for the next couple of hours....so, so precious!!

We miss them, but are excited about what the Lord has in store for this season of their lives!!

Well, we're back in TN and settling back into real life. Things were a bit hectic before we left for New Jersey. So...I'm leaving my Christmas decorations up for awhile so I can enjoy quiet mornings with a cup of coffee by the lights of the tree, getting caught up on the details of life, and keeping very busy with work.

May the grace and peace of the Lord be with you as we enter 2009.

The 12 Days of Christmas: Part III

2008-12-31T17:49:00.009-05:00

On the 7th Day of Christmas - December 26th
Mom, Bub, Chris and I climbed in the car and headed to Asbury Park, NJ where my uncle and his partner have a weekend/summer house. Jon and Jess met us there and it was great to have time all together.

Strolling on the boardwalk

Opening presents...

Can't have a holiday without a good meal, right?

Bro-sis picture

My beautiful mother and grandmother!

Winter at the Jersey shore:

On the 8th Day of Christmas - December 27th
Jon, Jess, Chris and I went to a cute little town near my mom's, ate pizza, drank coffee and walked around...then met my mom at our cousin's basketball game.

Jon and Jess with the Met's sign that Chris made for Jon's "man room".

On the 9th Day of Christmas - December 28th
After church Jon, Jess Chris and I picked up my grandfather and went to see my dad and Katy in Connecticut. So day 9 through day 11 - Christmas in Connecticut:

It was fun to just have time chatting, watching funny videos on U-tube, watching Sportscenter and sporting events on TV, doing crossword puzzles...

LOTS of yummy meals, in and out, including a dinner party...

Dad and Grandpa Jack

Jon and Jess

Katy's beautiful, old (remodeled) house was so cozy and Christmasy...

I didn't get any good pictures of the beautiful scenery we drove through, but did get a few pics of the cool train exhibit...

Chris wishing he could play with the trains :)

The 12th Day of Christmas - December 31st Jon and Jess headed back to New York. Chris and I took Grandpa Jack home and then headed back to Mom's. We had a bit of an adventure getting from CT back to NJ...there was lots of snow. So we're spending a warm and cozy New Year's Eve at home. Chris is resting and watching TV, mom and I are blogging while watching a movie. I'm looking forward to a quiet relaxing evening with mom and Chris and watching the ball drop at midnight. Whatever you are up to....Happy New Year!!

Coming soon...a bonus to the 12 days of Christmas - we get to see some friends who just moved to New Jersey on our way back to TN. Any guesses who we get to see??

The 12 Days of Christmas: Part II

2008-12-25T13:21:00.007-05:00

On the 3rd day of Christmas...
Monday December 22nd - Stayed in my pajamas all day and worked - no pictures. Chris worked on Christmas projects and an estimate...leisurely while watching TV :)

On the 4th day of Christmas...
Tuesday December 23rd - New York City! My uncle is the CFO for the NYC Ronald McDonald House. We went to see him, got a tour of the house and had lunch. It seems like a wonderful organization - my uncle loves his job. Then Chris and I worked our way back to the train station via Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue and other Chrsitmasy sights. It was pretty cold, but always fun to see New York at Christmas.

The windows on 5th Avenue

Rockefeller Center and the famous tree

Who knows why I took a picture of this??

On the 5th day of Christmas...
Wednesday December 24th - Christmas Eve. Chris did projects at mom's house...and then at Bub's house while we did odds and ends getting ready. One of my cousin's on my mom's side had the large family gathering for Christmas Eve. Being that I haven't lived in NJ for 10 years it's been awhile since I've been to one of the extended family parties (often our trips are short and we just see immediate family.) It was so fun to be at the lots-of-people, lots-of-food, lots-of-noise gathering again.

On the 6th day of Christmas...
Thursday December 25th - Christmas Day. We all (me Chris, mom and Bub) slept in, had a nice breakfast, then opened presents. Big plans for the day include playing a board game, cooking the roast, a few friends for dinner and just hanging out.

Bub and Shadow checking out the...

...deer in mom's backyard.

Random snow picture

Chris playing with his new motorcycle :)

Coming soon....Jon and Jess arrive, Christmas at the Jersey Shore and Christmas in Connecticut...

Hope everyone is enjoying celebrating Christ and honoring those you love with gifts!

The 12 Days of Christmas: Part I

2008-12-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not clever enough to write about our Christmas family happenings in a way that could be sung to the song, The 12 Days of Christmas. But, I did realize that within the scope of 12 days (Dec. 20 - Jan. 1) we have A LOT of events. So....welcome to the first installment.

On the first day of Christmas...

Saturday, December 20 - wonderful surprise, we were able to see my dear friend Rachel (from college) who is doing her doctoral work at Stoneybrook on Long Island. Her birthday was the 17th so we were able to celebrate with her - it was great.

On the second day of Christmas...

Sunday, December 21 - Scofield Family Party. It was great to see people from my dad's side of the family who we had not seen in a long time.

Grandpa Jack with all his grand-daughters

Mom with our long-time family friend Nancy

All the Scofield girls

Family friends John and Nancy

Note: This doesn't include the picture of all the cousins and all the families because none of my pictures came out super well, I'm hoping to get copies from the other 17 cameras that were clicking and post some of them.

Coming soon...a trip to New York City and an Italian Christmas Eve....

And of course it wouldn't be Christmas without a cheeseburger...

A Snow Day!!

2008-12-19T20:19:00.000-05:00

Chris and I decided to make our holiday trip North a little earlier than originally planned. Thankfully we made it before the snow started, because there is lots of it! My mom works at a school, and she didn't have to go to work - all the schools were closed because the roads are bad. It was so nice to just have the day around the house. I worked all day, but it was still nice to be with my mom and Chris and watch the snow fall.

My mom and Chris were very kind to let me keep working while they shoveled the driveway. My African/Southern husband received quite the initiation into a northern snow...thankfully my mom had a snowsuit for him to wear :)

Mom

Chris :)

My mom and Chris also spent hours untangling and organizing her computer wires...and Chris watched TV, I helped my mom with some computer stuff...it was a great day.

And I just love wintery pictures...so peaceful. The next few weeks will be a nice combination of large and small family gatherings, being out and about, and relaxing at the house - and yes, there will be pictures :)

ONLY in the South...

2008-12-12T11:49:00.000-05:00

Number 1: The county schools are CLOSED today, because there was a FORECAST of snow. Is there snow, you ask? Ummmm, no. Not one single flake! When I was a child, in the cold northern reaches of our country (walking barefoot in the snow to school, uphill both ways) there had to be TONS of snow for school to be canceled - and here they are enjoying a day off because of a forecast that is ALWAYS wrong.
Not that I'm bitter or anything.

Number 2: Lee's Country Chicken, which I would equate with Kentucky Fried Chicken (I'm sure I'll be corrected by true Southerners) - serves liver and gizzard on there regular menu!! Think I'm wrong - see for yourself! We were hanging out with friends last night and in passing the husband comments about his chicken liver he had for lunch. Wow...only in the South.

That's your comic relief for the day. We needed it yesterday - the car wouldn't start (again) and there was water in the basement. But my wonderful, hard-working husband took care of both of problems, and even had some time left over to work on on making Christmas gifts and a motorcycle project...pictures coming. (Okay, probably not soon because they may be trumped by pics of the Christmas party we are having tomorrow and then our trip to New Jersey...but there will be bike news one of these days...)

Preparing to celebrate...

2008-12-07T23:06:00.001-05:00

First I need to say THANK YOU to everyone who is responding to the need in East Africa (see previous post, Hungry). I have been in tears, tears of gratefulness, a number of times over the last 48 hours as I have seen people be passionate about caring for those in need...

So how do you get excited about decorating for Christmas when you know that children are not eating? I'm not sure...

I'm not sure, but this is how I'm attempting to think about it. There are a lot of hurting people - here in our picturesque town there are people wrestling with addictions, financial hardships and relational strain - in Africa there are babies not eating...and a whole lot in between. So how do you prepare to celebrate Christmas when that is reality? I think...one way is to make decisions that put you in a place to help care for those people and then seek to reflect Christ as you live the life put before you.

So at the moment that looks like: Chris's parents are here for the weekend - we have been running errands, doing project and decorating for Christmas, and enjoying doing it all together! (Please see Cile's blog for more pics and details!)

I'm super excited about how our tree turned out...

And SUPER excited about my banister! Cile did the whole thing - I love it!

Gotta have computer time...

And what's a weekend with the Borders without a major project! It's been awhile since Chris tore anything down...so he and Glenn tore down the steps in the basement and rebuilt them :)

So here's how else I'm thinking about Christmas. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ. Following Christ is about reflecting Him all the time...and preparing to worship Him.

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
- Revelation 7:9-12

So, since we're preparing to celebrate Him forever...let's live like we're getting ready for that and take Christmas as a special time to honor people out of reverence for Christ.

Hungry

2008-12-05T09:29:00.002-05:00

My heart is heavy and I don't think I can be eloquent, so I'm just going to be factual.

Food prices are skyrocketing, all over the world, but right now I am hurting for our friends who are feeling the affects of it in East Africa. Some dear Kenyan friends of ours have these mouths to feed:
- 3 kids of their own
- 50 children in the orphanage they run
- 300 children in the school they run

They have had to stop feeding the children at the school (probably the only meal they were getting) because they are struggling to even give one meal a day to the children in the orphanage.

Here's what we can do:
I know it's the holidays and I know you hear from me about this a lot...but please consider...

Fred has found a piece of property where they could farm there own food, which would be a huge help to the situation. They could provide food for themselves and not have to worry about inflation. But...they need to raise the money to buy the land.

I would ask that you consider what you could give...maybe even consider giving towards the land in lieu of a few Christmas gifts.

And please, please tell other people. And you may have friends in another part of the world who you are helping to feed, and that is fantastic. I know we shouldn't all be burdened for the same thing. But as a reminder to myself and so we can all be reminding others. Even as our country faces financial challenges...most of us are still eating and still turning the heat on, and even still having Christmas.

To give towards feeding the children now you can go here: All For Youth

To give towards the land, please contact Alison at The Alliance for Youth Achievement (the organization that supports Fred & Alice) for how you can do that: ajohnston@allforyouth.org

Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Thanksgiving Tour

2008-12-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

We spent Thursday and Friday with Karin, Morgan and Corrie at their lovely home in South Carolina...

Okay, so these pictures are in the wrong order...but you get the idea. The sunset over the lake that is right out the back door was gorgeous.

Then it was back to Marietta for the weekend to spend time with the Borders...here are the sights and (you can imagine) the sounds of a full house...

Madeline and Jackson on the drums

Mallory and Preston

Baby Katherine - she's such a good baby!

The Miller Family

And...can't forget to go to Johnny's for pizza - we especially missed you here Kari!

And we're super excited that we get Glenn & Cile to ourselves for a few days...they are headed to Maryville this weekend. We're going to decorate for Christmas and just hang out...we're really looking forward to it. Have a great week!

Random Thanksgiving Thoughts from a Yankee

2008-11-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

I was telling a friend who is considering entering the blogging world that my blog is very random - I bounce back and forth between serious, search-your-heart topics, like human-trafficking and caring for orphans....to the other end of the spectrum writing about new bakeries and losing my hairbrush. And I think this post will be a combination :)

First....I found my hairbrush! Chris was very excited. He offered to go buy me a new one, so I finally just dug through my backpack and got it - it took all of 30 seconds, and Chris is still wondering why I've not been brushing my hair for a month when that was all it took :)

I am SUPER excited about the desserts I'm bringing to Thanksgiving. Pumpkin gingersnap truffles...the chocolate with the spices is oh, so rich...they are delicious. Pumpkin pie and real whipped cream - once you have the real stuff there is no going back to the store bought. It's so easy and tastes a million times better (and is a million times better for you - I'll take the calories any day over the chemicals...)

Speaking of food...Chris thought it was blog-worthy that I made (in his words) "really, really good" biscuits and gravy. Being a Yankee I had never made them before in my life until I met Chris (we'll - I had made biscuits and I had made spaghetti sauce a million times, but never "breakfast sausage gravy"). I say it's not very difficult and I like to cook...but Chris is still impressed that his Yankee wife makes good gravy. Although the picture doesn't look too appetizing, Chris says it was very yummy (and I do too, but you can't really review your own cooking).

I am very thankful that I filled up the gas tank in my car for under $15!! (It wasn't totally empty, but it was pretty close. Had it been totally empty I would have filled up for under $20)

As we look forward to being with family, I am sad that we won't be with my family in NJ, but I'm so thankful for Chris's wonderful family and that we get to spend time with them.

While there is plenty to be frustrated about, I am so thankful that we live country where we are safe - the government encourages people to get together and celebrate...there are so many places where that is not the case.

I am thankful that Christ is bigger than my circumstances - some years will be great and some will be very hard, but there is always joy because He made a way for us to be children of God. Wow.

So...what are YOU thankful for??

We're off to celebrate with Chris's mom's family in SC on Thursday and Chris's dad's family in Marietta on Saturday. Don't worry...there will be lots of pictures. Happy Thanksgiving!

Did you know?? - UPDATED

2008-11-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE

Did you know there are 27 million slaves in the world today?

If we can get a mere 10 percent of the population of the United States to acknowledge the massive problem slavery is in the world today, there would be one advocate for every slave in the world. Imagine harnessing the power of 27 million people committed to the abolition of slavery. It would change the course of history.
- Gary Haugen (IJM)

There are women and children being forced into sexual slavery everywhere. No, not just in Thailand, in America and everywhere in between. Men and their families are being held against their will and forced to work 20 hour days with little to no pay and regular abuse. Children are being forced to fight wars...

Thankfully, the awareness of this is increasing and there are people all around the world fighting the injustice. Please, let's get educated and let's talk about it. Ask the question posed at the beginning to your friends and family. The more people who think about this on a regular basis, the more people will be passionate about fighting it.

If you're interested in learning more, these are a few helpful resources:
- Anti-Slavery International
- Human Rights Watch
- International Justice Mission
- Not for Sale Campaign
- WAR International

I am pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to double the impact of your support for the work of justice. The Maclellan Foundation has generously offered to match contributions to IJM dollar for dollar up to $200,000. Together we can bring rescue and restoration to victims of violent oppression.

On behalf of the IJM staff worldwide, thank you for your support and happy Thanksgiving.

Warm regards,

Bill Clark Vice President of Development

P.S. - Our goal is complete this match by Friday, November 28. Please consider giving today!

IJM | PO Box 58147, Washington, DC, 20037 www.ijm.org

Another tag...

2008-11-14T10:58:00.001-05:00

Weeks, and weeks ago my sister-in-law Jess tagged me to post 7 random things about myself...so here you go:

1. I have not located my hairbrush since returning from Africa (on Oct. 18) and consequently the only "brush" my hair has seen since then...has been my fingers.

2. I don't remember this, but my mom tells me that when I was really little I told people I wanted to work at McDonald's when I grew up. Then (this I remember) for a long time I told people I wanted to be a pediatrician. Then, I got a Sociology degree and now I work for a non-profit writing curriculum and I want to fight for justice...go figure.

3. I love to eat cheddar cheese and peanut butter...together.

4. Another "when I was little" story...I put my brother in a dress. It was purple - I think my grandparents got it for me in Hawaii. I really wish I had a picture. Yes, Jon, I would most definitely put the picture up here if I had it.

5. I took the SAT's three times

6. I had a brief introduction to learning the piano and the drums before choosing to play the violin when I was five years old. I've played the violin ever since then.

7. My family has always called me Kate. I went my Kathleen (my full name) in school through second grade. There was a brief span in 1st grade where people called me Kathy - I didn't like that. Two different soccer coaches called my Katie when I was little and in high school my soccer girls called me KatieSco (my maiden name is Scofield). But mostly, it's Kate, which I like.

I don't really like deciding who else to tag...Some friends who blog Joy Newvine, LaDonna Covert, Mike & Kathy Mercer, Susan Nelson, Sandy Richter (Susan and Sandy both have babies, so they are allowed to say they don't have time!), the famous Kari Masson, and my brain is done thinking - have a great weekend!

Princess Kiah

2008-11-11T20:27:00.007-05:00

Princess Kiah herself...

A few years ago Sandy, Rachel and I had this conversation... I think it started with saying that there should be a title for unmarried women besides "Miss". Like young men are referred to as master, we thought women should have an equivalent. So..we came up with princess. Add the theological accuracy being that scripture refers to God as The King, we are his daughters...princesses...it's great. So - we like to have princess gifts! We have rings and toe rings, there were slippers, etc. Our princess gift this trip - matching hats, scarves, and gloves - pink and white stripped in honor of Kiah. And the best part...we found her a baby princess hat!

Rachel and I are thrilled to now be Aunt Rachel and Auntie Kate to sweet Kiah

Hurray for princess pictures!!

It was really amazing to spend time with the Richter family as Kiah gets used to life outside the womb and Sandy and Ian get used to being parents. They are so in love with each other and with Kiah, it was amazing to watch them.

Ian is an amazing daddy...

See a sleeping theme? I knew that having a newborn was exhausting, but I have a new understanding and a new respect for parents after spending a few days witnessing it first hand. Kiah has most definitely been blessed by the Lord that she has Sandy and Ian as parents - they love her joyfully.

Doesn't she just look made to be a mommy!! We practiced using the Moby so Kiah can be comfy and cozy anywhere Sandy goes :)

Renee, Ian's mom and mother-in-law extraordinaire, made us a lovely tea - complete with cucumber sandwiches, chicken-salad, fruit dip, chocolate, port...it was amazing (and all gluten and dairy free!)

Although the apartment was nice and toasty so Kiah wouldn't get cold...Rachel had a hard time warming up :)

The happy (albeit rather tired at the moment) family...who has a blog of their own! Keep up with The Growing Richters! Seriously, I don't have words for how incredible it was to spend a few days with them so soon after bringing Kiah into the world. So, I'll just say thank you..and I love you guys.

Good News for Maryville!

2008-11-05T08:31:00.005-05:00

So, on a rather trivial but none-the-less very exciting note....
**drum-roll**.....Maryville has a new bakery! And in my book..the first real bakery.

Dolce's Bakery, right next to Firehouse Subs.

Cannoli's

And, the important part, the reason it's a real bakery and not just any bakery...it's owned a run by an Italian woman from New York, and her daughter! The reason that makes it a real baker is because they have: cannoli's, real bagels, Italian cookies, fresh bread, and lots more yummy stuff! So far I have had the Italian cookies, which taste exactly like the ones from the bakeries in NJ and the ones my grandmother makes, the hard rolls (fantastic) and the bagels (pretty good). So, Maryville residents - the next time you're going to get together with a friend - go to Dolce's. When you need to pick-up dessert on your way to a party, cater an event, or just get a mid-day treat.....go to Dolce's! (865) 984-0550.

I really want to see these ladies do well - let's support our local businesses!!! Thanks :)

The American Dream...???

2008-11-04T14:58:00.005-05:00

[POST UPDATED: Added pictures and a few more thoughts]

I can't get enough of the fall colors - I love it! How kind of God that He made the process of the trees dying SO beautiful! All these pictures are from a portion of the Maryville park system near our house (and near the amazing Blount County Library). We walk here often and Monday night we ate at a little restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking many of these views...enjoy!

When I got back from Africa (see two posts back) I was going through mail and opened a piece from our mortgage company. Across the top in bold italic letters read "If you haven't yet applied for Mortgage Protection Life Insurance, here's a second chance to help secure your American Dream." I am always annoyed by things like that, but I was particularly stuck by it having just spent time in another culture. What is the American Dream that we want to secure?

Then, shortly after that I received a mass email with "good food for thought" by David Letterman. Well, I did a little research and I don't think it was David Letterman, or Jay Leno, but it was THIS ARTICLE - by Craig Smith - check it out if you get a chance.

All that to say, as we anxiously await the results of the election and see what unfolds in America over the coming weeks, months and years...I have a thought. I would humbly suggest, especially for those of us who pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ, that we not strive to secure the American Dream. By all means we should be very thankful for the safely and provision that we enjoy and strive to be good stewards of what we have been given. But...let's walk into what may be uncertain times taking the days as they come, praying that we'll be more and more dependent on and clinging to the Spirit of God. Let's clothe ourselves in compassion, think of others first, and beg God that we will reflect the love of Christ to everyone. That as finances, jobs, cars...STUFF becomes more and more uncertain that we would become more and more certain of one thing: that Jesus is Lord and hope and security are found nowhere but in HIM.

UPDATE: Okay, so I read this last night, after writing this post. This is an excerpt from Gary Haugen's book Just Courage:

"All the things we value were never meant to be safeguarded. They were meant to be put at risk and spent, for we are in a life-and-death battle (Ephesians 6:10-13). Thus, in one of Jesus' parables, when a servant reported that he had successfully safeguarded what the master had entrusted to him, the master's response was, "You wicked, lazy servant" (Matthew 25:26).

Wow!! So...let's not safeguard our stuff! Let's trust GOD's care for us and spend our stuff so that others may know the love of Christ. And, election results aside, let's take every opportunity to trust GOD and love others.

I'll leave you with another quote from Gary's book:

"Moreover, in the work of building his kingdom, Jesus promises that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). In other words, God, not the forces of evil, is on the offensive. And according to Jesus, hell is decisively on the losing side."

PS - Exciting news in the Maryville food world...coming soon!!!

bbrrrrr BEAUTIFUL Weekend!!

2008-10-27T20:45:00.008-05:00

Forgive the lack of commentary....enjoy the pictures!!

Our friends Al and Dianne from Marietta came this past weekend. We went with them and our friend Joe to the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley North Carolina. The leaves were absolutely amazing - so beautiful!! The ride was super fun...but super chilly as well! Fall is in full swing here...we turned the heat on last night and have busted out hats, scarves, gloves, etc. So...hope you're staying warm and enjoying lots of warm beverages!