FALL PARTIES

It's been quite the week here at our house.  We kicked off Halloween festivities with a Halloween party we go to every year.  Livy always has fun and we have the best time! 

Then, we celebrated Livy's first school party. We had fun celebrating with all of her friends. 

Then, we headed to our school carnival.  It was extra special because cousin Ellie got to come with us.  All three of the Stokes girls dressed like Ariel. We had so much fun dolling them up.  

This is our favorite time of year.  We are soaking up every fun event!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Branson Getaway

Derick has been working LONG hours at work the past few weeks. It can make for long days for all of us.  He hates to be away from the kids and me.  We miss daddy too. Livy especially misses him.  She's a full on daddy's girl.  So, we planned on getting away for the weekend.  We enjoyed ourselves!!  We were away two nights and it was wonderful.  This was our official first family of 4 trip.  Phillip was a champ and was a great little traveler.  Livy loves Silver Dollar City.  She will ride any/every rollercoaster. She gets this from her mama;)

The park is gorgeous this time of year.  We loved all the fall decorations.  

Hooray for family trips! They are few and far between so we are very thankful we were able to get away for a few days.

Pumpkin Patch

Livy had her first field trip last week.  A trip to the pumpkin patch. She had a wonderful time with her cousins/classmates.  

They were sent to the patch to pick out their own pumpkins.  Livy was extremely picky.  It took her a good 10 minutes to find one. HA.

We had a wonderful time.  We LOVE this time of year!

Days are gone

Livy started Pre-K this year and she loves it.  It's quite a bit of a change for all of us.  She's being exposed to new people and new things every day. Some good, some not so good. I've spent many a days on my knees in prayer while Livy is at school. I'm sure I worry more than I should but I'm a mom! I don't think I'll ever quit worrying. 

I started thinking back to a few years ago when Livy was a toddler.  There were days we'd stay in our pajamas all day and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our biggest worries were, "What will we cook for dinner tonight?" I knew the day would come when we wouldn't be home all day and I'd be escorting Livy around to all her activities.  A few years ago, that seemed exciting to me. Now, I want to stop time and make Livy a 3 year old again.  Is this normal? 

I think my problem is, I don't like being BUSY.  There was a time, I'd call up family and friends and say, let's go to lunch and shopping.  These days, we have to schedule out any sort of lunch/dinner dates.  That's life. People are busy.  I don't like it. I want my kids home with me all day long and not have to worry about driving them to school or activities.  Is this a normal feeling when your kids start school. Maybe it's the growing up blues.  I don't know.  Maybe I'll just keep having kids so I can keep them home forever. Errrrr. Derick may disagree;)

Do any other moms feel this way?  I've been talking with one of my sweet friends about it this morning.  I think I'm having a blue Tuesday.  I need to snap out of it!

Grocery shopping

Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping. Do you hate it? Do you love it? Do you tolerate it? 

I for one, really enjoy grocery shopping.  I like planning my meals and making my list out each week.  I shop once a week because Derick gets paid once a week so this works for best for us.  Phillip is my shopping buddy.  He loves new places so the grocery store is like a party for him. I wonder how long this will last? ;)

I used to coupon shop every week but it became a hassle and I was tired of clipping coupons and scouring the internet for coupons.  I was introduced to Aldi about a year ago.  My favorite store!! It's super cheap and has everything I need. You can get a gallon of milk for $1.75. Say WHAT?! Yes, I know.  If you don't mind off brand foods, then this is your place.  Now, I can't substitute some name brand foods. Example: Crisco, coffee, cereal, and pop-tarts...just to name a few.  I just can't get the cheaper version. It'll gag me, seriously.  But, their produce is great.  Super cheap fruits and veggies. I always load up when I go.  

I do all my shopping needs in Siloam Springs, AR.  It's about a 25 minute drive from my home.  The drive is BEAUTIFUL!! Siloam Springs is a sweet little town and I can get all my shopping done on one long strip.  It's not spread out everywhere, which I love. 

I'm thankful I can enjoy my weekly shopping visits to this town.  I know if I worked, I probably wouldn't enjoy shopping as much.  It's nice to have the extra time to plan my weekly meals and cook for my family. Cooking and cleaning! It's my life calling right now ;) And I love it.  

So, where do you shop? Do you plan weekly meals? Do you hate grocery shopping.  

Don't forget Aldi's for all your shopping needs;)

Children's Ministry

Our children's pastor and his family recently moved to do mission work.  Our church has a great group of kiddos from babies-elementary age.  We were approached by Jeff to see if we were willing to step in (along with two other couples) and be on our Children's Ministry Team.  My first thought was, "Yikes, this sounds like a lot of work). When he asked me, Phillip was just a few months old and I had my hands full being a wife and a mommy.  Derick and I discussed it and we felt like this was an area the Lord was leading us. I knew this year was going to be different for our family for a few different reasons.
 1. We just had a new baby boy.
2. Olivia was starting Pre-K at LGELC.
3. Derick's work hours were getting longer and longer
4. My sister and my SIL both work full time now(They were my fellow stay at home moms).

Having a new baby is a new adjustment anyways.  God was good to us when He gave us Phillip.  Phillip as been a constant joy for these past 9 months.  He has been my easy peasy baby and there's just something about a boy that will melt a mama's heart.
Olivia was starting a new phase: SCHOOL! She has adjusted to school wonderfully.  She has a great Christian teacher(who happens to be one of my good friends). Praise the Lord she loves school. It's made it easier on this mama for sure.

Derick has a wonderful job.  He works extra hard for us so I can stay home with the kids.  Sure, there are struggles since we are a one income home but it's worth the challenges! I count it a blessing to be home with my kids.

My sister, Jennie, is in her last year of nursing school. PRAISE THE LORD! I went from seeing/talking to my sister every day to barely seeing/talking to her 2-3xs a week.  She has worked hard and we are going to celebrate BIG when she graduates in May.  I'm ready to have her back in my life daily.  My BFF and SIL, Launi, started work this year.  Both her babies are in school so it was natural for her to work. I hate it! LOL. Everyone has left Katie home all alone.  Pity party over now.

So, it's been a year of changes.  I wouldn't trade any of it though.  I'm happy for my expanding family, I'm happy that Olivia loves school, I'm happy that Derick has a job to go to everday, and I'm even happy for my family and the new adventures they are taking.

I felt a little lost.  What was my purpose? I know I'm in a different stage in my life then my other family/friends.  I'm enjoying it for sure, but I felt like the Lord was laying something on my heart. I just wasn't sure what. So, when Jeff approached us, Derick and I knew this was where we needed to be.  We agreed to Jeff's offer and we've hit the ground running ever sinee.

Our other  two couples we work with have been a blessing to us as well.  I've gotten to know the ins and outs of ministry(Some good, some not so good) :). I've been raised in a pastor's home my entire life, so I knew what I was getting into.  We have been incredibly blessed in this position! It's been a lot of hard work but it's been very rewarding.  I see Children's ministry in a whole new light now that I have kids of my own.  I want it to be the best for our children.  But most importantly, I want these kids to come to know Christ.  That is our purpose!!

We have a lot in store for our children at the LGFWB Church.  It's an honor to help lead these children.   So, as I mentioned earlier, I was a little lost as to where I should be concerning the Lord's will. But, I'm happy to say, I'm right where I need to be.  I'm not perfect, but we're trying our best.  I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in our ministry.  Thank you parents for letting us be a part of this journey with your children.

My 5 year old

We celebrated Olivia's 5th birthday last weekend.  We are taking her to Branson next weekend for her birthday celebration.  We had a small party with our family.  She requested to have a Cowgirl party.  So, we made it happen.  She even received her very own pony which she named, Brutus.  She also got a barn with animals, a bb gun, camouflage,  and some clothes.  She cleaned up pretty well! I say it every year, but I can't believe another year has passed and she is 5 years old on Tuesday. 

A year later

My last post was in October of 2012. I guess it's safe to say, I've been a little busy since it's almost a year later. I'm going to document more because if I don't write our little adventures in life down, I'm afraid I'll forget them. We can't have that happen.

In most recent news, Olivia started Pre-K in August. My shy, cling to mommy, never talks to a stranger started school. So, naturally you would think this would be a hard transition for her. She surprised her daddy and me! She loves school. Wakes up every morning smiling because it's a school day.  The first day of school, I was mentally prepared and knew I wouldn't cry.  This will be totally fine and easy(as I was thinking this in my head). We dropped her off and she went and sat on that big ole' rug in that big ole' classroom all by herself and waved bye to Derick, Phillip, and me.  I walked out of the room, looked at Derick and lost all control. Derick grumbled, "Good grief, let's go get you some donuts." She has continued to do well in school and each day is new and exciting for her.  Truly an answer to our prayers. And let me tell ya, I have covered this girl in prayer since putting her in school. (Well, I prayed for her all the time before too.) It's just a totally different world she is being exposed to.  I pray that she is safe, surrounded by good friends, a little light to others, and that she will still keep her sweet innocence. 

 Phillip was used to having his big sister home all summer.  She's his source of entertainment.  He's adjusting though ;) I've really enjoyed the one-on-one time I have with him.  He's the most laid back, sweetest, most smily baby I know.  He brings so much joy to our home.

 They're 4.5 years apart, but I think they will be the bestest of friends.  Thankful that Livy loves her little brother.  She thinks he's the greatest thing ever.  Do you other moms heart flutter when you see your kiddos interacting/ laughing together? There really is no better feeling!

Livy is at school right this moment.  Phillip is napping in his crib and I'm getting our house spruced up for Livy's 5th birthday party tomorrow night. 

Yee-haw! Bet ya can't guess our party theme? ;)