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? ;)

Fall Days

Livy is loving Wee School this year. 

She has really come out of her shell since starting school and I'm very proud of her.  I'm thankful she loves it and I think going to school next year will be an easy transition for her(and me)!

I'm trying to savor every moment with her before baby brother arrives.  In a little over three months, he will be here and our household will change drastically. Is going from 1 to 2 kids hard? I've heard different opinions. 

Livy seems ready for him to arrive.  Mommy and Daddy are frantically trying to prepare for his arrival.  Gotta get that nursery done and our insurance straightened out. 

 INSURANCE!! Ick. We've had the worst time with our insurance this pregnancy. I'm praying the Lord has control over it from this point on.

Livy had her first field trip this past week. A trip to the pumpkin patch with her class.  She had a lot of fun and I loved seeing her with her classmates.  Thankful for this school and all the activities she's involved in. Fun year for Miss Olivia.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Livy's first day of school

Livy turns 4 next month. We decided to enroll her in a wee school 2 days a week this school year. She's been excited all summer for school.


I was very apprehensive how the first day would go. She's very shy and gets scared of new people and places. I've covered her in prayer for this school year.


Her first day couldn't have gone better. She waltzed right in...gave me a kiss and said " I love you mama, bye!" I stood there in shock then exited the school.


I was crying because I was so sad she was in school, but also crying tears of joy because she was so brave.
She LOVED her first day of school. She loves her teacher. I'm excited for a great school year for her.
Good luck to all you mommies who send your babies off to school this year!:)

Nutshell summer

Why hello long lost friends...
A lot has happened this summer. So here it is in a big nut shell;)
We're having a baby at the end of January. Looks to be a boy! Pregnancy is going great and Livy can't wait to be a big sister. She never fails to tell me that my belly is getting bigger EVERY day. Currently 16 weeks and feeling all kinds of flutters.




Livy completed level one on swimming lessons. She jumps off diving board and swims in DEEP water like a pro. So thankful she can swim well (being we have a pool in our back yard).




We visited my parents this summer. Nanny Bea spent the whole week with us too. It was one of my favorite weeks this summer.




Went to Branson with my sister and all the kiddos. Our last hoorah before Jennie started nursing school this fall.












We also celebrated lots of birthdays with family this summer. 3 nieces and 2 nephews! Oh, and I gained a new nephew in July. London Stokes.




We are nearing the end of summer. Sad to see it go but this pregnant mama is ready for fall:)
Livy starts wee school on Tuesday and she can't wait. I hope I'm as excited as her come Tuesday morning as I drop her off. :-/
I will be back people. I have a lot to document these next several months,

Kickin' off April

Several years ago, the Stokes' boys started a tradition. Wake boarding at the lake on April 1. No matter if it was raining, snowing, or the sun shining.

Turns out, Sunday was a gorgeous day for the lake and it happened to be April 1. We loaded up after church and headed to the lake.

We threw the girls on the tube and Livy was hysterical. That made Tatum nervous as well(even though Tatum was not scared at all). We finally pulled my screaming child off the tube and all was well on the boat again:)

After we pulled her off. Lol

Marcia and I went out for a spin.

Cuties in their swim suits

Livy and I had Ellie all day yesterday. We had so much fun with her. I was curious to see how Livy would be with her. She's interested in babies, but I didn't know how she would react to her at our house all day. She's a handy little helper and Ellie is one of the easiest babies I have ever watched.

Getting some snuggles in before naptime.

April has just begun and it has been crammed packed full of fun.