Merry Christmas!

Our New Church

Several weeks into the fall semester at seminary, Josh was contacted by a church asking for him to come and preach then interview.  We prayed about it and agreed.  Two weeks in a row we went and visited Willow Baptist Church in Brooksville, Kentucky. (2 hours from our house)  Josh preached both Sundays, we had an interview, and were informed the following Sunday the church would vote whether or not to call Josh as their pastor.

That week, we were all headed to Jacksonville, Florida for my brother Wade's and Jennifer's wedding.  The Sunday after the wedding we all had a big cookout at my Dad's house after church to celebrate family, and my youngest brother Jonathan's birthday.  During the food preparation Josh's phone rang with the contact from Willow Baptist Church.  The church had voted unanimously YES to call him as pastor!!

We shared the news with our family and were excited to begin our new ministry.  We were also sad to be leaving some dear friends we had made at our other church, FBC Fisherville.
Since the vote Josh has preached several Sunday's and on the weekends we go and stay at the church parsonage.  The kids are SO thrilled to head to the "new" house each weekend, and sleep in their "new" beds.  I love that they think it is an adventure! :)

Josh still has to finish up the semester before we head out to Brooksville.  We are still praying that we sell our house, or find a renter.  We need something!!  Please pray for us as we begin our new ministry, and for a decision to be made on the house.

Here are a few pictures: (not in order, sorry!)

The kitchen at the parsonage (my favorite room)

The church building

The inside

The parsonage

Family Pictures Fall 2011

We went to the Southern Seminary and took some pictures on their grounds.  We got them back from the photographer today. Here are some of my favorites. :)

Favorite of the kids! Love Micah's face! 

Josh's favorite of the kids. 

My Beautiful Hannah ~ 4 1/2 years old 

Peek-a-boo! 

My Andrew ~ 3 years old 

Big hug! 

Micah Monkey Moo ~ 19 months 

Looking at a leaf bug 

Walkin' 

I like the slanted angle…  

Parents watching their kiddos. LOVE Andrew's face :) 

I really like this one of me and Josh.  Cool walking shot (and Micah) :)

Wade and Jennifer's Wedding

We were in Jacksonville, FL the weekend of September 24 to celebrate Wade and Jennifer's wedding, and also my brother Jonathan's birthday!  We had a great time with family.  Here are a few pictures from the rehearsal and wedding day.  Enjoy!

 Micah sitting by the sign of the historic church where Wade and Jennifer were married.  Micah was waving to pedestrians and drivers as they went past.  He is such a friendly guy!  I keep saying he was born to be a church greeter.  ha.

The rehearsal dinner was at the same little place that Josh and I had our first date almost 9 years ago!! 

The cutest ring bearer and flower girl the world has ever known. They are getting ready to blow bubbles on Aunt and Uncle as they leave.  :) 

Wade and Jennifer during the ceremony. 

Hannah looking at herself.  She had a beautiful baby's breath wreath for her head. 

Andrew, slightly blurry, but it's hard to keep this kid still!!

Homemade Butterfingers!

Seriously amazing!!

Recipe:
16 oz candy corn melted
16 oz peanut butter

Mix together and spread out on wax paper to cool.

Cut into small squares and dip into chocolate candy coating.

Enjoy!!





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The Park

Having three walking children this summer has = lots of fun at the park!  Here are the kids one day when Josh took them and got a few good pics. :)

Micah going down the slide

Hannah and Andrew down the double slide 

Swings!

All smiles! :)

Making Grandma Birthday Cards!

Hannah



Andrew



Micah


Grandma(Tillman) your cards are in the mail! (or maybe you got them today!?)

Love, us!!! :)

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Zoo

We have LOVED our zoo membership and the kids get excited every time we go. Here are a few random pictures!

By the front sign.



The stone rhino.


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Dress Like a Cow!

I'm behind on posting! Whew. Here is our cow day photos. Great family tradition. :)

Hannah cow.



Silly cows. :)



My smallest cow. And the only one who was a black cow with white spots. :)

Kid cow and Andrew.


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Andrew turns 3!!

We had a great time celebrating Andrew's birthday! It was the week of VBS so he had lots of friends to celebrate with! :)

Cake

Birthday present from us. :)




:)



My growing-up-way-too-fast 3 year old boy!!!


(outfit from Grandma and Grandpa)


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Pictures

Micah's favorite thing to do. :)

Watching a car get stopped by a police officer right in front of our house.



Splash park at the zoo today. :) Andrew wouldn't pose.



We can't wait for VBS!! 12 days to go!!!


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Life this Summer

Today was a PERFECT spring like day. The weather was about 80 degrees, with a cool breeze, slightly cloudy, and just wonderful relaxing weather. Earlier this month, it has not been so, with almost 100 degree sticky weather every day. It was nice to be out in the yard and just relax for a little while today.

After coming back from Evan and Amanda's wedding in Jax, and a week in Alabama with the Hunters, life has been pretty crazy! Here are some of the things going on:

1) School: Josh has had three J-term classes back to back (this week break) and then two more coming up in the next three weeks. Whew. We don't see him much the weeks of the J-terms, only about 30 minutes to an hour each day. That is tough on me and the kiddos, but we are sticking out only a little bit more. Josh is on track to graduate this December with his master's degree and we couldn't be more proud of him!

2)Work: Josh has had some new things arise at work and has found out he will be working from home starting sometime this summer. (supposedly in a quiet house! how will that work? we are still trying to figure it out!!) At first he thought he was coming home the end of June, then July, now maybe August. August works for me. We just are hoping to have a new house by then to help with the noise issue.

3) House: We have had about 5-6 house showings (maybe more?) since we have been back. Some have gotten our hopes up, others slightly disturbing. (Like the people that came over 3 hours for their showing, while we were at church, with our house still messy, and then forgot to tell us the came, so I still cleaned and got out of the house later on in the day?!) Yeah. Interesting. Having our house on the market, is a testing of our faith and patience.

4)Church: slightly frustrating in some parts, not sure I want to share it all, but praying for wisdom and guidance!

5) VBS (July 10-15): Since I am the director of VBS at our church LOTS is falling on my shoulders. I am getting there, and enjoying my time doing it, but wishing I had more time and sanity away from the kids to help balance my need at church. And with Josh doing extra school this summer, it has made it a challenge. The Lord is seeing me through it somehow!

6) Kiddos: !! The kids have enjoyed the park, the zoo, splash parks, and playing - lots. They have boundless amounts of energy ALL the time. Especially Micah! He eats just as much as the "big kids" and just can't keep up with them enough. :)

That's all for now. Keep our family in your prayers, and all the crazy events of this summer!

National Donut Day

Last Friday was National Donut Day and Krispy Kreme was giving away free donuts. Yum. :)

Hannah and Micah



Cheesy cheese smile!



Hannah said, "I'm a donut girl!"




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Wedding

We went to Jacksonville for Evan and Amanda's wedding. Pre wedding activities included getting our nails done!!

Hannah and Aunt Sarah on the way to the rehearsal dinner.



Flower girl Hannah. :)




The bride and her momma.



Josh and Hannah!



Andrew smiling funny. Waiting for wedding to begin.



Micah too! :)


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