Happy Thanksgiving!

I know this picture doesn't have anything to do with Thanksgiving, but I had to let you know why one day Karis is going to be a genius!! While Justin and I were unpacking boxes, Karis was watching Jeopardy! She is already learning so much, one day she will be able to answer the questions.

Thanksgiving was a very relaxing and fun day, especially after I finished baking the apple and cherry pies and the maccaroni and cheese. We went the the Dale's house. It was fun to be with them, and Karis got to play with Josie, Carol and Tim's granddaughter. It is so gracious of God to put other people in our lives when our immediate family is so far away. Even though my parents and brother cannot be replaced, it is nice to have people that you love to spend the holidays with. I would have really been lonely if God had not given us the Dale family. Thank you Lord for your many blessings. All in all, our first Thanksgiving away was a good day. I did however really miss my family and can't wait to see them in two weeks!! I can't believe Christmas is almost here.

I will put up some more pictures of the house soon. I am little under the weather today.

Happy Birthday Laura!!

I know this isn't the best picture of us, but it is the only one I could find. I have heard that if when you die you can count on one hand the number of true friends you had in life that you were blessed. I know for sure that I can say that Laura Warford is one of those friends. In life, God is so gracious to allow us people who truly understand us. Laura is that person for me. Even though I am her elder, one year and a few months older to be exact, I have learned more from Laura I could have imagined. She has taught me(and continues to teach me) how to be a godly mom. I can't imagine what life would have been like when Karis was born without being able to call Laura at any time of the day, sometimes four or five times a day with any random question! She is always so cheery even with no sleep.
When Justin and I moved to Beaumont, God put Laura and I together and from the first day, I knew our friendship would last. She is a kindred spirit, one who shared my love for Christ, one who desires to know God more deeply, one who strives to be a godly wife, one who loves her children and stays home with them, and one who knows how to minster to her friends and love them daily.
Laura, I miss you more than words can say. At times it really feels like I have left a part of me in Beaumont. I thank the Lord that He has given us this friendship that no matter the distance between us, our love for each other will still grow and be solid. Thank you for teaching me so much and for just listening. I love you girl and wish the happiest birthday ever. I am with you in your heart, even though I am not there in person.
I went for a walk this morning, praying for you and thinking how wonderful it would be to show up at your door and surprise you. It used to be such a daily thing I never thought how great it was until I couldn't do it anymore. I will be there soon for Christmas. I love ya!

First Members of Christ Baptist Church

The first 16 members of Christ Baptist Church Wilson, NC. Obviously, Karis is not a member yet, but she really wanted to be in the picture!

Today, we had our first members join Christ Baptist Church. Sixteen people joined our church. It was a reverent and eventful service. Justin was at the end of his sermon, the last application question, when the fire alarm went off. Because of the noise, we had to go outside. We really learned that God is soverign even over weather and fire alarms. It was a cool day and outside of the school there are about 15 benches. We went outside to do the Lord's supper and read our covenant as a group to show our committement as members of CBC. Sometimes I really belive that God has a sense of humor. Justin and I are so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in Wilson and with His bride, the church. One of the main points of Justin's sermon is so lacking Christians' lives, "If we love Christ, we must also love His church." Ponder that statement for awhile.

New Home Part I

The dreaded moving day is over and our home is starting to finally resemble a home. God is so good to give Justin, Karis, and I a place to call our own. Living with Tim and Carol was a very good experience, but nothing feels like being in your own home. I don't think I would have appreciated it as much if we hadn't had the wonderful opportunity to stay with the stay with such a godly family. I really learned a lot about being a godly wife and mom from Carol. I think Justin might of actually learned a little two about how to help out around the house!!
Most of the boxes are unpacked and most of the furniture is in place, but until we get things hung up, it just doesn't feel like home.
The pictures from our kitchen make over are here. I hope you like what you see. It really was a make over!

The before pictures are first. Notice the black and white theme going on here! The floor might be cool, if it wasn't also in the den!

Please excuse all the trash. Notice the cabinets, black and white. Also, the backsplash, black and white tile!

This picture shows the extreme of the black and white fan to match the theme. You can also see the walls are white and the trim is black. You can't see the door that leads to the bonus room, but it is also black.

Ahh, much better. The island was moved back in because it does look pretty good with the backsplash. The chili pepper red cabinets do make the kitchen look some what like a diner.

You can't really see the floor, but it is a khaki vinyl. It makes the den look much better.(pictures of the before and after den are on the way). Justin put up a cool silver light to replace the fan. He is becoming quite the handyman around here!

I hope you enjoyed our make over. Let me know what you think. It is okay if you don't like it. It is a little drastic, but what do you do with a small budget and a black and white tile backsplash? Any other suggestions? More make over pictures of the den and bonus room are on the way!

Moving

Hey all, just wanted to let all of you know that we are moving into our house this weekend. Yesterday, Justin and I painted our room and the den/kitchen. It was a long day, but we are so glad we got it all done in one day. Today, the new floor is being put into the kitchen/den and bonus room. Tomorrow, the kitchen cabinets, trim and bonus room will be painted so we will be able to move in on Sat. Praise the Lord for our new house and the means to fix it up some. I will have before and after photos some time next week.

First Pumpkin Carving

The pumpkin was a little heavier than Karis thought.

Karis wanted to help but holding the spoon was much more fun than actually using it.

After daddy cut the pumpkin open, Karis was very interested to see what was inside.

Mommy got the honors of drawing and cutting the face on the pumpkin. Karis was very excited about holding the pieces mommy cut of the pumpkin.

After so much work, Karis decided to take rest, holding the pumpkin eye.

This face explains itself, I don't know what Karis was thinking.

The finished pumpkin. Karis had more fun putting the top back on and off than actually admiring the pumpkin face!

Our Frog the GIRL!

When I was in Texas, my mom and I picked out this costume for Karis. It was a 2T so we knew it would be a little big, hopefully she will be able to wear it next year. However, I did not expect all the people at the festival that we went to to keep telling us what a cute little boy we had. It was pretty funny! Justin and I took Karis to one of the church carnivals in town.

Karis and Mommy after a hard fight to get on our costume. You can still she the red face from all the crying!

Picking up ducks out of the water was really the only game Karis could play.

She picked up at least five of six ducks. It was great!

Our little frog the GIRL!

Next year I am going to get a big pink bow and put it on her head so she won't be mistaken for a boy. We had a good time but realized that Karis was still a little bit too small for the festival. She did enjoy watching the other people.