Happy/Crappies November 13, 2009

I love working with high school girls!  I look forward to Tuesday nights all week (the night we have our high school gathering at 4 Corners Church:  it’s called “The Well”)  Anyway…..the way we start out our small group time is with “Happy/Crappies”.  We go around and share something great that’s going on in our life (happy) and something not so great (crappy).  It’s such a great time in our small group.  Not only do they get to be open and honest with each other about what’s going on in their lives, but the girls get to know each other more and more each week through that time of sharing.

SO….thought I’d share a few of my current “Happys”:

-I am constantly reminded and humbled by the fact that I have the most loyal, loving, giving, FUN friends ever.  I am spoiled with mail, gifts, emails, phone calls, and visits from my favorite girls…..and I love that I’m truly known and understood by them.  I can only strive to be as good a friend as they are to me.

-I’m loving the fact that I can still be outside comfortably this time of year and that I’m still seeing sunshine on most days….I have to take advantage since, soon, the weather will be my “crappy”.

-I’m still loving working out 3 mornings a week.  I’ve been going to “Strollerfit” since May and I love it.  I’ve made some great friends there….so that helps motivate me to show up!  Greyson also likes it….especially the time at the end where he gets to run around and play with his friends there!

-Greyson is so much fun lately….he’s learning so much and is such a happy little boy.  So, of course, seeing him so happy makes me happy!

-I said this earlier, but Tuesday nights are always happy for me.  I love hanging out with the high schoolers and fun leaders at “The Well”!…can’t wait for the winter retreat at SpringHill Camp in February!!!

-I’m getting to sing again.  It’s been awhile since I’ve sung on a consistent basis, so being a part of the Sunday morning band at our church (4 Corners) has been so refreshing!

-We’ve randomly met people here lately that we went to Lee with.   Since Lee is only 5 1/2 hrs. from here, a lot of people from this area go there and end up back here.  It’s fun to see familiar faces here from other times in our life….. especially since when we moved, we didn’t know many people here at all.

-Craig gets the whole week of Thanksgiving off.  So, we’ll be in Michigan with my family Monday-Friday!  I can’t wait!  I’m also really looking forward to being with Craig’s family in Nashville for Christmas (we’ll be having a Tender Tennessee Christmas this year!).  And….his brother and his family are coming up for a couple days too!

-We have a trip to Siesta Key, FL planned for the week after Christmas!!!  I’m pumped and can’t wait for Grey to experience my family’s favorite getaway!

-Our church is doing something called “Advent Conspiracy” this year during this Holiday Season.  We are giving a percentage of the money we would normally spend on Christmas gifts to help build wells in Africa (Uganda).  This, my friends, makes me very, very happy.  Clean water is something I know I (for one) take for granted. **more to come on all this!

-I have a husband who loves me despite the fact that I just plain stink at being a wife sometimes.  I’m definitely a work in progress!

That’s a lot of “Happys”….Thank you Lord for these blessings!

Grey’s 2nd Halloween! November 1, 2009

I really didn’t think Grey could top his costume from last year.  Getting dressed up like a turtle at just 5 1/2 months old, can melt anyone’s heart….here is a reminder of what Halloween ‘08 looked like for us:

Now, a year later, Grey was a 17 1/2 month old dressed as a lion.  And man, it was perfect!  He was so into trick-or-treating.  After the first house or two, he knew just what to do.  As we would approach a house, he let go of our hands and started running for the front door.  He couldn’t say “trick-or-treat” yet, but after someone gave him candy, he knew to put it right in his little pumpkin bag.  We didn’t get amazing poses like last year….since Grey is ALL OVER the place.  Most of the pictures I got were profile shots of him running past me (which is why I need a new camera with no delay!!)  Here are a few pictures that capture Halloween ‘09!

Grey the Lion!

off to trick-or-treat!

the boys...uncle daane came too!

he didn't want to wait to get home to take the candy out....

all eyes on the candy

our tired lion getting a lift from Daddy!

he may have looked ferocious, but he's still my sweet baby grey!

the family....even Ocoee is peeking out the window!

ditched the costume and content with the candy!

Well, that’s a wrap folks!  It was a great night!  Here’s our ‘09 Halloween collage….can next year even compare??!

Halloween '09

17 Months and a pretty autumn day October 25, 2009

Today was such a beautiful day so we spent a lot of time outside.  Grey and I went on a long walk through our neighborhood and took some pics along the way….

the boy across the street let Grey try out his bike!

he definitely pounded me with this stick 1 second after I took this....

While sorting the laundry… October 25, 2009

Today I had our clean laundry in baskets in our living room.  Greyson LOVES to “sort” the clothes….(takes the clothes out of the baskets and puts them back in.)  Well, I was in the other room as he was “sorting” and when I came back in, this is what I saw:

so proud of his "outfit"

Yes, that is a pair of Craig’s underwear AND a pair of my underwear around his neck.  I burst out laughing when I saw him….especially since the “outfit” was paired with his gigantic smile.  Yes, it’s kinda gross, (but I promise they are CLEAN), yes, it kinda weirded me out for a second, yes, maybe I shouldn’t have posted this picture online….but man, it’s hilarious!

Update on my little man! October 11, 2009

It’s been awhile since I’ve mentioned Greyson on here….he is changing so much lately!

He is almost 17 months old.  That is crazy to me.  He’s quickly growing out of the “baby” stage and I think I’m O.K. with that….he’s so much fun!

At his last doctor appointment (at 15 months) he weighed 24 lbs. 11 oz (just under the 50th percentile) and was 33 1/2 inches tall (95th percentile)

He has 9 teeth….4 of them have come through in the past 2 weeks.  He’s had 2 haircuts and is in desperate need of a 3rd. 

Things Grey’s doing lately:

*saying animal sounds (mostly just for dogs and cows so far).  In fact, whenever he sees a dog, he points at it and starts barking….barks instead of just saying “dog”.  He’s a silly one.

*Says Grandpa, Ocoee, “here ya go”, baby, basketball, and a few others that I’ve only deciphered once or twice….in addition to the few words he’s already been saying.  He’s still doesn’t have a lot of words.  He talks A LOT and loves to have conversations with us….we are just hoping his language will become a little more clear to us listeners here soon! 

*My lovely brother taught Greyson to fake burp….thanks for that one Daane.  Makes for a good video though…enjoy!

*He understands so much of what we say to him.  When I say, “Grey, let’s go take your bath!”, he drops everything, climbs up the stairs, walks into his bathroom, and tries to hop in the tub.  When I say, go pick out a book, he’ll come back with a book (even if the books are a few rooms away).  When I ask him where a certain toy animal is out of his farm animals, he’ll pick up the one that I said.  When I ask him if he wants a snack, he walks over to his high chair.  The list goes on and on.

*He gives kisses and blows kisses

*He has discovered his scream.  Let me tell you, it is the most high-pitched scream ever.  He uses it when he’s extremely excited….but he has also used it to throw mini-temper tantrums.  If Grey wants something and can’t have it, he screams.  It happens at home, once in a while in grocery stores (when he doesn’t want to be in the cart), and, the worst one: in Chick-fil-a when he didn’t want to leave the play area.  Since he doesn’t have much of a vocabulary yet, he screams to communicate when he’s frustrated or upset.  We’re working on this one.  Any suggestions?  Please?

*He puts himself to sleep.  This one took awhile for Grey.  Up until a month or two ago, I either had to put Grey in his crib asleep (or almost asleep) or let him cry for an hour straight….I know, pretty bad, huh?!  It was our fault.  We started patterns early on with giving him a bottle right before bed and rocking him to sleep.  It was tough to break.  We are definitely taking notes for the next time around!  Thankfully, he now is more content in the crib when we leave him and puts himself to sleep.  Oh, and by the way:  He’s sleeping from about 8:30-8 or 9 consistently!  Yay for a baby who sleeps in….his record was 11am….what?!!!

*He’s obsessed with dogs.  I told you what he does when he sees dogs.  Whenever he’s around a new dog, he gets so excited!  I walk our neighbors dogs quite a bit and he loves to walk one of them (they’re small dogs).  It’s hilarious to me to look behind me on the sidewalk to see a 1 yr. old with the proudest grin on his face holding a leash.  He does a pretty good job too!

*He’s getting to be a picky eater.  Once a veggie-lover, now a veggie hater.  He’s even denying his old favorite: bananas, lately too.  He loves crackers, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, cream of wheat, apples, pears, raspberries, meat, pizza, spaghetti oh’s, chicken casseroles, and usually corn (the one veggie he doesn’t throw on the floor).  Of course, the occasional sweet that he gets makes his day.  He was standing in our living room today holding a pumpkin cookie with the biggest grin ever!

O.k…that’s enough of an update.  Here are a few recent pictures (our camera isn’t working well, so I haven’t been able to be as picture crazy lately):

a Steelers fan is he!

taking a bikeride with Daddy!

mom, it's fun to empty the cereal onto the floor and then eat it.....

visiting with Grammy McKown

clapping with Grammy

"here ya go"

but I don't want this sweatshirt on!

who needs a pony?

Grey's very first Lego set from Daddy!

Class of ‘99 October 9, 2009

10 yrs. ago Craig and I graduated from high school, and, let me tell you, it feels like it’s been longer!  Life has changed so much since then….I’ve lived so many places since then, and had so many experiences that have separated me from that world that I once knew so well!

about to graduate! with my best friend Lindsey '99

High school was a positive experience for me.  I had amazing friends and was very involved in sports (volleyball mostly) and music.  It’s funny because when I graduated I thought that I would never have better years than my high school years….was I insane??!!!  Though I still look back at those years with fond memories, I’m happy to have moved on. 

All that to say, we had our Forest Hills Northern Class of 1999 10 yr. Reunion in August.  I didn’t take any pictures at the reunion itself (thanks to the free wine, I forgot I even brought my camera….) But, here are a couple pictures from the hotel that we met at beforehand:

Proud to show off my fine Nashville native hubby-o-mine!

Amy, me, Jill, and Lindsey....still my girls! (we missed you JEN!)

A month and a half later (this past weekend) was the Donelson Christian Academy 10 yr. Reunion in good ‘ole Nashville, TN.  Again, we took NO pictures at the reunion, but it was a good time….not as good as mine though!  Craig was disappointed that some of his best guy friends didn’t show up….and we had to leave a little early to make the 5 hr. trip back to Cincinnati to make it to church the next morning (ah, the joys of having a husband who has to work on Sundays…)  Here’s a picture of us as we were leaving for the reunion:

Loving My Church September 28, 2009

It’s true.  I love my church.  It’s taken me years to say this honestly.  Having a husband whose JOB is to work at a church has been challenging at times.  Over the years, I began to see the flaws and imperfections of how churches are run….I began to see hypocrisy and pride….politics….judgement….I was seeing things that churches try (usually successfully) to hide from their attenders.  In return, I experienced bitterness.  There was a time when Craig and I simply didn’t want to ever set foot in a church again.  We decided that we would just create church in our lives….we would meet together with fellow believers and forget the political institution that had become “church”.

To an extent, our idea was great.   “Church” truly isn’t a building…it’s a group of people, and we need to be getting together and living life with each other outside of Sunday mornings.  We still believe that.  However, churches have their benefits if you find something that is real, genuine, and true.  We found that in 4 Corners.  Yes, there is a building involved.  Yes, they take up an offering.  Yes, there are flaws.   BUT, we are human.  We aren’t perfect.  I know without a doubt though that the leaders at this church are honest and authentic.  They don’t claim to know it all.  They truly care about every person who walks in the doors each week.  As a result, God is working and lives are changing.  It’s great to be in a place where the good things going on far outweigh any negative aspects of “church”.

Not only have we found a church that is great to work at AND great to attend, I also have a happy husband.  He loves his job.  He loves who he works with.  He loves that he can be himself….instead of being forced to fit into some kind of mold.  YAY!

These are a couple of my favorite things that we’ve done in the past year….the first video is of our Cardboard Testimonies from last fall.  Please watch it.  It’s incredible!

This second video was from this past Sunday….our Executive Pastor’s (Greg Hodges) interview with the President. 

Back in the schools September 20, 2009

Friday was my first day as a substitute teacher here in good ‘ole Ohio.  It was also my first day of work outside the home since I had Greyson.  I am subbing on Fridays since that is Craig’s day off.  So, while I go get my teaching on (and make a tad bit of extra money), the boys get to have a day with each other.

The first half of the day I subbed in a 12th grade British Lit class.  It was fun to be with high schoolers since I work with them at church….but it was tough at first to remember that I had a different role than I was used to.  When I introduced myself to the first period class, I started to say, “Good morning, my name is Lin….I mean, MRS. McKown.”  In fact, one of the kids from the youth group had a class down the hall from where I was so he came in with a big grin and said, “Hey MRS. McKown…wow, that’s strange to call you that”.    But, after my near-mishap with my name/title, it was smooth sailing.  After leaving the high school at lunchtime, the second half of my day was spent in a fifth grade classroom.  I was definitely in my element (since most of my teaching experience has been in 4th and 5th grade).

Throughout the day, I was reminded of aspects of teaching that I just haven’t thought about for the last 16 months:

• Planning periods!  I was looking over the British Lit class, and the 3rd period plan said:  PLANNING.  Ahhhh, those breaks were always so needed for me as a teacher (even though I usually worked through the entire thing)
• Caffeine is necessary as a teacher!
• Some teachers make me so mad.  (I overheard some male teacher on a power trip yelling at his high school students and it reminded me of all the crappy teachers out there)
• The countdown to the bell is alive and well.  Even on my first day back, I found myself glancing at the clock every five minutes that last 1/2 hr.  or so.

Though it was a good day, it was very humbling.  It was weird walking into someone else’s classroom,  going over someone else’s lesson plans….when it was always MY classroom and ME that had to get plans ready for a sub.  I kinda felt like an outsider….made me mad for not reaching out more to subs when I taught!  In all, I’m excited for my Fridays this year!  It was refreshing to be back in a place that I love to be!  Cheers to the Fridays to come!

Resting, Waiting, Trusting September 9, 2009

As I was applying for teaching jobs this summer, I didn’t envision my life as it is today.  I thought that on a Wednesday in September I would be in a school working with students….not at home with my sweet baby boy.  On the first day of school a few weeks ago, I held Greyson so close and cherished the fact that I was still spending my days with him.

Here’s the deal:  I applied for every job opening (that I qualified for) that came up in the schools around here.  That came out to about 10.  I didn’t even get ONE call, let alone an interview.  I did get a job with a tutoring company but I have yet to get students to tutor (which means, I have yet to get paid).  I’ve had moments of great discouragement.  I doubted myself and wondered what the heck was wrong with me (but then realized no one even met me to decide if there was any thing wrong with me!)

But, lately, my feelings are that of contentment.  Don’t get me wrong, I still need a job and I’m still actively looking for one…but, amidst this process, I’m at peace.  I was listening to Rita Springer’s song, “Resting” today.  Her words echoed perfectly what I feel God has been reminding me of lately:

1.  Rest in His presence (and resisting the anxiety and fear about the future that creeps in)

2.  Wait in His presence (truly believing that God has a perfect plan….and that sometimes, in the times when we most want answers, God is wanting us to wait on him and his timing)

and…

3.  Trust Him fully and completely (that he’ll provide and that he truly wants what’s best for our family just like I do…the difference is this:  he KNOWS what’s best, and I don’t.)

SOOOO,  as we scrounge to pay these bills for yet another month, I’m smiling (for now). 

This little clip of Grey dancing makes me so happy!….kinda puts things into perspective for me!  I am SO blessed to still be at home with him for now!  The video is horrible quality, but man, this kid is amazing!!!!

Bring on the Granola! September 8, 2009

O.k…so this is NOT a cooking blog by any means (since I’m no Betty Crocker), but I do have a recipe that I’m LOVING lately.  If you know me well, you know I love me some granola.  When my friend Kristin made these granola bars a few weeks ago, I had to try out the recipe myself.  And…it’s super easy and oh, so good!  You’ll seriously miss out if you don’t make these and try them SOON!

Granola Bars:

1/2 cup butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup real maple syrup or honey

2/3 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups cooking oats

1 cup wheat germ

1 cup graham crackers crushed

1 cup cherry or orange flavored sweetened dried cranberries

1.  Grease 9×13 pan

2.  Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.  Stir in brown sugar and maple syrup (or honey).  Heat to boiling.  Boil 1 minute stirring frequently.  Remove from heat.  Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until mixture is smooth.

3.  Stir remaining ingredients into peanut butter mixture.  Press evenly into pan.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.  For bars:  cut into rows.  Store covered in the fridge for firm bars, or out for softer ones.

**I’m not a huge “craisin” fan, so I skipped the cup of cranberries and added a 1/2 cup of coconut to the mixture at the very end instead.  They’re good both ways, but I definitely liked it better with a little coconut!

1 bar:  160 calories–16g of fiber–5g of protein (not bad, eh??)