Feels So Good

I just haven't been able to get my energy up to do anything productive this week.  Although, today I managed to get the kids dressed before lunch which is a major accomplishment=)  I even missed my OB appointment on Monday.  I completely forgot about it until that night...ugh!  I've been so tired and scatter-brained.  Not because we haven't been going to bed on time, though, because we have made our goal of 10-10:30 every night.  I think that the major physical effect of this pregnancy is definitely the exhaustion.

But today, being one of my most tired days, I decided to go get some exercise.  Not only did I KNOW it would give me a boost of energy but I'm afraid my body isn't going to keep up with my appetite and crazy cravings much longer;)  

So, off to walking I went and man did it feel good.  I ran consistently through my entire first pregnancy and attempted it with my second to no avail because of a knee injury that has yet to go away so a-walking I did go and I'm so glad I did!  It's going to be a good day after all.

I Always Want To Get Back There

Josh and I were at Ridge Church on Sunday.  It was one of my favorite Sundays there, for more than one reason...

*I LOVE to see a godly church plant growing=)

*Josh did a GREAT job leading worship!

*Pastor Chris Brown got to preach live and he is a GREAT communicator!

*I felt the presence of God so heavy upon my heart during the worship that all I could do was cry.

I didn't play.  Plans changed last minute and I had another week violin free!  That isn't why it was so good though.  It was one of those Sundays where I felt totally captivated by God.  Totally in His presence.  It was one of those moments that I am going to remember, I'm going to strive to get back to, for the rest of my life.  I admit that, even as a worship leader, I sometimes have to MAKE myself worship.  It doesn't always come naturally like it should.

Before the message even started Pastor Chris was just speaking from his heart and at one point he mentioned that there will be a moment in your life that you'll feel so close to God that you can't get it out of your head and you will spend the rest of your life striving to get back to that place.

One of those moments for me was when I was working at Camp Longridge as a camp counselor during the summers between my college years.  One summer in particular sticks out in my mind.  I felt in constant conversation with God throughout the day.  I remember waking up early each morning to start my day with Him before the campers got up and feeling so close to Him.  I remember that time often and want to get back to that place.  

Sunday was another "moment" that I will never forget.

What are some of YOUR moments that can't escape your mind?  Where do you strive to get back to?

When Your Older Sibling Is A Sister

Zeke came out in one of Rainy's princess dresses saying "I am beautiful!"

These miniature pony's are one of THOSE toys that Rainy 

and Zeke constantly fight over.  They are actually one of Zeke's

favorite toys!  He puts their shoes on and off for hours of fun=)

What can you do, huh?  He is very confident in his manhood=)

First Outing

Last night I was CRAVING a sub from Subway and I just couldn't handle any other food.  It seemed like everything else was making me sick.  Josh is so good to let me give in to my cravings.  Anyway, we went and got subs at Subway for me and Josh and then headed over to McDonald's for the kids.  **NOTE:  we fed the kids from the $1 menu for cheaper than 1 kid's meal would have cost us**  I don't remember the last time we went out to eat as a family just for fun.  We had a GREAT night.  After dinner the kids played in the play area and had a blast.  

Here's the best part of the night though.  We took Zeke on this outing in his BIG BOY UNDIES and he did AWESOME!  No accidents.  I am still shocked at how well he is doing and how easy he has been.  He's even started wearing his big boy undies during his nap time!

Today has been a nice, lazy, relaxing day.  The kids are down for a nap, Josh is rehearsing the set for the weekend and I've been going through the house to get every last thing for a BIG goodwill dropoff we're making tomorrow.  It always feels good to get rid of the things that we no longer need/use.  Hope everyone else is having a good weekend...

Another Year (A Little Late)

All the way home from Maryland and Virginia Josh and I talked about personal and spiritual goals we wanted to accomplish or work on in 2009.  I love the beginning of a new year.  Fresh starts, new beginnings and the feeling that changes CAN be made.  Here are just a few of the things that I want to work on this year.

Here's to a year of...

  *Going to bed on time - 10-10:30pm

*Getting up early - a goal of between 5:30-6am

*Consistently exercising

*Office hours - Josh and I set up office hours for me to help me get all the ministry stuff done and not feel so pulled in different directions.

*Date nights - We are going to line them up in advance so we have them on our schedules and CAN'T schedule anything else

*Song writing - Josh and I have a goal to write a song together this year!

*Trying to finish memorizing the book of Titus.  I'm finally on the last chapter and I WILL get through it!

*Being a better LISTENER

*Loving & supporting my family as a mother and wife like NO ONE ELSE can.  This is my GREATEST calling!

String Party 2008

***Read more about our yearly String Party Tradition HERE***

THE PREPARATION

My sister-in-law, Dana, is enjoying her army crawl under the strings

G-Daddy & Nonnie looking on in support

My brother, Andrew, and sister, Deedee, climbing high

Making sure we didn't miss anything

Pinning up the surprises

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

THE BIG DAY

Cousins, Joey and Alex following their strings

I think Alex likes what he found

Rainy found a treasure

Zeke even got to join the fun this year

Rainy's bootie bag

Christmas At Home

It was so awesome to have our first Christmas morning in our own home.  The kids woke up so excited.  They got one present before breakfast.  

Josh and I carried my family tradition of homemade Strawberry Butter and crescents.  The kids weren't too fond of the strawberry butter so Josh made them pancakes.

After breakfast we read a VERY brief version of the Christmas story;)  It's a little hard to keep the kids away from the presents that have been screaming their names for weeks from under the tree!

Rainy LOVES my littlest pet shop toys, can you tell?

Now Zeke doesn't have to use sticks and toy screws as microphones!

Back In The Saddle Again

Guess what Josh and I did yesterday? We went to church! I know it doesn't sound like much to you, but let me explain. We got up together, had breakfast and went to church as a family.

THEN, after the service was over we came straight home. No packing up, no tearing down.  We had our first weekend off in I don't know how long! It was incredible.

After lunch we began taking down Christmas and trying to find a home for all the new things that have been added to the Via household from Christmas. Our house if FINALLY back in order ... well, except for the piles of laundry that need to be washed and the kids playroom which looks like ToysRUs blew up all over it=)

It is so good to be back in the blogosphere and getting back into a routine.

This week I'll be posting some goals that I have made for 2009 and posting pictures of our Annual String Party as promised.  Stay tuned and Happy New Year=)

On Our Way

I'm sitting here while Josh packs up the car. We are ON OUR WAY HOME! I'm not looking forward to all the work waiting in the office for me but I am looking forward to being back in my own bed tonight. I left my camara adapter at home so I'll be posting pictures of our awesome week soon=)