So Long January!

I thought I'd close out January with a few more pictures from this month.  It's kind of a hodge podge of photos from the last couple of weeks.

Troy had a day off last week, and he met me on my lunch break for a quick date....

And here's a few from when I surprised Abby at daycare...

She is growing up too fast....

Speaking of Abby....(these are definitely not pictures from January!) ...  but we celebrated her 3rd birthday six weeks ago, and I never shared photos....

She had a Cinderella birthday, and Sam did a great job with the decor.  She made all of these treats to match the Cinderella color scheme...

Back to January...

Our house has looked so bare and sad with the Christmas trees gone.  

I added a few Valentine pieces to try and cheer it up....


Here are a few photos from a dinner and movie night we had with Troy's family this past weekend....



And a couple from a late date night at Homemade Pie Kitchen ...

And some from this past Saturday morning.....Troy made me the best waffles for breakfast.....

Be still my heart.....

And due to late night Pie Kitchen dates....  Mickey Waffles...  and loads of pasta at Buca di Beppo's...  here is a pic of where Jen and I have spent some of January...

And the last picture taken this month was this morning (and with my cell phone in the dark- so horrible quality)....

On my day off, when Troy is headed out the door for work...  he comes to kiss me goodbye....fluffs my blanket, and tells me to sleep in for awhile.  I think it's so sweet and selfless of him to say.  Some mornings I'm still asleep and barely remember him doing it....  and some mornings, like today.... I'm already awake and can grab my phone for a pic! 

 : )


So long January!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Kristin

Where I Go....

        No pictures tonight.  No funny stories or weekend recaps.  

You may want to come back another day.  : )

This post is probably super random.

But my heart sings a different song tonight.....   literally.

I grew up learning and singing songs about God.  I guess a lot of us do.

I attended a Catholic school, and my parents sacrificed much so that I could learn about God.  I often wonder how in the world they kept all three of us in a private school at the same time.  My mother did not work the majority of my childhood....  it was important to her and dad that she be home with us.  How they paid our tuition each month is beyond me.  But I guess you find a way when you want the best for your child.  And the best is what they hoped we would get from our private Catholic school. 

And it was the best for me in so many many ways.  I could make a list a mile long about all that I gained, and still maintain from those years.  

But really....   as far as building my relationship with the Lord... these were only the baby steps.

Like I said....  I grew up singing songs about God in school.  I could sing just about any song from the book of hymnals.  And of course.... I had my favorites...  that I still love to this day.

But I would say I was late into my teens before I began to sing to God...  about God...   and not just of God.

The story of this transformation .....of when I truly began to know the Lord in a deep and special way, is one that changed not only me.... but my family....  forever.

And ever.

It's a story that made me......  me.  

A time in our lives that would shape and mold us for the rest of time.

Around this time is when I learned of, and fell in love with Christian music....  Christian radio...  the music aisle in the Christian bookstore.....  or even in Target.

You mean they make music about Jesus other than the hymnals at church??  Good music.  New music.  Contagious music.  Music I can buy at Target?  I honestly had no idea.

It didn't take long for my family members to find their own favorites.  Whether is was a contemporary praise and worship cd...  or a Christian rock band....  we all found the ones we loved.  I also had a dear friend at the time who was very familiar with contemporary Christian music.  He shared so much with me and I will always be forever grateful for him.

It's these songs (and so many more that I've fallen in love with over the last 15 years!) that I go to when I'm..

well... I guess I just always go to them.

I go to them in the mornings on the way to work.  Me...  the Gene Snyder... and WJIE or KLOVE spend just about every morning together.

I go to them when I'm in the mood to crank it up loud and belt out one of my favorite cd's (Casting Crowns, Phillips Craig and Dean, Third Day, Mercy Me, etc.).  

I go to them when life couldn't be any better.

And I go to them when it's been a hard day.  Especially on a hard day.

In general....  so many people connect with music.  I know I always have....  all kinds of music. It does a soul good.  But when you connect with music....  where the lyrics are your very being...  your every thought, feeling and emotion.....it's extra special....  and enough to have me sobbing at a red light.  Think about a special song you share with your spouse.....  when you hear it, it's special and emotional.  For me...  it's the same when it's a song shared with the Lord.  Whether it's a song that praises Him...  or cries out to Him...   it's enough to make your day (oh how many times I feel a song was played just for me).....  break your day (I can't tell you how often I'm convicted during a song)....  or simply wake your day...  bring it purpose and life.

Don't get me wrong.....  I love lots of music....  and can sing all the new country hits with the best of them.  And occasionally, I'll even know something pop or rock.....though Troy will tell you I've probably picked it up from "Dancing With the Stars," or "American Idol."   : )

But my songs to the Lord is where I go.  When I'm stressed....   or the ones I love are stressed.....  whether it be my family or my close friends, I do what probably a lot of you do.  I pray.  But when my mind is tired....  when I can't find the words ....... I go to God in song.  Sometimes in the car alone....  sometimes at the computer...  sometimes with my Iphone while blowing my hair dry.  It's my prayer time.... my time with Him.

How often do we tell someone "oh, I will pray for you?"  We say it so much that it almost aggravates me.  How often do we ask for prayer like it's nothing?  It becomes so nonchalant, that it often loses it's reverence and meaning.  Let's be honest.....   how often do you lay down at night to pray, and before you make it past the second person on your list... you're fast asleep?  Half of those people you promised to pray for never make it onto your list.

And that's okay.

We're human.

We often have big hearts, but even bigger and busier lives.....  lives that make it nearly impossible to pray for everyone we'd like to.

So for me...   I pray with my music.  I will turn on a cd in the car and get lost in prayer for whoever is on my heart the most that day.  Most of the time it's the ones I love the very most....  but often it's someone I know very little of.

Third Day is a Christian band that my whole family loves.  My parents, siblings.... and even Troy can sing most of their songs.  Their song "I've Always Loved You" has been on my heart all day.  It's one of my favorites.  It's a song that the band wrote from God's perspective...... a song for His people. If you have a child..... have ever fallen in love.... or just care deeply for someone.... you can relate.  And to think that this is how God feels about us?  Unbelievable.

It's also a song that though I haven't heard him do it in years.....  my brother could pick up the guitar and play.  Hearing him play and sing this song is still enough to give me goosebumps.

It's been my song today.

How thankful I am for songs that feed my soul.

How thankful I am for parents that encouraged their teenagers (the age we were when I fell in love with Jesus) to go to church.... to give Him their life.  I can't imagine how different my life would be had they not shown and given me this gift.

How thankful I am for a God that fills me with His love.....  so much so...  that I've spent the last 30 minutes typing a blog post about music....  that you could probably careless about.

You may have stopped reading several paragraphs ago....   or you may think I'm a fruit cake ;-)....  but either way, I hope you have a song in your heart tonight....   and a prayer.

Try combining them some day..... your prayer and your song.....especially if you're praying for me....  because I know you'll fall asleep before getting to me tonight ;)

Have a wonderful evening.

Love,

Kristin

"I've Always Loved You"  -Third Day  (a song from God to His people)

(not my video)

I don't know how to explain it

But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm going to do for you

         

Off To A Good Start!

Oh Lordy, this is long.

Save it for when you're desperate.....  like if you get stuck on an elevator or something.  It's that bad.

How is your 2013 going?

We're only a few weeks into the new year, and already I'm behind on uploading photos (hence this post that never ends).

Here are a few from our New Year's Eve....

We went for Mexican food with Mom, Dad, Jason, Sam and Abby...

And then back to our house to ring in the New Year.  How sweet is this New Year's Eve baby?

We have done our Christmas with Sam and Jason on New Year's Eve for quite a few years now.

Troy and I found the neatest ornament shop when we were in New England.  We couldn't resist these for Sam and Jason...

Sam has told Abby from birth that we are "Aunt Kristin and Uncle Troy," which melts my heart into a million pieces.  But currently, Abby only gives Troy the title ....   she address me just by my name...but this is still her "Untle Troy"....

Jen and Nate walked over before midnight so that they could ring in the new year with us....

Isn't there some kind of saying about the people you ring in the new year's eve with are the people you'll spend your year with?

Maybe I made that up??  It sounds good, so I'm going with it.

Kisses at midnight....

Do you make New Year's resolutions?  I never really have and I think that's because I dread the New Year SO much.  I have trouble with endings and good-byes in general   Also, it's the end of the holiday season...  the end of a year full of so many memories...  it's bittersweet to me. 

I do however, always reflect back on our year.  I try to name the highlight, or what I feel was our biggest blessing of that year.  Going back just a couple of years.... my biggest blessing of 2010 was Troy matching for residency at the University of Louisville....  and buying our home.  I've said for a year now, that my biggest blessing of 2011 was a new friend and neighbor.  I love having such a close friend across the street.  And my biggest blessing of 2012 was by far the traveling we were able to do.  Five vacations in one year was an unbelievable opportunity for us, and one I'll always be thankful for.  Especially knowing that we started 2012 with "we can't have a baby yet...  we need to travel more....just the two of us."  We had no idea the Lord would bless us with the trips and opportunities that He did.  It still gives me goosebumps to think about it.

No matter the year or what I consider our biggest blessing...  we always seem to end every year with "this was our best year yet!"  I hope to say the same again at the end of 2013, no matter it's details.

Maybe that's my resolution.




Do you remember when I talked about Jen, and her best friend Lauren expecting at the same time?

Miss Erin Elizabeth has arrived!

A few weeks ago, we drove to Northern Kentucky (where Lauren lives) to see baby Erin and to celebrate Jen's birthday.

The new big brother....

 Megan and Erin....

This is Jen's boss, Julie...  her and Megan drove from Lexington to see Erin and to celebrate Jen's birthday.  I adore Julie.  She is so good to Jen and is the world's best boss.  She invited me to the next "work meeting" at Keeneland ....and said she'd just tell them I was her temp.  Love it!

We drove to Maggiano's for lunch to celebrate Jen's birthday.  Yes.  We drove to Cincinnati for lunch.  We enjoy it that much.

Between courses and the insane amount of food...  we passed Erin around....

After dinner, we visited the mall.  Jen and Lauren shopped for their new baby girls.  I loved watching them ooh and aah over all things girl.

Jen now refers to this day as the "world's longest lunch date," as we left Louisville at 10:30am and returned 11 hours later.  Time flies when you're having fun!  Thank you girls for including me in your day.  And to Karla- it just wasn't the same without you!  We did terrible with placing our orders, and really needed you there to control the situation.  Oh how we miss you.



Jen's wasn't the only birthday we celebrated.  Jason turned 40 this month and we celebrated with his family,  close friends, and Japanese food!

Troy and I took a couple of photos before we left for the party.  I had to share this one.  Troy is on a dermatology rotation right now, and the physician who works in the lab brings her cat to work every day (??).  Troy is allergic to cats, but can't resist them.  He LOVES them.  He's been coming home from work with itchy eyes/nose because he won't leave the cat alone.  He got a piece of cat hair (I guess) in his right eye on this day.   :)

After Japanese food, we went back to Sam/Jason's for dessert.  Debbie (Sam's mom) wanted Troy's medical expertise on something.  We were dying laughing because it reminded us of Sam's wedding rehearsal dinner (2006).  Debbie cut her hand during the rehearsal dinner and one of the aunts yelled for Troy to come to the rescue. 

He had been in medical school for 2 weeks...  but apparently in the midst of panic, they thought he could stitch it right up.  He looked at the hand and said..  "yeah...  you cut it," and didn't have too much more to offer.

Seven years ... and thousands of dollars later.. .  he knows a few things, : )   and can now provide adequate assessments at the kitchen table.

Debbie's copay was waived due to her keeping me company at the hibachi table during dinner.

; )

Happy Birthday Jason!  We love you!

Still not finished with birthdays.....

This weekend we celebrated a very late birthday with my brother-in-law....... who by the way may be the sweetest brother-in-law there is.

I don't say enough good about Eric on this blog.  He and Troy were inseparable when I came into the picture.  They spent their summers camping, going to the movies, Kings Island...  you name it.  And then Troy met me.  Their guy movies and fishing trips were replaced with Troy spending his every minute planning our next date.  

Even after Troy and I began dating, they at least played games on Sundays at the kitchen table.

And then Troy married me.... and left home.

I feel like he also left behind his brother time...   and I've always wondered why Eric is (and always has been) so good to me.

He is crazy smart, very successful, and a good man.  

And his girlfriend Sarah puts up with me and my picture taking ..... with a smile : ).  

Happy Belated Birthday Eric!  We are so proud of you and love you very much!

In between birthday weekends, I've enjoyed a couple of lunch dates.  Cheryl S. and I had lunch together one Tuesday and saw "Le Miserables."

It was a beautiful movie with great music and talent!  But the company is what I enjoyed the most.  Cheryl told me once that even though she's only known me for a few years, she feels like it's been a lifetime.  I couldn't agree more.  She has become such a wonderful friend to me!  She accepts me (and all my weirdness) for who I am, and that tickles me so much.  She listens to my Troy stories...  my work stories...  and will even hear all about Disney : ).  She requested text/pictures while we were in Disney and has probably regretted it ever since.  I flooded her phone.  But she is always so sweet to respond to all of my goofy text.  I think for me, what stands out the most about our friendship is her genuine happiness for me.  She is always so happy to hear about what Troy and I are up to, and no matter how exciting or boring it is, she is excited and happy to share in it.  I love that.

I also had a lunch date with my Ann last week.  She didn't want her picture taken because she was in sweats without her face on, but I told her that was too bad.  That's what so nice about a friendship of 22 years....   you treat them like a sister.  

And how cute is she?  And why do all of my friends who are my same age look 15 years younger than me!?  Time has been good to them.

I see my Ann every 4-6 weeks (she is responsible for all things hair for me) but it's not the same as a lunch date.  I'm glad we make time to spend together, even if we do see one another two days later for my hair appointment!

Ann is 5 months pregnant (though you'd never know it) with baby boy #3, and I love it so much.  I love that she's having another....   I love that we will maybe have little ones close in age...  but more than any of that I love seeing a best friend experiencing the things that we grew up talking about.  When I look at her pregnant, I see my past, present and future all at the same time.  The only thing sweeter then this photo will be the first photo of her and baby boy.....

Love you Ann....and all of the memories you have and will continue to give me!  Life just keeps getting better!

And while we're on the topic of memories and friendship....... last night Jennifer, Sam, and I went to dinner for our birthdays.  The three of us are all a week apart!

Aren't they precious?  I love them more than they'll ever know!  These are good girls...  girls that love the Lord....  we pray for each other....laugh with each other and love one another.  We continue to do all of life together.

Ann, Sam and Jennifer know me better than anyone in the world!  That is not only fun....  but so comforting.  Jennifer said last night that she remembers the three of us going to dinner for our 16th birthday.  I think this is so rare and so special!

I am so blessed!

I think that's it for January (so far!).   Looking back at these photos.....  I can't believe we've done all of this in 3 weeks!?

I'd say we're off to a good start!

Troy just came in from work looking like death again....  I said "did you touch that cat today?"   

His response...  "oh I have a new picture of Ginger, hang on I'll show you."

I give up.

Until this rotation is over I'll have the world's sexiest husband with one eye swollen shut :)

If anyone made it through all of that (hi Mom- love you!), I apologize and will try to be shorter next time!

Have a good evening!

Love,

Kristin