116 posts tagged “church”

Chorister Choir performing in church this last Sunday.  Lily is the last solo.  I couldn't figure out why she was being so fidgetey but I guess her nose wouldn't quit running.

Below 0 windchill:

1. Last week the temperatures was in the 50's.  Today, it's -5.  Along with the cold came Jace's croup which he thought he was getting over.  It's his first episode since April so it's definitely getting further between attacks.
2. Ray spent all of Sunday spraying the trim so carpet could be installed.  I went yesterday to help remove all the masking and paper.  The residual from the paint sprayer goes a long ways and ended up on a lot of the walls.  The more paper I removed, the more I started crying.  I spent so much time painting that house and there were entire walls and closets that needed redone.  I finally just had to leave!  Turned out that it didn't take as long as I thought it would to fix so it did get done yesterday.
3. To add to my Monday, we got a call from the utility company that since our geothermal heat pump meter wasn't connected last month, our bill was $490!!!!!!!!  They called back 10 minutes later to give us a $150 credit.  That didn't make me feel too much better.

Tropical heatwave:

1. Lily's room is carpeted!  Aside from hanging the light and door, her room is basically finished.  Today, they'll install the carpet in the guest bedroom and master bedroom.
2. My computer has been fixed!  We upgraded to Office 2007 so now I have Outlook back.  I have sure been missing my email addys and calendar!  Thank goodness all the information was still there.
3. My baby is turning 7 this week!  I'm not sure if that's good or bad but we'll have a good time.
4. I just love our church here.  The people are ridiculously kind and I like it!!

Thumbs Down:

1. Our house still hasn't sold yet.  There's a lady who loves it and wants it but her husband doesn't think they need a new house.  Feel free to pray that she changes his mind!
2. I helped Ray grout the main bathroom yesterday.  All I did was wipe off the excess and 3 of my fingers are split.  I won't be doing that again without gloves!

Thumbs Up:

1. This gorgeous weather we've had in November is totally making up for the crummy October.  I can now make it through winter.
2. I have 1 room left to paint in the house before we move in.  We hope to have carpet installed in the next 2 weeks and move in shortly after.  We might have a few things left to finish when we move in but that's ok!
3. Friends from Jamestown are coming this weekend to go hunting on our ranch.  It'll be fun to see them and Jace is totally stoked to see his godbrother that's the same age as him.
4. Chorister Choir sang for a church brunch last Sunday and it was classic (the one time Ray didn't record).  The 2 yr old twin-siblings of one of my singers decided they wanted to be with her.  So, they took turns coming up and standing by her and attempting to sing the song, that they didn't know, very loudly.  It was classic!  I guess I have some future members on my hands.
5. Friends who are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to help me paint.  Not only that, they're willing to do the cutting because I'm so bad at it!
6. My mom making us hot breakfasts every morning.  Today it was french toast and sausage.
7. My brother's new girlfriend.  I think we're going to become fast friends!

Today was the first performance of the new kids' choir that I started at our church here.  I was missing 2 kids but thought they did a fantastic job!

They don't have a set age limit for when kids can begin receiving communion here.  It's just up to the parents and the there are 3 weeks of classes that the child and parents go through.  We decided to have Jace go ahead and do it.  Cody didn't get to until the end of 5th grade but it was obvious kids do it younger here.  I must say I don't think Jace got nearly as much out of the classes as Cody did and Jace was one of the oldest ones there.  I sure don't plan to have Lily do it any younger. 

The whole family went to church including my parents and brother.  It's so awesome to have them present at all of these wonderful events.  We got Jace a dog tag cross necklace and he even wore it to school today.

Jace 1st Communion

Fumble:

1. I'm having 3 moles removed from my back next Monday.  I had 2 removed in college and my chiropractor suggested I have a few checked out at my last appt. before we moved.  I finally got around to it yesterday.  At first, the Dr. thought there were 2 that just needed watching but then she found one she didn't like under my bra strap.  If they're removing one, we might as well just get rid of all 3. 
2. Jace's flag football team got creamed last night. 
3. The Steelers lost on Sunday because Jeff Reed missed 2 field goals.  I could've understood missing one in the pouring rain but 2?!

Touchdown:

1. We're ordering our kitchen cabinets today or tomorrow.
2. The perfotaper finally arrived last night and began work today.  I'm hoping things will move along now!
3. The start of Fall TV programming.  I enjoyed DWTS and Castle last night. 
4. The kids are acclimating soooo well here.  I'm very happy and excited for them.
5. The 1st practice for my new kids' choir here was last Wednesday and I only had 6 kids (2 were mine).  When I scheduled it, I didn't realize it was an "early out" day for school.  The church program that is before my choir had less than half of the kids that attended the previous week so I'm hoping my attendance will be much better tomorrow.  I'd really like a minimum of 15 kids.
6. I went to my first handbell practice last week.  I've always wanted to learn to play.  It's harder than I thought but the others said I did amazing for my first time.

I met with our pastor yesterday about starting a kids’ choir but finding a good practice time is the hard part.  They already have an after-school program at the church from 3:30-5 on Wed. so I think that day is out of the question.  Every other day is filled up with sports activities so I’m putting some feelers out on Sunday evenings.  They also have a new Activities Coordinator position that he thought I might be interested in.  The job description is rather intimidating and I think impossible to get done in a maximum of 20 hrs / week.  Think I’ve already decided it’s not for me.  Some of it I would enjoy but some of it sounds like you arrange a lot of the confirmation and Sunday School programs which is not my field of expertise.  It also doesn’t make much sense for me to do that for $10-$12 an hour when I could make more working for mom. 

I did get invited to join the music selection committee after commenting on some of what I was doing in Jamestown.  They're moving to one service which I told him concerned me because we like a contemporary service.  His plan is to make it a mix.  Right now, he has two very traditional people and one contemporary person on the music selection committee so he said I could balance things out.  I also found out he has my favorite book for contemporary music so I’m excited about that. 

I also plan to join the Sanctuary Choir and Handbell Choir.  I've always wanted to learn handbells but they practiced on Mondays in Jamestown and I couldn't see spending another night away from home.   

As you know, the kids and I went to Jamestown for a few days to visit before school starts.  We spent 3 nights there and Lily spent all 3 nights with friends and the boys spent 2 of the nights with friends.  Good thing Rascal went with or I would've been completely alone!  We got to see just about everyone that we wanted to see but, of course, it wasn't long enough.  We even went to church on Sunday.  I was hoping AWE would be singing so I could join them but it was their Sunday off.  Directors haven't been found to replace me with AWE or the kids' choirs which really concerns me since time is running short.  Our Pastor tends to procrastinate a bit much and I'd hate to see the programs fail.

A few photos from our trip. 

Emily & Lily

Lily & Makenna

Bluebird's daughters with Jace & Lily.

Allie Lily Jayden & Jace

Logan Landon & Jace

Our house didn't sell from any of the 2nd showings last week.  I'm afraid we're going to have to drop the price again because we really need to unload it.

The last night was the best for me.  I had supper with Deb & Cory and then we sat on their deck and visited in the gorgeous weather.  Afterward, Kristi came over and we had a cup of Chai tea and visited before bed.

Thumbs Down:

1. Facebook not letting me post status updates.  It's obviously not doing it to everyone.  Are my updates just too boring or what?
2. Having to wait a week for my MT drivers license.  There's no sales tax in MT and ND doesn't charge MT residents sales tax on purchases over $50 if you have a MT drivers license.  Ray and I need to run to Menards this weekend and get a bunch of stuff for the new house.  Guess we'll have to make mom come with so we can use hers.

Thumbs Up:

1. Being at the lake!
2. The guys bringing in 16 walleye today.  There's nothing like fresh walleye and rhubarb crunch for supper!
3. Only having to drive 2 hrs to get to the lake.  It sure beats 3 1/2 hrs.
4. Jace & Lily's Vacation Bible Camp finale.  Lily did the opening prayer all by herself.  I'll have to share that video later.
5. Cody taking 3rd at the wrestling camp takedown tournament.

The man in charge of the recreational soccer program here told me that Saturday mornings at 10, whomever wants to gets together and plays soccer.  I'm quite sure he told me it was mostly middle schoolers.  I took Cody yesterday and we got there only to see several h.s. age boys.  Cody's soccer coach was also there and said the high school boys and some adults were practicing but Cody would fit in fine and could stay.  The goalie was out in the net and some of the other kids were trying to score on him so Cody went out to join them.  He was the only one who got the ball in the net and he did it twice.  I was still sticking around and then Cody came over and told me that he wanted to stay and I could leave.  I was soooo impressed!  If it had been me, I would've been outta there.  Way too intimidating of a situation for me!

When I returned to pick him up, he said the coach told him that the teens were asking if Cody could be on there team and that they nicknamed him Little Man.  They were all tall, skinny kids and Cody's not even 5'0" yet (though getting awfully close).

This morning, I went to church with my dad and brother.  The kids were up late so I was letting them have the morning off and Ray was working on the house.  Just before the service began, Cody showed up.  Apparently, he wanted to go and so had Ray drop him off on the way to the house.  He surprised me again!