We're back from our Caribbean Cruise and what was truly one of the most relaxing vacations of my life. Definitely needed for both of us. Pictures to come this week ... hopefully.
Taking a week off work was so amazing for both of us. It's the first full week we've had off since we started two years ago. Can you imagine? You probably can. It's so weird going from school and college where you get two months off for summer and a month off for Christmas, to trying to make sure that you at least have Christmas day to spend with the family. 10 days. Ten days off all year and spending five of them this week was just plain amazing.
We are so blessed to be able to do that. The cruise was amazing. Cozumel was beautiful, the Mayan ruins were humbling and the pillows were super comfortable.
More to come later.
Katlynn
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Visits
This month we were blessed with three weekends of visits from our family. First Mom, Dad, Coleman and Heindrick (Sorry if your name spelling is incorrect bud), then Ben and Lacey, then Penny, Sterling and Ashley!!! I had to get over the whole perfect house thing because to be honest I think I dusted once in those three weeks.
I hate living so far away from our families, but I really enjoy their visits. We have so much fun. (BTW: I beat Ben, Lacey and Matt in bowling . . . after I got last place the first round.)
Family and their visits is certainly a blessing in our lives and something to look forward to for the end of the week. Thanks to everyone for making the long drive to come see us.
UPDATES:
1. The new house thing is going great. I love it and I love the room it gives us. I also love that our visitors get their own room and bathroom.
2. I got a new car!!!! It's a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and it was CHEAP! Those are the best kind of cars. I am so excited. I love getting in and driving it. The only downfall is the people who owned it before us smoked, so despite the multiple applications of Fabreze the smell is still pretty obvious. I have a secret recipe from Penny I still need to try, but does anyone else have any suggestions?
3. Work is going really well for Matt. His work load is picking up which I'm told is a good thing because it means job security.
4. Work for me is going well. We got a new reporter so my duties changed a little. I still cover Clute, Lake Jackson and Brazosport ISD. But I got rid of my little towns which means about five stories a month less than I used to have. This was replaced by more responsibility in special sections, taking on the Business Journal cover story every month and a greater emphasis in coverage on our big subscription area: Lake Jackson. But most importantly this change means that I have a minimum five more nights a month at home that I would have normally spent at a meeting. This change is such a blessing to me and Matt and definitely an answer to prayers.
6. We are planning a cruise for the end of August!!! Yay!! We thought about sight seeing in Washington DC and the east coast, but when it came down to it what we really wanted (and needed) was a vacation that included a lot of relaxation. A cruise fit the bill.
7. Some very important people in my life are either pregnant or just had babies. I'm so excited for them! Anyone have cute do-it-yourself gift ideas for new mothers?
Other than these few changes we're trucking along. Going to church, going to work, teaching Bible class and working on extra income options.
As always, God has blessed us richly and we have more to be thankful for every day.
I hate living so far away from our families, but I really enjoy their visits. We have so much fun. (BTW: I beat Ben, Lacey and Matt in bowling . . . after I got last place the first round.)
Family and their visits is certainly a blessing in our lives and something to look forward to for the end of the week. Thanks to everyone for making the long drive to come see us.
UPDATES:
1. The new house thing is going great. I love it and I love the room it gives us. I also love that our visitors get their own room and bathroom.
2. I got a new car!!!! It's a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and it was CHEAP! Those are the best kind of cars. I am so excited. I love getting in and driving it. The only downfall is the people who owned it before us smoked, so despite the multiple applications of Fabreze the smell is still pretty obvious. I have a secret recipe from Penny I still need to try, but does anyone else have any suggestions?
3. Work is going really well for Matt. His work load is picking up which I'm told is a good thing because it means job security.
4. Work for me is going well. We got a new reporter so my duties changed a little. I still cover Clute, Lake Jackson and Brazosport ISD. But I got rid of my little towns which means about five stories a month less than I used to have. This was replaced by more responsibility in special sections, taking on the Business Journal cover story every month and a greater emphasis in coverage on our big subscription area: Lake Jackson. But most importantly this change means that I have a minimum five more nights a month at home that I would have normally spent at a meeting. This change is such a blessing to me and Matt and definitely an answer to prayers.
6. We are planning a cruise for the end of August!!! Yay!! We thought about sight seeing in Washington DC and the east coast, but when it came down to it what we really wanted (and needed) was a vacation that included a lot of relaxation. A cruise fit the bill.
7. Some very important people in my life are either pregnant or just had babies. I'm so excited for them! Anyone have cute do-it-yourself gift ideas for new mothers?
Other than these few changes we're trucking along. Going to church, going to work, teaching Bible class and working on extra income options.
As always, God has blessed us richly and we have more to be thankful for every day.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
To abound
"You know y'all are a lucky young couple right?"
- My Mom
She's almost always right and she certainly was when she said that to me last weekend during a family visit. Matt and I showed my mom and dad the new house for the first time. While the boys were doing something on their own, mom and I went into a back bedroom and grabbed Guitar Hero.
She made the comment about our luck when I asked her if she would like to play drums or guitar. It seems like a very simple thing to me . . . fake drums or fake guitar. But thinking back on pictures of my parents first years as a married couple, Matt and I are blessed indeed.
Yet, imperfect person that I am, I can find something to complain about. I can find something more to want. This is something that I'm working on - contentment. It's an attitude God wants me to have and when you thing about the definition, why wouldn't I want to have that for myself?
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil. 4:11 -13
"I have learned the secret ..." if only we could all learn the secret. True contentment comes naturally to very few people. We always want more.
What I find so fascinating about this verse is that he speaks of abundance as if that too is a trial we must go through. While it's a trial many people in third world countries would love to try their hand at, it's a trial that almost every American faces.
Do I know how to abound? Do I realize that all that I have is a gift from God? Do I trust him completely to take care of me, leaving behind my worries when I finish my prayers? Am I selfish and keep my success, happiness and money all to myself? Do I give enough?
Does anyone?
As I sit on my recliner with my computer in my lap, I can see many things around me that I truly don't need. I would not call Matt and I extravagant by any means. We live well within our budget and make saving money a priority. And I wouldn't say we're stingy with our money, we give to our congregation every week.
But is that really abounding in a way that God would be proud of? What's "the secret"?
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27
I know how to abound. I know the secret. What remains is for me to do it.
- My Mom
She's almost always right and she certainly was when she said that to me last weekend during a family visit. Matt and I showed my mom and dad the new house for the first time. While the boys were doing something on their own, mom and I went into a back bedroom and grabbed Guitar Hero.
She made the comment about our luck when I asked her if she would like to play drums or guitar. It seems like a very simple thing to me . . . fake drums or fake guitar. But thinking back on pictures of my parents first years as a married couple, Matt and I are blessed indeed.
Yet, imperfect person that I am, I can find something to complain about. I can find something more to want. This is something that I'm working on - contentment. It's an attitude God wants me to have and when you thing about the definition, why wouldn't I want to have that for myself?
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil. 4:11 -13
"I have learned the secret ..." if only we could all learn the secret. True contentment comes naturally to very few people. We always want more.
What I find so fascinating about this verse is that he speaks of abundance as if that too is a trial we must go through. While it's a trial many people in third world countries would love to try their hand at, it's a trial that almost every American faces.
Do I know how to abound? Do I realize that all that I have is a gift from God? Do I trust him completely to take care of me, leaving behind my worries when I finish my prayers? Am I selfish and keep my success, happiness and money all to myself? Do I give enough?
Does anyone?
As I sit on my recliner with my computer in my lap, I can see many things around me that I truly don't need. I would not call Matt and I extravagant by any means. We live well within our budget and make saving money a priority. And I wouldn't say we're stingy with our money, we give to our congregation every week.
But is that really abounding in a way that God would be proud of? What's "the secret"?
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27
I know how to abound. I know the secret. What remains is for me to do it.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The spring
Wow, I really stink at this whole blog thing despite my determination to keep it up!!!
That is SO me. Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right? Sigh, just one of the many things I need to fix about myself.
So this post is meant to update you on our life during the spring. It was a good three months. Though we moved two months ago, yesterday I officially unpacked the last box, found a place for the last item and hung the last picture. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked from room to room looking at the masterpiece that is my awesome home.
I don't mean to brag. Don't get me wrong. It's a little three bedroom home that has it's flaws including the fact that in the kitchen hot water comes out of the cold water faucet before it becomes cold and cold water comes out of the hot water faucet before it becomes hot. . . . I have no idea why. This was particularly annoying after I burned myself and could not get cold water on the flaming finger.
But it's so exciting to have a home. It's great to come home to Matt and see the beautiful back yard he's worked so hard to make nice. It's great to come home to a kitchen where two of us can comfortably make super together. It's great to come home to a bedroom where I can stand on both sides and the end of the bed, reach my arms out and not touch nearby walls. Just GREAT!
But I digress. This spring something far more amazing happened. My brother married Lacey!
We are so very excited for them. They are just great together and I love Lacey so much. Their ceremony was super sweet and beautiful. I didn't have any doubt that Ben loved Lacey before their wedding, but after hearing his vows I'm beyond sure. Lacey's vows made clear not only how much she loves him, but how open her eyes are going into this marriage. She loves his despite his faults (and let me just say he has very few). That is a woman worth keeping around.
So, Lacey, welcome to the family. Ben did a great job of picking out a sister for me. ;) LOL
That's it for now and hopefully I won't wait two months before getting y'all up to date again.
That is SO me. Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right? Sigh, just one of the many things I need to fix about myself.
So this post is meant to update you on our life during the spring. It was a good three months. Though we moved two months ago, yesterday I officially unpacked the last box, found a place for the last item and hung the last picture. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked from room to room looking at the masterpiece that is my awesome home.
I don't mean to brag. Don't get me wrong. It's a little three bedroom home that has it's flaws including the fact that in the kitchen hot water comes out of the cold water faucet before it becomes cold and cold water comes out of the hot water faucet before it becomes hot. . . . I have no idea why. This was particularly annoying after I burned myself and could not get cold water on the flaming finger.
But it's so exciting to have a home. It's great to come home to Matt and see the beautiful back yard he's worked so hard to make nice. It's great to come home to a kitchen where two of us can comfortably make super together. It's great to come home to a bedroom where I can stand on both sides and the end of the bed, reach my arms out and not touch nearby walls. Just GREAT!
But I digress. This spring something far more amazing happened. My brother married Lacey!
We are so very excited for them. They are just great together and I love Lacey so much. Their ceremony was super sweet and beautiful. I didn't have any doubt that Ben loved Lacey before their wedding, but after hearing his vows I'm beyond sure. Lacey's vows made clear not only how much she loves him, but how open her eyes are going into this marriage. She loves his despite his faults (and let me just say he has very few). That is a woman worth keeping around.
So, Lacey, welcome to the family. Ben did a great job of picking out a sister for me. ;) LOL
That's it for now and hopefully I won't wait two months before getting y'all up to date again.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Our New Home
Pictures to come, but we are officially moved in to our new home and have waived goodbye to our apartment. Our house looks like a bomb went off at a clothing and box factory. It's funny, I thought our house would look empty compared to our tiny apartment, but I think we will actually fill it up nicely.
Going through the apartment one last time before I turned in our keys was a little sad. That was the first place we lived as husband and wife. Though it may sound sappy I can remember when me and mom went to the apartment and unpacked as much as possible to try to make it feel homey for the day Matt and I returned from our honeymoon.
But we are now on to bigger and better things. Like the terrifying two words: home ownership. There are so many things I already want to do to this house. And so many things we had to do that were unexpectedly expensive. Like buy blinds and new door knobs.
Who knew door knobs cost so much!?!
Waking up in this home still feels very new, but I love it so much. We finally live in a place where we can't have a conversation while at two completely different ends of the house! We can finally fit all of our dishes, kitchen gadgets and food into the kitchen space! We can use our couch instead of placing it behind the dining room table! We can use all sides of our dining room table without pulling it away from a wall! I can sit on the edge of the bed while unable to touch the nearby wall with my hand! We have a yard! We have room for a garden!
So many things to be excited about and enjoy. Being an adult turns out to be kindof fun, sometimes.
Going through the apartment one last time before I turned in our keys was a little sad. That was the first place we lived as husband and wife. Though it may sound sappy I can remember when me and mom went to the apartment and unpacked as much as possible to try to make it feel homey for the day Matt and I returned from our honeymoon.
But we are now on to bigger and better things. Like the terrifying two words: home ownership. There are so many things I already want to do to this house. And so many things we had to do that were unexpectedly expensive. Like buy blinds and new door knobs.
Who knew door knobs cost so much!?!
Waking up in this home still feels very new, but I love it so much. We finally live in a place where we can't have a conversation while at two completely different ends of the house! We can finally fit all of our dishes, kitchen gadgets and food into the kitchen space! We can use our couch instead of placing it behind the dining room table! We can use all sides of our dining room table without pulling it away from a wall! I can sit on the edge of the bed while unable to touch the nearby wall with my hand! We have a yard! We have room for a garden!
So many things to be excited about and enjoy. Being an adult turns out to be kindof fun, sometimes.
Friday, March 26, 2010
New Home . . . Soon?
So only a few weeks into a new blog and I have already lapsed into my old habit of never writing. Sigh.
The good news is I haven't been on because Matt and I are moving into our new home next week, hopefully. We've been held in limbo as to the exact day of closing, but we're hopeful Monday is the day.
I will post pictures as soon possible.
Until then . .
The good news is I haven't been on because Matt and I are moving into our new home next week, hopefully. We've been held in limbo as to the exact day of closing, but we're hopeful Monday is the day.
I will post pictures as soon possible.
Until then . .
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Joy
This morning's sermon was one that I so desperately needed to hear. The lesson was about finding joy outside of our life circumstances and instead finding joy in God. We looked at the example of Paul's life and his letter to the Philippians to learn about joy.
JOY! We are told we can feel it every day if we know how to go after it. Here are the things Doug Raymer pointed out.
What Paul didn't do:
Complain - Phil. 2:14 "Do all things without grumbling or questioning."Hold grudges - Phil1:15-18
Worry about pointless things - Phil.3:7-8
Dwell on the past - Phil.3:13 What would Paul's life be like if he dwelled on his not so great past? He had a bunch to be ashamed of, but he asked for forgiveness and moved on. If only all of us chose to do the same.
What Paul did:
Expressed gratitude - Phil.1:3
Built and nurtured relationships - Phil.1:7-8, 4:1
Had hope for the future - Phil.1:18-20,3:20-21
Saw the good in his life - Phil.1:12-13
Pursued a noble purpose - Phil.1:21,3:14
Practiced humility - Phil.2:3-4
Prayed about his difficulties - Phil.4:6-7
Thought beautiful thoughts - Phil.4:8
Content with what he had - Phil.4:11-12
Phil.4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." That includes living a joyful life through many trials and pain or even just daily annoyances.
This is a lesson I need to remember every day. Too often we blame our circumstances for our feelings. My job makes me stressed. My spouse drives me crazy. So and so hurt by feelings. But the truth is joy is within ourselves, within our control, within our reach. Through God all things are possible.
Joy is a choice each of us should be making.
JOY! We are told we can feel it every day if we know how to go after it. Here are the things Doug Raymer pointed out.
What Paul didn't do:
Complain - Phil. 2:14 "Do all things without grumbling or questioning."Hold grudges - Phil1:15-18
Worry about pointless things - Phil.3:7-8
Dwell on the past - Phil.3:13 What would Paul's life be like if he dwelled on his not so great past? He had a bunch to be ashamed of, but he asked for forgiveness and moved on. If only all of us chose to do the same.
What Paul did:
Expressed gratitude - Phil.1:3
Built and nurtured relationships - Phil.1:7-8, 4:1
Had hope for the future - Phil.1:18-20,3:20-21
Saw the good in his life - Phil.1:12-13
Pursued a noble purpose - Phil.1:21,3:14
Practiced humility - Phil.2:3-4
Prayed about his difficulties - Phil.4:6-7
Thought beautiful thoughts - Phil.4:8
Content with what he had - Phil.4:11-12
Phil.4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." That includes living a joyful life through many trials and pain or even just daily annoyances.
This is a lesson I need to remember every day. Too often we blame our circumstances for our feelings. My job makes me stressed. My spouse drives me crazy. So and so hurt by feelings. But the truth is joy is within ourselves, within our control, within our reach. Through God all things are possible.
Joy is a choice each of us should be making.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Learning to Laugh . . . at myself
I must admit, I think I've learned the lesson of laughing at myself pretty well over the years. Between the lack of balance, my red face at any sign of exercise or embarrassment and my amazing ability to stick my foot in my mouth. Learning to laugh at myself is a lesson I get day in and day out.
Yesterday I wasn't the only one to laugh at myself, my coworkers and bosses got a good laugh too.
I had been corresponding with a woman back and forth for several days and knew she had typed her phone number at the bottom of one of her messages. I clicked on it, scrolled down and found the phone number.
Two rings into the phone call my own cell phone starts ringing with my main office line showing as the number that was calling. (No matter where the phone call is from, it always shows the main line.) I was curious, picked up the phone and said hello. Immediately hearing my own voice saying hello in my work phone.
I hung up both phones, put my head on my desk and began laughing. How did I call my own cell phone without realizing I was dialing my number?
Laughing at myself was a great break to a hard day. And I probably gave everyone else at the office a great break too.
Yesterday I wasn't the only one to laugh at myself, my coworkers and bosses got a good laugh too.
I had been corresponding with a woman back and forth for several days and knew she had typed her phone number at the bottom of one of her messages. I clicked on it, scrolled down and found the phone number.
Two rings into the phone call my own cell phone starts ringing with my main office line showing as the number that was calling. (No matter where the phone call is from, it always shows the main line.) I was curious, picked up the phone and said hello. Immediately hearing my own voice saying hello in my work phone.
I hung up both phones, put my head on my desk and began laughing. How did I call my own cell phone without realizing I was dialing my number?
Laughing at myself was a great break to a hard day. And I probably gave everyone else at the office a great break too.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to my new blog. I'm sure not many people followed my first blog, but I thought it was time to get a blog that I could play with a little more.
I am also using this change as an opportunity to change the topic of my blog. I will still update everyone on the things going on with Matt and I, but I'm going to add a column type of entry. Meaning something that you would see in newspapers, magazines, that sort of thing.
I don't know if anyone will be interested on my thoughts about being a Christian woman, living life to its fullest and learning to love. But I hope it will effect a life or two and it will certainly take a load off of my mind.
I plan to use this blog as a way to get my thoughts on paper, organize them and as I think about how to explain what I am thinking I hope I will be able to focus on how to better myself in these areas.
As so many famous people have said (though I can't think of their names right now) a goal not written down is worthless. The same could be said for thoughts.
So here are my thoughts, my feelings, my opinions. Take them or leave them.
I am also using this change as an opportunity to change the topic of my blog. I will still update everyone on the things going on with Matt and I, but I'm going to add a column type of entry. Meaning something that you would see in newspapers, magazines, that sort of thing.
I don't know if anyone will be interested on my thoughts about being a Christian woman, living life to its fullest and learning to love. But I hope it will effect a life or two and it will certainly take a load off of my mind.
I plan to use this blog as a way to get my thoughts on paper, organize them and as I think about how to explain what I am thinking I hope I will be able to focus on how to better myself in these areas.
As so many famous people have said (though I can't think of their names right now) a goal not written down is worthless. The same could be said for thoughts.
So here are my thoughts, my feelings, my opinions. Take them or leave them.
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