Jan. 3rd - 17th, 2014

Hi Everyone, 


January is usually a time of both getting back into our usual routine and getting started with new ones. Micah and I spent some time planning for the year and we are looking forward to seeing how God might use us. Here's a few pictures of the Bumpkins... 

Let's just say Blake and Seth are reeeally enjoying the Nerf guns they got for Christmas...  :)

 Finally gave in to the boys' begging to help with laundry the other day. 

So one day as we were getting ready for some event, I put Blake and Seth in the bath tub and left the room to finish tidying up the house. Owen toddles into the bathroom to "watch" the boys play in the tub.  A few moments later I hear a splash and this is what I found when I came running into the bathroom. What's wrong with this picture? From that point on Owen now gets to join them in the tub with his bath seat- much to his delight. 

Below are some pictures I have been waiting to post until after Christmas. For my birthday in September, Micah gave me a photo shoot of the family. Photos were taken by Rob and Aimee McDorman at: mcdormanphoto.com. They did an excellent job!

 My Man, aka "Hunky Chunk"

News

Looking back at 2013, Micah ended the year exceeding his sales goal by about 80%! Almost doubling the amount that he hoped to sell that year. Way to go Babe!

Owen waved goodbye for the first time last week. He is saying a few words like "Di Di" for bye bye and "Mum, mum, mum..." for Mommy. However, he only calls for Mommy when he is tired, hungry or hurt. :-/

Blake finished reading Collection 1 of the Bob Books. I'm impressed every time we read together at how quickly he learns! He taught himself how to write letters and likes to write messages along with the pictures he draws.  He occasionally asks how to spell things like dog, cat, snail, but otherwise figures it out himself. 

Seth can now write the letter H and lately has enjoyed strumming on their guitar and making up songs. Still Blake's shadow.

With the addition of Owen last February, our little house on Gurney St. is, for the first time, starting to feel a little snug. All 1,184 sq ft of it is dearly loved and being used at it's max potential. I've enjoyed the simplicity of having a small home, but it's getting close to the time to move on. If you think of it, pray that God would give us wisdom and good sources of counsel about all the details that come with looking for our next home. We view our home as a place of ministry and hospitality and we want to keep that our focus through this process. 



Funnies

"Mom? Why is it so froggy outside?" -Seth noticing the strange mist obscuring our view of the backyard. 

I forgot to post this last time. On Christmas day we woke up and excitedly gathered our stockings to open them. Just as we were about to dig in, Blake says with enthusiasm and a SMILE on his face, "I hope this isn't the worst Christmas ever!".            Nothing like starting out Christmas morning with lowered expectations. LOL

As you know, the boys are all about pretending they are someone or something else lately. Yesterday, Seth exclaims, "I'm Uncle Jonathan because he's in the Navy and he saves the world!".        Go Navy! 


Hope you all have a good weekend!

Kari, Micah, Blake Seth, and Owen

Dec. 9th - Jan. 2nd, 2014

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. We are so blessed to be able to share the holidays with our family. God is so good to give us loving and caring parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.. We were reminded over the holidays how "rich" we are to be a part of not only our flesh and blood relatives, but also the family of Christ. 

 A bit of cleaning before the company arrives. Owen has officially "taken off" walking! He is crazy fast around the house and I've noticed today that he is spending very little time staying in one place playing with toys. He is literally constantly walking around the house with some toy or object tightly grasped in one or both hands. He is a bundle of energy!!

 What a joy it was to add a stocking to our mantel this year! 

 Micah's grandma, Sharon, at one of several Christmas parties we went to. She is an amazing cook and always surprises us with the desserts she whips out. 

 Kate, Noah and Roger arrived safely on Dec. 22nd and we had a fun-filled ten days together. Like last year, our house was full to overflowing with family. We had a great time together. Stayed up way too late, ate way too much dessert, watched way too many movies, and were reminded way too vividly of the fact that we are not as young as we used to be. :) The sleep deprivation was totally worth it. 

Jonathan also got his leave approved to join us for the whole time. Will and Dad were also there for Christmas, so we had just about everyone. We missed Joy and James though. :(

 Blake and Seth were in heaven with all the people willing to play with them. 

 The boys got to meet Cousin Roger for the first time. He is just precious. I realized that our boys are not blessed with the "calm gene" like Roger is. Roger was so sweet, he would just sit on Kate's lap while she sang to him and did hand motions together. When I try this with Owen, he likes it for about 2 seconds and then it's a wrestling match to get him to sit still on my lap while we sing a song together. :)

 All their new Christmas outfits. Thanks Grandma Ensmenger! 

 Roger and Uncle Will

 One of a few very serious games of Monopoly. 

Below is what happens when you try to take pictures of two very busy baby boys. :) 

 Finally clothed and in their right mind. ;)

After a full Christmas season we are spending today writing thank yous, wading through new toys, getting back into our routine and remembering the good time we had. January is an exciting month for us as we take some time to reflect on the previous year and set new goals for the coming year. Micah and I usually take a day or two and do some planning for the coming year. Every company or business needs goals to work towards and our family unit needs them too. 

Hope you all are doing well and looking forward to this next year!

Love, 

Kari, Micah, Blake, Seth and Owen