Hello, blog lovers....

Hi all. Just a quick note to let you know that I'm still among the land of the living. We had a great Christmas and now, are just swamped in moving details. Woa. I'm learning a lot in this process.... including that it is NO fun to buy a house in New York state. Holy cow.... it's an 'attorney state'.... meaning that we had to hire an attorney, the seller has an attorney, and the bank has an attorney. And the biggest joy of it all.... they won't be able to tell us 'for sure' that we are closing on our 'tentative date' until 3 days before. Really, people?! Are you kidding me?! That certainly makes it interesting when attempting to set a closing date here and schedule the moving truck. It's just making the whole process crazy.... and causing my blood pressure and anxiety level to go through the roof. However, I DO know that God is FOR us.... and that it will all work out, one way or another! :) If you pray, will you please send up a prayer for us? Attempting to balance the details as well as all the emotions involved with this move is certainly a task.

I don't have all of the pics off the camera yet, but here are a few fun ones from the weekend....

With Aunt Debby

Seriously, could he be any cuter?!!This was one of my favorite moments from the weekend. Isaac has a VERY special relationship with my Dad (he'll choose to go to Grandpa and not even mommy and daddy at times!), and after a long day with no nap, he cuddled up and fell asleep on his lap. Adorable.

Oh my!!!

Thought you might enjoy a few more laughs tied to a Christmas song.... check out this link and play the song. I think you'll find it entertaining!

P.S. We love William Hung at our house!!!

I love Christmas carols....

.... and this takes it to a whole new level! Thanks to my friend, Lisa, for sharing this on her blog as it brought me joy tonight! Enjoy! These guys have such a fun sound.... even if they are from I.U. (sorry, I grew up in a Purdue family.... and I might be disowned if I didn't mention that!)

Weekend Update Mega-Post

Wow, what a weekend! We left for Buffalo on Thursday afternoon, planning to stay until Sunday morning. However, once we saw the weather which was iminent from the midwest through the northeast, we figured we should hit the road early. That made for a whirlwind house hunt!!!

When we arrived at the hotel on Thursday night.... a special surprise was waiting for me.... a dozen, beautiful, red roses from my hubby.... waiting to thank me for joining him in this fun and wild journey! What a fun surprise! Thanks, Scott!Thought we should grab a picture of "The Chapel" so that we could show our Indiana friends where we are headed. Wow, to say that the house hunting process was an adventure would be an understatement! First, we were SO thankful to be blessed with an amazing realtor! She and her family attend The Chapel, and she was a terrific fit for us! Yep, a total blessing.... We looked at LOTS of houses over the 1 1/2 days that we were hunting..... and we saw A LOT of brown paneling, VERY colorful carpet (lemon yellow, pepto pink, chocolate brown.... to name a few!), and some of the craziest wallpaper that we've ever laid eyes on! AND THEN.... we decided to take a little drive.... and found THIS! Y'all.... it's COMPLETELY GOD that this home landed in our laps. Basically, the builder had built this home for another family, but their financing fell through. They typically don't do "spec homes" but ended up "stuck" with this brand new home and were anxious to get it off their hands. Hence, we were able to get a GREAT deal.... and they were so anxious for us to buy it that they started throwing in other goodies with it.... AC unit, appliances, kitchen island, and a garage door opener! After they started throwing in "stuff", our realtor hung up the phone in tears, shocked about what had just happened as an incentive to get us in this house. I'm telling you, friends, God FAR SURPASSED our desires and expectations. If we had driven to the model home and ordered a house, it would have looked much like this one.... with very few changes (they are taking the fancy-shmancy thing off the house above the door.... it's just "not us"). And.... it is all ready for us to just back a truck up to it and move in. Whew.... a true blessing.

This housing journey has been unreal.... surreal.... surprising for us. I was battling fear of the "what if's".... what if our house doesn't sell.... what if we don't find a place to move.... what if the timing gets all screwed up? The fact that our house in Indiana had an offer within 3 days.... the fact that we found an AMAZING home our first weekend in Buffalo.... AMAZING! All God! God is continually teaching me that He DOES care about even the little things in our lives. On Saturday morning in the hotel, I was crying because I was battling my fear.... Scott gave me a gift that morning, simply by saying, "We have nothing to fear.... God has ordered our steps." What a perfect reminder! What a perfect God! Even if all of our planning and EVERYTHING fell through with the housing deals on both ends at this point, I still believe that He IS an amazing and perfect God!One of my favorite parts of the new house: a walk-in closet in the master bedroom! YIPPE!So, Saturday afternoon, we signed all of the paperwork and then hit the road to head home. WOW! It was a LONG TRIP! We had a lot of roads that looked like this picture (actually, this was at one of the better moments!) and saw between 12-15 cars in the ditch on our way.
BUT.... we did make it home on Sunday to enjoy the REAL blessings of life..... and had a blast playing in the snow with Aaron and Isaac until dark! Such joy!
Jumping to daddy.... NO FEAR!

A little hesitation....He did it!
Just hanging out in the snow fort that Aaron built with Grandpa Burch and the neighbor kiddos!

SO happy to be home!

We're home!

.... Just wanted to let you know that we made it.... FINALLY! It was a LONG drive, but we are home, safe and sound! We even got home with enough daylight remaining to play outside with the boys a bit! So fun!

Thanks to grandmas and grandpas for taking such great care of the boys this weekend! Such a blessing!

Have a great week, everybody!

News from Cleveland....

Well, just a little update in case any of you check this out over the weekend....

We left for Buffalo on Thursday evening, arrived safe and sound that evening (in 7 hours drive-time! YEA!), and spent 2 full days with the realtor. God blessed us with a WONDERFUL realtor who led us to OUR HOUSE!!!! :) Yep, we signed a contract for a new home in the northern Buffalo area. More on the home later.... I'll definitely be posting some pictures! It's absolutely amazing how the Lord went before us and orchestrated every last detail! Amazing!

We were planning to stay until tomorrow, but with the impending "blizzard", we figured we should hit the road and make it as far as we could. SO.... I'm blogging from the Holiday Inn Express, just EAST of Cleveland (yeah, we didn't make it that far!) The snow was coming down very quickly, and we didn't see ANY snow plows out on I-90 (what's up with that?!!)

Please pray that we're able to make it home at some point tomorrow; we miss our kids and from the sounds of Aaron on the phone tonight, they are missing us, too. Also, please pray for Grandma and Grandpa as they attempt to keep the boys entertained, too! Thanks to all four grandparents for helping to make this weekend possible for us! You're priceless!!!!!!

Here we come, Buffalo!

Well, it's only proper that when we're headed to Buffalo for the first time knowing that we are actually moving there..... it's gotta drop some fresh snow! I'm sure that they probably just scoff at 3-6 inches! :)

A quick update.....

This will just be a quick update on all of us as we have a crazy afternoon ahead.... but wanted to let my blogging friends know:

* WE HAVE AN ACCEPTED OFFER ON OUR HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God! I had been praying for a month that we'd have an offer the first weekend.... and HE ANSWERED (through one of my blog readers and old friends, nonetheless!!!) To our dear friends who will be calling our house theirs.... we are SO thrilled for you to have our home as YOURS! We hope that you love it and that it is full of blessings for you!!!
* A few prayer requests:

• We are headed to Buffalo to find a new home. Please pray that it goes smoothly and that one jumps out at us and says, "THIS IS IT!" We know that is certainly a possibility! God has already provided us with a wonderful, Christian realtor and a wonderful, Christian mortgage broker who have already been amazing!
• Pray for our boys while we are away. Isaac is fighting another ear infection and was just diagnosed with reflux. Please pray that the medicines help. Also, Aaron is fighting off a terrible bout of eczema and other skin issues. The doc just started him on prednisone to attempt to clear it up (yuck! The warning list for prednisone is SCARY!) Please pray for Grandmas and Grandpas as they deal with dispensing all of the meds this weekend, too!
• Pray for safe travels. We decided to drive this time instead of flying.... we'll see if we can actually make it in 8 hours as mapquest says! :)

Have a great day! Thanks for all of the encouraging words over the past couple of weeks! Whew.... what a ride!!!!!!!!!!!

** That made me think of something.... If you haven't read Mike Yaconelli's book, "Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith".... you should! It's a pretty simple read but a very compelling one as well! I've thought about that book a lot during this journey! So refreshing AND so challenging!

Okay, so this entry turned out NOT to be quick.... I'm off to watch 5 minutes of "Ratatouille" with my kiddo and then off to fold laundry!

Pray for KATE!

Baby Kate and her sweet big bro, Seth

Hi to all of my blog readers who are also PRAYER WARRIORS! Y'all we need to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for baby Kate tomorrow. She is headed in for her 4th open heart surgery..... Let's join our hearts, minds, and spirits together for little Kate, BELIEVING that our GOD HEALS! Praying for wisdom and skill for her surgeons and medical team. Asking God to give her mommy and daddy PEACE as they wait for the GREAT NEWS that the repairs are COMPLETE! As Krista said on her blog, "It's a make it or break it day" for them. Pray, pray, pray.... write it on your mirror, hand, fridge.... WHATEVER.... let's just remember to PRAY!

EDITED TO ADD: Unfortunately, they ended up postponing surgery because there wasn't an ICU bed available for post-surgery! Ug! I can't begin to imagine the frustration....

We love you, Layman's!

Heartbreaking....

Ran across this news release from YWAM on another blog.... this breaks my heart. Praying for the families of those killed and for healing for those injured.

Things may be a little different....

.... in Buffalo! I think we may need a different snow blower....

The Toddler Days.....

Well, I think that we officially have a toddler at our house. No more little baby. Now, a little man who certainly has a mind and will of his own! Isaac is still a complete joy.... however, HE has also taken complete joy in adamantly shaking his "no" when he doesn't want something (usually food.... we can't get this kid to eat.... it's so frustrating as he only gained 4 oz. in 3 months! Ug!) Anyway, here are a few pictures of proof that we're living in a different stage here at the Greene house:

We are constantly reminding Aaron to be careful with all of his toys with little pieces, so that Isaac doesn't get ahold of them and choke. Well, I had a major mommy error this week.... while Aaron was at school one morning this week, I ran upstairs to finish getting ready and put the dishes in the dishwasher.... when I reemerged downstairs, this picture shows what I discovered. Folks, NO game every created has more small parts than "Battleship." Thankfully, Isaac was safe, and joyfully helped me THROW every piece back in the box!

Isaac is in the "fun" stage where he loves to climb on top of the kitchen table.... much to mommy's dismay (how is it that I have given birth to TWO climbers when I am completely scared of heights?!! REALLY!) We regularly hear Aaron say, "No-no, Isaac!!! NO table dancing!!!"

Let it SNOW!

Aaron loves the snow. The other day, he spent, literally, EIGHT hours outside playing in it with the neighbor kids (he had a cough that night to prove it! BOO!) Today, Scott was home (because he works on Sunday this week), and all three of my boys got bundled up to head out and enjoy the white stuff!
This was a first for Isaac.... he was a little unsure about the cold (and the mittens!) and lasted less than 10 minutes!
Cleaning off the shrubs!

I am SO loving this picture!!! :)

The weather in Buffalo

An interesting thing has happened since we announced our move to Buffalo..... everyone wants to talk with us about the weather!!! SO.... I decided to do a little research of my own! When we visited the church awhile back, everyone told us that there was much more snow south of Buffalo than in the northern part (we'll more than likely be living in a northeast suburb as the church is in that area). This site from the University of Buffalo confirms that..... only 80 inches on average versus much more in the southern parts of the area.

Here is my favorite part as I've been reading about the weather in Buffalo:

Bask in our wonderful summers.

Buffalo summers are, in fact, one of the area's great amenities. Lake Erie is a "natural air conditioner," producing for Buffalo some of the best summer weather in the Northeast. Summers are typically sunny, clear, and mild, with daytime highs in July and August generally in the low 80s. Buffalo has never had a 100 degree reading. Such conditions are ideal for swimming, boating, sailing, golfing, and all forms of outdoor summer recreation.

Hoorah to that!!! That's a perfect fit for me! :) And when it comes to winters, we'll just have to wait and see! Our family does love the snow though, so I don't think that we're going to wither. We'll have the snow blower and the snow shovels ready.... I will admit though: I keep wondering if we are absolutely insane to move to BUFFALO in mid-January!!! :)

I'll close with this dear quote that I found recently: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing." :)

EDITED TO ADD: And then, I found this site.... AHHH! :)

Welcome back!

YAHOO! My husband is blogging again! Welcome back, dearie!!! :) You can find Scott's site HERE.

Wanna buy our house?!!

First and most importantly, thank you so much for all of the kind words and encouragement. Scott and I have received so many great comments and emails over the past couple of days; it has truly lifted our spirits during this time of transition! Secondly, do you wanna buy our house?!! Obviously, with this change comes the necessity of selling our home.... our FIRST home (Boo! I really like it!!!) Thankfully, we have a few possibilities rolling, but in today's housing market, figured that the more people we let know about this need, the better, as we need this baby to go QUICK. What better way to begin to advertise than a blog?!! HA! Scott keeps reminding me that this is a "Kingdom thing" and that God has ALL of the bases covered!

Some of the details:

• 3 bedrooms
• 1 1/2 baths
• Partially finished basement/bonus area
• Appliances included
• Great neutral colors
• Mature trees and landscaping
• Great corner lot with terrific neighbors!
• Fenced-in backyard
• Toilets that clean themselves! (okay, not really.... but wouldn't that be a great selling point! Maybe I can find a house like that in Buffalo! HA!)

We will be listing with a realtor soon, but thought we might start here! Have a great day!

Big Changes!!!

Well, Scott and I have a big announcement to make....

NO, I am NOT pregnant (although, that seems to be everyone's first guess!), rather.....

WE ARE MOVING!

It's been quite a journey, but we have decided to take a leap of faith and move to......

BUFFALO, NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I could sit with all of you over a cup of hot chai and tell you the story.... it's been an amazing journey to come to this point. Huh, the real question is: how do I sum it up on a blog?!

God started stirring "something" in us about 18 months ago (right after Isaac was born!) and we knew that we wouldn't be at WCC forever. We didn't have any idea where we would end up, but to say that it's been an exciting adventure would be the grandest of understatements.

I never thought I would EVER leave Indiana. However, God did a HUGE work in my heart, preparing me for this journey. Last fall, I was diving into the Word as I went through a Beth Moore study, focusing on the life of Paul. As I studied Paul's life and saw how he followed the Holy Spirit's leading and direction, I thought, "Wow, I want my life to count like that! I want to hear from God like that!" And the theme for the entire study as it applied to my own life came in the form of two words: THINK BIGGER (and maybe even beyond Indiana!)

At no point did Scott send out his resume seeking a job; rather, we chose to wait on the Lord to see what opportunities He would bring. That led to interviews and "talks" in....

West Palm Beach, Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee
Atlanta, Georgia
Fort Wayne, Indiana
AND
Buffalo, New York

While things weren't quite "right" in the other places, when we visited the church in Buffalo a little over a month ago, we both just KNEW. There was NO confusion.... we both just KNEW and as we prayed about the opportunity, that was confirmed over and over again. Thankfully, the church's leadership received the same answer as they prayed about us and then invited us to join their family! This church is doing amazing things to reach lost people. Scott will serve as the Children's Ministry Director and oversee many staff and hundreds of volunteers, will influence their family ministry greatly, and potentially, be a part of planting other churches in the future to reach all of Western New York with the Gospel! It's exciting!

If you'd like to see where we're headed, here are a few links:

The Chapel
King's World (the children's ministry at The Chapel.... be careful, the song at this website can be addicting. Much like The Wiggles, I couldn't get this song out of my head for days!!!)

We would be so thankful if you would pray for us. To say that this is bittersweet for us is a huge understatement as well. We are SO excited about this opportunity, but we have DEEP roots in Indiana and wonderful relationships with our family and friends. In fact, this is the ONLY place I have ever had roots, so I've struggled with becoming a bit overwhelmed in the process. However, I know that I know that I know that my God is truly faithful. He's got us and EVERY detail in the palm of His hand!

AND.... I am trusting that we will have visitors as well! :) We are only an 8-hour drive from Warsaw, and Niagara Falls will only be about 20 minutes away! Come on over.... and bring your snow shovels!!!

Thankful Thursday...

Today, I am thankful....

1) For our extended families. We have always felt so loved and supported by our families, and we know that not everyone can say that. We are truly grateful.
2) For great friendships that we cherish. God has given us amazing friendships.... words cannot begin to sum up how grateful we are for friends who love us, encourage us, and challenge us to be better.
3) For our calling. Ministry is not always an easy path, but I AM grateful for the privilege to serve alongside of my husband in this journey.... and DO count it as a privilege to be called to full-time, vocational ministry. Even though there have been days when I've asked my hubby to quit and go work at McDonald's.... I wouldn't live my life in any other way, really. What a privilege; what a privilege....
4) For our furnace. Whew.... the last couple of days have become CHILLY in north central Indiana!
5) For Land's End coats!!! Both of my boys have AWESOME coats thanks to a generous Grandma and Grandpa. I love Land's End.... because they are super-warm, are NOT super-bulky, and wash SUPER-well! :) Hoorah!

Blessings to each and every one of you today!!!

Lovin' Him!

Just for the record.... I'm LOVING this stage with Aaron. Yes, it certainly has it's moments that I could do without.... but he is so much fun and is learning so much.

For example.... some of the fun regular occurrences at our house....

* Writing letters, A thru H (with the additions of N, S, X).

* Writing numbers. Out of the blue the other day, he wrote our phone number. I knew that he could SAY our number, but I had NO idea that he had taught himself how to write it!

* Aaron is ALL about road signs right now and loves pointing out letters that he recognizes.

* Imaginative play! We love to "spy" with our ears at his doorway to hear the things he comes up with when it comes to playing Rescue Heroes.... and he has become a little nurturer with "baby bear" (a bear that our friends the Brannemans gave to Aaron as a baby at the hospital!)

* Coloring, coloring, coloring!

Here's a fun story from this stage, too. We just visited some of our friends who have a new baby (Oliver). Aaron absolutely loved all over him.... loved holding him and giving him hugs. When we were driving away, Aaron informed Scott and I that we need to have an Oliver at our house.... and that our dog, Ollie, would not cut it. Then, when we told him that is sweet, etc., he proceeded to say about our new friend, Oliver, "Or maybe we can just borrow him someday!" I'm sure that Oliver's mommy would welcome a full night of sleep! :)

A Marketing Award?!!

I have to hand it to McDonald's.... I loved this commercial when I first saw it. Loved everthing about it....

Seriously, could this kid be any better?!! It doesn't mean that I'm going to run out and buy my kiddos a Happy Meal tonight, but I did love it....

Weekend MEGA-Post!

We had an awesome weekend! And... I make NO apologies for this post, but I will warn ya.... there are a TON of pictures!!! My parents have been SO generous and gave us an early Christmas present.... a new camera! Hip-hip-hoorah!!! :) THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Dad and Mom!

Taking on the turkey legs.... Aaron and his cousin, Zach!

It snowed on Thanksgiving Day!!! Well, a little.... Aaron and Zach went out to catch some flakes with their tongues! Isaac got ahold of a sheet of stickers and had fun sticking them all over himself and Grandpa and Grandma!
The next day.... while reading a book with Grandpa (this was one of the first pictures on our new camera! YEA!)
With Aunt Debby! Deb was so much help this weekend! She and my parents came to help out with some projects around our house on Friday and Saturday (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!), and then, she watched the boys so that I could join Scott for a wedding that he officiated (is that the right word?!) and the reception at Amish Acres. We ALL love you, Aunt Debby!
So much fun!!! Kenny, Jill, and Lainy (Jill is Scott's sis!) spent the weekend in Michigan and then stopped for the night on their way home to Tennessee! Our boys LOVED playing with Lainy!
During the "dance party"!


Trying out some new things on the NEW camera! Yippe!

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

#1 - For my relationships and for the people I LOVE! For God's loving hand in my life, for the blessing of an amazing family, for the gift of terrific friendships..... yes, I have much to be thankful for and really.... these relationships are the only things that really matter.....

Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving! Much love!

Baby Kate Update....

Okay, precious prayer warriors.... I know that some of you have been continually checking in on baby Kate, but if you haven't, just wanted to ask for prayer. Kate wasn't supposed to be headed to the U of M at Ann Arbor for her 4th open heart surgery until next week; however, due to some complications and issues following the placement of a feeding tube, she's headed up there early via Mobile ICU to try to get her stabilized and ready for surgery next week. Please join me in praying that this team of doctors and nurses is AMAZING FOR KATE!!!! AND.... that they DO amazing things as they work diligently as God's hands!!! I BELIEVE that God can and will do BIG things for Baby Kate during this surgery!

On a side note, I was able to spend a little bit of time with Kate, Krista, and the boys at their home last Thursday. To say that Kate's smiles were a blessing is the grandest of understatements! Love you Layman's!

The Cutest Pilgrim I Have Ever Seen...

I was a spoiled momma today... and was absolutely filled with JOY!!! This morning was Aaron's Thanksgiving Celebration at Presby Preschool. Every last minute of the morning warmed my heart! Seriously, I have always LOVED watching kiddos light up when they find their parents in the crowd and then start waving.... FINALLY, FINALLY, I was on the receiving end of that joy!!! It warmed every crevice of my heart! I love my little pilgrim!

Aaron with the BEST preschool teachers that I could ever imagine.... Mrs. Fall and Mrs. Seiffert!
Our little pilgrim is in the center of this bunch!

Sorry, I'm not the best videographer, but these are still fun for us to have, nevertheless!

A little addition to last night's post....

Just thought I should mention so y'all don't think I'm a big weanie.... for some reason the time on my blogger account is screwed up.... it was NOT 8:32 last night when I posted; rather, about 11:45. My normal bedtime typically has been between 11:45-12:15. :)

Oh why.... oh why?!!

I'm so curious if other moms of the world struggle with this, too. I have a problem.... I stay up WAY TOO LATE! Although I am always tired at the end of the day, I nearly always catch a second-wind once the kiddos are in bed.... because my house IS ACTUALLY QUIET, and I can ACTUALLY HAVE SOME TIME FOR MYSELF! Once the boys are all tucked in (and are finally asleep.... sometimes, after numerous trips to the bathroom, to get water, to get a glow stick.... the list could continue!) Scott and I usually chat and continue to catch up on the day; then, he heads to bed and on many nights (such as TONIGHT!) I stay up and dawdle.... read blogs, read a book, sometimes, even fold laundry.... more than anything.... just enjoy the QUIET!!! However, I always know that I will probably pay for it the next day with sleepy eyes. :(

So.... anyone else? Am I completely alone in this struggle?!!!

Friday's Flashback and Fiction

I was just getting a photo order ready on Snapfish and ran across these pictures from the Summer of 2006 (I don't print my pictures until I'm ready to put them in my scrapbook, and I'm a little over a year behind!) Aren't these kids amazingly cute?!! This is the one and only time this has ever happened.... enjoying mom and dad's bed together during naptime!

Now.... onto my fiction report! Okay, so I have never really gotten into fiction books.... UNTIL NOW!!! My sis let me borrow the first book of Karen Kingsbury's "Redemption Series," but it has just been sitting on my shelf for nearly a year. Well, I was on a trip awhile back and decided I "would try" to read it. Woa.... loved it and flew through it! I know so many women who are hooked on these "Christian fiction" books and now I know why. Now.... I've got to go because I've got book #2 of the series waiting for me upstairs. I simply MUST find out what is going on with Kari, Ashley, and the rest of the Baxter clan! Ha!