German Fest

 For our third year in a row, we went to the German Fest that’s held a few towns over!

As always, we had a great time!

But the whole reason for going…the food!  It’s our favorite part each year!

Easter

He is risen!

We celebrated today with a sunrise service at church.

Then, we made Easter brunch together.
 

We are forever thankful to our Lord and Savior for the cross!  And we celebrate today and every day, because He lives!

Jackson's First Mission Trip

On Sunday, Jack left for his first mission trip with our church's youth group.  He got back this morning--at 5 AM!--and said he had so much fun!

The drove from our little neck of the woods to Florida, with a few pit stops along the way.

The did service projects with a local church and school.

They also spent a lot of time going out to evangelize.  Jack was so nervous about this part leading up to the trip, but he said that it ended up being his favorite part!  This picture...

...and this picture are my favorites!

We are so grateful that he had a great time and that he's safely back home!  We are also beyond grateful for his heart for serving and spreading the Gospel!

23 Years!

I've been in love with him since we were 17.  By God's grace, we celebrate 23 years of marriage today.

 

December Sweetness

As December winds to a close, I am thanking God for the sweetness that the month brought.

One of our weekly date date nights.

We hosted my side of the family.

The boys took me to my favorite restaurant for my birthday lunch.

Then, when Sarah and Billy got in the next day, we went out to dinner.

My favorite.

We took one million pictures in front of the town Christmas tree...they weren't all winners!

Our annual...and legendary...gingerbread house competition!  Notice Bryan with a power drill!

Jack did a snowglobe!  His was my favorite!

 Mine...the winner!

Billy's

Bryan's...my second favorite!

The manger in the back.

Sarah's

We had an early Christmas before Sarah and Billy went to Missouri to spend Christmas with his family.  We had a very unconventional dinner consisting of multiple kinds of hot dogs and bratwurst, the best homemade mac and cheese, and mimosas!  Because who doesn't drink mimosas with their hot dogs?!  It was so yummy!

Then, salted caramel chocolate tart to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Finally, to wrap up the month, Bryan took Jackson to his first concert on Saturday!  They went to see Creed and had a blast!  Then, they stopped off at Waffle House at midnight for dinner!  

So grateful for these precious people of mine, and even more grateful for our precious Savior, whom we praise and celebrate every day, not just December 25th.

Sarah Got Engaged!

            Our baby got engaged today!

    We could not be happier for the two of them!

 

Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving!

We were hosting Bryan's family this year, so we started cooking a couple of days before Thursday.  Bryan made the best beef shorts ribs!

While Bryan was working on the short ribs, Jackson and I made the pies!

I love being in the kitchen with him!

We made pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and the largest bowl of homemade whipped cream!

Cooking together is one of our favorite things to do!

I am beyond thankful for them!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks for Him and praise His name.

--Psalm 100:4