KJ's Ladies

March 2011

~I have decided to direct our church's VBS program again this year. It is a large committment and takes may months of planning. We have anywhere from 75-120 kids attend on any given night and about 75-90 staff members. This year we are going to run the Answer's In Genesis program "Gold Rush" (www.answersvbs.com) I am very excitied, but a little nervous as well. Please pray that God will direct the program and just use me a his vehicle.

~Our girls are growing like weeds! We have had a wonderful family who has given us hand-me-downs since Princess #1 was 6 months old. Unfortantely Princess #1 has caught up in size to their youngest, therefore we are praying for another family who has a slightly older girl for size 8 hand-me-downs. (Mainly pants) We have an over adundance of size 6/6x so if anyone is in need... please let me know!

~We have still not found Prince Charming's ipod please continue to pray it will show up somewhere.

~ We celebrated Prince Charming's birthday with a small family dinner and quiet party. He was quite pleased.

~ Princess #2 found her first wiggly tooth this morning and she is super excitied! Let's pray it isn't too long before she actually looses it or I think I might go crazy with her exicitment!! :)-

~We have been blessed with a snowblower! What an answer to pray! Prince Charming's dad gave us his snowblower on permanent loan, while he upgraded to a plow which was a better fit for his 800 foot driveway. We were able to use it during our last storm of 12+ inches. What a wonderful provision from the Lord!

~January/February/March are long cabin-fever months for this social-bug of a housewife. This year seems to have it's really slow months. Please pray for God's unwavering presence in the long, cold days of March and early April.

~Prince Charming is starting the budget process for our church with the Trustee board. Just keep him in your prayers as they have to make wise and prudent decisions for our church and its ministries.

~I am starting the process of nominating church officers through the nominating committee at our church. Please pray that God will direct our decisions, and keep us unified.

That seems to be it for this month. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

A family picture

Princess #1 on one of the snow banks at church

Princess #2 on one of the snow banks at church

Prince Charming using the backhow to move snow at the church parking lot, he has spent many hours on this project

Princess #3 not liking climbing the snow

Our "new-to-us-on-permanent-loan" snowblower

February 2011

~Our family has been through a round of illness like no other... so far: Daddy had the stomach virus, Mommy had the stomach virus and a persistent cold, Princess #1 has had the stomach virus, Princess #2 has/had 3 ear infections, sinus infection, and stomach virus, and Princess #3 has had double ear infections. Please pray that whatever bateria is running around here just takes a leave. I am really getting sick of being sick!

~On February 12th Prince Charming and I will be spending the day kid-free to have our annual "Stark State of the Union". This is a day we set aside every year to get together and just evaluate what's on tap for the year or what changes we should make from the year before. (finances, ministries, kids activities, etc) Pray for wisdom and understanding for the both of us.

~Princess #1 and Princess #2 received their 2nd quarter report cards this last week. Both girls are doing fairly well in school. Princess #1 is showing some signs of struggle in math. She continues to excel in reading, language arts and science. Her teacher has expressed a concern over her lack of focus. She understands and learns things quickly but getting things done in a timely manner and following/hearing instruction from the teacher continues to be a struggle. Princess #1 is excelling in the classroom and even stays after school for enrichment once a week. The teacher's only concern is her difficulities in holding a pencil or crayon correctly. When asked to hold it correctly she struggles to form letters correctly. The teacher is working with her to slow down and take her time. Continue to pray for the girls in school and the best course of action for us to help them.

~A simple little request but it is a lingering issue, Prince Charming seems to have lost his ipod. We are fairly sure it made it home from CA but now we are wondering. We have found the case and earphones but not the ipod. Pray that we can find it.

~Pastor has just finished a sermon series on Stewardship and it was very challenging to Prince Charming and I. Pray that God continues to work out these areas in our lives according to his will.

~On the 16th Prince Charming has a birthday!! Happy Birthday

~Princess #3 has had some successes on potty training. We are about 75% trained for the day-time hours... still working it, keep praying!!

~We had numerous snow storms this year. Snow removal is not part of our lease so we are responsible for the removal ourselves. We do not own a snowblower and both of our snow shovels broke during this last storm! Prince Charming has definitely had his share of snow this year. Pray for his back and shoulder during this time of year.

Until next month here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

The girls on top of a snow bank on our lawn

Princess #2 and my mom sharing a birthday

Princess #2's new Fancy Nancy bedding

Princess #2's Fancy Nancy Tea Party

Princess #1 and her homemade sling for her Teddy

Princess #3's adorable smile

January 2011

During 2010 we have been learning how important the power of prayer is. We have learned that we can be good christian people and try really hard at doing the right thing but without the power of prayer we would be working in our strength. God wants to provide us with so much more beyond what we can comprehend or imagine. Therefore in the this new year we would like to begin being more purposefully with our prayer life and share them with you, our faithful family and friends. (Plus it gives you non-facebookers and peek into our daily lives.) Please feel free to reply to let me know if you would rather receive a printed copy. None of the information is confidential unless specifically specified so feel free to share as you feel necessary. And please feel free to send us any prayer requests that your families may have!
So onto it...January 2011:

~ We just returned from California, and had a great time! We got to spend some much needed time with the Marine and and their family. We are slowing returning to normal life and east coast time. Princess #2 has brought home a nasty cold with her. She is having a tough time at nighttime especially. Today I had to take her to the ER and found she had double ear infections...hopefully the antibiotics will help.

~Princess #2 and Princess #1 returned to school this Thursday (1/6) after a nearly 3 week vacation. They will need to do some catch up work and get back into the school routine. Especially Princess #1, who needs to specifically relearn the focus of schoolwork.

~While we were away our beloved dog, Reilly, passed away. He was 9 1/2 years old and was a faithful companion. We are still adjusting to the tragic loss. We are not closed to the idea of another dog, but will need lots of time to heal from the loss and our own house to potty train a new one!

~Speaking of potty training... I am going to buckle down and really work on Princess #3 learning to use the potty. It is a difficult and long process as all of you know... pray for patience on my part and ease of learning on Princess #3's.

~Keep praying for the house process. There has been no change or advances on our part. We continually watch the housing market, which seems relatively unchanged here in the area. We are also keeping our eyes open for land or the opportunity to build as well, but as of yet nothing seems to be opening up for us.

~I am studying the fruit of the spirit with Beth Moore. I am learning a lot, as always with Beth Moore. Pray for continually growth and learning.

~Prince Charming is on the trustee board at church, pray for guidance and wisdom as they work to maintain the financials and physical details of our church and it's ministries.
~ Princess #2 turns 6 this month!! January 20th she will celebrate with a tea/coffee party

~I am a part of the nominating committee at our church this year. This committee selects the canidates for officers of our church. We present the church body with a slate of canidates for voting. Pray for God's wisdom and guidance as we make these selections.

~I have been the VBS director at our church for the past 2 years. This a LARGE committment for me and we are praying if I should continue or not. Please pray with us.

Well that is all I can think of at this moment.... here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure

The Family 2011

The Decorator's family on Christmas Eve

The Grandchildren

Reilly Daniel Alan

June 15, 2001-December 30, 2010

April/May 2011

During 2010 we have been learning how important the power of prayer is. We have learned that we can be good christian people and try really hard at doing the right thing but without the power of prayer we would be working in our strength. God wants to provide us with so much more beyond what we can comprehend or imagine. Therefore in the this new year we would like to begin being more purposefully with our prayer life and share them with you, our faithful family and friends. (Plus it gives you non-facebookers and peek into our daily lives.) And please feel free to send us any prayer requests that your families may have.

~Whew! Spring has sprung and the days are busy! Finally! Just a quick review of the past few months... a friend and myself spruced up our church's 2-3 room with a new coat of paint, Kimberly performed special music at the evening service, Ken and I attended a leadership conference together, Meghan celebrated her 3rd birthday, I celebrated my 36th birthday, I walked a 5K, KJ is working on a 6-week special project at work, we celebrated Easter and Mother's Day, and lived everyday life in between!! Life is good!

~ Courtney has had another ear infection and that makes 6 since January. The peditrician has said that either this is a really stubborn ear infection or her adnoids are too big and blocking the ear canal from draining. She has been on a low-dose anitibotics for 30 days, if she doesn't get another ear infection in the next month or so then we are in the clear, if she does get another one than we are off to the ENT specialist to see if they might need to remove her adnoids. Please keep it prayer.

~ I am finishing up my duties on the nominating committee at church. We are only shy one person for a full ballot of officers. Please keep it all in prayer, the annual meeting is next Thursday.

~KJ is also finished with his annual budget process for the church. The church will vote on it next week at the annual meeting, please keep the meeting and all aspects of the process in prayer.

~Nice weather has hit and the kids are ready to be done with school, piano, ballet, etc. Pray that they finish the year well.

~Kimberly is going to summer camp for the first time! She will attend a local christian day camp called Pinnacle. She will go with 3 other little girls from our church. Pray for a good time and financial resources.

~This Saturday I am going with both Princess #1 and Princess #2 and both Moms to NYC so the girls can pick out an American Girl doll. They have saved all of their allowances, birthday money, and extra monies over the last few years and both have earned enough to buy a doll. We are going to have a fun time, just keep mommy in prayer as we try and navigate the wilds of NYC!!

~I am in the full thros of VBS, recruiting, recruiting, recruiting!! My least favorite part! Pray that God will bring the right people to the leadership team so that we can have a successful VBS this year.

~It is the spring selling season and houses are coming on the market. We have looked at a few, please pray that the right house will be available and within our price point. Pray for wisdom and knowledge as we walk through the process.

~PopPop and MomMom are house swapping! Northern missionaries, who live in Alaska are coming to visit for 3 months and live in their house, while PopPop and MomMom go and visit Alaska for 3 months and live in their house. (I think they are also going to try and make a quick swing through CA to see their soon-to-be new grandson) Keep all the details in prayer!

Well, I guess that sums up us for the last few months and coming months...
here are some dates to Mark on the Calendar:
5/23: Princess #2's final ballet class/performance at 3pm in the library
5/24: Princess #1's ballet recital at 6pm ($4/person admission)
6/18: Princess #1 and Princess #2's piano recital at 6pm at
6/19: Prince Charming (in a quartet) will be singing in the AM service (9:30am)
6/22: Princess #2's Kindergarten graduation
6/24: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
7/10: Princess #2 plays special music in PM service (7pm)
7/11-7/15: Princess #1 summer camp
7/17-7/22: VBS
7/31: Princess #1 plays special music in the PM service (7pm)

Princess #3's first haircut with Aunt Beautitican

Princess #2 starring in her school play, "The Mitten" by Jan Brett, she played the grandmother

Princess #1 playing piano in church

Princess #3's 3rd birthday

Princess #2 lost both of her bottom teeth

Family Easter picture

Dresses made by Grandma

Domestic Goddess's 36th birthday

Painting project for Mother's Day

Final Totals

The weatherman said this is the most snow we have gotten in 30 years! We ended up with about 36 inches in total...surprisingly 5 miles to our east only got about 10 inches of snow and to our west they got about 40 inches! What an odd storm!. The hard part about this storm was that the snow was heavy wet snow, great for making snowballs and snowmen, but impossible to move. Nobody could plow it or snowblow it without getting stuck! I think today is the first day you could drive the roads without feeling as if you are in a tunnel because the banks of snow on the side of the road are higher than the car. Everyone in town now has power and internet access. We are slowly recovering from this massive snow...

No these are not snow banks, this is how high the snow is... look at it relative to the door