Monday, September 29, 2008

River City Church Missoula update

Just thought I would give a little River City Church Missoula update. We just had our 4th Sunday service and it was great! I worked in the nursery so I missed out on Brian's sermon but heard it was really good. We are starting life groups this week so that should be fun to get to know some of the new people in the church. Brian is going to focus the whole sermon on life groups next week to share the importance of getting connected. We have developed a great core team here. Our good friends, Corey and Elizabeth, have decided not to join us in Missoula at this time with their house not selling and although Dave is still building our house, he is spending the weekends back in Lewiston with his family so our team was cut in half. It's hard to see the team change, but God in His grace has brought us some great new team members here who have commited to helping us get this church going. The first few weeks after launch our attendence dropped a bit, but went back up this week so that was encouraging. We have had a great time meeting people and figuring out how to get a "crowd of people" to turn into a "connected body of believers." Most importantly, God continues to show us that He is in charge of this church. What an experience it has been! We are looking forward to continuing to learn more about church planting every day! I included some of my artwork I have been doing for the website. It is kind of fun to get back into the graphics thing although I feel a little rusty! My husband has been trying to do his own artwork and post it on the website and we just can't have that. I told him he is a great pastor and great wildlife biologist and he should just stick to what he knows...lol!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Windows, Doors and More!

Dave and the crew continue to progress on the house! Here are some pics of the recent additions. We got the windows put in last week, the roof is finished and the deck is started. We also have the exterior doors but I didn't get pictures of that. Our plumbing is roughed in which includes the showers and bathtubs. We don't have the master tub installed yet, I guess that goes in last. I did get it ordered however and I have to say I am excited to take a bath in it! Next week the siding and cedar shakes. We also have the fireplace roughed in so I'll have to take pics of that to share.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

BFF - Brock and Drew!

Drew came over to celebrate Riley's birthday on Wednesday and he and Brock had the greatest time. They are so cute together...like 2 peas in a pod! Of course they have their moments...as most 2 year olds do. But they really do like each other! I took this pic of them and it turned out so cute (minus the pizza sauce on Brock's face.)

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Real Deals baby!


I have to admit I have been sulking the past few months about missing something in Lewiston...no I am not talking about my friends, or my church, or my bigger house. I am talking about Real Deals! I was only able to go once because we moved right after they opened and I loved it! I even inquired about opening one in Missoula because I couldn't stand to leave this new found love! I then thought to myself that I might have to make a trip over to the Lewiston just to go to Real Deals to decorate my new house. Well, the good news came yesterday that they are opening a Real Deals right in here in Missoula! I am so excited and a bit releived that I don't have to open one myseld as I am already a little busy! It will be opened just in time for the holidays which will be right around when we are moving in! Of course, you now I am joking about the missing the friends thing...you know I miss you all terribly but this news did bring a little ray of sunshine to my day!!

Crepes...oh so delicious!!

Today we actually got to stay home on a Saturday morning with no plans. We were thinking that we haven't had a Saturday to do that since we moved here 3 months ago. So we decided to take the oppportunity to make a family favorite...triple berry crepes. We usually save these for special occasions but we decided today was a special occasion since we had NO plans! The kids all got into, helped make the crepes, the cream filling and set the table. They were all so excited and helpful. It makes me realize how kids like routine and I think they had missed us having breakfast together. We used to do that almost every Saturday and Sunday. Of course Sundays are out now but we are going to try to be more purposeful about using our Saturday mornings to hang out. Below are a few pictures of the kids helping and the finished product! Yum yum! Warning: This is not a Muffin Top Killer recipe. Rather it produces muffin tops!

Brock and Abby helping with the kitchen aid!

I asked Abby to smile and this is what I got...what a little poser!

Jordan peeking into the kitchen!

The finished product! Yummy!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Happy Birthday Riley!

I can't believe my first born baby is turning 10 today! Where does time go?? It seems like just yesterday we were heading to the hospital to have him and here we are 10 years, 3 states, 6 residences (yes we have moved a lot...poor kid) later! He has grown into such a nice young man and we couldn't be more proud! We are so blessed! Today we are celebrating his birthday by doing a few things. First, Riley was able to request his breakfast. We started a tradition with the kids a few years ago of letting them pick out "anything" they want for breakfast on their birthday and I do mean anything! So Riley picked out cookie dough and pop! Last year it was ding dongs and pop! I will have to apologize to the teacher later for any crazy behavior that results from the sugar! Later today, I will surprise Riley with lunch at school and take treats for the class. And then tonight we will have a few of his friends over for Dominos pizza (his choice) and we will walk to Coldstone for ice cream! I have defintely noticed a difference with birthdays the older he gets...gone are the days of Rescue Heros, dinosauers and trucks. Now it's video games and/or money. I guess that makes shopping for us easy :o) I found a few pics of Riley to see how much he has grown but unfortanely my older pics of when he was younger are in storage.

Riley when he lost his 1st tooth at age 4!

I think Riley still has this same look!

Riley starting kindergarten!

He has this same look still too!

My baby turns 10 today!

Monday, September 15, 2008

24 is coming back!! Party at the Moser's on Nov. 23!

OK....I may be the last to know but we have missed 24 terribly! Not like we have a lot of time to spend watching tv these days but when we do we want it to be quality programming like 24 or Lost! Tonight we were really wanting to watch an episode of 24 or Lost so I got on the net to see when the new episodes are starting and I found this trailer for next season's 24. We have decided we are having a 24 party at our new house on Nov. 23 to watch this Season 7 prequel so consider yourself invited! We are so excited for the new season we might even watch it on tv instead of waiting for the DVD's to come out!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Parade of Homes...Missoula style!

Today Brian and I went to the parade of homes here in Missoula. I told him it probably wasn't a good idea to take me because I would find lots of great ideas for our new house that would cost a fortune! Actually, we found some ideas that are doable and others that are so far out of our price range, but definitely fun to look at! One house we went to was 6000 sq. ft. and had a $125,000 media and sound system. I think there were probably 10 flat screens in the house...crazy huh? Another one of the houses was 4900 sq. ft. all on one level. You wouldn't have to go to the gym...just walk back and forth through your house for exercise. At this house, I found my dream bathroom pictured below.

The tub sits in the middle of the room with columns around it and you have a fireplace with a flat screen above it to watch while you soak in the bath. And so you don't miss your favorite show while you do laundry there is a flat screen in there too. As well as a chaise lounge so you can rest while you watch your shows and watch your laundry being done??

So obviously these were some of the over the top things, but below I have a few pictures of ideas we liked. We have trying to figure out how we want to do our fireplace so we found a few ideas for that (minus the interesting artwork.) Any suggestions??


Here is some tile I found that I liked. We are still not sure if we want tile or hardwood.


And we also found a house with concrete countertops which we have been thinking about. I had a hard time picturing what that would look like because I just kept thinking it would look like a sidewalk on my countertop. I actually really liked them when I saw them in this kitchen...I am not crazy about the color but the overall look is pretty cool.

We have to start making these decisions over the next few weeks so any advice you have would be great!!

Another house update!


Can you believe it...I have managed to post almost every day this week! I can't promise that my laundry is done or the house is clean though! I took more pictures of the house today so I thought I would post them. The front porch was finished today and we absolutely love it! We have always wanted a "Montana" style house and this porch gave our house that look. We will stain it to look like cedar and then there will be cedar shake in the gable above the window area. We ordered siding this week to and it comes pre-painted which is nice...the color for the exterior is "Greek Olive" with cream trim. We will also be doing some rock work along the front bottom of the house as well...something we wanted to do to our last house but didn't. Next week the roof will be shingled and then its windows and siding. I'll keep posting pictures as the house progresses!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Our little ballerina!

Abby started Ballet this week at a local dance studio. There were so many dance places to choose from here in Missoula that I wasn't sure what to do. After researching a bit, I found the Ballet Arts Academy. Abby started on Monday and seemed to really enjoy her class! They also do "The Nutcracker" at Christmas and recently had auditions. We gave it a moment's thought and decided this was probably not the year to take on something else! Maybe next year we will try it! I am sure she would love it! The boys will be starting flag football in a few weeks as well so that should be fun for them as well!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

My 100th Post + the kids go back to school!

I have been sitting around trying to think of something exciting to post for my the 100th post but to no avail. My brain is mush...too many house decisions to be made! I think I will post pics of my kids going back to school because in reality they are the reason that I am blogging. I think when they are all grown up this will be a great thing to share with them (especially since I am not a scrapper...sorry Kristi...maybe someday I will be.) I found a website blurb.com that will turn my blog into a book so I thought every year or so I can have 4 copies made and put them away for when they get older. So here are the pics of the kids first day back to school. It has been an adjustment but they are all starting to meet friends and enjoy it!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The house building continues!

So much has happened to the house in the last month! We are on target to finish up by the 1st week in November. It will be fun to be in for the holidays! I haven't taken pictures in a week so these aren't the most up to date but I thought I would share the progress.


Our dining room view.

Our living room view.


Jordan and Brock's room in the basement.

Riley's view from his bedroom.

The back of the house before the roof and covered porch.

The truss truck arrives.

Our family room door.

The kid's bathroom...double sink with pocket door to shower.

Our door style minus the sidelights and the dentil shelf...if you don't know what that is I didn't wither until I started shopping for front doors. Amazing what you learn!

Our window style.

River City Church Launches!

We launched the church on Sunday with 158 people!!! We had a great time and are looking forward to next Sunday. It was great meeting new people and seeing all of the families with kids! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers! We will keep you posted! I have more pics that someone else took so I will post those when he sends them. For now this is all I have of worship practice and my man vs. wild banner in the background I designed.

It's true...I'm blogging again!!

I know it has been far to long since I have blogged...not because I have so many devoted readers (I know I have a few) but because I have noticed a difference in me. Something about bloggin is therapeutic for me. I am not sure why...it's not like I am a hilarious blogger like a certain friend of mine who just had a birthday...Happy belated Birthday by the way! I think the reason it is theraputic is becuase I sit down and document all the things in my crazy life and forget about the crazy day I have just had. Here are just a few of the reaons why I haven't gotten around to blogging lately:

  1. The kids started a new school with 1300 kids! Yikes!!
  2. We launched River City Church Missoula on Sunday with 158 people in attendance! Yea God!!
  3. We are smack dab in the middle of our house building project! There is a new decision to be made everyday! Help!!
  4. My laundry has been washed but hasn't been folded or put away for weeks! Seriously!!
  5. Brock is a very busy 2 year old! Need I say more!!
So no I am not still at Glacier for family camp...we arrived back at home safe but we hit the ground running and it seems that we haven't had many quiet moments since. I am going to try to post each day to catch you up on the last month of our crazy life here in Missoula! Some people double fist it to deal with stress in their lives, below is a picture of Brock showing how he handles all of the stress!