Carry me through...

Our friend Melissa recommended this song...yes, Lord with strength not my own...carry me through.

There's a mountain
Here before me
And I'm going to climb it
With strength not my own
He's gonna lead me
Or the mountain beats me
Carry me through
Carry me through

There's a river
Here before me
And I'm gonna cross it
with strength not my own
He's gonna save me
Or the river takes me.
Carry me through
Carry me through

Oh Lord be gentle
I'm just a man
Please don't crush me
Help me in.

Oh Lord remember
I try so hard
I walk and talk
Your kingdom love

There's a sinner
Here before me
And I'm gonna give them
Strength not my own
He's gonna carry me
when I get weary
Carry me through
Carry me through

Oh Lord be gentle
I'm just a man
Please don't crush me
And help me in

Oh lord remember
I try so hard
I walk and talk
Your kingdom love

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Carry me through

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Lord Sweet Lord
Carry me through.

Gpa Hime

Thanks Grandpa for always coming to see us while in Eudora. You served us by picking up daddy at the airport at midnight-whew-and also by bringing over Gramma Yeahquo! Thanks for playing and watching us be silly and taking photos with us. We love you and hope you can come visit us here soon!!! (click to enlarge)

Love, NC 4

Sprout Herrs-coming August 2011

I LOVED taking photos with my sister while we were back in Kansas. Though I am not skilled at maternity shots, I thought these came out well...And it was probably due to my great subjects and not my ability!

Jessa (and Dustin) it was a joy to capture this season of your life. You two will make great parents because you love each other, but more importantly because you love the Lord-He is your strength. Though every season with your baby we pray you will depend upon the rich mercy and grace of Jesus. We can't wait to meet your little one!

Love,
The NC 4

PS Sprout is not the baby's name-just super cute nickname :) ....I am super excited to see what name you guys actually choose!

Eudora

We had some great fun in Eudora KS this past visit. We went to the local city pool that had recently been redone...zero entry, a slide and spray grounds-a kid (and parents) dream. I think the slide took the cake for the best part. Katie and I went down many times and Owen joined in the fun after seeing Katie's joyful expressions and happy screams (he joined in the happy screaming too :).

Side note-my mom even ventured down the slide with Katie. It was hysterically funny. She had decided to wear her shorts on the slide...yeah...those don't slide so well. So after about 10 feet she got stuck-at the top. So...Katie and Mimi inched their way down...hehehe...it took about 5 minutes and Katie LOVED it! Thanks Mom for being such a willing sport!

And we would have gone multiple days if we could have. But for sure next time we will be there or be square! Thanks Mimi and Aunt Pie for the serious fun. :)

(click to enlarge)

jones design company

I am recommending you all try out a new blog if you haven't jonesdesigncompany is fun! The above print is one I bought for Justin for Father's Day and I (we) LOVE it. She also has a bunch of easy peasy tutorials that are beautiful and easy to follow.

With my friend Krista we both made a book page wreath out of old hymnals. It was fun and looks great over my sink. So if you have time, check it out!

3 recommendations

1.
This post on Motherhood as a Mission Field by Rachel Jankovic off the Desiring God blog has brought perspective once again. It has encouraged and strengthened my heart for the task of motherhood. I have seen several friends recommend reading it and now I commend it to you! Here is a quote that caught my attention and one I need to remember...

"You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference there if you cannot be at peace here. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive."

It is definitely worth your read, click on the link above!


2.
These bubbles from Gymboree are incredible. They are super thick and almost every bubble that lands on the ground does not pop until the kids stomp on it! The wand blows hundreds of tiny bubbles which is great for our kids that both chase them around each wanting to step on them. We have had minutes and minutes of fun with these!!
One warning though...they can leave marks on a wood deck...at least our deck needs to be sprayed down after we do lots of bubbles-keep the hose handy. They are well worth the $5 or so for the pack!


3.
This is my new FAVORITE spot for buying swimwear. Seriously. You should check it out if you need a new suit. They are all so cute. They now carry some maternity and kids suits....you might just see Katie and I matching next year. :) Three highlights-they have fun colors and patterns, they cover well-modest and are super well made! Check them out here.

Happy Father's Day

We had a WONDERFUL weekend celebrating with you, Daddy. We went to the beach, made cinnamon rolls, gave a wonderful verse framed, ate a picnic out at the airport park and just spent time together-walking, talking, telling adventures and singing. We don't think it can get any sweeter. We love you daddy. You are the most special daddy in the whole world. Thanks for playing with us, listening to our stories, getting excited when we find shells, eat a cinnamon roll in one bite or an airplane lands. We pray you know how much we cherish our time with you and we know you love us like crazy!

Love, Katie and Owen (momma too loves you :)

summertime joys

Our red tomatoes...fresh from the garden! And then my new coffee cup. Thanks mom for the early birthday gift-I love it!

Love our new painted toes. Love that we have a girl to do girly things with on sunny mornings!

Owen helped Daddy do some much needed coffee roasting. In this photo he is telling me where the beans need to go to be roasted-down in the can. :)

Yummmmmm........thanks love for the freshly roasted coffee! You make my mornings. :)

He likes the pepper

Owen was desperate to get something off the counter...so I positioned the red pepper I was cutting on the edge and he grabbed it. He ate about seven bites-yummmmm-he likes it. This boy eats his veggies!

Lawrence

I decided to post our KS trip in colleges. I LOVE these. It shows the GREAT fun we had while at Nana and Papa's house. We got to see Uncle Fancy Drew, Uncle Dori and Ms. Morgan, Granny, Aunt Brandi and Mr. Silas and Nana and Papa. :) It was a TREAT! We celebrated Katie's birthday with a Hello Kitty theme. Nana pulled it off so well! Katie got her bike (which was sent to NC) some jewelry to create, 3D chalk and some new outfits. Owen even got a pair of new go go's and sandals-which he can take off himself! And everyone had to wear the party hats...though Owen disliked his immensely! Then we played outside, went to the pond to see the ducks, did a slip n slide, built a fence and stayed up talking. Thanks Nana and Papa. We can't wait to see you again soon-we had such a sweet time! Love, the NC 4

(click to enlarge)

Katie's stats at 4

Katie, at four years old you are...

42 1/4" tall--in the 90%

39 1/2 lbs--in the 80%

...You're healthy and happy sweet girl!

Wordless Wednesday

caught

Katie and Owen helped themselves to an early mid-morning snack. They were having a picnic on the top of the trash can. :)

Our weekend

This past weekend we did some dog/house sitting for a family. It was enjoyable time being together and being blessed by a playroom and pool! The top photo (if you click on it it will enlarge) shows our canine charges...Charli, she's the yellow lab and Moses who is the shih poo. After Moses got used to Owen saying, "Mo" over and over again and Katie wanting to take him out for constant walks we all had a good time! :) Owen even enjoyed trying a rawhide bone-yuck!

On our way to the play room...Owen was excited, can't you tell? just not excited to stop on the stairs for a photo. oh mom.

Super loving the pool. Katie did GREAT with the noodle and Owen is FEARLESS.

Then we had Hope For Raleigh which we participated in on Saturday. H4R is a yearly event (of our church) in which we seek out those that need an extra hand or a simple blessing- in essence those that need Hope! Saturday was a work day. Two crews did yard work around a downtown area in which a handful of TCCers live. Then there is a day camp at the Salvation Army TCCers lead and finally week long Backyard Bible Clubs that are lead for neighborhood kids. The above photo shows a few of the kids that helped us put together lunches for the workers and neighbors. :) They are ALL super adorable. Kai-Katie-Mercy-Jaden

anything in the future for these two? hehe...Be careful Owen, Melia is a cutie pie!

And I promise Kansas family I will post my photos from our trip back to the Midwest. :) Soon!!