A Day In The Life

Big Brother Jackson

2012-01-21T15:59:00.000-05:00

Big Brother Jackson, here. Yes, that's right. I now have two little sisters. If you've been around our home lately, some of you may have heard Mommy complain about me, yell at me, or shut me in the bathroom. All very commonplace things in the Schoolfield household. So commonplace, in fact, that Abigail also complains about me, yells at me, and shuts me in the bathroom.

So, I thought I'd give you an update on how I'm doing with two little sisters. In all honesty, I love having them around and am usually excited to say good morning to them in their rooms when they wake up. Some may remember my affections towards Abigail the first week of her life.

So when news came that Mommy and Daddy were having another baby, I was happy. The more people, the merrier. That's my life motto. I looooooove people! Here's a picture of Mommy telling us that she and Daddy were going to hospital for a couple days. I think she has a weird expression on her face because she was having a contraction. I may have been listening to Mommy or trying to steal a few pieces of cereal from Abigail. I don't remember.

And when Claire was brought home from the hospital, I was busting at the seams to introduce myself to her. For some reason, Daddy found it necessary to hold my scruff pretty tightly.

I think I got to lick her pinky.

Overall, I am still the same friendly dog and am so incredibly gentle with my sisters. Not so much the rug or doorframe, but all I have is love and kisses for my sisters. The biggest change for me is that I have become an emotional eater and have to eat super expensive dog food so that my stomach won't get upset. It's just my little way of reminding Mommy and Daddy that I'm important too. Important enough to shell out a pretty penny for my food every month or so :) That's my way of sticking it to the man. Oh, and this too.

That's what they get for not making their bed.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T20:20:00.001-05:00

A Season of Firsts

2012-01-11T16:10:00.001-05:00

This past holiday season was marked by a slew of things that we did for the first time. Rather than an elaborate post on Thanksgiving and Christmas, I thought I'd highlight the holiday season with our "firsts."

We hosted Thanksgiving for the first time, and I made my first turkey. Little did I know that it takes a few days for a frozen turkey to defrost. I bought mine the day before Thanksgiving and had to do a quick thaw in the cooler. Lesson learned.

Matt carved his first turkey. Look at that intense concentration :)

Our friends played our XBox 360 (Thanks, Dad!) for the first time...

...and fell asleep after a big Thanksgiving lunch. Sorry, Kahleel, just had to put this one in :)

Christmas brought about Abigail's first Christmas program at preschool. This was about the time that Matt and I realized we had become those parents armed with a camera and video camera.

We hosted Christmas for the first time and were blessed to be able to celebrate with Matt's entire family.

Claire celebrated her first Christmas and was given a thorough tutorial by her sister and cousins as to how to open presents.

And lastly, we made our first gingerbread house. Yum!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T15:26:00.003-05:00

Welcome, Claire Diane Schoolfield!

2011-12-05T22:48:00.001-05:00

We are so excited to announce the arrival of

Claire Diane Schoolfield on October 16, 2011.
The name Diane is Matt's grandmother's middle name.

She weighed in at 8 lbs. and measured 20.5 inches.

Labor lasted 10 hours and was much easier than last time :)

Abigail met Claire at the hospital...

...and is relishing her role as the big sister.

Claire is such a sweet baby! She loves to cuddle and be held.

We are enjoying the addition to our family, as well as getting adjusted to being a family of four (well, five if you count Jackson). Claire is such a joy!

Fellowship Raleigh Vision Video

2011-09-14T15:24:00.000-04:00

Here is Fellowship Raleigh's new vision video. Watch it and understand our heart for the city of Raleigh!

Fellowship Raleigh Vision from Fellowship Raleigh on Vimeo.

Summer 2011 in Pictures

2011-09-13T15:39:00.001-04:00

Our family started off the summer celebrating my 30th birthday. A week later, we celebrated Matt's 31st. One of the major epiphanies we had was that Matt is a much better baker than I am.

Fun times with our Fellowship Raleigh small group!

Cameron and Ariel Harwick, a sweet couple from our church.

Abby moved into a big girl bed with absolutely no problems...whew!

We spent time outside, but when it got too hot, we painted (wearing tutus, of course) in the comfort of air conditioning.

Lots of play time with friends at the park and pool this summer.

Our niece, Shelby, came to visit us. Lots of dress up, watching cooking shows on cable, and texting. I forgot what it was like to be
14-years-old :)

Celebrating the 4th of July with sparklers on our back deck.

We finally dressed up as cows for Chick-fil-a's free meal day. I think we finally did this after all these years because we had a child to dress up and didn't feel quite as embarrassed.

Vacationing at Topsail Beach...our last family vacation with just Abigail before Baby #2 comes along.

Scratch that...Jackson came along too.

Abigail and Matt did a park district basketball class together. This picture is deceiving. Abigail has the spirit, but definitely not WNBA potential. Still, a fun time by all!

My parents came for a visit and taught Abigail the rest of the alphabet. I swear, she'll probably be reading after their next visit! Um, kinda makes me wonder if I'm letting her watch too much tv...just kidding.

Allison & Aaron Massey, our friends from small group. Congrats!

Band Practice

2011-08-01T19:31:00.001-04:00

We had a showing of our house a couple weeks ago, and I needed a place to go with Abigail and Jackson for two hours. It was hot out, so we took advantage of the fact that Matt is a pastor and we live 3 minutes away from the church...and we camped out at the back of the sanctuary for a while. Lucky for us, it was band practice night, so I had a chance to listen for a while and enjoy a perspective that I never get on a Sunday morning. I am so grateful for the people that serve at our church! Thanks, guys, for all that you do!

I love this song...take a listen:

What I'm Reading...

2011-08-01T14:57:00.000-04:00

"Some people can't believe God would create a world in which people would suffer so much. Isn't it more remarkable that God would create a world in which no one would suffer more than he did?" (Alcorn, 90 Days of God's Goodness, p. 86)

"Whenever you feel tempted to ask God, 'Why did you do this to me?' look at the cross and ask, 'Why did you do that for me?'" (Alcorn, 90 Days of God's Goodness, p. 92)

Surfer Girl

2011-08-01T14:47:00.000-04:00

Frugal Friday: Free Stuff at the Mall

2011-07-29T15:02:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned in the previous post, the summer heat has been keeping me indoors the past week. So, I took a trip to the mall to walk around and let Abigail play in the indoor climbing area. The hard thing about going to the mall without a purchasing purpose is that I end up impulse buying. Not a good idea :( This time I went armed with coupons that let me shop for free!

Many companies have been using social media sites, such as Facebook, to promote themselves, offering deals to those who "like" them. Not a bad idea!

The glass trifle bowl was $10.00 at Pier One, and I had a Pier One Facebook coupon for $10 off a $10 purchase (this coupon no longer available, but they are still offering different deals each day on their Facebook site). So, a free entertaining dish that I've had my eye on for awhile. Yes, I've been stalking trifle bowls lately, because I can't bake to save my life and I think I'm going to resort to making trifles from now on.

Bath & Body Works released a Facebook coupon (click here for it) for free lotion...hurry up and use it because it expires 7/31!

And it never hurts to sign up for your favorite store's free loyalty program. I ended up getting something free from Victoria's Secret just for being a part of their loyalty program. There are tons of programs like this that are free to sign up and don't require that you purchase anything.

So, in summary, check out your favorite stores' Facebook pages for fan offers and sign up for store loyalty programs because it pays off in the end! And you can still go to the mall, not pay anything, and still feel like you went shopping :)

Brain Freeze!

2011-07-29T14:27:00.000-04:00

Summer has been incredibly hot here in North Carolina. Our family cools off with McDonald's smoothies...those things are delicious, even when they hurt your head.

Why We Are Moving

2011-07-15T14:39:00.001-04:00

So our house has been on the market for almost 4 weeks. Moving to another location in Raleigh is something that we've been praying about and discussing for quite some time. This morning, Matt posted the reasons for our move on his blog. I oftentimes find that when I have something down in writing, I'm able to better to comprehend the situation. So, I'm going to steal his post and put it here :)
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From A Passionate Disciple of JC (Matt's Blog):

Recently Kristin and I decided to sell our house and move our family. After much prayerful discussion we came to two main reasons why we are moving. I wanted to share these with family and friends. Also, for clarity sake, I included a list of seven other reasons that are not why we are moving. Please pray for our house to sell quickly and help us out if you can. Here is the link for interested buyers.

TWO REASONS THAT ARE WHY WE ARE MOVING

1. How we are investing God’s Money (1 Chronicles 29:14). God is the owner and we are just managers. Lately God has been speaking to us about where and how we are investing His money. Bottom line: we are paying more money than we would prefer for our convenient and safe location. (i.e. we would be very happy in a different, more diverse downtown neighborhood where a home like ours is half the price). As a family, we desire to make a change in this regard.

2. Our life is short like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). We desire to find a house (location & size) that best fits the mission God has called our family to in the city of Raleigh. If we can sell we will likely be moving further into the city, perhaps somewhere between Lions Park & Ligon, but we will see. Nothing is for sure.

SEVEN REASONS THAT ARE NOT WHY WE ARE MOVING

1.     Self-Righteousness: We are not moving because we believe we believe in “justification by downward mobility or poverty.” (We do not think that where we live will make us any more or less favorable in the eyes of God. We could never be more approved by God than Jesus Christ has made us through His sinless life and death on the cross in our place. Jesus alone is our Savior not where we live, what we do, or how we look)

2.     To Be Cool & Radical: We are not moving because it is the cool thing to do after reading “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, “Radical” by David Platt, and “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper (I haven’t even read those books)

3.     A Fresh Start: We are not moving because we do not talk to our neighbors in our current neighborhood and want a fresh start. (This is the hardest part of moving actually. We LOVE our neighbors)

4.     To Guilt Others: We are not moving because we desire to make suburban-living members of our church feel a low level guilt over where they live. (Of course I pray that our church will have an increasing presence downtown, but I truly and sincerely want the our people to live wherever God calls them to live with a conscience that is made free and totally clear by the Gospel of Jesus Christ)

5.     The Commute: We are not moving to be closer to our church. (Our church is in central Raleigh and we live in central Raleigh already. That is why we bought the house we are in. It would be hard for us to get closer to our current church building so this is not driving our decision)

6.     Size: We are not moving because our family is growing bigger. (This is the typical reason to move and our family is indeed growing bigger, but his is seriously not driving our decision)

7.     Money: We are not moving because we cannot afford our current house. (We are doing fine with affording our house. For us it is more about how and where we are investing God’s money, not how much of it we have)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-13T14:22:00.001-04:00

What I'm Reading...

2011-07-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

"God's grace is greater than my sin. But my ability to measure the greatness of his grace depends upon my willingness, in brokenness before him, to recognize the greatness of my sin." (Alcorn, 90 Days of God's Goodness, p. 41)

Nap or Sing?

2011-07-11T16:51:00.001-04:00

Why take a nap when you could be singing? This is what has been happening in place of napping in the Schoolfield household. Sorry, it's not really a video, but I recorded it this way for the audio.

Fellowship Raleigh Partnership Video

2011-07-08T14:40:00.003-04:00

Check out this video that one of our partner churches, Four Oaks, made for Fellowship Raleigh. Hear about why Matt and I are even in Raleigh and get a glimpse of our ministry here!

Note: If you see a blank, black screen, just click on it and the video should appear

Gospel Partners :: Fellowship Raleigh from Four Oaks on Vimeo.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-22T16:44:00.001-04:00

...or views from sitting on my deck chair for a half hour. Hey, it's hard to be a mobile pregnant lady in the heat of the summer.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T14:49:00.000-04:00

The Sad Saga Continues

2011-05-13T16:42:00.000-04:00

This is my sweet puppy, two days after we brought him home. This picture is about 5 years old.

I need to burn this picture into my mind. Why? Well, because he struck again and I need to constantly remember how much I love him. If you've been following Jackson's sad saga, you'll know his neurotic tendencies that result in complete destruction of our house. Here's my lovely attempt at a temporary fix to our office carpet that he tore up after locking himself in the office.

And this is what happened to the carpet and my fix-up job when Jackson locked himself in the office again a few weeks ago.

Needless to say, Matt and I were speechless. So speechless that we didn't even punish Jackson. Now, if he had destroyed that pink bag and coupon binder you see sticking out of it, this post might have been about Jackson's funeral. I guess the bright side to this is that we got our office recarpeted with beautiful, new carpet yesterday.

Just keep staring at this picture, Kristin.

What I'm Reading...

2011-05-13T16:21:00.001-04:00

"If abuse, rape, desertion, paralysis, debilitating disease, or the loss of a loved one has devastated you, then the issue of evil and suffering isn't merely theoretical, philosophical, or theological. It's deeply personal. Logical arguments won't satisfy you; in fact, they might offend you. You need help with the emotional problem of evil, not merely the logical problem of evil. Like children at times, each of us must struggle into our Father's arms, and there receive the comfort we need. But remember this: you are a whole person. Truth matters. To touch us at the heart level - and to keep touching us over days, months, years, and decades - truth must work its way into our minds. Never seek comfort by ignoring the truth...Deeply rooted beliefs - specifically a worldview grounded in Scripture - will allow you to persevere and hold on to a faith built on the solid rock of God's truth." (Alcorn, 90 Days of God's Goodness, p. 12)

A Mother's Day Message

2011-05-08T16:54:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! This is my dear mom a few years ago (yes, we have to take a more recent picture together). Big surprise that I'm holding a bowl of snacks in this picture. Hey, I was pregnant ...

...with this precious baby girl...

...who is not so much a baby anymore.

I mean, look at that attitude. Pay no attention to the dirty bathroom. Just look at the pose...yikes.

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I know that for many reasons, Mother's Day may not be joyous for some. Some of these reasons I'm familiar with. So, I leave you with something I read today on one of my favorite blogs, The Finer Things in Life.

"For my friends who are missing their own mom, separated by too many miles.

For my friends who have recently buried their mother, and have to face this day without her for the first time.

For my friends who are mourning the unbearable loss of a child.

For my friends who find themselves in an untimely pregnancy, confused and unsure of the future.

For my friends who are praying without ceasing for a Godly husband and children to call their own.

For my friends who are clinging to motherhood as they face a uncertain diagnosis.

For my friends who are longing to see a little pink plus sign this month. We’ve been there.

For my friends who gracefully bear the weight of mother, father, and provider for their children.

For my friends who held their child for only moments, and for those whose children passed through this world as quick as a breath.

For you, my friends, I will remember the struggles and the heartache of this Mother’s Day. Yes, I will celebrate my own innumerable blessings, but I will also remember. Bless you."

(Taken from The Finer Things in Life)

Snip, Snip, Cry?

2011-05-03T20:22:00.000-04:00

I've put off getting Abigail's hair cut for two years. There have been many times I was ready to schedule the big day, but couldn't bring myself to have her baby hair cut off. Well, I gave in a few weeks ago after realizing how stringy and straggly her hair was. Here is before:

I prepped her with a movie about one of her favorite characters getting their haircut, and talked about it for days. Then the big day came. Off to Great Clips we went, and Matt and I were so surprised that Abigail sat completely still and did not let out one peep! No tears whatsoever! In fact, she was completely serious and wouldn't even smile for the camera. Probably shock had set in.

And here is the final result:

Still no smile, but still no tears.

What a big girl...we are so proud of her!

The Gospel Coalition

2011-04-27T16:27:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to go to Chicago with Matt a few weeks ago for the Gospel Coalition Conference. It was a wonderful experience in so many ways - I had the chance to get away with Matt, I took off my mommy hat and put on my seminary hat for a bit, I got to sleep in (!!!!!!), we had the chance to visit with old and new friends, and we ate some amazing food!

This post may seem like a long list of notes...and it is. My journal oftentimes gets found and used as a coloring book, so I decided that if I didn't get my notes summarized online, they might be covered in crayons and unreadable. So, this next part may bore you. Or, you might actually enjoy trying to follow my thoughts. If you find yourself in the first category, you can just look at the pictures :)

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Studying the Scriptures & Finding Jesus - John 5:31 (R. Albert Mohler)

- The Old Testament is not someone else’s book, it should not be read in its own terms, and it does not preach another deity

- We do such disservice to the point of the Old Testament when we primarily moralize it

- Intellectual deists are not the same as Christians

Getting Out - Exodus 14 (Tim Keller)

- Our bondage has layers: objective law, subjective law, sin nature, idols

- We need to cross over by grace, and that involves a change of status

- We are not saved by the quality of our faith, but the object of our faith

- We have a mediator in Jesus

From a Foreigner to King Jesus - Ruth (Alistair Begg)

- Begg painted a beautiful picture of the story of Ruth, foreshadowing the ultimate kinsman redeemer, Jesus

Not According to Our Sins - Psalm 25 (James MacDonald)

- Jesus embodies my trust, exemplifies my trust, and enables my trust

The Righteous Branch - Jeremiah 23:1-8 (Conrad Mbewe)

- How can our leadership be relevant to God’s story?

- Where there is failure in leadership, God moves in

- Ultimate leader is Jesus

Youth - Ecclesiates 11:7-12:14 (Matt Chandler)

- There is a way to remember that redeems our rejoicing – Remember who God is, remember what He’s done, remember His commands

Getting Excited About Melchizedek - Psalm 110 (Don Carson)

- I took notes, but they made no sense to me when I reviewed them...I don't think I was ready for Carson so early in the morning :)

Signs of Grace in Inner City Church Planting (Eric Mason)

- God used cities to reach nations and to usher new Christians into maturity(Acts 14:21-23)

- Leadership needs to come within the community to create sustainability. This may take many years to cultivate!

The Feminist Mistake (Mary Kassian)

- We are now living in the post-feminist movement and feeling the waves of it now

- Many things have been and need to be redefined based on womanhood being redefined (manhood, family, etc.)

- The distinction between male and female is so important because it tells a story of the Gospel, revealing truths in the Trinity

- Biblical manhood/womanhood is bigger than us and all about God

- Biblical manhood/womanhood needs to be taught because it won’t be caught in our culture

- Regard womanhood as a primary discipleship issue

- Teach principles, not specific patterns of application

- Do not lose focus on displaying the Gospel and putting Christ on display

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Happy and full after dinner at Morton's...best steak I've ever had!

Our delish dessert. I had a picture of my half eaten steak, but thought this might look a little more appetizing than my messy plate.

The orginal Morton's chef...isn't he just the cutest chef???

Heaven (not really, but close)

2011-04-22T15:51:00.000-04:00

Tornado Destruction

2011-04-18T14:57:00.000-04:00

Matt drove his truck yesterday and let me snap some pictures of the tornado aftermath that hit Raleigh on Saturday. These pictures were from a neighborhood about a mile away from our house. Most of the major damage seemed to be caused by fallen trees. This wasn't the worst of it, as many homes and business in North Raleigh and surrounding towns were completely leveled to the ground. Please be praying for North Carolina!

Book Review: Blind Hope (Meeder & Sacher)

2011-04-16T15:47:00.001-04:00

Let me start out by saying that I am a huge fan of dog books in general. I started out as a young girl, reading James Herriot books, and over the years have added books such as The Art of Racing in the Rain, to my list of all time favorites. Therefore, I was excited to read Blind Hope, by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the way the story was told. The book is narrated by Meeder, the owner/operator of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. She tells the story, mainly through dialogue, of Sacher, a staff worker at the ranch. Laurie, in turn, tells the story of her blind dog, Mia, and the lessons she learned from her. Don’t get me wrong, the story is good, and the lessons learned, admirable, but the relaying of stories from one person to another and finally to the reader allows the plot to become rather lackluster. As the reader, I found it somewhat monotonous to overhear a conversation that someone had with someone else about their life. I would have found it much more interesting if Sacher just wrote her own book.

Aside from the storytelling aspect, the book is sweet. Themes of brokenness, trust, and hope run through, all pointing Sacher back to her relationship with God. Some of the lessons seem rather cheesy, but I chalk it up to the writing, not to the actual story.

In the end, I would probably skip this book if you are an avid reader of dog/animal books. There are many more out there better written. However, if this is your first go around with a canine story, I think it is a sweet, simple read to add to your library.

(Waterbrook Multomah Publishers/Blogging for Books provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.)

Happy Day

2011-04-07T14:03:00.000-04:00

An Update from Jackson

2011-04-02T15:52:00.002-04:00

This is Jackson. I've snuck on the computer while my family is out to give you an update. Since my last post, things have gotten worse.

First off, I've developed strange habits. One of my new-found comforts is to trap myself in the office. At first, my family thought I kept getting trapped accidentally, but I've been caught nudging the door shut with my nose. And if they are home, I just sit there and wait for them to discover that I am stuck. I like to be rescued. If they are not home, I try to dig myself out and create masterpieces like this:

Mommy and Daddy were none too happy about my attempt to get out. Mommy covered the hole up with duct tape until they decide to replace the carpet. She said it looked classy...

...but I think she was being sarcastic. Another habit that I've developed is to eat...ummm...stuff that I'm not supposed to eat. Non-edible things. Yes, I admit, I've been doing that. I don't know why I do it, as it certainly does not taste good, but Mommy diagnosed me with a form of OCD and I trust her because she is a therapist.

Oh, if you thought I moved on from my old habits, you are wrong. I still gnaw on the master bedroom door frame and leave pools of drool (Hey, I rhymed!) that stain the carpet every Wednesday night when Mommy and Daddy have people over for their weekly Bible study.

While they learn about Jesus, I remind them of total depravity and the effects of the fall. Hey, someone has to do it.

Lastly, I've been getting comments lately on my weight gain by friends, family, and the veterinarian. I am self-conscious and feel rather embarrassed when Mommy calls me Triangle Butt.

I guess looking at this picture, I can see it in my hips and thighs. And stomach. And pretty much my entire torso. It probably doesn't help that I'm eating extra non-edible "snacks" throughout the day. How does that work anyway? Can I still gain weight from eating non-food? Am I thinking too hard?

Please, someone save me before they take more picture of me like this:

They claim they still love me immensely, but sometimes I wonder...

The Hummels

2011-04-01T15:56:00.000-04:00

A beautiful script on the floor...done with lights!

Elizabeth and her daddy, dancing while waiting for their turn at the rehearsal. Makes my heart melt.

Gorgeous decor in the ballroom. I felt like Cinderella :)

Congrats, Alex & Elizabeth!

Almond-Crusted Tilapia

2011-04-01T09:55:00.001-04:00

We've been trying to eat more fish lately, so I've been searching online for non-fishy-tasting recipes :) Yesterday I made Almond-Crusted Tilapia from allrecipes.com and it was delicious! The pairing of sweet almonds and salty parmesan cheese worked wonderfully in this dish.

1 egg

1/2 t. lemon pepper

1/2 t. garlic pepper

1/2 c. ground almonds

1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese (divided)

4 (6 oz.) tilapia fillets

2 T. all-purpose flour for dusting

3 T. butter

Salt to taste

Parsley

Lemon wedges

Beat the egg with the lemon pepper and garlic pepper until blended; set aside.

Stir together ground almonds with 1/2 c. of Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish until combined; set aside. I didn't have grated Parmesan, so I substituted shredded Parmesan.

Dust the tilapia fillets with flour, and shake off excess. Dip the tilapia in egg, then press into the almond mixture.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook tilapia in melted butter until golden brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium, and season with salt if desired. Sprinkle the tilapia with the remaining 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, cover, and continue to cook until the Parmesan cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the tilapia to a serving dish, and garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Abigail!

2011-03-16T17:37:00.001-04:00

My sweet baby turned two last week, and we spent a couple of days celebrating. Here are some pictures of the big girl and her guests. Happy birthday, Abigail!

Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple

2011-03-06T20:23:00.001-05:00

As most of you know, the reason why Matt and I moved to Raleigh almost four years ago (has it been that long?!) was to plant a new church that would glorify God, cultivate passionate disciples of Christ, and love the world. It has been quite a journey, personally and professionally. Blood, sweat, and tears have been shed for this fellowship of believers, and through it all, God has been so faithful to remain exactly who He says He is in His Word. As most church plants do, Fellowship Raleigh has moved around a bit, and we currently are moving into a new building this month. How exciting it was to see so many people come out this past Saturday to help with painting the new place. Our friend, David, took a few pictures of the day, and I thought I'd steal one to show here :)

The future reception area
(Thanks, David!)

Click here to check out his website for more preview pictures!

And if you want to check out our church's website, click here.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-02T20:44:00.000-05:00

What I'm Reading...

2011-03-02T20:40:00.000-05:00

"This is how God works. He puts his people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness." (Platt, Radical, p. 48)

On the Mend

2011-02-28T20:34:00.001-05:00

Things in blog world seemed to come to a stop the past week or two for me. Sickness infiltrated our home, and I've been doing my best to prevent, recover, mend, and resurrect. So, Abby and I are slowly getting healthy again.

In celebration of the light at the end of the tunnel, the weather decided to lend a hand and present itself a lovely 80 degrees the past few days. In return, I found it necessary to frequent one of my favorite spots in Raleigh yesterday.

Simply lovely. That's all I have to say about that.

Frugal Friday: Wall Collage

2011-02-18T14:31:00.003-05:00

As part of my quest to redecorate our home, we decided to get rid of the TV that was mounted on our bedroom wall. As wonderful as it was to watch TV shows and movies late at night, tucked nice a cozy into bed, we thought it best to just have our downstairs TV. I also wanted to personalize our room, so I thought I would attempt a photo wall collage. Here's the finished project after sanding the holes left from the TV mount, filling them in, and doing a touch-up paint job (Ahhhhhh! I never want to fill and paint over gaping craters in my walls again!):

Here's the price breakdown:
- 1 frame from the attic = Free
- 3 frames from Walmart = $6
- 1 frame from Goodwill = $2
- 1 wall ledge from Goodwill = $2
- Monogrammed plaques (and extra supplies) = $14

So all in all, my new wall collage cost around $28...not bad for a personalized touch to the room and extra supplies from the monogrammed plaques for future projects! Also much cheaper than trying to find a large print to fill up a large space on the wall. You could easily make this free using frames you already have and skipping the monogrammed plaques.

By the way, there is more to come on the bedroom redo :)

Mini Nacho Libre

2011-02-15T15:09:00.000-05:00

For those of you that are fans of Nacho Libre, this will make sense. For those of you that are not, this may be one of the most confusing things you come across today. And for that, I apologize.

"These are my recreation clothes."

"Go away! Read some books!"

"Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior? "

"Chancho, when you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It's for fun."

"My life is good. Real good."

A Machine-Made Dinner

2011-02-12T20:40:00.000-05:00

This was the scene in my kitchen today. Lots of machines and no Kristin. My absence in the kitchen was exactly what I wanted on a lazy Saturday. Thanks to my crock pot and bread machine, we had a delicious dinner and I only stepped in the kitchen a few times to raid the candy bowl.

These two wonderful machines miraculously produced the following at 6:00pm this evening:

Traditional white bread...

...and split pea soup!

I would give you the recipe for the bread, but I'm pretty sure it is tailored to my specific bread machine. The split pea soup recipe from About.com, however, is yours to make.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas, rinsed

3 cups diced ham

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 ribs of celery plus leaves, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, or 2 t. dried parsley flakes

1 T. seasoned salt (or to taste)

1/2 t. fresh pepper

1 1/2 qts. hot water

Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given; pour in water. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours or on slow 8-10 hours until peas are very soft. Remove bay leaf. Mash peas to thicken more, if desired. Serve garnished with croutons. Serves 8.

Waiting for Daddy

2011-02-04T15:38:00.000-05:00

Frugal Friday: Crafty Monograms

2011-02-04T15:31:00.002-05:00

As some of you know, I made it a goal to redecorate my house this year. As I listed my desired projects and items to get, I became quite discouraged by how much it cost! So, I decided to try a frugal short cut and make many of the pretty things I had my heart set on. My first project was a picture collage in the master bedroom that I wanted to personalize with monogrammed plaques. So, I went to Michael's and loaded my cart with:

two wooden plaques ($2.00 each),

( Sorry, this isn't the one I used, but wanted to show you what something like this looks like unpainted,)

acrylic paint ($.50), spray adhesive ($3.00), Mod Podge ($7.00), and a foam brush ($.40).

I painted the edges of the wooden plaque with the brown paint and let it dry. Then I traced the outline of the plaque onto pretty scrapbook paper that I already had (though, if you were to buy it, it would probably cost $.25 each), cut the scrapbook paper, and glued it to the wooden plaque using the spray adhesive. Next, I used my Cricut machine to cut out the monogrammed letter on card stock (also super cheap). If you don't have a Cricut machine, no problem! Just find a font and size you like on your computer, print out the letter, cut it out, and trace it on your scrapbook paper. Then just cut the letter out. Use the spray adhesive to glue the letter onto the plaque. Finally, brush the Mod Podge on everything, using thin layers. If the paper starts bubbling up, wait until it's mostly dry and press the air out.

And, voila! You get this:

So, all in all, it cost around $14 to make both plaques...$7 each! And I barely made a dent in the paint, spray adhesive, and Mod Podge. So, tons of leftovers to use on other projects. And I mean tons. You may want to stay away from the Schoolfield house because I may try and Mod Podge you.

I am super happy with the results and will show the final reveal of the photo collage later...that is, once I patch and paint all the holes in the wall from previous pictures and failed attempts at hanging the pictures in the right spots :(

Linking to:

Book Review: Shattered Dreams (Crabb)

2011-02-01T21:01:00.004-05:00

As a counselor and someone who has asked where God was in the midst of difficult times, I decided to read and review Shattered Dreams. Crabb artfully weaves together sound theology, self-disclosure, case studies, and the stirring Biblical story of Naomi to explain God’s purposes for unfulfilled dreams and what we learn are often sinful expectations. Truly, I believe, Crabb is a gifted writer who speaks not only to the mind, but also to the heart in the area of sanctification. Oftentimes after reading a book like this, I have the “right” theological answer, but am left to still struggle with the daily application and the emotions that don’t seem to change with just knowing the right answer. Crabb is not afraid to ask the hard questions or to even voice those doubts and thoughts we often think we need to hide as Christians. I’ve come across many friends and clients who, in their darkest moments, voice the same tear-filled thoughts, and this book could help to put more than a band-aid on their pain by lovingly and truthfully pointing them to God.

Crabb’s main point is that God uses suffering to create in us a desire for an encounter with Him that not only points us to a better hope, but fulfills God's own purposes of His glory. This encounter with God allows for community and our lives to be transformed to be more like Christ. He takes us on a journey the first few chapters, acknowledging that bad things happen and expressing the frustration we often feel towards God when we think He is absent from our pain. He then proceeds to strip away the too-often believed idea that God’s purpose is to make us happy and that He is an object to be used to get what we want. Crabb painfully extracts the hidden ways we do this, oftentimes laced with good intentions or Christianized meaning. He weaves in the story of Naomi, inviting the reader to experience her loss of hope and struggle towards seeing God for who He, desiring an encounter with Him, and creating in her a deeper hope. As a gifted writer, Crabb keeps the reader’s attention, as the chapters are short and cliffhangers or questions to be answered are presented at the end of most chapters.

By the end of the book, the reader has read the initial discouraging thoughts of Naomi, felt the painful emotions of shattered dreams, and has rejoiced with her in her better hope. The reader hopefully comes out the other side more inviting of these shattered dreams, even seeing them as desirable and good, knowing that the hope from God that comes from these trials is far richer than anything that this world has to offer.

Crabb assumes the work of Christ in the reader’s life, so this wouldn’t necessarily be a book for a non-Christian. He also leans heavily towards the use of the name “God” (though uses “Christ” interchangeably), speaking to, but not obviously fleshing out the Gospel. This would be one area that I wish would have been stronger and a little more complete.

Overall, this book is most helpful with changing our paradigms of who God is and His purposes. I echo Crabb in his desire for a revolution that focuses more on a hunger for God than fixing problems and feeling better.

(Waterbrook Multomah Publishers/Blogging for Books provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T15:56:00.000-05:00

How Not to Sled

2011-01-24T20:13:00.002-05:00

One of the highlights of our Christmas trip to Chicago was taking Abigail sledding on the same hill that I played on as a child. Matt, being a Floridian, had never been sledding either, so my excitement was doubled, knowing that I could introduce my precious family to a childhood memory. I boasted about my sledding ability and even gave tongue-in-cheek tips to Matt about weight placement on the sled.

Below is shameful evidence that I have forgotten how to sled and am apparently afraid of fast (?) speeds. For your viewing enjoyment, please follow along with the commentary below the video and try to understand what was going through my mind.

0:01 - "All ready to go here in my orange sled. Abigail is safely tucked in my lap. Just sitting here, waiting for the hill to clear at the bottom."

*** Yes, it took me more than half the video to finally start moving. Sorry you just wasted 24 seconds of your life watching me contemplate going down the hill.

0:25 - "Here we go!"
0:26 - "Oh no...this is way too fast! Stick those feet out to brake! Brake!"
0:29 - "What's that shrill screaming that I hear? It sounds like Abigail. (Look down) Oh my goodness, I'm spraying snow in her face!"
0:31 - "Quick! Cover her face with my hands so the snow won't get on it!"
0:38 - "Oh no! I just covered her face with my snow-covered gloves. It is all over her face, eyes, and in her mouth!"
0:41 - "Brush it off! Brush it off"
0:43 - "Give her to daddy...I am a failure of a sledder and a terrible mom."

And just in case you missed what happened, here's a still shot. Yes, that's my 22-month-old daughter in the pink with snow spraying her and her mother's freezing, snow filled gloves smothering her face.

I obviously cropped out my face. You do not want to see it. The expression I am making is rather embarrassing. If this isn't embarrassing enough. I am never going sledding again.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T15:04:00.001-05:00

Bouquet of Friends

2011-01-19T14:37:00.004-05:00

As a wife of a pastor, I came across this article regarding the importance of friendships in ministry life. The author challenges women to look for multiple friends, eliminating the all-to-common problem of expecting one friend to fill all the friendship roles. I think the article's list of various friendships are an encouragement to both ministry wives and women in general (and guys too...just adapt some of the examples). So, I thought I would share...plus, I like lists :)

A Challenger
Find someone who spiritually challenges you, who encourages you to love God more. She inspires you to go home and be a better mother and a more loving wife. She helps you stay disciplined on your diet. She helps you try to improve in areas of your life.

A Mentor
This friend can “speak into” your life. She is a little bit further along in her walk with God, a role model of a Christian wife, mother, or ministry wife. This friend is someone who prays regularly for your family.

An Encourager
Everyone needs a friend who makes her feel happy and uplifted each time you’re together. She gives you perspective, because she takes your mind off of your challenges. You laugh when you’re together. This friend sees the rainbow behind the cloud. Though she may never know the details of your life or ministry, her role is to remind you that joy is available for you!

A Confidante
You need one person with whom you can share your deep and honest feelings, a friend who refuses to “pass on” the secrets of the pastor’s wife. She is tried and true. Finding a confidante takes time. Start by sharing little things and see if she really is a “secret-keeper.”

A Ministry Partner
You share the same passion. You both care about kids, or senior citizens, or the homeless. You spend hours planning events together. You can count on her to support the ministry effort. Sometimes these friendships are more short-lived, but wonderful to enjoy for a season.

An Old Friend
You might not be able to live near each other, but you stay in touch. She loved you through a lot of challenging times. You pick up where you left off each time you see this friend. She prays for you without being asked.

A New Friend
Every ministry wife needs new friends. Keep your heart open for who God will bring into your life. Remember that “old” friends were once “new” friends. God brings different people into our lives for a season. Enjoy the spontaneity and freshness of a new friend.

(List adapted from "Fresh Friendships" by Nancy Nelson. Read the full article here.)

Frugal Friday: Children's Clothes for Cheap

2011-01-14T15:11:00.006-05:00

Since we moved North Carolina a few years ago, we are pretty far away from family and friends. That means no children's clothes hand-me-downs for us :( Most of our friends here have children the same age or younger, therefore, I am forever trying to find ways to reduce spending on Abigail's wardrobe. Here's what I've come up with so far:

1) Consignment shopping

I buy the majority of Abigail's wardrobe at a HUGE consignment sale that is held twice a year at our state fairgrounds. Huge is not even the word to describe it...it is GIGANTIC ENORMOUS BIG. I usually spend 3-4 hours looking though wonderfully organized racks of shirts, pants, and dresses that cost around $1-$4 each. The last time I went, I found the Columbia jacket that Abigail has been wearing this winter for $8. If you are in the Raleigh area, you are in luck, because the Kid's Exchange is being held next week! Check it out here.

While you might not have something like the Kid's Exchange in your town, there are probably smaller consignment shops where you can get amazing deals on gently used items.

2) Shop the clearance rack for out of season clothes that she can wear in the future.

I usually skip the front part of the store (sooooo hard to do..I need those blinders that horses use so that I don't see all the cute stuff) and head for the clearance racks in the back. And, lo and behold, I find super adorable things like this:

A lined wool coat from Old Navy for $5.69 (originally $36.50)! It is size 3T, but I snatched it up, knowing Abigail will grow into it. ***Side note, you should go run to Old Navy this weekend (1/14-1/17) because all clearance items are an additional 40% off! I not only got this jacket, but found myself embellished tank tops and shirts for $3.

3) Goodwill

My husband introduced me to shopping at Goodwill when we were newly married. It took me a few trips to get the hang of browsing, but I finally saw the light and am now a loyal fan. There is usually a bin of infant clothes for $1-$2 a piece, and I've dug through many-a-piles (and some old, weird looking things) to find Carter's, Gymboree, The Children's Place, and Gap items. If you look at it like a treasure hunt, it is worth your time!

Hope some of these ideas help! What are some other options that I can add to my list?

What I'm Reading...

2011-01-12T14:39:00.000-05:00

"It comes down to this: God's best is available only to those who sacrifice, or who are willing to sacrifice, the merely good. If we are satisfied with good health, responsible children, enjoyable marriages, close friendships, interesting jobs, and successful ministries, we will never hunger for God's best. We will never worship. I've come to believe that only broken people truly worship. Unbroken people - happy folks who enjoy their blessings more than the Blesser - say thanks to God the same way a shopper thanks a clerk." (Crabb, Shattered Dreams, p. 54)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-12T14:22:00.000-05:00

iPhone Christmas

2011-01-08T21:10:00.000-05:00

Christmas

2011-01-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

We spend Christmas in Chicago with my side of the family and had a great time! How nice it was to see everyone and introduce Abigail to many extended family members.

She had a precious time decorating her little tree with Paw-Paw.

What a blessing to see my two grandmas!

Abigail loved opening presents and trying things on right away. Thanks to my family for the Illinois and Chicago Bears attire. She can now cheer for Mommy's teams too!

Christmas morning also brought sledding, a first for both Matt and Abigail. And a first in a LONG time for me. More to come on my traumatic sledding experience in another post. For now, we need to think about happy things.

Like the way we felt after eating our Christmas dinner with my family. See how happy we look? Our bellies were full and we were happy. Little did we know that my mom had three more meals like that planned over the next two days. I think we ate too much. WAY too much. But it was sure good.

And, lastly, we went downtown to experience the magic that is Chicago at Christmastime...

...and froze our bottoms off admiring the windows. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for entertaining my desire to be a tourist in the windy city.

But it was worth it in the end. We had a blast!

Frugal Friday: Soft Shell Crab

2011-01-07T20:52:00.001-05:00

I like most food, but I LOVE seafood. My favorite restaurant is a seafood place that I went to once on our honeymoon. I've been there only once, but to this day, I still have dreams about this place. Old Bay Steamer...

While this is a Frugal Friday post, it is also a recipe post. A couple months ago I joined a group buying site called Redeemio. I ended up getting a great deal ($5 for a $20 voucher!) to Locals Seafood, a Raleigh business that provides fresh seafood from the Outer Banks. I thought I would be bold and try something new, so I got tilefish and...

...soft shell crabs! I had no idea how to cook them, so I went online and found a recipe on Cooks.com. I ended up cutting this super easy recipe in half when I made it.

1/2 c. milk

Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 t. Tabasco sauce

12 small fresh soft shell crabs

3/4 c. flour

4 T. vegetable oil

2 T. butter

2 T. olive oil

1 T. shallots, finely chopped

1/2 c. almonds, sliced

2 T. fresh lemon juice

4 T. parsley, finely chopped

In a flat dish, combine the milk, salt, pepper, and Tabasco. Blend well. Add the crabs, turning them over to coat well with the milk. Place the flour in a flat dish and remove the crabs from the milk. Dredge them in the flour and shake to remove any excess flour.

Heat 2 T. of the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet. Place 6 crabs in the pan and cook them over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned on one side. Turn and cook until golden brown on the other side. Transfer to a warm serving platter and keep warm. Add remaining vegetable oil to pan and cook remaining crabs. Pour off fat from skillet and wipe clean with a paper towel. Add the butter and olive oil, add the shallots and sliced almonds and cook until lightly browned, shaking the pan. When the oil is bubbling, add the lemon juice and pour the mixture over the crabs. Sprinkle with parsley.

Here was my finished product, along with some cheese grits and steamed carrots. And yes, you eat the whole crab since it has a soft shell :) Success!

The Power of the Pen

2011-01-01T15:29:00.001-05:00

"Go out and tell our story.

Let it echo far and wide.

Make them hear you.

Make them hear you...

Your sword can be a sermon

Or the power of the pen.

Teach every child to raise his voice

And then, my brother, then

Will justice be demanded

By ten million righteous men.

Make them hear you..."

~ Lyrics from the musical, Ragtime ~

After reading this AP story about there being fewer journalists killed in 2010, I started thinking about these unseen, but widely heard voices. Sometimes voices of truth, other times voices skewed by an agenda, but free voices nonetheless. I am by no means an expert on freedom of the press or the consequences of media's influence, but I do know that it has changed the world, opening people's eyes through words and pictures. And I can't imagine someone being killed for this. Then again, social influence can be so much more powerful than violence. Thanks to those journalists out there, using their words and images to fight alongside our brave soldiers.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-22T17:20:00.002-05:00

Friends

2010-12-22T14:00:00.001-05:00

My husband, Matt, is blessed to have some really good guy friends. One of these guys is Ryan...

...a friend from high school

...and college.

A friend that gave a best man's speech at our wedding six years ago...

...and a friend Matt was able to do the same for this past weekend.

Congrats, Ryan & Christi! We love you guys and sincerely apologize for the lack of wedding pictures in this post. Chasing a 1-year-old around and being drugged up with cold medicine didn't really allow me to get the pictures I wanted. This is the only one I got:

...though I think it sums you up quite well :)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-15T08:40:00.000-05:00

Blogging for Books

2010-12-12T15:05:00.000-05:00

I confess..I've struggled to finish a book since graduating from grad school. It's not that I haven't read in five years, but getting to the end of any book has been somewhat daunting. So, I've found something that will not only provide the books to read, but will keep me accountable to reading them (and reading them well!). Blogging for Books is a book review program through Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing that sends bloggers books for free. The catch is that you must post a review of that book within 30 days of receiving it. Not bad, huh?

So, I'm being shipped Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb, a book I've been wanting to read for awhile. There were about 25 books offered to me to review. A few that I'm planning to read in the future include:

Click here to check out this program and to sign up. Wish me luck on my new reading adventure!

Snuggies...

2010-12-11T11:09:00.000-05:00

...for dogs.

I'm speechless.

Christmas Picture Fail

2010-12-08T14:23:00.002-05:00

About two weeks ago, I forced both my daughter and dog to do a Christmas photoshoot so I could order our Christmas cards. I literally took 100 pictures. Luckily, I did get a few cute ones. I also got a few like this:

The wind is blowing 100 mph and you want us to keep our eyes open?

I don't even want to know what was going through her mind.

I think I tried making her sit in a pile of pokey pine needles.
Nice going, mom.

Banana Bread

2010-12-05T21:32:00.001-05:00

One of my fondest college memories is that of making banana bread with one of my roommates, Kristin. Yes, we had the same name. And yes, it sometimes got confusing when the phone rang and the person on the other end had no idea who they were talking to. More often, I would get super confused and end up talking to one of Kristin's friends for awhile, afraid to tell them that I wasn't her.

Kristin had this super easy recipe for banana bread that I've kept over the years because not only does it turn out super yummy, but it is super easy to make for this non-baking girl. Thought I'd share it :)

3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. mashed bananas (about 3)
3/4 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease loaf pan. Mix sugar, bananas, oil and eggs in large bowl.

Stir in remaining ingredients.

Pour into pan. Bake until toothpick comes out clean (about 60 minutes).

Let cool 10 minutes, loosen sides, remove from pan and enjoy!

Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T14:16:00.002-05:00

We spent our Thanksgiving in Tallahassee this year, visiting Matt's family, stuffing our faces with yummy food, and watching TONS of football. I didn't take as many pictures as planned, so the ones below are courtesy of Matt snatching the camera and trying to capture our time there.

Abby was crowned Thanksgiving Princess by her grandparents and daddy before dinner. And she truly believes she is a princess.

My hospitable in-laws...thanks, guys!

Jackson, licking his lips after getting his own serving of turkey. Who knows what else he ate while we were there :(

My sister-in-law, Sarah, washing the dishes and trying not to scowl at her brother taking the picture.

My niece, Shelby, is taller than me!

My nephews, Drew and Trace...tons of fun and energy!

iPhone Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T20:31:00.000-05:00

What I'm Reading...

2010-11-26T11:01:00.002-05:00

"Let your passion to explain become a passion to know Christ...
Let your passion to be right become a passion to honor Christ...
Let your passion to heal become a passion to give hope...
Let your passion to connect become a passion to trust a sovereign Christ."

(Crabb, Finding God, p. 212)

Frugal Friday: Money Back with Ebates

2010-11-19T16:52:00.003-05:00

If you're doing any online shopping this holiday season, I have a great money saving tip for you! If you shop through Ebates, you can earn up 1-26% cash back every time you shop, depending on the store. There are over 1000 stores involved, including Kohl's, eBay, Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Bed Bath & Beyond.

And if you're buying a flight or booking a hotel through Expedia or Travelocity, you can get cash back too!

Think about it this way, many of you are already earning 1-5% back on purchases with your credit card rewards. Why not double dip and get another 1-26% back as a check through Ebates?

My first Ebates check came in the mail the other day...see? It works :) And it looks like if you sign up, you get $5 added to your account automatically! Check it out here.

Outside My Window

2010-11-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

Every year since we moved to North Carolina, I've appreciated the gorgeous autumn trees. I don't know what it is about those colors, the smell, or the crunch beneath your feet, but it makes me want to wrap up in a blanket, eat home made soup, and wear my fuzzy slippers. It is one of my favorite times of the year!

Oh, and I'm experimenting around with my new photo app, Instagram. Love the filters :)

Quotes Around Our Home

2010-11-17T16:41:00.002-05:00

"Looks like you have a bicycle chain around your neck."
- Matt, in reference to my new necklace

"Watch a booby!"
- Abigail, in reference to wanting to watch a movie...we're getting some of our consonants confused.

DIY Instant Oatmeal

2010-11-11T14:45:00.001-05:00

Now that it's getting colder in the mornings, we've been more in the mood for something hot and yummy for breakfast. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a morning person and the thought doing anything more than pouring a bowl of cereal or popping something in the toaster is more than I can handle in my state of delirium. So, when I came across this idea for instant oatmeal on a blog (so sorry I forgot which one, or else I would link it), I jumped at the chance to try it. This is sooooo much tastier than packaged instant oatmeal, is super convenient, and costs less.

Place the following in a snack size Ziploc bag:

1/3 cup quick cook oats

1 T brown sugar (or however much you want)

Dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries, etc.

Chopped walnuts or slivered almonds

When you're ready to cook it on a chilly morning, just pour the contents of one bag into a bowl, add 2/3 cup milk or water, and microwave for 1 minute. Voila! Super yummy oatmeal made super quick despite a super state of sleepiness.

According to Abby...

2010-11-09T08:04:00.000-05:00

Halloween

2010-11-01T16:24:00.000-04:00

We had a fun time celebrating the Halloween season the past few days. It was a first for both Abigail and Matt to carve pumpkins and go trick-or-treating. As we steal candy from our daughter's trick-or-treat stash, we would like to remember the fun experiences leading up to our sugar overload.

Mommy, why don't you trust me with a pumpkin carving knife?

A look of despair. Matt's pumpkin ended up in the trash about an hour later. Good try, sweetie! On another note, my jack-o-lantern is looking pretty good.

This is what it looks like to trick-or-treat with determination.

Enjoying the ride with our friend, Juliabelle.

Knock, knock, knock!

Hmmm...nobody is coming to the door. Maybe I'll just try to let myself in.

The...doorbell...is...too...high! So much work for candy!

Sorting out the stash with Daddy

Happy Halloween!

Check out Matt's post on Halloween here.

Some good thoughts on the season!

Little Reds

2010-10-30T09:48:00.000-04:00

Multiple choice. Something is wrong with this picture.

A) The tomato is as big as the red peppers. Pretty good sized tomato :)

B) The red peppers are as big as the tomato. Must be dwarf sized peppers :(

C) Produce from my garden is finally coming in and it's almost the beginning of November.

D) B and C

The correct answer is D. Of course I would grow red peppers the size of my pinky. What am I supposed to cook with miniscule peppers?! And who knows why my produce is coming in this late. I don't. Do you?

Frugal Friday: This Will Revolutionize My Life!

2010-10-29T14:05:00.002-04:00

After making my $20 car seat purchase a few months ago, I realized the joy in saving up for big purchases. So, the next big item on my list to get came this past week...

...and I cannot tell you how EXCITED I am to have a carpet cleaner!!! And what a complete dork I am for being so excited. But wait, you need to understand my main motivation. You see, this wonderful cleaning device will help me love our dog, Jackson, better. At least that's what I keep telling myself. My level of love for him is pretty low when he's done this:

When people are over, we put him in our bedroom. The problem is that Jackson always wants to be where the people are and stands at the door of our bedroom for hours on end, with his nose against the door and tongue hanging out, ready for us to come get him. He also chews at the door frame, which adds to the drool factor. My frustration with the damage to the door frame is another post. All the drool results in a soggy puddle at the entrance to the bedroom, which I, without fail, manage step in somehow. Gross, I know. So, carpet cleaner to the rescue!

I completely paid for the carpet cleaner ($147!) with Amazon cards earned from online consumer surveys and Swagbucks. Check out these ways to make a little extra money...it's so worth it!

Swagbucks (my post about Swagbucks here)
Valued Opinions
Opinion Outpost
Expo TV (my post about Expo TV here)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-27T14:21:00.000-04:00

Autumn is Here!

2010-10-26T09:14:00.000-04:00

Our little family went to Hillridge Farms the other day. It was both Matt and Abigail's first time at a pumpkin patch and the weather was perfect! Here are some shots of our time there:

Mommy cow and Baby pig

Shoveling kernels in the corn pit...and slowly sinking down.

Look at my brave little baby on her way up the hill for the giant slide!

In the tunnel...

...and out the other side.

Navigating the corn maze with Daddy

My sweet girl

Abigail, the busdriver

On a hayride with Daddy. Contrary to the look of this picture, Matt had a wonderful time!

And we're off!

Found one! Just need to pick it up and bring it home...

What I'm Reading...

2010-10-25T07:08:00.000-04:00

"When we pursue the satisfaction God provides more than we pursue God, we get neither. The richest pleasures are reserved for those who long for intimacy with the one they love and move toward that person for the sheer joy that deepened familiarity brings. Knowing the cook can be an even greater pleasure than enjoying his food." (Crabb, Finding God, pg. 136)

Richard Simmons Jr.

2010-10-20T13:51:00.000-04:00

This was going to be a Wordless Wednesday post, but I figured this picture needed a little explaining. Abigail loves girly things. If it's pink, sparkles, or is pretty, she is the first to try it on and pose. She found a stash of my old headbands, deducted in her little mind that it fit the category of pretty and sparkly, and proceeded to wear one like Richard Simmons. I tried adjusting it, but she wouldn't let me. A little fashionista who knows what she wants.

Addiction

2010-10-15T13:57:00.000-04:00

How I Spent My Time

2010-10-13T15:29:00.000-04:00

Many of you asked me what I did while Matt and Abigail were out of town two weeks ago. Here's a quick run down of my two amazing days by myself:

I slept in until 10:00am each morning.
I went to the bathroom ALONE. No little one trying to sit on my lap or watching me while I pee.
I ate each meal at a leisurely pace. This accomplished many things. First, I was able to thoroughly chew my food. Secondly, I was able to taste everything I ate, as opposed to shoving whatever I could into my mouth so that I could persuade my baby to eat her chicken with her fork.
I scrapbooked until midnight each night!
I bought a pair of jeggings. Yes, that's right. Those scary looking jeans/leggings hybrid that deserve their own post. I actually was able to go into a store and try something on without having to dance in the fitting room to entertain my girl. I know some of you parents have been there too. You're in the dressing room and it's deathly quiet outside of the clanging of the hangers against the hooks. Your baby is sitting in her stroller, but begins to throw as fit as you start trying on the first shirt. You become very aware that everyone in the dressing room can hear your baby screaming and are listening to how you are going to try and calm your baby down. You talk to her and give her snacks, but that doesn't do much. So, half-clothed, you dance in the mirror for her. Not real dancing, but dancing a toddler would enjoy. Jumping up and down, bouncing, turning around, and making faces. And you do all this as quietly as possible so that the other people can't hear you moving around. Then you realize that you have five more shirts to try on and no more energy to try and jump up and down quietly. All this to say, I didn't have to do the fitting room dance, so I was able to try on a pair of jeggings and stand in the fitting room long enough to convince myself to buy these ridiculous pants.
I missed my husband and baby terribly. As much fun as I had relaxing, I was so happy to see them come home safely.

Thanks, Matt, for making these lovely two days possible. You are a wonderful and brave husband!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-06T13:25:00.000-04:00

Mr. & Mrs. Jared Chmielecki

2010-10-04T14:36:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Jared and Marie were married at a beautiful B&B in Durham. A small family affair, the wedding was simply exquisite. We are so excited for the new couple!

First glimpse of the gorgeous bride and her dad.

Vows...so sweet!

Just had to sneak in a picture of my handsome hubby :)

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jared Chmielecki!

Please, Consider This

2010-10-01T14:00:00.000-04:00

I don't usually post very strong, political, possibly controversial topics. I do, however, desire for you all to think about this. Please take the time to watch both the first and second parts.

(Un)classy Cook

2010-09-29T18:56:00.001-04:00

For the past 30 hours I have been husbandless and childless. My dear husband and daughter are visiting his parents, and giving me a glorious break! More to come about that...

This post is for those skeptical that a stay-at-home mom needs an occasional break. I present to you what I like to call "What Happens Everyday at 5:15pm".

Yum! Looks good...pan fried shrimp. No, that is not red wine. Just Welch's grape juice. Sometimes I wish I could be that classy cook that stirs with one hand and delicately sips from the wine glass in her other hand. Lots of problems with that scenario. One, I don't like red wine. Two, my body can only handle about two sips of red wine. Then it turns bright red and falls asleep, which is not good for cooking. So, Welch's it is for this cook.

I digress...Everything is looking good and smells great. Oh wait, why does my leg feel 20 lbs. heavier? What is that tugging I feel at the end of my apron? And what is that horrendous sound?

Oh yes, my 18-month-old in all her glory.

And now you see why I am relishing this break.

Airplane Bathrooms, McDonalds & the Pope

2010-09-24T16:22:00.004-04:00

I lamented to a friend at lunch yesterday that my memories of Europe are from the mind of a six or seven-year-old child. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that I had the chance to go the Europe, just that I wish I could go there again now, as a 29-year-old, and experience it again. And maybe bring Matt along.

I pulled out an old journal my mom had me keep of my time in Italy. Luckily, my mom was a former elementry school teacher who taught me to spell phonetically, so I was able to interpret my scribbles below by means similar to the game, Mad Gab.

Oh, and I learned something else about myself by reading this. My addiction for McDonalds started at a young age and had an international appeal.

Enjoy Italy through the eyes of a 6-year-old:

"I got to sit with Azure on the airplane. I ate dinner on the airplane. When I went to the bathroom it was crowded. I didn't like that so I just went in the bathroom! Yuk, yuk, yuk. I went to Europe (Italy) to play my violin!"

"I took a taxi to the Sistine Chapel. I saw the beautiful ceiling that Michaelangelo painted. It was so pretty. Then I rode a mile to go shopping. I ate lunch at McDonalds."

"I woke up early. I went to the Vatican to play for the Pope. He pat my head and kissed me. I went on a bus. I saw the Trevi Fountain and threw in coins to make a wish. My wish was that I would get married and come back to Rome. I saw the Colleseum where the lions and gladiators used to fight. I went to St. Peter's church."

It's touching to think my wish I made as a 6-year-old came halfway true so far. Anyone out there willing to help me make the rest of the wish come true??? :)

SOS

2010-09-23T16:15:00.004-04:00

Jackson, here.

As many of you know, I was the only child for a good couple years before my sister came along. Don't get me wrong, I was excited for her to come along. I gave her kisses from the beginning.

But then things changed. And we went from this...

...to this.

Mommy and Daddy got so tired that they didn't even get mad at me for napping with my head on their pillows.

They told me that having a sister would be fun, but do I look like I'm having fun?

So, I do this a lot during the day. Mommy says she can't walk me because she's too weak to hold me back when I see another dog coming my way. She just doesn't understand that I'm just trying to show off my male dominance to the neighborhood.

I mean, you have to put a little bite in your bark if you were once made to parade around like this:

So, please come over and play with me!

Thanks,

Jackson

Letters

2010-09-16T11:42:00.002-04:00

I am one proud mama...thought I'd brag a little on my baby :)

Stuff Christians Like

2010-09-15T14:51:00.003-04:00

Stuff Christians Like. Hilarious.

That's about all I can say about this because I am laughing so hard I think I peed in my pants.

Check it out.

What I'm Reading...

2010-09-14T15:38:00.000-04:00

"Modern thinking encourages us to find ourselves, to heal our shame, and to pursue self-fulfillment. And as a consequence, we value healing for our pain more than pardon for our sin; we view God's kindness as more appropriate than surprising, more immediately helpful than deeply humbling." (Crabb, Finding God, p. 59)

Produce & Root Beer

2010-09-11T14:20:00.004-04:00

We live about 10 minutes away from an amazing farmer's market. This picture does not do it justice, but all I had was my phone to snap a shot while we were there.

I figured that it would be a good idea to go this morning for the first time in about a year. Abigail and I went a little early and strolled around, listening to all the NC accents and graciously accepting every peach sample that was offered to us. At the end of our time there, we had accumulated this:

Oh, and this too:

Who doesn't love a good root beer? And we had a cheese pretzel stick from the German bakery stand that was eaten before I had time to take a picture. In conclusion, it was a perfect visit to the farmer's market. Root beer, pasteries, and produce that makes me feel way more organic than I really am.

Word/Feeling Association

2010-09-09T15:00:00.003-04:00

I have been trying to teach Abigail to identify feelings such as happy and sad. Today I took her in for her 18 month check-up. So, here's a feeling association excerise for y'all based on real life events this morning:

Yes, Cafe Blue Cupcakes from Cafe Carolina will make everything better. Even if it is 10:00am. That's just the kind of mom I am :)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-08T16:07:00.001-04:00

Thank You, Rachael Ray

2010-09-08T15:53:00.001-04:00

For the 6 years that I've been married, I've left the grilling up to Matt. There are many reasons for that, the main one being that I've been terrified of the grill. The sheer thought of cooking something over an open flame was quite traumatizing for a control freak that likes to know exactly the right formula to make edible food.

So along comes my first issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray (free, thanks to Swagbucks!) and to my horror it was a grilling issue. That's right, every single one of the recipes involved the monster on our back porch. So, the therapist that I am, I told myself I needed to confront my fears.

How? By grilling chicken legs, of course. I scrutinized the instructions and probably read and re-read them 200 times. And to my shock (and Matt's) they came out wonderfully! Here's the recipe from the magazine for the scrumptious sauce:

White Barbecue Sauce
Stir together 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon each yellow mustard and poultry seasoning, and a generous pinch of celery salt. Brush on the sauce during the last 10 minutes of grilling.

So, in conclusion, thank you, Rachael Ray, for your thorough instructions and forcing me to grill by putting out a 100% grilling issue. The monster on the back porch is looking a little friendlier these days.

Wisdom Passed Down

2010-09-04T15:32:00.003-04:00

I've officially been a pastor's wife for three years. Interestingly enough, it's everything and nothing that I'd thought it would be. During our time in Little Rock, preparing for church planting, I was given some advice from two wise women who had been pastors' wives for decades. Here are snippets of what they handed down to me:

The best pastor's wife is a wife that develops her own spiritual life.
Follow your giftedness, not everyone's expectations.
True friendships are premium. It is a hard balance between being vulnerable and being guarded.
Your husband felt a call to ministry. You felt a call to marry him, so the Lord has called you to a unique helpmate role unlike any other profession. You can help him soar or be a thorn in his side as he accomplishes all God wants to do through him.
Receive what's been given, and don't take into account what hasn't been given.
Remember that God is more interested in your response to circumstances than He is in your comfort in the circumstances.
Praising God changes your perspective.
Your husband is on, more than off.
Eyes are always on you - see it as an opportunity.
Realize the profound role you play in how well your children will follow their father and Christ - and their attitude toward the church.

Thank you, Carolyn and Judy, for your both encouraging and convicting words.

Summer Visitors

2010-09-02T20:05:00.001-04:00

Summer is almost over and I haven't gotten any of my summer posts up! We've had a busy summer, but have enjoyed having visitors in town, traveling, and seeing family. My parents came in town in July and had a blast with a more communicative granddaughter. Here are some snapshots of our time together:

Waking up, checking email, and drinking coffee with Gung-Gung

Reading, one of our favorite things to do!

Singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" with Paw-Paw and giggling because it's so much fun :)

Playing, playing, and more playing...

Going to the outlet mall, of course :)

We celebrated both Mom and Dad's 60th birthdays with dinner out and a cake made by my cousin, Kaitlyn.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-18T23:24:00.002-04:00

Letting Go

2010-08-17T15:30:00.005-04:00

Today is Matt's day off, and we impulsively decided to go to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to return some library books, go to the bookstore, and walk around campus. It is the beginning of the school year, so students are in the middle of orientation. One of our friends from church, Josh, is a freshman there and we bumped into him in the student union. We talked a bit, met some of his new friends, and went on our way.

As we were walking away, I suddenly had this feeling come over me that I'm thinking many parents feel this time of year. I expect they feel it about a hundred times more strongly than I felt it since it's their actual offspring that they are leaving to be on their own. I felt almost protective leaving Josh there, so excited for him to be starting this new adventure, and sad that he'd be far away (ok, 40 minutes isn't that far away, but you know what I mean...and I just had to remind myself that I'd see Josh this very evening for his basketball game with Matt...and probably every Sunday at church). I mentioned it to Matt, and he said, "Can you imagine what it will be like when it's Abigail?" Thanks, Matt, for ripping my heart out (jk). It made me think about what my parents probably felt like leaving me here...

...and driving home two and a half hours home. I just need to get through the first day of Kindergarten.

A Chinese Girl

2010-08-13T15:23:00.002-04:00

* Disclaimer: Mom, if you are reading this, I am not making fun of you, nor am I upset in any way. This was just funny to me. Readers, please understand that my mom is Chinese, as am I, as is Abigail (well, half to be exact).

My mom and dad came to visit this summer (yes, I need to update the blog with our summer activities) and among other things, my mom and I were able to go to the Kids' Exchange. No, this is not where you go to trade in your kids. This is a huge event at the state fairgrounds where you can get used kids' things for super cheap. Anyways, my mom picked up this outfit for Abigail:

Very cute, right? After putting it on Abigail and having her parade around the house with us in pursuit with our cameras, my mom suggests, "Maybe she can be a little Chinese girl for Halloween."

Now, I totally get what my mom means: Abigail doesn't wear clothes like this on a regular basis, therefore, it is somewhat of a costume. And people wear costumes on Halloween.

But the thought of being a traditional ethnic person for Halloween was quite funny to me. And probably somewhat insulting to others. But really, more funny to me. Thanks, Mom, for the laugh. And the somewhat serious reminder of how incredibly not in touch we are with our Chinese-ness.

And while Abigail will have fun wearing this outfit, this frugal mom is probably going to stick with the pig costume that was bought last year and not worn because it was too big. Hey, at least the pig costume is also pink.

Please!

2010-07-21T13:16:00.001-04:00

It's amazing to us how fast words are coming to Abigail. It's as if she picks them up overnight! We figured we might as well teach her how to be polite at the same time.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-21T13:01:00.000-04:00

Jeremy & Meredith Sitting in a Tree

2010-07-07T12:14:00.001-04:00

Wow, June has come and gone so quickly! Now we're in the middle of July and the 100 degree heat here in Raleigh. This past weekend we attended Jeremy and Meredith's wedding. Both are dear people in our church that have been with us from very close to the beginning. It has been incredibly sweet to see how their relationship has taken off. Here are some pictures from the wedding. And finally an updated picture of Matt and me...I guess we don't take them too often.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Kushner!

My dear friend, Angie...we match :)

Ryan and Christi came in town to visit...love them!

Lauren and Rachel, pretty in blue

Ryan, Josh and Matt

My handsome hubby and me

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-07T11:42:00.000-04:00

Frugal Friday: Birthday Freebies!

2010-06-18T16:11:00.000-04:00

June 2-9 is appropriately named Birthday Freebie Extravaganza Week at the Schoolfield household. See, my birthday is one week before Matt's, and we take advantage of all the birthday freebies that are out there. And there are a ton! Restaurants and businesses are so generous, and all it takes is just signing up on their webpages. I think Matt was a bit skeptical of it all, but I signed him up anway and he loves it just as much as I do now. Just a tip, you can sign up for a separate email address for stuff like this so that you don't get junk in your personal email. Just this past month, this is what I received for free just for being born :)

- Entree at Noodles & Company
- Burrito at Moe's
- Hamburger at Red Robin
- Ice cream at Baskin Robbins
- Ice cream at Coldstone
- Julius drink at Orange Julius
- Drink of my choice at Starbucks
- Coffee/tea at Borders
- $5 gift certificate at DSW (I ended up getting free socks...exciting, I know)
- $10 gift certificate at World Market (Got a canister for bread flour and Nutella...love that stuff)
- Birthday Gift at Sephora (ended up being a cute set of mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow)

Collin, over at Hip2Save has an EXTENSIVE list of birthday freebies. Click here to see it. Try it out, cause it certainly makes your birthday even more exciting!