Down in Fraggle Rock!

So, it is snowing fiercly in Kentuckiana! And I'm loving it...our office closed at 1:00 pm today and I ran by the store before coming home to just hang out. Y'all may think I'm crazy, but I pretended that I live up North (like real far up North, in Canada or something) and all this snow was totally normal and I was very used to driving in it, grocery shopping in it, etc. I really am a little crazy, but I just wished I lived somewhere where snow was almost a daily thing in the winter...I just love it!!

Anyway, with my free time, I'm just watching a little TV and checking email...and I came across this video, which is the opening song to the beloved show "Fraggle Rock". DO YALL REMEMBER THAT SHOW?!? I absolutely loved it, and hearing the theme song just made my day!! (It doesn't take much to please me!) When I was younger, I collected little cartoon figures of all sorts and one of my favorites was one of the Fraggles driving a carrot!! So enjoy the video...dance a little and SMILE!

The Ho-Hum of Daily Life...

So, I know I haven't posted in a while.......but life is just chugging along with no real changes. Kenny is taking a break from classes this semester, but it seems the free time he thought he would have has quickly been filled with other things...work, church responsibilities, ME! :) He stays super busy at work and I believe is actually the senior guy on his team right now. I am staying really busy at work, too...we had a record breaking month of referrals in January, making my February and March really busy!! We are both staying really busy with "church things" too. Sundays, Wednesday nights and the various other event during the week keeps us busy...but we love it!! And I don't know about anyone else, but I think I'm ready for Spring! I usually love cold weather/snow, etc, but if we could just get some sunshine and the wind would stop blowing, I think I would be better!

I have to brag on Kenny, too...I have been sick and out of commission a couple of times during the last few weeks and my precious husband has gone over and above the call of duty and has taken great care of me!! Making meals, cleaning up around the house, making sure I'm not over doing it...I couldn't ask for a better support! I know he's ready for me to be back on my feet though...yesterday I smiled at him and his response..."I'm ready to have my helper back!" God bless him!!

Finally!

Well, I finally got the snow I've been wishing for! Monday night we got several inches, topped with a nice thick layer of ice. Have I mentioned how much I love to just sit and watch it snow?!? We both were able to get out and go to work on Tuesday, but Tuesday night the temps dropped and because it had rained most of the day, EVERYTHING was incased in ice on Wednesday morning! Although the roads were fairly clear, we weren't able to leave the house today because our driveway is a hill, trapping us at the top. Kenny tried to get one of the cars out and just ended up spinning in circles. And we both busted it trying to walk down the driveway...did you know ice is slippery?!? Hopefully, we'll be able to go to work tomorrow. So here's a few pictures...for you Katie...sorry you missed it (by a DAY!!)...

Yeah, Kenny is in shorts! I think he is CRAZY!

This is what an Explorer popsicle looks like...took awhile to get all that off!

Trying to dig out!

The front yard

Yep, that's a stuck Honda...you can't tell it from the picture, but the ground is covered in ice, resulting in spinning tires.

Happy Birthday Kenny!!

If you could hear me now, you would know that I'm singing...er, screaming the happy birthday song to Kenny!! (This will only make sense if you have ever attended a Hill Family Birthday Celebration...which includes singing Happy Birthday as loud and as off key as possible to the birthday boy or girl!)

Pacux, Guatemala

Team Picture...men from all the different Highview campuses join together to serve in Guatemala!

I uploaded all of Kenny's Guatemala pictures for your viewing pleasure. I also have added the link for the blog that was kept by one of the men while they were gone. This will give you some insight into what they did during the week.

Guatemala Trip Blog

KENNY IS HOME!!

So, if you remember back in December, we found out that Kenny had an opportunity to go to Guatemala for a week. He has been gone all week and his plane just landed in Houston! I haven't talked with him much yet, but I'm sure there will be stories and pictures to share soon. He'll be back in Louisville later this afternoon. And I stayed home all by myself all week and only had one night that I was scared. If you know me, this was a BIG DEAL...our new house is out in the middle of no where! We have neighbors, but for some reason it's a lot more scary to stay by yourself in a house, instead of an apartment!

More updates later that will hopefully include some pictures. Thanks so much for those of you that supported and prayed for Kenny on his trip!!

I NEED SNOW!!

I added some different photo albums to the right in the "Gallery of Fun".....

I'm still waiting on some heavy duty snow...Although, I took a "Snow Day" today because they closed Spencer County schools due to snow, but it was all gone by noon. I want to REALLY be snowed in...I say that, but would probably regret it when it happens. Here's the house one morning in the beginning of one our little mini snow storms that we so often get...always results in a good dusting and nothing more!!

New Year's Pics!!

And a few New Year's pics to brighten your day...we shot fireworks and were almost passed out we were so tired by the time midnight rolled around!! Needless to say, that party ended at about 12:03 am! We are PAR-TY animals!!

Gingerbread Land 2007

Sorry for the delay in posting Gingerbread Land.......I have no excuse! The college roommates got together for a little fun during Christmas break and decided that it would be a BLAST to make gingerbread houses!! Actually, if you know me, Dara, Emily and Jennifer, you would know that the four of us plus graham crackers, icing and lots of candy equals MANY, MANY laughs...you really needed to be there to actually know exactly HOW funny it was!! Enjoy a few pics...the rest of the pictures are posted here!


Emily, you will probably need to use something besides your hands to hold up those walls!!


Only seconds before Dara's house literally crashed to the table top...don't fret...she was able to rebuild...somewhat...


See how happy Jennifer is that she is playing with icing!!


Notice the determination of making sure that the "upstairs" of my house "sticks"!


The finished product!! Complete with a Bed and Breakfast, Town Hall, an outdoor church, lighted sidewalks and...(cough) a red light district...don't ask...that's just what became of Dara's little house after it fell...you can't deny that every city has a bad part of town. We were just trying to portray reality.

We wrapped up the night with a little karaoke...fortunately, you don't have to listen to that! Now you know that just because you are all grown up, it doesn't mean you can't put on your PJ's and just have fun with the girls! You guys are HILARIOUS!! I LOVE yall!

In Better Hands

I heard this song the week before Christmas and I am offically addicted to it! I love the words and it came at just the right time on one of those days when you wonder why you got out of the bed in the first place...ENJOY!




In Better Hands - Natalie Grant

It's hard to stand on shifting sand
It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night
You can't be free if you don't reach for help
You cant love if you dont love yourself

There is hope when my faith runs out
Cause I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there's no doubt
I'm in better hands now

I am strong all because of you
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move
Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone
I am safe from this moment on

There's no fear when the night comes 'round
I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there's no doubt
I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
Its like the world is silent though I know it isnt true
Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room

So take this heart of mine there's no doubt
I'm in better hands now
I'm in better hands now

Be still and wait...

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Psalm 37:7, 34

Welcome to 2008!

Happy New Year!!!

I hope each of you had a great Christmas and were able to spend some time with friends and family. We are now offically finished with our "End of Year World Tour"...really just a tour of Alabama, but Kenny returned last week and I returned yesterday, so we have offically finished Christmas vacation and have rejoined the real world.

We were able to spend time with Kenny's family on both sides at the beginning of our trip and finished up with both sides of my family, with visits with several friends sprinkled through out. It was good to see everyone, although there were many we could name that we didn't get to see.

As I looked back through pictures from last year, I only had pictures from Kenny's family...it seems that this year, I only ended up with pictures from my family. Next year I'll see what I can do about getting pictures with BOTH sides of the family.

This picture is a little fuzzy, but you get to see everyone! Heather & Cliff, Katie & NEW fiance' Jared, Jana & Kenny and Mom, Kim & Dad after dinner at Nana's house!

And...in exciting upcoming posts: "Gingerbread Land 2007", as well as "New Year's Eve Celebration"...so, stay tuned!!

2007 Year in Review

Janauary...Jana took a much needed Girls Trip 'O Fun to Chattanooga with her college roommates! Kenny turned 30...I mean 27!




February...We got a pretty good snow mid-February and we were the only ones who were out playing in it. We attributed that to being from Alabama!




March...Katie visited Louisville on her first flight ever!!




April...Easter was FREEZING! It actually snowed some. We celebrated our one year anniversary at the Spencer County Campus of Highview Baptist Church!





May...Kenny's college roommate got married, Kim graduated from High School and Jared graduated from Fire College. Lots of parties and celebrations!!




June...Mom Peg and Pop FINALLY came up to visit!!




July...Kenny learned how to play "Corn Hole" at the Church Picnic (it is imperative that you know how to play Corn Hole if you live in Kentucky!).





August...We went to the beach and Kenny's parents and Cliff and Heather visited Louisville.



September...ummmm...seems I don't actually have any September pictures, but I know Kenny played lots of golf, so here's a shot from the beach trip in August!



October...We bought a HOUSE!! We are just growing up so fast!



November...We did lots of work on the house, Kenny's parents came up for Thanksgiving and we enjoyed Cool Whip a little too much...



December...We spent a lot of time hanging out with family and friends over the Christmas break!

Check out our moves!

In lieu of a Christmas card, you can enjoy Kenny & Jana dancing to a little Christmas tune...Click the link below and ENJOY!!

We got elfed!!

A Progressive Life...

Instead of our progressive dinner that we have done the last two years around Christmas, we just opted for getting together at one house this year. So we had everyone over last night for dinner. This was a special get together because this was the last time before some big changes take place for our little group...




Well, we are staying put for a while, but Dustin & Lindsay are moving this week to a church near Chicago where Dustin will be serving as their worship leader. Nick & Kristen will be adding to their family with the birth of baby Emma within the next couple of weeks. And Grant & Melisa just found out that they will be adding to their family sometime next summer!!

So, we started out 2 and half years ago, all new to Louisville and not knowing a soul. But God crossed the paths of each of us and has formed special friendships. It was inevitable since we are all preparing for ministry, that we would part ways at some point, but who knew it would happen so soon. Dustin & Lindsay--We love you guys and are going to miss you lots!!

Guatemala or Bust!

As most of you know, Kenny and I both have a heart for international missions. Sometimes when I think about being overseas and all that it entails, it scares me to death!! Other times, I think about it and just ache to be able to go...now! And sometimes, just when you need it, God places opportunities right in front of you...

We found out Saturday night about an incredible opportunity for Kenny to go to Guatemala in January. Our church is starting a missions campaign for 2008 called "Millions to Missions" and one of the countries that we are beginning a partnership with is Guatemala. Some of the first few trips that will be taken will be men-only construction trips. Long story short, one of the men going from our campus in January was unable to go the week they needed him to go, so our pastor asked Kenny to take his spot on the trip. The timing of the trip is incredible because it is before classes began for the Spring semester, so Kenny won't miss any classes. Kenny is so excited to be able to go because it has been several years since he has been able to go on a mission trip. Please pray for a few specifics...

*Finances...that all will work out!
*For all of the men that are going...their safety and for their families as they are separated from them.
*For the people that the men will minister to as they are in Guatemala.

You guys are some of the greatest prayer warriors I know, so I know that we can depend on your prayers as Kenny prepares for this trip!!

-------------------------------

On a completely different note, and in case you were needing a good laugh for the night, Kenny and I were in the kitchen tonight cleaning up from dinner and joking around. I'm not sure exactly what happen, but for some reason I ended up sitting on the kitchen floor laughing my head off at something. Kenny was making a pot of coffee and was filling up the pot to pour into the coffee maker when he apparently decided that it would be a nifty idea to pour the entire 12 cups of water from the coffee pot into my lap and onto my head!!! So there I sat in the floor in my soaked pajamas, completely shocked that I was sitting in a puddle of water!! I know this is a side of Kenny that some of y'all don't see often, but it's just proof that he is as crazy as the rest of us! I love that crazy boy!! :)

"Jingle Bells" again...?

Can y'all believe it's DECEMBER?!? Really seems like I just took the Christmas tree down from last year! Speaking of Christmas, we put our tree up last weekend while Kenny's parents were visiting for Thanksgiving. I am loving Christmas decorations in our new house...having a decorated tree in the living room just makes the whole place feel more homey and inviting. (I would leave it up all year if it was up to me!)

We have had a busy couple of weeks...Kenny has finished up this semester of school and has welcomed the break by helping me cook dinner, taking evening naps and watching lots of football at night!! He will have a break from class until the end of January. I went on our annual women's retreat with the church a couple of weekends ago and it was a needed time to be with friends, spend time in the Word and listen to wise women teaching from God's word. I've had a rough time here lately just being homesick for friends and family and the weekend, which was appropriately themed "Called to Belong", really hit on our need as women for relationships and friendships. It made me think twice about how I am as a friend and family member to those around me and it hopefully will make me a less selfish person as God uses that information to grow and stretch me. Kenny's parents also visited over Thanksgiving and it was great to spend some time with them since we hadn't seen them for several months.

Hope you all have a great weekend!! Be sure to treat yourself to a nice Sunday afternoon nap tomorrow!

Don't eat too much turkey...

Pie Your Leader!

Tonight was Pie Your Leader Night at church. Since August we have been keeping up with how many verses each child has learned and memorized and for every 5 verses they learned they earned a pie to throw at the leader of their choice. So, combine 50 cool whip pies with lots of eager kids and you have yourself a big mess! It was all worth it just to hear them laughing at us...(see ALL the pictures)


Me & Nicole suited up and ready for the pies...Bring it on!!


That's right...go after Pastor Nick!! (Yeah, that's me in the background licking cool whip off my fingers! Yummy!)


Tricia, Nicole, Jana, Dwayne, Nick & Matt...thoroughly covered in cool whip!


Jana, Nicole & Tricia...I think I was sucking cool whip up my nostrils!!

Achoo! ...God bless you!

I am laying flat on my back on the couch as instructed by the doctor. I, being the inury prone person that I am, had a sneezing fit last night, which sent my back into spasms of pain. You all have permission to laugh at the fact that I hurt my back sneezing. I'm sure once I'm out of pain, I'll laugh, too...it has been bothering me for a while though, so it's not like all I did was sneeze! And Kenny is laying flat on his stomach in the floor trying to finish up the semester with his final paper which is due Thursday. Of course I'm stressed out that it's Tuesday night and he's not done with it, but that's the difference between the two of us!!

We've gotten lots of work done on the house lately. Mom and Dad came up to help us with our "Daddy/Honey-Do List"!! We got TONS of painting done, hung up beadboard in the kitchen, painted lots of trim, took out some old wrought iron posts from the carport and replaced them with wooden posts, and got lots of other odd jobs accomplished...actually, resident handy man, Daddy, did most of the work!! And his trusty painting contractor, Mom, did the other half!! Of course we helped, but it would have taken us weeks to get done what we did in 4 days with their help. Thanks guys! Y'all are the best!! I posted a few pictures of the hard work and the rest are in the photo gallery to the right...


This is dad on an unoffical break from manual labor...He actually had to do his real job while he was visiting, so I had to let him sit at the computer every once in a while to get some stuff done. (In case you are wondering, that's the color asparagus on the kitchen walls and it looks AWESOME with the finished white beadboard!!)


Katie and I painting trim in the basement.


Kenny & Jared hanging beadboard. They were such hard workers...Jared may never visit again if we make him work that much again!!


Mom painting our bedroom...We weren't going for a cloud motiff, but that's just what happen after priming the blue walls. Don't worry, it's all one color now!