Engaging, Accomplished and Grateful + Booze Baskets

So the big news is that Kirstin is Engaged!!!!!

After engagement photo!

Kirstin and Kyle met at a YSA (young single adult) beach party this summer and they've been dating ever since.

Kirstin & Kyle at the 50th Anniversary party

Working with Emil on Kirstin's car

We are so happy to welcome Kyle into our family that Emil put him right to work!

But we've had some fun playing too! We got to take him to the temple for the first time the day after they got engaged

Kyle, Kirstin, Noah, Emil & Kathryn

 and he spent Thanksgiving with us since his family was out of town. We also had Emil's parents and sister, Maria come over for Thanksgiving. It was a sweet, day.

Our Goofy Picture

It's been great to see him fit right into our family and to see Kirstin so happy! We've had dinner with his parents a couple of times and they are great people.

Thanksgiving 2015

So the next few months will find us busy with wedding preparations. They are shooting for late June. We will keep you updated there!

Backing up a bit- I finally got to do my half marathon on November 14th!

Waiting for our heat to start!

After signing up for it in the summer and a few months of training it seemed that it took forever to finally get to the race! The weather was beautiful! I could have not asked for a better day. Just a little cool but sunny. I went with some awesome girfriends-Jaime, Cindy and Sam. Sam is just a few decades younger than the rest of us (can I really be talking about me?) so she ran the full marathon. What a stud!

Sam, Cindy, Jaime, Kathryn

 We had a good time at the packet pick up the night before.

 I had been advised to get "taped" with kinesiology tape so I found the vendor and told them about my knee issues and they taped me up.

It was amazing! I have to admit, I was doubtful it would help but it worked wonders for me. I didn't have any issues with my knee during the race and it felt great after too! I would highly recommend it!

After the finish! Tired but happy!

Moving on....This time of the year is always tender because Kai's birthday is on the 12th. He would be turning 13. It's been over 6 years since we lost him. So many changes and I can't help but think what he would be doing or thinking about them all.

I love this quote. I found it online and the person who posted it had this to say.

"...It's possibly one of the most beautiful and soul soothing things I've ever heard in my life. The reason death breaks us is because we are not destined for an end... We are made of the stuff of eternity. The endings of books, movies, tv, shows, friendships, activities, school, anything! We aren't meant for it! We are made to continue on forever, living out eternity in glory and joy, and we are never meant for an end."

This is truly how I feel. I'm so grateful for what my church teaches of this truth that Families are forever!  One, oh so important truth. What a beautiful, soothing plan. That is what helps me when I start missing my little boy. Knowing that he is there, just beyond what I can see, patiently (or if I know Kai, not so patiently) waiting for the rest of us. And one day, one happy day, we will all be together again.

So this year at Christmas I really want to try to do less and focus more on time spent with loved ones. Making memories and serving those that I can. This is always a struggle for me during the Christmas season. I love this time of year and there are so many things to bake & create for gift giving.  However, sometimes I focus too much on projects and get so wrapped up in them that the reason for the season can get pushed aside. So this year, that's my focus. I hope it is yours as well!

Blaze is ready!

Just as a side note: I saw this sign on my run Thanksgiving morning and just had to share. 

One because it's so Currituck, and two because it just makes me giggle every time!

This past week was adventurous as we had a Nor'easter that preceded hurricane Joaquin.  We actually weren't hit too badly considering what could have happened if the path had come ashore but there was still some significant damage to the beach road in Kitty Hawk.

Emil and I danced the night away at the party. Well for a couple of songs anyway!

It's been fun having the kids all under one roof.

 Noah continues to grow like a weed. He has officially passed Kirstin and I, maybe even Emil. His big goal is to get taller than Emil Michael. 

Kirstin has had a good time dating, goofing with her brothers, working and socializing with the Young Single Adults in our area. 

Emil Michael continues to work at the Cotton Gin, write, draw and attempt to keep his younger siblings in check.

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A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Emil's parents 50th Wedding anniversary! It was a beautiful evening and couldn't have been for two more deserving people.  

My Kiddos

Emil MC'd the event

Kirstin in conversation 

Theresa & Emil 

Mom & Dad 

It was such a fun night. They are always so giving of themselves for others that it was nice to be able to honor them for the evening. I really liked meeting some of Mom's siblings I hadn't seen or met before. Family can be such a joy!

 Noah has been doing some driving. Not as much as he needs to but it hasn't been too bad. He is a cautious driver and I really like that!

I have been busy training for my half marathon on November 14th. Today I ran 8 miles. This weekend I will do 10. That's the longest I've gone so far. Each week I increase my goal by a mile.  I also try to do one long run during the week to work up endurance. I run about 4 times a week. It's been good. My knees have held up pretty well. Something I was worried about. 

I am surprised by how much I have enjoyed having a goal and working hard to achieve it. Especially a physical goal as I have never been one to enjoy sweating but I guess there are some good things about aging. It can make you open to try things you never thought possible before. 

We were able to watch General Conference this weekend. It's a great time to recharge our spiritual batteries, set some goals and get new perspectives. This was one of my favorite quotes from the event.

 I realize that even though my children are getting older and becoming adults I can still have a profound effect on their lives. I've come to understand this as I've thought about the influence that my own parents and Emil's parents have on me. What a blessing they have been to us in wisdom, love and service! Life is good! Mine especially!

January's Postings

One of this years resolutions, for me, is to post at least once a month to this blog.

( I just resolved that! I do love blogging but being consistent has been a challenge for me. 

Once a month is definitely a doable goal so call me out if I start slacking!)

Over Christmas I had lots of fun with some new cookie cutters that my sweet friend Ezzy, gave me as a present this year. I do love making the cookies!

Noah finally got a Wii Universe after years of asking.

 Emil got a sweet board bag and Bow Ties from Santa

 Kirstin got functional and stylish boots that will withstand the Idaho Ice, we hope!

 Emil Michael got a cool light for his room that looks like the death star and closes into a ball. 

We invited 3 other families to join us for Christmas lunch but I was too busy playing hostess to remember to take pictures. (Sigh- it is always this way with me!)

Kirstin stayed busy visiting people or doing this. 

College kids work hard during the semester so on break they can sleep hard!

 I know Kirstin is forever grateful she taught me how to do selfies!

 Emil Michael is glad too. 

 A rare moment of wakefulness at a friends wedding reception.

 Our sweet Catherine with Peter Trotman

 My bowtie boys

 Kirstin and I. 

After new years the kids went back to school and the house was quiet again. 

I've been focusing on my church calling, planning the meals for our family reunion in June, cleaning house, crafting and of course baking!

Summer Roundup Part 2

So after all the excitement of the Yoder Family Reunion in June, Noah attended Scout Camp, Drivers Ed, Youth Conference and Band Camp. It was a busy time. 

I had started baking for one of the local farmers markets in addition to my baking for the cafe and it was just crazy! I was making good money but just had no time. I decided it was too much and stopped baking for the market in July and I'm much happier now. 

I still do the odd job on the side too. Mostly custom order cookies. Its been fun to grow and be creative. In June we also had a bridal shower for Kirstin's best friend Catherine who lived with us last summer. It was so fun! She's a super gal and we are so excited for her!

Catherine was sealed in the temple at the end of June and I got to be there as her escort. It was a sweet experience that I'll treasure always! She was a beautiful bride!

I decided to give Kirstin's Bathroom a makeover in June and it turned our fabulous! We went from yellow walls with green polka dots (not my doing! Totally Kirstin!) To a cool grey.

My favorite feature by far is the faucet.

(Swoon- I want one!)

July brought new adventures in the form of a car accident, Paddle boards, farewells and returns!  

Emil and I celebrated our 23 anniversary and his birthday by getting 2 paddle boards.

Celebrating Emil's birthday. I think the card says it all...

When the water is like this - Life is good and the paddling is so easy and fun. The longest paddle I've gone is 9 miles in 2 back to back sessions. It's actually much easier than I expected and it's nice to have two so I can go out with friends. 

The Kathryn/Catherine Selfie

"Sunrise"

That patch of land in the center is an island that I've gone to twice. It's 3 miles out from our boat landing. Isn't that the most beautiful thing? That's like, my playground- that I can walk to in 3 minutes!!! I am so blessed! The earth is so diverse and amazing!
So it's quite a different story paddling when the wind is up and there are waves. When I went out with Catherine we had to swim the boards back in because we couldn't make any headway paddling. The wind was just too strong. I have learned to check the weather report so that I know the conditions before I go out. 

I've had a couple of dear friends move this summer which has been a real bummer but thankfully I got to spend some quality time with them both before they left. 

My friend Lorrie moved to Rhode Island but was able to stay with us for 5 days before leaving. She is my favorite Artist, yogi, and zen friend. I love having conversations with her because she thinks so differently than I do and it's always eye opening to look at life like she does. 

Ezzy moved to Utah (the beehive state!) I had to make her these cookies!

 where they have a home and her daughter is going to college. We have known the Carters since Emil M. was a baby but it wasn't until they moved to Currituck 7 years ago that we became such good friends.  She has been there with me through so much and we have applied craft therapy when necessary! (which was quite often!) I am going to miss them both a great deal but plan on visiting when possible! What a blessing friends bring to our life.

The first business of the day was to go straight from the airport to the beach.  I got her out on the paddle board with me too. She's such a strong paddler it's just not right!

She took a week off to play and get her wisdom teeth pulled and then jumped right into working.

She's been helping me cut the boys hair and style them.  

They are growing up to be wonderful people

 but they haven't lost that youthful wild abandonment. 

(Sometimes I just don't even know how they come up with the things they do.)

Noah became a teenager this summer ( No joke it was totally the haircut!) and started 10th grade yesterday. Time flies!