the last two and a half years...

It is hard to believe that is has already been two and a half years since Jonathan & I  moved to Augusta! In many ways it has flown by, but it also seems like we've been here forever. For those who didn't know, in late January 2010 Jonathan was informed that he would need to "temporarily" relocate to Augusta, GA for work to help build the first nuclear power plant in 30 years. At that time we were just getting into main wedding details and planning on a May 1, 2010 date, but when we realized how much he would be working at the plant we decided to move our wedding day up and make the journey together! So we changed wedding venues, found new vendors, let our family and friends know about the change in plans and on February 7, 2010 we tied the knot!! That Wednesday night we drove down to Gainesville, FL where Jon started his Masters in Business Administration, and that following Sunday, February 14, we arrived in Augusta. Talk about a whirlwind week. Oh and that "temporary" relocation? Well, we're still here and it's not feeling very temporary! For the next two years Jonathan worked nearly 60 hours a week (with about an hour commute each way!), and did school work at night. Those of you who know him well know that he is the hardest working man on earth, and this was no different. He never complained, never took a very long break, and all the while continued to love and bless me in his spare time. We always had a date night every Wednesday, and he made it a point to take fun day trips and vacations so that we could get quality time together. For a newly married couple to be thrown into a brand new community, knowing no one, with such an intense job schedule AND intense school schedule, those little moments were so wonderful. Like all newlyweds we experienced the typical "schockers"- the little nuances that make you realize not everyone was raised the same way- and of course our fair share of absolutely disgusting dinners, but we also started some fun traditions, made countless spontaneous trips to Starbucks, and grew in our love for each other.

So, here we are, two and a half years later! Jon graduated with his MBA in April, and his work hours have started to decrease a bit. He's also received a couple of promotions! I just moved from the Service Manager at Wells Fargo to the Client Service Manager at SunTrust Bank. I absolutely never expected to be in banking, but I have been blessed with some great opportunities and have met some wonderful people. With Jon being done with school we have been busy busy, making lots of trips up to North Carolina to visit our families, a mini-vacation to Myrtle Beach, and we're enjoying settling in to a more "normal" lifestyle. We still have our weekly date night and of course, many spontaneous trips to Starbucks! The Lord has been so good and faithful to us...we don't know what He has in store, but we are trying to be patient and continue to trust in His perfect timing and plan. Hopefully we can use this blog to keep family and friends up to date with where life takes us and maybe one day we'll even make an announcement that we're pregnant or something cool like that... :) Until then- good night!
Katie

Here's some pics of the last couple of years:



at a christmas concert, december 2010

one year anniversary dinner, february 2011

Jon & I in NYC, october 2011

charleston june 2012

Funny Things About Ways Guys Think

So, I did not author this, as I would not be foolish enough to do such a thing. :) However, I did find it somewhat amusing!

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The Man Rules
At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down
Finally , the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear 'the rules' From the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.

These are our rules! Please note... these are all numbered '1 ' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports - It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit,
not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can -to give them a laugh. Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

The Finished House Finally

Well, it has taken me forever, but I have finally taken a few pictures of the house all moved in. There is still a lot that I'd love to do in terms of colors/decor inside, landscaping, and various stuff like that. However, with so many other priorities going on I probably won't do much more in the near future. Maybe this fall I'll do some yard stuff.

Either way, here are a few pics...

The front of the house. The grass had looked beautiful earlier in the year, but with the watering restrictions it has since gotten scorched!

From the entryway

Into the master bedroom...a bit blury

Into the bathroom

Across the hall in one of the guest/exercise/gun room

In the adjacent room...probably a future bedroom, but currently an office. Still not quite unpacked in here.

In the bonus room over the garage...currently the music room

Back into the family room, near the entry hall

From the eating area

In the kitchen

Part of the backside

And that's all folks! I'm looking forward to being able to the various ways that God will enable the hosue to be used in the future.

A Family Wedding

Well, Saturday was my oldest little brother's wedding...Things were quite a bustle as I had my grandmother and uncle and his daugher stay at my house that weekend...and then the rest of the family crashed my place twice since it is real close to where the wedding/reception was held. It was a great week, nice to get some time with some relatives, fun to see good friends like the Kauflins, and good to see the Lord bless my brother with a wife. He has grown much in recent times and it will be fun to see their marriage develop as they move forward. They are now off to Canada where they first "fell in love."

Here is the updated family photo (minus the niece and nephew)

And one of my nephew Wesley, the ring bearer, comming down the aisle.

Wow!

Hi All! So much I could write about...our mother's day meal, brother's wedding yesterday, the church plant progress, house stuff, life, God, but I think I'd be up all night trying to write so I shall stick with two photos...

Recently my company moved my group into a different skyscrapper on the other side of the same city block I was on. It is kind of a bummer because I had gotten to know many of the people on my old floor pretty well and work with them a fair ammount...however, I did get a sweet cubicle view! My cubicle is on the 12th floor and is situated so that right beside me is a big widow that overlooks a relevtively undeveloped portion of town. On day's that aren't too hazy, I can see both Crowders and Kings Mountain off in the distance. Fall will be awesome to see! (as long as I don't get moved again)

A little update

Well, they have finally put the stone in arround my fireplace! I guess I didn't take it at a good angle because it is hard to see the texture/3d nature of the fireplace...but I really like it in person! Closing is only 2 weeks away!




Last week after months of getting to work in the dark, I started to see the first hints of light on the horizon. At least I guess it will feel like I'm getting to work later :)

In other realms, things are going great. Details for the church plant are moving rapidly forward and most items seem to be falling into place. We have an initial place we can meet as a church planting group, but are still looking for a good place to start our official public meetings. If would pray for God's provision that'd be great!

Can you hold the waters in the palm of your hand?

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand..." Isaiah 40:12

Today I listened to an awesome message by Bruce Ware from WorshipGod04 and was reminded of a cute story he tells of at time at the beach. He had just read Isaiah 40 to his kids (3 and 7) and so he took them down to the beach for an experiment with dad. He proceeded to walk out in the water and told his kids to watch the water level really closely has he their "big" dady scooped up as much as he could in the palm of his hands. Needless to say, the kids didn't see anything happen on a couple tries! He then told them that this was a "very important lesson." That even their "big" dad couldn't make an impact on the waters...yet if God scooped them in his hand the oceans would be totally dry...God is big and powerful beyond any human. I love the example of a father training his kids in such a way, but also even thinking of the simple truth is a good reminder that we serve an awesome God! He is so much greater than we often remember, and to him none compares.