Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, hello there! Matt and I have been very busy lately (I know, what's new, right?!) and I am happy to finally sit down and give you an update on what we're up to.

A few weeks ago, Matt & I began attending our first Leader Apprenticeship course. Over the next couple years, we'll be taking a number of classes on Monday nights to further equip us for ministry at Open Door and beyond. Right now our class is on Reading God's Word. We're reading Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods, 12 Ways You Can Unlock God's Word, and it is great! I am getting so much out of this study.

We're still leading Soul Pardon every Tuesday night at Body Life and once a month at Sunday Night Life. We just had a really fun lock-in, and I am pumped up for where God is leading our group this year.

Let's see, on Thursday nights we have worship team practice, and once a month on a Friday or Saturday I get together with some other gals from church and hang out. The idea is to generally have fun, and we definitely do!

Almost every weekend we have one obligation or another, so if you've paid attention, you now know that we have Wednesday and (some) Friday nights to just have some Kate-Matt-Lilly time. We're busy, but there's nothing we would give up right now.

On the house-hunt front, Matt and I are still weighing our options as to where God would have us live when our lease is up here. We need a bigger place, but we aren't sure if we're to rent or buy. Decisions, decisions.

Now for the fun stuff...

(can you believe Lilly is almost 6 months old?!!!)

Lilly & Granny Smith Grandpa Dan & Lilly Silly Lilly

Congratulations, Holdread Family!

I am pleased to announce that Gabriel Isaac Holdread was born this past Monday, September 25, 2006 at 6:49 a.m. to Angi & Aaron (& big brother Joseph). I got to visit him in the hospital yesterday, and I think he looks like Angi! Congratulations, Holdreads!

Heh...?

I cannot belive this is for real. However, my choice is either the "Carmine Holdeman" or the "Omar Hice". (Check out the gallery.) Serously, waht were they thinking?

Me & Brandy, Now & Then

Me & Brandy with our babies... and our Cabbage Patch kids almost 20 years ago.

Camp Mary Dell

These are pictures from Camp Mary Dell. There was a lot of food, talking, four-square & volleyball.

Ann was delighted to be there.

This is Emma, my cousin Kelly's little girl.

Lilly had a good time with Grandma Lilly & Kelsey.

Lilly & Daddy in matching hoodies.

Hanging out.

Every year the weekend ends with a big water fight.

Larry brought a fire extinguisher filled with water and soaked it in ice for a day in preparation to get Isaac good.

That's Isaac getting sprayed.

Mentor, Kansas (pt. 2)

Mentor, Kansas (pt. 1)

Kansas Trip (more to come)

We arrived in Kansas last Friday morning after driving all night (14 hours). All of us had a great time at Grandma & Grandpa Lilly's house. We spent Friday and Saturday hanging out with family around the house. On Sunday, we went to Camp Mary Dell to spend the night. I'll post those pictures later. For now, here are some photos from G&G's house.

Lilly passed out after a lot of family time...Auntie Ann is a little creepy...Hanging out with Aunt Brandy, Grandma Lilly, Kaden & Aunt Susan
Lilly loves her Grandpa and Grandma Lilly