Anniversary Dinner

Stephen surprised me tonight.  I knew we were going out to dinner for our anniversary, but I had no idea where we were going.  We went to the Fig Tree Restaurant at the Lucas House.  It was quite the dining experience.

Foie Gras- Stephen has always wanted to try it.

Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras over Apple Bread Pudding with Butter Sauce

My entree- Veal Chop 

Grilled Provimi Veal Chop and Jumbo Shrimp over Smashed Fingerling Potatoes with Cremini Mushrooms, Capers and Sherry Garlic Butter Sauce with Asparagus

Stephen was brave and tried the Elk Chop

Grilled New Zealand Elk Chop with Smoked Bacon-Braised Cabbage, Potato Gratin and Boursin Dijon Cream Sauce 

Beignets- in my opinion the best part!
They wrote Happy Anniversary in Chocolate :)

 served Warm with Cinnamon Crême Anglaise and Vanilla Gelato

I love the Charlotte skyline- view on our drive home

I want to grow old with this man!

Special thanks to Stephen's parents for keeping the girls so we could celebrate.  They really spoil us!

Man of My Dreams

Ten years ago I met a goofy freshman at the Campbell Honors Program Welcome Event.  Neither of us knew at that moment the amazing plan that God had for our lives.

I'm so thankful that I have Stephen Renfrow in my life. 

Today we celebrate 8 years being happily married!

 A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.  Isaiah 62:5

 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21

 Be fruitful and multiply so they can increase in number on the earth.  Genesis 8:16

 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone, 

I will make a helper suitable for him."  Genesis 2:18

I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. 1 Samuel 1:27

You have stolen my heart. Song of Solomon 4:9

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

I have no greater joy that to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told.  Habakkuk 1:5

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  

Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Ruth 1:16

Memorial Day Weekend

I am incredibly grateful to the many men and women who have made extreme sacrifices for our freedom.    I am proud to be an American and I thank all of our military for their service to keep me and my family safe.  Thank you to those in our family who have served Dad, Mr. Renfrow,  PapPap, Ryan, and Uncle JJ.  We are also praying for Josh and Jon (Stephen's cousins) who are currently serving in the Army and are both being deployed this year (to Iraq and Afghanistan respectively).

Jon & Josh

Stephen worked a 30 hour shift on Saturday, so our Memorial Day Weekend was a little more chill than most.  I spent most of Saturday cleaning house.  Our neighbor, Shelly, invited the girls and I over for dinner (Eric was working too)- it was a much needed break and welcome adult conversation.  I always love hanging out with Shelly and Lily Kate adores their girls Elliot & Belle.  The Babies (Benjamin is 1 month older than Aubrey) kept us on our toes as they crawled all over the place.  Shelly made a delicious chicken and zucchini casserole.  I hope she'll share the recipe.

  I finally got a new car seat for Lily Kate so that Aubrey could move into Lily Kate's old one.  Here they are all buckled in.

Aubrey wasn't sure she likes her new car seat

Lily Kate loving her new seat- especially the
 cup holder and place to store  her sunglasses

Sunday after naps, we loaded the van and headed to Gastonia.

Rachel and Jonathan came to town, so we all got together
Sunday night,then had a cookout at the Renfrow's on Monday!

Aubrey showing her patriotic spirit

Lily Kate enjoyed playing in a box Pa & JaJa made into a
 "boat" for Sunday School. Here she had made it into a fort by
adding a blanket (and of course snuggling star blankie)

Wordless Weekend

Fun in the Sun

My best friend here in Charlottte, Cheryl, moved to Cleveland in April. :(  Thankfully they still have family in the area and were down this week for a visit! We got together for a few hours yesterday and it was so good to catch up.  

Anna Kate & Lily Kate- Two peas in a pod

Aubrey was the cheering section

These girls love to hug!

Cheryl is one of those people I just clicked with.  We have a ton in common and I love that we can just chat (and NOT always about our children). It is so refreshing to have a real friend...why did she have to go and move to Ohio?  I am thankful for Facebook and email - we still keep in contact pretty regularly.

Cheryl and Elin (I can't get over how big Elin is getting!

Picnic Time- Aubrey sharing with Lily Kate :)

An Adventure to EdVenture

We took a little road trip on Tuesday to Columbia, SC.  We got to meet Lydia Marie Kiker (she's precious!) visit EdVenture Children's museum and meet Rachie for dinner.  It was such a fun day!

Lily Kate & Eddie

 You can climb all through Eddie's internal organs- We explored his stomach, his heart and his head.  Lily Kate was a little timid as we did it.  But has asked a million times since then "Can we go see Eddie again?"

Firefighter Noah & LK

 Noah showed LK the ropes.  He loves all the vehicles- firetruck, car, tractor, boat!

They were so cute shopping together in the Piggly Wiggly.

Casey & Lydia

The kids playing in the baby area.

 Rachel had to work, so we met her for dinner at Moe's.  It was kids eat free night- a blessing and a curse...it was slightly wild in there and not just because of my kiddos :)

JaJa & Rachie

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Window to the World

Lily Kate and Reese always enjoy looking out the window.

May 2011

October  2008-She's grown just a little since this photo!

Watching Daddy cut the grass

Since Stephen was using his ipod while he cut the grass, Lily Kate got her headphones and listened to her music too.  

Seeing how she copied Daddy made me think about 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."  What an amazing role God has granted us as parents, to show our children the Way.  It is both humbling and challenging.  I pray that I can show my children Christ's love on a daily basis.

Just Breathe!

My wonderful husband, who worked a 24 hour shift on Friday, stopped stopped on his way home and got us Chick-fil-A for breakfast! One of my favorite things is a Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit.  He is so thoughtful!

Saturday afternoon, Lily Kate and I attended a birthday party for her friend, Benjamin.  She had a lot of fun.  Daddy stayed home with Aubrey because she was still napping.  Unfortunately, she woke up and gave him a run for his money.  That girl is loud!

Lily Kate enjoying all of Benjamin's toys- she made a bee line for Buzz

Birthday Boy taking a swing at the pinata

LK happy with her pinata loot

Snack time!

All alone in the bounce house

 After the party, we regrouped and then headed to one of Stephen's favorite restaurants Brixx.  Lily Kate fell asleep in the car on the way there and slept in her daddy's arms for another 20 minutes at the restaurant.

She has never done this...it was so sweet!

Aubrey trying to keep the sun out of her eyes

We went to the Brixx in Dilworth (recently remodeled) and we loved the outdoor seating.  After dinner we walked around Dilworth window shopping and just enjoying the beautiful night.  It was a fabulous Saturday!