Welcome....Here's a glimpse of our happenings!

The verses that have REALLY spoken to me (Sarah) lately....



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25



Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:8-9



From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:26-28



May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14



So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33



God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 (The Message)

About the Friesen's....

We are Marc, Sarah, Luke, and Kate Friesen. We were married June 5, 2004. We have one son, born July 21, 2008, named Luke Andrew -- now 4 years old. We also have a daughter named Kate Christine -- born June 6, 2012. Marc is working at Cessna as a Senior Accountant, and Sarah stays home full-time with Luke. Sarah also gets to work very part-time at home for Graber Backhoe -- an excavation company AND VERY part-time at our church. We LOVE being a part of Grace Community Church here in Newton, KS. We lead a Community Life Group of other wonderful couples. Marc thoroughly enjoys long-distance running and Taekwondo. Sarah thoroughly enjoys walking -- especially when the weather is nice to take Luke and/or out in the stroller. Thanks for reading our blog!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Meal Plan for this Week....

Here's what we're eating this week in the ol' Friesen Household!

Monday, January 23, 2012
Crunchy Tacos

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Homemade Pizza

**Take family from church a meal (just welcomed a new baby girl into their home)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Creamy Chicken and Biscuits

Thursday, January 26, 2012
Pork Chops with Apples & Stuffing

Friday, January 27, 2012
Ground Beef Cream Cheese Casserole

Saturday, January 28, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Bread, Salad

Sunday, January 29, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Meeting with small group at church -- will be taking BBQ Meatballs (in crockpot)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Meals for this Week....

I'm up later than I want to be. BUT, I'm very much behind on laundry, and this evening, Marc informed me that there were some things he needed washed by tomorrow.

He's in bed since he has to get up WAY earlier than I do.

AND, I am, by nature, a night owl. SO, I'm up late -- finishing up some needed laundry.

BUT, this lateness is allowing me to catch up on a few things -- one being a blog post on our meals this week.

Monday, January 16, 2012 (Marc was off work)
Lunch: Pizza Hut Buffet with THIS FUN FAMILY

Supper: Rummage

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
BBQ Pork and Penne Skillet

(I HIGHLY recommend this recipe. It's quite yummy; however, it makes A LOT. Plan on leftover, or cut the recipe in half).

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Meatloaf Minis
Mashed Potatoes

(I'm using the "option" on the Meatloaf Minis of the chili powder and salsa -- We've had these before. They're also wonderful).

Thursday, January 19, 2012
Southwest Chicken Salad

**This salad is a NEW KRAFT PRODUCT. The funny thing is that the article I found for that link is about these salads in Canada....BUT, I purchased the salad "kit" at our local Wal-Mart.

**Also, I'll be taking Crescent Chicken, a vegetable, and a dessert to THIS FAMILY -- who just welcomed a new baby boy into their home. We know them from church.

Friday, January 20, 2012
Grilled Burgers
Fries

Saturday, January 21, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: In Wichita (meal TBD)

Sunday, January 22, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Applebee's

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Christmas Program at Church....

I'm going to stick with my current theme on this blog of "Everything's Out of Order and Sarah's Playing Catch-up."

With that theme in mind, I'm going to take you, my readers, back to Sunday, December 11, 2011.

That day, at our church, was the day in which the two year-olds through 5 year-olds (I think) "performed." Since Luke is obviously in that age range, Luke did "perform."

(In case you're interested, click HERE to look at one pic of last year's performance).

*****

That morning, we (Marc, my dad, and I) were sitting on the side of the Worship Center that the children entered. When we saw Luke enter, he did appear to be a bit nervous....I was wondering if stage fright hit him all of a sudden -- I'm not sure what age that hits.

But, he did get on stage. At first, he truly did look confused. (Luke's in the white shirt).



Fortunately, our good friend, Nicole (who also teaches this age range of children), was nearby on stage. Luke knows Nicole (or "Micole" as he calls her) very well. So, Luke hung out near Nicole and listened to her directions.

Thanks Nicole!

First, the children sang "Away in a Manger" while rocking back and forth with their "Baby Jesus." (VERY SWEET AND CUTE)!



It was during this song that we noticed Luke trying to talk to another child (not at all paying attention to what he was supposed to be doing). Nicole had to get Luke to turn around and do what he's supposed to do.

(Admittedly, I was CRACKING UP at this point -- after all, he's only 3).



After the song was over, the children were instructed to gently lay down their babies in the manger. This would be where Luke promptly THREW DOWN his baby in the manger. Yep, he's all boy, and yep, there was laughter in the audience (Luke wasn't the only child to do this).



Then, the children did a little rhyme about loving Baby Jesus...led by our nursery director, Miss Debby.

In this photo, I believe Luke was trying to step out in front of everybody.



Then, I believe it was once again our heroine, Nicole, who pulled Luke back to where he needed to be. Luke then participated in the rhyme very well.



Ultimately, this program brought tears to my eyes....watching our Little Guy "perform." I hope I have this memory etched in my brain because I know that, someday, I'll miss this age.

After the children were finished, I went and got Luke before he re-entered his classroom. This particular Sunday, our family (Marc, Luke, and I) was asked to do the advent reading. SO, Luke went on stage again with us about 15 minutes later. We instructed him to stand beside me while Marc read scripture. Then, Luke "helped" me light the advent candle.

I don't have a pic of our family on stage, but Marc and I are thankful that Luke did VERY WELL while our family was on stage.

After the advent reading, I returned Luke to his Sunday School classroom so he could be a 3 year-old in Sunday School!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Weekly Meal Plan....

To stay with my current level of posting, here's what we're eating this week!

Monday, January 9, 2012
Chili Cheese Dogs

Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Marc -- Green Chile Enchiladas

Sarah -- Eating at Mom 2 Mom at church

Luke -- Leftovers/Rummage

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Crockpot Balsamic Chicken

Thursday, January 12, 2012
Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Toast

Friday, January 13, 2012
Marc: Will be eating at "Polar Bear Campout" with Mens' Ministry from church

Sarah & Luke: Will be eating at Pizza Hut with friends

Saturday, January 14, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: DATE NIGHT (Luke will be with my parents for the evening).

Sunday, January 15, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Small Group at church -- Will be taking pepperoni pizza

*****

AND, I know that, in the past, I've posted MANY pics of Luke sleeping. But, I love them so....

Here's the latest from last week....Yep, he fell asleep on the couch. I had just popped in a movie for him. I asked him to take a "quiet time" on the couch while I rested on the recliner. Usually, he doesn't fall asleep, but he will lie quietly with a movie on for about an hour (no complaints here).

This day, however, he fell sound asleep!

(And yes, I'm aware he has shorts on in the middle of January. Marc wears shorts inside ALL YEAR LONG. So, guess who has also taken to that habit? Yep -- Luke now wears shorts inside ALL YEAR LONG. He simply wants to be like his Daddy).

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Announcement That Must Be Official on this Blog....

Here's the announcement that many of you already know -- thanks to Facebook, word of mouth, loud announcements, etc.

I am pregnant!



Yep, this positive pregnancy test goes way back to late Friday evening, October 28, 2011.

Without going into too much personal detail, we were a bit surprised. If somebody would've told us that morning that, by the time we went to bed, we'd know we were expecting another child, that somebody might've received a strange look.

Marc was actually gone that evening....at church, counting money from our church's Judgement House production.

If you like to read complete and utter honesty, here it is: When I saw the positive pregnancy test (when Marc was gone), I seriously laughed. I didn't laugh because I was upset or anything....in fact, quite the opposite was true. I was excited.

I was just surprised and had to laugh at God's timing....you're just going to have to trust me....I'm not going into a lot of details.

When Marc came home (Luke was in bed at this point), I said, "Do you want to hear something kind of funny?" He said, "Sure." (AND, I know he wasn't expecting this at all).

I said, "I'm pregnant."

Marc responded, "Really?" (with excitement)....

And, it's all gone from there.

SOOOOOOOO, Lord willing, Luke will be a big brother at the end of June/first of July. The official due date is July 6....we'll see what happens.

On another pregnancy note....

At nine weeks, I had a sonogram. The sono tech made a couple of weird comments that concerned me (but I know they're not supposed to say everything).

Two days later, I received a phone call from my dr's office stating that the radiologist's report came back on the sono. There was an abnormality with the gestational sac.....Come back for another sono at 11 weeks (two weeks later).

I was a MESS for a couple of weeks. Researching this topic on the internet, as is with other health topics, reveals NOTHING good. I was convinced that pregnancy would possibly miscarry.

Finally, Marc kindly suggested I get off of the internet with that topic. I did. Admittedly, I was better then.

At 11 weeks, we went in for the 2nd sono. The tech didn't say anything. But, my dr's office called first thing the next morning to say that the abnormality had corrected itself!!!!!

YAY GOD!!!!!!

So, we're all good right now.

Everybody always wants to know how I'm feeling....I felt rather crappy from about 6 weeks - 12 weeks. Since then, the nausea is mostly gone (though it creeps up occasionally). I have been very tired, and that has not yet subsided.

The worst part has been that, for the last two weeks, I've had this head cold that I CANNOT get rid of.

When I was at my routine prenatal appt. last week, I had my dr. listen to my lungs....Yep, they sounded clear. And, I haven't had a fever.

SO, there's nothing that I can take to help it. I'll just have to "ride it out."

It'll get better, but it's frustrating.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The Friesen Family 2011 Christmas Tree....

As probably the case with many married couples, upon our first Christmas as a married couple (back in 2004), we had the very short discussion about whether or not we'd have a fake Christmas Tree or a real Christmas Tree.

1) We both grew up with real Christmas trees. However, during my single years, living in apartments, I used a fake tree.

2) Marc insists on a real Christmas tree.

3) Therefore, therefore was little discussion: We'd get a real tree. We have every year since then.

That first year, we found a WONDERFUL tree farm called Nativity Pines. Unfortunately, LAST YEAR, we found out they'd no longer be in the "tree business."

Oh no....What to do?????

Thanks to go ol' Facebook, I found out about Pine Creek Christmas Tree Farm -- not too far from the Friesen House.

So, we ventured out the day after Thanksgiving.

Luke stuck very close to Marc -- staking out the "perfect" tree for the Friesen living room.



(And, it was a windy day -- in case you happen to notice Luke (and Marc) hanging on to their hats)....



This farm had a very nice selection of Christmas trees. We actually didn't have to look around too much to find one we thought would work in our living room.



Just before sawing it down....



And, the obligatory family pic in front of the tree....



I wasn't actually able to get a good pic of Marc sawing the tree down (with Luke's assistance, of course). I had to be the person to "hold" the tree.

After it was sawed down, Marc hauled it back to the farm entrance so they could shake the dead needles off and help place it in the back of our vehicle.



That evening, the 3 of us decorated it -- it was fun to have Luke really get into it this year.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Weekly Meal Plan AND cousins....

Whoa!!!! I know I've said this many times about my lack of blogging, but I think I hit a record....Nope, I haven't blogged since November 16.

So, with it being the new year....here's to a new blogging year. Hopefully, it'll be a better one!

I have MUCH to catch up on, but for starters, here's this week's menu plan for the Friesen Family!

Monday, January 2, 2012
Rummage

Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Navajo Soup

Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Sourdough Bread
Salad

Thursday, January 5, 2012
Southwestern Cheesy Potato Soup

Friday, January 6, 2012
Sloppy Pizza Joes
Tater Tots

Saturday, January 7, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Meatloaf Minis (will be making the chili powder and salsa option)

Sunday, January 8, 2012
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Small Group -- Will be taking Olde Westport Buttermilk-Garlic Ranch Dip

*****

And, to be honest, I didn't take too many photos this Christmas. But, on Christmas Eve, we were at my parents' house. My dad decided he wanted a pic of all four grandkids. As most of you know, it's always interesting getting 4 children to look at the camera, let alone smile -- especially when it was late AND they were wound up from opening gifts and eating sugar.

A side note: Luke received a couple of airplanes from my brother and sister-in-law. He didn't put one of the airplanes down all evening, AND of course, it went to bed with him. It's the airplane in these pics!

First take....Maddie (the youngest) was crying. My dad is in the pic on the left side.



Take Two....The three girls are happy and smiling, BUT Luke is way too focused on his airplane.



Take Three....Grace (the oldest) looks startled. Luke is looking elsewhere.



Take Four....My dad is once again in the pic (on the left). Grace is in a state of leisure. The other three are actually doing O.K.



Take Five (and final)....The best I was able to get.



You get the point....Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's!

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