Happy Easter 2006

Easter Pictures of the Karns' Kids

Five Little Monkeys....

The last time I glanced at the clock this morning was 3 am. No more TALL glasses of Coffee & esspresso for me late at night - I have enough trouble sleeping. I was finally asleep when Hunter decides to crawl in bed. Well - I'm barely aware of him anyway, so I let him stay.

Probably not 1/2 hour later - here comes Brock. So, I keep scooting closer to Shawn. I realize Brock came, but I'm too tired to do anything about it. So I let him stay.

Next thing you know, I wake up, in a scrunched up position. Valentine (our Dalmation) decided she wanted on the bed also - so she laid at my feet - all 75 lbs of her, then I notice Hunter and Brock were so close to me I'm surprised I could breath.

It's now 5:30 am. So I get up to use the restroom, and when I went back to my bed - there was no place for me! The boys decided to spread out, and Val was still at the foot of the bed, and I was too tired to argue or move anyone, I pulled up the bed spread, next to Valentine (who had been outside for 2 days straight and didn't smell the greatest) and went back to sleep at the foot of my OWN bed!

I'm sure Shawn had to be wondering what in the world was going on when he woke up - because as usual, he slept thru it all!

Crazy Life

Is life crazy for anyone out there? I know, in the Karns household - there's always something NUTTY happening. Right now, just trying to get everyone healthy is a huge focus. I don't know about you, but we have had the worst year EVER for being sick! The kids seem to be passing it back and forth, and we're getting no where.

I feel like, even my prayer / worship/ reading the Word time has gone out the window (since we can now open windows)...and life is just...YZARC (crazy spelled backwards for those who can't get it).

Easter was today - Pastor gave a great sermon - about "proving" the resurrection. He did an awesome job! We ate at my parents house, visited with Shawn's parents and had a great day with family, and a man from our church who has no family here. Sarah got to drink coffee, and our kids got to watch TV (Lent being over)...what else could you ask for?

Well...I can think of several things. A deeper love for Christ. A stronger hunger to know Him more. Our church to have a BURNING desire to reach the lost. My unsaved loved ones to know HIM as their Savior. Galesburg to have the Spirit of darkness and confusion lifted from it.

Oh God - help us to NOT get comfortable. When have we TRULY felt uncomfortable? My kids have a habit of saying, "I'm starving!!". Shawn & I have really started to talk to them about REALLY starving children, and that we shouldn't mistake being hungry for a meal to being STARVED for food you haven't had for a few days.

When have we felt Unsafe? Recent situations with a good friend of ours has left our friends' feeling unsafe to stay at their home. However, God, being the Creator of all - will work this situation out for His good.

When have we felt Helpless? I like being in control. However, when my husbands company decided to sell his company to a competitor, we were, and ARE helpless. We have to wait and see what will happen with insurance/doctors and all kinds of other things we took for granted. But - God is showing us already that He is preparing us to lean on HIS provisions.

When have we really felt MESSED UP? For a good month and a half, God has been "messing" Shawn & I "up". It started with the Eagles' Wings conference, and it just keeps going from there. He is getting us ready for something truly awesome!

God is doing something in Galesburg! He is truly REFINING us, but we have to go thru the fire. It's sometimes painful, sometimes scarey. But God is still there - the Refiner.

What a DAY

When we first moved into our house - almost 10 years ago now, our side yard by the pool was beautifully landscaped - professionally. It was gorgeous, and we enjoyed the beautiful colors of the flowers - the plants were so green and pruned just right. I remember sitting out there just enjoying nature and thinking - WOW...I wonder how hard it is to keep up with all the weeds that may grow...

10 years later - here we are. Well, maybe not quite that bad, but there has been a lot of changes at the Karns'. We no longer have the beautiful landscape area. That came up and in planted grass so that the kids could have an area directly in the back yard to play. Out went the small fence around the pool, and in came the 6 foot fence with the safety latches and the strongest "cover" you can find. Out went the big open side yard and in came the privacy fence and play fort, trampeline, etc.

Isn't it amazing how many changes there are in a few short years. I really - really - could go on and on about what we have done/changed/improved/destroyed, etc. at this house. But - I know that one area I could improve is gardening. I started last year, and did a pretty good job at planting flowers around the pool fence, and kept them watered and weeded. Until about August. Then I was "burned out". Well - as I was out there pulling weeds today - which should have been done last Sept/Oct., I am once again determined to have beautiful flowers around my pool area. I've already called Shawn, then my dad asking if / how much$ / & when we could pour more cement to make my patio bigger. The kids have played outside since after breakfast (yes - everyone seems to be better - Tanner's still getting there). It's warm out - and a good long walk seems inevitable.

I'm so excited! I think Spring is really here!!!!

Eagles Wings Conference

Just a Reminder for everyone...the Eagles Wings Conf. is tomorrow in Bolingbrook (near Chicago). We will be leaving the church at 2:00pm, so be there early. If you don't want to eat "fast food" we will be taking lunchmeat, etc. we can eat while others are eating fast food.

I'm expecting GREAT things! I'm so excited to go!

To Splurge Or Not To Splurge?

I went grocery shopping at 10pm last night. My quiet time (sad life, I know). But, if we were to have any breakfast in the morning, it had to be done. I'm walking through the aisles - taking my time (literally my only break for the day without any kids), and go down the best aisle in the store! The coffee aisle.

There is NOTHING in the world like good smelling coffee (sorry Sarah - Lent's almost over). My senses started taking over...drawing me to the coffee bean display. Should I? I've never ground my own beans before... It's kindof expensive. Hmmmm...

Well - I'd like to say that judgement got the best of me - but my selfish nature took hold. I picked up an empty bag, filled it with caramel toffee coffee beans, poured them into the grinder - and ground away! I was so happy - thinking the whole time, I do deserve this, right?

Well - as I sit here, drinking my Caramel Toffee, I'm thinking it's ok to splurge every once in awhile. Mmmm, is it ever good!!!

~Amber