Weekend in the Smokies

This past weekend, we packed up the kids and headed down to Sevierville, TN in the Great Smoky Mountains for the Savell Family Reunion. They've been doing these for years, and this was OUR first. I had no idea what to expect, but after 3 nights and 4 days at the cabins of Hidden Mountain Resorts with a whole bunch of southerners I'm thrilled we made the trip!

We got out the door at 6AM on Thursday morning arriving at the cabin by 5:15PM, success! Greeted by the warm and loving smiles of Uncle Bill and Aunt Bebe, I was lead into a gorgeous cabin beautifully decorated with a shabby chic country roosters scheme. I was very much reminded of the Argo's beautiful cabin in Gatlinburg where we rang in 2011. Tripp and I were EAGER to see our cabin buddies Jacky and Cayte not only because this would be the first time I saw Cayte with a baby belly, but because David needed to play with his Uncle BFF. Poor D had not slept 30 minutes in the car and was putting on quite a show for the Savell families during dinner. When the Kings arrived, Tripp and I sighed in relief and hunkered down for a good family time.

Our first night's dinner was BBQ, then Friday was a southern spread of Ham, greenbeans and sweet potato casserole, followed by Saturday afternoon Thanksgiving. Yep, Thanksgiving in October is one of their traditions. Of coarse, between Thanksgiving lunch and leftovers for dinner, the pregnant lady & breastfeeding mama demanded and stuffed ourselves with Krispy Kreme donuts. Needless to say, I got out for a walk Monday morning stat.

David's cherished moments from the weekend revolved around walking uphill and throwing acorns downhill with Dad & Jacky & Aunt Bebe & Uncle Bill - and cartoon time and running all over the place with Uncle Jacky. He rested up for family time in a very large and fancy bathroom with a large jacuzzi tub. We referred to that master bathroom as D's nursery.

Judah and his sweet peaceable nature impressed all, which was nice because poor D was so overwhelmed and exhausted by all the new faces to keep composure. Aunt Cayte swayed him to sleep like a pro and took over the position of 'putting Judah to sleep'. Judah's first long stretch of stretch happened during this trip, however Tripp and I were too engrossed with the company of our family to take note and get the added sleep.

Overall, I loved my time in the Smokies and was reminded that these dear people are just a car ride (that won't kill you afterall) away.

We stopped strategically at a McDonalds just north of Louiville
that had a Play Place. It was like a road trip saving grace, seriously
they were playing christian music.

Play Place Bliss

D is such a busy guy, so nice he takes a minute
to hang out with mom.

Note the orange fleck on the seatbelt, it's a piece of
DD pumpkin donut stuck on by a mass amount of
drool recently dripped by D's straw chewin'

'Why are you changing my diaper on your lap? This is normally
my favorite thing, but not right now.'

Bother & Sister

Husband and Wife

Our beautiful cabin

The new parents! Baby Olivia Joy King in the 'baking'.

The Grant guys, wonder if this group will keep growing
or if I'll get a partner in shopping crime yet?

Judah chillin on the porch while we eat dinner, he's eating
his fist and pretty happy about it.

The donut chauffeurs. 

Called away, called here

This week we said goodbye to dear friends, Zach and Katie Byington as they go forth as missionaries in Liberia. Tripp and I are crazy about these guys and their friendship refreshes us in the Lord. We met Zach and Katie just as our close friends, Mark & Katheryn McCreary, were moving on from Chicago to Iowa. Then soon after we would bid farewell to long-time college buds, Jon & Clair Lee, as they settled in TX near family. Essentially, we had a lot of goodbyes in our life at the time we first said hello to Zach and Katie. In truth, we had said goodbyes to so many people, even more than I've included here, who were like family and loved us as brothers and sisters in Christ. In that season, we informed Zach and Katie of these great losses and told them that they better be stayin'. Oh what different and better plans the Lord has for us all!

So, as God would have it, He's called another close set of friends on. This time, into the mission field. So how can we argue?! Truly, we can't. I am so, so sad to see my brother and sister go, especially to a place we can't drive to. But I am so encouraged at how God loved us through them. Zach and Katie had not been attending RPCC long before stepping up as small group hosts. Katie relieved so many of my anxieties during this past women's retreat and she inspires me to serve selflessly at RPCC. They'll be greatly missed, like our other dear friends who have been called on.

I was reminded that we, all believers no matter the city, have been called as well. What an important thought and reminder from God. Perhaps we should be thanking Him for making a way for us to live in this transient place. Acts 17:26 says that He has determined the boundaries of our dwelling places, or in some translations 'the places that we should live'. And in God's sovereignty, according to Isaiah 61:1, we are here to proclaim the freeing and healing news of Jesus. This is our mission, and He has called us to it here. Glory to God.

Visit their blog at: http://zandkbyington.wordpress.com/

There is a very sweet children's bible song that sums up precisely what I'm sayin':

There were twelve disciples Jesus called to help him:
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, his brother John,
Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus,
Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew.
He has called us, too. He has called us, too.
We are His disciples, I am one and you!
He has called us, too. He has called us, too.
We are His disciples, We His work must do!

This version with someone singing with his kids is adorable (except the photos). He's called us regardless of how we sound singing his praises:

Judah and His Lions

Judah was given one ADORABLE outfit with furry lions by his Grandpa G and Mimi when he was born. He fills it out and sat very nicely for a few photo shoots. David woke up from his nap right in time to join Judah for the last shoot. Unfortunately, David was a little teary so preferred to make a minor appearance and wanted to focus on being 'near' to his bro.

Welcome Home 2002 Periwinkle Toyota Sienna

I meant to post this two weeks ago, but here's our Periwinkle blessing from above! She's a 2002 Sienna with 51K miles and ready to road trip. Tennessee, Iowa, Wisconsin, maybe even Jersey and Texas (?!) here we come!

James 1:17(ESV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.