cold, cold, cold | january recap

Happy 2014! I cannot believe it's nearly February already. Where did this month go?! I'm not ready for it to end - time has been moving way too fast for me to keep up!

Jan. 1, New Year's day! We didn't really do anything super special on this day, but some teens and young adults from church spent New Years Eve at our friend's house eating, singing, and just talking and hanging out.

Jan. 5 was my 21st birthday. It was on a Sunday and it was sunny and fairly warm. Jacob and his family came over for lunch.  

Jan. 6 the temps dropped down to the negatives, and when it reached 8 degrees we went shopping so I could spend some birthday money and went to my favorite restaurant for lunch. We were some of the only people out and about that day, so that was a lot of fun! But this weather, man....when it gets below 20 degrees, us Southerners hibernate and wonder what's wrong with our world! Give me 105 any day! ;)

Jan. 19 we had the young adult class over for lunch after church and we spent the afternoon eating and playing games.

Jan. 20 saw the beginning of renovation on our sanctuary at church. Gym renovation was completed last fall, and we have once again outgrown our church building. After knocking out the back wall twice and a classrooms and offices addition, we didn't have any other option (besides a new building) than to knock out our baptistry and shrink the platform. This meant changing a good portion of the appearance of our sanctuary. Clean up that nasty old gym all you want, but going to town on our beloved sanctuary was a bit harder to take. However, it will be completed soon and have a new beauty we will all love. After 20+ years, change is good and of course, growth is wonderful.

Jan. 21 Lena Rae was born! Here she is just a few days ago. Call me prejudiced, I know I am, but this little girl is
b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. ;) ♥

Jan. 25 was our church's annual Pinewood Derby. Jacob made a replica of his big black Dodge and the boys were just all about that!

Other things included ball games, church meals, babysitting, and finding out my friend Hannah is expecting her first baby!! WHAT?! Since when are my friends grown up enough for babies? And if they are, then that means I'm getting older too, and that's just weird! ;) I am beyond happy for her and her husband Jacob, and I can't wait to meet their little baby in about 5 months!

I hope each of you had a lovely January, and a wonderful start to 2014!