First 2010 Zoo visit...

This morning my friend Bethany and I decided to take our boys to the zoo.  The weather was so nice! Camden and Rowan are only days apart in age.  So they both just turned four this month.  We didn't see too many animals because these boys just wanted to run and play! We spent most of our time in the playground and at the new neighborhood kids area.  I even got a little sun out there today!

Playing catch up...

Our birds have returned for spring.  For about a month, I didn't refill my feeders because of the black birds that have invaded.  They are still there but the other birds are regaining the confidence and returning.  In fact, we've had a couple of birdhouses up for the past summers and they have never used them.  This year we have a mating pair and I think we have babies since they keep taking food to it and protecting it from the black birds. 

Rob and I went for a 3 mile walk/run today with our friends, Jenni & Tina at the park. Rowan walked/ran a lot of it too! He was lucky though, when he was tired he just hopped back in the stroller! The weather is finally nice again. So we also played outside. 
After Nadine got off the bus and we picked Jourdyn up from track, we all went for a 2 mile bike ride on the bike trail in our town. 
Rob and I are hoping to run quite a few 5k's this spring and summer. So we are working to get into shape for that. 

My MEPS appointment went well. I was told that I passed.  I should be meeting face-to-face with my other recruiter that's at Wright-Patterson.  Then he will send my packet off to Chaplain Services and then we just wait again. 

On another note, I am officially able to marry couples in Ohio now! That's interesting!

Commissioning....

One of the best things that has happened to my church over the past year, is that God has blessed our spiritual community with an overwhelming sense of unity. 

(1st Picture: Brandon Williams, my pastor) Our area pastors meet together and work together to serve our community and to be Christ to the world. It's phenomenal. 

Last night, within our denomination, I was able to experience firsthand our ability to unite as the body of Christ.  The best part? When we unite as one, God shows up! His Spirit was so evident last night at our commissioning service for Emmaus Road Church of the Nazarene and Great Lakes Community Church of the Nazarene. Both are church plants right here in the Toledo area.  (2nd picture: Andy Lauer, Emmaus Road Church)

My friends, Andy & Barb Lauer have planted Emmaus Rd. Church near the UT campus. God is assembling a team of dedicated followers to help them in their mission to build His kingdom. 

Rick & Shelly Grimes have just moved to the area. They are planting Great Lakes Community Church of the Nazarene in Holland.  Again working earnestly to further God's kingdom in the Toledo area.  (3rd picture: Rick Grimes, Great Lakes Community)

The area Nazarene Churches, as well our District Superintendent all gathered to worship, to unite, to pray over these churches and their leaders.  It is so amazing to see how God is moving in Toledo.  I couldn't help but sit there on Sunday night in tears over His mighty glory and power to give just a couple of people a vision and empower them to fulfill that vision working together. 

And if all that wasn't enough, this wasn't just a Nazarene effort, a dear friend, Don Schiewer from New Harvest Christian Church, the founder of Food For Thought, joined in the celebration serving communion to the body assembled that night. 

As Paul says over and over, we are the body of Christ. There are no denominational lines in the Kingdom of Heaven.  There is just us worshiping and honoring our King.  It was awesome to get a glimpse of the reality of heaven on earth, of His kingdom coming on earth, just as it is in heaven. 

Where is everyone?

So over the past week or so, maybe a little more, you guys haven't been leaving comments! Where are you?

The McQueary Clan is still all sick! Sinus drainage, cold junk! I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that it was 70 and it has dropped to 20 degrees at night and about 40 during the day.  I thought this was supposed to be spring. 

Nadine is completely reading now. In fact, as I am typing she is reading aloud what I am saying.  Her teacher is giving her harder books to read than the rest of the class.  She sits in her room at night and reads her books. We have another reader on our hands. I say another because Jourdyn is also a reader! She was reading like this in Kindergarten as well, and now you almost never see her without a book in her hand!

MEPS scheduled

I finally got word today that my MEPS appointment is scheduled! Monday I go for my Air Force Medical Exam.  I am excited! If I pass, than all that's left to do is paperwork! The way it is looking right now (and this could change) is that I will spend the month of July in Alabama at Commissioned Officer Training.  Next Summer I will do 2 wks in South Carolina in Chaplain Candidate school and 35 days in intensive internship flying all over the US.  Then the following summer 35 more days of internship at one specific base.  At that point, I would be recommissioned as a First Leuitentant Chaplain in the United States Air Force. It is also at that point that I would know whether or not they are going to ask me to go active duty or not.  If not, then I'm a reservist and I do my 24 days a year from then out!

I've lost 22 lbs.  I am now going to begin a full workout program. I'm going to start training like I'm running 5K's. In fact, Rob and I are going to hopefully run a bunch of them this summer.  I am also going to do some pilates and strength training on the machines at my health club.  I'm excited! I'm hoping that working out will tone me up and help me lose some more inches and maybe even pounds!

This is my picture of the day (365-3-25). Rowan took this picture of Nadine as they were watching The Princess and the Frog! Nadine used her Walmart Gift Card to get this new movie!    Both Rowan and her have been sick with colds.  But they are doing better. 

The Smilebox contains pictures from Jourdyn's birthday and the TobyMac/Skillet Concert.  The beginning days of a teenager have been okay! She's keeping busy with track and homework! We are both excited for our trip to Gatlinburg for Women of Joy over Spring Break!

Digital slideshow customized with Smilebox

The video's up...

Well, the video from Sunday is up! I watched it through and I have to say that I didn't have that "ugghh...I look like crap" feeling.  It's amazing what loosing 22 lbs can do for you! Even in spite of the fact that the camera adds 10 lbs to you, I still think I looked ten times better than my last sermon on Dec. 27th. 

If you would like to watch my sermon, you can click here. Follow the links to The Road to the Cross - Week 2.

Raising a teenager.... (365-3-23)

something I have no idea how to do...but I guess I'm going to learn!

Jourdyn turns 13 years old today. I CANNOT believe that! It seems like just yesterday that I held the little thing in my arms.  She was such a life-changer, miracle and blessing! I am so thankful that God knew exactly what I needed and sent her. She is amazing, talented, creative, beautiful! I cannot give enough props to her!! Love you baby! Happy 13th Birthday!

Rowan's Beautiful Baby (365-3-22)

Today Rowan and I went to visit Trevor.  Rowan was so excited to see the baby.  He asked Katie, "Did you know that baby is beautiful?" He has quite recently had a fascination with babies.  He is even convinced that Tate is going to have babies, just so he can hold baby doggies. 

I didn't have the heart to tell him 1) Tate's a boy and 2) he's fixed, so there's no babies coming from him.  But Rowan sure did love to see Trevor the little peanut!

Uncle Jeff gave Rowan one of Jeremy's old toy laser guns.  And oh, boy! Of course, all we have heard is..."Boing, beep, boing, beep..." and "Hey, this was Germy's gun when he was a little boy like me!"
It's a very cool thing!

Toby Mac/Skillet 365-3-21

This evening Jourdyn and I joined our friends, Tammy, Nick, Dawn, Larry, Adam, Traci, Nichole and Katie at the Toby Mac and Skillet Awake Tour.  Also there was Julie and Bro, our friends Andrea, Kevin, Taylor and Alex and Austin, although they all had different seats. 

Hands down! This was the best concert I have ever been too! Skillet's pyrotechnics were phenomenal and Toby Mac really made the room feel like a living room jam session! It was fantastical! I, of course, took tons of video and pictures and almost not of it turned out because of the sound and lighting! That's okay though it was still great!

Before hand our group that came together went to Pizza Papalis for dinner! I soooooo cheated on my diet! But oh well, it tasted sooooo good! We'll see how bad it is in the morning!

This is my pic of the day - it's Toby Mac. 

Camp Libbey - Maple Sugar Festival (365-3-20)

(L to R: Lilly, Keana, Faith, Ava, Juliana, and Nadine)
Yesterday, I took my Daisies (minus one sick one!) to Camp Libbey for the Maple Sugar Festival.  I thankfully had many moms brave the weather and the tornado that 5/6 yr old girls can be with me. 

It's our first year in Girl Scouts, so we had no clue what to expect. But now we know to wait until they are in about 3rd grade to go again.  They have archery, tomahawk throwing, hikes, and a whole bunch of other things our young ones could do. 

So us adults helped them make a candle and a rag doll.  We made butter and played with stilts. Oh, they also played with the barn animals! We topped off our trip with a stop at McD's for Happy Meals! The girls had a lot of fun together!

365-3-18

365-3-18 LOGOS software. So this is my pic of the day. Notice the thickness of this package that arrived today. This is the new software that I was required to purchase for my MDiv. Its retail price is $1395. I didnt have to pay that much but it did cost half of that. You would of thought the box would have been a bit bigger! I hope once its loaded - it proves to pack a bigger punch! That I get a big bang for my buck!

Gethsemane

I'm preaching this weekend. I've been working on my sermon. This is my first attempt at filling in during a series.  Our current series is the Road to the Cross. My part in the story-telling is the Garden of Gethsemane.  Over the past month, I can't believe how much I have learned about this moment in Christ's life. 

I'm still nervous.  I'm excited as well.  My class right now is a little time consuming and I am already seeing how I am going to have to cut back in things that I have been doing.  But I know that it is God who has put me here and it's Him alone that will sustain me. 

I'll be videotaped again and put on our website. The good news is I weigh nearly 20 lbs lighter than last time. I hope by Sunday I can 25 lbs. 

I am going to try to get back on top of the picture a day thing.  I have been quite a slacker lately! I apologize! I just haven't been carrying my camera as much.  And I constantly forget that my phone has a camera!

Toadly Cool

365-3-16-10 Look what we found at the park today during our walk! Rowan flipped out when he jumped out of his hand. He didn't realize they jump!

Band Concert

Last night was a busy night. We picked Jourdyn up from track, took her straight to piano lessons and then straight to her band concert! She is doing so well!

Monster Jam Video

When you fall down...

you pick yourself up and start all over again!

I've taken a few days off of my diet! For the lock-in with Jourdyn I ate bad stuff and then struggled for a week. Staying right at the same amount.  So I decided to take last the last four days off and I am restarting this morning!

I had gotten down to a milestone weight. They say that sometimes your body just gets stalled at a place that it spent many years before. I believe that is what happened.  I'm hoping that this little break will jump start everything and I'll be back on my way to my goal!

Monster Truck Jam

Well, today was the day when Rowan would get to be up close and personal with the Monster Trucks that he so loves! Or so we thought...we didn't make it in time to get down on the floor with the trucks. We did get pretty close though.  My sister-in-law works at the new arena and was able to get us great seats for the show.  I was a little nervous because we were at club level and in the front row. So had one of my children been creative and decided to climb it could have been a disaster, but they did well!

They had a lot of fun watching the trucks! This was our first trip to the arena and it is quite small. The trucks couldn't do much more than wheelies or air time over the cars.  Rowan was still mesmorized.  It wasn't until later this evening when we talked to him about what he saw that he said, "On TV they jump over a lot more cars and they flip and break."  I don't think he was upset, just stating the difference between what he's seen in the past and seeing them in person. 

He loved it! He got a pennant! Except it wasn't for Grave Digger, his usual favorite. He wanted a Monster Mutt Dalmation pennant.  They had snow cones in Monster Truck souvenier cups and that was it for the take home stuff.  I took a lot of video, but that will take time to process and upload so here are some pics to begin with. 

Make your own free picture slideshow

Jourdyn spent the day with her friend Katie, so she didn't go with us.  She gets cool things like this too for her birthday. Next weekend she gets to go see Toby Mac and Skillet and in early April for spring break she is going with me and Crystie to Gatlinburg for 4 days. 

Last night, Rob threw me a graduation open house at our church.  I am so blessed to have such great friends and family.  So many people came out to give me a hug.  It was exciting.  I didn't take hardly any pictures. Just a couple.  

This is a picture of Charlene and I. She is one of my best friends and encouragers. I love her so much! I was so glad she was able to share this with me!

After the open house, Uncle Jeff, Suzi, Julie, Bro, Melissa, Tom, Izzie and Crystie all came over and hung out with us.  We played a little Trivia Pursuit and watched a movie. Of course, I crashed but I heard the movie was good! :)

A set back

I received word last night that I would be having to re-do all of my paperwork for the Air Force. The recruiter is supposed to be calling me in the next couple of days to tell me why and what I need to do differently.  I probably didn't cross all my "T's" or something.  I don't know but it is very nerve racking!

This evening Tina and I picked up the Panera Bread. My friend, Diane has been out of town for the past two Fridays and she normally does it.  Tina's daughter's friend has a disease that all of the sudden paralyzed her. She is in 6th grade and has been in the hospital for two months unable to move.  They are having a benefit for her tomorrow, so the loaves of bread went to her cause. They are having a spaghetti dinner.  The rest of the bread and pastries is going to the seniors in our church and about 200 bagels are going to Food For Thought in the morning! We were shocked at how much food was there this evening and saddened at the thought that it would have all been thrown away had our church not picked it up every Friday. 

Rob and I with the kids went out to Port Clinton this afternoon to pick up the famous cupcakes for my graduation party tomorrow.  It was a nice drive.  I had forgotten how much colder it is out there on the lake.  The water was still frozen and the wind was howling.  It's so different to see the yacht club with no yachts, only frozen docks. 

Here are some more pics of Nadine's Birthday. 

Another photo slideshow by Smilebox

Happy 6th Birthday Nadine!

Two for one pics of the day! Rowan was sleeping last night on the couch and Jourdyn snapped this picture of him.  He is definitely an Al Bundy sleeper - legs wide open, often hand tucked in his pants.  He's such a sweetie.

Today is Nadine's 6th birthday! So this morning before school we snuck this picture in.  Because of fog there was a two hour delay, so we had a lazy morning.  After school, we had visitors come over unexpectedly. Char and Jason stopped by for a quick visit.  THat was very nice! She's one of my very best friends and I feel like I don't get to see her enough anymore!

Julie, Brodie, Curt and Tatum came over for dinner and cake! Nadine picked the meal. We had hot dogs and Macaroni n Cheese.  (I've stopped my diet for the weekend! I will start back up on Monday!)  Nadine got a lot of littlest pet shop toys, a barbie pet vet and new furniture and people for her dollhouse!  I think she had a great day!

I can't believe how quickly they are all growing.  Jourdyn will be 13 in just a couple of weeks! AMAZING!!!

Maumee Bay Walk

The weather has been so beautiful over the past couple of days.  Today, my friend, Tina and I went for a walk out at Maumee Bay State Park.  It made for a wonderful picture-of-the-day.  For the most part the water was open but there were patches of ice and the ice near shore.  The sun was really warm! So glad spring is nearly here. 

My Spiritual formation class began yesterday.  I have completed all the necessary paperwork for the Air Force. I'm now just awaiting the next step - security clearance and MEPS. 

Jourdyn started Track & Field yesterday! They are conditioning this week and next week will begin working on who will do what.  We've asked her to try everything, including pole vaulting! So we'll see where she ends up!

Rowan's Four Today

I cannot believe that it was four years ago today that my baby boy was put in my arms for the first time! I praise God for him everyday - having those memories of the week spent wondering if he would make it.  He is definitely a gift and a treasure!

He loves to have Happy Birthday sang to him.  Before bed tonight I had to sing it a couple of more times.  Aunt Julie came over for cake and opening presents.  She gave him a new Cars movie, since his has really seen better days.  She also gave him a slinky! And boy, does he think that's a neat thing.

Grandpa Krempa gave him monster trucks and a gift card! This is Rowan's newest infatuation! He LOVES monster trucks! In fact, mommy and daddy gave him little monster trucks to open as well. Our gift to him though is happening next weekend.  Rob is taking him to the Monster Truck Jam at the new arena! Rowan doesn't understand what we mean by seeing them in real life.  But oh my goodness, next Sunday he is going to flip! I can't wait!!!!

At the end of the pictures is a video of Nadine and Rowan dancing! Nadine is such a ham. She came up with this whole dance herself.  I recorded it three different times and each time she stuck pretty well to the choreography she had chosen! My pic of the day is of course, Rowan and I this morning before we headed out to church!

Youth 2 Youth Lock In

To date I believe this is one of the best things about Junior High. Last night was the annual Youth 2 Youth Lock-In at Jourdyn's school.  America's Pride comes to perform and have intense discussions about drugs, alcohol, sex, respect, etc. It is an amazing thing.  Last year I made it through the night and stayed the whole time.  I decided that last night would be a "cheat" night for my diet, since I would be there hanging out with my girl.  I ate two pieces of pizza and a cupcake-in-a-cone!......I was SO SICK!!! I had to leave by 1 am or so. 

This morning I feel like I have a  hangover! The realization is that I put my body into shock because of the fats, oils and sugars that it hasn't had for a month.  Umm...guess I learned my lesson...especially when I got on the scale this morning and saw that I gained a pound and a half! UGGHHH!!!!

Here are some great pics from the Lock-In! And a pic of Rob being silly as Jourdyn and I were leaving! Rob has lost 25 lbs!!! You can really tell in his face and in his stomach!

Air Force Update

Tuesday night, Rob and I met with the Air Force Chaplain Recruiter.  We spent two hours at Bob Evans with him.  Unfortunately, we had already eaten dinner before we went so we had hot tea, while he ate his dinner. It all worked out though. 

I am officially a pre-qualified Air Force Chaplain Candidate.  I have begun the next step, which is a boat-load of paperwork.  After that I will be going for my MEPS testing, I believe in Cleveland.  The goal is to spend this summer training, however it's long shot because there is so much that has to be done before then that we might not make it.  Pray that we do though.  Right now, I foresee a tie-up with my medical records.  Please pray that it goes smoothly and quickly!

The partial new me...

Okay so this is my pic of the day and I'm done labeling them because I can't keep track of the numbers....just know that it's my picture of the day!

This is a picture of me today! I have lost 18.2 lbs so far! I took this picture and I cannot believe how young I look! It's kinda crazy! I still have at least 20 more to go before I meet my goal! But I wanted to give you an update!

Another update: Rob and I are meeting with the Air Force Chaplain Recruiter this evening. I feel anxious, nervous, excited and scared to death all at the same time! I also feel special since he flew up here from Georgia to meet me! Wish me luck and be praying!