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Home Sweet Home

This summer has been a whirlwind for me. Lotsa travelin'! Atlanta, Wilmington, Asheville, CWR, Lake James... and probably a beach trip coming up soon too. I have only been home 12 days this month. We came home today from a fun Windley family (extended family - 13 of us) vacation to Lake James. If I were not so darn tired I'd post fun pics and little anecdotes for you... maybe later.

Instead here's some random thoughts from an exhausted momma...

1. After 2 weeks of a lot of testing and whining, Jackson was on GREAT behavior today. I think he's as happy to be at home, too. It's been a really fun 2 weeks for him, but also a lot of transitions.

2. We (Mike and I) are not great photographers. We take our camera, but we forget to take the pictures. Of course, when you have a sister-in-law like I have (who takes over 200 pictures in 3 days), all you have to do is request the good ones! :) See Cheri's blog for Lake James photos.

3. Our kitty, Daisy, is the cutest. She misses us so much when we are away. When we get back in town she is all over me. She will meow loudly (a rarity for her) at me until I sit on the couch so that she can jump in my lap. It's good to be missed. :)

4. Happy Birthday Mom! Or, as Jackson said "Happy Burbay, Mimi!!". We love you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks.

A reason to celebrate

On Sunday, my church had a really fun lake day and baptism service. It was a beautiful day, and I was so pleased to see the great turn out. Can I just say that I LOVE the people of our church??!! They are so fun, and caring... and they have such a servant's heart! We baptized 3 (2 others couldn't make it due to sickness). Praise the Lord - He is certainly at work!

Besides the baptisms, I feel like our church has so much to celebrate. Church planters are often warned to brace themselves for the summer months when attendance deflates and people feel burned out. This summer, our church is breaking new record attendance and we continue to see new-comers each week, even with multiple "regulars" out of town.

Church work can certainly be exhausting at times, but God continues to remind us why we are doing this. And, His blessing abound!

Courtney's Favorites - Part 2

Favorite place to shop for kids:

Kids Everywear - This HUGE consignment sale occurs twice a year. The Fall one is September 15-21 and registration is now open. This sale is different from other consignment sales that I have been to because they are particular about what can be consigned – stain free, in season, not out-dated clothes. And there are TONS of namebrand clothes there usually priced between $1-$5. My friend Stacy and I go every time, and we have this sale down to a science! We purchase the bulk of our sons’ clothing needs for the next season – pjs, play clothes, swimsuits, coats, you name it. And, we usually pick up some toys, books, etc. In fact, last time we went, I bought a humongous stack of clothing, training potty, musical instrument set, shoes, and some toys for Jackson and left spending less than $100!! Also, if you are looking for equipment (IE cribs, strollers, exersaucers, etc) they have a huge selection.
Some recommendations:
1. If you can, volunteer or be a consignor. This enables you to shop before the general public, which gives you the better chance at the good deals on cute stuff!
2. When going through the clothing, grab EVERYTHING you think is cute. When you are done grabbing all the clothes in your child’s size, find a free space on the floor and sort through the stack – make sure clothing is stain free, practical, a good deal, etc. Stacy and I do this together and then help weed out until we have all we need.
3. If possible, DON’T bring your children. Trust me, you will need to move quickly and space is limited.
4. You might want to bring something to stack your goods in – I see mom’s using empty strollers, wagons, those crates with long handles, etc. I borrowed Lynn’s mom’s crate last year and it was so handy!!

book recommendation

While at camp this week, I am stuck in the boxcar for significant portions of the day while my son naps (usually a four hour nap) and also after he goes to bed at night. At home, this is not a problem at all - there's plenty of housework, legal work, church work, you name it to be done. So, I came super prepared this year - bunches of books.

My current favorite author is Terri Blackstock. She is a Christian Fiction author, whose books usually have suspence, mystery, legal and love portions. I LOVE her books. I mean, I really really LOVE them. In fact, I am really sad because after this week I have almost read everything she’s written. I am on a long waiting list from the library to get my hands on her latest (True Light)!

If you have not yet read anything from this author, you MUST do so! I usually recommend the Cape Refuge series to people (a 4 book series). A couple of days ago I finished Night Light, book 2 of the Restoration Series (book 1 is Last Light). It is the best series yet!!

Camp Nostalgia

This week Jackson & I joined daddy at Camp Willow Run, where he is the middle school speaker this week. CWR is where I worked three summers during and after college. It is where the greatest summers of my life were spent. And, it is where Mike and I met - but didn't start dating until a year or so later. Mike has been a speaker here for many years, and every year I look forward to that week. It's great to see old friends, eat GREAT food that I don't have to cook or clean up after, spend time on the lake, and get a little rest here and there. See some pictures I have taken on Jackson's blog.

Besides being the place where I met my wonderful husband, camp left a huge impression on me as it was the place where I grew significantly in my walk with God. The staff was all really godly individuals and we met together daily for prayer, worship, accountability and Bible Study. It was at camp that I first grew passionate about memorizing Scripture.

And, it was at camp where I first understood how God's strength is made perfect through my weakness. You see, as a camp counselor of a boxcar (yea, I said boxcar - the camp uses renovated train boxcars as cabins), I basically had to be "on" 22-23 hours a day for a group of 10 girls. During the day, I usually worked with the high ropes course or on the ski boats. Very draining physically -- especially by the last weeks of camp. And there was the spiritual exhaustion... Although there were guest speakers that would come to teach, counselors still used as much time as they could to instill foundations of faith with their campers. I loved my time with those campers. I remember one morning, I woke up an hour before the girls (the only good time to spend with the Lord). As I sat on the front steps of my boxcar, I felt crazy tired - more exhausted than I have ever been in my whole life. I did not even have the energy to open my Bible. I prayed to God to give me the strength to even walk back in and wake up those girls. I told God I just couldn't do it, I had nothing left. If I was going to be a light to those girls that day, HE was going to have to do it because I had nothing left. And He did.... I remember that day very clearly. Within a few minutes I was singing to the girls and having fun. I had tremendous energy during field games. Unexplainable patience, bubbliness (is that a word?) and joy. And, God gave me incredible one-on-one time with several of the girls that day… and 4 accepted Jesus as their Savior that very night. God’s power had room to work in my weakness. I can honestly say that it was NOTHING of myself.

I think the reason why so many of us camp alumni have kept in touch is because we endured such hard, and yet beautiful times together. We had front row seats to watch God’s hand work in mighty ways… so many children and teenagers came to know their Savior.

The camp hymn, “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” is a perfect reflection of Camp Willow Run. The first line goes "There's a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place. And, I know that it's the presence of the Lord". Staffers and campers have often reflected on how they can feel God's presence as soon as they drive down the winding little road into camp. This was true for me over 11 years ago as a 19 year-old counselor, and it is certainly still true for me this week.

Recipe: Crock Pot Turkey

I have gotten into the crock pot craze. So simple, easy to clean (with those great new liner bags), and the meat gets so tender. The butter and garlic give the turkey such flavor - and make the gravy fabulous.

1 (3 lb.) boneless turkey breast, completely thawed. (I buy Butterball.)
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 stick of margarine/butter, melted
salt & pepper

Remove turkey from packaging and put gravy packet in the frig. Pat dry the turkey breast and salt and pepper it. Place in crock pot. Pour melted butter over the turkey. Add garlic to crock pot. I cook it on high for about 4 hours... can also do it on low for about 6-7 hours. When the turkey is done, take the gravy pack out and prepare it according to directions on package. Serves about 4-6.

So, I'm curious... if you have ever tried any of the recipes I post, let me know!

Courtney's Favorites - Part 1

I am a firm believer that if a product/store/place is found to be truly remarkable, it should be "passed on". I love to share great deals and products - and I love to hear about things that others have found worthy of praise. So, I thought I'd post a series of "Courtney's Favorites" and I'd share the things, places, stores, etc that have proven to be a God-send to me. Please feel free to reciprocate and share yours!!

Courtney's Favorite Products:
1. Magic Eraser - ingenious little "sponge" that will take away the grime off of walls, white shoes/sandals, refrigerators, etc. It will "erase" the marks left on doors and walls left from furniture and people banging into it.

2. Libman Wonder Mop - I have struggled for years to find a mop that I felt
worked AND didn't get so gross that I felt it left my floors worse than before I mopped. Ask Mike - I have a collection of mops that have failed the test. This new mop, however, is great. It's greatest feature - the mop-head comes off and can be thrown into the washing machine to get totally clean.


3. Jackson's booster seat. We took back the high chair we registered for and just used this exclusively. This seat has been great and has stood up through the years. Easy to travel with, easy to clean (dishwasher safe tray!!) and it adjusts with height/age.



4. DVR. I admit it... I'm obsessed. When we moved last August, we got a deal and they gave us FREE DVR for a year. Which is almost up, and my mind my change next month when our bill increases... But, this product enables us to record whole seasons of shows that we can watch when it is most convenient -- and fast-forward through ALL commercials. Which means less time. And, I can record exercise shows from Fit TV, Jackson's favorite shows, etc. Easy to record, and easy to erase when done. Oh... and you can pause live TV for phone calls and you can rewind to catch that line you missed when your toddler decided to scream out all the names of the Thomas trains that he owns.

5. Toddler Drinkable Yogart. This stuff is great for car trips - just pour it into your child's sippy cup and you don't have to stop to feed them or worry about the crumby mess stuck to your carseat.

Annual Seestur Trip

I just got back from my annual Seestur trip. What is a SEESTUR (pronounced See-stir), you ask? My seesturs (above are Ashley, me, Heather, Rebecca, Shannon & Jenny...I mean, Weez) are a group of my closest friends from college. We were dubbed "seesturs" my freshman year. I think it comes from being sisters in Christ. There was a whole group of us (girls and guys) that we nicknamed 'the fam'. We met each other through Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. I love these girls. In a sense we grew up together. One aspect that I love is that no matter how much time passes between talking to one of them, it is as if we just pick up where we left off the next time we see each other. It has been so interesting to see the women that we have become in the 13 years of being friends.

My seesturs and I made a commitment when we graduated to stay close and to try to do an annual trip together. Hard to believe that this was year #9 since graduation! This year we chose the destination of Asheville, NC. It was a great trip - full of relaxation, catching up, laughing, and sight-seeing. One highlight was that we visited the Grove Park Inn. It is amazing...and we each want to return sometime as guests! Our trips always revolve around good food... and we ate at some of the most eclectic and fun restaurants. In between eating we also saw part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, visited the Folk Art Center, and shopped. We were joined this year with 3 babies --Gray Collins, Ava Rovenstine and Soren Margrave (due in 2 months).

Thank you, seesturs, for another wonderful trip. I miss you already!

Left in a tizzy

It has been a busy and fun week - and it's only Wednesday! On Monday, Jack and I went to the pool and then after nap time we all went boating on Jordan Lake with some friends from church. I skied for the first time in over 6 years - it wasn't pretty, but I got up! On Tuesday, I took Jackson to see Jonah (Veggie Tales version) at the "big movie". Local theatres play FREE movies during the summer. We saw Charlotte's Web a few weeks ago. We round up a BIG group of friends and all watch each other's kids when they get restless and need to roam a bit. So fun! And, we decided that we needed plans for the 4th of July, so we are throwing a VERY LAST MINUTE get-together. Just desserts and watermelon. Yum.

But, what has left me most "in a tizzy" is that I fell going down my steps on Tuesday while rushing to get out the door to see the movie. My barefoot heel just slid right of the end of a step - so fast I had no time to catch myself. I hit really hard on my back/buttocks and right elbow. Thankfully, Mike was home and came running as soon as it happened. As soon as he came to me I announced that I was about to pass out from the pain - and I did for about 10 seconds. (I have an odd history of passing out when in lots of pain. I can't explain it. Very rarely happens. It's a miracle I was cognizant during labor with Jackson!). So, I have some beautiful red/purple/blue bruises and some aches and pains. Nothing unbearable - just enough to rattle me. Hopefully, these aches will subside in time for my big SEESTUR trip this weekend.