Chez Skay. . .bon apetite

All Nate asked for for his birthday was a nice evening with his friends. What he got was a French-four course dinner for 13 of our friends and family complete with handmade truffles, five types of cheese and a visit from our local Sommelier (wine specialist Lauren from the Secret Cellar.)

Ohkay so I tend to go a little overboard in the creativity department, the fact of the matter is I love to entertain and I love my husband.

With the failed attempt to sell our home, we've put any events hosted at our home on hold for the last several months. We wanted to make up for lost time, so we had a very special evening, at my parents home. (Ironic I know, but we don't have the space for everyone!) Plus, I've discovered the real purpose behind formal dinning rooms. Seperate from the kitchen means the view of all the dirty dishes is obstructed. I've also discovered that a chorus of Mmmm's is one of my favorite sounds on the planet, so is laughter heard with the clinking of glasses. My favorite comment of the night came from Paul Smith who looked stunned after trying my homemade Tapenade (olive etc spread) "Wow, I like that, and I don't like olives!" Who could ask for more?

It was an incredibly lovely evening, two weeks worth of pouring over French cookbooks (thank you Sarah Herman-the Barefoot Contessa is a great guru!) Several days worth of wrangling Truffles (thank you Erin for saving the day and my brother for eating spectacular failures until you had a sugar coma!) My mother for letting me use ALL your china, for letting me take over your kitchen, and reminding me when we weren't going to have enough pots for my master plan!) Anytime I got overwhelmed, I would remember that it was all for Nate, and then somehow it all seemed manageable and purposeful. Thank you everyone who came, ate, and toasted Nate. It was such a thrill serving our dear friends and especially making a big fuss over my special husband!

In their element

My dad is a farm boy at heart and is very comfortable back on the farm. Recently he and Dana went on a boys hunting trip with my uncle Mike out in Western North Dakota

My little brother (the one in the middle) has been a hunter since he was 15. Since then he also taught young kids how to shoot at Wheaton's Honeyrock Rifle Range.

Guess all that practice paid off?

P.S. please no comments on guns or cruelty to animals, we're from the mid-west this is how the other half of America lives.

Great Rants By Mere Kay!

My little brother's girlfriend Meredith-living it up in Austraila! Love her spirit and her fashion advice! Had to share this witty rant--b/c I love her spirit! Also learned a new word--BoGoN??? http://mereykay.blogspot.com/

all right, australia. that's it. i've had it with your weird fashion. let me clarify.
there is no such thing as a trendy mullet. a mullet is a mullet is a mullet. if your hair is significantly longer in the back than it is in the front, it's a mullet. if your hair is one style the whole way around except for three square inches at the back of your neck which is at least five inches longer, it is a mullet. if your hair is one length all the way around except for one square inch at the back of your neck, that is a rat tail. you think it's attractive because one of these pieces of hair flows when you walk. hate to be the one to tell you, but these are not attractive hairstyles. you may not think they're bogan because you're wearing skinny jeans four sizes too small, vans slip ons and a band t-shirt, but i assure you: they are bogan. they are bogan and unattractive. they are bogan and unattractive and i should carry scissors in my back pocket to do you the favor of cutting it off. also, dying your dark hair bleach blond down the middle on top of your mullet is adding insult to injury. take my word on this. if the look your going for is metro skunk, by all means. go for it. all the little girl skunks will flock to you. let me go on. apparently, some boys are of the mindset that it's okay to take an emo-slanty haircut, sleep in it, and decide upon waking, "no, this isn't messy enough." they then go forward to apply and entire beehive worth of styling wax in order to get it at it's tangly best. again, stop it. rolling out of bed is really all you need. if that. in fact, wash the poor creature attached to your skull, and let it just go. see what happens.my philosophy is that if it leaves you and doesn't come back it wasn't meant to be.i mentioned those pants. they need to be clarified as well. i am not interested in your underwear. no, really. i'm not. it is one thing to have extra baggy pants that do not stay on your body. it is another to have girl's skinny jeans that do not fit your body reach only halfway up your butt. it is wrong--not different, not interesting, not hardcore OR trendy, but wrong--to have your upper thighs showing when you bend over. i don't care if your shirt covers it when you stand up. it does not cover it when you sit down. again, if i were interested in your undies, i'd ask. i did not ask. so take care of it. all australian men. all men. everywhere. leave the scoop necks to the ladies or to outdoor work. it is not a style. and ladies, you are far from exempt. despite what you may think, it is possible to overwear the dress over black leggings and black long-sleeved shirt. that style has jumped the shark. officially. really. move forward.on a related note, if your dress or top or dresstop--as the line is blurred nowadays--has a gather under the bust and your abdomen is not built like a model, check and double check that you do not appear to be wearing maternity clothes. in fact, check and double check that it is actually flattering you and not making a problem area worse. also on a related note, consider pants. ooh, consider those pants. there is such a thing as too short and when what you think is a dresstop is actually just a top. remember: leggings and tights are not pants. they cover your legs, sure, but they are not pants. on a related note: this is not 1983. leggings plus oversized t-shirt that may or may not read "global warming is not cool" with a belt is not an outfit. please, please, please. would you just consider the pants?and this, this is the end-all be-all of fashion related rants i will ever have and i wouldn't make it if it hadn't been sitting near me for the last half hour. in fact, if i were reading that this actually happened, i would not believe you. i will try to get a photo if i can.but, my dear lady, you may not, repeat, MAY NOT wear an oversized flannel shirt as a dress. i don't care that you've got a belt cinching it in at your waist. it is not relevant that it is actually big enough to cover all the important things. no. not relevant. the principle of the thing is important here: you may not wear a shirt on its own as a dress. it would actually be really cute for putzing around the house in, and heck, at some point in time i hope i get the opportunity to do so. but do not, by any means, think it's okay to put on a pair of ballet flats and walk out the door. i'm sorry. i haven't had enough sleep and flannel-shirtdress girl put me over the edge.

Where in the world is Baba Ndjerareou?

In honor of Abel Ndjerareou's presidency of the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology we wanted to send him something special to commemorate his excellent tenure and heart of service.

Sophia and I were cleaning out the garage (where most of our stuff is currently stored for hopeful home sale) when she began playing with a part of my globe collection. It was so cute and such a perfect statement for a Ndjerareou that we had to capture it for posterity.

Baba will be returning to us in the US next month and we look forward to having him around and to see what God has in store for him.

Wheaton Homecoming Pics

Little Jack Durbin kept Sophia full of giggles all weekend. He is a full year older than Sophia and was so gentle with her, always sharing his toys, a concept that Sophia is still working on. Especially when it comes to Mommy's lap, I was holding Jack's little sister Ellie when Sophia wanted to join in.

I've been so blessed with great college

friends and a closeness thats grown stronger with time. These shots were taken at our unofficial 5 year college reunion. (It was our official 5 year but we didn't do much of the college-sponsored events. ) Everyone came from all over the country and it was great to meet so many new additions. Children and spouses.

All in all we had at least 7 little ones under the age of 3 underfoot all weekend. It made it a little more difficult to focus on each other but we had plenty of entertainment and it was so neat to see our young friends as responsible parents. My only regret was that my camera was on the fritz and so I couldn't capture it myself. Thankfully they're several great photogs in our group.

It was so sweet to introduce Nate to our extended group of family! They've all taught me so much, including the beauty of a great marriage.

My Burden is Light. . .

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

I'm sometimes afraid to make God a priority in my life. I worry that he'll ask too much of me.

As a young mother, I often flop into my quiet times, frazzled and anxious. Whatever worry of the day plagues my prayers, and I cannot imagine anyone asking anymore of me. In those moments I understand that my fear of God, may be a little misguided.

Didn't Jesus gentle remind Martha that devotion is far more important than any to-do list I may find pressing? Wasn't it Jesus who honored Mary for her worship, instead of her incredible house-managing abilities? Jesus never pressed Martha for performance or perfection, he offered her a place at his feet. He invited her to share in a very special moment with sister and Creator.

This moment is so special to me because of the value he places on these women as precious people, not as workers. It also reminds me how special it is to have Martha's & Mary's in the world. Together these two were a dynamic team of worship & service. I'm thankful for the Mary's & Martha's in my life who demonstrate the richness of Christ-centered femininity, in all its glorious shapes an sizes.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

If this doesn't make you smile or even tear up. . .

This clip moved Nate and I more than we'd typically admit, but it's breathtaking, both the music and his personal story. Wow is all I can say. Simon Cowell has done good by us in bringing this talent to the world.