Indy Get-A-Way!

So, while going through the basement transformation, Tyler and I decided that we needed a get-a-way, just the two of us, when the basement was complete!  After 3 months of enjoying the basement, we took a little road trip, 2 hours away, to Indianapolis on Valentine's Day weekend.  It was busy, but very enjoyable!

We left Thursday evening, dropped the boys off at my parents, and headed towards Indy.  Our first stop was Buffalo Wild Wings in Anderson, Indiana for their Triple Threat Nachos, oh yaaa :)

It was a later supper, but that place was packed!  It just happened to be 60 cent wing night and some fundraiser was going on.  Luckily, we got right in and sat on the bar side.  We were walking in to find a seat when we heard, "Tyler!"  The only possible people we could see in Anderson were Armin and Kim, and that's who were there!  So, we had an added little bonus and had supper with my cousin and her husband.   Service was slow, but we got half off our bill and got some extra time to chat :)  They even treated us to Starbucks!  What a great start to our trip.

We got checked into our hotel located downtown Indy and got settled in our room.  We looked out the window and saw a spectacular site.

Looked like a scene from Sleepless in Seattle <3  Couldn't have been prettier.
(unless it was a beach, but I will take what I can get)

After doing some research and getting some recommendations, we decided to eat at "First Watch Cafe" just a short walk from our hotel.  Delicious breakfast and great service.  

Then, after getting full bellies, we headed over to the Circle Center Mall.  We got there as things were just opening, so we enjoyed the walk around the empty mall.  I, of course, stopped and got a diet coke to quench my obsession.  Soon after, we headed over to TJ Max and were anticipating some good deals like we had gotten there before.  And good deals we got!  Nothing like getting some quality stuff at a good price!  Tyler even looks forward to going there :)

After some awesome purchases, we headed over to CVS to buy some drinks and candy for the movie theatre in the mall.  Shame on us... we stuffed it in my purse and headed on in to see a matinee.  We hadn't seen a movie in a theatre together is probably 2 years!  We watched "Monument Men" with George Clooney, Bill Murrey, and many other awesome actors.  It was clean, hilarious, and historical.  We recommend it!

This was Valentine's Day and we had no reservations, so we decided an early supper was the best idea.  We had heard Palamino's was an Indy favorite, so that's where we went.  We were maybe 1 of 3 couples there, so it was perfect.  I got my Moscato wine and Tyler got his beer of choice to accompany their amazing food.  I don't remember ever dining at such an upscale restaurant.  The highlight of the meal was the dessert- Sicilian donuts with Marscapone cream and Nutella chocolate sauce.  I am a dessert junky and it was extremely delightful.  

My Valentine and I dressed very casual due to the cold weather and thick snow that was coming down the entire day.  It made for a very eventful and pretty day.

After going back to our room to rest, (naps are a must when you have time away from the kids) we went back to the mall and just sat and talked at the food court.  We talked about life, our kids, and our faith.  We both agreed that that was the highlight of our trip.

We ended the night in our hotel with pizza from a nearby restaurant, the Olympics, and our PJs.  We had an awesome nights rest and slept in, kidless, until 8:30am and I could have slept longer.  Ahhh.

We got ready, checked out of our hotel, and drove to "Another Broken Egg Cafe".  Spectacular breakfast and probably the best meal we had on our trip.  It was there that we saw the US team beat Russia in Hockey for the 2014 Winter Olympics.  That topped it off :)

We went to the fashion mall and then to the affordable mall (ha) to use Tyler's gift card at the Buckle.  After going to a couple more stores, we picked up some Chik-Fil-A 

(we were in need of some normal food), and headed home.

I feel very blessed to have been able to spend the weekend with the love of my life and just enjoy each other without little ones to interrupt.  BUT, we did miss our kids and our life is truly only complete with them in it :)  

Thank you, Grandparents, for watching our kiddos while we were gone... y'all are such a blessing in our lives and it is so awesome knowing they were in good hands!

Now, come on Spring, get your butt here!!!

Spiritual Gifts.

"3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."  (Romans 12:3-8 NIV)

My Dad has been preaching on spiritual gifts the last few Sundays which has really spoke to me.  What are my spiritual gifts and how can I use them? Well, the easy answer is through music.  Tyler and I have ministered through our music for years now, leading choruses at our church and we feel that calling for sure, but we both want to do more.  We both want to be used to further God's kingdom, even in a small way.

I love that God gave us each our own spiritual gifts, unique to us.  I have spiritual gifts that no one else has, which is comforting to me.  I have always had a hard time finding my purpose in this world, but I think it has been my perspective.  I am expecting this GRAND calling and I am missing out on all the small ones.  God can use me anywhere, I just need to keep my eyes open and fixed on Him.  

We just came back from a weekend away in Indianapolis (A late basement celebration, just the two of us), and as we were people-watching at the Circle Center Mall, it was very clear to us that there is a huge need for God all around us.  And what are we going to do about it?  That is what we are praying about.  We are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I have had several opportunities to take meals to people and I love it.  Those times have been SUCH blessings in my life.  It may seem small, but that is what life is all about.  Helping others and showing God's love through our actions and generosity.  I look forward to more opportunities to give.

I have always told Tyler, that after the kids are all in school, I want to go to a Bible class so that I am more equipped to go out and witness.  Well, God answered my prayer a little early and I have had this great opportunity to go to a college Bible class 15 minutes away!  I have gone several times and absolutely LOVE it. They are finishing up on the Old Testament and next is a Theology class and I am super pumped to get started.  I know this is all a part of His plan and I am excited to see what He has in store in the near future!

The coolest thing we have experienced was our trip to the Veterans Hospital in Fort Wayne (I have talked about this before).  We got a chance to sing Christmas carols to the patients and the reaction was "Ahhh" inspiring.  Jake went a long with us and instead of getting bored and acting up (he is 7), he stood respectfully singing with his music sheet, saying "Merry Christmas" to every patient, and he was eager for the next song.  He got it that day.  He knew how it was impacting those patients.  That was a proud moment as parents.  We saw God is Jake that day. 

Our biggest mission is clear.  Our world needs Godly men and we are called to raise 4.  We WILL be planning more outings and ways to show the love of God to our kids.  We have been blessed with some great kiddos who show me more love than I deserve.  They have good hearts and I believe they will do amazing things one day.

"9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love.Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."  (Romans 12:9-13)

Even if my calling is small in my eyes, I must do it with sincere love, patience, faith, and much joy!  We all have unique, spiritual gifts that are all important in furthering God's Kingdom!  This has been on my heart.

Lord, we are open to anything that You want us to do with our Spiritual gifts and we ask You, Lord, to take the lead.  Help us not to ignore the pull of the Holy Spirit, to speak up when the time is right.  We know You will give us the right words to say.  Help us to train our boys, so that when they are older, they will not turn from You, oh Lord.  Show us our purpose in this life and use us to glorify Your kingdom.  In Your Name, Amen.