The Muench Bunch

 

 Some Sundays are awesome, the church message is great, there's so much to saok in and take away. I walk away refreshed and ready to take on the week. I run into people I know that smile and wave. I see a good friend and we hug and talk. Then there are those Sunday's that just don't go well, today was one. I knew we had to leave the house at 9:30 to arrive on time to serve coffee. We needed to be there at 10:15, or so that was what was in my head. I had served the week before in childcare and had to be there at 10:15. It was a struggle getting out the door as it always is. I thought we were right on track, I set my alarm, got the boys up by 8:30 and was ready before anyone else. I was in the car at 9:30, 9:35 Mark was in the car and I was honking the horn. I still don't know why their is always one male late out the door. As we pulled into the church parking lot, I knew we were late by the steady flow of traffic leaving. I remembered the last time we served coffee we we

 

The red barn book shelf was made by Grandpa Wayne for Jake. It was prefect in his room for all his books and toys. At one point he had a collection of school buses on the shelves. When Jake moved his room into the basement, Luke took over the room and the shelves. Now at the age of 14, we have decided to move the big red barn into the basement and it has become a great place for some of the many John Deeere's. Luke's room looks a little more like a teenage room and has a little more space.   

Jayden surprised Luke on his birthday. In the morning, he didn't feel well, neither did Mark, so I went to church on my own. I had childcare, so I had to go. When Mark gets a head cold and he acts miserable. Luke was all congested and full too. At the same time, Jayden was on her way to Iowa with Noah and his brother to buy a race truck near Omaha. She convinced Noah to take a large detour, 2 1/2 hours each way to come see us. We had a plan to surprise Luke at the ski hill. Luke was feeling pretty lousy and it took both Jayden and I to persuade Luke to ski. Jayden told him she bought a ticket for his birthday and he needed to toughen up and go. About an hour before we headed to the ski hill, he figured it out and I couldn't keep telling false stories to cover. It was a great reunion! We were so happy to see Jayden and so glad Noah drove the extra to come visit. It was terrible cold and Luke wasn't feeling 100%, but once he heard Jayden was going to be there, he was happy to

  My little Lukie at age one with his little round face and big smile. Now he is tall and so grown up at age 14. The recent photo is a look I get quite often. He is a typical teenager, has braces and acne and a little more sass. He seems to know all and thinks he needs most everything. He is still soft hearted and compassionate. He is the baby and I love him dearly. For his birthday Grandma W gave him lots of cas $50 and he got his much wanted XBOX console. On his second try, he got his driver's permit. He has been waiting a long time for that, finally he is legal!

Our church is on church plant number 22! How very exciting it is to see the church continue to grow. God has blessed the little church that started in Ames with around 20 people. Amazing! Next up Syracuse, NY. Here is a list of recent plants- Columbus, OH- Cincinati, OH- Atlanta, GA- Bloomington, IN- Fort Collins, CO- Iowa City, IA- 2 in Cedar Falls, IA- Ankeny, IA Columbia, MO- Des Moines, IA- Minneapolis, MN- Lawrence, KS- Madison, WI- East Lansing, MI- Gainsville, FL- Springfield, MO- Omaha, NE- Lincoln, NE. I love see God grow the churches, halleluiah!

  I planned a baby shower for Ali back on December 12th. I sent out 80 invitations, 20 on the Muench side, and Ali had her own list of 60. Little Mister Titus decided to come early, so we had to reschedule. We agreed that a smaller crowd would be best for Titus. Sunday at 2 we held a shower for Ali at Grandma Karen's house. The black and red decorations were part of the theme we had planned in December with "Little Buck" being the theme. I made a fruits and veggies tray and Mawgee brought the cupcakes she ordered. We had some cute decorations and Devin organized a game. We had a very small group with many people home sick. The roads were bad too from the previous 8 inches of snow we got. Lori, Linda, Jaynie, Jossie, Devin, Nancy, Roxanne, Mawgee, Karen, Ali, Bridget, and myself were the guests. The boys, Mark, and both the grandpa's were in the house also.Titus slept through the whole day. Everyone got some baby holding time. That evening out of the blue, Grammer Kare

 Jan 11 I went to babysit Titus for the first time. Ali had a doctor appointment and I stayed at the house for a few hours with him. There is nothing preemie about him. He is really filling out and such a pretty baby. I took some sweet photos of him. I like to lay him in the crack of the couch cushions like I did with our kids. He still sleeps a lot and likes his bottle.

 After high school graduation, we were so excited to see what Jayden would do with her future. She is intelligent, beautiful, kind, and strong in her faith. She couldn't wait to find her group of friends, rodeo, and choose a future career. What if  her path went a different way?  What if she got involved in the church, was a big part of the Salt college ministry and had lot's of Godly friends for life? What if she had an awesome roommate and friend group? She would have someone to hang out with, go shopping, go out to restaurants, and go to Salt with and someday be in one another's weddings. What is she loved ISU, her classes were great and she got to be part of the business sorority that she tried out for?  What if she graduated from IUS and got a job nearby? What if college rodeo was a great experience? What if ISU had good coaches and supported the team?  What if Jayden's horse Ace never acted up at the gate and ran like consistent and didn't knock barrels?  What

 Jossie had her baby shower in Fort Dodge. She had a good turn out with around 30 guests  and got a lot of wonderful gifts. Her due date is February 24. Surprisingly, Ali brought Titus to the shower. They were so cautious and protective and told everyone how they weren't going to take him out around friends and family until Easter. I was concerned with the large crowd and all the different sicknesses going around. It made for a very sweet cousin photo with the babies and baby-to-be. Everly is coming up on her first birthday, Cason Burns is just short of 5 months, Titus is 6 weeks, and Jossie is 8 months pregnant. The next few years will be full of joy and fun with all the new babies and next generation of cousins. Jayden sent some adorable clothes from her boutique, including the little cow print pants. Cousin Suzy made a lovely quilt for Jossie and made Ali a blanket too. I am excited for Jossie and she cannot wait to be a mama! After the shower, Karen and I snuck over to the high

The New Year rolled in with single digit temps and a little ice. We had a slight skiff of snow, I am not going to count it as the first snow, however we were expected to get a few inches. Monday and Tuesday were up to 30 and the last two days have had wind chills around -20 to -25. I have decided I am not cut out for Iowa cold anymore. I get chilled to the bone and feel cold all the time. It never used to bother me as much, I blame it on my thyroid. I need to winter in a warmer climate.  This year Levi had his Golden birthday, turning 5 on the 5th. Wade cooked a Mexican enchilada bake, he is an excellent cook. Levi's party was dinosaur themed. Carina likes to go all out with balloons and decorations. She even had a piñata. Levi opened his presents with so much enthusiasm and excitement. He is funny and super happy. He got to blow out a sparkler candle, which he wasnt quite sure of. He is such a happy little go with lots of joy and energy. Sometimes he will run at me and give me big