the kautz family buzz

WE'VE MOVED!

2007-10-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

Our blog site, that is... all our old and new posts will be at the following address:

http://ahappyfew.wordpress.com

We'll see ya there!

2007-08-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

Perfect in beauty, God shines forth -Psalms 50:2

Kate Elaine - 6 months

Way to grow, Kate!

2007-03-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

Kate is one month old today. We took her to get a weight check and she grew 17 0z in 2 weeks!
She is weighing in at 6 lbs. 5 oz and has gained another inch in length.

Kate is wearing a little hat that her great grandpa,
Merle Ray Cheek wore when he was a baby.
He was born in 1919.

DINOmite!

2007-03-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Josiah Will is 3 years old!

Josiah and Kristopher helped to make this fun dinosaur cake.
Josiah thought it was sooo cool!

Good friends make a great party!
Josiah Kautz, Aidan Tighe, Kristopher Kautz, Taylor Cheek, Zach Brinker,
Jonatha Tighe, Asher Luse, Josie Cheek, Kate Kautz

Bubbles!

Thanks to everyone for the presents!

It was a perfect day to fly the kites that Asher gave the boys

2007-03-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

"It's hard having a baby sister when you love her so much" - Kristopher when told he couldn't hold Kate right now

It's hard work being 3 weeks old...

2007-03-04T10:59:00.000-08:00

baby dear...you filled a place in our hearts we never knew was empty.
"mama, i love that baby." - josiah

We're Home

2007-02-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy few days, but we're enjoying being home. Kate is growing (1.5 oz) and mom is doing OK besides the whole not sleeping thing. Kristopher and Josiah love to hold their little sister and Kristopher said "It's fun to have three kids." Grandpa is back from India and Grandma Jan will get to stay a while to help us get settled. We've been so thankful for our friends and family who have been so encouraging and helpful, although Kate won't be the only one gaining weight if I keep eating this well.

Bedtime again

2007-02-22T19:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a great day. Lots of visitors and time to just hang out with Kate. We're all a little weary and ready for bed. Kate has started eating better tonight, so that will help us all rest better. Grandma Jan made it from California today and Grandpa George called from the other side of the world. We're so thankful for our friends and family. It was encouraging to hear from everyone today.

2/22/07- Coffee with Kate

2007-02-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

Kate and I had coffee this morning while mom showered. It's difficult to describe the emotions that I felt over the past 24 hours. Anxiety, joy, pride, love, fatigue just to name a few.
Kate is blessed to have so many wonderful men in her life. It's been gratifying to watch our two boys take such an interest in her. She has wonderful grandfathers and great-grandfathers. She also received a visit from the pastor, who also happens to be one of her two wonderful uncles. I enjoyed just sitting in the sunshine with Kate and studying all of her little features. What will her personality be like? What will she enjoy? What interests will she pursue? No way to tell at this point, but I'll enjoy watching her grow.
Our outdated computer is about out of space, so I'm having difficulty uploading more pictures. I'll have more pictures to post when we get home.

She's here- Kate Elaine Kautz

2007-02-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

Kate Elaine Kautz- born 2/21/07 @ 704 MST. She's 5 lbs 2 oz (petite). She's a beautiful little angel. The boys and grandma came to visit. Kristopher was very protective and interested in his little sister. Josiah wasn't sure what to think at first but said "she's a cute baby." Kristopher told her a bedtime story and was wishing he would have brought his little puppy for her to sleep with tonight. He told grandma that in the morning they would "get dressed, eat breakfast, and then out the door." He can't wait to hold little Kate. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We're tired and ready for a little sleep. Kate is sleeping quietly for now.

We love because He first loved us. I John 4:19

2007-02-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

Love...

2006-10-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

If you have it you don't need to have anything else.
If you don't have it, it doesn't much matter what else you have.

Pumpkin Pumpkin

2006-10-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

Make the face scary, mom!

Don't hurt the pumpkin, dad!

Smile :)

"It's a pumpkin with apples in it" -Josiah

Trick or Treat!

Pumkin Patch

2006-10-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Josiah was REALLY excited to be at the Pumkin Patch on Sunday

Hello horse.

Kristopher loved the "jumping cage"

I'll take this one...

This is the one for me...

One cute little pumpkin

Let it snow!

2006-10-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

The boys had great fun on Wednesday when they woke up to a winter wonderland. The first item of the day was to build the first snowman of the season. He was quite cute even though he melted by the time the boys were up from their naps...what a shock for Kristopher and Josiah! You know it's been a good day when your boots are covered in white stuff :)

TOO BIG...enough said

2006-09-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

2006-09-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Why waste time saying pretty when you can just say "P"? In Josiah's world things are P fast, P big, P cool, P hot, P fun...we think he's P cute.

2006-07-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

You never know where a tour through the mountains might lead you when it's summertime and you're a kid.

big or little, this water is cold!

"hey boys, put your hands on your hips"...or your heads

a fun mountain eatery

You are...

2006-07-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

superheros, super loud, cowboys, partners in crime, joyful, jedi knights, total boys, cherished, growing strong, best friends, worst enemies, brothers... you are blessed.

OUCH!

2006-05-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Josiah reached up and grabbed a hold of mom's curling iron on Tuesday...big ouchie! He's feeling much better today. The bandages lasted about one hour on his little fingers...

Peek-a-boo

2006-05-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

Casabonita!

2006-05-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

We got to sit right by the waterfall so the diver talked to the boys alot, they thought that was pretty cool!

Good times at la casa :)

Company's Coming!

2006-04-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

We were so happy to have Jeff's mom and grandparents for a visit. As you can see from the first photo, the boys were pretty excited!

Day of the Turtle...

2006-04-27T19:32:00.000-07:00

Look what Papa found!

Easter Celebration

2006-04-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time with family and friends over Easter. Easter Dinner was at mom and dad Cheek's. It was so fun to have lots of grandma's around...The egg hunters: Kristopher, Josiah, Taylor, and Jocelyn, who seems to be having a great time :)

The Big Move

2006-04-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

We're here! We loaded the truck on Friday, March 31st...thanks to everyone who helped, we couldn't have done it without you!

Saturday morning came early as the caravan of vehicles headed out of North Platte at 7:00 a.m. We arrived in Broomfield around 11:30 a.m. and we were unloaded by 2:00 p.m. thanks to our awesome moving crew :)

Our new home! Now for the unpacking...

Let it snow...

2006-03-20T18:08:00.000-08:00

It's a winter wonderland in North Platte...and the boys are loving it! The snow began to fall yesterday and it hasn't stopped as of 8:00 p.m. tonight. Nebraska is preparing us for Colorado :)

Move Update: Jeff will start orientation on Monday, the 27th of March, and then we will move that weekend. The Lord provided a home for us to rent about three minuets from the hospital that Jeff will be working at. It will be a great place for us to get to know the area.

An Evening with Spurgeon

2006-02-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

Below are a few selected quotations from All of Grace, the best selling book by C. H. Spurgeon. This is the gospel that I am compelled to share with those in Boulder that have not heard this good news.

"Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. It is a very surprising thing—a thing to be marveled at most of all by those who enjoy it. I know that it is to me even to this day the greatest wonder that I ever heard of, that God should ever justify me. I feel myself to be a lump of unworthiness, a mass of corruption, and a heap of sin, apart from His almighty love. I know by a full assurance that I am justified by faith which is in Christ Jesus, and treated as if I had been perfectly just, and made an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ; and yet by nature I must take my place among the most sinful. I, who am altogether undeserving, am treated as if I had been deserving. I am loved with as much love as if I had always been godly, whereas aforetime I was ungodly. Who can help being astonished at this? Gratitude for such favor stands dressed in robes of wonder.
Now, while this is very surprising, I want you to notice how available it makes the gospel to you and to me. If God justifieth the ungodly, then, dear friend, He can justify you."

"It is truly so, that Jesus seeks and saves that which is lost. He died and made a real atonement for real sinners. When men are not playing with words, or calling themselves "miserable sinners," out of mere compliment, I feel overjoyed to meet with them. I would be glad to talk all night to bona fide sinners. The inn of mercy never closes its doors upon such, neither weekdays nor Sunday. Our Lord Jesus did not die for imaginary sins, but His heart's blood was spilt to wash out deep crimson stains, which nothing else can remove."

"The grandest fact under heaven is this—that Christ by His precious blood does actually put away sin, and that God, for Christ's sake, dealing with men on terms of divine mercy, forgives the guilty and justifies them, not according to anything that He sees in them, or foresees will be in them, but according to the riches of His mercy which lie in His own heart. This we have preached, do preach, and will preach as long as we live."

Emmaus Team Meeting

2006-02-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Emmaus Road core team has been meeting together every other Thursday evening to discuss the church plant and to pray together. It's been so neat to see the team grow! Two other core team families meet with us via speaker phone.

Prayer Request: Peter Tighe is going to be starting a job in Denver this coming Tuesday. Jan and kiddos will be staying in NP until their house sells. Please pray for them during this whole process!

Pictured here is the team that met last night...
Jeff and Tara Kautz, Kris and Natalie Cheek, Peter (taking photo :) and Jan Tighe, Brandon and Michelle Brinker.

Guess What?

2006-02-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

God's not the only one who loves you...Happy Valentine's Day! Thinking of all our precious family and friends on this day of luv...

I've been studying the fruit of the Spirit and how appropriate that this week would be on the first fruit talked about in Galatians 5:22-23... Agape Love. This type of love is not fueled by the desire of its recipient; it is fueled by the need. "For God so loved (agape) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him sould not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). If God had done what man desired, we would surely be lost. Agape means God did what humanity most needed-He pursued in us that which was highest and best. (Living Beyond Yourself, Beth Moore) Agape is the love of God expressed through us to others. Agape someone today :)

Boulder Team in Omaha, NE

2006-02-12T19:52:00.000-08:00

Several of the Boulder Team members were able to travel to Omaha, NE to meet with one of the newest Berean Church plants, Steadfast Bible Fellowship. It was a wonderful time getting to know their core team and talking with them about the beginning two years of their church plant.

We (Jeff & Tara and Brandon & Michelle Brinker) left on friday evening and met up Kris & Natalie Cheek and Josh & Julie Luse in Omaha. We had a great time sharing our personal testimonies and continuing to get to know one another better.

Saturday morning the team met at Panera Bread and talked about the vision and the model of discipleship for Emmaus Road. The team then met with Matt and Catherine Shada, the pastor of Steadfast Bible Fellowship, and had some time to get to know them better. That evening we met at the Shada's home with SBF's core leadership team. It was so encouraging to hear them share their journey in church planting. They had so much great information for us to think about.

Sunday we attended the SBF's morning service. They are currently meeting in a middle school and their team is doing a awesome job! It was neat to see all the Lord is doing in Omaha.

Thanks to all our family who helped with the boys this weekend! We couldn't do it without your support and prayers.

Josiah Pics

2006-02-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

Kristopher Pics

2006-02-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

Family Picture

2006-02-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2006, Centennial, WY

Jeff, Tara, Kristopher (3 yrs.) Josiah (23 months)

Dad (George) & Mom (Jan) Cheek
Jeff, Tara, Kristopher, & Josiah Kautz
Kris, Natalie, Taylor Cheek

baby bloggers...

2006-02-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the world of blogging with the Kautz's! Jeff and I are excited to keep all our friends and family up-to-date with our latest happenings through this blog site. Just to bring you up to speed...

In January of 2005, we began to feel like the Lord was calling us to change. We really didn’t know what that would be but we felt that our first step should be to get out of consumer debt. We decided to sell our home and use the profit for that purpose. With the exception of school loans, we are debt free and it has been a freeing step of obedience! After our March trip to Peru, we were approached with the opportunity to be on a Berean Church planting team. After prayerful consideration we decided to move with the team to Boulder, Colorado, one of the top ten unchurched cities in the US. The move will take place in June, 2006 or when Jeff finds a job in the area. Only God knows what the highlights of 2006 will be and we are Believing God for His best!

In the upcoming months we will have more information about the Emmaus Road Church Plant. Let us know if you would like to be on our prayer support list!