Catching Up

SO.

It's been awhile. I'll attribute my lengthy absence mostly to sick kids. This last bout of illness was a difficult one.

Poor Will was sick for 9 days!!


And Richie fell ill shortly after I took the video highlighted in my last post.


Seriously, how pathetic do they look here?


We have had sickness in our house for about a month now. It started here when I said a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY stupid thing.

On top of the sickness we have had some really bad weather as well. Our school district has missed 8 days of school due to snow and/or ice.

Spring, anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Thankfully we were able to procure some antibiotics and were feeling better in time for a visit from some of our dearest friends from college. Mark and Beth were our first neighbors as a married couple. We lived next door to each other in married student housing and became great friends. I wish I could show you pictures of our little 400 square foot apartment. My favorite feature was that I could vacuum the whole place without unplugging the vacuum cleaner. My least favorite feature was the puke green carpet. And we had only ONE drawer in the whole kitchen! Let's just say we learned to be really creative with our utensil storage.

Yet, we really look back on those days with fondness. Especially the times spent with Mark and Beth playing cards, watching movies, sharing dinner, going for coffee, etc. That was almost 12 years ago and we still keep in touch and try to see each other often.

Things have changed a bit for the four of us since those carefree days. Our family has increased by two children and theirs has increased by four! So, our little get together this past week was a quite lively with six kids running around, especially since we were iced in for their entire visit! However all of the essential elements were still present...food, games, coffee, laughter and good company. Here's some pictorial evidence...

The Grown-ups

The kiddos
(Riley, Richie, Hannah, Alana
Will and Emory)

The Entertainment (PS2 Star Wars Lego Game)

The newest addition to their family

This was our first time meeting little Emory. And let me just say that if I end up "with child" in the next few months you can blame it all on this little guy...isn't he the cutest thing? I couldn't stop squeezing him. Especially those cheeks.

Well, that is a little bit of what we've been up to. I'm really behind on my blog reading, but I hope to catch up with you guys soon!

He's Going to Hate Me For This One Day

I had to share this video of Richie giving God some "serious" praise. If you watch long enough you'll see one of my favorite parts...when Will comes through dribbling a basket like a soccer ball.

This is the stuff of life.

May we all praise HIM with such enthusiasm.

HE IS WORTHY!

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."
Psalm 95:1

Winning Isn't Everything

That title is for those of you who didn't win. So sorry friends, but thanks for playing.

And the winner is...

(drum roll, please!)

Darlene@Have You Seen My Keys?

Congratulations Darlene!! Email me your mailing address and I'll get it to you asap!

For the rest of you I have a consolation prize. The two lists of songs I promised you!

15 Worship Songs Downloaded to My iTunes From Your Suggestions

(If your suggestion was not chosen, I either already had it downloaded or...didn't like it. I'll never tell.)

1) Mighty To Save - Hillsong
2) Our God Saves - Paul Baloche
3) 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus - Casting Crowns
4) Yearn - Shane and Shane
5) Praise to the Lord the Almighty - Travis Cottrell
6) East to West - Casting Crowns
7) Everything Glorious - David Crowder Band
8) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Chris Rice
9) God of This City - Chris Tomlin
10) O, For A Thousand Tongues - David Crowder Band
11) Hosanna - Christy Nockels
12) God of Our Yesterdays - Matt Redman
13) Glory Revealed - Candi Pearson-Shelton
14) So High - Candi Pearson-Shelton
15) Freedom Reigns - Rita Springer

AND

And 15 of My Favorite Worship Songs Currently in My iTunes

1) Sing to the King - Candi Pearson-Shelton
2) Praise You in the Storm - Casting Crowns
3) When Did You Fall - Chris Rice (technically not a worship song, but I love it)
4) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
5) Take My Life (And Let It Be) - Chris Tomlin
6) Legacy - Nichole Nordeman
7) I Am - Nichole Nordeman
8) One Pure and Holy Passion - Passion
9) He's Always Been Faithful - Sara Groves
10) Pure - Gateway Worship
11) Rescue - Desperation Band
12) Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? - Elijah Thompson, Keith Kutcha, and Various Artists
13) Nothing But the Blood - Matt Redman
14) Wonderful Maker - Chris Tomlin
15) Break Our Hearts - Shelley Nirider

Well, that about wraps it up. I'm going to close this now so I can celebrate this evening with my Valentine! He got a bad rep in that last post, but he really is a keeper.

The Big 2-0-0

This is my 200th post. No worries, I don't plan to bore you with 200 things about me. But, if you want, you could read these 100 things about me twice, which would be 200 things about me, just not 200 different things.

SO.

I've decided to host a GIVEAWAY. Don't get super excited, it is not terribly impressive. But, it's not too shabby either. Remember a few posts back when I was having some issues with my decision-making and you guys were so very gracious in offering up your ideas for songs that I could download with my iTunes card? Well, I just happen to have an extra $15 iTunes card hanging around (more about why in a bit) and I've decided to give it away to one of you!

So now you are wondering why I have a $15 iTunes card just hanging around? Well, it's kind of a funny story in a retrospective kind of way. That is, in retrospect, it is funny. At the time? NOT SO MUCH.

It all started on a blustery and cold December morning as we were preparing to travel to my home for the Christmas holiday. All the presents were purchased, wrapped, and packed tidily in a box ready for Christmas morning. I worked all morning packing everything that we needed for our trip. Clothes? Check. Toiletries? Check. Snacks? Check. Camera? Check. I packed everything in the suitcases, and Rich's job was to pack everything into the car. Just like always. We do it every year at least once a year. We are a well-oiled machine.

(Fast forward 3 1/2 hours down the road and halfway through our trip)

We are driving along, bopping along to some Christmas music, merrily anticipating a very holly, jolly Christmas when, in passing, I mentioned something about presents. It is a common word brought up around that time of year, but rarely does it meet with such a reaction. I look over to a blank, horrified stare on my husband's face.

Me: What? (still smiling and bopping)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: Oh...NO! (bopping stops, my own look of horror appears)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: Oh no, you DIDN'T! PLEASE TELL ME YOU DIDN'T! (horror turning to anger and disbelief...definitely no bopping)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: YOU FORGOT THE PRESENTS??? (full-blown anger and disbelief)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

Me: I gave you ONE THING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND YOU FORGOT THE PRESENTS?????????? (face red, eyes growing large, veins bulging out of my head)

Rich: (Blank, horrified stare)

I think you get the picture. He forgot to pack that neat tidy box of presents into the car!!!!!

I'm afraid I was in no way gracious about his mistake.

Let's just say it wasn't pretty.

We ended up spending Christmas Eve buying replacement presents for everyone so that we would have something to offer on Christmas morning. It was very unfortunate.

But let us not dwell on the past.

The good news is...our loss is now your gain because the iTunes card I was going to give my niece (she did get one, just not that one) for Christmas did not make it to Indiana and so lies in wait here for this blessed giveaway!

So, here's what you have to do. It's easy. Leave a comment (with an email address so that I can reach you if you win). I'll use the random number generator to choose a winner and announce it here on Thursday, February 14th, aka Valentines' Day. Because it is the holiday of love and I love my husband in spite of this unfortunate incident.

I'll also post on that day the 15 songs I purchased with my iTunes card (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) AND my top 15 favorites currently in my iTunes account. Just for kicks.

I Got Nothin'

I got nothin' you guys. Which is probably a very good reason to be writing nothin', but I feel compelled to write as it has been awhile since my last post. I really feel like I should have SOMETHIN' to say. I guess I could bore you with the minute details of my life (and I still might), but first I thought it would be fun to spend entirely too much time just talking about the fact that I have nothing to say, which ironically actually is something. Did you notice that I switched from nothin' and somethin' to nothing and something in that last sentence? Leaving off the "g" was really starting to get to me. I feel much better now. It's the rule follower in me.

Phew. And now I feel the need to apologize for the literary assault that was that last paragraph.

SO. I had possibly the worst migraine EVER yesterday afternoon. And I've had some doozies. And yes, I just said doozies. Any other migraine sufferers out there? My pain is the worst in the corner of my eye (the corner closest to my nose...right at the bottom of my brow bone). I wish I could figure out what is causing these headaches because they are getting more frequent and more painful. Anyone have any sage advice or remedies? I'll try anything. Just please don't tell me it is from too much blogging, sugar, or caffeine. Okay, maybe not anything...just miracle cures and easy fixes, please. And thank you.

Today we took a much needed family day. We have not been doing a great job of connecting with each other so it was nice to get away from the "to do" lists, the computers, the TV, etc. and just enjoy each others company. We ate lunch here and then took a trip to our local nature center. We thought it was a little chilly for a hike, but we really enjoyed viewing all of the indoor features. I love to view nature through the eyes of my children. Their wonder awakens wonder in me.

This evening I had the pleasure of attending a book swap (brilliant idea) at this friend's house. Can I just say that I like this friend a lot? And she has great taste in books. I have a feeling she'll post a little something about the evening in her blog before too long so I'll try not to spoil it. However, I will tell you that I went to the swap with this book, this book, and this book (a few of my favorites) and returned home with this book, this book, and this book. I'm excited to read them all, but before I can start on those, I need to finish one that I've already started!

In fact, I'm off to do that now!

Birthday Celebration - Take 2

Well, I am happy to report that this week when my friends went out to celebrate my birthday...

I was able to go with them!

Unlike LAST week when I was sick in bed willing myself to die. You might think that last bit was sarcasm. Not so much.

But let us not dwell on the past.

When asked what I would like to do to celebrate my birthday, I said, "How about dinner and a movie?". Because I am exciting, DARING, and OH SO ADVENTUROUS! Call me dull, but that really is my idea of a perfect evening out.

We dined here. Because if there was nothing else on the menu...I would go there solely for the chips and salsa. But recently I have come to love their Boneless Shanghai Wings. The best part? They are served with carrots so...you know...that cancels out the fact that they are deep fried and drenched in a decadent glaze. Don't even bother telling me otherwise or else I'll just put my fingers in my ears and say "What? What was that? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

After dinner, some great conversation, and present opening (hee hee) we convened to the movie theater for a very fun chick flick. I laughed out loud MANY times. And enjoyed the happy (albeit predictable) ending.

Well, I don't know about you , but that's about all the excitement I can stand to report in one night. But for all you visual types, here's a picture...


And I'll just have you know that these are some of THE BEST friends a girl could ever have!

"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family."
Proverbs 18:24 (The Message)

Snow Day - A More Eloquent Version

Unfortunately, this new eloquent version is not be me. It's by my husband.

Not only can he write, he creates beautiful art, designs incredibly amazing logos, and is a serious smarty pants (he did get a perfect score).

He's just too talented and smart for his own good, but don't tell him I said so. I wouldn't want him getting a big head or anything.