31 YEARS

Well, today I turned the big 31! So to recognize this special event in my life I decided to make a list of 31 slightly random things about me! Here it goes:

1. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with an incredible family!


2. I have an amazing circle of friends!


3. I love decaf. iced coffees (mochas or hazelnuts flavors are my favorites)! Thanks, Corey for the yummy one this morning!


4. I was born in Hawaii, but was pretty little when I left--so I would LOVE to go back and visit!


5. I am totally interested in crafty things, but have yet to really figure out things like a sewing machine!


6. I enjoy photography, especially taking pictures of people.


7. I am a BIG fan of shows like Top Chef, Project Runway, Amazing Race...mmmm...reality TV! :)


8. I thoroughly enjoy cooking--trying new dishes, chopping things finely, using interesting ingredients...it is just fun to me!


9. Reading cookbooks or food magazines is also a fun past time for me.


10. I really love it when someone else volunteers to clean up the kitchen and wipe everything down when I am finished cooking! Hint, hint--Corey! :)


11. I love to read children's books TO children! Nathan and now Kate and I really enjoy trips to the library or reading in their bedrooms during the day or right before bedtime.


12. I "heart" The Office!


13. ...and possibly Parks and Recreation...just kinda checking it out now!


14. Favorite ice cream: Coffee


15. Favorite chocolate: dark


16. Favorite candy: gummy bears (must be "Haribo" brand, though!)


17. Love Dr. Pepper!


18. Really love hanging out with Corey--talking, watching movies, Nightline or The Office, reading blogs or other fun things together.


19. Watching my kids accomplish new things is one of my greatest joys in life!


20. I LOVE it when, just out of the blue, Nathan will tell me, "Mom...I love you!" Melts my heart...!


21. Kate's kisses get me everytime!


22. Favorite chore: Sweeping


23. Least favorite chore: Putting clean clothes away


24. Dusting comes is my second least favorite...since we are on the subject.


25. I enjoy board games.


26. I sincerely like talking about Youth Ministry with Corey.


27. I do not have a "green thumb".


28. I have a fetish with pillows and sleep with 3 of them on my side of the bed. :)


29. I love grocery shopping...anyone else out there?!


30. It usually rains on my birthday, but hasn't yet today!


31. I am going to make Proverbs 31 my passage for this year!

The Good O-Meter

So, I was just reading a "new blog to me" courtesy of a recommendation from a good friend and I stumbled onto this great video clip (read her thoughts on the video-here-) that works with some of what we were discussing in our small group session tonight. Vicki Courtney is an author and speaker from the Austin area and if you have the chance to check out some of her stuff...well...you should! :)

I Scream! You Scream! We All Scream for ICE CREAM!

Springtime fun!

A few pictures from the other night at church with sweet friends--Anna-Claire and Cole. Nathan is getting easier to take pictures of and Kate has entered the L-O-N-G stage of tricky photography!

Out of the mouth of a child

The week before Easter, Nathan (3 1/2) had the opportunity to hear the Easter story from his Sunday School teachers, his MDO teachers and at home.

After MDO the Tuesday before Easter we were headed to church for a special evening service. As we walked up the parking lot into the church, Nathan shared with me what he had learned at MDO that day.

Nathan: Some guys took Jesus away because they thought he was a bad guy, but he really wasn't. Then, they took his clothes off (and that wasn't nice) and he died on the cross. He died on the cross for our sins.

Me: Yeah, all of the bad choices we make.

Nathan: They put him in a cave, but he didn't stay in the cave. He's alive!

Me: Jesus loves us so much!

Nathan: Yeah! Hey, daddy...Jesus loves us so much doesn't he?!

Just retaining that much of the story from that morning at school amazes me. I am so grateful for loving Christians adults in Nathan's life. You never know what children pick up on (even if it looks like they might not be listening)!

"I Wanna Be A Cowboy..."

At Mother's Day Out last Tuesday the Three year old room kiddos all came to school dressed as little cowboys and cowgirls. This is our little cowboy...

California

Corey and I had the opportunity to go to a PDYM (Purpose Driven Youth Ministry) Conference at Saddleback Community Church out in California together! The conference was great, different than most conferences that I have ever attended and one that I truly enjoyed. It was also GREAT to spend time with Corey (just the two of us). While we were out in Southern California we had the chance to meet up with some really good friends of ours that are actually doing a church plant in Temecula, CA (moved there from Texas about a year ago). Keep this couple, Matt and Sharon, in your prayers as they are fully relying on God and all that He has planned for their church-Ridgeline Community Church.
We also took a couple of mini excursions around the area-visiting Hollywood, downtown LA, drove along Pacific Coast Highway 1 (stopping to take a walk on the beach) and shopping and dining around the Laguna Beach area (which was SO beautiful). Even while we were in traffic, Corey and I had such a good time together. It was nice to be able to talk to each other. I thank God for our relationship and cannot believe that this summer we will celebrate our 9th year of marriage.