Today he surprised me with real florist flowers delivered right to my door (this hasn't happened often in our marriage)! It was a treat!
Happy Anniversary Mark! I love you!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
Four years and it feels like it's been forever... in the best of ways! It's really hard to remember my life before being married to Mark. He has been the best friend I could ever imagine and it really gets better and better every day.
Today he surprised me with real florist flowers delivered right to my door (this hasn't happened often in our marriage)! It was a treat!
Happy Anniversary Mark! I love you!
Today he surprised me with real florist flowers delivered right to my door (this hasn't happened often in our marriage)! It was a treat!
Happy Anniversary Mark! I love you!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Fun Travels
There are two things that I really love about traveling. I really love to meet new people. We met a few nice couples while we were in Hilton Head. I also really love seeing funny things that you would not normally see.
Here are two funny pictures from our trip...
And of course a naked person statue in the middle of a pond. Why not?
In the same shopping plaza as the naked statue, we visited the Piggly Wiggly. You know how there are signs above each aisle that say what is down that aisle? Well, Mark was too embarrassed to let me take a picture but one of the signs read, "butt wipes." Again, why?
Here are two funny pictures from our trip...
A stuffed deer hiney...really??
And of course a naked person statue in the middle of a pond. Why not?In the same shopping plaza as the naked statue, we visited the Piggly Wiggly. You know how there are signs above each aisle that say what is down that aisle? Well, Mark was too embarrassed to let me take a picture but one of the signs read, "butt wipes." Again, why?
Anniversary/Baby-moon
This past weekend we went to Hilton Head for our 4 year anniversary and what a friend referred to as our "baby-moon." Our last little trip with just the two of us!
We really enjoyed our time away and look forward to more vacations in the future, although very soon our vacations will be much different. However, I think we may take a hint from our family members Joel and Misty and try to get off by ourselves occassionally too! Mark has already said "Our vacation is to be continued..."
We enjoyed our time in Hilton Head since we had the pool all to ourselves...
and the beach too!
The weather wasn't the greatest beach weather but we made the best of it. We walked the beach in the rain and collected lots of sea shells. We also went on a alligator hunt. Mark took lots of good pictures of the wildlife, while I tried my best to stay far, far away.
Looks like postcard quality to me!
We ate at several good restuarants and enjoyed some time in Harbor Town listening to Greg Russell and picturing Caroline there singing in a couple of years. Greg Russell has played in Hilton Head every summer night for the past 33 years. He mostly plays music for kids, although the adults enjoy it too.
We really enjoyed our time away and look forward to more vacations in the future, although very soon our vacations will be much different. However, I think we may take a hint from our family members Joel and Misty and try to get off by ourselves occassionally too! Mark has already said "Our vacation is to be continued..."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Stupid Tests!
This is my face in the midst of several tests that I took tonight.
As you can see, I'm not very happy about these tests! I applied SEVERAL months ago for a position as an administrative assistant to a youth pastor at a church. After waiting weeks, I was called in for an interview. A few weeks later I called and asked for an update. They then asked for some references. A couple of weeks later, I called to check up again. They then sent me a link to this website, proveit.com. I had to take 3 tests, one on Microsoft Word, one on Microsoft Excel and another on "basic office" stuff. I must say I have never felt so slow or stupid in my life! Although I felt really stupid, I passed every test with flying colors. Mark says my 87% may not be considered flying colors but I digress. I only consider them flying colors because the global average was 70%. At least I'm smarter than the average bear and I'm consistent with an 87% on each one of the three tests!
I sure hope that they will review my measly 87% and get back to me sooner rather than later. I had hoped that if I did get the job I would be able to get in and get settled before Caroline arrives but I'm beginning to think Caroline may be here before a decision will be made! Obviously, they need an admin to keep them on track!!
As you can see, I'm not very happy about these tests! I applied SEVERAL months ago for a position as an administrative assistant to a youth pastor at a church. After waiting weeks, I was called in for an interview. A few weeks later I called and asked for an update. They then asked for some references. A couple of weeks later, I called to check up again. They then sent me a link to this website, proveit.com. I had to take 3 tests, one on Microsoft Word, one on Microsoft Excel and another on "basic office" stuff. I must say I have never felt so slow or stupid in my life! Although I felt really stupid, I passed every test with flying colors. Mark says my 87% may not be considered flying colors but I digress. I only consider them flying colors because the global average was 70%. At least I'm smarter than the average bear and I'm consistent with an 87% on each one of the three tests!
I sure hope that they will review my measly 87% and get back to me sooner rather than later. I had hoped that if I did get the job I would be able to get in and get settled before Caroline arrives but I'm beginning to think Caroline may be here before a decision will be made! Obviously, they need an admin to keep them on track!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Pride vs. Prayer
Sometimes God really opens the curtains (lifts the fog, turns on the light, blows my nose, whatever) and lets me see what He's been trying to get me to understand for some time. I was talking to Nicole about something Sunday morning and got upset. The goal of our time together at that point was so that we could pray together about our family. But as I sat there, I couldn't pray. It didn't feel right. I didn't feel honest about praying at that point. Later last night, God showed me why.
When I go out and play in the mud, I get mud all over my shoes and my jeans and maybe even my shirt. Imagine me walking into God's house to have a conversation with Him with all of that mud everywhere. I would feel like I was dirty-ing up God's house by bringing the mess from my life to God. That's sort of what I felt like. As a guy who is certainly sinful, I wanted the opportunity to try to clean up somewhat before coming to Christ. I wanted to show Him that I knew that I was muddy and sinful and that I wanted to attempt to clean myself as a way of showing God that I knew about how I'd messed up.
I think I was letting pride prevent me from communicating with my God, who I'm quite sure would welcome me with open arms, angry or not, muddy or pristine. God knows where I've failed Him and wants me to turn to Him daily. I'm still learning what it means to follow Christ. I suppose that's another post. I'm going to try to remember that God doesn't mind if I track in mud, as long as I'm headed in to see Him!
When I go out and play in the mud, I get mud all over my shoes and my jeans and maybe even my shirt. Imagine me walking into God's house to have a conversation with Him with all of that mud everywhere. I would feel like I was dirty-ing up God's house by bringing the mess from my life to God. That's sort of what I felt like. As a guy who is certainly sinful, I wanted the opportunity to try to clean up somewhat before coming to Christ. I wanted to show Him that I knew that I was muddy and sinful and that I wanted to attempt to clean myself as a way of showing God that I knew about how I'd messed up.
I think I was letting pride prevent me from communicating with my God, who I'm quite sure would welcome me with open arms, angry or not, muddy or pristine. God knows where I've failed Him and wants me to turn to Him daily. I'm still learning what it means to follow Christ. I suppose that's another post. I'm going to try to remember that God doesn't mind if I track in mud, as long as I'm headed in to see Him!
Sharp Top Cove
This past weekend Mark, me, Lindsay, Brad and our friends John and Lauren all went up to Sharp Top Cove, a Young Life camp in Jasper, GA. The camp is beautiful and holds a sweet spot in my heart. Although I no longer work for Young Life, I still love the ministry and am so grateful for the people who make Young Life happen. We attended a family camp weekend. While most of the people there had kids and we don't it was still a great weekend. I was so thankful that the thunderstorms held off so that we could play outside.
There were a couple of things that really stood out to me this weekend....
1) This weekend made me so excited to have little Caroline here. Sometimes it's hard for me to think about having a family because I realize that our life will be so different. Mark and I have created our own life together, our own routines and our own friends. We don't spend a ton of time with other families that have young children so it's hard to imagine what it will be like. Seeing all of the families interact this weekend and getting to hang out with the little kids was so much fun!! Mark and I both love children and it is really fun to get to play with them and care for them. I am especially excited when I get to see Mark hanging out with little kids. Friday night there were just a few of us standing outside the dining hall when a little boy that we had never met, went up to Mark and said, "Hi, Mark. Will you play tag with me?!?" It was the sweetest/funniest thing ever. As I said, we did not know this little boy but he wanted to play so he read Mark's name off of his name tag and asked him to play! Mark was quite the sport and chased him around for several minutes. I am really excited about Caroline being here and being able to love her, teach her and play with her together!
2) I also thought a lot about our priorities this weekend. Seeing all of the families interact, made me think about the things that are important in our life. I hope that our family will continue to seek after God, to pray, read Scripture, and go to church together. I hope that we will place a high value on laughter, serving others, and adventure (Mark did the Quantum Leap-he climbed a large telephone poll and then jumped off). We were able to witness and experience many of those things this weekend.
3) While those are some of the priorities in our life, I was also reminded how important it is to surround yourself with others who are like minded. If we are to continue on this path, we need others to support and encourage us and some wiser families to help us along in the rough patches.
Several times throughout the weekend we would see one parent ask another parent or a child, "Have you seen my son/daughter?" My initial reaction is always, "Oh no, your kid is missing." However, after spending a great deal of time at Young Life camps you realize a couple of things. First, camp is camp. Yes, it is in the moutains and there are lots of trees/forests around but in reality they are not going to get too far away. More importantly, there are so so many loving folks around. More than likely your child is being loved on and entertained by another adult or some new friends. In church when children are baptized we promise to support and encourage them as they grow up. I believe that this happens in the church but it is so clearly evident in little moments throughout a weekend at camp! It's neat to see children trusting other adults and the relationships that are built. Being a family is not a time to seclude yourself and be alone but a time to value the love and relationships all around.
I am really thankful for a sweet weekend and for time with good friends/family!
There were a couple of things that really stood out to me this weekend....
1) This weekend made me so excited to have little Caroline here. Sometimes it's hard for me to think about having a family because I realize that our life will be so different. Mark and I have created our own life together, our own routines and our own friends. We don't spend a ton of time with other families that have young children so it's hard to imagine what it will be like. Seeing all of the families interact this weekend and getting to hang out with the little kids was so much fun!! Mark and I both love children and it is really fun to get to play with them and care for them. I am especially excited when I get to see Mark hanging out with little kids. Friday night there were just a few of us standing outside the dining hall when a little boy that we had never met, went up to Mark and said, "Hi, Mark. Will you play tag with me?!?" It was the sweetest/funniest thing ever. As I said, we did not know this little boy but he wanted to play so he read Mark's name off of his name tag and asked him to play! Mark was quite the sport and chased him around for several minutes. I am really excited about Caroline being here and being able to love her, teach her and play with her together!
2) I also thought a lot about our priorities this weekend. Seeing all of the families interact, made me think about the things that are important in our life. I hope that our family will continue to seek after God, to pray, read Scripture, and go to church together. I hope that we will place a high value on laughter, serving others, and adventure (Mark did the Quantum Leap-he climbed a large telephone poll and then jumped off). We were able to witness and experience many of those things this weekend.
3) While those are some of the priorities in our life, I was also reminded how important it is to surround yourself with others who are like minded. If we are to continue on this path, we need others to support and encourage us and some wiser families to help us along in the rough patches.
Several times throughout the weekend we would see one parent ask another parent or a child, "Have you seen my son/daughter?" My initial reaction is always, "Oh no, your kid is missing." However, after spending a great deal of time at Young Life camps you realize a couple of things. First, camp is camp. Yes, it is in the moutains and there are lots of trees/forests around but in reality they are not going to get too far away. More importantly, there are so so many loving folks around. More than likely your child is being loved on and entertained by another adult or some new friends. In church when children are baptized we promise to support and encourage them as they grow up. I believe that this happens in the church but it is so clearly evident in little moments throughout a weekend at camp! It's neat to see children trusting other adults and the relationships that are built. Being a family is not a time to seclude yourself and be alone but a time to value the love and relationships all around.
I am really thankful for a sweet weekend and for time with good friends/family!
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