Tired And Stessed With 6 Weeks To Go!

I have to admit, other than the first trimester, I have felt fabulous! I have done a great job keeping my weight down too. I saw my Dr. on the 31st and have gained 14 lbs total! That is such a far cry from when I was pregnant with Morgan and stopped looking and counting at 50 lbs! I had some lower back pain (which is actually my hips) and went for some physical therapy. She was awesome and completely relieved my pain. Up until a couple weeks ago, I felt really great. However, Kyle has been gone 19 days since 21st of October and being a single parent and pregnant has finally caught up with me. I am exhausted. We are also officially moving into our new house this Friday! Needless to say, I have had a full plate, between being a mom and planning this move. I am also going to be in a wedding next weekend. So if anyone is reading this, please pray for me and my family!

Weekend Getaway...What Every Mom Needs!

This past weekend I flew out to Cleveland to be 1/2 of a surprize for my friend's bridal shower. I had been tossing the idea around for too long as to whether or not I was going to splurge and go after buying the house and plane tickets/hotel room for the wedding. With a little nudge from a fellow friend and bridesmaid, I decided I had better go. I mean afterall if the tables were turned I would have been a little bummed if 2 of my 4 bridesmaids couldn't have made it. Carol, another bridesmaid, who lives in North Carolina also decided to finally come and she made up the other 1/2 of the surprize. So my adventure began really Thursday night with the dropping of the "goods" (i.e. Morgan) off to my parents. We usually always meet 1/2 way to make the exchange and normally 1/2 way would be an hour and half at most, but this trip took 2 hours! Needless to say we got exchanged and back home in time for Kyle not to have missed too much of the cubs game (in which they would finally blow all 3!).

After a hectic morning of getting laundry finished so I would have enough clothes to wear (and a couple options) and finally packing everything, I was off to the airport to catch my flight. I had two bags.....why two? One of the bags had my aerobed, sheets, and a pillow b/c I knew there would be 5 girls and two beds - I wanted to make sure I had a comfy one in my condition! The flight was uneventful and honestly, I forgot how fast it is to get there. Once I got there, I met up with one of my girlfriends who had also flown in from being gone all week and we headed home. It was a nice time of catching up, and laughter that was much overdue for me! And that night I went to bed (not really sleeping) thanking the Lord for his love and such a nice time.

Saturday we got up and hung out for a while before finally getting ready and making arrangements for how we were going to meet Gina for lunch and surprize her. It wasn't easy and without drama and a mild heartattack for Tanya, who had worked so hard to pull it off. So Tanya, Jen and I met Carol at a gas station close to the restaurant we were going to eat at. I hopped out of the car and got in with Carol in her car and waited for the okay to come to the restaurant. We were as giddy as could be. Once we got to the restaurant we scoped out where the girls were and planned our entrance. Then finally we stood up and casually walked down the aisle towards their table, eyes fixed on Gina! Her face and expression was worth a million words! She was in such shock and disbelief all the drama and planning had paid off.

We had a great time eatting and then we went to the spa for our little girls time before the wedding day and then to Gina's house to enjoy our most favorite thing to do....girls night in! We had a blast and were up until I believe nearly 1 am! We had so much fun. We all got great places to sleep and I thought I was going to be just great, until 3 am when I realized I was on the floor instead of a pillow of air! There must have been a small hole in my bed. I ended up pumping that darn thing up 2 more times that night and of course heard about it the next morning!

Gina's shower was great and I couldn't imagine being surrounded by a better group of friends and family than hers! She and Brent got so many wonderful things - they really made out well! It was such a good time and an even more relaxing evening.

The next morning Gina and her mom and I went out for breakfast before seeing me off to my plane. It was wonderful. God was so faithful to calm my nerves about leaving Morgan and being with the girls and being able to enjoy the time. My flight home though was a little rough, but thankfully God had found me a seat next to another believer. She and I got to talking about the last 20 mins or so about our bible studies and so on. During that time we experienced a whole lot of turbulance and the plane was all over for some reason. Before I knew it I was so hot and couldn't get cooled down, and then the spitty taste in my mouth came. Next thing I knew I was rummaging for the paper bag and throwing up like crazy! I was a little shocked as it takes a lot to make me sick, but I imagine it was b/c I was pregnant that it happened. The lady was so wonderful to me. She was fanning me one minute and rubbing my back the next as I was getting sick! She was truly an angel! She didn't even leave my side until we got down to baggage claim.

All in all I had such a great time and trip. And I felt so refreshed, despite my lack of sleep for the weekend, when I got home. I think that every mom needs a little girls time of r & r to re-energize after such a nice trip!

What We Have Been Doing This Summer - Part II

ARTS & CRAFTS ADDITION
Shortly after the ladies opening day, Lindsay, our assistant’s wife and I began hammering away on a new addition to the camp program, the arts & crafts. Little did we know, how much work and preparation it would be. The camp was 9 weeks long, 4 days a week. We made themes for each week and had specific projects planned out. We had over 40 campers each week, split into two, one hour sections. We had the younger kids from ages 3 to an early 6 and then from a late 6 to 10. By the first week, we realized what our campers would be able to do and what they would not be able to do. We had no idea that 3 and 4 year olds did not know how to use scissors!!! And so, we became really nervous about the projects we had planned for the entire summer, which we ended up changing some, and others we decided to prep by cutting out materials (which took hours). We also went shopping each week for our supplies. This made it easier to plan, but the trade off was, every other weekend, one of us would be shopping for the supplies – not having much of a weekend to relax. Then at times we would have to run during the week for extra supplies for campers added or things we weren’t able to get. It took up our lives for those 9 weeks. We certainly had our ups and downs throughout the camp and learned to manage difficult children and reward good behavior. We were never so happy to see the last day of camp come! It was a handful for us, but in the end, the arts and crafts was the most liked program for camp this year. I am starting to plan now for next year and would love any ideas you may have!

SMALL GROUP
On a personal note, I had to temporarily withdraw from my small group. This was very upsetting to me, b/c it had been the one thing I looked forward to doing every week. But it was just too difficult to try and balance all the craziness of the summer in my life with trying to find someone to watch Morgan or plan on whether or not Kyle would be home to watch her. Plus I was still recovering from the nausea, and generally felt my worst in the evening. Thankfully, I am back and enjoying being part of the group again.

THE STORM OF THE CENTURY
As the culmination of camp came, so we were able to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak with the winding down of a very full golf season. Even though everyone on staff was looking forward to less crazed days, we never expected the weather we had in August. It was the worst month we could have imagined. The weather was shaky to begin with, with lots of rain that closed to course frequently, not to mention the huge storm we had. I can’t remember specifically the date, but it was a Thursday afternoon and we knew there was going to be some active weather coming. However, I don’t know how seriously we took it, just b/c every time it was supposed to rain during the season, we would somehow not get hit. But this storm changed the course of the season. It came so quick and left equally as quick. The sky was getting very black and our caddie master had just come in to tell us a tornado had touched down about 45 mins away and coming at about 80 –90 mph our direction. I debated whether or not to go get Morgan and bring her back to the club, b/c there was no way I would have gotten home in time. Before I knew it, it was raining and the wind had picked up, and within seconds the storm was upon us. The huge picture windows in the shop were moving in and out violently and in anticipation that they were going to break, everyone ran to kyle’s office (aka the bomb shelter, b/c there are no windows and it is a very small room in the very back of the shop). It lasted about 15 mins and I believe winds were about 90 mph. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen. Trees were everywhere and water was standing all over the course. I wanted to leave and get Morgan as soon as it passed, but there was a down power line at the back gate and about 5 trees lying across the main entrance. I tried to call the daycare, but the phone lines were down and power was out everywhere. Eventually, I was able to make it to the daycare in time. As I drove home I couldn’t believe the damage all over. The weather was pretty shaky the rest of the night too. The result from this storm of the century, was the eventual closing of the back nine of the golf course for the remainder of the season. Sadly, it has also hurt our business in the golf shop, b/c we just don't have the traffic that we normally get. On the other hand, hopefully this will be the worst weather we will see in the 30 some years we plan to be at the club.

THE AFTERMATH AND FLOOD
By the next day the main entrance, b/c we have a major river running through the golf course up to the main entrance, was covered in water. Not just a little, a lot – to the point you couldn’t drive through it. We get flooding on the course frequently b/c we are near the end of this river. So as everyone else drys the water flows down to us. Although, we never get it to this extreme. The flooding of the entrance had happened one other time earlier in August, and had not happened before for over 35 years! The damage was unreal. All over surrounding suburbs was destruction – trees down everywhere, people without power for days to a week. Everyone seemed to be going through some degree of clean up. We heard about people’s basements flooding that had never flooded before. At home we had lost power. And during the 12 hours that it was out we learned about sump pumps. Evidently the sump pump works here for up to 6 hours on back up without power, thereafter it stops. We ended up with about 4 inches of water in our basement! And I discovered that we flooded when I went down to get a box – my tennis shoes were squishing! We lost a portion of the things we were storing downstairs. All Morgan’s clothes (which were in plastic boxes), her crib, our wedding album (even though it was up high, it fell because the boxes under it got too wet and collapsed), seasonal things, toys, and boxes my dad labeled, “Taylor’s Junk,” are a snap shot of things we had been storing down there. We were able to save a lot of things like Morgan’s clothes, the crib (thank God!), most of our wedding pictures, but the album was lost. We got rid of a lot of toys too. Oh, and yes some of those boxes that said Taylor’s Junk! Although, Kyle was hoping for more, I think he was happy to see some of it go! All our basement dwellings are now residing in the garage in anticipation of their new destination.

So this pretty much sums up my summer. I am so thankful that it is over on one hand, b/c the intensity of it all can certainly put a strain on life as a family, but on the other hand I have all this free time and not sure what to do with it. Although, Morgan and I stay somewhat busy during the fall and winter, it helps to have things to do each day to break up the monotony. More on our winter plans later!

Our New Home!

We had started our new home search back in the spring, but b/c of timing and wanting to save enough money to put a 20% down payment, we decided to table it until the fall, with the goal of moving early December. Initially we were searching near the club, but decided due to the price and what it would buy, we expanded our search further out. Once I had our realtor run a new search on some of the areas I was interested in, it didn’t take long for me to find a house that sparked my interest. It had 4 bedrooms (which is so hard to come by), and 2.5 baths. The interior pictures were awesome and it sat on a quarter acre, which also is hard to find. The price was well below what we were looking at. Of course, even though it is a buyers market, I wanted to see it before it was off the market. Since the golf course was shut down for about a week in August, we had some time to go look at some houses that weekend. We saw 5 of 9 houses we were interested in. Even though the house that drew me out right away to look at these houses was nice, I had mixed emotions about it. It was small, and the kitchen needed a major redo and to be honest, the basement scared me. On our tour of houses was one that Kyle really wasn’t interested in at first and I was only b/c I had seen interior pictures. He didn’t like the lack of curb appeal and I didn’t think the curb appeal was all that bad considering what we probably would have ended up with had we looked closer to the club. It is in need of some decent looking landscaping, but that is a process I am willing to do over time. Once we walked in though, I think we both got the same feeling about the house. It had a really nice flow to it, was nicely updated and had large bedrooms and nice use of space, plus b/c it was a ranch style house, everything was on one level. Having lived in a ranch house before, I have to say, I would take a nicely done ranch any day over any other style. So we mulled it over for the remainder of the weekend and on Wednesday of the next week, we decided to write an offer. We finally ended on a price that was, looking back, too good to be true. So much so that, a once previous bidder on the house contacted the seller and told them they would like to make a new much higher offer. Once I thought that we had a binding contract, I started getting emotionally attached. Our realtor called me over the weekend to tell me what was going on. We didn’t really worry about it because when we were in Ohio, no such thing could happen during a full executed contract. Well, not so in Illinois. There is this wonderful thing called a 5 day attorney review period, in which, either party can void the contract for any reason other than price and guess what they did come Tuesday (b/c Monday was labor day), they voided the contract based on the closing date. I can mostly only speak for myself, but Kyle too, was upset over the whole thing. I was really, really upset. Immediately Tuesday morning, when I found out this was going to happen, I got on realtor.com and re-searched through the houses our realtor had sent us through the mls. I couldn’t find anything that had sparked my interest. Even the house we initially went to see had gone under contract. And the more I thought about that house and what we had seen and what we were looking for, I realized we had more of a gem in that house than I had recognized prior. Of course our realtor called and I expressed my feelings to him. He told me that we could put in another offer, but that he thought we should see some more houses on that initial list to see how we truly felt about this house. That afternoon we went out and saw some more houses that were ranch style and another colonial that really looked nice from the pictures. It was nice in person too, but it sat on a corner of a busy street. I think we both realized that we really wanted the house we made that initial offer on. So we talked about it, and discussed what it would be worth, given what we had seen and the many amenities that the house had that were specifically appealing to us. That night at 10 pm we wrote another offer. By the next day in the afternoon we had heard from the seller that they were going to accept it and they did. We did meet them on their terms, but it is worth it to us, even though we feel what they did was wrong and unethical on the first offer. We closed today, which is also our 5 year anniversary! Although the closing didn't come easy, b/c some of the work that was to be done, did not meet our satisfaction. And there was a lack of meeting of the minds so to speak on what we had requested and what we thought was conveyed in our contract versus what they thought we had requested. Bottom line, we ended up getting a credit for most of an estimated amount on what it would cost to complete the job to our satisfaction. The house closed in 24 days! Needless to say we have been very, very busy meeting all the terms of the contract. We will not actually get possession of the house until October 22nd. The sellers are going to rent the house back from us for about 3 weeks. Which works fine with us b/c we have a lease here until December. We will not be moving in though until mid November. Kyle is going to be traveling on a golf trip, he’ll get back then all three of us will be gone for awhile, and finally in a couple more days, he will be gone again! I figure that will give me (or someone) time to paint the girl’s bedrooms, and with the help of some parents, move their bedroom furniture in and set that up. We plan to be moved in before we have to leave to go to Ohio for a wedding that I will be in – yes, at 8 months pregnant!!! Lots going on!

Picture Day!

Thought that I should post a picture I took of Morgan before I sent her to pre-school for her picture day yesterday. She doesn't like to do anything that mom wants her to do so, I really took advantage of this picture company coming in and doing the kid's pictures. I went out last Friday searching for just that perfect outfit for her. I figured I would spend a little more for such a precious occasion. I had found an outfit at gymboree that I really liked, but after trying it on her, it didn't not complement her at all. So I went back Saturday and found this cute outfit. They were having such a great sale~40% off, plus for every $50 spent you got $25 gymbucks to spend in October! I couldn't resist and besides she didn't have any nice clothes for fall/winter (mom and I had missed the sales in early spring for the winter clothes).

This company did her pictures last year and I was shocked at how nice they turned out. Probably one of my favorites of her. Kyle took her in to school that morning, and he said that she looked like Jon Bene Ramsey (minus the makeup) compared to the rest of the kids! I couldn't help but laugh, but there is no way she would ever let me go take her somewhere for a picture, so like I said, I really took advantage of picture day! By the way that is a bag of cheese crakers. Yes, I know! I suppose I would rather have her eat something than nothing at all, which is what she doesn't if I make her something good for her! Also, I requested that she stand by this indoor tree, but she insisted on standing next to her Dora house.....ugh!!!!

What We Have Been Doing This Summer - Part I

Where in the world have I been all summer??? To say the least, this summer has been crazy!! Absolutely crazy! I have had such a hard time keeping up with my friends and I feel awful about that – so let me say first I am sorry for being so distant this summer. I truly miss and love everyone who are each so important in my life! I am relieved to finally have normalcy!

My spring/summer began with the knowledge of our second child on the way! At first, life was going along like nothing had changed. And then about the 6 th or 7th week all of a sudden I was sicker than I have ever been in my life. I have never experienced anything so terrible before. I felt dead to the world and struggled to function. I believe that what I experienced must be the horrible nausea that cancer patients go through during chemo treatments. In fact, when I spoke to my doctor about how I was feeling and trying to take care of my 2 year old at the time, she prescribed me an anti-nausea medicine that is prescribed for cancer patients! What irony! However, sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Plus it was so expensive, that I only had a portion of it filled and would take it when I really needed help getting through the day. It truly seemed like this would never end during that time in my life, but right around the 14 week mark and 7 lbs lighter, I started feeling better. I still didn’t have much of an appetite, but just having that relief was such a blessing. I obviously feel for those in a whole new way who have suffered through cancer treatments. My heart goes out to everyone who has been there or is now. I ask that Jesus be your hope and strengthener. Please comfort each one Lord.

I plan to add new additions everyday until I have finished the scope of my summer. And as many of you know, I can't help but writing a book when I do write. So here is the first little blurb, starting my summer off! Look for my new addition tomorrow!

LADIES OPENNING DAY
During this time, Kyle and I also worked on putting together the ladies opening day event/fashion show. Well, I worked on the fashion show and he was my wonderful assistant anyway. His big job, was the actual opening golf event - of course, since that is what he was hired to do! I picked out outfits, coordinated models and fittings, put together a huge line sheet for ordering and notes for our MC on the brand, outfit and specific details. We spent most of the day the Monday (our day off) before setting up and displaying our clothing and merchandise for the show on Tuesday. Needless to say it was a huge undertaking, a great success and so much fun! We are of course looking to next year to do it much bigger and better!

Adding On...

After almost 3 years we are finally ready to make our family of three, four! I am due December 28th and while I am hoping for an end of year delivery, I am equally hoping that it is not another birthday before or on Christmas! We are not sure if Morgan really understands what is going on or not, but she says she wants a baby sister and I am sure she will understand more and more as mommy's belly gets bigger and starts visibly moving. My first instinct was that it will be a girl, however as sick as I was in the first trimester, many experienced moms with different sex children are telling me it will probably be a different sex baby from the first. It will be even more exciting to find out in a few more weeks what we will be having because of all this talk!

I am finally feeling better after that really hard 1st trimester. We are certainly excited especially since this one will be born just as we are starting our 3 months off for the winter and we can enjoy our new baby as well as not miss out on as much sleep. (I need my sleep - I am spoiled, yes!) Morgan will be in preschool this fall/winter. So it will make taking naps during the day possible. Our timing couldn't be more perfect! We are very excited and will let you know details as they come! By the way if you have an ideas for names, please let us know!

"I'm Not Who I Was" by Brandon Heath

My sister called me last night to tell me about this song and the video. It reminded her of something we saw in a church in my home town, Peoria. While I have a lot issues with the church and the way it presents the bible, I have to say I have never forgotten about the day before the message began of all these people holding up signs either about epidemics like AIDS, raciscism, or just the way others view them. On the backs of the signs they had written how God sees us through his Son Jesus because of his work on the cross. So what would your sign say?

"I Got An Ouwie...."

Too funny to pass up the opportunity on this one. This is a picture of Morgan complaining about her ouwie (I have no clue how to spell that either). A little background on this ouwie is that it happened almost 2 months ago....however, it still hurts and needs bandaids... pain tolerance may not be one of Morgan's attributes!

Crazy Dog!

We recently got Morgan a little pool to put on our very small patio and the only backyard we have right now. Needless to say Morgan has been enjoying her swimming adventures. There only seems to be one problem....I can't keep the dog out of the pool! The dog that fights me each time I give her a bath! What on earth is she doing in the pool??? I have to admit though, I think it is kind of funny, so the first time I didn't make her get out. But it has gotten to be something she thinks is as much for her as it is for Morgan! The craziest thing about her being in the pool is she has this "kong" (which is a dog toy) that she insists on having in the water so that she can dive for it, submerging her whole face and ears included! Look at her! Morgan thinks it is too funny!

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Then we had some not so funny moments later that night.... While Ellie was in the pool she drank lots and lots of water and must have filled her bladder beyond holding. So she had two accidents in the house and Kyle even took her out before he took her to bed! About 12:30 am she had an accident in our bed! Kyle was about to kill her. So we had to take all the sheets off the waterproof mattress pad and redo the bed. Needless to say - she and Roxie slept in crates the rest of the night. Of course, they are not used to such cruel conditions and so protested all night long. It was a very sleepless night. Ellie is not allowed in the pool anymore!

ENT Visit

I have some great pictures to post of Morgan - hopefully I will do that sooner than later!

Thought that I would let everyone know that we saw the ENT yesterday for the second time. The last time was last summer. We have had ear infection after ear infection, it has been miserable at times since she is constantly in pain. Right now she has so much fluid behind both ears that she is having a hard time hearing and saying "what mommy?" I feel aweful for her, but her hearing will go back to normal once the fluid is gone. So yesterday the Dr, Kyle, and I came to a consensus that it is time to put tubes back in her ears along with having her adnoids removed. We are planning on scheduling that in mid-August. Hopefully it will solve some of the issues we have been having!

Pictures of Morgan

I thought that I would post some pictures I took of Morgan yesterday. She doesn't like to have her picture taken anymore - probably because mom wants too. She is in that kind of mood anymore. Also, we have been having issues with her ears again, so we will be going to the ENT again and we may be talking about having adnoids removed as well as another set of tubes. I think it might help with her moods too! Enjoy!

Cicada Mania

The cicada's are coming, the cicada's are coming, the cicada's are coming!!! Well, they're here, and have been here a few weeks now, finally gracing us after their 17 year break. At first they were very mild, you barely noticed them around, but now you can't step outside and hear yourself think for these silence piercing little bugs. And let me tell you they are one of the ugliest creatures I have ever seen. We notice them mostly around the club - especially since it is has been here for more than 100 years. But as you drive around town you quickly know which neighborhoods are infested and which are not by the noise and the dead carcasses lying around everywhere - ewe!!! Here at the club the wooden fence is lined with shell caseings, cicada's covering the bark of trees to the point the bark litterally looks like it is moving, and finally the worst is the fact that they fly around and into people as if they have been out at the bars all night. They land on you without notice and even though they do not do anything except make noise, they can still make my skin crawl. I went into the main club house one day to make copies, only to bend over and open a tray door to have one fall off me and into the tray! Yikes! Then later that day I drove home after work, got out of the car and the whole time I had been sitting on a cicada! I think the little guy is hanging around our house just to haunt me - especially since I haven't seen any others! Needless to say if I never see one of these bugs again - it will be too soon!

Rapture

I recently received this in a forward via email. I just loved it since I have such a passion for the lost and thought that I would share. Hope you enjoy!

Rude People

I hate to admit this but, one thing I have found, immediately since being back here in chicagoland is that people here are very rude and self centered. Mostly I encounter this while I am driving, but also in stores, and sadly even in our church. While driving I am frequently cut off having to slam on my brakes so I don't hit the person, honked at if I don't respond quick enough to a green light/arrow, and edged out of a line by someone who thinks they are more important by needing to be ahead of me at all costs. I have been at the store when an employee had to check a price of an item, while the customer chewed her out telling her that she was wasting his time and why wasn't she competent enough to do her job, to which she explained if she didn't do this she could lose her job. His response was flooring, when he leaned forward, pointing his finger and raising his voice "I don't care about your ******* job, don't talk to me about your job, you are wasting my time and I am the only one that matters here." To which I felt equally demoralized while standing in line next to him. On the employee side I am convinced that customer service does not exist here. When you try to ask someone while checking out how they are doing, they respond "fine" and the conversation is over. I have also found that most of the time they don't know where items in the store are and they don't care to find out for you. At church I have been chewed out by other church goers at the counter I work at because I couldn't specifically answer a question they had (which wasn't for me to know) but have given ample information to get the answers they were seeking. Or another example is when I have tried to help a person workin next to my counter over Christmas with the gifts they were loading up into their van to take to children who clearly could have used an extra hand and ignored as if I wasn't speaking to them. In general, people don't make eye contact with you, and you rarly see someone smile back at you when you smile at them. There is such a negativity all around, that it is hard not to be affected by it. This is especially difficult for me, because I like to be friendly to other people. So how do you flurish in circumstances like these? Or overcome the negativity? It is by far the biggest task I have to overcome while living in this area.

A New Addition to Our Golf Family

Congratulations to Lindsay & Josh Riley on the birth of their first child, Hayden Brian Riley!!!!! Kyle and I are so excited for them as they embark on this new adventure and chapter in their lives! Josh is Kyle's 1st assistant at Glen View Club, and we are both very honored to know and have Josh among us! Click on the link to the right to see baby Hayden!

Momentary Lapse of Geniusism

Is that a word? Anyway more on my inability to spell things later, for now, I thought that I might entertain you (besides my spelling), with something somewhat humerous! About a week and a half ago, on a Friday, I was hastily trying to get out of the house. My mind was not focused on the steps needed to be taken before I left, but rather on a matter I could not shake. Usually when I leave, I put the dogs in the den and put up the gate so that they don't go whizzing all over the house. Poor girls used to get the run of the main living area, until the wet spot appeared on a not necessarily expensive area rug (you know dollar store - $30). That ended it all. (Well, I am still trying to get them out of my bed too! They manage to find their way back though.) Evidently, my wonderful pooches thought that they would let me know exactly what they thought of their freedom and my leaving them.... No, they didn't whizz on the inexpensive new area rug (outdoor carpet this time - prices are rising - had to look elsewhere). They whizzed on the accompaning chair's cushion to our couch! No, I didn't beat them, although I would have liked to... It went all the way through the cushion, destroying the innerards (sp?)!!

Thank God for JoAnn Fabrics! They do sell high density foam for things not such as this, but rather for someone who is talented enough to make something exciting out of it. Being just so tickled pink I came home and quickly got my supplies and starting wrapping the batting around the foam. The lady at the store told me not to glue it but to use a string....well, I figured good 'ole packing tape ought to do the job, besides it's clear and it won't show like masking tape!!??? What!?! Yeah, it won't show like the masking tape would, you know, it's clear! So off I went to work - looked beautiful! I stuffed it inside the covering (that Kyle washed for me), and walla! Perfect! Except for one thing, it crinkles......every time you move.

No, I haven't changed it.......yet. So if you come to my house and sit on the chair, don't ask, just smile and chuckle a little, and I will too!

Application to my life in Christ: I am not perfect and cannot do these things on my own. Even with the best laid intentions, I am still a sinful woman, and can do nothing apart from Him.

Yes, an application even when it is just about a stupid cushion! Hope you enjoyed!

The Easter Principle: "You have to die - if you want to live."

On a personal level, this Easter and Good/Black Friday, this year, was huge for me. Why? Well, because this is the first time since being back in Illinois that I would mourn the death and celebrate the resurrection at my new home church. And as I reflect on last year at this time, I was in a very desperate place in my life being back near home. It wouldn't be until next Sunday at this time last year that I would "arrive" at my new home, just before I felt like I couldn't take it anymore being seperated from my flock. Also, my mom's mother died last year on Good/Black Friday. But out of that pain of loss came for me, a time that Christ would address my longings of a home church and feeling isolated and therefore place me with my family for an all important time of year. Thank you sweet Jesus.

This was the message Pastor James preached on this Easter Sunday. To add to my hightened anticipation of this special time of year, our church, Harvest Bible Chapel, that is nearly 10,000 strong and meets on 3 campuses (Niles, Rolling Meadows, and Elgin), would unite us for an extra special time of worship and praise at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. On a quick side note, my church is big, but it is nothing like many other large churches out there. Pastor James is fired up about preaching the word of God - even if it hurts. And I personally, love that awesome ability to keep it real, even if it is not popular, and in the midst of critics. I think that is why God has poured out blessings all over this church and has grown it's numbers. Anyway, I am not sure how many attended just yet, but I will let you know when the numbers do come out! I have to say that I was amazed at how smoothly run, organized, and well thought out this outing was. From parking to childcare to seating, simply amazing. By and far the best Easter service I have ever seen. Next year, I am excited to be counted as one of the many serving instead of attending! I think I will start rotating every other year.

Even though the message today wasn't necessarily profound for a believer, I was still able to glean many aspects where the principle can be applied in my life itself. Most of us have heard:

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, is by Faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (NIV)

Recently, I have been hearing God's call to die in areas of my life that I continue to hold on too. To make more of a daily, no hourly, conscious effort, to get myself out of the way, so God can do his work through me. Just when I think in some of these areas that it might be over, I have relinguished all control, all the signs and symptoms are there, I start spewing out things that are not from God. Or I have stepped in thinking God needs some help??? What is that??? There is certainly room in my heart still to be transformed in this area. It is not enough to know and think that you understand, it has to be lived out. And when it is lived out, is when we shine for Jesus. It has to get messages on that 6 inch highway, and start living it out through Christ. Easter is also a time when many unbelievers come and attend.....what a profound message for that unbeliever to hear.

Oh, heavenly Father, please come into the lives of those lost souls and speak to them personally. Tell them you love them Lord, and that you are sweetly calling their names. Lord, please also, I beg you to erase from their minds any work of man that was not from You. Give them a new and fresh perspective, and hope for a life lived in You. I ask this in Your Sons name, Amen.

Training for a 5k Race

Okay, so it is really only a 3.2 mile race, but I think 5K sounds more intriguing! Anyway, my sister asked me to run a 4 mile race with her this summer at Steam Boat Days in Peoria Which unfortunately, I can't do, but there are many other 5K races throughout the summer. After thinking it over some, I realized: #1 how much I love jogging, and #2 how much I desperately need to get back into a regimented workout schedule again after being unmotivated and lazy for the past 3 months.

Since my thyroid issues this past summer and into fall, I have struggled with energy and maintaining my workout schedule while sleeping 20 hours a day, during that period of time in my life. However, since then I never have any energy and even though I have pushed myself through my workouts this past fall and winter, it usually leaves me in almost a comatose state - I just can't function - litterally. It had gotten so bad, that I had no desire to workout at all. So, I had my thyroid retested recently and it is really good, hedging towards the hyper side - which is fine by me! But still have no energy. I have found life to be very difficult when you lack energy. It affects everything, you mood, your mind, your physical state, your relationships, and so much more.

Moving on, the program I am following is a modified version of "The Couch to 5K Running Program." Here is the link http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Starting at week 3 - 20 minutes of alternation between 90 second run/90 second walk to 1/4 mile run/90 second walk. Instead of 20 minutes I have stretched it to 40 minutes. With a 5 minute warm-up and 5 minute cool-down, totaling 50 minutes. This week I am doing 4 intervals of 90 sec run/90 sec walk, to two intervals of 1/4 mile run/90 sec walk, and then back to 4 intervals of 90 sec run/90 sec walk. Interestingly it is just difficult enough for me right now to keep me challenged - this coming from when I usued to be able to run 3 miles last summer no problem (before my thyroid issues). Getting back in shape is not fun. I will keep you posted as to my progress.

One thing I love about challenging your body with exercise is how much it requires you to rely on Christ, and to reflect on how much he suffered for us to ultimately pay that finally sacrifice for our sins. It doesn't necessarily make it easier, but it puts things in a whole new perspective. And when I am working out, challenging my body, that is when I feel closest to Christ.

The Post Office Incident

I will never go to the post office in Morton Grove ever again unless: 1.) Morgan is old enough not to be recognized or 2.) I have changed my hair style and she is not with me.

We have been having behavior issues with Morgan - as I am sure that most parents do with children of this age group - 2 1/2. I think about what people say about having a second child, you have probably heard it, that they are usually worst than the first. Well if that is to hold true, Morgan will be an only child! Today has to be the most embarrassing moment in all my life with her. I needed to go to the post office in the worst way today. My girlfriends birthday was last Friday as in the 16th and me being the aweful friend I am, has not gotten her birthday present in the mail yet! Plus I need to mail another couple pieces to another girlfriend that she requested I pick up for her for one of her friend's birthdays in April, which I needed to mail before we left for Canada! Please tell me that there are others of you out there who are as bad as I am when it comes to getting things done - I need support. So I really felt that I had to get this done today.

We were standing in line, as it seems we have been doing all day today, when she began playing on the heating vent that ran along the window. Now if it wasn't for the metal railing running above it about 3 ft higher she probably would never have even bothered. Admittedly, my hands were full with all these items and her Dora backpack, so I asked her to please get down three times, to which she ignored. It wasn't as if I really thought that she would listen, but like God does, I was giving her the choice to behave. Wrongly, I ignored it all while I felt the holy spirit inside of me telling me to pick her up, but like the sinful person I am, I ignored. Father, forgive me please. I figured, if I picked her up with all this in my hands she was sure to throw a fit. As we turned to corner I approached the lady behind the counter as Morgan began to scream! I told her she was going to have to come over here and just throw her fit. Well, I got what I asked for and more. She began throwing herself on the ground screaming her head off to the point people were starring at me and making comments all while I was busily trying to get all the packages together and addressed. I couldn't exactly walk out because I hadn't paid yet for the packages I had grabbed to use...so we stayed. I am glad I didn't take a shower this morning before running my errands because if i had, I would have had a second one in sweat! On a side note: My deodorant broke off today into a hundred pieces so, one pit was "fresh," while the other was not so (see Jami's blog, live, laugh, love for the inside on this). Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I was done and we left. I am sure they threw a "going away party."