Hey Chicago...

whadda say...the Cubs are gonna win today!

(well, providing the game isn't rained out...lol)

Today is opening day at Wrigley Field!  GO CUBBIES!!

Another quiet weekend

Didn't do much of anything either day. Saturday, I did work to clean out my wardrobe and GET RID OF CLOTHES.

Sunday was church and then went grocery shopping. Came home and passed out because I was so tired. Spent the rest of the day doing much of nothing! :)

Doctor's appt tomorrow, i will update when I can!

The nephews

on Easter sunday...aren't they handsome???

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

Your Vote Score: 32% Republican, 68% Democrat

While you don't always agree with the Democrat party, it's a pretty good match for you. Do be sure to research each candidate. A liberal Republican or independent candidate might fit you better at times.

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

What's your DJ name?

Your DJ Name Is:

DJ Smokin' Sound

What's Your DJ Name?

Trying not to get overwhelmed

but it's not working.

I'm starting to worry about being able to handle raising a child and keeping up with our expenses. My mind is racing non-stop. For so long, I never thought that I would be able to have a child, so I pretty much just settled on the fact that it would be just me and my husband (and for awhile, I wasn't sure if that would stick).

I'm just stressing over nothing, I know. But how do I make my brain stop?!?!?!

What Kind od Cake are you?

You Are an Ice Cream Cake

Surprising, unique, and high maintenance. You're one of a kind, and you don't want anyone to forget it. You're fun in small doses, but it's easy for people to overdose on you!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

played hooky

started out with a nasty headache, so i called into work.

we ended up going out to my inlaws for the day. on our way there, got the oil change done for my car and then later in the day, i took my car for the emissions test. whew...that's done.

hope everyone had a good day!

If you think getting up on Sunday morning is hard,

Then try raising from the dead.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF YOU!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!

Today, is church and then dinner at mom and dad's (or Nana's house if you ask my nephew). It's a small gathering, but a yummy easter dinner with all of the fixings! YUM! :-)

Saturday...

We had our Easter cantata this evening and as our choir director said "We have some church up in here!" It was a very comtemporary cantata which some people may not like, but it was cool nonetheless.

Tomorrow, we are doing two pieces with handbell choir along with our choir and the congregation. ..we're gonna rock the house! :-)

A good one...

A stranger was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the
stranger turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights
go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.'

The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and
said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?'

'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about nuclear power?' and
he smiles.

'OK,' she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask
you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same
stuff - grass - . Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns
out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do
you suppose that is?'
The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence,
thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.'

To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified to
discuss nuclear power when you don't know shit?

First Day of Spring...

And we are under a winter storm warning....gotta love weather in Chicago!

Oh goody...

First day of spring and we have a winter storm watch. Joy!

Easter Quizzes...

You Are a Speckled Egg

Artistic, alternative, and not exactly buying into this Easter thing.

What Kind of Easter Egg Are You?

You Are Peeps

You're the type that's more likely to play with your food than actually eat it.

What Easter Candy Are You?

How's your Spelling?

Your Spelling is Perfect

You got 10/10 correct. Your spelling is excellent. You also have a great memory and eye for detail.

How's Your Spelling?

Everybody dance now!!

I still have the mental image of my three year old nephew standing in the middle of the soccer field (aka gym floor) and singing that song. Oh yes, right in the middle of the soccer game...that would be him. Those poor soccer moms didn't know how to react!

We had a nice spa day and it was very relaxing! This woman also does "pregnancy spa treatments". Yea, I'm so looking her up in the summer time!

Told one set of great-grandparents

Last night, we went to dinner at Mom and Dad's house. Grandma and Grandpa and my aunt are up visiting for the weekend to celebrate Gma's birthday.

Me: "Gma, I was wondering if you could make another baby blanket?"
Gma: "For who?"
Me: "ME!"

She was very shocked and excited! I thought it was a cute way to tell her and she and my grandpa are very thrilled with their fifth great-grandchild!!

Now, it's off to a spa day!! YEA!!

So bad...yet so funny!

>>> Atlanta Airport
>>>
You gotta love this one even if you've never lived in the South.
Some of you will enjoy this more than others... Southerners can be so
polite!

Atlanta ATC: "Tower to Saudi Air 511 -- You are cleared to land
eastbound on runway 9R

Saudi Air: "Thank you Atlanta ATC. Acknowledge cleared to land on
infidel's runway 9R - Allah be Praised."

Atlanta ATC: "Tower to Iran Air 711 --You are cleared to land
westbound on runway 9R."

Iran Air: "Thank you Atlanta ATC. We are cleared to land on infidel's
runway 9R. - Allah is Great."

Pause...

Saudi Air: " ATLANTA ATC - ATLANTA ATC"< BR>>>>
Atlanta ATC: "Go ahead Saudi Air 511."

Saudi Air: "YOU HAVE CLEARED BOTH OUR AIRCRAFTS FOR THE SAME RUNWAY
GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. WE ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE.
INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE."

Atlanta ATC: "Well bless your little hearts. And praise Jesus. Y'all
be careful now and tell Allah "hey" for us -- "

How would you handle this?

Very touching...please read till the end.


Let's see if you send it back. We all know or knew someone like this!!

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. < /I>

They really should get lives. He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the hug e stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious
muscles with this pile of books everyday! He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..
When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.
' Thanks,' he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through
those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story. I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse .

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one an other in some way.

Look for God in others.

Never Let Go

Hubby showed me this last night...LOVE it!!

Looking forward to this weekend

because my grandparents and aunt are coming up and Saturday morning, the "girls" are having a spa party at my mom's house. It should be alot of fun and there are no boys around to drive us crazy! Ha ha.

First baby gift...

I got my first baby gift earlier today from a co-worker. She is addicted to scrapbooking just as much, if not worse than I am! LOL

Anywhoo, I received a mini-size paper pack, couple sheets of stickers and some ribbon! I'm so excited!!!

Told some more people today

about the newest member of our family. I am currently the Sunday School Coordinator at church. Today, I told my pastor that as of June 15th, I will be resigning. I know that I couldn't the program the time and dedication that it needs especially so close to my due date. Of course I will be glad to help them after baby if I feel up to it!

She was a little disappointed at first until I told her my reason! Then, she was totally cool with it!

Happy Birthday to Grandma!!!

Today, my grandma is 85 years old. HOLY CRAP!

I find myself very fortuante to still have 3 living grandparents and be 30 years old. I cherish every single moment I have with them, because I know that it can be gone in an instant.

When they go, I of course will be saddened, but I will also have joy in my heart, because I know that they have all lived full and wonderful lives!!!

My only selfish request is that they will make it to October to see their newest great-grandchild!!

Our family is growing by two feet!!

Yes, you read that correctly! DH and I are expecting our first baby, due October 11th! This wasn't quite planned, but not yet a surprise either. We haven't been preventing for awhile and all of our tests were coming back with no problems, yet month after month...nothing.

I'm excited, thrilled, nervous and freaked out all in one. We had our first ultrasound earlier this week and got to see baby!! Heartbeat is 154 and so far everything looks good! Our parents are all estatic! I'm feeling ok...just really run down and a little queasy from time to time. I've learned that if I stay ahead of it by eating, I'm better. Since I was on Weight Watchers before, I'm going to do my best to keep eating as healthy as I can. Of course, I'll give into my splurges every once in awhile!

Devotion - March 7th

Stillspeaking Lent Devotional: Friday, March 7
March 7

Visionary
Revelation 11:15-19

Quinn G. Caldwell

Reading this Bible passage, you might need to be reassured that no, you're not stoned (though some have argued that the author of this passage was). This is The Revelation to John, the book with the trippiest visuals in the whole Bible. There are a mighty whore, an evil dragon, a celestial mother with starry hair (she fights the dragon, naturally), giant insects, bowls full of plagues, hordes of angels, plus a new heaven and a new earth. Whoa.

What to make of it all? Obviously, it's about the end of everything you know. Beyond that, it's hard to tell. Some say it's a plan for the "end times." Some say it's a coded diatribe against the Roman Empire. I say that spending too much time thinking about it misses the point.

Better to just groove on the imagery. Think of it as some crazy artwork that regularly comes to life and rearranges itself. Don't analyze, just react. What do the images proclaim about God? What would it feel like to actually see the Temple up in the sky surrounded by thunder and lightning? Sit with it. Stretch yourself. Spend some time imagining the unimaginable. And let it get you ready to ask yourself the real mind-bender: at the end of time, if all this comes to pass, how will it be good news?

Prayer: O God, grant me visions this Lent. Show me a world beyond anything I can imagine. Make me ready to hope in things so wonderful only you could conceive them. Amen.

March 6th

Heartburn
Revelation 10:1-11

William Green

God makes things possible, not easy. Faith can be hard, doubt real--"sweet as honey in my mouth, but... my stomach was made bitter".

The book of Revelation shows this. Written for early Christians facing persecution, its puzzling symbolism is often code language drawing on imagery from the Hebrew Scriptures known to believers but impenetrable to imperial authority. The fundamental message can be summed up in two words: "God wins!"

But before the last trumpet sounds marking this final triumph, the good news of Christ is judgment against all that violates the love of God. We're better with the love part of this than the judgment.

We're not asked to be judgmental. We're asked to be honest. The "sweetness" of faith becomes bitter when we consider all that ignores or denies God's justice and mercy. Remembering that we ourselves are complicit in this, we can confront it more credibly in the world around us. Self-righteousness is hard to take.

Honest faith aims to tell the truth because it is less concerned about feeling good than turning to God, however we feel. Inspired by the love of Christ, we try to live true to that, knowing no failure can ultimately block its victory.

Prayer: Eternal God, lead me to look beyond how I feel to who you are, and to trust your love which embraces us all, now and forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.

March 5th

Our Best Hope
Psalm 146

Christina Villa

"Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help," advises this psalm. "When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish."

This sobering reminder--"there is no help... their plans perish"--is not about the hopelessness of it all, though it might sound that way if you're flipping through the psalms looking for uplift. It's not that there's no hope. It's that there is only one source of it: "Happy are those... whose hope is in the Lord their God... who keeps faith forever." Hope is not a thing of a thousand varieties; you can't choose what color and size you want it in. It only comes one way. That's why it's so easy to invest it in the wrong thing. We're used to having 112 kinds of toothpaste or dog food to choose from, so we feel we ought to have some choice in the important matter of hope. But this Psalm says we don't. Theologians speak of misplaced hope as "idolatry," a word that makes it sound more satanic and exceptional than it really is. We have all had the experience of hopes dashed and trust betrayed. Yet hope is a thing we need to survive. Hang on to it, says this Psalm, but put it in the right place.

Prayer: Dear God, please help me keep hold of hope today; help me keep hold of you. Amen.

Devotional...3/4

Continue in Strength
Colossians 1:9-14

Martin B. Copenhaver

When we think of people who need our prayers, our thoughts most naturally turn to those who are experiencing some kind of challenge or hardship. But here Paul is offering prayers for those whose faith is already strong and whose lives are already bearing fruit. These are prayers of thanksgiving, to be sure, but also prayers that they may continue in strength. After all, a strong person is no less dependent on God's grace than is the person who is weak. The difference is that the strong person's need is less evident and may seem less urgent. But all of us rely on God's grace in every hour. God did not create us like a clockmaker creates a clock. Rather, God creates more like a musician creates music. If God did not continue to breathe through us, we would cease to breath, as surely as a cello would cease to make music if the cellist walked out of the room. If God did not give the continual gift of faith, we would descend into despair. The strong have no claim on any strength independent of God--it is a continual gift only from God's hands. So when we pray, our prayers may go first to those in obvious need, but then they are to encompass all those who stand in need of God's gifts, and that is each of us, both the weak and the strong.

Prayer: Dear God, be with me when I am weak, so that I might draw on your power, and be with me when I feel empowered, so that I might always remember that you are the source of all power. Amen.

Nice relaxing weekend

where we did absolutely nothing!

As a late Valentines treat to ourselves, we got a hotel room for the weekend and just vegged out, doing as little as possible. Saturday, we went window shopping at the mall which was across the street, but the rest of the time, we just hung out, watched movies, and ordered room service. It's been awhile since Bill's been off an entire weekend, so it was nice to getaway for awhile!

Now back to the Monday morning...yuck!

March 2nd...

Blessed Trial
John 9: 1 - 41

Anthony B. Robinson

Well, now, here is a strange thing. A man blind from birth is given his sight by Jesus, and what happens? Does everybody get happy and life get good? Not quite. The man's neighbors don't know him. His parents don't want him. The people in charge at the synagogue think he is uppity and give him the boot. Getting healed doesn't always ensure getting welcomed. At least sometimes, the blind who see and the dead who are raised aren't entirely welcome in a world that may prefer to be blind to God and dead to true life. To be blessed by Jesus can lead to trials and tribulations, which is John's way of talking about the cost of discipleship. But Jesus will not leave those he has claimed as his alone or bereft. As this wonderful drama ends, Jesus finds the once blind, now seeing man, who has come to faith by what he has suffered for Christ.

Prayer: Can I know you, Jesus, without sharing in your suffering, without in my own way sharing your cross? Help me to follow you even, especially, when it's hard. Amen.

Lenten Devotional...3/1

Anointing with Oil
Psalm 23

Donna Schaper

My son nicked himself the first time he shaved and it bled and bled. He was embarrassed because he had picked the first day of school to try the razor on himself. I recommended a little oil of eucalyptus. He said no, loudly.

Whenever my children got a "boo boo", I would apply cream from the magic ointment called Bacitracin. They had no idea how boring it really was and considered it the magic oil.

I love the free "cream" section at the duty free shops at airports. I anoint myself with frequent samplings.

When we speak of our Shepherd anointing our head with oil, we can either say no thank you; I'd rather suffer alone in my own little adolescent prison. Or we can say thank you to the magic of our hurts being healed. We can even understand the universe as a place of free anointings, minute by minute. That is the image David puts before us in the psalm we love so much. "My head is anointed with oil, and my cup runneth over..."

It is an image of abundance, free and pouring out like a river from the great heart of God.

Prayer: Dear God, during this Lenten journey, help me hold on to you so closely that I do not hold on to anything else too closely. Amen