Wicked Chic's

A few weekends ago, Becky, Jami, Debbie and I headed to Chicago for a girls weekend. It was technically my Birthday celebration even though it was a few months late. We all wanted to see "Wicked" so we just decided to make a weekend of it. We headed to Schaumburg on Saturday, did some shopping at Woodfield, of course hit Ikea and then ate dinner at PF Chang's. It was my first time at Chang's and it was amazing.

Sunday we slept in, did some more shopping and then headed to downtown Chicago to see "Wicked". The show was so good! This was the first real show like this I had been to and I loved it. After that we did some more shopping downtown and then had dinner at Cheesecake Factory, which was a perfect end to the perfect weekend.

I absolutely love the times I get to hang with the girls, I love the conversations we have and I just love being with them. Becky, Jami and Debbie, I love you guys and cannot imagine doing life without you. Thanks for a great Birthday Celebration!

This Weekend

Tonight Tyler found yet another item that belongs to one of the girls. First it was the pink hat, and now the pink glasses. They match the green soccer shirt well don't they?

Tyler tells me he is secure in his manhood and that there is nothing to worry about so I guess I'll just have to take his word for it...

Yesterday we got to go listen to Rachel and her friends sing. She is such a fun loving kid. Her face lit up and she literally "expressed" every song for us. If neither of my girls wind up performing for a living I will be shocked...

Between Rachel and Allison there is always someone singing in the house or at least making us laugh.

After listening to Rachel perform we stopped by the park for some fun. The kids had fun in the sun until it was time for lunch.

Tammy was helping Tyler climb up something the girls took much longer to conquer. I guess being a boy has its perks..

Easter 2007 Memories

Yes...I love this picture :)

Introducing.......THE HIP HOP GIRLS

You many not know it, but Allison and Abby are now the HIP HOP GIRLS. You may be wondering how you become a HIP HOP GIRL, well you must wear a jean jacket buttoned up and you also must wear blue lipstick. There were some other rules also but I am not sure what they were.

It was too funny, the girls came home from school and got the makeup out and started putting on blue lipstick. Allison then put her jean jacket on to match Abby and before I knew it the HIP HOP GIRLS were formed. Now do they even know what HIP HOP is, I sure hope not!! Though when I was taking pictures of them I told them to act like the HIP HOPS GIRLS and Allison stuck her hand on her hip and cocked her head. Too funny!

My First Hat

The other day Tyler just started wearing hats around the house. I was so proud - except for the fact that the only hat he could find was a pink one with hearts on it.

Needless to say I ran out that week and found him a REAL hat!

Doesn't he look cute?

The Dialogue

Morgan: [with fear in her eyes...]

Tyler: What are you looking at?

Carter: Exactly, we didn't do anything...

Tyler: I'm holding her the right way so stop looking at me!

Carter: This is the same way they look at me when I hold her...

Morgan: What a beautiful ceiling you have - is there any way I can be propped up a bit? These guys don't have a clue what they are doing...

Carter: That's my sister for ya...

Tyler: I'm going to marry her someday.

Weekend Warrior

[Photo by: Becky Callender]

There was a time when I would tell people, "Hockey is life." My father taught me to play, we watched it growing up, we went to NHL games (back when ticket prices were realistic), I "worshiped" Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers, I collected hockey cards, I memorized the 21 NHL teams and the divisional structure of the NHL and I attempted to play every variety of hockey there was growing up (except for field hockey - never did understand that sport...).

I never played organized Ice Hockey - probably due to the fact that we grew up in a small Wyoming town of 5700 people, but I was able to play in floor hockey and roller hockey leagues over the years.

But Ice Hockey is the ultimate - every other form must admit that it was first played on ice. So there is just something special about putting the pads on and getting back out there.

Last week (after being off the ice for years) I was asked to play in an annual alumni match for the University I attended. I won't tell you the score - because I do have some pride - but will admit it wasn't pretty.

But I had a lot of fun - and I didn't break anything!

Did I forget to tell you, "Hockey is life?"

Morgan Grace Is Here!!!!!!!

Todd and Jami had their little girl this morning at 8:01. I got the chance to go up to the hospital tonight and hold her. She is SO cute! She is one of those newborns who came out looking like a little girl. She is absolutely perfect! Pictures to come later!

I cannot wait to see what the rest of the kids think of her. It is official there are now as many kids in our house on a Saturday night as adults, now that is scary.

Congratulations Todd and Jami! We love you guys!

Nashville and more...

About 2 weeks ago, I had the privilege of going to Nashville with Lifeline as a leader. I was very excited about this opportunity for a couple of reasons. First off, I love to hang out with high school students on trips like this. When you spend 24/7 with them for a few days you really get a chance to know some of them and have meaningful conversations. The other reasons I was excited to go was to see Nashville, I had never been there before, and to hang out with the adult leaders as well.
The reason for the trip to Nashville was to attend the Clarity conference. I have to admit I was a little surprised when we got to the conference. I am used to attending Acquire the Fire as a leader so I just assumed it would be like that, but instead of it being held in a college stadium it was held in a church. It was kind of nice to have a much smaller crowd and for it to be a more intimate setting, but at the same time there is something to be said for worshipping with a few thousand students. There is really nothing like it.
I would have to say that my favorite part of the weekend was hanging out with my 2 high school girls. We had a great time together, one of them I knew and the other one I had never met before. We had some quality time together where we got to really talk. We also had some time where we got to shop, the mall we went to was amazing. It was cool to just hang out the 3 of us while we did one of the things girls love! It was an amazing weekend, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to get to know these girls.
After we got back, I got am amazing gift. Johnny, who basically ran point on the entire trip, sent each leader a thank you card and a CD where each student had taken the time to thank the leaders for going on the trip with them. I cannot begin to explain to you how good it felt to hear the kids say thank you! Johnny you hit the ball out of the park, thank you!

Oh, for those of you who are wondering whether I did what God was asking me to do, from my last post, I can tell you YES I did. Now we will see where it goes from here...

There has been something I have been needing to do for awhile now and have just not done it. About a year ago God started prompting me to do this thing. I was a afraid to do it and kept putting it off and putting it off. I still kept feeling that prompting from God, but I didn't do anything about it. Sure enough as time went on the prompting went away and I totally forgot about it.
Well that all changed last weekend on my trip to Nashville with Lifeline (more on that later) the prompting came back louder then ever and with it came a sense of knowing that there is alot riding on whether I will obey or not.
So, here it goes, I am off to obey.