My two and a half year old neice practicing her violin. Come on. It doesnt get much cuter than that. :)

AWE

I had the privilege of putting on a surprise baby shower for one of my closest friends, Sundi. She had no idea it was coming. Thankfully, with Abram being a chronic picture taker, it wasn't a clue that he snapped some shots before we walked out the door Monday night to meet friends for the shower.

just some more pics

Paige chasing the psycho seagulls. they were actually pretty funny. It was so windy they couldnt fly, they would go backwards and walk backwards.
Paige making snow angels in the super "downy soft" sand

Abram after his stroll on the beach

yes, we are wearing jackets. the sun was wonderfully warm, but the wind was just tooo cold.

Tuesday

Ahh, sleep in.. just a little tho. Tuesday we sat around the pool and played card games and just enjoyed our last day of sunshine. Devon and Paige drove us to the airport for our 6pm flight.


When we arrived home at 10pm Clive was so happy to see us I think he was even crying. He wouldn't leave me alone all night, literally hugging and kissing me. He is such a funny cat. Just like a little kid, he will come and stand on his back legs, stretch his front paws up on my leg and meow till I pick him up and give him lovin.

Monday

If you ever have the chance, visit Siesta Keys, Florida.


Siesta Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. At the "Great International White Sand Beach Challenge" held in 1987, it was recognized as having the "whitest and finest sand in the world."
Unlike beaches elsewhere that are made up mostly of coral, Siesta Beach's sand is 99% quartz. Even on the hottest days, the sand is so reflective that it feels cool underfoot.

The day was so windy that to sit on the beach meant you went home with an earfull of sand, sand embedded in your hair and I'm still finding sand in my things! It was a wonderful day tho and completely worth being sand blasted!!!

Sunday

This was supposed to be the day we went out on the boat for water skiing and scuba diving. But at 7 o'clock that morning when Uncle Randy came out and mentioned we should come into the house b/c a tornado was coming we discovered the day would turn out quite differently. We watched the weather, floods and snow storms all over america, while the wind threatened to tear the house down! We figured it would be better after church, but the weather was still chilly and windy so we knew time on the boat wasn't going to happen. We opted for Homasassa Zoo instead. It was quite entertaining. I love watching wild life even if it is fenced in. Animals are just funny.
It was great to watch the Manatees under water. not the most beautiful animals, nor were they swift or playful, yet somehow we were all mesmerized by them.



http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/Wildlife/manateeandfish,homosassa,florida.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/Wildlife/Wildlife.htm&h=382&w=600&sz=63&hl=en&sig2=UrLbSA03Oi1VoQyprQeeQw&start=4&um=1&tbnid=XG0yrGlonByYtM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=135&ei=sRsmRsKZF7LGiwGHlZDHBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhomosassa,%2Bflorida%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DG

Saturday

90 degrees outside, but we spent the day inside where things were really heating up!! :)

Papa and Uncle Tim stood up with Grandpa. As they were standing there waiting for the spring bride, Grandpa turned to Papa and said "Stand up straight!" Those of us that saw it got a good kick out of it!

They were precious to watch and I think we were all pretty proud to be witnesses at this wedding. We're wondering if they will celebrate monthly anniversaries!




Me and cousin Timothy. What a fellow. I adore him.

Some were missing and missed, but we had a great family get-together around the celebration of Grandpa's wedding.

Friday

All the cousins headed out Friday morning to Cocoa beach. It was a wonderful day for the beach. We all took turns on cousin Ben's boogie boards and a few got fried in the sun. We returned to a house full of people, a cool dip in the pool and a nice time out in the Florida air.

Abram and I had the honour of sleeping outside by the pool every night. it was fantastic. the air was fresh and since in Florida they completely engulf their pools/porches in sreened frames, we were not "bugged" all night.

I love the ocean.

A Wedding and a Vacation part 1

Abram's Grandpa Curtis, 80 yrs, got married Saturday. How could we miss that? We bought decent tickets to Florida a few weeks back and greatly anticipated the get away. The trip started with chaos. I was dog tired Wednesday night and after packing and cleaning I went to bed around 11. Abram said he would stay up all night since we were getting up at 4 to leave by 530 anyway. I set the alarm regardless. About 1am I heard him fiddling with the alarm and I commented to him not to mess it up. next thing I knew Abram shot up in bed and looked at the clock. It was 630 am. We live an hour from the airport and our plane left at 8. After blinking and questioning what to do I just blurted "Lets GO!" We threw clothes on, and what things were left out of the bags... b/c we planned on showers that morning, and threw everything and ourselves in the car. Poor Clive was completely confused and thought we were insane - mainly b/c he got no food!! 636 we were on the road. Abram flew as fast he could safely and I called the airline. the next flight out was 330 that afternoon. We couldn't have that. We made a plan. It takes about a half hour to park your car and get to the terminal. impossible. I had checked us in on line the day before and I gave Abram his boarding pass. He dropped me at the terminal with all of our things at 730, I checked our baggage and went thru security. 20 till 8. Abram drove out to the long-term parking and grabbed the shuttle back. He called while on it. He said he was torn between just running for it and taking the shuttle, and there he sat, at the mercy of the shuttle driver. Meanwhile I stood at the gate convincing them that my husband would be there any second. 10 till 8 and Abram calls saying he's running toward security now. the Gate keeper makes the announcement "Final boarding call for Airtran flight 389 to Tampa, Florida, departing at gate C2" the man asks me if I'd like to board the plane. Not till my husband gets here. I see Abram on the other side of security and I call him to let him know the gate is right around the corner. Abram is ALWAYS asked to step aside and strip down and frisked. Plus he had his laptop, which you have to take out, and all his camera equipment. (yes, I should have taken that) wonder of wonders, he walked thru without taking any equipment out of the pelican case and without being searched. meanwhile an airline worker asked what he looked like and took off after him. 8 o'clock, they come around the corner the man at the gate chuckles and tells us its our lucky day, we board the plane, sit down and laugh and silently appologize to all the people on the plane who got up on time that morning and got to the airport like they should have. Arrive in Tampa at 1030 as scheduled, take in a deep breath of the warm Florida air, get some coffee in hand, warmly greeted by Uncle Tim, an hour drive to his house, hugs and greetings to the Florida cousins, the New Hampshire cousins and then... a shower please!!!

Aaaaaand here we are again....

February 13, 2007

Purdue declares snow recess, cancels classes

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Ñ Purdue University has declared a 24-hour snow recess beginning at noon Tuesday (Feb. 13) and ending at noon Wednesday (Feb. 14). All classes are canceled for the remainder of Tuesday and for the morning on Wednesday.
Most employees have been requested to leave the university and/or not report for work from noon Tuesday (Feb. 13) until noon Wednesday (Feb. 14). Some personnel are required to stay on campus for all or part of the duration of the snow recess to maintain the university's essential operations. Those essential personnel are determined by their departments. They would include, but are not be limited to, key personnel in the residence halls, student health care center, foods stores, physical facilities, Memorial Union and transportation services.

Emergency housing and meals will be provided at university expense for those who are required to remain.

Any additional updates will be available on the Purdue home page at http://www.purdue.edu.


Let it snow Let it snow, Let it snow.... !!

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. Psalm 147:16

You know you've had mild winters when one real snow comes and everyone forgets how to drive.

I was supposed to work at the mall last night and just a few minutes before I was to walk out the door I got a phone call "dont come in, there's no one in the mall, I think they are going to close..."
I just had to laugh. I certainly didn't mind, I just jumped in my car and went to the video store - who was also getting ready to close early- .50 movies and a lovely blanket of snow on the ground, sounded good to me! driving there I wondered how these folks would manage out in Colorado where they were pummeled with snow storms every weekend for eight straight weeks. But, oh how it makes for good skiing!






My heart goes out to those where the temperatures have been freezing for so long they are without water, and the people up north where it was -46 yesterday.
You wont hear me complaining about one simple snow storm!!!

Why I'm glad the Colts won the Superbowl

Coach Tony Dungy started the day - the day his team was to play in the Superbowl - with something that took great priority over any trophy or fame. He shared the Gospel of Christ with everyone at that Superbowl breakfast. We think its difficult to share Christ at our work places... imagine HIS work place.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T8fEpvdHC40

http://youtube.com/watch?v=K3PUPCR7NFA&mode=related&search=

When they won, and he was handed the Heisman these were his words to the world watching ""I'm proud to be the first African-American coach to win this," Dungy said during the trophy ceremony. "But again, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."

I didn't care who won last night when I sat down to watch the game, I didn't know much about Dungy and had even forgotten about his son last year. but today I have great respect for him and his accomplishment. what a man. and what a great God!

update

I had to remember how to do this.
I haven't posted b/c
A. someone told me they were reading my blog that I thought, hmmm, I dont care to share everything with that person. so it put a bad taste in my mouth. Kind of like my friend who feels that no matter what there are people around just waiting for you to slip up so they can rebuke you.
2. My husband has not been taking any pictures... :)
E. my dad says If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all. :)

So,
The month of December I worked four jobs while participating in the church Christmas contada, christmas for Everyone outreach, planning for family coming for Christmas and I cant even remember what else. and while I thought I was handling it quite well, the sudden bursts of tears and upset stomachs proved otherwise. I still have the jobs but work MUCH less at two of them. with Christmas over and having sat out of choir two weeks, I'm feeling less resentful toward that aspect of life :)
The best things about December was our Christmas present from Titus and kelly. He is light orange, small framed, and crazy full of love and zest. His name is Clive and he is the best cat ever to exist. He will play like mad but as soon as you sit down he is in your lap for love and comfort. He is the best entertainment and so much fun. The other was having my sister, her husband and five kids in my house. It is interesting trying to invest in each little one. They are all so precious and so different. There was not enough time to talk with my sister. so much catching up to do. you can talk on the phone all day but there is always so much more to say in person.
January
I turned 29 and enjoyed looking back on this last year. It has been a doozy. Sin and rebellion in my heart, grace and forgiveness by the Sweetest Saviour and hope for His working in my life. A new house, Japan, and lots of added responsibilities in life.

"My kids"

Eagerly awaiting their song to begin.

"My kids"

Every week I stress over what to do with my choir of ~sixty 6-8 year old boys and girls. There actually isn't a lot of music out there that is easily accessible, easy to work with and enjoyable. When we were asked to sing in church, the stress really started. I didn't want to sing any old song. I wanted it to be unique and leave an impression. Its not every day we get to sing in our huge church. After exhausting my resources, I decided I'd teach them my favorite song from our days in the Congo. Some doubted as to whether or not they could really get it and pull it off, but on the contrary, this age is when they can get another language quite easily. I would rather teach them than a choir of adults!!! After just three weeks of half hour practices, they pretty much had it down. Now - the worst and hardest part - the parents. I wrote a desperate and pleading letter to the parents to have their children there the night we were to sing. I spoke to each parent in person and even offered to pick kids up. We had no idea how many would actually show up at "5:30 in room 108" (I made the kids say it like a mantra). Slowly they trickled in till I was overjoyed with the turnout. The kids were so excited and some were actually nervous. A couple even dressed in what they felt to be "African" Two of my best singers were getting baptized that night and I worked it out for them to sing anyway - so they sang in their white baptismal robes. They were precious. Parents kept approaching me before hand saying how excited they were as their child "has been talking about this all week", "singing it around the house for weeks", "has been excited all week"... It was really fun. Needless to say, I was very proud of MY KIDS. They did very very well.
Now back to the routine stress of what to do each week... any good suggestions from experienced children's leaders?? Beth, come on, you've got some goods to share, eh?
I'm working on getting the video uploaded for all to enjoy.... stay tuned....

Just one more...

Abram and I got another game of tennis in last night. We keep thinking each game will be our last for the year, then another sunny day will come and we jump in the car and head to the courts. We were even playing in shorts and t's. We have a lot of fun and I'm getting better just in time for winter... ah well. As cold and rainy as it is today it feels like yesterday was our last game, but we've said that before. so, maybe we'll get just one more!!!

Nonstop weekend

Friday afternoon and evening we moved Steven into his own home and helped him set up house a bit. Saturday was jampacked - house shopping in the morning, Purdue football game in the afternoon, and bonfire that evening. I was beyond excited about someone giving us tickets for the game Saturday. I love football and to be there in person, is of course, the desired spectatorship. Unfortunately, it appeared that perhaps this was Purdue's first opportunity to practice.. as Abram put it. What a terrible game. I was cheering for Wisconsin before the second half. The marching band had things together. They were fun to watch. It helped ease the pain, that the tickets given to us were club seats, so my giant had a place to lean his back. Bleachers would have been killer at a game where we had few reasons to stand and cheer :( But who's complaining - it was a great time and I am grateful for the opportunity!
The bonfire was nice to enjoy some friends and even shoot some clay pigeons.
Sunday was full morning at church, then to our deacon's home for lunch then a quick nap before heading to Steven's house for chili and a chillin' time with friends.

A personal victory

For Sarah Layer....and other runners out there.

I've never been a runner. I "tried" a couple times. but I couldn't breathe (go figure) and it hurt (again...). I had bronchitis, pneumonia and reactive airway disease and was hospitalized when I was three, then struggled with these sicknesses growing up. I just figured my lungs were too weak and I couldn't do it. A man on my extension one weekend in college, a runner, once told me I could strengthen my lungs, but I just figured he didn't understand and was OK with my state of being. I remember watching Sarah Johnson and Kelly (? shame on me... mk from Cameroon, long blonde hair) run cross country and I thought they were super-human. I walked. Well, around May of 05, I wanted to try again. I needed to "defeat" something, overcome something, accomplish something. I started with running around the pond in our neighborhood. I would come home and tell Abram "I ran FOUR laps this time!!!" ha ha. Then one day - let's see, it was about 90+ degrees out, I ran from my house to Sherry's, which at that time was two miles. I didn't make it, I had to walk the last half mile. When I arrived at Sherry's I was red as a beat and literally thought I was going to die. She gave me water and suggested I walk back and to wait till it cooled to try it again :) Well, I did try it again, and again and soon I could run there no problem. Then I ran 3 miles till I could do that with no problem. then 4. I remember the day I ran 5 miles without stopping. I felt like I had conquered the world! then I did 6 miles. 7. 8. 9. then 10. I wanted to run a mini marathon. These stupid things cost money tho. Abram said he would set up a mini marathon for me and all my friends could run with me and he would video and it would be just like the real thing! Well, then Sherry surprised me with a gift of paying for me to enter the Indy Mini. I was to run with her and Troy. One day I was excited, the next I was terrified and was that way for the six months till it finally came. May 6, 2006. Sherry was having problems with her knee and it scared me to think of running alone, but I was committed and there was no backing out. Abram was out of town working with Aaron,and the night before the race I was in Indy getting my packet, they called and said they might not make it the next morning for the race. hmmm, not a happy girl. But they said they would try. I stayed in a hotel room by myself in Indy. I passed the time shopping. I found a shirt that was unique - at the suggestion of Sherry, so friends could see me in the sea of people. I was so nervous I couldn't eat that night. Abram and Aaron showed up around 2 am. I got up at 5, showered and started my stretching for the race, starting at 7. My poor boys were exhausted, but were troopers and were ready to go on time. Aaron pinned my bib on me and they stayed at the starting line with me until it was finally time to start.
The anticipation was intense for me. I had many experienced runners offer lots of advice - one being to not jolt off at the start and lose my stamina by exerting all my energy in the first five miles. I told the boys that I was guestimating it would take me 2hours, 15 minutes to 2hours, 30 minutes. I had not run 13 miles yet and figuring 10 minute miles, I guessed that long. I had two goals in this run. 1. Finish. (I heard about the bus that picks up stragglers... not cool) 2. never stop running. I did NOT want to walk. when we finally got to the start line and I took off running, I was filled with so much purpose and single-mindedness that I knew I was going to accomplish this. I ran. and ran. and ran. I passed people left and right. I kept thinking I should slow down, but I felt so good, I didn't want to. I wanted to keep going. I remember thinking a lot - i cant believe I am doing this. and sometimes - we are stupid! we are all running for no reason!!! ha Mile 10, exiting the race track, my stomach was growling, I could feel myself running out of energy, but I wasn't even close to walking. Mile 11 my legs started feeling weak. mile 12 my feet were killing me. mile 13 I wanted to walk. People were passing me now. COME ON CURTIS, YOU CAN DO THIS. KEEP RUNNING!!!!! I did, I was half a mile from the finish line and it looked like a thousand miles away. Quarter of a mile left and I looked to my left and there stood my husband and brother, both with huge encouraging smiles on their faces - they had spotted my shirt :). Wow - talk about a burst of energy!!! I sprinted my way to the finish line, with Abram running thru the crowd off to the side to meet me. I crossed the finish line at exactly 2 hours on the nose. I got my metal, my bag of goodies and my sensor taken off my shoe, my picture taken then met the boys. We sat for a while and I stretched out and guzzled so much water and gatorade I about made myself sick. I did it. I ran a mini marathon. Some people there had done it a hundred times. But it was my first time and I felt on top of the world. When we left I called friends. I fell asleep in the car and was pretty well done for the day. The next day I felt fine! Hardly any soreness. Given the chance, I will do one again. Perhaps not the Indy Mini - 30,000 people is tooooo many for me. In retrospect, it was good that I ran alone. It was an outstanding experience for me. A personal victory. I know, I can do what I put my mind to. No excuses.

Dreamy day with a dreamy date

Although it didn't go as I had fore-planned in my mind, it was outstanding, nonetheless. The plan - awake at 545, make food preparations, pack the car, shower, dress and hit the road, be hiking by noon at the latest. Reality... missed the alarm altogether; showered, threw some food together, forgot the water in the freezer, drove to the office to reprint forgotten directions, left lying on the kitchen table, wait for printer to warm up, go back for coat, start down to Bloomington finally at 11 am. stop for coffee. stop for gas. Follow ridiculous directions taking twice as long to get there than needed. Stop for potty break. Creep thru Bloomington with the IU football traffic. Find Charles Deam Wilderness south of Bloomington. ahhhh, finally arrived. Eat quickly. Climb firetower. Now, lets set off for our hike.... should we bring food and water?? naaaaa. lets travel light. Quick swig o' water, three granola bars in Abram's back pocket, an apple in mine. 2:30 pm. The trail is easy at first, but pretty enough. Then 2.5 miles down a steep gully and up the other side. Abram reminisces about his horse riding days and educates me on how to make a good trail horse. 5.5 more miles to the lake. no mile markers, so altho we were close, we dont know it and I asked some hikers passing "much farther to the lake?" "nope, you're close." we were and we arrived at the lake around 5pm. One passer by said it was GORGEOUS, but perhaps he only goes to lakes in Indiana. It was pretty, but Abram and I were thankful we have experienced even better scenes! If you look closely, there is a dragonfly on the front of my shirt.
Well, of course, having taken two and a half hours to arrive there, and only one way back.... well we knew we were losing day light. Our legs were tired, Abram was parched, and we knew we had to turn right around and do what we had just got done doing. Abram ate two of his granola bars and we split the apple. We passed so many lucky persons with their tents set up, their fires burning and saw them sipping their hot coffee or whatnot. It was promised to be a "nice" day, but not trusting the weather men, we had brought a bunch of winter wear. We obviously didn't bundle up too much. You really couldn't have asked for better weather. The sky was blue and clear and the sun was shining strong. And at the rate we were hauling, we wouldn't have wanted to be heavy laden with winter accessories. When we finally saw a trail marker on the way back we pulled out our map and found out we are twice as far along as we thought we were. Nice feeling. Our legs were tired, as we knew it was a race against the fleeting sunlight, and we had no light of our own. we were deep in the woods and once we lost daylight there would be no seeing the trail. I had mental pictures of us huddling together thru the night to keep warm till we could find our way back in the morning. We kept each other entertained with stories of growing up - of course we had heard the stories from each other before, but it was fun, regardless. We knew we couldn't do the gully in the dark, the trail was hard enough to find in the daylight, so we cut down to what we thought would be a shortcut. We ended up on a gravel road for our last two miles. not easy on the feet, but at least with the swift approaching darkness we knew would be able to see the road. So, turns out, even on our tired old feet, we did 6 miles in 45 minutes, and thinking we were closer than we were, we dragged our last 2 miles, doing that in almost another 45 minutes. We were happy to see the firetower and our car. We guzzled some water, and I even talked Abram into climbing back up the tower to take a shot of the sun - tho already gone. Abram devoured his sandwich and we laughed as we drove out of the park. Our one hike we got in this year had to be a killer!!! We had a great time together and even tho I hiked most of the way with a pulled muscle in my right leg, we came out injury free. Our bed sure felt good that night!!