Ohio Summer 2009

We visited our grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins in Ohio. Here are a few highlights.

When Lightning Strikes

Every Sunday after church, we go to my parent's house for the most amazing lunch and a time to catch up as a family. Yesterday was no different. We had an amazing meal (Mel's last with us before her wedding) and were starting to get that "I-ate-so-much-I'm-going-to-crash" feeling. We were all standing in the kitchen (with dad on his crutches- broke his leg last week) when all of a sudden the brightest white light I have ever seen flashed and a LOUD CRASHING SOUND boomed, provoking all the women to scream! This very loud sound triggered the fire alarm and the alarms of other vehicles in the neighborhood. It was insane!! So, seeing as my dad was hopping around on two lightning rods, I volunteered to check the outside of the house while Doug checked the computer/electronics. I was walking outside when Doug joined me and we noticed something- the double garage door was warped! Lightning definitely struck my parents' house, and thankfully we were all standing in the kitchen and not touching anything. It exited through their garage, which in turn blew out their electronic garage door opening system. It was crazy! Let's just say we weren't feeling that stuffed-and-tired-needing-a-nap feeling anymore. Neighbors came over to see if we knew where it hit because their alarms went off too! What an afternoon...

ZuMbA!!!!

I have a new hobby, and I LOVE it: ZUMBA! Zumba is an aerobic workout that combines international dance moves, kickboxing, and hip hop for an intense (and amazing!) cardio workout. The best part is that it is so fun, you don't even know you're working out! In fact, every time I go to class at the Y, time flies by! If you're interested in joining a Zumba class near you, simply go to zumba.com and you can find a local class to join. "Ditch the workout- join the party!"

"We're not in Kansas anymore!"

We got back from a wonderful weekend in Hillsboro, KS (so cute!) celebrating Mindy's graduation and Mona's birthday. Here's a quick picture of Mona, Mindy, and me at Mindy's graduation party. I'll post more later on...

We're off to see the wizard...

Okay, so maybe not to see the wizard necessarily, but we are going to Kansas tomorrow. We're going to see Doug's sis graduate from college! Pray that we don't go crazy on the road trip- we've never been on a road trip together (just us two) longer than 2 hours and this one will be almost 8. I'll post pictures when we get back.

My Dad, the Graduate

My dad graduated from seminary yesterday! It was a very big day for him and our family. Here are a few pictures for those who couldn't be there.

My Hubby's Disappearing!

Doug and I made a "lifestyle change" after this past Christmas and decided to start eating healthy and getting active (with some help from the Wii Fit). Since December 30, 2008, Doug's lost nearly 50 pounds! (I've lost 31.7 as of now, but I'm not posting a picture until I hit my goal...) Here's the picture I took of Doug two days ago for V7 website. Way to go, Honey!

Take Your Fish for a Walk

Okay, so I know I haven't posted in a REALLY LONG time, but I couldn't resist this one.

As a child, I used to walk whatever pet I had at the time around our block since we didn't have a dog. My best friend and I put a dog harness and leash on her bunny. The best one though, was when the two of us took our small turtles (about 5" diameter) and tied yarn around their shells to make leashes. We then proceeded to walk around the block with them. Our turtles took ten steps, then we took ten large "people steps" until we finished walking around our half mile block.

But, I was never as crazy as this guy!

October 7, 2008- Three Years

October 7th marked three years since Doug's first wife, S, passed away. Please be in prayer for her parents, brother/sis-n-law, Doug, and his family as they go through this time of remembering and sadness. Please pray that God would continue to work mightily in their lives, as they each continue to work through this grieving process. Pray that they would see the amazing HOPE that is found in Christ, and be reminded of His sovereignty despite difficult circumstances. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to the day when I will get to meet her- my sister in Christ- in heaven, and praise His name together!

The Dangers of Page-Turning

A couple weeks ago, I joined a community/city choir that rehearses at a large church downtown. Being a newcomer, I was asked if I read music and would be willing to turn pages for the piano accompanist once every two months. Naturally, I said "yes." I had no idea it could be such a dangerous job.

I arrived at rehearsal last night at 6:45 so that I could meet the pianist (she's amazing!) and get situated before our 7pm rehearsal. As usual, rehearsal began with our director at the piano for warm-ups. Once he was done, I made my way to the front of the room. Rather than navigate between the chairs that were blocking the side pathway to the piano, I stepped in the hallway to re-enter the room near the piano. There was another lady in the hallway. She was waiting to enter as well. She had a t-shirt that said "Camp Alexander" which caught my attention. She entered the room first and I followed, only to realize that she was walking straight for the piano too. The pianist had beat us both, and she looked at us and glared. ("What are you looking at me for? I am supposed to be here!" was my thought.) I politely told the lady that I had been asked to turn pages. At this point, I witnessed (VERY up close and personal, might I add) a very scary sight. This late-60's aged woman got nose-to-nose with me and said "I will be turning the pages!" to which I replied "Oh- I had just received a phone call asking me to turn pages today." At this point, she got even more scary- "I have been turning her pages for FOURTEEN YEARS!" (Meanwhile, all 100 choir members were watching and listening- with wide eyes.)

I looked at her in disbelief thinking "You have got to be kidding me! It's all yours, lady!" I picked up my belongings and proceeded to sit with my section. No sooner had I left the piano that the board members (yes, this choir has board members- the choir started in the 1970's) all stood up. As soon as I was seated, the head board member asked every one to "Please stick with your section leader and evacuate the room. They will do a head count of their sections once everyone has left the room."

What?! Evacuate the room? Well, the little man who was next to me kept talking about a bomb (um, BOMB?) and everyone was grabbing their belongings and booking it out of the room. Once we were out and down the hallway (it's a long hallway), one of the board members stopped us to explain what was going on. Apparently, my "friend" had been asked to leave the choir and told not to return last year, or else the police would be called. She had made threats againsts various choir members and written nasty letters. They said she had a mental problem (NO JOKE!). She had been known for going ballistic one more than one occassion, and had threatened to attack.
Since there was a large concert going on in the sanctuary of the church, they decided to evacuate all of us from the room and leave a few board members in the room to try to talk her into leaving so that they didn't have to call the police.

All I know is that after 10 minutes in the hallway, they took us all back to our rehearsal room, and I was asked once again to turn pages. I never knew that turning the pianist's pages could be such a dangerous job!

A year ago today...

Time flies when you're having fun!

I love you, Honey! This has been the most amazing year, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for our future!

The Royal Gorge

We went to the Royal Gorge with my aunt, uncle, & cousins from Ohio along with my parents. (Sorry you had to work, N!) We walked across the bridge, rode the train, hiked, went to the petting zoo, rode the red cable car, and had an awesome time this weekend! We miss you Lee family!

Camping June '08

We went camping the first weekend in June up at Estes Park. While we were there, we visited the Stanley Hotel, where the movie The Shining was filmed. We had some great weather and a beautiful tent site. We were with our friends L & D and they brought their dog, Ginger. We also brought our two dogs, which was a little crazy at times. It was a ton of fun!