More Wedding Pics!

Mom's birthday (Cake: PG 13 Warning)

Well along with this year's Easter festivities, Mom's birthday landed shortly there after on tuesday. What a blast we had getting ready! Chad & I went down Easter monday after tare down at the church and stayed the night, then tuesday (Mom's b-day) while she was at work we prepared supper and a cake. We thought since Mom's birthday doesn't usually land this close to Easter, we should make an Easter festive cake for her.
Hence the bunny! Oh the bunny was hilarious! Angela and I made Chad go into the Elgin store to get some candy to decorate with, I had brought along two cake mixes, a French Vanilla and a Chocolate, Chocolate icing and Vanilla....but we didn't know if one mix would be enough so we decided to make them both (4 cakes!) then when we get ready to bake we find out Mom only has heart shaped cookie pans. Crazy girls!
While Katilyn was sleeping we attempted to put together (cut out a cake). Chad returns with candy, a licoracie pipe to cut off the end for a cute little nose...well we dicided to use other candy for that....so that meant bunny smoked a pipe. Then we thought little marshmellows would make good paws, with licorice sticks for claws...ended up looking like bunny boobies, but really what could we do because once it was on the icing, it just wouldn't come off without leaving a hole and nummy me bought two kinds of icing, not dreaming we would use both mixes and icings, so we were busy trying to cover bunny with chocolate and white icing.... hence boobie sporting, cigar smoking, birthday bunny! Too funny.
Then Chad fires up the bbq for chicken, but he left the skin on it and we had FIRE! :) Charring the chicken of course is a gormet chef's special touch so it was great! he pulled it off the bbq after achieving the blackened crisp and cooked the rest in the oven. I'd say the day was a hit though!

"To believe in God or in a guiding force because someone tells you to is the height of stupidity. We are given senses to receive our information within. With our own eyes we see, and with our own skin we feel. With our intelligence, it is intended that we understand. But each person must puzzle it out for himself or herself." Sophy Burnham

Easter 2006

As Easter 2006 at Smythe Street Cathedral draws to a close, I like many am filled with conflicting emotions. There is the relief, that yes, the crazy number of production practices have come to a close, that I might actually go to bed with my husband again for the first time in weeks, that I won't have to drop by the church to say hello to him, that I won't have to sneak a moment with him somewhere in front of church members... And yet, there is disappointment, realizing that these relationships that have grown a little deeper this Easter season simply because we were forced together for practices, likely will wait another year, for next years Easter production to get a little deeper.

I am challenged to be more consciencious to people's needs and how I might encourage them throughout the year. So often I find it so easy to retreat in my own self consciousness. I need to be bold and courageous, caring less about what I think people think of me and stepping out in who I know God has made me to be!

Pastor Verner spoke Sunday morning about being "Under Pressure", a good message for all those of us who were so busy and "under pressure" during Easter production! He reminded us how the best and the worst of us comes out when we are under pressure. How true! When the worst shows it's ugly head, remind me Lord to examine that part of myself.

After the final production the cast went out to the Jubilee for a cast party and buffet! Just a couple final hours left together before routine sets in again.

Check out Chad's super cool Ugandan Shirt he wears festivly every Easter!

Thinking about Jesus today

Today I am thinking about Jesus. In so doing I have realized how often when things spiritual cross my mind, that it has little to do with Jesus. More to do with my situations, friends' situations, loved ones' situations, my breaking heart... more of me calling out to Jesus/God for help, less of me thinking about who Jesus was and remains.

Perhaps it is because it is Palm Sunday, but I can't help but think of this man, my God and Savior. If we could only strip away all of the religion, church doctrine, and look at Jesus.... Look at him on Palm Sunday, 2000+ years ago, being carried through the streets of Jerusalem so aware of the near future and how different it would be from that moment. So loudly they adored and praised Him yet in a few days they would be the ones who would scoff and mock him, and eventually kill Him.

How often am I like this? Praising Him, adoring Him yet the next day, or even sometimes hours later doing things, being involved in situations which spit in the face of who He truly is.
Lord reduce me to Your love, draw me to my knees, remind me of who I am without You, guide me to follow You, not church, not spiritual leaders, but You Lord Jesus. Show me a glimpse of uncut, unedited, unmodified YOU!

The Big 3-0!

Well, it has happened! Chad turned the big 3-0 Sunday April 2nd. He seems to be doing well with the transition, better than I anticipate I will be! Friday night we had a big family bbq here at the house, tons of burgers and cripsy weiners! he!he! Saturday night Chad & I had a quiet night in before the big Easter run and then Sunday was a full day at church. They slipped a powerpoint announcement of his birthday with cutsie baby pics and sang happy birthday. At lunch Jill, our choir director got him a cake and we all sang to him again. Then, after the Easter Prayer Concert Chad & I and a couple of his really close trusted friends (from his board of directors from his life) went out for a late supper and talked about life and milestones. I think overall, although hardly a big birthday party like I would want, he had a good day and celebrated in true contemplative Chad fashion. I hope he finalizes his thoughts on his blog on turning 30. Here are some birthday pics and a cute baby pic.

The Cheesecake Factory

More on the honeymoon :0P Seems like we did a lot of eating~sounds like a great hooneymoon to me! When Chad & I got to Providence, Rhode Island I was beyond thrilled to see the beautiful, infamous Cheesecake Factory just a block away from our hotel room. OOOOOOooooo blissful evening! I had never been to the Cheescake Factory before and I was sooooo excited. Cheesecake, in my personal opinion, is a God give piece of heaven meant to connect us with some of the pure delights of perfection! The groans and moans as I slowly spooned each creamy, smooth, chocolate-y dreamy mouthful to my lips! ahhhhhh.....if only there was a Cheescake Factory near home...?
Is there a Cheescake Factory near you?
http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/