Let there be grapes!

I had a nice bowl of grapes this afternoon for a snack, but the kitten decided to maul them. For some reason he likes them. I tried moving them, and even moving him, but he kept coming back. I don't think I'll be eating them....I think he is feeling better. He still can't breath with his nose, and huffs and puffs through his mouth, but its cute. I'm just keeping and eye on him, and hopefully his nose will clear up soon!

Random entertainment for those who DON'T read my blog ;p

Who doesn't want some fun music videos! Just think - I'm saving you a trip to youtube, hehe.

Here is a video that is more SFL's style - poor man has had too much of the chick-flickish music...I promise to do better with my compilations. Just think - I'm expanding your horizons!! If you have any requests let me know.

OH! Who wants SLF to make some guest posts on here, hehe? Anyone? Okay, so no one else reads this...but I still think its a good idea!

Snot, wonderful snot, glorious snottttttt

I wish I had a picture, but sometimes those memorable moments are a) unexpected, and b) over quickly. I suppose that I could have pushed pause let the snot dangle as I ran for my camera, but at 11pm it didn't cross my mind.

I will tell you though that there was a giant sneeze then shaking of the head, and the looooongest string of green snot dangling from his nose.

Grossed out yet? (WOT is I'll guarantee).

Well, I leaped out of bed, grabbed a Kleenex, and did a clean up on isle 3.

I really need a picture....

This will have to do - he is giving the snot flinging wink!

Lets hope its just a cold...

The kitten spend most all of yesterday sitting in my lap. The poor buddy has this sneezing/coughing thing going on. At first we didn't think it was a cold, because he has not had any discharge from his eyes, and he's still eating and drinking. However, last night he just looked worse, and neither he nor I got great sleep. I woke up this morning and took him to our Emergency Clinic that we are so lucky to have nearby, and they gave him a shot of antibiotics, some antibiotics to take for the next several days, and if he gets worse I can take him back in. Poor buddy is sleeping next to me right now; he has had a stressful couple of days. Oh - as a side note he weighs exactly 2lbs, or for those of you in Europe just under 1kg - he's a little guy!! What is sad is that I have patients his size....

The nightshift rotation has actually been going quite well, although I have not gotten much sleep especially the days that I've been working. I think this past week I got a two hour nap before work, then that morning when I got home I slept for about 5 hours, and then the next morning I slept 3 hours so I could get back on a day schedule on my days off. No wonder after two years of doing that, and missing sleep I felt like I was crazy! Hopefully, the rest of these six weeks will go smoothly dayshift will be here before you know it!

Oh, I almost forgot. This schedule I was also asked to precept/orient an experienced nurse who is new to our unit. That means that we take a patient or pair of patients together so she can learn what we do. She is a great nurse, but like with anyone new to working in a PICU she is a little daunted, and I can't blame her I was the same way. I realize now how hard precepting is! You not only have ultimate responsibility for your patients, but you have to give the orientee the opportunity to do things, and learn. Not to mention explaining stuff constantly, and trying to remember to point things out that they may not know. Whew! It has been fun though, haha although I don't feel like I know enough to precept. Teaching is the best way to learn, so woot woot for education!

Gack and his "Hack"

I told WOT that I'd post another music video for her. I don't think you've seen this one, but it's one of my favorites, so enjoy!

As for Gack, I think SFL cursed him, because he's been "hacking" all week. I don't know if he has a hairball that he can't get out, poor boy. The vet wasn't too concerned, soooo we'll see. Today I'm sure the beasts will be unhappy with me, as Polly got dewormed again, and Gack got his second booster shots and dewormed. Of course the baby doesn't cough the whole time we're at the vet, and then within five minutes of being home starts hacking. I may got get some hairball stuff today and see if that will help him out. I'll let you know how it goes!! Poor baby!

Afternoon thoughts!

This is a great song - the artist's music video isn't out yet, so this will have to do - I suggest driving with the windows down and the music up ;-), just saying!

Along with the song, I found this interesting (I know it's long)...

****

by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

Christians have made the gospel about so many things … things other than Christ.
Jesus Christ is the gravitational pull that brings everything together and gives them significance, reality, and meaning. Without him, all things lose their value. Without him, all things are but detached pieces floating around in space.

It is possible to emphasize a spiritual truth, value, virtue, or gift, yet miss Christ . . . who is the embodiment and incarnation of all spiritual truth, values, virtues, and gifts.
Seek a truth, a value, a virtue, or a spiritual gift, and you have obtained something dead.
Seek Christ, embrace Christ, know Christ, and you have touched him who is Life. And in him resides all Truth, Values, Virtues and Gifts in living color. Beauty has its meaning in the beauty of Christ, in whom is found all that makes us lovely and loveable.

What is Christianity? It is Christ. Nothing more. Nothing less. Christianity is not an ideology. Christianity is not a philosophy. Christianity is the “good news” that Beauty, Truth and Goodness are found in a person. Biblical community is founded and found on the connection to that person. Conversion is more than a change in direction; it’s a change in connection. Jesus’ use of the ancient Hebrew word shubh, or its Aramaic equivalent, to call for “repentance” implies not viewing God from a distance, but entering into a relationship where God is command central of the human connection.

In that regard, we feel a massive disconnection in the church today. Thus this manifesto.
We believe that the major disease of the church today is JDD: Jesus Deficit Disorder. The person of Jesus is increasingly politically incorrect, and is being replaced by the language of “justice,” “the kingdom of God,” “values,” and “leadership principles.”

In this hour, the testimony that we feel God has called us to bear centers on the primacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Specifically . . .

1. The center and circumference of the Christian life is none other than the person of Christ. All other things, including things related to him and about him, are eclipsed by the sight of his peerless worth. Knowing Christ is Eternal Life. And knowing him profoundly, deeply, and in reality, as well as experiencing his unsearchable riches, is the chief pursuit of our lives, as it was for the first Christians. God is not so much about fixing things that have gone wrong in our lives as finding us in our brokenness and giving us Christ.

2. Jesus Christ cannot be separated from his teachings. Aristotle says to his disciples, “Follow my teachings.” Socrates says to his disciples, “Follow my teachings.” Buddha says to his disciples, “Follow my meditations.” Confucius says to his disciples, “Follow my sayings.” Muhammad says to his disciples, “Follow my noble pillars.” Jesus says to his disciples, “Follow me.” In all other religions, a follower can follow the teachings of its founder without having a relationship with that founder. Not so with Jesus Christ. The teachings of Jesus cannot be separated from Jesus himself. Jesus Christ is still alive and he embodies his teachings. It is a profound mistake, therefore, to treat Christ as simply the founder of a set of moral, ethical, or social teaching. The Lord Jesus and his teaching are one. The Medium and the Message are One. Christ is the incarnation of the Kingdom of God and the Sermon on the Mount.

3. God’s grand mission and eternal purpose in the earth and in heaven centers in Christ . . . both the individual Christ (the Head) and the corporate Christ (the Body). This universe is moving towards one final goal – the fullness of Christ where He shall fill all things with himself. To be truly missional, then, means constructing one’s life and ministry on Christ. He is both the heart and bloodstream of God’s plan. To miss this is to miss the plot; indeed, it is to miss everything.

4. Being a follower of Jesus does not involve imitation so much as it does implantation and impartation. Incarnation–the notion that God connects to us in baby form and human touch—is the most shocking doctrine of the Christian religion. The incarnation is both once-and-for-all and ongoing, as the One “who was and is to come” now is and lives his resurrection life in and through us. Incarnation doesn’t just apply to Jesus; it applies to every one of us. Of course, not in the same sacramental way. But close. We have been given God’s “Spirit” which makes Christ “real” in our lives. We have been made, as Peter puts it, “partakers of the divine nature.” How, then, in the face of so great a truth can we ask for toys and trinkets? How can we lust after lesser gifts and itch for religious and spiritual thingys? We’ve been touched from on high by the fires of the Almighty and given divine life. A life that has passed through death – the very resurrection life of the Son of God himself. How can we not be fired up?

To put it in a question: What was the engine, or the accelerator, of the Lord’s amazing life? What was the taproot or the headwaters of his outward behavior? It was this: Jesus lived by an indwelling Father. After his resurrection, the passage has now moved. What God the Father was to Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is to you and to me. He’s our indwelling Presence, and we share in the life of Jesus’ own relationship with the Father. There is a vast ocean of difference between trying to compel Christians to imitate Jesus and learning how to impart an implanted Christ. The former only ends up in failure and frustration. The latter is the gateway to life and joy in our daying and our dying. We stand with Paul: “Christ lives in me.” Our life is Christ. In him do we live, breathe, and have our being. “What would Jesus do?” is not Christianity. Christianity asks: “What is Christ doing through me … through us? And how is Jesus doing it?” Following Jesus means “trust and obey” (respond), and living by his indwelling life through the power of the Spirit.

5. The “Jesus of history” cannot be disconnected from the “Christ of faith.” The Jesus who walked the shores of Galilee is the same person who indwells the church today. There is no disconnect between the Jesus of Mark’s Gospel and the incredible, all-inclusive, cosmic Christ of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The Christ who lived in the first century has a pre-existence before time. He also has a post-existence after time. He is Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, A and Z, all at the same time. He stands in the future and at the end of time at the same moment that He indwells every child of God. Failure to embrace these paradoxical truths has created monumental problems and has diminished the greatness of Christ in the eyes of God’s people.

6. It’s possible to confuse “the cause” of Christ with the person of Christ. When the early church said “Jesus is Lord,” they did not mean “Jesus is my core value.” Jesus isn’t a cause; he is a real and living person who can be known, loved, experienced, enthroned and embodied. Focusing on his cause or mission doesn’t equate focusing on or following him. It’s all too possible to serve “the god” of serving Jesus as opposed to serving him out of an enraptured heart that’s been captivated by his irresistible beauty and unfathomable love. Jesus led us to think of God differently, as relationship, as the God of all relationship.

7. Jesus Christ was not a social activist nor a moral philosopher. To pitch him that way is to drain his glory and dilute his excellence. Justice apart from Christ is a dead thing. The only battering ram that can storm the gates of hell is not the cry of Justice, but the name of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Justice, Peace, Holiness, Righteousness. He is the sum of all spiritual things, the “strange attractor” of the cosmos. When Jesus becomes an abstraction, faith loses its reproductive power. Jesus did not come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live.

8. It is possible to confuse an academic knowledge or theology about Jesus with a personal knowledge of the living Christ himself. These two stand as far apart as do the hundred thousand million galaxies. The fullness of Christ can never be accessed through the frontal lobe alone. Christian faith claims to be rational, but also to reach out to touch ultimate mysteries. The cure for a big head is a big heart.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with CliffsNotes for a systematic theology. He leaves his disciples with breath and body.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with a coherent and clear belief system by which to love God and others. Jesus gives his disciples wounds to touch and hands to heal.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with intellectual belief or a “Christian worldview.” He leaves his disciples with a relational faith.
Christians don’t follow a book. Christians follow a person, and this library of divinely inspired books we call “The Holy Bible” best help us follow that person. The Written Word is a map that leads us to The Living Word. Or as Jesus himself put it, “All Scripture testifies of me.” The Bible is not the destination; it’s a compass that points to Christ, heaven’s North Star.
The Bible does not offer a plan or a blueprint for living. The “good news” was not a new set of laws, or a new set of ethical injunctions, or a new and better PLAN. The “good news” was the story of a person’s life, as reflected in The Apostle’s Creed. The Mystery of Faith proclaims this narrative: “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.” The meaning of Christianity does not come from allegiance to complex theological doctrines, but a passionate love for a way of living in the world that revolves around following Jesus, who taught that love is what makes life a success . . . not wealth or health or anything else: but love. And God is love.

9. Only Jesus can transfix and then transfigure the void at the heart of the church. Jesus Christ cannot be separated from his church. While Jesus is distinct from his Bride, he is not separate from her. She is in fact his very own Body in the earth. God has chosen to vest all of power, authority, and life in the living Christ. And God in Christ is only known fully in and through his church. (As Paul said, “The manifold wisdom of God – which is Christ – is known through the ekklesia.”)

The Christian life, therefore, is not an individual pursuit. It’s a corporate journey. Knowing Christ and making him known is not an individual prospect. Those who insist on flying life solo will be brought to earth, with a crash. Thus Christ and his church are intimately joined and connected. What God has joined together, let no person put asunder. We were made for life with God; our only happiness is found in life with God. And God’s own pleasure and delight is found therein as well.

10. In a world which sings, “Oh, who is this Jesus?” and a church which sings, “Oh, let’s all be like Jesus,” who will sing with lungs of leather, “Oh, how we love Jesus!”
If Jesus could rise from the dead, we can at least rise from our bed, get off our couches and pews, and respond to the Lord’s resurrection life within us, joining Jesus in what he’s up to in the world. We call on others to join us—not in removing ourselves from planet Earth, but to plant our feet more firmly on the Earth while our spirits soar in the heavens of God’s pleasure and purpose. We are not of this world, but we live in this world for the Lord’s rights and interests. We, collectively, as the ekklesia of God, are Christ in and to this world.
May God have a people on this earth who are a people of Christ, through Christ, and for Christ. A people of the cross. A people who are consumed with God’s eternal passion, which is to make his Son preeminent, supreme, and the head over all things visible and invisible. A people who have discovered the touch of the Almighty in the face of his glorious Son. A people who wish to know only Christ and him crucified, and to let everything else fall by the wayside. A people who are laying hold of his depths, discovering his riches, touching his life, and receiving his love, and making HIM in all of his unfathomable glory known to others.
The two of us may disagree about many things—be they ecclesiology, eschatology, soteriology, not to mention economics, globalism and politics.

Christians don’t follow Christianity; Christians follow Christ.
Christians don’t preach themselves; Christians proclaim Christ.
Christians don’t point people to core values; Christians point people to the cross.
Christians don’t preach about Christ: Christians preach Christ.

Over 300 years ago a German pastor wrote a hymn that built around the Name above all names:
Ask ye what great thing I know, that delights and stirs me so?What the high reward I win? Whose the name I glory in?Jesus Christ, the crucified.
This is that great thing I know; this delights and stirs me so:faith in him who died to save, His who triumphed o’er the grave:Jesus Christ, the crucified.
—
Jesus Christ – the crucified, resurrected, enthroned, triumphant, living Lord.
He is our Pursuit, our Passion, and our Life.
Amen.

I hope that this video works for you guys, it shows the kitten playing in the chair after he knocked the seat back over onto him. He is under the cushion, just so you know...Hehehe...

Dear Dad...

(I know this picture is a couple years old, but I still love it)

Dear Dad, er SFL,

Thanks for not leaving years ago when the going got tough.

Thanks for video taping all the gore of birth, even when mom wasn't so happy about it, hehe.

Thanks for dressing up in silly hats with your girls.

Thanks for telling us stories about Jesus, and showing Him to us everyday in how you live.

Thanks for being there to baptize me in the hot tub.

Thanks for showing us how much you love WOT.

Thanks for the communal bed, hehe.

Thanks for "wuving" us, we "wuv" you too.

Thanks for working hard everyday; and even when there was no work you did what you had too.

Thanks for pancakes every weekend.

Thanks for fixing our cars, and nagging us to check the oil ;-).

Thanks for letting mom come for two weeks this winter.

Thanks for reading this silly little blog.

Thanks for being the best and only dad I'd ever want, and I know DOT feels the same way.

You are awesome and we love you even if you don't like us to violate your personal space. You have impacted our lives in thousands of ways, and I hope you know that. Happy Father's Day!!!!

Bath Day

This link has nothing to do with what I was going to tell you, but it's a great video clip I think you'll like it.

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=b7b7576f-400c-4e85-99d4-a0a99c4433e3

***
Also, I changed the way you guys can comment on here, to make it easier. If it's not working for you and you hate it let me know I can change it back.

***
This morning the kitten was using the little litter box by the bed around 5am, when Polly (the older cat) decided to go at him. Well Velvet the dog (who hates conflict), must have known that Polly started it, because she took the kitten's side and dove between then snapping at the older cat. I must say I was proud of the dog...I scooped up the kitten onto the bed in my still waking up state only to realize thaaaaat with the chaos his paws were, ah, dirty. That left me at 5:30am climbing out of bed to give the cat a bath, and try to spray the sheets with cleaner. My poor bed...

The kitten was so pitiful as I gave him his bath in the sink, with the only kids shampoo I had left - Watermelon scented. Yummy. He survived though, and got all wrapped up in a towel. Then I collapsed back into bed with a bundled kitten on my chest to try to rest. His little head poking out of his cocoon we snoozed for about an hour. I must admit he is darn cute. As I type this he is laying on my chest under a blanket, because he was still cold.

I now give you permission to "awww".

Can I have a nap?

Counting Down the Days

I finally have a minute to sit down, which is more than I could say yesterday. You never know what work will be like, but the past several days have been super busy, and not just for me, but for the Unit as a whole. Nevertheless, with my 5 minutes of peace I wanted to do a quick post.

Last night I definitely got a little more sleep as the kitten is growing more independent, and spent most of the night at the top of my pillow sleeping. Poor buddy, he will be so happy when I'm home tonight. It has been nice though to have a sort of trial run before getting a puppy, and I must admit that I'll miss the bugger- at least I know I'll occasionally see him, and he couldn't be going to a better place (SFL is still in question ;p).

I start night shift again on Sunday, so we'll see how that goes. I'm going to really bite the bullet, and attempt on all the days I'm not working to switch back to days. I think it's better for my body. At least I know that it's only 6 weeks before day shift again, and I get to see my folks in another 3 weeks. Whew...

I'd like to mess around with switching this blog onto a domain where I can do more stuff with it, but we'll see how that goes. I think it would be fun.

Anyways, hope that you guys are all having a great day - thanks for all the comments!!

Adjustments

There has been quite a bit of hissing and angry glares the past 24 hours, and the majority of which were from the older cat Polly, who thinks this is her house, her space, and WHY in Heaven's name is there a nasty little creature running around in it??

The little guy just burrs his tail out when she hisses at him, but just keeps on purring. I will say though, they've made strides already, compared to yesterday at this time.

I have felt a bit like I have a newborn in the house, as we've been making sure he eats about every three hours. He is still so nervous that he only eats when you're standing with him, and we need to fatten him up so we can't feel his little ribs. Last night he slept at the top of my pillow the whole time, and then around 3am was hungry, and then again around 6am. I was tired. After the 6am feeding though he wanted to explore my bedroom and play, while Polly sat at the end of the hallway craning her neck around the doorway. He ran around the room tail frizzed, but purring, and poor Polly just glared - it was hilarious!

Einstein: E=MC^2

I did something today that I didn't mean to do...

It's not my fault!

It was love ;-)

Okay, well I knew my mother would fall in love.















Isn't he precious? I don't know why the sound on my camera didn't work, but my sister is there chilling with us, and telling me I have to get rid of him before I want to keep him!!

Since he will be my parent's cat my Dad named him Einstein, which is only technical seeing as any family pet of ours has a million names. We can call him Dr. E; Eini; my dad wants Flash as a nickname; and MC. Hehe, we'll see...We got our visit to the vet over with, and he wouldn't stop purring when the vet was trying to listen to his heart and lungs. We (including the vet) just laughed, and the vet charted "motor running fine".

Poor Polly (our other cat) hates the baby, and the baby is scared of the dog...When they get used to each other I'll be taking him to WOT.

I guess I should tell you how I happened upon him. I had the intention of dropping by the animal shelter to volunteer for a little on my way to get emission testing on the car. The emissions test didn't happen. While working in the cat room I usually don't visit with the kittens because the get adopted so quickly. Today I was petting the adults when a girl left the kitten room commenting about the cute "Siamese one", and I had to take a look. When I saw him I thought of my mother, and before long it was settled, and home we went!

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

You've heard me mention the possibility of getting another puppy at some point, so I thought I'd show you what kind of dog I'm looking at!

Soon you'll all fall in love!!

Technically it was Yesterday...

I hope that you watched the video - I promise I won't tell if you scroll back up and watch it.

Done?

It was amazing I know, but you might be wondering at the importance of it aside from sheer entertainment.

Well, all our growing up years we would hear my mother and father sing (granted my father was off key) this song. Usually, it would result in everyone breaking out in song. Tonight my sister and I were just hanging out when we just thought of this song as we were thinking about my parents anniversary yesterday; that led to very loud singing from the two of us. I had to find this song and let you hear it!

Enjoy!!

State Capitol

I know I'm posting a bit backwards, but I thought I would do a couple other posts about our adventures while the cousin was in town. One of the days we went to visit the State Capitol. I felt like such the good homeschooler, or girl scout leader, hehe! Honestly though, having the chance to go and experience so many different things was one of the things I enjoyed most about homeschooling. It brings me back baby!

Okay, so that was us on the steps of the Capitol. We got there on the late side of the day, which was kind of nice because it wasn't as busy. I'd like to go back at some point and catch an actual tour; we had to use the informational pamphlet and take a self guided tour, because we missed the last guided tour of the day.

I love the history of old buildings!

There is actually a bullet hole in the wall of the Capitol Building from some fight that broke out over the 14th Amendment (anyone know what the amendment stated? It's quiz time!!). The men opposed came up with this "great" plan. They thought that if they ran away from the vote (which they knew they were out numbered) then the voting wouldn't be able to actually take place, thus preventing the amendment from passing. Genius I know.

Well, unfortunately not voting wasn't really an option, and when the men drew guns and tried to fight their way out of the Capitol building they were stopped and forced to vote. One of the bullets from that fight remains in the wall of the Capitol to this day.

Pretty neat huh?

If you ever want a fun afternoon activity, check out your local political buildings. I know its a little nerdy, but still it was tons of fun!

By the way - yesterday was SFL and WOT's 29th wedding anniversary - amazing considering SFL's brain matter. Wishing them 29 more happy years ;-)!!

My last will...

I was told this week by SFL that my singing and eating Cheerios could result in my death...which technically is true, and seemed to fit perfectly with this little bit of humor I found laying on the desk at work.

This is mainly to make SFL laugh, and I know that you may be insulted, but please look at this in the light of sarcasm, and from the point of view of an old woman (I did slightly modify it for reader censor- you'll see).

*****
I, being of sound mind and body, o not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means.

Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth grade biology if their lives depended on it, or lawyers/doctors interested in simply running up the bills.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the following:

Glass of wine
Chocolate
Margarita
Birds and Bees
Martini
Cold Beer
Chocolate Chicken Fried Steak
Cream Gravy
Birds and Bees
Mexican Food
Chocolate
French Fries
Chocolate
Pizza
Birds and Bees
Ice cream
Cup of tea
Chocolate
Chocolate
Birds and Bees
Chocolate

It should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes, let the 'fat lady sing', and call it a day!

****
Hope this gave you a morning chuckle - It gave me one yesterday. I don't know who wrote that - it wasn't me - but if I had I so would want credit for it!

Happy Sunday!! Hmmm, I realized that maybe that wasn't a good post for a Sunday. God has a sense of humor right? Hehe!

Hazy Mornings

My drive into work this morning was gorgeous! I rolled the windows of the car partially down, cranked up the music till I'm sure the cars around me could hear, and I ate my dry honey nut Cheerios in between loudly singing.

I'm kind of sure I shouldn't admit that, but really you should try it sometime. It makes you feel that all is right with the world, and how amazing every breath we take is.

After all there is nothing like a deep breath of clean wonderful yummy (can you think of any more adjectives?)...freeing air!

Moving right along, I have been looking into getting a Greater Swiss Mountain (GSM) dog. My earlier contemplations about finding another four legged companion just didn't seem right, and the more I thought about it the more I realized that I've always wanted a GSM, so why not at least look into it? I'll keep you updated.

I will also have to post some more fun pictures we got while my cousin was here, but that will have to wait for my computer.

Airport Adventures

Aw, sigh. The cousin has left, and now my life has drifted back into monotony...think my aunt would catch me if I stole her back?

Actually, she almost got to stay with me - at least for awhile longer.

We arrived at the airport in plenty of time to check her bag, and walk her to her gate prior to boarding of the plane. Please keep in mind that she will be 15 in August, and flew without a problem the whole way here. That said, while we were checking in they asked her age (which was fine - they had done that on the way here also), and then the attendant promptly told me that she could not fly. I think something along the lines of "well she flew here" followed by "well she can't stay here!" - Not that I don't love my cousin, but I think my aunt might freak if I actually kept her - I'm just saying...

The airline then informed me that someone didn't follow policy when they allowed her to fly (with a connection) unaccompanied. Now I understand policies, here at the hospital we live by them, and unfortunately I was now on the receiving end of one. My aunt even tried talking to the manager, but alas! If my cousin wanted to get home we'd be shelling out another hundred dollars to switch her over to another airline who would let her fly. Not only that but there was a four hour wait till her new flight would take off, and my cousin's family would have to drive an hour away to pick her up at a different airport.

Yeah for airport excitement!

I kept my calm, and just told my cousin that this is flying, you have to get use to change - I mean what are ya gonna do - and in the worse case scenario she'd get to hang with me for a couple extra days.

All together I got to hang at the airport a couple extra hours, walk her to her gate, and spend some quality people watching time while we waited. We had fun, and not even the inconvenience ruined our mood. Life is to short to spend it angry! Not to mention my cousin was conviced she wasn't suppose to be on that other plane because Rascal Flatts was going to be on this new flight...I didn't dash her hopes, but I ddddid happen to mention that they probably had their own jet...just saying!

More Fun in the Sun!

This week has definitely been fun, and tonight was no different. Fortunately my sister was also in on the action when we went to the local park to swing (yes, swing) and play in the evening sun. I think we've taken 400 pictures, which is slightly scary, but loads of fun. Now we have the whole night to watch TV, eat guacamole, and play mad gab! I'm contemplating stealing my cousin permanently - I think I need a buddy full time. Should I hold auditions? Hehe...

More updates to come!

Strawberries!

We hit the strawberry fields for an afternoon of picking pretty late in the season. That had us working harder to find good berries, but boy were they still yummy! In not too long blueberries will be in season - woot! The farm we went to was only about forty minutes from the house, and ways back in farm country. It was great fun riding in the car with Rascal Flats playing while my cousin and I sang at the top of our lungs, hehe oh yeah.

My fabulous cousin has been here for three days already, and so I apologize for my absents on here, but we have not stopped. From day one we have been up early out the door, and busy till evening. While it has been fun, it has also been tiring. We've seen the zoo, the area's largest mall, strawberry picking, mansion touring, pictures at the botanical gardens, and more. I'll post more later with the activities of the next several days.

I'm also debating on getting this dog I saw at the human shelter a week or two ago. I've just been thinking about it for awhile, so I'll let you know what happens. I think the cousin and I are going to go visit the dog today just to play with her, she's cute!

Anyways, the cousin is up and awake. That means we're off for another full day!

Fun Summer Activities

On a light hearted summer note I have been trying to brainstorm a bit as too fun activities to do with my younger cousin who is coming to spend this next week with me. I'm sure we will post some pictures as she is an avid armature photographer. Although, after she finishes college perhaps she'll be an expert, and can show me a thing or two!

Here is my list of possibilities thus far, any additions?

-Strawberry picking (I think this is the last week of the season)
-Canoe down one of our rivers
-Visiting the Farmer's market
-Checking out the Country Music Museum (she will love it)
-Tour of the Capitol building (or maybe another museum)
-Kidnap Russel Flats (hehe my cousin thinks we'll get in trouble - I said not as long as we return him ;-) I bet he'd like to go canoe with us).
-Explore our bike bath
-Go to a movie
-Harass my sister
-Make amazing culinary creations
-Go to the Botanical gardens and take pictures!

There's my list, who knows what we'll actually do - I'll keep you posted!

Friends

About a month ago in church we talked about telling the people in our lives how amazing they are while they are alive, and not just waiting to give a wonderful funeral speech. So as I sat here thinking, I wanted to jot down just a few of my favorite things about just a few of my favorite people. Now don't go getting antsy - I'm doing my best here, maybe I'll make this a weekly thing, and I'll do different people every time. Are you ready? ;-)

You can take a bow when it's your turn - I won't laugh!

Okay...maybe I will laugh, but only if you hit your head on something when you bow...

We'll start off with SFL because it IS almost Fathers day.

SFL: He is the strong silent type. We'd get sent to our room when we were younger as punishment, but we always knew that SFL would be up soon with that look that could make you fess up to anything. He tells great stories too - don't let him fool you.

Julie: She is a wonderful friend. She is great at seeing the heart of something, I need people like that. I LOVE late night laundry folding/ice cream eating moments, or just hanging out. If you ever want to eat good food.../e points (sorry my mouth is full).

Ashley: This girl is awesome about trying new things, and being adventurous. I love that about her! She doesn't mind telling you whats what either, and will stand up for herself - something I'd like to be better at.

I realized I could make a ten page list about people...I know I'm only getting a little picture for you here. You'll just have to get to know them yourselves.

Den: Hmm, where to start. She is my go to girl when I just want to whine, and she does the same to me; don't you just love those mutual relationships? She doesn't even read this, but that's okay. She is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and she would be willing to do anything for you. She loves flowers....

Okay, I have work to do - but don't worry I will add more people later!!

I hate to just quote straight verse, but I think I needed a reminder this week.

How often do I lose track of who I am called to be as I listen to everyone else's junk? It is so easy to compromise...

Okay, I'm not having some crisis or dilemma; I was just thinking. I'll show my true lack of memorization, but you remember the verses that talk about a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies and gold (or something to that degree). I know that over the years with our changing culture that may look slightly different, but the basics are still true!

I'm so rambling, and I apologize.

I don't want to get caught up in things that won't matter 20 years down the road. I want to find that place of growth as an individual, where I'm learning to be me while still truly loving the people who God has placed in my life.

Blah, blah, blah...I know - but come on its my blog to vent as I want ;p.

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1st Corinthians Chapter 13

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels (I want to meet someone who can speak in both), but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing (wow...).

Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy (how many times do I say unkind things to or about someone - even if it's true!). Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil (I think this part is neat. So often we think badly about someone because of what they've done, but to take NO account, I mean to just not even let it effect our thinking about that person at all!); doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (What a reminder that in our greatest weakness he is strong through us - I could never endure all things with out Him). Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child (I think I still qualify as a child ;-)). Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face (reference to the vail being torn?). Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.