Life-changing relationship

When I was 15 years old, the church I grew up in hired our first Youth Pastor. At the time I was enjoying the fact that my parents said they would never make me go to church, so I wasn't going. On the first Sunday that Kyle and Cari Detmers and their young daughter, Chelsea came to church, my parents came home and said that I HAD to meet this guy, I would really like him.
So I went to church and met him and his wife, and that was the beginning of a relationship that has impacted me in ways that I will keep learning until eternity.
Yesterday, I went to that church, which is still like "going home" to me, and celebrated in sending Kyle, Cari and their 3 children off to Marquette Bible Church, in Marquette, MI. It was such a sad and draining day for me. The service was awesome. The celebration was great, and I think that the Detmers family was truly honored for their service to God.
I just had SUCH a hard time saying good-bye to them. I haven't seen them much since I've been married and moved out here, but I always knew where to find them. I always knew they would be there if I needed them for any reason.
When Chris and I were working with the Student Ministry at our old church, people would ask why we were doing it, my answer was always .. "because my youth pastor had such an impact on me, I want to do that for other students". We don't work with students any more because of our family, and the demands it would be on our time. But I hope that the time I did spend with some of the girls impacted them somehow.
One of the things I said yesterday during the service was, now that I'm a mom, I really understand the sacrifice Cari made to always keep her door open to me. I don't know how many hundreds of times I popped into their home un-announced, with I don't know how many hundreds of stupid reasons (usually about a boy!), and she always made time for me. I never considered her time, her family, the other aspects of her ministry, but it never seemed to matter. I will never forget that, and the impact it made on me will last forever.
I know that God is going to continue to complete His work in them and through them, and I'm excited to pack up my family and head to Marquette for some quality "family time" with the Detmers.
I love you guys, and I will never be able to thank you enough for all that you are in my life.

Good Friends!

These are my friends Heather and Kim. We met about 6 years ago while working at the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office (or as I told our waitress last night, The County Jail). Heather was working there when I started and then Kim joined shortly after me. It didn't take long for us to form a bond and we have journeyed through so much in life during our years of friendship.
One thing is certain, when the 3 of us get together, there is no shortage of LAUGHTER! We met at The Melting Pot last night, in celebration of my birthday (AGAIN!). It never seems to matter how much time has passed from the last time we were together, we always pick up where we left off and have a great time.
I love these girls and am so glad that they are in my life, they are really great friends. (And I'm not just saying that because they paid for my dinner and lavished me with gifts...although it doesn't hurt) (WINK)

My hubs

In case you don't know, this is me and Chris. Our 4 year anniversary is coming up fast (Sept. 4th), and it has been a whirlwind of a 4 years. I can't believe that we are celebrating 4 years of marriage and have 2 kids!! We got right down to business!
I just want to brag about Chris! He is such a great husband. And dad. He does so much for our family, and hardly ever complains, I love that about him. He is really corny and sometimes even I can't understand his jokes, and I imagine that one day he will be that dad whose corny jokes amuze and scare our sons girlfriends.
This picture was taken before our "hot date" on Friday night. We went to Outback, saw The Dark Night and then went and had "pie and coffee" at the Rams Horn. I don't think Chris cares at all about "Pie and Coffee" at 11:00 at night, but he likes to do things that I like. And it's quite obvious that I like "pie and coffee". So, there we were, sitting on the same side of the booth, sipping coffee and eating hot fudge cake at The Rams Horn in Novi. (I should note the only reason we sat on the same side of the booth is because we were watching Olympic Coverage).
Anyway, Chris, I love you, thanks for all you did to make me feel appreciated, loved and cared for on my birthday! You're the best!

6 things you don't know about me

6 Things You Might Not Know About Me

My friend from Ozark Christian College, Eskai, tagged me for a game. So here are 6 things you might not know about me (although, I'm pretty open, so you probably do)

1. I read in the bathroom. ALL THE TIME! If I borrow books from you, and you don't want them read in the bathroom, you should let me know before lending them to me! I consider the bathroom the ONE place where I will have some peace and quiet to finish a chapter, a page, or the rest of a book.

2. I spend too much time in "idle" mode. It's something that I"m working on, but I have such a problem with idleness. I can easily waste an entire day, doing nothing except taking care of the kids, surfing the internet (especially blogs and facebook), and watching TV. It's sad...but true...and you probably DID know this about me!~!!

3. I usually have at least one laundry load that I have to wash twice because I leave it in the washer for too long.

4. I've never seen "Napoleon Dynamite". I have no desire to, either.

5. I talk to myself, like, a LOT! I have Pre-Conversation-Conversations with people, aloud, in the car, in the shower, wherever. Sometimes I think I've lost my mind, especially when a real conversation with the real person is NO WHERE near my pre-conversation-conversation with myself. Or when I get my own conversation confused with the conversation that ACTUALLY takes place

6. And lastly, I'm really sad about something. My Youth Pastor/second dad and his wife- my second mother/sister/friend, and their family are moving to Marquette, MI sometime soon. It's an odd thing that I am so sad about this, because I have seen them...maybe 5 times since I've been married, but I literally can't think about them moving without crying. I have been working on a post about this for some time, but I can't even seem to get my thoughts straight...it's crazy!

Hope you learned something new about me!

I'm supposed to "tag" other people who have blogs and have them do the same, but I don't know how to do all of that, so if you want to do this...then do it!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Turning 30 is awesome! I had the most amazing birthday yesterday, and the celebrating isn't even over yet. I need to set the day up with a few tidbits that might help you understand the greatness of the day.
1) For about 10 years, I have been obsessed with being the absolute queen of the day on my birthday
2) I'm almost always disappointed that, in fact, the world does NOT revolve around me on August 13
3) The plan for my 30th birthday was...a park outing with my Lindsay and Cyrus and Ayla, followed by lunch...dinner at home with the fam..with other events and gathering throughout the week planned.
So, here's how the day unfolded...I woke up and Chris was in the shower getting ready for work, then I went in the bathroom and when I came out Chris and the boys were sitting on our bed with a big box all wrapped up in front of them. I was NOT expecting a present, and I certainly was not expecting ... A KEURIG coffee maker!! YAY! I had mentioned wanting one a time or two, but never thought I'd get it!! OHHH, I've been having some good coffee these past 2 days, have I mentioned I love me some coffee? Then the card said that I get the day to myself, because Chris wasn't going to work! We had been talking about my need for shopping for new clothes and that got to be my day for it!
It didn't take me long to get out of the house and be on my way for a day of shopping, lunching, maybe a movie! I got my guilty pleasure breakfast..(.DON'T JUDGE, but I love "Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddles" from McD's, and it was my birthday so I indulged! )..then set out to the mall. I went to my favorite store, Ann Taylor Loft, bought a pair of jeans, a shirt and a sweater. Then went to more stores, tried on more clothes and actually enjoyed myself at the mall.
I then met my friend Courtney for lunch at Border Cantina Mexican restaurant, where she bought me lunch and a margarita...nothing like booze in the afternoon. Then I wondered through a few more stores, and headed to see what was at the theater. I ended up seeing, Mama Mia! I have this weird thing, I actually ENJOY seeing a movie by myself. But...not this one. I'm not too crazy about musicals, and I really liked the story line, AND I like Some ABBA in my life, but it was too much for me. Alone. If I had a friend sitting by me while Dancing Queen was on, I think it would've created a fun moment. Glad I saw it, but I won't see it again!
After my movie I wandered through Target and then came home. All 4 of us went to Red Robin for dinner, Levi loves it there, and it's loud enough we don't feel bad if the kids sqwak a little. It was a great dinner, and just overall one of my best birthdays ever.
I'm just narcissistic enough, that I might post pictures of my clothes...maybe even with me in them, but for now, here's a picture of my Keurig, I LOVE IT!!! Come on over and I'll make you a cup of some GOOD coffee!!!

A nugget tucked away...

I found this verse a few months ago tucked into the gospel of Luke, and I have been pondering it ever since, here it is along with my thoughts. If you can add your own insight to this passage, I'd love to hear it.
Luke 22:31-32 (Jesus is talking) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
This is one part of the conversation Jesus and Simon (also called Peter) have during the Passover Supper (or the Last Supper). It's where Jesus tells Peter that "before the rooster crows, Peter will deny Jesus 3x.
Here are the things that struck me as I have read this passage and mulled over it.
1) "Simon, Simon" I love the tenderness in Jesus using Simon's name twice. I can just hear His tone (as I think it might have sounded), not harsh, not condemning, but filled with tenderness as He warns His disciple of what is to come.
2) "satan has asked..." For some reason, I get so much comfort from knowing that Satan had to ASK to come against Simon. (Just like he did Job) I wonder what it was about Peter that made him such a target for Satan, I mean, why did he specifically ask for him?
3) "but I have prayed for you" This is JESUS praying for one of His disciples. It amazes me that Jesus intercedes for us. I don't know much about the theology behind this, but in my "theological" mind, I am in awe of Jesus interceding on MY behalf. I think of times that I've gone through struggles and trials, and I look back so differently thinking that Jesus was praying for me.
4)"And when you have turned back"...This is probably my favorite part. Not, "if you make it through", Not, "good luck to you, man"...but "WHEN you have turned back". Jesus is giving Simon a glimpse into the future and a knowledge that he will get through whatever it is that Satan will put him through.
Those are just some of my thoughts on this passage that I have somehow managed to miss in years and years of reading the gospels. This comes to mind so often when I hear of someone struggling with something. I've been trying to find sermons and talks on this verse, but so far haven't found much that gives me further input than my own simple mind.

And Panera!

After enjoying a delicious lunch today with one of my longest friends, Courtney (We've known each other since Kindergarten), I realized that needed to add something else to my "things that I love"! And that would be Panera Bread! Chris thinks it's too pricey, so I don't go very often, but if that place had a drive-through window, oh baby! In case you're wondering, todays enjoyment was...Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (no cxn); and 1/2 chxn salad on whole grain (You pick 2)! I could make a whole post about what I love at Panera, it would look like this..*Portobella Mozzerlla Panini*cinnamon french toast bagel with Hazelnut cream cheese*cream cheese danish*Vegetarian black bean soup*bread bowls*iced coffees*broccoli chedder soup* Ummm....just read the menu and that's what I love!!!

A few of my favorite things

Over the past few weeks I've found myself using something or doing something, and thought, "Oh, I love this" or something similar, so here is a random list of those things...they may be boring to you, but they're my little pleasures right now!
*Daily phone call with Lindsay*Blogging*facebook*our church*new friendships*Old friendships*reuniting with old friends via facebook*the Mole (which ends tonight:(*watching Mason learn new things daily*watching Levi learn about life*hearing Levi pray*that my kids go to bed at 8:00*naptime*wearing a size 12 again*Jon and Kate + 8*my homemade iced coffee*exercising and feeling good*cuddling with the kids*cuddling with Chris*Pancake Saturdays*reading blogs of friends*reading blogs of strangers that inspire me*coffee*finding new recipes and trying them out*connecting with new friends*switching Mason from baby food to table food*Coke Zero*The Melting Pot*My nieces and nephews*my minivan (never thought I'd say that)*watching the boys sleep*watching movies with Chris*my new relationship with my mom*Costco*playing cribbage with Chris*being referred to as "The Grays" (I can't explain why, but I love it when someone calls us the Grays)*Project Runway*MY FAMILY!!

He's not the only one

I had to add this moment from today as a follow-up to my post about Chris playing Keys at church today. This afternoon Levi was downstairs while Chris was grilling our dinner and I was feeding Mason. Out of nowhere, I heard Levi playing the keyboard (he's figured out how to turn it on, "play it", and turn it off), and a small voice accompanying the banging on the keys. I went to the top of the stairs and heard Levi singing, "You're enough, You're enough for meeee, You're enough, You're enough for meee". Which is one of the songs that Chris played this weekend. You know that song, "Buckaroo" by Rodney Atkins, that song is so Chris and Levi. They have such a cool relationship, Chris is just an amazing dad, and seeing Levi with him (and Mason, in time) just proves that! I am beyond blessed with my family!

My husband's talent

Today Chris was back at the Keys again! Since we've made the move, about a year ago, to Grace Commerce, Chris has taken time off from playing music at church. I know the music team (led by very good friends of ours) has been wanting him to play, but they were so respectful of our need to have some time to focus on our family and "rest".
It was so great for me to see him back behind the keys again! He has such an amazing, God given talent, and when he's leading people in worship it's hard not to see that he's connecting with God on a level I'll never know. (But, oh how I wish I could sing so I could know that connection!)
I am so glad that God has brought us to this church. We have made amazing friends, been challenged Spiritually, and seen God work in our lives in awesome ways during our time at Grace. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for us in our family, with our friends, and most importantly as we both work towards becoming the people that God has created us to be.