Blog Scrapbook

Has anyone thought of that yet? Or did I just have one of the three original thoughts I'll ever have in my lifetime? (I heard that in high school, I think. We only get three original thoughts. Everything else we think has already been thought of. ) I'm not a scrapbooker-- I used to be, but I just gave up. I'd rather paint with broad strokes, like a room, or sew, or cook something. Hats off to you diligent scrappers. But instead I have this blog, and I'd like something to show for it. The day will come when I have to pay per post or something horrid like that, so I'd like to turn my posts into scrapbook pages. Like a photo book from Snapfish or something. Anyone know if there's a place you can have your blog bound into a book? If not, I just found my new business.

How I thought of that was this: we got back in town a week ago from our lovely weekend up north, where things are as they should be. We left on Friday evening and were taken to the airport by Rico and little almost-two Makena. Kena sang to me much of the way, a mixture of Jesus Loves me, Twinkle Twinkle, and the ABC's. The mix was cute-- a medley of sorts, sung Buckwheat style: "Jedud lub me dih ny no, how I wawa wa you ah." It's something really amazing to hear a toddler sing that Jesus loves her. Has she any idea what she's singing? Probably not. But will it stay in her mind the rest of her life? I hope so. It was a sweet send off.

We flew into O'Hare on USA3000, sitting in the exit row, each on an aisle. The delightful gentleman behind my seat decided to get schnockered pre-flight, so the aroma of alcohol filled the oh-so-fresh air which was also contributed to on a bi-minute basis by The Cougher. This poor guy coughed every other minute for three hours. His throat must be so sore! I wanted to ask him as we de-planed what his diagnosis was, just to save myself some time-- I figured both Brad and I would be sick the next day. Also, toward the end of the flight, Mr. Schnockered behind me apparently felt the need for a ciggy and came back from the lavatory smelling like smoke. The flight attendant (bless you, Jessie, wherever you are!) came over and confronted him and of course he denied it. So we didn't get to see any marshalls or anything-- probably for the best.

Steph picked us up from the airport in her rental car-- a black Mercedes sporty little number. She looked so Lake Forest High Schooler in it, with her perfect brunette ponytail and fancy car. She took us to Mom's place where we all crashed for the night.

Saturday morning we went out for bagels and muffins at Bagels by the Book in Libertyville. Their bagels are so soft and chewy instead of hard and dense, and I like them the best of any I've had. I got a chocolate chip, toasted with peanut butter. Yum. Brad enjoyed his banana nut muffin and we all enjoyed the 75 degree breakfast weather on Mom's outdoor seating area.

We hung around a bit at Mom's and then headed off to Shanel and Ivan's place. Driving up Sheridan Road was like drinking lilacs. (No wonder I'm on the chunky side-- if something makes me happy, I liken it to food... hmmm.) Anyhoo, the big old houses on Sheridan are just beautiful, and the rustling of the maples was music I haven't heard in a while. We got to S & I's around noon where we got a tour of their gorgeous old mission-style home. It's just something to behold. The built-ins and molding are so... what's the word? Just magnificent. They are like punctuation in a paragraph-- the house would still stand without them, but they just define and decorate so beautifully. The house is from the 1920s and Shanel and Ivan have done a lot of work on it. The colors they have chosen are warm and cozy in places, cool and soothing in others-- all of it is just very very good. And then we met little Audrey Anne. What a beautiful doll she is! Ivan grilled up some of his gourmet burgers and we finished lunch with homemade tiramisu-- it was all wonderful. Best of all was time to chat and visit. I haven't hung out with Ivan lots and lots, but Shanel and I have been in small groups together for enough time to have some history, and I just loooooove being around her. She is one who oozes grace and truth at the same time all the time. She reminds me a lot of Margaret Grudem, my second "mother", another godly woman. They're both people I want to be like when I grow up-- bold, truth telling, not afraid to say the hard thing, yet gentle and nurturing at the same time. They both seem to really know who they are and what they're called to be-- it's just refreshing to be around them. While Shanel and I caught up, Brad and Ivan played a bit of World of Warcraft, the computer game they both like. And just before we left we got a tour of Shanel's garden. It was a wonderful time.

After lunch we went back to mom's to nap for a bit, and then we went to Evanston with Steph for some shopping and hang out time. We were looking for an anniversary present for me (long story-- Brad did not drop the ball for our anniversary) but didn't find anything, so we went to dinner at Flat Top Grill (YUM!) and then to watch Nacho Libre at Old Orchard (eh- wouldn't recommend it). It was a blast to hang out with Steph and I wish we had just sat around and talked instead of sitting in front of a movie screen for two hours. There's something about being with my sister that makes the world all right. I get to talk to her a few times a week, so that helps me, but when we get to hang out together, I just get so very happy! The older we get, the more I crave time with her.

Saturday night Steph took us to get our rental car at O'Hare. We knew we were in for a treat when as we walked in the door the manager of Budget was handing out ice-cream sandwiches to appease the crowd waiting in line. It was 10:30 p.m. and apparently all of the world was in need of a car at Budget. We waited for about 45 minutes and then left in our Pontiac Vibe. Don't buy one. You'll feel every single bump the road has to offer and then some.

Sunday morning we went to CHURCH!!!!! Oh, how I miss my church!!!! I cried nearly the whole time (also cried when I saw my sister, cried when we drove up Sheridan, cried at Shanel and Ivan's) as my soul was refreshed in amazing worship led by Bruce from Chile. I don't know Bruce well, but I do know that he is a gifted worship leader and is dating an amazing woman who will change the world. If you run into Renee, ask her for a lesson in communication. She tells a funny story about language differences-- Bruce being from Chile and Renee being from Skokie makes for laughs. :)

Church was wonderful-- the topic was why you should marry within your religion. Not really what I was desperate to hear, but it was quite interesting none the less. Steve brought up some great points that were good food for thought. And we got to see many of our dear friends, who all apparently had beautiful babies this year. After church we grabbed lunch (Brad at Chipotle, me at Pita Inn-- I loves me my hummus) and ate at Jamie and Aogu's house with Sean and Jeannie and their little one, Syler. Jamie and Aogu have the cutest 4 year old boy-- I think he's four-- who has great manners and very cute diction. Brad left the table at one point to use the bathroom, and Koji came up to me and asked, "Where's your friend? I want to go watch something. I want to watch Thomas the Tank Engine." So cute. Jamie says he hasn't grasped the whole marriage concept yet, so to him Brad is my friend. Works for me! And their newest treasure is Izumi, a little cherub who looks a lot like Jamie. (Koji is an Aogu mini-me. It's only fair that Jamie gets one, too.) We had a great time catching up, although since we both blog I don't feel terribly out of step. It was also great to see Sean and Jeannie and their little one Syler-- maybe close to two now? Syler looks just like Jeannie and has an adorable mop of curly hair. We also got to see him in the church service, reverently taking communion (maybe more like having a snack) with mom and dad. We were in a housegroup with Sean and Jeannie when they had Syler-- I still have pictures in my head of Jeannie, 9 months pregnant in her big white sweater. We prayed over that baby before and after his birth as he gave them lots of fits, and now he's all grown up and walking around-- just amazing.

Sunday afternoon we went to Old Orchard to take in some shopping. We went to Restoration Hardware where they have paint chips of colors we like, Pottery Barn, the Apple Store of course, and a few jewelry shops for me. I think we narrowed down what I want-- unfortunately it's tres expensivo. We'll be creative and find something around here.

Sunday night we went to dinner with Mom and Steph at Max and Erma's. Steph told us about a new connection she has- a high schooler at church who has colon problems and has an ostomy right now (for those of you who don't know, Steph had colitis and has dealt with this stuff extensively). We were all amazed at the story of what happened to this girl, and we're excited to see how God is going to use her to encourage this poor girl. As she told the story of what happened (I'll spare you-- it's horrible) Steph, in her usual fashion, cracked me up. There was a balloon man coming around making balloon animals for each table. He asked us what we'd like, expecting us to say "a dog" or "a monkey"-- and Steph answered, "A colon." I'm laughing out loud thinking about it. He wasn't quite sure what to do with that. So he made a heart. What a riot.

On Monday we had a little birthday party for Dad, who turned 60 July 10th! I emailed a few of his friends beforehand to see if they could join us. Everyone was out of town or busy except for Dad's friend Wally, who was a great sport. We met at Wildfire, which has the best filets in the whole world, and surprised Dad with balloons and party hats. We had a great meal together and celebrated Dad's birthday in style.

After lunch Brad and I went down to Evanston and got to spend a little while with Rich and Jenny, dear friends of ours, and see their newest addition Mariella. It was great to be with them-- just like old times. They had been out of town with The Huntington Group-- a bunch of friends who all went to Huntington College (now University) with Brad. They all get together every summer for a weekend in Indiana, and it just so happened that this was the weekend. Ah, timing. At least we got a quick visit in with them. Maybe when the weather turns colder Rich's Guatemalan blood will crave warmer climates and they'll sneak down here for a visit.

After seeing Rich and Jen we headed off to celebrate our anniversary at The Herrington Inn in Geneva, Illinois. The Herrington is a sweet hotel and spa on the Fox River, and we spent the first few nights of our honeymoon there, as well as our 6 month-iversary and 1st anniversary. We figured last year would be the last time we would go, but last year the bathtub wasn't clean so we asked them to clean it again, and they were so sorry for the inconvenience that they gave us a gift certificate for a significant portion of a night's stay. So we went back once more. It's just such a cute place, with fireplaces in every room and beautiful decorations. And Geneva is a quaint little town with lots of cute shops and restaurants. On Tuesday before we headed to the airport we walked down one of the main streets and stopped in a few shops. If ever in need of a relaxing weekend, head to Geneva.

And then we went to the airport and came back to Florida. We spent the rest of the week doing the same old same old, and then finally PAINTED!!!! On Friday night went to Restoration Hardware up in Sarasota-- only about an hour and ten minutes north-- and bought 8 gallons of paint. On Saturday we finally painted the master bathroom, and it looks grrrrreat! We love it, and it feels so good to have accomplished that!

This week's news-- Beth and Rico had their little girl! Joining Beth, Rico, and Makena (pronounced mah-KEN-na), is Makaya (mah-KAY-ah). Kaya was born on Tuesday around 1 p.m. weighing 8 pounds 11 ounces, 19 inches long (or 19 inches tall, if you're Jim and prefer things said that way). Beth is doing well and Kaya is just a doll. Our small group cancelled last night so we went to the hospital again to see her, and we got to hold her for a while. She's just beautiful!

I feel like I've been talking your ear off, so now I'm going to post some pictures.