Spring Update

Life just doesn't slow down does it? But isn't it wonderful how God gives us just enough grace to get through each day. I am surprised that the spring 2009 semester is over. Two weeks ago it seemed as if there were so many papers/projects/tests to do, I wasn't sure if I would be able to dig my way out. But here I am, one more quiz to do tomorrow and I am done. I can't believe it. 

The month of April held a trip across the country. We went to Texas to visit my family and had a wonderful time! Click here for pictures. 

Other big news: we were asked to join a small group made up of three other couples from church - which was a huge answer to prayer. We knew we wanted to get involved with a group of young married couples/young families, but since we are not able to attend a sunday school class (because we run the bookstore after services on Sundays - as pt of Brad's job) we didn't know how our desire for fellowship would be fulfilled.  We are so excited to be involved in a small group with Anthony and Simone (Who just had a baby! Little Eli, whose big sister, Mattie, is a doll!), Eric and Abby (Bekah, Ben - both blond little cuties - and little one on the way) and Dan and Amy (Christian - 13 month old, new walker who loves electronics :)). We meet Thursday nights, switching to Tuesdays soon, and are studying Habakkuk. We have had so much fun getting to know these sweet families - Thursday nights are a highlight of our week. 

Work is going well for Brad - he went to South Carolina for 5 days a few weeks ago to take a class on a computer program they use at Moody Church Media. He enjoyed fresh sea food and Charleston's southern hospitality. I missed him here - it is good to have him home. :)

I start two summer classes next monday - Intro to Philosophy and Sr Wellness (a fitness class). I am planning on hammering out three classes this summer, making my fall much lighter (I have three classes and my internship all lined up). It feels wonderful to have all the classes I need to graduate on my "enrolled" list. :) This December I'll be done - wow. 

Love to all - we are doing well! Come visit us this summer if you can! :) 

Hair Cut!

I do not get haircuts as often as the experts recommend.  Usually I go every 5 months - I don't know why I don't go more (yes I do - its called "no time") because my haircuts are free. Thats right. Free. 

"How do you swing that?" You may ask.... well, I am glad you did. I go to the ritzy Charles Ifergon Salon downtown Chicago. They retrain all of their new employees (who have been cutting hair for a minimum of 3 yrs) so that they know how to cut hair the "French way" :: INSERT "Ooohhh"::. They give "Models" (aka. women like me with no tolerance to pay $75 for haircuts) free haircuts. 

I have been going to Charles Ifergon for three years now (once every 5 months) and my cut today was the best yet! I love it!!! What do you think? :)

St Patties Day

Chicago gets crazy on the weekend before St. Patricks Day! There is a parade and the city dyes the river green! The river is usually "green" in the first place, so I wasn't expecting much different. But as Brad and I neared the river, we were shocked!!!

As the news caster said later in the day - "That color green does not exist in nature!"

I agree...

Paul's First Missionary Journey

As an assignment for my Acts class we had to make a map of Paul's first missionary journey. The professor, Dr. Marty, left the assignment pretty vague so that the class could, if they chose to, get creative. I did choose to. :)

Brad and I love a show called "Ace of Cakes". Go to the website www.charmcitycakes.com - so very cool. We are often inspired by Chef Duff (who has the best laugh, second only to my brother!). And now, with my assignment, had an outlet that we could be creative.

Here is the result:

There are little flags, marking each stop on Paul's journey.

Dr. Marty loved it - and went and got plates and a knife so I could cut it for the class. :) It was a hit!

March Already?

Ok, so... so much for updating this every Friday (notice how February got skipped all together?). I am sending out an apology to all who anxiously come to our blog, eagerly expecting an update on our life and are grossly disappointed with the lack of any new word. "I am sorry!" I feel guilty when I read the blogs of others and myself get disappointed when there is a lack of new posts.

We are doing well here in Chicago. Our spirits have lifted as the Sun has made more appearances in the last few days. And the weather has been phenomenal! Who can have a bad day when it is a sunny 55 degrees outside? Compared to the negative temperatures we experienced in January, this is heaven! It is so much fun to see the city come back to life. Like a bear coming out of hibernation, we are seeing more people out on the streets - walking, running, biking and roller blading. It has been especially fun to see strollers and kids jumping down the sidewalk again – and you can tell the moms and nannies are happy to get them outside! The question on everyone’s mind is, “Will the weather stay?” We hope so!

Work has been going well for Brad. Things have been really busy for him as they have been moving their office from a rented space across the street from the church into new offices in the church building. The move is finished now so now they are just settling in and getting organized in their new space. Some exciting news: Brad got a promotion! His boss Kirk is taking a job closer to home (He lives with his family in Wheaton, a suburb of Chicago, and commutes into the city on a daily basis) and is stepping down. Brad’s new title is “Coordinator of the Media Ministry.” We are continually amazed at how God provides for us, literally, above and beyond what we could have though possible.

As of 9:50am this morning, I am on Spring Break. Two weeks of no-homework bliss! (Well, I am working ahead, but it is nice not to have any pressing assignments in the near future) Plans for break:

1) Give the house a thorough, down deep, cleaning – I was sick with the flu last week (not a fun experience) so it has been a little longer than I would like since I gave our home some good old fashioned TLC.

2) Finish my painting – I started an oil painting a while ago, and although I have loved learning about painting (a topic I knew nothing about) and practicing my “skills” is relaxing there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the week for me to pull out all the supplies, set up shop, paint, and clean up. Break is a perfect opportunity for me to get creative! I’ll post some pictures of it when I am done (hopefully before two weeks are up!)

3) Read a “for-fun” book. I started one already, French Women Don’t Get Fat. It’s a book about moderation and enjoying the food you eat! I am really enjoying it so far, the author is a spunky French woman who has lived in the states for 30+ years. She knows both cultures really well and writes with humor and an air of sophistication.
Tonight Brad and I are having an "us" night - we are both looking forward to it! :) We haven't decided if we are going to go out, or stay in.... whatever we end up doing I am sure we will have fun - it is so nice to spend time together!
Hopefully you will be hearing from us again soon… (I’ll try to update before April!) Love and hugs to all!

Christmas Break - Coming to an end...

On Monday I start classes up again.... oh joy! :) Honestly, I am excited about my classes this spring, and the consistent schedule will be good too. It is just that break has been wonderful - and I am happy to say, that I got everything done I wanted to: Scrap booking, Zoo Lights, Painting (this weekend :)), hanging out with Miriam :), hair cut and last but not least eye brow threading (If you don't know what it is - http://www.beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/eyebrow-threading.htm - it is amazing!).

I am really excited about my schedule this next semester - here it is (If you click on it, it will expand and be large enough to read :) ):

Brad's schedule is much less colorful! :) He works 7-3:30 Monday through Friday, but does have Awana on Wednesday nights too! :)

This last week has been really nice, we had Miriam over for dinner on Tuesday - it was wonderful to see her and catch up before school starts back up again. We had a blast playing Mario Cart Wii after dinner for a little bit - she was really good (and surprisingly competative!!!)! Wednesday was the first Awana of 2009 - and because we don't have all our Moody Students back yet - it was hectic! There were 3 regular leaders, including Brad and myself, and 32 kids! Thankfully Tim - our Awana "Commander" :), came and helped us out. Needless to say tho - we were exhausted afterwards. Thursday Jenny and Brandon came over for dinner - we had Chicken Divan (yum) and Brandon brought an Apple Pie (double yum)!

Yesterday Brad brought Chloe to the vet to get fixed and de-clawed, we pick her up today after work. Our plan is to give her lots of lovin this weekend, poor thing.....

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) Brad and I are planning on going on a breakfast date - which will be really fun. And on Sunday we are having a bunch of friends over for a soup/fresh breadparty - Moody's Cafeteria is not open to returning students on that evening - so we are goign to feed our travel worn and hungry friends. :)

Snow has returned to Chicago! We had about a week of really nice "mild" weather (I know I have adjusted to the northern winters when I can call 30 degrees "mild") but now the cold has returned. We are staying nice and warm. We have a "fireplace" that we can turn on on our tv, which adds a nice ambiance to the Living Room on cold winter evenings. :)

Love to all!

Decoration Updates

It has been a while since we have posted pictures of our apartment. There have been some fun changes. :) We will start in the living room:
We were so excited to get our picture framed - and are thrilled with the results. The picture looked nice on the wall before but now that it has a frame - it pops! :)

Moving into the dining room:
I love the K on the wall! :)

Bedroom:
We found the chair in the ally (I am a scrounger at heart). It folds up for easy storage and matches our bedroom furniture really well! :)The upper right hand frame holds our Wedding invitation - sorry about the glare. :)
Here is a picture of the decorative pillows I got for Christmas! :) They make our bed look so nice! :) Chloe decided to pose mid-yawn. :) Oh and to the left of the bed is Brad's diploma - it looks great in the frame that I found at Hob Lob (My favorite store! :) ).

Come and visit us! :) We love having people over! (And with that extra chair, we can seat 6 at our table! :) )