Happy Easter

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter celebrating the resurrection of our Lord!

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

Matthew 28:1-7 NIV

Interventional Radiology

I posted a while back that Bryan was interested in becoming an ophthalmologist but that has changed. He is now excited about and preparing for a residency in interventional radiology. I'll spare you the details about how many years of what he'll be doing and let you in on the big picture.

An interventional radiologist is someone who performs procedures, or surgeries, using a needle instead of a knife. (My apologies to anyone who I offend by my horrible generalization. That really is the best I know how to explain it!) Here's what an on-line medical dictionary has to say about it:

-the clinical subspecialty that uses fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound to guide percutaneous procedures such as performing biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels

Helpful at all? I must admit that it's still a little foggy for me right now, too. Bryan brought home a DVD for me to watch that explains more about what kinds of procedures are involved with IR, but I have yet to watch it.

Applications for residencies go out in September and interviews are after that. Keep us in your prayers as we try to follow the Lord's guidance about where he wants us! It's a really exciting time!

Rockstar and Family

North

March Bandness

My brother-in-law, Drew, is in a band and they are competing in March Bandness. They just made the top 8 from 32! He needs everyone to go and vote for his band! You can listen to them and the other bands competing by going here:

Vote for North

His band is called North, but on the website it's North Rock.

You have to set up an account to vote but it's worth it. Go ahead and do it! If they make it to the top 4 then they get to compete live!

Everybody vote!

To My Girls

My Birthday

I'm a little overdue getting this up, but they're still fun. Thank you girls for such a fun night! I love you both so much! The best thing about this picture is that Steph was pregnant and didn't even know it!

My First Scarf

Here's the scarf I made Bryan a while back. I also completed a baby blanket, but I forgot to take a picture before giving it away.

Baby Caroline

Congratulations to Chris and Jamie on the birth of their beautiful baby girl:

Caroline Grace
March 13th, 2006 @ 7:27 AM
6 lbs. 7 oz.
19.5 inches

My Parents Came

My parents came to visit last weekend and it was great! They got here around late afternoon and headed for the lake to set up camp (they never leave without the motorhome). Bryan and I went out to see the campsite and then we all headed out to dinner. Their little set-up was homey and they loved it.

Sunday was busy, busy. They came to us and we headed out to the Auto Show. That was a lot more fun than I expected. I got to sit and a Range Rover (future car del mi). It was fun to pretend. It's hilarious how crazy everyone gets about cars. I like me a car as much as the next person, but geez, it's just a car! After the car show my mom and I dropped the boys off for some good x-box bonding time while we went shopping for dinner ingredients. We came back with stuff for a great salad and a chocolate cake (the steaks were already bought and marinading and the bread was good to go). So after a wonderful meal of steak, baked potatoes, garlic bread, and the best salad ever (thanks to Brett for her new recipe), we got to enjoy just sitting and talking. That's the stuff I miss the most with them. Maybe that's because I'm a girl. It seems like there's so much more to talk about now though since I'm older and living elsewhere. There's so much catching up and world saving to do!

I convinced Bryan that I shouldn't have to go to work on Monday since my parents hadn't left yet and I WON! So Monday morning I headed off to the lake to kidnap my mom for some shopping. We did a lot of antiquing and had lunch at a fun little cafe. Very girly...just like things should be. After we went into everystore we saw, we headed back to my house where my dad was meeting us and Bryan was on his way home. And again we fired up the grill for yummy hamburgers (and beans, but those are gross and I didn't eat any). To top the night off I introduced my parents to The Apprentice and I think they enjoyed it (not as much as I do, though).

It was a wonderful weekend that went by way too fast.

Mom and Dad, thanks for visiting. I cherish all the time and each time I get to spend with you. I love you both! Please come again before a whole year passes next time, okay?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today is our 3 year engagement anniversary!

Work Etiquette

It's a given that today in the work place we all work with people of the opposite gender. It's not a given that everybody knows how to handle working with the opposite gender.

So here's my theory:

There are rules that should be followed no matter who you come in contact with at work. For instance, one should always try to be professional: have a clean appearance, wear nice clothes that are in dress code, try to stay out of people's personal space, keep your personal calls to a minimum and at a minimum volume, keep yourself at a minimum volume, and the list goes on.

In addition to these common sense etiquette rules, there are further limitations when dealing with the opposite gender at work. There are actions to take and not to take in consideration of your integrity, your spouse, your friends, who and what you represent, and most importantly, your witness: don't be alone (including one-on-one lunches), be careful what you talk about, don't indulge in private conversations that are not work related, be proud of your marriage and let others know it, etc.

These cautions are learned behaviors. They're something I've taken for granted. I thought they were common knowledge and have been amazed time and time again by the behavior seen at work. And no, I'm not perfect but I am aware and I try.

Guard your heart against the little things. It's those things that Satan can use against you.

The Word "As"

This is something that has really been bothering me lately. Everywhere I turn, there it is...the word "as." I was under the impression that this word conveys a sense of concurrence (yes, I do know that this word has its own issue, too, but let's not go there) or simultaneous-ness (if that's a word), but people use it in substitution of the word "since" or the word "because." I can't quote any real references I've heard lately because I don't know who reads this thing (no one), so I'll try and make some up that illustrate my point.

"Remove all items in refridgerator promptly as it will be cleaned Sunday at 2:00 PM."

I don't understand that. Do they want you to come and remove your things on Sunday while they're cleaning it? That's what it reads like to me.

My First Concert

The night started out super slow. We got there really early and I thought 8:00 would never come. I did enjoy spending time with Drew, though, and getting to catch up while we were waiting.

Finally, the lights dim. Oh, it's just Fiona Apple. She was awful. She kept flailing around like she was being electrocuted. Poor thing. I thought the whole night was going to be like that. I was so bummed.

Fiona finished. Finally.

Then, it happened. You know, IT!

The lights dim again and Coldplay comes out in all its bright light and beautiful sound glory! They were nothing like Fiona at all. There was a huge screen behind them, there were lights going everywhere, balloons filled with confetti came down from the ceiling, and everybody was screaming at the top of their lungs. I stood there for a minute to take it all in. It really was amazing.

The night was closing and they only had a few more songs to sing before the inevitable end of the night. But wait, what's going on? What's he doing?

Chris Martin is getting down off the stage...and running toward us?

He ran right beside us and got up on this empty rolling cart that was right next to me! Crazy! The only thing between me and him was the side railing on the stands to hold me in. I couldn't believe it! He was singing right next to me! But the best part...

I HELD CHRIS MARTIN'S HAND!

Don't think I'm a silly little school girl for getting so excited, but if this happened to you I guarantee you'd be this ecstatic, too! I even think that Bryan and Drew were more excited than I was because they have been fans of Coldplay so much longer than I have. Drew could barely handle himself. It was such a rush and it all happened so quickly even though he sang the entire second half of a song while there. He came and went in a flash.

If only I had remembered to bring my camera. Grrr. Drew did get a good picture on his phone, though, and he sent it to us to show off to everyone.

The best night of my life.

Aaah, the memory...my first concert.

Baby News

Micah and Stephanie are having...a BOY!

Baby Congratulations

Congratulations to...

Clint and Melissa who had a baby boy on Saturday...

and...

Brad and Allison who had a baby girl this morning!

All are well and doing great! Only 10 more to go!

Ophthalmology

For those of you who haven't heard...

Bryan has decided to go for ophthalmology!

Keepers of the Home - Week 5

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:6-8a NIV

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy 25th, Keri!

My Addiction

Well, I told you already that I have a new hobby of crocheting, but I'm now here to tell you that I'm officially addicted. So much so, that I have begun to neglect my household duties. I'm not ignoring Bryan or anything, but I am definitely ignoring the dishes, the laundry, the dirty bathrooms, putting up the Christmas stuff, paying the bills, etc. You know, the stupid stuff.

I did actually take some time off from my new addiction to catch up on some things, but, man, am I behind! I spent a whole morning cleaning and didn't even make a dent in the stuff I need to do. I guess I'll have to use a little self-control to catch up. Oopsie!

I guess the reason I can't put it down is because I'm still learning. I have found so many fun patterns and I want to try them all...at the same time. Also, I keep finding new yarn that is so fun and I want to try all those, too. Geez. Maybe it will die down after I complete a few projects and get the hang of some of the harder stuff.

Don't come over - my house is a mess.