T N T

Several months ago me, Kim, Cora and Amber bought tickets for an outdoor concert - Tail Gate N' Tall Boys.  The weather was beautiful and we headed out on Saturday night and we even bumped into Nick and Rylan!  

Although the girls and I had a good time, this concert series for me is a one and done.  There were over 25,000 people and about the third time I squatted on a porta potty, I decided I was officially too mature (not old - ha) to battle the crowds and have to pee in a porta potty all night.  

Mom took us out for lunch before we headed to the concert.  Lauren was our driver which we really appreciated!  We decided our next outing will be in October and we're going to Iowa City to visit Amber's daughter, Kaylie!  Until next time, girls! 

 

Jenny visit and Rylan's Graduation

Once again my pictures are not in order but that's okay.  Jenny and Curtis came for a visit because Jenny's parents were in town so I got to catch up with Wayne and Sharon and spend time with Jenny.  Yesterday we attended Rylan's graduation party.  I'm dealing with some back pain right now and although it's better, it's still wears me down.  I was glad it was a little better this weekend because there was a lot going on.  Oh and in addition to all that Kim and I also drove mom to Sterling for Aalin's graduation party.  Another whirlwind weekend that I am thankful for. 

 

Greece

 Long post alert!  On May 19 Mike and I headed to Greece with our church group which just also happened to include my sister, niece and my dearest friends, Mary and Shannon, who are more like family.  It was a trip of a lifetime.  I remember before we left our pastor's wife, Sara, told us that we would spend weeks processing everything that we saw and we'd be overwhelmed by all of it.  She couldn't have been more right.  This post will probably be all over the place b/c I'm still wrapped up in so much emotion from Greece.  It was humbling to walk where the Apostle Paul was.  God used his heart and placed him in Greece where he courageously shared the Gospel.  He was imprisoned, beaten and yet kept on.  He spent 18 mos in Cornith as a tent maker.  I was moved to tears when Pastor Baker and our greek speaking tour guide, Evi, read 1 Corinthians 13 together.  Mike would read a verse in english, Evi a verse in greek.  It reminded me the Gospel is for everyone, everyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ.  I am also incredibly thankful that Mike agreed to go on this trip with me.  Had he not he would have worked himself to the bone while I was gone and would have had no idea what I experienced on this trip.  Instead we experienced it together and Mike was his best self.  He was actually a joiner on this trip and had people in gales of laughter for much of the trip.  He loved seeing all the old archaeological sites.  I really can't say enough about this trip.  I loved every second of it.  

Below is a brief run down of our days in Greece

Day 1 - Thessaioniki, a visit to church of St. Demetrius, we traveled to Kavala (where Paul first landed in Europe).  We went to Philippi (where Paul and Silas were arrested, flogged and imprisoned for causing a public nuisance).  We also went to the site where Lydia was baptized.  Lydia was the first person baptized in Europe.  

Day 2 - Archaeological site of Vergina in Central Macedonia.  Visited the Royal tomb of King Phillip. We went to Beria.  We checked into our hotel that night in Kalambaka

Day 3 - This was one of my favorite days.  We visited a monastery and the rock formations were breath taking.  Truly, I can't put into words how beautiful and majestic it was.  All I kept thinking was God is SO big and I am SO small.  

Day 4 - We left Kalambaka and headed to Delphi.  That night we left for Athens

Day 5 - Panathenian Stadium which was quite a hike but worth it.  Mars Hill where Paul taught about the "unknown God" (Acts 17).  A view of the Agora, the ancient marketplace of pubic life.  We visited the Acropolis and the magnificent Parthenon. 

Day 6 - Athens  and Cornith.  I loved Cornith.  Paul was a tentmaker in Cornith for 18 months.  

These pics are in no certain order.  In fact this picture was taken on the last night but I find it fitting that it posted first because these are my people.  I am so blessed by all of them and to vacation with them as a family of believers was wonderful.  We laughed together and grew in our knowledge and love of Christ.  (left to right: John, Mary, Lauren, Kim, Shannon, Shizuko, me and Mike)

                                    John and Mike at the Parthenon in Athens

Plato, our bus driver and Evi, our tour guide.  These two were the absolute best.  I was amazed by all things Greece but Plato's driving abilities came a very close second.  Evi's knowledge and kindness were amazing. 

Lauren, Kim and I at the Meteora Monasteries.  The views were unbelievable.  Just gorgeous.  

Kim turned 47 in Greece. Here she is on her actual birthday. It was a birthday she'll never forget. 

This sweet picture was taken at the Metora Monasteries.  Again, the view.  The pictures don't do it justice. 

These two pictures were taken in Veria (I think) of Paul's tribute.  We got to hear Mike preach which was another blessing.  

Bubbles made the trip too.  We had a lot of laughs from people seeing Bubbles pop out of Mike's back pack.  It wouldn't be a trip without Bubbles. 

                 A view of Kavala.  We also had gorgeous weather the entire week! 

Mary took this picture of me leaning over at the place of Lydia's baptism.  It was surreal to me.  Again it was humbling as a believer to see where she was baptized.  

Thank you Lord for this trip.  Thank you for your hand of protection over us.  Thank you for the Apostle Paul.  Thank you that you are so much bigger than  my human mind can comprend.  Thank you for everything that I saw and experienced.  

Arizona!

Five years ago my company "moved" me from IL to AZ - not physically but work wise.  I started handling claims within the state of AZ.  The huge blessing of that is every so often I get to go to AZ and this trip just happened to fall on Faith's 25th birthday.  I was able to spend the afternoon with her.  We got pedicures and went to a cocktail bar.  We had a great time together and it was such a blessing for both of us.    

 When I go on these work trips I get to stay at Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.  It is hands down the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in.  It was designed by the late Frank Lloyd Wright and it is elegant and unique and just a wonderful experience.  Although I wouldn't want to live in AZ, I sure like to visit!  

51

Family is truly one of God's greatest blessings.  May is the month where the weather improves and the sun shines.  It's the month where I start to shed the long sleeved shirts and jeans.  It's also Mother's Day and my birthday.  On Friday night Mike and I hosted John and Judy and family.  The picture above isn't great but we had 13 people for dinner.  After dinner we retreated to the patio where we laughed together some more.  I truly love hosting a big crowd in my home.  My boys were there, along with their girlfriends.  Kim and family also came with John's brother, Steve.  It was a great night.  

John is back from another winter in Florida and when he came home he brought his fiancee, Judy.  John met Judy at the dog park and Judy has taking a liking to not only John but his deranged dog, Morgan.  I say that with kindness.  John's dog is just not very friendly - just saying.  Anyway I am very happy for John and I really like Judy.  She is full of energy and I truly believe John's very best years are ahead of him.  I am looking forward to spending more time with them as the years go by.   

Meet Hannah.  Jay has been seeing Hannah since early March.  In fact their first date was on my mom's birthday, March 2.  They are a sweet couple and Jay is really happy.  

Rylan brought me flowers for Mother's Day.  She recently moved into her own apartment.  

 Speaking of Mother's Day.  Jay and Hannah got me a basket of goodies - a bouquet of flowers, chocolate, a new mug and a candle.  It was so thoughtful.  As I told Hannah I appreciated not only the gifts but the display of how it was wrapped up.  Usually the boys just throw my gifts at me in the amazon package it came in.  It's wonderful having these young women in our family.  

For my birthday I had lunch with mom and Kim and Mike and I went out for pizza that evening.  It was a nice, relaxing day - just the way I like it.  Physically I'm 5 lbs heavier this year and menopause is not a fun experience.  My most annoying symptoms is the brain fog.  I can remember nothing.  If I don't write it down, forget about it.  The other symptom that is really bad is the night sweats.  Poor Mike.  He is sleeping in a wind tunnel.  Every night I put my cooling pad on full blast.  I also sleep with the windows open this time of year and some nights I even have the ceiling fan on.  By morning our room can feel like a frozen tundra.  I still wake up with a sweaty night shirt and Mike has icicles hanging from his nose.  What I love about this season of my life is the relationship I have with my adult sons.  Sure there are challenges with trying to detach myself from them in terms of the fact that they are both adults but still live with us.  They are both good decision makers so for the most part I try to stay in my lane and only offer them input when they ask.  I'm not perfect but I try.  I am looking forward to having more time with Mike, traveling more and hopefully as the years go by the boys will expand our family.  What is hard right now is my body.  Nothing looks or feels the same.  The 5 lbs I've put on feels like 15 lbs.  Even my hair (my greatest feature in my opinion) doesn't look the same.  It's unruly.  Eating protein is my 2nd full time job these days and heaven forbid if I step out and eat too many carbs (like I did this weekend).  I will put weight on just thinking about cards.  My friend, Laura, got me a weighted vest for my birthday which I love but that's where I am at this point in my life - religiously eating protein, trying to tame my hair, washing my pillows and night shirts on a daily basis and walking with a weighted vest to help with muscle and bone density.  The struggle is real.  

My weekend

It was a glorious weekend!  The weather was absolute perfection and my favorite girl, Faith, came to visit.  

 I also got to see an old friend!  It was Karen Neal's birthday and retirement party. 

Happy Easter

We celebrated the resurrection of Jesus yesterday!  We went to church together and then had brunch at Kim's house.  The weather was not good.  It rained so we stayed indoors this year.  Craig's parents were with us also.  

 We got all the kids easter baskets, even though technically Jay, Nick and Rylan aren't kids anymore.  Ha.  Personally I don't think you are ever too old to get an easter basket from your mom.  Just saying. 

This week

Usually by this time of year I've had it with cold weather.  Although it was chilly this week, the sun popped out at times and improved my mood!  On Tues this week me, Mary and Rylan attended a Charlie Kirk event at ISU.  Then last night I had bible study (pic above).  I just love this group of women and we were all together last night - the first time in probably over a year.  God always meant for us to be in community with one another and I have one of the best sisters in Christ to commune with. 

 

March for Life

 C.W.A. has opened doors for me, doors that I was either too afraid to walk through when I was younger and doors that quite frankly I wasn't aware of.  C.W.A. goes hand and hand with what I'm passionate about, my faith and politics.  Yesterday I met the other CWA leaders and I brought Kim, Lauren and Aunt Karen with me.  We went to Springfield to participate in the March for Life.  What an honor it was to march and advocate for the unborn.  

March blues

I know it's been SO long since I last blogged.  Blogging was something I loved doing.  Truth be told after my last post in February I thought about putting this blog to bed and starting a new one.  I couldn't come up with anything clever though.  That's not to say I won't come up with something eventually.  For now the blog will stay the same.  I'll continue to post updates on what I'm doing, where I'm going, what's meaningful to me, what's not meaningful to me (Ha).  The past four weeks have been challenging.  We got a new claim system at work and the struggle has been real.  As I write this on Monday morning  I am entering week 5 of this system and while it's certainly better I still have much to learn.  I have battled with a learning disability my entire life.  I've learned to compensate for it and I know what works for me and what doesn't.  I've been doing this same job for nearly 30 years.  I had a nice rhythm until I didn't.  It was hard for me to process all the information coming at me for really all of February and most of March.  I couldn't remember things.  I got tripped up on what had or had not been communicated.  Anyway, I digress.  Things are slowly improving and I'm starting to develop a new rhythm.  It's really been nothing but all work and no play for me but this weekend I went with Kim and Lauren to a Women's Retreat at our church.  It was all about grace.  It was a good reminder that God's grace is greater than any of my sin (Praise God for that) and the importance of not only receiving the grace but giving it as well.  

As far as my family goes.  February was crazy busy work wise for Mike also.  He's been knee deep in mitigation work which is good as inspections have been down.  Jay is dating someone new.  Nick and Rylan are still a happy couple.  I tease them most nights by asking "What time does the Nick and Rylan show start?"  Nick just got over a nasty case of pneumonia.  He works too hard, too long and doesn't take care of himself as he should.  Jay has met with a realtor and will be getting pre approved and hopefully he'll find a house he can afford in the next few months.  I am beyond grateful for these past few years with Jay but it is time, both for him and for us.  
 

Bass Bash

 This past weekend Nick's fishing team hosted their 3rd bass bash.  This event raising money for their entire season.  People are so generous and we are so thankful.  As one of the coaches said it's really more than just fishing.  Kids learn discipline, committment, appreciating God's gift of nature and competing as a team.  Mike and I have stepped back a bit from the team.  The team has such a strong group of parents who are now leading and I feel called to immerse myself in all things church and CWA.  It was a fun night!  

Inauguration TX style

Sarah and I had been planning to spend MLK weekend with Jenny which just happened to also be our 47th Presidents Inauguration.  We had a great time and a great day.  JuJu, Mike and Jenny's new frenchie, even got in on the action.  

 I love these girls so much.  It was frigid in TX but worse in IL and at the least the sun was shining.  Until next time! 

Jay's Birthday Dinner

Jay's 23rd birthday is only a few days away.  Last night we celebrated his birthday with a dinner.  Mike made brisket and I made Jay's favorite, pecan pie.  We had a great evening with family and friends. 

Nick and his antics.  

Everytime my mom can make it out to our house is a blessing.  She is completely wheelchair bound now so thankfully I have strong men that help bring her in and out of the house in her chair.  She loves being around her family and Walker too.  Ha.