Slacker

I haven't felt like blogging lately... but then a couple of the Children of the World stayed with us last week so I have something exciting to talk about.

We had the privilege of having Sharon (10) from Uganda and Charie Rose (9) from the Philippines stay with us for 5 nights.

They are the sweetest girls ever. We had a great time with them and I was sad to see them go this weekend. They are on the West Coast team, so we probably won't see them until the tour is over in June. :(

I got so SPOILED while they were here. The girls love to do dishes and every night would ask if they could help! Could you say 'No' to these faces?!

They also loved to help cook. (They posed themselves for the pictures)

We talked to my mom on Skype one night and they performed a few of their songs for her. Sharon said my mom is "so cute."

I had a birthday while they were with us and they were so excited to "rejoice" with us. They even decorated my cake.

They love to give hugs and kisses!

"Happy Birthday Auntie Carrie..."

Mmm.... cake and ice cream (Brownie Moose Tracks ice cream to be exact, my new fav).

I miss these girls already!!!

Jesse is 30!

Jesse turned 30 this May 15th. Buying gifts for Jesse is always difficult because, even if he tells you what he wants, he usually ends up exchanging it for something else. I've learned to just let him pick out his own gifts, but this year I couldn't do that. Not for his 30th birthday! It had to be special... So, I decided on a gift that couldn't be exchanged or returned - a surprise. Planned a couple months in advance, I decided to take Jesse to Falls Church, VA to see Mason Jennings in concert. I didn't tell him what we were doing, only that we were heading towards DC because he drove part of the time. : )

"Where are we going?"

We made a stop at this really neat antique shop on our way there where Jesse got a cool oil painting.

Jesse and his 1968 oil painting of sailboats.

Jesse finally 'figured out' where we were going when we pulled up to the venue. His only prior guess was that I was taking him to a Capitals game, but he wasn't disappointed.

Jesse in front of The State Theatre

The concert was great and Jesse told me it was his best birthday ever.... success!

Notice the couple posing for our picture behind us

Jesse is 30! Continued....

But the birthday festivities didn't end there!  No!  We had to do something special on his actual birthday too.  This time I let Jesse pick....  Friday it was gourmet hamburgers on the grill, for which I made a modified version of this recipe.  They were amazing!

Followed by dessert of mint chip ice-cream and Sprite floats (yum!) and watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I cried... a lot. 

And that still wasn't it!  We carried this celebration on over to Sunday and we had some friends over for fish tacos and birthday cake.  I'm proud to say the food turned out really good and everyone left full and happy.  Thanks to Paul, Deb, and Heika for their assistance in the kitchen and Jordan for his help at the grill.

Zion and Isaiah watching Shrek before lunch

Getting the fish ready!

Heika and Isaiah enjoying the fish tacos 

The man of the hour with his German Chocolate Cake 

(I forgot to get candles)

It's official... it's my birthday.

So, it's my birthday. The wonderful time of year when you get to send me a gift. What would I like? Well, how about your money. Please send money in a self addressed stamped envelope along with a self addressed return thank you card already filled out. I will sign the thank you card and return it to you. You must include a stamp.

PS. You may be asking why you have to send me a gift when I didn't send you one. The reason is you didn't ask for a gift, therefore, I wasn't compelled to act. Plus, I didn't have a stamp.

Turning 29.

So, in a few hours I will be twenty-nine years old. I don't have an issue with aging. I guess I do get a bit introspective. I look back at the life I have lived thus far and look for the things that I have done in my life to make an impact on others. Frankly, I don't see much. I see someone that experimented with substances, drank a lot of alcohol, and had a couple run-ins with the white and blue. Life is difficult sometimes... it is really amazing the things that bring joy. It's not loads of money and it not a bunch of stuff. For me, it is spending time with Carrie, Madi, and Rummy.



I also have a lot of fun hanging out with my best buddy Paul. Paul and I can relate on a lot of things. Has has more insight in some areas... like kids!


Hopefully, Carrie and I will get some experience with kids in the near future. I like birthdays.