Little Brother

So my baby bro is getting hitched this weekend. We are so excited around here! In honor of this joyous occasion, I thought I'd share just a few memories of the little guy (who happens to have a good 6 inches on me).

I was a proud big sis even back then.

Dolled up in our Easter threads.

Fun with snow.

Obviously we BOTH have fashion missteps in our past.

With the fam at Matty's flight school graduation.

Laughing at something hilarious.

He shaved his head once. I think once was enough.

Love this kid.

Just Another Mudslide Monday

Coffee. Ahh, coffee. There's nothing quite like that smell of delicious nectar brewing and nothing quite like that first sip of a really good cup of joe. Some people swear by Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, not me. I just really like the stuff. So, can you imagine my delight when we received a Keurig as a wedding present last year?

The Machine.

It is amazing. And wonderful. Neither one of us drink a large amount of coffee, just a cup in the morning, and this little wonder makes the perfect amount for us.

Morning Java (consider the blurriness of the photo evidence of my excitement over the subject matter).

One of the accessories we received is this nifty little drawer/stand for the Keurig. We can fill it up with the little K-cups and store them for easy access.

Ah, the order. And we can sing songs like "Just another mudslide Monday..."

It shouldn't surprise anyone who knows me even a little bit that we've developed a routine when it comes to our coffee flavors. Monday = Mudslide, Tuesday = Chocolate Donut, etc. Friday, we go all out and mix it up with selections from a sampler pack we ordered on Amazon. Let me tell you, we know how to live it up in our house.

Ready to go after the creamer!

They Call It Puppy Love

When I was younger, my parents had a wiener dog named Murphy. She was a trip and I'm pretty sure my mom let us get her to help my brother and me get adjusted to a family move when I was in junior high (she had been decidedly anti-pets that lived outside of an aquarium before this point). Murphy was a black and tan wiener dog and she was with our family for 15 years.

Murphy helping me take a nap on a Thanksgiving break from grad school.

When I bought my own house, I knew I would eventually get my own little pup to keep me on my toes. Enter Kramer.



Kramer as a tiny puppy.

I have not had cable television of any sort for quite some time and Kramer has managed to supply my entertainment ever since I got her. Between viciously attacking her toys, hopping like a bunny in the backyard, chasing squirrels, and generally providing some of the cutest facial expressions around, I definitely don't miss cable.

Puppy Kramer chewing on a toy.

Enter my husband. As it says in my profile, when he married me he got a mostly silly, but sometimes cute, little wiener dog as part of the package. Despite some initial worries about having a dog in the house, Kramer has won him over and they get along splendidly. Or, rather, they did get along splendidly...

Last week, I was out at a meeting and Drew was home with Kramer. He fed her dinner and was taking a rest on the living room floor. Kramer finished her meal and charged in join him as she gets giddy whenever anyone gets on the floor since she interprets that as an invitation to play. She hopped up on his stomach, her tail wagging back and forth so hard, her whole body was wiggling. Drew started to pet her, and Kramer, in all the excitement decided to take that moment to throw up. Half eaten kibble all over his shirt!

The poor man. Seriously, how disgusting is that? I felt awful that she a) did that on his watch and b) did that ON HIS SHIRT. Drew rolled with it though and all is well. I think we can safely say that Kramer has won Drew over at this point. I think we can also say that Drew has exacted his revenge by posing Kramer in ridiculous poses, with props.

Kramer feels Drew's revenge.

Happy Easter!

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

In Christ Alone - Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty

He Arose!

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,

waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave he arose;

with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;

he arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,

vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

              

Up from the grave he arose;

with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;

he arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;

he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

              

Up from the grave he arose;

with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;

he arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Up from the Grave He Arose - Robert Lowry