Most of my high schoolers go to the one and only high school in our lovely town. Most of my high schoolers are extemely talented!!! If it isn't sports, it's band, if it isn't band it's drama, if it's not drama, it's chior. Somewhere in all of that they fit all of the above into their schedules adding on top of that....a full load of AP (IB) Honors classes. I am in awe of how they can juggle it all, not surprised by their stress, and worried that they will have ulcers by their sophomore year in college!!!
I went to the HS chiors Pancake breakfast this morning. A good majority of my confirmation kids are in chior. Let me tell you, these kids are good!!!! I was so proud of them!!! A few of them did solo's and my gosh if Simon, Paula and Randy would stop wasting their time listening to crappy singers, and come out here they would find themselves a few American Idols right here in So Cal!!!! I can't believe how powerful these kids voices are and I can't remember any one I went to high school with (ok, Zsa Zsa Smith being the one and only exception) a voice like these kids have. It did make me miss that one aspect of high school though. I miss singing with my friends in madrigals. Those were the good days.
Our leadership meeting went well. Instead of being totally stuctured and focused, I let the kids just talk, about what they were feeling, what was going on in life and we heard some really funny, and great stories from each other. I really hope that helped them. One of the girls, I was shocked to get a hug from. This has been the new thing with them. I see it as a sign of a comfort level has been reached. I knew better than to always initiate that aspect until I knew they were comfortable with it. F went around the room and hugged everyone, me inluded. G did the same today at the pancake breakfast. A break through?? I hope so.
I have tickets for a taping of The View on Feb 7th...anyone of the 2 readers I have want to go?
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Thursday, January 27, 2005
All Creatures Great and Small
All life is precious!!!! Especially the one that entered into mine on Jan 10th!!!! Just 16 days ago. I was just about to leave work today when I got an email from my brother in law. Attached was a picture of the most precious blond haired little boy I have ever seen. My nephew. I can hardly wait to see more pictures of him that my brother in law has burned to CD and mailed to me. I can't describe to you how cute he is. I mean he's only a few hours old in the picture and already he has a receeding hairline!!! It's great! I heart him so much.
Of course, seeing him made me miss my family so much!!!! Funny, I wonder if I would feel this way had I listened to Fr. Angelus in November of 03 and moved to Alabama. I am so selfish, this I know to be true. I take many things for granted. I wish I didn't. I know I should pray for these things to be lifted from my life. Just when I think I'm doing good at not being selfish, I get caught up in the selfishness......
God grant me the wisdom to seek things for the good of others and not my own good.
Derek asked me tonight, "What do you want for your birthday?" My mind was blank. I've never had a brain block when it comes to my birthday gifts. Maybe I'm getting old and don't "need" things like I used to think I did. I seriously asked for: Frames, tealights, and blank notecards.....all purchase-able from the lovely dollar store!!!! When did I bcome so practical????
Of course, seeing him made me miss my family so much!!!! Funny, I wonder if I would feel this way had I listened to Fr. Angelus in November of 03 and moved to Alabama. I am so selfish, this I know to be true. I take many things for granted. I wish I didn't. I know I should pray for these things to be lifted from my life. Just when I think I'm doing good at not being selfish, I get caught up in the selfishness......
God grant me the wisdom to seek things for the good of others and not my own good.
Derek asked me tonight, "What do you want for your birthday?" My mind was blank. I've never had a brain block when it comes to my birthday gifts. Maybe I'm getting old and don't "need" things like I used to think I did. I seriously asked for: Frames, tealights, and blank notecards.....all purchase-able from the lovely dollar store!!!! When did I bcome so practical????
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Why oh WHy do I watch this show?
I told Derek I was going to bed. And then it happened. I got hooked on watching back, to back, to back, to back episodes of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica!!! Why do I like this show? I can't stand Jessica's voice and I certainly can't stand her constant whining. Perhaps I just feel for Nick. I mean he puts up with alot of junk from her. So here I am, up at 1:20am watching this God awful show. But somewhere in between my eyerolls and my deep desire to want to pull out each hair on my head individually, I really think this show is a hoot!!!!!
Seriously, Jessica is so dang spoiled!! Who on earth doesn't know how to make pancakes? Shoot I don't even like pancakes, but I know how to cook them!!! For Valentine's Day she rented a Ferrari for Nick, (Don't get any ideas Derek) and hired a chef to come cook dinner for them!!! ROFL!!!! I VOW here and now to swear that I will make Derek dinner for Valentine's Day. Great, I just said that and NOW I'm gonna have to make Dim Sum and some exotic Malaysian dinner. I could always just erase this or not publish this post, but I won't. I will learn how to make a couple Malaysian dishes someday!!!!
On a happy note, watching Newlyweds got me thinking of food!!! Nick and Jessica go to this restaurant called Casa Vega. Apparently they have good margarita's. While I would probably not have one, I'm up for good mexican food (it's got to be good I mean they eat there ALL THE TIME), and since Shay is coming I may make the trek with her and her friend (if they aren't too tired) when they come here in 2 weeks!! YAY LUNCH!!!
Seriously, Jessica is so dang spoiled!! Who on earth doesn't know how to make pancakes? Shoot I don't even like pancakes, but I know how to cook them!!! For Valentine's Day she rented a Ferrari for Nick, (Don't get any ideas Derek) and hired a chef to come cook dinner for them!!! ROFL!!!! I VOW here and now to swear that I will make Derek dinner for Valentine's Day. Great, I just said that and NOW I'm gonna have to make Dim Sum and some exotic Malaysian dinner. I could always just erase this or not publish this post, but I won't. I will learn how to make a couple Malaysian dishes someday!!!!
On a happy note, watching Newlyweds got me thinking of food!!! Nick and Jessica go to this restaurant called Casa Vega. Apparently they have good margarita's. While I would probably not have one, I'm up for good mexican food (it's got to be good I mean they eat there ALL THE TIME), and since Shay is coming I may make the trek with her and her friend (if they aren't too tired) when they come here in 2 weeks!! YAY LUNCH!!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
I've been a bit busy...sorry
So here we are on the eve of the inauguration. I have to say I have only heard bits and pieces of what Barbara Boxer has said about Condi Rice and I am a bit disgusted by what I have heard. I understand not agreeing with someones political views, but to be so blantantly rude as she has been is, IMO, out of line. Of course the liberal media feeds off it and it's all we've heard about all day. Kudo's to Sean Hannity for standing up for Ms. Rice and putting the democrats in their place.
My car cannot make up it's mind this week. On Saturday the check engine light went on and stayed on until last night as I was leaving work. On one hand it's a sigh of relief, on the other hand, I am anticipating the darn thing to break down. Although, there are no crazy sounds coming fromt he car, it runs great and all. Maybe it was the jump from cold weather to hot weather. Who knows.
I'm in a bit of a spiritual rut and am trying to wade my way through a bunch of junk to get out of it. I've been told that amidst the junk, when I am feeling my lowest, that is when God will come in and do his greatest work through me. I think I'm so impatient that I'm just waiting for something amazing to happen. I'm so good at reminding everyone that you can't sit and say "ok God do your thing". I keep reminding myself that I just have to let God work and I need to sit back and play co-pilot for a while. But it's hard when there are alot of emotions and feelings involved in the heart of Youth Ministry. There are alot of hurt feelings, healing hearts, hardened hearts and I just have to remember that, while Satan hasn't possesed anyone, he certainly has found his way into some thoughts anf fears and worries that consume the minds of some of my youth. I also have to remember that in 4 months, there still will be some hurt and pain and things will not be happy, and cheery over night. I feel like I don't know where to go sometimes with these kids. They tell me what they want and where they want to go, but they still stay on that treadmill going....going....or in my case resisting....resisting.......
My car cannot make up it's mind this week. On Saturday the check engine light went on and stayed on until last night as I was leaving work. On one hand it's a sigh of relief, on the other hand, I am anticipating the darn thing to break down. Although, there are no crazy sounds coming fromt he car, it runs great and all. Maybe it was the jump from cold weather to hot weather. Who knows.
I'm in a bit of a spiritual rut and am trying to wade my way through a bunch of junk to get out of it. I've been told that amidst the junk, when I am feeling my lowest, that is when God will come in and do his greatest work through me. I think I'm so impatient that I'm just waiting for something amazing to happen. I'm so good at reminding everyone that you can't sit and say "ok God do your thing". I keep reminding myself that I just have to let God work and I need to sit back and play co-pilot for a while. But it's hard when there are alot of emotions and feelings involved in the heart of Youth Ministry. There are alot of hurt feelings, healing hearts, hardened hearts and I just have to remember that, while Satan hasn't possesed anyone, he certainly has found his way into some thoughts anf fears and worries that consume the minds of some of my youth. I also have to remember that in 4 months, there still will be some hurt and pain and things will not be happy, and cheery over night. I feel like I don't know where to go sometimes with these kids. They tell me what they want and where they want to go, but they still stay on that treadmill going....going....or in my case resisting....resisting.......
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Announcing, for the 5th (and possibly final) time!!!!
I became an Auntie yesterday morning!!!!! My sister gave birth to my 3rd nephew!!!! Can I get a wOOt???? After waiting all morning/afternoon to hear from my brother in law I caved and called the hospital thinking my sister would more than likely be sleeping, but she wasn't. She gave me the details of what had happened. She had gone into labor at 11:00pm on Sunday and was admitted to the hospital at 3:30am on Monday morning. Our little bundle of joy, i.e. Auntie Katie's new excuse to go shopping, arrived via c-section at 7:30am!!!! My sister admitted that she is a big wimp and could not handle the contractions. She said "This was the worst labor I've ever had" I laughed and told her, that she had only really experienced labor 1 1/2 times being that all three were born via c-section with little to no labor!!! We got a good laugh out of that, but I did tell her that yes, I agree, she is a wimp. God bless those nurses!!!! (If my sister stubs her toe, she cries as if she broke it, she REALLY had a low tolerance for pain).
Aside from the immediate family and my brother in laws Dad and stepmom, I am the first person who got to talk to A!!!! As I was talking to Winnie he started making some cute newborn baby noises. I asked if that was him and she said "Do you want to talk to him?" She put the phone to his ear and I started to talk to him. He let out a couple of cries and I told him "It's ok my angel, Auntie Katie is here, I love you, don't cry baby!" And.....he stopped crying!!!! I RULE!!!!!!!!! I'm the favorite Auntie!!!! Ok I have to share the title with Auntie Jill of course, but I am the first favorite!!!! YAY LOL
I love little blessings!!! Especially when they come in 7lb 3oz packages!!!!
Aside from the immediate family and my brother in laws Dad and stepmom, I am the first person who got to talk to A!!!! As I was talking to Winnie he started making some cute newborn baby noises. I asked if that was him and she said "Do you want to talk to him?" She put the phone to his ear and I started to talk to him. He let out a couple of cries and I told him "It's ok my angel, Auntie Katie is here, I love you, don't cry baby!" And.....he stopped crying!!!! I RULE!!!!!!!!! I'm the favorite Auntie!!!! Ok I have to share the title with Auntie Jill of course, but I am the first favorite!!!! YAY LOL
I love little blessings!!! Especially when they come in 7lb 3oz packages!!!!
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Late night thoughts
Andrew's blog post from December 16th got me thinking. Derek's recent visit got me thinking too, of all the things I take for granted living in CA!!!! Andrew talked about beautiful sunsets and enjoying them. It got me thinking how beautiful things here, in CA really are. That is not to say that anywhere else in the world, there are not gorgeous sunsets (If you've been to Maui, you know there is nothing like a Hawaiian sunset), or that the mountains and beaches are not as glorious!!!. I have noticed lately that the sunsets we have been blessed with are so gorgeous and awesome!!! How can anyone dispute that there is not a God when you behold a sky of pinks, oranges and purples against a blue sky with big huge clouds? I mean.....God loves us so much that he speaks to us through such beauty!!! How is it that we can so easily ignore it??? How is it that we as humans fail to recognize a sign from God that he is alive, he is here and he cares??? Are we so wrapped up in putting a voice to someone, that if we don't hear things with our ears, we don't accept it as a form of communication?
Derek's visit made me again realize how much I do not appreciate where I live. It's funny how I will visit friends and wish I could live somewhere other than CA because it's cheaper, or prettier, or whatever. Derek was amazed at the city lights...the CITY LIGHTS!!! it's not that he lives in Podunk, NC or anything but things out there are very spread out so to be in a suburb and see so many lights and homes and what not was amazing, and beautiful to him. Amazing and beautiful!!!! I could not get over that. He also mentioned that CA was flat. I had never really thought of CA as flat. I mean we have the San Bernardino mtns!!! Ohio, Michigan, Chicago, the midwest...that's flat. Then again, he was in the Valley ("like totally, gag me with a spoon")!!! Even still his amazement was God's way of saying "Hey Katie, this is all for you...this beauty that you see daily.....it's yours.....minus the big red bow, it's a gift from me!!!!" It makes you feel bad because you yell at drivers, you complain about smog, you just think your city/state is the worst. Then we traveled to the beach:
I have few talents and God given gifts, but capturing God's beauty and Power in this picture is one gift I treasure!!!! The pier, though man made reminds me of the pillar of strength in which God is to me. As the waves of life crash against me.
Not only was the beach beautiful but seeing the man I love touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time was something I will never forget. He was filled with so much joy!!!! I literally had to fight back tears!!!
Derek's visit made me again realize how much I do not appreciate where I live. It's funny how I will visit friends and wish I could live somewhere other than CA because it's cheaper, or prettier, or whatever. Derek was amazed at the city lights...the CITY LIGHTS!!! it's not that he lives in Podunk, NC or anything but things out there are very spread out so to be in a suburb and see so many lights and homes and what not was amazing, and beautiful to him. Amazing and beautiful!!!! I could not get over that. He also mentioned that CA was flat. I had never really thought of CA as flat. I mean we have the San Bernardino mtns!!! Ohio, Michigan, Chicago, the midwest...that's flat. Then again, he was in the Valley ("like totally, gag me with a spoon")!!! Even still his amazement was God's way of saying "Hey Katie, this is all for you...this beauty that you see daily.....it's yours.....minus the big red bow, it's a gift from me!!!!" It makes you feel bad because you yell at drivers, you complain about smog, you just think your city/state is the worst. Then we traveled to the beach:
I have few talents and God given gifts, but capturing God's beauty and Power in this picture is one gift I treasure!!!! The pier, though man made reminds me of the pillar of strength in which God is to me. As the waves of life crash against me.
Not only was the beach beautiful but seeing the man I love touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time was something I will never forget. He was filled with so much joy!!!! I literally had to fight back tears!!!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
pictures..get your pictures here
Derek enjoys the Lego store at Downtown Disney!!!
WOW!!!
I am so sorry I have not updated in a while. Derek arrived safe and sound last Thursday and we were crazy busy!!! We went into L.A. the night he came in. Yes, we went into that terrible city at an ungodly hour of the night (12 midnight) It was random, rainy, cold and fun. Rodeo Drive was dead, there was a lady who was telling us that she talks to Bruce Lee's star on the walk of fame....Hollywood and highland was dead. I mean it was L.A. from a very different perspective. I kind of liked it without the crowds. Maybe in my old age I am becoming less of a lover of crazy hectic crowds. I used to not mind them, but I am nore and more becoming a lover of peace!!! We drove by the Rose Bowl at 2am that night and happened to come upon some Rose Parade floats. So we stop to get a closer look and the next thing we know, we're decorating the Cal Poly Pomona/San Luis Obispo float!!!! It was so much fun!
Disneyland was fun too and this visit marked the arrival of my beloved gnome, Bjorn. I will post a link to some of his pictures once Derek arrives home from the airport tonight. Bjorn had a grand time on New Years Eve. He ate dinner and then took a long nap as we went to Dave and Busters (I rule the skee ball world!!!) and Downtown Disney. I introduced Derek to In N Out Burger. You'll have to read his blog soon. I'll get him to post about how much he liked it. We rang in 2005 by watching the fireworks at Disneyland (we parked across the street). THe next day I took Derek to the beach and he was sooooo happy to touch the pacific ocean!!! Laguna is such a great beach. We hung out with my brother for a bit, made smores with the kids (went to In N Out for dinner) and again, went to Disneyland to watch the fireworks. Then it was off to Disneyland for a day of fun. Mickey loved Bjorn and Derek was soooo cute with getting his pics taken with the princesses.
I had to work Monday Tues and Weds, so Derek got to be a bum around the house...LUCKY!!!! This morning I took him to the airport and of course there were tears. Our schedules are soooo screwy that we will not see each other until Feb or March. I'm hoping to go to AL in Feb, so possibly then.
Time with Derek is so precious and it was fun to leave work, call him and let him know I would see him soon and within a few minutes I'd be greeted with a "How was your day honey?" Talk about amazing!!! I can't put into words how great it is to have Derek in my life. How blessed I am that God chose him....of all the people in the world!!! We balance each other out in so many ways, we laugh togwther, we are spontaneous, we are goofy!!! We've had crazy twisted adventures prior to meeting one another, but it all fades when we are together. That is not to say that we don't deal with the ghosts of the past, but in the grand scheme of things, when it is just us and our relationship, nothing is held against the other for past mistakes and what not. It's just pure wonderful love!!!
Disneyland was fun too and this visit marked the arrival of my beloved gnome, Bjorn. I will post a link to some of his pictures once Derek arrives home from the airport tonight. Bjorn had a grand time on New Years Eve. He ate dinner and then took a long nap as we went to Dave and Busters (I rule the skee ball world!!!) and Downtown Disney. I introduced Derek to In N Out Burger. You'll have to read his blog soon. I'll get him to post about how much he liked it. We rang in 2005 by watching the fireworks at Disneyland (we parked across the street). THe next day I took Derek to the beach and he was sooooo happy to touch the pacific ocean!!! Laguna is such a great beach. We hung out with my brother for a bit, made smores with the kids (went to In N Out for dinner) and again, went to Disneyland to watch the fireworks. Then it was off to Disneyland for a day of fun. Mickey loved Bjorn and Derek was soooo cute with getting his pics taken with the princesses.
I had to work Monday Tues and Weds, so Derek got to be a bum around the house...LUCKY!!!! This morning I took him to the airport and of course there were tears. Our schedules are soooo screwy that we will not see each other until Feb or March. I'm hoping to go to AL in Feb, so possibly then.
Time with Derek is so precious and it was fun to leave work, call him and let him know I would see him soon and within a few minutes I'd be greeted with a "How was your day honey?" Talk about amazing!!! I can't put into words how great it is to have Derek in my life. How blessed I am that God chose him....of all the people in the world!!! We balance each other out in so many ways, we laugh togwther, we are spontaneous, we are goofy!!! We've had crazy twisted adventures prior to meeting one another, but it all fades when we are together. That is not to say that we don't deal with the ghosts of the past, but in the grand scheme of things, when it is just us and our relationship, nothing is held against the other for past mistakes and what not. It's just pure wonderful love!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)