United in Jesus Christ

This morning in church the sermon was from John 17: 20-23 and it was all about unity. After the sermon, our pastor asked us to move in towards the center of the auditorium, join hands with the people next to us, recite Bible verses and sing together as One. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I could feel the Holy Spirit moving in me and in all the people around me as I stood there with tears rolling down my face. Today wasn't the first Sunday I have felt like that. Our church is so big, but I always feel like all the "strangers" around me are not really strangers at all. I feel like I know each and every one of them and know how they are feeling. I can't even begin to express how thankful I am that we have found our church, Eastview...our home away from home!

Jesse's 32nd Birthday!

Yesterday was Jesse's 32nd birthday! We celebrated at the Illinois game in Champaign. Unfortunately Illinois lost,but we had a great time tailgating! Jesse's friends, Aaron and Allen came along to celebrate with us and we met up with our favorite Illinois fans, Lesley and Tim (and Henry and Rosie, too). Our tailgate set-up was also dressed up with some birthday balloons and decorations. The weather was chilly, but our hearts were warm as we celebrated another happy and healthy year. Happy Birthday Jesse!!!!

Lesley and Rosie trying to stay warm

Jesse and Tim

Jesse and Erin

Aaron, Jesse and Allen

The guys were dancing while they grilled

Jesse's birthday cake

I think he was more excited about the brat than the cake

Soul Mates

Dane and Kate Myers

I've never believed in soul mates. I always believed that people just reach a point in their life where they are ready to settle down and they get married and then sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't work out. The idea of there just being one perfect person out there for everyone was just too unfathomable to me...until, I met Kate, my sister-in-law, and got to know her and my brother, Dane, as a couple. I don't think I've ever met two people more perfect for each other. They truly are soul mates. Their relationship is so filled with love, respect and friendship. When they celebrated their marriage last weekend I was thrilled to be a part of the special day. Jesse, Logan and I were all in the wedding party and we had a fantastic time. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a blast. I had a great time hanging out with my siblings. It isn't very often that we are all together and so I cherish those times even more. I realized how much I miss them and I wish we lived closer to one another. All in all, it was a beautiful day and wedding. Jesse and I couldn't be happier for them. Congratulations Dane and Kate!!!

Kate with the junior bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearers

Our family

Logan was pulled in a wagon by Kate's nephew, Ethan

Ethan pulled the wagon like a champ (but he made sure to let us all know that it was heavy!)

Logan did a great job...he loved the attention

With my dad and Dane

Jesse and Dane always have fun when they hang out together

Logan had a great time hanging out with the flower girls on the dance floor

The after party, downtown Galena with Dane, Staci (my sister) and Jeff (my brother-in-law)

First Major (but really quite minor) Fall

Last week Logan had his first major fall while he was at the sitter's house. He has some pretty bad scrapes on his face (although it's hard to see in the pictures). They told me he was pretty tough (he definitely takes after his mom). I'm sure it will be the first of many...

What a Guy!

My dad used to have a coffee cup that said, "What a Guy". Dad used the coffee cup every day to drink his tea or coffee and so I can picture it very clearly in my mind and it's the first thing I thought of when I sat down to write this blog about my husband, Jesse. Jesse juggles many roles on a daily basis: father, husband, friend, manager, service advisor, housekeeper, drummer, etc... He takes all his roles very seriously and puts pressure on himself to be the best he can be. I often and regretfully take him for granted and add stress to his already stress-filled life (mostly because I'm trying to juggle all my own roles!) It seems his roles as father and husband have taken priority in the past couple weeks. Jesse is a wonderful father. As Logan develops his own sense of humor and his own personality, he becomes more and more fond of his father. They have become great friends. Logan's face lights up and he reaches out for his father when Jesse walks into a room. It's obvious that he adores Jesse and misses him when he is not around. They have spent a lot of time together recently and Jesse has even missed several workouts in the past few weeks because he would rather "hang out" with his son. Jesse is also a wonderful husband. Yesterday was my birthday and Jesse made me feel very special. For the past three years, Jesse and I have celebrated our birthdays for an entire week leading up to the actual birthday. We do something special for the other person each day until the big day. This year my birthday week consisted of a pedicure, massage, candlelight dinner with champagne, my favorite candy, some books by my favorite authors, lots of good food and a lottery ticket (it wasn't a winner, but it's the thought that counts). I couldn't ask for a better birthday week or a better husband or a better father for my son...what a guy!!!

Logan, looking watching his daddy mow

Football Season is Upon Us

I love Fall for so many reasons: the start of a new school year, the leaves changing colors, getting out sweaters and sweatshirts to wear in the chilly weather, fall decorations (especially Halloween decorations), Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday, my son's birthday, my husband's birthday, my best friend's birthday, and FOOTBALL SEASON! Growing up, I was definitely not a football fan. One of the reasons was that on Sundays my dad took over the kitchen while he watched the Bears game on the TV with the volume turned down and listened to the game on the radio so he could enjoy commentary by his favorite announcers. My dad loved (and many times hated) the Bears so much that he was very passionate (to put it nicely) while watching the game...I'm sure I could have heard him yelling at the TV even from outside the house. My dad has definitely calmed down over the years, but he continues to love (and hate) the Bears. The other reason I never really liked football was because I just didn't get it. I think it is a very complicated game and I still struggle to follow the game at times. It wasn't until I started attending games and watching them on TV with Jesse that I finally understood the game. Jesse has taught me many things about the game and I've grown to love it. This will be the third year that we have season football tickets at the University of Illinois. I do enjoy the games, but my favorite part about going to the games is tailgating....good food, drinks, games and conversation with friends huddled together under our orange Illini tent is always a good time. Jesse and I hope to continue this tradition long after our children are old enough to join in the fun.

This past weekend we introduced Logan to Fighting Illini football and Memorial Stadium in Champaign. We stood in line outside the stadium for about 20 minutes as we waited to be admitted to the Fan Appreciation event. The entire team (I'm guessing about 50 football players) sat in a long line and we just went on down the line as they each signed our poster and Logan's book (Let's go Illini-a children's book about the Illini football team). Logan even posed for a few pictures with a couple of the star players (too bad he isn't looking at the camera). It was a great start to what we hope to be a great season! GO ILLINI!!!

Logan and Jesse in front of Memorial Stadium

Logan with Juice Williams, Illini starting quarterback and future NFL star?
Logan with Regis Benn, Jesse's favorite Illini wide receiver

Back to School and My Heroes

Another school year is here and it is a bittersweet time for me. On one hand, I love the freshness of a new year. On the other hand, I have to go back to work after having almost three months off. Even though it is bittersweet, there are definitely more good things than bad things about the beginning of a new school year. Here are some things I love about a new school year:

1. Teachers sharing all the new things they learned over the summer.

2. Kids showing up to school on the first day with new clothes and shoes.

3. Fifth graders showing up on the first school day with such confidence.

4. Kindergartners showing up on the first day of school filled with innocence.

5. Shiny clean floors in the hallways.

6. New name tags on student desks.

7. Putting all the holidays and breaks when there is no school on my calendar.

8. Seeing all my colleagues and hearing about their eventful summers.

9. Feeling optimism about how I'm going to reach all the goals I set for myself for the upcoming year.

10. Meeting my new students and seeing students that I've worked with in the past.

Before I went back to school, I was fortunate enough to visit with my brother, Dane, and my sister-in-law, Kate. This visit was so special because they have just returned home from their two-year experience in the Peace Corps. They spent the past two years living in the town of Sandy Bay on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. They endured some things that I know I couldn't endure (i.e., no cable in their home!!!). During their experience, they touched many lives and helped many people make their lives better. It is an experience that they will never forget and always treasure. They are my heroes!

Logan with his aunt, Kate

Logan with his Grandpa Myers

Logan will only get to sit on the Harley until he's at least 20