Weekend

What a weekend we had. Friday morning Andrew was on his way to work (he hadn't gotten very far at all) when the car stopped on him. We had it towed to a nearby car shop but they couldn't look at it until Monday. We finally heard from them yesterday, only to find out that it is bad news. The engine seized up and now we need a new one, which would cost a lot of money. So, it looks like we are going to be car hunting, but down to one car for a while so we can save up some money. That is not how you want to start your weekend or your week!

The fourth Sunday of every month our youth group goes to a local nursing facility to conduct a worship service. We leave right after church and stop at McDonald's along the way for lunch. No sooner had we gotten to McDonald's, and some of us ordered our food, than we found out that the facility has a number of people sick with the flu. They said we could still go, but it would be a small crowd and no of us want to get sick! So, we ate and went back to church.

Another Friday adventure. I had to take Oliver to the vet. It's never fun. He doesn't like being in the car and he hates being at the vet, so there is a lot of snarling and hissing when we get there. Since Andrew had taken the other car to get to work, my wonderful sister picked me and Oliver up and drove us to the vet. (Oliver was hoping that having a car in the shop would mean he would get out of it!) He had a lot of junk in his ears and a bit of an infection going on, so she put some gel in his ears to help clean them out and clear up the infection. He didn't like it. Not one bit. The problem was, that this gel needed time to settle all the way down his ears, so until that happened some of it was just hanging out at the top. He was also shaking his head a lot because he didn't like the feeling of that gel in his ears. Put all that together and you have a cat with a sticky head and very sticky, gross ears. He isn't as sticky by now; he has managed to clean some of it off. He is not going to be happy when he finds out that he has to go back in a couple weeks!

Every once in a while Andrews work will offer to buy tickets to some sort of game. During the summer it is baseball. Earlier this winter it was basketball. Now it is hockey. We always go for it. It is fun to get out and do something fun and we always get a good deal since it is priced for group tickets. When we got to the arena Friday night we found out that it was '90's night. They were playing all the good ol' songs that we both grew up with and the team was wearing fan designed jerseys. It was a fun night, made better when we won 5-3. 

It was a crazy, adventure filled weekend and I am glad that I have a few days off work this week! I am looking forward to relaxing and de-stressing!

Are you listening?

I don't know about you, but I frequently feel like God is teaching me something, and it is always something I really need to learn. Sometimes the learning comes easy and I get it right away. Other times God has to tell me again and again and again before I listen and get what He is saying. 

It isn't always what we, as imperfect humans, want, but it is always for our good. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants nothing more than to spend time with us and give us good gifts, but we have to listen to His voice. 

What is He trying to teach you? Are you spending time with Him and listening to His voice? 

Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;"

Happy Spring!

It's finally, officially spring and I couldn't be happier. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons. I love the change they bring.

This is what I think of when I think of spring. The warmer temperatures, the beautiful flowers (tulips are my absolute favorite flower) and the sunshine. Gone are the gloomy, dreary winter days. 

What does spring make you think about?

It's a Butterfly!

Every couple weeks I get together with a couple friends from church. We do a Bible study, pray, and share our worries and concerns. I love it. It is always uplifting. 

This week, we decided to do something different and met at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park to see the butterflies. It's something the garden does every year. Thousands of butterflies are just hanging out in their tropical conservatory.

Here are some just waiting to hatch. (Is hatch the right word? I'm not really sure, but I'm going with it.)

There is a monarch hanging out on the orchid.

These two cuties, Emmy and Tori, are the daughters of my friends. They were very excited to see the butterflies!

It is hard to see, but this guy was my favorite. When he is flying around his wings are the most vibrant blue. I really was this close to him when I took this picture. He didn't seem to mind a bit!

We were able to spend some time outside playing as well, but the batteries in my camera died and I had not thought to bring more with me! It was a beautiful afternoon and I loved getting to spend it with friends!

Curiousity killed the cat, but it didn't touch me!

Have you ever been curious about how much you use of something? I was, so I decided to find out.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005. Since then I have poked my finger to check my blood sugar countless times (at least 4 times a day, which adds up in a hurry!). Last year I started to wonder how many test strips I go through in a year. So, I got a jar and started saving them. (Yes, I know, it is a little gross, but I'm diabetic and blood is a part of my life.)

Here is my full jar. Using a dry erase marker I keep count on the top. Any guesses?

500?

850?

1,000?

After one year, my grand total was 1,980. That is a lot of testing!