Monday, April 26, 2010

Woo for Birthdays!

Well, I had my birthday this weekend. I am officially a quarter of a century old. Wow. I know, it's hard to believe.

I love birthdays. Basically, I like any reason to have a party and a birthday certainly qualifies. There are so many different birthday theories out there, but my theory is to milk it for all it's worth. And, my theory is to start giving people a head's up about my birthday about a month prior to the actual day. That way there can be a countdown. And, that way people won't feel bad about forgetting, because the chances of them forgetting are much less. (-:

So, I had a pretty awesome birth month. Jeff and Eric from work got me an aquarium and two fish, which I named Shane and Shane. Shane and Shane are pretty awesome, and they love their cool new home with a super awesome LED light that changes colors. I know you want to see a pic. They are staying at the office so everyone here can enjoy them.



So that gift was fabulous. I even got to go with Jeff and Eric to PetSmart to pick out Shane and Shane. I mean, how cool is that? These are some more of my awesome gifts:


Okay, so you will see a beautiful black necklace on the table in front of Shane and Shane. (Thanks, Valerie!) Then I got some beautiful OSU orange flowers from the choir, and my in-laws got me those beautiful flowers. I also got a cool hanging plant for the apartment balcony (yay!). 

And then I got this beauty. I LOVE it. I mean, first of all, who doesn't love aprons? Especially cute ones?! I am such a sucker for aprons. And this one happens to be from Anthropologie, so basically, I'm pretty fancy now. I have it on in this pic. Here's me and my boss - his family got it for me. yay!!



Isn't it so cute? Hmm.... yeah you can't see the bottom. Dang. Well, I'll take another picture of me cooking soon. And that little green/white string thing Jeff is holding is totally going to become a hair accessory in the near future. 

The best birthday gift is coming today as Jeff is going to moon walk. I am pretty excited. 

So, all in all, I had a great birthday! Yay!

~Kathryn







Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Dreams Are So Weird

So. Lately I've been having some bizarre dreams. I think it's due to the fact that I've been able to sleep in on the weekends. Does that happen to anyone else? The longer the sleep, the weirder your dreams get?

I slept for about 12 hours this past Thursday and had a dream about Brinkley. That he had liver cancer. (I know - who dreams that about their dog?!) And that his new owners were trying to decide what to do with him and I got to see him. Basically, I woke up really depressed. So that dream was totally lame.

Do you ever dream vividly enough that when you wake up, whatever feeling you had totally follows you all day? Whether it's a scary dream, a sad one, a happy one, or disturbing? I do.

But I had a pretty awesome dream two nights ago. Back in the day of my childhood, I was completely obsessed with the Christian pop band, "Point of Grace". Anyone? We're talking, I knew ALL of their songs, I read their book, and I remember forcing my dad to let me put the cd in the car when I was in fourth grade and saying, "Dad, aren't their harmonies REALLY awesome? I just love their blend." ha. Nerd alert.

This album remains in my top ten:


So, a couple nights ago I dreamed that my old church was hosting a Point of Grace concert, and my current boss was the worship minister there, and I was there too. Apparently, right before the concert was supposed to start, one of the now three members of PoG had taken seriously ill and could not perform.

My boss ran up to the area where I was along with some other church members, and very worriedly asked, "Does anyone know ALL of the Point of Grace songs?"

I looked around, and then meekly raised my hand. I totally knew them.

He looked at me with determination and said, "I'm going to need you to sing the alto part for the concert". 

I nodded my head and agreed. It was showtime.

So there I am on stage, singing all the Point of Grace songs, with the band. Mic in hand, I was totally part of Point of Grace.

A couple weird things that happened during this show was that after every song or two we would take an intermission and during every break I either lost my microphone or I left the church and then got in my car and realized that I had to get back because the show was still going on. Weird.

And then they told me they were going to need me to sing a solo, and I was like, I am going to need the lyrics. And they didn't have any, so I tried to look them up online, but couldn't type in the right words. I mean, come on, people. This is ridiculous.

During this vivid dream, I did get to have a chat with one of the original members (members have changed out a lot as of recent years) and I told her about how my very first concert ever (true story) was Point of Grace and 4Him back when I was in elementary school. She then, of course, responded that that exact concert was one of the best they had ever done. LOL.

Wow. 

How about you? Any weird dreams lately?

~Kathryn

Monday, April 12, 2010

We Had A Fight

Since this blog is all about being honest, I thought I'd air a little of our dirty laundry and share a recent newlywed squabble we had. Perhaps you can relate.

This weekend our church hosted a Disciple Now weekend. It's basically a weekend-long youth conference with speakers, music, food, and community service stuff, along with lots of fun. Mark worked as a sponsor at this event. The kids stay at host homes, and some of the adults stay there as well, but thankfully, Mark decided to come home and drive back in the mornings.

So, Friday came, and Mark had a great time out and about at the retreat. He came home around 11:30pm. I would have liked it be a little earlier, but you know, who wants to be the nagging wife? So, I was just glad he was home and listened as he told about the event.

Saturday morning he left before 8:00 to go back and hang out. I went to an event from 9:00 - 5:00 that was pretty tiring, then hung out with my sister for a little bit before finally getting home at around 9:15pm.

Then it all started. I got home and the dogs were deservedly begging for attention. The neediness of a 14 year old blind/diabetic/hypothyroid/toothless dog, compounded with that of an 8 week old puppy is pretty intense. Then Miguel had a sort of accident in the living room that indicated to me that he had a bacterial infection, so I had to start him on some meds. He wasn't feel well, and Melvin (yes, that's the name) wanted to run all over the apartment and play play play.

I had to be at work at 7:15am the next morning, so my bedtime was quickly approaching. I asked Mark if he would mind coming home a little early to help with the dogs. And by early, I meant leave the event at 10:00pm (not really that early) and skip the final session. He said he really wanted to say. I said just try to come as quickly as you can, please.

So, being on my own, I tried to get the dogs to calm down a little, and got ready for bed. I'm in bed around 10:30, trying to sleep, and the dogs are pulling out all the stops. As I'm trying to keep Melvin from thinking I'm his prey, and keep Miguel quiet, anger is started to well up inside of me. I developed a little bit of a "Woe is me" attitude. Here I am, all by myself, trying to sleep, these dogs are acting like idiots, and Mark is out hanging out with teenagers and having a grand old time. And I have to be at work in just a few hours! 


The dogs calm down for what I think will be the night until they start up again a few minutes later - it was a mean trick. I start slipping them melatonin in an effort to get them to sleep and I start getting angrier. I look at my clock at it's 11:37pm. Did I know where my husband was? Certainly not at home with me being a helper!

So, I sent a text message telling Mark how I am feeling about this whole situation and continue to try to sleep. The text message might not have been the nicest one I have ever sent

He got home sometime after midnight and then I could finally get a little rest. I woke up late (big surprise), and was still angry when I got to work, as Mark and I hadn't had a chance to talk things over. And believe me, I had a speech ready.

I carried about my business until my boss started chatting with me about how everything was going, and I told him about my lack of sleep, my late awakening, and my bad attitude toward Mark. I tried not to go into too much detail, but let's just say he got the gist of it.

Then it happened. God must have a sense of humor, or must really just love my husband.

After I delivered my complaint to my boss, he and I were standing in a hallway waiting, when a church member walked up to us. Not just any church member. The church member at whose house Mark had stayed for the weekend.

She marched right up to Jeff and I and she started talking about Mark. Not the usual "it was nice to meet your husband" talk. We're talking a monologue that sounded so rehearsed and perfect that she was ready to deliver it to a dignitary.

I just LOVED your husband this weekend! He was so sweet and such a helper! I don't ever see men like him at that age. I mean, I know there are good solid older men, but meeting Mark this weekend really gave me hope that there are good Christian guys out there for my girls. Now I know there are awesome young men out there and they can find them. He was just such a delight. And so serving.... etc etc etc.


I'm talking, if this lady wasn't married, I think she'd go for Mark.


My boss is casually standing next to me, I'm sure just loving every minute of this. And I'm thinking, "Lady, this is not what I want to be hearing right now and you are totally ruining my case!"

All I could muster to say in response to her praise was "He's a keeper!" through my clenched jaw.

And then she walked away and boss turned to me and just starting chanting "Guilt! Guilt! Guilt!"

Okay, YES, I do feel guilty! Yes, she is right. I DO have an amazing godly husband who loves the Lord and loves me and is the most servant hearted person I know. But can't a girl at least have the right to tell her husband a piece of her mind without being reminded of his apparent sainthood?!

Perhaps it was the Lord's way of reminding me what a blessing Mark is, and that even though he might drive me crazy at times, I wouldn't trade him for anything.

So, after that, Mark showed up and looked like he knew I was getting ready to give him a piece of my mind. He looked dejected, worried, and downright pathetic. And when it came time for me to deliver my best speech, all I could do was laugh and give him a big hug. And of course, I told him how it made me feel that he didn't come home when I needed him, but I told him in a much more loving way than I would have had I been left to my own demise.

I think he now feels the same away about that particular church member that she feels about him. I would, too, if I were him.

~Kathryn

Sunday, April 4, 2010

He Is Risen!

He Is Risen, Indeed!

Happy Easter, Everyone!

~Mark and Kathryn

Friday, April 2, 2010

Our New Family Member

Okay, everyone. It's the moment you've been waiting for. Here he is!





We are very excited to have the little guy, but it's very bittersweet. I still cry a few times a day because of Brinkley, but I know it will get better. I'm hoping that I will be able to love this new little guy, too. I'm sure I will, and we know he won't ever replace Brinkley, but we think he will be a wonderful addition.

He will be around 15 lbs and 15 inches tall when he is full grown.

Now, we need help with a name!

Some of the names we have thought about so far are:

Ringo
Oliver
Melvin (Mark loves this one)
Satchmo
Colin
Bandit
Winston

We are still trying to find one that sticks. Any suggestions or do you love or hate any of the above?

~Kathryn
 
Blog Design by Sweet Simplicity