update Monday

sooo obviously i haven't blogged much lately, so i'm back with an update post of sorts. honestly there hasn't been much going on, but anyhoo ...

* i am now officially nervous every time B goes out to cycle. this past saturday morning he was in a wreck (with another cyclist, not B's fault), which led to an early morning call waking me up to come get him and take him to urgent care (scared me!). after some x-rays (nothing is broken) and some pain meds and muscle relaxers (he landed on his shoulder and hurt his neck/back), he's been resting up with ice packs all weekend. thank goodness he's legit and was wearing his jersey, the right shorts, arm cover things (not sure of the right name) and most importantly a helmet. it could have been much worse. he's also had crazy auto drivers honk at him, flip him off and dangerously speed around him on blind curves ... eek! when he's only doing what's perfectly legal. so please remember if you come up behind a cyclist, they are someone's husband! or wife etc. and be respectful and careful for goodness sakes!

* yesterday we kicked of what will be our biggest, most exciting series at church thus far in our 3+ year existance - bold faith! there are HUGE things to come for rivers crossing, and B and I as so blessed to be a part of it. go check our website for more info - www.riverscrossing.com

* work is going well, i've been working extra (we're in pay-off mode) and loving it. i feel so blessed to work at a job i love, with kids i adore that truly matters and makes a difference in the lives of people battling something no one ever should have to - cancer. check out this video of one the inspiring children i get to take care of. they are just amazing.



* i'm getting excited about my upcoming trip to Cali for the annual APHON (association pediatric hematology/oncology nurses) conference. it's less than a mile from disney land, so we may have to pay them a visit :)

* the weather has been perfect lately - sunny, clear, not-humid, low 80s. i'm loving it, but also feeling a little sad summer is almost over. i love fall, but not winter ...

hope you all are having a wonderful start to your week! here's one of my favorite verses to help get your week going ...

and we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
- Col. 1:10

Saturday

Sleep in - check

A few hrs in my pjs with some hot tea catching up on dvr - check

3 loads of laundry done, folded and put away - check

dust, vacuum - check

resist the urge to go shopping at gap just b/c I had a coupon - check

bbq dinner with some friends - check

target run for some essentials - check

relax at home with cute husband - check

i love saturdays

What is it?

I've always loved looking at clouds, so I snapped this photo on my iPhone on our way back from vacation in July somewhere in Kentucky. I think it is just too funny. Beautiful, but funny. I think it looks like an angel sprinting through the sky :)

What do you think?

the 5 on a Tuesday night

tonight i'm ...

seeing
... the last remnants of the sunset sink into dusk

smelling
... the hint of cool fall evenings to come on the breeze

hearing
... the the crickets and nighttime bugs of summer through the back screen door

tasting
... the relaxing calm of my orange herbal tea

feeling
... tired but satisfied at the end of a long work day spent doing something worthwhile

Lessons from MP

As a nurse, i think it's safe to say that there are just some patients that really get to you for one reason or another. Lately, for me that patient is MP. MP is a beautiful girl who has Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) - a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by benign tumors of the nerves that transmit sound impulses from the inner ears to the brain. She can no longer hear, and the tumors have spread and are growing along her spinal cord in places that make surgery not an option.

Last week I sat in during a meeting with her parents and the oncologist as he explained this to her (her reading his lips), and that her treatment options now were basically limited to experimental therapies and protocols.

Did I mention she's my age? She's my age.

She hasn't gotten to get married or have children. She should be thinking about what to do this weekend or who she's going out with. Not trying to decide to enroll in a experimental protocol that may or may not save her life. Throughout all this, she is one of the sweetest, most positive people I've ever met. Always smiling.

Every time I catch myself feeling down because things aren't going my way or how I'd planned, I think of MP and her beautiful spirit and heartbreaking story, and how she continues to praise God through all this, not doubting His faithfulness or goodness for her.

Please pray for MP and her family, and spend a little time to remember what's important.

top 5 - music

these are 5 albums i could listen to over and over and over, in no particular order

Nickel Creek - Nickel Creek
Ever since my dad took me to their concert when I was young at App. St. I've loved their folky sound. This album is my favorite.

John Mayer - Room for Squares
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love John Mayer and his music. Love it. Brandon took me to a concert for valentine's day and it was everything I thought it would be.

Gavin Degraw - Chariot
This may be the album I could listen to daily and never tire.
I love every single song.

Bethel Church - Be Lifted High
This album starts playing and I'm transported right into His presence.
I blare it to and from work several times a week.

Saved the best for last :)
Brandon Gilliam - A Love Better Than Life
Since the album isn't going to be released until October, I obviously can't put a picture of it on here yet, but trust me, it is amazing. I'm so proud of my husband, hands down my favorite musician!

check out his website and EP at www.brandongilliamonline.com

recipe of the week

so i'm trying to get in the habit more of trying a new recipe every now and then, or at least cook a good home-cooked meal a few times a week :) although i really love to cook, with only 2 people in the house and working a lot, we eat cereal on a semi-regular basis. nothing wrong with that right? so anyway, tonight i tried a new recipe from this book.

this book is amazing. i've never made anything from here that i didn't like.
go buy it.

so here's what i made.
juicy grilled pork chops with black olive tapenade and roasted vine tomatoes
(except I used sauted yellow squash instead of tomatoes b/c that's what I had)

secret to making the pork juicy like the recipe title?
brining.
why did i now know about this before???
results? amazing.
other best part of the recipe?
the olive tapenade.
don't leave this out! it brings such great flavor to the pork.
we loved it.

it always makes me happy to make a meal my hubby loves.
and he did grill it for me, so he probably deserves some credit too :)

For the recipe, go here.

beach vacation, numero 2

view from the condo

last week we were in garden city beach, south carolina with brandon's family. it was a week of sleeping in, lazy days, movies, books, family game nights, seafood, ice cream, toes in the sand, sun on my face goodness. i didn't want to leave. but alas, here i am, back in the real world. it sure was good while it lasted. thanks so much to brian and cathy for having us, we love you guys!

view of charlotte while waiting to catch my connection to sc

view from dinner

the bay

on the way home we stopped for dinner at my brother and sister-in law's, which means of course that i got to see my beautiful niece adley. love that sweet girl.