Last month, my friend Amy and I went to Fredrik Meijer Gardens to see the super sweet Chihuly blown glass exhibit! Just her and I and our cameras... it was delightful! The fall colors coupled perfectly with the beautiful colors of the glass! It was relaxing and such a joy! Here is a sampling of the photos I took:
Amy photographing the Koi fish... Love this red tree.... take a guess at how big it is! Do you have your guess????? :) It's huge! This is a picture of Amy standing next to it. She's probably in the 5'4" range. Crazy, huh? And I'll finish off with a fun picture that Amy took of me in the cute little playhouse in the children's garden!
I'm pretty sure I'd get a failing grade because I've been so bad about blogging! :) Actually, I've done very little reading in the last few months because of the college course I was taking, but since that's been done... I've been able to read a couple and start some more! I actually have quite a few books going right now! Eeek!!!
A few weeks ago, Jeff and I had conferences for both Michael and Grace on the same night!! This was both a blessing and a pain! They are both in middle school this year so that meant we had to tackle seeing 12 teachers... but it was mighty nice to get them all done in one evening. Jeff and I met at the school after work which was the most PERFECT idea... this allowed me to visit the Scholastic book fair while he went home (he doesn't care to sit and look at bookshelves for long periods of time)! :) This is such a great place to get books for a great price all the while helping with fundraising for the school! I left with 6 books... yikes! Kinda fun though... I've been really interested in Young Adult fiction lately. I love the great storylines and the easy reading factor is a bonus!
(Photo from Barnes and Noble)
I just finished one that was really good!!! It's called Ruined: A Ghost Story by Paula Morris. It's a story based in New Orleans! I LOVE all things New Orleans and cannot wait to visit there some day!! This book was great at making me visualize everything... from the Mardi Gras floats, the above-ground tombs in Lafayette Cemetery and the gorgeous mansions in the Garden District! I even felt like I could smell that damp New Orleans fragrance. The storyline was super fun! Here's the synopsis from Publisher's Weekly:
With this haunting love letter to New Orleans, Morris makes her YA debut, telling the story of 15-year-old Rebecca Brown, a proud New Yorker sent to live with a family friend while her father travels overseas. Ostracized as an outsider, Rebecca struggles to fit in and cope with her new surroundings. When she befriends Lisette, a ghost who has haunted the cemetery ever since her mysterious death 155 years earlier, Rebecca is drawn into an eerie story of betrayal, loss, old curses and family secrets. As Mardi Gras approaches, so does the culmination of something dark and angry that has been brewing for decades. This moody tale thoroughly embraces the rich history, occult lore and complex issues of race, ethnicity, class and culture that have defined New Orleans for centuries, turning the city into a character in its own right. Rather than shy away from the shameful or tragic moments of the past, Morris uses them to capture the city's essence. From Mardi Gras rituals to voodoo spells, Hurricane Katrina to jazz, this is a story that could only be told in New Orleans.
I've read a few other books that are worth mentioning, so check them out!
(Photos from Barnes and Noble)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
"Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone." Titus 3:1-2 (NLT)
"Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV)
This picture about sums it up! For the last eight weeks, I have been taking the first of many college courses. This past summer, I decided to finally go back to college to finish my bachelor's degree. The last class I had was back when I found out I was pregnant with Grace. Needless to say, raising two young children doesn't allow extra time to complete degrees! :) I am so blessed to have had 69 credits that transferred into Central Michigan University from so long ago! Last week, I successfully finished my first class back. Although grades aren't yet out, I do think I'll end up with a B. I am very happy with that grade. It was a tough, time-consuming class and with being a wife, mom and working full-time... well, a B is pretty good in my opinion!
I did take a little bit of time from school-work to play. The above picture was taken at Frederik Meijer Gardens. My friend Amy and I went to shoot photos of the amazing Chihuly blown glass that was exhibited at the gardens (pictures to come)! This picture actually does have a story, other than it looking like I'm pulling my "hair" out! I LOVE willow trees. Jeff doesn't want a willow tree because they are too messy. This is me "hugging" the branches of the willow tree because I was so excited to see such a big and beautiful one! :)
Friday, October 8, 2010
(Photo taken 8.18.10 - Sixth Street Park, Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan)
The Twenty-First Time by Monk & Neagle
Nowhere to live Nowhere to fall He used to have money But he’s wasted it all His face is a photograph burned in mind But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
He sleeps under stars, it’s all he can afford His blanket’s an old coat he’s had since the war He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
He may be a drifter who’s grown old and gray But what if it’s Jesus and I walk away I say I’m the body and drink of the wine But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
She’s 29 but she feels 48 She can’t raise three kids on minimum wage She’s crying in back of the welfare line But I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time
She may be a stranger trying to get through the day But what if it’s Jesus and I walk away I say I’m the body and drink of the wine But I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time
This is a call for a change in my heart I realize that I’ve not been doing my part When I needed a Savior, I found it in Him He gave to me, now I’ll give back to them
Drifter or stranger, daughter or son I’ll look for Jesus in everyone ‘Cause I am the body and drink of the wine And I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time
