Ignorance is Bliss

Usually I don't agree with such a statement, but after yesterday's lunch conversation I am loving it. 

There was a time when I knew every bit of celebrity gossip and juice. And I hated it.  Earl hated it.  Why in the world did I care if Britney's weave was looking like a rat's nest or that Nicole Richie was having a girl or that Jennifer Aniston really didn't hate Angelina.  I mean, these people mean NOTHING to me.  And yet, I was drawn to the websites and magazines. It was like a plague.  I couldn't shake it.

Fast forward about a year and many days of praying and yesterday at lunch we were discussing baseball and I was asking questions ("What's a goat?" "How many games in the series?") and then someone mentioned a joke from SNL about A-Rod and Kate Hudson.  I knew they were dating, but I didn't know she is supposedly with child.  I didn't know that Michael Buble has some celebrity girlfriend. I just DIDN'T KNOW! 

And I am still smiling because I don't have a clue.

In other news, it rained last night...I am hoping for some more. It's been MONTHS and MONTHS since it's rained out here.

Sealing the Deal

Tonight at dinner, my friend Christy asked me what Earl and I had in common when we were dating and what was it that sealed the deal.  To be honest, we didn't really date, so the things we have in common now are different than before we got married, but I do know what sealed the deal.

This picture reminds me of Earl's love of Jenni. Watching him interact in a real, honest way and develop a relationship and friendship with Jenni showed me his heart of mercy and compassion. And I knew I could forever pledge myself to someone who gladly accepted every piece of my life - and my whole family.

Earl loves a good adrenaline rush. But I love this picture because this is a part of who he is - the daredevil in him.  The guy that has more scars than anyone I know with all the stories that go behind them. I love to trace those scars and hear the stories.

Earl flew out for my college graduation.  He planned the trip and tricked me.  And utterly surprised me.  I knew when I spotted him walking towards me before my graduation that he loved me enough to go through all that and I knew that I was worth it to him. Earl has been a part of certain important events of my life and the fact that he just KNOWS those things, first hand, gives me comfort.

Earl and I joke.  A lot.  We are sure that no one else has as much fun as we do.  He makes me smile, laugh and happy.  He calms me and encourages me.  And he loves my funny faces.

And this picture is from our wedding day.  Because the man that stole my heart almost 7 years ago still has a firm grasp on it and I am glad to let him have every part of me.

Happy birthday, my love.  Keep having fun, but please come home soon!!

And Happy Birthday, Tony!! Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Where, oh where did my sanity go???

I hate October 15th.

I thought I hated April 15th, but then October 15th came around. 

I hate October 15th.

This is the last deadline. El fin. It doesn't help that I am taking two of the hardest accounting courses (cost accounting and intermediate accounting, thank you very much).  While I am thrilled that Earl is in Miami celebrating the Mergelsberg birthday month (and if they think I can plan my future child's birth to fall in October they are crazy!), but I like him home to console me when I get home from a long stressful day at work.  You know, how he brings me my apple juice and waits on me hand and foot. Like I used to make my sisters do.

So, I am excited that October 15th is almost over.  I am just hoping I can hold on to a few brain cells until then.

The Power of Prayer

So Katherine has been praying and praying for the Twins and, whaddya know, 12 innings and one CRAZY game later, they are in the playoffs!  I was busy working working working while the game was going on and the men in the office were in the break room cheering, whooping and generally making me cranky because of all their noise. I was probably more cranky that I am so stressed than the fact that they were being loud.  But this is my least favorite time in the office.  The price of not *loving* baseball.

In all seriousness, prayer works. Not just because we believe and we hope and we persist.  It works because there is a loving, kind, generous, good God on the other side of the line who cares for His creation and His children.  We have been praying HARD for 12 days for Daisy and she has a lifetime ahead of her, but right now, I am encouraged by two pictures up here.

I wish I could post them up here myself, but I am still lacking certain technical skills.  But Daisy is looking good.  And I know the reason.  It's because prayer made to a living God is answered.  In 1 Kings 18 it is clearly shown the difference between praying to gods and the true and living God.

So now I am overjoyed to tears at the progress Daisy has made.  I am in anguish over what her little body will encounter over the next few weeks and how she will have to daily go to the hospital where she never wants to be again. But above all, I am grateful that my God hears my cries and that He cares and that He is moved with compassion to act on our behalf.

Recovering

In lieu of any words, since we are both wiped out from the concert, here are a few pictures.

Waiting for the concert to start. We were able to get great seats - less than ten rows from the stage, in the left section.

Brad at the center stage walkout - this pic is from my seat.

I walked to the aisle and walked up to the stage - I was maybe 10 feet from him when I got this shot.

We left while he was finishing up - here I am with him behind me!

We had a great time. It was worth every penny. He really put on a fantastic show and did all the songs I love. And, even better than my dancing was the dancing of a man in front in us.

Swaying to the Music

This man will be serenading me tomorrow night.  I'll be sitting in the front section swooning and swaying to his sweet melodies and swift playing.

His wife may be with him.  You know, the knockout from Father of the Bride and According to Jim.

And I'll be bringing this guy with me.

Yes, I swoon daily. For real.

We have been waiting for Brad Paisley to come to Southern California for over a year.  Here we are just a day away from great seats with a guy who sings, writes and plays guitar like a mad man!  I have been listening to his albums for the last week prepping for the concert - singing along, practicing for the moment when he calls me up on stage to join him for the final number.  Okay, so maybe I'll just be singing along at the top of my lungs and Earl will be the only one watching, but he loves to watch me sing along at concerts. It's my dancing that embarrasses him.

PS - Daisy is home from the hospital and starting fourteen consecutive days of radiation treatments on Thursday.  She looks great (from the pictures) and they say her spirits are pretty well.  Please keep praying for the whole family.

Daisy Update

An update from the Merricks website:

10/1 8:49AM Cheerios & Pancakes!!

Daisy’s rash has spread all over her whole body… It looks awful, but miraculously she said she does not itch at all and has no stomach pain. She has zero meds in her for the first time in 10 days and just ate a bowl of cheerios and then ordered blueberry pancakes!!!

 

This picture is during a visit from one of her best friends - they said it was the biggest smile she's had in nine days. They are expecting to be getting the pathology and histology on the cancer today. Please continue to pray that the cancer has not spread into her blood stream and for a favorable histology.