Surprise Wedding

No it's not my surprise wedding. That indeed would have been a surprise.

Today one of my closest and dearest friends from growing up got married! Courtney and her now husband, Jeferson, decided a week ago to forget the big wedding and just get on with life! So at a Texas Courthouse, Courtney & Jeferson and 35 of their closest friends and family gathered together to watch them say their "I Do's." I was so happy to be able to be home for the event. It was also fun to see friends I hadn't seen in a while.

Here are some pics from the blessed event. She looked beautiful and he is just adorable.

What's in a Dream?

Kellsey, a friend I've known since the 8th grade, left a comment not that long ago on one of my posts. I hope she doesn't mind that I post part of it here. I left out the part where she said we were engaged to each other. She's married so I'm not too worried.

I dreamed last night that I was at your parents house with you for a sleepover. We were hanging out and talking and dancing around (with your parents). When we went to bed we both slept pretty soundly. THen at 5:30 you all of a sudden sat bolt upright and said "I can't stand it anymore! I've got to get up. I can't stand to sleep late and miss half the day."

That is so me! Most people close to me know that I don't like sleeping late because I love the day time so much and who wants to waste some perfectly good daylight?

I've never slept past 12:30pm. And when I did that it was after prom and I didn't go to bed until 6:00 am. I am also pretty competitive. I used to get mad when my old roommate would wake up before me on a Saturday morning. How dare she get a start on the day before me! Maybe I felt guilty for wasting precious time. Guilt? Me? And you know what else makes me feel guilty? Watching t.v. when my roommates are busy doing something else. Automatically I feel I'm lazy. I'm sensing I have some issues here.

Anyone else have any dreams about me they'd like to share? Kidding! No, seriously. Wait, maybe I don't want to know them.

Despair Blog

I've mentioned despair.com a few times in my blog. It's the perfect website for anyone who has a slightly sarcastic pessimistic side. And let's face it, we all have one...even my mom, sweet Carol.

Now they've introduced their very own blog! Read it, watch the videos, laugh, cry and shake your fist at The Man. If I ever feel like I've been remotely witty in a blog all I need to do is read their blog to be reminded that there are people much more humerous than myself. That or they just have more time on their hands.

Go Trojans!

One sixth of the girls from my graduating class got together this past weekend to enjoy good food, adult libations and memories of the past. To view all the pictures of us gorgeous women from the entire weekend you can click here.

Friday night we ate ourselves sick on Sushi and rolled ourselves home. Seriously, no pun intended. Okay, maybe a little pun. Then we began the slumber party festivities.

We braided each others hair and polished each others toes while having a pillow fight. Not really. Instead we put in our senior year video. Let me just say that big hot-rolled hair was in! I didn't think hair could get much bigger than it did in the 80's. I was wrong. Early 90's style was just bad. Oh so bad. We laughed and shared a few moments of "whatever happened to so and so." By the end we had a few moments of extreme nostalgia. We really had it good.

Saturday we ate again. We actually did this three times in one day. Amazing, I know. We decided to rent bikes up by Foster Beach and Tiffany led us on a lakefront tour. No one crashed or burned....well, Courtney did sunburn, but that doesn't count.

Have you ever been to the Chicago Oven-Grinders pizza? DELISH! One must try this unique dining experience. But be sure to get there 10 hours in advance for a table. You think I'm kidding. Tre' popular!

It was so hard to see everyone leave. The best part was just seeing how wonderfully everyone is doing. The best part is that the insecurities and competition from high school has indeed remained something that happened in high school. It's great to see people who truly care about one another and want the best for each other. That's what I call success.

Blast from the Past

Any minute now five friends of mine from my childhood should be arriving in Chicago! Whitney, Tiffany, Megan, Bunny and Courtney are making their way up here to have a mini-reunion with me and Marissa. Most of us have known each other since we were in third grade. When I lived in Dallas after college we would all try and get together once a month. As far as I know, they still try and keep that tradition alive. I'm going to try and convince as many of them as possible to move to Chicago.

I'm sure the weekend will involve eating, laughing, eating, drinking, eating and some more eating. God give me strength!

I'll be sure to post pictures soon.

Sandra Thomas

Last week Sandra Thomas ended a long battle with cancer. I grew up with Sandra and we went to school together for 10 years. I have had the privilege of praying for her from afar over the past few years. If I were to be honest I'd let you know that I did not know Sandra all that well, but her life and her death have affected me in ways I did not expect.

Friday after work I received an email from Courtney letting me know that Sandra passed away. As a surprise to myself I could not stop crying. I think part of it was the reality of knowing someone my age who died. But mostly it was having been a witness to the amazing peace and surrender she demonstrated during her sickness. I would receive occasional mass emails from her asking people to pray. Her love for Christ, her joy even while suffering, and her commitment to making God known and to bring Him glory humbled me and gave me a deep respect for Sandra. I cried mostly because she was finally with God. I can't imagine the joy of God as He welcomed Sandra home and she could finally be with Him. The battle is over and she can rest.

These are a few of the words from the email I received:

Mark called and Sandra's mom told him that she went to be with her Lord at 11:45 A.M. today. A family friend was sitting with her and had whispered in her ear, "Sandra, the Lord is calling you." Shortly after those words, Sandra opened her eyes very wide and she died. Now she is healed completely and face to face with her Jesus. I know she is also embracing her father who she loved so dearly.

The last time I saw her was at my church in Texas three years ago. She had just started her fight. Even then her peace and wisdom left me speechless. I know the impact of her life has only just begun.

You can go here and here to read more of her story from a couple of her good friends.