The Christmas Party!

We went to the funnest Christmas party ever on Saturday! Our friends, Skip and Cassidy, have friends who rent out the Museum of Science and Industry every year for this huge Christmas party, and they invited us along! The entire thing was open and FREE and they were having food catered in!

Now, the Museum of Science and Industry is my personal favorite museum. Stephen's favorite is the Field Museum. He says it's because the Field Museum is more geared toward grown ups and the MofSI is geared more for kids...I don't disagree with him. I love it!

Anyway, everyone else in my group seemed more excited about the food than the museum itself, which was hard for me to understand. I was bursting at the seams to show them all around! (Skip and Cass had never been there) While we ate, I listed off all of the exhibits (with my recommendations), and we got a good idea of where to go and in what order. Our first priority was the U505 submarine! This exhibit usually costs moneys, and since we are so cheap we only go on free day, we never pay extra for these exhibits. But tonight it was free, so we hurried over to explore it. It seemed to me that I had almost gone into it when I was younger and came with my family, but I did not for two reasons: 1)It was a boat, and even though it wasn't on water, I was still terrified. 2)It is actually quite small on the interior and when you cram a tour of 20 people in there, one could get quite claustrophobic, which I am (My husband constantly reminds me that I live in fear. I'm afraid I do). Our tour turned out to be us and 5 other people--quite comfortable!

Here's Cass and I in front of the Sub. Unfortunately, you can't really see us or the sub, but none of the pictures turned out because of the lighting:-(Joey--help?) Unfortunately, Cass was looking at the wrong camera:-\

This one just cracks me up. Believe it or not, it was NOT staged!

So we toured the U505 and it was AWESOME! (Dad you would have loved it) She even let us take pictures because she believed we wouldn't post them on ebay and sell them. We will not.

Thumbs up for the sub! (I am sitting down, because I was very weary)

While we were looking at the sleeping quarters, our guide said "And this grate I am standing over, please be careful if you walk across it, because if you lose anything like your keys down it, it is gone forever."

I looked at Stephen and raised my eyebrows in warning. He looked back at me and his face went pale.

"Stephen, stop it." I said, convinced I knew what he was doing. "I know you did not drop your keys down there." He always tries to trick me like that.

Stephen shook his head with wide eyes. "No...my car keys...they're in my coat."

Now it was my turn to pale. "And your coat is..."

"In the trunk of the car" he finished. We had parked in the building and so had thrown all coats, purses, and apparently car keys, in to our car trunk.

I, of course, did not have mine. Even if I did, they would have been in the trunk, too, in my purse.

It was at this point that Cass looked over at me. "Are you alright?" She asked.

I kind of started laughing nervously. "The car keys are in the trunk," I informed them.

They optimistically informed us that we'd find a way. They were AAA members, or our neighbor could break in to our apartment and get our spare set of keys (that's disturbing, I know). We decided we'd figure it out later and continued our tour of the museum.

Here I am in one of my favorite exhibits--the farm one. I'm driving a combine:-)

We saw all the best exhibits and then, by 10 decided it was time to head out.

"Let's get some pictures," I suggested. Stephen reached in his pocket for the camera, and pulled out...the car keys! His mouth dropped. "Guys, it's the keys! I must have checked my pockets a dozen times!"

He concluded that the camera must have been hiding them. I concluded that God put them there. All in all, it was a fantastic night, and we had a blast with our friend Skip and Cassidy. Yay, for Christmas parties!

The Most Miserable Birthday Ever

I finally had my real birthday, the 23rd of November, and I am 22 years old. Unfortunately, that birthday was fairly miserable for me. Wednesday night, my throat began to itch, and despite my valiant attempts at fighting off the inevitable, a cold ensued. I was sick for Thanksgiving and my birthday, and I'm still sick actually. My head felt like it weighed about a million pounds, and I ran a fever, but I tried my hardest to be sociable.

My mom's sister and her kids always spend Thanksgiving with us, and we had a blast, as usual. We played all sorts of games like Set, Duckey Wuckey, Mafia, Coke, Counter Coke, etc. We reminisced about days gone by and shared Thanksgiving and prayers with one another. It was a very nice day.

My birthday was the next day, and I felt even sicker than I had the day before. I spent most of the afternoon laying on the couch, watching movies or trying to nap with little Ernie, who was awfully snuggleable.

My nose was too plugged to sleep though. I was actually hungry by the time my birthday dinner came around, and my mom made the best meal ever! I had two helpings of everything I could get my hands on. Then I blew out my candles and ate my cake and opened presents! I got a bed skirt for my bed (yay for not having to look at ugly shoes under the bed anymore!), and LOTS of new musics!

Yes, I felt pretty awful on my birthday, but it was still fun to be home, see my family, and enjoy one of my mom's meals:-) Thanks guys, I love you!

The Best Birthday Ever

My birthday is not until the day after Thanksgiving, but Stephen and I celebrated it yesterday, since we'll be in Iowa for my birthday. We made a day of it, starting at 9 am by throwing cinnamon rolls into the oven. Stephen then gave me my first birthday present, which was Josh Groban's new Christmas album--fun! I was monstrous disappointed, though, because inside was a pamphlet advertising his 'Awake' album and saying it didn't come out til early '08. I had been sure it was already out and asked for it for my birthday, too. I wilted as I realized that I'd probably have to wait until next birthday to get it.

Then, Stephen gave me the best birthday present ever by sitting down with me to watch the 5 hour BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. It was a blast! And he even liked it! We broke it up by watching the first half, cleaning the house, then finishing it. We then prepared my birthday meal of Ribeyes from the farm, red potatoes with sour cream and butter sauce, and broccoli. It was delicious!

After dinner I opened my next three gifts. I was shocked when I unwrapped Josh Groban's 'Awake' album!

"This wasn't supposed to be out til next year!" I cried.

Stephen, smiled slyly. "You misread it. It's already out!" I was elated. I also got Chris Rice's new album, and This is Your Brain on Music, a book I've been wanting for months and Stephen remembered and surprised me with it! I loved them all! We then put all the new music in the player and got out all of our Christmas decorations to start decorating for Christmas (we're a little excited about Christmas this year...)

We got most of the house decorated, except for the tree, unfortunately, which we couldn't set up because we forgot to pick up the stand from the grandparents:-\ Everything else looks great though, thanks to Sister and Mom who found all this great Christmas stuff on clearance a couple years ago, and the fun stuff I got last year for 75% off. Gotta love sales. I think they only thing I am looking for this year is those stocking holders to put on our fireplace. I really want the ones that spell JOY, and I totally should have gotten them last year...Oh yeah, they weren't on sale, that's why. Hopefully this year. I am cross-stitching these awesome stockings that will hopefully be ready to put up next year.

We then had "birthday cake," which is Ben and Jerry's Smore's ice cream (I go bonkers over that stuff!). As if we hadn't eaten enough, we pulled out the popcorn maker that I got for my birthday from the grandparents (thanks guys!) and popped some delicious popcorn that we planned to eat in bed while we watched "White Christmas."

The day was so much fun, and I felt so blessed by all the wonderful gifts from my wonderful husband, that I decided I couldn't wait any longer to give him his big Christmas present. Really early. So I stuffed it into a large gift bag and he opened it. It was an afghan I've been crocheting out of homespun yarn over the last three months. He's been begging for one. It was the perfect blanket to snuggle down under, eat popcorn, and watch White Christmas. All in all, it was pretty much the best "birthday" ever, and I am once again reminded of how good God is. He isn't good because He gives me good gifts, he gives me good gifts because He is good. And for that, I give Him all the praise:-)

Writing Again

I am entering the annual Jerry Jenkins writing contest here on campus. I've seen it in years past and always just sighed and said, "I'd never win anyway." That has been my stance on numerous things I have wanted to do--like join the chorale ("I wouldn't get in anyway"), and I therefore have not done them.

BORING!

If I don't try, what fun is that? I just need to suck up to the fact that yes, I might get rejected. But I might not! And with this writing contest, even if I don't win, I am invited to a luncheon with Jerry Jenkins. Not that I like his "Left Behind" series, but that's still pretty cool! And if I did win, the prize is a fairly substantial amount of cash. We could always use that.

And so, readers, I shall write again in order to enter this contest. Most of my problem has been lack of creative thought or ideas. One cannot write without inspiration. So after some prayer, I began thinking of things that had happened in my past that would meet the qualifications of the contest. I always hear my mom's voice in my head "Write about something you know!" when I write now, and I knew if my story was going to be good, it had to be something I have had experience with. So I thought. And thought. And all of a sudden, I was inspired about a story that happened to me many years ago. And I'm having a blast writing it! I don't care whether I win or not anymore, I am just enjoying the opportunity. And besides, Jerry Jenkins will at least be reading my very own story--wow! How cool is that!

I'll keep you posted.

Our Apartment

I am finally just going to put this pictures up for those of you who have not been to our little place! Things are a tiny bit different now as these pictures are almost two years old (woah), but it gives you an idea:-) Enjoy your perusal!

Living Room
Living Room


Dining room


View from our apartment, sorry about the glare.

Kitchen

Bathroom

More bathroom

This is the bookshelf my Grandpa made!


Our bedroom

On The Town

I know. It's 1:50 in the morning. But I can't sleep. Perhaps it's all the chocolate in my system.

Stephen and I have been really enjoying the city since we got back. It's like we can finally see its beauty and not just wish we were back in cornfields. Don't get me wrong, I still prefer cornfields, but the city has a beauty all its own.

Yesterday I got my hair cut with a friend and we took a long, brisk walk to the hair cuttery and then enjoyed a giant chocolate chip cookie and some cranberry juice at a quaint bread bakery down the street. The we strolled back and looked at all the neat storefronts in Old Town. I've walked past those storefronts a dozen times. But I had never stopped to really look. There were some neat stores!

So last night Stephen and I bundled up (due to the 40 degree plummet in temperature from three days ago) and headed out. We spent a couple of hours walking up and down the streets, poking in little shops, and getting some peanut butter chocolate from the Fudge Pot. Yummy. Tom Cruise thought so, too.

Here are some snapshots of our evening:





Then tonight we were invited by a couple of our friends to hang out again. They said they knew this cool place with good chocolate we could go to. They must have known what would lure me, because we bundled up again (it was 43 degrees out tonight) and headed back out.

We had a delightful time catching up and sharing funny stories (and quotes from The Office, or Kaelin's favorite, Elf). We walked almost two miles to a fun little grocery market (Sister, it really rminded me of Central Market, only not near as cold!), and we picked up some amazing licorice and chocolate.

We continued our journey to Navy Pier, since we were so close anyways and sadly, living here for two years now, we still haven't been. We meandered, looked at the huge ferris wheel, danced around with the cool sculptures, and began the long journey back along Lake Michigan. About halfway home we were pleasantly surprised to turn around and see a fireworks display back on Navy Pier. We stopped to watch it, then moved on.


Kaelin and I


How many libs do YOU think this pump-a-kin is?


Stephen takes down one of the statues

We ended our night going back to Ray and Kaelin's apartment, having homemade hot cocoa (delicious!) and watching a movie. This is how the night ended:



All three of them asleep and me wide awake. At 1:30 in the morning. Ray always gets these fantastic ideas of having a Lord of the Rings fest and watching all of them, then only stays awake for the first 30 minutes.

Stephen and I left the still sleeping Ray and Kaelin in their living room and padded off to our own apartment where Stephen immediately fell back asleep in bed, and I finally came out here to blog until I could sleep.

At least I don't have to be up for anything in the morning.

Chicken Bones

A funny thing just happened.

Last night I made terriyaki chicken wings--one of our favorite meals. After dinner, Stephen was helping me clean up, and I asked him not to throw the chicken bones in the trash can.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because then it starts stinking and I have to take the trash out early."

"What should I do with them then?"

"Just put them in a plastic bag under the sink." I then went on about my own business not giving it a second thought.

Until I was emptying the trash today and opened the cupboard under the sink.

"Stephen...what is this?" I asked, holding a plastic bag full of chicken bones in my hand. It had been sitting on top of my cleaning supplies under our kitchen sink.

"The chicken bones," Stephen answered innocently.

"Why didn't you throw them out?"

"You told me to put them in a bag under the sink, so I did."

I sighed, and then laughed. "I meant the bags were under the sink, not to put the bones under the sink," I giggled all the way back to the kitchen, stuffing the little bag into the full kitchen trash bag and tying it up.

Ahhh, communication. It's a beauty, eh?