Seriously #2

I was reading the paper this weekend which is something I like to avoid because it usually leaves me feeling depressed. Anyhow, I came across a crazy little article about a case that was dismissed in court. I am so happy it was dismissed but what got my attention was that the case was submitted at all. Two very well to do young adults were suing their mother for “bad parenting.” Seriously? First of all if people could sue for that, the legal system would be jam packed. No one is perfect. But their “evidence” was ridiculous: a birthday card that was not liked. Not getting a pony or something like that. Seriously? If anything the parents are guilty of raising spoiled brats and the kids are guilty of immaturity. That’s my verdict. And here’s my sentence: Grow up and be thankful for all you have! Be thankful you had parents who provided for you!  

Seriously?

I think I am going to start a new series in this blog called "Seriously?" There are so many things I run across on a weekly, sometimes daily basis that just make me shake my head and say, "Seriously? Are you kidding me?" Sometimes it's things I read. Sometimes its things I hear. Regardless, there are so many things out there that you just have to wonder about.

So today's Seriously? :

The Grapple

I read about this in the Food Network Magazine. The powers that be have modified nature and created an apple that tastes like a grape. Seriously? What is the purpose of that? If you want a fruit that tastes like a grape there is a fruit like that out there. It's called a grape! If you want an apple, eat an apple. I have never once in my life bit into an apple and thought, "Gee, I really wish this tasted more like grapes. That would be the epitome of greatness." What's next? Maybe they can make it a little rounder and smaller, and maybe purple or green. Just a thought.

John turns 30!

It's official. John and I are both now 30 years old! Don't ask how it feels because it doesn't feel any different for him than it did for me. So instead of dwelling on the fact that another year is gone why don't I share what a fun time we had celebrating. Great idea!

Let me start by saying that John's birthday celebrations seem to take on a life all their own. While most people have a birth day. Day being the key word. John has something like a birth week. It seems that the celebration is always stretched out a long time. Not that I mind. I'm not jealous or anything. I guess I'm just happy I get to be in on the celebrations too. 

This year, thanks to groupon we were able to go out to a nice mexican restaurant for his actual birthday. We ate so much and couldn't even finish dessert. No. You did not hear me incorrectly. John actually turned down more food! I know it's crazy. It's hard for me to even believe it myself. If I wasn't there to see it with my own eyes....

Then his small group guys took him out to a sports bar. Guy time. (Insert Home Improvement grunting)

Friday was "our" day to celebrate. We took off work and headed to the Botanic Gardens. John was really impressed and it was a gorgeous day. We had ourselves a little picnic and walked the grounds for a while. They had this crazy Bonzai exhibit and some of these little trees were amazingly intricate! Did I mention that it was a gorgeous day? It was. And also they had some crazy cool flowers which I love taking pictures of.

Our tiny lunch picnic

There is something so cool about lily pads

Ok...natures showerhead?

I love this "hidden" view from Spider Island

John and I just thought these were the coolest flowers.
I mean they are like 4 different colors in 1 flower.

One of the Bonzai trees

I love weeping willows. 

I just thought this looked cool because of the reflection.

So serene!

Some ducks came to visit

We left the gardens and headed to Ravinia where we had lawn tickets to watch the Lord of the Rings on the big screen with the score played live by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. What a cool experience it was! We got there early, but apparently not early enough. By the time we got in the gates all the front lawn seats were taken. We did manage to nab some good seats though and we set up camp. It was tough lugging everything in but well worth it. 

People here take pickniking to a whole new place. Serious is the word that comes to mind. They take it very seriously. Wine, cheese, candleabras, little tables, tablecloths, stakes to hold wine glasses, etc. These are items that were pretty common as I looked around. It was super fun to people watch. We had our subs and chips and cheerwine and were really happy. We had to wait around a few hours before the movie began but it was a beautiful evening and felt great to just be outside. 

Our picnic spot.

The movie itself was wonderful, as always. It was fun to see it on the big screen and I was actually really amazed at the clarity and detail in such a large and far away screen. Since we couldn't actually see the orchestra it was easy to forget that they were playing. The dead giveaways were the odd clapping and cheering that would erupt at the end of various scenes in the movie. That was actually quite amusing. They did a great job though and John really enjoyed it, which is important. 

Saturday we went to Benihana for my cousins birthday and then later to Johnnies Beef, which my Johnny likes. 

Sunday we celebrated with my family at another sports type restaurant. And then capped it off with some Nutty Buddy Pie (another John fav). That ended the celebration but I think he would tell you it was a good birthday. I had fun too. I wonder what festivities next year will bring?

Peace amidst Chaos

I'm not sure how everyone else feels in this world we live in right now, but I feel like things are getting a bit chaotic. The economy is in the tank. Human oppression and trafficking is at an all time high. There are millions without basic necessities while to say that others live lavishly is an understatement. There have been crazy weather patterns causing much devastation around the globe. There is unrest in many countries. It seems to me that most everyone is saying or thinking, "What's going on?"

I was pondering things this morning, early morning. I awoke to what sounded like gun shots at 3am this morning. I think they were actually some really big fireworks. But at 3 am woken up from a sound sleep yet again I was a little paranoid as to what they could be. It didn't help that I read about a car break in last week in our apt. parking lot. I think I'm just getting paranoid in general. So I thought about crime and I thought about our economy and all the things I mentioned above. And I came up one thought. The world is going mad! And there is only one remedy for that. I began to pray.

There is no answer for the chaos and evil in the world, save one. Jesus Christ! And honestly, I don't know how people live in this crazy world. If I did not have assurance of the final victory, and know my future is secure I think I would either be one of two people. I would be depressed, terribly so and probably want to just die, or I would just live it up and not care because I'm gonna die anyway. I am so grateful that because of Jesus work in me that I don't have to be one of those people. I can stand amidst the chaos and have peace.

I love that Jesus offers that peace to us all if only we trust Him. He is so good. It is so reassuring in these crazy times to know there is a God who actually is in charge and has a plan and will one day make everything right again.

Thank you Jesus!

BREAKING NEWS: ADULTS CAN PLAY MAKE BELIEVE!

This Friday evening my husband and I essentially had a "play date" with a couple of our friends. They had us over for a "trip" to Narnia. And you know what? I had a marvelous time! Who doesn't love Narnia!?

I wish I had pictures but you will just have use your imagination as I describe the journey. After we entered the house we were beckoned to the sitting room where we awaited the great feast of Aslan's table with an assortment of books on all things Narnian. We chatted and then were graced with the presence of two beautiful Narnian princesses all dressed up for the feast. (Lisa's girls were adorable).

Eventually we made the trek up the mountainside (stairs) to where the feast lie. It was revealed and I was delighted. It truly looked like what I imagine a Narnian feast to be. There were pyramids of fruit, cheese, meats, breads and cakes, soup, spreads and of course some turkish delight. I felt like a queen of Narnia as I dined on the delicacies before me. They were absolutely scrumptious! It was a lovely dinner that was able to linger as one imagines a true feast should!

Once we had our fill the princesses retired to get the beauty sleep and the Kings and Queens returned back down the mountain to go on the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. (We watched the movie). I love CS Lewis and his imagination and allegory. It is so simple and yet so profound. The man was a genius.

We had such a magnificent time with our friends. And the only question I have to ask is who said kids get to have all the fun?

CAN Concert

Many of you received an invite from me to come and join us last Sunday evening for the 1st annual CAN Concert. The group we've been a part of at church, Christian Advocacy now, put on a great event.  John played the drums in the band and they did a great job! We sold food and goodies and all the proceeds went to a Kenya well project to build wells for clean water. We were able to raise about $1500, which is totally amazing.

Setting up for the event

The Palatine Bandshell. Things were just getting started.

My friend Lisa and I working the ticket tent.

Not only did we raise money but another goal of the event was to raise awareness about our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Some are facing the probability of execution and their only crime is being a Christian. It is a terrible injustice!

As I have been a part of this group for about 2 years now my mind and heart have been opened to so much oppression and injustice going on in the world. God has been challenging me to continue learning about his children around the world. I have become aware of slavery and trafficking. I have been made aware of the extreme poverty of so many in Africa and Asia. I think we like to pretend these things don't exist, but they very much do!

As depressing as it can be it is on God's heart to care for the least of these. And there are things that you CAN do. That's what this group is all about. Awareness and motivation to do what we can. A large part of that is praying. When was the last time you took time out to pray for those around the world, specifically? You CAN do it. I CAN do it.

I could steal president Obama's slogan here, "YES WE CAN." But this is one you can take to the bank because we are not on our own and with God's help and Jesus truth being proclaimed we actually CAN make a difference. Get on board!