Proof that it Rains in Arizona

There are several reasons why I haven't posted lately.

I could list them for you, but I would probably bore you and you probably wouldn't think they were all that valid of excuses anyway. But, I promise to make it up to you. For those who are possibly going through Cade withdrawal since I haven't really posted much about him lately, I promise this week will be full of him.


Last week it rained. It rained HARD for a long time. I know...rain in most areas is not a novelty, but when you live in the desert, it is. Cade thought the rain was the coolest thing. And he wanted to be outside in it. Not just looking at it, but walking through it, standing in it, sitting in it. Cade also thought sweeping the rain was fun, too. (Sweeping? Yes...he carried the broom around and swept the rain...go figure?! Maybe he thought he might need it for a paddle if it kept raining!) He thought it was the best thing in the whole world. The problem was he was just getting over the croup and I didn't want him wet and outside for too long. Well, reasoning with a one-year old is pretty impossible. So, we let him play until he was completely soaked and then brought him in--kicking and screaming for a warm bath. He was so mad! Here are a few pictures--and be sure to check out the new video on the side bar!

Mmmm...Pink Grapefruit

I love Jelly Belly jelly beans.

Well, most of them. While shopping for Christmas presents for others, I managed to find this large bag of Jelly_Belly's on sale for myself. The bag said it had 49 flavors. However, right next to this bag was a box that had 50 flavors. The bag was a much better deal, but I didn't like the fact that I was being gypped out of a flavor. I made my girlfriend compare the flavors on the back of both to see which one was not in the bag. Turns out that the 50th flavor is jalapeno. I decided I could live without that flavor.

Speaking of Jelly Belly's, when I was doing my residency I worked out of an office. I shared the office with my residency director. We always had a jar of candy on the desk. Some how our candy disappeared quickly. We decided to put some Bertie Bott's Jelly Belly's in our candy dish. Bertie Bott's are from Harry Potter. They have regular flavors in the pack, but then they also have grass, pepper, pickles, and sausage flavor jelly beans. The plan worked. Whoever was constantly raiding our candy jar stopped. They must have gotten a horrible tasting one!

Cade is still a little young for jelly beans. In fact, other than a few M&Ms here and there, he hasn't had any candy. But someday, I will get to share with him the wonder and deliciousness of Jelly Belly's. Ohhh...and I can't wait to give him Pop Rocks for the first time! The joys of childhood.

No More Denying It

Okay. I admit it. I am sick.

I survived the weekend...but today has been the worst day. Hopefully this means I have now hit rock bottom and will start recovering tomorrow? One can hope...



Since I am sick and tired, and therefore, uncreative tonight, I will post some pictures from Advent by Candlelight so you can see the beautiful tables that were set up.

I would also like to share an email that I received about my friend Noelle's baby, Brielle. She was the one born with Trisomy 18, but has so far been beating the odds that are against her. Apparently she is currently fighting an infection, but seems to be holding her own. A friend sent an email reminding us to take time in this busy holiday season to pray.



"Through the holiday season it is so easy for all of us to become distracted with our busy lives. I am definitely guilty of this. Noelle has said to me before that she truly believes her daughter is here and is doing so well due to the overwhelming POWER OF PRAYER. She is truly a miracle baby. Their family is so full of Faith it takes my breathe away. The strength that exudes from their home is so amazing and encouraging. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say this. A prayer of mine now at this time is for all of us to come together again in full force with continued prayers of healing for this precious little girl."

Advent by Candlelight

It has been a busy weekend.

Not only did I have to work this weekend, but on Saturday night was the event at my church called, Advent by Candlelight. We first heard about this event from my SIL in Wisconsin. Her church has such a great response to it that they have to hold the event over two nights to accommodate all that want to attend.

The event is beautiful. It is a gathering of women to mark the start of the Advent season. A time to focus on the true reason for the season of Christmas. This year it was held in the fellowship hall of our church. There were ten tables...and each table had a pair of hostesses. The hostesses were in charge of providing the dishes and centerpieces for their tables, as well as dessert. There was to be no artificial light...the room was to be lit by candles only.

I was a table hostess along with my friend, Amy. We used her fine china plates and coffee cups for serving our dessert and coffee. Our table was decorated with my Christmas table runner which depicts the nativity scene. We had tons of candles. It looked absolutely beautiful. Since all of the tables had different hostesses, all of the tables were different--and it created a stunning effect. The room was bathed in candlelight. We opened with prayer, had dessert, listened to an inspiring devotion given by my Mom, heard quotes from famous women about their thoughts on Christmas, did a choral reading of "Mary, Did you know", and closed with a final song and prayer. I think all of the guests had a wonderful time.

Advent by Candlelight reminds us that Christmas is truly the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It makes us pause...focus, rejoice. It was a great night. I will share pictures as soon as I see some.

Thanks to Kim for telling us about this wonderful event. Thanks Mom for the planning and hard work. You gave a beautiful devotion and had a very successful evening. Thanks Amy for being a great hostess. I enjoyed working with you on this!

Happy start of Advent!