The Painful Dance

Tomorrow is Sunday and at the Calhoun's church, Paul, Mercy and I are doing special music. Paul will be playing his guitar and Mercy will be singing "O Holy Night". I'll be there along with them doing sign language. We practiced a few times before today but today for some reason I was in one of my odd moods. Actually so far, everday this week I've been in these odd moods. For those of you who know me well, you know what I'm talking about. The mood of being weird and annoying. Well..... after practicing a few times I decided that I should do my "interpetive dance sign" version of the song. So jokingly when it came to the words "fall on your knees" I fell down and waved my arms around. I swung my head with full force and smashed my nose into the coffee table. WHACK!!! Pain shot through my nose into my eyes and head. It hurt so bad. I immediantly started to cry. I'm now suffering the pain. I have a bruise on my nose and a small bruise in the eye area. That is the last time I trying to be dramatic with my signing.

Pictures

Paul and I went and bought cowboy hats to fit
in with locals. One problem.. the locals don't
even wear them.
















Engaged!!!
















Take a picture!!

Mall Walking Moms

The other day Paul, mom and I went to the mall and saw something rather unusual that I just had to share it with all of my readers here. We were sitting on a bench when we heard loud music come from somewhere. We looked around and saw a line of moms with baby stollers (with babies) marching down the hall. Mom # 1 had a boom box. Each stoller had a mom or granma with shorts and t-shirts and a baby. The babies looked so funny. They were just cruising a long for the ride. Each had a snack, drink, or toy of some kind. When we got to the other end of the mall the moms were running up the ramps with the stollers and then they stopped. They parked the babies and started flying the arms and legs while single "Jingle Bells". Then they grabbed the babies again and off they went. I asked Paul if I could join them but I recieved the look of, "no way". I got a kick out of it. What a fun yet unusual way to stay fit.

By the way each mom had a t-shirt with a slogan of some kind that explained who they were. For example, "Walking Stollers". I actually can't remember what it said but it was an actual "club" of some kind.

Engaged!

Ok... I told everyone I would post about this asap! Yesterday (as most of you know) was my 21st birthday. We started the morning with toast and orange juice and shopping with mom. Dad went to the church to work in his office. Mom, Paul and I went to Walmart and the mall. For lunch we went and got dad and to Quiznos. I got to choose because I was the "birthday girl". I opened my gifts up there and mom and Paul came together and got a sweater and vest outfit. Way cute. Paul and I raked the leaves for my parents in their yard... I'm sorry, Paul raked and Barb held the bag. For dinner (here it comes) Paul and I went to a place called, "Pastimes". Afterwards we walked down to the park which had christmas lights lit up on every tree. We sat on a bench and talked for a few minutes. Then it happened..... Paul got on one knee. I did not laugh, scream or cry. I smiled and said yes. Here comes the funny part of our "engagment story". We sat on the bench again talking about what had just happened and the bench bent backwards on us. Paul fell backwards with the bench while I stood up on time. So there you have it.. we committed our first crime together. Vandalism to public property.

Today Paul and I are getting the Christmas tree and getting that up. Tonight some kids are coming from my dad's church. I am teaching a girl, Kendi, to sign "Silent Night, Holy Night". I know tomorrow my family and Paul are having Christmas together and watching a Christmas Story.

Well... I'm in engaged.. now what? Keep smiling. Thanks for the prayers, which I know many of you have been doing.

Party at the Cooks

Last night, my entire church was split up into 3 groups to attend different Christmas parties. I went to the Cook's home. I'm laughing now just thinking about it. Its not that anything too funny happened, its just Mrs. Ascher, Heidi Scott and I got the giggles. Yes.. I'm naming names in this blog.

I started my evening by driving to the Scotts' home and getting a ride with them. Barb Garard and driving to the Cook's in the dark is not a good combination. As we arrived not only us but everyone were greeted by two very excited dogs. We started our evening eating tons of great food. After eating we played a game called Four on a Couch. Which was truly funny. I played this game during my youth group days and I can remember this game getting violent for some reason but last night it was all calm. Just for the record, the ladies won! We sang Christmas songs and opened our while elephant gifts. (laughing) I have to tell you some of the gift ideas. First, someone brought a hard drive from some machine, it took us a while to figure it out. A couple more gifts were a little nut cracker that had a string on it and when you pulled on it one leg and both of the arms went up. Which was the highlight of the evening!! I just laughed and laughed. You had to see the thing with your own eyes to understand. After gifts Mr. Cook read to us some scripture. We read from James. The same passage that Jeremy Scott will be preaching out of this Sunday. After all our little events we sat around talking to one another enjoy each others compant and fellowship.

As we drove home several things came to mind. I was thinking about the wonderful time of all of us being together and enjoy each other but also... I was pondering upon the fact that I've never realized that Mr. Ascher was that funny.

I hope all of you at my church had a great time at your parties. I know I did. I thank the Cooks for opening their homes and for the people who have organized it.

Praying for Paul

I know people from my church have been asking me several questions about Paul and his return to the states. So I thought I could post about it and give you all a little update. As of right now folks, he is in the states! He is with his family. I have to admit that none of this feels real yet. It won't until I actually see him.

To my friends and church family in Rockford, Paul will not be able to come. Traveling was getting complicated and it just made it easier to meet up in Oklahoma with my parents. I fly out next Wednesday. If anything comes up... I'll be sure to blog about it.. so keep you eyes open! ; )