EUCHRE!

Ok, so Dave, another short-termer here for 3 months, loves Euchre. I have never played until last week. I have to say that I have a love/hate relationship with those cards. And I've even found myself dreaming about it. So crazy! I still get confused over the left and right bower, and the fact that I have to change the suit of the card on the jack if trump is black to the other suit, and vice-versa with red. So the red jack becomes a diamond if hearts is trump. Can I just say how frustrating that is for me? Holy cow....I still don't get it. And tonight was no exception as I was labeled a "table-talker." C'mon. Ella is my partner, and I sometimes feel bad for her when I play wrong, or don't play the right card. But I think I am finally getting the hang of it now. Hopefully. I guess we'll see.

Thanks mom for the nice dessert with our game....they were deee-lish!)

The record as of tonight? (and yes, we have to keep track on the fridge)

Woo-Hoo!! We are comin' back! Dave, get ready! :)

OOBLECK!

The Cantrell kids were over at Embrees b/c Michelle was having surgery, so I decided to make Oobleck with them. We had so much FUN!! (minus Max, who would never touch this stuff!)

1 box cornstarch, 1 1/2 cups cold water, 1 tablespoon food coloring, and container. Mix it up!

Michelle, we love you and are praying for you!!

Lovin' this!

We. Are. Back. YAY! I LOVE Slovo, and these precious kiddos!

crazy busy!

I don't know where to begin. Last weekend was insanely busy. Friday started with work at the college, before heading to discipleship. We had T-junction later that night. I invited Susan and Precious to come along, and they jumped at the opportunity. T-junction is an all-nighter ran by Word of Life. I attended last year when I was here, and was excited about going again. (although the thought of staying up all night wasn't too thrilling) I drove the College's car, because their was 7 of us. The night was amazing, and so much fun. Susan and Precious bowled for the first time ever, and did very well. There was also swimming, rock climbing, mini golf, and basketball, volleyball, and soccer tournaments. They were hoping for 125 teens, and there was close to 160 altogether. They held a 1 hour meeting, and the gospel was presented. One gal gave her life to Jesus....Praise God! I managed to do well almost the entire night, although I did doze on and off throughout one of the movies being shown. :) We left the following morning, and not 10 k's out, we were sideswiped by someone in a hurry trying to get around us. What an end to a great event! ugh! So Dave and I went to the police station to file a report...hah! What a crack-up! We were convinced the lady knew nothing about what she was doing. As I look back, it provided some great comic relief!

I came home, slept 2 hours, and got ready for Danielle and Nic's wedding. Elle took the girls earlier, as they were in the wedding and the dresses were still not done. The seamstress was working on the dresses up until the ceremony, which was supposed to be at 3 but didn't happen until close to 4. It was a beautiful ceremony, and Brony and Hannah looked so stinkin' cute! The reception was great and the food was amazing. I had a great time with friends, and crashed when I got home around 11.

Sunday morning, I was at the church at 7:30 for worship team. I just have to say that I am so thankful the youth gals asked me to sing with them. I really miss being on WT at home, and it was such a blessing to be able to sing and minister in this way. We visited a friend in the hospital afterwards, and then it was on to Slovo. Yay!! We are back for the time being, and we are doing Daniel. It was so great to see their smiling faces, and enjoy their hugs and love once again. I've really missed it!

Sunday night, Dave, James, and Elle taught me how to play Euchre. Elle was my partner, and I have to say that I still don't think I understand it all. But believe it or not, we have played 9 games, and have won 8 of the 9. I seriously don't know how. ;)

This weekend is much more relaxed. Elle and I went to the college today, before heading out to lunch at our favorite thai restaurant. It was so great to spend time with her...we had a wonderful day. Tomorrow, I'll watch the kiddo's so James and Elle can go have a date! :) Then it's on to youth.

Have a great weekend!

That's what friends are for! :)

My friend Mary invited me over for a few nights, because her husband was out of town. I had a great time with her and her kiddos. We watched movies, talked, played games, and ate wonderful mexican food. Yumm!! (not to mention the brownies with PB cups; dee-lish!)

Thanks for chatting, listening, and being a great friend. I had a blast hanging out and spending time with you. :)

Love ya!

HBM!

Happy Birthday Mom!! I hope your day in TN is going great!!

I miss you lots, especially our shopping excursions.

Wow, I'd love to just see a Target now. Gonna have to wait for that one. :(

Love you tons, and pray your day is filled with lots of blessings!!

Jess

2 Hospitals, 2 ultrasounds, 2 friends!

I was supposed to attend Willow Creek's Leadership Summit today with James and some of the students from the college. Plans quickly changed when I got a call at 5:30 in the morning saying Ella wanted to go to the hospital. Because James was picking up students from everywhere, I was the only one available to go. It was a pleasure to be the one given this task this morning. Friends are supposed to care for one another, right? :) I would do anything for Elle...she has done SO much for me. James carried her to the car, and we went to the hospital. She was in extreme pain....and this wasn't the first time. It has happened 2 other times since I have been here, and it's been diagnosed as a bladder infection. When that test came back negative, she was told that a sonar (ultrasound) and bloodwork needed to be done. Now if you know Elle, she hates needles, hospitals, medicine...anything of that nature. She did a great job, and a 6mm complex cyst was discovered on her ovary. She was sent to another doctor from there, who has taken the conservative approach, and will try and rid this thing with some meds, although the chances of that happening are very slim. We have a mighty God that is able to do anything, including shrink this mass and make it disappear. Please pray with us that this will happen! The next step will be surgery, and well....you can guess how hard that would be for Elle.


Let's Switch Gears.

I've had a lump on the back of my leg ever since I went running with Elle a few weeks back. (at least that is when I noticed it) Oh...and I'm NOT a runner. Anyway. I went to the doc, who told me I needed to go get a sonar done at the hospital to rule out a bakers cyst, or clotting, or whatever else they thought it may be. Because I didn't go to the conference, and Elle was going to sleep, (the kids were at play rehearsal) I decided to go and get the sonar done. They couldn't find anything after looking around for 20 minutes, so I am now on an anti-inflammatory, and we will see where things go from there.

Elle and I were talking as we were waiting around for her sonar to be done about how funny it was that both of us were getting ultrasounds. We didn't expect it at all...and even then didn't think it would happen the same day. Crazy!!