We've Been Busy!

So, what happened to the Ashes you might ask? WELL, we've been adventuring/running/watching the fog roll in--ha! Anyone who keeps up with the Iowa weather will appreciate that last one. As the picture above suggests, last Wednesday I traveled down to Kansas City (Missouri, not Kansas--although I ate dinner in Kansas without even knowing...) to visit my dear friend Jenna. It is amazing to me still that I am somewhere that is driving distance to Missouri. Weird. Anyway, after a short 4 and a half hour drive down, I met Jenna for some precious moments fighting with my GPS in downtown KC but finally finding the coffee house we were looking for. If you don't know this about me you should...coffee houses are one of my favorite places in the world. Especially ones who give you actual ceramic mugs to drink out of while you're there and make pretty designs on top if you order one of them high-fangled drinks. It was absolutely amazing seeing Jenna and the work that the Lord is doing through her in Kansas City--Praise Jesus! I spent one night while we were there at IHOP (International House of Prayer where Jenna is interning) for an intense praise and worship session from 6:00 PM-Midnight. Let me tell you, when you get Christians who love the Lord together for that long amount of time at once, things become hilarious and super fun REAL fast. I was able to explore Country Club Plaza with Jenny one day--which is a BEAUTIFUL shopping center in Kansas City that made me feel like I was back in Malibu, CA for just a little while. The temperatures definitely helped because even after traveling that short distance south, we hit 50 degrees people! That may not seem very warm to you Southerners but I definitely was rocking short sleeves and enjoying some time in the sun.

On Friday morning, sad to leave Jenna and the fam of my wonderful friend Mary Cochran (whose sister Liz and Mommy were also living with Jen) I headed on to St. Louis where I got to see my wonderful hubby and the UNI Panthers play in Arch Madness (Love the pun on the famous St. Louis landmark)--the Valley Men's Basketball Tournament! I drove in at about halftime in the first game where we were down 1 point. I would like to say that I was their good luck charm, because as soon as I walked in we pulled way ahead and never looked back--going on to win the whole tourney! Go panthers! It really was refreshing to watch a team that wins for a change unlike our alma mater (It's ok Heels, just don't go to the NIT so we don't have to share in the agony anymore--there's always next year!). We had a great time with Chris and Rachel there and also got to meet several other people that work with Learfield from around the US. Unfortunate they all do not live in Cedar Falls. On Saturday night, we all went out to dinner and to a piano bar which, as most of you know, this is another favorite spot of Graham and mine. For those of you who went on Spring Break 2k9 with us and enjoyed the "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Yellow-Polka Dotted (Something that rhymes with teeny)" song that Graham was serenaded with on his 22nd birthday, these places are keepers...really.

The weather here this week has honestly been great! Other than the major fog that rolled in on tuesday and a little today, it has been around 40 degrees and wonderful!! Aparently we get these fogs here that really prevent you from seeing very far in front of you and don't "burn off" with the sun like in NC. The one on Tuesday lasted all morning until about 1:00 PM! Crazy. This "warm" weather has actually melted TONS of snowand when you look outside it doesn't seem so wintery anymore--yay for Spring!! I seriously cannot wait to buy some tulips and spruce this place up! I already have out the Easter bunny my mom got us. A great touch I think to usher in Spring.

Also, guess what?? Tomorrow is my wonderful Husband's 23rd birthday! Although it is hard imagining it has been a year since the last one, what a wonderful year it has been. And wow, how unpredictable! If you would have told me last year in Florida on Graham's birthday that this time next year you will be spending his birthday, married, in Iowa, I probably would have written you off as crazy. Isn't it amazing how God works things out in His perfect timing? LOVE IT! We are so excited to be venturing to LAS VEGAS for Graham's birthday this year! For any of you who know Graham, you know his man love is Garth Brooks. Well, he is playing his already sold out through August set of concerts out in Vegas, so, we must go! He is playing in front of an audience of about 750 people and it will just be him and his guitar. I cannot wait to be a part of one of his most authentic and down to earth shows he has ever done. I mean, it is amazing, the man flew straight in from one of his daughter's soccer games straight to the concert in Vegas. Definitely someone worth admiring for his love of his family.

Last story. On Wednesday night Graham and I were pondering what we could do besides watch another movie (which we do pretty much every night and CANNOT wait to bring in Spring and Summer so we can be outside!!) and the brilliant idea of bowling came up! I for one love bowling and, although I am not very good at it, can get a strike every once and a while by chance. Well Graham calls over to the bowling alley to see how late they are open and discovers that after 9PM the alley runs this deal where you pay $6 each for shoes and as many games as you can bowl plus 25 cent beer, sodas, and food. Um. You know we are there at least once a week now and will probably end up forming our own league. After finding out this amazing information, we also proceed to make a reservation to bowl (because this deal is so popular) and arrive about 9PM. We pay, get our balls and continue to bowl SIX games. I am having a hard time typing even now because my thumb muscles were so sore. I don't think any person was ever meant to bowl six games in a row--but hey, why not? The place was literally packed, not one lane open and was completed with a beautiful Iowa landscape tapestry on one side (complete with barn, silo, corn fields and of course a John Deere tractor). I thought for sure I could beat Graham one round, but to my demise, Graham is actually really good at bowling and even when I scored my all time high of 135 Graham still beat me by 20. That rascal. Well it is his birthday week, so I had to let him beat me, right?

Remember to keep pastor Steve Scoggins in your prayers (who married Graham and I and father of lifelong friend Rebekah) as he recovers from a heart attack this weekend. I believe he is moving out of ICU today, so praise God for his grace already in this situation and pray for a speedy recovery!!