I'm too flexible....ha!

I always thought that physical therapy was for old people who are just falling apart or for those who have had serious accidents and traumas to their body. Apparently not. Tonight I went to my first physical therapy session. It was humbling to say the least. I’m 22 and have been prescribed by my doctor to go to 2-3 sessions a week for one month for my shoulders.
For 2 years I’ve been struggling with extreme shoulder pain. Ironically it did not occur from an accident or trauma it just kind of developed. For a month I thought it was a bad sprain, I was wrong. This pain has taken over both my shoulders and has been inconvenient and debilitating. After MRIs, X-rays, and cortisone shots all I got as a response was that I’ve had rotator cuff tears in both shoulders, and from what they don’t know. The results from my first session…I’m too flexible. That’s right, my problem is that I’m too flexible and my cuff is just rolling around and pinching everything...GROSS. I need more strength in my shoulders and boy did they try to accomplish all that in one night. I’m ok now and preparing for this next month of PT ahead of me, but apparently in a day or two I should be decently sore. Here’s to humbling experiences...

Beautiful Baby

Of course my sister just had to put Eliza in the Regis and Kelly's most beautiful baby contest. She wasn't one of the final 10 out of the 10s of thousands of pictures sent in. I think they got it all wrong. How could she not. Am I just bitter?...Probably. Anyway, the kids they picked were all older except for one. Pretty sure they were toddlers, but who's being picky. :-) She's beautiful and healthy so what more could Joe and Chrissy ask for. They are blessed and I'm a lucky Aunt.

I told you I love pictures, its my time to brag! :-)

I Love To Share Pictures

This is a picture that was taken at our wedding. My friend Ivette did some great photoshop work to give it its uniuqe look.

The Monster a.k.a Charlie

This week has been interesting. It’s had its ups and downs and those moments in between. Recently, I have been missing the girls from school and all my friends and my amazing corps up in Rochester. In about a month I will be with all my friends in this great cabin in PA. I can’t wait. Things have been different moving back to Rockland. I’m so thankful that I am by family. I have missed it for so long. It is very important to me in my life right now to have that continual support. I do miss my friends and the tight group that we all used to have. I guess I’m going through withdrawal from college.
The week started out great with a great doctor’s report, a wonderful valentines day, and the opportunity to join a fantastic women’s small group bible study. Then Wednesday, the Army world found out that our incredible leaders, Colonel Knaggs, are being appointed to Australia. While we hope and pray for all the best in this exciting new appointment, we wish we can keep them here. My family and I will greatly miss them as friends and leaders.
Toward the end of the week, work got really busy. But I don’t mind, I love keeping busy.
Last night I got to sit in traffic for 2 hours, but it was all worth it when I walked into my brother’s house and saw my nephew Charlie’s face beaming as Uncle Joel and Aunt Kathleen came to bring him up. Joel and I are watching Charlie for an over night so Jonathan and Lori can have one last weekend together relaxing before their next little bundle arrives in just a matter of weeks. I can’t wait. Joel and I brought Charlie back to my parent’s house to watch him here, sometimes it's just easier to be home. The more I think of it…I think Charlie was excited to go to Grammy and Papa’s house. ;-) Either way…I’m the lucky one who gets to spend time with the cutest boy ever. So far we've taught him..."Papa's the man" & "What's up Gee?" He clearly says, Grammy, Papa, & Uncle Joel. So far I get AH Deen (Aunt Kathleen).

Sunday will be my first time singing with the songsters. Because of the long free weekend at the Training School, my in-laws will be able to come to the corps. I feel like I’m in a play and everyone is coming to watch…how embarrassing. It’s been exciting getting involved in a corps again. :-) Joel and I have really missed our ministry in Rochester.
I’m looking forward to the long weekend, maybe it will give me some more interesting things to blog about. ;-)

Valentines Day

Growing up, my parents always made Valentines Day special. They always gave us something little to say that I love you. They also taught me and my siblings that Valentines Day is more than for romantic love but it was also a time to tell your family and friends how much you love them….so to my family and friends, I LOVE YOU!!
Then of course you reach High School and College and its all about who is going to send you a rose or valentine. I always thought there was too much hype. All my single college friends dreaded this holiday. I know I had a serious relationship, but even if I didn’t it still would have been a fun day to tell people that you love them and how much they mean to you.
I have to admit, having that someone special on Valentines Day is pretty nice. Joel and I took this holiday very low key this year. Normally, Joel goes all out for it, but we just had a wedding so we are broke and we had corps activities yesterday. We celebrated by going out to dinner the day before. We had incredible Indian food. If you are in Rockland and want to try some great Indian food go to Natraz in Nyack; a little costly for the amount that you get, but it was worth it.
We actually spent our Valentines Day dinner at the training school with Joel’s mom and dad. What a tasty meal…blah! But we had great company and that’s what it’s all about. We then went back to the Ashcraft’s house before songsters and got to spend time with Joel’s cousin Jenny, Armida, and Matt. That was fun to catch up and just talk.
Songsters was interesting. Lorinda and I are too chatty so we always get in trouble. Kathy doesn’t help the situation either. :-) Loreita gave me a really sweet valentine and it was addressed to her big sis!! OH I just love them all!!!! Joel played with Lorissa and Peter in the gym as usual and tired them out.
The greatest valentine’s gift of all was a great report from Joel’s doctor. Trying not to get into too much detail because things are looking better, but his lymph nodes are diminishing greatly and hopes of good health in the end are not that far fetched. As I was sitting with him in the doctor’s office thanking God for being so good to us, I was thinking about all the people who are sharing their Valentines Day with a loved one who is sick or not doing well. I also think of the person who is not able to share their day with their loved one at all because of a recent loss or because of being away (business, military, etc.) I have many things to count my blessings for.

Me and My Valentine:

Blizzard 06

FINALLY SNOW!!! Probably the one thing I miss about Rochester, of course my friends are number 1! Everyone thinks I'm crazy for wanting snow, but there is something about the snow that makes me happy. It's just not natural to have nice weather in these months, it messes me up. Church was cancelled and so was my parents flight to KY. They have to wait until tomorrow to head out.

Joel and I stayed at my parents house last night because we were suppose to start dog sitting Cosmo today. We came early so we wouldn't be snowed in our apartment all day. Plus, its quiet here, no crazy kids upstairs! :-) I haven't left the house all day. Joel and my dad snow blowed and shoveled for a couple hours. And of course, Joel just had to throw my dog in the snow. Cosmo hates it, but deep down I think he likes it. :-) Joel ventured out to Chili's and picked up some yummy food for us.

Game plan for the rest of night? Movies/TV reruns & hot cocoa!!! :)

Happy Birthday

Yesterday, February 10th was such a great day. After work, Joel and I had a blast from the past when we went to our high school's varsity basketball game. We attended different high schools growing up. He attended Clarkstown North and I attended Clarkstown South. Yes we were rivals, but I tended to like his school more, so it worked out really well. Anyway,North won! I know I attended South and I should be sad, but I love North at Heart. It was Keith Maynor's birthday yesterday so we went with Keith and his wonderful wife Pam. Keith also attended North for a a couple years and Joel and Keith were there together for a year before the Maynors moved. It was fun for us all reminisce. We had so much fun laughing at how all the high schoolers were acting and laughing at how pathetic the cheerleaders were...it was no Bring It On. After the game we went to the New City Diner. What a high school thing to do, but how much fun! I love Pam & Keith. What great people. It was awesome to catch up with them. I bothered Pam with questions all night about training and her thoughts about what she will encounter after training. Don't get any ideas, I was just curious. But I will "Never say Never." We all know what happens when you say never... My heart is open to whatever God has in store for me, time will tell.

February 10 is also my nephew Charlie's birthday. I can't believe he is two years old. I was a junior in college when he was born! How crazy is that. He is so gorgeous and smart, and yes I swear he is related to me. Today we went to Charlie's birthday party. It was all centered around trains. Charlie loves trains. ALL ABOARD??? (I know I'm a dork) Charlie was not interested in any gifts unless they were trains. We bought him clothes...he wasn't amused. :) but Jonathan and Lori were happy. It was so much fun to be with the family and see Charlie and Eliza (my beautiful niece) play. They are getting so big. Eliza is going to walk soon! Now all they need to do is learn to share.

And another wonderful person who had a birthday yesterday was Joel's grandfather, Grandpa Berkhoudt. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

All Will See...

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

by Chris Tomlin

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

I found out that one of my favorite Christian radio stations that I was able to listen to up at school broadcasts over the internet. Now, when I'm at work, I don't listen to the local pop garbage (ok I like some of it), but I'm blessed with continual Christian music all day. I do have a radio station in my area (99.1), but that only comes in strong when it feels like it. I thank God for people who have started these "daring" stations and I'm also so glad to hear how many people actually listen to it. How great is our God.

*I'm still working on getting use to this whole blog thing...so bare with me. I am no intellectual so don't expect theological and philosophical blogs.*

Awesome Responsibility

Well, this is my first blog. I'm not too sure if I'm going to enjoy talking to my computer everyday; especially when people will read it and comment on it, but I guess its the trend. The first thing that came into mind when I started typing this blog was a forward that I read the other day. I normally hate forwards, espcially those ones that say you will die or have bad luck if you don't send it on, but I have been getting some really interesting ones recently from my husband and others at work. Forwards are always good for pick me ups during work, but this one was different...

A driver did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman behind him went ballistic, pounding on her horn and screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to drive through the intersection with him. Still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm awfully sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the "Choose Life" license plate holder, the "What Would Jesus Do?" bumper sticker, the "Follow me to Sunday School" bumper sticker and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."

This email really hit me hard, I wouldn't call it a pick me up. It's a funny email, but at the same time it makes you think about the things that you do and how other people perceive it. I've always agreed with the comment that sometimes Christians are our own worst enemy. I thought about the people who I am friends with who are not Christians but who know that I am. My day to day actions, things I say, and attitude are always being watched. I am suppose to be an example of God's love. Little room for error there. What they see "Christians" do, will help them form what a "Christian" is. What a scary but awesome responsibility.