a fun Google game...

So, you basically type in your name along with each of the following words and pick out a blurb from the first page.

needs...
looks like....
does....
hates....
goes or has gone...
loves...
eats...
has.....
died....
will.....

So, here is my life according to Google:
Jen needs to have a session or two with a therapist. (so true!)

Jen Looks Like She Has Down's.

Jen does not like being kept waiting. (again, true!)

Jen Hates Evil Empire Starbucks (so NOT true!)

Jen goes hairless!

Jen loves dimples. (true - especially on my kids!)

JEN EATS CARBS! (crap, I've been found out! )

Jen Has Moved...also Jen has always followed her heart, and my favorite: Jen has herpes and gonnarhea ()

Jen died suddenly and painlessly in a car accident ()

Jen Will Become Prettier Than Angelina, Even If It Takes All the Plastic Surgery In the World ()

Monkey Hill....




...definitely the kids favorite part of the zoo!

Pray...

....for Tricia, Gwyneth, and Nathan (and their families). Specifically pray this Wednesday from 7-10am EST. Details here.

Saying goodbye...

....is never easy. I have lived in so many transitional places -- college, military towns, vacation spots, and now seminary. A normal part of every semester is saying goodbye to people you've lived among.
Usually I'm fine with goodbyes. I tend to not get too close to people because we're all so busy. When you have multiple children, it gets even easier to distance yourself from true personal intimacy with others. Generally, a simple "Let's keep in touch" and a hug are adequate. (And I do love keeping in touch with friends all over the world!)
On Sunday my friend Stefanie moved to Massachusetts. We had known for over a month that the day would eventually get here. I helped her pack, I helped her sell things, I encouraged her and prayed for her as she and her husband encountered opposition and discouragement in planning their move. So yes, I knew it was coming.
I knew tears were lurking. I knew I did NOT want to cry. I didn't want to upset the boys, who were already starting to get a little anxious about the thought of Jabin moving away to Red Sox land. I held baby Joah and wondered how big he'd be the next time I held him. I hugged Journey and the tears came as she said goodbye in her impish voice, her blue eyes misting up as it dawned on her that she was leaving. Seminary is all she has ever known.
And then Stefanie reached out, said "I love you" and we both wept as we hugged.
Paul used to call Stef my girlfriend. We spent a lot of time together. We talked a LOT. Not just mindless banter or chit chat just to keep the silence away. We shared parenting tips and marriage advice. We swapped recipes. We shared milk and diapers and diet cokes. We knew how the other took their coffee and always had a cup in the afternoons together. We walked into one another's homes without knocking, always welcome, always loved.
I thank God for the few really good friends I've had in my life. There haven't been many, but each one has been spectacular.
If you have a really good friend, thank the Lord for her today and give her a call. Tell her you love her.
And consider yourself blessed.

The New Jambalaya Queen....

....that would be my new title!
I entered our church's jambalaya cook-off for no reason other than I knew we would be going to it and, well, why not? I've never made jambalaya. I can't even really pronounce it.
So after lunch today I ran into the grocery store and for less than $5 picked up my ingredients. I then prepared it in approximately 25 minutes and off to church we went.
The judges were unanimously in agreement --- and now I carry the proud title for the next 365 days.
I was told that Paul's face was one of shock and amazement. The reason would be simple. Here is my prize winning recipe:










So thank you, Zatarain's. We will be enjoying a delightful $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant because of you.