Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Book Review: 90 Minutes in Heaven



"As he is driving home from a minister's conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story."


I don't know if you have heard of this story or read this story before, but it intrigued me... for probably just the first 3 chapters.  It wasn't that I didn't believe this guy's story... I truly believe he could have died and experienced heaven before returning to earth... but I think the book in itself focused almost completely on his recovery more so than his time in heaven.  Chapter 2 was the only chapter that talked about what he experienced or felt when he was in heaven and the rest talked about how horribly he was injured and how hard his recovery was.  I ended up biting the bullet and finishing this book, but I probably wouldn't recommend it.

It did stir my thoughts a bit to think of what it might be like when I pass on from this world and get to enter the Kingdom of glory prepared for me by my Lord and Savior.  I believe that we cannot comprehend or even imagine the joy, excitement and awe that is to come for those of us who stand fast in the faith till the end and cling to Jesus.

What do you think heaven will be like?

Friday, January 18, 2013

Lost ring

The night before we left for Las Vegas, Joe went to brush some snow off his pants as we were in front of our house and he felt his wedding ring come off.  We were babysitting for Adley and Finn Spoelstra at the time so we didn't have a lot of extra time to look for it at the moment, and it was certainly not visible.  I don't know if you have ever lost something small and metal in snow before, but it is AMAZING how it can just disappear!


That night, we spent a good hour sifting through snow and melting pot after pot on the stove.  No luck. Joe knew he had to find it before we got more snow and the snow plow pushed everything away never to be found again.  He got a blow torch thing from the maintenance shed and went back at it.  After a good while, I heard it come inside and could almost sense his excitement.  The ring was found!  It had fallen on top of the retaining wall instead of on the ground and the heat from the torch made it visible.  I wish I had a before picture to show you the large mound of snow that began in this location...but here is  photos right after he found it.

See it here?

What about now?

Just had to look up!

Victory!

Grilling out

I was thinking about grilling some hamburgers tonight.  Anyone??


Sledding

My poor kids tend to not get much "outdoor" time in the wintertime.  Mostly for the fact that I find it too cold and too much work to try to get them all bundled up.  But, we did get a sledding disc from Aunt Katie when she was here and it has been the new favorite toy in the backyard.  After our last big snow, Joe built up a sledding hill that is manageable for a 3 and almost 2 year old to sled on by themselves.

We have had lots of laughs and fun on it!








Oh Tahoe

So we had a big storm the other day and I realized that a tree in our backyard is bumping up against our roof. Its hard NOT to tell that it is happening because it is really loud and kinda makes you think the call is going to fall down.  It  also rubs right against the wall to the kids room  Translation, loud noise does not equal good naps or sleep.  

So I told our maintenance manager about it and they decided to do the same thing they did a couple years ago when this was happening and cut back the house.  Yes, you read correctly... we just cut a little further into the awning of the house on the side.  The joke last time was that this is Tahoe.  We want to protect our trees as much as we can!  Quite funny. 






I did find out later though that it just costs quite a lot to take a tree out so this is a quick fix for now... or another few years. :) 


Friday, January 11, 2013

Vegas baby!

After Joe's Family Winter Holiday program, we skedaddled out of town and drove down to Las Vegas to visit Ben and Rhiannon.  The 8 hour drive was really not that bad... the most thankful I've been for Moby the Minivan yet!  We had a great time hanging out, seeing the sights, and celebrating the New Year!  Thanks Ben and Rhi for hosting us and loving on our kiddos!  Yay for having family close by (well, reachable by a one day's drive)!!!

Check out the photos for more details:

Goodbye Tahoe!

Goober

Smiles...roadtrip!

I think this is the first time I have ever put GLOVES in the GLOVEbox!!!

More smiles

First morning bringing gifts to Ben and Rhi!

Let me help you with that. :)

Off to the park to burn off some energy!


We got a date night thanks to Uncle Ben and Aunt Wee Wee.  We got to go see Les Mis (that I have been SUPER excited about seeing) and I got a big surprise that my hubs shaved off his beard for me!!!! He is such a handsome fellow!


The next day we headed out to Red Rocks and took a hike.... up to Turtlehead Peak that you see in the way background of this picture.


On our way up!

It was an incredibly beautiful day.  Yet still cold!  I started warming up though carrying Chloe and ascending... have no fear! :)

 Me and my cold girl!

 Pretty Mamma made it to the top at 7 months preggers.

Group shot with Vegas in the background

Both kids crashed on the way back down

I was just amazed by the colors of these rocks.  Amazing.

The hiking crew

Playing guessing games with Uncle Ben



New Years Eve delicious dinner

Lots of cards and cribbage

Cooling some champagne

We hit up the strip the next night.  It would have been a little too cray cray with children on New Years Eve.


The last time we were here was over 7 years ago when Joe and I were dating and on a road trip with friends... now we have two children.  Amazing how fast life can change! (by the way, thanks Rhi for a great photo!) 

I could sit and watch this for awhile.  

Inside the Bellagio.  I can't even describe all the things to look at inside this massive decorated room!

 The kiddos watching the train go by.

 In front of the ginormous tree and hanging bells and different colored poinsettias.

"Our parents are weird"


"But I guess we'll join 'em... its more fun that way"

 The volcano show in front of the Mirage. Nate was a little scared, but still entertained.
 Chloe was not impressed and did not want to watch.  But she knew exactly when it was over and turned around and clapped at the end of it.

I was impressed. 

So much visual overload!  This is where my grandparents stayed on their honeymoon years and years ago.

 The very tall balloon making man at Margaritaville.

The kids loved his creations and I loved that they were entertained while we were waiting for our table.

Great table right in the back of a fishing boat. :)


Chloe was intrigued by the dancer sliding down into a pool. 

 Hail Caesar!

 Donuts for breakfast before hitting the road.  Sure! Thanks dad. :)

It was a great trip and we can't wait to return!!!