For Emmy

I took some pictures of Cooper today, just to show Emmy how big he's gotten since she's been away!

I want to be Martha Stewart

Today I spent a few hours shopping for, baking and decorating the most ridiculous cupcakes I've ever made: Creepcakes! I wanted to make something fun and Halloween-y for youth group tonight since we were dressing up and having a pre-Halloween party, so I looked up some ideas, jotted them down and ended up with some really fun, quite silly, but delicious cupcakes. I received many compliments, which felt nice, of course... but it was actually a lot more enjoyable just having time to myself to bake and decorate while the Food Network channel was on the TV in the background. I could totally do this for the rest of my life and be completely content. I took some photos of the silliness... please enjoy!

Go, Jonny, go!

We watched this tonight at youth group...

Weekend at Hume Lake

Well, Jessica and I went up to Hume this weekend to work... and boy, did we ever! They're in the middle of transitioning from the summer/fall season to the winter season, so lots of random things need to get done within the next few weeks. I think it's going to take a couple days for the both of us to fully recuperate... washing and driving golf carts; hauling huge barrels full of anti-freeze into the swimming pool; carrying canoes from the lake to the truck and from the truck to the pond; checking out the new tube run; making sure the Wagon Train pool was good to go; hauling bales of hay over to the back volleyball court and setting up horseshoe pits; preparing communion; painful but fun off-roading trip to see the Big Trees; driving around in a truck with only half of a seat; squishing five people onto a golf cart MULTIPLE times; organizing, cleaning, re-strapping and cataloging 68 pairs of broom hockey shin guards... it was an intense weekend! OH! Oh my GOSH! ANNNND this HUGE spider in our cabin that we're pretty sure was a Brown Recluse that I had to cover with a cup until it could be disposed of. Jessica wouldn't get off her bed until it was gone. She took a picture. Seriously, it was huge. We also met two fantastic girls, also named Jessica and Becca, who we got to room with and work with all weekend. They were so much fun and we really enjoyed making new friends. Fun fact: On the way to Hume on Friday, there was a sudden STOP in traffic... we didn't know what had caused it until we got to the bottom of the Grapevine and saw that a CARROT TRUCK had tipped over and there were CARROTS literally ALL over the freeway. Ridiculous! We had a less eventful drive back home, but it concluded with the last moments of a beautiful sunset as we drove into Simi Valley. Jess and I both decided we would definitely do a weekend like this again.

Quotes of the Weekend:

*Playing Cribbage*
Charlie: That's some GREAT pegging!

*Eating lunch Saturday*
Charlie: Hmm... that is NOT a jalapeno cheese cube at ALL!

*Putting my scarf on before leaving the chapel*
Me: Sometimes if it's off-center, it's too long and it gets caught between your legs when you walk.

So, yes. It was a fantastic weekend. Now, back to Real Life.


Jessica, Rebekah, Jessica, Becca

It's a Grim Day.

It was good, since we got to chat with Emily for awhile, and my mom was excited to hear she was actually reading a BOOK. A REAL book. We were so proud!

Until...

I found out she's reading TWILIGHT.

I'm so disappointed.

And upset.

And embarrassed.



Ohhh, Emily...

In awe.

I got home a little less than an hour ago from our Jr. High leaders meeting... I always love our meetings, even though we seem to talk about the same things every time. I'm not sure if Rory thinks we're not interacting with the kids enough or that we don't know how to have conversations with them, but just in case, he provided us with an entire packet of random conversation topics that we can use next time we find ourselves trying to chat with one of the kids. Kind of reminds me of Pride and Prejudice when Mr. Collins is at the dinner table, commenting on how he prides himself on the fact that he can practice giving compliments to women, and succeed in making it appear as if he had not rehearsed them whatsoever... "Hold on, what did my conversation topics packet say on page 5...?" Anyway, back to the meeting. We discussed the usual 'goods and bads' about our midweek meetings, Sunday mornings, and other activities while munching away on our delicious Chipotle burritos. It's been so much fun having Haendel join us, especially since he and Rory just feed off of each other and provide MANY humorous moments... never a dull moment. We've recently begun having what we call 'discussion groups' during our Wednesday midweek meetings, where the girls and guys split up and we get to have a small-group time of sorts; I personally love this time, since it gets the kids thinking a lot more deeply than they have to when Rory is just up front teaching the lesson. We might start implementing small groups as well, where each leader has his or her assigned group of students, just to create consistency and a group where trust and relationships can grow even more. I am SO excited to see where this ministry is headed... in the last nine months I've already seen it grow so much, and I love watching the kids interact with each other independently, without prompting from leaders. They even got together tonight to hang out since we didn't have youth group! I love it.
I cannot fathom how God uses us to do His work, despite our faults and ridiculousness. We're not any more 'holy' or 'righteous' than the next man or woman, yet God has instilled in us a passion to work with these kids... and actually uses us! It's such an incredible opportunity and I am so thankful that we live in a place where we are allowed to worship and do ministry freely. What a blessing. I honestly have so much fun hanging out with the kids, being crazy and playing ridiculous games and having silly conversations about dating boys for two weeks and then breaking up over AIM. How can people NOT love kids? I never understand people who say that.
I guess I just wanted to try to express how excited I am to be used by God in this way... and that I find it so rewarding to see young kids change their lives for Christ. When you get to play a mad game of dodgeball with a bunch of rambunctious kids one minute, and the next minute get to watch them raise their hands in worship, it's an amazing, beautiful, incredible thing.

QOTD

Jesse: Did you just fork my pec?

Mom: No, but I tried to.

Nice Hair

Borrowed from Darin's page

QOTD

I tried a new Banana Bread recipe a couple days ago, and we brought a loaf to the house where Grampy is living.

*Grampy chewing and talking with food in his mouth*

Grampy: Bekah, this is delicious. It would make great husband bait.

Bek: Great what?

Grampy: Husband bait. You should put a hook and a line in it and drag it behind you out the door.


*Later that same day... Grampy is still thinking about the banana bread, after asking for a third piece approximately seven times*

Grampy: Bekah, you better find a man that looks good when he's fat.

Bek: Why is that?

Grampy: Because you're going to be fattening him up!

*As we're getting ready to leave*

Grampy: Make sure you drag some of that banana bread behind you when you leave!

Stryper. Best Ever.

QOTD

*Helping Mom with computer stuff at work*

Mom: Really, Rebekah, I need you to write out directions for me for the different things I need to do. I won't remember this tomorrow.

Bek: Mom. Come on.

Mom: No, seriously! I think I'm...

Bek: ADD?

Mom: No. I think I'm... challenged.

*Hysterical laughter*

Mom: No, I'm being serious.

The Talk

2 hours 14 minutes




It could have been worse.

Not much.

But it could have been worse.

QOTD

"Don't make me make the pirate eye!" - Court

QOTD

"Last time we were here we got a Ring Pop and shared it during a movie. It was weird. It was good, but it was weird." - Dave

Moon

Making Mud Pies

Earlier this evening while my dad and I were inside at our computers and what-not, somebody decided he wanted to make a few mud pies for dinner... let's just say he's a messy cook.

San Diego

This last week I got to spend a glorious few days in beautiful San Diego with some great friends. It was a fantastic end to the summer before the school year, or new jobs, or reality begins. Wednesday morning Dave picked me up, which was so nice of him... the drive to Courtney's was filled with mildly awkward conversation; you know, that "we're kind of friends, but I'm really friends with your girlfriend, and she's really the only thing we have in common" kind of thing. Only a limited number of awkward silences. We arrived at Court's where I discovered her bag was indeed NOT bigger than mine, hence I won the prize for the Largest and Most Unnecessary Packing Job Ever. It was a great drive to San Diego (save for the time when my ears started itching from the ridiculously loud subs in the back of Dave's Scion), no traffic and great conversation. We stopped at the Rainbows store in San Clemente on our way down and took a picture with the ginormous Rainbow sandal out in front of the store. After purchasing our "Limited Edition" Rainbows, we drove the final leg of the trip to Jason's house in SD. We watched The Life Aquatic (an incredible movie... I'd recommend it to anyone) that afternoon before Dave and Court left for their Radiohead concert. Jason and I drove around SD for a little while... Coronado is beautiful, and I decided I want to live there. Or in the Hotel del Coronado. I'd be fine with either. We had some Little Caesar's for dinner (oh, childhood memories) and watched The Darjeeling Limited (another incredible movie) until Dave and Court got home from the concert. Thursday was our check-off list day: the Buffalo Exchange for some fantastic thrift-store finds, ran our toes through the sand at the beach, a stop at Kansas City BBQ (where the 'sleazy bar scene' from Top Gun was filmed) for some photos, and some drinks at the Shakespeare Pub (which just happens to have one of the best views in all of SD). It was a pretty great day. After we got home we got ready for bed and watched Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. So good. Friday we slept in, lounged around, took some photos with the pirate ship in the backyard, and finally made our way out the door to get some lunch before we dropped Jason off at the airport. On our way back to the freeway we drove through the Gaslamp Quarter District which I discovered was the part of SD I had been looking for the whole time without knowing it: brick buildings, outdoor restaurant seating, and an overall romantic feeling as we drove through the area. I'd love to go back there again. Driving home we stopped at the Ripcurl Outlet so Dave could get a new wetsuit, SONIC for some delicious drinks and snacks, and the Disney Outlet that had some pretty fantastic pirate costumes. As we drove into Simi Valley the sun was setting and it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen in awhile... a plethora of clouds and gorgeous colors just taking over the sky. What an incredible end to a wonderful trip.

QOTD

"I don't understand why people love to have nasty things." - Dave

Operation: Stealth

Court: I think we should have code names.

Bek: Okay. I'll be Lowrider.

Court: (Laughs) Alright.

Bek: I'm always Lowrider.

Court: Okay, I'll be Phoenix.

Bek: Done and done.

For Fletcher

Grandma

After a long day’s drive she arrives at our house
Still looking fresh in her pressed pants and blouse.
Bearing tins of fudge and cookies in her hands,
She tells us there’s still more in the back of the van.
She offers us each one before she stacks them on the shelf,
Even though we know she really wants one herself.

After helping Grandma and Grandpa unpack, the girls sit down to chat
While Grandpa goes into the living room for his typical nap.
We catch up on the latest gossip and news
And then a detailed description of Grandma’s last party ensues.
Whether an outing with the ladies dressed in purple and red;
Or a dinner party with friends and its abundant spread;
It might be her new project with a needle and thread;
Or a fancy new twist on delicious nut bread.
She describes every last detail down to the arrangement of food on the plates
Including, but not limited to, the color of frosting on the cake.
We sit there and wonder how she could recall such detailed decorative style,
While sharing with each other knowing looks and smiles.

Over the course of their stay we share meals and love;
It always seems to be over before it’s begun.
Grandpa will have helped dad with a wood project or two;
Grandma will have gone shopping for more fabric in navy blue.
A game of monopoly or checkers was always in order
With Grandma always mysteriously maintaining the highest score.
Even with a simple game of Go Fish or Gin,
Grandma could never stand to let anyway else win.
Sometimes she’d teach us to knit or crochet,
Laughing hysterically when Emily’s scarf looked like it was trying to get away.
Memories of sewing an apron and cross-stitch come to mind,
Watching Grandma’s steady hands as the thread would unwind.
She also always loved to help us prepare
For graduations or parties, social affairs.
Though once I remember I began to despair,
For she had gotten her comb-curling iron caught in my hair.
But she loved to help as only a Grandma could;
Or, dare I say, as a Grandma should.

Now at holidays and gatherings it will be up to you and me
To provide the scrumptious pies and snowball cookies.
She will be missed at future graduations and weddings,
Even during scarf crochetings and needle threadings.
We’ll be waiting for her perfectly-timed Hallmark card and $5 on laundry day
Or when we just need someone with whom to pray.
I’m abundantly thankful Grandma’s faith was so strong
As she called out with her last few breaths, “To Him I belong.”
It’s a little easier knowing she’s in a perfect place,
Filled with such pure, tangible grace.
I’m content believing she’s looking down from above,
Playing checkers with Jesus and dining on fudge.

Life in Technicolor - Coldplay

QOTD

"The only sick thing about it is that it squirts when you bite it." - Mom

Quote of the Day

Courtney: "Jesse, you can have the blue balls."
Jesse: "Just the way I like it."

Quote of the Day

"I'd much rather marry Stephen Spielberg than waste my time with a woman." - Jason

Would You Rather...

Great night tonight:

- Olympic games, signs, and Alissa at Jr. High youth group

- Rock Band

- More REAL Olympics

- Amazing family pictures

- Would You Rather questions, provided by the Queen of the Game


Hm. Seemed more fun than it looks in a list.
Should be updating soon... just don't want to have to face what my next update will include.

Quote of the Day

"Look at the humpback whales! Right now they're humping!" - Cassie

Life In Technicolor

So, I decided to join this phenomenon of blogging. I remembered I had created a blog awhile back when my brother Jesse was studying abroad in Spain... I think I had to create a profile in order to read his blogs, or something like that... but when I tried to go back to it tonight it had definitely been deleted. And that's okay with me. No idea what I had even written about. Anyway, I thought that since I generally enjoy reading about other people's lives, I might as well give them the privileged option of reading about mine... sometimes interesting, mostly ridiculous, and definitely sarcastic. So, by all means, please indulge. Who knows... maybe I'll actually stick with it this time.