they are evil

Rosie did this to my foot last night. She was play fighting with Pippin in the living room and decided that the best springboard would be my bare foot. Stupid cat. >:(

rainy days

Katniss?

One of our yutes saw this pic and said, "Katniss??" Hey, I'll take it! ;)

for the love of God

Today, one of our "yutes" performed at Fine Arts Festival. Eric and I brought a host of other yutes up to cheer him on during his performance, and we continued on through the "celebration service" where winners were announced and the "meritorial award" winners performed their gigs on site.

It was pretty cool--I'd never been involved growing up since I lived in Africa--and even though our guy didn't place this year, I really hope we can push this to our group for next year. Best part of today, besides hearing our guy rock his performance (he SHOULD have placed!!!) was watching how he took not placing and going on to nationals. He at least didn't show his disappointment, and he took it like a champ. Good news: he's a sophomore this year, so he has two more years, and a whole lot of time to polish his work and style. Also, he's only been writing since about November of 2011--and he's amazing already!

A lot of the students that come to our youth group are wicked talented. We have dancers and singers and musicians and artists and one of the gals placed second last year in vocal talent, was invited to nationals, and didn't enter this year. (WHAT?!) That said, my creative juices started flowing, and I really want to push these guys and gals to be confident in their talents, to show their talents to the world, and to use them to glorify God.

the man in black with a kitty cat

I currently have this picture as my phone background, and it makes me smile a little every time I see it.

spring sprang upon us (finally)

Seattle catches a lot of flak for being such a rainy city, and I've been teased about growing gills and having webbed fingers and toes all because this is where I call "home" for now. However, I would posit that there are few places more lovely than Seattle in the spring.

We have gorgeous mornings full of chilly air and bright sunshine and haunted by the smells of damp grass and soil and cherry blossoms. Add a cup of coffee to that vignette or a morning walk, and that is a picture of contentment, good sirs and madames!

During our morning commute, I look forward to seeing the bald eagle perched on a light post in the middle of the 520 bridge. S/he is huge, and the seagulls are dwarfed in comparison. I also look forward to walking around campus at work, showing my pace between buildings so I can soak up more sunshine and refill my depleted vitamin D reserves.

The days are exponentially longer--or so they seem--and I feel generally more productive now that winter has released us from its hungry clutches. Now is the time to tackle big projects, to change up habits. I've been nesting at our new place (getting close to finishing, I think!), and I'm starting to transition from chemical/toxic cleaners to natural ones. (I made natural dishwasher detergent last night!)

Spring also promises new hope. In spring, we celebrate Easter, or when Jesus died and then rose from the dead, thereby redeeming mankind and atoning for our sin. This is a big deal for me! Because of this, I can no longer be defined by my past mistakes, I find a new identity in Christ. Woo!

What is your favorite part about spring?

the sounds of music

We now have a record player (YAY!), and Eric just set up the sound system so now we can listen to it without using headphones. ;) Currently listening to the honeyed sounds of Nat King Cole and MAN, that guy could sing. Gorgeous voice!

There is something so wonderful about listening to music on vinyl instead of digitally. I don't know what it is, but it seems like it's a better sound. It probably isn't, but it sounds much richer to me.

Easter