I couldn't resist...

I've been at work since 8:30 AM and am running on fumes at this point... so for my last hour at the desk I've decided to see for myself why Justin is so addicted to YouTube. And I think I found my answer... this is the most incredible tornado video I have ever seen!

mom is flickr famous!

Mom made it onto the flickr Explore page today! Congratulations... she is getting more and more famous!

We had a fantastic weekend. Sunday we were treated to Matt Cobb's worship leading - and the best part is he and Jill are not going anywhere! Worship felt alive, exciting, real, and fun for the first time in I can't remember how long. It's exciting to see and feel like we are really turning a corner at church - we're ready for whatever God has next for us. We're continuing to have revival services this week through Wednesday. We haven't "done revival" since Justin and I have been at the church for that very reason - we didn't just want to do something traditional for the sake of doing it. It really felt like the right time now. I'm praying that God actually revives us and we're not just reminded that we like hearing good worship or maybe old-school preaching or whatever preference it is that one might have about church. We need God to do His work in our souls.

first of many, many pictures!

Welcome, Luke, into the world! Xiaolei had her baby last night. Not too many details yet but I'll post as I hear. I have a feeling that Luke will be able to compete with his peers Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt for most (attempted) photos taken! Peng is going to have to buy another camera to keep up with them all. I don't think I could resist either though, he is such a cutie pie...

emerging

I finally feel like I'm emerging from the "sick" stage of things. Yesterday I actually had energy, which felt wonderful. It's been several months since I felt any "get up and go." Thanks all of you for listening to all my kvetching about feeling sick! Today begins my 15th week of pregnancy. I'm kind of at that in-between stage where I can tell that I'm showing but I'm not quite ready for the full-blown maternity pants yet. I'm actually looking forward to getting bigger so I can wear those without having to hike them up every 5 minutes!

It feels like we've had an abbreviated fall this year. The changing leaves are still on most of the trees, but last Wednesday morning we were treated to about half an inch of snow on the ground in the morning. And it was COLD! We usually don't see snow until November, but we had a surprise this year.

In other news, our kitchen floor is still tile-less. I did break down and manage to bake a pan of corn bread the other night despite the disarray. I haven't cooked or felt like cooking in months so it was nice to have that fresh baked smell at least for a little while. Justin and I are on one of our hare-brained house adventures again and couldn't resist setting up an appointment to visit this dilapidated beauty in the perfect spot in East Lansing. It's a real steal for the price, really... it's in just the right state of disrepair for us... and it never hurts to dream, right? ;-) The problem with our little house-hunting hobby is that REALISTIC is no fun! One of these days we'll find the perfect place and actually BUY it. Wouldn't that be something!

new arrivals!

Yes, it's true, our prayers have been answered and Matt and Jill Cobb are coming! I'm so excited. They are moving up to Lansing from Monroe as soon as they can find a place to live. It will be great to have a new, godly couple in church. Also Jill is pregnant and due about two months before I am, so more babies... and Matt is going to be our new worship leader! Praise God for that one. We badly need a fresh perspective on worship as well as a new sound and energy. I will get a break from leading every week, and since Matt is a guitarist I'll be able to just sing or just play and not have to do both... or either (sigh of relief). I'm also very tempted to fulfil one of my last remaining musical ambitions... to learn to play the electric bass! No way I can purchase one right now, so if you or anyone you know has one sitting and collecting dust in a closet that I could borrow, I would be happy to free up some closet space for you. I'm ready to get funky...

Mattie caught chilling...

So Dick Cheney came to Bath today, and guess who got to stand guard in case someone decided to set the golf course on fire! The Lansing State Journal caught these two basking in the"glow" of VPOTUS this afternoon. I was wondering if they were anywhere near the "undisclosed location."

In other news, I just got the most awesome computer I think I've ever used... a tablet PC. I'm currently handwriting this blog entry and the computer is turning it into text as I watch. I am completely hooked and I'll never buy a regular PC ever again! I didn't buy this one... it's my new work computer... but I cant put my stylus down. It's insane!