Thank you for your sympathy. It's much appreciated. haha

The day has finally come!! My brother and sister-in-law found out this past week what they are having...a boy!!!! Mark was so excited (and I think secretly relieved). It's really cool to know that there is a little boy inside there; now if they could just settle on a name. I am going to be such a cool aunt to my little nephew. yea!!

Christen

I got home Tuesday night in the most frustrating way:

I arrive at O'Hare (in Chicago) at 12:45 for my 2:30 pm departure to Houston Intercontinental. I check my luggage, breeze through security, and buy a cookie because I'm almost two hours early for my flight. I check my phone because it's set up to send me texts of flight information. I have a text that says my gate changed to H10. Okay, I think, I have all the time in the world. I waltz down to H10 to see that there is no flight listed on the screen and nobody waiting in that waiting area. Hum, I guess the gate didn't change to H10. I walk over to a departure monitor to check the gate number. My eyes scan down to Dallas/Ft.Worth, 2:30 flight, Gate H13. Oh, I think, it's only 3 gates away. So I sit in Gate H13 for 2 hours. The plane becomes delayed due to pressurization problems. I call my brother to inform him that my flight is delayed. No problem. That is until they begin boarding. I get in line and look at the informational screen. An hour and a half flight? There's no way...it takes an hour and a half to get to...DALLAS!! I'm waiting in line to get on a Dallas flight, and I live in HOUSTON!!! I look at my watch: 2:50 pm. My heart sunk; my flight to Houston was at 2:30. (Que the sad music and me feeling completely stupid) I find the rebooking desk that should be called the "Hey idiot who missed your flight" desk. I talk to an agent who informs me it will be $100 to switch to a later flight. I yell "Oh my gosh, are you serious?" into the phone because I'm a poor little girl. He finally tells me that I qualify for free standby and there is a 6:50 flight. I go find a gate agent and tell him my sad story. He takes my old boarding pass and ID and hands me a new boarding pass. (He wasn't supposed to put me on the flight, just standby) But he whispers, "Just take it, you're set."

The moral of the story is: No matter how long you've lived in one city, after you move, you have to fly to the new city.

Christen

Thanks to those who actually read the above, it's pretty funny.

I go back to Texas tomorrow. What a wonderful time I have had. Tonight I get to go to small group and see my kids. Man, I love them. It's hard to believe I haven't been to a small group with them in over a year, yet it seems like yesterday. Six of them graduated from high school and Matt graduated from the internship. I'm so proud of all of them. Thanks for all your comments.

Christen

PS Happy 2 year anniversary to Mark and Sheila!!

Well, I guess I should update. I'm in Rockford, and it's wonderful. I have had a chance to hang out with a lot of old friends and classmates, which is great. Wednesday night my friend Nate played his guitar and sang for a few of us after church. He's so amazing, and he just cut a new CD which I am listening to as we speak (as I type). Last night we had tramp night. Stop shaking your head, it's not what is sounds like. We started it last year. Amy has a trampoline at her house, and a bunch of us girls would all go out there at night and lay on the trampoline and just talk, laugh, and look for shooting stars. It jokingly became referred to as "tramp night". hehe, at least we think it's funny. Last year it was kinda a running joke that everyone had seen one or two shooting stars except me. I never could see them. But I finally did the last night we were out there last June. *smile*

I love good friends that you can go long periods of time without seeing or talking to and still pick up where you left off. Those are the best. Anyway, I gotta go.

Christen

Well, I'm in Longview right now.  I'm having a fantastic time.  Practically my whole family came into town today which has been great.  It's been nice to get away from the office a little bit.  Life is very good right now.  We're going back to Houston tomorrow, and I'm going to Rockford on Wednesday!!  Yippee!  Love you

Christen

HOT!!! I don't know how on earth I forgot it can be so hot in Texas. But I did. I walk outside and the humidity knocks my breath out. Yuck!

I watched Hillary Duff's movie "Raise Your Voice" last night. It's pretty good actually. It's got depth (I cried!) and even though it's somewhat predictable, it's enjoyable. So, if you like chick flicks, you'll like this movie.

Can you believe one week from today I'll be in Rockford??? YEA!!

Christen

I'm in Houston. It's hot! It was 100 degrees yesterday. AHH! Everything's great though. I got here Wednesday, and we didn't waste time. I worked on Thursday. hehe It's great though. God is so faithful and knows what I need and want. This is going to be a great summer.

I felt like I was in Master's again on Friday. The secretary left me a copy of the bulletin to make copies of and fold. It was hilarious. I had no idea how to use the copier and I was here alone, but I MADE IT HAPPEN. haha! As I was folding them, I thought about the hundreds of mailers we did last year. Yes, subconciously, I loved mailers. I know I'm weird, but it was such a relief to not be hauling heavy stuff or calling all over Rockford to get donations or something. Anyway, it was funny at least to me.

Leave me comments, I love your comments.

Christen