Sunday, January 31, 2010

Fun, Fun, Fun

Like I said, Noah loves the snow!  So, of course, I had to get out and play with him in it.
This is my best effort at a snowwoman (turned out to be a woman because of the pink/cream accessories).  Noah kept wanting to jump on it, dig under it, and lick it.


Yep, he got the carrot!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Check Him Out

Well, the blog bug has bitten Daniel.  After I told him my dad had started his own blog, Daniel started thinking maybe he should too.  (Not to verbally say I told you so, but I did mention to him when I started mysouldelights that he should do a sports blog since he knows sooo much about it.  Hmmm... :) )

I'm excited for him, though.  As you can imagine, the entire theme is Lakers although believe me, he'll have something to say about more than just basketball.  As I said, when it comes to sports Daniel does not discriminate.  Check him out at time2talksports here.  Don't forget to follow while you're on there so you can keep up with him.  As a matter of fact, hopefully you'll follow me too!

P.S. If you haven't seen our family photos in our Lakers jerseys, check them out here.

My Dad's a Blogger

I'm so proud of my dad!  He just created his own blog! :)  Check it out at proud2beloved.blogspot.com.  Great job, Dad!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Orphan Care

Catching up on my blog reading over lunch today, my friend Alisa's blog inspired me and reminded me of our responsibility to care for the orphans of the world.  The Bible is very clear that we as believers are to care for the orphans and widows:

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.  James 1:27  (NLT)

Please take time to check out yesterday's post on Alisa's blog and hear the testimony of her friend who just returned from visiting orphans in Africa.  And let James 1:27 inspire and challenge you today.  Blessings, my friends!

More White Goodness

Well, I'm working from home today as we are still getting some of that white goodness.  At least it's Friday!  My work plans:  design an invitation for an upcoming event, work on a mailing, plan for an Awareness Day presentation I'll be doing next week.  That's really a lot more to accomplish than it seems, but I'll get it done.  As long as Noah quits begging to go outside, then back in, then back out, then... well, you get the picture!


So, what's your favorite thing to do on snow days?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Sore

Sitting down to write this post, there was a bit of a grimace on my face.  My quads are tight and sore, for sure.  It's that kind of sore that you almost enjoy because you know that you had a great workout the day before.  I tried a spinning class for the first time last night.  Whew!  What a leg workout!  Not even kidding - I almost fell down the stairs when I left the gym last night my legs were so wore out!

While spinning doesn't replace my love for some great cardio kickboxing (not the flimsy arm stuff, but the real deal), I can see myself incorporating it into my weekly routine.  I'm thinking spinning once a week would be great.  So, that's my goal.  I'm putting it onto paper (well, digitally), so I have a little more accountability/responsibility to do it. :)

If you have a spinning class at your local gym, I definitely encourage you to try it out!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Weekends

I love the weekend!  Here's a snapshot of ours:
Friday night: Noah, Daniel, & I chilled at home.  Lovely!
Saturday:  Slept in.  Yay!  I just love the feeling of not waking up to an alarm.  Watched a little HGTV while Daniel kept sleeping and then we went to lunch at Chili's with my sister and Kyler, my cousin, Jason, his wife, Leslie, their son, Chase, and Leslie's parents.  It was great to see each of them, of course. :)
Saturday night was a sleepover at my house for the Senior girls Sunday School class I co-teach.  We had a yummy meal and watched Confessions of a Shopaholic.  (Great movie, if you haven't seen it yet. :) )  Daniel jetted out to play some Wii at a friend's house for a while.
Sunday:  Got up a little earlier than normal to be sure the girls were up and ready and had some breakfast to eat.  After church Daniel and I were excited to have an amazing lunch at Ocean Zen, a wonderful restaurant here in Springfield, thanks to a gift card Katie, Josh, and Kyler gave us for Christmas.  Thanks again, guys!  What a treat!  Of course, I had to get my afternoon nap in today while Daniel watched the football game and now we're watching the last game before the SuperBowl.  I'm holding out for the Vikings! :)  Currently tied with 1 minute, 6 seconds to go.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010



This is my little monster after a long day at the groomers.  He hasn't learned how to enjoy his time at the doggie spa (seriously, he goes to Pampered Paws Pet Resort and Salon) so he always comes home completely exhausted - as I'm sure his groomer does, too!  You should see her face when I ask how he did.  Then she gently assures me she doesn't mind grooming him; every Wheaten has their problems, she says.  I'm so thankful I've finally found someone patient enough to keep at it! :)  And he is super soft when's clean!  Thus the name Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier :-)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Marvelous Monday

Yes, you read it correctly, it says Marvelous Monday.  I know those two words seem like an oxymoron for most working people, but I actually did have a marvelous Monday.  What made it so great, you ask?  Family.  If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a total family girl.  I love lots of friends, too, but isn't there just something special about being with family?  My parents came into town yesterday!  So we met at Lambert's after church for lunch along with Katie and Kyler. Ky caught his own hot roll! :)  (if you're wondering, Daniel and Josh were happily watching the Vikings game elsewhere.)  Then, last night was just some hanging time at Katie's.  Noah and Apollo met for the first time.  How;d it go?  Let's just say Noah doesn't have many dog friends so he's a little unsure of it all.  He was exhausted when we got home from running away from a puppy that's much smaller than him.  Crazy dog!


Then today I met Mom, Dad, Kyler, and Daniel (he didn't have to work because of MLK day) for lunch at McAlister's.  After work (I told you it was filled with family!) mom and I met at the gym while Dad and Daniel put replacement parts on our grill.  And since it was so warm here we grilled out and Katie, Josh, and Apollo came over to our house!  It was so great to grill again!  And in January!  Noah and Apollo actually sort of played this time.  We're getting there. :)   


So, yes, it was a Marvelous Monday!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Rocking Out




1.  Uncle Terry   2 & 3.  Addy (Mandy's daughter)  4.  Hunter (Tisha's son)  5.  Tisha, her hubby, Bobby, and Hunter

Monday, January 11, 2010

House Party

Dad was nice enough to let us host our usual Rock Band party at the house while we were home last weekend.  It's always a blast to catch up with the family and watch the kiddos let loose.  I think Hunter (my cousin, Latisha's, kid) has the most fun, playing every instrument on his own (kid-size, but who cares?).  Thanks everyone for taking time to come over!  Daniel and I relish every moment with you all!








"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." 
 Colossians 3:14
I'm so thankful for the love of Christ which binds us with our families.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Time Flies

I can't believe it's already Monday tomorrow!  We had a wonderful weekend back at my home turf - Van Buren, MO.  It was a full weekend with my lovely family.  We spent Friday evening at home with Dad (Mom was working - she's an EMT) and then starting Saturday morning I was ready to see as many of my beloved friends/family as possible in the 45 hours we had.

Details and pics to come!  Have a blessed beginning to your week!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Family Time

Daniel's cousin, Keila, surprised us in December and flew in from Los Angeles.  We've had the pleasure of having her here for a whole month, but she had to head back this morning.  As you can imagine, she was excited to kiss this cold weather goodbye and get back to much warmer Cali. (Heck, I'd love to escape to a warm place right about now!)
We're so thankful we got to spend Christmas with her - and of course the rest of the loved Alvisurez family!  Keila, it was great to see you and we can't wait until next time so we can take you to try out some BBQ and visit the Home of Throwed Rolls!







The family: Irma (Grandma), Evelyn in pink (Daniel's mom), Keila in grey, Jorge (uncle), and Mary (aunt).  For those of you wondering why Daniel's bro was MIA, Steven was on his way to Colorado.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

White Goodness






Noah has a cousin!

A doggy cousin, of course!  Friday night, Katie, Josh, and Kyler surprised everyone (I think themselves, too) by getting a new weimaraner puppy.  Apollo is so stinking cute!  He's still in that cuddling stage, so when we went over to meet him he just curled up in each of our laps and slept peacefully.  I'm super excited for Noah to have a new friend and for us all to take walks together (I did some research and it looks like Apollo will need lots of walks!).  Of course, now Mom and Dad will have two grand-doggies in their house when we visit!
Don't you just love his beautiful blue eyes!


Friday, January 1, 2010

Have you ever met someone who made you want to know God more?  There was just something about that person that didn't necessarily draw you to him or her, but to the One who made him or her.  I've been very blessed to know a good number of those people, and I pray that one day I may shine Christ the way they do.


One of those people to me is Heather Gilion.  I met her my second year in Springfield.  Every opportunity I have to be around her, I walk away wanting more of Christ.  Heather and her sister, Holly, recently wrote a book that I'm on the heels of finishing, called Dancing On My Ashes.  It's their joint testimony of, as they say, their journey to Learning to Love the One Who Gives and Takes Away.  Each page of this book, through the joys and the sorrows, they are brutally honest and real and I appreciate that in each of them.  As I'm reading it and each time I lay it down, I find myself asking, "Is my love for Christ that real, that intimate?  Do I know him in the desperate, longing way they speak about?  Am I anxiously looking forward each day to the time I spend alone in with God in His Word?".  And, in the midst of those questions, I'm in no way comparing myself to them or their journey.  I'm being challenged to know and love my Savior more and more.  To be intentional and real about my relationship with Him.  Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful reminder that you want to know each of us so intimately.


To check out their book here, and to see an interview with Heather and her husband, Dallas, go here.


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