Freezing Frogs

I will keep this short since I have a zillion pictures below-

We all headed to Traverse City for grandma's memorial. It was a trip filled with lots of hugs, laughs, tears , wine, family time and memories.

We made it to all our favorite spots- Grandma's house on the lake, the Bowery, downtown, Poppycocks, Don's Drive In, Meyers, Burritts, Bob's House and Old Mission Tavern.

During the long weekend, we came together as a family to honor grandma for who she was and all she accomplished. We tried to heal old wounds, share memories and made commitments for the future.
I love my whole family-craziness and all- and can't wait to see everyone again in September!

Top Secret

Sweet Oliver with all his rolls!
Charlie and Oliver
Sisters (Bets is our honorary sister)
Gibbs Girls with "grandpa" Bob
Me and Bets!
Dad probably saying inappropriate things- poor Aunt Melissa
The Briner Siblings- finally behaving
Aunt Kathy doing the "Betty Wave"
Trying to get home on Sunday-thanks weather
Saying Goodbye with the "Betty Wave"

TI?

Who is TI?
-Bones this one is for you :)

Lake Michigan

This is one of the things I love most about Traverse City...sunsets on grandma's lake :)

Life's a Journey

Last night I was trying to find some good verses for grandma's memorial service. I was searching through a few of my bibles (student bible, The Message, NJV) and on the Internet. I felt like I was back in college studying for a test in the Union!
I realized it's much harder to find the perfect scripture than I originally thought.

Anyways, I came across this poem and really loved it! Enjoy :)

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord

Author unknown

The Essential James

We started a new series at church today called "The Essential James" and I'm REALLY excited about it. Not only did God call me out (or smack me around), but He really used the message to challenge me.

Here is a summary of the book of James-
The book of James shows one of the church's early pastors skillfully going about his work of confronting, diagnosing and dealing with areas of misbelief and misbehavior that had turned up in congregations committed to his care. Deep and living wisdom is on display here, wisdom both rare and essential. Wisdom is not primarily knowing the truth, although it certainly includes that, it is skill in living. For what good is a truth if we don't know how to live it? What good is an intention if we can't sustain it? (from the Message)

LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOUR FAITH IS REFLECTED IN THE WAY YOU LIVE

Pastor gave us a reading plan during the James series and I welcome everyone to do it with me! WEEK 1
James 5:13-20
James 1:1-18
James 1:19-27
James 2:1-13
*read the entire book of James (its very short) FIRST then follow along with this week's verses.

Here is my friend Patrick, he came and volunteered with us today!

Little B

It's only been a week, but I have been DYING to tell the world....
Guess I can now so check out Ellen's latest post :)

Say a little prayer for their family too- building a new house and a new baby in 2009...WOW!
CONGRATS BRUCE FAMILY!

Low Country Boil

Mike and I went to a "Gadget Shower/Low Country Boil" on Saturday night for Phil and Deania. Mike is a groomsmen in their wedding, so we will be heading to good ol' Ohio at the end of May. It will be a great trip because I get to attend their fun wedding AND see the Ohio Briner clan.
The shower was hosted by a few couples and they did a fabulous job!
The men hosts did a great job with the Low Country Boil. For those of you that are not familiar with this- let me explain.
It's a HUGE, I mean HUGE pot- cooking inside are onions, red potatoes, corn on the cob, shrimp and sausage. I'm sure others put other bits of goodness in their pot- but this is what ours contained. It was very yummy!
After eating, it was present time. Deania was DETERMINED not to break any ribbons and was very precise...Phil on the other hand had fun wearing the bows. After we finished presents, it was time for a few pictures. Of course I wanted them to be serious, but the guys would never let that happen! We had a great time and can't wait for the wedding in May.

*Here is a recipe in case you want to make your own pot of goodness

Beachin it

We had a fabulous weekend at Whitney's AMAZING Beach house. Seriously, it was the nicest beach house I have ever been in and I loved everything about it.
We all arrived at different times on Friday but still managed to drink, play games and laugh together!
Saturday morning everyone was up and drinking coffee in the living room by 7:30am. I was so excited everyone was up and hanging out so early!!
We had a great breakfast, a long speed walk on the beach and were making bloody Mary's all by 10am. Very productive for a vacation

The day was spent on the beach playing games, reading magazines, singing, dancing and a gymnastics show by Adele and Caroline.
After we couldn't take the windy beach any longer, we all laid out by the pool for the rest of the day.

We wanted a "girly" night and boy did we get one. Kat planned the best wine tasting ever for all of us. She made us each a "wine book" and taught us so much about wine. After we were all a little tipsy from the tasting, it was time for FONDUE night! We had a great time attacking the fondue and laughing the entire time.
We ended the night with HILARIOUS conversation, more wine and Mama Mia!

Sunday we hung out in the morning and then Amy and I headed back to Charlotte while the rest of the girls got a few more hours of sun. I got burnt enough and didn't need anymore sun.

It was a great time with all the girls and I can't wait for our next adventure together.

Sunrays & Saturdays...(or really Sundays)

Praise God for this beautiful masterpiece and for blessing us with a new day.
Seriously- how amazing is this sunrise?!?!
Ellen deserves all the credit for these pictures this morning! Thank you sweet friend.


Meg this is for you :)
"Sunrays and Saturdays
Perfect starry nights
Sweet dreams and moonbeams
And a love that's warm and bright
Sunrays and Saturdays
Friendship strong and true
Oceans of blue and a room with a view
To live the life you choose"
-Vertical Horizon

Oh Happy Day

This is where I will be this weekend with 9 of my favorite girls...