Touchdown Jesus

Last night, we had horrible storms in Cincinnati. Our tornado sirens went off and Tyler and I came downstairs to watch the news in our window surrounded kitchen as opposed to watching it in our window surrounded bedroom. We really thought that being on the first floor would keep us much safer. We also put on our shoes in case we needed to dash to the basement. We were not about to go to our basement because our basement doesn't have cable and it's kind of gross. We also decided that in the face of a real disaster, we should probably own a battery operated radio. We'll probably get on that after the next weather related "disaster". We are nothing if not prompt.

Anyway, back to the real reason for this post. I woke up this morning and checked Twitter and started seeing updates about Touchdown Jesus. 

Touchdown Jesus is a 6 story statue of, you guessed it, JESUS, right off I-75 in Monroe, Ohio. We pass TJ often because he is on our way home to Michigan. In fact, I saw him just a few days ago. 

Touchdown Jesus burned down last night.

During the crazy storms, lightning struck Jesus and he burned to the ground. Thankfully, it doesn't appear as thought anyone was hurt. It was made of foam so I'm guessing it burned rather quickly. I feel badly for the pastor of the church because I'm sure this will be quite the financial burden. However, I have to wonder-- what did Jesus think of a 60+ foot tall statue of Himself? Did it truly bring more people to Himself and bring Him glory? 

Thoughts?

Life in Pictures

I have been seriously neglecting the blog and several people have ever so gently reminded me of that fact. I just had perhaps the best Memorial Day weekend of my life with my family and they left about an hour ago, so I'm sitting here a bit weepy. The Bachelorette is about to come on, but I'm feeling a bit weepy about that as well because-- and I say this with great sadness-- WHERE IS OUR ALI FROM LAST SEASON? This one has rented her extensions from Vienna and her dress the first night must have come from Rainbow. What in the world? I also find myself wanting to drill a stake through my skull each time she laughs. Oh, real Ali, I miss you and wish that you would take back your body from the impostor that has invaded it. However, if you think that will stop me from watching her search for love, you clearly don't know me at all because surely this will be the most DRAMATIC SEASON EVER. 

WOW. HOLY TANGENT. Anyway. 

I thought venturing back into some blogging might be fun, but instead of writing and being a Debbie Downer about how much I miss my family already, I thought I would share some pictures that I discovered on the computer. Pictures are always fun, right? Enjoy!

This is me and one of my besties, Lisa, at a wedding several summers ago. I think it was actually the summer of 2005. My word, how time flies when you're getting old. I love this oldie of us. Lisa, I told you I would blog again someday!

One of my favorite pictures of me and my man on our honeymoon. We had such a wonderful time, just the two of us.

This was after my 21st birthday supper. We always laugh a little bit at this picture because T's hair looks like Lloyd Christmas ala Dumb and Dumber. Ha!

T lived in Columbus for a few years during the summer and then after college. They always have this big fireworks festival on the 4th of July called Red, White, and Boom. We hadn't been dating long when this picture was taken. We have this in a frame on one of our bookshelves. Such good times!

We had an amazing time in Florida this year with some of our best friends, Chad and Meg. This reminds me, I need to do some Florida posts!

My girlfriend Tster (on the right-- not her real name, ha!), Meg, and I had so much fun seeing one another at Tster's shower. T is marrying one of our childhood friends, Chad, and the fun thing is that they met at our wedding! I know Tster from college-- it is so crazy how it all worked out, but God is amazing like that!

My sweet Meggie-- I love her so much! Girlfriends are the best!

Miss Avery and me. This girl has a momma who I adore and I happen to adore Avers, too! She is such a funny and sweet little girl-- she takes after her momma!

Sweet Malia girl. She is getting so old. She is in such a fun stage, but it's making me sad because she's growing up so fast!

Back to some old pictures. This is Jimmy. He and I used to spend a lot of time together in the summer when I lived in Michigan. I seriously love this child and he is so funny. Case in point, the tattoos covering his body and the fact that he would not let go of his hot dog for the picture. I love this baby!

Heard in Room 3

Two of my favorite answers to the vocabulary questions last week...

Question: What activity makes you feel exhausted?
Answer: Walking from store to store in New York City makes me feel exhausted.

Question: What advice would you give to a friend who feels discouraged?
Answer: I would tell them to pray for themselves.

Ahhhh... the life of a private Christian school child is so difficult.

A Post About Nothing

I haven't been a good blogger lately. I blame it on the busyness of spring! However, I thought I would share a few bits of wisdom with those of you dying to know what is on my mind. All two of you-- hi, Mom and Dad. 

1. Last night, I got busy working in the kitchen and straight up burned my dinner. I was really bummed because not only was I looking forward to the dinner I was making but I have never burned dinner in my married life. Chicken 1, Rachel 0. I made up for it by gorging myself on chocolate chip cookie dough until I wasn't hungry anymore. My stomach thanked me when I was trying to go to sleep and all I could think about was how I was going to vomit. Food and I had a love hate relationship last night which ended in mostly hate. Today should be better.

2. Anyone have a webcam that they'd like to give me? My friends Mandy, Sara, Amie, and El have been chatting for a few weeks now and I am still the only one without a webcam. I know, it's as if I'm living in the 1800s. I'm feeling a little sorry for myself and where better to express that then on my own personal blog? I'm over it now. But seriously, I need to see their faces, so I guess I'm not really over it.

3. Last night, my favorite Real Housewives came back! I absolutely love the Real Housewives of New Jersey because they are absolutely hilarious and ridiculous. Teresa (second from left) is my favorite. She's got these four little girls who are drama queens (and oh so cute) and she just deals with it all on her own. She also calls her husband "Juicy Joe" which has led me to want to find a similar nickname for Tyler. I am open to suggestions. Speaking of Tyler, when he came up to bed last night, I was watching RHNJ. Teresa was talking and he insulted me deeply when he said, "That woman makes me want to punch myself in the face." We're working on that martial issue as we speak. Monday nights just got a whole lot better in my house. Well, for me.

4. I made Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding for our small group gathering tonight. I am so thrilled to get together with people I love from our church and just spend time talking and eating. I highly recommend this recipe-- it is incredibly easy and just plain good. Anything Paula Deen makes is amazing. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to find the particular cookie that this recipe calls for, but lo and behold they were just sitting there with their Pepperidge Farm friends waiting for me to take them home! Sometimes I get unnecessarily nervous and it's irritating. I'm working on it.

5. Oh, you wanted another picture of Lola Pearl? I'm happy to oblige. This sweet thing is just the essence of perfection. She is so yummy. Does this picture not just melt your heart!? My uterus hurts when I look at this picture. Deeeeeeelish.

 

6. On a much more serious note, please continue to pray for the people of Nashville. I can't imagine how it would feel to have your home destroyed by a flood. T has family in Nashville and as far as we know, they are safe, but some are still dealing with flooding in their homes. Please pray for all of those affected by this devastation.

That's it for now. Happy Tuesday!

Heard in Room 3

Upon my return from Spring Break when I was tanner than usual...

B: Mrs. Haney, God made you beautiful, but you're so much better when your skin is brown.

Heard in Room 3

A few months back, while on playground duty, I had to deal with an altercation between two little boys with the same name. We'll call them both Cooper. I knew one of their last names (we'll say Smith), so I referred to him as Cooper Smith while dealing with the issue. I didn't know the other one's last name, so I did the smart thing and referred to him as Cooper Curly Hair because-- you guessed it-- he has curly hair. I try to be really sneaky and elusive with nicknames. Anyway, I saw Cooper Curly Hair last week while I was on playground duty. He went running by me and I decided to be friendly.

Me: Hi, Cooper!
Cooper: Hi, Mrs. Long Hair!

And that, my friends, is why I do what I do. Kids are awesome.

Heard in Room 3

While everyone is in the bathroom except for two of my boys. I am sitting at my computer desk next to one of their desks. He leans over and says...

"So, what did you have for breakfast this morning, fine lady?"*

*A quick disclaimer. I love talking life with my kids, so often times, we'll discuss what we had for dinner the night before or what we have for lunch on any given day. We also discuss TV shows, music, sports, and so on. I love learning about what makes them... well, them. I also consistently refer to them as ladies and gentleman. I think hope that a combination of these things is what prompted this question. Carry on.