Ian Baker Rocks!

Tonight we enjoyed some musical entertainment at The Wreck in Kendallville as our good friend Ian Baker and his buddy Cale entertained the packed house with songs like The Emo Song and their tribute to Don Manger.

Ian playing his bass guitar.

Ian showing his emotional side during the Emo song.

The two proud dads. Notice how much Greg is really finding his groove. We thought he was going to start dancing at any moment. Good thing he restrained himself!

I know it's hard to believe, but I actually was able to track the famous Ian down after the show for an autograph. It was tough making my way through all the girls that were surrounding him, but I did make it. He graciously agreed. I have it safely at home if any one needs proof.

The Great Outdoors

Natalie and I have had the wonderful opportunity over the past two days to spend some amazing time outside of the house, the office, and school. We have been able to really take in and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Yesterday (on my day off) we went golfing together. We took some pictures but our dysfunctional and worthless digital camera will not read the memory card now that has our pictures on them. Too bad for all of you. Now you won't be able to see my picture perfect golfing form.

Today, on our way down to Taylor, we stopped at the one and only Power's Hamburgers. You can't beat the slimy greasy oniony ketchup and mustardy taste of those miniature burgers, and you definitely have to appreciate the B.O. (body odor) that becomes yours on the house just for visiting. We took our burgers to Foster Park to enjoy the flowers. We forgot our camera (Sorry)! Needless to say the flowers and trees in that park are unbelievable. Definitely a reminder of how creative and beautiful our God is. Since we weren't able to take pictures, you'll just have to go and experience the park yourself.

God is indeed good, beautiful beyond description. I'm so glad He created such beautiful things and that He created us to appreciate them.

Life is so precious...

Tyler and I, while watching the news late last night, found out about the tragic fatal accident that involved some Taylor Upland students and staff. The students from Upland had been on Taylor's FW campus (where I attend class) to set up for a Scholarship luncheon (that I was to attend today). The students and staff, while on their way back to the Taylor Upland campus, were hit by an oncoming Semi that had crossed the median. Four students from Taylor Upland and one Taylor employee were killed in the accident. One Taylor student and three Taylor employees survived the accident but were injured.

Everyone at Taylor will know someone who had a relationship with one of these students, this accident has hit close to home. As I visited Taylor's website to find out more details on the accident, I was amazed at the individuals and Universities from all around the nation who had posted support and prayers on the University's alumnus forum.

Life is so precious... each day so valuable...
I'm going to really LOVE everyone I see today and tomorrow...
Who knows which day may be my last.
http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/accident_04-26-06.htm

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/Story.aspx?type=ln&NStoryID=2779

Idol Update

Poor Katherine… the judges were so critical of her. We personally thought she did really well. She sang really well tonight and we will be giving her our vote to assure she sticks around another week. Katherine is potentially the best female singer.
1866 IDOL 01 and 07

Elliot has a good voice and a good personality. He sang really well tonight, but we just don’t feel like he’s a great performer, which hurts his cause.

Kellie has a very sweet personality and at times, with the right song, an amazing voice. Tonight she sounded a little “bright” and it wasn’t her best but we wouldn’t mind to see her back for another week. (I think Simon is eating his words when he said she was potentially better than Carrie Underwood).

Paris is getting better every week. We have to admit that we thought she was initially just another Fantasia but she is proving us wrong every week. Amazing for 17! Personally, we liked her version of “The Way We Were” better than Barbara Streisand’s.

Taylor Rocks! We dig him. He has such a great personality… he colors every song with personality and he has a really great voice. He’s a bit old school (could be the gray hair) but we think he’s potentially up there with Chris for the next American Idol.

Chris gets our other vote! He is so awesome… we are never tense when he sings because he just dominates every song he sings. His style is his own and we think he’s potentially the next American Idol. I don’t even like the song he sang, but he made me like it.
1 866 IDOL 06 and 12

I think all the judges were off tonight.
Simon seemed more mean tonight than usual. (When he criticizes he says the same things…you sounded like a wedding singer, a hotel lounge singer, a cruise line performer, a karaoke singer, a cabaret singer… blah blah blah). Get more creative.
Is anyone completely annoyed with PAULA? Does she even know what she’s talking about? Why is she in love with every guy?
Who’s Randy?

"Welcome to Notre Dame. How may I assist you?"

Today I had my first experience as an usher at Notre Dame stadium. I went to the Blue Gold game for orientation as a new usher. I'm actually not an usher yet though. Since ND is good again everyone and their mother has applied to become one. So today we had "tryouts" (I thought I was done with those a long time ago). We learned about how to be an usher and now our supervisors will give an evaluation of how we did and who we are to the chief, a guy that goes by the name "Cappy."

We really didn't do much today except watch the game (which was great with me) and watch the real ushers do their job. Not much to it. Just repeat the phrase "Welcome to Notre Dame. How may I assist you?" We also help people to their seats and make sure no one gets out of line.

When I got home tonight, I had to send an email to Cappy to plead my case for why I should be chosen. We'll see what happens. In the meantime, GO IRISH!

Above are some picture from the game. One of the pictures is of my Uncle Dave (who is already a real usher) wearing his sweet ushering garb. The other pictures are just snapshots taken during the game.

FORE!!!

It was great getting the chance to spend some time at the golf course today (one of the perks of taking a day off during the week). I played nine holes at Colonial Oaks and shot a 40. Not bad for my second time out this year. It wasn't the same playing by myself though. I look forward to this summer when Natalie is finished with the school year so that she can play golf with me.

After golf today I came home and mowed our yard (I hate mowing). It needed it bad. Did I mention I hate mowing! If I could I would install some kind of grass that never grew and never needed mowed. Or better yet, maybe I can just make my yard into one big concrete slab and then paint it green, or glue a bunch of that Easter grass (the kind you fill Easter baskets with) onto the concrete so it looks like grass still. That would be even better and I'm sure Natalie would be into it.

After mowing we fired up the grill for the first time this year. It was great. We grilled chicken and then covered it with a mixed sauce made from basil pesto and ranch dressing. Mmmmmm!

That was close...

Definitely a shocker tonight on American Idol to see Chris and Paris in the bottom three. They did a great job last night so we were very surprised to see them there. Not as surprised about Ace. Never really was a fan of his. Things are getting interesting.

He Lives!

We had an amazing day yesterday as we celebrated the resurrection of our savior and friend, Jesus Christ. It was an incredible time we shared with our church family at LWC and also with our own families.

What a wonderful God we have whose love for us is deep and wide, long and high.

In Memory of Our Savior

We had a powerful time of worship and remembrance tonight during a Good Friday service at our church.

It truly is amazing how much Jesus loves us. How much we owe Him, our lives and all that we are for all that He did for us. As one of our friends at church said tonight, when you really think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us it is overwhelming.

Thank God for Sunday though when we can celebrate the fact that even though Jesus died, He is alive!

Praise Jesus.

Final Set Of Florida Pictures

This final set of pictures includes a picture of me with Natalie at dinner one night, a picture of Natalie and me with her brother Joel and sister Nicole, and a picture of Jeff and Holly (Natalie's parents - without them this vacation would never have been possible - THANKS, We love you guys!)

Even More Pictures

This set includes pictures of the beautiful sunset at Siesta Key and pictures of me with my even more beautiful wife.

More Pictures

This set of pictures includes a guy at our beaching building an unbelievable sand castle and also some pictures of me with my sweet beach volleyball skills. We had a great group of people that played beach volleyball throughout our time at Siesta Key, however this game was guys only [Anderson (Amber (Deveau's) Husband), Matt Liebing, Jeff Spaw, Jerry Spaw, Mark Lorntz, Joel Spaw, me, Jobie Connelly, Josh (Serena (Brown's) Husband) and Austin Hess. There is also a picture of me with my bro-in-law, Joel, relaxing after about 12 games of v-ball that afternoon.

Pictures from Florida

Now that we are back home enjoying the beautiful Indiana weather, we're able to load the rest of our Florida pictures. This first set includes a picture of our beach at Siesta Key and more pictures from our dinner at Philippi Creek.

Packing Up!

It's been a busy yet restful week that went by too quick. Everyday has been no less than 80 degrees with a slight breeze- you couldn't ask for a better week. We packed up our stuff and checked out of our condo at Jamaica Royale at Siesta Key (Saturday morning). We spent the rest of the day on the beach and will end the day at "the village" of Siesta Key for dinner and will spend the night at a nearby hotel. We are heading over to (uneventful) Sebring tomorrow for a day and night at Grandma's to wind down for the flight home on Monday morning. We are looking forward to coming home to our dogs, our home, my brother and Sara (who couldn't join us), our friends and our church family.