Family Bonding

At the beginning of the month I joined my parents and grandparents on a trip to see the Cubs my brother in Cincinnati. We all piled in The Bus, known to people outside my family as an Envoy XUV, on a Monday morning and arrived in Cinci around 5 pm. You can tell by the picture it was a very riveting drive. (Yes, I made my grandma sit in the middle, but I did share my pillow with her.)

My parents and grandparents checked into the Cincinnatian, a fancy-smancy hotel in the downtown area. I got to sleep on my brother's couch loveseat+footstool.

Anyway, this quick trip to Cincinnati was supposedly so we could see my brother, but I think we all knew the Chicago Cubbies were the main attraction. We picked the perfect day for a ball game: the weather was amazing, the fans were rooting for the Cubbies, and the game was action packed.

We were all very engrossed in the game. The Cubbies scored three runs in the second inning.














Three generations of Myers women. Or would we be considered Targgart women since my grandma was originally a Targgart?














And of course, Mr. Redlegs. I wanted to get my picture taken with him, but decided against fighting the 10 year old boys for a spot in line.














Here's the meeting they convened toward the end of the game when a new pitcher was brought in. The Reds also had a similar meeting the inning before this. At one point Dusty Baker came on the field and I thought the Cubs fans behind us were going to go nuts. Apparently they are not Dusty fans even now that he's in Cincinnati.














The fans behind us were not impressed with Soriano. They thought he was over paid and they made sure to tell him, often. They were also annoyed with him during the last inning when he was conversing with the fans behind him. They kept yelling at him to turn around. Then he dropped a ball and they were even angrier. It was hysterical to listen to them.

Sunday Song

not the official music video, that's here

Ready or Not

School starts tomorrow.

Let me repeat myself, so the magnitude of this truth can sink in. School starts tomorrow.

That's less than 24 hours from now. Whoa.

Jesus, help us all.

Another Amazing Video

If it seems like I've been watching a lot of videos online recently, it's because I have. This one is truly amazing. It's a sand animation set to music performed by Kseniya Simonova on Ukraine's Got Talent.

This is another one by the same girl if you are interested.

The Blindside

YOU MUST WATCH this trailer for the movie The Blindside based on the real life story of Michael Oher. There's also a book titled The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game written by Michael Lewis. I can't wait until the movie comes out on November 20th, 2009.

I dare you to try not to cry while you watch this trailer for the movie!

Today's Holiday: Wiggle Your Toes Day

Today's holiday just might be the easiest to celebrate, unless, that is, you don't have toes. Then it could be pretty difficult. If you do have toes, I suggest you celebrate today by ditching the socks and shoes. Let your toes be free for the duration of the day. To make the day even better for your toes, and your mental health, you could head to the beach or a pool and wiggle your toes there. Trust me, they'll thank you for it.

The Prayer of Illumination

Yesterday I found traditional Methodist hymns, but what I was really looking for was the prayer we always prayed before the Scripture reading. The only line still soundly lodged in my memory is "that we may hear with joy what you have to say to us today. Amen." I'm not sure why I have been thinking about it, but it's been a niggling thought in the back of my mind for several weeks. Thankfully after a lllloooooonnnnggg series of searches, I came across the phrase "prayer of illumination" and hit the jackpot. Or as close as I am going to come to the jackpot in this particular inquiry because I'm not entirely certain this is the exact version we said each Sunday, but it's close.

The Prayer of Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds
by the power of your Holy Spirit,
that as the scriptures are read
and your Word is proclaimed,
we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Now that I've found it, I need to use it. My goal is to pray the prayer of illumination before reading the Bible over the next few weeks.

I love hymns

I grew up attending a pretty traditional (in my opinion anyway) Methodist church. Sometimes I miss aspects of the structured service. Mostly I miss the hymns. And the stained glass windows. Tonight as I was searching for something else, I came across this website of traditional Methodist hymns. The tinny piano music is a little annoying, but I spent quite a bit of time singing along with all my favorites. Eventually I found that the instrument can be changed to an organ or even bells. If I could play the piano, I would play hymns. All. Day. Long.

Some of my favorites:
I Need Thee Every Hour... probably the one I sing the most
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee... one of my all time favorites, mostly because of Sister Act 2, and one of the few know all the verses by heart
Amazing Grace... another one I sing a lot, and have all the verses memorized
The Solid Rock (listed as "My Hope is Built") and Nothing But the Blood... get me the most pumped up
All Christmas hymns... are in the running for the most worshipful

Missing from the website, and making me quite sad, were In the Garden and How Great Thou Art.

Do you have a favorite hymn?