Date Night 3.11.2009

Josh and I have been trying to implement a date night as of late. We are attempting to have one every other Thursday evening. Last night was date night number two and was definitely one to write about. The weather was so nice yesterday that we decided we would take a stroll in downtown Fredericksburg. This was a nice change of pace, the air was breezy, not to hot and was just what we needed. Yes, I realize last night was not Thursday but we wanted to do something outside and new the weather was turning bad the end of the week. After about an hour stroll it was turning 6pm. We noticed a lot of the restaurants had outside tables set up and we were in the mood to eat outside. Josh had been wanting to take me to this place he had checked out around valentines day called "Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen". So that is what we did. It was great! We at outside enjoying the fresh bread that is made daily. Josh had a pasta Alfredo dish and I had a Caesar salad and tomato bisque soup. It was delicious. It was a little pricey but not too bad and they have a Sunday brunch that I think we may check out sometime soon. The wait staff was pleasant and quick. All that to say go check it out, I think you will enjoy it.

Live Blood Cell Test!!

Well my education level grew today! I had a series of tests scheduled today, one being a live blood cell analysis and the second a hair follicle test. The second test must be sent off, but the first one I got to witness first had. This was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I arrived at the lab, got a brief explanation and then we were off. My finger was pricked and my blood applied to several microscope slides. I could barely see the blood on the slides, however once they were placed under the microscope that was attached to a TV screen it all changed. At first the "blood" appeared to be billions of twinkling stars, but when magnified were much larger in diameter and they were moving... I was immediately amazed. To sum it all up just from looking at my blood the analyst could tell: I was lacking potassium, zinc, copper, needed to take fish oil supplements, my body breaks fat down well, my immune system is in good working order, I have parasites "gross" but so does everyone else. He said that if I had parasites from eating red meat they would look like big ugly worms, thankfully I had none of those!!! He could tell I had cell damage and the hair test will hopefully tell why. Overall this test was amazing and well worth the money spent. I learned so much and am continually in awe of God our maker and creator. I am fearfully and wonderfully made and just to think God knows us inside and out. He and He alone keeps us working and functioning and to think He knows the inner workings of how everything is put together!! I ask for continued prayers that this journey I am on and all these puzzle pieces will soon fit together!

It's beginning to look at lot like.... Iceland??

Who would have thought 8 inches of snow the first of March.  I was for sure that the predictionswere the usual Virginia meterologists freaking out.  On the way home from church it started to sleet a little.  However we had planned to go hang out at Dowker's for another Coen brothers film, no not Fargo!  We left our house around 6pm and it took us 25 minutes to get to Kevin's house usually a 10 minute trip.  Everyone was freaking out on the roads.  However the time at Kevin's was great.  We watched Oh, Brother Where Art Thou, popped popcorn in our air popper and had a really good time.  Bobby-O, Britt and Stace the Ace joined us, good times.  Around 11pm it was still coming down and we all were shocked.  Kevin was laughing at us "Southerners" and our reaction to the snow.  We finally decided to head home even though it was suggested to have a sleep over at Kevin's..  All in all it was a good time and we awoke this morning to the snow still coming down.  Snow Day, extended weekend!

Burke Manor Cinemas

Randomly a few weeks ago Josh asked Beth Jordan if she had ever seen FARGO?  Beth stated that she had not and I then chimed in that I had not either.  Josh blown away that we had not seen a movie done by his favorite the Coen brothers, stated we needed to have a movie night.  Well again it has been weeks.  However, we finally had the viewing last night and now I understand why Kevin Benedict did not want to come and participate!  The movie was rather disturbing and I could not believe that it was based on a true story.  One good thing is that we got to break out the popcorn popper and I had candy like the kind you get at the movies.  Elliot asked me if I had gone to the theater and purchased it.  I of course informed him I got it at Walmart!  I then got made fun of because I opened each candy box and only took like 1 or 2 of each kind!!  I only wanted a sample of each, what can I say.  Overall the evening was fun even if the movie was disturbing.  Elliott and Beth were a blast to hang out with and Kevin and Kevin we missed you!

Balentine Treats!!

Unless you are Jonathan or Josh you will not catch the title of this blog.  However, I wanted to share my V-day with everyone who reads this.  Josh went to great lengths to make sure it was a very special day.  Earlier in the week he had bought me another season of CSI  Las Vegas!!! I wasn't really expecting much for today. However, Josh treated me to a massage, we made banana pancakes and then he left on his adventure to secure my V-day surprise.  He arrived back home at 4pm with a Ledo's pizza and my absolute favorite wine.  Now you say, ooh pizza and wine.  However, I have been doing the MS diet for roughly a month.  This means no dairy, red meat, cream etc. I had decided that I would allow myself off for the day.   So I was loving the Ledo's and was happy to have a glass of my favorite wine with it.  Then the night went on to include a FREE bluegrass concert at Massaponax High School.  It was way fun and the two groups were quite good.  Then the night ended with a mint chocolate chip sundae at Friendly's..  I haven't had ice cream in a whole month which is a major deal for me.  Josh is the best and I really wish I would have gotten him more than the Bourne Trilogy for his gift.  However, he loved it immensely.  Valentine's 2009 will go down in the ones to remember.

Band of Brothers 2009

The Band of Brothers marathon went well.  I think if we do it again next year we will start a little earlier, but other than that it was a lot of fun.  We started at 12:30pm and went until 12:00am watching the 10 part series known as Band of Brothers.  It is definitely a very intense series with great character development, action and drama.  We had a good turn out of: Dowker, Benedict, Elliot, Josh and myself, Bobby - O, Ben, the Mark's girls, Jeremy, Aimee and Bryan Scott.  We had good food, fellowship and got through the whole series in one sitting.  Thank you to Kevin Dowker for hosting this event.  We hope everyone had as much fun as Josh and I did.

Oh To Be With Jesus

Marion Andrew Kearns July 7, 1929 - January 9, 2009.  My grandfather finally went home to be with Jesus this morning at 12:45am.  It was a time of tears, singing, sadness and celebration.  That seems like too many emotions to put into one sentence, but that is how it was.  He will be greatly missed, but we know that he is no longer suffering.  He was a wonderful grandfather, father and husband who loved Jesus.  To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  Oh to be with Jesus, my papaw now knows what that truly is like.