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Showing posts from August, 2010

Behind the Music

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I wasn't always musical, but my family was. I heard that my dad played the trumpet, never heard proof, but he does sing in the choir to this day! My mom is the best pianist and organist you'll ever hear, and both of my grandparents sang and played instruments. Pretty normal right? I started taking piano lessons like every other first grader and ended up with the usual attitude of " I don't want to practice," and quit. Ironically, I kept playing piano every day but by ear. I specifically remember growing up hearing the piano every night as one of my four sisters or mom practiced, noticing every chord. The notes rang through the yellow and red spotted paper covered walls, always captivating me. It sounded best at the top of the staircase. I especially liked the piano when it was loud enough to hide our nightly sister quarrels about borrowing that shirt, Barbie, or who got the last Little Debbie...if the music stopped and we were still fighting then someone got a wo

Praying for Mallory

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I tried to get my sister to name her Claire De Lund (classical song) or Claire Anette Lund (instrument haha) but as it turns out, meet Mallory Claire Lund. Our little niece was born on May 5th, according to my nephew Jackson's prophesy. After having two rambunctious boys we never thought that our oldest sister Lea Ann would finally have a girl! She's already graceful with her feminine features but unfortunately she's recently had a bladder infection. After being on antibiotics my sister took her to Vanderbilt for more testing. Please pray for our sweet little niece Mallory.  Here's the scoop from my sister Lea Ann AKA Dr. Lund: Mallory has VUR (vesicoureteral reflux) in both kidneys. This means that the urine in the bladder backflows on both sides and causes some dilation of the kidneys which could cause permanent damage if it continues. Most children with a grade 1-3 out of 5 will outgrow it. Mallory's is a grade 4  on the right, and grade 3 on the left. Not

Turning 23

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The lovely cake my work gave me with a singing candle You would think that turning twenty three wouldn't be that eventful but thanks to my lovely husband Blake and a slew of friends and family, we celebrated for five days! And nope, I didn't even have to think about making my own cake! The day before my birthday my Dad came up to visit and took us out to good ol' Cracker Barrel for dinner; they gave me a free slice of Coke Cake and my Dad gave me a cake cookbook! I'll definitely put that book to good use but just not anytime soon because I've had way too many sweets lately! My work even bought me a cake with a singing candle, balloons, a card, and decorated my desk! they decorated me desk! My work gave me balloons and my Dad got me a cookbook! After celebrating at work Blake and I went out to The Cheesecake Factory to have dinner for free (thanks to John and Lauren). To my surprise Ashly, Tyler, Dwayne, and Kelsey met us there! It was such a special night

Showering Jill

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Jill's lingerie shower; the five sisters and a friend named Laura. Can you tell which one is not related? Finally, after waiting for almost ten years Jill found Kevin and Kevin found Jill in good old Nashville, TN; just as I predicted! After swearing off the whole idea of marriage; God had another plan for these two! It was such a beautiful day when they joined together. But before the big celebration, the sisterhood had some celebrating to do! Just in case I don't talk about it enough... I'm one of five girls. Jill is the second oldest sister who recently got married and currently lives in St.Louis. We are all very close, especially thanks to our bi-monthly conference call and I admire each sister for different qualities. However, Jill is very special to me! Jill's ears are always ready to listen, her heart ready to share wisdom, and there's always scripture to go with "do you want me to tell you what i really think?" She's always quick to give h

Same road, different sky

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Driving along the same road under a different sky...thank you for rainbows. In my heart there are times where I am so taken by my flesh that I am far from where the Lord wants me to be. I'm not perfect and Christ always has work to do in me. So why am I surprised when Christians act so far from Christ-like? There are times where I feel like I'm on the same road as other believers but under a different sky; a different season in life. We are brothers and sisters in faith but sometimes act more like step siblings. A family member's actions whether by faith or blood can cut so deep that it's hard to think about anything other than justice. I can take someone hurting my feelings, I'll be ok if someone spreads a rumor about me, but there are other times when someone's choices become so hurtful all I think about is justice. I daydream about taking matters in to my own hands but give up knowing God alone will give us justice. So many sermons come to mind about how we

Chocolate Mousse

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Chocolate Mousse 6 ounces (170g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped 6 ounces (170g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1/4 cup (60ml) dark-brewed coffee 4 large eggs, separated 2/3 cup (170g), plus 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons (30ml) dark rum 1 tablespoon (15ml) water pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Heat a saucepan one-third full with hot water, and in a bowl set on top, melt together the chocolate, butter and coffee, stirring over the barely simmering water, until smooth. Remove from heat.Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. 2. In a bowl large enough to nest securely on the saucepan of simmering water, whisk the yolks of the eggs with the 2/3 cup of sugar, rum, and water for about 3 minutes until the mixture is thick, like runny mayonnaise. (You can also use a handheld electric mixer.) 3. Remove from heat and place the bowl of whipped egg yolks within the bowl of ice water and beat until cool and thick, as shown in the