He Carries a Bible and a Shovel

A couple of weeks ago at church we had Chris Mueller come and preach. What a great message on marriage! You can hear it by clicking here. At the end he talks about a man who carries a bible and a shovel. He is a person who lives by the Word of God and works hard.

Matt carries a bible and a shovel! It was such a great thing for me to sit and realize that I have been blessed with a husband that exhibits what our pastor was talking about. Matt reads the bible daily and we often talk about what it means to us, we have lengthy conversations about the Lord's plan for our lives and what we have been learning about our faith through life experiences. Matt fosters a love for Christ in our home and I'm so thankful! He also works hard! He is driven to do well, always putting forth his best effort and never satisfied with just enough to get by. He is not lazy and values the time he has been given.

Another reason I love Matt! His bible and his shovel!

Happy Birthday Matt week!

It's Matt's birthday on Thursday, so I thought I'd blog daily about how wonderful he is!

There are MANY great things about my husband, but today I am especially thankful for how he loves to laugh. When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up - my answer was simple and easy. I want to be a comedian. Really, it wasn't because I was super funny or even liked to be in the spotlight in fact I hated being in the spotlight, but it was because I loved being around people laughing. And what other job allows you to hang out with laughing people, but a comedian. See, I was logical even as a small child. Now I see the Lord was gracious to give me a husband who would laugh all the time, because He definitely did not create me to be on stage with Seinfeld.

So back to Matt - It is great to live with someone who finds everything funny. He can laugh with all of his might at the simplest thing. It is a fun and contagious laugh too. It reminds me to not take things so seriously and really enjoy life. That seems so cliche, but Matt really enjoys life. He loves to be around people, he loves to be witty and say something funny, he loves to laugh when I say something funny (or ridiculous), he loves to laugh at other peoples jokes and gets a kick out of just about anything!

Share a Matt laughing story by leaving a comment if you would like!

Happy Birthday Love! Thanks for bringing joy into my life!

While You were Away...

My Mom and Dad were on a Mediterrian Cruise for the past two weeks so we thought we'd give them an update on all the happenings while they were gone.

-Jay Leno celebrated his farewell to his beloved audience on The Tonight Show. Conan O’Brien kicked it off on Monday featuring a spontaneous style very characteristic of the late Johnny Carson. We haven’t had a chance to watch yet, but it’s all the buzz among the sleep-deprived MBA students.

-Our Los Angeles Lakers beat Denver’s Nuggets and made it to The NBA Finals once again. You’re home in time to watch them battle Orlando next week!

-General Motors declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy—the fourth largest in American history. First order of business during their reorganization: an announcement that Hummer will be sold to the Chinese.

-Sonia Maria Sotomayor was nominated to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. She may become the nation’s first Hispanic justice.

-The California District Court upheld the Prop 8 Gay Marriage Ban as constitutional, confirming that our government is indeed “by the people.”

-The governator has suggested closing about 200 California State parks in order to save on budget. Just glad he’s not suggesting another cut in education!

-President Obama and former Vice President Cheney battled it out about whether to close Gitmo prison. The Administration would like to move the prisoners to federal prisons on the East coast. Americans responded with concern about bringing accused terrorists onto American soil.

-The President took his First Lady on a date to dinner and a Broadway show. Critics were bothered by it, but we think it was pretty cute.

-Jenny officially completed year one of Sky Mountain Charter School (an amazing feat of perseverance).

-MATT GOT AN INTERNSHIP AT BECKMAN COULTER FOR THE SUMMER!!! WAHOO!!!

- We spent a fabulous weekend in Lake Arrowhead with the Matthews and Eckerts

- Jenny was able to view the Magna Carta at the Reagan Library

- We missed you like crazy!

Try it! You'll like it!

Hey - here is a great VERY easy meal that can be made into two!

Chicken

Mango Papaya Salsa

That's it!  No joke!  You can also add chunks of pinapple if it suits your fancy.  I pour the carton (from Trader Joes fresh salsa section) of salsa over the chicken (I used a whole carton for 4 to 5 chicken breasts, depending on how large they are) and bake for 30 minutes.  When it was done baking I shreaded the chicken leaving it in the salsa - now the twofer...

Meal One - Tacos! 

Add anything you would like to your tacos - suggestions below:

corn or flour tortillas

blackened corn

brown rice

lettuce

cilantro

**Matt said it doesn't need cheese - I didn't forget it! 

Meal Two - Chicken Salad

put the shreaded chicken over lettuce

some added treats could be:

jicama - I really like jicama

corn

cucumber

I have to give credit where credit is due...the chicken and salsa idea came from the Trader Joe's cookbook, but I made it into tacos and salad!  Let me know if you have other suggestions with what to do with the 2 ingredient chicken dish.

Enjoy!

Adele's Literacy Library

Just a quick post to let you all know about a cool venture.  A team of Merage (Matt's school) students partnered with this 13 year old girl to promote literacy.  You can help too by going to the website below and purchasing books.  You can buy for yourself or buy for kids who could really use them.  Either way the money goes to Adele's non-profit organization.  I love things like this and thought you might be interested too!  Check it out!

http://allforbooks.amazonwebstore.com/

XTerra Trail Run

Last weekend we ran or walked a 14 mile trail through Malibu Creek State Park.  Over the course of the 3 hours and 20 minutes it took me to finish this race I wrote this blog a number of different ways.  They all included lines like "hardest race ever" and "when I reached the top of the MOUNTAIN..." but... I have since scrapped those posts and came up with this one.

I'm so thankful for legs that run and a body that will endure heat and hills for over 3 hours.  2 years ago my body was failing and if my cancer was not caught, by the grace of God, who knows if this would have been a possible event for me to participate in.  We can so easily take for granted the health we have been given and fall into complaining so easily.  Lord, may I always be reminded of your goodness and grace in allowing me to live a healthy life and be crazy enough to sign up for trail races that are too long for me to run.  

Here's to the gang that ran!  Borrowing from the traditional gaelic blessing....

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Kurt Gebhards and "Munch Bunch" running him to the finish

The view from the top before the sun came out - those are the clouds :)

The whole gang!

The Beck Family

   

I'm going to be an Aunt!!!

Which also means Matt is going to be an uncle, my parents are going to be grandparents and my sister is going to be a MOMMY!!!!!   Yeah for babies!  The Cooper household is ready and waiting for a little one to snuggle with and ooh and ahh over.  

Melissa and Eric shared with us, while we were home for Easter, that they are expecting a bundle of joy in December.  The gave us and my parents a giant easter egg with a paper folded up inside.  The paper was a piece of Christmas paper with baby stickers on it and a cute little message about the arrival of a mini-Matthews (picture above). I knew immediately what they were announcing and screamed (I know - hard to believe) "You're going to have a baby!!!!"  About 5 minutes later my mom caught up with the announcement and became very excited that one day soon she would be called Grammie.  I think she was in shock!

Melissa has started a blog to chart their journey.  Click here to visit their site.