Z's Washington Post Article

Z is taking a Public Theology class this semester.
His professor is also a blogger for
The Washington Post.

Part of the class consists of the students blogging
responses to prompts from the WP
about faith perspectives on major current/political issues.

Occasionally, some of the students' work may be selected
for publication in the WP.

So today, Z was published. :)

Here's the link:

Ashes to Ashes, We All Fall Down

Lately....

Here's a few pictures to show you what
we've been up to...

Mr. W in his collar (we've been nursing his sore paw)

I had a blast at the Hyde Park Children's
Book Fair with Erin & Nora!


Z plays on & manages the LSTC football team.


Z is sweet & brings me flowers.

& we have fun cheering for our Chicago Fire!

So, we've been busy with all that, plus classes, Z's work, job hunting,
shopping at Hyde Park Produce, chapel, and spending time with our friends.

Come visit!

I've gotta feelin'...

Today my friend Erin and I
went to be in the Oprah audience.

A couple of years ago we got to be on stage
as part of a world record:

100 people inside 1 bubble (we did it!)

And because we had to watch the rest of the show from backstage
we also received audience reservations for
a show taped shortly thereafter.

I didn't know the likelihood of getting tickets again,
but since I still don't have a job,
I'm trying to take advantage of my free time to do some fun stuff.

So off to Oprah we went this morning at 6 am.
The show was about hoarding (from A & E's "Hoarders")
which was interesting, but not the best part.

After some seating confusion we were taken from our obstructed view seats
down to the 4th row right behind Oprah's chair,
meaning we were within 10 feet of her the whole time,
plus we will be on TV when it airs.

The BEST part still, though, was before the actual show.
Oprah just had her 24th Season Kickoff Party on the Mag Mile
and it aired today while we were there.

So Oprah came in to the studio and watched Oprah on TV
with us, her studio audience, and she was sitting just a few chairs
away from us, commenting on the show
and just having fun.

Random opportunities to do things like this make me
love Chicago even more!

Around the Apt.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.
We've been slowly getting back into the swing of things.
Z has already started with football practices and begins
classes and work this week.

I'm in my 3rd week of classes already and still applying for jobs,
but I'm starting to get interview call backs, so
hopefully something will happen with that soon.

Meanwhile, we're loving catching up with old friends, making some new,
going to Fire games, watching college football,
and downtown events like the
Jazz Festival.

Here are a few photos from random things around our new apartment.
Enjoy!

Until we meet again...

OK, so we are back in Chicago,
neck deep in job hunts, etc.

But this post is dedicated to our dear friends,
Matt & Chris.

These awesome beings were lifesavers helping us move in
& up into our 3rd floor apartment.

They finished their Westward road trip to their
Seattle internship for the year, but before we parted ways
yet again, we were treated to a day with them in the
suburbs, specifically the Village of Arlington Heights.

Last minute wonderful day (before the big goodbye)

Mama and Daddy
were our last-minute personal chair shoppers.

Since they are closer to furniture outlets,
and we were lacking in the chair dept,
they sent us photos of chairs
and then brought us the one we picked out this weekend.
(It is still wrapped in plastic and will be unveiled in Chicago)

This morning we woke up EARLY
for the West Hills 5k.
Z ran.
And won 1st place in the 25-29 age group!


Then we trekked over to Market Square
to a book sale at the Farmer's Market.

Mama and I both got amazing deals on some
primo children's and YA lit!

And then we went to my beloved Tomato Head
for the last time on internship...I could eat there everyday...sigh.



Now we are back to packing and the reality of moving in 3 days.
I'm already tired of goodbyes.

Visitors Pt. 2

Mason is excited to show off his first pretzel...he just sucked the salt off.

Can you believe it??

Such a handsome little boy.

Getting to know Uncle Zach.

Look at me!

Peachy

Visitors Pt. 1

This weekend we had some company.
Josh, Arden, (dog Abby), and Mama came for some fun
and some packing.

We had a good time taking them to
Tomato Head
Yee-Haw Industries
Market Square Farmers' Market
Magpies
Messiah
and
Stir Fry Cafe

We loved having you here!

To hold you over.

Is it already July???
Z is busy finishing up internship duties,
and I am swimming in homework,
job hunting,
and trying to clean and pack.

We are overwhelmed.

Please accept these photos from my parents' house
to tide you over until we can post more from our lives.

More of the babies!

Simon does a great Elton John impression.

Simon works on his swing.

Pile on Aunt Hannah.

Finn's flying high with Boo.

And enjoying some Peeky-who with G-pa!

Too many to choose from...

but here are just a few of the pics from

my sister and nephews' visit to NC.

Plenty more to come.

Car Shots

These days we spend more time in the car than out.

oh the cuteness!

This is our nephew and godson, Mason.

He is way too cute.