Melissa's 24th Birthday

Melissa's birthday was on Sunday, but it was more like a birthday week. The week started with our favorite restaurant Sweet Tomatoes, and we ended up going there two more times the rest of the week, not to mention Kamehachi sushi bar restaurant, Georgie V's, and the Red Star Tavern. Whew, that is a lot of eating out.

Mid week my mom, my aunt Anita, and my cousin Ellen stayed for 3 days - my cousin Ellen put all hard core shoppers to shame with nearly 12 hour days of shopping. I was impressed by the determination and stamina. It was great to see them.


Then the in-laws came for the weekend. We had the pleasure of going to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Quite an incredible array of plants and landscaping.

FACING THE GIANTS

I have to admit that I would not have watched this movie if someone wouldn't have dropped it off at our house to borrow and if my wife didn't turn it on. I wasn't expecting much from a movie that a church put together - not that I didn't expect a good spiritual message but I wasn't ready for a half rate movie on a Friday night.

But wow, Melissa and I were both very touched by this movie and were very impressed by how well it was done. Melissa needed more than a few tissues throughout the entire movie and I'de be lying if I said I didn't shed a few tears.

It reveals both the journey of despair and of faith that believes through it. It really challenged the way I respond to tough times in my life.

There is also bonus features showing how the movie all got put together which is really neat as well. Hope you can see it.

Vacation: Cruisin and Fishin

Melissa and I were dying for a vacation and we loved our week of crusing in the eastern carribean and a week in the mountains of North Carolina. The first week on the cruise was busy and fun, while the second week was relaxing and refreshing. Hope the pics do the explaining...