I Love My Job

Not everybody gets to morph their co-workers into 3-D crazy people.
BTW, sorry Rusty,but you gave me the idea to post these...

Everyone else, maybe you'll see the use for these in a future sermon?!?

The Stripper and the Steelworker

Yes, I now realize I asked everybody I know to watch a Dateline segment called, "The Stripper and the Steelworker." No, my uncle was not the stripper. No, he was not the steelworker. But he did, however, look pensive. And no, ladies and gentlemen, that was not a stunt double re-enacting the crime, that was my uncle in the flesh! :)

Almost (In)Famous

Get ready, go to your DVR's and your Tivo's... then set them to record Dateline NBC this Sunday night. Why, you might ask??? Because my uncle, Jim Stogsdill, will be featured as the lead investigator for a cold case unit in Alaska as it chronicles a murder trial for a crime he solved. That's right people, I'm kin to the celebrities! :)

The taping of the show is kind of a funny story. They actually filmed for the show back in January or something. They spent an entire day filming my uncle standing by the water's edge looking "pensive"- which is something of a family joke now.

If you know my Dad, you will see right away which person is his brother- they have similar looks and very similar personalities. It's actually a pretty scary thing when you get all my dad, uncles and my aunt together. One uncle is working for Homeland Security, one uncle (the one in the show) is a retired cop and current investigator and fishing guide ("Fish Happens") not to mention the vice mayor of the town he lives in, my Dad is a retired military cop, and my aunt is the director of PR for UCLA (former editor-in-chief of the LA Times and PR rep for Steven Spielberg and the Director's Guild)... so lots of powerful personalities and even more- tons of laughs!

So, I'm done bragging on my family now, but be sure to watch Dateline NBC this Sunday and let me know what you think!

Wii Fit

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I got the hard-to-come-by Wii Fit for my birthday. Let me just tell you, I'm diggin' it! When you first start, you have to do a "Fit Test." This incorporates your age, height, weight, BMI, and a balance test. I did one, then Todd did one. I'm proud to say that my Wii Fit age is 32 (remember I'm 29) and Todd's was 40! Crazy, I know. Then I put Luke on it and his Wii Fit age was a whopping 30! I think now that he knows what he's supposed to do, his age will come way down, but it was pretty funny.

So, the games are pretty cool. I like the slalom skiing. Other favorites are ski jumping, hula hooping, balance boards, and soccer heading. Oh yeah, the step aerobics is kind of fun, too. I haven't tried the yoga yet, or much of the strength training stuff, but so far this game rocks! Nothing like working up a sweat playing video games (yes, you really do sweat... especially if you do the running)! Don't be fooled, though, this game is serious about your fitness. It will actually get on to you if you skip days... and nobody wants to get told off by their video game. ;)

Moral of the story: I recommend the Wii Fit- it's worth the trouble of getting it.

Happy Birthday, Todd!

Happy Birthday, Todd! I know it's tough having a birthday the day after mine because as you like to say, "We always celebrate your birthday, but not mine." Well, that's not completely true... there was the party last year... but I'm afraid it's happened again. We'll be spending your b-day at VBS tonight. Sorry, sorry! I promise, we'll do something Saturday to celebrate!

I hope you have a great day despite work and VBS, and even more, I hope you have a great year. I love you lots! XOXO

P.S. The Wii Fit is awesome! I'll post more about it later... Thanks!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I have had one crazy week so far... I've been completely stressed about directing VBS, but I've made it through the hard part and I've actually been enjoying it for the past two days. Working with little kids is definitely not my gift, but I think it's turned out okay. I celebrated my 29th birthday today. The day has actually been really great thanks to a lot of caring friends and family. I was showered with goodies at VBS (muffins, doughnuts, cupcakes, candy, caramel frappuccino, watermelon) , not to mention a beautiful bouquet of roses (thanks Jennifer and Kathryn!). Everyone even sang "Happy Birthday" to me during the opening of VBS this morning. All day long the kids were wishing me a happy day and giving lots of hugs. This is the reward for a lot of stress leading up to VBS! I went to the parking lot after it was over and my car had been decorated with fun sayings, my favorite of which was "30 is the new 20" (even though I'm ONLY 29 people!!!).

I took a little time to relax at home, then went to dinner with Todd, the boys, and my mom and dad at Saltgrass (yummy!). I came home to a scavenger hunt for my birthday present. Eventually, it led to a new Wii Fit!!! It is AWESOME! I just spent the last 45 minutes or so playing on it. Love it!

Thanks for a great day everybody! Tomorrow it's Todd's turn!

Sorry!

I know it's been forever since I posted... I've been consumed by all things VBS! Don't worry... after this week it's all over and I'll be back to frequent posting. I just wanted to say "Thanks" to all of the people who have been helping me with this huge undertaking. It requires A LOT of work, and I've needed every last one of you who have helped, so... "Thanks!" Now, I'm tired so I'm going to bed.

Fabulous Fourth

I love the 4th of July! Not just because it signifies the beginning of my birth month, but because it is a true summer holiday- lots of cookouts, fireworks, and playing out in the sun. We had a great time this year with a couple of 4th celebrations. They began Thursday night when Todd's work had a party complete with live band, free food, rock wall & other games and a spectacular fireworks show. The picture above was taken by one of Todd's co-workers. Pictured from left to right: Adam & Molly (Payt's crush); Heather & Derek; Payt on my lap (Todd and Luke were just to the right of me, not pictured).
On Friday, the 4th, Rusty & his extended family invited us up to his parent's house for their annual celebration. It was so nice to spend a relaxing evening with friends. Payt was doing his shy routine for Mitzi in the picture above. Both boys had a wonderful time playing with Hope and some of Luke's buddies from school. Luke made a new best friend in Rusty's dad since he let him help set up fireworks... Luke thought it was awesome and thought he was big stuff (he is!). Payt was a little concerned by some of the fireworks, but found solace on the lap of Hope's grandma.
Oh yeah, Luke & Payt drove their Gator over to the festivities, which they thought was really cool. And what's a post without a Luke & Hope picture???

Tonight we got to enjoy even more fireworks sitting on our front porch watching a neighbor's spectacular show down the road. I love July!

Also, a special shout out to my bro who is in Iraq... Happy 4th Buzz... we missed you! It's thanks to people like you (and Dad, Papa Stogsdill, Papa Tyler) that we can even celebrate this holiday. You rock.

That's right... two posts in one day, and you thought I didn't have anything to say!

You know how most kids who are strong willed are that way about what they wear or what they eat? Well, my strong willed child (Payt) is strong willed about his music. He is 3. Everytime we step foot in the vehicle, he HAS to listen to his songs... which consist of Slow Ride (his favorite song in the whole world), Rock and Roll All Nite (his 2nd fav.), anything Van Halen or Weezer, and much to my pride, Def Leppard (we all know the best song in the world is "Pour Some Sugar On Me"). Did I mention he is only 3??? What will life be like when he is a teenager? I think I have a rock star on my hands.

When there's nothing else to say...

Okay, so life has not been that interesting for me lately, so all you're getting from me today is a little update on my training. I "officially" started training 8 days ago for my 3-Day/60-mile breast cancer walk. In the past 8 days I have walked 22 miles- mostly on hills and in 90 degree heat! Yikes! Now, my friend "G" would say "no big deal- anybody could do that" (thanks, by the way, you're very encouraging!) ;) but I say let's see you. So the challenge is out there, G. Can you really do it???