Happy Easter!!

Update... Work still really busy, but I was productive this past week, so yay for that!  As for working out, training is going well and they're pushing me harder now, which is a good thing... I think?  I went on a LaFortune walk with Sarah and Laura... then ran with Natalie and the running group... then on Saturday, ran LaFortune twice with Natalie and Bobbi.  Woohoo!  (Also, I've switched my sign-up and am now running the 7.5 mile leg of the relay race instead of the half-marathon.  So cheers to cutting my run in half!!  And to our awesome relay team!) 

Malori stopped by on Thursday on her way home for Easter... Natalie met us and we had dinner at Los Cabos!  Friday night, Chet Lee and Sarah came over... and Chet showed me his awesome new car, Marcus Aurelius! :)  Speaking of new things - lol - I'm liking the "try new things" plan.  This week, the theme was food... I ate bean dip, asparagus, and a fried mushroom... all for the first time!  I also went to Joe Momma's pizza for the first time on Saturday, not that that was daring or anything, but new, yes.  After dinner, we came back to my place and Chet and I taught Natalie the line dances. =)  Natalie went w/me to Caravan (first time she'd been there) and really loved it!  I hate the smoky atmosphere, but the dancing really is addictive... just so much fun!  Jeff has been taking classes and definitely learned some new dance moves, so there's another fun new thing! lol  Also, Amanda danced with the infamous "camera guy," so that was memorable. :) 

We had rehearsal yesterday, and today, I sang in the choir for the first time at Battle Creek.  And loved it!  Got to meet several new people, and being an alto, I stood right in the center and could hear the guys really clearly.  Oh, I just loooove the sound of men really singing out strong on worship songs... so powerful. 

This is the first year in a long time I wasn't with my family for Easter, but we usually don't do anything big for it, and I got to have an awesome Easter dinner with great friends at Bobbi's house!  Lasagna, salad, breadsticks, and asparagus. :)  And Bobbi dyed Easter eggs for all of us with our names on them as the centerpiece - cuteness!  I was in charge of dessert, so I did brownies and ice cream sundaes, since that's super easy. :)  But since I'm on a trying new things kick, I did the "candy road brownies" recipe - with marshmellows and M&Ms and heath bar and peanut butter chips... yeah!  Would've been fantastic if I'd cooked them a smidge longer... I so hate doughiness. 

Hmm, other than the above, I've watched the first 5 video sessions of Breaking Free, and God has been SO real to me, and the last two videos were very personal and relevant to what I'm going through.  LOVE it.  I'm DETERMINED to have the abundant life and freedom only found in Christ, and I will sacrifice whatever it takes to get there.  Anyway, fun week and great Easter Sunday. 

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Vindicator, and no matter what we are going through, we KNOW that He lives and will be coming back for us ...soon!  So be ready, and get excited!!  Happy Easter!