Monday, August 28, 2006

A video of Elizabeth's birth

OK, so I had a great weekend in Grand Rapids, meeting my niece Elizabeth Anne for the first time. She's so cute, so tiny.... Here's a link to a video my brother Jason created of her birth. Warning: get out your Kleenex. He claims that it's unfinished but who cares, it's amazing. Keep watching after the "black"; there are extra pictures and clips after it.

http://blog.myspace.com/jaqforshort

Friday, August 25, 2006

The Duct Tape Bible

Looking for a new Bible? Need something sturdy? Try the new Duct Tape Bible in Silver or Camouflage.

http://www.buzzplant.com/thomasnelson/ducttape/ecard1/

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

So a busload comes in at closing time...

I closed at Starbucks last night. We close at 10 p.m., but technically 10:10. At 10:05, a bus (literally, a bus) pulls in and about 15 people come to the door. The door is still unlocked due to the 10-minute rule, though I've switched a few lights off.

As they open the door and look at the posted hours sign, they notice that it's after 10. They look in at me and timidly ask, "You still open?"

Now, here's the dilemma. I have one register in drive-thru open, enough stuff on hand to make drinks, but it's after 10 and these people have looked at the sign, don't know about the 10-minute rule but still have the gall to ask if we're still open. Half of me wants to tell them to go away, but the Starbucks side of me (although reluctantly, I'll admit) says, "Sure, we can help you." So, they proceed to come in and stare at the menu, then order mostly Frappuccinos (of course). After we finish their drinks, they slowly move towards the door, "I guess we can't stay," says one. Another girl looks at Paula, one of my crew, and sweetly says, "Have fun closing." Though I'm sure she didn't mean to be condescending, it flew all over us. "Have fun closing," we mimicked for the remaining 30 minutes we were there.

Of course, when you see 15 people standing in line, your inclination would be that the store is still open. So, one girl, not with the group, walks in and asks, "Can I still get a drink? You can say, 'No.'" Don't give me the option to say, "No." I might take it this time. We got her drink, too.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Who are the REAL American Idols?

Duh, we are!

3_amigos_preshow

The_REAL_idols

The girls (Jenni, Kim, Sonya, Beth and myself) went to "American Idols Live" last night. It was quite fun, especially to see Chris perform, though my fellow concertgoers got a little more caught up in Idol Spirit than I did.

Sunday, August 6, 2006

Addendum One to Colorado: Forgot to Post

To Kansas City: Day Seven

We've spent far too many hours together in the van. We're halfway home though! Waiting on the pizza to come to the hotel room.

Sonya and I created a list of "superlatives" for the kids: best dressed, funniest, best hair after whitewater rafting.... We're going to hand them out at youth Wednesday.

Quote of the Day:

As Sonya and I were determining the "superlatives," Matt Taylor calls from the back of the van, "I think I should be most prettiest."

Unless something completely crazy happens, I think we've determined the Quote of the Trip:

When the doors opened Saturday morning for the opening session, everyone raced in to get seats, for United was in the house! One of our girls, small and quick, had a load of books and jackets ready to throw down in a full row of seats for us to come in right after her and sit down. Doors open, she's in, we follow. In less than two minutes, she meets our group in disarray saying, "That lady came in and took our seats." So, we regroup and get the kids back over into the far back section that they'd been stuck in for every meeting to that point.

In the meantime, our youth pastor Jeremy goes down to the lady and the kids filling up "our" row and gets her to admit that she in fact came down and moved our stuff. To which he says to the lady, "This [pointing at the chairs and her kids] makes you stinky." He takes a couple steps, turns, points and says, "Stinky."

More pictures of Baby Elizabeth!

My brother is slowly but surely keeping his two sisters updated with pictures since we can't be there with the family in MI.

Mom and Daughter meeting:

2006_0731baby0015

Sweet face:

babygril 018

With Grandma & Grandpa Chapman:

babygril 027

Sweet Grandma:

babygril 028

Grandpa doing what he does best, napping with his head against the wall:

babygril 029

Tuesday, August 1, 2006

A child is born!

My brother called last night at 9:10 with the news. My niece, Elizabeth Ann, was born at 9 p.m. on Monday, July 31, was five pounds and nine ounces, 19 inches long. Everyone is doing well! Man, you gotta love that middle name.... Jason sent me some pictures...

Introducing Baby Elizabeth Ann Chapman:
Brand new baby

In a hat

The Grandpas:
Grandpas

Meeting Grandma & Grandpa Chapman...the coolest parents ever, might I add:
Grandma & Grandpa