Funny Comments by Sean

I have to brag on my husband - just a little bit - not too much cause he will get a big head but a little.

He has done an amazing job taking care of me this past week. With a broken ankle I'm pretty much out on all household duties - cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc. In our normal world Sean typically does most of the cooking while I stick to the cleaning. It's a pretty good system and we've grown quite found of it. (I'm actually working really hard to suppress my OCD cleaning tendencies until I'm back on both feet)

Now that I am down to the use of one leg Sean has taken over all duties plus his school studies, going to class and taking and picking me up from the train. He also leads our community group and takes meals to a family that is currently facing some tough times once a week. To say the kid is a superstar would be an understatement.

By the time I get home from work I'm completely exhausted - (please see below for my awesome knee scooter that I am currently riding around the city. I know I look ridiculous but the thing is a life saver and gives everybody in my office a good laugh. Also please note that I now have to use the handicap lift on and off the metra to get to work - I feel like I'm living in a completely different world). Once home from work I have a new routine of walking in the door and falling into our green comfy chair and resting my leg for the rest of the evening. Sean then lovingly cooks dinner, serves me and cleans the dishes. He also helps me in and out of our shower since we don't have a bathtub and it takes a pretty scary hop to get into the shower.

He really is just the greatest but I also have to share his funny comments. For those of you who know our relationship Sean and I are big jokers, are rarely serious with each other and are full of sarcasm. These characteristics aren't for everyone but they work for us. So below are some funny comments that my husband has made since I've broken my ankle. Please don't take them the wrong way but understand that a huge part of our relationship is humor.

Comment 1: (Sean walking out the door to night class)
"Okay, so don't fall or anything because I'm not going to answer my phone while I'm in class."

Comment 2:
Me: "I'm so thankful for everything you've been doing lately, I will be able to help out as soon as my ankle is better"
Sean: "I know, when you're better I'm not doing anything for a month - seriously I may even leave the toilet seat up for kicks"

Comment 3: (Sean riding my knee scooter throughout the house)
"I just did a 90 degree turn on this thing - Mik you really don't have to keep all 3 wheels on the ground all the time"

Comment 4: (texting)
Me: "I'm good - mom helped me get in the shower earlier which was much needed"
Sean: "Yea you did stink"

Comment 5:
Sean now refers to me as "Scoot" or "Scooter" - a lovely nickname that will probably be around for a while. I receive several texts throughout the day that say "Hey scoot, how's it going?"

Comment 6: (texting last Tuesday which wasn't my greatest day)
Me: "I'm okay, had a melt down earlier but I'm okay now."
Sean: "Happens to the best of us. I threw coffee on Cathy (my mom) when I got home because I was so emotional"

There have been several other funny comments from Mr. DeWitt this past week but I'll leave those between us for now. I'm very thankful that God has blessed me with such a selfless and funny husband. As my wonderful Grandmother told me this past weekend "Y'all did a good days work finding each other" - just makes me smile thinking about this. I pray our life would be filled with many more opportunities where we can show Christ's selfless love to one another - (hopefully we are done with the broken bones though). It really has to be Him working through us otherwise we'd never be able to do this on our own. It hasn't been easy the entire time but through the difficulty we've learned to turn to God and seek his Spirit.

Hope y'all enjoy the awesome pictures of my permanent cast and knee scooter below!




















Also Sean believes that the knee scooter should have a name so if you have some creative ideas let me know.

A Broken Ankle

Please excuse my lack of blogging! Not sure where I've been but it's been way too long since I've blogged.

This past week has been extremely busy for us!

Monday was Valentine's Day - Sean surprised me at work with flowers and homemade cookies! He really is the best! I love that he came all the way down to the city just to ride the train back with me! Since we are on a "graduate college budget" we had a romantic dinner at Chick-Fil-A. Which I couldn't have been happier about! I also bought Sprinkles cupcakes on my lunch break as a surprise for him! Let's just say we didn't need to eat for the rest of the week after all those calories!

Tuesday night we had community group after work with our great friends!

Wednesday was crazy at work and then I flew out that night to Cleveland which is where our company headquarters is located for an all day meeting on Thursday. I got in around 11 and Sean's dad picked me up from the airport and I stayed at their house. I got about 5 hours of sleep, had breakfast with his mom and sister and then headed to the office with his dad. Did I mention that I am working at the same company as Sean's dad? I love it!

Thursday we had our all day meeting, grabbed a quick bite to eat before our flight and arrived in Chicago at 8. My parents got in town at noon on Thursday for a weekend visit and I couldn't wait to see them! I finally got home around 9:30 after the world's longest cab ride home and got to catch up with them!

Friday I was exhausted at work and it ended up being a really busy day! Sean and my parents came to the city to meet me for lunch and then they went to visit the Field Museum for the afternoon. We met up when I was done with work for a great dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar! It was delicious and I enjoyed a tasty margarita with my dinner - much needed after a busy week!

We had big plans for Saturday - lots of shopping and catching up on life. I was so excited! I hadn't seen my parents since Christmas and had been counting down the days until their visit. My mom and I started the day off with a fun run through Glen Ellyn. This was the first week that the sun has been out in ages and the weather has been amazing - the snow is almost gone! We started out doing great then we came to an ice patch on the sidewalk, we walked in the grass to avoid it, then we had to walk on part of a driveway to get to the next part of the side walk and the next thing I knew something in my ankle popped and then I was in the grass/mud. As soon as I landed I knew I did something to it, we called Sean and he came to pick us up. Of course in the mean time someone had called 911 and the police and an ambulance showed up - I was beyond embarrassed and kindly told them that I was fine and didn't need their help! We then made a trip to the emergent care clinic, waited a couple hours (which all I could think about was "I'd really rather be shopping" - selfish I know but I really didn't want to waste the only day I had with my parents in a doctor's office). After the X-rays they told me that my ankle was broken. I really couldn't believe it - I've never broken a bone in my life and I really didn't think it was broken. I could move it some and we thought it would look a lot worse if it was broken. The weird part was that the doctor talked to us for 10 minutes about my injury and what happened before she told me that it was broken - I kept thinking "maybe you should have started out with that news first sister!" As soon as she told me I started crying, I wasn't in pain I just didn't want to have to miss out on a great weekend with my parents and we are suppose to go skiing in a couple weeks with Sean's family so I knew I'd be out on that.

So now I've got an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on Monday to get an exact game plan (hopefully no surgery is needed and it's a clean break). I'll be getting a permanent cast then too. I'm not allowed to go to the city for work until I have my permanent cast. Getting around the city on crutches should be interesting to say the least! Let's hope I don't fall in the middle of a cross walk!

Though this weekend hasn't gone as I would have planned I know we are beyond blessed with great family, amazing friends, great health (minus a broken ankle : ) ) and I've got some great care-takers right now! Most importantly we serve a mighty God who loves us beyond our understanding.

Below are some pics from today's adventure!

P.S. prayers would be appreciated that I would learn to be patient and sit still - two things I'm not very good at : ) and for Sean as he will helping me out till I'm off the crutches

Please excuse my unpolished toes! Temporary Cast

Where's Your Heart Tonight?

It's a simple question. Where's your heart tonight? What's consuming you? What are you dwelling on?

For me it's an easy answer. I'm beyond nervous about my new job. I only have 2 days left at my current job before starting my new job in the city. The nerves started setting in this past Monday and have been pretty constant. My head is swimming with worries, doubts, fears, insecurity. What if I show up and have absolutely no idea how to do anything? What if I don't connect with anyone? What if I don't like it? What if I've made a mistake leaving my current job?

I'm trying to keep my head focused but it's honestly been a challenge not to let the fears overwhelm me.

I'm not the type of person who gets nervous frequently but when I do...let's just say I'm a bit of a mess. I like to be in control and I like to know exactly how to do whatever task I'm suppose to do. And when I feel like I may not know how to do everything perfectly that is expected of me I don't handle it well : ) According to my mother I have always been like this, so at least I'm consistent!

So for tonight this is what I am trying to focus on:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. " - Philippians 4:4-9

I love this verse because it's not just a suggestion or recommendation but it's a command "Do not be anxious about anything..." We are not to worry about what tomorrow may bring but have faith that God is sovereign and faithful to those who fear Him. He hears our prayers and is faithful to answer them. He is near to us and His peace will console our weak hearts. I have faith that the Lord has brought me to this new job according to His perfect will. & "...Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

I'm so thankful that we serve such a mighty and loving God, I'm so glad my life is about Him and not about me. So thankful for all His many blessings.

Love and miss you all!

Change in Perspective

I spent most of my day worrying about myself, my life, my job, my long commute (also yelling at other drivers who drove too slow for me)...everything had to do with me.
Then I came across this blog tonight and had a great change in perspective by the Lord.
How quickly my viewpoint changed. Please spend some time reading and praying for the people of Haiti tonight. I spent some time just looking through the pictures and praying for all the faces I saw. Pray specifically for my friend Katelyn's team that will be traveling to Haiti in the first part of November. Pray that God would use them in mighty ways, that they would share God's love and salvation to all those they encounter and that they would feel God's presence and spirit leading them each and every day. Please pray that MANY people would come to know our loving Father, that they may rest in his arms and feel the peace & comfort that is His love. Praying for you Kate, be safe and know we are praying for you!

http://beyondthismountain.blogspot.com/

Fun New Pics!

Here are a few fun pics from our recent adventures!

How is it already October?

I'm not sure where the time has gone but it is already mid-October and I can't remember the last time I updated our blog.

Here is a quick recap of what has been going on

1. On September 14th, my sweet Grandma Helen met Jesus. On August 22nd we discovered that she had an bleed in her brain, she immediately had surgery and made it through but never fully healed from the damage that had been done. My incredible mom, aunt, cousin and sister all stayed by her side day and night for the next weeks and tended to her every care. They showered her with love, grace and respect. They read scripture over her, sang hymns to her & my sister would wash her feet & rub them with lotion so she could be comfortable (can't help but think of when Jesus washed his disciples feet). It was amazing to hear how they would stay by her side, night and day and just love on her. It was extremely hard being far away & not being able to help take care of her but God provided supernatural strength and comfort to my family during this time. I know she felt their love and care during those final days. And ultimately I know that Lord welcomed her home, into a place where there are no tears, where there is joy that we can't imagine, and all the Heavenly Hosts are singing praises to the Him. I feel that this has been a season where the Lord is teaching me that all that is in this world is His. Through this season of loss I have felt the Lord pressing on my heart that even though we may lose people or things of this world, ultimately it doesn't matter - all that exists is His and this world is only a temporary stop before we spend eternity with our King. My aunt and mom asked that I read scripture at her service, they asked that I read Psalm 23 - The very next line after Psalm 23 is the first part of Psalm 24 and it reads "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains" - what peace this scripture delivers, knowing that it's all His, it's all in His hands - what a wonderful perspective this is. I miss her so much but am so excited about where she is. I'm not sad for her (a little sad for us who are here without her) but very excited for the day when I get to see her again!

Also, I have been slightly obsessed with the below lyrics & YouTube link from Hillsong United.
This song just explains the beauty and majesty that we get to look forward to!

You Hold Me Now

VERSE 1:
On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

PRE CHORUS 1:
Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

CHORUS:
No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

VERSE 2:
In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day

PRE CHORUS 2:
Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

BRIDGE:
For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT2v0NodZRs


2. I.turned.25.
Still not sure how I feel about this number but celebrating sure was fun!
It's hard being away from family and friends on my birthday but Sean did a great job making me feel special! We saw the Lion King this past weekend and it was a wonderful date! Very grateful for the fun adventures we get to have right now! I forgot how much I loved that movie and all the songs from it!

3. Sean and his Mom ran the Chicago marathon!
Let me just tell you, these 2 have so much more dedication than I ever will! I am so proud of them both. It was a hot day for the Chicago marathon and they both finished with great times! Sean took a short trip to the medical tent afterwards due to some dehydration and muscle cramping but after some Gatorade he was released! That part I could have done without but I had Bill and Michele there to keep me company while we waited for our brave and fast runner! I even got to hang out with one of my favorite people that day! Mrs. Brooke Robinson was in town watching Finley run the marathon and we happened to stumble upon each other before the race started! We got to play all day together while the boys were running their hearts out! I love her so much! Not only is she a brilliant photographer but she is so stinkin' fun! Also, please note that my mother-in-law got 7th place out of her age group! 7th place!! She is AMAZING! I'm not even sure if I could walk a marathon and she took 7th place! So proud of her!

4. I.Got.A.New.Job.
Still feels weird to say this but I got a new job this past week.
I'm excited and scared all at the same time. It's in the city so I will now be taking the train to work and won't have to be driving my car 10+ hours a week. It's just so surreal to think that I am old enough to be working in the city of Chicago. I'm from a town where our highway was a two-lane road and now I'm working in a HUGE city. It's a great next step in my career, I've got a lot to learn and I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me at this new company. It's sad to leave my friends at my current job, my current boss is my best friend that I have here so it's definitely going to be hard leaving her. Last Monday I pulled her aside and said I needed to talk to her as a friend & that a new opportunity had come up for me and I didn't know what to do. After I explained the details to her she immediately and without hesitation said "You have to go, Mik", "you have to go" - I couldn't ask for a better boss or friend. Even though she knew she would be losing a worker, she put me and my career before herself. You just don't find people like that very often.

I'm sure that there are more updates but these are the big ones! I'll post pictures soon too!
Love and miss you all!

Heroes

I have lots of heroes in my life but I thought I would highlight one of them tonight...this young woman just leaves me speechless. I hope you enjoy her blog and come away changed

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/