Why my boyfriend is the best

So I had a long day at work today

I came home at 7 pm

and walked in my apartment door

and opened my fridge and found this......

In case you can't tell there was a plate with

a note under it saying

"Katie, enjoy your dinner, I love you!

What did my fab boyfriend make me?

The egg salad I had been craving!!!

He also bought croissants, avocados and fruit and

made this fancy presentation.

He is the best!!!

Food for Thought

This week there seems to be a lot of discussions happening around me on topic of Christianity and homosexuality and how those two intermingle.

This week at my church there was a panel discussion on homosexuality.

The event was sponsored by the church, the local gay and lesbian center, the independent (which is an alternative newspaper, here in the springs) focus on the family and other agencies.

Each panelist was a CHRISTIAN who also happened to be either have struggled with homosexuality or be gay.

There were different viewpoints.

A few were men who struggled with homosexuality, and now are married to women and have children.

There was a women who are a psychotherapist and came out of the closet when she was 30. Another was a pastor, who has married his partner and they live a very happy life together.

Here is what the main stream newspaper said about the event.

Overall, I found it very intriguing. I give a lot of courage to those individuals who got up on stage and told very intimate, vulnerable and personal details of their life. I have many thoughts on how christianity and homosexuality intertwine.

Another avenue I also interesting reading a blog from a radio dj from back home where I grew up on the topic.

It was thought provoking for myself because I grew up in a very conservative Christian area, yet majored in social work.

In which the stereotype for social workers is known to be bleeding heart liberals. This combination of my spiritual and educational views interacting with one another was tough to say the least.

Lots of people get into the discussion of nature vs. nurture on the issue. But one panelist made the point that if this were a choice, believe you me I wouldn't have chosen to be gay. I don't know a gay friend that would have chosen to be ridiculed, abused, and hated.

I also think in general it is good practice to bring people together, who disagree with one another, to a forum where they can kindly debate a topic.

Usually an issue that is passionate and personal. Listen to one another. As it is stated in James, Be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry. Good rule of thumb when engaging with others who are different then you and probably have a diverse life experience which vastly differs from your own.

Does it matter what I believe?

Not really.

But what I will tell you,

and what I am about

and the people that I chose to surround myself with.

Is that I try not to judge. I am human and judge just like others do.

However it enrages me when "christians" hate someone based on a label.

Based on the fact that they have never had a spoken conversation with the

person whose head the label is above.

They have never asked the person about themselves,

or their life,

or why they are the way they are.

I am an observer of people.

I love people and what I can tell you is that bottom line, what I have observed/learned

there is usually a reason why people make the choices they do and the behaviors they exhibit.

What I believe today has changed from what I believed when I was in high school,

I can tell you that.

Don't give Christianity a bad rap people.

Seriously.

There are way too many people like that already out there.

These are my own thoughts.

Humble at best.

You are more then free to disagree with me.

But I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter too.

Things to Celebrate

So yesterday was mine and james' anniversary.

I made reservations at the black bear restaurant up in green mountain falls as a surprise to him. I thought this will be the perfect place for him. 4 star dining. crazy fancy menu. He'll love it!

So I pull up to his house

(I was driving, since it was a surprise for him of where we were going)

He was standing at the end of his driveway with a smile on his face.

I had his letter in an envelope for him and he read it on the way up.

He loved the letter and said it meant so much to him.

Meant everything :)

He tried to guess where we were going.

He had no idea.

So I was giving him a hint here and there.

Then we get off at the chipita park exit off of hwy 24

and then we pulled into the black bear restaurant

Where there is not....

ONE CAR!!!

in the parking lot!

I was so sad!

I told him on the way up that when

I left a message for our reservations that the man sounded very laid back in the message and said if you want anything special let us know, if you are calling to confirm, consider yourself confirmed and we will see ya here and can't wait to meet ya!

The reason I never got a call back was two fold.

they don't do call backs

AND

they weren't open!

So I pouted/laughed for a second.

Then we walked around green mountain falls for a little bit.

Walked around the lake.

Geese were flying over the frozen water.

James stepped on the frozen ice and almost fell in.

We walked under the gazebo.

It was great.

Then we walked around the little shops (all three of them)

james knocked on a door and someone from inside said "read the sign knucklehead",

very meanly so we ran away.

Then we walked down the middle of the road and I made some comment about us not fitting in.

He said you are a vision.

Here in this off season small town

There is a beautiful woman walking down the main thoroughfare

with her big smile

blond curly hair

you are a vision.

Really spicing things up here in green mountain falls.

So then we drove and ended up at the Cliff house in manitou.

Walked in and it was errily quiet.

We got seated.

James said do you know the 4 things that all chefs/food critics will agree on,

that if these 4 factors are there.

You will have an incredible evening.

1. good food

2. good wine.

3. great service.

4. good company

He said with those things there is no way that you can have a bad evening.

And we didn't.

Our waiter was polite, impeccable and right on task.

We got duck crepes for an appetizer.

Then for entrees, I got the filet Mignon with Black Truffle Stuffed and Blue Cheese Topped FiletHorseradish and Honey Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus and Veal Jusand

he got the Fruits De MerBlack Tiger Shrimp, Maine Lobster, Sea ScallopsGrilled Summer Squash, Angel Hair PastaSaffron Fumet

The food was incredible.

I loved listening to james teach me more about the food and fine dining.

I eat up everything he says when he talks about food.

I love listening to him.

I just find it so interesting with all the knowledge he has about food.

He taught me about smelling the hi's and lo's of the wine.

The difference in smells and what they mean.

It was heavenly, just to spend an evening with him.

Where we weren't stressed, or talking about icky work drama.

Just us.

I am falling in love with this man.

I am in love with him.

We laugh a lot together!

He even makes me snort because I am laughing so hard (its real cute ;) not!

At dinner James kept putting his hand out for me to place mine in his, and at certain points I thought you've already held my hand like 10 times tonight.

But he just wanted to hold my hand.

Sometimes the cynical part in me tells him we can't be the ooey gooey couple in public,

because I used to find it gagging when I was on the other side of the coin.

But as we strolled through manitou last night, holding hands and came across the bridge where the river was running underneath our feet and the cold air was kissing our cheeks and he wrapped his arms around me from behind and we were just quiet, just listening to the river.

I thought I would rather be nowhere else on earth, at that moment.

Celebrations are important.

They make you remember those moments which can quickly pass you by if you don't stop and grab ahold of them and burn them into your memory.

I think that is why I try and take the time to journal/write/blog because it is important to remember the little details. The details that I won't remember a year down the road.

So there you have an intimate personal look into my heart today.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Take a moment today to just breathe in deep and notice who is around you and laugh, smile, and tell them you appreciate/love them.

Easter

My friend Jennifer Cheney made a great post about our Easter.

So instead of reinventing the wheel.

You can see a collection of my Easter from her perspective here. Now granted keep in mind she is much more creative then I, but you get the jist :)

It was so much fun yesterday.

We had an easter egg hunt rendition with presents!

I love my friends, they are so fun!

My sister!

Today is her 25th birthday!

She truly is the best and look at how absolutely beautiful she is!

She is a fearless woman.

Who has the kindest heart around.

She makes me laugh.

She is a great mom!

And her daughter is a little diva at the age of not even 2 yet!

She is just the kind of person you want to call when you have

had a bad day and she will just listen

and offer just the thing you need to hear

She is becoming my best friend.

And is a great secret keeper.

and I love her!

Hope you are as lucky as me to have someone you can be real, vulnerable and honest with.

Happy birthday little sissy!

My mama

It is her birthday today!!!!!

If you don't know my mom, let me fill you in on this woman.

She is a lover.

She is a nurturer. Meaning if there is a crying baby within 100 yards of her, they will stop crying because she has this innate ability to soothe/calm babies. Babies can sense her coming near and instantly stop crying :)

She is an incredible, steadfast woman of the Lord. Even in the most difficult life circumstance my mom continues to trust in her Lord. When I would have long given up. She remains steady and faithful.

She is positive. Even when you just want her to agree with you on something. She won't. Because for her she is determined to be optimistic.

She is a great mom. Takes care of you when you are sick. I wish I had her close to me when I am sick and just want my mom to take care of me.

She is a great cook. This woman loves to cook and does it with a happy heart. And let me tell you, she makes some incredible food.

She loves her family. Would sacrifice anything of her own volition to do something for her family if they needed her.

Giggles when she drinks wine. I get the giggles from her.

I am honored to have her at my mum. And hope someday to be half of the self sacrificing woman she is.

Love you to bits mamasita!