fun at work

Just a glimpse of our fun at work...

Friday is Eric's 20th anniversary with Securian.
This is part of our congrats to him - I like my job.
We asked people to write well-wishes, kind messages
or helpless slanderous statements about him and stick it to him :)

Kaylee Hope

Today was a sad, purple day.
( a sentiment obviously not well-reflected in the photo below)
Today was Kaylee Hope's memorial service.

I've never seen so many people wearing purple - and not to
support of a sports team like the Vikings. It was endearing.

No one looks forward to funerals or memorial services. Duh.
I'm a cry-er. I will freely admit that. Though I don't have children,
I can imagine the pain the Joey and Jamie feel - at least in some way.
Today hurt me. Therefore, I cannot imagine how they hurt.
I was humbled and comforted by the sea of purple honoring Kaylee.
And I appreciated the pastor's message, very clearly stating
the gospel message. After all, that's what it's all about.
Even in the face of death (or maybe especially in the face of death)
the gospel of Jesus is a bright beacon of hope.
While we struggle with brokenness and sin here on earth,
we - as believers and followers of Jesus - have the promise
of a fulfilled, grand whole picture of eternity with the Lord.
It's unfair that Joey and Jamie have to experience this loss.
My heart aches for them; I am often without words.

My prayer has been and will continue to be that the Lord will
show His faithfulness in the coming hours, days, weeks,
months and years so that Kaylee's short but sweet life
would be yet another avenue for the Whites to know the love,
steadfastness and awesome power of their Lord and Savior.
I'm positive that praying that over them will mean that
they experience the awesome power of God in the comfort of
friends and family, who rise up as the body of Christ.
I'm confident that the Lord will be their unfailing rock
and refuge, unlike any friend or family member can be -
though I know He uses those around us to minister to us.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
- Psalm 62: 5-8

2 weekends

The spring is seeming busier than I originally imagined.
Last weekend was Krista's bachelorette party in Rochester.

We played some awesome slumber-party games like Sardines!
This photo is taken in the bathroom while waiting for Krista to hide.

We "did" hair as creatively as we could. I added floss to Kim's hair.

Yes, we are this silly :) Such a fun weekend!

This weekend we went to Des Moines to see Jamie, Rachel & Ava.
Rach worked Saturday morning so Aaron and I entertained Ava.
This is Uncle-dad Aaron reading Dr. Seuss to Ava (very short-lived)

I tried to get her to look at me to take the picture but
she would much rather look outside.

It's much easier to get her to look at the camera when
her mom is standing behind the photographer :)

In other news, work is going well. There is a LOT to learn.
I've obviously not learned all there is to know in the 1 week
I've been there but I like the girls I work with and it seems
like a good step for me. It's been nice to be at home with Aaron
in the evenings. We've moved on from crockpot recipes at
night to some simple 30 minute ones (which take 45-60 for me)

praying in purple

This is why my blog was in purple.
I cannot imagine the depth of the pain
it takes to say goodbye to Kaylee Hope.
Please continue to pray for the Whites
even after my blog no longer cries purple.
Kaylee Hope is now with Jesus.