Faith

What is this word????? Any one who keeps up with our never ending crazy life,stop and take time to think about the word Faith. Let me know, I look forward to reading your opinions....

Where's Dan.....????

I know you are all secretly looking for him - and reading my blogs - just because you clicked over here, so you might as well read while your here...........

What can I say? - after a week of VACATION, I guess real life hit him square in the face.
And he hasn't quite figured out how BLOGGING could actually fit in to the REAL LIFE puzzle.

Don't worry - he'll come around.

Wednesday Worship - Empty Me of Me

I've been thinking alot this week about what it really means to WORSHIP.

Some of my cool blogger friends have got me thinkin' that - pretty much -  I need to think about it more.

I've seen so many people describe WORSHIP in totally different ways.

What is it?

What should it look like?

What does it mean?

Does it have to involve music?

Does it have to involve preaching?

Does it have to be on Sunday?

(So Far) I've come to two conclusions:

1 -

I need to spend more time thinking, focusing, and studying on it, because I would eventually like to come up with a DESCRIPTION of what WORSHIP (exactly) means to me. (Yes, it is a harder question than I thought)

2 - 

I DO know that every moment of every day is an opportunity for me to WORSHIP GOD. Some days I FAIL miserably..... and some days I feel God is proud of me. 

SO - while I'm on this quest, I am officially dedicating Wednesday's to "Wednesday Worship" here @thelifeinadayofthecooks. Feel free to comment if  you have anything to add.

Todays Post:

I find that I "FEEL" like I'm worshipping when:

i'm in the car

by myself

singing the song

that was just on the radio

during the 'commercials' on the radio

after that song just played

Yesterday - It was this one.

If you don't have time to listen to the whole song - check out the chorus at 2:20.

empty me

of the selfishness inside

every vain ambition

and the poison of my pride

and any foolish thing

my heart holds to

Lord, empty me of me

so I can be

filled with YOU

This

What is this?


Nope.
Guess Again.



It’s a Piece of my Childhood.

I was a lucky little girl and I have happy memories of my childhood. I grew up on Oak Street in a small town called FRUITPORT. Most of my friends were boys (Ya, don’t ask me). One of my bestest buds was my neighbor, Jeff Rohm. He was obsessed with the Dallas Cowboys. I distinctly remember the rainy day, when he peeled the “MIAMI DOLPHIN” stickers off of this and painted the “DALLAS COWBOY” stars.

Jeff and his family moved away to Ohio when I was 11. It was a very sad day. For some reason, this piece of childhood got left behind. I don’t remember the circumstances. I simply know that when I married my husband in 1995 – THIS came with me. Every time we moved, or every time he cleaned the shed, or every time he cleaned the garage – Dan would ask:
“WHAT IS THIS THING?”
“Seriously, Kristie, WE DO NOT NEED this!!”
“Why do I have to keep it in the shed??”

And every time, I simply answered:
“Dan – It’s a piece of my childhood, we’re keeping it”

So, like a nice guy that he is, Dan would ONCE AGAIN – hang it up for safe keeping.

Until last week.

Last week, I reconnected with my old friend, Jeff (thanks to the miracle of FACEBOOK)

Jeff received a package last Thursday with a piece of my childhood in it.

Because, let’s face it – it was really a piece of HIS childhood.
I just happened to share this particular piece with him.

Three Reasons I LOVE Lakeshore Community Church

Community, Fellowship, Love

Last Day

Well Last day in Chicago,back to the real world. For those of you with children and busy lives I feel that it is time for you to get away. Not the whole family but just the two of you.Kristie is the love of my life,some of the greatest times with each other are when we get away from everything. Make a trip priority this year with your spouse. Kristie, I love ya kid....... You are the greatest friend in my life and I am thankful to God for blessing me with you Together Forever

STYLE CRISIS - Help Needed

K - As we walked the streets of Chicago, Dan received countless "Double Takes". That is, many different types of people - looked at him (twice).

D - I like to believe that they were checkin' me out.

K - Yes, he is HOT, however, most of the time, I think they were checking out his CAPRIs. (He always wears capris - even his pajamas are capris - MEN in Chicago DON'T wear capris) This is his typical style.

D - Here's my question. Do I need a new style? So I can blend in better? Here's a couple of ideas..............

Option A:

Option B:

Option C:


Option D:

Option E:
K - (my personal favorite)

Option F:
K - Keeping in mind this coat is $4765

D - Please Vote for your favorite in the comment section.

'Inked' in Chicago

Nope - not me.
I'm not that crazy.

My husband decided it would be a WONDERFUL experience to take the "RED LINE" uptown to the TATTOO FACTORY. As I told him where to go most of the trip, I allowed this ONE DETOUR to the outskirts of CHICAGO - so he could get yet another TATTOO.

I could spend this entire blog talking about the RED LINE itself, as that was by far the scariest thing I have done here in the windy city.

45 minutes
packed in a HOT subway
with alot of people that don't smell very good
closing my eyes because I get motion sickness
The sacrifices you make for the one you love........


I will not mention the "outskirts" either, as Dan told me - "This is the REAL Chicago" - and I don't want to offend the people of this beautiful city.

But, I will mention the young woman that came into the tattoo parlor FOUR TIMES begging the artist to give her a "SMALL HEART & A SMALL CROSS", when she didn't have enough money. Dan almost gave her the money. I think the look on my face stopped him......

If it were up to Dan, our life savings would be in the little cups that the homeless people are shaking. Or the "basketball teams" trying to get to another state for a competition. Or the young people trying to raise money to go to a "church youth camp".
I guess, I'm not as trusting as he is.
Maybe he's just more willing to give.
Maybe he just knows what we're supposed to be doing.
Talking to the homeless guys for 15 minutes, just to find out about their lives.

Wow, I got way off subject - that's not like me...
here are some pictures of the ink.....

Blind leading the Blind

My lovely wife wanted to go to Navy Pier,it was alright.The greatest thing was yes of course spending time with Kristie:) The second was watching all the different types of people.And who says God doesn't have a sense of humor.... I am going to make this Blog short, it is our last day in this wonderful city and we must go find something to do,perhaps walk twelve bazillion blocks to realize we didn't do a thing,but sure did have fun walking. If Kristie wasn't with me I would be lost forever in the never ending blocks of Chicago.Which brings me to my next point, well not really a point, just an observation, ok not an observation, a contradiction. As Kristie and I were walking on the Navy Pier - I saw this:


Yes, this is indeed the BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.

For those of you that use this STATEMENT in conversation, I would like for you to remember - THE BLIND CAN LEAD THE BLIND. Here is proof.

We're still here

Yep, we're still in Chicago.
Just can't get enough of it.

We both agree that we love it more than NYC - which we visited last summer.
I guess mostly because it's CLEANER than NYC.

We spent yesterday visiting Millennium Park.
We ate at the Park Grill. Yummy.
We went and saw a 2 o'clock matinée of JERSEY BOYS.
(I can't even tell you how awesome that performance was.)
We had cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory.
And - to top it all off - we went to STARBUCKS 2 times.

Enough said.





Dan was lucky enough to find this SMALL patch of grass. He's a landscaper - what else can I say. I didn't have the heart to tell him that every dog in the city probably found this same SMALL patch of grass.

Friends

Alright,this is for my friend Jeff.Ya know we all cant look as good as you do, KEN. Fat people have to eat too.Thank you to both you and Kim,mostly Kim.Hard to believe that the infamous Jeff Wolf is being entrusted to watch over my children.Wow who would of thunk it.God really does have a bigger plan then we ever could have realized. Anyway cant wait for the Wolf Fam to..... well never mind Kristie stopped me before inserting my foot in my mouth.Hope we can find a Sony cord for my camera today. We have some great shots of Kim and Jeff in about 20 years vacationing in Chicago. Talk to you all soon.

Oh one question to all of you reading the Cook Family Blog, I really need to know if it would be a better idea to have my own Blog or continue to bring Kristies uplifting words into my twisted world.Let us know,it is important that each of you help us in this decision.I look forward to reading what you have to say(Not Really) no for real I do.

C-H-I-C-A-G-O

What can I say?



We have never been in downtown Chicago together.



Who knew?? We love this town - we decided to stay another couple nights.
Hopefully we can hit a show tomorrow night, and stay for the fireworks on Navy Pier.
We were going to drive up and around the Lake Michigan Coast, but, maybe we'll just stay right here, and order room service for three days.

Wow, not having a plan can be FUN and RELAXING.
Don't tell Dan I admitted it.....

He started out as a "guest blogger"

but, I can already tell - He's hooked.
I'll be making him his own BLOG before long.

Second Post

This is Funnnnn.Second Post...

Danos first Blog

This is crazy...you know that you are in love when you give in to the "blog".....We are in Niagara Falls, oh wait I mean Chicago, same thing. It started out as a trip to the North, oh wait a minute, Kristie says it's EAST - not sure I don't have the GPS. We pretty much opened the garage door, left the driveway, and went immediately to Brann's for some of their low fat biscuits and butter (Kristie was hungry). As if we didn't have enough of the city in New York, we ended up in Chicago. Not the outskirts. Right on the Magnificent Mile. After 13 years of marriage, I must say that I am more proud of Kristie than the time I took her para sailing. For all of you that don't understand her typeA personality - we could hardly leave the house without a Strategically laid out Master Plan of the days events. Let alone, get on the Harley and go for a week without a DESTINATION. I am so proud of you. Hopefully, for my sake, and the sake of my 'live free-ride hard' attitude - this trip goes well.

Worship

Sunday is my favorite!!
Have I said that before?
Yep, I have.

I don't have pictures or video to share.
I don't have a compelling message of God's word to share.
I don't have a funny play on words to share.

I just know that today I had a TON of fun WORSHIPING God.
And I couldn't go to sleep without sharing that.

Sundays are the best.

Mighty to Save

If it's this week
And you are standing next to me
And I'm humming a song
Or singing a BRIDGE
(which I'm usually doing - singing a bridge over and over)
It's most likely this song

I particularly love this new version by Laura Story.

For some reason the bridge just gets me - it's at 2:15 - don't stop it too soon
(or at least skip to the bridge if you don't want to listen to the whole thing)
As a matter of fact, the last part of the song is the best.
Just my opinion.




bridge:

shine your light and let the whole world see
singing
for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
shine your light and let the whole world see
singing
for the glory of the risen King


Yep, I like that song.

For those of you DESPERATELY searching

I found my NORTHFACE.

Under my bedspread that I put on top of my bed.
Only the bedspread was on the floor.
And my Northface was under it.
For a very long time.
Because I don't make the bed.
Except for when the cleaning lady comes once every 2 weeks.
Or, if I am taking a picture for the BLOG.
Here is what my bed usually looks like.
Just to remain REAL.
It's important to me that you know the REAL me.
Not a fake me.

Notice the bedspread on the floor.
Yep, that's where it was.

Too bad, I just ordered another one at GoGear 2 days ago.
Should be in next week.
Same color and everything,
Bummer.
Now I'll have 2.

Michigans Adventure Amusement Park

Temperature: 89 & muggy (in HOT sun)
Line TIME to get in: 20 minutes
Tickets - 1 adult and 4 kids: $125
Sunscreen at SNOOPY STORE (Cause you're a bad mom): $9.99
Line to "WAIT" to get into Water Park: 20 minutes
Friends you were suppose to "meet" there: Never saw them
French Fries: $6
Ice Creams for 5 people: $25
Hair Ties to keep the hair off of your neck: $7.99
Pretzel with LOTS of salt: $4
Cup of Cheese to go with Pretzel: $1.50
Nachos (Came with the cheese): $5.50
Gatorade: $3.75 each
Big Shot SQUIRT gun (for Tyler): $6
Big Shot SQUIRT gun (for Tyler - because he lost the first "adapter" to put water in it): $6

FINDING 'HALF PINT PARADISE' - PRICELESS!

We were lucky enough to have my nephew, Dominic, meet us at Michigan Adventure today. It was his first time on the water slides.
"Half Pint Paradise" was a fun little pool where TINY kids play.
I LOVED it!!

No deep water.
No scary RIDES.
LOUNGE chairs in the shade.
Right by the ICE CREAM stand.
Right by the FRENCH FRY stand.

Check out the pics and the movies!
(I don't know why I didn't get any pictures of me, Katie, or Katie's friend, Carina)

EYLIANA goes down the waterslide in HALF PINT PARADISE

DOMINIC goes down the 'smaller' waterslide with daddy

Have you seen my NORTHFACE?

I LOST my favorite FLIGHT SERIES NORTHFACE - It looks like this. I wear it EVERY DAY, so you probably didn't need the visual, if you see me alot. Dan and I are leaving for a WEEK LONG motorcycle trip on Sunday. I REALLY hate riding without my favorite NORTHFACE.

Did you take it?
Did I leave it at your house?
Will you buy me a new one?

Thank you, DANIELLE

The BLOG has had a makeover!! And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!

Thank you so much,
BLOGS BY DANIELLE!!!

Does your blog need a makeover? Check out Danielle's website!!

Strength

Where do you get strength?

To tell you the truth, I could use some more.

When things become OVERWHELMING in my life - I wish at every moment - I would remember to think on this:

Psalm 28:7 NKJV

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.

The Dairy Farm

On Tuesday, Dan and David took some time off from COOK UNDERGROUND official business and we took the kids the the Dairy Farm. It was a FUN day!! Notice, Katie is not in any of the pictures. She decided to stay home (in the camper) with Dudley, for a couple reasons -
1) We all know what happens when Dudley is left alone in the camper &
2) Do 14 year olds really want to hang out with their family at a COW FARM?

It's OK - I have a bulletproof vest

Poor Baby Dudley......

We are camping this week. (In our 32 foot camper, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom - Is that really camping?) Anyway, the campground has a VERY SLOW internet connection, so I haven't blogged. ALTHOUGH, I have some GREAT pics and video (feeding the cows at the Dairy Farm while wearing hair nets, & riding the bikes in the river, etc.) so expect some LONG posts when I can find a decent WI-FI connection.

For now, I'll show you the best picture. This is mostly for my dad and Robin, as this camper has been their home through the winter, and they are currently "out of the state". Yesterday, we ALL went to the pool for approx. ONE HOUR. We decided it would be fine to leave Dudley in the camper while we were gone - SO he could rest. (Also, you can't bring Dogs in the pool area). Dudley decided it was NOT fine to be in the camper for ONE HOUR. He spent the hour doing this -
Normally, Dudley is a GOOD dog. Apparently, he had a little anxiety about being alone in the camper. He was panting for hours after we returned. Poor baby. (No he didn't get in trouble - we will need the DOG WHISPERER soon)

We will be going RAFTING down the river tomorrow, we decided we will call Grandma and ask her if Dudley can stay over at her house. Otherwise, there may not be anything left of this trailer when we return.

New Family Pictures

We hope you had a HAPPY 4th!!

We played soccer, swam at Uncle Dave's house, sat in a chair, and took pictures. :) It was FUN!