Step it UP, Bloggers!

Hello, faithful readers!
Thank you for sticking with me, even through practical jokes like one recent blog posting...your response has been overwhelming! And now I know who reads the comment boards and who doesn't. He he he...

I was "discussing" blogging with some Revolution friends tonight, many of whom think blogging is a pseudo-cult, yet are oddly committed to READING my blog (Ahem, Kelly... I'm proud to be your cult leader, and one day soon, you WILL fall to the dark side). Perusing my blogroll (that long list of links to the right of this posting), I have some observations to make regarding some of my fellow bloggers. Listen up! I may be talking about you!

CHARLIE- (yes, you.) It was an exciting day when you published your first blog posting. I even received an e-mail containing the announcement of this new "birth." That announcement promised that your blog would make me laugh with it's wittiness, but I've only laughed twice. Literally. And, incidentally, you are currently my 43rd most popular link. Need I say more? I know you've got some craziness to unleash, so get on it. I'd like to see a posting by the end of the week, please. OH...and thank you for the frozen yogurt treat tonight! Just for that, you get your picture posted here.






BOBBY- OKAY, granted you've been moving this week. But, honestly, I thought you were a more dedicated blogger than the recent inactivity we've experienced. Don't think you can move halfway across the state and escape your blogging responsibilities! I look forward to hearing about life in surfer country when you're back in the saddle... (and, by the way, you're still in the top 10 outgoing links....BARELY.)

ANGELO, RANDY, WILL and JEANNIE- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

CHRISTOPHER- two words: Spell Check.

TROTTER- (Oh yes...I'm calling out my pastor...) Your once frequent blogging inspired me to kick start my own regular posting. Now, well, you're not the gleaming example of consistency you once were. Don't EVEN try to blame it on Easter.

OF COURSE, I'm joking with all of you- I highly recommend ALL of the blogs on the sidebar. However, there HAVE been some recent standouts, so- if you don't mind- I'd like to throw out a couple suggested sites for those of you who are more selective in your blog reading:

ROB'S BLOG (Midrash)- Rob just started his blog recently, but hit the ground RUNNING with lots and lots of short tidbits and video. His book reviews, also, are very insightful.

BETH'S BLOG (Snap Shots)- Another newbie to the blogging world, but the pictures posted ALONE is enough to make the stop by her blog worth it. She is quite the talented photographer (she gets all the credit for the Revolution Bio pictures!) Plus, she's my long lost twin.

SUZANNE'S BLOG (Other side of the Ocean)- Again, the new bloggers take the cake! Suzanne just left for a five month trip around the world, and has arrived at her first destination: Paris, France. I'm looking forward to "Where in the World is Suzanne" check-ups!

Sportin' the Henna

Thank you Shauntelle...fresh off a trip to India, who used her UBER-artistic talents on my blank-canvas-of-a-foot! Ahhhh, yeah. It's "sandals weather", people!

And the finished product...

The Adventures of Jamie and Kaelyn

This Saturday, I took Kaelyn out for the morning and afternoon while her mommy and daddy concentrated on moving into their new house. Always entertaining, we had a great time on our date! This girl is a goofball!



Our first stop was Jamba Juice for a morning juice-up, and some fun with my shades.


Then we headed over to the mall, where we found the Easter Bunny! Or...er...bunnIES?


Fun with new clothes! Kaelyn wanted to try on something too...so she chose the exact same shirt as me- in white. Work it, girl.


Off to Chuck E. Cheese for fun in the form of tokens and crappy prizes! Whoo!

O, Wise Coffee Cup...

You, in your steaming hot, green and white glory, what pearl of wisdom do you have for me today?

THE WAY I SEE IT #205 (as found on the side of my Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte cup this morning)

"Many people search blindly for the 'meaning of life.' What they don't seem to understand is that life does not have meaning through mere existence or acquisition or fun. The meaning of life is inherent in the connections we make to others through honor and obligation." -Dr. Laura Schlessinger, International Radio Host and Author.

Wow. A hot drink and the meaning of life for only $3.55.

THANK YOU for being a part of my blogging journey...

...but all good things must come to an end. I have been blogging now for about 2 years, originally intending to use it as a means of keeping in touch with family and friends back home. And while I enjoy writing and letting you all know what is going on in my life, I've encountered a couple of challenges:

First, I've found it to be quite distracting, especially in light of my Masters coursework that now demands my time. There's always the looming responsibility of updating this thing and, while it IS optional, as long as it's here I will feel bound to it.

Secondly, I've hit a wall creatively. For the last couple of weeks I have had the most terrible time coming up with things to post. I recall this same thing happening with my scrapbooking (R.I.P.). Is it just that I'm non-committal?

Finally, I'm just not getting the amount of feedback that I'd like...and my last post was a little experiment in that. You all failed miserably. (Except for you, WILL. Good work. EOD.)

But, I don't want to leave you all feeling guilty! :) You'll never know how much I have appreciated your interest in my life and thoughts. I know it's sad, but...no tears now. Contain yourselves. Leave some love in my comments and enjoy this beautiful spring...

An Interactive Posting

Alright...
Fire up your engines, you creative, witty people. Today, for lack of a better post, will be an exercise to which YOU can contribute. That's right...I'm bringing Mad Libs back (whut!). Kinda. Here's your prompt:

Even though __________________________, you still can't ____________________________.

Ready, set, GO!

Where the Heck Do People Get Off?

It's called being a decent human being.
Some people need to look into it.

(Incidentally, this is how I feel after every visit to the mall.)

Withdrawals

It's been five weeks without a new episode of "The Office" and I'm officially in having withdrawals. The pattern of reruns is disturbing, but videos like this keep hope alive. APRIL 5th, NEW EPISODE everyone!!

Another Inductee to the 29 Club.

WHAT UP, my peeps! Sorry about the small hiatis in blogging...it took me a while to get over the whole mousepad debacle. The sad thing is, it still sits on my desk. It's just so darn cute. Today, however, Charlie promised to get me a mousepad with his face on it. I'm not sure that will HELP the situation, or if it's a worthy replacement, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.


This weekend was super fun! Let me take you back a couple of days...on Friday night I enjoyed celebrating Brian's 29th birthday with the Hollywood gang (ha ha, Brian...welcome to the club). It was like a big 'ol reunion, being that I haven't seen them all in months. Lots has changed! Carrie is now sporting a BRUNETTE coiffure, my musician friends have ceased playing gigs- for the most part, and a couple of my pals are now PREGO (what's new). Congratulations Drew and Sara Lawrence, and Chen and Sarah Neeman! Blah, blah, blah...I'm sure you'd like to see some pictures, so here we go!

(We had no idea Drew snuck into this picture until we reviewed it later. SNEAKY!!)

Carrie and I...there once was a time when our hair color was the exact opposite...)

It's Aris and the girls!

...and it's Carrie and the dog. You can do better, Carrie.

Brian joins us on the couch.

Awwww...I love this girl.

Chen helps Sarah showcase her growing belly. You're no Barker's Beauty, Chen, but we love you anyway.

Stay Away from Stripes.

So, I've been wanting a new mousepad (okay...A mousepad) for my office for a while, but being very particular about what design will lie in my eyeline all day long, it's been a long, arduous search. While on an outing to Borders books, I found what I thought was a tasteful, yet whimsical mousepad. This morning, I excitedly packed it with my bookbag, anxious to see how it would flavorfully adorn my desk. So, here it sits at my immediate right. But not for long.

Turns out that my laser-led mouse (sans roller) can't handle all the activity of the stripes (see above), and my cursor appears to be overstimulated. I haven't figured out which color trips it up, but occasionally my cursor will take a field-trip to the upper right corner of my monitor without my permission, or break a quick left leaving me confused. Forget detail editting...it doesn't stay still enough to peg the right spot. Though it's pretty, it certainly isn't functional.

Guess it's back to the drawing board.

What Sports Car Are You?

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!

You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

The Office: 24 Style.

If my two favorite shows came together, this is what it might look like. What a beautiful fusion that would be. (This is "part 1". You can catch part 2 and 3 on YouTube)

This Blog's For You.

I've been connected to a service called MyBlogLog for a while now, and it allows me to see what avenues you lovely people are using to get to my blog. It also gives me a general idea of how MANY people are reading my blog. I thought I'd share some of this information with you!

As you have probably noticed, my blogroll is getting quite long! There has been a sudden influx of Revolution bloggers, as well as a few friends back home! Some of these blogs (old and new) have links to this page...and they are being used! I'd like to thank:
ROB'S BLOG for being my #1 "feeder" blog this week! (Is it because you only have 2 friends on your blog? I guess I stand out! Ha ha)
Rob's blog has dethroned my longtime BEST "feeder," BOBBY'S BLOG, which still holds its spot at number two. Thanks, B. It's a pleasure being your number one outgoing link. Ha ha.
Also, contributing equally as "doors" to this blog- if you will- are BETH'S BLOG, RACHEL'S BLOG, and CHRISTOPHER'S BLOG.

Recently, my blog address has been posted on my Revolution Bio, and several of you have used that link.

It DISMAYS me, however, that some of you are using the google search "Jaime Peterson" to find me. Seriously not cool. Do I need to discuss this AGAIN??

No matter HOW you got here, THANK YOU for reading. Let me know you are out there!!

Food, Friends and Farewells

Friday night, friends from Revolution Church joined Bobby, Rachel, and Caleb for a farewell feast at Fuddruckers (okay...there is a lot of alliteration going on here). On Sunday, we as a church had the opportunity to pray for them as they leave Southern Cali for the beautiful northern California coast!

Question: When did EVERYONE decide to have a baby? Here's Caleb (on the left) and Caleb (on the right) ha ha

The Bobster and I (UNITED rules, Bobby.)

HEY LOOK...MORE KIDS! This time, it's the Hutton crew!

Here's a couple more for the kiddie table...Brett and Amanda...

Okaaaay...I'll join in the fun.

Trying to get a picture of Kaelyn and Drew was a bit more challenging than expected, with Drew BOLTING on 1....2....


But Kaelyn is ALWAYS good for a picture! (Though her doll probably didn't appreciate the whole jab-me-in-the-eye pose)

Is this one more acceptable, Steph? haha

Keith and I express a little artistic liberty. Way to commit, Keith.

Somewhere Out There....

For you, my life group friends.

(MAJOR shout-out today to the man at Panera Bread who thought I was a college freshman. Thank you, random Panera Bread man. And to Beth- here's to the beginnng of a beautiful friendship! ha ha. BTW, way to employ your photography skillz at the 'bucks.)

Beware the Ides of March!

It was March 15th in the year 44 B.C. when Julius Caesar was assassinated- stabbed to death by a group of senators after being warned by a soothsayer days earlier with the now infamous phrase: "Beware the Ides of March." "Ides" simply denotes the middle of the month, but because of it's historical implications, the 15th of March now arrives with a "foreboding of doom."

Or, if you live near Caesar's hometown, it's time to throw on your toga and run through the streets!
Be safe, everyone!

(Today's shout-out goes to Wikipedia.com. You're right, Will...it IS addicting!)

Celebrating Friends

Whew! What a night...laughing, crying, singing, eating. Everything you'd expect from a celebration of community, which our Life Group did tonight. We were celebrating the ministry and friendship of Bobby and Rachel Marchessault as they prepare their move to Northern California in just a couple of weeks. Bobby and Rachel were the first real contacts I had at Revolution, and a big part of the reason I continued to attend. They will be SORELY missed, but I'm excited (and I'm not just saying that) to watch how God will use this family in Santa Cruz.

And, today's shout-out appropriately goes to...Bobby and Rachel. THANK YOU for your friendship and commitment to Christ. To honor you, I've prepared a song...

"Somewhere....Out there...."

I wish I had some guitar skillz...

Dana, me, Steph, Angelina, Rachel and Jessie

Yes, Bobby, you're SOOOOO GQ.

Some quality time with Caleb.

...and then Kaelyn took my camera hostage...

Here we are....Face to Face...

...A couple of Silver Spoons...
(You're singing the theme song in your head right now, aren't you?)

Yes, a return to nostalgia as two of my favorite things in life have finally collided: Jack Bauer and Ricky Schroder (all grown up, of course). Ricky has come a long way from the Race Car Bed and Living-Room-Locomotive-Transit-System of Silver Spoons, and has now made his mid-season debut as 24's newest abrasive CTU operative, Mike Doyle. He's quickly becoming the agent to hate (geez...don't give him any "lip!"), which means- as precedent goes- he'll be our hero in approximately 4 hours. They're running out of people to kill, after all.

Meh. You can dress him up and send him out on some dangerous field ops, but he'll always be little Ricky Stratton to me.

The Power of Prayer

"BEWARE in your prayers, above everything else, of LIMITING GOD, not only by UNBELIEF, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect UNEXPECTED things, 'above all that we ask or think'. Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first and WORSHIP God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and PRIVILEGE in Christ, and EXPECT GREAT THINGS!"

-Andrew Murray

Life at "The Flower" Begins!

Revolution Bellflower kicked off with it's first preview service this morning! The time change made getting out of bed a little more difficult, but the launch team was in high gear as we transformed Pace Elementary into a house of worship. We always expect things to go wrong in trial-runs like this, but minus a glitch here and there, everything went remarkably well! Praise GOD from Whom ALL blessings flow!

Bobby put together a video-diary of our morning, and I thought you might enjoy a little peek at this new Bellflower ministry. Thanks, Bobby!

Fondue Fabulous

Hey, ya'll! It's been a fun weekend 'round these parts...birthdays, karaoke, new church ventures, and fondue! For Jessie's birthday, some of our girlfriends gathered at The Melting Pot in Irvine for cheese and chocolate! (yum!) Brock and Franse had told me good things about this restaraunt (also a location in Sac-town), so I was anticipating great things. And great things indeed were supplied! (see pictures below for proof!)