HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARYN!

I want to give a shout out to my friend Karyn today, Happy Birthday Kar! I met Karyn our first year of college and we've been friends ever since. I wish we still lived in the same state so we could spend more time together. Karyn, you have been an amazing friend and I am so blessed to have her in my life. I pray you have a wonderful day filled with many blessings from the Lord. Happy birthday Karyn, I love you lots! 

I can't believe I haven't posted these yet...

My Me-ma brought a lot her old coats and jackets to my mother to give away at a non-profit where my mother volunteers. Josh's was looking at her pile of jackets, and there was one in particular that really stood out to him (for obvious reasons). Right before Josh and I were getting ready to leave to travel back to Erie, he emerged with the jacket he had been eyeing and my brothers hat. It was hilarious, and like usual, Josh left them cracking up.

The pocket was perfect for Nola. Though, she wasn't really having it. I'm sure she was thinking... Here we go again. Josh, why do you always do such things to me? What did I ever do to you?

I just can't help loving this guy. Isn't he dreamy?

Family Picture Time

My mother was pretty insistent on getting a family pic when we were all home for Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I love family pictures. But sometimes it's a bit difficult to get everyone to cooperate. I love that Nola is looking at Marcky and Josh thinking...

This is gonna be as long as you make it boys.

I'm not sure if this is the picture my mother chose, but it's the one I love of everyone. My mother looks so beautiful and I love how my father's smile lights up his face. Even Nola made it in the picture, she is a bit hard to see against my parents black shirts. I don't think we'd even be able to see Nola if she wasn't wearing her purple sweater. It's a good think my mother got her that sweater.

I am so truly thankful and blessed to have each and everyone of these people in my life. I'm getting choked up just thinking about them. I hope you all know how much I love and cherish each of you in my life. Thank you Lord for showing your blessing to me through each one of them. Love you guys!

Thanksgiving Highlights

I've been meaning to post these pictures since we've returned from Dayton. But blogging just hasn't been the first thing on my list to do as of late. Better late than never. 

One of our family outings during the Thanksgiving weekend was a bowling event. We met a lot of my mother's cousins (second and third cousins for me...I think) at a bowling alley with all of our families. It was great to catch up and see family that I probably haven't seen since my wedding. 

Let me explain the bowling bag... 

Sarah Belcastro

Columbus, Ohio

My Me-ma (Sarah Belcastro) gave my brother Marc and our friend Michael two of her old bowling balls and bags. Both Marc and Michael went and had the balls custom drilled to fit their fingers. So now, whenever we go bowling (which isn't that often), Marcky can bring his own bowling ball. He did feel a little weird arriving with his own ball, but he did play an amazing game. 

I'm still not sure why he had to roll up his pants but everyone loved it. You go babe!

I had to get my action shot. Sorry to all of the other bowlers I was disrupting just so I could get my shot. 

Sarah Belcastro A.K.A Marc or A.K.A The Winner

David Webb (Jason Bourne's real name from the Bourne Identity) A.K.A. my Papa

McLovin....you guessed it...my main squeeze!

My big brother. He's just so cool. 

My bowling studs. You can just tell they had a great time bowling.  

We have a new nephew!

We weren't expecting his arrival until tomorrow (Tuesday) but we are more than happy he is here! Weighing in at 8lbs. 10oz. and 20" in length, meet our new nephew...

Weston Henry

Weston was born December 7th at 4:29am.

Sweet Weston, we are so excited to meet you in a couple of weeks when we come up for Christmas. Congratulations to your parents and brother and sister. I know we are all so very happy you have come into our lives. Even though your brother and sister were praying you would be a girl, I know they are happy to meet you and love on you!

Happy Turkey Day! (early)

Just wanted to wish everyone an early Happy Thanksgiving! Josh and I will be leaving this afternoon for my parents house in Dayton, Ohio. Thankfully, the weather forcasted  today here in Erie has not been accurate (it's supposed to be snowing all day - but I've learned Erie's weather is pretty hard to predict). I will continue to pray our 5 hour drive is snow free. And for all of you who will be traveling this holiday weekend, we'll be praying for safe travels all around.

My goal this year was to get was to get my Christmas decorations out before we left so Josh and I could return home to a pretty decorated house. But with not feeling too great this week, those plans changed from all of the decorations to just getting the tree done. But then Josh had a free night last night and he wanted to hang out and watch a movie. So we managed to get the tree upstairs from the basement, lights on and ribbon wrapped around the tree. The ornaments and other decorations will just have to waite until we return. And I'm perfectly fine with that. I was able to get some quality time in with my handsome hubby, isnt that what's important this holiday season? Spending time with the ones you love.

Anyways...have a wonderful turkey day!

Time for Josh to post!

So here's the thing...my wonderful and most handsome husband Josh has been asking me to blog all week. I told him, I'd blog after he posted something. He usually gives me the same answer....no thanks.

As you can see on the right hand side of our blog under "Contributors" is Josh's name. Which means he has every right to post an entry on this blog as I do. This isn't just Bethany's blog this is the Glupker's blog. And since he's the reason I became a Glupker, I think he should post a blog entry.

Alright Josh, here's your chance to contribute to our blog other than by being part of the subject of my blog entries. And I know you have it in you. You are an excellent writer and I know you have something you've been dying to post about. Right everyone? Don't you want to read something from my fabulous husband????



While we're waiting for Josh to post an entry, please enjoy this video of Josh and Nola. This is before I became a Glupker and just shortly after Nola came into our lives. It's hard to tell who's doing the barking. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Brittany!

Today is my little sister Brittany's 23rd birthday! I can't believe she is 23! I think my whole family still sees Brittany as a lanky little 8 year old, running around making everyone laugh and blowing us away for her love for science and learning. We of course were not surprised when she felt God's leading her into the medical field. She truly was a very special kid and is an even more amazing young woman.

Brittany got married this past July and was the most beautiful bride!  

  

  

 

Even though Brittany is the youngest of us three siblings, she has always had a special gift of wisdom from the Lord. I know I have learned so much from her. Brittany, Josh and I are praying you have a wonderful birthday today and we are so thankful to have you in our lives. You mean so much to us and we love you to pieces! Happy birthday!!!

Crazy Erie Weather

I am hanging out in our study with Josh as he is preparing for an exam tomorrow watching the crazy weather Erie is presently having. It's been snowing all day and praise the Lord it is Sunday and I've been able to stay home and enjoy the weather from the comfort of our warm home. But as of a couple minutes ago, Josh and I have been hearing thunder and I've seen lightning! That's totally wild! I didn't know it was possible to be snowing and thundering and lightning all at the same time. Don't even try to argue with me if it's not because it is and we are eye witnesses to this marvel.

Josh took this picture tonight. This is right outside our back porch. He likes to call this pic Narnia because of the lamp post.

I took this picture. This is the same tree as in the above pic but taken from upstairs in the study. I'm not quite sure how I got this picture. I was a little camera happy at the sight of snow. I think it's kind of eerie.

This weather definitely makes you yearn for somthing hot like a ginger bread latte. But no offense Borders, I have not had a latte there that I've enjoyed. The best latte I've had in Erie is at the Brick House. I highly recommend their vanilla lattes.

The only thing I'm not too jazzed about when it comes to snow is tomorrow morning I'm going to have to dig my car out from the snow (no garage). But no worries, I'm sure my amazing husband will help a girl out tomorrow morning. Thanks Josh...in advance!

Re-cap from last weekend.

Well, so much for National Blog Posting Month. I really did try and I thought I'd make it to the end of November. But I was really tired during the week and was engulfed in reading Harry Potter. Sorry I apologize for being a bad blogger and I know a new weekend is here but I totally forgot to post pictures from last weekend in Columbus.

The weekend started off with a baby shower for Brittany's sister-in-law Kate.

Here are Brittany's sister-in-laws...Katie, Kate, & my little sis. Kate has a little over a month to go but she was super tiny!

 

It has been a very long time since Brittany and I have had the same hair style. We're usually the opposite of each other, one usually keeps it long and the other short. We were both pretty anxious to get our hair cut after her wedding. Brittany's was long enough she was able to send her's to Locks of Love.

After the baby shower, we had quite a bit more celebrating to do for all of the November birthdays. We went to a great Italian restaurant called Buca di Beppo. And ordered everything family style.

This is our friend Michael and my brother Marc. I think Michael is trying to take a picture of me taking a picture of them with his cell phone. 

They brought out two large candelabras for the birthday people to make a wish. And after dinner we headed back to my Me-ma and Papa-Tony's house to open presents and have dessert.

Josh wanted me to document my brother Marc opening up his birthday gift. But first, let me explain that his bday gift was supposed to be a care package we were going to send him that I failed to send. To his gifts are kind of random, but then again, we are kind of random. Below you will find a key chain with Josh's profile picture. Don't worry, my picture is on the other side. I was taken back when my sister saw the keychain and asked for one. Maybe we'll give them out as Christmas gifts this year.

There were quite a few other random things in his gift bag, but his real gift was this book The Oxford Guide to Philosophy. He's currently in a master's program of biblical studies but I believe is hoping to continue his education in philosophy. 

Brittany's birthday is on the 19th so I loved being able to give her her gift in person. I love giving gifts to my family but Brittany is my favorite person to shop for.  Brittany loves turtles and when I saw these adorable stickers I couldn't resist getting them for her. Don't worry, I didn't just get her stickers for her birthday.

It's hard to see little Nola since she's so dark but it was great to see her, as always. Josh really wanted me to bring her back to Erie until we headed to Dayton for turkey day. But I was worried about getting in trouble with our land lord since we're technically not allowed to have pets. It would have been worth the risk if it was just for a week (as she's stayed with us for a week before). But Josh will get lots of snuggle time when we're home for turkey day.

Back home...Happy Birthday Jason!

Well, I am home safely from my weekend in Columbus. I had a great time celebrating many birthdays with my family but I am definitely glad to be home with Josh. More pictures of the weekend to come later this week.

In more important news...today is my brother-in-law Jason's 23rd birthday. Happy birthday Jason! 

Jason, I want you to know how blessed we are to have you in our lives. You are a wonderful husband to my little sister and I appreciate how well you care for and love her. I will continue to pray for the Lord's blessings on your lives.

Here is a cute picture taken before you were married. 

I believe this was taken after your wedding shower in Wheaton, IL. I loved that you two were most excited about your matching helmets you received as gifts.

Happy Birthday Jason!

Columbus for the weekend

Well, I am in Columbus for the weekend for my sister's sister-in-law's baby shower (that's not confusing at all) today. Kate will be having her first baby boy at the end of December and my sister and her husband are so excited to become an aunt and uncle!

So while I'll be celebrating the upcoming birth of brittany's nephew, I will also get to see my parents, my brother, my sister and her husband, my grandparents, an aunt, and Nola! I'm so excited! November is a big birthday month (see here) so we're going to go celebrate tonight at a really great Italian Restaurant called Bucca Di'peppos.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.

And Josh, I hope you're having a good weekend. We all sure miss you a lot, love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCKY!

Today is my big brother, Marc's 27th birthday! Let me tell you a little bit about my big brother, that I love to call Marcky. He is incredibly intelligent, rarely seen without a book in hand. He is hilarious, definitely one of the funniest people I know. He has a huge heart and would do anything for you. And he has been the best big brother any sisters could ever ask for.

Marcky - sorry for the crazy pictures of you. Our internet was down all yesterday and this morning, so I couldn't upload some of the more normal pictures from you. I happen to have these pics in my gmail inbox. So I am quick posting this blog while at work. Shhhh, don't tell Dave cuz I feel like a time theft. (You're a thief of joy.- Michael to Dwight during their Ethics meeting. I hope you got to see that episode.)

Halloween 2007 - great costume!

You are a genius of sick......quote from Marc

Do you see a theme here with these pictures? Marcky, you look good in any hat you wear. These are all pictures you have texted me and I emailed them to myself from my phone.

I think this might be my favorite picture of the three of us.

Look at how baller you are with your white suit, lookin' all cool and tough. But then you have a soft side to you cuz you're holding our hands. Love it!

So Marcky, Josh and I pray you have a wonderful birthday filled with peace from the Lord and a renewed sense of His Holy Spirit in your life. I'm so excited to see you this weekend and give you your brithday in gift in person. I know Josh is pretty sad he won't be able to see you but you do need to know that your gift, though quite random, is from Josh's heart. Love you brother-man!

College Memories

I received an email from Josh today while I was at work and he sent me this picture he found from our college's website (Calvin College). I have never seen this picture before and to be honest it kind of freaks me out knowing someone/thing (webcam) was taking my picture while I was studying in the library.

I don't know if you can tell in this picture but my hair is super long! It makes me wish my hair was long again. Why is it you always want something different than what you have? That's another blog post for another time....I wish I new what I was reading or who I was studying with or if I was even studying at all. The picture is dated September 25-27,2004. This would have been the beginning of my junior year, just a couple of months before Josh and I started seeing each other. And I don't remember what the floor number was but I think I was on the seminary floor. That was usually the floor to go to when you had serious studying to do. As opposed to the fifth floor which was the floor you went to when you wanted to appear to be studying but you actually went there to socialize.

I sometimes miss my college days. It was definitely a great time of personal and spiritual growth, and building lasting relationships with people. And Calvin had amazing concerts! Like when Sigur Ros went on tour and Calvin was the only college they played at. I got to see some great shows for awesome student prices.

Along with the great concerts, the great friendships, and of course my education, getting to meet my dreamy husband in college was definitely the icing on the cake. It was actually in the library one day when I was leaving with one of my roommates (Libby) when I saw Josh walk in, and I all of a sudden decided to stay for a bit longer so I could hang out with him. As we were pretending to study I asked him what he was listening to and he told me Avril Lavigne! This was almost a deal breaker for me. I couldn't believe he was listening to her! But then he showed me the background on his laptop and it was a picture of 311 and told me some of the other bands he enjoyed. Thankfully, he redeemed some of his coolness and I think we made plans for the weekend. And the rest is history...

Civic Duty

 

Way to go all of you who voted! Like many of you fellow bloggers out there, I performed my civic duty and voted. I know this wasn't the most convenient thing to do today (Josh and I are down to one car for a couple days), but I do know how important it is to our coutry and how awesome is it that I get to vote for our next President!! Unfortunately in our county, I think it is very easy for us to take this freedom of voting for granted. 

So I will leave you with another link from John Piper's blog from today. I believe the Lord hs given him a lot of wisdom and it is definitely worth sharing. Click here to read his post from today called Grateful for (Almost) Any Government.

No time for blogging

I'd blog tonight but I have to go and dry my hair. And I know that may sound silly but it's pretty serious business. Just kidding...kind of. (Shelly and Brittany, I'm sure you know where I'm coming from.)

Hope everyone exercises their freedom of voting tomorrow! Here is a prayer from John Piper regarding the election tomorrow:

A Prayer for the Election

November 3, 2008 | By: John Piper

Father in heaven, as we approach this election on Tuesday, I pray

1) that your people will vote,

2) and that they will vote with a sense of thankfulness for a democratic system that at least partially holds in check the folly and evil in all our hearts so that power which corrupts so readily is not given to one group or person too easily;

3) that we would know and live the meaning of

• being in the world, but not of it,
• doing politics as though not doing them,
• being on the earth, yet having our lives hidden with Christ in God,
• rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are God’s;

4) that we would discern what truths and values should advance by being made law and which should advance only by the leavening of honest influence;

5) that your people would see what love and justice and far-seeing wisdom demand in regard to the issues of education, business and industry, health care, marriage and family, abortion, welfare, energy, government and taxes, military, terrorism, international relations, and every challenge that we will face in the years to come;

6) and above all, that we will treasure Jesus Christ, and tell everyone of his sovereignty and supremacy over all nations, and that long after America is a footnote to the future world, he will reign with his people from every tribe and tongue and nation.

Keep us faithful to Christ’s all important Word, and may we turn to it every day for light in these dark times.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

More Pics

Here are a few more pictures from the party on Friday. Everyone had great costumes!

Brooke (Juno) and Camille (Hermione)

Starting at the top on my left is Jamie (she and her hubby were a s'more), Sarah (the host and was Esmerelda to her husband who was the Hunchback of Notre Dame), and Christie (she went as self-absorbed).

Adam & Camille as Harry Potter and Hermione

I think if you look closely you can see in their eyes they were casting a spell on someone.

Bill as William Wallace and those are spunges pinned onto Christie. Now do you get that she is self-absorbed? Actually, Christie is a super sweet girl that I'm glas has joined our girls' group! She has lots of wisdom to share as Bill is a resident up here in Erie.

Camille and Brooke even told ghost stories.

The we headed inside for a few games. Here we have a game (I can't remember what it is called) where you have to hit your trigger button right when a light turns green or you'll get zapped! And let me tell you, you do not want to get zapped because it kind of hurts. But it was a fun game.

(Marc, I think you'd really like this game.)

Then I dared Freeland (Brooke's husband - he was Paulie Bleeker from the movie Juno) to put the trigger in his mouth and let it zap him. I actually tripple-dog-dared him to. Sorry Brooke.

Sorry Freeland.

All in all, it was a great party. But just when I thought Josh and I had great costumes this year, our niece and nephew had to go and out do us. Way to go Addie and Holden!

Trick or Treat

The time has come for the revealing of our Halloween pictures from a costume party we attended yesterday. But first, before I reveal the pictures, I must say we had a great time! Our friends Sarah and Drew hosted the party and everything was fabulous! From the food, to the decorations, to the bonfire outside with smores, everything was amazing. Thank you Sarah and Drew for throwing a great party!


Now, the moment you all have been waiting for (yes, I'm talking to you Brittany)....

In honor of one of Josh's heroes (and secret loves) we went as Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife Beth . I know this may sound crazy but Josh didn't really have any say in what we were for Halloween. 

Here are the actual pictures of Dog and his wife Beth. As you can see, Beth has been very, how should I say this, blessed on top. I wasn't planning on doing anything for that part of the costume but Josh encouraged me to, and I only kept the balloons (that's what I used) in for the pictures.   I can't believe we actually used to watch this show together when we were dating. Quality bonding time for sure. 

Gansta versus bounty hunter....bounty hunter wins. 

 

Thank you Josh for playing along with me so I wouldn't look too crazy by myself. And thanks for staying out so late even though you have an exam on Monday, you're the best!!!