Well to say I haven't been good at keeping up my blog would be rather redundant. I seem to say it a lot! I actually have a lot to talk about, I just have a hard time sitting down and organizing my thoughts. That being said, lets see if I can at least randomly list some the blessings God has shown me in my life. Here goes!
76. The 30 minutes after Dan gets home. The kids no longer say, "Mommy!" Now, it's, "Daddy!" Aaahhhh. Peace!
77. flip flop season is back!
78. Our trip to the beach on Friday afternoon.
79. Watching Katelyn SCREAM when a seagull came anywhere near her (or really even looked her way).
80. Watching Caroline play in the sand with an old Starbucks cup. She was having a blast!
81. Watching Katelyn and Caroline get excited about climbing and playing on the big painted jaguar and sea turtle in front of Sticky Fingers at the beach. Oh to be a kid again!
82. Someone walking by and offering to take a picture of our whole family in front of said turtle. We don't have many of all of us together!
83. Relaxing Saturday mornings at home!
84. Watching Katelyn riding her bike. There is something about a kid in a bike helmet that is so cute!
85. Pushing Caroline on her scooter around the block then realizing I'm wearing my slippers!
86. Thankful my "block" is small!
87. Coming home and seeing the chalk art a la Katelyn and Caroline on our driveway. :)
88. Celebrating Katelyn's 4 1/2 birthday and hearing her emphasize to people she is now 4 1/2! That 1/2 is important!
89. Listening to Katelyn talk to Daddy on the phone when he is away on a middle school function. She always tells him she misses him and she loves him. It is so sweet!
90. Listening to Caroline babble and blow kisses to her Daddy on the phone. She used to not want to even listen to him talk. Now she'll talk back some!
91. Getting to sit in my sister-in-love's Sunday School class on Sunday! I miss serving with her. She is a GREAT teacher!
92. Having a date night with my hubby!
93. Eating one of the best steaks of my life at Bonefish Grill on said date night.
94. My parents taking the girls for the night so we could go on said date night.
95. Spending over an hour at Books A Million reading and talking (and not about kids books)!
96. Getting my girls back the next morning!
97. Sunday afternoon naps.
98. Jamie Vaughn's facebook status updates! She is so funny!
99. Not having to wear a sweater!
100. Listening to my girls giggle in the bath tub (even more so because my husband is one bathing them)!
Join me next week for more of God's little blessings!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Multitude Monday
I have not done real well keeping up with the blogging this past week. We had our 25th annual Pastor's Conference (I'll talk about that in a later post) and things got crazy! But, I am back in blogland and ready to go! So, here's my list for the week:
51. my hubby being willing to watch the girls so I can go out with some of my sweetest and oldest friends tonight! Thanks, Babe!
52. blankets
53. fuzzy socks
54. heaters
55. old sweatshirts that are over 12 years old that are totally broken in and more comfy than almost anything in the world!
56. warm towels when you get out of the shower (wasn't that sweet of my hubby?!)
57. putting a towel fresh out of the dryer on my legs as I fold the rest of the laundry (are you guys seeing a pattern here? I've been so cold lately!)
58. grilled cheese sandwiches with sharp cheddar cheese!
59. my free Taylor Swift album
60. seeing Katelyn get so excited about seeing what today's surprise is on our Valentine's countdown Calender
61. the joy my kids get from going to check out book a the public library
62. new free books on my e-reader
63. reading valentine's books to my girls
64. Disney World!
65. Katelyn discovering her love of roller coasters! She hates It's a Small World, but loves Thunder Mountain! Go figure!
66. Watching Caroline see Disney World for the first time and take it all in
67. Seeing how excited Katelyn got to meet the princesses (Cinderella, Belle, and Aurora)
68. Watching Caroline eat cotton candy for the first time
69. that feeling you get when all your laundry is done (not that it happens often, but man, it feels good!)
70. macaroni and cheese, or Cheez as Caroline calls it
71. salt. Have you ever thought about how bland food would be without it?
72. my insulated Starbucks cup with straw. I take it everywhere and I love it!
73. Our new Word of Life preschool daily devotional. It's perfect for Katelyn and she loves it! We really have enjoyed doing it with her too.
74. Disney Family Fun magazine
75. nap time!!
51. my hubby being willing to watch the girls so I can go out with some of my sweetest and oldest friends tonight! Thanks, Babe!
52. blankets
53. fuzzy socks
54. heaters
55. old sweatshirts that are over 12 years old that are totally broken in and more comfy than almost anything in the world!
56. warm towels when you get out of the shower (wasn't that sweet of my hubby?!)
57. putting a towel fresh out of the dryer on my legs as I fold the rest of the laundry (are you guys seeing a pattern here? I've been so cold lately!)
58. grilled cheese sandwiches with sharp cheddar cheese!
59. my free Taylor Swift album
60. seeing Katelyn get so excited about seeing what today's surprise is on our Valentine's countdown Calender
61. the joy my kids get from going to check out book a the public library
62. new free books on my e-reader
63. reading valentine's books to my girls
64. Disney World!
65. Katelyn discovering her love of roller coasters! She hates It's a Small World, but loves Thunder Mountain! Go figure!
66. Watching Caroline see Disney World for the first time and take it all in
67. Seeing how excited Katelyn got to meet the princesses (Cinderella, Belle, and Aurora)
68. Watching Caroline eat cotton candy for the first time
69. that feeling you get when all your laundry is done (not that it happens often, but man, it feels good!)
70. macaroni and cheese, or Cheez as Caroline calls it
71. salt. Have you ever thought about how bland food would be without it?
72. my insulated Starbucks cup with straw. I take it everywhere and I love it!
73. Our new Word of Life preschool daily devotional. It's perfect for Katelyn and she loves it! We really have enjoyed doing it with her too.
74. Disney Family Fun magazine
75. nap time!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Manilow Concert
I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!
Wednesday night, one of my dreams came true. I got to go see Barry Manilow live in concert. Loved it! Our seats were pretty far away but I didn't care. It was just so cool to see him perform live. His opening act was kinda lame. He was the creator of the TV show "The Mentalist." His tricks were cool, but after growing up going to all the David Copperfield shows, it was all stuff I had seen before. He was kinda crude too so that didn't help.
Then, you see the orchestra dance out and take their seats then start playing a medley of Manilow hits and I got so excited! The next thing you know, Barry is on the stage amid the lights and music and it was great! He sang pretty much all his big hits, "Mandy," Can't Smile Without You," "Looks Like We Made It," "I Write the Songs," "Copacabana," and ended the night with my personal favorite, "One Voice."
That song brings back some awesome memories for me. At my high school, Douglas Anderson, we put on a show every year called Extravaganza. It's kind of a showcase of the best of the best from each arts area. My sophomore year they celebrated the tenth anniversary of Extravaganza so they wanted to do something special to commemorate the occasion. Each year they do a big finale and the first year they sang "One Voice." So, they decided to revisit it for the tenth anniversary. In case you haven't heard the song, it starts out with one accapella voice, then steadily grows with voices and instruments as the song goes. The song talks about the power of one person speaking out because if one person speaks, then others join. Go listen to it on iTunes if you've never heard it. It's great! Anyway, the performance at DA started with one guy all alone on the stage back lit with a spotlight so you only saw his silhouette. He was then joined by an ensemble, then the orchestra pit ascended, carrying a group of about 100 singers, of which I was one, right in the front row. It was just a really cool effect.
So back to Wednesday night. The concert was coming to a close and he has already done 2 encore numbers. I was starting to worry. He came back out and said he had one more song. I looked at my brother Dean and said, "I really hope it's One Voice. I really want to hear it live." He begins to tell a story of how one night he got up in the middle of the night and recorded a melody in his sleep. He woke up the next morning and pushed play and he heard the melody. He immediately started to sing, "One Voice, singing in the darkness. All it takes is one voice singing so they hear what's on your mind and when you look around you'll find there's more than One Voice..." I looked at Dean, hit him on the arm multiple times and jumped up and down. He was singing my song!
Anyway, one of my dreams has come true. :) I sat in the concert and literally said, "Thank you, God that I have the opportunity to fulfill one of my silly dreams." I am so thankful that my God cares about my silly little desires and give opportunities for them to happen. How great is our God!
Wednesday night, one of my dreams came true. I got to go see Barry Manilow live in concert. Loved it! Our seats were pretty far away but I didn't care. It was just so cool to see him perform live. His opening act was kinda lame. He was the creator of the TV show "The Mentalist." His tricks were cool, but after growing up going to all the David Copperfield shows, it was all stuff I had seen before. He was kinda crude too so that didn't help.
 |
| Me and my brother, Dean. Forgive the nostril shot! |
 |
| Live on stage (yes, that white speck is him). |
That song brings back some awesome memories for me. At my high school, Douglas Anderson, we put on a show every year called Extravaganza. It's kind of a showcase of the best of the best from each arts area. My sophomore year they celebrated the tenth anniversary of Extravaganza so they wanted to do something special to commemorate the occasion. Each year they do a big finale and the first year they sang "One Voice." So, they decided to revisit it for the tenth anniversary. In case you haven't heard the song, it starts out with one accapella voice, then steadily grows with voices and instruments as the song goes. The song talks about the power of one person speaking out because if one person speaks, then others join. Go listen to it on iTunes if you've never heard it. It's great! Anyway, the performance at DA started with one guy all alone on the stage back lit with a spotlight so you only saw his silhouette. He was then joined by an ensemble, then the orchestra pit ascended, carrying a group of about 100 singers, of which I was one, right in the front row. It was just a really cool effect.
 |
| I can't believe what a smooth voice he still has at the age of 68. Beautiful! |
Anyway, one of my dreams has come true. :) I sat in the concert and literally said, "Thank you, God that I have the opportunity to fulfill one of my silly dreams." I am so thankful that my God cares about my silly little desires and give opportunities for them to happen. How great is our God!
 |
| "When October Goes" |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Yes....I'm a Fanilow!
Okay, so I have been awaiting tonight for many months. Back in September or October, I happened to go to Jacksonville.com, which I rarely ever do, and saw a banner for an upcoming concert. It said tickets went on sale the next day and I literally jumped out of my chair and did a little dance. You see, I LOVE Barry Manilow! Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved his music. The stories, the melodies, etc. I love it all. Some of my favorite memories are family sing-alongs in the car on long road trips. The Lettermen, Barry, Garth Brooks, and the Cathedrals are only a few of our favorites. I think I learned the words to Copacabana around the same age I learned "Amazing Grace." Okay, well probably not but it was pretty close.
Soon after Dan and I got married, he became the MS youth pastor at our church. About 3-4 months after that, I learned Barry would be in Jacksonville. I am sure I did the little dance of joy that time as well but, there was a problem. He was scheduled to come on the same Friday night as our middle school Guys and Girls retreats. This was a huge problem. I couldn't miss the retreat. I had promised I would go, and even if I hadn't, I didn't have anyone to go with. Dan would NEVER have missed the retreat, especially for a Barry Manilow concert. You see, Dan does not share my love of all things Manilow. He tolerates him for my sake but would never choose to listen to his music.
So, back to a couple months ago. After I saw the ad and did my little dance, I sat back down and immediately sent an email to my mom, Dan, and my sister-in-love, Tiffany. My idea (actually more of a command) was for them to buy my brother and I tickets for Christmas and we would go together. I mentioned before Dan is not a huge fan, but even less of a fan is Tiffany. She hates him with every fiber of her being (well that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much). So, this would save Dan and Tiff both from having to go.
Thankfully, they heeded my advice and bought us tickets and tonight is the night!! I am super excited! It is the first time I'm getting to see him live and from what I hear, he puts on a good show. I am going to try to take lots of pictures (if they let us) and I'll post some tomorrow. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
Soon after Dan and I got married, he became the MS youth pastor at our church. About 3-4 months after that, I learned Barry would be in Jacksonville. I am sure I did the little dance of joy that time as well but, there was a problem. He was scheduled to come on the same Friday night as our middle school Guys and Girls retreats. This was a huge problem. I couldn't miss the retreat. I had promised I would go, and even if I hadn't, I didn't have anyone to go with. Dan would NEVER have missed the retreat, especially for a Barry Manilow concert. You see, Dan does not share my love of all things Manilow. He tolerates him for my sake but would never choose to listen to his music.
So, back to a couple months ago. After I saw the ad and did my little dance, I sat back down and immediately sent an email to my mom, Dan, and my sister-in-love, Tiffany. My idea (actually more of a command) was for them to buy my brother and I tickets for Christmas and we would go together. I mentioned before Dan is not a huge fan, but even less of a fan is Tiffany. She hates him with every fiber of her being (well that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much). So, this would save Dan and Tiff both from having to go.
Thankfully, they heeded my advice and bought us tickets and tonight is the night!! I am super excited! It is the first time I'm getting to see him live and from what I hear, he puts on a good show. I am going to try to take lots of pictures (if they let us) and I'll post some tomorrow. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Multitude Monday
So after my Thankful Tuesday last week, my friend Jill told me about Multitude Monday on a blog called A Holy Experience. It is by a lady named Ann Voscamp. She wrote a book called, "One Thousand Gifts." I have not read it but I like the concept. She talks about finding the everyday blessing of God and His grace through being thankful. You can read the first chapter here. So, I am jumping on the bandwagon and adding to my list of blessings from the Lord.
25. My Sunday school girls who listen, love me, and challenge me to look deeper into scripture.
26. Diet coke with dark cherry syrup from Starbucks. :)
27. Quiet moments with Caroline after Dan and Katelyn have left for school and work.
28. Time I get to hang out with Katelyn by herself. Taking her to get her haircut last week was so sweet! We just talked and giggled. It was so much fun!
29. Pastor's Conference at FBC.
30. Meeting and spending time with pastors, pastor's wives, and lay people from all the country (and even the world) and being able to encourage them and love on them.
31. Being a part of corporate worship with a large group of men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving Christ. It's electric!
31. My husband and the ability he has to speak to parents and convey his love for them and their students.
32. The time and effort he puts into preparing anytime he speaks.
33. The way he constantly pushes himself to be a better youth pastor.
34. The way he leads our family in every aspect of our lives (spiritually, financially, etc.)
35. Our pastor, Dr. Brunson, for seeing the importance of tradition but not letting that hold him to past.
36. For Dr. Brunson pursuing Christ and His vision for our church, even when faced with criticism and indifference.
37. Digital thermometers
38. Magnetic dinner planners that go on the fridge
39. Chips Ahoy Chunky cookies.
40. Groupons for The Dreamette
41. Large desk calenders that keep our lives some-what organized
42. Dishwashers, though I realy wish they would invent one that unloads itself for you.
43. The Married to Ministry blog roll. It's nice to know you're not alone out there!
44. Yahtzee app on Dan's iPhone.
45. Little kid's birthday parties. I don't know why, but I love them!
46. My parents gave us Disney World tickets! Can't wait to use them and take the girls!
47. Lunches at PF Changs with my parents. Yummy Honey Chicken with egg drop soup!
48. Watching my daughters eat a banana. they each have their own way they do it. It's too funny!
49. Seeing Katelyn and Caroline get so excited about going to the library to pick out a book. Babie for Katelyn and Barney for Caroline.
50. Grocery stores. It's nice to be able to go to one place and get all the food items I need (and other things as well). How convenient.
I always feel somewhat random with my lists, but that's okay I guess. God has blessed me in so many ways! How about you? How has God blessed you this week?
25. My Sunday school girls who listen, love me, and challenge me to look deeper into scripture.
26. Diet coke with dark cherry syrup from Starbucks. :)
27. Quiet moments with Caroline after Dan and Katelyn have left for school and work.
28. Time I get to hang out with Katelyn by herself. Taking her to get her haircut last week was so sweet! We just talked and giggled. It was so much fun!
29. Pastor's Conference at FBC.
30. Meeting and spending time with pastors, pastor's wives, and lay people from all the country (and even the world) and being able to encourage them and love on them.
31. Being a part of corporate worship with a large group of men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving Christ. It's electric!
31. My husband and the ability he has to speak to parents and convey his love for them and their students.
32. The time and effort he puts into preparing anytime he speaks.
33. The way he constantly pushes himself to be a better youth pastor.
34. The way he leads our family in every aspect of our lives (spiritually, financially, etc.)
35. Our pastor, Dr. Brunson, for seeing the importance of tradition but not letting that hold him to past.
36. For Dr. Brunson pursuing Christ and His vision for our church, even when faced with criticism and indifference.
37. Digital thermometers
38. Magnetic dinner planners that go on the fridge
39. Chips Ahoy Chunky cookies.
40. Groupons for The Dreamette
41. Large desk calenders that keep our lives some-what organized
42. Dishwashers, though I realy wish they would invent one that unloads itself for you.
43. The Married to Ministry blog roll. It's nice to know you're not alone out there!
44. Yahtzee app on Dan's iPhone.
45. Little kid's birthday parties. I don't know why, but I love them!
46. My parents gave us Disney World tickets! Can't wait to use them and take the girls!
47. Lunches at PF Changs with my parents. Yummy Honey Chicken with egg drop soup!
48. Watching my daughters eat a banana. they each have their own way they do it. It's too funny!
49. Seeing Katelyn and Caroline get so excited about going to the library to pick out a book. Babie for Katelyn and Barney for Caroline.
50. Grocery stores. It's nice to be able to go to one place and get all the food items I need (and other things as well). How convenient.
I always feel somewhat random with my lists, but that's okay I guess. God has blessed me in so many ways! How about you? How has God blessed you this week?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thankful Tuesdays
I've been inspired by my friend Jill to take the time to list some things I'm thankful. She calls it Multitude Monday (which I believe she got from somewhere else, but who knows?). She is taking time to list 1,000 things she's thankful for. Growing up, my pastor, Dr. Lindsay Jr., challenged us every year to make a list of 100 things you're thankful for. I don't know if I ever did it as kid, but I have as an adult. When I journaled in college, I always took the time to list 5 things I was thankful for each day. It's cool to look back and see what they were. So, I am stepping up to the challenge. I always want to thank God for even the small blessings in my life! Who's going to join me?
1. Time to spend with just Dan and the girls
2. My daughter's laughter
3. Massages :)
4. Pedicures and cute toes (which I do not have right now!)
5. Date nights with my wonderful hubby
6. Cuddling on the couch with my whole family, feet in my face and all
7. Sunday night dinner with friends after church
8. Emperor's Bride tea from The Tea Room in Savannah
9.Extra-firm, yet soft pillows
10. Time to be by myself to read
11. Mom 2 Mom group discussion time
12. Comfy yoga pants
13. Hoodies
14. Disney vacations
15. Times when Katelyn gets excited about the Disney Village, thinking it's just as great as Disney World itself.
16. Hearing, "I love you"
17. Victoria Secret Love Spell lotion
18. Amish Friendship Bread
19. Romantic Comedies (especially ones with Julia Roberts)
20. Watching Survivor and then discussing strategy
21. Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Yummy!
22. Karen Kingsbury books
23. Tape: scotch, making, packing, duct, etc (Have you ever thought about what life was like before tape?)
24. My new sewing machine and the fact that I actually figured out how to thread it!
25. The Generous Giving seminar this past Saturday. Tim Keller rocked my world!
Now, what about you?
1. Time to spend with just Dan and the girls
2. My daughter's laughter
3. Massages :)
4. Pedicures and cute toes (which I do not have right now!)
5. Date nights with my wonderful hubby
6. Cuddling on the couch with my whole family, feet in my face and all
7. Sunday night dinner with friends after church
8. Emperor's Bride tea from The Tea Room in Savannah
9.Extra-firm, yet soft pillows
10. Time to be by myself to read
11. Mom 2 Mom group discussion time
12. Comfy yoga pants
13. Hoodies
14. Disney vacations
15. Times when Katelyn gets excited about the Disney Village, thinking it's just as great as Disney World itself.
16. Hearing, "I love you"
17. Victoria Secret Love Spell lotion
18. Amish Friendship Bread
19. Romantic Comedies (especially ones with Julia Roberts)
20. Watching Survivor and then discussing strategy
21. Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Yummy!
22. Karen Kingsbury books
23. Tape: scotch, making, packing, duct, etc (Have you ever thought about what life was like before tape?)
24. My new sewing machine and the fact that I actually figured out how to thread it!
25. The Generous Giving seminar this past Saturday. Tim Keller rocked my world!
Now, what about you?
Monday, January 17, 2011
Happy Birthday Caroline
Dear Caroline,
How time flies! It seems like just yesterday we were headed to the hospital to meet you for the first time! It was an exciting night and it's been exciting ever since! You are so full of life and excitement. It's such a wonder to look at the world through your eyes. You have such a cute smile and it lights up the room!
Right now, you are totally in love with Barney! Who knew that a little person could love a big purple dinosaur as much as you do. You love to sing along and dance. My favorite is when you shake your booty! :) You ask for Barney as soon as you wake up and always when we eat lunch.
You are saying all sorts of fun things now too! Mama and Daddy are still your favorite words with Sissy right behind it. You say "up" whether you want up or down. :) You love juice and get really annoyed when Mommy tries to give you water or milk instead. You love hot dogs, mac n cheese, shrimp and ice cream. Chick-fil-a is your favorite restaurant. You ate clams for the first time this weekend and loves them (though it made Mommy a little sick to my stomach). You love to dance, sing (especially in the car), and play in your playhouse in the back yard. You're trying to figure out the whole trampoline thing too. You're not quite sure how you feel about it. You still cry every time Mommy or Daddy drops you off in the nursery at church but you're always grinning ear to ear when we pick you up.
Mommy cannot believe what a big girl you have become. It seems like you grew up overnight! I love you and can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays with you! Mommy, Daddy, and Sissy love you very much!!
How time flies! It seems like just yesterday we were headed to the hospital to meet you for the first time! It was an exciting night and it's been exciting ever since! You are so full of life and excitement. It's such a wonder to look at the world through your eyes. You have such a cute smile and it lights up the room!
Right now, you are totally in love with Barney! Who knew that a little person could love a big purple dinosaur as much as you do. You love to sing along and dance. My favorite is when you shake your booty! :) You ask for Barney as soon as you wake up and always when we eat lunch.
Mommy cannot believe what a big girl you have become. It seems like you grew up overnight! I love you and can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays with you! Mommy, Daddy, and Sissy love you very much!!
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