So today this was the first song we sang in church. This same version. Most people know the hymn, however this is a contemporary version. We have an amazing praise and worship band and today they had the choir perform as well. I was hoping someone would post the video, there were a few people recording it with their phones. It was so moving...if you could have just been there to feel the energy in the room! I couldn't find one from today's service, but I did find this video someone put on You Tube and I must say sometimes actually seeing the words to a song has a bigger impact on me than just hearing a song. I love this version and think it's such a great song to remember as we face the storms that come our way in life.
Today's message was on giving your life over to God, building it on a "foundation of rock". Matthew 7:24-27 says "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
You are betting your marriage, family, children, finances on this foundation. There are storms all over and everyone faces them. What's your foundation? I loved how our pastor gave the example of how convenient (remember this series is on convenience), how convenient and flexible sand is. He talked about how when his little boy sits to play in his sand box the sand conforms to his little bottom. It's very easy, flexible, convenient, it conforms to how YOU want it! But following God isn't about being easy or convenient.
He also compared Spiritual Awakening vs Spiritual Conversion. Many people think they are the same thing... Awakening is realizing what you need, the light goes off, you think "I get it I need to follow God" and many end at that. Spiritual Conversion is giving your life over to God, completely. Words are not enough. It's so very hard sometimes to hand things over to God, especially for me because I like to be in control (shocker huh?). I can say all day long that I love God and that I live a "christian, spiritual" life, but what happens when I'm faced with challenges or what about when we care what others think? That's a big one...every tried to stand on your faith and had people give you a look like your crazy?
After the sermon they held open baptism and over 100 people were baptized. And this was just one out of the three services!! It was so amazing to see these people profess their faith. Remember to turn off the music at the bottom of the page. Enjoy the video!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Boys will be boys!
So this week we have had landscapers redoing our front beds. Before we moved in the house had been vacant for 2 years and what landscaping they had done was pretty bad so we decided to rip everything out and start over.
The other day I noticed Bo would not leave the windows and then I realized he was watching the guys working. Free Entertainment!!! He loved watching them with the backhoe, stayed in front of the window until it was time for his nap! He's such a little boy!!
The other day I noticed Bo would not leave the windows and then I realized he was watching the guys working. Free Entertainment!!! He loved watching them with the backhoe, stayed in front of the window until it was time for his nap! He's such a little boy!!
Don't you love the one shoe on, one shoe off...he's always like this!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Playground Mishaps
As I return from taking Bo to the playground I remember coming across this video yesterday. Oh how I remember those metal slides!!!! Ever noticed you NEVER see these things on playgrounds anymore.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Mommy-Son Weekend
This weekend Jarrod met two of his childhood friends, Kevin and Buddy, in Chicago for a "guys weekend". So that meant Bo and I had a mommy-son weekend! Friday morning we met our friends Nate & Noah at the Mall of Ga. This is our routine almost every Friday. Meet at 10:30 let them play in the kids play area then lunch at Chick fil A around 11:30. This Friday was even more special because he got to ride the train. They have this little train that goes around the play area and Kathy had decided to give it a try with the boys so Bo and I hopped on. At first he wasn't sure, but after about 30 seconds he LOVED it!!!
Bo & Nate trying to figure out how to get back on.
Forget it, I'll do it myself!
Oh what a trantrum we threw when we couldn't get back on and had to leave! Fun times for mom...I had to carry him kicking and screaming (literally) through the mall, he wouldn't get in his stroller!
Lunchtime...all he wanted was his fruit, hardly touched his chicken nuggets! Now if I could just get him that excited over veggies!
Saturday morning we woke up and went to see my grandmother "Grandmoms". She absolutely loved seeing Bo, it was the highlight of her day! She also loved showing him off to all of her friends where she lives. It's such little things that can brighten her day.
A little bath playtime! It was too cute not to take!
Saturday night and Sunday were a little rough, he's getting his 4 canine teeth in right now so he was awake half the night. I was debating on taking him to church Sunday morning, but he seemed to be fine so a little motrin and off we went. I could tell when I left him in the nursery he was getting fussy, because he was so tired. I met my friend, Kathy (the twins mom) and told her I had a feeling I might get called to get him. Sure enough, close to the end of the sermon up flashed "8658", meaning...COME GET BO!!! They only call you if it's really bad! So I sat with him in the "mother's nursing" room where I rocked him and was able to finish the sermon via tv.
Sunday night daddy got home, thank goodness because I was worn out. He even brought Bo and I a little surprise. Bo wasn't quite as thrilled since he was tired and it was late, but at least he let us try...
All in all it was a good weekend, but I'm very glad daddy will be here this weekend!
Friday, August 21, 2009
A dream come true
So you all know we went to see Paul McCartney last weekend. I have dreamed of seeing him play the piano. I play and I get so much enjoyment out of watching amazingly, talented people play. It doesn't get any better than this...It's a little hard to see, but it was probably recorded on someone's cell phone! **Remember to turn off the music at the bottom of the page!
Another one for fun...oh how I wish you could have seen all the ladies dancing who you knew grew up to this! I loved it!!!
Another one for fun...oh how I wish you could have seen all the ladies dancing who you knew grew up to this! I loved it!!!
19 Months
WOW! I can't believe we are 5 months away from having a two year old, yes that's how I look at it. I can't believe how fast it's going.
Bo doesn't have a check up again until he's 2, but we were a little late with his 18 month appointment so from two weeks ago he weighed almost 29 pounds nad was 33 1/4 in long. 90% for height, are we surprised? No...he's obviously taking after his daddy!
He still isn't talking as much as they would like, but his coordination is off the charts. He can kick and maneuver a ball around furniture to kick it to you, his throwing is amazing, and running...sometimes I think we may have a track star! He might not say words, but he "talks" ALL day long. Most pediatricians will tell you that they focus on one or the other, he clearly decided to focus on developing his athletic skills as daddy likes to say. I feel like once he starts Mother's Morning Out in a few weeks that he'll begin to pick up more words.
He's a very busy little guy. He loves to play chase, especially when trying to get out the door. He will run and hide which he thinks is hysterical. It's cute except we're usually trying to get somewhere by a certain time and I always forget to build in "chase" time. He also loves to play hard to get in the crib. In the mornings or after his naps he makes you chase him in the crib to get him, again he thinks it's so funny!
He loves to help load and unload the dishwasher. We're still into Cars...if we turn the tv on he instantly starts making his car sounds and if there is Lightening McQueen anywhere he has to have it! He actually takes time now to "read" a book. He'll sit on the floor and when he turns the page you hear "ba ba ba da mamama" turn the page "ba ba ba da mamama" and so on. He keeps me on the go for sure. He's not one to just hang out in the house...we have to be going and doing all the time! Still loves being outside he'd stay out there all day if I'd let him, he cries almost every time we bring him in. He and I go to the park just about every day sometimes twice a day to get him outside.
We've entered the terrible twos for sure, but I keep reminding myself that "this too shall pass". Lately it seems like everything and I'm talking everything is a battle with him!!! It's absolutely draining and there are many days I think I'm not going to make it, but even on the most trying days I can go in and rock him to sleep and have him look up at me with those big blue eyes and I just melt and am reminded of why I do what I do every day. It's not easy, but man it's amazing!
playing in his tent! I've been trying to find one for him because to play in "forts" one day I passed by a house having a garage sale and saw it in their yard. I turned around saw it was $5, had the girl hold it because I had given Jarrod my last $5 that morning, went to an atm, and came back to get it. The things we do to make them happy! He loves it and this is usually where he runs to when I'm trying to get out the door!
His other "fort" aka-boxes we still haven't unpacked!!! Don't you love the "FRAGILE" written all over the one on the right! As we let him climb all over it! He also loves to play in the drapes left by the previous homeowner so I don't really care.
Bo doesn't have a check up again until he's 2, but we were a little late with his 18 month appointment so from two weeks ago he weighed almost 29 pounds nad was 33 1/4 in long. 90% for height, are we surprised? No...he's obviously taking after his daddy!
He still isn't talking as much as they would like, but his coordination is off the charts. He can kick and maneuver a ball around furniture to kick it to you, his throwing is amazing, and running...sometimes I think we may have a track star! He might not say words, but he "talks" ALL day long. Most pediatricians will tell you that they focus on one or the other, he clearly decided to focus on developing his athletic skills as daddy likes to say. I feel like once he starts Mother's Morning Out in a few weeks that he'll begin to pick up more words.
He's a very busy little guy. He loves to play chase, especially when trying to get out the door. He will run and hide which he thinks is hysterical. It's cute except we're usually trying to get somewhere by a certain time and I always forget to build in "chase" time. He also loves to play hard to get in the crib. In the mornings or after his naps he makes you chase him in the crib to get him, again he thinks it's so funny!
He loves to help load and unload the dishwasher. We're still into Cars...if we turn the tv on he instantly starts making his car sounds and if there is Lightening McQueen anywhere he has to have it! He actually takes time now to "read" a book. He'll sit on the floor and when he turns the page you hear "ba ba ba da mamama" turn the page "ba ba ba da mamama" and so on. He keeps me on the go for sure. He's not one to just hang out in the house...we have to be going and doing all the time! Still loves being outside he'd stay out there all day if I'd let him, he cries almost every time we bring him in. He and I go to the park just about every day sometimes twice a day to get him outside.
We've entered the terrible twos for sure, but I keep reminding myself that "this too shall pass". Lately it seems like everything and I'm talking everything is a battle with him!!! It's absolutely draining and there are many days I think I'm not going to make it, but even on the most trying days I can go in and rock him to sleep and have him look up at me with those big blue eyes and I just melt and am reminded of why I do what I do every day. It's not easy, but man it's amazing!
playing in his tent! I've been trying to find one for him because to play in "forts" one day I passed by a house having a garage sale and saw it in their yard. I turned around saw it was $5, had the girl hold it because I had given Jarrod my last $5 that morning, went to an atm, and came back to get it. The things we do to make them happy! He loves it and this is usually where he runs to when I'm trying to get out the door!His other "fort" aka-boxes we still haven't unpacked!!! Don't you love the "FRAGILE" written all over the one on the right! As we let him climb all over it! He also loves to play in the drapes left by the previous homeowner so I don't really care. Should I unload the steak knives or dinner knives first??
Monday, August 17, 2009
A Legend
Hours of waiting, extreme temperatures, 40,000 people, a massive downpour, and a Legend!!! That was our Saturday!
For as long as I can remember I have always said if there was one person I could see in concert it would be Paul McCartney. Maybe it's because I grew up knowing how my mother idolized the Beatles, maybe it's because the Beatles created some of the most amazing music using sound effects and instruments that were unconventional for rock music at that time, maybe it was seeing someone who had such an immense impact on American culture at the time with their looks, fashion, sound, and lyrics. Whatever the reason I have always loved the Beatles and Paul McCartney.
Saturday morning we woke up ready to tackle it all. Around noon we dropped Bo off at my Aunt Amy and Uncle David's who offered to keep Bo so Jarrod and I could go see Paul McCartney. A HUGE thank you to them! We headed to the MARTA station (the Atlanta train which runs through downtown, we weren't going to even attempt parking). After we arrived in Midtown around 1pm we were going to just go "check things out" to see what the crowds were beginning to look like and then go get some lunch because gates weren't schedule to open until 5pm. As soon as we walked up we new food was out of the question, we better get in line ASAP!! It was almost as if all 40,000 people showed up at once. So we found a place in line, I put out our blanket, and Jarrod went to go find lunch!
Sitting in line was actually fun. We met a lot of people. It was such a diverse group of people...young, old, middle age, from the north, south, east, and west! There was a Beatle wanna-be who sat out and played music for everyone. People were sharing food and bottled water because it was so extremely hot. The rumor was that the concert officials had decided to open the gates at 4pm due to the large crowd (apparently they didn't expect so many people to come early), I had to laugh...it's general admission, 40,000 people, for Paul McCartney what rock were these people living under!!!
4pm came and it was like the Atlanta Gold Rush...thousands of people just herding through the gates as fast as the could to claim their spot as close to the stage as possible. I've never seen anything like it before in my life. I have to say we actually ended up with a really great seat! So what did we do from 4pm to 7:30pm? Wait, wait, and wait and drank LOTS of water!!! It was so hot but you couldn't leave your spot or it would be gone so Jarrod and I would take turns going to get food and water. We made a lot of friends, everyone was so friendly. We ended up behind a couple who were there for their anniversary and it turned out the wife had gone to Woodstock, which this weekend was the 40th anniversary. It was so cool talking to her about it, we'll never be able to understand what an amazing experience it was for people who were there.
Finally at 7:00 the opening act came on and they played about an hour. As soon as they were done we looked up and saw horrible storm clouds rolling in! At around 8:30 Paul McCartney took the stage opening up with "Drive My Car". As soon as he finished here came the rain!!!! People were trying to get under their blankets, but eventually it was useless and everyone started singing and dancing in the rain, who cared we were seeing Paul McCartney. Guess it turned out to be a little like Woodstock :) The rain did eventually quit, thank goodness!
He performed for an entire 3 hours, without a break!!! He also knew what people wanted to hear, I would say 95% of his songs were Beatles hits, with a few Wings hits, and some of his new songs. For the most part we sang along to Hey Jude (which by the way I called my mother in the middle of because I knew she loved it...mom you better feel pretty darn special), Let It Be, Drive My Car, Eleanor Rigby, Paperback Writer, I Saw Her Standing There, Yesterday, Live and Let Die, Get Back, the list goes on and on. He also had tributes to George Harrison, by playing "Something" on a ukulele that George had given him and by singing "Give Peace A Chance" in honor of John Lennon. He also sang "Here Today" which he wrote for John Lennon after he died.
After the show Jarrod and I, along with thousands of soaking wet concert goers, headed back to MARTA, it took an hour just to go a few blocks to the train station. We finally made it back home and into bed by 2am. We were exhausted, but it was worth every single second and I would do it all over again tomorrow!
What do you do when you have to wait for 4 hours...play with Jarrod's phone and practice taking pictures of yourself! 
This was soon after the gates opened, you should have seen it at concert time!
The stage was amazing and it was no problem to see him.
For as long as I can remember I have always said if there was one person I could see in concert it would be Paul McCartney. Maybe it's because I grew up knowing how my mother idolized the Beatles, maybe it's because the Beatles created some of the most amazing music using sound effects and instruments that were unconventional for rock music at that time, maybe it was seeing someone who had such an immense impact on American culture at the time with their looks, fashion, sound, and lyrics. Whatever the reason I have always loved the Beatles and Paul McCartney.
Saturday morning we woke up ready to tackle it all. Around noon we dropped Bo off at my Aunt Amy and Uncle David's who offered to keep Bo so Jarrod and I could go see Paul McCartney. A HUGE thank you to them! We headed to the MARTA station (the Atlanta train which runs through downtown, we weren't going to even attempt parking). After we arrived in Midtown around 1pm we were going to just go "check things out" to see what the crowds were beginning to look like and then go get some lunch because gates weren't schedule to open until 5pm. As soon as we walked up we new food was out of the question, we better get in line ASAP!! It was almost as if all 40,000 people showed up at once. So we found a place in line, I put out our blanket, and Jarrod went to go find lunch!
Sitting in line was actually fun. We met a lot of people. It was such a diverse group of people...young, old, middle age, from the north, south, east, and west! There was a Beatle wanna-be who sat out and played music for everyone. People were sharing food and bottled water because it was so extremely hot. The rumor was that the concert officials had decided to open the gates at 4pm due to the large crowd (apparently they didn't expect so many people to come early), I had to laugh...it's general admission, 40,000 people, for Paul McCartney what rock were these people living under!!!
4pm came and it was like the Atlanta Gold Rush...thousands of people just herding through the gates as fast as the could to claim their spot as close to the stage as possible. I've never seen anything like it before in my life. I have to say we actually ended up with a really great seat! So what did we do from 4pm to 7:30pm? Wait, wait, and wait and drank LOTS of water!!! It was so hot but you couldn't leave your spot or it would be gone so Jarrod and I would take turns going to get food and water. We made a lot of friends, everyone was so friendly. We ended up behind a couple who were there for their anniversary and it turned out the wife had gone to Woodstock, which this weekend was the 40th anniversary. It was so cool talking to her about it, we'll never be able to understand what an amazing experience it was for people who were there.
Finally at 7:00 the opening act came on and they played about an hour. As soon as they were done we looked up and saw horrible storm clouds rolling in! At around 8:30 Paul McCartney took the stage opening up with "Drive My Car". As soon as he finished here came the rain!!!! People were trying to get under their blankets, but eventually it was useless and everyone started singing and dancing in the rain, who cared we were seeing Paul McCartney. Guess it turned out to be a little like Woodstock :) The rain did eventually quit, thank goodness!
He performed for an entire 3 hours, without a break!!! He also knew what people wanted to hear, I would say 95% of his songs were Beatles hits, with a few Wings hits, and some of his new songs. For the most part we sang along to Hey Jude (which by the way I called my mother in the middle of because I knew she loved it...mom you better feel pretty darn special), Let It Be, Drive My Car, Eleanor Rigby, Paperback Writer, I Saw Her Standing There, Yesterday, Live and Let Die, Get Back, the list goes on and on. He also had tributes to George Harrison, by playing "Something" on a ukulele that George had given him and by singing "Give Peace A Chance" in honor of John Lennon. He also sang "Here Today" which he wrote for John Lennon after he died.
After the show Jarrod and I, along with thousands of soaking wet concert goers, headed back to MARTA, it took an hour just to go a few blocks to the train station. We finally made it back home and into bed by 2am. We were exhausted, but it was worth every single second and I would do it all over again tomorrow!
What do you do when you have to wait for 4 hours...play with Jarrod's phone and practice taking pictures of yourself! 
This was soon after the gates opened, you should have seen it at concert time!
The stage was amazing and it was no problem to see him.Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Southern Life
A poem from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia by Patricia Neely-Dorsey
SOUTHERN LIFE
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Convenience
So today at church we started a new series on "Convenience". The message today was the first of the series so our Pastor started things off with today's world and convenience. We all want convenience in every possible aspect of our life...I'll be the first to say I totally fall in that category. But what we don't even realize is how self absorbed we become with convenice.
He told a story about leaving a $100 tip to a waitress (I won't tell the story), but his example was the waitress could have settled for the $5 tip or gone the extra mile and been "inconvenienced" to earn the $100 tip. How many of us settle for the $5 relationships, marriages, and spiritual life because we don't want to be inconvenienced? Following Jesus is often inconvenient, but everything you want falls in that inconcenience.
He showed a video clip of a comedian on Conan O'Brien which I thought was so true and hysterical!!! He says "Everything is amazing right now and nobody is happy." hmmm makes you think! I just thought it was great and wanted to share! ****Make sure to turn off the music at the bottom of the page.
He told a story about leaving a $100 tip to a waitress (I won't tell the story), but his example was the waitress could have settled for the $5 tip or gone the extra mile and been "inconvenienced" to earn the $100 tip. How many of us settle for the $5 relationships, marriages, and spiritual life because we don't want to be inconvenienced? Following Jesus is often inconvenient, but everything you want falls in that inconcenience.
He showed a video clip of a comedian on Conan O'Brien which I thought was so true and hysterical!!! He says "Everything is amazing right now and nobody is happy." hmmm makes you think! I just thought it was great and wanted to share! ****Make sure to turn off the music at the bottom of the page.
More Family Fun
Saturday was another day filled with "family fun"! With Jarrod working so much lately the rules are 1-He can work from home at night after Bo goes to bed and 2-We get at least one FULL day on the weekends for family time. Saturdays are our day. Sundays after church and lunch Jarrod usually goes right to work, granted he's home, but can't be bothered!
We woke up yesterday morning and headed to the park for a walk/run (daddy ran while I walked with Bo). The pictures below of the trail are more for my parents. I've been telling them about this great park that Bo and I go to every morning and walk. It's so quiet and peaceful a great way to start the morning! And it's a pretty challenging walk, full of hills! After our walk we headed over to feed the ducks and then off to the playground for Bo to burn off some energy. So much for that idea since he headed straight to the swings and screamed every time we tried to take him out. While he was swinging a precious 23 month old little girl named Sydney came over. When she started swinging they both started laughing so hard. Her mom said "this is when I need my video camera" isn't that the truth! I wish you could have seen him flirting and showing out. Of course it all stopped once Sydney got off the swings and went to play!
Watching the ducks.
The toddler part of the playground
Bo and Sydney (she was the most precious little girl)
LAUGHING & SQUEALING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After the park we headed to chick-fil-a for lunch. One of our favorite places! It's the only fast food I'll let Bo eat. Although he was more interested in mommy's salad than his chicken nuggets...go figure! We learned the hard way not to sit facing the play area because all he wanted to do was get down and go play. Eventually we let him and he had a blast!
Laughing at a little boy playing with him on the slide.
Doesn't he look like such a "little boy" here...he's not a baby anymore.
We woke up yesterday morning and headed to the park for a walk/run (daddy ran while I walked with Bo). The pictures below of the trail are more for my parents. I've been telling them about this great park that Bo and I go to every morning and walk. It's so quiet and peaceful a great way to start the morning! And it's a pretty challenging walk, full of hills! After our walk we headed over to feed the ducks and then off to the playground for Bo to burn off some energy. So much for that idea since he headed straight to the swings and screamed every time we tried to take him out. While he was swinging a precious 23 month old little girl named Sydney came over. When she started swinging they both started laughing so hard. Her mom said "this is when I need my video camera" isn't that the truth! I wish you could have seen him flirting and showing out. Of course it all stopped once Sydney got off the swings and went to play!
Watching the ducks.
The toddler part of the playground
Bo and Sydney (she was the most precious little girl)
LAUGHING & SQUEALING!!!!!!!!!!!!!After the park we headed to chick-fil-a for lunch. One of our favorite places! It's the only fast food I'll let Bo eat. Although he was more interested in mommy's salad than his chicken nuggets...go figure! We learned the hard way not to sit facing the play area because all he wanted to do was get down and go play. Eventually we let him and he had a blast!
Laughing at a little boy playing with him on the slide.
Doesn't he look like such a "little boy" here...he's not a baby anymore.Saturday night we cooked out and had a family dinner. Bo loved his turkey burger and sweet potatoe fries! Of course we totally ruined his good dinner with ice cream for dessert. Those of you who know me know I NEVER let Bo have sweets...he's only had ice cream maybe once or twice his entire life. No candy, sweets, fried foods, etc.... I know I'm not a fun mom, but he'll have plenty of time for that in a few years. However, I decided since Saturday was such a fun day he should end it on a fun note. of course he loved it!!
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