Music of the Season

Well, I've been a bit silent around our blog lately and possibly for good reason...possibly not. I've had some very up days and surprisingly very down days lately. This has kind of taken me by surprise during a pregnancy that I've expected to be full of glow and bliss. The hormones and emotions that are so common during pregnancy are hitting me harder than they did with my other pregnancies. Not to mention more anxiety. But God has been good and is walking through these days with me and showing me how to deal with the sometimes sleepless nights and the somewhat down days.
With Thanksgiving approaching next week (my most favorite time of the year...probably even my fave holiday!) I have had so much to focus on with a thankful heart. For the past month, our women's Bible study at church has also been about Prayer and Praise. We are reading through each Psalm, writing down attributes of God and noting how He turns the negative things into positive praise and focus on His sovereignty. It's been a great exercise to keep my mind on God's truth and off the lies that sneak in when I'm down or anxious.
With much to look forward to this week and over the next month, I am also getting so excited to pull out the Christmas music and start playing it non-stop! I usually restrain myself until after Thanksgiving, but Walmart and certain other stores I frequent have left me at their mercy to listen against my will! I do feel for those poor employees that have to hear to it for 2 months straight! Thankfully, I get to CHOOSE which songs I listen to!
Brent and I are big Casting Crowns fans and bought their Christmas CD several weeks ago. Can't wait to pop that one in and wear it out. I'm also checking out Mandisa's songs on iTunes and reading how great her new release is. Saw that Harry Connick Jr. has a new Christmas CD out...it's only $7.99 on iTunes...maybe there's a reason it's so cheap. We've all had fun with "When My Heart Finds Christmas" and the boys love a few of the songs on that one.
So what do YOU know? What's worth picking up to listen to these days and what's worth leaving for Walmart to put their employees over the edge this time of year?

Taking in some Tunes

Last week, we were blessed by our friends, Stef & Sandi, when they invited us to The United Tour...Steven Curtis Chapman & Michael W. Smith on stage together sharing their music! They have never performed together on tour, so that was pretty cool to be there on the opening night.

Being long time fans of both artists, Brent & I agreed that Steven Curtis Chapman still has the most impact on us. This is partly because of his family's amazing story of hope and how they are boldly choosing faith in God during a tragic event in their lives. He shared why he believes that God is still calling him to sing and tour...he wasn't sure he'd be able to continue that career after the loss of his youngest daughter. We and countless others are so thankful that Steven and his family are still sensing God's plan in their lives. They have been a HUGE blessing to so many already!

The 2 artists are also bringing their older sons on tour with them to play back up guitar & keyboard. It was neat to see the duos displaying their musical ability!

It was a blessing to hang out with Stef & Sandi, especially in the midst of his fierce battle with cancer. Please keep praying for Stef, as he's in the middle of radiation treatments and much pain right now. Thanks Stef & Sandi, for making it a fun night and blessing us, even in the midst of your trials right now!

Free Download!

So there's finally a new song on the playlist over there. Thanks to this site, I got a free download and I'm liking it! I've heard a lot of Lincoln Brewster, mostly on our local radio station, but I haven't "picked up" on him yet. But I am liking this song...Today is the Day. Get this song free (and a new one every week) when you have an account with them.

Taken straight from Psalm 118:24 -
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Learned this one young, but it's so true that no matter what our day holds, we can trust that God made it for a reason and we can be glad! What a great song to hear each morning...especially the ones when we're dragging. I probably won't be doing any jumping around to it as I get ready though...can you envision that with my growing belly?

"And I won't worry about tomorrow, I'm trusting in what you say...today is the day."

Birthday Boy

Little Brudder just celebrated his 4th Birthday! Seems unreal...he's such a big kiddo now. And we're gonna keep him for a while longer. Especially if he keeps being so sweet and fun!

We had some fun making big of his day as a family!

Big Brudder gave him his present the minute he woke up. He was pretty excited for his Brudder.

Opened presents & cards on dad & mom's bed in the morning.

Had lunch at Friday's and was treated to a BIG birthday sundae!
Was scared to death by the servers while they sang to him. Every single server came out from behind him to clap & sing. It was super loud! Nearly made him cry...but when they walked away, he recovered well by diving into the sundae!
(I think the big man sitting behind us was going to cry too! He had to cover his ears, because he was just as scared when the commotion started. Kinda funny)

We're so blessed by this boy...God has definitely made someone special in Little Brudder. We hope he never forgets it!

Uninvited project

A new project was dropped onto Brent's plate after the storm. Our awesome Bradford pear tree that gave us so much great shade needed to come down after some wind damage. This thing was so tiny when we moved in 9 years ago.1999...little tree on the left side of the house

These trees are known for getting really big and full. Also known for splitting easily.
2008...after Brent had already cut 1/2 of it away

I am mourning the loss. Couldn't plant much under this tree because it took all the light, but it was best thing for reducing the electric bill in the summer. We can already tell a BIG difference on these 85 degree days. I dread next summer!

Attempting to see the positive...

1) We have a new house. Okay, at least a house that can be seen from the street now.
While it was on the market last year, it was kind of funny to see the listed picture. You thought we were selling a garage with a bedroom above it.

2)We also have firewood...holler if you need some bonfire wood.

3) Brent is now a pro at running a chainsaw. He didn't lose any of his limbs, thank God.

Any ideas of things to plant in FULL sun?

After the storm...

We've had an exciting weekend and now things have somewhat calmed down. Our crazy effects from hurricane Ike have put some things into perspective for me.

We had finally purchased a stove, after shopping around for a day or two. Took our business to a smaller appliance store here in town, b/c we heard they have great service. They price matched also, so we wanted to give them the business, rather than to the monster chain stores.
However, when I heard it would still be another 4-5 days before they delivered our stove, I had a meltdown. I reconsidered taking our business to a chain that could deliver when I wanted it. Total wake-up call of how much I am a part of the "me" society that we're plagued by. At least I could say I was trying to look out for the good of my family and our eating habits. But I still wanted the stove when I wanted it.

Then Sunday came and the storm rolled in. We've never had a storm like that...75 mph winds...no rain...just crazy winds. We woke up from our naps that afternoon to part of our maple tree down in the backyard. The power went out right when I woke up and we spent a lot of time outside wondering how long the winds could keep blowing. Enjoyed dinner out with our friends and realized that even if I had my stove when I wanted it, it would be in vain at this point. Sources were telling us the power would be out for up to 7 days.

Went to the store to get "D" batteries for our flashlights...along with everyone else in town. There were NONE on the shelves. I even knew the hidden spots for batteries in the store...they were cleaned out. I spotted a set on a random shelf and snatched them so fast...I thought I needed to run in case someone mugged me for the batteries. It was a pretty crazy place.

Came home and part of our tree out front had fallen on the house. Thankfully extremely minor damage, but we have to sacrifice our shade-bearing tree. So sad about that. Our friends with a small t.v. told us there was no school on Monday. We've never had school cancel for power outages! Brent woke up early Monday to beat the rush and buy a generator. Monster chain stores had none...we had already sent them south for the hurricane recovery. There were 2 for rent. Brent got one and we split it with the neighbors. Powered up the basics... fridge, freezers, T.V. & of course, the Wii. Just the basics, ma'am, just the basics.

Friend came over to cut down the small part of tree that landed on the front of our house. He'll come back to help take out the rest later.
Boys played & played & played with neighbor buddies.
I had a dr. appt. and they still had power! We'll find out whether the baby has indoor or outdoor plumbing in 3 weeks!! Can't wait.
Power came back on 24 hours after it went out. We are so thankful, but kept praying for many around us that still didn't/don't have power.
School cancelled again today. Tomorrow everyone goes back.

Boy, I realized my reasons for meltdown don't pale in comparison to what some people are experiencing down south. We had the tiniest glimpse of what life is like with no power. Add flooding, scarce food & nowhere to call home to that. Wow. We'll keep praying for them for sure. They have a real reason for meltdowns...hopefully they're all stronger than me in the face of those circumstances though!

We chucked it out.

You sure wouldn't think that it would be such a tough decision about throwing out food and going out to eat. But that was a hard call for us. Not to mention I was tired and ready to get everyone to bed...a time when making wise choices becomes difficult for everyone in the house...most of all for me!

So we chucked all the food out. And we've done a little shopping for a stove. But that's not a quick process either, when you've never had to make that decision for yourselves! We know we're switching to gas and we'll have to put in a gas line for the stove. That probably means we'll be forking out for fast food several more days...ugh.

Shopping for major appliances goes like this for me...I need a stove, but I'm having more fun looking at refrigerators. We've replaced all of our appliances except for the fridge and we know that's coming soon. Not to mention, they have a much wider selection to choose from. But I need a stove...I am such a decisive & focused person!

Maybe we'll have a home cooked meal by the end of this week...if we're lucky! If I were as disciplined as my friend, Haylee, over at HaybeeBaby, our family would be well fed on raw foods. I've been intrigued by her new food choices...she's made it a long process to change over, but I can tell she loves it! She's amazingly creative too, so enjoy all that she creates and concocts in her "spare" time!