I so needed church today......

Today, at church, we had Youth Sunday. I so needed this today and am so thankful for the youth in our congregation. Church, lately, has been more of a "I know I should go" type thing, instead of what it is supposed to be about. I won't bore you with those details, but back to today.... Today was one of those days that my eyes welled with tears many times, and I sat and gave up thanks for reminding me why I was there.

We had a praise band of 3 guys, and it was great. They played covers of lots of popular praise songs. I've put the songs they played plus a couple of extra in the player. In case you can't tell, I do like Chris Tomlin. =)

The youth did a stick dance to the song, "My Redeemer Lives." This is one of those songs that gets me every time! The dance is very moving and then with the song, Oh my! Who knew that you could spread the word by doing motions to a song?

Then,my niece and her buddies did children's time. They did well with the wild things at the front of the church in front of everyone. Even my Allie did well, until the end. As they were leaving, she looked up at Brittany and said she wanted to pray. Brittany let her, and I was sorely afraid! She prayed that she knew God was dead and so was her yellow lab, Khaki, who died when he was 7. That was it. Everyone just thinks it's soooo cute, but I cringe everytime the children head to the front, with a MICROPHONE!!

The message was given by the youth leader and about how we come, just like things we buy, with some assembly required and how we need God to provide us with directions.

Now, why am I giving you a play by play of my church service today? It was on my heart to share it and to extend it.

I have read many blogs about people needing some prayers right now. Let's make this a prayer chain for the folks in our lives right now that need us praying for them.

I'll leave names and then you all add in the comments who you want others to pray for. I feel great things can happen when we lift people up by name. It may not be what we want, but God does hear our prayers.

Sue McVey, a friend's mother battling cancer
my mother, some health issues
Melissa, from Stretch Marks
the family of Confessions of a CF Husband
my cousin Russell in Iraq
Bob Copeland, my friend's father


I know there are many others, but this is to just get us started. Please participate and share this with others.

I have a confession to make...

For the 2 people out there reading this blog. I am not always a sweet, timid, shy girl. Christi, don't open your mouth. Sometimes I do things that even surprise me.
Like on Sunday night. My husband had plans to go somewhere. He didn't want to go alone so he said he wanted me to go. Who can say no when your husband wants to include you on something he's interested in and you are NOT? I had made fun of him for weeks over this and now he was dragging me along for the ride.

Well, then, here it comes.

Billy took me to


a


concert!

What's so weird about that? I love music, I love going to see live acts, I love seeing U2 live. Well, here's the funny part.

It was POISON!!! Go ahead and laugh. I went and saw an 80s hair band, and had a blast!!!

Now, back in the day, I liked them. Never thought Brett Michaels was all hot or anything, but like any other teenager liked what they were singing. My friend Kelly though had a huge poster of the band in her room. I was more into thinking George Michael was "the thing." Yeah, I know. I was clueless as a child.

Update to today, and Billy and I love to watch Rock of Love and talk about the girls and laugh at the craziness of the show. It never entered my mind though to go to a show.

Oh, one funny thing about the concert. Before it started, this drunk chick across the row from us was trying to get a guitar player from the opening band to come up and talk to her. He was being a good sport, laughing about it, and just said he couldn't. Well, drunk chick tried walking down to him and ended up falling onto their guitars and spilling her beer all over everything. Security escorted her out, but let her come back to her seat. She was passed out by the time Poison came out. She probably wonders why she is so sore today!

We were on the side, but super close. I tried getting pictures with my cell phone, but for some reason it wouldn't zoom like it's supposed to do. And Lynette has already fussed about not having my camera. Apparently, I am supposed to have it in my purse at all times!

It was a typical band show. Lots of pyro, girls dancing on the screen behind the band, and confetti at the end. My ears are still buzzing at 11:00 Monday morning.

The capper of the night was a cop pulling out behind us, a mile and a half from our house. Billy figured he was busted for speeding, but he didn't pull us over until we were at the top of our street!!! He let Billy go with a warning, thank goodness.

I hope you all enjoyed laughing at me, but admit it, you are now hearing the song, "Talk Dirty to Me," aren't you?

Here are some fuzzy pics. Sorry, but it does show how close we were.

Billy and me at the concert


Brett and Bobby during the show


C.C. after the show- He cracked me up during the show. He kept checking his hair in a mirror and drinking Diet Dr.Pepper


Rikki after the show

Pride in the name of love.....

Oh, on a side note of pride:

My niece's softball team has won their first two games in the state tournament. If they win tonight, then the championship game will be on Monday. I so hope they do it!

Also, I picked Reed up from camp yesterday and my heart was bursting with pride listening to her talk about her experience. I would have never gone for a week like that as a 9 year old without knowing anyone, and not cried. I am proud of her for just going, but I almost cried when she was talking about their last worship service. They had it at night, around a bonfire, took communion, sang songs, and had a candlelight service. She said, "It was so awesome, Mommy, I can't put it into words." My baby experienced God firsthand, I think. She didn't want to come home, and she wants to work there when she is old enough. So, that's one of those things to put back in my mind, when I am so mad at her. I know there is good in there somewhere! =D

Sorry for being long-winded, just wanted to share!

Don't forget to check out the post below about the neat giveaway!!

Here freebie, freebie...............

The SITS-tas over at The Secret is in the Sauce are having another giveaway for this week! I am posting about it because it is the neatest and let's face it, I want more entries! I would love to have this baby, capturing all of life's big moments, like my nephew spilling his drink all over my daughter in the restaurant. Then when we got to the car, she was so worried about getting her booster seat dirty, I stripped her shorts and panties off of her. That would have been a Kodak, oops I mean, a great Sony moment! So, go over there, check out the giveaways, and join up!



A RED, yes Red, totally spunky Sony Cyber-shot W150 ($250 value)...8.1 Megapixels, 5x optical zoom and 30m wide-angle lens.

Now, doesn't that get you excited?

What will I do now?

I had my last class Saturday for my Ed.S (Education Specialist) program. That sounds so.......like I'm qualified for something. I have to take a school leaders licensure test in September, then guess what?

I actually could be a principal.

Now I know you are wondering why I would even want to do that? I remember watching Saved by the Bell and Mr. Belding was not the smartest cookie in the jar. And I remember from my own school experience that these were not always the people I admired. My elementary principal ALWAYS mispronounced a friend's name. She could not stand it.

Maybe they should offer classes on what NOT to do!!

But, I enjoyed learning about facilitating leadership skills and hopefully, for right now, it will help me be a better teacher.

Also on Saturday night, the girls and Billy participated in the Crazy 8s activities for Funfest. I did not. I watched, I tried taking pictures (didn't work out like I thought it would), and cheered everyone on. I am not a runner. Oh, I could have walked in the 3K, but I didn't. No excuses, just didn't. Billy ran the 8K and it was fun to watch. The world's record for men and women are at this race and they thought the men's record would be broken, but he missed it by about 40 seconds. Don't feel too bad, he ran about 5 miles in 22 minutes and 42 seconds. I guess it's hard to run at night with the humidity in July. It is absolutely amazing to see these Kenyans and Ethiopians come show us east Tennesseans how to really run! Billy finished in 48:25. He was happy that it was under 50 minutes. His knees are trying to tell him that he's not 20 anymore.

We took our big girl to camp yesterday for the week. Reed will be at church camp until Friday. This is the first time she has stayed all week, and she didn't go with knowing anyone. I am so proud of her for that. I couldn't and wouldn't have done that as a child. Allie has missed her and made several comments about her being gone. A funny though, the cat slept with Allie since Reed was gone, and Allie woke up happy and can't wait to tell Reed that one!

Here's a game of tag.......

Lynette has tagged me to think of 7 songs that I really like right now. Hmmm.... I don't know how I am going to pick just 7 because I love listening to music. Of course, right now, I don't think I am listening to anything new. I'll have to think on this one....

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your spring summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

1- Viva la Vida - Coldplay- I really like this song. Billy got the cd, but of course, I haven't got to listen to everything on it yet.

2- I Kissed a Girl- Katy Perry- I know, I know, I shouldn't like this song, but the music is quite catchy.

3- SuperGirl- Saving Jane- Another catchy song. Saving Jane will be at our local summer thing this year, funfest

4- Take a Bow- Rihanna- I didn't want to like it, but it has grown on me.

5- Shake It- Metro Station- I really like this song. My niece Brittany just saw them and thinks they are wonderful.

6- Damage- Danity Kane- I'm ducking now from shame for liking this one.

7- Mercy- Duffy- I just like it.

There are lots more and right now I just can't think of anymore than these. I usually like some hip-hop, R&B, but my mind is blank right now. Oh well. Now to tag 7 people.

Wait.

I don't know 7 people who blog enough to ask to do this.

Soooooooooo................... Just do it if you feel inclined. How's that?

I need some blogging buddies. So leave comments please. pretty please. =)

Here are the commercials that my girls and Betsy's kids were in last week. They are only showing on cable channels in southwest VA for the next few weeks. So, feel very special that you are getting to view these "local spots" They like it when Uncle Jeff does this for them! Be sure and pause the music from the sidebar.

They've done it again......

My niece Lauren's softball team won their district and are on their way to the state tournament! These girls are 13 now and are in the junior league division of little league softball. When these girls were 9-10, they won state. So, let's hope they can do it again! With them being older, if they would win state, they will go on to the region in Florida. Very exciting stuff for my small hometown!



Lauren is the 2nd from the right on the bottom row.

Happy 4th.........

Happy 4th of July to all of you blog readers out there!!! We live in such an awesome country to think and speak without fear. Let's remember how we got that today and be thankful for our forefathers and the men and women who have fought for our freedoms.

Enjoy your day! I'm going to the in-laws later for a cook-out. Hope everyone has a good day.

I'm at my sister's house.....

I'm at my sister's house for a few days. Not much to post, just that. After Reed had her dance competition team try-outs on Monday we came up. The girls and Betsy's kids were in a commerical shoot yesterday for Jeff. He is supposed to email me the final cut soon so if I get brighter before then, I can post it. I don't seem to have much luck with videos. We'll see.

Lauren had her first district softball game last night. They won 16-0. This is the group of girls that won state when they were 9 and 10. They lost out going to state last year by the last game of the series. So, I'm hoping that they make it this year.

I had forgotten how 13 year old girls are though. I have slept with Lauren 2 nights now, and oh my. She is 13 and reminds me more of me than ever her mother. She came through the kitchen last night giving karate kicks, lost her balanace, fell down, and then started laughing so hard. That was classic me. Poor girl. She cracks me up some times and then burns me up others. But, what is with the pouty lip camera pose? My 16 year old niece does it, Lauren does it, all these pics she has shown me are of girls giving pouty looks with a peace sign. Ohhhhhh, she just reminds me of how old I am getting!!