More Easter

Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer

Directly after the sermon on Sunday, a lady sang this song.  It was new to me...

Jesus, draw me ever nearer

As I labor through the storm

You have called me to this passage

And I'll follow though I'm worn.

 

Chorus:

May this journey bring a blessing

May I rise on wings of faith

At the end of my heart's testing

With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus, guide me through the tempest

Keep my spirit staid and sure

When the midnight meets the morning

Let me love You even more.

(Chorus)

Let the treasures of the trial

Form within me as I go

And at the end of this long passage

Let me leave them at Your throne

 

 

Two people specifically came to my mind and I sang this song as a prayer for them. 

And selfishly, I prayed this for me as I struggle with them.

 

But I'm not silly enough to think there aren't more people hurting.  If you are, may this song be a blessing to you.

Abby, Beth, and a little fur ball

While sitting outside at Brixx Pizza, the sun starting dripping down the sky - oozing it's goodness all the way.

In my opinion, that's the perfect time of day to take pictures.

So the girls and I rushed to pay and headed for the house.  One stop was made at the grocery...  Cookies were needed for the after party, so Beth's mission was to be in and out in seconds.

We made it home just in the nick of time for me to take these shots of the lovelies:

My favorite for sure.

You see what the sun does?  It's totally your friend.  But not when it's directly up in the sky.  You've gotta wait a bit for it to drop down.

When it's high in the sky, it will only create shadows on your subjects eyes and most of the time everyone will be squinting.  Find a shady spot to take pictures mid-day.

But when the beautiful sun is setting, you can just about set your people anywhere and get great shots.

Abby and Beth were standing between me and the sun, so it created a pretty backlight for these photos.  I happen to love *sunny* shots and I think you will as well.  Just try it.

Macy was close by (of course), so Beth scooped her up for some more pictures...

I changed my settings a bit and moved the lens to crop out part of our neighbor's roof.  Unfortunately, this over-exposed the light a bit and I accidently lost more of Beth than I wanted to.

Here I got more of Beth, but her eyes are a little squinty.  This would be a fun pictures to crop in more on Macy.  Something like this...

Do you see how fun the sun looks?

After this picture, our sun had fallen below the trees and Macy was ready to get down.

Moral of the story?  Use the sun to your advantage when taking pictures.

You'll love the sunny goodness it provides!

Cleaning out the garage

Through the dust, dirt, spiders, bugs and the twelve "discussions" we had regarding this garage, Chris and I finally agreed to roll up our sleeves and attack the mess our garage corner had become.

I had hopes of painting the floor, but Chris refused to let me (for now).  I was hoping for a fun/pretty color, but I'll settle for an organized garage space.

We purchased shelving from Home Depot and got to work...  No before pictures though - we were so itching to get started, I completely forgot! 

Very handy sports organizer, love the Cudzilo duo.

Old road sign from Chris' previous residence.

We/I organized sections for the shelving.  Here we have what started out to be the "car wash" section:

Next was Chris' tools.

You can see our gasoline section in a picture above.  You may also note that Chris put some things in the incorrect departments, but that's okay.  I was probably over-stepping my bounds a bit by "helping" organize the garage.  (That he declared was completely fine to begin with.)

We also made a section for paint. That's on the second to bottom shelf.

These shelves can hold something like 500lbs a piece.  We're thinking of having our friends over to sit on some of them to test the truth of this...

Really, my motive behind the garage cleaning was to move the mower from in front of my vehicle.  I'm always afraid I'll hit it when pulling in...  Unfortunately, until we get rid of the rocking chairs, I'm stuck with the ol' thing right in front of ol' silver.

But our garage is neat and organized!  It does make things easier to get to when you know exactly where they are.  Chris has also come around to the idea... 

Over and out good buddy.

Holla at ya girl

Saturday night, Chris went with the boys for Matt's bachelor weekend.

So, I took the evening and had a girls night.

These two pretty ladies came to spend the day/night in Knoxville with me:

Sister Beth and Cousin Abby.

Aren't they beautiful?  Why, yes.  Yes they are.

We met up at soon-to-be 2nd cousin Megan's family wedding shower.  It was lovely and most of the family was there.  All of whom we love to see.  Megan also got lots of great presents.  I should have taken pictures...  I'm related to a lot of beautiful people.

After that, our shopping excursion commenced.

Abby got in touch with her Michael Jackson side at Target.

Then she broke out in dance while singing THRILLER.

You should have been there.

After hours of shopping, nourishment was needed.  We decided on BRIXX Pizza for a couple of reasons - 1. it was a new restaurant for all of us and 2. in close proximity to the mall.

Patio dining?  Yes, please.

There's even a fireplace somewhere to the back right of Beth.

We each chose something different.  I can speak for the barbeque chicken pizza (see picture).

You should definitely try it!  I loved it and now I'm wondering how long it will keep in the fridge.

Here's our loot from the day:

All girls like a little show and tell after a fun day of shopping.

We're the same way.  So we piled everything up on the couch and admired what we got.  Mostly we found lots and lots of good deals, so the dent in our pocket books is probably not as bad as you're thinking.

And shopping like this is rare when you're very frugal with your money (Beth), unemployeed (Abby), and married (Julie).  [PS:  That is not a mean statement directed at my husband - just ask anyone who is married.  You somehow have more money while single than when you're married.  Maybe it's just because you think about each purchase differently... which in my case, it is a good thing.  And don't worry about Chris, he now has an emergency blu-ray fund.]

Our treasures...

Great deals of this picture - Matilda for $1.+, black shirt for $3.99, men's dress pants for $29.  My favorite deal(s) in this picture?  Two long sleeve Abercrombie men's shirts...  $15.90 each!  If your husband/boyfriend/brother can wear those shirts - GO BUY SOME NOW!  They're in the back.

Target, Express, Forever 21, and Francesca's (which was recommended by Beth Thurman - a new favorite store!!)... 

Cute target shoes and socks for the man.

After splitting up all of our purchases to the rightful owners, we played a little Mario on the Wii.  Abby was a newbie, but she picked up wonderfully!  Have I told you what a great game that is??

It was late and we were tired...  So we snuggled up together to eat chocolate chip cookies and watch a little Dirty Dancing.

Discover Fellowship

We're going to this on Sunday:

Discover Fellowship

Want to join us?

Thanks John Thurman for the reminder to actually register!!

"My wife is 27 going on 65"

These are my newest accessories for all the concerts Chris and I go on:

At the Need to Breathe concert on Friday night, I made sure to bring these with me.  Chris loves music (especially loud music) which I believe has caused some hearing loss for me.  This time I was prepared.

For $1.99 my ears will be protected for the next 4 concerts.

You can't even tell I'm wearing them in this picture, right?

However, if the lights were on brighter than they were, you would have seen these weird things sticking out of my ears.  Chris couldn't tell though with my hair down and I didn't get made fun of...  At least until he told me to put my ear plugs in and I replied that I already had.

[Side note:  I'm surprised he and our friends couldn't tell already.  If they weren't right up in my ear, I was having to lip-read everything they were saying to me!  For those of you who are thinking of doing the same thing...  I highly recommend it.  You can still hear the music and vocals clearly - you just lose the painful hurt of how loud everything is.]

That's when he turned to Emily and said...

"My wife is 27 going on 65."

It's probaby true, but by the time we are 65, chances are he may not be able to hear at all.  Here's to hoping I'm saving the hearing I have!

Logan Daniel

Derek and Melissa had their second baby boy on

March 29, 2010

Logan Daniel

I should have taken a picture of Melissa who was sitting in the bed looking beautiful.  She has just given birth to her second angel in this world and you could see how her face was glowing.  Melissa is made to be a mother.

Derek had left for just a few minutes to run to the gym.

That's what happens with the second+ baby.  Life must keep going a bit more than it did with the first.

[Insert note:  Derek, please don't be offended I told people you were at the gym.  Logan won't even remember it...  But he will remember you telling him what you can benchpress, which you'll probably have to do when he gets big and strong to make up for being an old man.  And you are also made to be a Dad.]

Logan was preciously bundled up and being passed from loving family and friends, so Melissa began telling us the birthing story.

I'll spare you some labor details on here, but they're good ones - just ask her.

When they checked into the hospital that am, Melissa wasn't as far along as she had thought.  Through the check-in/triage process, she didn't progress as much as she would have wanted and was on course for a long labor.  So, being the woman she is, she asked the nurses if she could walk around.  Of course with hospital regulations that require you to be in the wheelchair, her request was declined.  This only increased her frustration and her blood pressure was beginning to rise.  Derek, who like many husbands is very accomodating in these birthing situations, knew he had to calm her down.  In his loving husband way, he told her she had to get over it.  The straight up in her face kind of way.  {You've gotta love it when your spouse knows just what you need and when you need it.  That's one of the best parts of marriage.}  Melissa, knowing immediately he was right, began praying scriptures that would come to mind.  The things she knew her body should be doing at this point she also began praying and asking God to help her do.  It wasn't 15 minutes later that she was ready to push.

The nurses didn't even believe it when they checked her.

That is our God, who is still doing miracles.

Sometimes we just have to ask.  He is still in that miracle making business.

Miracles like this little man here...

Welcome to the world, little Logan!

Walks are good for Macy too! {PG-grossness version}

They help her clear out her system.

Here she is on our walk last night:

Right before she darted off to use the potty.

Macy has started going to the bathroom on every walk.

The doo-doo has been the worst part.  We carry plastic bags with us in case she does it in a neighbor's yard.  It's pretty sick though picking up warm poo.

I just cringed writing that.  The things we do to be good neighbors.

Once she even got doo-doo stuck on her behind on a walk at Lakeshore.

That's too traumatic though for me to talk about.

Let's continue on the walk...

She's a great walker.  You can even let her off the leash and she'll stay right with you.

That is unless she has to doo-doo in the neighbor's yard.

Profile shot with the sun going down behind her.

Walks are the best.  So are cute furry dogs until they doo-doo all over the place.

Told you it was a little PG-grossness.  ;)

Walks are good for the soul...

And pedicures are good for the feet.

My little toes need some color.

This weekend:

Friday the movie "The Date Night" came out.  Hilarious!  It's a definite "go see."  Even the part that could have been really sketchy wasn't so much.  (Even Melissa like it and she's conservative too.)  The lines in the movie will make your cheeks hurt from laughing so much.

On Saturday we dined with the Connell's at the Apple Cake Tea room = DELICIOUS!

Tea rooms are lovely and it made me feel right at home.

Dinner was at Hard Knox Pizza with the Adams.  My second experience there and just as good as the first time.

Jenny and I went to a shower for Miss Annie and I again laughed until my cheeks hurt.  It was one of those bachelorette showers so I can't tell you too much about, but have you played the game with the toilet paper roll and broom?  Ask me about it and I'll tell you.  It's really funny.

Sunday was just as full.  Church in the am, two visits to Panera Bread (who can get enough of this place?!), a beautiful wedding shower for Matt's Rebecca, a visit from my mother and sister that I adore, another drive around Sequoyah, and a football game.  At the game the girls got to talking and catching up, while the boys almost got in a big brawl on the field.  Pretty baby Hadley was there as well and I'm pretty sure she looks just like some of my dolls I had when I was little.

PS:  I'll update you on a house project later.  One hint?  Okay...  New shelves, a road sign, spiders, and a lawn mower.

the WASP killer

With all the beautiful weather, the doors to our house have stayed open longer than they should have.  So long one day that we had an unexpected guest.

A human stinging wasp.

Gives me the creepies just thinking about it!

So, my husband, my earthly protector and defender, went after it.

He grabbed the necessary wasp killing equipment (in our case the wasp was flying high so a broom was needed)...

Me?

Shoot, I grabbed the dog and barricaded us in the bedroom with the door shut.

It's a woman's job to protect the youngins and the husband's to protect the women and children little rotten animals.  I was just doing my duty.

{Thud, boom, thud, boom} -- No chance Macy and I were going out there...  until finally:

"The coast is clear, Darling!"

Victory was his!!  He had killed the intruder and made our house safe to live in once again.

I love having a man who stands between me and all flying, creepy, stinging things + anything/one else trying to get me or our animal. 

Being the woman married to him sure is nice.

PS:  You may remember how allergic Chris is to bees/wasps/jackets that sting.  See this post if you haven't.  He didn't even consider his safety anything over mine...  Oh my hero!  ;)