Party Boat

So I'm at work. I sort of feel like I'm starting to get sick. My throat is feeling weird. NOT good. I thought that maybe I somehow got past all of the crazy sick people that were around me. I can't get sick. I have a party boat to be on tonight for New Years, can't get sick.
Speaking of the party boat...it's going to be legendary. Just thinking about the ride to the Party Boat, I am already envisioning peeing my pants. 6 people (1 of whom is a big guy) all in a car together. I volunteered to be in the trunk (of an SUV) Jen also volunteered to be in the trunk with me since "the big guy" may take up two seats (...but probably not, he's not that big...she was just looking for an excuse for both of us to squeeze in the trunk together...which in itself would be legendary) We've decided to pack an extra New Years outfit just in case.

Prepare Yourself...

Jill just posted this video on her blog of my mom trying out the kids "carpet skates" that they got for Christmas. Seriously my head is about to explode from laughing so hard. I love my family. I was sad that I missed out on this little incident. But 17 days baby...I'll be there with extra undies. :)

Coffee Shop, Grilled Cheese and a Beer

I've gotten back into the habit of going to chill at coffee shops. I love it. Austin has some unique coffee shops. I love that about Austin.
Tonight Jen and I went to Clementine's. It was excellent. Cool vibe.
They had some cool looking chairs...
We had some panini's. I got the Grilled Cheese. It was cheesy. Cheesy and good.Jen's choice of beverage: Mocha...My choice of beverage: Shiner.
Grilled cheese and a beer at a coffee shop with one of my best friends...can't get much better than that!

Personalized Google Desktop Countdown says...

18 days until Iowa!

I can't wait. I will be home Jan. 16-25. 10 days of goodness. Would love to see any of you that will be around!

It's going to be cold. real cold. snowy cold. I may have to borrow my roomie's footy pajamas.

Men in Women's Stores is Hilarious.

I went to visit Wendy at work the day before Christmas eve, she works at Bath and Body Works. I started noticing how many men were roaming the store aimlessly in search of the perfect gift. It was hilarious.
I started overhearing conversations and about lost my business. Here were a few of my favorites:

One dude to another dude: "Dude! It smells like skittles!"

One guy sees another guy that he knows and goes up to him:
Guy 1: "Hey man...you look clueless."
Guy 2: "I know man, I'm trying to figure this place out."
Guy 1: "Yeah, I'm trying to find a gift for my girl and you?"
Guy 2: "My grandma."
Guy 1: "She wants something like some Japanese Blossom." (which is actually Japanese Cherry Blossom...close.)
Guy 2: "Yeah...I think it's in a purple bottle." (actually it's in a red bottle...close.)
Guy 1: "Thanks man. Good luck."

Middle-aged Gentleman: I'm looking for some sheets...or how about some mirrors..."
Wendy: "Sir, I think you are wanting 'Bed Bath and Beyond', this is Bath and Body Works."

Update

I just read an update from the Medical Advocacy Team regarding Fedna and Bear.
They are running out of time. They really need this surgery to happen now and they need the money to get them over here. This needs to happen in the next 10 days.
Read this post now.
If everyone who reads the blog just gives $20, it could cover the cost of travel for BOTH kids.
DO IT. This is urgent.

Donations Needed

HELP! Fedna and “Bear” are in SERIOUS need of surgery. They need to get to the US as quickly as possible. My friends Jamie and Aaron are hosting sweet Fedna after the surgery while she recovers. She cannot get the care that she needs in Haiti, so a doctor and hospital here are giving that to her for FREE!
But they need to get here.
Would you consider donating some $?
When I think about the amount of money that is spent on Christmas presents it seriously makes me want to vomit. And these kids are in need of $ for flights to save their lives.
Here they are:
"Bear":

Fedna:

Here's how you can help:

Send donations to-
Medical Advocacy Team
PO BOX 340
Albany, OH 45710

You can even use your paypal account, which is easier and quicker, go to the Medical Advocacy Team's blog and click on the donate button.

Spread the word...they need to get here. Pray for them.

Weepy Lights.

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to grab my guitar turn the lights out sit by the Christmas tree and sing by the light of the tree. I love it. There is something soothing about Christmas tree lights. That is how I'm ending my night. After a crazy, long, emotional and up and down week tonight I'm sitting by the tree, reflecting on worship today. It was intense. Intense in a good way.
I'm still in awe of how God has placed me in the position of helping lead worship at my church. It is an unbelievable experience getting to worship with these guys. Seriously. We only had two services today but I feel like I just ran a marathon or something. I'm always so surprised at how spent I am at the end of a Sunday. It's just so intense. In a good way.
These last two Sundays Matt has been preaching on the song "O Holy Night" at church. Y'all need to go listen to it. It will wreck you.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,'
Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

SO good.
I'm so weepy. And tired. God is stirring in me and I'm trying to figure out what in the world is going on, other than I'm such a girl and I cry about everything lately.
I'm going to get back to my Christmas tree lights and then go to bed.

Sweet Lips

I can't stop watching this video of my sweet nephew Max. He's got nice lips.

I Need a Few More Layers.

I'm a little embarrassed by my lack of blogging. Seriously. So sad. I'm sorry!

I know that I shouldn't complain, because the high in Iowa is 9 degrees and my roomie is in N. Dakota right now visiting family and the high is -4 degrees, but I'm FREEZING!!!
We had a high today of 36 degrees...that is cold for Austin. And what is worse is that the heater in our apartment is not working. A boiler is out and won't be fixed for another couple of weeks. They gave us space heaters, but since our apartment is not renovated and is completely ghetto when Hilary and I both have our space heaters on at the same time we blow fuses, light bulbs...not good. The electricians now have to come in and install a new breaker box so that we don't blow up our apartment.
Two little space heaters does not really heat up an apartment well. I'm laying in bed right now with 3 blankets on socks, and you don't want to know how many layers of clothes, I would get made fun of more than I already do about my layers. It's a little ridiculous. It's seriously 50 degrees in our apartment. Maybe not 50 degrees...but it's below 60 degrees...for sure.
I completely admit that I have become a total wimp since I've moved to TX. I admit it.

Layering Math Problems

For those of you who know my love of layering will find this funny.
My bro-in-law always like to make fun of me about it.
I read this on my sister's blog:

Noah and Joe were doing math problems the other morning. This is what I overheard...

"Emily was trying to decide what outfit to wear. The first outfit was 17 layers. The second outfit was 22 layers. How many layers is that in all?"

Nice.

I Am Second

check out this testimony from the former drummer of the band Korn.

My Heart

For some reason Africa is on my heart and I can't shake it.

Elderly Ghetto Gospel Choir

What in the world?!

Noises of the Year

so here is the video of my surprise visit home for Thanksgiving. We all pile in to their house and I'm at the very end...you will be able to tell when she finally sees me! Noises of the year!

64 degrees and FREEZING.

It's FREEZING in our apartment.

Our heater/AC is controlled by the owners of the apartment complex. They control whether it is on AC or whether it is on heat. Well I don't know what in the world is happening but it has been running non-stop and it is COLD air. It just keeps running and running. It's 64 degrees in our apartment. Even if I turn the thermostat down to 60 it still runs. It is FREEZING!!!! I'm seriously layered up, with my hat on, covered in blankets, and socks.Wimp, I know. I'm a wimp.
But really...64 degrees?!?! It makes getting out of bed in the morning...REAL hard!

Luke Warm Worship Leader

Read this today on a blog today and thought I would pass it along. SO good. Check yourself. Are you this person? Am I this person?
Also check out this blog where he got this idea.

A lukewarm worship leader:

• Prays more on stage than off stage.
• Is almost exclusively dependent on others songs to sing than writing songs for where their local church is at.
• Cares more about how many songs he or she is leading than the overall shape of the service.
• Is overly sensitive to criticism.
• Is jealous or critical of someone else that God is blessing.
• Spends little if any time in the Word preparing to lead His Church.
• Sings more songs on stage than in personal worship.
• Spends more time mimicking other worship leaders then being shaped into the worship leader they we made to be.
• Says things on stage that his or her family NEVER hear them say off stage.

Iowa

So I realize that I have been a MAJOR slacker in my blogging. Sorry!

I need to get better at this.

I just got back last night from a last minute trip to Iowa! I surprised my mom. She had no idea. We had bets going as to how she was going to respond. The majority of them being that she would pee her pants.
No one was expecting the noise that came out of her mouth though. It was amazing. We have it all on video, I'll post it as soon as I get it put together. I already warned my mom that it was going up on the blog...it's too good not to post it for the world to see. She was ok with it.

I loved being back, even though it was short. I'm used to 10 day trips!

The kids all looked HUGE. It was so great spending time with them and snuggling with those who would let me snuggle with them. The McCarragher boys seem to be getting too old for that. :( The Brown boys are very affectionate and so I can always get hugs out of them! But Max was still getting used to me, he would try not to make eye contact when I would talk to him and then sometimes he would just close his eyes. He is very expressive and has lots of funny lip expressions that he does. There were a few times that he would actually snuggle with me and play with me. I LOVED every minute of it! Sweet boy. Each day was a new day though, and he had to start over with getting comfortable with me!

Lily Margaret was as girly as ever and I LOVE IT!!! She is very girl amidst all of those boys. She is lovely, so lovely. When we weren't together she would always ask, "Where's my Emmy?" I love her. We got to snuggle and watch "The Wittle Wormaid" (the little mermaid) together on Sunday morning. She didn't mind that I sort of dozed off. :) When you get a sweet little girl laying on you with all sorts of blankies and stuffed animals you can't help but get sleepy! It's the best feeling ever.

We played a crazy game of charades that put another check on the "someone almost peeing their pants" chart. Be looking for videos on that too!

I got to spend some time with my friend, Meghan, which is always a blast. She was my roommate for several years and we always laugh a lot! She is expecting her second child in 3 weeks and I loved looking at her belly. I just find it so fascinating! She said that it's not so fascinating when you're the one that's 8 1/2 months pregnant. :) She is beautiful!

It SNOWED!! Saturday night into Sunday it started snowing. It was beautiful...but I'm glad that I got to leave it. It was cold. VERY cold.

I will post pics and videos when I get a chance!

Char's Version

You can read about Charlotte's version of the Monday's Fabulous Moment here.
Fabulous!

Monday's Fabulous Moment of the Day

So I realize it is Thursday, but I can't pass up an opportunity to talk about one of the most fabulous things that has happened to me on a Monday. It was pretty amazing really.

So the night started out lovely. Hilary's parents are in town and Travis' parents are in town, so Hilary and Travis decided to cook dinner for everyone. It was great. They did an excellent job! We were all hanging out afterwards and I had remembered at around 9:30, that I needed to pick up a RX at the pharmacy. I had already gone a couple of nights without it and being in the "Allergy Capital of the World" I decided that I probably shouldn't go another night without it. So I head outside to get into my car and as I got closer this is what I saw...Please pay no attention to how extremely dirty my car is. wow...it's really dirty.
So anyway....I come up to this and say out loud. "what in the world..." I think I squealed a couple of times and then it hit me....I know exactly who did this!
I remembered a few months back when I was asked to help out at a "Transformers" b-day party and the two party planners (Jen and Charlotte) had red and blue streamers that they decorated with. hmmmm....red and blue streamers ALL OVER MY CAR! I knew they were hanging out together that night and they were already being a little feisty so I pretty much knew that they were the ones. So I called them each up and they conveniently did not answer their phones! So I left some messages for them and then continued on with my trip to the pharmacy. (I had to take the streamers off though. )
When I got back home Jen and Char stopped by saying they had stories to tell about the night and that it really couldn't be told over the phone...but acted out.
I knew this was going to be good!
They proceeded to tell the story, Jen in full out acting mode and Charlotte on my living room floor laughing with tears streaming down her face. I really couldn't understand what she was saying because she was laughing so hard.
It was hilarious. The story was hilarious...but them re-telling the story was what was hilarious! Jen blogged her side of the story which is really the fabulous-ness of the Monday. So check that out.

Sister Two

So Jen sent me the script for the "Cracked out Christmas Carol". I don't think that is what it is actually called...but that is what she likes to call it.
I'm "Sister two".
I don't have very many lines, but I got really nervous.
It's going to happen. I'm not sure how...but it's going to happen.

Random Thoughts

Just thought y'all needed to know that it is possible to have a dance party sitting down in the backseat of a car.

I saw a shooting star last night on my way home from Kate's. It was amazing. I love shooting stars. It made my night.

Everyone around me is getting engaged. It's crazy. I heard of 5 engagements this weekend, most of whom I don't know...but still...insane.

I'm officially a wimp. It's 41 degrees this morning and I didn't want to get out of bed and I am fully dressed in winter clothes and had the heat blasting on the way to work.

I enjoy those little chocolate donuts WAY too much. They are waxy and nasty...but oh so good. I have been known to eat an entire tub of them....just ask any of the BF band. (Michigan trip...stuck at the church...huge tubs of little chocolate donuts...completely gone...no one else claiming to eat any of them, except for me)

My friend Jen suggested a road trip the other day that would consist of stopping in Houston to visit Kate's family, Eastman, GA to visit Charlotte's family, St. Louis to visit her family and then IA to visit my family. After our little road trip to La Grange, TX on Saturday night, I am convinced that this road trip is going to happen and it is going to be legendary. Seriously. There will be LOTS of laughing, lots of dance parties in the backseat and even at stop signs, maybe even some pants peeing and complete goofiness. Truly amazing.

Those are just some random thoughts for y'all.

Move Your Boogie Body

This is a real workout video from 1982. What in the world!? If I was doing this routine with this woman I would probably stop and slap her. Not gonna lie.
This is NOT what we do in zumba class.

(ht Zach)

Yearn

I can't stop listening to this song. I can't stop singing this song. I can't stop worshiping Jesus with this song.

Yearn

Holy design
This place in time
That I might seek and find my God, my God

Lord, I wanna yearn for You
I wanna burn with passion over You
Only You
Lord, I wanna yearn for You
I wanna burn with passion over You
Only You
Lord, I wanna yearn

Your joy is mine
Yet why am I fine
With all my singing and bringing grain
In light of Him

Oh you give life and breath
Through Him You give all things
In Him we live and move
That's why I sing

Real Hope For Haiti

I am adding a link to my "Pray for" section for the Real Hope For Haiti website. It is an unbelievable organization that helps kids who are really sick from malnutrition. Check out the website and let your heart break for these kids, for this country, for these people who are witnessing this everyday. Pray for them, provide for them, get the word out. My friends Jamie and Aaron are adopting two kids from Haiti and they are precious. My heart is growing for this country. Please pray!

She's My New Desktop Background At Work

Ok...so this may be a little ridiculous...but I don't care. I miss her!

Sweet Lily Margaret

I seriously need her.My sister posted these pics. I'm so in love with this girl, it makes me sad to be so far from her. (and the boys too!) My dad would be so proud of Laura's photo-taking skills. He would always take our picture like this...with a coat and hat on. I'm pretty sure that if he were still on earth he would have gone NUTS with taking pictures of the cuteness of Lily and all the boys.
Oh my heart.
Lovely.

Family Reunion

One of my favorite things is the Austin Stone Family Reunion that happens twice a year. It is where the church comes together for a baptism and lunch. This year it was awesome. It is always awesome to see people get baptized. Here are some pics of the day.

Tracy and Kate. BEAUTIFUL!

We decided to partake in the goodness that is the jump house.
Here are our mad jumping skillz

Face Painting! (really...there were kids around who enjoyed these things too!)Jimmy is not afraid to get a big red heart balloon face painted on his cheek!

Jimmy decided that it was his turn to do the face painting...he was inspired and so he went to work on Kate first. She wasn't too happy about it...I was next...The finished product...

One of my favorite people in the world....Miss Charlotte...

After the reunion we went to Kate's house to hang out and it sort of turned into a mini dance party.
Jimmy is known for his "Jackson 5" move and so he taught it to us. This is a video that I'm sure I will get in trouble for posting...but it's funny. Maybe it's only funny to me...you be the judge.

Monday's Fabulous Moment of the Day

So I got a text from my friend Jen today....here was the conversation:

Jen: What are the chances that you are in town the first weekend in Dec.
Me: Chances are good, why?
Jen: Do you act? We need actors.
Me: wow. I have never acted before, that sounds scary.
Jen: You'll love it. We'll be nuns together.

What in the world.
I called her after work when she answered I said "I think you have just made my Monday's Fabulous Moment of the Day"
She went on to explain the situation.
She works at a theatre on the east side and is the only white girl there. It's awesome. She has amazing stories. Anyway, her boss decided to put on a production of the Christmas Carol, but adapt it to have it be an all black Christmas Carol.
At some point a bunch of the cast decided that they just wanted to quit and now they are in a bind. So they've opened it up to white people!
So, I guess when Jen thinks of nuns she thinks of me. She also has a fascination with nuns. Which makes this a little too perfect.
My response was this...
"ok....#1 you and I together in a play...NOT good.
#2 You and I dressed up as nuns...you...and...I...as...NUNS...NOT good.
These two things combined will guarantee me peeing my pants on stage for all to see. There is no way I would be able to do this without laughing...A LOT!"
It looks like it just might happen.
Jen assured her boss that once the word got out that her and I would be in this play dressed as nuns, they would have sold out shows.
What have I gotten myself into?

Noah and Obama

Today's quote had me laughing OUT LOUD. Once again, my nephew Noah steps it up and gives me yet another hilarious conversation to blog about.
This will be the ONLY political thing I post about!

He was talking to my sister, here it is:

Noah: "Mom, Obama won the election..."
Me: "Yeah, I know."
Noah: (stares at me for further reaction)
Me: "Well, I'm not going to agree with everything he does, but I WILL respect him, because he's the President of The United States.
Noah: "Yeah, plus I heard that if you do something bad, like say a bad word to him, he has the power to kick you out of Iowa"
Me: "Really."

Monday's Fabulous Moment of the Day part 2

So another fabulous moment happened just now, since I didn't have a Fabulous Moment last Monday...I guess today makes up for it.

So I went over to the bank to make a deposit for work. I'm familiar with the people that work there because I go every day. There was a new guy working as one of the managers and he was hanging out by the front tellers. As I'm handing Brittany my deposit the guy says this: "Ooo I love girls with dark hair and light eyes. It's very mysterious. Like a greek god or something. You are like a greek god...isn't the Greek god, the god of war or something like that? It's like you are greek....are you greek?"

"um...no...I'm from Iowa." was my comment. I wasn't quite sure what else to say.

once again, mistaken for a mysterious, exotic, foreigner. I love it.

Monday's Fabulous Moment of the Day

Today's fabulous moment of the day happened this morning when I read my sister's blog.
My nephew Noah is seriously one of the funniest kids I know.
Here is today's story.
AMAZING.

Flashback Friday

This picture was taken on a service project trip to Colorado about 5 or 6 years ago.
This is me working hard in my carhartt.

Today's Picture

This picture made my day today:

This is my bro-in-law, Damon, with his boys Will, Sam and Max. SO sweet! Damon was recuperating from his travel to Japan for work. He's such a great daddy!

I miss my family. :(

ZUMBA!

My life has been forever changed.
I have a new love.
ZUMBA.
My friend Kate invited me to her Zumba class tonight and so I went. I had never been to a Zumba class before, and it sounded fun. What better way to get a workout than to DANCE!
You all know how I love to dance. :)
I just gotta say that I love shakin' my booty. Not gonna lie. Sorry. I'm glad that the class is all girls. It makes it a little less awkward. It is SO much fun!
It is a mix of Latin salsa and meringue, hip hop, reggaeton, Egyptian types of dances. It was such a great workout and it was SO much fun!
I really think deep down, I'm meant to be a dancer.
Here is a video of what it's like! SO much fun!!!!

Field Trip

This picture made my night. It's a picture of my mom on a school bus on a field trip with her preschool. She's an art teacher. I think she's excited. I LOVE her.
**my nephew and my niece are both in preschool right now and so her name is "Mrs. Grandma" the other kids call her that too...isn't that adorable?!**

Sunday Goodness

I've tried writing this post several times and it seems that my words just don't seem to be coming together right to describe my time on Sunday.

I had the privilege and honor to sing and help lead Austin Stone into worship this last Sunday. I got to sing with Aaron and his band (Jimmie and Bush) along with Aaron from the Justin Cofield Band playing drums, and Mr. Jimmy McNeal doing his thang.
It was truly an amazing Sunday. This was the first time that I've gotten to sing at church since I've moved to Austin, 2 years ago. I absolutely loved it. I loved it because it was completely GOD.
It was God's perfect timing. It was God's perfect purpose and a part of His perfect plan. I look back on how this all came to be and it is completely GOD.
It felt SO good to do what I feel like God has designed in me to do. It filled me up. I didn't want it to end! I didn't realize how much I had missed it until I got home Sunday night and continued to worship by praying and thanking God, looking back over the day and realizing that God was stirring something up in me that had been dry for 2 years.

These guys are true men of God. They all have such beautiful hearts. It was awesome getting to worship with them. It was also fun just hanging out with them in the "green room" between sets and between services. Seriously...they are all HILARIOUS. I laughed A LOT.
Rehearsing with Aaron and Jimmy last week was quite the experience as well. Again...lots of laughing. I'm going to push for their opera voices next time they lead. It was truly amazing.

My heart is still full and I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I had on Sunday with these amazing musicians. I have gotten amazing feedback from people, and I really just can't help but PRAISE THE LORD.
I'm surrendered and humbly on my knees asking for the Lord to show me and lead me to what is next. I find Him telling me this: "MORE of ME"
One of Aaron's songs that we sang on Sunday says this:
"All my security, my destiny what lies ahead is found in You
All my hopes and dreams, all my thoughts unseen, all my wants are found in You
What I dread and fear, all that weighs me down, all my trust is found in You
You're my sustaining breath, all that gives me strength, all life giving is found in You"

I JUST got an email from Aaron asking me to sing again this Sunday!
awesome.
God is good.

Desert Song

I can't stop singing this song lately. Brooke Fraser wrote it...and you all know how I love her. Jill McCloughry sings with her on this song and this video shares her beautiful story in the midst of her suffering. Listen to the words of the song at the end and WORSHIP!

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conquerer and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life, in every season
You are still God,
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

I LOVE IT!!!
My favorite line is:
"I know I'm filled to be emptied again..."

There Is a Fountain

I have been reading and thinking about the words to this song this week. I did not grow up in the church, or singing hymns, so the lyrics to old hymns always seem so fresh and amazing to me. Check this one out:

There Is A Fountain:

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away

Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow'r
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved to sin no more
Be saved to sin no more
Be saved to sin no more
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved to sin no more

E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die

My Peru Hat

I'm off to pick up a friend from the airport, it's 57 degrees outside. It's supposed to get down to 47 degrees, so my cute hat that a friend got for me from Peru came out of the drawer tonight! I've been so excited to wear it!
Cute hats are fun! I feel the need to do a fun little dance when I wear it for some reason!

Artist Night

Friday night was a sweet night. Aaron and his wife Jamie opened up their home for an artist's night. There were around 20 people...songwriter's, artists, poets...there to share their art.
It was excellent.
I got up and shared two of my songs that I had written. It was vulnerable and I was surprised at how comfortable it was. These people are truly beautiful. They are all so supportive. I loved every minute of it.
Here are a few pictures that I took. You can check out Aaron's post here with more pictures.

A Conversation:

So I called Noah to thank him for making my Monday fabulous (see previous post) and here was the conversation:

Me: Hi Noah!
Noah: Hi.
Me: I liked your picture with your shorts!
Noah: oh yeah. they were up to my shoulders.
Me: yeah, I saw that...that is pretty amazing.
Noah: yeah.
Me: I loved it. How did you know I would love it?
Noah: I used my mind. You should try it some time!
Me: wow. (laughter...lots of laughter)
Noah: You wanna talk to Jack? (that's usually the sign that he is done talking)
Me: I called to talk to you!
Noah: You wanna talk to Jack? (laughing with Jack in the background yelling "NO!"--he's 12 now)
Me: I love you Noah!
Noah: You wanna talk to Jack? (getting louder and Jack getting louder)
Me: I love you!
Noah: Listen to this...(Joe laughing hysterically)
Laura: Hello? (with an annoyed voice)
Me: wow.
Laura: Joe Jr.

This was all taking place as they were trying to get to bed. :)

Monday's Fabulous Moment of the Day

So I have felt like Poop with a capital P today. I have MUCH to write about from an amazing weekend (in the midst of still feeling yucky)
I have slept most of the day today and I seem to feel the best when I'm sleeping. I woke up and checked my email and blogs and read my sisters blog and came to my Monday's Most Fabulous Moment.
Here is the quote:
"We should put this picture on your blog for Emily. Oh, man...she's gonna love this!"
-NoahSeriously. Where does he come up with this stuff?!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Happy Birthday sweet Sam!!!
My sweet nephew turns 5 today! I wish I could be there to love on him today.
He's so sweet and compassionate. He loves to give hugs and kisses and has such a precious heart. He loves to send love in the mail...and get love in the mail!
Love you sweet boy!

I've Been Tagged

I have now been tagged by two people, Andrea in Africa and Shadley to write 7 random things about myself.

Some of this you may already know, if you've been following my blog. but oh well.

1. I hate cats. I CAN'T STAND cats. They give me the creeps and they make me itch. They tend to want to be lovey with me or even attack me because they know that I hate them.

2. I don't really like dunking my head under water. I'll do it. But I don't like it. I enjoy swimming, if it's above the water swimming. I'll definitely plug my nose if I jump in.

3. I have a thing for journals. I have a TON of journals. I love to write and I write out my prayers and thoughts, songs, and just random things. Anytime I see cool journals I get them. I have lots of journals. When I'm gone, someone will definitely have some interesting reading material.

4. I sometimes take the elevator at work even though I work on the second floor just because it smells like my dad. I think it smells like his old darkroom from his photography studio or something. It reminds me of him and I smile.

5. I call my mom and my sisters usually every time I try and cook something. At least one of them gets called. I generally have questions about everything when it comes to cooking because I don't know what I'm doing.

6. There have been numerous occasions where this conversation has taken place:

"Where are you from?"
"Iowa"
"No...where are you originally from?"
"...um...Iowa."
"oh..."

7. I want to adopt. I want to adopt BAD. There are beautiful people all around me who are adopting and I LOVE it. I love the picture that it shows. I can't wait to have a family someday!

I will tag:
1. Mom
2. Jill
3. Laura
4. Joanna
5. Rachel B.
6. Kelli B.
7. Carrie S.

D.A.R.E.

This headache stuff has got to stop.
This is what I'm dealing with people...I realize that there are people who are dealing with much more than this and much more serious stuff than this, so that is why I'm going to stop complaining.
I'm going to try and stop complaining. This picture shows all of the different drugs that they have tried me on, along with my "usual" medication. Which is only two bottles out of that.
The rest is pretty much medicine that hasn't worked.
Except for the vicadin and phenergen. :) D.A.R.E. people....D.A.R.E.
I can't really keep taking those. But they are nice. :)
We're also dealing with someone who DOES NOT like to take medicine.
My mom can give you stories. I will not post about it because they do not bring happy memories and there may be some question whether or not human services should have been called.
But anyway the latest medicine that I've tried is this bad boy...Zomig nasal spray.
They were only able to give me 6 doses of it since it is so expensive and my insurance would only cover a portion of it. So I got 6 of these guys. 6 guys for $50. I'm seriously going broke with all of this craziness.
The pharmacist made a big deal about "priming". She kept saying "make sure you "prime" it before you squirt it up your nose to make sure you get the full dose."
So in my headache state that I was in last night I pulled this little guy out, took the cap off and remembered her words of "priming". So I pulled down on it to give it a good "prime" and the entire dose came squirting out...into the air. NO priming necessary.
you've got to be kidding me.
I seriously ran through my head what the chances of being able to actually get any of the medicine in by running around sniffing in the air around me. picture it...and laugh.
Dude! That's 1/6 of $50...(right?...i'm not good at math)...I just waisted on priming when priming was NOT necessary.
D.A.R.E.
Really, I'm not a druggie. Don't turn me in.

Hair Did

Quote of the day:

The UPS guy:
"You got your hair did since the last time I saw ya..."
(imagine in a Texas drawl)

Quote

My sister posted this on her blog the other day. A quote...

"Man, why do I have to be so handsome?"-Noah, as he's checking himself out, wearing a shirt and tie.

I completely agree! I completely see his point! It's ridiculous to be that ridiculously good looking.
I love him. I love him. I love him.
I love being an aunt.