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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Summer time and lightning bugs!

Boy, it's HOT out there! I still cannot believe the temperatures we have had this summer so far. It makes it hard to get out and enjoy being outside! One good thing I have found is that it usually cools off a little just at dusk. At least it is more tolerable than the heat of the day! We have had some pretty skies lately, too.

That is when the "lightning bugs" come out!! I don't know what their proper name is, I am sure there is some technical term. Some people call them "fireflies." Whatever they are called, this is about the only bug I have been happy to see this summer.

The last few weeks, with the boys out of school for the summer it has been tough at times to keep them entertained. We have come up with a new tradition this summer! The nights we are at home after dinner we go out and catch lightning bugs. I have to say that they have gotten quite good at it, too! At first Christian didn't really know that catching a bug was going to be something he would be interested in. Let me just say that bugs are NOT his favorite creation....

However, after seeing his big brother catch them with such ease and excitement, and watching them light up in the mason jar my husband fixed for them, his mind was quickly changed.

Now, I ca
n tell you that little boy is a pro! Some nights we have to call it quits because there won't be any left for the rest of the neighborhood! There are even nights when he comes running up to me with 3 or 4 in his hand. How does he do that??

Also, can you hold on to 3 or 4 lighting bugs in your little 6 year old hand without smothering or crushing
them?...... Apparently so! I learn something new every day.

Cameron, on the other hand, is much more gentle with them. He is methodical. He will bring me 1 bug, making sure it is cared for before heading off to catch another.

Isn't it amazing sometimes how the smallest, simplest things will entertain them endlessly.

Gotta love it.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Friday Fives - Top 5 favorite songs!

Just Me and My Life
Today's Friday Fives is going to be my 5 all-time favorite songs! Well, actually it will be 5 songs I have loved in my life. There are just too many to pick a top 5.

Now, over the years I have listened to a wide variety of music. But one thing you will never see or hear from me is Hip-Hop or RAP!! I make no apologies when I say that I cannot stand the stuff! It gives me a really big headache, even when it is coming from the car behind me! Other than that I like a little bit of everything!

1. At Last - Etta James
Doesn't everyone love this song? It's just a classic! My husband and I had our first dance to this, so how could I leave it out? Cheesy, I know.
Regardless, it's one that I could hear repeatedly and not get tired of.

2. I Pray
for You - Jaron and the Long Road to Love
This is a new song that I recently heard. I don't even remember where I first heard it, but it is hilarious! It sounds like it would be something very meaningful, right? WRONG! Watch it below and see what you think. It's very clever!




3.
Oh Holy Night - Martina McBride
Yes, I realize it is summer and this is a Christmas song. This version of this song can be found on the "Mother and Child" cd. It is mostly A Capella, which I believe few artists can pull off. Most of the time, when you hear a song on the radio it has been doctored in the studio. You know how you go to a concert sometimes and come home disappointed because the artist didn't sound as good in person? Well, I believe that Martina McBride is one of those exceptions. I have heard her live and her voice is simply astounding! Since this song is mostly A Cappella there are very few instruments to alter the sound of her voice. It's one of those songs that will send a chill up your spine.

Sorry for the cheesy Christmas tree. This was the ONLY link to this song I could find.... regardless, take a listen and you will see why I love to hear this no matter what time of year it is!






4. The Devil went down to Georgia
I love this song! It just puts me in a good mood whenever I hear it.

I don't know what it is, whether it's the classic good winning over evil or the amazing way Charlie Daniels can play the fiddle like no one else.






5. Anything on U2 - The Joshua Tree album
Over the years I have liked and disliked some of their other stuff. But this album was by far their best! It reminds me of my teenage years. I always get excited to hear one of the songs from this album played on the radio (now that is usually restricted to Jack Fm with all the other "oldies" from my day....)


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Photo of the day! Happy Daddy Day!

Well since Father's Day is this weekend, I wanted to get a couple of father/son photos posted. I hope you will enjoy them!


This first one was taken a couple of years ago, but I still love it. I look back at it and cannot believe my boys were that small. As you can see they are doing one of their most favorite things... sitting in their daddy's lap reading "Goodnight Moon."

Aren't these two cute! You have probably seen me post pictures of little Jack before. He is one of my favorite subjects! He is such a doll and so full of energy! I just love watching him.

This was taken last year before his daddy left for Iraq. Luckily, he is due to come home sometime soon!! He is a good friend of me and Chip. We are very proud of him and what he is doing and can't wait to get him back home.


Last, but not least I figured I would post a picture of my sweet dad. I made this one of him last Easter with my niece, Lilly. He is the best dad in the world!


Happy Father's day to all the wonderful Daddy's out there!!!


Friday, June 11, 2010

My 5 top interviews

Just Me and My Life

Yes, friends it is that time again! The "Friday Fives" over at my friend Beth's blog. So here it is.

So, today's topic is the 5 people, alive or dead, that I would love to sit down and interview or have lunch with. There are so many people I can think of that I would just LOVE to meet, how do I choose just 5?

1. Harry Connick, Jr.
Hmmmm..... what to say here? If you look at the pictures that should about cover it, but it is so much more! Yes, he is quite a sight to see. But, when he opens his mouth and sings it just makes me melt!

So, to sit down and have a conversation with him...... all I can say is YE
S, PLEASE!

2.Abra
ham Lincoln
The last
several years I have developed a love of history. The more I read and learn about people from our past, the more respect I have for this president. I would love to sit and ask him to just tell me his story. I would love to know how he came to make some of his most important decisions. I can't imagine the stress or the pressure involved, just to know what he was thinking. How interesting and inspiring that would be!

3. Glenn Beck

I know, there are people out there who think he is crazy, but I just love him! A couple of years ago, when you could only hear him on the radio - before his days on Fox News or CNN before that, my sister took me to one of his live events for my birthday. It was amazing! He really does know his stuff, he just has a radical way of telling it! I would really get a kick out of talking with him one on one. He always makes me laugh, too.



4. Jackie Kennedy
I don't know why, but she always fascinated me. She was a lov
ely woman who, despite many rough circumstances in her life, always had a smile on her face and a kind word to say. She also made sure that her children had a "normal" childhood as much they could considering their family. I bet she would have some interesting stories to tell.


5. M. Night Shyamalan

I know, this one probably seems random but bear with me. This is the guy who wrote and directed some of my favorite movies. Movies like: Signs, The 6th Sense, The Village, The Happening (I could go on and on!) He is brilliant! I think it would be really fun to sit and hear some of his ideas for what he is going to create next!
I love watching a good, creepy thriller, especially when there is a twist at the end that makes you sit and try to figure everything out or even better when all the confusion of a movie comes together for that "A-Ha!" moment at the end.

Well, That's all folks!


Friday, June 4, 2010

Acts of Random Kindness



You know, things happen for a reason. I strongly believe that. It is amazing to me how things happen and are reasoned, by some, as mere coincidence.... Today's topic over at Kelly's Korner for "Show us your life" is random acts of kindness. What an amazing concept, and yet how simple.


My first thought?


Wow.


The church I attend here in Nashville is Hermitage Church of Christ. I love it there. It is full of such good, kind, compassionate people. They decided a couple of months ago that they were going to set a "theme" for the summer. It will also be the theme for our upcoming VBS July 11-14.

What is the theme?


Acts of Random Kindness.


Our big "kick-off" event is this Sunday. We had talked amongst the members of ways to go out and do something to help the community. Then, after the recent flooding in the area, we all decided that the best way we could show kindness to others in our area was to help the flood victims. We have had people coming by to donate all sorts of things, which we will give away to those who need it this Sunday in the form of a "free" yard sale for flood victims. Others will be going out to clean up roadside litter, pass out water to walkers on the greenway, and other random stuff.

So, imagine my surprise to see Kelly's latest topic. God really does work in mysterious ways. Ever since this theme was announced we have had people calling in to report witnessing these acts of ran
dom kindness. It is very inspiring! Since we announced the "flood relief giveaway" I have had strangers showing up at the church office (where I work part time) to donate items because they didn't know how they could help but wanted to do something. This is not just junk, either! I have seen some really nice things come through. It really makes you sit and think of things that you could do for others. It doesn't have to take much effort, but sometimes it could.

The point is to get out and do something nice for someone else. When you can do it anonymously, that is even better! Here are a few things I would love to do or see done:

  1. Send a package or letter to a soldier.
  2. Cut your neighbor's grass when they aren't home
  3. Anonymously leave the tip for someone eating near you in a restaurant.... maybe an elderly couple, fireman, or police officer. Better yet, offer to pick up their check!
  4. Share coupons or money-saving tips in the grocery store
  5. Just get back to basics and hold the door open for someone! Make sure your kids see you do it and maybe they will learn to do it for someone else
  6. Use manners, even when it is hard.... Just saying a nice "thank you" or "have a nice day" can really brighten someones day!
Just get out there and do it. It can be contagious, so be the first and watch to see how quickly it can spread.

Then, if you are in the Nashville area, I welcome you to join us at HCC. Not just this weekend for the big event, but anytime in the future. You will love the warm and friendly atmosphere!