Last night our choir, Parkway Wesleyan's Voice of Praise, sang at the Gaither Homecoming concert at the Roanoke Civic Center. It was awesome. Of course it wasn't what I expected it to be - nothing ever is, right? But it was wonderful.
Shame on me for not bringing my camera, but I know some of my good friends will be sending me pictures so hopefully I'll post a couple soon.
We didn't really have an opportunity to meet any of the artists, though some were fortunate enough to hang around after the concert and meet some of them.
It was a once in a lifetime experience, that's for sure. They all look and sound just as good as they do on their videos. There was a wonderful spirit in the house, and I think all who were there were blessed. The concert lasted over 4 hours (yes, 4 hours!) but it didn't seem that long at all. We probably could have sung even longer.
I'm so glad we had that opportunity - it is something I will never forget.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Christmas Survey
I know that most people generally think that once Thanksgiving passes we are "officially" in the Christmas season, right? If that's true, why did one of the local radio stations switch to an all-Christmas music format on November 14th? Yes...November 14th. I love music, and I really love Christmas music. But even a die-hard Christmas music fan like me thinks that is too early!
Does anyone get up and line up at the stores at 4am the day after Thanksgiving? If so, I would love to know about it and what kind of great deals you got. The extent of my Black Friday shopping was a trip to Kohl's at about 7:30am because they had a purse I wanted marked down to 50% off. I went in, selected the one I wanted, then realized the line stretched all the way from the cash register to almost the back of the store! No thanks. I put it back, came back to the store around 11am, and got the same great deal. And only stood in line for about 5 minutes. I realize that this strategy will not work if you're hoping to get an $800 laptop for $350, or a 52 inch TV, etc.
What about putting up the tree? For the past several years (since Audrey) we have put ours up during Thanksgiving weekend. Since we've switched to an artificial tree , there are no worries with putting it up too early and having to worry about it drying out, etc.
Outside lights? Audrey really wants some outside lights so we're going to try and accomplish that this year. We did a few last year, but hopefully we'll be able to do something a little better. Don't worry - no "Christmas Vacation" stuff going on here.
Whatever you do, have fun. Don't let stress ruin your Christmas. Remember what it's really all about and enjoy yourself.
Does anyone get up and line up at the stores at 4am the day after Thanksgiving? If so, I would love to know about it and what kind of great deals you got. The extent of my Black Friday shopping was a trip to Kohl's at about 7:30am because they had a purse I wanted marked down to 50% off. I went in, selected the one I wanted, then realized the line stretched all the way from the cash register to almost the back of the store! No thanks. I put it back, came back to the store around 11am, and got the same great deal. And only stood in line for about 5 minutes. I realize that this strategy will not work if you're hoping to get an $800 laptop for $350, or a 52 inch TV, etc.
What about putting up the tree? For the past several years (since Audrey) we have put ours up during Thanksgiving weekend. Since we've switched to an artificial tree , there are no worries with putting it up too early and having to worry about it drying out, etc.
Outside lights? Audrey really wants some outside lights so we're going to try and accomplish that this year. We did a few last year, but hopefully we'll be able to do something a little better. Don't worry - no "Christmas Vacation" stuff going on here.
Whatever you do, have fun. Don't let stress ruin your Christmas. Remember what it's really all about and enjoy yourself.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Halloween Fun
I thought I should get a couple of Halloween pics up before it was time to post about Christmas! I'm always a little slow at this.
Audrey had fun this year as Minnie Mouse. She was able to enjoy wearing her costume three times - Trunk or Treat event at church, party at her pre-school and trick-or-treating downtown, and trick-or-treating at the mall on Halloween night. She was great as Minnie.
Also, hope everyone gets a good laugh out of me in this clown costume. I NEVER dress up for Halloween, but decided to this year because we were having a costume contest at work. I went all out and rented a costume and did I win??? No!!! So, this was the first and only year I will do such a thing.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Audrey is 5!
Princess Audrey turned 5 on October 18th. I cannot believe it has been five years! I was a little more nostalgic this year than I have been in the past because this year her birthday fell on Saturday - the day of the week on which she was born.
We celebrated her birthday on the 11th at Chuck E Cheese. Enjoy the pictures. She had a great time with her friends. She especially enjoyed Tanner, who she calls her brother. Sorry, Audrey, he is probably the closest you will get to having a sibling. The two of them are so sweet together.
She constantly amazes me with her questions about everything. "Is it still fall mommy?". She asks me this because she understands enough about time to know that winter comes after fall, and with winter comes Christmas. So, she keeps asking me this waiting for me to say "no" because she thinks that Christmas will be coming soon.
She likes to tell me, almost on a daily basis, all the things she will need when she starts kindergarten--as if I must go out and get these things right now so she'll be ready. She loves to talk about being a big girl, and all the things she will do when she grows up.
Growing up, which is happening too fast most days. I will be honest, some days not fast enough, but most days I can't believe my little girl is 5.
God-remind me to be thankful for her...even on the hard days, and to guide her in your truth and love.
We celebrated her birthday on the 11th at Chuck E Cheese. Enjoy the pictures. She had a great time with her friends. She especially enjoyed Tanner, who she calls her brother. Sorry, Audrey, he is probably the closest you will get to having a sibling. The two of them are so sweet together.
She constantly amazes me with her questions about everything. "Is it still fall mommy?". She asks me this because she understands enough about time to know that winter comes after fall, and with winter comes Christmas. So, she keeps asking me this waiting for me to say "no" because she thinks that Christmas will be coming soon.
She likes to tell me, almost on a daily basis, all the things she will need when she starts kindergarten--as if I must go out and get these things right now so she'll be ready. She loves to talk about being a big girl, and all the things she will do when she grows up.
Growing up, which is happening too fast most days. I will be honest, some days not fast enough, but most days I can't believe my little girl is 5.
God-remind me to be thankful for her...even on the hard days, and to guide her in your truth and love.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Disney World Experience
We are just back from our long awaited trip to Disney World. It was quite an experience - mostly great. There were a few rough moments as we tried to navigate our way through the whole Disney compound but we figured it out rather quickly.
My first impression of this place is that there are many people out there who have literally made Disney a way of life. I am not sure I understand the fascination. The only thing I can figure is that they are looking for something to believe in. It struck me as quite sad a few times as I watched some of these people - they have put all their faith, time, energy, and money into things that aren't even real. You could really see the emptiness in some of them.
But - on the other hand - it is quite a magical place, especially for little ones. Audrey was very excited to meet all of her favorite Disney characters. We spent most of our time in the Magic Kingdom so if we go back again we will spend a little more time in some of the other parks. A couple of highlights were when she was chosen as the Honorary Princess of the Day on the carousel ride and also meeting all the princesses at a special princess dinner the last night we were there.
We will probably go back again because you simply cannot see and do everything in one trip. But I don't see this becoming the only place we ever go for vacation. I don't know if I would want to go back year after year - I think I might get bored with it, and Audrey might too as she gets older.
Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures from our trip.
My first impression of this place is that there are many people out there who have literally made Disney a way of life. I am not sure I understand the fascination. The only thing I can figure is that they are looking for something to believe in. It struck me as quite sad a few times as I watched some of these people - they have put all their faith, time, energy, and money into things that aren't even real. You could really see the emptiness in some of them.
But - on the other hand - it is quite a magical place, especially for little ones. Audrey was very excited to meet all of her favorite Disney characters. We spent most of our time in the Magic Kingdom so if we go back again we will spend a little more time in some of the other parks. A couple of highlights were when she was chosen as the Honorary Princess of the Day on the carousel ride and also meeting all the princesses at a special princess dinner the last night we were there.
We will probably go back again because you simply cannot see and do everything in one trip. But I don't see this becoming the only place we ever go for vacation. I don't know if I would want to go back year after year - I think I might get bored with it, and Audrey might too as she gets older.
Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures from our trip.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Pet Peeves and Other Things
As I suspected when I created this blog, I don't have the time to put into it that I would like. Either that or I just don't have enough going on that I think other people would be interested in reading about! I read several blogs regularly and they mostly seem to be filled with pictures and funny stories about their children, deep thoughts about life, inspirational things, etc.
Sorry. I just don't have it in me right now!
What about things that just get on my nerves? There are several.
1. If you don't live in Roanoke, you won't understand this one. People who cannot merge onto or off of I-581 at the Orange Avenue interchange. What is with people? Entering the highway from Orange Avenue they get to the top of the entrance ramp and come to a complete stop as if they were at a red light. Then they wait for a break in the right lane before they try to enter the highway. Meanwhile people who are trying to exit the interstate can't do so properly because these people are sitting still instead of moving into traffic so others can move out!! It is infuriating. Part of what makes it difficult to enter any highway in Roanoke, not just this one, are people who ride the right lane, no matter what. There are three lanes, the right is for entering and exiting the highway, the middle is for cruising, and the left is for passing. Roanoke truly has some of the worst drivers I have ever seen anywhere. I could truthfully probably do a whole blog about bad drivers in Roanoke...hey, now there's a thought...maybe that would be a way for me to get out some of my behind-the-wheel frustration.
2. Plastic bags and other packaging that is more secure than Fort Knox. Particularly cereal bags, or those boxed dinners, like Mexican dinners, that come with seasoning, sauce, etc. These bags are like steel! You absolutely cannot tear them open. And no matter how many times I try and fail, I still try again before giving up and getting the scissors.
3. People at work who refuse to fill the copy machine or printer with paper. There are people who would wait an hour for someone else to put paper in rather than getting it themselves to finish their print job.
4. Somewhat related to #3 are people at work who will not wash their dishes in the kitchen or will not make coffee. I'm sorry - I didn't realize there were actually people who were too good to do such menial tasks.
I could probably come up with more than that, but I don't want to give the impression that it's all I think about.
On another, happier note: We are planning a trip to Disney World for the first week in September. Audrey is terribly excited and I have to say I'm pretty excited too. Neither Thomas nor I have ever been and we are all looking forward to it. I'm a little worried about the heat and the crowds, and the pressure of trying to do and see too much while we're there but hopefully it will all work out. Maybe I will post some pictures when we get back.
Thomas' cousin Monica has a great blog that I read a lot, and in one of her last posts she told a lot of her story. I learned some things about her that I didn't know before. I have to say she kind of inspired me to write my own story. Maybe next time, if I can find the time, I will post some of my history here. We all have a story. I love to read other people's and maybe someone would want to read mine!
Sorry. I just don't have it in me right now!
What about things that just get on my nerves? There are several.
1. If you don't live in Roanoke, you won't understand this one. People who cannot merge onto or off of I-581 at the Orange Avenue interchange. What is with people? Entering the highway from Orange Avenue they get to the top of the entrance ramp and come to a complete stop as if they were at a red light. Then they wait for a break in the right lane before they try to enter the highway. Meanwhile people who are trying to exit the interstate can't do so properly because these people are sitting still instead of moving into traffic so others can move out!! It is infuriating. Part of what makes it difficult to enter any highway in Roanoke, not just this one, are people who ride the right lane, no matter what. There are three lanes, the right is for entering and exiting the highway, the middle is for cruising, and the left is for passing. Roanoke truly has some of the worst drivers I have ever seen anywhere. I could truthfully probably do a whole blog about bad drivers in Roanoke...hey, now there's a thought...maybe that would be a way for me to get out some of my behind-the-wheel frustration.
2. Plastic bags and other packaging that is more secure than Fort Knox. Particularly cereal bags, or those boxed dinners, like Mexican dinners, that come with seasoning, sauce, etc. These bags are like steel! You absolutely cannot tear them open. And no matter how many times I try and fail, I still try again before giving up and getting the scissors.
3. People at work who refuse to fill the copy machine or printer with paper. There are people who would wait an hour for someone else to put paper in rather than getting it themselves to finish their print job.
4. Somewhat related to #3 are people at work who will not wash their dishes in the kitchen or will not make coffee. I'm sorry - I didn't realize there were actually people who were too good to do such menial tasks.
I could probably come up with more than that, but I don't want to give the impression that it's all I think about.
On another, happier note: We are planning a trip to Disney World for the first week in September. Audrey is terribly excited and I have to say I'm pretty excited too. Neither Thomas nor I have ever been and we are all looking forward to it. I'm a little worried about the heat and the crowds, and the pressure of trying to do and see too much while we're there but hopefully it will all work out. Maybe I will post some pictures when we get back.
Thomas' cousin Monica has a great blog that I read a lot, and in one of her last posts she told a lot of her story. I learned some things about her that I didn't know before. I have to say she kind of inspired me to write my own story. Maybe next time, if I can find the time, I will post some of my history here. We all have a story. I love to read other people's and maybe someone would want to read mine!
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