So I can't even describe how precious my sweet, adorable, perfect little niece is. I am sitting in the Ft. Myers airport, waiting for my plane to get here (Hope & Steve- it's late if you can believe it! But, not too bad) I have a quick flight to Orlando and then I hop on my plane to Nashville. I'm scheduled to get in at 9:45pm. Anyway, I just had a quick two day work trip down to Florida, it was very helpful to be in the office, and take care of and learn some things, but I do have to say my favorite part was getting to see Baby Hope! She is amazing!! I cannot WAIT to see her in 3 weeks when we come back down. It was a very quick but great trip! I left my cell phone at home, which is funny, but in a way it's nice not having one. No ringing, no text messages, nothing like that. I happened to have a calling card in my purse, and know everyone's number anyway, so I've been fine.

Hope everyone's having a great week!

Wow it's been a long time! Sorry! Time has been getting away from me lately. It just moves a lot quicker these days and there is less and less spare time in a day. I am trying to get in a rhythm with things and find those moments that I do have, but it's been difficult. I've been definitely more stressed and "heavy" but God is faithful and He's helping me through things.

Just got a new computer. Random story- I'll have to tell you sometime. Kind of funny.

Anyway, got TONS of work to do, so enjoy a new song over to the right- Mia Fieldes from Hillsong church....really enjoying her album. Thanks, Andy!

So today I was on hold with an underwriting company while working and their hold music was none other than "Fields of Gold," by Sting. It brought back a FLOOD of memories! (from college) Isn't it wild how music can do that?! It got me thinking about how music can totally do that, and I started thinking about other songs that bring back memories of times in my life from high school and college- some good, and some not so good, but I was amazed thinking about. So here's a list- definitely not comprehensive, but a sampling of songs from my high school and college years! :-)(in no particular order)Oh, and I don't really vouch for the quality or content of these videos, You Tube was just the easiest way....

Middle & High School:
"Here's to the night" by Eve 6
"The Freshman" by the Verve Pipe
"No Diggity" by Blackstreet
"Un-Break my Heart" by Toni Braxton
"A Long December" by Counting Crows
"Kiss from a Rose" by Seal
"With or Without You" by U2
Anything Dave Matthew's Band :-)

College:
"Champagne High" by Sister Hazel
"Hero" by Enrique Iglesias (totally cheesy- I know!)
"River" by Joni Mitchell
"If You're not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield
"D'yer Maker" by Led Zeppelin
"Babe I'm Gonna Leave you" by Led Zeppelin

This past weekend was a special one. It wasn't because any huge "event" happened, but rather the things the Lord was solidifying in my life. Friday night, Jordan and I got a chance to go out to eat and just talk and share with each other what God's been doing in us, showing us, guiding us in, etc. It was a WONDERFUL time with my husband. Anyone who is married knows those conversations, where you just feel fully and totally CONNECTED! So, we did that, which brought great clarity and peace to my mind in areas I was still a little unsteady in.

Saturday, we had a Women's Gathering and I was helping lead worship for that. The theme was "Walking in a New Way," and Joan Evrist talked about what that looks like for our lives. It was PERFECT for where we are right now in our life. After it was over, I had a small window of time before I needed to be ready for youth group that night, and was asking the Lord what I should do with this time, and seriously, He told me to go buy new shoes.

Now I know some of you may be saying...."what?! Why would God tell you to do something like that?" But you see, for me, it was an outward symbol of the new way God is teaching me to walk my life out, and the new way I am to walk out situations, as well as new perspective on what it looks like to go through difficulties and trials in my life. So, I went to the mall, and into a fairly new shoe store called "Shi." I had a lot of fun with the sales lady, as she was bringing me all these shoes that were a little out of my comfort zone. So finally, I had it narrowed down to two pair. One that was very "me!" Cute, flat, comfortable, basic tan color would go great with jeans, etc. and the other were heels, tall, funky, crazy colors, unlike anything else I have. I wanted to buy the "safe" shoes- I knew it was a "smarter" purchase, but then I said, "I'll take the heels!" That's what it was about- something new, something different. So here they are:

This morning I was reading in Philippians, and chapter 3 has just rocked my socks off! vs 7- "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ." vs 12- "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hod of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are begind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead"

Jordan and I are reaching to those things which are ahead. And we're not talking about a baby. It's SO much more than that. We're talking about the heavenly, kingdom vision, we're talking about our intimacy with Jesus, the deepening of that relationship. We're looking for and commited to walking towards the goal of Christ, and what He has- fully & in every area of life!

So, it's been a while since I blogged about food, but for those of you that follow this regularly, you know I love food! And one of my favorites is breakfast. Nothing better than waking up early on a Monday morning, and starting the week off with a wonderful breakfast. So, here's what I made this morning:

2 Farm fresh organic eggs cooked in a tiny bit of olive oil
1 piece of homemade (by me) 4seed whole wheat toast spread with this amazing organic goat/feta cheese I bought at the farmer's market
glass of 100% orange juice

YUMMY!



I LOVE breakfast! :-)

Things that have changed since having 2 teenage girls move in:

- There are no longer "leftovers" in the fridge.
Not that they eat a TON- because they don't, but when you're cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for 4 grown people every day and packing lunches, whatever was leftover goes fast!

- my 2 or 3 loads of laundry per week have suddenly increased to 7-9! We're dealing with high school girls here. They have lots of clothes, and don't use towels more than a a couple of times.

- It takes a lot longer to get out of the house. Again, teenage girls like to "get ready," and they take time doing it!

- Lots & lots of giggling! It was no different with my sis when I was in high school. There's a lot of giggling and laughing that goes on! :-)

- Things smell good. No offense to Jordan Fenton- we love him- but girls just smell "good," thanks to all the lotions and sprays that are constantly happening in their room and bathroom.

- I wake up every morning now b/w 5:00 and 5:30 (depending if I need to shower that morning) I was waking up about 6:30 every day, so it's a little bit different, but I've adjusted well.

- Our gas output has doubled. I really know what moms feel like shuttling their kids places!

These girls are a tremendous blessing and Jordan and I are honored to be able to speak so much into their lives during this season. God has and is providing for all that we need!

2:00pm
Erin is getting to meet her daughter for the first time! How exciting :-)

12:45pm
HERE SHE IS!













11:41am
Just got a call: HOPE RHODES HERRENBRUCK is here!! 7 lbs. 5 oz, 18.5 inches, born at 12:28EST, so 11:28 for me. Erin, Dan and everyone are doing wonderfully and Nana Hope said she's beautiful!!! I'll post pics when I get them!

10:45am
Just got a call from Erin and from Hope- she's all prepped and ready for her c-section. Just waiting for the Doctor. I spoke with Erin, she's definitely having contractions, but everything looks good, so if she can hang on for a little while, her little girl will be here in no time! Hope & Steve are there with Erin and Dan, and Erin's two good friends, Blair and Terra. More to come!

9:30 am
So we are awaiting the birth of a baby. Erin was scheduled for a C-section on the 19th, but it appears her water broke earlier this morning. I talked to Hope (grandma Hope, that is) about an hour ago, but I haven't heard any more. I will be sure to let everyone in the blog world know when we know more! It looks like there will be a baby today! Exciting!!

We had a great time last night! Janel & Laurel went with us up to Mom & Dad's house for family dinner night. It was so good to see Ferris & Robby (they just look so cute and so "married!") and we all had fun laughing (a lot) catching up and watching a little football. Oh yeah, and we broke out the leftover wedding cake, which was yum, yum, yum!!

In other news, we are anxiously awaiting Baby Hope! Right now Erin has a C-section (there were some slight complications) scheduled for Sept. 19, but it could be sooner, so we're at MAX 10 days away! WOW!

And then in OTHER news......which I've had to keep quiet about for a while now- congratulations to Kyle & Janelle Kellums on their upcoming baby. We found out a few weeks ago but have been keeping it on the downlow. They told the youth group on Saturday night, so I think it's okay to post it here, too. She's due April 10th, so I've added yet another baby counter to the right! haha!!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

WHAT A FOOTBALL WEEK!

Ugh! My teams are getting off to a rough start on ALL fronts.

High School Football
- our dear Independance Eagles, who played for the TN state championship last year came out for their first home game and got trounced by the Centennial Cougars....who are reputably the worst team in Williamson County-usually....that is.

College Football
-in their big season opener against UCLA- the University of TN Volunteers couldn't seem to remember that scoring points is what wins a game, and they fell hard as well.

And then the worst of all

NFL football
- first game in the brand spankin' new Lucas Oil stadium in Indy, the Colts fell to none other than the Chicago Bears...WHAT?! I do have to say the Bears looked better than anyone expected....Lovie Smith & other decision makers made a good choice with Kyle Orton over "Sexy-Rexy" (as Robby calls him) and of course Devon Hester (except for his red-zone messup that helped the Colts score) is always a force to be reckoned with! But alas, not the way I wanted to start the season.

Oh well- at least it IS football season! That alone is enough to rejoice in, right?!

Before I took the girls to school this morning, I was reading a little, thinking and praying- in some ways asking God when things would get back to "normal." After I dropped them off- I was praying a little more and God just dopped it in my spirit that there is no "back to normal," but I have to press into Him to get my "new normal." Normal isn't a bad thing, and routine can be good- but for me, it's so easy to get locked into it: my days, my mornings, my spending and saving habits, my words, my actions, etc. The events of the last couple weeks have shaken up almost every bit of my "normal" life. I no longer wake up and think about MY morning. I wake up and think about two young girls, and what they need for the day: mentally, spiritually and physically. I no longer think about what it will be like when I am pregnant, but I think about what it will be like as we see God's plan for children continue to be realized in our life. And I no longer focus on different aspects of my life. It's all one! It's all fit & working together, in a big, beautiful, God-purposed way, and it is my NEW Normal!

It's labor day! A whole day to relax and do nothing! Woohoo!! Jordan and I had a good evening last night. We took the girls and a friend up to Franlin for a birthday party and then enjoyed doing a little shopping and running around in Cool Springs. We finished it off with a good dinner at the new Boscos and renting a movie. I fell asleep and slept SO hard last night. It's been a long time coming.

Today, we made breakfast- the girls are doing some organizing and I need to do some cleaning. We may head to the pool in a bit, so we can relax a little more, and other than that, the only things I NEED to do are go to the bank and the grocery store. I think we're going to squeeze in a little time with Robby & Ferris and maybe a game of settlers too! We're glad for the normalcy and a little bit more routine settling in.