What a great morning! I woke up to it raining hard outside this morning- I don't know why I love it so much when it rains. Maybe simply because I know I won't have to water my plants, but for whatever reason- it always makes me smile.

I chose my ginger-peach apricot tea this morning. Actually finished it off b/c I needed that tin to put my new Masala Chai into. MMmmm, it was good though! We had Life Group here at the house last night and it was amazing! SUCH a great time and we were so thankful, ARE so thankful for what God's doing in people's lives. There are good things happening...changes, which are hard in some ways but at the same time, change is an opportunity for God to show Himself to us in a new way, and that excites me!

I'm out of time for the morning. Gotta get people set up with insurance! Have a blessed day!

This week has been wonderful getting to see Dylan. We got to spend time with him and the entire family on Monday and Tuesday nights this week, and then myself, Ferris and Dylan got some time together yesterday during the day. I took a half day off work so that we could spend a little time together since he's back out on his way today to head to Lee. We have several others (Reagan, JP, Erika and Robert to name a few) that are on their way as well. The campus will be jumping with New Song families this weekend! It will be exciting.

The BEST part of yesterday was that Dylan wanted to go to Teavana and I of course had NO problem with that. I had to stock up on a few teas (it was my black tea day: Darjeeling, English Bfast, Earl Grey) so we all headed down to Green Hills and walked around there for a while (the iPhones really are THAT cool!)and popped into Teavana for a while.

Dylan left with a 16 oz. tea steeper and a couple of teas: Raspberry Black and Rooibos Peach. Since my dad has been drinking his Rooibos the past month, Dylan was the last member of my family for me to get into drinking tea. (Ferris isn't sold out yet, but we'll get her there!) So, it was a wonderful time. We'll certainly miss Dylan, but it's amazing to see all that God's doing in his life. Pretty cool stuff!

Have an awesome weekend!

There is absolutely no purpose to this picture other than the fact I was thinking we don't put enough pictures on here....this one is from like 3 or 4 months ago, but oh well! Just a little something to brighten your day...or not :-)

One thing I wanted to tell you ALL about was my amazing discovery yesterday. I had a meeting at Saxby's b/w work and our Leadership Team meeting, and I had just swung through the gym to run a quick couple of miles so I wasn't sure what kind of coffee or tea I was in the mood for. I was waiting and reading about some new drink they have and I noticed that it was made with real matcha powder.

We were introduced to matcha by the most adorable sales girl at where else- Teavana a few months ago. It's a very interesting and acquired taste but I really like it. Anyway, I asked the lady at Saxby's if she could make me a matcha soy latte and it was SOOO delish! Jordan tasted it and liked it too. So, if you get the opportunity- I highly recommend a Matcha latte- without soy would be better for you (I just didn't want all that milk on my stomach yesterday)

It is yummy!!

Update on week in Florida

Well, I returned Saturday at 3ish, minus one husband from Florida. No, no, nothing bad happened :-) We just determined that it would be best for Jordan to stay one more week to do some more insurance training and be in the office with his dad. So, we got some things covered for the weekend, made some switches, changed his flight from Saturday to this Friday, and I came home by myself.

The trip was great, but mostly consisted of a lot of work. We found ourselves in the office late pretty much each night, but were still able to squeeze in some family time, some Jack Bauer time and some American idol time. I am SO wanting Melinda to win. She has the most incredible voice I think I've ever heard as well as being a person who truly loves Jesus, and it shows all over her. And I think that's amazing. Lots of people claim to be "Christians" but there are few in the entertainment biz on whom it really shows. I'm totally behind her!

Of course I had to go to Teavana, even though we have our own in Nashville now, it's very out of my way and very difficult for me to find time to get to Green Hills. I guess it's a good thing I no longer work in Maryland Farms, because I would be finding a way to get down there several times a week. I bought a couple new teas: Apple Lemon Pomegranate and Vermont Maple and they are both SO SO SO good. And I restocked my Rooibos Chai & Rooibois Sweet Amore.

It was a great trip- very productive, and now I am back gome and thick in the swing of things, preparing for camp and travel,etc.

Only a week and a few days until our big Lake Tahoe trip! Woohoo- can't wait!

Oh she knows me well...

Moments after I published my last post, I heard the undeniable sound of a Delivery Truck pulling into our driveway. I forgot about it for a little bit because I was on the phone with a client, but afterwards remembered and ran to see if they left a surprise. They did!!! There was a little white box on our porch addressed to me- so exciting. Except I had no idea what it was and was afraid I had ordered something without realizing it.

What was inside but some flowering tea from my dear friend Trish for my birthday! So awesome!! It's Numi- which is a huge plus, and you can read about what flowering tea is right here. It's very cool and very exotic. I can't wait to try it- I may try some tonight!!! So THANK YOU Trish! You have made my week! :-) I cannot wait to try the Jasmine Lovers White tea.

Can't get enough tea....

....maybe I'm becoming addicted. It's just too fun to turn on the tea kettle in the morning, and then look at my teas and decide exactly which one I'm in the mood for. Mmm, mmm, mmm! This morning I had two cups: English Breakfast to begin with, and then Earl Grey Green in late morning. I'm grabbing a quick bite to eat- little lunch break- and I snuck onto Teavana's website. I have tea envy! I want them all. Okay, maybe it is getting a little out of hand :-)

We are going to Florida on the 19th though, and you had better believe I am making a stop by Teavana, so I am resisting any urges to purchase some right now- because I can get a whole other tea flavor for what I would pay for shipping.

The Gaddis (Nathan & Bethany) get to stay with us again this weekend! Yay! Exciting. They've been at the re:create conference all week which I think is finishing up tonight. We will get to do something with them tomorrow night, although I don't think we've figured out what.

Okay, nice break. Back to work! Have a happy day and go drink some tea! :-)

Tea for Me!

My tea came in! I am so excited. Earlier today I was working, and I thought I heard someone pulling into the driveway. Like a kid at Christmas I peaked out my little window in the Bonus Room and saw the Fed Ex man bringing a small box up. I ran downstairs and lo and behold, there was a box with my Earl Grey Creme, Caribbean Breeze, and Rooibos Sweet Amore. (which I'm drinking now) Yum yum yum!

Just thought I would share today's little delight!

Camellia Sinensis, a.k.a. "tea"

I have loved hot tea for a long time, but this Christmas I made some new discoveries that have propelled me into a whole new place of LOVING tea. While shopping in Naples at the new Coconut Pointe mall (which is actually more like a small city) we discovered a new store, Teavana, and one of my favorite places now! They sell cups of hot tea (the the tea version of Starbuck's) various loose leaf teas (which are the best) and various tea accesories. Check out the website and read up on the history of tea and all of the amazing health benefits it has!

If you want to order some, might I recommend the Rooibos Amore and the Caribbean Breeze! I, myself am enjoying at this moment, a cup of Earl Grey Green slightly sweetened with honey. Happy Saturday!