Tucson Update!!

We are having a great time in Tucson Arizona. It's a neat place- very deserty- very cool. Don't have time (well, not really true- just don't want to right now) to fully update so here are some pictures to enjoy, and I'll tell you about them later.

If you've never used Redbox to rent movies...you are missing out! First, check out www.redbox.com and find a location close to you, then use this coupon code and get a free rental. Enjoy!

Check out the song I updated on my "currently listening to" section to the right. If you've never listened to Phil Wickham, may I highly suggest this album. I absolutely love it!

I was tagged by Trish to post 6 weird things about myself, so here goes

1)I, like Trish, organize my closet according to color. I think maybe this is something a lot of people do, and I follow the roygbv "rainbow" color scheme: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. I have found it is most pleasing to the eye. (I put pink in front of red, and brown, white and black at the end, respectively.)

2)I am serious about EVERYTHING being in it's place! I am constantly putting things away when I walk through the house. Every morning when I am finished reading I fold the blanket and drape it over the chair the exact same way. Books, shoes, magazines, etc....all has it's place and must be put back. I am always picking up after Jordan. I have a feeling this will be seriously challenged in me when we had kids. Oh well- for now, it is what it is!

3)I really like it when my email inbox is empty. I get a major sense of accomplishment knowing that I have dealt with that email and it can now be deleted. It is rarely, if ever, FULLY empty, but I can usually keep both (my work and personal) inboxes down to about 5-10 emails by the end of the day!

4)I have an obsession with tea! I love my loose leaf tea and love to try new flavors, and find new stores that sell it. I have my whole tea collection- 25 round tins, each labeled with information on the type of tea and brewing instructions. I have no less than 2 cups per day, but most days 3-4. (Don't worry, never more than 2 cups of caffeinated tea) :-)Most tea is very light in caffeine anyway.

5)I really don't like to paint my toenails. I know this is totally gross to some people, but for whatever reason, if I do- it chips really quickly and I just don't like the upkeep. (my husband would say it's b/c I'm always running into things) So, for most of the year, they go bare and unpainted. I will always do them for special occasions like weddings, but that's about it.

6)I love pickle juice! (my mouth is actually watering as I write this- weird, I know) Don't know why- always have. I love sipping it straight from the jar...dill, not bread and butter or sweet, but it just tastes so good to me. I'm sure I'm sipping 3 times my daily intake of sodium, but hey- no part gets wasted!

So there you have it!

This was certainly one of the most fun and eventful weekends we've had! It was incredible. The main reason this was such a special weekend is because on Friday morning, my beautiful precious sister, Ferris, and Robby GOT ENGAGED! It is SO exciting and amazing!



I cannot even being to describe how happy and excited I am. Jordan knew it was happening, as did my family, I think- but I had asked to know nothing...I wanted my sis to be able to surprise me when it happened and surprised I was! If you would like to read the whole story of how Robby proposed (it's pretty awesome) in Ferris's words, click here. It's a description complete with details and pictures. It really was a whole DAY of proposal, pretty amazing! Incredible, incredible....that's all I have to say!

Saturday morning we oversaw the rehearsal for a couple of special elements for Sunday's Easter service. I had a meeting and then we headed up to Cool Springs to run a few errands...we went to Costco, which is so much more fun with Jordan than by myself. My husband NEVER ceases to entertain me! Then Jordan and I parted ways- I had to drive ALL the way back down to 2nd avenue to pick up my phone which I had left at the Melting Pot. I made a detour to Teavana on the way, so it was worth it! :-) I spent the rest of Saturday grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, working on some church/ministry things, etc.

Sunday we had a wonderful church service. Kyle Kellums lead worship in Spring Hill and we had lots of visitors. It was exciting! After church we went to our next door neighbors' cookout and birthday party for their daughter Kaitlyn, who turned 6.
We had a great time hanging with our neighbors, jumping on Kaitlyn's new trampoline, and eating Josh's wonderful burgers. Jordan left to go hang in the park with Kyle Kellums and I stayed next door for a while longer. Ian came over a bit later and I took off to help Natalie Cressy and some other girls with some decorations for Mark & Natalie's upcoming wedding. (April 12th)


Ian was still over when I got home and we all had some chili and chatted about youth ministry and some things going on. Jordan and I ended the evening watching what I do believe I can declare is my favorite movie: Pride & Prejudice. SO GOOD!

What a great weekend!

I didn't get one of mom & dad- I know mom does so I'll post that later!

Last night was great! Robby had treated Ferris, me & Jordan AND Mom & Dad to the Michael Buble' show that was at the Sommet Center in Nashville. Michael Buble was a great entertainer and sounded as good live as he does on his CD. He was pretty crude though, which was surprising, and after I mentioned something to Jordan about it, he remarked, "he's just grown-up frat boy." But it certainly didn't ruin the night or anything- it was a WONDERFUL show!

We were VERY impressed with the Opening Act. They were a group called Naturally 7...seven guys who do all acapella stuff, but not only do they do traditional acapella vocal songs but they make all the instruments with their mouths. INCREDIBLE! It's hard to describe how amazing this was to watch. Check out their myspace page HERE for a listen!

It was a SUPER fun night and a fabulous memory. I'll post some pics of us soon!

THANKS ROBBY! WE LOVE YOU!

Melinda

Melinda Doolittle was and still is my favorite American Idol contestant- I checked up on her today to see if there's any news. She has put out a single which I am definitely going to get...her singing "My Funny Valentine" is one of the best things I've ever heard AND she apparently has signed with BHCC for her management. This is the company I worked for for a year and half. How cool! I'm going to email my old boss and try to get the scoop.

It is finally here for your viewing pleasure! A few weeks ago- Jordan decided to build a dance floor, so that he could have that as a way of staying in shape. I love the idea and I'm so pleased with how it has turned out. I am super excited that we'll be mounting a TV and DVD in the corner so I can do Pilates. Super cool!! So here ya go- he finished it last night- our very own mini-dance studio!!

(The blue are just pieces of tape that will be removed)

Can I just say- I am SO excited about our brand spankin' new SUPER Target being open. It "officially" opened yesterday for the Grand opening, but it's had a soft opening all week long and I have already been there 3 times. Jordan and I stopped in on Saturday and saw about 5 different families we knew- quite the place to be.

And it's currently the highest grossing Target in the nation. Not bad for little ol' Spring Hill, TN. Young families with little kids like their Target :-)

Well it's been quite an eventful Saturday already and it's only 11:00am. We woke up this morning to beautiful snow everywhere- probably the most we've gotten in this part of TN in a while!



Jordan and I had bought tickets to a pancake breakfast one of the Junior high girls softball teams was having at Applebee's this morning. We were planning on going with Al & Martha Pearson. Right as we're getting ready to go- I took a look at the tickets and noticed they said Columbia, TN, not Spring Hill, TN. We couldn't believe it- we had to drive 30 minutes down to Columbia....oh well. We picked up Al & Martha and had a great time with pancakes and coffee. After that- Jordan got an inckling to begin exploring in Columbia and we walked into the Columbia Mall- oh yes! Your classic old, small town mall. We got transfixed with the little coin game thingy...


Then we had some fun with the little booths stuck randomly in the side of the wall...


...and Al caught a little nap in an unconspicuous place.

We've had Uturn and our meetings cancelled today...so I'm about to do some cleaning and some prep for worship tomorrow morning. Have a happy Saturday!

New song uploaded- check it out!

Last night was fun...I really do love getting to go downtown- don't do it very often, but it is a treat. We had a couple high school guys with us- long time family friends of the Roe's who's son is considering Belmont. So, we met him and his friend in Hillsboro Village and took them to Calypso, drove them around Nashville briefly before getting coffee at Fido and heading back home. The pour guys must have thought we were taking them to Alabama driving down to Spring Hill- it always feels SO long for people who are visiting. :0) They spent the night and then I made whole wheat plain and banana walnut pancakes for everyone before starting work- then the boys took off for Belmont.

Jordan & I have a couple meetings after work and then a relaxing low-key night at home planned. Hopefully Jordan will finish his "project" tonight and I'll be able to post pics of what he's been up to! I'm sure the anticipation is killing you. Have a wonderful weekend!

currently drinking: lemon green tea

My favorite new thing is the Green Bag! I saw them first at Kroger about a month ago, and was very interested in them. Not only for the benefit they are to our environment (I use like 10 plastic bags every grocery trip) but really for the size- how much you can put in them, and they're so much easier & more comfortable to carry than those plastic bags. AND they really are affordable!

So, I have bought them at Target, Whole Foods and Kroger. And you can really use them at any store...they're great for dry cleaning or things you need to tote around. I need to start putting them in the car, I find they're more accessible that way.



Go getcha some! =)

Things comin up...

Wow- sorry it's been so long. I have definitely been a delinquint blogger, but anyway....here I am- back in action!

I have not been sick these past two weeks- I got hit pretty hard a couple of days and then spent a few days resting and recuperating and I was back into it! After we were over that hump- I went into 'Alabaster Heart' (New Song's live recording) mode- had nightly rehearsals and then the performances last weekend. It was an amazing experience to be a part of...I'll certainly post some songs when it's released, but it might be a little while...you know how that goes.

Jordan and I have been having a great time...spending time with friends & family, working hard, doing lots with our church and ministry and generally living life to the fullest!

We spent the day yesterday with Robby & Ferris- went down to Centennial Park in downtown Nashville to play some frisbee golf- lot's of fun :-) and played Settler's last night at Mom & Dad's.

Some upcoming things in March that I am looking forward to:

*Time with Friends-growing in relationship
*Michael Buble' Concert
*U-turn intown retreat
*Dylan coming home for Easter
*Church Easter Egg Hunt and Game day
*Easter Sunday!
*Arizona Trip w/our "florida" family :-)
*Ferris's Birthday

...and plenty of other things which I'm sure will come along!

I am another one to fall victim to the flu bug in Tennessee. I know most of the country is getting hit hard with it, but TN's numbers are through the roof. Our county's school district even closed for 4 days because of it.

I got a lot of rest yesterday and am continuing to rest through today and tomorrow. Feeling better already so hopefully by Monday I'll be back in action and ready to go!

Happy Valentine's Day to my honey :-) I love you!

Sorry for the lack of posting! Jordan and I have been quite busy lately....at least busy enough not to be able to take time out to post. I am trying to figure out what would be the most interesting thing to post, and I'm honestly not sure. Sometimes I don't think my life is really that interesting to other people...don't get me wrong, it sure is to me. I love my life, but anyway....I think you get the point.

I am really enjoying a book my sister in law, Erin gave me at Christmas. It's called "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Wagner, and I am really enjoying it. It deals with many things that we all deal with, but specifically women and just the performance mentality, comparisons, lack of self-worth, etc....and is a wonderful and refreshing book. God is really using it to refresh me in a beautiful way. I'll let you know when I'm finished.

Speaking of books, the first book I read this year was "Driven by Eternity" by John Bevere. INCREDIBLE! I recommend this book to ANYONE. It rocked my perspective and my thinking and helps us get in the right mindset about our assignments from God. If you are looking for a good book to read- get this one. I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm really enjoying the application each of these books provides for my life. I love to read, and always have, but as I get older what matters most is that I am truly able to apply the things I've read, which I know is God's heart for all of us: to be "lifelong learners."

Well, I could go on and on, but I digress....

Have a wonderful day. We're getting some small flurries here in TN!

I finally did it! I'm so excited. We have finally ordered blinds for our entire house! After price shopping and finding the VERY BEST DEALS out there- it's done. Well, almost....I ordered a couple of samples of the woven wooden shades I want to get, because I want to check the color of those, but other than those two windows, the rest is done!

No more paper blinds :-) WOOHOO!

What a weekend! Wow! Let me try to rundown the recap:

Thursday: Collin James Corley was born! After trying for a few years, Roger & Maria Corley got pregnant in the spring of 2007 and 9 months later, a beautiful baby boy was born. I can't wait to meet him and I hear mom & dad are doing great!


Friday was my birthday, and Jordan woke me up bright and early (about 30 minutes before I had "scheduled" myself to get up, and we had a wonderful breakfast at Cracker Barrel. :-) I love my husband! We worked that day and then took off for our "Tea Extravaganza"

Our plan was to stop by Tea Time off 12th Avenue, but alas- we pulled up and it had closed at 5:00 instead of 6:00! SO sad! :-( It ended up great though- because we went instead to Portland Brew and had a great cup of Green Tea and a fresh-right-out-of-the-oven Everything Cookie! From there we went to Teavana in Green Hills and I got some Apple Lemon Pomegranate, Japanese Wild Cherry, Rooibos Sweet Amore and a new one (for me) Rooibos Caramel, which is WONDERFUL with the Mate Vana. We also picked up a few teas for mom, and got a cup of Rooibos Tropica with Sweet Lily White. MMMM....

We then went to eat at Chile's in Cool Springs and treated ourselves to the Queso- which I LOVE but NEVER get...it's so bad yet so good :-)!! We split some yummy mushroom-jack fajitas and then headed home and discussed what movie to rent on the way home. We ended up with "Stranger than Fiction" which was GREAT! We had heard mixed reviews but ended up REALLY liking it. If you didn't get the chance to see it, it's definitely worth the watch.

Saturday I was up and out and at NS Cool Springs by 9:00 for "Alabaster Heart" rehearsal. This is a live recording project that New Song is doing the last week in February that I am a part of. (If you're in the Nashville area: check it out 6pm on the 23rd or 10am on the 24th) I then went to help Trish move! Her new condo is BEAUTIFUL and very Trish-y! (That's a good thing)

Yesterday (Sunday) we had service in Spring Hill. Kyle Cooper led worship with our brand new sound system. It sounded great and the presence of God was strong during worship! It was an AMAZING service and the teaching was incredible. We are talking about a New Way, and a New Day and there are many things the Lord is showing me and doing in my life!

Mom, Dad, Ferris, Robby, Grandma Bertie, and of course, Jphen, Jordan and I all had lunch at my house. I am so thankful for modern appliances. I used the crock pot to cook the roast, the bread machine to make a loaf of fresh bread, my oven to set the delay so the potatoes were perfect and ready for us when we got home after church. It was great!

THEN- the amazing happened. The GIANTS WON THE SUPER BOWL! Everyone in America already knows this and was hopefully watching the game, so I won't go into great detail. All I can say is I am still in a bit of shock, but it's wonderful and even though I do feel a little bad for some of the Patriots- can't imagine how they feel, I am thrilled that Peyton is happy :-) It's all any true Colts fan can wish for in some twisted sort of way. haha!

I'm looking forward to a full, wonderful, productive and exciting week! Blessings to you all!


Oh- and if you're still reading after that novel- check out the song on the right under "What I'm currently listening to" It's one of the ones we are recording for the Live project....and I LOVE it!

Okay, so I haven't been a big fan of You Tube in the past, but this is too cute. My friend Marianne told me she thought her husband had put their daughter's recent violin recital performance on there, and we found it easily this morning. How fun! We love you Jayda :-)