Katie B

Rainy Day at BATL

2008-03-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

So it's storming up here at Lake Burton... the thunder is echoing off the mountains and rolling along the lake onto the back porch where we are sitting in awe of the misty fog that is world around us. It's amazing. We claimed that there is never a time that Lake Burton isn't beautiful. I wish I brought my card reader so you all could see this picture I tried to describe. This picture I found on Google Images doesn't do it justice.

No boat outing today. But here are some pics from last year's BATL...

Marie and Moma soaking up some rays on the beautiful day last year.

This is the new clubhouse that we're going to eat at tonight (THANKS TOM DOWNS!) It's called Waterfall and one day there will be a wedding there for Annie on top of that beautiful mountain...

BATL 2008 Roster (with nicknames)
Pam Downs (Pamela S. Downs Proprietor)
Beth Drew (Happy)
Caroline Bedingfield (Boy Scout) or (No, that's a frisbee)
Tatum Downs (T-Diddy)
Amy Rambo (Angel)
Heather Ligler (International Bad H)
Sally Downs (Salita-when she turns 21 Mojita)
Emily Smith (Em-Kat)
Ashly Ward (Helen Cellar)
Marie Claire (I'll be fashionably late MC) or her favorite (Prune)
Katie Bedingfield (B)

My B

2008-02-23T08:34:00.001-08:00

Aunt Jennie "tagged" me.

Sorry Jen!!!

Below is my response - skip the first few lines. :)

Why, thanks for asking! ...not

2008-02-22T11:32:00.000-08:00

So I'm sitting here having a pity party for myself because no one "tagged" me about the 10 random things.
I'll pretend like you did...

Oh - 10 random things about me you ask?
Well let me think.

1) I played the snare drum for two years in the Middle School band.

2) I crave a roll of sweetarts just about every day.

3) When I was little, instead of wanting to play "house" like the normal little girls, I wanted to play "office".
I would turn over boxes and use all the desk supplies I could sneak out of dads home office when he was on the phone.

4) I really hate mushrooms - everything about them. The taste, the texture. I don't know how someone could put something so repulsive in ther mouth, let alone CHOOSE them to eat for a meal.

5) About 70% of the time I drive with my knee.

6) I sat right behind the drummer at a U2 concert a couple years ago. (he's no Carter Beauford, but it was amazing none the less) I didn't get Bono's autograph. But one time I did get James Taylors back-up singer "Arnold's" autograph. And I got the set list from that concert.

7) I really like country music. This seems to be really out of place after that last statement... but I can't help it.
I just do - it's so simple and sweet.

8) If I could do anything I wanted to on Saturday I think on of the top things on my list would be four-wheeling.
Dad took me to Vegas for my 21st birthday last year and we went four-wheeling in the desert... SO FUN.

9) I'm dating a former high school teacher of mine... most likely the weirdest thing about me.
Brett and I have been dating for a year since the 15th.

10) I know how to knit.

Now I want to hear from Amy F, Chip and Bekah.

Haiku of Thanks

2008-02-19T19:15:00.000-08:00

dirty laundry lots
can not even see my floor
thanks for moma b

Every day is Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

... when you watch this video:

Or if you are Bekah and John Mark...
Which reminds me - while you're in YouTube go to their video page and watch the {HILARIOUS} videos of our weekend 'o fun.

Happy Valentine's Y'all!

Here I am,

2008-01-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

sitting in class, not studying for the test I have to take in eight minutes. I'm not worried. It's just Tax Accounting. That's what we have calculators for, right?

I wanted to tell you all something mildly hilarious that happend in class Tuesday...

After class was over, this boy from the other side of the room approached me and said, "You shop at Target a lot don't you?

I replied, "Yes, just about every single day."

He said, "I work in the women's clothing department and figured you did..."

What can I say?
I'm embarrassed.
I'm proud.
I'm a little creeped out of his awareness of what I am wearing every day...

White New Years

2007-12-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

So some of you know I headed out to Washington State the day after Christmas to see Brett and meet is family. They live in Bellevue - right outside Seattle. (it's like Marietta to Atlanta)
It's beautiful here! Floating bridges everywhere and evergreen trees and mountains in the distance. He drug (dragged?) me around the city on Thursday - we went on top of the space needle and all around the city. We've been to several dinner parties with his old high school friends and their wives/kids and some family get-togethers. I feel like I've met the entire state! Brett came down with something a few days ago. Most likely a virus of some sort. We laid on the couch all day Saturday and most of Sunday. It was awesome. (not that he is sick, but the forcing us to relax part) Sunday(yesterday) we drove down with his parents and another couple to their cabin on the Hood Canal. I am upstairs in the living room right now looking out the huge windows at the Olympic Mountains.
They look a lot like this...

Except more snow-covered.
Beautiful place. Right on the water. And there's about 2-inches of snow on the ground.
Mom has made me swear I would never move here. I swear. But it's been a great trip and I look forward to coming back here soon.

Anyway, lots of pictures and video footage of our trip that I'm sure (?) I will consider sharing at a later date.

Love to everyone back home and Happy New Year!

School's Out!

2007-12-11T16:41:00.001-08:00

Well, for me at least... and only until January 3rd. This Accounting thing is kickin' my butt! But I'm honestly enjoying school (?) and that's the first time in my life I've ever said that... ask moma! Hopefully by June I will have all my credit hours done for my Associates Degree in Accounting and I can start an internship somewhere in the summer or maybe the fall? That's the plan...

So in answer to Bill's question - Yes, I have learned something.
My brain is so full of stuff right now that I'm looking forward to the holidays to sort it though and file away the things that need to be remembered and send the rest to the recycle bin.
College isn't the only thing testing me right now though, dating is hard too.
When people asked me a few months ago, how are you and Brett? I would say, "Oh we're great... still like eachother and having fun". While that is still true, I would add to it, "It's HARD!" You find out so much about yourself and how you argue and how you handle situations with grace and be careful about what you say because you realize your words have so much weight to another person... even more than your best friend. Maybe not more than your mom, but close. Suddenly I realize the power of words and their ability to lift up or tear down. Yikes... I'm a name caller, that's for sure. Something to work on in the new year. But not til then?

I'm watching the Little kids right now... they're pretty darn cute. Especially around bedtime if you can imagine that.
That's when the slap-happy kicks in and the re-donkulous silliness comes out... the best kind of laughter.
Here's a pic of Adeline - she turned 1 on December 1st.

Anyways, they Nyswanders are coming soon - yay!
And we will see those bright and shiny Fritchy faces not too long after.
So many things to look forward to!!!

Peace and Love.

PS - why is it so flippin' hot outside!!! It just ain't right!

I've learned how to knit.

2007-10-10T23:40:00.000-07:00

I figure if I'm going to be a godmother I should start doing godmother-type things...
So I'm knitting Isaiah Grace a scarf. And it's gonna get cold up there soon!

Here are the beginnings:

In other news,

1) You can now watch TV while you pump your gas at Walmart on 41.
Wrong, wrong, wrong.

2) I read a sign outside of a church last week that said, "God checks his kneemail".
Equally as wrong.

3) Answer me this... Why do some of the people I love the most have to live so d*** far away?
And reading their blogs seems to make it worse. It's selfish, but I'm mad.

4) I love the fall season. And I really love the season of life I'm in.
But it's so dang busy! I wish I had more time to keep up with you all!
Don't take it personally (AMY) :)

5) I turn 21 in 27 days.

6) I feel like I'm stealing Annie's list-making trademark, so I'll stop at 6 instead of going to 7 like she usually would.

Key Largo

2007-07-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

...is amazing!
I landed yesterday afternoon and hit the Miami ground running trying to catch up on all the things my family has been doing for a month.
The house is awesome. Right on the water. And we have a long skinny dock out to our boat that is as useful as a car would be in Marietta. John showed me his collection of frozen sea life, including a shark (about 2 feet long) several mean looking barracudas (makes me want to sing that song) and the ever-loved "Steve" (JohnJohn likes to name things) which the boys found out is a hog fish. But still affectionately known as Steve. They've devised a (made up) point-system for every fish they catch. I think John's in the lead as of late.
Then we hopped in the boat and drove across the bay to a restaurant and watched the amazing sun set and ate delicious fresh yellowtail snapper. Seafood = yum.
It's good to be with my long-lost family again.

How was your Scotland trip?

2007-07-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

I think I decided that you will just have to ask me in person.
There's NO WAY I could begin to sum-up all that happened over the last couple weeks in one blog... or even ten blogs! I felt every emotion possible. Everything from the happiest I've ever been - watching another person coming to know Jesus as their personal Savior, to being afraid for my life. It was intense to say the least.
I told mom on the way from the Miami airport (I haven't seen my family in a month!) that it felt like I had to be on guard the whole time I was there. It was like I shifted into defense-mode like we were going to battle. Darkness all around us makes the light much brighter to those who recognize it. I am so greatful and humbled by God's plan to use this team to bring glory to him in the country of Scotland. Those youth are amazing and I can't wait to hear how God uses THEM in this next year. Seeds were planted in them that week that will not be overlooked.
There are a million awesome pictures of sweet faces and fun games, but I forgot my memory card adapter so you'll have to wait until I get back from family vacation to see them...
Annie has them up on a mac website though, I think.

Cutest EVER!

2007-06-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is Isaiah Grace's pool face.

She was so cute last week when Bekah and her and I went to their neighborhood pool.
Cutest thing in it!
Those Nyse girls are my fav-o-rite.

Love!

What even...

2007-06-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

...does this even mean?!?!

Moma, Jeanne, and I went shopping this afternoon and on the way home, sitting in traffic on Polk Street, we stumbled across this little jewel of a saying.

"Wisdom is not attained by years but by ability"

Wisdom is attained by how able you are?
Your ability is how able you are to do something.
Is it saying your ability to learn.
Now I'm confused.
Maybe wisdom is beyond my abilities.

Anyway,
This started a long discussion and we decided quickly that this quote was very insulting to disabled people. Are they forever banished from being wise because their lack of ability?
Interesting concept... seems wrong.

We would LOVE to hear your interpretations...

Reunion

2007-06-18T00:09:00.000-07:00

The "fab five" all got together last night for the first time this summer.
We went to Stone Mountain for a picnic and to view the ever-entertaining, never-changing lazer show! It's amazing how a lame summer tradition can be so much fun when you add good friends and food.
Anyways, the show was scheduled to start and 9pm so we got there at 7:30 to get a good seat and eat and throw the football. At about 7:45 when we had our blanket and food laid all out, it started trickle and by 8:00 it was POURING rain. Welp, we're all soaking wet (except for smart, prepared Lauren with her red bulldogs umbrella... so sassy) why don't we go play football?!
Leah, Katie F and I got soaking wet and Katie and I very muddy so we decided it would be an ok thing to jump in the little lake in front of the mountain (yeah, the one where several people have drowned over the years).
At about 9:15 the rain stopped completely and we took our seats for the lazer show.
What a fun memory.
The coolest part of the rain was watching it pour over the side of the mountain like little tiny waterfalls. It bounced off General Lee's (?) horses back.
And all along the smooth surface were these skinny little individual waterfalls.
It was neat, I think you had to be there.

Viva NashVegas!

2007-04-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. It's day three in Nashville and I haven't posted ONCE.
Mom's been blogging for Sharliss on Katherine's website. (link to the right)
It's been a busy three days!

DAY 1 - Saturday
We left Marietta early Saturday morning and headed to Tennessee...
It was a surprisingly quick drive. Except Moma sprayed and wiped the windshield EVERY time a bug hit it. (every 5 seconds) It was pretty comical and then it became a joke. (but I knew she was serious) The woman loves a clean car... who doesn't?
When we got here Saturday afternoon, we hit the ground running.
Sharliss educated Moma and I ALL about KJ's meds. A quick grocery store visit to get the supplies we needed while Sharliss was gone... a red velvet cake mix and 4 close calls with the electric wheelchair later. We were off to visit some friends of theirs who participated in the 'Music City 1/2 Marathon' in honor of Katherine earlier that day. They all had on bright pink shirts that said "Team KJ" and on the back, our slogan "We're Going to Win". We took some pictures and visited a while. Then we went to J. Alexanders because KJ requested a steak for dinner... delicious.

DAY 2 - Sunday
Sharliss got up early for her flight to Tampa.
Us girls slept in and then went to Jason's deli for lunch. Then a trip to Target and back home for a nap. KJ slept for 5 hours! Molly (one of her dogs) chewed my toothbrush in half!) Picture soon. So then for dinner we ate Moma's delicious strawberry salad and chicken alfredo. And fell asleep watching a movie.

DAY 3 - Monday
Today we got up early (remember long nap yesterday afternoon?) and called into Vandy to see if the chemo they ordered from Europe for KJ was in... It was so we leisurely made our way over there. We went into downtown Franklin, first. We shopped around and went in lots of cute little stores. One of which was a store where they sell a bunch of homemade soaps and bath things. We all bought a little treat of some sort. KJ just finished up using hers. Smells delicious!
Then to lunch at a cute little restaurant... I forget the name. But ya'll, the coolest thing happened! When we were done with our meal, the waitress asked if we needed anything else, and I said, "no, just the check, thanks" and she said, "oh, it's been taken care of already". Wha? Someone asked to take care of our lunch and slipped out before we had even finished our meal! Wow. I was completely humbled. So sweet... what a blessing.
Then we went to Vanderbilt and Katherine got two big nasty chemo shots. She didn't even flinch. She's so strong and brave. Just completely amazing, that's all.
So after that, Moma got the great idea of calling up our good friends Kevin and Mandy Mann who live in East Nashville. We went to their house and visited for a while and then all went to get ice cream. It was SO GOOD seeing them and Mandy is beginning to show! They are having a baby boy in September and I can't wait to meet him!!!
After that we ran a few more errands and now we are sittin' our butts in front of the TV.
Lucy is in my lap and sleeping. We all will be soon...

I forgot my card reader so you'll have to wait until tomorrow for pictures.
We're heading back home tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks for all your prayers... I can feel the hedge of protection around this place.
It's been really cool to be a small, short part of.
The Arnolds are amazing!
Love.

2007-04-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

I was tired of looking at that sick picture...

So I will inform you of the holiday many of you, I'm sure, were not aware went on yesterday. It's called - "Administrative Professionals Day". In fact, there is a whole week dedicated to this holiday. For answers to all your questions about this you can visit the site:

http://www.iaap-hq.org/apw/Answers_FAQs_APW.htm

Employers across the world often are unsure of how best to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week® (APW). Some frequently asked questions include:
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Administrative Professionals Week:
1. Who qualifies as an administrative professional?
2. Why was the event’s name changed from "Secretaries Week"?
3. Should my secretary feel slighted by the change?
4. What is an appropriate gift of appreciation for busy assistants?
5. Should the entire administrative team receive recognition, or should it be an optional choice between each executive and assistant?
6. How can individual administrative professionals make this event meaningful, even if their employers don't recognize them during Administrative Professionals Week?

So now you know... Don't say I never taught you anything.
And I apologize if you ARE an administrative professional and you were not recognized as you deserve. You should probably come watch 'The Office' with me tonight because that would make anyone feel good about where they work...
Or at least it hopefully would. :/
Our boss bought us lunch at Applebees, so I feel completely appreciated.
Happy Administrative Professionals week!

I ate octopus

2007-04-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight I found out that I'm a big fat wimp when it comes to trying new foods... oh, AND that I crack pretty easily under peer pressure. We went to eat dinner at a Korean restaurant on Sandy Plains Road. It was Seung Yeon's birthday (Brett's exchange student... we call him Jim) so he and a few of his Korean friends and a big group of us went to said Korean restaurant. Everyone tried something new. Kurt and I shared a pretty harmless beef and mushroom plate. The Dewhurst's had Korean BBQ, which was actually quite delicious. Jim, Arnold and Chul Won had their favorite homeland dishes. Tyler went right for the squid. And Brett had to 'one-up' everyone and go for the spicy octopus. Well, lets just say my stomach feels a little squirmy.

Isn't it funny how cultures are SO different. Yeah, sure, how we look and talk - but what we put in our MOUTH especially. I guess it all depends on you location on the planet earth. Where God has placed certain cultures and what he provides for us in that one small area of the earth and how we adapt to it. I tell you, it opened my eyes a little... my stomach A LOT.

So at the end, things are winding down... and after at least 5 minutes of persuasion on Brett's part... they finally pull the "Oh, ktb, Jim said it's the one thing he wants for his birthday." Oh great, alright - GULP. Eeewww. Thus this blog was formed.

Eventful Day

2007-04-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

And to top it off... we walk out of Cafe Intermezzo onto Peachtree Street and it's SNOWING! I'm not talking just a few flurries people. Noticable ammounts of snowage. We were cracking up! It's snowing in April. Easter weekend to be exact. I can't believe it. I bet you don't either...
Here's a pic Annie took while hanging out my car window to prove.

BELIEVE IT!
Georgia weather is CrAzY!!!
I love it...
G'night.

Break at the Lake

2007-04-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

This week is Spring Break!
As you've probably already read on Annie and Marie Claire's blogs... we went to the Downs' lake house for these last several days. If you haven't read of our adventures, you should check out their blogs first, because they are way more funny than I am.
One of the highlights was the boat ride Annie took us on. She was nervous at first, but she drove that boat like a rock star. (?) I've never understood that term.
Anyway, her best quote from the weekend would have to be when we finally took off from their dock she said, "My theme for driving a boat is, 'This is my world, figure out how to live in it'."
Haha, I laughed outloud. Almost as loud as I did when Marie and I were taking pictures with Iphoto on Annie's new Mac computer. So funny.
Lake Burton is B-E-A-utiful! And their lake house is no exception. A perfect retreat. It was so good to get away from the city for a few days! Especially with some of the funniest people I know including my mother. Good times were had.
We should have gotten a group picture. That was real dumb.
But here are some that aren't on Annie and Marie's blogs already.
(except I'm still mad at Annie for posting that aweful pic of me from yesterday morning... revenge is coming Annie, mark my words.)

Our lake captain

The Downs' from the lake.

The "B.A.T.L. Prince".
We fought over who got to hold this boy ALL WEEK.
He was absolutely precious. So smart. And all smiles.
Babies make everything more fun... especially awesome ones like Jarrett.

I love this girl... she's my Marie.

New Hobby

2007-03-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

No, not cornhole... that's an old hobby. Though I almost beat dad the other day. Don't tell him I told you cause no one has ever beat him.

So... let me tell you of a new hobby I have developed over the past month or so. It's called 'track and field'. A highschool sport, yes. Why? you ask. We'll track and field is very exciting, fun to watch, the team is good, and I maybe have taken a certian interest in their coachy-coach. :)
But seriously, we went to Augusta this past weekend to an Invitational at Augusta Prep and our boys team took first and girls took second. They did AWESOME. Several kids broke their PR's. (personal record - for those who are not track and field savy) Including Andrew Riess and Hillary Davis who are pole vaulters. Their pictures are at the bottom... probably my favorite event to watch. As well as the 4 by 1.
Anyways, that's my new hobby. If you ever get the urge to come with, let me know!
It's crazy fun...
Wanna hear something else crazy? The Fritchmans were in Augusta last weekend visiting Amy's parents... so random! They came by to see us. They make everything fun.

Chatting w/ Coach.

Awww... buddies. TP and Coach.

Do we smile? Do we ignore? I dunno...

Hillary breaking her PR.

Andrew matching his PR... 1st jump!

Weeeee are the champions!
Boys with their 1ST PLACE trophy.

MS Retreat

2007-03-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Annual RiverStone MS Retreat was this past weekend (now 2 weekends ago). We went to Cahutta Lodge up in N. Georgia. The cool thing about our youth group that’s different than others is that we have a highschool leadership team that plans pretty much everything. Cory, our youth pastor gives direction, but then this all-star team takes it and runs. Marie Claire and Ashley were the two point-people for this particular retreat. They were SUPERSTARS! I’m so unbestinkinlievably proud of them. Best MS Retreat we’ve had yet… They were running (Marie-dancing) around like crazies. And the best part is they were smilling the entire time. Lots of stress and pressure to pull something like this off – but they did it with absolute grace. Other awesome highschoolers – Grace Ann, who gave the girls break-out group talk (SO good), and she helped a lot with the planning as well; Kurt Miller, who also gave a talk Saturday afternoon and was a team leader… Best Mario I know! Also many others I didn’t mention but am equally proud of…

It was so cool to step back and watch. Cory asked me on the way up if it was weird not being in some kind of leadership role… Truthfully, it is weird. Even kind of hard! But I had more joy this weekend, sitting watching these kids carry out the retreat they’ve carefully planned and worked so hard on, then I EVER had at a youth retreat.

The most rewarding part, I’m sure they would agree, is to sit in worship and watch the middle schoolers press into the heart of God, and seek his face and be filled with the joy of realizing who they are in Christ.

Now I’m crying, so here are some pics… :)

Give the World a Blug

2007-03-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

Things around here have gotten so busy!!!
I guess because it's spring and everyone is freaking out... It's escalating quickly! (Annie-4u) Spring Break is a little over a week away! What are ya'lls plans? Anything fun and exciting? All of Cobb County will be in Florida so I'd much like to avoid that area.
Here's a funny story for you:
So I went to eat pizza with Annie and Ashley and Molly and Emily Tuesday. (Gilmore Girls was a re-run) I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG TIME. Those girls crack me up. Things overheard - "I'm gonna stare - real mean!" (molly) and "Loud noises. I'm not a fan." (Ash)
Good friends are soooo... good. It's therapy. I'm glad God made us this way.
Well, I'm headed to a track meet in Augusta this weekend with Dominion. Pray we get there safe and there are no injuries. It's supposed to be 87 degrees Saturday!
Bring on the sunshine!

Alright already, gosh!

2007-03-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

Its been a while...
Don't blush me Annie & Moma. Just cuz I've missed a couple weeks, well, really that's pretty horrible. I would disown someone who commited such a blog felony. (blelony) That was dumb.

Anyways, I'm in St. Simons this wknd. One of my favorite places ever. With some of my favorite people ever. Here are some funny things the boys have said since I've been here Thursday night...
1) We were in the car going to return some movies. Carebears and Batman. The boys were arguing over if it was "Care-A-bears" or "Carebears". But it sounded more like "Carahbayers". Pretty funny.
2) Amy asked Eli what he wanted for breakfast and he said, "Ummmm... a gorilla bar." Ha!
3) Then at dinner Asa and Eli were sitting in the booth in booster seats and Asa got really frustrated and yelled "Momma, get me outta here, this thing is givin' me a wedgie!" Yelled it right in the middle of Pizza Inn. Hilarious.

Amy and I painted ALL DAY yesterday. The guest room and the hallway and her office. Looks great but we're both hurtin' today.
The boys are on their way to a friends house right now so we're hopin to hit the beach or something.
Anyways, good to be back... haha. :)
I still have to blog about the MS Retreat. It was SO good.
Peace!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2007-03-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficeint for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Tht is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Someone really sweet wrote this as an encouragement to me. I thought it was cool... It's hard for me to boast in my weakness (see mom's blog) , but I have a lot to learn! When I step back, God can move. When pride is dead in us, we will see God lifted high in all of His glory.

Oh the flu... we love you. (NOT!)

2007-03-01T21:42:00.000-08:00

Well, now moma b's got it... oh great.
She finally agreed to go to the doctor today and they confirmed it. So more perscriptions and steroids for the b girls. Yuck. But it's good to have a friend to be sick with... as aweful as that sounds. We will get better together. Take care of eachother. John-John's the only one who hasn't gotten sick yet. Pray it stays that way. Mikie B is super-duper busy all the time and recovering from the flu-like cold he had early this week. All this to say - stay far far away! :)
Lots of funny things said when you have a fever and on lots of cold drugs though... ask my T.A.'s at Dominion about Tuesday. I should start writing them down. Probably only funny to me though. Anyways, thanks for your prayers and comments on mom's blog. (Tatum, Amy and Ryan-hilarious). They made me smile. Goodnight, and I'm praying that you NEVER get this crap... it's bad. Love!
Annie - Do good tomorrow speaking at Cornerstone. You always do. I wish I could be there!

Lena is 24!

2007-02-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my (sorta) cousin Lena's birthday. I say 'sorta' becuause we aren't acutally related at all... She is from Ukraine and she's here for her masters at KSU in education. She is living with my Aunt Jen and Uncle Stan and cousins Nathan and Sam. She's been here since Easter last April. I've SO enjoyed getting to know her and we always have fun when we hang out. You may have recognized her from our New York picutres. Yesterday we had a marathon hang out day and went shopping and out to lunch. She turned 24 on Feb. 24th and she was born at 2:40 in the afternoon... isn't that cool? (That was for you, Annie) Anyway, Tonight is her 'family' dinner, we're going to Sapporo's to eat way too much and feel sick afterwards. :)
Happy birthday Lena!

Gets me every time...

2007-02-21T14:50:00.000-08:00

"You see the depths of my heart, and You love me the same.
You are amazing God!"

You mean, he see's what's in my heart, and he loves me anyway? Why?!!!
He's amazing, that's why...

We sang that Tomlin song today in chapel. Cory came and spoke... he did a great job! He spoke on recieving God's joy. It was really good.

Ski Trip - Day 4

2007-02-19T22:45:00.000-08:00

Home, sweet home.
It's good to be back... I'm not gonna lie, I'm excited to sleep in my own bed tonight. What a great trip though! So many laughs and fun memories. Mal and Ash made a video last night with short clips and a slideshow, really funny. Actually, we'll prob. be the only ones that will think so, but hey! We'll try and post it in the next few days for you (Annie).
Today we woke up and the snow had stopped. It was sunny and fresh powder laid like icing on everything outside. Beautiful. Not to mention it would have been the most P-E-R-F-E-C-T ski day EVER. But it was good for traveling, too. We'll that's a lie, but we tread down the mountain with our 4-wheel drive on at about 20 miles an hour. Kinda scary, but we made it! It turned out to be the perfect weekend for our trip. We couldn't have made it without the protection of our Heavenly Father. And the prayers of everyone back home. And the awesome 80's ski clothes and all the delicious food made and snacks helped too!
Anyway, I'm sure you'll hear all about it nonstop for the next month... but now I'm going to (not unpack like I should) watch Grey's Anatomy that I tivoed before we left. :)
Love!

Ski Trip - Day 3

2007-02-18T23:54:00.000-08:00

We got a little more sleep in last night. Soreness and tiredness kicking in slowly... but it definitely didn't hold us back from having the best day ever. I can feel this post is going to get long, so just be warned.
I woke up at about 7:30 and stumbled into the kitchen to get breakfast and coffee started. Ash was second up. I was putting eggs in the waffle mix and dropped three on the floor. I tried to ignore them as if they would go away, but then others started to wake up and I figured I should clean it up. Egg is not easy to clean up... especially on a floor with lots of creases.
Anyway! We got out there around 9:30 and wasted no time owning the mountain. Emily ran into another kid snowboarding. Well.... a close call at least. We split up into three groups - greens, blues, and blacks. Marie, Ash, Mal, and I went to the blues. On the way up the lift Marie and I were next to this lady from up north somewhere. I don't know her name, but if I had to guess I would say it's Chatty Cathy. She told us everything about her and I don't think either of us said a one word. Poor thing, she had a lot of words inside! I tried to be polite and did the fake, 'oh, yeah' and 'uh-huh' and 'oh wow'... she kept going. I know her better than my mom now. All in the 10 minute lift ride to the top.
Then met back up for lunch at 1:30. It's significantly colder today. Wicked cold, even. And the snow is falling thicker and thicker. Stings your face when you're flying down the mountain fast. It's so sparkly though. We had a lazy afternoon in anticipation of a crazy evening of night skiing. Ryan and I went to the store to get stuff for dinner. Then we all watched Lady in the Water (my favorite-thanks guys!). We made frozen pizzas and mac & cheese for dinner. I turned on the stove to heat up the water for the noodles, I moved cute decorative stove toppers to the back burner and later smelled this aweful burning smell... well, I had turned on the wrong burner and the cute decorative stove covers were melting. Not good. Ryan tried to fix them, but they're ruined. So sad. I already emailed Creola (owner) and alerted her we broke one of her spatulas. Oh geez...
Well, we decided against night skiing and decided to try tubing again. This time we called ahead and reserved 9 tickets to avoid the sell-out problem of last night. Cam, Wes, and I took our rental stuff back and met the rest of the group at the tubing hill. We had SO much fun... if you've never been tubing before, well you should. After like the 5th run, I'm riding up the lift sitting on my tube sprawled out singing "She blinded me with science" with Marie who is one tube behind me. All of the sudden I have a horrible thought - "Did I ever take that last pizza out of the oven?!" CRAP (%*#*@*), NO! "Marie, did I turn the oven off before I left?" Marie - "Uh, I dunno". So I get off the lift and run back down the hill to look for Ryan cause he has my keys. The tubing hill safty man says, "Mam, is there something I can assist you with?" All that could come out of my mouth was, "Fire, pizza, Ryan, keys!" He was so confused, but I kept running. I grabbed them and Marie and we raced home to see. The worst possible thoughts were going through my head. The complex has burned down or at least our condo is in flames. I don't know how we didn't die on the way cause I was driving like an absolute maniac. Remember, it's a blizzard... I can't see more than 5 feet in front of me. We finally reach the complex and Marie and I jump out and unlock the door. No smoke or anything. It didn't even smell like anything was burning. I opened up the oven door and sitting there was a hard, black, hot pizza. Thank you Jesus. No fire, no smoke, not even a bad smell. Amazing.
Soon after, the rest of the crew stumbled in completely horrified at our crazy exit of the hill and wondering what in the heck is going on... glad to find us safe and sound and the hard black object that was to be our dinner sitting on top of the stove cooling off. So scary. But so relieved it's over. It's still not very funny to me... but it may be one day.
So we packed a little and cleaned a little. It's still a blizzard outside. I don't know how on earth we can leave in this weather tomorrow. It's supposed to stop snowing soon and be sunny tomorrow. I hope that's true. We'll have a lazy morning tomorrow and wait it out.
Oh, and today we ran out of toilet paper... or at least we can't find where Creola keeps the extra rolls. So we had to make a TP run as well. That was interesting.
Mal has some amazing video footage of our whole trip... she and Ash are making a video as I'm sitting by the fire (VERY cautiously - remember, not my day with fire) and I can tell it will be SO good. Especially when she led us down a steep blue and Ash, Marie, and I were going 90 miles an hour, screaming and peeing in our pants at how not-in-control we were of our legs.

Ry tryin to scrape the black stuff off the stove covers... not working.

My close call to burning down the house.
This was really not my day with fire.

The hallway outside our door...

The tahoe's - laiden with snow.

Some awesome action shots from today.

The tubing hill...

Ski Trip - Day 2

2007-02-17T23:58:00.000-08:00

Oh, day two. Where to begin?!
Maybe with breakfast... we made waffles on Moma B's waffle iron. The slopes opened at 9am and we hit them not long after. We had a few first-timers with us (Emily, Sasha and Cam-sorta) so we started off with the greens. Mal took some hilarious video footage of some awesome wipe-outs. Cam couldn't keep from going like 90 miles an hour and the only thing that could stop him was a tree. Emily, on the other hand liked to use small children to break her fall. Sasha had the most grace in her attempts at stopping but her getting on the ski lift was humorous. It started snowing about 11 and hasn't stopped yet. Ryan, Mal and Wes took off to be crazy on the black diamonds. When the slopes closed at four we all joined back at the lodge and thawed out. We heated up the chilie Nance made us and listened to James Taylor (i love him) and shared funny stories from our day. I just love being here with these kids. I truly adore each and every one of them TO DEATH. They're each so different and awesome and FUNNY. After dinner we headed over to Silver Creek to go tubing (thanks Laura!) but by the time we stood in line, and then realized it was the wrong line and got in the right one, all the tickets were sold out. But we made the best of it and had a snow fight, no - more like snow massacre, on the side of the tubing hill for about an hour. SO fun. We decided when we got back home that it would be a good idea to go to find a hot tub and get warm again, but it cost like $6 a person and we're feeling cheap so came back home and watched a movie. We're looking forward to tomorrow and all the hundreds of more memories we will make. But right now the boys are trying to sleep in the living room and I'm being annoying at the kitchen bar typing. The girls are giggling in the back. I'm gonna go see what they're up to... So, until tomorrow!

The view from our back balcony.

Oh HECK yes.
The awesome 80's ski clothes I promised...

THE girls

Beautiful Ryan

Marie and Ashley

Us - NOT tubing

Wesley Cole

Us - still not tubing, but rather making snow angels and snowball fighting.
Marie and Mal on the left and Emily 'snow angel' on the right.

We love Jesus.

Ski Trip - Day 1

2007-02-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

We made it! Safe and sound...
A huge snowstorm passed through the north east early this week and it scared us, as far as traveling to West Virginia goes... but it's cleared up and left us a thick layer of fresh snow on Snowshoe Mountain. We arrived around 5:30 this early evening and settled in our condo. Then went and stood in line to rent our skis and snowboard. Then we came back and heated up two of the three deep-dish pizza's that Kibbie made us (delicious!) and now we're just sitting around the living room visiting and listening to some weird french rapper on Marie's iPod she has introduced us to. (weird)
The place we're staying is nice. Very homey. The stars are so bright. And it's WICKED cold. I think 4 degrees right now, to be exact. We brought 5 sleds that look like garbage can tops and Wes and Cam went to try them out earlier and broke one completely in half when it hit a rock. Crazy kids. Not to mention all the 80's ski clothes we borrowed from family and friends. (thanks Beth and Jimmy) :) We'll take a bunch of pictures tomorrow to show you how awesome.
Anyways, ya'll keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we play on the slopes all day tomorrow and Sunday. And for our trip home Monday. It's supposed to snow again tomorrow, which would be SO fun...
WE LOVE SNOW!
Blessings,
Katie B.
(and Mallory, Ashley, Marie Claire, Emily, Sasha, Wes, Ryan & Cam)

Mmmmmmm... bed.

2007-02-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

I'm hesitating to get into bed because I know I won't get out of it. The hardest thing I do every day is get out of bed in the morning.
Is anybody with me? Sleeping in is the greatest!
But on days that I have the opportunity to sleep in (I LOVE THURSDAYS) I always make plans to get up early and walk with Marie or go to the Mart or Target with friends.
Why is that? When I'm forced to walk up at a certain time, it's almost impossible to; when it's my choice, I can do it no problem. It's cause I'm so unbestinkinlievably stubborn - that's why.
It's one thing that I HATE about myself. When it's someone else's idea, it's ok, then later - the same idea is mine... it's great! (That was mostly directed to/about my dad - He's always right... and I hate it. But I love it too. But I hate it.) Human nature = sucky. Glad we weren't made for this world.
Alright, to bed... and I WILL be on time to work tomorrow.
(crossing fingers)
:)

Thursday are SO GOOD.

2007-02-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

So today is Wednesday and tomorrow is Thursday. Thursdays are my off days so right now equals stay up as late as I want... I think I'll watch a movie. Which one? So many choices. Or maybe something I tivoed a month ago I forgot about. Those are the best.
I've really grown to love Thursdays. I'm full time at Dominion, but I asked for one day a week off cause I jumped in too quickly to the 'full time' thing, and I now find myself with no 'me' time. I know you're reading this and saying 'none of us have me time' but my 'me time' is SO important and I would (am) taking a signifigant pay cut just to have this one day a week. It refreshes me for a week until my next one. I just love Thursdays. Sleeping in. Being lazy. Getting things done I can't do on the weekends. It's too good to be true. Tomorrow I'm going shopping with my good friend Beth and her baby girl Addie. Then Bekah and Isaiah Grace are coming over to play. Things I wouldn't get to do if I had a 'real' job.
Blog topic soon to come - "Why my job is the best job on planet earth" ...it's true.

Kindergarten Day

2007-02-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

So it's "Spirit Week" here at good ole Dominion...

Today's theme is 'Kindergarden Day'. So cute right? Original and colorful. Lots of pigtales and polka-dots. Shorts and tube socks. What I had no idea about when I woke up this morning and put on the big yellow hairbow, was that I'd actually be putting on an attitude like a 4 year old. Seriously, the copier jammed this morning - and I threw an actual temper tantrum. It's all gone downhill since then. I should take the bow off but then I would have no excuse for the attitude problem.

St. Simons!!!

2007-02-04T23:38:00.000-08:00

I really love cruise control. What a great invention! Many thanks to the one who made it up. I used it about 35% of the time on the way to St. Simons and about 75% on the way home. I'm addicted, as Emily would say :)

So Wednesday after school/work Emily and I hopped in the car and went to see the Fritchies for the long weekend. It was tons of fun. I don't know about her or them, but it was JUST EXACTLY what I needed. Four full days of laughter and fun. And well, they live at the beach... on an island to be exact. Friday it was even warm enough to slip into shorts and take the boys to play in the sand. I plan on spending every single free second I have there this summer.

Among the happenings of the weekend were: guitar hero, dying Amy's hair blonde, dinner parties, guitar hero tournament, playing in the sand, naked time (strictly for the boys - see mom's blog "all little boys love to be naked' - it's true), creating Amy a blog, funny quotes from the boys (see amy's quote of the day), more guitar hero (Emily played 'fat lip' about eleventy-hundred times with Asa, who's highest score was 75%!!! ummm... he's five), dying Amy's hair EVEN BLONDER, movie night - the illusionist (good pick, Josh!), more guitar hero, bathingsuit shopping (yikes... need a tan, and excercise), seeing Sea Island mansions, seeing Laura Kirkland and Zoe at Gnat's, and eating at Sweet Mamas - so good!

One of my favorite things Asa said was Friday night - we were playing outside and he picked up a stick and Eli yelled, "no, don't break that stick!" (as if he had some emotional attatchment) and Asa looked him in the eyes and snapped it in half and said "it's not your stick anyway, Eli... it's GODS!" Ha! I love them boys... they're so fun. Even when they fight.

Five hours is a small price to pay for the fun that is had when I see those faces.
Can't wait to go back!

My heroes...

So fun...

Beach boys.

Eli wrote his name in the sand...

Cutest in the WORLD!

Sunshine

2007-01-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday it was SO SUNNY.
Or maybe it's just been dark and rainy for the past like 2 weeks and I forgot what it was like to feel it on my face.
It was healing, almost.
Hope it doesn't go away.

Reminds me of a song we used to sing when I was little...

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy,
When skies are grey.
You'll never know dear,
How much I love you.
Please dont take my sunshine away.

That was an overall lame post, but I'll make it up to you.

So Big

2007-01-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

There are some NEW guitar heros in town...

Amy and the boys are in town this weekend.
They're getting SO BIG!
Asa can get like 40% already the easy level.
There's pretty much nothing they can't do... it's true!
If you dont believe me, hand the boys a golf club or soccer ball, or any ball at all and they will prove to you otherwise.
Yeah, I'm pretty crazy about them.

So Good

2007-01-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

Annie, H and I went to see Dave Barnes last night. He's SO GOOD and if you don't own at least one of his cd's... well, you should! Gabe Dixon opened up for him and he's really good too. Matt Wertz is also another Nashvillian (?) that's friends with all those guys. Kevin and Mandy have been to his house. These are more reasons I want to go back to Nashville...
Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes also played at the Passion Conference in Atlanta at the beginging of January (see Passion07 post). I love their mushy lyrics and love songs creativity and they're Christians, too.
If you ever can't find me, look for a puddle in front of the stage that they're on.

So Cute

2007-01-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen anyone cuter?

I'm so glad I know this person.
She's so much fun!
Her mom's pretty cool too... :)

My favorite thing about Isaiah is her belly laugh.
It's pretty much the greatest...
Good work Bekah & JM!

Nashville

2007-01-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

What a cool city!
It was fun and refreshing to be spontanious and jump in the car and head to Tennessee with moma. I'm not a spontanious person, but with prompting and a little force I'm never sorry I was... It wasn't all fun though, our hearts were heavy as we road through the prettiest country from Georgia to Tennessee. (reference from 'days go by' by Keith Urban - who we listened to the ENTIRE way and back) We were surrounded on all four sides by 18-wheelers. One semi had a spray-paintned picture of 'Plankton' (from SpongeBob Square Pants) on the back... that was funny. (picture at bottom) We also saw snow flakes Saturday morning. A definite hilight for me, I LOVE snow. Wish it would snow here in lame ole' Georgia.
It was sooo good to see the Arnolds. They came to see us several weeks ago but Katherine has grown too sick to travel. We've been keeping up daily with her blog and emails, but this week was especially hard for them and we wanted to lay eyes on her ourselves! Sharliss (K's mom) and Katherine have made that hospital room their home. They are giving her a week or so to "rest" before they start more chemo. She has a feeding tube they take in and out as needed. But this morning she drank a vanilla latte and bananna bread we brought from Starbucks with no nausia. That was a good sign. She's gained a little weight this week which is also great.
Her brother Will was in town from Athens. She loves it when her brothers come in town. Will took me to lunch in downtown Nashville and I got to see some of the city, but I would def. LOVE to go back there someday and stay longer. It'd be fun to go stay with a local (Kev & Mandy!) and let them show you all the cool places to eat and hear live music. It's a really old, charming city. Big beautiful old churches on every corner. Gorgeous HUGE houses on every hill and farms everywhere. Really cool. I didn't see anyone famous but David (K's dad) said he's seen Nicole Kidman-Urban walking into the movie theatre before... wow. I love her husband. Mom and I decided he could sing "poop on a stick" and we would still love him.
ANYWAY :)
Keep Katherine Jane in your prayers as she fights and wins this battle of cancer. And read her story if you have a second and need some perspective. Makes you realize what's really important and to value your family and friends.
(http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/inputSiteName.do?method=search&siteName=katherinearnold01)

P-R-A-Y

2007-01-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

Mom and I are headin' to Nashville in about an hour.
Our lifelong friends the Arnolds moved there late summer '06 and after a few weeks of settling in, their daughter Katherine was diagnosed with Leukemia. She's been in and out of the hospital since then on several medications and chemo's.
Details on their blog.
(The link is on the right side under 'favorite bloggers-Katherine Arnold')
She has had a bad allergic reaction and has taken a turn for the worse today.
Keep her in your prayers and us while we travel.
We'll be back tomorrow night.
Love.

Alright, FINE!

2007-01-21T23:03:00.000-08:00

I've been avoiding this post at all cost...
But it's time for me to own up.
So here goes nothin'.

I stink at loosing.
I mean, I'm a really bad sport... it's true.
If you're Annie Downs, you know this full well.
I talked trash long enough, it was time.
Friday night, January 19th, 2007 - mark it down in the history books - Katie B. was beat at Guitar Hero. I think it's what I wanted though. I mean, it was getting ridiculous... :)

Hah, ok, I'm done.

Here are some pictures of the champ and everyone else in shock and amazement.

You know what they say...
"Good at Guitar Hero, good at life"

Oh, and then Ash, Em and I went to Walmart at like 11:30 and tried on these wicked awesome hats...

Top 5 things that annoy me the most

2007-01-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

I think get annoyed really easily. Or maybe things are just annoying me more these past few days because it’s 'that time' when you just a little more suseptible and easily annoyed at little things. Reguardless, I sat down and started thinking about the things people do that are annoying as crap. Needless to say, it didn’t take me very long to come up with five. Here they are in no particular order:

#1 – Close Stander
When you’re in line say, at Target for example… and the person behind you is right on top of you and you can feel their breath on your neck. Gross. A stranger in your personal space bubble. Seriously. Have some respect for mankind and the space we require. The only thing you can do is step backwards and pretend you didn’t know they were there, or like I do, and re-adjust and swing your purse backwards, sometimes nailing them in the chest. Then you act real sorry. Works like a charm.

#2 - Drive-thru Stopper
Ok, so the person in front of you in the drive through has just gotten their food and they pull up just enough for you to barely reach the window, and then they STOP. They sit there and go through their food and pull everything out of the bag and by the time you have gotten your food and are ready to pull off, they’re STLL THERE! Do you honk? You cant get by them without hitting them or going over the curb. Oh geez…
And worse is when the sit AT the window and go through their bag, pulling everything out. I mean, I can understand the 'quick check' to make sure it looks like it's all there. But c'mon!

#3 – Back Patter
Ok, my poor moma, I bite her head off every time she pats me on the back. It’s in her job description to be affectionate and caring. But seriously, it’s so demeaning to me when people pat me on the back. Like, oh poor Katie. I know you mean well, but I’m warning you, I cant guarantee you wont get a roundhouse kick to the face if you pat me one more time.

#4 - Mature Talking Parent
We were in some beauty salon the other day and there was this mom who’s little boy was running around like crazy. She kept yelling things like “Maximus! Don’t touch, that’s a look only!”. Ok first of all, this two year old is named Maximus. There’s your first mistake. Your next one is that he doesn’t care a one bit about you or your mature adult advice as to what’s a “don’t touch” or a “look only”. Discipline words with no action = Maximus still running around like crazy.

And last, but NOT least...

#5 - When people try to talk to me when I’m playing guitar hero.

Enough

2007-01-15T19:24:00.000-08:00

I loved David’s talk on Sunday. Genesis 1:1-2. “In the beginning God…” That’s it. He’s the only Necessary thing. Every good thing falls in place AFTER him. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” He doesn’t find his purpose and fulfillment in me... I find my purpose and fulfillment in Him. We don’t ask Him into our lives, we ask to be a part of His. What a relief! It certainly takes the pressure off to try and be perfect. Which is stupid anyway, cause we’re never going to be.

I think that’s important to our (?) generation these days. Sometimes I wonder, ‘where did the humility go?’ We get so wrapped up in asking him for more and more, which is great and all, because he always has more for us, but we forget that he has ALREADY given us the greatest gift. His only Son. So next time I catch myself asking for more, or whining because things aren’t going my own stupid way, I just remember to be thankful for the greatest love story ever…

He is enough. Or in Chris Tomlin’s words, MORE than enough.
More than all I want
More than all I need
More than all I know (STILL more awesome than I know… wow)
More than all I can see
You are more than enough for me

Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Cake walk.

2007-01-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

"There's something deeply satisfying about eating piles of junk food while watching other people exercise." -Loralie Gilmore

So Marie Claire and I decided to be good on our day off and get up semi-early and go walking at the mountain. We met at Grace community church and walked all along Kennesaw Avenue and to the Guest Center and back... pretty good trek if you ask me. I was proud.
So when we're done we get in the car and have some time to kill before we have to meet mom at the Tea shop. We decide to go back to my house to get some water. Upon entering the kitchen, there sits on the counter 4 slices of chocolate cake just waiting to be consumed. Are you kidding? Did we care about our efforts to get up and excercise and be healthy? Of course not! We happily sat on the deck and enjoyed the attempt. All calories burnt came back double.
I loved it... so good.
Now I'm gonna go eat the other 2 slices. :)

Very Cool Cousins.

2007-01-12T23:53:00.000-08:00

I have some... Nathan and Sam.
They're both in bands.
Sam plays base guitar in "love takes flight" and Nate plays guitar in the "chris orr band". I think they're really great and I'm really proud of them.

I went to Vineyard Community Church tonight to see Sam play. It was really fun.
The rest of the band was cool too.
Here are some pictures.

Right before the show
at the "merch" table...

Sam's friend Stephen 'skates'.
Always looks like he's up to something...

Sam bein' awesome.

And a few weeks ago I went to Macon to see Nathan and the Chris Orr band play for Y.E.C. Nate was so good. I even got to hear him sing a little. I didn't know you could do that cuz!
I can't find where I saved those stinkin pictures though.
I'll keep looking...

Psalm 121

2007-01-11T22:35:00.000-08:00

I lift up my eyes to the hills -
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm -
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

New favorite CD

2007-01-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

I copied the new Chris Tomlin CD off my mom's iPod onto mine today. It's SO GOOD. You should definately go purchase it on iTunes or at Target RIGHT NOW. I heard most of the songs live at Passion (a little bit bragging) and they are so good.
The first one on the CD is called "How can I keep from singing?" When Chris played it at Passion it sounded so familiar and I remembered I heard moma singing it in the next room listening to her new iPod riding her new excersize bike. (Who's the brat now?! Still dad's fault. He spoils us pretty bad...)
Anyways, the lyrics are:

How can I keep from singing Your praise?
How can I ever say enough?
How amazing is Your love?
How can I keep from shouting Your name?
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And I fall down again

I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

SO GOOD.
Every song on the CD is good.

Wide Open Spaces

2007-01-06T23:29:00.000-08:00

Why even is there so much empty space at Super Target?
I don't have a one idea, but Annie and Emma had their way with it...
Fun to watch. Makes you want to go there and run around in it doesn't it?

Conspiracy Theory?

2007-01-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

Poor Annie... her right ear still hasn't popped since she stepped off the airplane from Ghana.
You know that annoying feeling like you have water in your ear and it shifts around and drives you NUTS. Well, we made her our little experiament today. Dad got these ear candles for Christmas from Jeanne (who else?) and we thought we would try and see if it would help Annies clog problem. Experts say, you light the end, and it draws the wax out of your ear. It acts like a chimney. Other experts and non-believers say, it's all CRAP. Which is it? Seriously, if you know anything about it let us know because we had a fight about it.
But here are some pic's of sweet Annie letting us put something on fire in her ear...

"Did it work?", you ask...
Well, no. Nor did the rubbing alcohol.
But it made for some great pic's! :)
Love you Annie. May your ears be healed tonight while you are sleeping, in the mighty healing name of Jesus!

My Girls...

2007-01-06T01:34:00.000-08:00

You know how you have that group of friends that you've known since... well, since you can remember you had friends? Well I have some of those and these are they:
They're pretty great, I mean, I'm pretty crazy about them...
We all got together at Lauren's house tonight for one last big hoopla before they all leave me agian and go back to college. We've been at the Passion conference this week and had an awesome time. God did some cool things this week...
When we get together after not seeing eachother for a while, it's like we hadn't even skipped a minute apart. Really fun... wouldn't
trade 'em for anything! (In order L to R - top right picture) Lauren Wells (she's the one that keeps us all in line. She's at UGA and I LOVE to go play with her in Athens. One day when she's gonna have some really important position in the government and look back at all the goofy pictures we have of eachother and laugh out loud.) Then there is Leah. (There is nothing she isn't good at. Except I beat her at guitar hero prior to these pictures being taken. Don't tell her I told you.) Then me. Then there's Katie Fleming (I've known her the longest since fourth grade. Mr. Scardino's class... she's the most polite person on the planet earth. And one of the funniest. I will fight you if you disagree.) Lastly, Brittany Funk. (Brittany loves to laugh - and participate! in all the stupid things we do and photograph just about all of them. We hope and pray she doesn't decide to use them as blackmail one day...)
Well that's them.
I LOOOOOVE you guys and am thinking and praying for you always.

Some more pics...

Passion Conference 2007

2007-01-04T23:38:00.000-08:00

What a fantabulous week I spent with 25,000 (!!!) 18-25 year olds in Atlanta at the Passion Conference. I don't even know where to BEGIN! Maybe with the first day?
Ok, so Monday, registration and the first "main session" at Phillips Arena. They couldn't even fit us all in so they also streamed the talk to the Georgia World Congress Center where the remaining 6,000 were. Each venue had their own live worship leader. Among them... Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Steve Fee, Charlie Hall, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes. Not a bad line-up, huh?
Well the first night Louie Giglio spoke. Great message. To sum up - A price was paid (Isa 53:10) and a rescue was made (Col. 1:10-14). Then we went to our "Community groups". Each community group was made of about 1,000 kids so there were quite a few groups... bout 20. Each with their OWN speaker and worship leader. I was in the "orange community group" and our speaker was John McGowan (thegatheringonline.blogspot.com) and our worship leader was Matt Maher (www.mattmahermusic.com). They were really great. We then split up into groups of eight and that was our "family group" for the week. All made up of people from all around the US. Well, the world, really. We would come together a few times a day and discuss what God was specifically working at in us. Then, at about 11:15 there was "late nite" and you could pick from about 12 different concerts around the Congress Center and Phillips. I, of course, made a B-line to Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz. LOVE LOVE them...
Ok, day two. Beth Moore did the morning main session. She spoke on humility. KICKED MY BUTT. This was my focus the rest of the week. A whole separate blog in itself. Then in the afternoon after lunch we could choose from about 15 "breakout groups" we could attend. I went to one with Charlie Hall (whom I ADORE) and Tim Hughes (who has written more songs than I prob even know... he's 29). They talked about their ministries and how they came to be worship leaders and song writers. It was really a session for people that want to become those things, but I went anyways. :) It was awesome.
Ok, then at the night session this guy named Francis Chan spoke. He was unbelievable. I was so busy listening to his message that I didn't take a one note. All I did was title my page, "Tuesday Night - main session (some guy I've never heard of)". I will have to buy a copy of that and re-listen cause it was awesome. He's a pastor in California. Anyway, then I came home and played guitar hero with Marie and Ashley and Emily. What a day!
Day Three, Wednesday. I woke up and didn't feel good and couldn't make myself get out of bed. But I eventually did and made it for the last half of John Piper's message. He has some great things to say. So wise and straight-forward. I already purchased his message so I could go back and listen to the part I missed. The breakout group I went to Wednesday was Beth Moore's. It was a 'girls only' thing. Teaching women is her passion. And she's so good at it! I absolutely love her. Her two daughters were there and they participated with her during question and answer time. She spoke about insecurity since that's the problem that pretty much all girls struggle with. Though, her talks could apply to anyone. She has such a great perspective on things. So refreshing. Really good.
That night Louie spoke again. He talked about God's calling on our life. The whole week was kind of centered around the book of Colossians. I don't know if that was planned or not, I'm sure it was, but each speaker kind of reiterated what the prior speaker said and added so much to it. Several thousand people were called to some kind of long-term missions work.
Well, after community groups that night we were asked to leave in silence and head outside. They gave us all a little white candle. When we got outside there was this huge stage set up on the lawn. All 25,000 of us outside in the streets of Atlanta with a lit candle worshiping. An amazing sight and time of corporate worship. In fact, all week was. There is nothing like worshipping with thousands and thousands of people. It's overwhelming. What a blessing to be a part of it. Charlie Hall said corporate worship is like adding a big fat exclamation point to then end of your own personal shout of truth and worship. Worship is realizing what God has done for you, even though he is still so mysterious, but you sense redemption and help and closeness to Him. We can rejoice in the fact that he is closer than our troubles. Hallelujah!
I am anxiously awaiting my 'audio cd set' that I pre-ordered today that has all the sermons on it so I can go through them more slowly and digest all that was taught. My head is spinning right now. I feel like I didn't do the week justice in my lamo blog, but it was awesome for me. God knows that and that's all that matters.

Here are some pictures...

Beth doin' her thing...

My sweet family group.

Louie man!

Crowder man!

It's 2007!

2007-01-01T00:17:00.000-08:00

Happy
New
Year!!!

I wanna be a cowboy baby.

2006-12-31T22:45:00.000-08:00

Moma and I went boot shopping today. Not just any kind of plain old boot shopping… cowboy boot shopping at Horsetown in Roswell. I don’t know why… maybe we’re gonna become cowgirls in the New Year. Anyway, I discovered that I love cowboy boots and I think everyone should own a pair. All the different colors and designs. It was fun…

Toothpaste in my eyes.

2006-12-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, I’m not much of a writer… I like to keep my thoughts and emotions to myself mostly. I don’t know if that’s for a lack of those things, or I’m just a really private person. I don’t like to put myself out there. In middle school it was because I was afraid of being made fun of, but now, I’m not so sure. So I guess this is my attempt at being brave.

I don’t “do” facebook or myspace, though I really enjoy reading other peoples (Tatum saved her password and ID on my laptop before she left for Ghana – a true friend) and not to mention, I’m surrounded by some of the funniest people on the planet… Annie, Marie Claire, Emma, MY MOTHER, and Ryan – who I don’t know SO well, but he seems really funny and I think I bought him coffee one time.

Anyway, what I really wanted to share is that everyone I would normally be hanging out with right now is either in Ghana, at OneThing in Kansas City or has the flu. Thus, this blog was formed. Bad things happen when I get bored. Not that this will turn out to be an overall bad thing, I guess the worst I could do is bore you to death.

Oh, and when I was getting ready to brush my teeth this morning I held my toothbrush with the bristles facing me when I squeezed the ‘crest multicare whitening’ onto it, it sprayed all over my face and into my eyes. It burned like a mo fo. I don’t know if it was the whitening component or just that toothpaste is not made for your eyes in any way, shape or form.

Now I’m going to see cuz in Macon. He plays guitar in the Chris Orr band. Maybe that will be my next blog…

Until then.