Love Ran Red

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend the Women of Faith conference which included a performance by the awesome Christian band, Building 429. That was my first ever "Christian concert" and it was incredible! I've been to lots of concerts over the years (thanks, Mom, for taking me to see NSYNC and not complaining about your ears bleeding), but that one was a totally new experience. As luck would have it one of my most favorite acts was performing later that week in Raleigh. I had been bitten by the concert bug and knew I needed to go. I talked to David about it and while he would have gone if I had begged and pleaded it wasn't really his thing, but my mom on the other hand was totally up for it, so later that night I bought tickets for us to see Rend Collective and Chris Tomlin!

You may remember me mentioning Rend Collective a few months ago when I wrote about "Amelia Grace's song". She and I would rock out every morning to "My Lighthouse" this summer while living in the apartment so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Aside from that spectacular work of music, they have a bunch of wonderful, Christ-focused words put to music that reminds me of Mumford & Sons. That's a win-win if I ever saw one. So while I was "eh" about seeing Chris Tomlin I was stoked to see Rend Collective! 

Neither act disappointed as we spent the evening worshipping the Lord with a couple hundred other friends. Rend Collective kicked off a great show with a few of their classics (including "My Lighthouse"!) and Chris Tomlin rounded out the evening with a few songs of his own. Both acts were great and well worth the money! If you have the chance to see either I would highly recommend taking that chance!

Me and Mama!

My Lighthouse!

Super Belated Concert Post!

The Country Megaticket was one of the best purchases we have ever made. This summer we have been able to see a good many impressive acts while also expanding our musical selection. Win, win! This past weekend had us rocking out to Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert with some of our sweet friends, Scott and Tiffany.

So glad our fellas decided to become friends back in the day!

 Cheesin with my main squeeze.

Only the cool kids are the captains of the cornhole boards.

Hooray for good friends and good times!

It was an awesome night of incredible music, though I'm pretty sure the fellas weren't feeling all our Miranda Lambert's girl power. Te he he. It was good for them to expand their horizons;-)

Friday Letters [09.13]

Happy Friday one and all!

Dear Blogger, I don't know what your deal is but can you nip it in the bud? It's a smidge frustrating when I schedule a post that yo just decide not to publish. Or when I publish a post the you don't show. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Dear Jason Aldean, Thank you for a rockin' show last night. It was a fabulous way to end our summer concert series. And the fact that you surprised us with Kelly Clarkson?? Major bonus points there, sir.

Dear Triplets, Y'all are FINALLY 21-WAHOOOOOO! All the Wardlets have officially reached this milestone. Drink up and enjoy your day!

Trouble from the get-go. Can you figure out who's who?

Dear David, Six.freaking.years. Holy canoli. Being married three seemed like a big deal, but the fact that we're been together six is mind blowing. Here's to many, many more!

Our first picture together many moons ago

Dear Farmer's Almanac, So I heard you're spreading this rumor about a "very cold winter". I'm going to have to ask you stop right where you are. No body likes a liar.

Backstreet's Back!

This has been the summer of concerts around here, but there has been one unlike any other-Backstreet Boys! That's right, ladies, BSB is back in action and better than ever! The singing and choreography took us back in time quite a few years and the memories they brought with them were priceless. Backstreet is definitely back!

So excited for the show! 

Everybodyyyyyyyy, yeaaaaaa!

Please take note of the one male at the entire concert behind us. I guess he decided he was going to pick up all the chicks by taking off his shirt. Uh, not so much. Instead we just wanted to feed him cookies because he was so skinny!!

Photobombs galore!

It was a top-notch night that none of us will ever forget. Hooray for the chance to relive our tween dreams:-)

Friday Letters [08.02]

Happy Friday, folks!!

Dear Kenny Chesney, Not too shabby of a show there kid. Not as stellar as Keith Urban, but not too bad.

Let's just pretend I'm not a sweaty hot mess. . .

Dear Mother Nature, I've decided not to battle with you any longer about this monsoon weather. You just do your thing. BUT since you're being so vicious these days, how about throwing us an easy winter? I'll let you ponder that one.

Dear school friends, I missed y'all! It was so good seeing everyone this week. I can't wait to see all the awesome things we accomplish this year!

Dear NC legislature, You want to spend more money on inmates than you do on students? Fine, but I hope you enjoy the karma train because it is going to slam right smack into you when you least expect it.

Dear Momma, Happy (belated) Birthday! I hope it was everything you could have imagined and more. We can't wait to celebrate with you in a week!

Photo courtesy of Amaris Hames.

You're Gonna Fly With Me

Last week was a bit hectic with returning from Colorado and turning around to go to Virginia, we really weren't sure if we were going to go to the next concert on the Country Megaticket. We both really like Keith Urban, but were pretty tired. Plus, David had to work early the next morning. In the end we decided not to be eighty year olds and headed to the show in time to see the tailend of Dustin Lynch and all of Little Big Town. We then enjoyed some glorious people-watching for a bit before Keith Urban took the stage. And when I say "glorious", I mean hard-core, extreme, drunk stumbling and sliding rednecks. Some things can't be erased. Shudder.

The sun finally set and Keith took the stage. There we were boppin along when we saw a guy walk up to the group behind us and give them something. We curiously watched him walk away before he caught our eye and came up to us. Here goes the conversation:

Guy: "You wanna go in The Pit?"

Us (not nothing if "The Pit" is a cool place to be or a lion's den): "Sure"

Guy: "Merry Christmas"

 Us: "Thanks?"

Uh, okay. Come to find out "The Pit" is the area surrounding the stage below. SAY WHAT?!? Did we just hit the jackpot? Yep! We scurried down there and rocked out for the next two hours to one of the greatest shows I have ever seen (and that means a lot since this former teeny-bopper saw BSB, N'SYNC, and Brittney back in the day). It was amazing being that close and witnessing an amazing performer. Take a look at some of the evidence:

Well, hello there sir.

Come on out, Little Big Town

Dustin Lynch joining Keith on stage.

 Evidence we were actually there.

Confettttttttti!

Nothing like a Cookout tray at midnight. Totally regretted that life choice the next morning.

Friday's Letters [07.26]

Happy Friday, folks!!

Dear TJ, We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished in such a short time. We can't wait to see what's next!

Dear Keith Urban, You put on an amazing concert-one we will never forget!



Dear body, I am so sorry for all the havoc I have put you through these past few weeks. I promise the increased consumption of junk food and the decreased physical activity will end soon!

Dear David, Thank you so much for you patience and love. I know that I am not always the easiest to be around (pretty much every night when I get tired :) ), but I am so thankful that you continue to push in and love me.



Dear Daisy, I apologize that we continue to pawn you off on people this summer, it's not because we don't love you! With our travels done for the foreseeable future you can rest easy, you little Neurotic Nellie, you.

Crash My Party

Last summer we debated back and forth, back and forth, back and forth about whether or not we should get the Country Megaticket. In the end we regretted not getting it, so when it came time to purchase them this summer we were all over it like white on rice. We missed the Tim McGraw concert and Mother Nature had other plans for the Brad Paisley concert, but there was no way we were letting anyone ruin this one for us! 

Florida Georgia Line welcomed us with a little "Shine On" and "Cruise" before Thompson Square took the stage with "If I Didn't Have You", but the real star was Luke Bryan. He put on an incredible show rockin' it out with some of his hits and a "Baby Got Back"/Maroon 5 medley. It was stinkin' awesome. Here is some of the proof. . .

For any of you contemplating this gem-DO IT! It is super yummy and I hope to stock up before it leaves us for the winter.

My hero! The hubby trying to get a rock out of my boot.

MUCH better weather than the last time we were there.

 Hooray for awesome neighbors!!

A few things we learned:

1-get there early, traffic is mean.

2-be prepared to cut off your arm to pay for chicken tenders and fries

3-country concerts are amazing for people watching

See ya in a few weeks, Keith Urban!

Friday's Letters [06.13]

Happy Friday, folks!!

Dear summer, Welcome.

Dear summer storms, Though you kind of crimped our style at the Brad Paisley concert last weekend and your power outage almost ruined supper, you sure can be fun. How about knocking the force down a smidge?

Dear beach, We're on our way! Keep those waves rolling, the sun shining, and the sand toasty!

Dear Davido, I love how completely and totally perfect you are for me. I love that you challenge me to be a better me. I love that you never let me settle for just okay. I just love you to pieces!