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!

My Lighthouse

Every morning while I'm making breakfast and Amelia Grace is playing, I put on music in the background. She has always loved listening to music and since music is great for a baby's development it's a win-win. For a while we were rocking out to a Raffi station on Pandora, then it was the Kids and Family station on iTunes Radio before we switched to my personal favorite-Rend Collective. (Rend Collective is an AMAZING contemporary Christian band who remind me a lot of Mumford and Sons-kind of folksy.) 

Much like Pandora, when listening to iTunes Radio you can identify songs you like and they play other songs similar to that one. Well, the first song that came on was "My Lighthouse"-a personal fav. I quickly told the minions inside our AppleTV I liked it in hopes they would play it again soon. As I danced around the room with AG she laughed and giggled and we certainly got our praise on!

The next morning we turned on the radio and "My Lighthouse" came on again-whoo! This time, before I could even pick Amelia Grace up to dance she crawled over to me and lifted her arms to be held. She then nuzzled down on my shoulder and hugged me tight. 

*Cue the tears*

We danced around the room and sang as loud as we could the entire song. When it was over she motioned to get down to play and we went about our day. Fast forward to the next morning-she did the same thing! Y'all my sweet, wiggly, wild toddler willingly nuzzled down on my shoulder for the entire song. Amazing. How precious it is to worship our wonderful Lord and Savior with this incredible gift in my arms! I know she doesn't understand the weight of the words yet, but with prayer and His guidance we will one day be able to raise her to.

You better believe we now own that album and will be playing it until all our technology dies and it no longer works ;-)

Pandora's Box

I love me some Pandora. No, not the charm bracelets (though I do love those too!). I'm talking about Pandora, the music channel. I can't remember who exactly introduced me to it in college, but it's been love ever since. Here are a few of my favorite stations:

Rend Collective Experiment

Have you ever heard of them? If not, get on it! They are a fantastic folksy Christian group who rocks out every one of their songs with true theology. These aren't the types of songs that could possibly be a love song on mainstream radio. They take it to a new level.

Disney

Who doesn't love a good Disney song every once in a while? They play a wide array of classroom-friendly songs (yes, we listen to music in our classroom!) that jog great memories from childhood.

The Temptations

 My obsession with this station started when my students were studying The Outsiders and wanted to know the kind of music of the era. After that spark I was off. Such a feel good station that gets me in the mood for warmer days and late summer nights.

Today's Country

A wide variety of country tunes with lots of new ones thrown in there. Great for rolling your windows down and driving down a back road.

What are your favorite Pandora stations??

Musical Memories

I love music. Everything about it is wonderful. Name a genre and it's probably represented somewhere on my iTunes. Some songs carry more meaning than others. There are some songs that I can hear and I'm automatically back in my childhood bedroom rocking out with my best friends. Other songs I hear and my insides melt as I remember the beginning of our relationship. Then there are those that I hear and I am reduced to tears. This morning I heard one of them.

Many songs on the local Christian station, KLOVE, have the power to bring me to tears, but this morning's culprit came to me from a local pop station. The song " Not with Haste" by Mumford & Sons. Not quite what you were expecting, huh?

I first started listening to Mumford last Fall. This was also the time we found out we were expecting Emerson. Every time I was in the car I would sing to her. I would talk to her with Mumford playing in the background. I pictured her in the backseat of the car a year from then listening along with me. 

God's plans were not mine.

Now when I hear Mumford my heart is different. Instead of singing and dreaming of a little babe, I sing and remember our little babe. There are days it pains my heart to sing along and there are other days that I sing with a full heart hopeful of what's come. 

The songs may change. 

My response to them may change. 

God's love and redemption never changes.

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.

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 [10.18]

Happy Friday one and all! I'm linking up with Adventures of Newlyweds for another edition of Friday's Letters!

Dear Mumford & Sons, You are total awesome sauce. From the moment I bought your album 2 weeks that is all I have listened to. I may have to break down and buy your entire collection. Want to throw in a discount?

Dear pregnancy brain, You are soooooo not a myth. Everything from forgetting to wash my hair when I take a shower to taking my students to lunch TEN MINUTES EARLY has completely thrown this type-A organizer for a loop. On a side-note, I've taken the kiddos at the same time all year and not a single one of them said something. Gotta love middle schoolers and their love of socializing:-)

Dear house projects, We have quite a few of you coming upon us this weekend. How about y'all go easy on us and actually work the way you are supposed to? K, thanks!

Dear David, You are going to do amazing when you preach on Sunday-I just know it! I am so excited to hear what the Lord has to say through you!

Dear Apple/AT&T, This is getting ridiculous! It's been 3 weeks and you originally told us 24-48 hours. I would call and complain, but I know that's not going to do any real good. Seriously though, how about you get on the ball and get those phones out!

Friday's Letters [07.13]

Happy Friday! It's another wonderful day to link up with Adventures of Newlyweds

Dear beach, It's so nice to see you again. Did you miss me? I sure missed you.

Dear foot, You are so close to being healed, how about you go ahead and finish up? I'd really like to wear some of the cute shoes from the collection I've been amassing for years. You are making that quite difficult right now.

Dear country music, How do you always seem to know exactly what I'm thinking?? It's getting kind of spooky actually. Keep up the good work.

Dear football season, Oh, how we miss you! Just the knowledge of season tickets to NC State games is enough to have me counting down the days until your arrival.  My brand new red shorts are ready to go, you just need to do your part and get here. Appreciate it.

Dear Gap Outlet, Please stop having such rock star sales. My "fun money" account can only take so many hits. I mean 40% off clearance prices? You're killing me, Smalls.

Dear Friday the 13th, Last time you came to hang out with us we were in the middle of the school year and I was convinced you were going to make the children crazy. You managed to hold off on that. Thanks. Think you could keep the crazy travelers on the road from doing the same? My hubby would greatly appreciate it!

Friday's Letters [06.15]

It's a fabulous Friday with Adventures of Newlyweds!

Dear summer, Welcome. You were very much missed. We are so happy to have you here. Please wear out your welcome.

Dear readers, Check me out at Coffee at Nordstrom. I'm posting on our little love story in honor of Crystal's new marriage!

Dear focus, Where have you gone? I thought with more sleep and a shorter to-do list you would be sharper. Boy, was I off base on that one! Could you come back for a few days? I really need to work on this presentation and your presence would make life significantly easier. Appreciate it.

Dear Boyce Avenue, How did I not know about you sooner?? Seriously, your Pandora station is my new go-to and that's saying a lot for this T-Swizzle (Taylor Swift for all you cool kids not up on my wannabe cool language) fan. Keep up the stellar work. PS- A T-Swizzle remake would be awesome sauce.

Dear Charlotteans, Any suggestions on a good place to get a massage? That's my "reward" for ending the school year without losing my mind and going completely gray.

Dear Date Night, You were wonderful! I'm so glad you were able to join our marriage yesterday evening. Looking forward to next week! (PS-post on the importance of date nights coming soon!)
 

My hot date!

Dear readers, Y'all get two posts today, don't you feel special?! I made it to the top six of the Plate Design Contests-WAHOOO!!! A HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for me the first time around. Would you pretty pretty please with a cherry on top vote again? The top 3 at the end of next Friday get their plates made! Click here to vote. Many many thanks!

Thankful Thursday-Another Day in Paradise

Well, it's OK. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

-Phil Vassar

caffeine

Holy canoli, am I thankful for caffeine. If it weren't for coffee and tea I would probably fall asleep mid-sentence. If anyone figures out a way to get a caffeine drip through an IV, let me know.

blogging support

I am very grateful for all the support my readers have shown me! Everything from the kind comments about my 5K to the well-wishes and prayers when I was sick. It is an amazing feeling to know so many people care about you!

church family

We are immensely blessed by our incredible church family. These people are an incredible addition to our lives!

music

It's amazing how a good song can turn your mood around on a rough day!

my incredible hubby

Despite the craziness in his own life he always does whatever he can to make mine easier. The other night I was at school for over 12 hours, so you can imagine how tired I was. That sweet boy had supper ready and the dog tuckered out without me having to ask. He is wonderful!

What are you thankful for today??