Tuesday Tunes - The More I Seek You

What I'm Loving Wednesday

1. My Christmas tree and fireplace.  There's nothing better than sitting in our living room with no lights other than the ones of the tree.  Okay...well I can think of a way to make it a little better.  Give me a Hallmark Christmas movie and a fire in the fireplace. :)

2. Big Boo Podcast.   Whenever I'm in the mood for some lighthearted fun and laughter I listen to Big Boo.  It makes me laugh until I cry every time.

3. Andrew and I have a seen a few plays and concerts lately and have more to come.  They have all been soooo good!!

4. This Album....on REPEAT....at least when I'm not listening to Christmas music and Big Boo Podcast.

5. All the hype about our new football coach.  WPS!

1945

One morning a few months ago while I was getting ready I set my phone to shuffle "Christian" music.  I made up my mind to just listen to whatever played that morning.  I needed something new and fresh.  I wanted to worship with an intensity that had honestly been missing.

1945 by Jaime Grace came on.  I'll admit I almost changed it.  It wasn't the worship song I was looking for.  But I continued to listen to it anyway.

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Looking at the radio caught up in a dream

'Bout the days gone by when no one had a TV

Hopin' that the weather man would say good things

Like no rain on Friday for the drive in movie

Little kids didn't have a care

There was love growin' up everywhere

But when I open my eyes and the dream stops playin

You can still find me somewhere saying

I shoulda been born in '45

In '54 I woulda been 9

Lovin' my record player by my side

That woulda been nice yeah, that woulda been nice

I should have been born in '45

My first pair of high heels in '59

White shirt, poodle skirt, silk hair tie

Dancing in the moonlight 

That woulda been nice

Ooo Ooh

Oh that woulda been nice

Ooo Ooh

Boombox on my shoulder with my favorite tape

I'm reppin my 8 tracks and my buckle up skates

How do I know about that you say

You say

You wear bell bottom jeans get a double take

From all the guys and the girls who look your way

Back then people didn't always agree

But the love goin round was revolutionary and

Even though the world was crazy

I'd still go if my dreams could take me oh

I should been born in '65

In '74 I would been 9

Tryna' get home after playin outside

Racin' street lights, racin street lights

I should been born in '65

I would been a teenager round'79

Teasing my hair so it looks just right

On a Saturday night, yeah

That woulda been nice

Growin' up I never really had a care

There was love all the time and everywhere

And even though sometimes my world may get a little crazy

I find myself bein proud when I say

I coulda been born in '45

But the truth is I got here right on time

And I thank God for every day of life

It suits me just right, it suits me just right

And lovely 1991

That's the year that I come from

And I wouldn't wanna trade it for another time

I love this life yeah

I love this life

Ooo Ooh

I love this life

Ooo Ooh

I love this life

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By the end of the song I was bawling and lifting my hands in praise.  There have been countless times when I thought I knew exactly when Andrew and I should become parents.  Times when I thought it would be perfect if I was pregnant in that month because then we could announce it this way and the baby would be born in that month and on and on.

God used this song to remind of a BIG truth.  His timing is perfect.  It might have been nice to have my baby come at this time or that but the truth is God will give us our baby right on time and it will be perfect.  

Top Five Christmas CDs (In No Particular Order)

Growing up we only listened to one Christmas CD.  At least that is the way it seemed.  

Naturally when I was old enough to drive and had my own car (oh how I miss that mustang sometimes) I bought the exact CD my mother always listened to.

It was my favorite.  For me this CD defined Christmas music.

# 1

Then I met Andrew.  He isn't a big Anne Murrary fan.  Truth be told he HATES this album.  He forced me to listen to something different.  I tried not to like it.  I tried to stay loyal to Anne.  I really did.  But slowly but surely I began to not just like but love a new Christmas CD.

# 2

Since he had proven himself with one good Christmas CD, I was a little more open to the next Christmas CD the husband introduced me too.  After all I was already a big James Taylor fan.  I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with this next CD.  For the most part I LOVE it, but there are a few songs that I have to skip over because I cannot stand them.  

#3

I discovered this next album through Pandora and I love every song on it.   I dare say it is my favorite Christmas CD.  

#4

This last one is still pretty new to me.  I just bought it last year.  I like it but it takes me awhile to LOVE a new Christmas CD.  It takes me awhile to even get to the point where I listen to it often enough to learn to love it.  Maybe this time next year it will be a new favorite.

#5

What is your favorite Christmas CD?

Girls Night Out

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to see Mandisa, Britt Nicole, and Laura Story in concert.  They called it Girls Night Out.  The husband was sweet enough to buy me tickets months ago.  He told me to invite a friend and go have fun.  Is he not the best?

Slack joined me for a night of fun.  Laura Story was the first to perform.  She is hilarious!!  She had us rolling as she told stories in between songs.  She is a worship leader at her church.  They are lucky!  She writes and sings some amazing songs. 

Britt Nicole came out next.  I was most excited to see her live.  She was at Winter Jam several years ago when she was a new artist.  I had been wanting to see her again ever since.  That girl knows out to rock out!  I love it!  Her latest cd just came out not to long ago.  It's called Gold.  This album contains Britt's message that I believe every girl should hear and know.  She has songs that talk about how you are worth more than gold. You are one in a million.  My favorite song from this album is called Ready or Not.  It talks about how we don't have to try to fit into the box that the world things we belong in.  We can be who we are in Christ.  Let his light shine through us even if it means we look a little different.  Love it!  As a middle school teacher, I see every day how important it is for young girls to hear this message.  Shoot I'm 28 and there are still days when I need to hear this message. 

We ended the night with Mandisa.  She is awesome!!  She has been on a journey in weight loss for quite some time now.  In that journey she has discovered and come to love Zumba.  She made up a Zumba routine for one of her songs that she taught us.  So much fun!!

I have been wanting to do a give away for awhile now.  I think it's about time we did that.  One of you lucky ladies (or guys) will win Britt Nicole's new album Gold.  The message in this album is just that good! 

To enter the give away and have a chance to win this cd all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  Easy as that!

Almost forgot.  I'll use random.org to choose a winner on Friday, May 4. :)

A Mini Getaway

Last Friday afternoon Andrew and I decided to attend a concert in a town two and half hours away. We knew we wouldn't feel like driving back after the concert so we book a hotel using points Andrew has from all his traveling. See...good things do come from not having a husband at home two weeks out of every month. :)

Saturday we slept in exhausted from the fair. We took our time about getting up and around. Once we were finally ready to go we loaded up the car and turned on the radio so we wouldn't miss the game.

Oh I'm glad we listened and didn't watch our Hogs. I don't think I could have taken it.

We arrived in Harrison in time to check into the hotel before going out for dinner and the concert.

As we were leaving I had my head down and walking pretty fast out of the hotel. I almost ran into this guy who was unloading his vehicle. I apolagized and jsut kept walking. I heard him and Andrew exchange a few words. When we got in the car I asked who it was. Andrew just looks at me like I'm crazy and informs that it was the lead singer of Sanctus Real. Oops!

At the concert we had VIP tickets which guarenteed us seas in the front row and backstage passes. We were front and center. I'm not sure I've ever been been that close to a stage while I was in my seat. Crazy kind of close.

Right before the show they called us back and we got to meet the bands. We had our picture taken with The After and Sanctus Real. Leeland had to head out before we got to them. All nice guys!!!



I really enjoyed The Afters. I love their new song Light Up the Sky. If you haven't heard you should check it out.


Leeland was good too, but very intense. The lead singer did more preaching than singing, which was totally fine, but it was kind of weird. It's hard to explain. He is just very intense and comes off looking mad.

Sanctus Real was AWESOME!! This was the second time we've seen them. Amazing show. At one point we were taking pictures and Matt, the lead singer, looked at Andrew and said, "Let me help you out with that." He then took our camera and took pictures of all the band members while they were playing. So...the following pictures are taken by the lead singer of Sanctus Real.

Weekend Recap

Thursday Okay so I know Thursday isn't technically part of the weekend, but I'm starting there anyway! Back in May, the husband and I bought tickets for A Night with the Chapmans. We are big Steven Curtis fans. I've seen him a couple of times in concert and the husband has seen him several times as well. We were excited. Then September rolls around and we realize that the husband won't be able to go due to work. He has been in Oklahoma City last week and this week. I was definitely bummed that he couldn't go. I went back and forth on who I should ask and finally decided to go with my first thought. So I called her up and my BFF, Mandy, joined me. I was thrilled that she was able to go with me. We had a blast!!

It was unlike any SCC concert I've ever been too. Losing his daughter has really changed him, not that that is surprising.
He played a lot of her newer songs and we did a lot of sitting. I've never sat so muc at a concert. In fact during Lord of the Dance, Mandy and I rebelled. By the end of the song we were the only two standing! Seriously!!

His sons' band Caleb opened for him. They are awesome! Mandy and I bought their cd, met them, and of course had our picture made with them. Sweet boys!!


In the middle of Steven's set, his wife Mary Beth came out and shared a little bit of her heart with. She is too funny! And the two of them together. Oh my!! They have great chemistry and are just hilarious together. I loved hearing her talk. She says it terrifies her, but she did such a awesome job. I would love to hear again sometime.

Before the show, while we were waiting on the doors to open, Mandy and I entered our names in a drawing at the American Family Radio table. They were giving away some Casting Crown tickets and several movies. We went out to check the table and intermission and what do you know.... I won!! I'm now the proud owner of this movie.



I'll let you know how it is.


Friday I had a workshop at school...no students. All went great until I started driving home. On my way home this happened...


Major flat tire on the side of the interstate. No one I called answered their phone. I finally called the husband even though he was in OK City and couldn't help. Our good friend Stuart ended up coming to my rescue. I'm so thankful for good friends. The husband is now considering signing me up for Triple A, especially since he out of town so much right now. Anyone a member? What do you think?

I wasn't comfortable driving on my spare tire, so my sweet S-I-L Joy gave me a lift to Kandace's birthday party. She is now two years and is talking like crazy! She is such a cutie!!


Love that Amelia is just lounging on Cody while Kandace opens presents. Her birthday is coming up too. Uncle Andrew and I are working a very special present for her.


Saturday Pretty low key day. We got new tires for my car and lounged around the house since the hogs had the week off.

Sunday After church we had lunch with the Billsons and then played tennis with Tyler and Cody. I had so much fun, but I'm really bad at tennis. :) It was Andrew and I against Tyler and Cody... I would mess up and Andrew would just sigh real big...kind of funny. Even though I stunk it up out there I want to play some more when the husband comes home.

Randomness Part One

I have so many blogs floating around in my head, but when I sit down to write them out nothing happens. Nothing at all. I can't even manage to put a sentence together. Most of the post in my head are too short but together are too long so I thought I put a few together at a time.



Our Weekend....Friday night we went out to eat with The Winburns, some great friends of ours. We had a really good time. We came back to the house after enjoying some Casa Mexicana. The boys played guitars and we girls just sit and talked...we had a really good conversation. After the Winburns left, the husband and I watched The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Anniston. I don't recommend it. It wasn't really bad, but it wasn't good either.

Saturday we got all geared up to watch our #10 Hogs take on #1 Bama. It was great for the first three quarters. Why is it that Arkansas always seems to give the game away in the fourth quarter?? Why haven't we figured this out and done something about it already? So frustrating.... Oh well...for the most part we played a good game.

Sunday was church and working on my scrapbook room. The desk is completely finished and installed. We bought a new rug for the room and I began to put things away. The husband built an addition. More on this later. I promise.


We have lots of birthdays coming up. I've been shopping for the perfect presents for my nieces and nephews. Over the next three months, we have a niece who will turn two, two nieces who will turn one, and a nephew that will turn three. I absolutely love being an aunt!! Any ideas on what to buy for these youngsters? I'm clueless!

Thursday night I'm going to "A Night with the Chapmans" featuring Steven Curtis, his wife Mary Beth, and their son Caleb. I am so excited. I only wish the husband was going with me. But alas, he is out of town again. The story of my life lately. More on this later too!

Still

Better Than A Hallelujah

Have you heard this song?




I have to tell you, I'm not normally a big Amy Grant fan. But I love this song. This song reminds me that my prayers don't have to be some beautiful eloquent speech. My prayers don't even have to audible for my God to hear. He knows my heart and he loves it when I share my heart. I can go to my God with anything. He wants to hear about the joy I experience as well as the pain I experience in life.



Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help,as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2