Ever since we were told last night during choir rehearsal at church about this tragedy, it has been on my mind. I hurt for Steven and Mary Beth and their entire family. I cannot comprehend what it must feel like to lose a child, especially one that was brought into your family to save her from a life of uncertainty in China. One thing that continues to cross my mind is this...yes, they lost a daughter, but they lost a son, too. Their son must deal with this tragedy on a level that so few people understand. He is only a teenager, but now is going through more than any adult will in their lifetime...and he has a lifetime still ahead to live with it. They now must grieve the loss of one child while helping another cope with severe guilt.
It is good to know that, in the midst of such heartache and pain, God has us in His arms. We cannot even begin to understand why such things happen, but I KNOW that this family will bring glory to His name. They know and understand that He is in control of our comings and goings, our beginnings and our ends...no matter how young we are. To steal lines from another artist...
And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
For you are who you are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried you hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
New Kids on the Block
It's like, so cool, ya know?
I just watched the first performance in 15 years of NKOTB on the Today show. It was a nice trip down memory lane. I was trying to remember all the stuff I had (which wasn't a whole lot) and how I felt about them back then. Like most girls, I loved Joey. He had a great voice, but I think most liked him b/c of those blue, blue eyes and the fact that he was the closest in age to most of the "tween" fans. Amazingly, though, he wasn't who I went ga-ga over. I LOVED Jordan. I don't know why. Maybe because he was probably the next cutest and a little older (I always like older guys).
As I watched this time, with a few more years behind me and a few more years behind them, I was amazed at a couple of things. Now, granted, this was a live performance in the rain, but their vocals aren't that great! They sang a medley of the good ol' stuff (Hangin' Tough, The Right Stuff, Please Don't Go Girl, etc.) and then sang the first single from their new album, Summertime. I was hoping for a little more harmony...they are 15 years older and should be more mature vocally...and a different sound from them. I wasn't impressed.
I'm sure, though, that with all the fans that have been waiting for this, their album will be a big seller, they'll try another one, and then slowly fizzle out again. That's just the cycle of groups in the music business these days.
On a side note, Jonathan Knight looked quite uncomfortable and awkward, like always. I chalked that one up to him being the oldest, which wasn't bad in the early '90s, but just looks weird now.
I just watched the first performance in 15 years of NKOTB on the Today show. It was a nice trip down memory lane. I was trying to remember all the stuff I had (which wasn't a whole lot) and how I felt about them back then. Like most girls, I loved Joey. He had a great voice, but I think most liked him b/c of those blue, blue eyes and the fact that he was the closest in age to most of the "tween" fans. Amazingly, though, he wasn't who I went ga-ga over. I LOVED Jordan. I don't know why. Maybe because he was probably the next cutest and a little older (I always like older guys).
As I watched this time, with a few more years behind me and a few more years behind them, I was amazed at a couple of things. Now, granted, this was a live performance in the rain, but their vocals aren't that great! They sang a medley of the good ol' stuff (Hangin' Tough, The Right Stuff, Please Don't Go Girl, etc.) and then sang the first single from their new album, Summertime. I was hoping for a little more harmony...they are 15 years older and should be more mature vocally...and a different sound from them. I wasn't impressed.
I'm sure, though, that with all the fans that have been waiting for this, their album will be a big seller, they'll try another one, and then slowly fizzle out again. That's just the cycle of groups in the music business these days.
On a side note, Jonathan Knight looked quite uncomfortable and awkward, like always. I chalked that one up to him being the oldest, which wasn't bad in the early '90s, but just looks weird now.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Shamless plug for The Pampered Chef
Hello all! I hope this finds you well and excited for summer. I know I am!
What is the best thing about summer for you? I love the chance to play outside with my kids and husband, grilling out, and visiting family and friends. Aren't cookouts and picnics the best?!! I have issued myself a personal challenge this summer and you can help! I want to book 6 shows in June and 8 shows in July to keep my business strong. No "lazy days of summer" for me...I want to be busy, busy, busy.
With the economy on the skids and the price of everything going up, I'm sure we all will have to be inventive this summer when it comes to entertaining. The Pampered Chef has great opportunities to stock your kitchen with the tools you'll need for summer for a greatly discounted price or even for FREE!!! All you have to do is invite some friends and maybe some family over (you know you were going to anyway) and let me do the cooking! You don't even have to clean the dishes b/c I take all my dirty dishes home with me. :) What a great chance to re-connect this summer and stock your kitchen for FREE!! Or even better...what a great chance to start your own business and earn that extra income for gas or the vacation you had to put on hold this summer. The Pampered Chef fits into your schedule as much or as little as you need.
Give it a shot! There is no risk! Leave a comment (I won't publish it), email, or call me today to learn about the Host Only specials for June and July.
What is the best thing about summer for you? I love the chance to play outside with my kids and husband, grilling out, and visiting family and friends. Aren't cookouts and picnics the best?!! I have issued myself a personal challenge this summer and you can help! I want to book 6 shows in June and 8 shows in July to keep my business strong. No "lazy days of summer" for me...I want to be busy, busy, busy.
With the economy on the skids and the price of everything going up, I'm sure we all will have to be inventive this summer when it comes to entertaining. The Pampered Chef has great opportunities to stock your kitchen with the tools you'll need for summer for a greatly discounted price or even for FREE!!! All you have to do is invite some friends and maybe some family over (you know you were going to anyway) and let me do the cooking! You don't even have to clean the dishes b/c I take all my dirty dishes home with me. :) What a great chance to re-connect this summer and stock your kitchen for FREE!! Or even better...what a great chance to start your own business and earn that extra income for gas or the vacation you had to put on hold this summer. The Pampered Chef fits into your schedule as much or as little as you need.
Give it a shot! There is no risk! Leave a comment (I won't publish it), email, or call me today to learn about the Host Only specials for June and July.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Big Announcment!
Not about me...but I got your attention, huh???!
Watching the Today show this morning, and they had a teaser about Mother's Day. The Duggar Family was on with their 17 kids (yes, 17) and they "had a surprise announcement" to make. Yeah, with this family, there is only one "surprise" announcement they would make on national television...they are having another baby! This makes 18 kids in their 24 or so years of marriage! Right now the oldest is 20 and the youngest is 9 months.
Anyone who knows about this family has many things to say, I'm sure. I did a little quick research and found that there are a lot of people who think they are crazy and/or stupid. I saw them called "hyperreligious" and "like a cult" and I saw some good things, too.
This family believes that children are a gift from God and they will have as many as He sees fit to give them. Now, ususally, I would go on and on about how they should stop b/c the oldest are raising the youngest and not allowed to grow up or how there is no possible way that they could support that many kids, etc, etc. HOWEVER...I am fascinated by this family. They live debt-free, their lives are very organized (from what I can see), there is a lot of loving on each and every child, and they always put God first. Forget all the little things that I may not agree with (girls in dresses with long hair, boys in khakis and polos, no use of birth control, etc). This family is living strong for God in the way they know how. The negative things that I ran across online were about how they use religion as an excuse to be a "baby mill" or how their in no way that every child could possibly get all the attention that he/she needs or that the mom is just living in the dark ages and the dad is the "king of his castle." For some reason, that just seems sooo not true of this family. They are able to support their family financially, spiritually, and emotionally. More power to them. I admire them...wouldn't want to be them...but admire them all the same.
Watching the Today show this morning, and they had a teaser about Mother's Day. The Duggar Family was on with their 17 kids (yes, 17) and they "had a surprise announcement" to make. Yeah, with this family, there is only one "surprise" announcement they would make on national television...they are having another baby! This makes 18 kids in their 24 or so years of marriage! Right now the oldest is 20 and the youngest is 9 months.
Anyone who knows about this family has many things to say, I'm sure. I did a little quick research and found that there are a lot of people who think they are crazy and/or stupid. I saw them called "hyperreligious" and "like a cult" and I saw some good things, too.
This family believes that children are a gift from God and they will have as many as He sees fit to give them. Now, ususally, I would go on and on about how they should stop b/c the oldest are raising the youngest and not allowed to grow up or how there is no possible way that they could support that many kids, etc, etc. HOWEVER...I am fascinated by this family. They live debt-free, their lives are very organized (from what I can see), there is a lot of loving on each and every child, and they always put God first. Forget all the little things that I may not agree with (girls in dresses with long hair, boys in khakis and polos, no use of birth control, etc). This family is living strong for God in the way they know how. The negative things that I ran across online were about how they use religion as an excuse to be a "baby mill" or how their in no way that every child could possibly get all the attention that he/she needs or that the mom is just living in the dark ages and the dad is the "king of his castle." For some reason, that just seems sooo not true of this family. They are able to support their family financially, spiritually, and emotionally. More power to them. I admire them...wouldn't want to be them...but admire them all the same.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
This is getting serious
This past Sunday, we were told that Kyler had a girlfriend (by his Sunday School teacher). Apparently these two gave each other hugs, told each other "I love you" and then KISSED!!....IN CHURCH...ON THE LIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! Her mom gave her a little talking to about kissing on the lips, but we just couldn't bring ourselves to say anything. In our family, we kiss our kids on the lips. Some say it's gross, but they are our children and just so gosh darn cute!
Anyway, back to the story. I thought it was just a Sunday thing, but apparently, he really likes this girl. He's been walking around the house showing her things and playing with her. I just put him down for a nap and he asked me to make her a bed on the floor so she could sleep, too. He made a point to tell me, though, that HE would be on the bed and she would be on the floor. At least he knows some boundries!
Anyway, back to the story. I thought it was just a Sunday thing, but apparently, he really likes this girl. He's been walking around the house showing her things and playing with her. I just put him down for a nap and he asked me to make her a bed on the floor so she could sleep, too. He made a point to tell me, though, that HE would be on the bed and she would be on the floor. At least he knows some boundries!
Friday, May 2, 2008
whatever!
I was reading here, as I do almost every day, and she referenced this.
Read it...really...take the time to go to the link then come back...I'll still be here...really, go!
Now that you've read it...R U KIDDING ME??? Since when is OKC a "hell on earth"? Unpredictable weather? Hey idiot! You should come visit Nashville for a couple of minutes! If you don't like the weather here, stick around for an hour or so...it'll change. Really, though. He makes OKC sound like a scene from a movie during the spring/summer months. The only natural disaster they have is the tornado. They've had one really bad one in the last 30+ years and that makes them "hellish"? I'm quite peeved about the whole thing, really. In fact, I actually feel safer in OKC during bad weather than I do here. I think it so funny to go visit family and watch the news then come back home and several years later they're talking about the "newest in doppler radars" or "the latest and best at predicting severe weather." Do you remember when the local TV stations got the "newest" gadget to predict where the storms were going to hit and they could even tell you the street (it was around 2000)? That was cool, huh! Except they had that in Oklahoma in, like, 1990.
Okay, I'm done ranting.
Read it...really...take the time to go to the link then come back...I'll still be here...really, go!
Now that you've read it...R U KIDDING ME??? Since when is OKC a "hell on earth"? Unpredictable weather? Hey idiot! You should come visit Nashville for a couple of minutes! If you don't like the weather here, stick around for an hour or so...it'll change. Really, though. He makes OKC sound like a scene from a movie during the spring/summer months. The only natural disaster they have is the tornado. They've had one really bad one in the last 30+ years and that makes them "hellish"? I'm quite peeved about the whole thing, really. In fact, I actually feel safer in OKC during bad weather than I do here. I think it so funny to go visit family and watch the news then come back home and several years later they're talking about the "newest in doppler radars" or "the latest and best at predicting severe weather." Do you remember when the local TV stations got the "newest" gadget to predict where the storms were going to hit and they could even tell you the street (it was around 2000)? That was cool, huh! Except they had that in Oklahoma in, like, 1990.
Okay, I'm done ranting.
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