free tunes

Linnae always seems to give me these great free downloads. Pretty much I always love them... like she knows me or something?! Anyway, wanted to share the latest one that she has sent me. Their name is Page CXVI and they redo hymns. Go ahead click and get ya some free music!

the help

I’m not someone who is a big reader. I’ve always admired those people, but if I’m not interested in the first chapter I’m done with you. Even if I am really into a book it seems to take me forever to finish. My friend Angie let me borrow this book, and was like, “I read and thought you would love it”. So, I knocked it out in 3 weeks. I hated going to bed, because I was dying to know what was going to happen next. It’s controversial, it’s Jackson, MS, it’s civil rights, it’s funny, it has amazing detail, and it’s a great story. I had to share it with you, because it was so not like me to dive into a 450 page book and not put it down. Click here read more about the book. Maybe it can be one of your Summer beach reads!

less waste, more love with free starbucks today!

To celebrate Earth Day today, Starbucks is giving away FREE COFFEE! All you have to do is bring a travel mug into the store/drive thru, and they will fill you up. So as they are going green by not wasting paper cups; you and save you some $green$. I can't drink coffee, but I know about 75% of America does. So grab you a free cup and sit outside any enjoy the day! Happy Earth Day!

butter

Movies are filmed here in Shreveport all the time, and everyone always talks about how they've seen people and I never see anyone! True statement. Aaron has seen a few, which is so not fair, he doesn't even care! So finally today was my day.
This afternoon I see my cousin Whitney has posted on Facebook how she has seen Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck at Starbucks this morning. I was instantly jealous. So, then my dear friend Melissa goes to Starbucks and sends me a text telling me he is there again! I promised one of my YL girls that I would go visit her at the store she works at, right next to Starbucks, perfect opportunity to see if I could catch a glimpse. I DID! I had my first cleb spotting with his 2 daughters! Apparently, Jennifer Garner is in a movie called "Butter" with Alicia Silverstone & Hugh Jackman. Also, Nicholas Cage ("Drive Angry") is here filming a movie too. Looks like I might see more people than I thought!

meet carter

Meet Lindsay, or as I like to call her, "Carter". We have been dear friends since the 7th grade. The day that she decided to cross over from Simpson Middle School to Mabry Middle. I have some of my very best memories with this girl. Carter has been a runner since before braces, and luckily for both of us my scanner isn't working so I couldn't post any of our amazing pictures from back then! I used to think she was crazy for running more than 5 miles, but then she past the bug onto! This girl has made it! Tomorrow she'll be running in the Boston Marathon wearing an Ole Miss jersey! She has qualified before, but finally is able to actually do it. I'm so proud of her she is going to do amazing. Wish her luck!

full bloom

Around here the azaleas bloom like the tulips in Oxford... if you've never been to either place that means they're everywhere! I decided to take Aaron on a picnic date in the middle of the week to Norton Art Gallery. Pretty much everyone takes bridal, family, kid pictures there or go walking on the trails there. I'm just glad it's only 5 minutes from our house! I love Spring!

spray paint some throphies & call it a day

Don't you remember the good ol' days of playing Kickball in your cul-de-sac? Well, if you never had that experience... I'm sad for you! We had an awesome day of out reach and kickball to our High School friends, and had over 160 kids show up to play! This is really just a post of some of our awesome kids. If you're interested in sponsoring one of these guys to go to camp let me know or send it our way at: YL/ 713 Southfield Rd./ Shreveport, LA 71106! It will be an experience that they'll never forget I promise...or I'll give you your money back!

bigger than the universe

I've been doing a lot of examining of my heart. Some things have been interesting, some of have not been fun to realize, at times given me a refreshed heart, and even building knowledge (I know a surprise).

In the Old Testament, it mentions 32 different times, referring to God as the, 'God who took you out of Egypt'. And only 6 times is God mentioned as the, 'God the Creator'. I mean He created... this place that we call Earth, in this thing called the Milky Way Solar System, in this thing called a Universe, & even beyond or outside of that we're not sure what else there is.

Doesn't that seem like a lot?I mean if that is so huge why is He only referred to as 'God the Creator' 6 times in the Old Test?

I started thinking; creating was just the beginning, but the freedom that He willingly and selflessly gave is even harder for me to wrap my head around. Maybe that is why He is the 'God who took us out of Egypt'. That freedom and direction is something we understand, see, wrap our minds around. It's funny how he gives such clear direction, yet now in our selfishness we flee from Him without direction.

My prayer these past few days has been that others would see the freedom that I've been given selflessly from my Savior; that I wouldn't live in 'exile'; I wouldn't allow myself to get trapped. Throughout the Old Test. we see people being sent into exile. Yet, here in the United States, exile isn't just about a location, "exile is about the state of your soul" (Thanks, Rob Bell). The life of freedom is a powerful and unexplainable thing. It's the best gift I've ever received.

great things happening

This weekend lots has happened... we had a huge Kickball tournament for Young Life, and had over 170 kids show up (a post on that will happen later), my sister is here, which means we laid out and ran... awesome!, Biscotti turned 5 today, had an awesome Easter church service, had a huge fabulous lunch, and an Easter Egg Hunt! All of this equals amazingness! We have made sure to give Christi some true cajun food while she is here; as you can see we have accomplished that!

Church was really awesome. I really realize just how blessed I am to have a church family, and a place I truly love to worship at. I was humbled by the message with the focus being on Jesus' relationship with his disciples, and of course about the resurrection. I have never quite heard an Easter message focusing on that, but it was really awesome! I could sit here and explain... but you might just have to listen to it yourself (Click Here) to really digest it.
It was great having a great big lunch with our family, and of course an awesome Easter Egg Hunt. It was so fun! I haven't done one of those since I was 7! And just to let you guys know Aaron & I got the most eggs! Just sayin' game face Marge came out.

My lil girl turned 5 today. We celebrated with a new stuffed monkey, and a double scoop of yogurt on her food! Thats really all you can do with a dog... they have no clue; even though all week I've been telling her that we have many things to celebrate on 4-4-10! Hope you all have had a very blessed Easter, and have remembered why we even celebrate it.

banana pancakes

"Maybe we could sleep in, I'll make you banana pancakes, Pretend like it's the weekend now, And we could pretend it all the time...". I know some of you guys started singing Jack Johnson with my post title. My sister is in town for Easter weekend, and I decided that I would make Banana Pancakes for the first time. I thought that I would share my version with you guys if you ever get the urge. I must say they were a hit!

Banana Pancakes
-1 1/2 c. Pioneer Mix
-1/2 c. Skim Milk
-1 Egg
-1 Tbs. Sugar
-3 Tsp. Cinnamon
-2 Bananas (Mashed with a fork)
Mix it all up and throw the batter on the skillet! Smear on some butter and maple syrup... and yum!