Happy Birthday Dad!

Today's my daddy's birthday and I couldn't let it go by without letting the whole world know, or at least this little corner of the internet.

This guy.

I could list 59 things that I love about my daddy, but really, that just wouldn't be enough. So for now, I'll just list ten of my favorite things/memories of my dad.

1. I used to think (and still do) my dad was the strongest man in the world. Like ESPN Strongest Man competition strong.

2. He plays a mean harmonica.

3. The way I can discuss heart matters/theology with him because our minds are just simple.

4. The way he takes care of his mother.

5. Going fishing with hotdogs and catching about 20 (or more) fish.

6. His job is his mission field.

7. He always helps me remember "who I am, and whose I am."

8. He told my first date to be careful with me because I am the child of a King. And him.

9. When he tells me he will jump in the truck and drive to Birmingham to kick someone's ass, I know he really means it.

10. He is the reason I know who Jesus Christ is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW!

They Say It's Your Birthday...

So Happy Birthday to me!

I really can't believe that I turned 27 today. Last week I read a piece that Annie wrote about her birthday. She said that turning was such a scary and daunting word, so she was choosing to twirl into the next year of life this time. I like that. And today, I've been twirling. Really.

Today really has been one of the best days I've had in a long time. And that's saying something for a work day. People have come out of the wordworks to wish me a Happy Birthday (even ESPN!) and I have felt so very loved. I even got flowers at work which, if you are a single girl, you know is a gift from heaven.

I'm not so much of an attention person (secretly, I am) but today, I've chosen to sit back and let God rain down his love and mercy over me through his people.

It really makes me laugh, and brings me to my knees, to see how far God has brought me in the last 20 years.

Twenty years ago, I gave my life to Christ. He came into my heart and took away my sin.

Ten years ago, I found myself on my way to college and falling quickly in love with a boy I'd never thought I'd see in a "romantical" way. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of who the most important person in my life was supposed to be. First it became the boy, then it became me. I had forgotten that God, while loving and merciful, was a jealous God. And he frankly wasn't going to take it anymore.

Five years ago, God moved me out of my comfort zone and started working in the deep down yucky parts of my heart. He started by proving his faithfulness to me through provision and then he got down and dirty. He's shattered me like a clay pot and has been meticulously (there's a five million dollar word for you) been putting me back together. Slowly but surely.

He placed people in my life that weren't only teaching me from His Word but challenging me to put those teachings into practice. And that group of people ranges from pastors to close friends.

I read somewhere, and I think it might have been Jon Acuff's twitter, the following question and I may have shared this before. Does God have the right to crack the vessel if breaking it is the fastest way to share with the world what he poured into it?

My answer is a resounding yes.

I think along the way, I've been giving God a little piece of my life here and a little piece there. Recently, I just dumped it all into his big hands because that's where it should have been in the first place. For what I believe is the first time in my life, I'm stepping out on faith and leaving the rest up to Him. He knows better than I anyway.

I'd say 26 was an okay year, not without it's trials and hurts but I learned a lot from it. I'd say it was my growing pain year. (Emphasis on the pain.) Do you remember when you were little and your bones and your muscles would ache? You complained to your parents and they would diagnose it as growing pains. It hurt, but you came out on the other end of it stronger and maybe (not me) taller than you were before.

I know that I've still got my fair share of pains to endure. We all do. And they won't stop until we have reached the end of this life. And if they do stop, that means we've stopped growing in our relationships with each other and Jesus Christ.

However, if today is any indication of what 27 is going to look like, I'm quite pumped, to put it plainly. I see a lot of big things coming my way. One huge change, but one that will put me right where I need to be -- in the center of God's will.

I plan to take a lot of risks. Live life a little louder. And hope to make a difference for the glory of God the Father, in one way or another, everyday.

I listened to Francis Chan's last sermon yesterday and he said this: "There will be no cowards in Heaven."

I hope that when I reach the place of judgment, God looks down at me and can say, "Well done", because I dared to live radically for His namesake.

They Say It's Your Birthday...

...Well, Happy Birthday to ya!

Today is my wonderful Daddy's birthday. If I'm as good at second grade math as I think, that makes him...um...58?

I know that most of you reading this would argue that you dad is also the coolest dad in the world, but I really have to say it. My dad is the coolest dad. in. the. world!

I owe everything I am to my dad (and mom). He's taught me to much and fixes everything from broken radiator hoses to broken hearts. He's also pretty darn crafty as well. When I was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz my senior year, he made my ruby red slippers. And. They. Were. Awesome.

He's really good at scaring the poo out of the boys I've dated but also at embracing them as a part of the family (okay, maybe not ALL of them) and being that one person who is always there for them to talk to.

My most favorite memories when I was a kid were riding on his back/shoulders and riding in the trailor being the riding lawnmower/tractor. Although I'm too grown for those things now, I still feel like figuratively, my dad still carries me on his back when I'm to tired to walk, puts me on his shoulders when I can't see the main event, and lets me ride in the trailor when I'm afraid to walk through the tall grass.

As an adult (which is still a weird word to me because have you seen me play with my nephew?), my favorite thing is our theological, deep, thought-provoking conversations. Although sometimes I can get frustrated with the way he challenges what I say, I always come away grateful that he does it because if I'm not challenged, I won't know what I really believe.

My dad's been through a lot in his life, a whole lot more than someone like him should have to go through. But one thing that has been a constant has been his faith in God and God's faithfulness to him. My dad has an opportunity everyday to be a light for Jesus Christ in a world blanketed with the darkness of anger, resentment, abuse, addition and misunderstanding. And he takes that opportunity day after day. That can sometimes lead to an overwhelming feeling of weariness. When you're pouring yourself into saving others, you start to feel yourself drowning. Then you become the one that needs saving.

I think there are times when he might forget how much he is loved in this world (and out of this world), but I think in the past two years he has realized it's more than anyone can fathom. And the ringleader of that love is his Heavenly Father.

My dad has a saying: "Remember who you are...and Whose you are." He has been the greatest example of that saying to me.

There are so many things that my dad has done that I take pride in -- namely, playing football for Mississippi State. But my dad has done greater things that have had a bigger impact than just tackling a few people and putting a number of quarterbacks on their back.

My dad became a Christian in high school and since then, he has been on a mission to make an impact for Christ in every aspect of his life. He was a major player in Campus Crusade for Christ at MSU and is surrounded by many close friends who have dedicated their lives to impacting the world for God's glory.

He's taught me to believe in the power of prayer because it really does work. And to look for the small things. The details. Because God has a purpose even in the small things.

I can't think of a great way to close out this post. It's just not coming to me. But I will say that there's one thing I'm sure of -- 26 years ago, God gave me a daddy who would be the earthly image of him. Now, I don't know how many dudes auditioned for the part of my dad but God sure hit the nail on the head with this pick.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

A Boy And His Birthday

This little guy...

Turned two on Saturday...

Had big party...

With a really cool cake.

He got lots of cool presents including this...

This...

And this was the winner.

See...

He even gave his KK a ride.

Fun was had by all.

Happy Birthday Little Boo!

I'll Take The Birthday With A Side Of Broken Glass

I realize that it's been a little over a week since my birthday and I've already posted once about my birthday but it was a premature labor on my part considering that I posted about it before the birthday celebration was even halfway over.

I told you guys about celebrating with the family and the goodness that is cookie cake.

So, there, I received Cookie Cake Numero Uno. And brought about a third of it back to Birmingham with me.

I also told you about coming to work on Monday and having a cookie cake sitting in my chair waiting on me. I present to you, Cookie Cake Numero Dos.

We took it to lunch, yet still, I ended up going home with half of "the goodness". Can you see the sarcastic tears filling my eyes? (Also translated as: I was elated and couldn't wait to get in a room alone with the rest of that cookie cake.)

So Monday night, I went to dinner with people from my small group to...Red Robin (yummmmm...as the commercial states).

Enter Cookie Cake Numero Tres.

And now I must confess something. Red Robin has great burgers. (Not the confession.) But I think I have an obsession with sides. (Confession.) I believe I could make a whole meal out of sides. French fries (especially with ranch dressing), fried dill pickles, onion rings, rolls, chips and queso, caesar side sald. I will take all of the above over a main course. Or as my main course.

I'm going to confess something else. I order a burger. And it came with fries. And Raymond ordered an appetizer of onion rings for the table. Oh. my. word. I could only eat half my burger. You know why? Because I filled up on onion rings. And fries with ranch dressing. (And let's not mention lunch where I cleaned my plate of burger, fries with ranch dressing and cookie cake. And the fact that my fingers want to type "friends" everytime I go to type "fries". Why? Because fries? They are my friends.)

Oh, and I was like the fifth birthday in the whole joint and while I don't mind being sung to (I'm a Leo, and the youngest. I like-a the attention), the songs they were sing were LAME-O! And I know beggars can't be choosers, but seriously, I could've made up a song on the spot and it would've totally been better. Some just aren't as talents as others I guess. (Insert sheepish grin here.)

So, I told the table, jokingly mind you, that I didn't want to be sung to if it was going to be lame. That what I really wanted was for the lights to dim, a disco ball to drop and for 50 Cent to burst out of the kitchen singing, "Go Shawty, it's ya birfday."

Turns out, Fitty called in sick that day, so I had to settle for the standard restaurant song. Yet, someone must've gotten to the waitress because my song was the best in the place. No lameness to be found.

After I was presented with my complimentary ice cream sundae, I wolfed it down (because desserts count as sides) and we were off to the house to partake in the weekly Monday Night Movie and Cookie Cake Numero Tres. (Of which, I was left two-thirds. So basically, with all the pieces of three cookies cakes I had left, I had one and a half cakes. Needless to say, I had cookie cake for breakfast and dessert for the rest of the week.)

As we made our move to get out of the seating area, I was the last one out and as I placed my hand on the table to assist in my getting up, the table was obviously not as stable as it appeared. The table tipped and a glass fell off and broke to which I, always wanting to leave my mark on a place, yelled "Mazel Tav!" And proceeded with my departure.

We got to the house, opened the Katie movie vault and decided to watch The Perfect Storm, a movie which I had forgotten how long it was and how intense it was. I'm pretty sure had I been hooked up to a heart monitor, there would have been definite concern for my health.

Nicole (Smith), Me and Lisa

Tweedle Dee (Josh), Tweedle Dum (Raymond), (Nicole) Starkey and me

And Dan felt left out of the picture-taking because he was getting his water while we were taking the pictures. So he thought he deserve his own picture.

All in all, the night was a blast. Good food, good times, good friends. I wrapped up the birthday celebration Tuesday night with my b-fry Kyle and dinner at Red Lobster in Tuscaloosa.

There are only two things that can get me to Tuscaloosa. Seafood and buddies.

The end.

25 Years and Stuff to Share

Yesterday was my birthday. Yes, I know. Happy Birthday to me! The celebration still isn't over.

I was greeted at work by a nice large cookie cake sitting in my chair, compliments of Hollie, and then we headed to Wings for lunch (FREE lunch) so I could satisfy my fried dill pickle urge.

Tonight will be the small group outing, with dinner at Red Robin (hmmh! If you've seen the commercial, you got that. If not, I'm sorry.), then back to the house for the regular Monday Night Movie Night.

Tomorrow I'll meet my b-fry Kyle in Tuscaloosa for the final dinner birthday bash, which is a good note to end on because well, Kyle is the best.

I turned 26 on the 26th and I thought I'd wake up feeling different but I don't really. I'm still feeling the effects of the NYC hangover. I'm missing it in a bad way. I don't think I'd ever want to live there but I just had so much fun, saw so much, watched God work in big ways, and made a new friend. I actually miss it more than I thought I would.

And Central Park? I think I have a crush on you. You've been running through my mind since I left. You must be tired. (Ha. Coulnd't resist.)

-------------------------------------------------------

25 was a good year for me. I would venture to say that I learned a whole lot in this one year and changed a whole lot too. I went through a quarter-life crisis and came out with more faith in my God than I thought was possible.

I've learned new lessons, made new friends, and reached an all-time low in my obsession with reality television. Yeah, Bachelorette and Big Brother. You heard me.

See, I've got this bucket list. I keep adding to it but this past year, the year o' 25, I knocked off several. And I'm pretty proud of it.

1. I saw Dave Matthews in concert. Memphis, August 2.
2. I went back to NYC. July.
3. I saw Wicked.
4. I got to go to Central Park.
5. I saw Ground Zero.
6. I saw the Red Sox play. (Although, this was a month before I turned 25, I'm still counting it.)
7. I went to the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
8. I went to the Museum of Natural History. (Although, I'm giving myself half a point because I didn't exactly see all of it.)
9. I went to the Georgia Aquarium.

I also had a few firsts this year too.

1. First country concert.
2. First time to lead "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at a collegiate baseball game.
3. First solo in NYC.
4. First time to touch a Sting Ray and a shark. (See Georgia Aquarium).

I'm sure there are more but I can't think of them right now.

Here's to hoping I get to check more things off on my list this next year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, I have two videos and a blog post to share.

Enjoy!

Presidential first pitch comparison.

Interesting video about LOST.



This performance on last week's So You Think You Can Dance had me straight up ugly crying on the couch.



And the judges' comments made it worse.

Birthday List

A month from to today (July 26, for those of you who don't feel like doing the math), the author of this here blog (me, again for those of you who need a clue) will turn 26. I will turn 26 on July 26. Ha. I never actually realized that. This may call for an outlandish spectacle of birthday celebration complete with water slides and bouncy houses and disco mixes and all-you-can-eat cookie cake.

Anyhoo.

For those of you (all 4 of you, who are mostly family) who are finding it hard to find the perfect gift for your favorite blogger (or family member) who brings plenty of sunshine and entertainment to your lives on a daily/weekly basis, have I got the solution for you.

I give you.

The List Of Ten Perfect Birthday Gift Ideas For Katie:

1. A flip video camcorder. I could do some serious damage with this in NYC. Or just on a regular day.

2. The Oceans Trilogy. Nothin' says romantic comedy like stealing a bunch of stuff.

3. Tony Dungy's new book, Uncommon.

4. Any of the remaining seasons of That 70's Show on DVD. That would be seasons 2-8 for those who are taking notes.

5. This bedding set from this outrageously-priced delight.

6. A ticket or two to the Mississippi State home games against Florida and/or Alabama.

7. A subscription to Sports Illustrated.

8. iTunes gift cards are always good.

9. A date.

10. World peace.

I think that about does it. Now get to shoppin' folks.

*** Disclaimer: All parental units of the author of this blog are hereby exempt from inclusion in this mandate. Unless the really feel like being overly generous. I mean, a trip to NYC and payment for parasailing at the beach are perfectly fine birthday presents if you ask me. All siblings of said blogger must think long and hard though about NOT abiding by the list. ***

A "Beef" On I-20/59 South

So, Katie...what did you do on Friday? Well, folks, I'm glad you asked. I sat on Interstate 20/59 South in Tuscaloosa for four hours due to an overturned cattle truck about five miles ahead of me. Yes, five miles. That's not even half of the miles that traffic was backed up. I guess you could say that the Alabama Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation had quite the "beef" to deal with Friday afternoon. (Yes, I've been working on that sentence for three days now. Thank you. I'll be here all week. Tip your waitresses.)

Anyhoo, I sat going southbound for about an hour and half, fighting the urge to be a sheep and follow the herd (pun intended) of cars that were turning around and going northbound on the southbound shoulder. About another 30 minutes, I gave into the temptation (the Lord forgives), turned the happy Saturn around and started going the other way. As luck would have it, that traffic was halted and we soon found out that cops were giving tickets a-ways down to people who had done just what we had done.

So after 20 minutes of sitting there, facing the wrong direction, the Lord rained down mercy, parted the clouds and the cars and I found some gracious people who let me finagle my way into a gap between them that just happened to be the perfect size for my car. After displaying my phat drive-reverse-drive-reverse skillz, I was facing the right way again and all was well with the world (whew, dodged that bullet). Except, we were still stuck on the interstate with no signs of relief anytime soon.

I made friends with the lady behind me who happened to be an attorney in Birmingham, lives in Homewood and whose daughter graduated from MSU about the same time as me and was an RA in Sessums (small world). We also befriended a trucker who was stuck in the lane beside us and he was getting the 411 from his trucker buds who were driving by in the northbound lanes.

Meanwhile, I turned the car off and started taking pictures. What else was there to do, right? 

A look at the backup. Look closely and you can see the family who had gotten their kids' bikes out and started riding them up and down the shoulder. Remember, four hours, people. FOUR HOURS!

Another look going the other way. See the cars who are facing the other way. They hadn't found any gaps in the traffic yet to turn around. However, all cars behind me were able to get turned around and dodged the ticket bullet as well. I guess you could say I started a good trend.

A look at the view from the middle of the road. Craziness is what this is called.

This is the way that my speedometer looked for two full hours. Notice the almost full tank of gas and I was only a little less than 50 miles from Birmingham (I had driven about 10 miles on Thursday after filling up). 

And this is what I thought of the whole ordeal.

And this kid started his own dance party.

The news crew came out to point and laugh at us and taunt us with other forms of transportation. I really need to learn how to fly.

I left Birmingham at 12:45 p.m., came to stand still traffic at 1:30 p.m., finally began moving at 5:00 p.m., and arrive in Jackson around 8:00 p.m., just in time to enjoy a good old-fashioned sleepover at my bud Stuff's (that's Stephanie, for you normal people out there) new crib in Byram. It has an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Not really, but it's pretty huge. And it has a waterfall. Word.

Saturday was spent celebrating the Sister's birthday in grand Walden fashion, complete with pork tenderloin, potato salad, Daddy-style green beans, fruit parfaits and cookie cake. Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like good eats, right?

And what would complete a post-home visit blog post better than pictures of this little guy. We were like two peas in a pod this weekend.

 

Dude, I totally wasn't ready!

Guys, this place is a pig sty. No worries. I'll take care of it. 

Anna and Ross better hope he can either deliver a mean tackle, shoot free throws blind-folded and with one hand tied behind his back or hit bombs over the left field wall because this picture has future janitor written all over it.

Surprise!

We had a surprise party for my mom's birthday on Saturday. Her birthday was actually Sunday, but we started the "par-tay" early. She was shocked and everyone else was excited as you can see from the picture below.

All her buds from church (DMBC) and school (Forest Hill) plus her sister Judy and like-sister Janet were here to celebrate. She was so excited and so surprised. It was a great day!

After the party ended, we headed down to Florence to Anna and Ross's house to grill hamburgers, which was the only thing that Mom wanted for her birthday this year. She got lots of other great gifts but that was her one request. So fun was had by all, and William showed off his b-ball skillz for the fam. His new name is Baby Shaq. The kid can ball.

And what would be a family post on this blog without a close up of the preciousness that is my nephew. He loves his Aunt KK. Which he can say now. Well, sort of. It kinda comes out as "tay-tay" but it's close enough. He loves to give out kisses. We just have to keep him away from the girls at daycare. The kid has already got "game". 

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Daddy's birthday and I'm so sad that I can't be there to celebrate with him. He and my mom are on their way back from the Cayman Islands. They went there with a group that my mom sings with to perform at a church that the Southern Baptist Convention planted (I think) down there in Grand Cayman.

I know he had a wonderful time enjoying God's creation and getting to talk with the natives, but I know it would have been better if he had been able to go snorkling or swimming with the Manta Rays. The sea is Dad's favorite place to be.

Anyway, I just wanted to post a little Happy Birthday message for my Daddy. He is truly my best friend and I can't imagine having any other daddy but him. He's been my biggest cheerleader all of my life and is so proud of whatever I do. He introduces me as "The girl who knows everything before anyone else does" and boasts that I knew about MSU's coaching hire before anyone else did. I try to explain that I only know because I'm part of that grapevine of athletics, but still he persists.

He's taught me how to love my Lord wholeheartedly and how to laugh at myself. He's shown me how to lean on God in the difficult times and not on my own understanding. He's been a great example of a true follower of Christ, sacrificial love and living out God's mission with reckless abandon. He's shown me how a woman should be loved by a man through his proud love of my mom, and has given me a glimpse of how my Heavenly Father could love me so much.

I'm so proud to call him my Daddy. And I never pass up the chance to tell people that he played football for MSU. And that he held records in track and field for Mississippi until just a few years ago. And that he coaches the Peeple's Jr. High soccer team to their first soccer championship.

He's my friend, my hero, my coach, my cheerleader, my teacher, my audience, my Mr. Fix-It, my favorite hug-giver, my fishing buddy, my counselor, my book of reference, my leader.

He's my Daddy.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you like a hog loves slop!

Happy Birthday Lee!

Today was my coworker and friend, Lee's birthday. She chose to go to one of our favorite lunch spots, Sol Azteca. Lee hates to be the center of attention and hates to be sung to on her birthday. However, Grant and Vaughan decided that she needed a little serenade today. Good thing I stuff my camera in my purse before leaving the office. I got the whole thing on video.

Here's to you Lee. Thanks for being born! Ha!

Birthdays and Prayer

Happy 1st Birthday to the cutest and coolest nephew in the world. My sweet little William, Boo, Buddy, is turning a year old today and my heart breaks that I can't be there to celebrate because of work. I hate that I'm missing family getting together and missing getting to see some of the greatest in-laws in the world. Happy Birthday little Boo! I know all other presents and card will pale in comparison to Auntie KK's because I'm just that cool.

Me and my buddy

Also, I just wanted to share something I got via email today from my oh so wise daddy. He was responding to an email in which someone had sent a petition to get prayer back into a particular school. My dad has pretty great experience with this subject after dealing with "Prayer-gate" at Wingfield High School about 15 years ago.

I can't tell you enough how proud I am to be this man's daughter. I am what I am today because of him and the things that he had taught me and the way that he has shown me to follow, obey, serve and trust my Lord and Savior.

Here is his response. Think about it.

"I’m sorry, but any time I get anything about putting prayer back in schools I want to question 'Where did prayer go?!' The scriptures tell us to go into the prayer closet. Jesus wants us to realize that it is our hearts and not the volume of our prayers that he hears. We all know that prayer is one of the most powerful things associated with the Christian faith but it is also the most personal. We as members of the faith family should openly share with others our personal concerns as well as those for others ('where two or three are gathered…').

Here is the other side of that coin. If we were to allow 'prayer' in schools as it was when we were young, who would pray??? The Christians of course, right, huh? Of course, we would say the Christians but the Mormons, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Muslim, Wicker, Satan’s church of what is happening now are asking why not them. We cannot allow the schools to become a platform for religions and cults to infect our children with pretty self-absorbing stories or philosophies. Diversity is a wonderful thing. It broadens our children’s minds but we are talking about a foundational stone of most religions and surely one of the Christian way of life.

Please consider this when you are approached with the 'Prayer in Schools Thing.' If those who claim to push this platform are genuinely that concerned, they should start a 'Campus Life Club', a 'Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club', or a 'Baptist Student Union High School Addition'. Then they can put an genuine emphasis on pray and praying for the changing of negative things in our school and homes of those who attend schools."

Bobby Walden
“The Assistant Principal Of Prayer”
Wingfield High School 1992-1994

I'm currently doing two bible studies (church and work) that just happen to be going through James. Maybe God really wants me to learn something from James, huh? I encourage you to read it. It's only five short chapters, and last night we compared it to a well written essay, but it's chock full of God's truth that is forever applicable. It's an easy read, time-wise, but a hard one. Very convicting but also very encouraging.

Last night in my church bible study, we finished up the book and talked about chapter five. The last seven verses talk about prayer and the power of prayer. I don't think that I've seen the power of prayer played out in my life more than this past year. It's amazing and it's overwhelming to look back and see how God has worked in my life and the lives of those around me. I'm currently trying to memorize this book because there is so much truth and so much wisdom that I just want to have it in my brain all of the time. I encourage you to do the same. Think of it as 109 verses, not a five chapters of the Bible. Doesn't sound as daunting of a task now, does it?

Here are the last seven verses. Meditate on them and really see how James explains the simpleness, yet complexity, and the power of God through prayer.

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

See also James Chapter one. This is like the thesis statement of the well-written essay. This is good stuff people!

Birthday, Red Sox and Thoughts

This weekend, three of my best guy-friends are celebrating birthdays -- Drew and Chris on Saturday and Kyle on Sunday, except Kyle celebrates his birthday for like a month. It's like Mardi Gras, or as he likes to call it, Kyle Gras. Tonight, we are celebrating the 28th annual Kyle Gras Extraveganza. So he says.

Anyway, I just wanted to send out a bloggerifc Happy Birthday to three of my favorite people. I'm going to be post the same horrible pictures I did last year in hopes that it spurs us on to get some new updated ones sometime soon. I'll also add a few of my favorite things about each of them.

We'll, start with Chris, since alphabetically he's first. Sweet Chris, or Christopher, or Christopherson is really one of my most favorite people. He often keeps me entertained during work hours with funny emails, often plotting how we will move to Hawaii and start our own business. Doing what, we have no clue. One reason that he's probably one of my most favorite people is because he loves Big Brother just as much as I do. He applied to be on the latest one and got rejected. I'm sure that's why this season wasn't as interesting. Also he's made several trips to Birmingham from Montgomery just to hang out with me. Happy Birthday Chris! I'm jealous you get to be in Starkville this weekend but there's a plate of chocolate chip cookies in my kitchen screaming your name!

Now, on to Drew, or Drewballa as I often like to refer to him. I really think that Drew and I were probably supposed to be, in another life, brother and sister. Drew was my bestest friend in high school and continues to be one of the greatest guys I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. We are so much alike it's scary sometimes but I can always count on Drew for an encouraging word or the plain truth about a situtation anytime. We've helped each other through some pretty tough times and I'm so grateful to God for a few like him. His family is a blessing as well, his mom like a second mom to me and his younger sister like younger sister to me. Happy Birthday Drew! I miss you!

And last, but certainly not least, sweet Kyle. I don't think that anyone has ever been so successful at making me laugh more than Kyle has. God really has blessed me with such a great friend. Kyle called me the other night as I was driving home from Chattanooga and I really think we talked for half of the trip. Our friendship is great because we are in the same business and can relate stories to one another. However, I think my most favorite thing about Kyle is that he would do just about anything for his friends. And he has a lot of friends. So Kyle, Happy 28th Annual Kyle Gras! I'm sure it will be a blast!

Now onto another one of my favorite topics. The Red Sox. Tonight is the first game of the ALCS. The Red Sox are vying to repeat. I'm hoping it is successful. They will be playing a very good and very determined Tampa Rays team and I'm a little nervous. I saw these two teams play each other when I was in Tampa in July (Thanks for the free tickets Mandi! Check out this post for details.). Tampa beat the Sox. 3-1. Boo.

So here is the breakdown. The first two series in Tampa, the Rays swept. The first two series in Boston, the Red Sox swept. The next series in Boston, the Red Sox only won one game. Same thing with the last series in Tampa. So the Rays lead the Sox in 2008, 10-8. The series starts in Tampa. If it goes by home field advantage, Boston has it all the way. Two games in Tampa, three in Boston, two back in Tampa, if necessary. The Red Sox are pitching Dice-K tonight. That's a pretty good start. I hope.

I have to say, I'd love for my Red Sox to win. But if my some crazy happenstance, it does not happen, I'll be happy for the Rays. And I have a little cowbell ready to clang against whoever, they may face in the World Series, IF, and only IF, they get past the Sox first. I'm a sucker for the underdog. In this case, that would be the Rays.

And lastly, my thoughts turn to more serious things. The economy. The president interrupted regularly scheduled programming this morning to say the same things that have been being said for the past few weeks. People are freaking out, mostly in NYC, about all this economy stuff and the stock market plummetting and what not. Me? I don't really worry about it. Why? Well, because 1) I really have no clue (Ignorance is bliss, right?) and 2) I know who controls it all.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

I don't worry about what the economy does or how much money I have in the bank and what's going on Wall Street because God says:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20

I'm not counting on my worldy wealth and worth to get me through the day. What gets me through the day is knowing that I serve a God who gave up all of his glory to come to Earth and take on human flesh and go through everything I will ever go through and be despised by his own people, died a cruel death after taking on all the sin of the world, past, present and future and then defeated the grave by rising on the third day. What gets me through the day is the constant love, grace and mercy that I feel and see acted out every day by my God. What gets me through the day is knowing that I'm not here for me. I'm here for Him to use me to impact others and no money, fancy car or diamond ring can ever top being an instrument for God to use.

God holds this whole world in his hand. You know the song. I'm sure you're singing it right now. The point is that if I have put every ounce of my faith in him, I have nothing to worry about. Life or death means nothing because my eternity is secured in him. He controls what really happens in the world, and like I'm trusting this chair that I'm sitting in to hold me up off the ground, I'm trusting God, in his infinite widsom, to hold me up in this world. I'm don't lean on my own understanding. I lean on a solid rock called Jesus Christ.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Happy Birthday to me!

Saturday was my birthday. I turned 25. 25! I'm a quarter of a century old...which my mom said just reminded her that she was over half a century old. I shut up after that. Anyway, I ended up turning my birthday into a five day celebration. However, even though I carried my camera with me everywhere I was, I completely forgot that I had it. Therefore, nothing was photo documented. Unfortunate, I know.

Thursday, my friend Chris came through town on his way home to Columbus for a weekend with his family. He didn't come for my birthday but I like to say he did. Ha. Anyway, we ventured out to the Barons game (Thirsty Thursday!) since they were playing the M-Braves. It was the first time for me to see the M-Braves in action. Maybe next time I'll see them at their home field. Anyway, we met a bunch of my friends from work out there and we had a good ol' time. Some more than others. After the M-Braves blew their five run lead and let the Barons bat around in the sixth inning, and after seeing Van Pope throw fits in the infield like he did in high school, we decided to leave and go home. 

The next day I got many "Happy Early Birthday" wishes from folks at work before heading to Madison around 2 p.m. to start the Jacktown celebration. When I got home, I changed clothes and immediately went to meet Casey, Lauren and Joey, and Drew and Neal, some of my closest friends for dinner at Sal and Phil's in Ridgeland. I'd never been there before. I told Casey that I wanted seafood and I wanted to go someplace that I'd never been to. So, she suggested Sal and Phil's. Fantastic choice. Good fun and fun times catching up with old friends. It did my heart good.

Saturday was family day, and I woke up to cookie cake, which was the number one request from me to my parents. Oh, so good! Then my parents and I went shopping. (More like Mom and I shopping and Dad hanging out in Best Buy and PetSmart. I ended up getting a cute dress and a great coat, then we headed out to meet the other half of the family (sister Anna, bro-in-law Ross and baby William) at Sal and Mookie's in Fondren, a great pizza and ice cream place owned by a great friend of the family. Mom had a couple of gift cards (she has a gift card for every restaurant in Jackson because she teaches all the rich kids). William was my date and he was definitely excited to see his Auntie KK. 

Sunday, we went to church and then Mom, Dad and I went to eat at Olive Garden, one of our most favorite places. Mom had another gift card...surprise, surprise. After that we went home and Dad built me a shelf for my closet in Birmingham while I vaccumed out my car because it was so nasty. 

Monday was my birthday celebration at the office and my coworkers took me to O'Charley's (my most favorite restaurant) for lunch. It's so fun to be able to celebrate and work with such fun and awesome people. And when I got home from work, Kel had decorated my door and told me that my gift was a ticket to the Third Day/Switchfoot/Robert Randolph concert in September. Yay! I can't wait! I did get a picture of the door.

 

I also wanted to post some cute pictures of our 4th of July beach trip that I just got from my sister this weekend. Here's a little collage (a couple of them aren't from the trip but they were just too cute not to share).

Birthdays, Baseball and Big Thanks

First I want to wish a Happy Birthday to three of my best guy friends in the world.

Happy Birthday Kyle! His birthday was Friday and is lovingly called "Kyle Gras." Kyle is obsessed with everything New Orleans and insist on having king cake for his birthday cake every year. I can always count on Kyle for a free trip to the Cheesecake Factory when he's in town and he's really the only person in the world that understands my complaints about work. Oh, and he loves the Bears and Mississippi State and hates Ole Miss and Alabama as much as I do.

This a very old school pic of me and my oldest best guy friend Drew. It's from when we were the leads in Bye Bye Birdie in high school. Drew is the best friend a girl could ask for. Such a gentleman and he took me to prom my junior year after I reluctantly dumped the jerk I was dating. He's way sensitive and he understands girls a whole lot more than any other guy I know...even though he doesn't think he does. We've been through a whole lot together. Some major ups and downs and inbetweens. We are pretty much so alike that we could be twins. And we've made a deal that we will marry at 35 if we aren't already by then. Drew's birthday was Thursday and I really miss celebrating with him. His birthday always fell on Mississippi State's Homecoming for some reason so we always had a blast celebrating with my four other guy friends that he lived with.

And last but certainly not least...



Sweet Chris! His birthday was also Thursday. He doesn't look very excited in this pick but that's probably because it's probably the last game of an eight game day at the SEC Basketball Tournament. We've experienced just about every SEC event together and suffered through grad school together...although he's still suffering. We also worked together in ITS or The Center for Teaching and Learning (as it is now known) at MSU as GAs. He's one of the sweetest guys I know and he loves Mississippi State sports just about as much as I do.

Yay for birthdays!

Next I just want to say Go Red Sox! And yay for sweet Jonathan Papelbon. As I type, I'm watching Paps, try to close out game two of the ALCS for the Red Sox. I have to say, I loved the Sox way before they called Paps up but my love grew even stronger when they did. I would love to see my BoSox get to the World Series again, so Let's Go Sox!

And lastly, I just got home from viewing the movie "The Kingdom." You know, the one with Jennifer Garner and Jamie Foxx about the FBI agents that go into Saudi Arabia to take down a gang of terrorists. All I have to say is "wow". I went with my roommate Kelly who works with injured soldiers all the time at her workplace, Lakeshore Foundation. She's heard story after story from many soldiers and said that it was a great depiction of the things that they say. I would have to agree. It really was a great representation of what our soldiers go through and it makes you want to hug and thank every soldier you come in contact with. So I just want to say a big "thank you" to every soldier out there that has fought for our country, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in the Gulf War, Vietnam and all other wars. I also want to thank their families. That couldn't be an easy thing to do to see your loved ones going off to risk their life for yours. It takes an amazing person to do that and God bless each and every one.

Happy Birthday to the best brother-in-law ever!

I just wanted to give a birthday shout out to my brother-in-law Ross. This cajun kid officially joined my family five years ago on July 20th. I couldn't have been more excited to get a big brother. I've always wanted a brother that was six years older than me. Yes, you heard right. Six years. Why six years you ask? I really don't know. I think six years is a good age difference between a brother and sister. He's older enough to appreciate her and protect her without being annoying. And that's what Ross does. He's such an awesome guy and I'm so glad that he's in my family now. He's a great husband to my sister and is going to be a great father when our "little prince" (name to be revealed later) comes in November.

So...

Happy Birthday Bubba! I hope your day is special!



This is the best picture I could come up with right now. That's Ross in the red shirt.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my best friend Casey's birthday. Since I've moved to Birmingham and she's moved to Jackson, I've really missed having her around. She was my roommate from May 2005 to August 2006 and so we were always around each other and doing crazy things. She and her boy Dane got to come visit for her birthday. They came up Sunday and are leaving Wednesday. Since her two best friends live here in Birmingham, she decided to come here. We got to go out and eat Mexican last night, one of our favorite things to do. I was so glad to see her and I'm so happy that she's finally happy with where she is. Yay for best friends and birthday's.



Today is also my good friend Lauren Ray's birthday. Not only were we sorority sisters, but we've been known to cause some trouble overseas...especially in France. Happy Birthday LL!

Happy Birthday to me!

I've had one of the best birthdays ever. I want to say thanks to all of the people that have wished me a happy one and sent cards and emails and called and such. I couldn't ask for better friends. I have such awesome friends.

My birthday celebration started last night with a dinner at The Cajun Steamer restaurant. It was great to be able to celebrate with the people that were able to come -- Kelly (my roommate), Emily and Dana from church and bible study, and Ben and Grant from work. I had so much fun.

I woke up this morning to a call from my mother at 9:45 a.m., which is exactly when I was born and then my phone was flooded with text messages wishing a happy birthday. When I finally got out of bed and opened my door, I found a gift from roommate number one, Kelly, containing a fantabulous picture frame, of which I needed, and the movie "The Wedding Date" since I had proclaimed a few days earlier that I needed to expand my DVD collection. As I headed into the bathroom I found a note from roommate number two, Janell, containing a $10 gift certificate to none other than Krystal, which I have to say is one of the best gifts I've ever received.

A few hours later, I was surprised by a knock at the door and a lady holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers sent from the parents. Gerber daises of course. It was great. I haven't been sent flowers since...well...I don't remember when. I'm pretty sure it may have been my junior year of college.

Then I decided to begin painting our bathroom, something that's been in the works for about a week. We finally got most of the horrid wallpaper border off and primed the walls, so it was time to start putting the color on. I decided since I didn't have anything to do until 5:30 that I'd go ahead and start. I have to say, the color looks better than I anticipated.

At 5:15, I headed out to the pool to do a makeup lesson from yesterday since it was rained out. Good thing it was one of my favorites and it was his last lesson, so we pretty much just played for 30 minutes. As I headed home I received a text from Kelly saying that some folks were going to eat a Mellow Mushroom (YUM!) after their church softball game if I wanted to join. After I heard those two words, I was in!

It was a fun time getting to eat and fellowship with church folks. I only wish that my camera wasn't broken so I could've taken pictures.

Anyway, I shall put this birthday on the list of Top 10 Birthdays. Thanks to everyone who made it special!

Happy Birthday Emily Stone Blades!!!

Happy Happy Birthday to my favorite cousin ever...Emily Stone Blades!!!! I still can't believe that she's a married woman, and I especially can't believe that she's married to Mr. MSU Josh Blades. But I couldn't pick a better person for her to marry....what a great guy! I can still remember him help Laurette and I move into McKey Hall our sophomore year.

I definitely miss our younger days when we spent at least two weekends a month spending the night at each other's houses. Camp Sunshine, Fourth of July birthday parades around the neighborhood, THE FORT in the backyard of the Aztec Drive home, Magee and Me, Peter Pan, and The Man from Snowy River. Boy, I miss those days!

Anyway, so from afar, Happy Birthday Em!

Happy Birthday Papaw!

Today would have my Papaw's birthday. For those of you who don't know, Papaw went to heaven this past March. It was a tough time for our family, especially my daddy, but it was definitely a blessing in disguise. My dad was pretty much taking care of my Papaw because it was too much for my Grandma to handle. He was just too old, and was losing his mind and all sense of how to do things. My dad was having to go bathe him and make him eat and take medicine. And finally, one morning, the Lord decided that it was time for him to come home, and he took him in his sleep.

As my mom said, "What a way to go! You go to sleep and wake up in heaven! What a blessing!"

My Papaw was the best Papaw there ever was. I can still remember our trips to the zoo, the Swinging Bridge in Byram, Miss., and the trips to the convenience store to get junk food when he would pick us up from school sometimes.

Not only that, but he had the coolest knick-knacks and collections. When he died, my dad found a suitcase full of coins and paper money from all the countries that he had been to. There was money in there that wasn't even being printed anymore.

Anyway, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my Papaw and that I miss him very much!

Here's a sweet pic of Grandma and Papaw taken at our church about 6 or 7 years ago. It's the last picture they had taken together.