The big 2-8

You would think by the way Ryan likes to celebrate, that my birthday was a milestone one. You know, 30, 40..but nope. I just turned 28 (I am ok saying that, I had someone think I was early 20's the other day...). Ryan planned a huge celebration, a trip to Atlanta. We had the most wonderful time away! We really like Atlanta, at least what we saw. I wanted to share with you a little about our trip...and a few of the 300+ photos we took.

We arrived in Atlanta early Friday afternoon. We quickly made our way to the Georgia Aquarium where Ryan had bought tickets for us to see their new dolphin show. I love dolphins, and he said that this show was better than the ones he saw at SeaWorld as a kid. It was pretty amazing. I wish I could have taken pictures of the dolphins leaning on the edge of the pool, hugging their trainers, or doing flips. We loved it. The aquarium itself is huge.



Across the pavilion is the World of Coca-Cola. Their big museum. It was fun to see Ryan surrounded by Coca-Cola (if you didn't know, he LOVES Diet Pepsi). The best part was their tasting room, they had all their products from around the world. Some were really good, others quite nasty.



We found a delicious little brewery for dinner and made our way to our hotel. We arrived just in time. A big storm was rolling through. We opened a bottle of wine and watched the storm from our 9th floor window. It was fun because we actually were together during a storm, and it wasn't severe in the sense of Tornadoes...at least where we were. And I managed this photo of lightening:



Saturday morning we made our way to Atlantic Station. It was awesome. My birthday gift was a shopping spree, so my very patient husband endured hours of shopping. We had lunch at a favorite restaurant (we have only been in Seattle) but it's the Fox Sports Grill. The afternoon we went down to CNN. Now, this was impressive. But for Ryan and I, a little boring. Ryan just lives that everyday, and I have been in the station enough to not be too impressed with some of the information that they gave. If Ryan wasn't in the news business, it would have been very cool.



The capstone of the day was dinner. Ryan took me to a restaurant called The Sundial. It is on the 72nd floor of one of the hotels downtown. 700 some odd feet up. The view was unbelievable. But to make it even better, it rotates (similar to the Space Needle...just taller). The food was amazing. The view was breathtaking. We made a night of it. Managed to get their before sunset, and stay long after. What a wonderful birthday dinner!







Sunday we went to First Baptist Church Atlanta. The significance? It is the church that Dr. Charles Stanley is the pastor of. It was actually a really great service. I was distracted though by all the cameras (it is broadcasted on tv). We then made our way to Turner Field!! We were heading to a Brave's game! Ryan was worried that our seats wouldn't be very good, but they were great. Right behind home plate, but up higher so we could see everything. The Braves lost (sorry Tiff), but we had a good time!





When we arrived home on Monday (my actuall birthday), Ryan got me a chocolate cake, and some beautiful flowers. We met with some friends and went to PF Changs for dinner.




Ryan asked if this was the best birthday ever...pretty much. It was amazing! We had such a good time, and besides the storm, had wonderful weather! Thank you hubby for the most wonderful birthday!

Changes...

Life is crazy. Things can change so quickly.

First of all, I cut off my hair. It was the longest I have ever had it...that I can remember. I took it all off. Probably a good 6 or 7 inches. I am still getting used to it... but I am liking it more and more. It's so light.

I finally got a job! The past six months my only job has been being a wife. I have loved this job. We both prayed that I would get a job I would love, and that would be a good fit for me. The time has come.

Within a month of moving here, I got plugged into our church. I was volunteering with one of the Pastors who needed help administratively. This was a great time for me, but the time came where they were able to hire someone to help him. Little did I know, me not working in that position, would allow for something else.

The High School Youth Pastor called me not long after this. He asked me if I was at all interested in Youth Ministry or if I had experience. I laughed to myself, and proceeded to tell him that I love youth min, my degree is in that field, and that I used to be on staff at a church. This led to more conversations, and then this past Thursday a job offer. It is a part time position, which is great. I will get to do a variety of things that fit my personality and gifts so well!

I am beyond excited and feel so blessed to be in this position. I have been praying and waiting on the Lord for the green light to get back into youth ministry, and it's here. I cannot wait to start!!

Yahweh

I am not a huge fan of Bill and Gloria Gaither. Not that they aren't great people, but it's just not my thing. But it is Ryan's. He loves the southern gospel music. One of his favorites is the Nashville Homecoming (ironically before we even moved here). Anyways, he got hooked on a song by The Hoppers called "Yahweh". I started to listen to it. It is a pretty great song. With Easter just around the corner I thought I would share it with you.



Here are the lyrics:
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is coming
In a manger, our Lord is coming
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is coming
Born in Bethlehem, born in Bethlehem
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is teaching
In the temple our Lord is teaching
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is teaching
No one speaks like Him, no no one speaks like Him

Chorus
Hosanna He comes in the form of a man
Jehovah the great God of Abraham
He lived just to die for our sin, Yahweh, for we sing

Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is praying
In the garden, our Lord is praying
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Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is praying
‘Let this pass from me, let this pass from me’
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is dying
On the cross there, our Lord is dying
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is dying
Dying for our sin, dying for our sin
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is buried
In a rich man’s tomb, He is buried
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is buried
But He will not stay, no He will not stay
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is rising, our loed is rising
From the grave there our Lord is rising
Mmm Yahweh, Jesus is rising
Now He lives again, yes He lives again

Chorus 2
Hosanna He comes in the form of a man
Jehovah the great God of Abraham
He lived just to die for our sin
He rose from the grave, and He lives again

Tag:
He rose from the grave
He lives again
He arose, He arose
Hallelujah, hallelujah
He lives again
Our Lord lives again

Happy Birthday Meow

Today my little (ok, not really little) furball turns 2!! He is the sweetest, furriest, cuddliest, smartest cat I have ever had. I love his little personality. I love how he greets me at the door when I get home. I love the way he plays with the ring from milk jugs. I love how he carries his stuffed dog in his mouth. I love the way he "clicks" and cries at the birds. I love how he just sits on my shoulder. I love how he snuggles every morning with me.

Happy Birthday Little Guy! I am so glad I have you!

Gluten Free

I have learned so much about Celiac's disease in the past couple of years when my Mom was diagnosed with it. I have learned what to look for in the food, where to shop, and what brands are the best. I have helped my Mom figure out tricks with recipes. My friend Melissa just found out that her 2 year old son has Celiacs. I am so glad they found out this young for him. I know how hard the transition was for my Mom who knew what wheat and gluten tasted like. Anyways, her blog is amazing. It's all about cooking for a GF little boy! And she made home-made goldfish...impressive!

Check it out if you can, especially if you cook GF for a kiddo!

Click here for her blog.

Spring

Spring is creeping into Middle Tennessee. First of all, we are starting to get the Spring Storms! Lucky us. It is sunny and warm. And of course, spring is really only a few weeks away.

I love spring time (of course, not as much as fall). I am a spring baby, so my birthday is always something to look forward to. New life. Flowers. Green. Warmth. Sunshine. My niece's birthday. Easter (man, I love Easter). And baseball.

While I have come to love and appreciate football, I still have a love for baseball. Especially the Mariner's. This is the first year where we can't just drive to a Mariner's game. Usually one of my spring highlights. That is ok, I am trying to convince Ryan we should go watch a Brave's game. He has been wanting to go to Atlanta, why not throw baseball in the mix?

I am so excited for spring (except the storms)!! But Baseball, that is one of the best parts! What are you looking forward to this Spring?

Jazz

When I was just starting seventh grade I was like any other awkward seventh grader. Insecure. Nervous. Unsure of myself.

I remember one night at AWANA a family had some kittens with them. I instantly had to have one. My mom let me. I would get him shortly after that. I was torn between naming him Tazz and Jazz. Somehow, Jazz stuck. And in no time I was holding a tiny ball of orange fur. My tiny ball of orange fur.

As junior high went along, I became even closer to Jazz. As weird as it sounds he was my friend when I felt like I didn't have any. I loved that cat. We remained as close as a cat and girl could be. After I left for college, he would soak up the attention when I would come home.

Jazz would have been 16 in August. But yesterday, he passed away. He had not been himself for a couple of years. He had a tooth pulled and his demeanor was never the same. He had a hard time eating, and my Mom said that is probably how he died.

I was crushed. I am crushed. To some people this is ridiculous, to be sad over a pet. But Jazz was so special to me. And the loss makes me sad.

But I am thankful. Ryan knew this day would come. We both did. That was partially why he got me my little guy, my Meow. So while I am sad that Jazz is no longer with us, I know I still have Meow who is so sweet and loves me a lot.

I will miss my Jazzy. A lot.