My View

Hardly a week goes by when someone doesn't ask me what I do for a living. Sometimes the question is a form of "small talk" sometimes people are actually curious. On a busy Thursday afternoon, I thought I would share with you "what I do" or at least what I have done today.



I sit behind a brown desk - constantly looking at my computer monitor. Above my door which opens to the newsroom, three monitors where I monitor my competition all day long. Truth be told, I sit in here as little as I can. I am constantly checking a computer program we have that provides us with content from the Associated Press. I am a curious person so I check often - every time I sit at my desk. I check Twitter regularly, Facebook as well. I'm always looking at CNN.com and a handful of other websites to see if there is news I don't know about. At the same time, I am answering my phone. Sometimes it's people wanting a job, sometimes it's people wanting me to buy a subscription to their random news service. I get calls about various groups asking us to sponsor them and I get calls from viewers angry about stories we covered. While answering calls, I typically respond to emails. I get between 400 and 600 a day. I'm also looking into the newsroom watching our Assignment Desk. It's amazing how I can tell if something big is happening by body language alone. I look at "producer row" - as our producers scramble to put their shows together. In the time it took me to write that last sentence, someone came into my office to tell me his story fell through. I gave him another idea and he's off and working on it. I worry about our ratings (and they're good right now) - wondering what we can do to get them higher, I am thinking about our open positions - wishing the right people would apply so I can get some of my employees the newsroom the relief they need. I just changed a couple of schedules in anticipation of a new newscast we start soon. I put the paper work together for an employee that starts soon, heard about an employee's dog that has some issues and changed our 6pm lead.



That's my view of the past five minutes and that's what I do...a lot of stuff involving a lot of people and a lot of things which is exactly how I like it.

-Ryan

Friday Funny

When I saw this on the Today Show, well, today. I laughed. Then I found the video. And laughed some more. Only because of how Willard says what he does. Cracks. Me. Up. Well, see for yourself (sorry if you get a commercial first).

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I like Mom.

Mother's day is coming up! What a great day...we get to celebrate the woman in our life who well, gave us life! I am super lucky that I have a lot of great Mom's in my life.

First you have all the grandmas! My grandma is still alive. And when I married Ryan, I got a Nana, and another grandma! What a blessing!

Then there are the adopted ones, like ZoeAnne Pilger, Una Stonehocker and the newest, Reba Johnson. Two of these women loved Ryan like he was their own son, and me by default! But they truly care for us. We have lived with ZoeAnne. We have laughed with Una. We have been welcomed by Reba. We are so thankful to have these women in our lives.

Of course, there are those women who have been mentors to me. Mom's in a way. Shannon, Mariah, Bri. These women impacted me more than they may ever know. They taught me much about loving the Lord, leadership, and ministry.

But there are three women I especially think about on Mother's day. My Mom. My MIL. And my sis-in-law.

I will start with Shelly! I am super thankful that I have a sister!! She has become a dear friend to me. And she is a wonderful mother to my favorite two kiddos. I love how she keeps us involved in their lives. She's the best "sister"!





Then I have my MIL. Judy. I am pretty lucky. I don't think a lot of people can say that they like their MIL. Let alone, have a relationship with her. The first day I met Judy, I knew I had a new friend. We chatted about books, life and her son! :) Our relationship has grown so much and I am so blessed to have this Godly woman has my Mother-in-Law. She raised two great kids. Of course, I am very partial to one! She raised him to work hard, care for others, and be very generous. She loves people well, takes care of them, and sacrifices for her family. She loves me like I was her own flesh and blood.


And of course there is my Mom. My best friend. I don't know where I would be without her. I learned to be a woman from her. I learned to be a friend. I learned to be a wife. And someday, a mother myself. She has been there for me through everything, and has been a constant support. She has the most gentle spirit. Everyone who meets her knows just how sweet and kind she is. She loves everyone she is contact with, and is slow to judge. She gives of herself. She loves the Lord. And she loves her family.




I couldn't be more blessed. So many amazing women in my life. So many who have been mentors and friends to me.

So, to all the "Mom's" in my life, Happy Mother's Day! I am a better woman because of you.

A Princess....

I think most little girls dream of becoming a princess. We put on tiara's, fancy dresses. We wear our mom's makeup, and walk tall in her high-heeled shoes. We dream of princes, white horses and castles far away. We dream of happy-ever-after.

Yesterday that dream literally came true for one common girl. One girl who won the heart of a prince. I was glued to the tv. I was just as anxious to see the gown of the future Queen of England. My mom asked me why. I said, because it's my generations fairy tale. Princess Catherine is around my age. She married Prince William, who I dreamed of, like many girls my age. She became a princess.

I have been thinking about this a lot. And I have two things running through my head. First, because of my relationship with God, the Creator and Ruler, I am called an heir. A princess. I may not wear England's Crown Jewels, but one day I will wear a crown. I may not be on the arm of Prince William, but I am a daughter of the King! Pretty amazing imagery after watching a beautiful Royal Wedding.

My other thought is the prince part. I am so lucky that two and a half years ago I married my own prince. One who cherishes me and treats me like a princess. One who works hard. Loves others. Gives of himself.

So, as I watch the reply of this beautiful occassion I am reminded that I am a princess. And that I am lucky enough to have married my very own Prince Charming.

Now, enjoying the Happy-Ever-After!

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