Our Life is Wheatley

Worth it

2010-07-15T19:32:00.003-04:00

I do love to blog. Mainly bc I have so many words that I like to use in a day....a pretty hefty quota in fact..... and Mac wears out around 200. So this is my space for the rest of them. But as you (assuming "you" are still out there) may have noticed or assumed, I've been lost..... in the land of the way too busy....I've seen many of you there! Ha!

I need to catch you up on the rest of my glorious birthday events, before I'm a year older! My new job. Our dear friend Robert joining Jesus. I want to blog about so many big things that have been going on. Big things that I get lost in. But tonight I was found. Grounded. And no, it wasn't thanks to my dear hubby cooking dinner for the third night in a row. That is humbling. But I only share that to brag! The news that found me, the reason I blog tonight, is a message from Mac's best bud Oscar and his way-too-cute family. You can watch the video as I did at the link below.

web.mac.com/oscar.avalos

Cute kids, right? But the video really got me tonight. Recently I was challenged by a best bud of mine regarding wealth. She reminded me that we all have so much. Though as long as I'm being transparent, I admit to often complaining of the opposite. Way often. 180 out of my 200 words some days. But I get her point. And the most exciting thing is that part of my wealth is knowledge of a Savior....who much like you (you are reading this, right?) hasn't given up on me yet. He's faithful. And I forget this in my busyness. I forget to share this wealth while I'm busy trying to make my own wealth...... And I don't see my life slowing down. And I doubt you do either! For the most part, I like my busy. And no, I'm not trying to find an escape clause. This is not some kind of easy way out. I know, and am thankful, that my busyness allows me to connect in my space, with people that I might otherwise never know. But realize that it also allows me to make money to support dear friends and strangers who are then able to have full time jobs leading people to the greatest source of all wealth.

When I allow myself to slow down. When I sit back and realize what matters. What I want to be my success. Where I want to find my value. I know that I truly do have abundant wealth. And I feel lucky that I get to give!

I love the 23rd!

2010-04-23T10:07:00.003-04:00

As many of you know (assuming only friends/family read this), today is an extremely special day, its Julie’s birthday! That’s right, April 23rd is a day that I will forever cherish. Also, this is Mac and yes it has been awhile since I have written, but if there is ever a reason to jump back in, this is it.

I’ll always remember the first birthday she celebrated after I met her. Only because of the emphasis she stressed that it was her “Golden Birthday” (turning 23 on the 23rd) In my mind I just thought she had the best birth – day, seeing as how my favorite basketball player wore the same number on his jersey. Anyways, realizing the importance of this particular birthday, I took her to her favorite play, Les Mis. After that night, we have made seeing plays and musicals a regular event in our lives, but that one will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart over the others.

Since the “Golden Birthday”, we have celebrated the 23rd many times. And without fail, every time this day rolls around, I count my blessings and am humbled that our amazing, personal and loving God chose to bless me with such an incredible person.

Julie – I love you more today, than any of the days before. You light up my world in a way nobody else can. You have the unique ability to make me laugh without reason, because to me, you are the funniest person I know. You sharpen and are patient with me as I learn to be the best husband for you. Thinking about all the things you are in my life, I can’t imagine where I would be without you.

My prayer for you today is that you know without a doubt how special and loved you are. Not just by me, but by everyone around you, because you deserve nothing less.

I love you and Happy Birthday!!

Still Lost

2010-03-31T11:08:00.005-04:00

Dear Lost Writers,

You are my true Valentine and know the way to my heart. And to my friend Mark's heart (who is my new fave person to watch with, though he is leaving the country and the series is ending, better late than never, right?). Ladies, you might should listen to this one, Mark's heart is very much up for the grabbing!

Mark was, well you could say, pacified with the guyliner voyage on the Black Rock. The key to his heart=that silly ship.

I on the other hand have just been delivered my chocolate and roses as well. People.com reports that Lost producers have previously confirmed Elizabeth Mitchell will pop up again before the series ends.

Just when I thought you were going to leave me hanging. That you would never answer all of my questions in time, the way you show absolutely nothing in "next week's preview", while tearing me up to bagpiping Amazing Grace. You thought if I was crying I wouldn't notice the lack of new information you were shedding light on. But you are on to something. The chance of a "and then Sawyer and Juliette met in the sideways life, and lived happily ever after" was worth me giving the last 6 years of my life and potential at missing the Heels last game of the season. I got lucky. Games go into overtime and JJ Abrams pulled through once again. (I'm just going to give him the credit now in case this ends ugly).

Love you Lost. Miss you already.

Missing you like the Heels missed the tourney. But as a wise friend recently reminded me "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Loving Jesus means never having to check into rehab.....

2010-03-31T10:38:00.004-04:00

So there are so many things I want to blog about. But life is sweeping me away at the moment, however, I just had to jump on. In honor of Holy week. and give a shout out to the Big guy. And you knew it would come back to Tiger. OR Jesse. OR whoever is going to rehab today. For the love, just confess you are sinful! Confess you are broken. To the Lord, not to me, though you know I love to hear every word they say, a sorta dreamer paparazzi wannabe.

Ok ok ok, I will start over. Like *most* things in life, there is a time and place for everything, including rehab...don't we all need it in one area or another? And hats off to people who need help and get it. I loooove me some time with a paid professional who can point out good, hard truths. Sometimes Mac will even do this for free. Aren't I lucky? BUT, I hate a cop out. so much that i don't even know if that's how you spell it. I'm not one to judge motives and talk about it on an open forum (and try not to behind any backs! yikes!), but pah-lease. You are not a sex addict. You just thought you could get away with it. I'm sure you are sorry....that you got caught! But for real. All your money in your fancy rehab won't cure your heart. Perhaps it will go far for your image. There's a chance it might go somewhere with your wife. But your heart needs saving. It needs something, even on your best day. And that's why we have Easter. You can work your whole life to be a good person and do good things. But you'll die trying, losing in comparison, to the one who lived life perfect.

At a wedding a few weeks ago the minister reminded us of a great truth. And I just keep repeating it to anyone that will listen. God did not create marriage to make us happy, but to make us holy. And His grace is enough to redeem us everyday. And we'll need it. Don't run away from your issues. Run to someone who can save you despite them.

Off the soapbox.....on to the pastel candy. I really do love this time of year.

Third Final Four in a Row!*

2010-03-24T11:41:00.002-04:00

As long as you include the asterisk, couldn't be closer to my version of the truth.

TAAAAAAARRRRRRR..............(don't leave me hanging!)

Gives you chills doesn't it?

And now we can all giggle that the Final Four games are played on a Tuesday night. Really randy randar? You think I'm going to watch this instead of the 7th to last episode of Lost? Hmmm. Then you might have seen last night's episode and realize that NOTHING HAPPENED! Oh mister NIT commissioner, you are on to something. But go ahead and do me the favor of letting the Heels play in the 7 pm game. Just in case they explain the polar bears.

My sis thinks this could lead to one of those occasions you share with the grandkids...remember where you were when JFK was shot? The challenger blew up? Your team played for the NIT Championship? Big events. Often lead to onions.

Always a fan, just not always watching. Here's to hoping we end out the season as good ole 65.

A little game

2010-03-16T14:48:00.019-04:00

Mac doesn't like it when I use girl adjectives. So I am not referring to his play-off basketball game this eve. The one I'm missing Lost to cheer on. I am however referring to a little real estate matchy match that I would like to play with you! You see. Every once in a while we speak of reproducing. Then we remember this.

Yes. That's right. Mac is feeding Baby Brennan. Without moving.

Sigh.

So while we are not expecting a child. We do realize we can't live in a one bedroom condo forever. And we (read me) LOVE our neighborhood. So on special Sundays. When the mood is right. We stop by neighborhood open houses. This weekend, the joke was on us (faded purple carpets, sinking hardwood floors, all around yuck). And so I hope to pass the joke along to you. Please match the pictures with the corresponding prices. And if you are brave you can pick which one we stopped by.

(3 bedroom condo in this building)

a. $7.12 Million. Like with loooots of 0s. $7,120,000.

b. $779,000. Still a 7, Less 0s.

c. $2,850,000

d. $1,195,000

Maybe this is only a fun game for me? The way that March Madness is now only fun for Mac :(

And this one, sadly is not in our neighborhood, but it sure does yell "GOOD TIMES!" for the asking price of $659,000.

If this blog thing doesn't take off soon I'm moving on to real estate.

Recognizing Yourself

2010-03-11T16:36:00.008-05:00

So recently I haven't been able to recognize myself. And no I'm not referring to that extra softness that I've acquired from being so in love.....with thepioneerwoman.com. I've been a little less than faithful to my true love. And again I'm not referring to missing quiet times. Because that's a whole book of mess in and of itself. You see. I feel stuck. For the last 7 years I've headed up a March Madness bracket/pool/mania. It's been life changing. Mac used to joke that people should date a full year before they are married. So you can see each other through every season. He was referring to his need to see me during March. I LOVE MARCH. In fact if I think hard Mac broke up with me the second week in April. Perhaps my March-self makes people wonder. But I love myself in March. I love forcing my family to join a bracket and not even caring if I have to pay their buy-in. I love researching on ESPN and then CBS and then googling the odds only to find out that my company blocks that site. Every year. Every company.

That brings us to today. The first evening of the ACC tourney. The hope I feel comes close to the hope I felt on election day. (I love me some political jabs!) But seriously. I am taken back to yesteryear when I burned my Georgetown tee as they beat my Heels in the Dean Dome in the NIT!!!!!! This year I am giving my arm, leg, and most of my weekends to Georgetown. And yet my heart feels the loss and hurt of 2006. Ok not really, but that was really dramatic, eh? (did I mention I'm going to Canada, eh?)

So I have to poll. Do I even bother creating a pool? Will the 20 out of 25 people that usually pick UNC for that middle spot still try to get the computer to pick OUR team? Will Carolina pull the biggest upset in tourney history? Will they be the Cinderella at the dance? Or next week will I post pics from April 6, 2009?

I guess that's why you get married. Gig'em Aggies? My heart can only take so much.

Will you join my pool? OR should I try to fall asleep. And just wake up for my birthday.

**The picture above is full of great irony. The road did in fact end 4 hours after it was taken. And it might in fact end again 4 hours after I post this post"

Comfortable

2010-03-11T12:59:00.010-05:00

So as I've hinted. I hate change. And I LOVE being "home". My mom used to joke that when I was little (perhaps 15) I used to assure her that I was going to live with her when I grew up. I was never leaving. She usually tells me this in a "and now you live so far away" tone. But I try to let it slide. Sprinkles is coming to Washington, DC. And I'm going to be here!

The ladies at the Starbucks across the street from my work know me. Not because I can afford a coffee every day. But bc I walk over with my colleagues. For the sole reason that I like to be known. I like to have my Starbucks home.....which is MUCH better than the "inefficient Starbucks" near my real home. And it's the same with the ladies at Wachovia. Who knows if Wachovia is even the best bank? Let's just say they've had a rough couple of years. But the ladies there know me. And I would recommend them to anyone.

So it wouldn't surprise you if I showed you a picture of my 8 best friends in high school. (yes, I acknowledge that one is missing...she was too cool..jk) And my 8 college roommates (from senior year)

Both groups=8 girls. Both groups= about to all be married off this calendar year. Both groups=only 1 girl has kids. Both of those who have 1 kids =have 2 kids. I'm quirky. Probably more than odd that I even noticed all of these parallels. But lucky to feel so loved? Change is hard. But growing families lended room for my perfect husband. And growing older has brought with it the most comfortable friends.

So the moral of the story is................................

CLAIRE GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (clearly I was going to find a way to make the entire post mostly about me) Claire is very home to me. And I've been waiting for this day my whole life. (Sounds dramatic. But so true.)

Almost Famous

2010-03-09T13:05:00.010-05:00

I hope that you as the reader realize that you have as much invested in my fame as I do. (Here's to hoping that if my husband ever finds his way to this post that he can just smile and shake his head.)

My old cubemate Kaci, (I don't think she reads this blog, but I like to pretend everyone does), and I are trying to sell the idea of us as a reality show. We spend most of our convos selling the idea to ourselves, but for the record, we're in. I deferred to her last night that people would much prefer to watch her life over mine (she went on a first date to pick up Brazilian turtles from the UPS warehouse...I can't compete with that!). But for those of you who are questioning. My work life=endless hours of fun. For the viewing audience that is. One day. Until then, I'll just have to brush up next to fame.

You see, my bestie. She had a baby. Didn't name her for days!!!! And when she did, she named her Benjamin Bundchen Brady. Ok, she actually named her Gentry Elizabeth Wilson. But you see what I mean? So famous!

And my sister. She doesn't even cut her son's hair. I told her. Don't. SJP and Kate Hudson never did. (well for the record they both eventually did, but we're talking years into life, maybe 4.)We will call him Blake Wilkie. I like it. Ryder Blake? So famous!

I am SO famous. Or at least SO close.

New Camera (if you call it new, "they" don't expect you to know how to use it)

2010-03-09T12:47:00.004-05:00

So right around our first anniversary we decided to invest in a camera. (if you call something an investment, "they" don't question the cost) We thought that it might be money better spent when the time came to have kids. But then decided that our life pre-kids was worth capturing as well. (Have I blogged this before or am I just so used to justification that it sounds routine? )Though we've been given numerous tips by all of our famous photographer friends, now over a year into photography we are still quite the novices. We don't have our hands on photoshop of any sorts, but sometimes you don't need editing you just need speed. I can't say that we always get "the picture", but so far we like the look of the world through our lil lense.

A precursor to "the picture"....our picture :)

Magic

2010-03-09T11:40:00.009-05:00

Not sure what inspired this post. I realize I am way behind in posting about life events. Or perhaps I should say I started taking classes on the weekends and my adventures are less picture worthy. But I can post a few to make up for lost times. Perhaps what I'm really thinking as I post. Is that you can't stop change. Life happens. Every second. There's no pause. But not all change is bad. Growing families that barely all fit in one frame. It's a good change. Even with all the chaos that comes with it. I wouldn't trade it for a thing.

Welcome to the Magical World of Disney! (for the record we did not color coordinate the red and green to match the times.)

The Originals! (plus 1)

Because it was almost Christmas

The Obligatory Castle Pic

The Christmas Card...not ours, but my parents...one day we will catch on

mind of my own

2010-03-03T12:47:00.005-05:00

Don't judge. Mac went to the movies. If I hadn't made them. I would have just been bored. Ok, that's not true. I made them at 10 pm after getting home from class and then came home for my Saturday lunch break and kept on keeping on. I've decided to try to jam as much into life as I can. Even if that includes cupcakes that make my husband feel 2. I'm up for any challenge. Just tell me what kind of cupcake you want. And then I'll help you create a theme around the cupcake. Sounds backwards. But it's fun! Especially when you've been practicing bowling on the Wii.

new all time low

2010-02-26T11:20:00.006-05:00

Mac: (most recent email, after a near month long attempt at birthday celebration) "You really don’t need to make the cupcakes, seriously. I already feel loved without them."

me: (thought in my head) "I know. But sometimes loving you isn't about you. It's about me."

Sigh.

I'll keep you posted on the cupcakes.

Snowmageddon 2010

2010-02-11T11:21:00.007-05:00

So I went to work last Friday till about 11 am. I might go tomorrow. I LOVE Snow! Every 10 minutes I feel convicted and try to pray for people who are sad or stuck or cold or hurt because of snow. But in the in between time. I LOVE it. Honestly. I don't know how to get bored. I can't say that this is my best trait. I wouldn't brag or anything. But I also wouldn't mind being stuck home for bit longer. Mac has had to work 2 of the days I've stayed home (one being today). So I'm trying to account for what I do while he is gone. I lost about 5 hours that last time. Who knows what I did. Perhaps just pondered life's greatest thoughts.

1. Should Betty White be offered the chance to host SNL? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY! Yes. I'm an SNL junkie. Yes I'm one of the 3 people left who Tivo every episode. Watch the whole thing. And then point out the highlights to my uninterested hubby, and trapped house guests. I also may or may not have watched 8-9 episodes of Golden Girls each day the months I lived at home right after college graduation. Who knew it came on so much? I did. Last night I told Mac that if I had to count the top 5 days in my life, 1 would be a sum of this snow week, and we all know a 2nd would be the live viewing of SNL attended on my bachelorette weekend in NYC. Mac fears this overshadowed our wedding......moving on :) JK.

2. Do I have a time slot in my life for American Idol? We used to do this AI rotation watch with our friends the Mitchells. We would alternate houses and cook for each other and enjoy what was in the end the battle of the Davids. But the Mitchells moved. And I was introduced to Vampire Diaries (Did you see that Dodge ad at the super bowl? it was meant for Mac. he would already own a new dodge if it weren't for the snow). Either way, we kinda said Idol will not be my Idol and decided to move on. Until Ellen. I was afraid of no more Paula. I knew the show would be canceled with no more Simon. BUT. There is a chance I would watch with only Ellen. You should check it out. If you have like 3 days each week of your life to give to the next "won't ever top Carrie Underwood" Idol.

3. Were the Super Bowl ads better than ever or was it just me? And did I start cheering a lil bit for the Colts? Did everyone? But then was I ok when it was over? Has Carolina bball ruined my sport watching ability? I loved the ads. They were SO much better than they were 8 years ago, when Kara was in the journalism school and had to watch them all for class. My fave was the whale one. The whale in the truck at the bachelor party. I don't know why. I just loved it. I would link you to it, but you would prob say you had a diff fave and I wouldn't blame you. There were so many good ones. We started eating Doritos before the 2nd Q. No joke. And I started cheering for both teams on offense. This made no sense. But I think I did this in the BCS Championship game as well. If I'm being honest. Mac doesn't like to watch football with me anymore. how's that for honesty?

4. Sarah Palin. Do I blame her personally or the Republican party for her glimmer of hope in running for President. A train wreck, that I can't even watch. I don't know who to be disappointed in. But I might just have to throw my name in the hat. Oh to be so over politics and live in their breeding ground. It's confusing. But it doesn't matter. Bc there is soooo much SNOW!!!!!!

I thought about making these all separate posts. To make me seem all blog writery. But I figured if you saw all the thoughts that have been going through my head at one time. You would confirm that 1. I am a girl. and 2. You would never be bored either. Maybe LOST (i love that show). But never bored. Oh yeah. And something about Iran and nuclear weapons. But who would want to sit around thinking about that?

Watch Out World

2010-02-04T08:18:00.009-05:00

I've been trying for months/years to convince my boss that what he doesn't realize is that in my personal life, I'm kind of a big deal. (ha!) That though he sees me as lowly. One day I might be famous. And he will have known me back when.

I also try to convince Mac. Not that I'm famous. But that I should dress the part. Right? Isn't that what they say? Don't dress for the part you have. Dress for the part you want. I think my mom was referring to how I shouldn't wear a strapless dress to work even if it looked ok under a cardigan. Though I clearly use such tricks to justify the initial purchase (All purchases can be justified by total price divided by number of wears.....wearing slightly inappropriate clothes to work, really rocks the ratio...I highly recommend)

Newho. It is because of such theories that late last year I directed Mac to popsugar.com (which he still swears is going to give our Macbook a virus.....as likely as ESPN.com, which I'm pretty sure is hit-up daily)

Exhibit A. Lauren Conrad a la December 2009.

And then today.......

Exhibit B. Lauren Conrad a la February 2010.

I just want you all (read: Mac) to find comfort in the fact that (please don't find comfort in the fact that I notice what Lauren Conrad wears on a daily basis), but rather, if I one day find myself quite famous and owning such a superb coat, I too would wear it lots and be just fine photographed in it often.

Super Bowl XLIV

2010-02-03T13:28:00.013-05:00

So after Mac (read: we!!!!!) got third place in fantasy football. I stopped cheering for my fantasy individuals and cheered solely for the Pathers. Sike! (a shout out to the 80s) The Panthers were long gone. Sad. And though I'm usually up for a Manning Super Bowl Ring, this time I'm rooting for the Saints. Not because I care if Kim Kardashian gets her engagement ring. And not bc the franchise has never gone this far. But rather just because. Go Saints! Clearly I'll be devastated if they lose.

But I leave you with a little more to ponder re: Superbowl. This great article by Sally Jenkins on Tim Tebow. And yes, much like all Alabama fans, I loved it when he cried. I loved the genius in the "Dec 12:5 Tebow Wept" poster brought in advance to the SEC Championship game. Ripe for just that moment. But I liked it for different reasons. I think real men cry. Mac may argue that I cry enough for both of us. And my sister used to pray for the day I didn't cry....I think we're going on 29 years. But I stick to my guns. Real men cry. I've grown to really like Tim Tebow. And like remembering that the first amendment was written for freedom of speech for both sides.

I'm pasting the article below in case it gets removed or you have trouble following the link.

Tebow's Super Bowl ad isn't intolerant; its critics are
By Sally Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I'll spit this out quick, before the armies of feminism try to gag me and strap electrodes to my forehead: Tim Tebow is one of the better things to happen to young women in some time. I realize this stance won't endear me to the "Dwindling Organizations of Ladies in Lockstep," otherwise known as DOLL, but I'll try to pick up the shards of my shattered feminist credentials and go on.

As statements at Super Bowls go, I prefer the idea of Tebow's pro-life ad to, say, Jim McMahon dropping his pants, as the former Chicago Bears quarterback once did in response to a question. We're always harping on athletes to be more responsible and engaged in the issues of their day, and less concerned with just cashing checks. It therefore seems more than a little hypocritical to insist on it only if it means criticizing sneaker companies, and to stifle them when they take a stance that might make us uncomfortable.

I'm pro-choice, and Tebow clearly is not. But based on what I've heard in the past week, I'll take his side against the group-think, elitism and condescension of the "National Organization of Fewer and Fewer Women All The Time." For one thing, Tebow seems smarter than they do.

Tebow's 30-second ad hasn't even run yet, but it already has provoked "The National Organization for Women Who Only Think Like Us" to reveal something important about themselves: They aren't actually "pro-choice" so much as they are pro-abortion. Pam Tebow has a genuine pro-choice story to tell. She got pregnant in 1987, post-Roe v. Wade, and while on a Christian mission in the Philippines, she contracted a tropical ailment. Doctors advised her the pregnancy could be dangerous, but she exercised her freedom of choice and now, 20-some years later, the outcome of that choice is her beauteous Heisman Trophy winner son, a chaste, proselytizing evangelical.

Pam Tebow and her son feel good enough about that choice to want to tell people about it. Only, NOW says they shouldn't be allowed to. Apparently NOW feels this commercial is an inappropriate message for America to see for 30 seconds, but women in bikinis selling beer is the right one. I would like to meet the genius at NOW who made that decision. On second thought, no, I wouldn't.

There's not enough space in the sports pages for the serious weighing of values that constitutes this debate, but surely everyone in both camps, pro-choice or pro-life, wishes the "need" for abortions wasn't so great. Which is precisely why NOW is so wrong to take aim at Tebow's ad.

Here's what we do need a lot more of: Tebows. Collegians who are selfless enough to choose not to spend summers poolside, but travel to impoverished countries to dispense medical care to children, as Tebow has every summer of his career. Athletes who believe in something other than themselves, and are willing to put their backbone where their mouth is. Celebrities who are self-possessed and self-controlled enough to use their wattage to advertise commitment over decadence.

You know what we really need more of? Famous guys who aren't embarrassed to practice sexual restraint, and to say it out loud. If we had more of those, women might have fewer abortions. See, the best way to deal with unwanted pregnancy is to not get the sperm in the egg and the egg implanted to begin with, and that is an issue for men, too -- and they should step up to that.

"Are you saving yourself for marriage?" Tebow was asked last summer during an SEC media day.

"Yes, I am," he replied.

The room fell into a hush, followed by tittering: The best college football player in the country had just announced he was a virgin. As Tebow gauged the reaction from the reporters in the room, he burst out laughing. They were a lot more embarrassed than he was.

"I think y'all are stunned right now!" he said. "You can't even ask a question!"

That's how far we've come from any kind of sane viewpoint about star athletes and sex. Promiscuity is so the norm that if a stud isn't shagging everything in sight, we feel faintly ashamed for him.

Obviously Tebow can make people uncomfortable, whether it's for advertising his chastity, or for wearing his faith on his face via biblical citations painted in his eye-black. Hebrews 12:12, his cheekbones read during the Florida State game: "Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." His critics find this intrusive, and say the Super Bowl is no place for an argument of this nature. "Pull the ad," NOW President Terry O'Neill said. "Let's focus on the game."

Trouble is, you can't focus on the game without focusing on the individuals who play it -- and that is the genius of Tebow's ad. The Super Bowl is not some reality-free escape zone. Tebow himself is an inescapable fact: Abortion doesn't just involve serious issues of life, but of potential lives, Heisman trophy winners, scientists, doctors, artists, inventors, Little Leaguers -- who would never come to be if their birth mothers had not wrestled with the stakes and chosen to carry those lives to term. And their stories are every bit as real and valid as the stories preferred by NOW.

Let me be clear again: I couldn't disagree with Tebow more. It's my own belief that the state has no business putting its hand under skirts. But I don't care that we differ. Some people will care that the ad is paid for by Focus on the Family, a group whose former spokesman, James Dobson, says loathsome things about gays. Some will care that Tebow is a creationist. Some will care that CBS has rejected a gay dating service ad. None of this is the point. CBS owns its broadcast and can run whatever advertising it wants, and Tebow has a right to express his beliefs publicly. Just as I have the right to reject or accept them after listening -- or think a little more deeply about the issues. If the pro-choice stance is so precarious that a story about someone who chose to carry a risky pregnancy to term undermines it, then CBS is not the problem.

Tebow's ad, by the way, never mentions abortion; like the player himself, it's apparently soft-spoken. It simply has the theme "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life." This is what NOW has labeled "extraordinarily offensive and demeaning." But if there is any demeaning here, it's coming from NOW, via the suggestion that these aren't real questions, and that we as a Super Bowl audience are too stupid or too disinterested to handle them on game day.

Get Lost!

2010-02-02T09:06:00.006-05:00

Mac couldn't sleep last night. And though I don't think it had anything to do with this post. Tonight is the most anticipated night ever!!!!!! I say that. Until the final episode. When I will redo this post with purpose. But seriously. Tonight! I waited as long as I could to write this post. I didn't want anyone to think I counted down for every event. hence making the specialness of countdowns obsolete. And I didn't want anyone to notice I was only engaged for 4 months (which I highly recommend), so in hindsight only anticipated marriage for a small fraction of the time I've been anticipating...LOST....the final season!

I'm kinda in a happy spot. The kind that thinks the writers can get away with what I presume has really been occurring. NO WAY they are going to explain the polar bears (my fave animal) and no way every question will be answered. There's part of me that wants to write a list just to prove this. But the other part of me doesn't care. Lost is by far the best television show ever. Ever. Closely followed by the likes of Arrested Development (a honeymoon fave) and well. The verdict is still out on other shows even worthy enough to be mentioned in this post.

If you haven't watched Lost. I highly recommend you catch up. Like this weekend. And finish out the remaining episodes in our Media Room!!! Which I realize is more of an airline ticket commitment for some of you. But I promise it will be worth it. There's a chance that I've even read the full recipe for tonight's snack, guaranteeing it will be ready by 7:30 when I will make my way to Carla's (duh....I knew the blog faithful have been missing Carla).

See you next Tuesday? You bring the theories. We'll save the recliner.

Until then. Carla suggests we dress up as our fave character. He might not be my fave. But I plan to crimp my hair, stuff some pillows, and be Hurley.

Do I hope Ian Somerhalder will come back or am I fine just watching Vampire Diaries? (perhaps too big of a confession?)
Is my one last request for Juliet to survive and her and Sawyer be safe on this freaky island forever?
Or do I really just wish that in the end we find out that Evangeline Lily and Dominic Monghaon have gone off and married? Is that even on the show?

I have high expectations. But(despite the end of Alias, relying solely on the end of Felicity-BEST END EVER) I think J.J. Abrams will pull through. And in some conflicting "I never want it to be over" way. I can't wait!

Can't teach it.....can't make it up!

2010-01-22T18:06:00.009-05:00

Untitled from Julie Wheatley on Vimeo.

A picture is worth.........

2010-01-20T10:53:00.008-05:00

So we got a video dealio for Xmas and we've already got some great footage to post. One of my fave clips is of nephew Blake. I have a soft spot in my heart for this kid who is often put in timeout for provoked acts. Can you really blame him for pushing over his cousin's kitchen if his sister was teetering it in front of his face? And yes, the follow-up questions is "which time?" But. I love him.

He likes this little song about "the way the farmer rides". I never knew the chant until pal-ing around with him. But he's never heard it just once. He likes it again and again. When the song is over. Whether the first or the 4 ca-trillionth time, he always makes the same face. The face that makes you not care that you just sang that silly chant again. One day soon I'll post the video. Until then..........

Good morning 2010!

2010-01-20T09:54:00.004-05:00

So it's already 20 days into the year. And if you think I'm just now writing bc there hasn't been anything to write about. Welllll. That's not (read: only kinda) true. And if you are thinking I'm going to start the year off by writing about Mr. Massachusetts #41. Then pah-lease, even I prioritize! (that will clearly be the next post)

To start of the year I'm going to brag on my amazing husband. You see it's almost his bday. And if you recall. I was sick for the magical 28 on the 28th. So it was more than a bust. But this year. I'm up for the challenge. 1st step. Tell the world of his greatness. Via this blog of course. I think that will do the trick.

One of the things I like best about Mac is how likable he is. Hmmmm maybe that's what everyone likes best about him? That they like him. But it's so fun to watch him desire to be a loving son, brother, and friend. He has gotten into this habit of ignoring me, but this is praise Mac week, so again. Another post (gotta save sumin to write about in February!)

This past weekend Mac ran the PF Changs (!!!!!!) Half Marathon in honor of his friend Robert. All blog faithful know Robert and his ongoing battle with cancer right? Robert and his wife Aimee (who ran!!!!) are more than awesome. Annoyingly their cancer battle continues, so several friends rallied this past weekend by running. And Lil Mac (as he is known on our Wii) raised support (thanks to all of you!) and ran like the wind. According to him some people passed him, but I don't believe that for a second. (to be honest if I was there. I might have passed him. the smell the of the finish line could have just propelled me like a whippoorwill. PF Changs?!?! Are you kidding me?) But he had a great time. And I supported him and Robert by going to PF Changs in Arlington.

I am so proud of his accomplishment, especially in light of the record snow in DC right in the midst of his training. The treadmill is a pretty close friend. One that we're looking to leave. But to me it wasn't that he ran. It's that he wanted to be there. To be in the land of outdoor dinners? A perk, yes. But he wanted to be there for his friend. Running a half marathon isn't even as hard as the first day you hear the word cancer from your doctor. But it shows you are present. It shows that you are light jogging right beside your friend. Especially when it's hard.

So my first post of the year is to say Happy (almost) Birthday to my husband. I am proud of you. If you ran the whole way or if you had to crawl across the finish line. I'm thankful for the way that you love your friends! Now stop ignoring me.

Stolen Pic features Mac in his Fight for Feuille tee. You can have one too! All proceeds go to the Feuille family to help cover medical expenses.

Dessert Help!

2009-12-11T16:11:00.001-05:00

So I have some dinners coming up that I need to make desserts for. hubby hates dessert. boo. hiss. so i need help from ......YOU! what's your favorite dessert? is it holiday-ish? i heart all seasonal food. the more you tell me it won't be there in a month. the more i'll buy. Now let's get down to biz. What should I make?

You know me

2009-12-11T14:53:00.003-05:00

And how I can't resist a good people.com survey! And about Tiger Woods? It's kinda like Christmas= combining all my fave things (Jesus, family, and materialism!)

And because I'm never bashful of my vote. (Voted for W twice. More and more proud of it.)

I don't mind sharing that this time I voted for John Edwards as the Year's Worst Cheater.

I know. Tiger is now up to something like 11 women. But at this point. He has major issues. But he's a golf player. Sadly prob giving his wife some "germs", but overall not really hurting me. Yes he might have cheated on his pregnant (HOT) wife, BUT

John Edwards cheated on his DYING wife! are you kidding me? In the mean time he was trying to convince the American voter (who we all know I don't put a ton of stock in) that he could run our country.....lead us......protect us.....defend liberty.......but this is not the kind of freedom I'm looking for! Hence why you get married. A different kind of freedom.

When hanging out with high schoolers we often talk about the "rules" in the Bible. The legalism that so many cling to or fear. But people don't realize that it's not a "do or doom". It's a guide book. From a parent. On how it can be better. There is freedom in rules. Even for people like me. Annoying rule followers.

And I heart David Letterman. And I wouldn't even want John Gosselin to know I knew who he was.

Update=Make convo like cream cheese and spread the word

2009-12-04T14:18:00.005-05:00

Important things I need to relay.

1. The Carmel Brulee Latte is nasty.

2. Drinking a skim/no whip latte is not worth the $4 :( I will try different variations to try to find something that works. However, if you have only ever ordered this brown water. Please don't judge Sbux addicts on your bad ordering.

3. Tiger and his wife are in the middle of the ocean. Yeah I don't know if I believe it either. But this guy I work with insists it's truth. He says he's tight with a guy who's tight with a guy, that knows. And that the knowing, know that they are on their yacht.

4. Jake Gyllenhaal dropped the G-word. (i do love the drama in that one sentence. and the weird feeling of hope I felt when I read the article.) The only people who hate them are people who wish they were them. Or were with them. I know a few of these.

5. Peppermint Bark Haggan Daaz is back. But you won't find any if I beat you to the store. But does anyone know why it's twice as unhealthy as other ice cream? Mac smartly asked "why didn't they just add peppermint bark to ice cream?" he's so wise.

Happy Friday! Going home to watch a lil TGIF..........

Judge On

2009-12-03T15:51:00.006-05:00

So the stories on Tiger won't stop if I have anything to do with it. I read someone comment about how it's his personal life and we should stop reading the magazines selling the stories. But I swear. I might not give them a penny. But if they're following me, they'll keep writing. Cause I'm following them. (I don't think they follow me? I don't think......) I do feel really dirty after I read the stuff. Or listen to the VMs. Or relisten. Or turn up the volume and listen again. But I also have a slight female crush on his wife. And am interested in (potentially) the largest divorce settlement in history ($300 million!!!!)--though I hear there is a pre-nup that is being revamped--not sure why you would make deals for money to stay married--anyone? So perhaps this is made up. I for one, am cheering for her to stick with him. That the marriage counseling is a slow success. And that they can raise the super duper cute kids as a family (though I heart Parnevik's article). I am also hoping he is humbled. That he's broken and realizes that there is more to lose in life than a game of golf. But as we break our chalk tallying the girls coming forward and Mac repeats jokes like "Tiger's a Cheetah" (you know you laughed), I quickly swore off television the second I hear that Roger Federer has an affair. For real. Dramatic times=dramatic threats. I also wouldn't mind if some great researcher (pick me!) did a Census on cheating. Just how normal is it? Are we desensitized? If Brangelina isn't married is it still cheating? If Sienna Miller was cheated on, then was the cheatee and is now crawling back to Jude Law, has she just succumb to being "one of many"? Once a cheater always a cheater? Does the idea that you thought about cheating with someone of the same sex (read: Fergie) really distract from the fact that your husband slept with a stripper? And is there anyone left that is looking to any of these people as role models? Just say no. To drugs. All kinds of affairs. And celebrity heros. I'll stick with my mom.

Things We Like: Sbux

2009-11-19T16:35:00.004-05:00

Though the doctor recently told me to lay off the Starbucks. (how did she know?) This is really the only thing I can come up with for my Xmas list. It's the one thing I wish I had more of. And really feel treated when I get. This week. In the midst of the biggest recession of my generation, my neighborhood Starbucks increased their prices. Did yours? Give me some numbers. How much is the new Carmel Brulee latte? Cause that's clearly what I'm after. Even if it's skim/no whip. I think it's still worth the almost $4. Ok, I don't really know, BUT I will know after my Sat. morning coffee date! Counting down the hours! (42 aka The reason I babysit on Sat. nights.) I LOVE Starbucks.

And so I wonder. Is the rise in prices a sign of a turning economy? Or a sign that Sbux has become an inelastic good. (Defined as "Addictive goods such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling and Super Bowl tickets, because the addicted consumer will buy them even at higher prices.") Am I an addict? There's part of me that also wonders if when times are tough. And people are cutting out the expensive clothes, the extra vacations, if a small little pick-me-up doesn't help bring on a smile. Is that justification for rising prices?

How much is your Starbucks? I "think" our holiday Tall Lattes are $3.55....Peppermint Fraps are an even $4. But you can practically call that one a milkshake. Right?

Worth every penny.

Still Road Trippin

2009-11-19T16:10:00.015-05:00

So the "blog trips" have taken a longer pause than planned. I forgot my camera when I went to Nashville! and who wants to hear about my trip without seeing pics of the lil faces? No one. One day I will share that trip. Until then. Congrats to Nashville for getting their first Chipotle. I will visit you soon. Promise.

For now. Enjoy some lovely pics of our "I Heart NYC" adventure. With CARLA! I know you've all missed me talking about Carla. But she was there. And it was awesome. Highlights include, but probably won't win me any fans:

1. Shake Shack: Which (though Mac says I throw around the word) is NOT my favorite. Please visit us in DC for some Elevation Burger.

2. Billy Elliot: Again. Not a fave. (I promise the trip was awesome!) But if you get the chance to see something on Broadway. Trust Julie, not Tony. You'll thank me.

3. Sharing my fave city with 5 special friends and 38,000 kinda friends, running the NYC marathon.

4. Sharing my fave city with 6 fairy tale princesses and CARLA on Halloween. Pic included.

5. Going into the men's restroom at Norma's. Assuming CARLA was in the stall. Fixing my hair in the mirror. And running out after the large (stinky) man emerges. Pic included.

6. It was awesome.

Too Pretty

2009-11-12T15:51:00.004-05:00

Honestly I can't get enough of young Hollywood girls crying out bc their looks have gotten in their way of success. They are TOO pretty. The latest (and yet perhaps prettiest) to cry pretty-wolf is Megan Fox. I mean, is that even her last name? Bc if it is. She had a leg up from birth. I will give her that when I talk about her (yes, i know, why am i talking about her), but when i do. it's never super nice. poor girl. BUT it's not bc she's too pretty! I'm not jealous of her looks. I'm jealous that she's famous. And I'm pretty sure it's her looks that got her there. They aren't the thing holding her back. Or Jessica Biel. Or Jessica Alba. Or Jessica Simpson. Or Jessica Megan Fox. (It just seemed like they were all Jessicas.) Perhaps Jessica is synonymous for high self esteem. Or low. Poor girls. Poor poor pretty girls. If only they could act.

Tis the Season.....Gifts

2009-11-11T14:27:00.004-05:00

I'm not the best with gifts. (Even if I am needy when it comes to the other four love languages.) I really struggle with gifts. Namely surprises, which kills, what we'll call "most" of the fun for the gift giver. You can watch our home videos for proof. It's not something I'm proud of. But I can't even fake it. Not that I'm not excited. Or thankful. It is just super tough for me to handle receiving a gift/knowing someone has spent money on me, if it's not "perfect". I admit that as I've gotten older and money has gone to grown-up things like mortgages and eye glasses, opening a gift, even if it's hideous, sounds somewhat appealing. Mac is the opposite. I swear he's never seen a gift he didn't like. And then we just pay for alterations on things that are too big or buy different versions.....when he could have exchanged. But he does have a way about him that I'm sure gift givers appreciate. I struggle with wondering if it is fully selfish to want other people's money to be spent on what I want. What part of me is responsible for just being thankful?

So let's get down to it. Here's where you can help!

What is an appropriate gift for co-workers? You know, the people you spend your whole life with. The people who make you want to run to Xmas vacation. The people you feel like you already give everything to. I realize this is more of a token gift, but how big of a token?

And there's parents. The people you care about the most. Who since you have known them have given to you. And you try to give back. You try all year. But then there's this one day that reminds you that you don't really try hard enough. What gift do you give to the people who seem to have everything.....and hopefully on top of that, a little extra gas money every once in a while. Do you just give them back the gas money? This tanks on me?

Don't even get me started on the spouse. Cause I'm pretty sure whatever he gives me is really actually from me. And in theory, the gifts from ME should be the best! But is this where the "just be thankful" lesson could teach the most? Do I really think Mac thought I couldn't live without the dress that was 2 sizes too big, or was it just the first (read only) one he saw when he walked in the store on my actual birthday? Shame on me?

As you can see. I'm in a tizzy. That will most likely not be resolved in the next 45 days. And I know I said I hated gifts. But give me just this one! Help please!

Cotillion Rules

2009-11-06T10:22:00.003-05:00

So I never did cotillion. And no one would ever call me grace, despite my 15 years of ballet. But this weekend we head to Chapel Hill for Homecoming. If we wake up in time we will stop by the Kappa Delta house for brunch. I used to love this brunch when I was in college bc I heart breakfast food. But I haven't been back since. When I think about sorority life I have found memories of great friends. And thankfulness for lessons learned. For instance.....though I don't usually believe in sharing sorority secrets.....and kinda wonder since my blog is clearly so famous if I could somehow be reprimanded by some "supa sista" if such exists.....newho, I am so thankful for learning.........a way out of small talk. I hate small talk. I'm so bad at it. For this reason I'm super awkward at......most social events. But during Rush they teach you that if you are done, just rub your arm, and someone else will come in to take over the conversation. Is there a life symbol for this? Do most people I encounter think I have a rash bc I just rub my arm praying to be "bumped"? I know. It seems odd. I'm an outgoing introvert. I can chat my friends' heads till they spin, and tend to do this at home every night. But don't make me small talk. And if you do. When I rub my arm. You know what to do. Bump please!

What is the appropriate "exit" when small talking? Can you just say "ok i'm done"?

Too far

2009-11-06T09:21:00.003-05:00

So I admit that I've been drowning in "self" posts. And I do have a few more trips to report back on. But for now, on to the important stuff. I voted on Tuesday. I wasn't planning to, but I went solely to cancel out a colleague's vote. Whatever gets you to the polls. I also love (confessions) to vote on gossip web sites. When I vote online I get so excited to report back to Mac (who clearly cares) on how America and I always vote the same. Even when political elections confuse me. Me and America agree on some things. But this time. I'm left confused. The poll is "Has Gossip Girl Gone Too Far?" Their next episode will include a threesome. The first season of this show was ah-mazing. The second season=slightly raunchy, so I started yoga on Monday nights. But this season, I'm at home....and shockingly have found it more wholesome than certain Tuesday night television. The show moved to 9 pm (from 8 pm), BUT am I really supposed to believe their target audience is 18-34 year olds? The show is called Gossip Girl. IT'S ON THE WB! I wasn't born yesterday. In fact I was born and fall directly into their average age target viewer. But I also know that my aunts let my cousins watch the show bc Julie does. I admit I cried the first time Mac told me for this reason alone I shouldn't watch. Not bc I didn't think he was right. But bc I was angry that the writers had taken away my show. The group that has been fighting this content asks the network “Will you now be complicit in establishing a precedent and expectation that teenagers should engage in behaviors heretofore associated primarily with adult films?”

What happened to TGIF? I think I've decided that when I have teenagers I'm going to watch the shows that they watch. I realize this will be easier for me than some parents....I don't meet too many shows I dislike. But I watch Gossip Girl and I ask my cousins.....is this what high school is really like? It's eye opening what teenagers face. What has become normal. And I have about ten more posts on this subject regarding the book "Eat, Pray, Love".

What do you think? Has Gossip Girl gone too far? 50% of People.com readers say No.

Love at First Sight

2009-11-03T11:25:00.003-05:00

So I'm told that when you have a kid and it pops out (I'm hoping it's that easy), you just love it. More than you can imagine. Which is why I don't try to imagine. (Waste of time if it's impossible) But if it didn't pop out of you. I think you can still love it more than you imagined. It might not be love at first sight. Bc you didn't see it first. But there's that moment. When you get that email. And you open the pic. And it's love.

Mooooooooo! Happy Halloween!

More pics to come!

Plans

2009-10-20T19:00:00.007-04:00

Today is our 2 year anniversary! (we made it!) But today as we celebrate our hearts are heavy with news from groomsman Robert (read Road Trippin: Indy Race Car style and make sure to check out his blog). He got some blood work back today that was less than good. Less than hoped for. Never planned. I read something interesting on his facebook wall. It was a short encouragement from a friend that simply said, God is still sovereign and not surprised by this. Jesus got on the boat and then the storm came. He knew it was coming. The disciples had given up hope. And then at the perfect moment He calmed the storm. I often wish that God's plan looked more like mine. When I should be wishing more that my plan looked like His. But in this I can find peace that there is a plan. Even if I don't understand now. Even if I don't see it here. Hebrews 11

**Don't even get me started on how I can't find a pic for this post. Curse you wedding photographer. Thanks to Meghan for the pic above!**

Happy 2 years buddy!

Road Trippin #6: Jerry World

2009-10-20T18:14:00.015-04:00

So as I've mentioned. We try to keep things "fair" in our little household. To do this, each
year we have a girl trip and a boy trip. (I say this as if we've been married for ages, but just go with it). This year we didn't. (So now I just spoke of a tradition that only lasted like once) Neway. This year instead of separate trips, as you noticed in Road Trippin #1, we invited boys to the girls trip. And then I invited myself to the boy trip! Last December, I believe it was, our friends the Walls initiated the idea of going to the Texas A&M vs. Arkansas game in Dallas, TX. If I was honest, I was not in the original game plan (sadly when looking back at the game, not sure the team was either). However, as soon as I heard that the game would be held in the new Dallas
Cowboys billion dollar stadium, I was in. We found the best (read cheapest and yet direct!) flight we've ever had to Texas and were hosted by Tiffany Wall's gracious fam. The stadium did not disappoint. The game might have. But we've (with greater
reluctance than most) moved on to basketball season (except for Mac's amazing fantasy football team!-awesome that the team we can still get behind has fantasy in the title, should have known)

Tailgating with alumni from a football school is a great experience that I've missed since
childhood (though the childhood ones didn't have plasma tvs). Even if I can count on 2 hands the games I've been to where Clemson and A&M (combined) have won (though Clemson did beat A&M at one, so I will not count this for either), losing does not stop the fans. And I have to say that being adopted (even if I just declared myself adopted) into the Aggie tradition is something to be proud of. You would cry too! I promise! When you see the whole stadium wrap their arms around each other and sing. When you see the little players on the field (they were little from the upper deck, HUGE on the big screen) singing their hearts out. I am proud to be a Carolina Tarheel, but you can't watch the fans at an A&M game without knowing it's special and wanting what they have. To which I then conclude, by using the transitive property, that it makes NO SENSE that they don't win every (or at least all but 1) game. If I were a football player, I'd hands down be an Aggie! I guess God knew what he was doing when he let me put on high socks for the church bball team. But as a fan, I feel so honored to be a part of both traditions! Gig 'em Aggies!

**The pictures included are to show off the 60 yard jumbotron. Once you get the idea of how large and clear it was from anywhere in the stadium, you will laugh your silly head off that I saw boob! That's right. Some girl loved it when they scored, as did I. She just jumped up and down. Up and down. And pop goes the weasel! IT WAS AWESOME. Thank goodness for tv delay or you too could have seen "it" from the safety of your own home. Other pics include the boys at the tailgate, me and Tiffany-who looks beautiful even after having a baby a few weeks before!, and the stadium, which made the movie Independence Day come to life**

Road Trippin: #5 Austin City Limits

2009-10-20T16:32:00.020-04:00

Late September we got a reprieve from driving around our car (affectionately known to us as Jym), and took off on a jet plane to Austin, by way of San Antonio, with a layover in Houston. Really we were trying to hit up TEXAS. And we did.

The occasion was lil mini Brennan's baby dedication at church. Though he is no longer our newest nephew (it is tough to keep any one position for long!), for one reason or the other his dedication is the only one we have had the honor and blessing of attending in person. As a girl that cries during most dedications at our home church, it was super special to be there and stand as family for Brennan. To speak aloud our commitments to him before the church and God. And also, he's really cute. So that's fun too!

In other news I'm really into cooking. Yes, I overly involve myself in my tv shows (which should be a blog post in and of itself), but also in my books (a post that has been written, but might need a revisit). I loved Julie and Julia. Bc I'm her. Without being crazy liberal. And without the shady morals and potty mouth. No red hair. Ok, I'm not her. But my heart is where her heart was, so I connected with the book and have started cooking more. My colleagues love these shenanigans and one day if I cook something besides chocolate, I'm sure Mac will approve of my new hobby as well. Long story to say, it was SO fun to taste all of Meghan's wonderful meals and be inspired to try new things (though my "new things" are still limited to only chicken and beef, no sandwiches, no veggies besides cucumbers/broccoli/green beans, and no to anything I don't like, including anything with a "texture") But it's fun to pretend I'm adventurous and so fun to be hosted by a pseudo chef with a really cute baby!

A Smile Guarantee

2009-10-07T14:15:00.010-04:00

So today (so far) has not been one of those days that make you smile. It's more like one of those "the flu shot gave you the flu, so you didn't have time to pack your lunch bc you overslept for your condo refinancing where they had your "wrong" credit info, so you with your scowl blamed your husband, who hence didn't want to converse, as you were flailing around the metro, walking in late to your office where your new desk is in the center of the universe....and not in a production way, but in a NO privacy way, where your new cube-mate promised to bring you back your fave BLT popover from her "client lunch", but then just didn't, so while your stomach is eating itself it really hurts to notice that the way overpriced dress you (emotionally) bought last night in a size that you were hoping to "grow into" (nobody really hopes this, you just do what you gotta do to justify), became available in your size. (the "helpful" lady suggested I simply buy them both. but even I know that your husband can be maxed out way before your credit card)" So not a bad day. Nothing really wrong.

I was just a bit hesitant when I got the email, subject line "Acorns-sure to make you smile" But I opened it. And it did.

"Since it is the time of year for acorns to fall off the trees, they are abundantly available to Baby Hannah, who is collecting them in a Ziploc baggie to take to Chip and Dale!"

Road Trippin: #9---46 days till Disney World. And yes, we're all counting!!! Just thankful to finally be in the double digits!

PS My eyes teared up the first 5 times I stared at the email. The 6th time I couldn't help but wonder if the baggie would soon contain bugs. I know. Only my mind goes there. I know. I know.

Road Trippin: #4 Sparkle City USA

2009-10-06T10:15:00.015-04:00

I'm getting behind on these trips. #4 seems like weeks ago. (And it was.) BUT it was HUGE! PaPa turned 90! 90! Over 60 years of marriage. 3 children (with collectively over 100 years of marriage!) 8 grandchildren (collectively 17 years of marriage, less impressive stat, but perhaps for our generation it's huge? Hollywood standards? anything? Bueller?) And 4 great-grandchildren. Needless to say Christmas Day can get kind of hectic and we tried to bring that same party spirit to the ole man's big day! (well big celebration, we celebrated a week early to avoid a newborn collision....with just cause, as new baby Tyler was born 1 day before his due date, 1 day before the official September 25th birthday-special shout out to reader Kara, Peter, and Peter's mom for holding down the big day- Happy Birthday to all and to all a good night! We were all hoping he'd be born on his due date/share a bday with PaPa, but at some point I had to stop praying my sister would be in labor for 20 hours--this didn't happen until roughly 10 hours into it, but don't tell her) It was such a blessing to be a part of celebrating the beginning of a wonderful legacy. We toasted and ate and ate and the food was really good, so we ate. We missed Betsy, Joe and Trey, but we conference called them, DUH! Which was special for me. Bc I seem to be the sibling that's often missing and it was fun to be able to welcome them to the party the same way that I'm welcomed every other (as in alternating, not as in all the others) holiday. TGISpeakerPhone. And family. :) No matter what else is going on in life. You can't help but to be drawn in. Happy Birthday PaPa! You give us many, many reasons to celebrate! Here's to 90 more!
**Pictures feature: The Ladies (minus Ethel): Aunt Nancy, MaMa, Great Aunt June, and Mom, MaMa and PaPa with the grands, Baby Hannah with PaPa in his bday hat (Blake was scared of the hat), me and my daddy, And my mini family shot with Pops at the Party**

Road Trippin: #3 Tri Syle

2009-09-29T12:48:00.024-04:00

Before the race

On Sept 13 at approximately 9:15 AM we completed our first Sprint Triathlon. And for the most part loved it. Though it's kinda like being broken up with. When you're going through it, it sucks. And then afterwards you only remember and cling to the good, fond memories? Which you hope to repeat. Knowing that next time it won't hurt so bad? Luckily for relationships there's marriage. Unfortunately as far as triathlons go, I don't think I'll ever win.

We arrived to town in time to eat at The Cheese Shop (thanks Kara!), a Williamsburg must! Then headed to the hotel room to sit. For as long as possible. Come to think of it, I am really talented at pre-race and post-race day activities. Excellent sitter and sleeper! When we got to the hotel room it was huge, but my parents, who were meeting us there, were nowhere to be found! A while later we hear a knock on the door. We open the door to a huge cart full of gear and my parents. This is not unusual for my parents to overpack (for 1 night!!!!), but either way I yelled "Hey Mac, come look at how much stuff they brought!" Just then, Kim, baby Hannah, and Bella Cottontail jumped around the corner! It was the perfect surprise! We officially had a huge fan club!

Besides the race morning antics of forgetting the breakfast bananas, losing all the air in the bike tires--not knowing how to refill them, dropping the goggles by the car bc it was 6 am and pitch black.... the whole trip was a blazing success! The guys at work had bet that I could beat Mac. So Mac's pride made sure that didn't happen. But I promised my body if it would just swim this one time it would never have to swim again. If it could just bike me that far, I'd kiss the bike goodbye forever/give it back to Molly, and oh the run. Move legs, just for 3.1 miles, and then we will sit and bask in the glory that is Fall television. And I've been true to my word thus far. But just like a good break-up.....we might one day get back together!

A big thanks to our fans! Those who attended, sent care packages, and thought that I could win! (for those of you especially, check out the pic far left......can you even see me in the pic? Mac's transition station was that much closer to the action, read: finish line. It was rigged!)

After the race

*Other pics include Mac crossing the finish line (please use magnifying glass). Me in major freak out mode pre-swim. And baby Hannah thinking that she too needed to bend down to be in the frame.*

New found hope!

2009-09-29T12:25:00.002-04:00

Last year when Obama kept promising hope. I knew we were all going to be disappointed. One man cannot bring hope. Hope must be found in Christ. (I guess I just negated my theory, but you know what I mean.) Around the election time when I listened to endless people interviewed on who they voted for and why. I'm pretty sure I lost all hope in the American public. But today. It is back. The kinda hope you can cling to. Thanks TLC. Thanks America. The UN meeting might have gone array. We were just about to give up. But you got it right!

Introducing (drum roll please!)...........

2009-09-28T13:11:00.010-04:00

Tyler Banks Thomas.

I had to post this pic...... look at her! She's so beautiful! (And the baby is pretty cute too.) Growing up in a family with all girls. It's been tough for us to realize the boys have us way out numbered (though Blake did almost come through on the PF Changs vote last weekend)! But the boys just keep coming! First it was just poor daddy! Then Garo, Joe, Mac, Blake, Trey, and Tyler!

I've been calling sis, then mom, then other sis on a regular (somewhat crazy person-ish) schedule, to make sure that they weren't just forgetting to tell me any and all baby news (youngest child syndrome) On Thursday morning I got THE call!

Per our usual luck, baby arrived while we were air borne (happened already this year with nephew Brennan, read more about him on Road Trippin: #5).

However, post landing I got a VM from Betsy. She sounded so happy. Said that the labor was wonderful? Then got a call from Joe telling us the nurses didn't think she was ready to give birth bc she was laughing so hard? Then on the "arrival email" it said "after 12 hours of relatively pain free labor"? I'm pretty sure they are all in on a grand conspiracy to trick me into this baby thing. But know, I'm on to you people! And I was a bridesmaid many times before a bride. So I plan to be an auntie many, many times before a mom. Logically.

I get to meet Ty in 2 weeks! (Road trippin: #7 Nashvegas)

Big Bro Trey! (this tee was a gift from his best friend Haley. She watched him for 12+ hours and helped him pick out a special froggy for his new lil bro! So sweet!)

Food for Thought

2009-09-23T16:26:00.002-04:00

Since I graduated college 2 years ago I have gone on 2 additional Spring Breaks. Hey, it's the way I roll. It sounds like the high life, but trust me, when I flew to Europe with a plane ticket so cheap the airline guy said even he couldn't get an employee discount that good, I stayed in hostels and passed up street vendor crepes. I'm not one to pass up any sweet. And I'm definitely not one who can tolerate a hostel bed. I promised myself I wouldn't go back till I could do it the "right way." I'm still searching for some extra Euros! The second trip was to East Asia with my sister and her hubby. It was so fun to be a part of their lives and special to go on a trip like this with them. Growing up I was always that little bit younger, so this was our first mission adventure together. I loved the trip, the new friends, and finding a Pizza Hut and Starbucks. In fact, Starbucks was one of my fonder memories of Europe as well. Judge away. I've digressed.

Part of this vision trip was to encourage the Americans who live in the city we visited and to lead beside them for a short time. We also had time for communal prayer and worship. We sang a song by Hillsong, "You Said". I always tell Mac that if he just sings the song to me I could probably be convinced I was being called to overseas missions. You know somewhere where I could still drive to see my mom. But the song really impacted me. To the point where when I was asked to share something special for my nephew Brennan's church dedication this weekend, I immediately thought of God's promise to heal the land and fill it with glory.

God speaks the loudest and clearest to me, when I start randomly hearing the same "tune"...from friends, scripture, in my heart, sermons, Bible studies. You know, those big coincidences? So today as I was writing to Brennan and meditating on the words of the song. I received an email. A forward. Who does those anymore? Let's be honest. But alas, the forward is pasted below. (Apparently I do those.) When I was on the trip, in a "Godless" place, I imagined that this was the land God was promising to heal. That this was the part of the earth that needed His glory. So it's humbling to remember I'm there as well. (Apparently Texarkana is a real place. As opposed to the imaginary mix of Texas and Arkansas that I originally thought they were referring to.)

"Some folks passing through Texarkana last week noted signs in people's yards that said, "America, prayer is our only hope" with 2 Chron. 7:14 underneath. We certainly need God's help! I have no idea who started this, but I certainly agree with this e-mail. I heard a preacher on TV who said if we pray for our nation that things will turn around. After a day of contemplation and soul searching, I have decided to reach out to my friends and relatives and ask you to do something that has been troubling me for a long time. Our nation is/has been on the slippery slope for a long time. If you look around you will find corruption, greed, moral decay, and a steady move away from the things that made us great. The principles upon which this nation was founded are no longer our backbone. However, we can reverse this trend. 2 Chron. 7:14 In God's word He states, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their Land." I am convinced that we must pray for our nation and its leaders and ask for forgiveness. So I ask you to join me in this plea to our Lord. He will hear us and in faith will answer. Let me just add a quote from Ronald Reagan "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." I truly believe this is why the United States of America is in the shape we are in today. Most people have forgotten that we are one nation under God! Let us as Christians stand up and remind people of this."

Things We Like: Kiddie Soccer

2009-09-22T13:48:00.022-04:00

To quote Hannah "Are you kidding me?" And yes, in some ways I think we wish we were. We had the honor of attending baby Hannah's first soccer game. Which she "really appreciated". Highlights include Hannah cheering, both arms pump fisted in the air......every time the other team scored. Which was often. Every time the ball was in motion, it was usually going in the opposing team's goal. Apparently the under 5 team is not allowed to have a goalie. There's a chance that another requirement is to not know the objective of the game, but by the end of the game, as the head coach was literally carrying a kid around swinging his feet to kick the ball, we saw signs of improvement. You can't blame the little munchkins (or coach Garo!). At this age kids are brainwashed to always share. And here we are telling them to go take a ball from someone else. Kinda like when my mom taught Hannah it is was ok to pee in the ocean, when she hadn't quite conquered the toilet.

So it didn't go down as a "W" in the record book. But Hannah didn't notice. And really, neither did we!

Pictures: 1. Hannah blowing kisses to her fans. 2. Right before she told that little kid it was her turn- he had kicked last time. 3. A juice box snack when a simple water bottle just won't do the trick. 4. well this actually looks a bit like soccer, so I can't say I recall what was going on at this point. 5. The pregame prayer, where yes, Hannah was the only kid closing her eyes! (the things I choose to brag about are clearly the unsuperficial!) 6. Hannah roughing up Blake.

Road Trippin: #2 Indy Race Car Style

2009-09-17T20:57:00.018-04:00

I spend A LOT of time selling Mac on what a great city we live in and have been blessed to live in for the past 6 plus years. I often refer to our fun friends, the great temps, and the amazing location. You know, you can ride a cheap bus to places like NYC (my fave) or drive just about anywhere. Or so we seem to think. Indianapolis, home of the Colts and if you think really hard about it, the Pacers, is about 10 hours from our house (12 if it's raining and there's traffic and you're the only girl with 2 guys on the phone and one who may or may not be criticizing your driving the entire time...YIKES!) It was a long trip. But well worth it.

Growing up Mac had two besties. Oscar, who was his age. And Groupie, who was a year younger..hence he was a groupie? (or so they flattered themselves) I wasn't there, so I might be telling tales. But Mac refuses to blog so I'll do my best. Newho, the threebies were great friends and had many adventures together. Some of the bigger ones were with an organization called Kings Kids. Again, don't go fact checking. With this group they traveled the globe singing and dancing for Jesus. I kid you not! But we can't laugh, cause we've all been there (or wish all boys had?). Well not the countries they went to. But the missions part....trips that work to turn young boys into Christ centered men. (who when together may or may not regress to the maturity of their yonder years) Almost 20 years later they are still great friends. And the Groupie proved he was more than a little guy, and got real big! I mean jacked-up muscles. HUGE! It served well in putting the other two in their place.

The past is important to understand the present. You see, earlier this year, actually right after we had a fun night with these guys and their wives in Austin, Groupie was diagnosed with some pretty aggressive cancer. You can read all about his fight here. Or follow his beautiful words and videos here. What you will quickly learn from both sites is that it was the past that has brought him to this point. His faith that was so well established and grounded long ago has given him hope and peace and joy and love even amid great confusion/hurt/weariness. And his big muscles would have to be one of the reasons that his body can sustain such high doses of chemo! right?!?!?! That's what I like to think.

Since July Robert, better known to you as Groupie, has been in Indianapolis receiving the most intense chemo (ever)! When he left Texas for the treatment his cute wife was way preggo and couldn't go with him. We decided that we would use this as the perfect excuse to go visit. And the Labor Day weekend gave us that extra day we needed! Aimee has since delivered Baby Egan and the family is living with her sister in Kentucky, visiting Robert as much as possible. It is obviously the biggest blessing that his family is with him now, but we feel pretty blessed ourselves to have had such an amazing visit. Indianapolis is an awesome city (who knew?!?!) We took in delicious croissant french toast, lots of belly laughs, and some really intentional time amongst the brother kind of friends. I never had a brother growing up. And now I have a ton! Real good ones too. The kind you want to be with you for a real long time.

We started a yearly trip tradition with these special friends. First stop Mexico, second stop Austin, and third stop is Aimee's parents new lake house! As Ethne, Robert's oldest daughter says "as soon as daddy gets done with cancer"! We can't wait!!!!

Preview: Road Trippin: #3 Tri Syle

2009-09-17T14:03:00.009-04:00

ok, so I realize I'm going all kinds of out of order, but we got this email of triathlon (which I always spell triathlong.....subliminal much?) pics while at work, where as our "Road Trippin: #2 Indy Race Car Style" and the official photographer of the triathlon (thanks mom!) pics are not at work.

We'll call it a sneak preview. There's part of me that thinks it's wrong to post these bootleg pics, but the other part is proud to advertise? Yes I realize that with Mac's pics you are getting the full tri-fecta, but look at my smile! I promise I wasn't smiling after the swim. And when running I looked like one of those pics where you're shaking your head trying to make it look like you're being punched/flappin in the wind. oh wait, you don't ever do that? hmmm. just trust me on this one. Official race pics....you know, the kind you don't have to pay for, will be coming next week. After "Road Trippin: #4 Sparkle City Style"

Road Trippin: #1 Beach style

2009-09-16T11:53:00.009-04:00

So as we mentioned (ages ago) we started our fall o'fun out right. In the summer! At the beach! with lots of besties! And their BOYS! We missed Amy, but we still managed to have a great time?!?! And her husband Ross really represented. He challenged me to a celebrity dual. (Who is this guy?!?!) It was riveting for our fans! And Matt, the newest to the gang, who has recently cemented his spot with some major BLING, brought cornhole! Until corn started falling out of the holes in the bags, this could have been considered a fave part of the whole trip (as well as getting to meet Matt of course)! There was good weather to sun, run, and play on the beach. And dreary weather where you could only play! Small group conversations and big group fun. We feel so blessed by these friendships and that we as individuals, couples, and a group can grow and change and yet still fit. It's so special to create new memories with old friends.

Things We Like: Baby Casts!

2009-09-16T09:35:00.009-04:00

Ok so it might be a bit on the rude side to say we heart baby casts, but it would also be lying if the mere mention of it didn't conjure up images of Kathryn's dog Belle's hot pink cast. Puppy casts and baby casts. And now we present our super tough nephew, baby Trey!Just look at him. He doesn't even have to dress up for the ECU game this weekend. He could just wave in the air! But I would love to see a pic of him with his cast and his UNC jersey.....hint hint! Apparently Trey often goes up to Betsy, lifts his mini arm and shows her the cast. As in "Ok, let's take it off now" Yeah, you love this story! So sad/cute! How can I feel such conflicting emotions and why do I feel guilty when I want to hear more?!?!?! Perhaps Trey is just trying to make sure we notice him, seeing as his new brother Tyler (Hansbrough) "Ty" (won Lawson) Banks Thomas will be here any day! We notice you baby Trey and think you and your baby cast are awesome!

Love you Trey and hope that you are doing push-ups in no time!

PS I just noticed he was carrying around a Sharpie. So we can all sign his cast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where Are They Now: Kit Keller

2009-09-03T14:40:00.004-04:00

Reader Molly felt we had overshadowed younger sis Kit with the lengthy write up on Dottie. But fear not. We have found Lori Petty! And as with many youngest children (think more of Mac's childhood than my own), she is up to no good! Poot Kit. I can't really say where she's been. And at this rate, I don't care much for where she's going. Another all too familiar Hollywood DUI.

Maybe this lil sis was actually hoping to go unnoticed?

Things We Like: Free Chick-fil-a

2009-09-01T14:06:00.004-04:00

So perhaps I was a bit spoiled in college living with a certain roommate, who by college age, as can be expected, was decent at forging her mom's signature and therefore being able to void the expiration date on all Chick-fil-a coupons. You see, her parents own not 1, but 2 Chick-fil-as!!! Pretty soon the campus Chick-fil-a grew tired of said roommate and her 7 (unnamed and unpictured on this blog) other roommates and stopped allowing use of the trusty coupons. But take this Lenoir!

"Chick-fil-A Kicks Off 2009 College Football Season with FREE Chicken Sandwich Giveaway, Interactive Website for Fans"

I myself will be on a 9 hour road trip in the....wait for it....Midwest! But nothing yells football like the midwest? And nothing makes me want to wear a UNC tee like being that close to Detroit. If only now I can find me a Chick-fil-a..............

Things We Like: Fantasy Football

2009-09-01T12:23:00.024-04:00

Recently my friend Hartley said "You guys go to a lot of football games." I'm pretty sure Mac would disagree. But my response was "We try to be fair." And we do. To a point that probably pains Mac and shames me as a Republican. Either way this year we will go to 1 UNC football game. And 1 Texas A&M football game. One could say "But didn't you go to 2 Final Four's?" And to that I say. When you're good, you're good. Yikes, I've just isolated readers. And I haven't even gotten to the part where I mention UNC's pre-season ranking #20 (and though I pressed "Ctrl-F" I didn't see A&M on the list. Maybe I was looking at the wrong list?) Maybe these razzing blogs won't have the positive effect on my blog or home life that I was looking for? I just keep thinking, if I harass him enough, he'll post. I think they say that in "Field of Dreams". I'm greatly anticipating a blog coup.

Newho, most guys think they would do anything to have their wife more interested in sports. To understand why they need to watch games. All day. Sat. Sun. and that's just the fall! But here's the catch. Guys want girls to understand why they need to. Not to join in!

And here's why.

Mac has been involved in a Fantasy Football league since 2002. I have been putting UNC winning my bball pool since 2003. And that's the source of our conflict. Though I might try to hang with the guys. I'm still a girl. If I got my pick. I'd pick Jack Delhome. And just pray he doesn't throw five interceptions when it matters. I don't like the way he looks in the Bojangles cape. But I wish they showed the commercials on my tv! (And I wish I lived closer to a Bojangles.) I always pick with my heart. A somewhat researched heart. But still in the end. The heart wins. One time my heart led me all the way to the pool money. And to me that just made sense!

So far Mac has chosen to keep DeAngelo Williams as his "keeper". Ok, maybe I'm also a tad rusty on fantasy terminology. But he's keeping a Panther. He says it's bc he looked at the cheat sheet. But I think he's just following his heart.

Oh the little refresh button on the iPhone will be tired on Sundays. But I can't wait to write about me and the Panthers.......at the Super Bowl! It could happen! Not sure who is less likely to make it me or them. But I'm practicing dreaming big. And if Carolina accidentally makes it to the Rose Bowl. To keep it fair. We'll sit this one out.

REALLY?!?! Lucky Number 19

2009-09-01T11:42:00.005-04:00

So the Duggar family has announced they are expecting their 19th child. But if I was honest. This isn't the part I'm shocked about. I mean, once you've had 18. What's another? I like to think once you've passed 3 they don't all fit in the same car, so really 4+ is all the same. One word: expensive. I have heard that some people like to have three kids. So dad can hold one. Mom can hold one. And then they just have to figure out what to do with the third one. Not that the first child doesn't test your faith enough, but I always like this. Being the third child and all.

One thing I don't like is when people mispronounce my name. The name is Jul-ie. I don't care if it defies proper grammar or if it's tough on the Southern drawl (unless you're my mom, cause then you named me, and you can say it however). And reader James I realize this might lead you to call me Jul-e. Like a trash collecting cartoon. And another thing I'm not is Julia. Which my ninth grade PE teacher could never grasp. The whole year. A lot of times people ask me if my real name is Julia and people just call me Julie. And I do know at least 2 people where this is the case. But what is that? A nick name? Cause it's not shorter. And really my face is so scrunchy even typing this that I just have to let this one go.

But all in all. Here's the shocker. Duggar family. You have put out a plea on People.com for America to help you name your 19th kid. You who named your 6th child Jinger. WITH A J! I realize you're going for a "J" name. And I know I've listed some current complaints with mine. But COME ON!!!! J-U-L-I-E! It's that easy. Have your people call my people. But remember. It's Jul-ie.

**The above post is dedicated to my loving husband. Who thinks I'm wrong. But if I post it on the blog. Really, what can he do? He might have won the blogger Jennifer Aniston debate. But I clearly know my own name!**

RECIPE ALERT

2009-08-19T12:17:00.006-04:00

This is what I'm eating (as I type) for lunch! Mac is trying to get me to slow down the heaping servings so I don't burn out. Granted we substituted some more kid friendly alternatives (grapes instead of celery, onions and dried cranberries.....sounds kinda like when I order things at a restaurant), but we've made it twice! Once clearly for our Friday night movie/picnic with my only friend Carla. And again this week bc we just loved it! Even if you mess up on the Sweet-Hot honey mustard. It is YUM! I wish I had a pic, but it is now all in my belly.

Thanks Kelly! You will thank Kelly too. Especially if you make her buckle! Dessert for the non- chocolate eaters. What I like to call breakfast!

LET IT BEGIN!

2009-08-19T11:20:00.006-04:00

So Mac and I often say that line to each other. And I'm pretty sure it's one of those "y'all were made for each other" things. It's a quote from the movie Bolt. Yep. We go there. A lot. But I am writing this post in honor of our Fall O' Fun. For the next 3 months we will be in town 4 weekends, using DC as a vacation destination rather than a home. Maybe 5, but 4 sounds so dramatic! Soon we will blog a "Where Are They Now" about ourselves. Eh?

TOMORROW it begins.

In college I lived with 8 girls. We have tried to do a yearly reunion of sorts, and for the first time ever, ever we are including.......BOYS! This is either really high school or really grown-up of us. We'll see. My saintly parents have opened up their beach place, and balcony (bc that's the only way we all fit). So we're heading down the road tomorrow afternoon! I think everyone will beat us there, but I like to think that we'll bring the party.

Mac will write a post upon our return (see now he has to!) with lots of pics! Though most of the time we'll just be sitting around missing Amy. Miss you already! (She is so big time!!!)

The following weekend we'll be in town, so you'll be stuck hearing about our daily routine and Friday movie. But then. LET IT BEGIN!

Food for thought

2009-08-19T11:14:00.002-04:00

So I'm taking the blog to an all new deep level. 1. bc i'm kinda busy and this is a simple cut/paste and 2. bc Mac and I often fight, or maybe I should say when we fight, it often comes down to me just wanting him to make me happy. And he tells me everytime that it's not his job. And I think "but you're so good at it. go with what you're good at." Alas. I received the following message from Rick Warren as a fwd from my friend Molly in SC. It's ok to read and reread. I won't judge.

"You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California. In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness. This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems: If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people. You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72. First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases. Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church. Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation. Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free. We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)? When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do."

Things We Like: ICE CREAM!

2009-08-13T14:14:00.009-04:00

Well I feel like we have been lying to the blog world. I tell Mac that a lie can be something you tell wrong, or something you keep a secret. And to not tell the world we love ice cream is as big as gets. (yes, another slow day in commercial real estate)

You see, we live in a room. There is a wall, so technically during fights we can separate ourselves, but what would me and my OCDness do in the bedroom while Mac is out in the den with video games and a big screen? So technically we live in a room. But I still find it necessary to own 2 ice cream churns. Who knows when you'll want to make 2 flavors? My mom tells me to use canned milk, but I use whipping cream. My friend Stephie once told me Vanilla (the only flavor Mac really likes) was boring to make. And I finally get it! Our friend Kelly wrote a blog on ice cream that was inspirational. I still need that B&J book! Cause B&J is my fave. In college I was on the news for going to Free Cone Day 9 times.

In fact, we only buy ice cream in pints. We're ice cream snobs. On the day I met Mac I taught my friend Lauren that you can eat a whole pint in one sitting. Granted we were 2 single girls on Valentine's Day, but really you don't have to be depressed. You can just do it! These days I try to make one pint, last 3 days. But once the economy turns around......!!!!!!

"Some people" (read a certain husband of mine) might say I have kid taste buds with an adult salary. Watch out cereal isle! (So this is where our money goes?) Most recently I craved Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road, a limited edition flavor originally only sold in Vermont--which did not seem too far. I mapquested it. Eventually it came to my local Giant. But has since left the stores, but not my freezer. One pint left! Last night, as I was eating B&J Creme Brule, (not as good as Haagan Dazs, also limited/now gone) B&J sent me an email to tell me about the latest limited edition, Key Lime Pie. And how I could win tickets to the NYC premiere of Where the Wild Things Are. Mac thinks I'm destined to win bc it combines my three fave things besides him: NYC, Hollywood and ice cream! It's almost like it was made me for. Kinda like Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road. So far today I've just gotten a lot of spam in my inbox.

Should I rush out the door for the Key Lime Pie? What's your fave ice cream? Obviously price and location are only speedbumps. But I don't share dairy, so none of this "two spoons." Two pints please!

REALLY?!?!? Keeping up with the Kardashians

2009-08-13T13:49:00.006-04:00

Apparently keeping up with the Kardashians is a tougher job than anticipated. I only say this because the lead article on People.com is titled "Kourtney Kardashian Reveals Her Baby's Daddy" Really? You have to reveal your baby's daddy? Let's hope that article gets lost in cyberland before the poor child ever sees the likes of it. Cause what it sounds like they're telling me is that even though her life is filmed for a reality tv show, it is still unclear to the world who the baby daddy is. REALLY? Is NO ONE watching the show? Cause I'm pretty sure if I got pregnant right now, it wouldn't be a mystery. In fact. I reccomend most people putting a big fat check beside the "Make baby daddy obvious" lifestyle. But then again I hear Jude Law was only in that relationship a week when the girl got pregnant. I call that meant to be. And I'm sure all my friends having trouble getting pregnant would agree. A week! Must have been her lucky week. Or not. And Mel Gibson had his way as well. All these girls, most aspiring actresses....and yes Kourtney, though you are on tv, you have a long way to go before you are an actress.....they get all impregnated and stuff. I know I'm not a guy, but nothing spells unattractive to me like someone else's knocked-up baby mama. Yet somehow they are all getting their 15 minutes of fame. And a child FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE! It's like my house mother Dot used to say. "Diamonds aren't forever. Herpes are forever." Perhaps we should have gotten little Dot a megaphone.

Where Are They Now: Geena Davis

2009-08-11T09:49:00.003-04:00

As Mac mentioned already, neither of us are huge soccer fans, minus the obvious and most famous Cat Whitehill. In fact, I tell most people that I never played soccer, which isn't completely true. At age 3 I was on a team with a Cabbage Patch Kid and a Beetlejuice look alike (Beetlejuice is an upcoming outdoor movie...oh how all posts tie together). I'm sure on a "Where Are They Now" these girls have surpassed me all around, so I'm not trying to knock them, but if I can get my hands on a pic, you'll thank me.

A few years ago I was the stat keeper for the JV soccer team at Langley High School. I was really a Young Life leader, but being so clueless about the game helped me interact better with the kids. We'd usually disagree on "shots", which I called missed passes. But it was tons of fun and my best high school friends were all stud soccer players.

That being said, JV soccer is nothing like the Washington Freedom. In fact, the Washington Freedom, felt like I was in a movie..... similar to "A Leauge of Their Own." The last time I watched these girls they were winning a gold medal for the US and now they have been dispersed to their different teams (Poor Dottie and Kit.)

So clearly it made me wonder. Where is Geena Davis? My parents watched her on Tootsie. Most of you probably fell in love through Thelma and Louise. (side fact: the original hottie role was supposed to be for Billy Baldwin, but he had Backdraft conflicts--my fave movie at the time/pre Lord of the Rings--so they replaced him with Brad Pitt. This movie MADE Brad Pitt. All bc of a scheduling conflict!!! So anytime any of you are busy, I'll step in. Watch out world!) Much like those other 80s movies, I don't think I was allowed to watch Thelma and Louise, so I discovered Geena a year later in A League of Their Own. I can still sing all the songs. But if I typed the words now, you wouldn't know if I cheated.

I basically thought Geena had since fallen off the face, but that's bc I was unaware of Stuart Little Parts II AND III. Come on. Part III? Kids these days. What else could Stuart possibly get into? I had big hopes for her in 2006, I think so did Hillary Clinton, when she was cast as the country's first female pres on "Commander in Chief". But I didn't vote for Hillary, and I did not watch this show. Sorry Geena!

Next up she'll be in a movie titled "Exit 19", not gonna lie it doesn't even look worthy of a Redbox run. But maybe one day I'll welcome Geena back into my home. If only she had gotten the SNL spot instead of Julia Louis-Dreyfus. If only JLD had had a scheduling conflict.

Because inquiring minds need to know: Jennifer Aniston or Courtney Cox

2009-08-09T18:52:00.005-04:00

Learning the rules of marriage, well maybe not rules, but tricks to marriage is very key. As it's been shown through blog posts alone, girls (perhaps this girl more than others) have two to ten times more words to use a day than boys. At our house we are reminded to pick our words carefully, so we don't use up our day's allowance on accident (most famously I wasted quite a few on muffins). I've learned that if you "boy it up" you can get better milage on your words. Make it a competition. And in most cases, just knowing that you are right, when it's a tied vote, won't do it. So this is truthfully why Mac created a blog. More votes. Up for debate today.

Jennifer Aniston or Courtney Cox.

That's all you get. Now vote! May the best girl win (and by that I mean that I'm once again cheering for myself. You can do it voters!)

What do you think? (You can vote using the Poll and leave your all-to-important "why" in the comments section)

Freedom!!!

2009-08-09T15:12:00.012-04:00

Last night we had the opportunity to witness our very first Washington Freedom match with some great friends. For those who don't know, The Freedom is DC's (albeit the stadium is in Germantown, MD) women's professional soccer team. The reason for going, besides being with friends, was to support our friend Cat Whitehill who plays (really stars) on the team and Brandt Garrison who did her grad school internship (mega starred) with them this summer. She was quickly promoted to head of marketing, a real economical promotion if you ask me. Business tip: Always promote your volunteers. It's good for morale in a down economy. As it turned out the game had playoff implications, win and you're in, tie and maybe, lose and you're out. Doesn't get much more important than that.

I must admit, soccer has never been one of my favorite overall sports. I do get into the world cup and Olympic matches, but other than that I couldn't tell you much more. Going even further, if it wasn't for the USA Women's team (and the most recent run by the Men's team), there wouldn't be much to cheer for. The game itself was a blast, but the

random fan dressed like a waiter from "Chotchkies" or the chicken, I mean eagle named Glory with her pony tail (which at first I thought might have been Brandt), made the over all experience worth while. The most humorous story came when Julie screamed "Catherine! HEY!" hoping she would turn and wave in the middle of a play. But she was working.

The Freedom found themselves in the playoffs with a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Push Pops (Kara's nickname for them---since Kara has been known to win March Madness pools based on such skill, we let her play by her own rules). Julie was even able to snap this great picture of Cat after the game. Now that I have gone to a DC United match and a Freedom match, I admit that soccer fans definitely have the most flare. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm always up for going to the match or watching one on TV.

REALLY? Cash for Clunkers

2009-08-07T10:18:00.007-04:00

Well I just overheard CNN tell me that "Cash for Clunkers" was established to be "my piece of the bail out". (Apparently the news got wind that I was looking for a piece.) Unfortunately I don't have a clunker to trade in. So I can't really see how a penny of this $3 billion will benefit me. I pay to ride the metro every day to save the planet, and believe me, that's a different blog post in and of itself. Only we haven't turned to the "things we hate theme"...... yet. One day the blog will go negative. And it will either be politics or the metro that takes it there. Maybe I just made that jump.

I realize this is only one of my selfish attitudes. But so far Pottery Barn hasn't been giving anything away, and Saks won't put my WHITE summer dress on sale. I mean it's August. It's time to be on sale. Who is buying a full price white dress in August? There are only 28 more wearable days. If we had only stopped paying our mortgage, it would have been paid for us? And then I could buy matching shoes.

The news anchor did say "But remember, it's your responsibility to bargain with the car sales person to get a price that works for you. Car payments are often $500 a month, so you need to make sure this is in your budget." Again, nothing in life is free. And good for people who are able to go from no car payment to $500 a month. Mac reminds me that these people are the ones stimulating the economy, but to me they too are living the high life, thanks to the government. Who is currently in recess. What are they 5 years old? I remember recess. I was best friends with Kristina. She was really good at soccer. I wasn't, but somehow association made me OK.

They say that there is a lot of red tape, that cash for clunkers is a lengthy process. Apparently they can go through $1 B in about a month. When I worked for the government it took the whole year to try to justify getting $2 B to give away to little kids dying of HIV. I know the car industry was down in the dumps. Believe me, I drove to Detroit. But when Lehman Brothers collapsed it sold its parts. Capitalism can prevail. Our pastor said the downside to capitalism is exploitation. So I get that no government is perfect. But I think we're stuck with an issue the government just can't fix, no matter how hard it tries.

Americans need a heart change--no one is entitled (No one owes me a dress), life is not fair (I don't deserve the dress), and we all keep looking for something on earth that will bring real hope and real change (sigh, like a perfect summer dress?). To "fix" the environment the world needs a heart change. Do we commit to cleaning our part of the planet, which is connected to every other part, because there are more important things in life than money? Does the US need to remain economically strong to be safe? As a young nation did we become prosperous because we entered into wars at the end and now we start them? Was that our way of saying that there is something greater than money?

For now, the government will continue to throw our money at the "problem". I guess it's our responsibility to keep throwing what we have left at missions. A different kind of bail out.

And maybe I'll still get my dress. To help the economy of course.

Things We Like: Reading

2009-08-06T16:41:00.005-04:00

Ok, so I'm a closet dork. Closet? More like a closet senior citizen. Opposites attract, so Mac is really young and cool. In a job interview I was asked what I liked to do in my free time. I said crossword puzzles and read. Mac wants me to practice better answers. But in my recent free time I came up with a list of books to read before the end of the year. And sent it to Carla. Who according to my blog posts is my only friend. She sent a list back, so that we could play library, and here is the list I came up with to read, and how it’s going.

The Twilight Series-Done and done, avoiding the movies like the plague--I do have standards

Kite Runner-Betsy has this one, so I’ll get it in Oct.

My Sister’s Keeper-Tear jerker! Iffy on the movie, heard the ending has been changed—why?

The Associate-I miss my John Grisham (his daughter was in my sorority, 5 years younger, so not really, but maybe?), Mainly I like books that turn into movies, so that I can complain the entire movie that it isn't as good as the book and thoroughly ruin the experience for Mac.

The Lovely Bones-Another movie/book starring Marky Mark. Sounds depressing.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas-Should have told Mac and Claire what was gonna happen. Book read at B&N=$0, Movie from RedBox=$1.05, those 2 hours of my life that I can’t get back=I want them back.

The Middle Place-I might not get to this one. It’s a true story.

Three Cups of Tea-Currently in my purse. I just can’t get into it. The last book I finished was “The Tipping Point”. I enjoyed having intelligent conversations from reading, but I missed the speed of Bella and Edward. I love quick reads. Maybe because my fave past time is to actually read the books at B&N. If they didn’t want me to do that, then they shouldn’t have put out chairs and served Starbucks. Right? At B&N I’m currently reading “Same Kind of Different As Me” which I highly recommend. My dad recommended I not turn down the corners to save my page.

I also recommend Time Traveler’s Wife. But not if you’re my mom. And if you are my mom, then pretend I didn’t read it. Cause it has some dirty words. Can’t decide if I want to see the movie. Do you? What do you think I should read? You tell me and I’ll tell you if you should see the movie. Deal?

Things We Like: Rosslyn's 2009 "I Love the 80s" Outdoor Movie Series

2009-08-06T09:39:00.003-04:00

We were introduced to this summer phenomenon through our friends the Campbells. (And we're just cheap enough to keep on keeping on!) Seeing as we first went with Carla and Andy, we were highly confused upon arrival when it was a movie and not a fierce competition. Though if you are lucky enough to attend with them, you can get in a few rounds of Uno pre-movie, to truly slip into the 80s.

So every Friday we gamble with the 70 percent chance of rain and head out to Rosslyn (we’ve only lost once to a hail storm). Though it’s just a mile away, basically two steps for a triathlete, we drive. And bring with us, a blanket made by my great grandmother and 2 2009 Final Four seat cushions, the 2008 clearly hide out under our bed. We’re winners.

The FREE movies we’ve attended are: Goonies, Dirty Dancing, 16 Candles, Top Gun, Back to the Future, and Short Circuit. In the actual 80s I only watched the last 2. Still not sure how my parents knew that the first line in 16 Candles contained the “F-word” or that Top Gun would take more than the breath away of a 5 year old, but from hence forth they can always use these arguments in a “parents know best” debate.

Overall we’ve loved reliving our childhood, in which if someone had just told me it was a DeLorean and not a Lamborghini, I could have dreamed less big. Currently we drive a Honda. But we still dream big.

Where Are They Now: Rob & Amber

2009-08-06T08:58:00.004-04:00

During the most recent "After the Final Rose", which we didn't watch.... or Tivo and then watch...... actually I have no idea what that show even is, and neither does Mac.

Mac really doesn't.

His fave parts do not include that Jilly Beans called herself out for her classy profanity minutes before engagement or when America got it right with the usage of the word "mankini" refering to the green shorts, that we may or may not have seen on a previous episode, and the follow-up on the "night that wasn't". Here's hoping that Ed's a man's man and can get through that embarassment.

All that to say, it made me wonder. Whatever happened to my fave reality couple of all time, Rob and Amber? Ok, it didn't make me wonder. I already knew, but I took the chance to tell Mac. And now I tell you!

So Survivor, besides shows on MTV, could be accredited as the "tipping point" of reality television. In 2001, the second season, I used to watch at college, my dad would watch at home, we'd discuss. 8 years later, my dad still watches, I have moved on, as seen above, to real...meaningful television. But back in the day Amber was on Survivor. To be honest. I didn't notice. At the time I way into Elisabeth Filarski, better known as Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I admit that she stole my heart and has kept it. I confess that often as I talk at Mac while he plays the latest NCAA College Football on Xbox (babysitting money put to good use), I dream that he is the 4th string NFL quarterback and I am the only voice of sense and reason on a morning talk show. I've digressed.

Amber later came back to compete on Surivor All Stars. Where she met Rob, formed an alliance, took each other to the finals, proposed on tv, won a million dollars. And invited me to their wedding!!! Or at least the viewing on (duh) CBS, to which I gladly accepted! I love them!

From here they went on to compete on Amazing Race. And so did I. Since then they've come out with a game, a book or two, and a gambling tv show in Vegas. That's how I know it's real. Bc I'm really married. And I can't say I'm the best at letting my husband gamble away our million dollars that I won, but she loves him and wanted him to follow his dream. God bless her!

On July 4th, 2009 they had a baby! Lucia Rose. And I think if they aired that on tv, I would have watched it too. God is big enough to introduce people on realty tv. But for some reason this one feels more real because it wasn't their goal to find each other. Don't you think?

REALLY? Paula Abdul is leaving Idol

2009-08-05T16:35:00.000-04:00

I know the tweeters around the world are wondering if it's true. Hoping it's the summer version of "24" and that there will be a twist in the end where she comes back. Personally I often tear up watching her. Often wondering her poison of choice that leads her to stand and clap and sway and cry and say the craziest of things. But I love her. Every episode. At least once. I said out loud "I love Paula". I'm a little too into pop culture (so I've been told, so I've been shamed), and I often am harsh on stars for awkward interviews on my late night show of choice David Letterman. I am willing to totally revoke my like toward any fave star if they giggle wrong or tell a lame story. But recently I realized. I can't even make cold calls at work without jumbling over my words. And I'm so tone deaf I can't even sing at church if the lady next to me is belting out too loud/"harmonizing". So I clearly get that when up on stage, given the largest audience most singers will ever receive, that these kids (I say that to feel old) need a Paula. Not gonna lie. Sometimes I wish I had my own personal Paula cheering me on. I wouldn't mind if she was hopped up on something or in a relationship yet oddly flailing on the undershirtless guy next to her. I'd welcome the cheers. Wouldn't you?

Things We Like: Triathlons

2009-08-05T16:25:00.001-04:00

So there's a chance this first "like" isn't a "like" as much as an "into". Things we are into? As most of you know, but I'm not supposed to point out, things we are into doesn't usually involve exercise in our house. But we have our moments! Intense exercising moments, motivated mostly by the fee that it costs to participate. But we're so in! And have been training for the last 7 weeks for the Patriot Sprint Triathlon in Williamsburg, VA. We've never been to Williamsburg together, so that part should be fun too! There's part of me that wishes we had taken a "before" and "after" picture of our buldging muscles, but the other 99% of me realizes these would be secret pictures, not really worth their space on our computer. Alas. We are pumped....get it? And really excited. My mom's biggest fear is that we might die. I fear I won't finish in the allotted time. Mac is fearless. My hero.

Where Are They Now: Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

2009-08-05T16:01:00.000-04:00

Jane Seymor (the hot lady/the only one you recognize)=Mac knew this one. Showing us her better/upper half in Wedding Crashers. Guest starring on "How I Met Your Mother", which I guess would tie nicely to a "Where are they now: Doogie" addition.

Chad Allen (hat clad teen)=So I became a fan of his from "Our House". You know the show that before each commercial put that story's pic into a room in the house. Bad explanation, but if you know what I'm talking about, you know what I'm talking about. If not. I watch(ed) too much tv. There could be a case for this. But after his success on Our House, Chad Allen moved to DQ Medicine Woman. And is now on General Hospital.....wait for it.....Night Shift. Really? Does this have an audience? I love me some soaps. General Hospital in particular. But what is Night Shift? I'm pretty sure average America calls nighttime soap operas Gossip Girl.

Shawn Toovey (little boy)=this is where he ended. And you might think, what?! But really, it was a hit show for 5 years. It was nominated for awards and won and everything. And I (perhaps alone) am still talking about it 15 years later. That's like chatting about middle school. Nobody does that. Personally I think Elijah Wood should have taken this kid's advice and stopped it all after Lord of the Rings.

Joe Lando (long hair, but prob would have looked better with short hair man)=the reason most watched the show. I was 12, he was mid 30s. But I also have to admit I made my Barbie dolls kiss. Where do we learn love? Take it back, where do we learn crush? After searching multiple fan sites in his honor, I'm still not completely sure how he is currently making a living. But retirement sounds nice to me as well. So good for you Joe Lando.

Sleep better!

Hijacked by Post 3

2009-08-05T15:40:00.000-04:00

So I promise this was a prompted hijack. I was asked to ghost write. Allowed to? Newho, I have been excited and patiently awaiting my turn, but even though we have no readers, I just couldn't wait any longer! I've always been hesitant to start my own blog, for this or that reason. So ghost writing relieves some pressure. I think I just want to be famous. And as a ghost writer I don't have that pressure. I can just secretly be me. And post with themed topics. Such as "where are they now", "things we like", and "really?" Those will be my themes. maybe. don't hold me to it. But in honor of the People magazine tribute to Saved by the Bell.........I shall start..........after this lengthy intro.........with a "Where are they now: Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman" Why you ask? Dying minds want to know. (well I wanted to know, and sharing seems like "learning"/teaching/productive? you're right, i can't even tease myself). But none the less, here we go.

Inspiration Station

2009-08-04T19:35:00.001-04:00

Recently, I had the privilege of coming across one of the funniest recordings. It's completely random which makes it that much better. Unlike most telephone recordings, this one changes daily. It's not a joke, prank or even personal recording. Surprisingly, it's the daily menu for Shumpert Hospital in Shreveport, LA. When I first heard the message, I couldn't believe it was true. I called it at least three more times and googled the number to verify it was true. Once it was confirmed I immediately sent the number around to several of my friends. While listening to the recording on speaker phone in my office, one of co-workers actually confessed to having been born in the exact same hospital. Needless to say, there were a few more laughs with that piece of information.

So if you want to get a good laugh, a short word of wisdom and a desire to meet up at the Inspiration Station, just call the number. Believe me, it is well worth the minute to listen to it.

318-681-4564

Just a Start

2009-08-02T20:28:00.000-04:00

I wonder if the first blog post is the hardest one to write or if it's just something I'll have to get use to; probably a little bit of both. With that being said, I'm excited to embark on this somewhat unknown experience. We all know several friends and family members who have started blogs, some with a very specific purpose, while others are more general in nature. This blog will be about my life and the aspects that define it, faith, family, friends, convictions, and more often than not, my everyday life with my best friend and wife Julie. All that to say, this glimpse into my life is just a start.