music on mondays

here comes fall

I made the effort to go for a walk this morning.
I am praying that since tomorrow is the first day of Fall,
it will start cooling down a little bit here in the south.

With cooler weather apporaoching...
I would like to get back into the routine of daily exercise {and meditation}.

Today I was not alone.



I had a walking partner {and a little added resistance in the form of a jogging stroller}.

I actually started my "couch to 10K" exercise program today.
I blogged about this wonderful app HERE.
But I will definitely have to do a "do-over" of day #1, workout #1
since we stopped to take lots of pictures and enjoy our surroundings.



Max kept saying "leaf falling, leaf falling".



Amazing that I took the previous picture
in the shade with falling leaves and a "slightly" cool breeze.

As I glanced to my right,
hot sun, beautiful flowers and flittering butterflies.
So, I snapped this shot.



Bring on the change of seasons.

I am looking forward to cooler weather & earlier sunrises
so I can get my walking/running in before everyone gets up
{well, I'm not really looking forward to that, but it will help get my day going}.

Whew, my boys are ready for Fall, too.
They love to be outside and right now it is just too dang hot!

Since the other 2 boys are in school now...
my time with Max is so precious.

This kid is REALLY this cute AND this happy all the time!

I promise we did get in a little exercise...

Ummm, just a little!

One thing is sure...my priorities are in order.

I am a mommy and photographer.
I am NOT a marathon runner.
I'll start my "couch to 10K" over again

TOMORROW.

music on mondays

My new favorite song...



I think if I decided that I wanted to grow up and be a singer...
I would want to be Sara Bareilles
and sing a really cool & "confident" fun song like this one
and be all cute like she is
and dance all cool like that in a really fun video
and grow my hair out just like hers, too
{but no bangs...I can't do bangs!}

I'm just sayin...

It's my new favorite song.

i owe you an apology ahead of time

On Facebook, I have noticed a new trend...
to "check-in" at places around town and tell your FB world exactly where you are.

It seems to be very popular in the iphone world.

Why on earth would someone need to tell me on FB where they are all throughout their day?

I have 2 friends on FB that literally "check-in" at different places around town
at least once a day if not 5-6 times a day.

Susie is eating grabbing lunch at McD's.

David is at the BrewWorks bar and Grill for dinner.

And so on...

I will admit that I have thought this to be a little over the top in the social media world.

BUT
I think I found the cause of this new trend.
I may be a little late catching this train, but here goes!



So, I have downloaded the FREE WeRewards app for my iphone {you can also get the app for the android and blackberry, too}.

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How To Unlock Your World With Foursquare on Howcast

I have also downloaded the Foursquare app, as well.  

From what I understand...

You actually earn $$$$ {well pennies} for checking in at places with WeRewards.

Most of the "checking in" includes taking a picture of yourself at the place with the logo in view.

As for Foursquare...it seems to be more of a game.  You can earn points and badges and "play" with friends.  However, the more you check-in at places on Foursquare the more likely you are to be offered specials and discounts.

Facebook friends, I am apologizing ahead of time for keeping you updated as to my where abouts.

Please know that I DO NOT feel that my life is so important and exciting 

that I constantly feel the need to share it with the world...

but, that I am just attempting, yet again, to save a little money or even possibly make a few $$$ here and there.

We are headed to McDonald's for a quick Happy Meal to give it our FIRST TRY!

According to the app...I will make 14 pennies for going through the drive through today.

We'll see.

preparation for the race

{excerpt from my daily devotion: A Daily Hope with Rick Warren}


You can count on God.  
He's dependable, reliable.  
He is worthy of your trust.


Scripture says God never has a bad day.  
He doesn't wake up grumpy.  
He's not moody.  
He doesn't get up on the wrong side of the bed.  
He's consistent and faithful.


2 Timothy 2:13 says, 
"If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself." 
Even when I'm unfaithful, God is faithful.  
Even when I'm inconsistent, God is consistent.  
Even when I'm unreliable, God is reliable. 
No matter what else is changing in the world, there is one thing I can count on:  
God always acts the same way toward me.  
He is loving and He is consistent regardless of my mood.  
He loves me just as much on my bad days as on my good days.


I am always amazed when I hear stories of great tragedy & loss and the victims repeatedly give testimony of faith & trust in God.  


I aspire to be that way.  I want to be such a faithful follower.  However, during the rough times I tend to doubt and question what goes on around me.  I tend to struggle with having faith in God's plan that has yet to be revealed.  


I am so glad to know that while I am imperfect and sometimes doubting of Him...he never waivers.  He loves me and remains faithful and consistent.  


I needed to be reminded of this today.

where were you?

I remember my day very clearly.  I remember what I wore, the moment I found out, and the immediate blanket of sorrow that fell over everyone that I knew on September 11th, nine years ago.

I was a 4th grade teacher "back then".  My day was like most others...I walked into the school office to give my daily dose of a "hard time" to the office staff who I adored...and saw the horrendous looks on their faces.  They were watching the news on a small TV.  I remember Ms. Debbie leaned back in her office chair with her hand covering her mouth in disbelief.  I said "What happened?  What's wrong?"  In silence they pointed to a small TV which was replaying the footage of that dreadful attack on the World Trade Center after happening only moments before.  I remember the tightening in my chest and the feeling that the air was being sucked out of the room as I watched.  Butt I watched.  I watched for as long as I could, 15 minutes or so, and got enough details to know that this was a major tragedy and a huge crisis for our country.  At the end of my break, as I walked out of the office, I had tears rolling down my face.

I wiped my tears and put on a fake smile as I approached my sweaty and stinky 4th graders coming back from P.E.  Lauren, a sweet little girl, wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her sweet face against my stomach, and squeezed tightly.  Still attached to my body, she looked up at me and asked, "Why do you look so sad?"

Careful NOT to share any details and to protect their innocent hearts, I shared simply that "some very bad people did something terrible and hurt a lot of people".  I told them that when people do things like that, it makes me very sad.  I shed a few more tears as I looked at their faces and realized this would affect them too.  In the comfort of their homes and with the strength of their parents they too will be told about this tragedy.  With the media frenzy happening, I knew that they would see much of the devastation that was occurring.  Something they shouldn't be exposed to, but would since they lived in the U.S.  No one had immunity from this situation.

What I didn't know, was that within hours it was going to get worse.

Another plane crash in Pennsylvania.

Horrific numbers of lives lost.

Terrible video and photographs of extreme sadness and despair.

Immediate panic of another attack with some concern that Atlanta could be a target.

Soon, my principal was at my door in a small panic...

Our school was on lock-down until further notice.  Parents began showing up to get their children in hopes of getting them home to keep them safe.

Uncertainty & sadness overwhelmed me.

At the end of that school day, I was so glad to be home, on my own sofa, watching the news, gathering information and letting the tears flow.  I sobbed for what seemed like hours.  

I know that we were ALL affected by 9/11 in that we are all a part of this country that we live in.  Today, I pray for all of the families who experienced loss and prolonged pain from the events of that day.  I continue to pray for the soldiers that fight to protect our rights, freedom and safety.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love