all in the family

My cousin got married on Saturday. The affair was held at an 1820's mansion turned golf resort. The venue was very cool in a medieval sort of way.

We were packed into that car like a bunch of sardines for the 3 hour drive.

Pre-Wedding Poses:



Jake was able to officially meet some of my family members for the first time, we sat through a beautiful outdoor ceremony (I curse myself for not taking photos), we drank watered down drinks, ate a delicious dinner, and danced.

(Exploring the mansion, and falling in love with built-in bookshelves again. Except mine will be white.)

(Dad, denying the fact that he cried SEVERAL times throughout the ceremony and then again at the reception after my 13 yr old cousin played "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton on the piano.)

(My Grandma. And no, I'm not double jointed.)

Did I mention we danced?

We did.

I got annoyed with Jake when at first he wouldn't dance with me, well ask and you shall receive because he became a dancing machine. We almost took the shuttle back to the hotel before he suggested we stay till the end. And by the last song, him and I were the only two on the floor. We closed the place down.

(Mom and Kody mocking my pose)

(Dad and my cousin, Tim- the Groom)

(My cousin Tricia, Jamie the bride, and my Aunt Carol)

(My hot shoes. The topic of conversation. Grandma was impressed by the skeleton.)

(Dance party in the hotel room. Was this before or after Kody left to go track down the 30 yr old divorcee?)

Seen any good movies lately?

I hate when I actually take the time to visit the movie store and there's nothing that sparks my interest. Well, I've seen three movies in the past month that I've actually really enjoyed. So, if you're looking for some friday night entertainment while you sit in your sweats, cuddled up on the couch, you've come to the right place. (Or am I the only one who often spends my Friday nights like that?)

Loved "Just Wright." My mom and I watched it two times within a 24 hour time period. (We were at the cabin out in the woods, cut us some slack.) Queen Latifah is an all time favorite of mine.

Next, I saw "Life As We Know It" at the theater, which I haven't been to in forever. I really liked it. My brother refused to go, claiming we already knew how it would end up. Well, happy I hope! No one likes a movie with a sad ending. Romantic comedies are often predictable but that doesn't make me enjoy them any less, and this one has a baby, so that makes it even better.

Lastly, "The Gospel." It's a little older movie, but I just saw it recently. While the acting is not quite Oscar-worthy, it was entertaining. Or did I just like it because I have a small celebrity crush on Idris Elba? Either way, Martha Munizzi performed "Glorious" and I felt like I was back at church in Nashville, sporting my choir robe, and swaying back and forth on the risers. If you feel like getting your godly groove on, go HERE



Affirm Yourself

I wish I could act like Jessica in the morning when all I want to do is climb back into bed!



twenty nine

The husband turned 29 yesterday. Of course we had to celebrate the beginning of the last year of his twenties. Because birthdays are earned and they deserve celebrating.

Dad, Mom, and Little Brother came over, went to dinner with us, then came back to our house and stayed the night.

Here's the cake I made for the big day. It tasted delish, but of course the family had to tease me about my "stingy slices." We had just eaten a heavy pasta dinner, I was trying to encourage portion control, that's all:)

When I'm with my family my heart feels full. So, it was a full night all around:)

Love you, Jake. Happy 29th!



Leopard print shoes

I bought a new pair of shoes last week. My first frivolous purchase in quite a while. I wore them around the house the first day to break them in and you'll never guess what! They gave me blisters. Yup, two of them. So, I returned them a couple of days later and bought dog food, allergy medicine, cake pans, batteries, and chocolate frosting. How does that work? I think I got jipped.

Patiently awaiting my next frivolous purchase,

Karlee

Need a good laugh?

So, this is my new thing. Cleaning in a doctor's mask. Why, you ask? Because the upheavel of dust embeds itself into my sinuses and sets my allergies on a mad mission to execute me. At the risk of sounding dramatic, I'm going to say it's crippling. So, this is my new look.

Just thought I would keep it real. No one's home is picture perfect all the time. Certainly not ours, what with the, dog hair, dust, and boxelder bugs climbing about. I will kill every last one of them.

And even funnier, here's a shot of me sporting the mask WITH my glasses on. Everytime I exhaled the left side fogged up on me!

Go ahead, laugh:)



Powerless Part II

During a lonely time in my life I borrowed a CD from one of my roommates, and 4 years later, I still have it. (Sorry, Kristi!) It's Cherie Adam's The Sweet Life. She was once part of the Christian group, Avalon. Well, her and I went to the same church in Nashville and I was really curious what her album sounded like. There are several songs I love, but Powerless is probably my personal anthem, and I will sing it one of these days.

Powerless

VERSE 1

I have spent much of my life

Proving I am strong

Trying to hide my weaker side

As if weakness was something wrong

But I can't pretend to be something I'm not

And I learn through my frailty how much You are God

So teach me to see

Lord, help me to be...

CHORUS

Powerless

Totally dependent on Your faithfulness

I am powerless

Living in Your perfect will and nothing less

On my knees is where true strength begins

'Cause Lord I've learned you are strongest when I'm powerless

VERSE 2

Why do I feel such a need to be in control?

So into me I only see the parts and not the whole

Maybe it's just I don't trust you enough

To let all my resistance freefall into love

Take hold of me 'cause I want to be..

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE

You know I can't save myself

I can't even try

You know better than I do

Just how much I'm powerless

Listen to a clip HERE