Yes, Another Post About Brooke Fraser…

Posted on 01.06.09 in General and there are 4 comments.

I have been playing this song over and over for days...sadly, I can’t find it on any of her albums or for sale anywhere.

Listen and enjoy.

I Would Blog, But…

Posted on 11.11.08 in General and there are 19 comments.

The plumbers have left.

The leak is fixed.

My washing machine is back.

....and my laptop is on the other side of the mountain of laundry that has accumulated over the past week.

If you don’t hear from me in 48 hours, call search and rescue.

Oh, and you might want to buy stock in Gain. I’ll be using A LOT of it over the next day or two.

What is your laundry detergent of choice? (Extra props to any guys who know what detergent is used in your house.)

Busy or Relaxing?

Posted on 10.27.08 in General and there are 9 comments.

Whew. This was a very busy weekend.

A church conference, meetings, 2 parties, a soccer game, a sleepover, cheered a friend on during her first marathon (she placed 2 in her division!), and I nursed a bad cough through all of it.

Whew. It was a busy and tiring weekend, but so, so fun.

I love weekends that are so full that Friday seems like a long, long time ago.

Was your weekend busy or relaxing? Which do you prefer?

I Think Walmart Might Even Be Closed For This…

Posted on 10.15.08 in General and there are 15 comments.

If you hear fireworks, see road side celebrations or notice your bank is closed, that’s because it’s Jimmy’s birthday today.

Jimmy is an amazing husband, father and friend. Instead of just listing all of his great qualities, I thought I’d share some random examples.

Jimmy is kind. He refuses to park in the closest spots in parking lots because he can walk just fine so he leaves them for those who can’t.

Jimmy does all the dishes and isn’t afraid of diapers. Enough said.

Jimmy’s a great leader. There are some leaders who lead based on a strong and outgoing personality. That’s not Jimmy. He’s a great leader because he hears God. He’s outgoing and witty and all that, but, more importantly, he spends a lot of time on his knees. He doesn’t lead people where he thinks they want to go, he leads them where he believes God is calling.

This may sound cheesy, but, honestly, I think Jimmy is just what a man should be. He’s brave and strong but thoughtful and patient too. He shows our kids how to worship and pray and read the Word. He doesn’t fit our family around his career, he fits his career around our family. He serves us and leads us and makes sure we’re well taken care of. And he makes sure we have fun along the way.

When we first started dating I totally didn’t feel worthy of someone so wonderful.

Ten years later I still feel the same way.

A Few of My Favorites

If you’re one of the many new folks around here and you don’t feel like you know Jimmy very well, here are some of my favorite posts about or by him:

A Surprise Guest Post From Jimmy
If you like sweet, gushy posts, this one’s for you. Husbands, take notes.

What Not To Say To Your Pregnant Wife
The title says it all.

He Said, She Said
Fortunately, we’ve overcome this early bump in our marital bliss.

Kat and Jimmy: How We Met
This is the story of how we met. Here’s part 2.

I love you Jimmy. Happy Birthday!! 

What Is God Doing?

Posted on 10.14.08 in General and there are 7 comments.

Photo by tricky ™
Bible study time hasn’t been very consistent for me the past 6 years.

As soon as I’d get into a good rhythm, I’d have another baby and my schedule would go out the window. My “quiet time” has mostly consisted of reading a few verses (maybe) and a couple minutes of prayer here and there through out the day.

But now that my youngest is older, I don’t have an excuse.

Early in the Morning

So a couple months ago, I started getting up early again to read and pray. At first, it was hard, but after a week or two it became my favorite part of the day. And, now, it’s actually been easy to get out of bed in the morning. (And believe me, that’s a miracle in itself...)

As a result, I’ve had time to listen to God. And you know what?

He’s got a lot to say.

I just thought I’d share with you some of the things I’ve been learning and I’d love for you to share what God’s been doing in your life as well.

Glory

One of the phrases that has stuck with me the most lately is this:

Worship is losing my glory in His.

Sadly, I can be pretty vain, conceited, self centered...the list goes on.

For example, often times, before going to a social event I’d think through the things that I could say that would be funny, helpful or impressive. Cute things my kids have done. My recent accomplishments. Blah. Blah. Blah.

But I don’t want to constantly seek my own glory. I want His. So, lately, I started praying for people as I drive to parties, playgroups or soccer practice. I pray for the grace to really listen (not just wait for my turn to talk). I pray for the needs of the people I’m going to see. I pray that God would use me to encourage them so that they don’t walk away thinking how great I am, but how great He is.

Comfort

I’ve always loved sports. I love pushing myself to see how much farther or faster I can run.

In sports, comfort is the enemy of change. I think that’s true in our spiritual lives too.

I’m ready to get out of my comfort zone and into His. (I think.) Frankly, it sounds terrifying. But, more than anything I want my kids to follow wholeheartedly after God.

But I have to show them what that looks like.

So, I don’t see comfort as a goal anymore. I don’t want to live each day so that I can rest at night. I want to live each day so that I can grow and change.

I love the new Nike slogan “Leave Nothing.” I want to give every day - everything I have so that by the end there will be a little less of me and a little more of Him.

Your Turn

I have so much farther to go and so much more to learn. But I’m excited about the journey.

Are you in a season of learning? What are some things God has been teaching or changing in you? 

Parent’s University: Third Day’s Mark Lee, Pt. 2

Posted on 09.17.08 in General and there are 2 comments.

Here is Part 2 of my interview with Mark and Stephanie Lee. Click here to read Part 1.

7. Has Abbie taken an interest in music or technology like her dad?

She has!  Abbie loves singing and dancing, and can work my iPhone about as good as I can!  She took her first piano lesson this week.  I know I’m going to have to be careful. Just because I chose music as a profession doesn’t mean she will.  My dad was an aircraft mechanic and I know NOTHING about anything remotely, um, mechanical!  The key is to give her just enough structure through lessons but to keep it fun.  Music is something you PLAY.

8. (This was a question for Stephanie, Mark’s wife.) I have a hard time maintaining peace and retaining my sanity until 5:30pm...and my husband works from home....how do you manage it all when Mark is on the road?

It can be hard but I have been “taking care” of our home for 11 years.  Since mark and I began dating he has been traveling full time.  In a way it is just a part of my life and I don’t know what “normal” looks like. 

Our weekends are mon-wed.  We get in a daddy gone schedule and then when he is home it is like the weekend and we relax and play.  I am fortunate to live near both sets of grandparents and they can’t seem to get enough of the girls so they often help out. 

When Mark is busy touring on a regular schedule we make sure that at least 1 day a week I get the day to myself.  That is my time to recharge, regroup and get the errands done.  It can be pretty tiring and stressful at times but I know that this is Mark’s calling and passion.  I have often said if it wasn’t part of a ministry I don’t know if I could do it.  We see the good that comes from him being gone.  Lives are literally changed.  Mostly, we as a family don’t take things too seriously.

If we had to have a family motto it would be “have fun”. That is the main rule in our house.  I love being a mom and we miss daddy when he is gone, but when he is home he is HOME.  Most dad’s don’t get to do most of the things Mark gets to do during the week while he is off.  Mark recently had the “opportunity” to be Mr. Mom as I was working for the day.  Late in the afternoon he said his respect for what I did everyday had totally gone up.  It was 3:30 and he was about to lose his mind (and he had his mom over to help!!!). 

Maybe I manage b/c I am superwoman… nah, just a wife who loves her husband and wants him to follow his calling and and mama who loves her girls and wants them to be happy!!!

9. Are there any parenting books or resources that you or Stephanie recommend?

This is probably not the answer you’re looking for, but I love the TNIV Bible.  Yes I will probably get some flack in certain circles, but I love that as my girls get older, we can read The Bible together.  And I won’t have to explain that even though it says “men” or “brothers” that girls and women are included too.

10. Most Christian musicians live in the Nashville area. What keeps you in Atlanta and has it been hard to maintain your home base there while working in the CCM industry?

Both Stephanie and I grew up in Atlanta and we want our kids’ grandparents to be a big part of their lives.  We actually lived in Nashville for 5 years and loved it.  There are many aspects that I really miss like the mentoring group I was a part of, and the general creative feel of the area.  But Atlanta is home for us, and it’s worth the trade off to live so close to Grandma’s.  (Read:  free babysitting...)

11. You used your iPhone to create “Hannah Montana Radio” for Abbie. Any other tips on using technology to be better (or at least, more fun..) parents?

Yeah, Pandora is really fun.  We also have a blast with my little Flip camera.  And Abbie has become quite the photographer with my iPhone camera.

I’m glad you asked this question, because this is kind of a big deal to me.  It is so tempting as a parent to say “I paid a lot of money for this gadget and you can’t touch it because you might mess it up.” Sure, you need to teach kids to be good stewards of what we have.  But I also want to teach my kids to explore and be creative.  Abbie made a hilarious video about gravel in iMovie a few weeks ago that I need to put on my blog.  Her little personality really shines through. 

Remember: I am in a band today because my parents let me play with a violin when I was 6 years old!

Piper Palin Does The Lick N Slick

Posted on 09.04.08 in General and there are 8 comments.

This absolutely cracked me up. What an ADORABLE little girl.

(p.s. I’ve missed you all! I’ll be blogging more regularly starting next week.)

If You Could Compete In Any Olympic Sport….

Posted on 08.07.08 in General and there are 16 comments.

Photo by Dod

What would it be?

On your mark. Get set. Gold…

(sorry...that was a really, really bad pun.)

My 4 Year Old Is Not An Ex-Con. Thank You.

Posted on 08.06.08 in General and there are 10 comments.

We’ve been visiting a local nursing home for the past couple months. It’s been wonderful. My kids enjoy going, the residents LOVE interacting with them because my children are, in fact, the most adorable children in the world.

But apparently, the Administration thinks my 4 year old is an ex-con.

They give the shifty eye to my 6 year old and 16 month old too.

You see, they have rules and their rules say that they need social security cards, references and other personal details about all volunteers.

ALL VOLUNTEERS. Even babies, apparently.

You may or may not have noticed that I’m a somewhat over protective mom. Remember our Christmas pics from a couple years ago...?

Um...yeah.

I wasn’t happy about giving them my info, so I wasn’t about to give them all identifying information for each of my children.

Especially since I think it’s stupid.

I mean, really. Who does a background check on a 16 month old?

Background check person: “Yep, just as I suspected. He’s a chronic....drooler.”

So, we’re going to have to find another way to volunteer - somewhere else. A place that doesn’t think my 4 year old is an ex con.

(On a more spiritual note, I think this is a fine parallel for legalism. Sometimes we try so hard, in our own power, to make sure that everything is safe - that we make silly decisions that hurt the very people we are professing to help. This is where legalism needs to be balanced with mercy and grace. And where following God needs to be prompted by faith and not fear.)

My Own Personal Paparazzi

Posted on 08.04.08 in General and there are 14 comments.

It’s not easy for people like Jennifer Aniston, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus and me.

It’s not easy to have every move watched, scrutinized and repeated. It’s not easy to be followed everywhere.

E-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.

It’s not easy to have people hang on our every word. People who try to dress like us, talk like us and act like us.

If one wrong word comes out of our mouths, it takes months - sometimes years to make it right.

We have an important responsibility to live well…

Fame and Motherhood are essentially the same....

The only difference is a few million fans.

Question of the Day

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?

Music Monday: Live or Recorded?

Posted on 08.03.08 in General and there are 16 comments.

(This post is a part of Music Monday. Join the fun. Write a post about music and add your link below.)

A Rift In Our Marriage

Jimmy and I have a rift in our marriage.

You see, I love concerts and he loathes concerts.

I don’t understand this, but I am trying to accept it.

He also loathes live albums. And puppies.

(Ok. I’m lying about the puppies...)

I suppose it makes sense that he doesn’t like concerts. He is a very responsible, organized, stable, incredibly handsome kind of guy. He likes well produced final versions of albums as opposed to live recordings or demos. He likes to actually understand the words and clearly hear all the instruments. Concerts just don’t sound as good as the album.

I on the other hand love concerts and live albums. I love hearing the raw talent and imperfect passion in the music.

Speaking of Concerts...

So instead of going with Jimmy, I’m going with a minivan full of girl friends to the Brooke Fraser concert on Wednesday. As you can imagine, I’m quite excited about it.

I’ve instructed my friends not to speak to me or make any audible noises once the music starts. Do you think that’s rude?

Your Turn

What about you? Do you prefer live or recorded music? What’s the best concert you’ve been to?

Join in on the Music Monday fun. Write a post about music and add your link below. Simple.

The 100 Push Up Challenge: Week 2

Posted on 08.02.08 in General and there are 11 comments.

We’re now done with week 2!

So far Jimmy and I are both doing pretty well. Jimmy even upgraded me to “almost real push up” status.

I no longer do girly push ups...woohoo!

Next week looks pretty tough, but I’m excited about it.

How are you all doing? Who all is still doing the challenge?

(If you’re still in it, let me know and I’ll add a link to you each Saturday. I don’t have any other kind of reward to give you for sticking with it, so I’ll just send the other 2 people who read this blog over to your site.)

One Hundred and…..WHAT?!

Posted on 08.01.08 in General and there are 18 comments.

Photo by Leonard Matthews
It’s supposed to hit 106 here on Monday.

106...as in...degrees.

That is just so many kinds of wrong…

I wonder, could I use my car as one giant crock pot...?

Is the weather any better where you are?

Parent’s University: How To Raise Compassionate Kids

Posted on 07.30.08 in General and there are 6 comments.

Welcome to another installment of Parent’s University. Feel free to join in. Just write a helpful post about parenting and add your link below (at the end of the post).

Today, in light of the final day (tomorrow) of The 40 Day Fast, we’re going to talk about ways that we can teach our children compassion.

Photo by keysofvirtue

Here are a few things that Jimmy and I do at our house to help our three Small People consider others:

1. Prayer - Whenever we hear a siren or see and ambulance or fire truck, we stop what we’re doing and the girls pray for the medics and whoever they’re trying to help.

2. Doing - Once a week we visit a local nursing home. The kids love having a chance to “perform.” They sing songs, quote their memory verses, talk and hug. It’s really been a fun time for us.

3. Sharing - We had our girls look at the Compassion website and choose a child to help. Her name is Grace and my girls talk about her and color pictures to send in our letters.

4. Giving - We also have a little jar where we put our change. When the jar is full we’ll send the money to Grace as a special gift.

These are just a few small ways we’re trying to teach compassion to our kids. Of course, the most important way is for Jimmy and I to model it. I can’t just tell them to be compassionate, I have to show them.

Your Turn

What are some other ways we can teach children to consider and care for others?

Share your thoughts on your blog (adding your link below) or here in the comments.

(And fyi - your Parent’s University post doesn’t need to be on this topic. Any parenting ideas or tips are welcome.)

Week 1: The 100 Push Up Challenge

Posted on 07.25.08 in General and there are 9 comments.

So, how’s it going everyone?

I’m excited that so many people have jumped on board. Although, I have to say the male to female ratio of participants is....interesting. 3 to 14.

There will be an upcoming blog post on that…

Week 1 went well for Jimmy and I. I’m still sportin’ the girly push ups, but I think my flat Filipino nose is working against my attempts to do “real” nose and toes push ups. If only my nose was a foot longer…

So, how was week 1 for you? Who’s still in it? Anyone new want to join?

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