Proud to be an American

Last night we went to see the United States Air Force Concert Band. They were amazing. They split the concert into two parts, with the first one being more traditional concert band music, and the second half including the concert singers featuring songs from the Wizard of Oz. The second half was cute and enjoyed by all. Toward the end of the concert they played a song called Liberty for All that included narration throughout the song. It was very moving, the narrator quoted great Americans like Thomas Jefferson and General Washington. I believe that this was even more moving and exciting to me because of the recent viewing of the John Adams series. And then of course they ended the concert with Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa.

Stars and Stripes Forever

by John Philip Sousa

Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.


(Picture courtesy of the USAF site)

NO WASPS ALLOWED!

I got to work at 8:05 this morning...yes that's a little late, but most importantly by that time I had already had a very interesting morning!

Ok, so this morning it is so cold of course I had ice on my windshield (Boy do I miss having a garage!). So I tried to use water to get the ice off, but I wasn't patient and didn’t get it warm enough so all it did was make it worse. Finally I got the ice scraped off and headed to work. (So at this point it's already been a not so fun morning)

About halfway down the road I start hearing this noise I look in the rear view mirror and see that there is a HUGE wasp ON my head. Ok, first I don’t do bugs, I don’t do bugs in the car with me, and I certainly don’t do bugs on my head!!!! So now I’m driving 60 mph with the two front windows down (remember it's cold this morning) trying to get the stupid wasp out of the car. I finally thought he was gone because I didn’t see him anywhere. But lo and behold when I get into the office and sit at my desk that little booger is sitting there on my bag. He came inside with me! I couldn’t believe it. Let’s just say he’s no longer flying around!


Let's just hope I don't see anymore wasps today! I have had my fill for a while!

May's Maize Maze and Exciting News

On Saturday night a big group of friends and family headed out to the middle of no where to go stomping through a corn field! Sounds like tons of fun right? Well IT WAS! We got there and ate hamburgers and hotdogs around a campfire. At about 7 (note: that means it's completely dark) we took a hay ride down to the corn maze. This maze is in an 8 acre corn field. It took us about an hour and a half to get through it, and we certainly got our exercise!

I have pictures to post, but don't have them with me this morning. I promise to post them tomorrow!

*Updated to add pictures.

Other exciting news...
I won Free Fabric Friday on the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog. I can't tell you how excited I am! I can't wait to get my yard of fabric...any ideas what I should make with it?

John Adams

Ok, so I must admit that I do not know my history facts as well as I should. This would have been very evident had you been at my house last night as we watched this miniseries about John Adams. Let's just say I learned a good bit last night about our nation, and the way it is presented in this DVD series is AMAZING. It is very engaging, and I personally feel compelled to learn even more...that's good since we're only half way through the series!

Let's just say that if you are looking for something that is educational and engaging at the same time, this is it. Honestly, I wish that everyone that is going to vote in this upcoming election would be required to watch this before being allowed to cast their vote. This really brings home the reasons our nation did what it did and how we got to where we are now. We are so far removed as a society from what freedom really means and what the founding fathers actually had in mind in the beginning. If you get a chance, go watch this series! Seriously. If you don't want to buy it, you can rent it from Netflix (I looked this morning), or you can probably get it from Blockbuster or somewhere like that (I'm assuming). But really, take the time and go watch this series, it's amazing.

(Picture from of Amazon.com)

Marriage Conference

I forgot to mention the marriage conference we attended this weekend. It was a great conference...the speaker Dr. Bob Moeller was really good. Very entertaining and presented it in a biblical way that was really neat. If you ever get a change to hear him you should take it! Haven't read his book yet, but it should be good! He is the president of Marriage Vine Ministries. You should check it out.

How was your weekend?

I Pledge...

So right now is K-LOVE's annual pledge drive. They are fully funded by pledges from people just like you and me. They do not have any commercials on the program, just music and encouraging words. It's great. Again, if you haven't tried listening to K-LOVE you really should. I know this station is a blessing to MANY people, because if you listen long enough you'll get to hear some of those stories about how K-LOVE has been influential in a person's life. I don't have a profound story about the station like some, but I do know that when I listen to it (which is pretty much all day now) it makes me feel happier and more at peace. It really does matter what "goes in" to our minds and hearts that helps determine what comes out.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that K-LOVE is still trying to meet their goal for pledges for the upcoming year. You can help! The first way EVERYONE can help. Even if you can't pledge you can Pray. Pray that those that have the means to pledge will feel the tug on their heart and do so. Also, just pray for those that work at K-LOVE that the money will be used to its full advantage. The second way is for you to Pledge. K-LOVE asks for whatever you can give. They make it easy now, as you can pay with a debit card and it will be taken out of your account every month...no check to write, no postage needed. Here is a link to a page that answers many questions about PLEDGING.

So, go check it out and see what you can do for K-LOVE and all the people that benefit from listening. Remember, no matter what you can pray for the station :)

Hope you have a great Monday!

(By the way, I got my quilt sandwiched this weekend! I'm excited, now I just have to start quilting!)

Friday...

Once again it is that great day that most of us dream about during the week. I am very excited about the upcoming weekend because there is so much going on, which I love :). Tonight and tomorrow morning Joel and I are attending a marriage conference at church....can't wait. Should be tons of fun. The man speaking is Dr. Bob Moeller author of "for better, for worse, for keeps!" I'll be sure to update you on Monday about how the conference went.

On Saturday afternoon/night we are having a cookout at our church. We're gonna have lots of pork and great sides to go along with it. It should be loads of fun! So as you can see this weekend is full of great things to do, and I can't wait to get it started!

Hope you have a great weekend!

71 Days and Counting...

There are 71 days left until Christmas. Now I know some of you are thinking, ok, really is she already counting down the days, and then others of you just freaked out because you realized that it is October! I must let you know that I am not just crazy and that is why I know how many days there are until Christmas....I absolutely LOVE Christmas! Hope I didn't confuse you there....I love everything about the holiday. The weather, the decorating, the food, the family, the fun, and most of all the real reason for Christmas, Luke 2:1-20.

This Christmas will be the second one for Joel and I to celebrate together as a family. He laughs at me, but I am trying to start traditions that we can do for years to come. So...I want to hear from y'all....what are some great Christmas traditions that you and your family do every year? What do you remember most from holiday traditions growing up? Please, please leave a comment and let me know!

Also, I have found this neat web site, there is a link over there on the right to 100 Days to Christmas. You should go check it out. It has some neat ideas for the holidays and also can help you keep on track to be prepared when the day actually gets here!

Hope you are having a great week....looking forward to hearing your family traditions!

On my project list...

The only project making I got done this weekend was to make this little guy. He's pretty cute...I think I'd make him a little bigger next time!


Also...I think I've found a great way to give back this Christmas with a project to help with a good cause....more on that later!

WOO HOO!

Ok, so I am officially finished with my comprehensive exams! I am now playing the waiting game to see if I passed....will hopefully know in 2 to 3 weeks. But I am just glad to be past the studying phase...I have my Saturday's back once again :) So nice!

Now that I do not have to study for those exams now....I'm back to work on projects! Last night I taught my fried Lara how to make some of those adorable little baby shoes. They are SO cute...they are made from corduroy so they'll be perfect to keep her little nephews toes warm during the winter! We got on such a roll last night we even made a cute little taggie blanket. I'm jealous that Lara can now mark off one name from her Christmas list...I better get started!

Here's a peek at Lara's projects: She's a natural already :)

Spicy Blackened Catfish....and Warm Banana Bread!

Ok, we didn't have those together, but they were both really yummy! Last night I made blackened catfish. It turned out great, and it even looked like the picture on the recipe (That never happens)!

This catfish is really yummy, but it's not for those that don't like spicy! Can't say I didn't warn you!

After supper I decided to make banana bread. It was very good. It was nice to have a slice of warm banana bread and a glass of cold milk for breakfast this morning!

Yummy! You should try it!

I also just wanted to share the latest little project I made. It is a small taggies blanket...I know you've seen them around. The kiddos are supposed to like the feel of the tags. Anyway, here is my version of one...

It's Finally Friday...

Woo Hoo! I'm so glad it's finally Friday. I'm sure many of you have heard that song "It's Finally Friday" by George Jones. I used to hear it almost every Friday on the radio in the car, and now those lyrics pop into my head all the time!

Remember these Lyrics?

It's finally Friday
I'm free again
I got my motor running for a wild weekend
It's finally Friday
I'm outa' control
Forget the workin' blues
And let the good times roll.

Anyway, just wanted to say I'm super glad it's Friday even though I'll be studying all day tomorrow (That's ok because it'll be the LAST weekend I have to do that!)

Hope you enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend! Go out and enjoy this beautiful weather. Maybe take a drive on the Natchez Trace?

William Perry Stewart

There has been a new addition to the Stewart family.

William Perry Stewart
September 27, 2008
7 lbs. 14 oz.

How adorable is he? Michael and Liz we are super excited for y'all. Wish we could meet him in person!

Here is his daddy already teaching him to be a Bulldog!

Wow...

Ok, so these last two weeks have been pretty crazy. We have had a lot going on as a family, and I've had a lot going on with school. I wanted to say thank you for all the prayers for my family, especially for Nathan and Deborah and the kids.

School is going pretty well. I really can't believe that October 2nd is here...that means that in 8 days I will be taking my comprehensive exams! I am SO nervous. I am in the "trying to memorize all this material" phase. So, if you would take a minute just to pray for clarity of mind and the ability to make it through this weekend and next week and focus on all that needs to be done. It would be greatly appreciated!

Joel and I were reminiscing last night and we realized that on October 27th we will have been together in some capacity (i.e. dating, engaged, married) for 3 years. In some ways that seems like a long time, and in other ways it seems like it's been longer! It's hard to remember the days before we were married and it's only been a year and almost a half. I am so thankful for the husband that God has provided me with, and I look forward to many more days with him.