Carrie Underwood Wonderful-ness

Last night I had such a fun opportunity to go with a friend to see Carrie Underwood in concert. She is truly amazing! She is really a beautiful person with a beautiful voice. Gosh I wish she was a friend of mine! I loved every song she did. It really was a great concert! The only part that made it a little not so fun was the fact that it was a school night and I kept sort of watching the clock checking what time it was thinking about waking up at 5:30. Next time... I will definitely have to try to get it on a weekend!

Anyway, here are a few pics from last night! The pictures just don't do it justice.. but who has time to take them when you're enjoying yourself so much! She apparently got a new stage for the the 2nd half of the "Carnival Ride Tour" and it came with this nifty trap door. I was definitely impressed with her entrance... however I thought it was used a little much after that initial time. From then on I was wondering "when will she pop out next?" or "when will she disappear again into the floor?" It was kind of strange in that sense. But initially it was a cool entrance.
She is beautiful! I certainly couldn't pull of this this dress. Guess I should hit the gym a little more!There was another set of these same steps on the other side of the stage. It made for come cool prancing around!Not a fan of this crazy "lil bo peep dress." Glad it changed into this one:


Not such a good shot, but it you get the picture... waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better!

Anyway... hope everyone is well.

School is going great. Almost done with September, October is a hard month, and then it's pretty smooth sailing after that. So, say a prayer if you think about it. I sure could use it... but don't just pray for me... I'm also asking you pray for my students. Some of them seem to be struggling be it academics or just with family issues. So... think of us often! We want prayers! hehehe... Thanks and good night!

What's on your bookshelf?

This the the book that Jeremy and I are currently reading with our Sunday School class. Has anyone read this yet? It's the follow-up book to the big hit "Love and Respect." It's a lot of the same info, but still it's a good message. So reading it twice really isn't a terrible thing!

So, anyone else reading anything good? I'm particularly interested in hearing if anyone else is reading any good books when it comes to marriage-y type books. For some who may or may not know Jeremy and I lead a marriage themed Sunday School class. We've done it for about 1 year and 1/2... and we're running out of "good books." We're open to any suggestion that people have that they've read and liked. (Please don't give a suggestion if you hated it! Hahaha... I dislike reading enough as it is.)

Oh, the U.S.A

Well, you know I'm sitting here, pondering what a friend wrote on their blog... with the tv in the background with none other than presidential candidate commericials... reading a headline from the yahoo homepage.

I love the fact that I live in this country. And not for a second do I take it for granted. I know that when I was younger... even as recent as 4 or 5 years ago... I definitely took my life here... as a US citizen for granted.

I hate the fact that we in the US have become so desensitized. We forget our roots and the heritage on which we were founded. We have tried everything to have "all the freedom in the world" and yet, somehow I feel like we're more trapped than ever!

I realize that each day is a gift, and that our freedom truly is a gift. The yahoo homepage that I was reading was about a Marine who was supposed to get the Medal of Honor, but instead got a a Navy Cross (the 2nd highest medal as opposed to the highest). Why because they think he may have been shot before covering a grenade with himself. I don't know. I'm sitting here discussing it with my husband (former military), and his thoughts. Now, I know it's probably not as simple as "you died, so here's your medal" but it just seems interesting that this soldier who has given his life... that they're debating if he really should get this medal or not.

I also sit here pondering an alarming statistic... 76 percent of black males who enter high school in Baltimore will not graduate. Again, I sit here and ponder. I'm trying to pick my body up off the ground. Wow! We live in the mighty US and that's a reality?! I just think it spurs me on as a teacher even more to impress the importance of education. It also spurs me on as a Christian... what can I do to change this statistic. Where do I fall into this scheme of things? I know that there are so many countries out there that hail the U.S. as the "rich" people and what not... but here we are... with our own poor, our own uneducated. And what have I or do I do to help reverse this stat. Again, I'm left pondering.

I am also pondering and praying so hard for this upcoming election. Part of me is in denial. That "what I want" will happen. The other part of me, is so annoyed that we still have a month and a half of these commercials. I almost started reading a book this evening. (And for those of you who know me, you know why that makes Jer and my folks chuckle.) I mean, I have so many things that are important to me... and yet it doesn't seem like either one can or will fulfill my wishes. Where does one turn? The better of the two evils? Hmm.... I once engaged in a short political conversation (short because I hate politics) where someone suggested (I think) a great idea. In presidential elections, and other elections as well, there should be 3 distinct categories.... Candidate #1, Candidate #2 and Neither. If the majority picks neither... then both should be thrown out and the process started again. Now, granted, I realize this would throw us into a tailspin of constant election commercials... but, wouldn't it be nice if there were that option?

Again, I wholeheartedly love this country... I am so thankful of it... but sometimes I just sit and ponder. Let me know your thoughts..... (unless they're mean... hahaha)

Hope everyone is well! It's almost Friday and for that I am soooooooo grateful!

9/11... what do you remember?

Yesterday, as most of us know commemorated the 7 year anniversary of a national tragedy. Having a husband who served in the military, I find it very important not to forget. To continue to honor those who are serving our country, and pay respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I pray continually for a revival of our country, a great spiritual awakening. I pray that God will touch many hearts and we will turn from our wicked ways. For it is then that God promises that He will hear us, and heal our land. Even 7 years later, I believe we could certainly use a healing.

I remember where I was when I heard the news. (It seems like every generation has a "remember when" history in their lifetime.) I had just started my senior year of high school. I was alive, and excited! I was a senior. I remember it started out like any other day. I went to first period like always. It was the beginning of second period when a fellow classmate came in and said "Did you hear? A plane crashed into the World Trade Center." I remember thinking "Oh my goodness!" but not really putting that much thought into it. After all there had been bombs there before, I'm sure this was like that. We carried on with class as normal. Then third period came, and we heard the other tower was hit. That's when we knew something was definitely wrong. There still wasn't a lot of information out there for us... we were at school. I remember I was about to go to the local community college and I was talking to the office staff... they had had the radio on. They told me classes at the college were cancelled because of this. Again, the reality of what had happened started to sink in. It then shifted from an "ok place" to a scary place. What was going on?! Where we next? Towards the end of the day our school had called a special assembly. That's when we heard a censored version of what had happened. That's when I heard the towers were completely down. I just sat there shocked. It had only been a few summers before when I went there on vacation. The size of those buildings was phenominal...and to think they were down... surreal. I left school and headed to work at the local retirement community. It was then that I saw my first pictures of what had happened. Just as I'm sure with everyone, those images will forever be branded on my mind. I remember thinking about nothing else but this tragedy all through work. I didn't know what we needed to do! Do I stop for gas and hope for a better tomorrow? Go to the groccery store and buy all the water and canned goods I could? What was the next step. I got home around 7:45 that evening. I remember just sitting in awe. I remember just asking all sorts of questions. Why did God allow this to happen? Were we safe? What would happen next? My parents and I had a long discussion. We prayed for our country, and the healing that would need to take place. I remember the number of people in church that next day was astounding... especially for a Wednesday! Sunday was even more packed!

Today, I can't help but reflect... it's a good day for reflection. But the one question that continues to go over and over in my head is "what happened to it all?" Not what happened on the day of 9/11... but what happened to the spiritual revival we saw in our country? Whole cities were having moments of prayer, vigils... churches were packed.... but what happened to that? How soon do we forget! How soon have we once again turned our back on the Lord. He's a great crutch for times of need... but when things are going ok... we just pack him back up and wait for the next tragedy. I can't help but wonder what we as a nation are doing to God. We grieve Him so much. He has blessed us time and time again... and yet what do we do? Spit in His face. It's amazing how we want NOTHING to do with Him 99% of the time... and yet when He allows something like this to happen... we ask "where was He when...?" I think it's sad. I can't help but wonder what will we need to happen next for Him to have our full attention again.

God is good all the time. He is loving, merciful and full of compassion.

I pray that we will never forget. Not just 1 day a year, but all year through. Sacrifices are being made each day by soldiers across the globe... and what are we doing here to support them. Remember, nothing is free. Freedom... isn't free. It comes at a great price.

What's your story?

Wooohooo! The big 3!

Well folks, today marks another monumental day!

Today is Jeremy and I's 3 year anniversary. I can't believe it! It seems like so long ago, and yet, it seems like it just happened a few days ago. It's quite humorous, because I remember every last detail of the day... and even though Jeremy was with me for most of it (if you don't know the story, then ask me and I'll explain why... we were together most of our wedding day....) he doesn't remember many of the details. I love that I remember them. It just makes our anniversary that much sweeter.

Needless to say, we've had our times of trials... but with God's power, we've conquered them and come out on top. God has been good, and He is gracious to us.

It's a day like today when I want to thank God for giving me such a patient and loving man. And, it's days like today when I want to take a special time to honor that man whom I love so much.

I find it amazing how well God paired us up. I mean, for every quirk I have, he balances me out... for every quirk that he has I (think I...) balance him out. Jeremy is such a sweet man, who is a hard worker. I could list all of his great qualities but that would take a better portion of my evening.

I love Jeremy... and it is our anniversary.... and for that.... I will make my blog readers look at wedding pictures from 3 years ago! Enjoy!

Wow.... exhaustion

Well, I realized a few things today....

(1) I really screwed up my lay out with that last post. I have no idea if it will ever go back to a normal post. One of the big problems I have is that when I preview it, it looks normal, but when I see what people actually see.... yeah, it's all over the place. Guess someone should tell me what is the proper way to load a youtube video without messing everything up.

(2) The first day of school is exhausting... I don't know if it's the constant talking for 8 hours (of course those of you who know me know that shouldn't be even a factor) or if it's the 5:30 wake up I had. OY! But God is good, and I will get through it. Of course, I will once again be very bitter on Saturdays when I don't get to sleep in. *Humph*

(3) I have an amazing husband. Now, I know every wife thinks they've got the greatest... and I'll give you that... but since this is my blog... I get to tell you why mine is GREAT! He is very loving and supportive of me and what I do (or don't do). He also is incredibly laid back and doesn't get down by things. Sometimes its a quality that bugs me to no end... but in general I know it's a gift from God, because I'm so high maintenance and stressed that it's nice to not really shake him up very often. He's a great guy! And for that... I am very grateful, humbled and blessed.

(4) People when given a clean slate, rise to occasion. I've learned more recently the need to forgive.... and to our best with God's help to forget, but then to allow them to have a clean slate. No matter how much fun it may be to hold it against them. But God is good... and He is gracious... and above all loving and faithful! It is with His strength that we can get through anything.

(5) The need to have a normal life after we have kids. While I won't give a lot of explanation to this, I know too many people who fall off the face of the earth when a bundle of joy comes in. I thoroughly appreciate and love even more those friends of mine who can manage to have their world turned up side down by a pint size version of them... and still maintain a good realtionship with me. Maybe I'm selfish... but.... I know I appreciate those who can juggle both.

Anyways, those are my inspirations for today. I have only 7 1/2 hours until I need to get up... so... I'm going to bed.... 10 hours is best for sleep... and I'm already behind! I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend! I look forward to it, as it marks 3 years since Jeremy and I were married. (Officially it's the 2nd, but it was the Friday of Labor day when in faith, we took the plunge!)

Leave some love!

K

Learning experience... and appreciation

So, Jeremy and I are house/pet/Kimmee sitting for my parents while they're on a short vacation in Boston.

I've always known for a long time that they do an awful lot just to keep the family running. When you have a family member with disabilities it changes the family from "stereotypical" to extra-ordinary. :-)

I've grown up with my sister always being disabled. For me, it's never been any different. It's been our way of life. I've often been told stories of just the "bond" that developed even early on, when I was little. Attribute it to being a twin, or just having the best role models. I don't know.

I've seen my parents take care of my sister my entire life... and I guess until now, I've taken it for granted. I knew and I even expressed my appreciation from time to time. But, until you're actually put in that situation, you can't fully understand what it means to be in their shoes. Part of me sort of looks forward to Monday when they will be home and I can go back to my usual [selfish] way of life. Another part of me sort of feels sorry for them.. that this is their way of life. I've never once seen my parents complain, or wallow in thir circumstances. I mean, sure everyone would give a kidney to see Kimmee be normal... but I often wonder how things would be different. Would I even be the same person I am? Probably not. The last bit of me, looks to the future anxiously... Some day in the future Kimmee could be in Jeremy and I's care. Wow... will our life be different.

I know being in a family like ours, has prepared me for a lot of things that life can throw. Each day, since I've been older now... I stop to thank the Lord for my parents. I don't think I could have asked for a better set. I love my parents, and I'm so grateful for all they do for me.... Jeremy... my sister... my family. They are two of the most generous people anyone could know. They face the twists and turns of life with "It's all in God's hands" or "It's not a surprise to God. Hew knew all about this...." mentality.

I pray that my parents will find a bunch of fun, and relaxation during their time in Boston! And it is will full appreciation that I write this blog. If you haven't told your parents today how much you love and appreciate them, I encourage everyone to take a bit of time and do so today.

Thanks MOM & DAD! You two are such great role models for life! You've taught me so much about life, changes, and marriage. I couldn't ask for 2 better people! I love you lots!

Kellee