Gospel Spectacular 2011

This evening (Saturday), my family and I had to the opportunity to go to Gospel Spectacular in Lebanon. It seemed like they had a great turnout! This afternoon around 1, they started off by having a "Gaither style" sing. It was really fun..and lively :) I especially enjoyed the piano player. He was quite, quite good and exciting.

Starting at 6 this evening, the Lesters, New Horizons, The Link Family, and the Inspirations sang. (Not all together!) The Links did an awesome job! They are good friends with Tate and his family, and I have enjoyed getting to know them as well.

My friend, Rachel (Link-Keeler) and I

I was also very excited to see The Inspirations, especially after hearing that Jonathan Epley (formerly of the Epley family) was their new baritone singer. His family used to travel and sing as he and his siblings were growing up. They came to our church several times, so we got to know them over the years. I was, and still am a huge fan of him and his mom's piano playing. I have rewound their tapes and CD's over and over again just to try to get a 5 second technique on the piano figured out. It was really neat to get to see him tonight. Him and his wife have a really good CD that was produced before he joined The Inspirations. You can check it out here:  Jonathan & Tiffany Epley 

It was only fitting that I take a picture with one of my many piano "hero's" :)

The Inspirations really did a great job. You really can't beat good, strong, 4 part harmony. I enjoyed their piano player, Martin Cook who is almost 75 and still playing! He would randomly stand up and play..it was great, and comical.

There was my weekend. Have a good Sunday!

Preparing To Be A Help Meet Review

   Hello everyone! Today, I write about something a little different, but wedding related! Preparing to be a Help Meet has truly helped me in several ways. The book is written by Debi Pearl of No Greater Joy Ministries. I recommend subscribing to their magazine. It's filled with lots of great info on families, real life stuff,  and homeschooling.
 
   Back to the book.. This is basically the introduction book to Created to be His Help Meet, also by Debi Pearl. It is geared more for married women, as this book  relates more to single girls. This book has taught me so much on dealing with different situations. Find out if your husband-to-be is a visionary prophet, a steady priest, or a king in command. I know what mine is, but I better not say :) This was really helpful in learning exactly how to better your future husband's careers, ambitions, creative thoughts, and ideas. As a soon to be married young lady, there is no book I could recommend more for others in my position.


Learn about yourself! In the book, you can find out if you are a dreamer, a servant, or a go-to girl. I'll be honest, I am a go-to girl. I'm a take charge kind of person, a natural born leader, that needs to be tamed quite often, I must say. Here is a excerpt from this chapter:


                            "Some of you have strong gifts might ask.. Well, what about my God-given  gifts and drives? Are women just supposed to lay down their abilities and let the man do his thing, even when she may be more gifted and capable than he is? Yes! That is exactly the way it is, and no, not at all. The key is to recognize your natural type, not so you can take the lead, but so you can understand how it might weaken or aid your service to your first-in-command - your husband."




The book is filled with lots of wisdom from great, Godly women. Although a little off from popular belief, it's an awesome source of information. You might even be thinking "outside the box" by the time you are done. Warning: You will get convicted! Some of the popular topics include:

•  What does a good guy really look for in a girl?
•  Do you know what to pray for your man-to-be?
•  Should you tell a guy you like him?
•  Can you know God's will in choosing a husband?

The book also contains a complete Teacher's Guide for group study. You can purchase the book by clicking here.. Preparing To Be A Help Meet

While researching a few things for my post, I found out that they even have a website specifically for this book (it's that good!) You can find it here: Preparing To Be A Help Meet Website.

Have a good weekend!




             


                        
                        

3 Months and 3 Dresses

 

  Finally, at last we have picked, decided on, and bought the 3 bridesmaid dresses. It took me several weeks to decide exactly what I wanted and what style we were going for. I finally found it after looking through hundreds of dresses online. They are a pretty aqua blue, vintage style, and will go great with the overall look of the wedding. I admit, I (and Kori) regularly watch Say Yes to the Dress..my new favorite, Bridesmaid edition. I was able to pick out the dresses without my bridesmaids, and none of them will throw a tantrum about it. Thank you :)

  July 29th.. Now just 3 months away from the big day! It's really hard to believe it's almost here. The past couple of months have really flown by. My family and I are hopefully planning on moving at the end of August. It would be so nice to be able to "settle" in before the rush of last minute wedding planning.

  I don't think I have mentioned a whole lot about it, but my mom and I are one of the many beloved "couponers". We had really slacked off in the past few weeks due to too many things going on. But, we have started back up with it. I will be posting our latest finds when the time comes! This week, our local Kroger has a really good sale going on. Later on in the week, I should be able to come with several free items. I will keep you all posted. We have a decent sized stock-pile at home, but not excessive like people from Extreme Couponing..although, that does fascinate me. So, you may just see us toting around our pink, zip-up coupon binder. I always enjoy the questions, comments, and stares from strangers when they see us. Catch ya'll later!

Have a good day, folks :)

New Look!

Yes, yes as the title goes... You are awesome for keeping up with my blog. I've decided to change some things up. I needed a new look. This way, I'll be able to make my blog look prettier and keep you entertained while doing so. The page is still "under construction" but will be done as soon as possible!

More posting to come tomorrow...

New Purchase

  I'm a little late updating, but this weekend I was able to hit a few yard sales. I found this really cool antique bird cage at a sale for $3. The previous owners wanted to know just exactly what I was going to be using it for. I'm not sure if they really "got" it..they looked a little suspicious. :) They were happy for me to take it off their hands, though. I plan on painting it white..it should look great once we get done with it. It will show up somewhere at the wedding, just not sure where yet.

As for other planning, invitations have been printed and addressed. We have invited lots and lots of people,  but thankfully we have lots of mutual friends! I'll be mailing those out in a few weeks.

Every couple of days, I try to check out this website: Style Me Pretty I have gotten so many ideas from it! Some of their weddings are a little quirky, but I love them because they think "out of the box". Style Me Pretty Texas is my favorite..lots of outside and barn weddings! The newest post even has similar lanterns like I bought last week!

Tate has been gone for 3 weeks, just 7 more to go! 48 days to be exact :)

I'm Back!

    It has been almost 3 weeks since I have posted last. I know, bad blogging etiquette. In the last 3 weeks, Tate and I finished up all of our recording for our cd. I was SO excited to get that done. Hopefully it will be ready in the next couple of months.
  Tate and his family are on an 8-9 week tour in the northern part of the country and Canada. I miss him, but time is going by quickly. Lots of wedding plans need to be finalized, invitations addressed, and my family and I have to move. So, I am staying busy!


  My mom and I have been scouting out local thrift stores and even yard sales for unique things  we could use for the wedding. I am leaning more towards country, vintagy things with rustic accents, of course. Here are a few things I have found recently..

  I loove these silver lanterns. We were able to find these at Lowe's marked down. We bought 8 of them, perfect for each end of the aisle with a tea light inside.

Ah yes, endless possibilities with a can of spray paint. I'm sure this will be used alot. Before and after pictures coming soon.

   We bought 5 coordinating fabrics to make fabric pennants with. They are so cute and will look great inside the barn. A Martha Stewart idea..go figure. She is awesome, regardless of her criminal history.

 We found these candle holders at a little shop in Salem. Their downtown is full of small gift shops and thrift stores. I even bought a Vera Wang purse at the same store :)

 
    Kori and I bought these 2 items today. The wreath and the twig ball was less than $1.50 for both. I'm sure we can salvage them for that price!
  Wedding shopping has been really fun! It's more fun to shop for things and save money than go out and buy your typical cookie cutter wedding decor. I will post more soon!