5 on Friday

Ah, the end of another week.  This past week has been full and fun.  I had a girls night, the MOPS final dinner, a field trip for Jack, and LOTS of time spent outside (we got up to 80 degrees yesterday!).

This week, I'm going to tell you 5 things I am loving.

O     N     E

I had to go back and double check this one, because I think it's crazy I haven't blogged about my newest obsession:

HAMILTON

Y'all, this musical is ah-mazing.  It's a hip hop musical all about Alexander Hamilton.

Sound like a snooze fest to you?  You couldn't be more wrong.  I don't know how, but Lin-Manuel Miranda managed to write an absolutely incredible musical that is jam packed with history.  Want to know who ran for president in 1800?  Oh, I can tell you.  Better yet, I can sing it to you.

Seriously, check this out.  I listen to it on spotify.  

Heads up, some of the songs are not appropriate for little ears so maybe listen to it once through by yourself (or ask me which songs to skip).

T     W     O

I love the idea of a subscription service, but most either don't appeal to me or aren't in our budget.  But a friend told me about MightyFix a couple of months ago.  For $10 a month, you get sustainable kitchen gear.  What you get is always worth at least $10 and usually more than that.

I signed up with a special code and got my first fix (a $20 lifeproof bottle that I use every day) for $5.  But they just gave me a referral email that will give you your first fix for $3.  And then if you want to cancel it after that, you can (it's super easy).  I kept mine and got Bee's Wrap (made in Vermont!) for my second month.  I'm going to keep it until I get a month I don't love, but for now I'm liking everything.

Also, if you are doing the fix, you can add items to your order from the website for free shipping.  I am really liking these reusable lunch napkins and I think I'm going to add them to my next fix.

If you want the referral email to get your first fix for $3, let me know!

T     H     R     E     E

I am loving this weather!  I know it has been warm for the South for a while now, but we are finally getting consistent warm days.  I still miss the parks in State College, but we are slowing finding new favorites around here.

Wednesday afternoon, Bech came home early and we took the boys to one of our favorites, Oakledge Park.  Oakledge is great because there is SO much to do.  It's right on Lake Champlain, so you can play on the rocks by the water.  There's a play structure (not amazing, but still pretty good) and a treehouse.  Plus, there's lots of grass to run around on!

We stopped by Citizen Cider (another one of my favorites) for some Full Nelson cans.  A perfect afternoon!

F     O     U     R

I mentioned this on instagram, that I just recently became a Beachbody coach.  I am not really looking to make a lot; I mostly just want the discount on new workout programs that I buy.

Since I am now a coach, I figured that I should try Shakeology for a month.  Shakeology is Beachbody's "dense super food nutrition" (their words) shake.  

Honestly, I didn't have high hopes.  For the past 3 1/2 months, I have been buying cheapo protein powder off of Amazon and making my own shakes with fruit and cottage cheese or greek yogurt.  I thought they were pretty good and waaay cheaper.  Plus, I had seen that a lot of people added veggies and fruits to their shakes, which adds to the overall cost (if you are factoring it into your budget as a meal replacement--usually breakfast).

I have been drinking shakeology for 12 days now (since I started Focus T25 on May 2nd) and I have to admit that I am sold, which totally surprises me.  Okay, here's what I love.  First of all, I haven't been adding a ton to it.  Usually I'm just adding a liquid, so almond milk, water, or OJ, and ice.  Second, they are way more filling than my protein shakes were.  I guess that's because they have more than just protein in it (so, duh), but it surprised me.  Finally, and this one caught me way off guard, they are sweet and thus I feel like I got my sweet treat for the day.  I was struggling on the 21 day fix as far as sweet things were concerned.  I would stick to the meal plan most of the time, but if I cheated, it was always for something sweet.  Now, I am not really craving the sweets, and shakeology is the only thing different I am doing.  That right there is enough to make me a believer.

If you are interested, let me know and I can tell you more.  Plus you can make me your coach (I am sure my mom is cracking up at that, I am not normally the athletic type!) and be in a facebook challege group for accountability.

F     I     V     E

This isn't something I love.  This is a confession.

For the past year, I have been rewatching Gilmore Girls.  I watched it live, I rewatched it through in Malawi, so I guess this is the 3rd go around for me (although I have watched various seasons and episodes again as well).  I am on the 7th season, so almost done.

Here's where the confession comes in.  I am Team Jess, no big deal.  Everyone loves him.

But I'm also Team Chris.

I know, I know, so lame!  But I can't help it.  I love Chris.  He's Rorie's dad.  He's always loved Lorelai.  He's cute.  There it is.  I have finally come clean.  Please tell me I'm not alone and that all the Team Luke people don't hate me.

Welp, there it is!  Have a wonderful weekend!

5 on Friday

We are back in Vermont and back in the swing of life here again.  So time for my favorite post, 5 on Friday!

O     N     E

We had the most amazing weather while we were in Mississippi.  The boys ran around in shorts most days.  Jack even got in the pool last Sunday.

This is how Vermont welcomed us back.  Nice to see you too, winter.

T     W      O

This happened a couple of weeks ago, but I do want to put it up on my blog.

Jack had a field trip to go maple sugaring and I got to chaperone.  SO fun.  I felt like I was in Little House in the Big Woods.  We learned all about sugaring.  We tasted the sap, tapped some maple trees, collected the sap, and learned about how they cook the sap down to make maple syrup.  We even tasted some different grades of maple syrup.  This is us in front of a sugaring house where they boil the sap down.

T     H     R     E     E

I can't remember if I've mentioned this on my blog yet, but I am getting super into podcasts.  I've been listening to The Big Book Cast for over a year, but that was it.  

My current favorite is The Happy Hour With Jamie Ivey.  Y'all, I LOVE this podcast.  She is just talking to a guest for an hour.  It's super conversational, like they are just at happy hour with each other.  It makes me happy.  And it makes me clean more!  I pull out Mrs. Meyers surface spray in Basil (check out epantry for a great price), put on The Happy Hour, and clean.

Yes, I am aware that I live a SUPER exciting life.  You can be jealous all you want.  Sometimes I even have to pause the podcast to find a lego piece for Jack.

Other podcasts that I have been listening to: Here To Make Friends (Bachelor recap), Personality Hacker (all about Myers Briggs), Sorta Awesome, and The Popcast with Knox and Jamie.  With these, I sort of pick and choose random episodes.

F     O     U     R

As you might have picked up on in my last post, Gil is, how shall we say, sort of a grump.  Actually, I would describe him instead as a passionate little fellow.  When he is happy, he is OH SO happy.  When he is mad or grumpy, well stay away!  

We do have a little trick up our sleeve though, and that is the beautiful, raspy voiced Ellie Holcomb.  Gil Evans LOVES Ellie's music.  I don't even remember how we figured this out, but if he is throwing a fit, Ellie is a sure fire way to calm him down.  He loves to dance to her songs.

Ellie, want to come do a show in Vermont and make one little 18 month old's day?

F     I     V     E

I don't know why I struggle so much with the fifth point every week?  Maybe I should just make this a four on Friday.  Is that a thing?  Can I make it a thing?

Also, Gil was throwing a fit, so we are currently watching the video of "Broken Beautiful."  Jack used to love to watch Taylor Swift's videos at this age, and as much as I love TSwift, I appreciate Gil's love for Ellie a little more!

Alright, everyone have a wonderful weekend!  I'll just be curled up inside in snowy Vermont!

5 on Friday

3 posts in one week?  Crazy!

But you know I love a good list, so here are 5 things going on around here.

O     N     E

Gil is officially weaned!  I last nursed him on Wednesday morning.

I weaned him the same way I weaned Jack.  Around 11 1/2 months, I started switching out one feeding a day for a bottle of whole milk.  I did this for a week, and then the next week I switched out another feeding.  For the past two weeks, I have only been nursing Gil in the morning.  I haven't dropped it yet because he's been waking up at 5, nursing, then going back to sleep until 6:30 or 7.  But two days ago, we did a little cry it out and dropped that nursing session.  So we are done!

I am a little sad, but mostly glad.  Nursing is tough!  Plus, I needed him to be completely weaned because...

T     W     O

I am going to Texas next weekend!  I haven't traveled without kids since having kids, and I have yet to spend a night away from Gil.  And both of those things desperately need to happen.  

I found a super cheap ticket from Boston to Dallas (and was able to use miles to pay for it!).  I am headed to Texas for 4 days next week to visit my little sister at Baylor.  And it just so happens to be Baylor's homecoming.

We have lots of plans:  the homecoming game, Pig Skin, Chuy's happy hour, Common Grounds, maybe some Mary Kate and Ashley movie watching...

And honestly, I am so excited about spending 6 total hours in a plane BY MYSELF that I could just burst!

T     H     R     E     E

I am actually writing this post on Thursday, because currently, we are taking a little leaf peeping drive through Vermont.

You know, because this is what it currently looks like outside...

I didn't take this picture.  But it was taken in Vermont.  And it does look like this.  

I've got a free drink at Starbucks calling my name (yay for my Gold membership), so we will grab some coffee and hit the road bright and early.  We are going to drive up to Cambridge, Vermont, and then down through Smuggler's Notch.  We will pass right by Waterbury, Vermont, on the way home, so we probably need to stop at Ben & Jerry's for the factory tour, right?

F     O     U     R

Our friends, Rob, Ashley, and Theo, were in town last weekend so we showed them around Burlington some.  And no trip to Burlington is complete without going to Church Street.

Church Street is this four or 5 block section of bricked pedestrians only road with shops and restaurants, as well as food carts and street entertainers.  Gil loved this one singer who had a banjo.  He danced and clapped the whole time we listened to him.

Gil is really hilarious and fun.  He's also super clingy and shy, so most people don't get to see that side of him.  But around us, he is a total ham.

F     I     V     E

The new Andrew Peterson cd is out!

I think it's been three years since a new Andrew Peterson cd came out.  I would say, right now, Andrew is my favorite musician.  He is such a storyteller (actually, he writes fiction too, so he really is a storyteller) and his songs are so meaningful to me.

I've been listening to this cd a bunch this week and it's really, really good!  

Well, that's 5 things, so I'm done.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Andrew Peterson

I mentioned on Friday that we were heading to an Andrew Peterson concert that night in the Lancaster area.  It was actually Andrew, Bebo Norman (on his last ever tour...he's retiring!), and Sarah Groves.

It was really good.  The three musicians took turns talking about songs and singing them.  It definitely made it feel like a house show (which I love).  And there were only 600 people there, which added to that feel.  

But it meant that I got to hear Andrew Peterson sing less, which was sad.

In case you are an Andrew fan, he sang "Day by Day," "Shine Your Light on Me,""You'll Find Your Way," "Dancing in the Minefields," and "Nothing to Say."  

See what I mean?  Not a lot of songs.

But they were all amazing.  I especially enjoyed the first three.  They are off of his new album, "Light for the Lost Boy," which I have had a harder time getting into.  But hearing him talk about each song and then sing them live really helped me connect. 

My new favorite may be "You'll Find Your Way."  It's to his son, and I love it.

"When I look at you, boy,

I can see the road that lies ahead. 

I can see the love and the sorrow.

Bright fields of joy,

Dark nights awake in a stormy bed.

I want to go with you, but I can't follow.

 Chorus:

So keep to the old roads,

Keep to the old roads

And you'll find your way.

Your first kiss, your first crush,

The first time you know you're not enough,

The first time there's no one there to hold you.

The first time you pack it all up

And drive alone across America,

Please remember the words that I told you.

Chorus

If love is what you're looking for

The old roads lead to an open door

And you'll find your way.

You'll find your way back home.

And I know you'll be scared when you take up that cross,

And I know it'll hurt, 'cause I know what it costs,

And I love you so much and it's so hard to watch,

But you're gonna grow up and you're gonna get lost.

Just go back, go back.

Go back, go back to the ancient paths.

Lash your heart to the ancient mast.

And hold on, boy, whatever you do

To the hope that's taken hold of you.

And you'll find your way.

You'll find your way."

The song is based on Jeremiah 6:16: "Thus says the LORD, 'Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, and walk in them, and you will find rest for your souls.'"

You can check out the video and Andrew's explanation of the song here.

I know Jack is only a two year old, but these times are going to come.  He's going to grow up and he's going to have to go through hurts that I can't fix.  He's going to have to know that he's not enough.  And this song is my prayer too, that Bech and I would teach him to know those paths, and that Jack would follow them.

Anyway, I know I have praised Andrew's music before on my blog, but seriously, check him out.  His songs are medicine to my soul.  He's an amazing songwriter (and a fellow C. S. Lewis lover).

5 on Friday

I guess this is all my blogging has become lately, 5 on Friday.  But I love it...I can put down five random things if I so desire (which I always desire!).  Check out others here!

O   N   E

I am, perhaps, a little too excited about Herbal Essences new/old releases.  They rereleased two of their old shampoo and conditioner sets, and they're even using the old bottles.

Actually, I just realized there is no perhaps.   I am definitely too excited.  

Please tell me someone else actually cares about this too?

 T   W   O

This one is actually exciting.  Tonight I get to go to hear Andrew Peterson in concert!  

I absolutely adore Andrew's music.  I'm not much of a concert goer (can we say old lady?), but I knew that if he came close to me, I wanted to go!

And he is!  He will be in the Lancaster area (so about two hours away) tonight, and we are going with some new friends!

T   H   R   E   E

I don't know if I've really talked about this on my blog, but we have already been so thankful and excited for all of our new friends here.  I honestly don't think that the social aspect of moving has ever been easier, unless it was in Malawi.

We have made some sweet church friends who we already love spending time with.  The ceramics department and graduate students have been incredible as well.  

And I'm even making friends in grocery stores.

Who said Yankees were unfriendly?

F   O   U   R

Sadly, I didn't get the job I interviewed for last week.  

I was sad, but not completely disappointed.  It was for a Penn State admissions counselor.  I was pretty pumped to have even gotten to the final interviews.  I was also pretty sure that if someone actually had a Penn State connection, they would get it over me.

I had another interview yesterday.  It went well, but I'm not sure that I want it to work out.  It would involve some aspects I'm not so sure about (I know that sounded super weird.  But when I do or don't get it, I'll elaborate!).

So it's back to the grind...I just want a job!  I had NO idea it would be this hard!

F   I   V   E

Check out my little bud in his Sunday best!  Fall weather means breaking out his cute fall clothes.

Actually it's been rather warm this week...I think it will be 81 tomorrow.  But next week should be in the 60's!

Bech was firing a kiln all Sunday, so Jack and I brought him a picnic dinner to eat outside of the art building.  

I don't even want to think about the age where Jack stops wearing smocked longalls.  He just melts my heart in this outfit.

Alright, that was cathartic/fun.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Randoms...

A random post...my favorite kind!

* Friday night before the concert, we got to eat in Lafayette.  Ohmylanta, this town is amazing!  There were so many cute looking restaurants.  We ate at Social Southern. I want to go again soon!  I had a grass fed beef burger and sake aged cheddar mac and cheese.  I also had the best drink I have ever had (seriously--the best).

It's hard to get grass fed beef in this state!  I felt like I was back in Vermont, eating at Farmhouse Tap and Grill.  All I was missing was a glass of Citizen Cider.

* My parents watched Jack this past week from Wednesday night until Saturday afternoon.  Even with the concert, I still had a good amount of free time on my hands.  What'd I do?

Reorganize our linen closet.

I had been wanting to reorganize this closet for a while, but didn't want to spend a lot of money on baskets.  Thanks to Ashley's post about great finds at the dollar store, I checked out our local store for some storage baskets.  Score!  Reorganized closet for $6!

I also used the extra time in the morning to grab a Diet Dr. Pepper with Vanilla from Sonic.  

I know, I'm such a wild child, right?  Sonic and reorganized closets?  Whoa!

Bech's parents are watching Jack later this month.  Who knows, I might even break out the label maker?!?

* Last week was not a great cooking week.  I had a ton going on, plus we ate out (either restaurant or a friends house) a couple of nights.  So I decided to get back to my planning this week.

First up, frittata!

Y'all, this was so good!  I cooked up some diced red potato, added eggs, sausage, cooked spinach, and goat cheese.  I put the whole pan in the oven and baked it up.  Everyone was a fan, even Jack.

Tonight, Bech made breakfast for dinner.  I came home late from a faculty meeting and errands and was expecting pancakes and eggs--you know, the norm.  Instead, Bech made homemade cinnamon rolls.  They were delicious!

Let's hope I can keep up my menu for the rest of the week.

* I felt really weird last night not watching Downton.  I miss my time with the Grantham family.  

I will just have to make up for it with the Bachelor.  Oh wait, that ends soon.  

The Office?  Again, about to end (FOR GOOD!).  

At least I still have Ben and Leslie from Parks and Recreation.  

*  Did I mention the fact that I met and took a picture with one of my favorite musicians?  

Yeah, just thought I'd remind y'all.

David Wilcox

When I was 19, I met Bech and we started dating.  He told me that one of his favorite singers was a guy named David Wilcox.  I wanted to look really cool to him, so I downloaded a couple of his songs.  I was hoping I would love David, and we would have that in common.

I didn't know then, but there are actually two David Wilcox's.  The first is a Canadian rocker.  And that's what I downloaded.  Not good.  So I decided that I didn't like David and we would just have to find some different common music likes.

That spring, Bech and I (and my little sister) took a road trip to Florida for spring break.  Bech brought along Live Songs and Stories, a cd where David sings and tells stories (okay, yeah, I guess that was pretty obvious).  Anyway, I fell in love with that cd.  Bech had one or two more cds and we've bought a couple of his other cds throughout the years.  And those cds have been my lifeline so many times.

I love music that sings the truth and the gospel to me.  And while David Wilcox doesn't refer to himself as a Christian musician, his music is so full of truth.  I always notice and pick up on new hidden gems every time I listen to him.

David's music has become "our" music.  Bech and I constantly reference songs and lyrics to each other.  One of our dreams has always been to see him in concert.  I say dreams, not goals, because I really felt like we would never get to!  He tours a lot, but rarely near us.  But this past November, our friend Hannah mentioned that Greg, her husband, and she were going to see David Wilcox in Lafayette, LA, this March.  Lafayette is only 1 hour and 15 minutes away!

So last night, Bech and I got to see David perform.  Y'all, it was perfect.  I seriously could not use any other word to describe it.

The theatre he played in was very small.  We were only about 20 feet away from him.  And he told stories before some of the songs.

He played several of my favorites: "Rusty Old American Dream," "Language of the Heart," "Show the Way," "Eye of the Hurricane."  And he played Bech and my's song, "Start With the Ending."  

He played a ton of things new to us, and they were all great.  You know how sometimes you go to shows, and it's all new stuff and you don't know it at all.  You want the old stuff?  This wasn't like that. Because his songs are very much stories wrapped up into songs, every new song is like a new treat.  

Here is David on stage--just him and a guitar.

After the show, he just came out and walked around.  I asked him to sign a cd booklet.  Pretty sure I was the only one who did that, which is embarrassing.  Then we took a picture with him (we weren't alone in that request).  He kind of put his arms out, and I said, "Are we allowed to touch you?"  Um, who says that?  I am a walking most embarrassing story.  

So here is our picture with David Wilcox.

Yup, I'm pretty happy right now.

I would love to tell you to check out his music, but I honestly don't know if you would like it.  He is amazing, and he has really loyal followers.  But I don't really share his music with everyone, because I don't want to hear people say they don't like it.  But if you are curious (and you won't tell me if you don't like it!), you should check him out.  Maybe start with "Live Songs and Stories," like I did.

To close, here are some of my favorite lyrics:

"When I get lonely ah, that's only a sign
Some room is empty, and that room is there by design
If I feel hollow - that's just my proof that there's more
For me to follow - that's what the lonely is for."

Things I'm Loving Right Now

Since I currently feel brain dead, I thought I would do an easy post!  So here's some stuff I am loving right now:

1. Andrew Peterson's Appendix A: Bootlegs & B-Sides

I borrowed this cd from a friend and I love love LOVE it.  Seriously, so good.  There are some songs on other cds and some songs only found on this one.  I love Andrew Peterson and this is no exception.

2. Purity Face Wash

I have posted about my love for Purity face wash before.  Purity is not cheap, and that would usually deter me from buying it.  But I can't help it...I love this stuff.  It works so well.

3. How close to home I am!  

This is the map of the distance from Baton Rouge to Brookhaven.  SO close!  I went home last weekend, and plan on going home at least once in September.  Plus I have already had some visits from family!

4.  Sonic

Goodness, I love Sonic.  I missed it so much.  There is one right across from school.  There is also one right around the corner from my house.  This could be bad...

5. Mrs. Meyer's Basil Hand Soap

I have always been pretty open about my love for all things Mrs. Meyers.  There was a sale on this hand wash at Whole Foods this week and I had to snatch up some for our apartment.  I love this smell!

That's what I'm loving right now.  I know I will have a whole new list when fall comes around!

Andrew Peterson

I started listening to Andrew Peterson a few years ago, but only had one cd.  But last spring, I listened to that cd non stop for a few weeks, and fell in love with it.  Since then, I've slowly been adding more of his cds to my collection.

I love lyrics, and I love songwriters who can create beautiful stories and metaphors with their words.  My favorite songwriters are David Wilcox and Derek Webb, but I think Andrew is creeping to the top of that list!

 

His songs are filled with Lewis references (my favorite) and the gospel.  During this cold and depressing winter (Vermont is not a fun place in the winter--at least in my opinion!), I have loved listening to Andrew and having the gospel daily breathed into my life.

A few of my favorite lyrics:

"And I don't believe that I believed in You as deeply as today
I reckon what I'm saying is
There's nothing more, Nothing more to say
And the mountains sing Your glory hallelujah, the canyons echo sweet amazing grace
My spirit sails, the mighty gales are bellowing Your name
And I've got nothing to say, no, I've got nothing to say"

Nothing To Say

  "I've got voices that scream in my head like a siren
Fears that I feel in the night when I sleep
Stupid choices I made when I played in the mire
Like a kid in the mud on some dirty blind street
I've got sorrow to spare, I've got loneliness too
I've got blood on these hands that hold on to the truth
That I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God"

Fool With A Fancy Guitar* 

"Now we're counting stars and counting sand
Little feet and little hands
We're counting joys
We pray you'll know them
As you knew us when you wove us
As you hold us
Hold them, please hold them"

God of My Fathers

So if anyone is looking for some new music, check out Andrew Peterson.  His latest cd, Counting Stars, is a good place to start!

* anyone spot the Lewis reference in this song?

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!
'Tis the Christ by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, 'tis He, 'tis He!
'Tis the long-expected prophet,
David's Son, yet David's Lord;
By His Son, God now has spoken
Tis the true and faithful Word.

Tell me, ye who hear him groaning,
Was there ever grief like his?
Friends thro' fear his cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress;
Many hands were raised to wound him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced him
Was the stroke that Justice gave.

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed,
See who bears the awful load;
'tis the Word, the Lord's Anointed,
Son of Man and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost;
Christ's the Rock of our salvation,
His the name of which we boast.
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded,
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on him their hope have built.

Things I love right now...

1. I unashamedly love Taylor Swift. I lover her so much (but not as much as Ansley) that I think I can call her Tswift for short. I have her new cd (Thanks, Holly!) and absolutely love it! Seriously, I listen to it every morning on the bus (well either her or Derek Webb--which is a weird mix, I know) and it makes me happy.

Now I know some of y'all are music snobs and want to be all about "cool" music. But really, she's just so fun. And she has some really good lyrics on this new cd.

My favorite:

"This is looking like a contest

Of who can look like they care less.

But I liked it better when we were on the same side.

The battles in your hands now,

But I would lay my armor down

If you would say you'd rather love than fight."

2. Bech and I love this show! We usually like most cooking shows, and this one is especially good. It's a competition of chefs from past seasons of "Top Chef." I am pulling for Richard Blaise, Angelo, or Tiffany from season 8. I really think Richard or Angelo is going to win.

3. Okay, I blame this all on Courtney. She wrote about "The Bachelor" on her blog, and it made me want to watch just one episode. And then I wanted to watch more. And now I am planning on watching the whole season. I am slightly embarrassed. But you know, when you are pregnant and a full time (well a little over full time) grad student plus you work almost 20 hours a week at the library, you deserve a little mindless drivel. And I have chosen this show to be my drivel.

4. Don't worry. I am not drinking these right now. But I want to be. But I'm not. Okay. But my friend Emily told me about a little something called the "Pump & Dump." So after Jack is born, I would like to have one of these. And I will enjoy every last drop of it. I can't wait.

5. Feeling Jack kick. For some reason, this is the week he has decided to make his presence known! He kicks a lot. It still just feels like little thumps in my stomach, so Bech hasn't been able to feel it yet. Maybe in the next week or two. He loves to kick during my Latin class--maybe he will be a little classicist! Actually, he is probably bored out of his mind and is trying to say, "Mom, get me out of here!"

I love this...

I am absolutely in love with this video right now...it makes me so happy!

Dave Barnes - "Christmas Tonight" with Hillary Scott starring Jennifer L...

I have already posted this video on my facebook, but I want to put it here too! This song is from the new Dave Barnes Christmas cd, "A Very Merry Christmas." You can check it out here. You can also buy the cd on Itunes, but then you don't get a hard copy, and I am one of those people who really enjoys a hard copy.

Anyway, it's no secret that I absolutely adore all things Christmas, with Christmas music being near the top of the list. I have already started listening to Christmas music. Then this cd came out. And I am in love. Seriously. It is at least in my top 3 of Christmas cds. (By the way, "Charlie Brown Christmas" by the Vince Guardi Trio is also in the top 3, and I won't disclose the 3rd for fear of complete humiliation).

My favorite songs so far are "Christmas Tonight" (which if you watch the video, you will fall utterly in love with as well...it is just too cute!), "Family Tree" (which made me cry on the bus...how embarrassing!), and his version of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." Although he really gives Mariah Carey a run for her money in "All I Want for Christmas."

Plus, let's not forget that Dave is a Mississippi boy, which warrants some love right there.

So watch this video. You will love it. I promise.

Then go buy the cd. It is amazing.