11 Months Old Already???

So tomorrow, Redick will be 11 months old. I thought since I hadn't had a chance to upload any new pictures of him lately I would post a few of my favorites from the last month or so.

Red is really a great dog. He's a little bit ornery at times and that can be overwhelming. I love him though. He has discovered he can bark and some days I wish he hadn't discovered that, but, what can you do?
He hits me at about my hip at this point and I know he weighs well over 100 lbs. Last time we took him to the vet he weighed 115 lbs. He's a beautiful dog. I am really glad to have him. Even though he's sometimes overwhelming, he's a been a great addition to our family.

Red Red, yawning....

Me & Red this last week.

Seth insists Red is the same size he was when we got him in July.

He may be a little off his rocker.

Red, Riley, & Momma

He sure has a sweet face!

Hate....

So I read today that the "Westboro Baptist Church" is planning on picketing Elizabeth Taylor's funeral. I just want to say that these people make me absolutely sick. I am a Christian. I believe in God, but what these freaks are "preaching" is false. God doesn't hate. That's not what he's about. I have friends that don't believe in God and well, it's because of people like these nuts at Westboro. They make the world think that Christians are these judgemental & very horrible people. I just want to say, we aren't. We are loving and kind and accepting. We aren't all like these nuts. I believe in my heart that they will have to answer some day for all the funeral picketing they have done. You don't do the things that they do and have no consequences.

 Makes me sick to think that this is what the world views as Christians. So to my friends that read my blog and don't believe.....please know that we aren't all this way. These people are NOT the same kind of Christians I am. I may not agree with your lifestyle, but, I don't hate you for it. I don't treat you any different than the people that go to my church. I pray for you every single day and I think about you when you are having hard times and I pray even harder for you then. So please don't look at these freaks and think that we are all like them. We aren't. If you are a friend of mine and know me at all, you know I'm not this kind of person and I'm ashamed that these people are out there claiming to be Christians. Truly ashamed of what they are doing.



Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15

52 Week Project

So I haven't blogged in a little while. I've taken a little time away from the blog and tried to get some things done around this house. I've packed a hospital bag & a baby bag. I've cleaned and done a maternity shoot....it's been busy. I thought I would write today and announce the new "challenge" that my bff, Shawna, and I are going to be doing.

We have decided to do a weekly challenge together. We will be posting at least one blog a week, for 52 weeks....all off of a list I came up with. It is a lot of different subjects and we will be blogging a picture at least once a week starting Monday. I'm not sure what day we will post on so just check back. Some days it may be a Monday and others it may be on Saturday.....you just have to check our blogs to see the pictures we come up with. I think this will be a fun challenge for us. It will allow us to be creative with our pictures. I like that! My BFF is one of the most creative people I know. She's going to have some great pictures and I can't wait to see them! I hope you enjoy the next challenge. I think it will be so much fun!

If you'd like to follow Shawna's blog so that you can see how different our ideas of each subject are...... Click HERE!!!!

Key Lime Cheesecake!

So this is the 3rd cheesecake I've baked since I started my cheesecake challenge. For those of you that don't have a clue what I'm talking about, I gave myself a challenge on New Years. Instead of making a New Year resolution, I decided to give myself a challenge. I decided that I really want to master the cheesecake this year. I've been trying to learn cheesecakes for a while. This challenge is to make one new cheesecake a month. So far I've made a Toblerone Cheesecake and a Nutella Cheesecake. This month I decided to make a Key Lime Cheesecake. It's St Patty's day and limes are green so it made sense to me. It was a very time consuming cheesecake but I had fun making it. I am going to post pictures of the cheesecake like I do every time I make one. So here goes.....

Some of the ingredients.

Key Limes! They are TINY and hard to juice!

Yummy graham cracker crust!

Fresh squeezed Key Limes!

Add the lime juice and mix well!

Ready to bake!

Let me tell you, this was DELICIOUS!

Finished! Even though it cracked, I'm positive it's going to be good!

Tennessee Line

Well it's the last day of the music challenge. So today I'm posting a song from one of my all time favorite artists ever. Chris Daughtry. He has this amazing sound that I just never get enough of. I remember at Thanksgiving one year he performed at the halftime show of the Dallas game. All the men in our house had been watching the game and when halftime came on, I'm quite sure I was the only one even aware there was something so magical going on. Everytime I hear this man sing, it seems like the world stops spinning. He has some of the most amazing music. I remember when he was on American Idol. When he got voted off, I stopped watching and never watched again. I was so glad when he put together an album. So today I'm posting one of the songs of his that means the most to me.

Tennessee Line is one of my favorite Daughtry songs. It always makes my heart feel good. It's about turning around your life and forgiving yourself of mistakes you've made in the past. About making better decisions and looking forward to a new beginning. At least that is what I take from this beautiful song. So I hope you enjoy Daughtry. He's such a beautiful man and that voice grabs me everytime I hear it.

Anything Like Me

So I was supposed to post yesterday but it was a very busy day and I didn't get the chance. I had my birthing class, which lasted from 9 am to 4 pm.....it was a long day. I was exhausted afterwards. I cam home and sat down with Seth while he ate his dinner and then I went shopping with Mom after he left for work. I didn't get home until around 9 lastnight. So I just didn't get the time to post. Today has been a busy day too. I heard this song on my way home and it had to be posted.

Anything Like Me is a song by Brad Paisley. I love Brad Paisley. I've seen him in concert, he writes most of his music himself, he puts on a great show, and I love his music. He's kinda crazy and ornery and I think that makes me love him even more. He's one of the few perfomers that still seems humble. I love that about him.

This song makes me think of my immediate future. It's about his son and when he found out he was having a boy and all the thoughts that went through his head. It makes me think about all the things that my child will be, who he'll look like, who he might act like. I love this song. If he's like my husband, he's going to make me very proud.

You Can't Lose Me

Tonight I've chosen to post a song that means the world to me. This song was on a cd I owned when I was in High School. It's called "You Can't Lose Me" by Faith Hill. I'm not the biggest Faith Hill fan but this song just struck a chord with me. It reminds me of my Momma.

I have the greatest Mom in the world. I have always been close to my mom. She's always been one of my very best friends. She's taught me a lot in my life. She made our house a home when we were growing up. We always knew that no matter what kind of a situation we got ourself into, she'd always be there to help when we needed it. She never was one to hang things over our heads when we did things wrong, she just helped us figure out where to go from there. She's pretty amazing. This song, is "our" song. It's her ringtone when she calls me. It's what we say to each other when things around us seem to suck. I even have a framed picture of us that she gave me a few years before I got married that has the lyrics to this song right next to the picture. It's one of my favorite posessions. I love my mom, she's pretty great. I hope that you enjoy the song.....if nothing else, just listen to the words.

You Can't Lose Me by Faith Hill

"You Can't Lose Me"

A little girl, a little small for her age

A little too slow for the field day race

Momma's waiting at the finish line

And wipes the teardrops from her eyes

She says, You did just fine honey, that's okay

Sometimes life's just that way

You're gonna lose the race from time to time

But you're always gonna find

You can't lose me

Bet your life
I am here and I will always be

Just a wish away

Wherever you go

No matter how far

My love is where you are

You won't be lost if you believe

You can't lose me

Momma use to say , Girl it won't be long

Til it's time to go out on your own

Chase your dreams find your place in life

I know you'll do just fine

When that day finally came

There were things she needed to but could not say

So I whispered softly as I wiped

The tears from Momma's eyes

You can't lose me

Bet your life

I am here and I will always be

Just a wish away

Wherever I go

No matter how far

My love is where you are

You won't be lost if you believe

You can't lose me

The House That Built Me

So this last week has been filled with me baking and making some of my favorite dishes of my Mammaw's. I made her famous chocolate pie Monday, fried fish & potatoes yesterday, and biscuits and home made white gravy today. All of these treats I've made this week have reminded me of some great times I've had with that sweet lady. Which is why I am posting the song "The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert.

This song reminds me of my grandparents house. They have been a big influence to my life. I learned how to live and how to love from these two amazing people. They have taught me so much. I'm glad I've had them to help make me the person that I am today. This song just always reminds me of that wonderful house and two of the most wonderful people I've ever been blessed with in my life. I love them with all my heart.

4th of July

Shooter Jennings. Well I'm not even sure what his music is really. On his website it says "Black Country Rock" and I'm not entirely sure what that means. But I do know that I like most of the stuff of his I have heard. The song "4th of July" is the first song of his I ever heard. I loved it. I knew he was the son of Waylon Jennings so when I bought his cd I kinda expected music close to what his dad made. It wasn't. It was different and fun. I love his sound.

This song is one that always reminds me of summer. This song came out the summer after Seth & I got married. I loved how upbeat and fun it was. And it's about my favorite time of year & holiday. It always takes me to this place that is happy and fun. It can bring me back to that summer feeling in the dead of winter. I hope you enjoy it.

Streetcorner Symphony

So for those of you that don't know, I have a slight obsession with Rob Thomas. I have loved him since I first heard him in Matchbox 20 the summer after my Freshman year of High School. I remember the first time I heard that voice....it just has this unusual sound. I love it! I have not ever heard a song of his that I didn't like. Even in his Matchbox 20 days, I just couldn't get enough. This song I'm posting today is called Streetcorner Symphony. It was on a cd that my brother in law bought me for Christmas a few years ago. I listened to that cd so much that I finally wore it out. I didn't know that was even possible. This song is fun and up beat and I hope you really enjoy it.

The closest thing to Heaven

So today I decided to bake a chocolate pie for Seth's best friends' parents. They have been so generous to us and have given us their basketball tickets to the OU basketball games. The seats are very close to the floor. Maybe 6 rows up from the benches at center court. We've gotten to go to all the games that we wanted and it has been a blast for us! So to show our appreciation, I have baked Mammaw's Famous Chocolate Pie. That's the name I've given this pie because people from all over the country will travel to Mammaw's to "visit". Truth is, they all know that she will make a chocolate pie & a coconut pie to welcome them with. I'm not saying that people don't come to visit Mammaw & Pawpaw because they like them, but seriously, this pie is amazing. She started teaching me how to make them 2 years ago. I made my first one for my in-laws for Thanksgiving. I'm getting better at this. I tasted the filling that didn't go into the pie crust and it tastes pretty dang close to my Mammaw's. We have decided that for Thanksgiving or Christmas we are both going to make one and see if anyone can tell the difference. I'm confident that if they can tell the difference it will only be because I don't have the proper technique down quite yet for putting on the merenge. I'll get there. So I thought I'd share pics of the pie. In my opinion, this is as close to Heaven as you can get while you are here on earth.

Then They Do

Well, it's hard to believe it's day 24 of the music challenge. Not too much longer and we'll be starting a new challenge!

Today I'm posting a song from one of my very favorite artists. Trace Adkins is one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen in my life. I've always loved his music. I kinda have a thing for country guys. Trace is this extremely tall, rugged, rough and tumble, country man. He always has the greatest music. Some of it is silly and some of it is beautiful. The song I'm posting today is about your children growing up and the changes that take place in a parents life. I can remember when this song first came out. My mother would cry every single time she heard it. I understand now why this song got to her. You know, I realize now why my Mom always tries to "mother" me even though I'm almost 30 years old. It's not because she thinks I'm an idiot and don't know what I'm doing. It's because to her, I'm still that little baby that she brought home from the hospital. I'm still that little girl that would carry around Favorite Baby and suck my thumb. I am posting this today because it made me think of her. Before long, I will have my own baby to take care of. I will understand even more why my parents are the way they are with me. It's a love thing.

Trace Adkins -- Then They Do

Us not long after my brother joined the family!

Us at my brother's wedding almost 3 years ago.

 

Bring It On Home

So lately I've been posting songs that remind me of my husband. Today is no different. I guess maybe the closer I get to having this baby, the more I realize how much our lives are about to change. This song is one that always makes me think of Seth. He's someone that I can always talk to about things. When I was working this is how it felt coming home to him. No matter what happened at work, no matter how crappy of a day it was, I could come home and he was here. He always made me laugh and on days that I just needed to sit and be held, he was there. I think he's pretty amazing and this song makes me think of him. When I have a bad day, I can listen to this and feel like nothing is as bad as it seems. So I hope you enjoy the song.

Bring It On Home -- Little Big Town

Something To Talk About

So I have been up since 6:30 this morning. I got up and came into the living room to eat something for breakfast. I turned the tv on and started flipping through all the channels for something to watch. One of my very favorite movies was on. Something To Talk About. Now I own this movie. My friend, Holly, sent it to me right around Christmas. But even though I own the movie, I never can pass it up when it's on tv. The sister in this movie, well, she reminds me of me. My favorite scene is when she knees the guy in the privates. It's something I wouldn't hesitate to do. So today I will have this theme song stuck in my head. I love Bonnie Raitt. It's rare that I find a song of hers that I don't like. So here's one from the past that makes me smile and wanna dance. I hope you enjoy!

Favorite Song....

So a friend asked me today what one song is my favorite song. What song could I listen to over and over and never get tired of. Well I've thought about this and it's one of the hardest questions I have ever been asked. I love music. I love a lot of different kinds of music. But while I was thinking about this particular question, the song hit me. Somewhere In Between by Lifehouse. I love that songs. It speaks to me on so many different levels. When a problem arises, this is the song I always turn to. This is the song that allows me to let out my emotions. It is the one song that can always calm me down and bring me back to a world that doesn't suck. This band is one of the few bands that I can't get enough of. I have never heard a song of theirs that I didn't like. They have a lot of talent and a sound that is like no one elses I've heard. This is one band I'd give anything to see in concert. So I hope you enjoy them.

Country Man

Okay so today, I'm posting a song that reminds me of my husband. Country Man by Luke Bryan. I loved this song from the moment I first heard it. It reminds me of my husband. He's the type of guy that wears boots, raised pigs, drives a tractor, and loves country living. He's a fun guy and not many people get to see that side of him. I know that he makes my life better. He can make me laugh when I'm sad or mad and I love that about him. He is just a great guy. I can see him acting like Luke Bryan in this video. I'm so glad that he is this funny guy around me. He's just awesome.

I know that my best friend will be cringing at the sound of this song. She may even turn the volume down and just watch the video! I can already tell this isn't going to be a hit. It's very country. So I'm sorry Shawna!

It Gets Better

I missed yesterday so I will have 2 entries today. I'm posting a song that always makes me feel better when I listen to it. This week has been extra long for me. I've had a lot of people in my life that have needed a friend this week. And they all seem to be coming to me. I'm not really sure why some of these people thought I was the right person to talk to about their problems. But me being me, I talked to them all, talked them all "off the ledge" so to speak. I don't mind being this person for my best friend. I don't mind being this person for the people that I love. But somedays I just wish I could refer the other people in my life to a song instead of actually having to deal with them. I know that sounds mean but I don't intend for it to be. It's overwhelming on a normal day having to all these people texting you or calling you for help. I know that with me being in my last trimester of my pregnancy it wears on me even more. But still I don't turn my back. I don't like for people to hurt. So to all of those people in my life that have needed me this week. This is the song I'd send you to if I could.

It Gets Better by Jo Dee Messina

Old Blue Chair

So today I'm running on empty. I got about 3 hours of sleep lastnight and I'm absolutely exhausted. Today has been so busy that I haven't had a chance to stop and take five seconds for myself. This song is one of my very favorites. You see I love Kenny Chesney. I love his music, his attitude, and his lyrics. I've even been to one of his concerts and let me tell ya, he can put on one hell of a concert. I don't know that I've ever been to one quite as awesome as his. And I've seen many artists in concert.

 He always has the kind of music that tells a story. He writes a lot of his music and I love that about him. Anyone can sing something that someone else wrote. But to sing a piece that you have written.....something about that always grabs me. So today with all the stress and worries of life, I wish I was sitting somewhere in an "Old Blue Chair". So before I shut down all of my electronics for the evening and go outside to sit on the porch and just be in the quiet....I thought I'd post one of my favorite songs. So here's "Old Blue Chair" by Kenny Chesney.

Kenny Chesney - Old Blue Chair (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Kenny Chesney