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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Music Inspiration: Lionel Richie

Over the weekend, I watched the 45th annual CMA Awards show.  My husband had recorded it for me because he knows how much I love country music (and thank goodness he loves country music as well!).  I really enjoyed the performances by Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Martina McBride. 

The absolute best part of the show for me was when Lionel Richie performed with other country artists.  First of all, I had no idea that he even sang country music!  I’ve always loved Lionel for his classic Motown hits such as “Three Times a Lady”, “Easy” and “Brick House”, so when the host of the show announced that Lionel Richie was about to perform, I was pleasantly surprised.  Needless to say, I was glued to the TV as I watched him perform, and I was completely inspired.  I’ve always had an idea that I wanted to sing country music, but there was something about seeing Lionel Richie perform on the CMA Awards that stirred within me an even a greater assurance that I want to sing country music!

Just in case you missed it, here is Lionel Richie singing some of his greatest hits with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and, my personal favorite, Rascal Flatts.  Enjoy!



Sunday, November 27, 2011

Holiday Fun

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  Our Thanksgiving was quite enjoyable.  We spent time with Jason's family, watched some good football games and ate some delicious food. 

My favorite part of the day was when we we went to the Uptown Holiday Lighting.  This is a fun family event where Christmas trees are lit up all along Post Oak Boulevard and there is a spectacular fireworks show.  Oh, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance! 




And here's Santa!!!
All night, William said that he wanted to see a fire truck.  It just so happened that we saw this fire truck as we were walking back to our apartment.  What a great reminder of "Ask and you shall receive!"

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Team Jacob

I saw Breaking Dawn on Friday, and it was awesome!  I especially loved the movie because it reminded me of why I love Jacob so much.  Go Team Jacob!!



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

My Weekend

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  My weekend was filled with lots of fun family activities.  On Friday evening, we had our very first Family Movie Night.  We watched Shrek Forever After and ate yummy popcorn and candy.  It was a lot of fun.  I’m already looking forward to our next family movie night! 




On Saturday, my cousin married his beautiful bride.  It was a small, intimate wedding, and I felt incredibly blessed to be there.  I didn’t have my camera with me so I didn’t get to take any photos, but it was a lovely ceremony and reception.  I believe that they will enjoy a beautiful life together.

On Sunday, I went to church and was excited to see Danny Gokey (from Season 8 of American Idol) as a guest singer.  I believe Danny normally sings country music, but he has such a soulful sounding voice, and I loved that!  I also loved how he sang with complete abandonment.  I pray that I will be able to do one day!  Danny sang a song titled, I Still Believe, which is a great song.  All day I’ve been singing, “I never saw a man walk on water, I never met the Man who walked on water, but I still believe.”  What beautiful words!  I will always believe!

So, I’d love to know, how was your weekend?

Friday, November 11, 2011

I Smile

Have you ever heard the song, I Smile, by Kirk Franklin? 

I've heard this song many times on the radio, and I always enjoyed it because it talked about how we all look so much better when we smile (and I often feel like some people need to smile more).  However, it wasn't until I saw the video for this song and actually paid attention to each and every single word being said, that I truly began to understand the meaning and the purpose behind it. 

There's one part in the song where Kirk says, "Now everyday ain't gonna be perfect, but it still don't mean today don't have purpose."  Now that may not be the most grammatically correct sentence, but for me, these words make the message of the song crystal clear.  We smile not because everything in life is perfect, but because God has a purpose for everything that we go through in life.  He has a plan, and it's a good plan. 

Sure, it's easy to smile when things are going great, but this song has helped me to see that I can still smile when life is rough.  I can smile when life is difficult.  I can smile when life is painful because I know that there is purpose in the pain.  Like the song says, "I know God is working, so I smile.  Even though I've been here for a while, I smile."

Check out the video here, and I hope that it makes you smile.



 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Dream Fulfilled {Kate Spade Purse}

For years, I have wanted a Kate Spade purse.  To me, her handbags are classic, chic and ultra-sophisticated, but they are also a little bit over my budget.  However, everytime I passed by the Kate Spade store in our mall, I would quietly say to myself, "One day, I will own my very own Kate Spade bag." 

Well, last weekend, my husband and I went to a premium outlet shop that is about 45 minutes from our house.  I was in need of a new lightweight coat because the weather is finally starting to cool off here.  After walking into a couple of stores, I found a coat that I really liked, but I wanted to make sure that I went to all of stores before I settled on buying one coat. 

Then, I discovered the Kate Spade Outlet, and even though I wasn't really in need of a purse, I knew I had to walk into the store.  Let me just say, I thought I walked right into heaven when I walked into that store.  Everywhere I turned there were beautiful purses, glamorous accessories, stylish clothes and adorable shoes. 

When I walked to the back of the store, that’s where I found a few purses that had an additional % off the already great sale price.  I saw one particular purse that I fell in love with instantly.  It’s a classic, tan hobo bag that will go perfectly with anything and everything, and the name of the bag just happened to be “lori” so I took that as I sign that this bag was meant to be mine.

I ran to get my husband and told him that I found a purse that I just had to have.

So, to make a long story short... I bought my very first Kate Spade purse!  I am so excited about it because it truly is a dream fulfilled.  And, the best part of this whole story is that this purse originally sold for $325, and I got it for only $120!!  Hallelujah!

Friday, November 4, 2011

My Super Hero Is...

Buzz Lightyear!!!

 

 


I guess even super heroes need to take a break!





Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Without You

Hey everyone!  Long time no see – or chat with, in this case!  I’ve missed seeing what’s going on in all of your lives.  Work has been insanely busy over these past couple of weeks, so I have not had a chance to do anything except work and come home and spend precious little time with my family.  Now that work has slowed down, I can get back to my normal blogging routine.  Thank goodness!

One day last week, I left work to pick up lunch for my group, and I heard a song called Without You.  I have to tell you – when I first heard this song, I thought it was a worship song.  The first verse of the song says, “I can’t win, I can’t reign; I will never win this game without you.  I am lost, I am vain; I will never be the same without you.”  Sounds like they’re talking about Jesus, right?

It wasn’t until after the song was over and I heard a commercial start to play that I realized I wasn’t listening to my usual Christian music radio station (which happens to be a non-commercial radio station).  In fact, I was tuned into our local radio station that plays all of the coolest and hottest music.  I found out that the song is actually by David Guetta and Usher, and it really is just talking about living life without someone that you truly love.  I’m still convinced that this song could be talking about Jesus, but either way, it is definitely one of my new faves.

Today, I looked up the video for the song, and I think it’s incredibly well done.  It shows people from different parts of the world dancing, and eventually, they all come together to form one big dance party.  This video actually speaks to me in a big way.  Often times, I think I can do everything on my own – work a full-time job, take care of William, cook and maintain a clean home, and lots more.  I try to be SUPER WOMAN at all times, but I don’t have to be.  I have a husband who loves me and is always willing to help, I have a family who cares for me, and I have friends who are always there when I need them most.  I am truly blessed, and I just wouldn’t be the same without them.

If you haven’t heard this song before, I promise you will love it.  Check out the video here and let me know what you think! 

Lots of love,
Lori