Agape = Love

Agape was great this year! The guys were awesome, the crowd was awesome, and I got a little bit of a tan! Since TGR played on the main stage, we had backstage passes and ate, met, and saw other artists such as Skillet, Family Force Five, Stephanie Smith, and more. I can now say I've shaken John Cooper's (lead from Skillet) hand. I also won "Best Cousin Award 2010." My cousin Jordan came to the concert with us and we were able to get him a back stage pass as well. I think he had a great time. I can't wait until next year!

There's just something about a tight black tee and a bass... ;)

The Flying Ninja

It's our favorite girl, Ashton Lee!

We were even able to get some quality time in! And when I say quality time, I really mean Andy was able to take a nap while I painted my toenails. I'll take it!

Date Night!

Between gigs, work, and other activities, Andrew and I have had very little "us" time. We have been due for a date night for a long time. We hadn't had a weekend off together at home since January, and even then we weren't sure. Andrew had a radio interview at 10:30, so we decided to make it a date night and go to Gian-Tony's. Oh how I love Gian-Tony's. I do believe I'm half Italian. I LOVE fettuccine alfredo. It does not love me, but everything in moderation, right? Our date night was wonderful and the time together only reminded us how much we not only love each other, but LIKE each other.

Scary rain clouds. Eeek!

At the very late radio interview. They did great!

Working Girl

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I've just been scheduled to work 5- 12 hour shifts in the next 6 days. They wanted me to pick up an extra shift last night, but I thought THAT MIGHT JUST KILL ME!!!! So this will be my life until next Thursday:

65 hours here at St. Clare...

10 hours of driving on here...


And 30 hours of sleep....


Hmmmmm.....No wonder I'm always tired!

The Life of a Band Wife

It's pretty much official- we're going full time! I have learned when God calls you to do something, you hop up, say ok, get your big girl pants on, and get ready for a ride. Too bad it's not always so easy. I tend to stand up like I'm 90, a little unsteady, say, "well give me a little bit to think this over," and tell God to hold on while I try to decide which big girl pants I want to wear. And the ride doesn't always promise to be comfortable. Some days may be like riding in a stretch Hummer limo, while most other days may seem more like I'm a passenger in a 1970 Chrysler Station Wagon- with no a/c. Thank goodness I serve a gracious and patient God who has laid a burden on our hearts to go full time with the band. Thank goodness I serve a God who shouted and made His voice clear, telling us to trust Him and let Him have the reigns. And thank goodness I serve a God who has an amazing plan for us that we can only dream of.

Before we were married, we sat down and discussed the "what if's" in life. What if.... the band went full time? We both agreed we would be willing to sacrifice whatever, if God called us in that direction. Well, here we are! We've been feeling the itch for about six months now. It seemed as though every sermon, bible study, and devotion was screaming "follow Me," "have faith in Me," "trust Me," "step out of your comfort zone," "I have a purpose for you. Just trust." You get the picture. Andrew and I would even be at different churches and hear the same sermon, telling us to let go of our plans and seek God's instead. So we prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Then Andy got word that he may lose his job. So we prayed some more. One day we realized we weren't praying for Andy to keep his job like we would have normally (who wants to lose a steady job?!). We didn't even think about praying for him to keep his job. Instead we prayed for direction. Well, Andy lost his job along with 59 other Edwardsville school employees. We have peace because we know God has a different direction for us. We're opening all doors. We haven't given up on teaching. Andy has applied at various other schools, but we know God will close the doors and leave one for us to enter.

So there it is. The beginning of our journey down a little narrower path. It's going to be busy, we will probably be seeing each other even less, and I may not be able to get my QT cappuccino for my drive home every morning. These are all earthly things and in the end will be worth the sacrifice.

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

15 Things I've Learned About Marriage So Far

15. If you decide to rearrange the kitchen cabinets, let your husband know where each item was moved to, especially the cereal bowls. He'll be lost forever if you don't.

14. Tell your husband how much you appreciate them.

13. Marriage doesn't become a dream come true on its own, you must work at it.

12. Husbands appreciate the little things, even if it's organizing their underwear drawer.

11. Tell your husband EVERYTHING you bought when you went shopping. He'll figure out you bought more than tennis shoes when you also come out wearing a new pair of jeans.

10. Make every night a date night, even if it's eating cereal on the couch.

9. Husbands make the best foot warmers. God also gave them two hands for a reason- to give foot massages.

8. Your husband will tell you what's wrong on his own time. Just let him know you'll be there to listen when he feels like sharing.

7. Your husband will not know his hair clippings on the bathroom sink bother you unless you tell him.

6. Praying together every night does something special to your marriage.

5. If your husband tells you the supper you make looks like a muffin and tastes like a hot dog, but is ok, he really means, "please don't make this thing you call meatloaf ever again."

4. Husbands aren't perfect.

3. Husbands can't read minds. Communication is key.

2. When your husband says you look sexy in fleece Christmas tree pj pants, you know you have a keeper.

1. Keep God number one.

Holy Cow It's Been a Month!!!!

So....I am shocked I haven't written in a month! I must update you on my life:

1. Andy and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary. (We also secretly celebrated it being our last "dating" anniversary!) We got all dressed up real perty like and went to California Pizza Kitchen. We had originally planned on eating Cheesecake Factory, but it was a 2 hour wait!

Here we are all dressed up. You can see the roses he gave me :)
Oh! And I love bragging about my bargains...Dress: $10

Waiting for our table. We were STARVING!!!

We were rear ended on the way there :(, but luckily hardly any damage.

2. I realized I have less than 4 months until the wedding!!!! I can't believe it! I am going to be a grown up married lady! Sometimes I still see myself as a kid.

3. We got a new boarder collie puppy named Sadie. She's so sweet!


4. I competed in the WIBI Opening Act Contest and made it to the quarter-finals (top 45). I was so excited! I've always loved to sing and see it as a great way to witness to others. I didn't make it any further, but I thought I did my best and sang it for the Lord....In my eyes, I won :)

Singing "Glorious One" by Steve Fee. It had a GINORMOUS range. I almost cried when I found out how wide the range was and wondered why I picked it. There was some major belting going on!

I HAVE to tell you about the bargains going on here:
The cute blue peep toe wedges: $15 (List Price: $80!!!)
Jeans: $7.50 (List Price: $40!!!)
The jeans were also a size smaller than what I usually wear, which is always an added bonus!
The shirt was also cheap and was picked out by my wonderful roomy!

5. We started pre-marital counseling. Eeek! (again, realizing I'm growing up!)

6. I am officially on spring break!!!! My last class was today (Tuesday), and I don't have any class on Monday this next (and last!) 8 weeks, which means I get 12 days off!!! Be jealous...

That was my February! I think it was a good one ;)

Licking Fingers

One day while I was doing TONS of laundry, I decided to make cookies! Now I LOVE cookies, but I love cookie dough even more. Make it double chocolate chip oatmeal cookie and I'm in heaven. Here is how it all went down:

Beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter/margarine and sugar until fluffy....do not start tasting the dough yet. Not good tasting.

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time. Don't get in a rush and set the microwave longer. You will get burnt chocolate chips and that would just be a waste of perfectly good chocolate, now wouldn't it?!Look at that chocolate licking potential!

Yum Yum!

Don't forget to wash your finger off after licking. We don't want to share germs!

Add 1 egg and 1/4 tsp vanilla

Add combined: 3/4 c. flour, 3/4 c. oats, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.

Don't forget to taste! VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

Look at that beater. If you would like, you can share a beater with a friend, or you can eat both yourself. Don't forget to check your face before going into public. Licking beaters can get messy!

Everyone should have this book. Period.

Bake in an oven that has been preheated at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.

Mmmmmmmm.......

Cool for a minute (or as long as you can stand it) and indulge!!!!!!!!!!
And don't forget to lick the chocolate off your fingers!