HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK LEE!!

Today is the husbands birthday. I will not disclose his age for his sake!!! :). Let's just say he doesn't look his age my any stretch. How do you put into words how you feel about someone you love so much??? Well, Mark is my best friend first and foremost. He ALWAYS has made me laugh. Either at something he does (falling up stairs- DAILY), or some weird comment he says. Yes, many a time there is the internally eye roll at the silly comments, etc- but I always end up laughing. The thing about this is I LOVE TO LAUGH. How perfect are we. Also, he is the kindest, most giving, selfless person I know. He will do anything for anyone at anytime. Mainly me when I want a drink or let's say food from 2 different places- but that would NEVER really happen would it?? It is hard sometimes b/c he is gone so much. I miss him terribly but I know it will be so warm and cozy when he gets home.

Did I mention he is the BEST DADDY in the WORLD!!! We waited a long time to have children so we could enjoy our "free" life, and due to a situation involving his newborn cousin (I'll let him tell that funny story) he was always a little "shy" around babies. Once we had our little munchkin though, all things changed. To say she he is wrapped around her finger is an understatement. He plays, dresses up, reads, colors (unwillingly) and does everything but paint with her. Mark has a strange aversion to craft projects :). All this to say he is wonderful and I am probably the luckiest person around. I have an AWESOME husband and he deserves more praise than I can bestow. He loves the Lord and he loves us- we are blessed.

Sadly, Mark has to work today on his birthday. This is hard on me, not him. Birthday's in my family are like Christmas- you don't miss them. See, in my family we have like birthday week. You go to dinner with ALL of the family and then on the actual day you do whatever it is you want- no questions. Poor guy, he has had to deal with the psychotic me freaking out that he will be gone on his birthday. Big deal, he says, we will celebrate when I get home. Yeah, right. You see, that selfless thing I mentioned. His birthday is literally 2 days before our Anniversary. Well, an Anniversary isn't a major holiday in my book as a Birthday is- go figure, but still a big deal, so normally his birthday is clouded over by our "big day". He just accepts is and moves on. For this reason, I really try and do something special for his day. We have had a bowling party, a pizza party, an Irish pub party, but this year he will have a hang out with his best friends and chill day- probably what he would prefer anyway.

In closing I will say, Mark Lee, I love you and hope that today is filled with every Birthday wish you could ever want. We are sad we don't get to be with you on "the day" but we will celebrate- I promise (um...maybe)!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My Little Ballerina

She is too precious. She is so very proud of her recital coming up this week. Even though the costume is "itchy" she can't wait till the day after when she can just play in it for dress up!!! I am so proud of her efforts and how great she is doing. The little munchkin is growing up!

PRAY AS NEVER BEFORE!!!

Oh my dear bloggy friends. I have a very sad and heavy heart right now. We just got word that our dear friends the Chapman family (Steven Curtis Chapman) lost one of their children in a TERRIBLE accident today. Life is fragile and we must take each second we can to love each other and our kids. Please, Please pray for this amazing family. I know the strength of the Lord will prevail but now.... it is tough!!! Lift them up at all times and pray for peace, understanding and family unity. We love you Steven, Mary Beth and the whole clan. You are forever in our prayers!!

One of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman’s six children was killed this afternoon when she was struck by a car said to be driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

The child, Maria, age 5, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

She was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.
The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see the 5-year-old in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said
“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.
No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Veteran singer/songwriter Chapman and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria is one of their adopted daughters.
The couple is so active they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.
The tragedy was announced during services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. The young girl had just graduated from the church preschool.
Most of the family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted.

Help Me Sell Mark Lee's Guitar JUNK

Hello bloggy friends. I am very TIRED of tripping over pedals, guitars, cables, CD's, etc!!! I am starting to list some of his stuff on ebay. I don't know a ton about ebay but I do know that I need this stuff bid on so I can get rid of it. Some of it may be great stuff, some of it not. I really don't know as I don't understand the in's and out's of the gear world. Tell your friends, family, coworkers, pets. Let's just get it sold. Shhh, don't tell Mark. Really he knows but some of the things he will not let me take out of his death grip. We'll see who wins. Here is the link to the first item. GO BID!!!

Mark Lee Guitar Pedal

The "Dirty" South

The other day I was asking Mark why we were called this. Now, I think I know why.

Yesterday as husband and I dined on the quaint Marietta Square for lunch I saw a newsreel on TV with a T-Shirt with Curious George on it and something about Obama.

(First let me say that I don't normally get into politics but this seems very relevant.)

So I laugh and say to Mark. Is the dude in trouble for using Curious George w/o liscencing or is it b/c he is referring to Obama as a monkey. This is cruel I know but here is the thing. I was born and raised in Marietta, GA. I have seen and still see the horrors or racism. My parents lived through it. They went to school during segregation. They had to "relearn" that color didn't matter. I was raised to not see color. I think under the circumstances that my parents did well. As wrong as this is let's not forget that there are millions of people that were raised to see color. I am NOT saying it is right I am saying we need to have grace, mercy and forgiveness for these people. It has been long enough and you don't really see it this blatant anymore, but you do still see it here and you will FOR A LONG TIME!!! We live in the South, change occurs very slowly. I mean take a look at recycling. Nothing but good can come from it but we just don't "understand" it so we shy away.

My friend Carlos has a simple post about this on his blog with several comments. As I read the comments is made me sad that we can "hate" this person that did this as much as some have vocalized. This is not the true image of the South and honestly I don't even know if the owner of the bar is from the South. That establishment used to be a Taco Bell until about 10 years ago. Let's just remember, we are all people and we all need forgiveness. Christ doesn't rant and rave at the stupid things I do daily. Shake your head, say to yourself how totally stupid this whole thing is and move on. It is the constant attention that the media is giving this that makes matters totally worse. They smelled a "dirty" headline and ran with it.

Now for clarification before I get a ton of hate comments. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS MORON!!! I do think we need to let it die and not feed the fire. If we keep acknowledging this kind of stuff society will never let this "dirty" south get clean!!! My 2 cents for anyone who cares.

GARAGE SALE FOR A CAUSE!!!

GARAGE SALE FOR A CAUSE!!!
Please come and help support the arrival of Baby Cowen
DONATIONS AND BUYERS NEEDED!
Saturday, May 17th 8-4pm
Latimer Farms Pavilion
(Off of New Salem Road)
Marietta, GA 30064

Buyers: Please come between 8-4 and buy, buy, buy!!! We will take donations
for the items you wish to purchase.

Please pass this along to ALL your friends. The more stuff and people the better!
We are all so excited to be a part of the blessing that God is giving to
Brooke and BJ...
Please show your support in our first fundraising event for the Cowens this summer!

If you have any questions just leave a comment or email me and I will get back to you!!!

This is for a some of our very best friends who have struggled to have a baby for YEARS!!! They are now in the process of adoption and we are trying to help them raise the funds that they need to get their baby!! PLEASE COME HELP. See their blog for more information. www.cowenadoption.blogspot.com

Favorite Concerts

I was over at the man's blog reading and thought- what a fun idea. So here I go. I am stealing his idea and posting about my favorite concerts. I will have 2 posts as not to offend the afore mentioned husband. You see he does concerts for a living and what if he didn't end up in the favorite shows list? That would not be good for marital accord now would it. So here is my list of favorite THIRD DAY shows. Tomorrow will follow with favorite OTHER concerts.

Third Day-
1) although not "technically" a show they did a Rich Mullins tribute at GMA in Nashville back in the day (mark can fill in the years i'm too old to remember). The bus album was out or had just come out and very few folks had heard the likes of these Southern boys. They performed, Mac had the crowd on their feet (unheard of at GMA) and they sealed their deal to all who watched. It was uberfantastic. I still swell with pride when I think of this one.

2) this past year @ GMA they performed for the masses at a luncheon for the first time in front of the industry as a 4 piece. Folks seemed to have had their minds made up before they started. Sitting with arms crossed looking like someone had opened a can of rotten eggs. They did about 3-4 songs off the new album and you could just see the "WOW" in the room. They rocked the industry yet again. They again sealed the deal that they were still alive and VERY kickin.

3) very little production, very little in the way of sound quality but all about the rock these boys would friday, after friday, after friday perform to 300 or so folks at the Strand Theater on the Square in Marietta. Mark and I had been dating "not that long" maybe 2 years and they were the "house" band for the Strand. At the time I didn't think much about it, but to have lived through all of the growing, changing, big shows, amazing events I can look back at these and realize that these guys are the same today as they were about 15 years ago. Hungry, passionate, driven but most of all humble in the Lord. In case you don't know and I really don't say it enough I am VERY PROUD of my THIRD DAY FAMILY.

A Day in Marietta, GA

Today was May-Retta (an arts and crafts festival) days on the Square in Marietta, GA. This is the town in which we live. You may think that the name is b/c it is a festival in May, but....is is really the PROPER Southern way of pronouncing our city. Mayretta!!! Anyway it was a ton of fun and we got alot of cute things. Some frames, flip flops and frozen sweet tea. What could be better. The weather was beautiful and the little munchkin had FUN!!

We did face painting. Abbie got her FAVORITE- Scooby Doo (or so she says!!!)

Here's Scooby Up Close and Personal

There was a fun Jumpy House

This is the first firetruck the City of Marietta ever purchased. Look at that cute firefighter!


We also got to paint some "pottery"- GOOD TIMES


We had so much fun and can't wait until the next year!!!

Happy Belated Birthday- Randy Elrod

This post comes a day late but it still had to be done. Actually, since Randy know us so well, I don't think he would expect anything less!! Better late than never right??

Randy Elrod is one super amazing man. He and his wonderful wife Chris, were a family to us during a very transitional time in our lives. When we moved to Tennessee they were the ones there with open arms inviting us into their family. We fell in love with Randy, Chris and his girls. Randy began to mentor my husband on a weekly basis. Since Mark lost his dad at an early age this allowed for a "father" figure that had been lacking for many years. We would dine, laugh, and dream with Randy. He is always thinking outside of the box when many of us are trying to get comfortable in the cozy little box we are in!!! He took our church to a level that few had seen. He went through some major tough times and through it all he was a beacon, strength and encourager. If someone made me describe Randy in one word it would be- SMILING. He is FOREVER smiling. Good, bad or ugly he will give you his token smile that makes you happy. Randy has given us a model of parenting that I think we will forever uphold. He encourages Mark to "date" his girls. Make time for your wife and your kids. Always be there as a friend, but let them know you are the leader and example as well. He has shown us how to love and be loved. We will forever be grateful for the friendship he has given and continues to give us. He is always there for Mark whenever he needs it. We are honored to continue to dream with this gifted man. Even though we are miles apart there is no doubt that about 8 years ago we forged a bond that will never be broken.
Randy, thank you for your love, your support, your challenges and your beautiful heart. We are truly blessed that you were born some ?? years ago. (see I didn't tell !!!! :) )
With love!!!