China or Bust.

So. Last night I got really excited to see that the Olympic trials have started!! Let the games begin!! I did a ginormous amount of laundry this weekend so while I sat and folded I watched the swimmers with their massive arms take the water by storm. I told my roommate that the only way I would be a swimmer and thus have swimmer arms is if I could always wear my gold medal around my neck in explanation. She said, what about bronze?....nah. I love the Olympics. I always have. I love the Summer Olympics even more. I mean hello!?! Gymnastics, Track and Field, Swimming, High Dive!! Something about watching it brings me back to my childhood, there is something very nostalgic about them. I also love that for one moment in time the world comes together to...well....we come together to compete...hmmm. Didn't really think that one through. Maybe we should have one moment where we all come together for something a little less, "I want to be better than you." I do struggle when the real competition starts. See the problem is I pick my winners. It's very similar to things like So You Think You Can Dance and Amazing Race. I stress. I stress for them. It is a very enjoyable/exhausting experience for me. I want the people I choose to win(usually for reasons that have nothing to do with their talents or abilities...I like their personality, they seem genuine...etc. etc.) so badly that I can't stand to watch in the chance that they won't. Phew....I get a little too emotionally involved. This summer I need to practice perspective.

One of my favorite Olympic moments is one that you probably already know and if you didn't see it when it actually happened you have probably caught it during one of the Visa commercials. The moment is with Derek Redmond(track athlete) and his dad. This past Easter our church did this thing called Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Basically we had different stations set up around the room for you to go to and experience some part of the Crucifixion...but in a creative, thought-provoking way. Our community group was in charge of one of the stations. We were given the part of the story where Simon is chosen out of the crowd to help carry the cross that Jesus is carrying. We ended up using this video as a visual. I honestly can't watch this video without getting choked up. It is incredibly moving and inspiring. I wasn't able to find one that was as good as the one we used...so here is the commercial. I hope that you all enjoy the Summer Olympics this year as much as I will stress over them.;)

Let's Go To The Movies....

Well I just got my first..."Where are you?! Why haven't you posted??" So I guess that is a good thing that people are actually reading my blog!:) My friend Leslie reminded me that 2 days becomes 2 years...and I know this all too well...so I am back on it.

Movies. Sigh. I love them. I love going to them. I love renting them. I love what goes along with them. Popcorn. Diet Coke. Twizzlers. Sour Patch Kids. Junior Mints. Friends. I just love the whole experience. The anticipation of one coming out(The Dark Knight:))...seeing the previews before the movie begins. I even love the talks you have with the people you go with before the movie begins(but once the previews start. SHHH.). I will just go ahead and say this. I am NOT afraid of leaning up in my seat and shhhing someone. I will look at you and shhsh(sp?!) you. As we all know movies are not on the 25 cent side anymore and I am there to fully enjoy my experience and you giving a play by play is not what I paid for....or worse talking about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the movie. Don't make me get a manager. I will. :)

Well I am a lucky girl because I have a boyfriend who might love them more than me. Let's be honest, who am I kidding...he loves them way more than me. He knows facts about movies that I could not even begin to know or honestly want to know. Basically he knows all the off camera facts. I know who all Kate Hudson has dated. So with the two combined we're a good pair. I'm not sure if everyone out there has Regal Theaters...but we have a few here in Nashville and they are fabulous...why you ask? Well you get this free little card when you sign up that allows you to scan it every time you purchase a movie or a snack. The points add up and after so many(and its not much) you get either a free popcorn. free candy. free drink. OR a free movie. They go in order. BUT guess what the best part is...on Tuesdays you get free popcorn JUST for being a member. Needless to say. We see alot of movies.

Well recently I brought a proposition to Whit. I know his love of movies and for the Oscars. Why don't we watch all the Best Pictures of the Oscars?? He LOVED it. So we are going through all the Best Pictures from the most recent(No Country for Old Men) to the first award winning movie(Wings). There are a few that I am so excited about him seeing...Sound of Music and West Side Story...you know ones he is just going to love.;) Kidding. I am a little nervous about seeing Silence of the Lambs...but we said no skippies. We have to see them all. We don't have a time limit on this or anything...don't worry we do have a life outside movies.:) While we were talking about movies I said I wish you could watch the ones from my childhood that I loved. SO. We have also decided in our lifetime to watch each others faves from growing up. I am SOOO excited about this. I decided that I will share a few with you and see if any of you have some of the same. These are in no particular order seeing that they are all fabulous.

1. Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea(I told Whit it was a sad day when I realized that I could not marry Gill.)

2. Beaches

3. Girls Just Want to Have Fun(I have been a SJP fan from the beginning:))

4. Overboard

5. Gross Anatomy(not to be confused with Greys)

6. Howard the Duck(I got in trouble for watching this. hehe)

7. Sarah Plain and Tall(Hallmark special)

8. Mannequin

9. Troop Beverly Hills

10. Sound of Music( I have watched this so many times its ridiculous.)

11. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(...and they were sobbin' sobbin' sobbin')

12. Three Men and a Baby/Lady

13. Annie(hence the title of this post...)

Now Whit's on the other hand were a little different from mine. His included...Die Hard(all of them), the first Batman, The Cat from Outerspace(oh no), Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future(all of them), Flight of the Navigator...this is going to be fun...:) We get to relive a little part of our childhood together. What movies would you choose??

"A"

Saturday morning Whit came over bright and early at 7:00 and we went for a little run together. It was great! We usually run by ourselves...so it was very enjoyable to have a running partner. As a treat for our dedication to the healthiness we got in the car and headed to Panera for a little breakfast. On our way out of my subdivision I saw a group of men and women with orange vests on picking up trash on the side of the road. I asked Whit who he thought they were...I thought maybe volunteers or a church group or something. *Sidenote* Many of you might not know this about me but I love. love. love. seeing people pick up trash or mowing on the side of the road. I know call me weird. I am okay with that. There is just something about having something go from messy, dirty or shaggy looking to clean and beautiful that makes my heart happy.:) Later that morning Lindsay and I got ready for a day at the pool. As we were driving we came up on the same group of people but this time their backs were to us....as we got closer I realized that on the back of their vests it said in big black letters, "I'm a Drunk Driver". The moment I read this I threw my hand over my mouth in disbelief. "Oh My Word!" might have been my exact words.

For the rest of the day I thought about those people. In my head I went back and forth on how I felt about it. I saw the reasoning behind it. It's one thing to do community service. It's a completely different story to pick up trash on an extremely busy road branded with your misdemeanor. I kept thinking about the book we all had to read in high school...Scarlett Letter. The infamous "A". I will be honest that my first reaction was one of agreement. I thought I mean you can't teach someone to not do something again better than that! It reminded me of a story that my high school teacher once told us. She was in the grocery store with her little boy(8 or so) and he wanted a candy bar so badly...he begged and pleaded...you know the scenario...and she refused due to dinner being soon. Well they got out to the car and she heard some noise(I love that children think they can get away with things like this...its really precious) and looked back to see him eating the candy bar. She immediately took him back in and made him apologize to the manager for stealing from his store and then...here is the kicker....he had to call his grandparents and tell them what he did. Ouch. She said that he just sobbed and sobbed. The absolute last thing we want is for our grandparents to be disappointed in us. I thought about that story when I saw the people on the side of the road. Not only do their parents, grandparents, etc know this but now everyone in Williamson and Davidson County know. My heart just hurt for them.

I never came to a decision on how I felt about the vests. I still go back and forth. I just know that I hope to never have to wear my sins for all to read...His mercies are new every single morning. May we find hope and peace in that today. Phew. I know I do.

King Who??

Okay. I had to share this story from last night. As many of you know I have the privy to watch (play) with kiddos every now and then. I love the kids that I have watched over the years and get to see grow up and change...become a little person. Well one of these kids in my life is Joshua Kelley, he is 3 years old and told me that he will be 4 on July 31st....he said he will be sending out birthday cards.:) I have known Michael and Jana since our first summer of StudentLife and thought they were quality then...years later it has only grown. Last night Joshua, Andi and I decided to go on a walk. While we were on the walk I started asking Joshua questions. What's your favorite animal? Horse. Naaayyyy. What is your favorite t.v. show? Dora. What is your favorite movie? Jonah (Veg Tales). Who is your favorite sister? (took a moment to think) Andi. I love her. I really love her. Where is your favorite place to go? The movies. I love going to the movies.(like father like son...) And then I asked him, Who is your favorite person in the bible? Okay...so I am thinking I am going to get the all popular Jesus or David...maybe Noah or possibly Jonah...seeing it is his favorite movie. But instead I get, King Ahab. Whhaaaa??? I had to take a moment and flip through the bible in my head...okay...King Ahab...he was the guy who....hmmm. So I asked...Why do you like King Ahab? He responded and said, "Well he was a pretty mean guy." To which I said..."Is that why you like him?" And he said, "Well sometimes I want to jump into my bible and fight him with my sword!" I asked him..."Well who would win??" He said, "I would, but God would win too because He is always with me in my fights." Ser.i.ous.ly. Michael. Jana. I take my hat off to you. You are doing an amazing job as parents. To know that God is with you in your fights and battles at 3 years old is priceless. Thank you for letting me spend time with your kiddos and letting me soak up all your parenting goodness. I can't wait to see the path God has for Joshua....and for sweet little Miss Andi. I love walking with you guys.

Rules Smules

So. Tonight Whit and I went on a little mini date...well I guess you can just say we hung out. We went to Bread and Co.(where Nicole Kidman is spotted at regularly. I keep waiting to see her. I have once at Cheesecake Factory...but I guess once isn't enough seeing I keep my eyes peeled for her.). Then we headed over to Whole Foods where I bought some fruit and granola for the week and where Whit bought me some little tiny bud roses for my desk at work! I love flowers on my desk. It improves my week about 50%...maybe 75. Afterwards we headed over to one of my most favorite places in Nashville. Donut Den. There I got a chocolate covered donut with cream filling. Sigh. This is a special treat...you can't eat one of these everyday. On the way home it got me to thinking about college and all the things that were so acceptable to do then, that would be frowned upon now. So I decided to make a "man I wish it were still okay to do this" list. Here it goes:

1. Eat donuts from Wal-Mart at 1:00 in the morning. Cinnamon Twists to be exact.
2. Stay up until 3:00, 4:00 in the morning...almost every night.
3. Skip classes to go to the lake or a roommate/friends house for the weekend.
4. Eat raman for many a meal.
5. Talk your way out of a due date for an assignment.(Elizabeth you loved when I did this:))
6. Have your meals handed to you just by swiping a little card...and I don't mean Visa.

7. Eating fast food for at least one meal a day.

8. Decide to go on a road trip the night before or day of.
9. Going to class in your most comfortable clothes ever. No shower. No make-up.
10. Having breaks every hour or so throughout the day to just sit outside...watch t.v...go to chick.
11. Taking a siesta at oh I don't know... 10:00 and then another at 2:00.
12. The ability to change your major and the direction of your life once a semester.

You spend all this time in college anticipating the real world and all its wonder and freedom to realize a few months after you get out...hmm... that was a pretty good setup.

I love my life and honestly would never want to go back to those things now...there is a reason they call it the Freshman 15. :) But I sure did love it while I was there.

What about you? What college carelessness do you wish was acceptable now??

The flowers Whit got me.:)

Confession.

I love music. I love listening to it. Singing with it. Playing it. For as long as I can remember music as been a huge part of my life. When I was 8 years old I would listen to "Africa" by Toto over and over. I told my mom that I was going to walk down the aisle to "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse. Gosh. I still love that song. I have a very musical family. My mom was a piano performance/education major in college while she played the piano and organ at her church(at the same time...kidding.). She also taught piano on the side. When we moved to Memphis when I was in Kindergarten she became an elementary music teacher(she taught some of you out there!) and did this for 16 years. My brother and I were extremely involved in all things music growing up. Voice and piano lessons, church choirs and ensembles(oh Gentle Breeze), All-State, All-West...Mr. Riddick(help us all). My aunt and my grandmother both sing as well. My aunt and I have a rendition of "In the Garden" that would put the Gaithers to shame(it's real ridiculous). Now Christopher is a worship leader in Ohio. I have carried my music on as well...I help lead worship at my church here in Nashville and of course still continue to sing whenever the water is running(when I was little I sang whenever the water was running and Christopher did while the vacuum was on. we're weird. I know). So. with all this music background I can sometimes be a little bit of a music snob. Now now before you go and start judging me take notice of what the title of this post is...I'm getting to something...

Now when I say I have music snobiness you would naturally think.... Oh okay you listen to people who are trained vocally and sing "correctly". Negative. I mean I appreciate that style of singing and definitely sang my share of it in college but that's not what I am talking about. I have found that my snobiness stems from something actually opposite from that. It's not soley the musical talent that really defines for me whether or not I like them. Example. I went to see Nick Lachey in concert. I think his album was really good. Lots of great songs. Great songs because we got to see the heart that was broken by little Miss Jessica. But talent? Hmm. How do I say this. While watching him at his concert I felt as though I was watching a good ol' boy performing for his first time at a high school talent show. A little awkward. But would I go again? Absolutely. Now on the other side of the spectrum. Patty. Or as some call her Patty Griffin. Love her. Whit introduced me to her a little over 2 years ago. She was actually playing over the speakers on our first date.:) I said, "Who is this?!!" He said, Patty Griffin, you don't know her?? He then burned me all her albums. We saw her perform at the Ryman and I have to say it was one of the best shows I have ever been to. Why you ask? She is completely vulnerable and open in her writing. When she sings you feel as though you are sitting down with her at coffee, just you and her. Plus her voice...it cuts right to the core. I love artists for what they bring to the table....their stories. I have to relate to them in some way. If I can't relate to them or see their heart through their lives or music its just words and notes.

Anybody that spends time with me knows of one artist that I have vocally said I do not like. Multiple times. If she is performing on an awards show that I am watching I also might say mean things about her while she performs. I know! I'm horrible!! Honesty people! Well, this is where my confession comes. Yesterday I just had this feeling come over me while at work to support her. I had just finished reading an article about her. So I went on itunes and downloaded her newest album. I labeled it "My Hypocrite Playlist". So I am now a Carrie Underwood listener. Now. Listen. I didn't say fan. I said listener. Baby steps. I think what had turned me off about her is that I couldn't figure out who she was when she was in front of people. It's almost like she doesn't want people to see who she really is. She stiff arms the media. So I was turned off. Well in effort to not stiff arm as well I say, "Bring it Underwood".

Steph.Mom.Mums.Mimi.Puddin.

I give nicknames. It's what I do. I've done this since I was little. There are many people in my life that have these said nicknames but my family got the pleasure of having theirs changed many times. I can only think that me giving you a nickname is a sign of endearment.

My mom has probably had the most changes throughout the years. Although it has somewhat kept its core. It started out as Mumers(pronounced: Moo-mers)...im not quite sure where I got this name from...but it stuck around for most of junior high and on into high school. Try being my mom in Target and having your child look for you in the store yelling out.."Mumers! Mumers! Where are you!!?" You have to be sure of yourself. So as time moved on it changed (now don't judge me) to Mumsickle( Moom-sickle). I know. I know. Strange. BUT that stayed with us through the rest of high school and on into college. Which brings us to the last 3 or 4 years. As I have grown up I have decided to drop the "sickle" and now she is respectively Mums. I think this name will probably stay. Not only is she mums to me but she has many other hats that she wears as well. Steph to my Dad(whose nickname is Potter...like Harry). Mimi to Noah. And lastly Aunt Puddin...story for another day.:)

As many of you know my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and has been going through the process of ridding the cancer from her body. She just recently completed her chemo(WOOHOO!!) and just yesterday I was able to be at the hospital while she had a mastectomy and also had some lymph nodes removed as well. If this process is a marathon she is now starting on the last leg. She will now have 6 weeks of radiation. She has been a trooper through this whole process and her spirits have remained high. She is really excited that her hair will begin to start growing back now and she can get rid of all her hats and scarves(which looked really cute on her by the way...she really could pull off the scarf). We will have a HUGE celebration once everything is completed!!

Mums and Potter

Mums and Me with the quilt I made for her.

Friends and family each sent in a square that they thought best represented my mom.

The last day of Chemo!!! Woohoo!!

We are so proud of you Mums, Mom, Mimi, Steph, Puddin...

Mama My Colors are Blush and Bashful....

"It's coming home...only to no home I've ever known. I was taking her hand to help her from the car and I knew...it was like...magic."
"Sam...what was so special about your wife?"
"How longs your program? It's just tiny little things but when you add them all up we were meant to be."

"Don't you love New York in the Fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. If I knew where you lived I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils."

So. I have a problem. I remember lines from movies and t.v. shows like it's my day job. If it were my day job I would have recieved about 5 promotions and 6 raises by now. When I watch them I have to watch in complete silence(Whit and my roommates know this. I am not above pushing the pause button on tivo if you are carrying on a convo during my shows...I will then stare at you until you stop.:)). My lines get alittle blurred between reality and fiction when it comes to my favorites. You know. Meredith. McDreamy. Jack. Kate. Kathleen Kelly. Joe Fox. Jim. Pam. All Friends. But here is where the problem is. Where I remember all the story lines of these shows and movies..including key lines...I am not remembering events in my own life. Let me explain.

So. I love concerts...shows...whatever you want to call them. I love seeing my favorite artists perform. Love. But lately I have had a hard time remembering who I have seen. You would think if I paid in the range of 15-100 dollars to see someone that I would remember it. The other day I told someone that I really want to see John Mayer perform...then 5 minutes later said, "Oh wait! I saw him in B'ham!" And not only did I see him there it was the performance that was taped for his Any Given Tuesday DVD. Next example. I was talking to yet another person and said, " I think it would be fun to see Kelly Clarkson in concert...you know just for fun sake." Seen her. With my friend Erin. What is wrong with me!? So I started scanning through my ipod looking at my artists and I would tell Whit if I had seen them...hoping that if he is with me and talk of an artist comes up he can lean over and whisper(seen em').

This is where I am stuck right at the moment. In the Fall the roommates and I (and Wimbledon Wanna Be) are going to NYC. Lindsay and I have gotten tickets to see Celine on the last night at Madison Square Gardens (I can not wait..seriously. I just need one chest beat and I will be satisfied). Lindsay and I went on and on about how amazing it was going to be to see her for the first time...in New York...on our last night...and then all the sudden I thought...wait. Have I seen her???? Then all these visions of her on the stage in this red dress singing.."Near far....where ever you are..." came into my head. The frustrating thing is I am still not sure if I have! If any of you reading this went to that concert with me or know that answer...will you please inform me.

I mean seriously? When I am 35 years young:) I'm going to have to be reminded that I do indeed have children...no I do not presently have children...but that is the hope.:)

Soap Box

Okay. Let me paint the picture for you. I get to work today...doing all the things that you can find to the right of this post(email...facebook...you know) and in comes one of my co-workers. We small talk for a bit and then I say well I guess you saw the news about Obama and he nods in agreement and then the flood gates open. We talked for probably a good hour after this. Both swapping opinions...insight...harsh judgements(just kidding on the last).

Now if any of you know me at all you know that I am not one to be at a party and start a conversation with, "So, when Abe Lincoln said blah blah blah...did he mean this or did he mean that..." or "I just feel like when the economy blah blah blah...we will really be in trouble as a country." I don't claim to be someone that is extremely knowledgeable in all things politics. With all that said. Whenever I enter into a conversation with someone about all the aforementioned I find that my heart gets very invested and this defense starts to rise from my toes.

As I talked to my co-worker today I realized that its not so much a certain party that I am in conflict with (which is what I felt was the issue before). I found that everything I was saying pointed to the church. I find myself feeling like I need to be very careful when I say this. I love the church. Love. What I love most about the church is that we are a group of people that have come together because we believe in Jesus Christ...so much that we have decided that we are going to follow Him the rest of our lives. Not only follow him but imitate His every thought, feeling, action, desire...

Let me back up a second and tell you a story. A couple of years ago I had come to place where I really began to work through some struggles or strongholds if you will. As I was working through these I came upon the all familiar verse in scripture about Fearing God. I just sat there and starred at it. Fear God. To Fear God. Why in the world would God want me to fear Him?! Later on that day it just hit me. Oh! To fear something gives it power. When I fear that I am going to be horrible at my job I give that fear power and it begins to control me...my thoughts...my feelings...my actions. My boss says, "Good job Sarah!" and I think does he really mean that or is he just trying to be nice. When my boss calls me to his office is it because he just has a simple question or am I doing something wrong?! So. When I fear God I give Him complete power. He controls my thoughts...my feelings...my actions. It was like someone had just shared the greatest news with me. Because when you fear God every other fear pales in comparison. Nothing can touch me. Nothing has power over me. All my life I read that scripture with feelings of such imprisonment and that day I found the greatest freedom in that same scripture.

Where is that same freedom when election time comes? I have heard multiple people say..."Oh, if he/she gets elected...I mean I don't what is going to happen!" "He/She will take away the rights that we have as Christians!" Seriously!? What god are we serving!? My God is way too small if I think that any person, political party, or government can change or effect my relationship with Him or the church. As we come into this election it is so easy for us to look to our government to take care of the things that we are too scared to take care of ourselves. I need to take God out of the little trinket box that I have placed Him in and let Him really use me to be the hands and feet. I serve a God that does not need a bill to be passed...or a law to be made...but instead empowers us to be like Jesus. Feed the poor, comfort the widow, provide for the orphan, love the scared mother and unwanted child...

Praise God that there is nothing to fear. He has conquered all.


...now stepping off my box.....:)

Forehand aka. Borehand

So about 5 or 6 years ago I decided I wanted to make a list of all the things I wanted to do or experience in my life. I had heard before that if you write these things down you are more likely to actually do them. And seeing that I am a lover of making to-do lists and being able to cross, highlight or check them off I was a big fan of this idea. I wrote everything down from ride in a hot air balloon(which lately I have been questioning this...do I really want to be in a wicker basket held up in the air by fire? Hmm.), run in a half-marathon, work with orphans overseas, travel to all 50 states, travel by train, work with a non-profit, take a self-defense class...and the list goes on.

So. Fast-forward to this Spring. I found out that one of my friends teaches tennis AND this so happens to be on my list! I have always wanted to learn how to play...I think it was because of the cute skirt(which I bought!). Well this week was my fourth lesson and I have to say that I am really loving it. My teacher is fabulous and Lindsay is also taking with me...we have some healthy competition with each other;). But I have to say I do not like forehand. I know. I hear you. Its the most basic skill in tennis. I'm terrible at it! Every week I get so frustrated with it and courtney has to tell me..."Sarah, this is your fourth lesson!". And I say, "I know! But I want to be amazing!!!" So it's baby steps. But I am learning that I don't do well with things that I don't pick up immediately. Hmm pride much?

Here are some pictures from my first lesson!

As you look at this picture you will see the amazing pose. I was told this is how you hold your racket when you are a professional.

Our Amazing Instructor.

I would highly recommend making a list of all the things that you would love to do in your life...it is extremely fulfilling.