Mom-savant, steel magnolia, optimistic realist, frequent laugh-er, photographer-in-training, poet warrior, killer cook, lucid dreamer, Jesus freak, ellipses abuser, beach lovah, lousy iron-er, word crafter, sommelier-wannabe, social media enthusiast, PR understander & occasional reviewer. Wife to one, mom to three, friend to many. My dream job is OPI Color Namer.
From the first time Jovi's voice met Buddy the Elf's in "Baby it's Cold Outside, I've had mad love for Zooey Deschanel's jazzy vocals. Mmmmmm, velvety, musical butter. Delicious.
What a treat for she and 500 Days of Summer co-star and long-time friend Joe Gordon-Levitt to team up for this darling duet, crooning Nancy Wilson's "What Are You Doing New Years Eve?"
Aren't they adorable?
Unrelated, if I could bottle and sell Joe's dimples, I'm pretty sure I could buy World Peace.
This is four minutes of the funniest, cleanest hilarity I've ever seen, and it's Greg's and Ryan's reactions to reading each other's lists for the first time that put this video over the top for me. Over one million hits to You Tube suggest if you haven't seen it, you need to.
Daddy butter made me giggle, eye removal kit had me rolling, and by the time the circus clowns were storming the beaches at Normandy, I almost needed Oopsie Daisy adult underpants. Laughter is the best medicine after all, and if you've been ailing, this might just be the cure!
A few instances during my Parenting Series, I've mentioned others who have influenced and shaped how I parent (Day 2 and Day 22).
I forgot to mention Bill Cosby. Seriously.
During the mid-80s and early 90s ~ my 20s ~ I watched Heathcliff and Claire Huxtable negotiate the oft piranha-filled waters of parenting. What I liked best about the show was the intelligence and involvement of both parents; I can't think of another show that has since portrayed such positive images of a mother and father.
As parents and lovers.
For fun today ~ but also as instruction ~ I'm sharing a video clip that left an indelible mark in my memory. This episode (I think the show's pilot) has come to mind countless times during my parenting experience, and if you haven't seen it, you need to.
You'll want to watch the entire clip; at the three-minute mark comes an eloquent speech by a son to his father. I can't help but wonder how differently Cliff's response would be today, in a pop culture that sometimes (at least on television) elevates a child's expression over wise parenting.
Parenting Teens & Tweens, Day 22
We're nearing the end of our 31-day Parenting adventure; I'm grateful for those of you who are following the series. Again, I'm not writing this because I think I know it all or because my kids are perfect. I'm just a mom with three teens who has a little experience under my belt, and my kids are turning into the kind of decent people I hoped they would when I entered this world as a mom.
Mark Hall is awfully diplomatic in his new song Courageous, featured in the upcoming film of the same name. Its unspoken battle cry is more like Man! Up!! for goodness sakes!
Clearly why I'm not a successful lyricist :). But if you read the lyrics below, you *might* just agree with me.
I'm a long-time fan of Casting Crowns; I've bought every one of their CDs since their debut and seen them in concert a few times. Courageous is just one of the songs on Come to the Well, their upcoming album planned for an October release.
Take a listen. If you likey, you can download it for free!
Courageous lyrics
We were made to be courageous We were made to lead the way We could be the generation That finally breaks the chain We were made to be courageous We were made to be courageous
We were warriors on the front lines Standing, unafraid But now we're watchers on the sidelines While our families slip away
Where are you, men of courage? You were made for so much more Let the pounding of hearts cry We will serve the Lord
We were made to be courageous And we're taking back the fight We were made to be courageous And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand Is on our knees we're lifting hands Make us courageous Lord, make us courageous
This is our resolution Our answer to the call We will love our wives and children We refuse to let them fall
We will reignite the passion That we buried deep inside May the watchers become warriors Let the men of God arise
We were made to be courageous And we're taking back the fight We were made to be courageous And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand Is on our knees, we're lifting hands Make us courageous Lord, make us courageous
Seek justice Love mercy Walk on Be with your God
In the war of the mind I will make my stand In the battle of the heart And the battle of the hand
In the war of the mind I will make my stand In the battle of the heart And the battle of the hand
We were made to be courageous And we're taking back the fight We were made to be courageous And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand Is on our knees, we're lifting hands Make us courageous Lord, make us courageous
We were made to be courageous Lord, make us courageous
Revised: I cannot get enough of Ben Crane; I love how he's using his platform for good...and how he's single-handedly changing the face of golf through humor. I'm sure his videos are funnier if you've watched him as a golfer, but they're wicked awesome even if you haven't! I think I've helped raise $1,000 for charity with my clicks alone....
Farmer-meets-Deliverance, Pimp-meets-Steven-Tyler, Bodysuit-meets-Wrong and Pretty-Boy-Meets-Pleather--this ain't your daddy's PGA ~
aka Ben Crane** (bodysuit), Bubba Watson (farmer?), Rickie Fowler (Bieber wannabe), & Hunter Mahan (Lord help him!), the PGA's exclusive (ahem) boy band. Apparently some people will do anything to raise money for charity...which instantaneously raises my estimation of aforementioned some people :).
And I missed this last year, but Dad Life is six shades of FABULOUS! I saw my husband in a few of these guys....
Tulsa's Church on the Move opened their 2010 Father's Day service with this video which makes me wonder what the rest of the service entailed....
**Bonus: From Ben Crane, who has been getting a lot of questions about how he looks so good...
"If you're angry, use the sledgehorn."
"I...experience Zone."
"I'm speaking to you as we speak, from the now, in the middle of the now..."
Ohmylanta, clicking around Ben's site, I'm his new biggest fan! He's a "follower of Jesus, he and his wife are very passionate about supporting charities that help disadvantaged people in the world, and he knows how to have fun." J'adore!
You know I give chocolate when you subscribe in a reader or by email, right? (Or is that I eat chocolate...?
Quite possibly the FUNNIEST thing you will EVER hear about remaining a virgin until marriage. There's a lot of reason to laugh but John Gray makes his point well about anticipating the honeymoon after an intentional looooong wait! Don't miss out by clicking away before you watch it!!
"My wife gonna be the first woman in history with a two-piece velcro breakaway dress, Vera Wang easy on, easy off!"
I Refuse by Josh Wilson....convicting without condemnation, a song that preaches. There's a huge difference between thinkin' about doing something and doing something.
Bonus: If you live in the Chattanooga area, hear Josh perform this and much more--he's joining Matthew West for J103's Listener Appreciation Party on Friday, March 11. Don't miss it!
Lyrics, for your convenience ~
Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes And act like everyone’s alright When I know they’re not. This world needs God But it’s easier to stand and watch. I could pray a prayer and just move on Like nothing’s wrong.
But I refuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care. I don’t want to say another empty prayer. Oh, I refuse to Sit around and wait for someone else To do what God has called me to do myself. Oh, I could choose Not to move but I refuse.
I can hear the least of these Crying out so desperately, And I know we are the hands and feet Of you, oh God. So, if you say move, Then it’s time for me to follow through, And do what I was made to do. Show them who you are.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care. I don’t want to say another empty prayer. Oh, I refuse to Sit around and wait for someone else To do what God has called me to do myself. Oh, I could choose Not to move but I refuse.
To stand and watch The weary and lost Cry out for help. I refuse To turn my back And try and act like all is well. I refuse To stay unchanged, To wait another day, To die to myself. I refuse To make one more excuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care. I don’t want to say another empty prayer. Oh, I refuse to Sit around and wait for someone else To do what God has called me to do myself. Oh, I could choose Not to move but I refuse.
{Disclaimer: Remember...I'm n e w to this whole vlogging deal and I still don't quite know how to edit. I'm sure there's a way to make this shorter but I'll learn that for next time, k? :) }
Maybe I'm biased because Volkswagen's new North American production facility is almost within spittin' distance of my house. Or maybe it's because I'm in love with a bug. Or maybe it's because they're kinda crunchy. Or maybe they're just playin' Jedi mind tricks on me.
Whatever the reason I've got nothin' but mad love for Volkswagen's new Passat commercial; before it even airs, I'm certain it will be my favorite Super Bowl spot!
While I can't respond to every one, I LOVE hearing your comments! It's easy--just click the tiny word "comment" at the bottom of the post, register and SPEAK! {thanks!!}
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