Get your GLEE on!

Do you watch the show Glee? John and I love it! The writing is witty, and the talent is crazy good! We have so much fun singing/dancing along in our living room to the songs like we're in a music video or something! There aren't many shows we both really like, but Glee is one of them!

I had remember hearing that the cast goes on tour and does a concert, but I looked into it more, and found out that they'd be performing in DC! I called John to see if he was interested in going, and he was! Tickets were crazy expensive, but we figured we don't normally do stuff like this, and when's the next time we'll do it again...? We got good seats, and drove almost 3 hrs up to Springfield, VA and took the metro into the city, which took about 30 min. The trip up was seamless, and so easy!

We got into DC around 4:30 with plenty of time to kill before the concert at 7:30. We decided to go to National Museum of History, which was amazing! We then grabbed dinner in Chinatown, and went to the show. It was packed out!!! I heard someone say Glee sold out the venue!!

It was an amazing show- and sooooo worth the money, and the drive! We sang loud, danced like crazy, and acted like we were back in our living room! I enjoyed John's company so much...he was the perfect person to share the experience with!!!

When the show ended we grabbed the metro back to our car at the Springfield metro station. Since John had to work the next day, we decided before hand I would drive home so he could sleep a little on the drive. We entered our home address in the GPS, and started on our way. Not even 10 minutes into the drive did we hit a problem...our car broke down!! It started puttering, puttering, puttering...and then stopped! Thankfully we were able to pull into a small parking lot. We were JUST about to get onto the on ramp for the interstate...that would have been awful! We called AAA, and there was a tow truck within 5 minutes to pick us up! We have AAA plus (thankfully- because otherwise they only two 15 miles), so we were able to get towed 100 miles, but that would only take us to Richmond...still an hr from home. We brainstormed ideas of what we could do...

* pay the extra money...nah- we just spent a ton of money
* call a friend to pick us up, and then get the car the following day
* crash at a hotel for the night- nope...John had to work in the a.m.

While all of this is going on, I had texted a few friends about our adventure! Four people offered to drive to pick us up- regardless of how far away it was...how blessed are we with awesome friends?!?!

Before we got in the truck, the driver told us he'd take us past the 100 mile marker, as far as he could for only $40...deal! If you had to be stuck driven home at midnight by a tow truck driver...this is the guy you would have wanted! He was so nice, conversational, and funny! John fell asleep for a little bit, so I was stuck making conversation with this dude of out straight air.

Our house was an extra 60 miles from the original 100 that AAA allows a tow for. It was pretty expensive, but we reminded ourselves continually that things could have been way worse! Adventure never hurts, right?!

It was a fun adventure, and of course there is no one else I would have rather shared it with then John! He handled everything well, didn't get upset during any part of it, and was a trooper going to work with 3 hrs of sleep!

SAY HEY to Angela Reeves

You must meet my close friend Angela...she is such an awesome girl!

John and I knew her other half, David, for a few years before meeting Angela. We had known David for a few years before that from church, and being in community groups together. Angela and I met in 2008 at my 25th birthday party. David and her had just started dating a few days before, and he brought her to my party. It was their first 'outing' as a couple. I was so excited to meet her- and she was so sweet! We had tons to talk about right off the bat because we quickly learned we shared something in common: teaching! We love getting to spend time with the Reeves', and really try to prioritize hanging out with them- they are such a blessing to us!

I was so excited for Angela when she told me her and David were expecting! I let out a high-pitched squeal, and just couldn't wait for them to get back from Oklahoma (this was over Christmas break), so we could chat 'baby stuff'. Angela will make an amazing mother, and David will be an awesome dad!

Since being in community group with her- I've gotten to know her even better. It's always cool when you know someone, but get to know the deeper parts of them because of sharing a part of your week with them, every week for over a year. When we're in group- she always has something interesting to add to the discussion, witty to say, or a challenge to put out to the group. Who doesn't want someone like that in their life?!

It seems as though Angela always has people on her mind, and how she can help them out. Whether it's a friend, student, family member, or co-worker...she is always thinking of others! She is caring, dedicated, loyal, she loves God, sarcastic (which I love), independent, and smart! All character traits that I'd say are respectable! I feel so blessed to know Angela, and call her friend!

Silas Cameron...pulling on my heart strings!

If you're friends with either Bethany Poteat or Desiree Rose on Facebook, you've read lots of status updated about a little boy named Silas Cameron. If you have not heard, or read about Silas, please click on his name to read about his amazing story!

Before you start reading, I just want to say that this post is in NO way me bragging on myself, looking for compliments, or anything in between. It is simply my way of sharing one of the many ways God pulls on my heart strings, and bringing to my attention the many needs of others around me.

About two weeks ago I was on Facebook, and had read a post that Bethany had written about Silas. I have probably read hundreds (no joke) of status updated about Silas, but for some reason that day it hit me...I want to help the Cameron family! I realized that I'd been reading status updates about him for months, but I didn't actually know what was wrong with him, or why he was at CHKD (for those of you not in VA, CHKD is the big children's hospital in Norfolk). I did a little research, and here is what I found out from the website.

'Please keep little Silas in your prayers. He is now 20 mos old has spent the last 4 months at CHKD in VA. It started with an ear infection that triggered a reaction and his body shut down. (This family lost another boy to this same thing in August 2007. His name was Carter and he was 15 mos. old)The doctors have now determined that both Carter and Silas had a rare genetic blood disease called HLH. While the doctors have been able to revive all of Silas' organs (off dialysis, no longer on a ventilator, etc) his brain has taken a hit from the disease. The prayer now is that as his brain grows until age 3 and neurons grow around damaged cells, that his brain would heal and he would regain the neurological function he lost. He needs a bone marrow transplant to cure the blood disease and his big sister Hailey is a match! He now has to show purposeful movement, have 80% function in his kidneys and be able to sit up and play. He is hopefully coming home June 7 with in home nursing care and they will be working with him diligently using brain therapy exercises and neurofeedback stimulation in hopes of getting him up to par for a BMT.'

Crazy, huh?! This story would have touched me before, but now that I'm a mom- it touches me in a whole different way! It breaks my heart that an almost two year old is having to go through so many tests (some painful, I'm guessing) and not have a 'normal' life! I really cannot imagine if that was Avery Dorr! I would hope that family and friends, near and far, would help in every way possible, even in the little things! I had been brainstorming ways I want to help, whether it's making a donation, buying groceries for the family, or buying them a gift card to a restaurant so they can enjoy a peaceful night out for a few hours. A Pampered Chef consultant friend of mine asked if I wanted to 'host' an online Pampered Chef party, and it sounded like a great opportunity to help! It's running on going from today-June 15th. All you have to do is follow the steps below, and DONE! The money will go to the Cameron family, and you'll have done your part in helping a child/family in need! It's something small, but every little bit counts, right?!I know that if John and I were in that situation, something to take our mind off what we were going through, and someone picking up the annoying day-to-day stuff would be a huge help!

Here are the 3 easy steps I was telling you about...

1- Visit www.pamperedchef.biz/drose
2- Click Shop Online Enter Leah Dorr as Host
3- Shop away and share the link with others to help Silas' family!

If you wouldn't mind- please pass this information along to as many people you can think of! Wouldn't it be awesome if people across the nation were able to impact his life, speed up his recovery, and bless the Cameron family? Thanks everyone!

Disposable Income

As I was in the most uncomfortable position today, pulling weeds out of our front flower bed (which you can't even tell the difference...ughh!) a thought came to my mind...

'If I had a disposable income, what is the #1 thing I'd pay someone else to do for me?'

Well, of course that thought came to mind because I was doing something uncomfortable, annoying, and what I'd say is a waste of time since I know those stupid weeds will grow back shortly! A major list started running through my mind...

* fold laundry

* cook for me

* personal trainer

* yard work

* grocery shop

But I may say the #1 thing would be cooking for me!

I don't really mind cooking, but if it's something I could never think about again- I'd be happy! I used to cook a lot, and pretty regularly, but life got kind of hectic, and unfortunately it's not a priority right now (although it totally should be)! Because let's be honest...cooking is never just cooking! There's WAY more involved than just actually cooking the meal. There's planning out what meals you want, food shopping, preparing/cutting the food, and finally cooking it. I would love to have three meals a day set up, cooked, and ready for me to eat without having to even think about it...ahhhh- that sure would be nice!

SAY HEY to Amanda Wilkinson

(Claire and Kai, me and Avery, and Amanda and Cole)


I've known Amanda for about a year and a half, but we didn't really get to know each other until last summer. I am so thankful God crossed our paths!

It was the last days of school, and Amanda was talking with another teacher about how she just found out she was pregnant. I kind of felt awkward being in the same room, but she wasn't whispering or trying to make it a hush-hush thing. She didn't want to share it with many people yet, because she was still very early on in her pregnancy, but shared it with me because she had some questions/concerns; and since I had experienced miscarriages, she felt I'd be a good person to ask.

Over the summer she called here and there to ask questions, came to check out Avery's nursery, and borrowed maternity clothes. School started up in September, but since I was 9 months pregnant with Avery I didn't start the school year off. We kept in touch every few weeks by updating each other on how our pregnancies were going, how she was adjusting to a new grade level, and how I was getting ready for Avery's arrival.

Cole was due at the end of January, and a few times before he was born, Amanda and I would hang out and talk about the anticipation of his arrival, work on getting the nursery set up, and she'd always have more questions for me. I loved getting to know her, and reliving the excitement of a baby's arrival! I really enjoyed our times together, and was excited to become closer friends with someone who was about to be in the same stage of life that I was.

I was so excited when Cole arrived on his due date (crazy, huh?!), and visited Amanda, Mark, and Cole in the hospital. John and I brought them a meal after they got home from the hospital, and enjoyed holding a newborn baby. Now that Cole was here, there was an even stronger bond between us...new moms!

She took a six week maternity leave, and we hung out each week she was off! We called Tuesdays our 'Mommy Dates', and would either go out to lunch, go to each others houses, or go walk around the mall. We got to know each other even better during those weeks. I was even able to introduce her to some of my close girlfriends who were also new moms, and they really hit it off! We were able to bond about the excitement a new baby bring, the frustration a new baby brings, doing the baby thing with no family around, how to juggle a new baby and relationships/friendships, and everything in between.

It seems like almost every weekend we hang out- whether it's for a whole day with the kids, or just a coffee meet up. She and her family came to church with us for Easter, and she also came a few weeks ago as well. She has become a huge part of my life, and it's so weird to think that it's only been the last few months that her and I even became friends! I feel like I've known her and Cole forever!

She is so fun, and always has a positive spirit about her! I'm sure everyone that meets and knows Amanda would say she lights up a room! There are so many things I love about Amanda! She's funny, hard working, motivated, compassionate, and easy to talk to. She is a loving wife, caring mother, and dedicated teacher! I feel so blessed to call her friend, and I am so glad that God crossed our paths!

7 months young

This little girl here turned 7 months old on Saturday!

She...

* weighs a little over 20 lbs
* rolls over
* sits up on her own
* laughs out loud all the time
* is chatty
* has a few BFFs (Piper, Kai, Cole, and Rosalie)
* thinks Kaya (our dog) is the best toy ever
* falls asleep on her own for naps and at night
* says 'mamama' and 'dadadada' (but I don't know if she's actually saying
mama and dada)
* wears 12 month clothes
* loves to play in water
* pushes up and tries to scoot (the beginning of crawling)

You are dearly loved, Avery Dorr...dearly loved!

October BFFs

The beginning of May we had pictures taken of Avery, Kai, and Piper at a park in Virginia Beach. The same photographer took my maternity, and Avery's newborn pictures. She is amazing! The session was short, but sweet! Here are pictures from the hour of smiles, tears, outfit changes, crazy noises made by mommies and daddies, and everything in between!