Thursday, June 26, 2008

for jess...

1) What was I doing 10 years ago? ...1998...well I wasn't driving yet b/c my birthday isn't until mid-august. I was working as a day camp counselor, going on youth trip after youth trip with my church (I believe this was San Antonio and Chicago) and going to the Blue Horizon for what would be my last time in 10 years, that's right I'm going back this summer!!! This is also the summer that I met Jess, right? Go Big Phat Dragons!!!

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
I need to plan my agenda for a meeting I have next week
Edit some photos of our Chattanooga campus
Transfer some files to CDs
Take out the trash at my apt
work at Hallmark


3) Snacks I enjoy:
chips and salsa
Pillsbury cookies
skinny cow ice cream sandwiches
kettle corn popcorn

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire: geez, pay off school loans, give a lot to the Children's Homes, probably buy a cute little house with a back yard, probably help out more orphans in Moldova...etc

5) Places I have lived:
Wisner, LA
Pineville, LA
Nashville, TN
Birmingham, AL

6) Jobs I have had:
Day Camp Counselor
bank teller at the now Wachovia
New Business Manager at the Hancock
personal assistant from president of Southern Land
Coordinator of communications for the children's homes

7) Bloggers I am tagging who you will enjoy getting to know better:
Oh, Molly still hasn't done it so I'll tag her.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

feed the birds

Walt Disney's favorite song was "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins and it's always been a favorite of mine as well. In fact, I was completely shocked the other day when I heard that some very good friends of mine do not like that part of the movie and always fast forward through it. It made me very sad. Not only is the "Feed the Birds" song the crux and theme behind the movie, it seemed to be the theme of Walt Disney's life as well.

A recap: The song describes and the film depicts a very old bag lady sitting on the church steps in the middle of town. She's gathered crumbs and put them in bags to sale for just a "tuppence" for others to feed the birds. To many who pass her by it seems somewhat unnecessary, almost not important at all...but to the birds it means something totally different.

I had a pastor who after hearing a story or telling story would say, "I think there's gospel all over that." The older I've gotten, the more gospel there is to this old bag lady and her food crumbs for a tuppence. As a Christian, I believe I'm called to feed the birds...the least of these, to lend to those less fortunate, to be last, and to serve. Though crumbs are typically my left overs to others...they are meal, one shirt to a child in Moldova is their summer wardrobe, having someone to be excited about their first day of school is EVERYTHING to child who has been parent-less for most of their life.

So the next time you watch Mary Poppins...don't fast forward. The next time you are asked to give, don't ignore it...if you are called to go, go. I pray my heart is always willing to give. It's just a tuppence...feed the birds.

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes
In her own special way to the people she call,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs;

Come feed the little birds,
Show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do
Their young ones are hungry
Their nests are so bare
All it takes is tuppence from you

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag
Feed the birds," that's what she cries
While overhead, her birds fill the skies

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it, You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares

Though her words are simple and few
Listen, listen, she's calling to you
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag"

Thursday, June 05, 2008

top 5

since I just came back from eating at my #1 favorite restaurant I felt it necessary that the next top 5 installment be RESTAURANTS. Just for clarification - this does not mean top 5 meals, top 5 foods, top 5 types of food...simply Top 5 Restaurants...for whatever ever reason you deem them worthy.

1. Mere Bulles - Brentwood. I've written about it before...but the She Crab Bisque soup is simply amazing and their carrot cake is even better. I've yet to have something I didn't like.

2. The Cheesecake Factory - Buckhead (their service and food is better than all the other ones I've been to). who doesn't love a menu with more pages than a children's book?! So much GOODNESS to choose from AND the cheesecake is unreal. I would drive 4 hours and back in one day just to eat their amazing food and cheesecake...oh wait, I DID drive 4 hours and back in one day just to eat their amazing food and cheesecake!!! PTL Nashville finally got one.

3. Baja Burrito - Nashville. I loved Baja before I was brave enough to enjoy the delicious pineapple salsa and tasty fruit tea...my love only increased when I began to incorporate these things in my regular diet.

4. The Red Bar - Grayton Beach. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been there but I LOVE their food AND the atmosphere. I've gotten something different every time and love it all the same.

5. J. Alexander's. Shoe string french fries - Check! Salmon Cesar Salad - Check! Chicken Fingers - Check! Honey Mustard - Check! and....such a delicious carrot cake - CHECK!

honorable mention goes to Chili's. I realized the other day that Chili's is just about the only place where every time I leave there I feel absolutely miserable yet wonderfully happy at the same time. They have great chips and salsa that I can never stop eating as long as they are in front of me and the actual meal portion is soooo good that I want to eat the entire plate.

who's up? what are your top 5?

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

eli adam hester


"Isn't he the cutest baby you've ever seen?" This is what I heard over and over again yesterday afternoon after we all got to see Eli Adam Hester (proud parents: Ryan and Jordan Hester). He really is precious and Ryan and Jordan are just too cute with him. I can't believe he is finally here. Eli is blessed to have an amazing family that will love him and wonderful grandparents that will spoil him. I can't wait to watch him grow up.


You can't look at a baby and not see a loving God. It truly is a miracle...a really cute miracle!!!