This Night Though......

Well, here's the FOLLOW UP from the other night!!! There are no words to describe it. It was the most emotionally fulfilling evening I have ever experienced. The event was held at our local church, Northside Christian, and there to accompany me was my mama and my good friend, Amy.

The performances were by six of the greatest christian artists in the industry; Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Francesca Battistelli, Chris August, Jason Gray, and Meredith Andrews. Each one of them blew it out of the park. With music I am usually a beginning fan by just simply hearing a good song, but to hear it live can turn me into a serious fanatic... and that is exactly what happened. I was blown away.

Here's a short accumulation [from my Instagram] of the night.

Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting the next tour... 

Inspired By A Song

If you're like me, you can easily relate your life to lyrics in a song. Not just any song, but there's always that one [or few] where you say, "...that's how I feel!". That's always been me, except I would maybe even write a song as opposed to just relating to one. Regardless, music was my therapy.

Music was often the remedy to any emotional rollercoaster I endured. Majority of the time it all stemmed from most likely a broken heart [oh, high school] but in my adult years they were from a much deeper matter... figuring out "who am I? What's my purpose in this life?"... [whoa megan, where's this going].

Today I heard a song that reminded me of some challenges I encountered a few years back. "Challenges" being that I went through a very young marriage/divorce, getting caught up in a dark place to mask the effects of it all, which only lead me into the wrong direction everywhere I turned. I felt my life was completely out of my control. And what I came to understand was that IT WAS... 100%. But it always has been. We were made by a Creator who opens many doors for us, but initially we decide where we want to go. That isn't how it should be. Too often we trust our own judgement, when we should be trusting His.

Along with many others, [today] the song that brought that all back to me was Francesca Battistelli's "Write Your Story". It's a great reminder that God has our lives already written out, while we are made to just live it out. However, we don't always do it. From the beginning we decide what is good for us, and what fulfills us. We decide what is best to provide for our future and the future of our kids. But doing it alone isn't what He intended. I don't make choices in the household without consulting my husband, we don't make choices in the workplace without consulting our boss. Why is life any different? Let Him be our guide and assurance. Allow Him to show you the right direction and .... trruuuuuuuust me.... it will be fulfilling in more ways than you could imagine.

We are indeed His work of art, and the image we should portray is that of His best. I have learned that the choices I used to make were never consulted with Him and as a result of that I found myself completely empty. The moment I knew my life was not my own, it was a game changer. It really made all the sense in the world. And here I am now... [a short glimpse of my testimony].    

 

A Good Laugh Never Hurt Anybody

Do you ever find yourself laughing at random things? I mean, seriously randomness. I do all the time. Of course it's always better when sharing that laughter with someone else - that laughing at each other laughing, which only brings on more laughing until you forgot what you were laughing at in the first place. Yea, that kind.

For instance, an almost typical conversation with my best friend has me laughing every time I read it. And it was from... oh I don't know, last year.

But what was it that inspired this little post of nonsense? Trying to brainstorm on ideas to write about - writer's block is a thing with me - I ran across a few photos that had me cracking up. Just sitting here in my living room, alone, adding years to my life with laughter. That's a real thing, right? The more you laugh the more you live? Hope so, because I laugh at myself almost all the time. So if it's true, I'm golden.

Rarely do I enjoy sharing, but I will today. The following photos are what had me chuckling till my abs hurt. Did I say abs? I mean that giant ball in front of me that keeps my eyes and feet from ever seeing one another until after about 5 months. It's quite an attractive laugh I must say. If you need an image of said laugher, think Santa Claus. At 31 weeks, that's about the most accurate display.

Let's begin with this cutie patootie. 

This would make every day way more entertaining if applied.

Story of my life.

I just had to.

And this is the epitome of randomness that would entertain me for days.

That last one really got me. It literally had me like this...

And it is just a coincidence the baby happens to be Asian. I guess it speaks truth in a lot of ways. 

In closing, I'm linking up with one of my favorites and you should, too. Hop on over and get connecting with some newbies - or oldies. Today I'm gon-country wit it, na na na na na na na na. That's what it would sound like if Alan Jackson and Will Smith had a baby. Or at least, that's what their baby would sound like. Either way, I'm digging into my inner country and sharing one of my favorites, because some people need a little reminder. And what better way to express your concerns for people than through music. Listen up people.

A blogging fail...

You know that moment you over prepare and have something ready-to-go, then as soon as it's time, you submit 'said thing' and walk away with that feeling of accomplishment? I almost had that feeling yesterday morning. With my days, you don't really know what to expect, so to have a blog post prepped for the next day is a REAL accomplishment, let me tell you. I have gone a number of weeks days with the same ol post lingering there, because either 1) our internet was down, or 2) my morning started off crazy and by 9pm I was in bed; aka on my daughter's floor after scratching her back, with the hubs having to come in and get me. True story.

Enough rambling. My point is, yesterday I had a set post ready to go and published it long before I even had time for my morning bloggy updates. While catching up on one of my favorite peeps, Helene In Between, and after some serious blog hopping, I find myself scrolling through a new favorite, Glam Hungry Mom. THIS IS WHERE MY BLOGGING FAIL ALMOST BEGAN. In one of her posts, she shared some miraculous YouTube video of the new up and coming artist, Ariana Grande. Oh em geeeeeeeee. As a lover of music and talent, I was beside myself. This girl takes the cake. Along side the title of this post... I was indeed MIND BLOWN. I was so anxious to share, I debated whether or not to post a second time in the day, but wasn't sure if that was totally necessary. Although, it'd been worth it!!!! For reals. Her voice truly rocks my socks.

Have a listen, if you will.

1. I've been a Mariah Carey fan since I was 8 years old.
2. "Emotions" is possibly one of her most difficult tracks to mimic.
3. This girl is only 20 years young.
4. I don't have a 4....

So as an attempt to not pull a complete fail, by publishing two posts in one day, I decided to just postpone my #backthatazzup post with Whitney on Friday, and dedicate this one on Saturday!!!! Ha... oops.

With that said, my #backthatazzup jam would have most definitely been THIS in honor of this mind blown discovery. Listen to the original (below) then make your way back up to compare it to this girl's cover. It's seriously unbelievable. Brav-freakin-o!!

There's patience... and then there's me.

Let me just begin by saying that I am absolutely freaking DONE frustrated with our internet. These issues have continued to interfere with my ever-so-relaxing hobby, in turn making it a chore to squeeeeeze in a draft post in preparation of not knowing what the next day will hold - internet? no internet? Although, with recent weather conditons, it has completely wiped out our internet for good - not even leaving me with a guessing game at this point! So unkind. Anyhoo, my dear husband is quite aware of the issue and has begun thinking of a solution... until that day however, I wait... impatiently. 

As an alternative, I am at my parents house. If you knew them, their technology issues have been about as successful as my own - but it works, and that's all that matters!!

So moving forward...

As it is Friday - #backthatazzup Friday, that is - I'll share my latest tune!! It's super old school, and still rocks my socks. ;)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------- OH! And before I forget... A BIG BIG BIG shout out to my dear friend, Katie and her husband - who may be welcoming their newest addition here soon!!! She has passed reached her due date, and today should be the day! Talk about patience. ;) Check out all the leading-up-to coverage over on her BLOG. I'm so excited for them!! Love you guys!!  

Houndmouth: From the Hills Below the City

Well, although I was beat to the punch - alongside my friend/blogging buddy, Katie and her last Thursday post, I too felt the need to brag about our little hometown celebrities.

Houndmouth

They've been locally known for a few years, but are now well on their way to universal stardom! It's incredible. I went to high school with two of the members, and at an earlier time in my life I enjoyed the tunes of their bass player, Zak Appleby, when he had a solo gig at a local hole-in-wall called, Jersey's. Myself, and a few others were always front and center - if I remember correctly, it was every Tuesday? All I do remember is Oasis "Wonderwall" was a weekly request, and I can't say we ever wore it out. Good times. Not to mention, I love knowing I was a witness to the beginning stages of someone's career. Pretty nifty. ;) 

 I believe this group will find their way further and further at the top. Their style is original, and each one of them holds their own talent. It's great to see a local band find such success. Just recently, they performed on Conan O'Brien. Seriously?! :) If you missed it, here's a clip of their performance.

Congratulations, Houndmouth!!!

Hope there's unlimited success in yours all future!! I don't doubt there will be.

Purchase songs on iTunes.

If you really knew Mee

About a month ago I shared a personal post, just letting readers get an idea of who it is that sits behind this computer screen blabbing about the random things in life. So as a continuing effort to embarrass share bits and pieces of myself, here a few more hidden facts - if you really knew me.

I'm a little O.C.D. Correction... I'm quite O.C.D. I turn labels around to face forward on any bottle, condiment, can of vegetables, you name it - it's ridiculous! I have to brush my teeth before eating breakfast, otherwise everything tastes disgusting. Oh, and if I don't say "be safe/drive safe" to anyone leaving then something terrible will happen! ......just to name a few. 

I have tattoos. Six to be exact: foot, wrist, neck, thigh, inner arm, outer arm. I'm pretty sure none have been visible on my blog - not on purpose - they're just not all visibly seen unless I wear shorts, short sleeve shirts, or bathing suits.

I don't like to repeat myself. And given I have an almost 4 year old, this makes it quite challenging. It's like they secretly know this fun fact about yourself, and take full advantage of how long they can push your buttons. So unfair. It's not like you can explain to her, "sweetheart, I have an OCD with repeating myself more than once, so please just listen to mommy this one time, ok? Thank you." ....yuhright.

I watch Housewives shows. To be clear, I do not watch all of them. But the few I do, it's a guilty pleasure that's sometimes hard to admit. I currently have NJHW and BHHW set on record on the dvr. Poor Chris. Along with those and the endless recordings on Disney, he doesn't have much dvr space to himself. ;) good thing he doesn't watch a lot of tv - so we're golden.

Orange juice with breakfast is a MUST.  Leave it at that. If I don't have orange juice, it's incomplete.

I'm a closet singer. It's a modest confession. Don't expect this girl to sing karaoke without a few glasses of liquid courage, and certainly don't ask me to sing on the spot. Forget it. There's only a handful of people I've ever had the gall to sing in front of with or without alcoholic influence. It's a stage fright... can't help it.

---------------------------------------------------------

With that said, and because I don't have any more facts I can gather at this time, I'm going to share an ORIGINAL piece I recently recorded with an old friend. It was a really fun piece and a step out there for me. It's a little slow for #backthatazzup melodies, but I hope you enjoy!!  

(( My Best Friend's Wedding )) Part 3: Bachelorette Party

It's time to share the second most anticipated event; Part 3 of My Best Friend's Wedding, the bachelorette party!! Now being that there's a code to such a weekend, I will be rather reserved with sharing explicit details. Don't be discouraged. There's still pictures to share. ;)

This weekend's events took place in good ole' Nashville, TN. With six passengers in tow, we had two decorative cars ready to hit the road!

Cleverly enough, my friend captured the city alongside our snazzy decor! ;)

Details are necessary, given it seems like your typical "country-style" atmosphere, yet the restaurants were very eclectic. Our first stop was for lunch, at The Southern - recommended by a friend/local.

Live music, EVERYWHERE. I was in heaven. 

And the food... well, just take a look!

All, but two of us got their classic burger. It was deeeeeeeeeelish.

 Next we got unpacked, changed, and decorated (the best we could) for gifts and games! 

  How adorable was her sash?? Compliments to her sister/MOH. 

Good job, Megan!!

After a good laugh... really, it was priceless - sorry I can't share the details ... 

...we headed on down to the infamous strip of entertainment! I was blown away! I'd personally have to say Vegas has nothing on this type of atmosphere. The live music coming from all angles was like nothing I'd ever saw before!! It was pretty incredible. 

Bridesmaids (minus two)... Erika, Noelle, bride, myself, Hannah, Megan! 

Nashville is definitely a city I'll be revisiting in my near future. It's even been decided as another bachelorette party location for someone else - you know who you are! ;) As a recently converted country gal myself, I have to say that it was truly beyond my expectations. Next time, we'll have to experience the shopping! Gathered that tidbit from a little birdie - aka Ms. Katie, over at Bluedaisy in the Bluegrass.

Last but not least, I had to share this little detail. Although it isn't a good conclusion to the festivities, it was the perfect conclusion to the weekend as a whole. Erika and I stayed behind the next morning and had ourselves a nice Panera breakfast on the patio.

 Mmmmm. I could do mornings like this everyday!! 

Well my friends, this leaves us with just one more event to conclude this series...

THE WEDDING!!

Wow, I cannot believe it's the following weekend. I'm happy for my best friend, and hope these last months have been just as exciting for her as it's been for the rest of us! We've enjoyed sharing the moments leading up to her big day, and can't wait for it to finally arrive. :) Jess, we love you!!!

11 more days!!!

Country BOY shake it for me!

In addition to yesterday's post, 

I wanted to share a short clip of Luke Bryan's live performance from Friday night!

It's nothing special... who are we kidding, of course it is!!

He sure made my country conversion an easy one! :)

Friday LINK UP

Trying something new is always refreshing, eh? 

Joining alongside some other booty-shaking ladies, with this fun link up; here is my currently obsessed tune of the week!!!!

...not to mention it's a new Zumba song. Oh yes!!! Thanks, TAMMY!!!!