Return to Dollywood!

Its been years... but we rocked it - me, sissy, and dad! While David slaved over our new kitchen (hold tight for pics) I was playing it cool with the fam. in good ol' Walland, TN! And I had a great time I might add!

My Michael Jackson

Everyone over the age of 10 has their own Michael Jackson memories that have helped define parts of their childhood and/or adult years. The first two songs I think of are Will you be There (as featured on Free Willy) and Black or White!

All of the Videos for the Free Willy- Will you Be there don't allow for sharing... so watch it HERE.

Black & White Video- I danced to this OVER & OVER with my elementry bff Lindy! I remembe listeningn to it on my walkman! I think this was 3rd or 4th grade for me... watch that video HERE.

And I think this is one of the first superbowl half time shows I can remember... and probably the best ever!

Please pray with all your might!

A coworker and dear friend of mine at Siloam Family Health Center, Veronica Miranda is in need of prayer. Her husband, Alex, was picked up by immigration yesterday and is schedule for deportation to Guatemala within days. Veronica is a US citizen and Alex has lived here for over 20 years working several jobs. They have a two year-old-son, Mathew. These are two loving, hard working parents who love the Lord. At this point their prayer is for a miracle that he would be released and could rejoin his family and for an immigration lawyer who is willing to take his case immediately. Veronica is desperately in need of guidance and legal advice. Veronica and Alex depend on both of their salaries to support their families. Please pray that the Lord would give Veronica & Alex peace and would continue to provide and show them favor.

I can be contacted with any questions or if anyone might be able to give some guidance or advice.

Thank you so much.

Vacancy: One room house for small bird family.

One of my favorite things about Nashville are festivals in the park (any park). For the past 3 years one of the best for me has been the Artisan Fair at Centennial (The Parthenon). Each year we go there are 2 booths I always have to see- the guy who does ceramic raku firing and the birdhouse guy! This year as a late bday present (and since its our first yard) David got me my first bird house (with a plan of upgrading each year). I love it! Check out the artist - Sam Cheek.

What I Aspire to...

My plan is to one day be a master baker, crafter, and seamstress... this blog is my inspiration: Heart of Light. I don't know who showed this to me... (if it was you please remind me so I can thank you!), but I love it. Always yummy food, great pictures, fun projects... I keep telling myself I will attempt all these ideas soon, but in reality they are all being jogged in a special place in my brain to pull out when my 1 year old is napping (no this is not a pregnancy announcement). However I do think I'm going to try to tackle these Margarita Cupcakes and this Ruffly Headband soon.

25th Bday Pictures

These are only 18 days late...

Enjoying the Backyard Sun after church and a big cup of fruit tea!

My new fav. picture of Oscar!

My new fav. picture of David!

Out to dinner with friends in E-Nash! (I'm glad I look like I turned 15 instead of 25)

My best Nashville friends ever!

My best guys!

The Start to a Great Year!!

Turning a House to a Home

You have all been so patient awaiting house pictures... but sadly, this is the only one you get. The last four weeks have been a whirlwind of boxes, dust, paint, and dirt. David has been an all star and in the past month has painted like a mad man, tore down a wall, ripped up the floors from two rooms, installed-stained-sealed new hardwoods in said rooms, continues to put together all the pieces of our new kitchen (cabinets, counter tops, etc.), respliced/repaired our telephone line to install Internet, redone electrical wiring in the kitchen... I mean what can this man not do? I love you David!

My only accomplishments have included mowing the lawn and pretending to garden (what you see is the result of a week of having both sets of parents in town). Thank you Mom Dad Bruce & Mary for all your help with everything!!

We've met some of our neighbors and so far really enjoy them. Across the street are 9 awesome kids under 13.. the youngest is 3 weeks old. I have yet to master all their names - they all start with Z. The leader of the bunch is 9-year-old "Little Man." That is his real nickname he told David. They are all awesomely sweet and shout to me from the yard whenever they see me. One day I was out working on the yard and heard some muffled noises that sounded like my name - apparently they weren't allowed outside at that time so I saw 5 sweet faces behind a glass door shouting my name!

We are loving East Nashville and slowly working towards to becoming part of the community and not just resident squatters. There is lots to see and do and people to meet...not to mention lots of great restaurants and food to eat!... so far my favorites are Battered and Fried (Boston Sea food and sushi) and Pied Piper (homemade ice cream..I had the Lemon Ginger custard..i recommend it!). One day I even aspire to be a part of the East Nasty running club, but as stated in the previous post about the race on Saturday... moving does not equal staying in shape.

Since we finally got internet at home...I have a lot of photo postings to catch up on (not house pictures - don't get too excited)... so stay tuned.

Ellie's Run 2009

What a great (early) start to our Saturday! Thanks to all who have supported me! I was able to reach my goal of sending 20 kids to school! Although David & I have (sigh) not run since we have moved... we still had a great time jogging together & I really enjoyed praying for Elizabeth Diana as I huffed and puffed my way through the trails. She is a new student at the school in Kenya! I may never meet her, but she is dearly loved!

Betsie Carlson!

The run was the start of a great day! After a short nap when we got home.. I spent the majority of the day in the yard.. I mowed, trimmed hedges, used some bricks in the backyard to make a border for some flowers in the front yard, dug out some GIANT weeds in the backyard...hence, between running for the first time in 3 weeks and yard work - I am still sore on Monday! Saturday night we hung out with the Annie & David Roberts (Annie went to Vandy with my David) for a great dinner. They just moved to East Nashville 2 weeks ago and are WAY more moved in then we are. We are excited about hanging out with them more to come! We had a lazy but RESTFUL day on Sunday which included seeing "UP" (not our favorite pixar, but enjoyable) and getting our digital converter box/antenna hooked up along with our basic DSL internet...we're cutting the excess out so hopefully I'll learn to just sit and be still more instead of being glued to the tube. To sum up the weekend: we are so grateful for the lives God has given us!

its not too late!

Sorry for the pestering... but one final push for the race Saturday... I only need sponsorship for a couple more kids to meet my goal!

just click HERE to donate now!

Texting Whiplash

Seriously,... after two years of being behind the times with no texting ability... David and I have sprung so far foward we have text messaging ability whiplash. We are childishly (like a high school girl really) obsessed with our new phones. After researching, coupon seeking, customer service arguing.. we decided to stay with Sprint.. and long story short - we got these phones for FREE plus an extra 40$ credit to our account.. PLUS 25% off our monthly bill!

Dear Zack Morris, I still love you. Affectionately Yours, Blair

Thank you Jimmy Fallon. If my tv was plugged in and if I stayed up late enough to watch you...I would!!

Its that time again!!

Summer Echo(what we call our high school Wednesday nights) is here!!-which means David wearing a ridiculous outfit and frolicking all over Nashville & beyond. Check out the first installment of wild videos to come: