Imagine…

…driving into your driveway at 5:17 pm on a Friday, with your husband & daughter sitting in a chair outside waiting for your arrival (P.S. – while in matching blue shirts). Priceless.

…hearing your daughter say ‘Sowree’ (Sorry) after her 1 minute Corner Time is over.

…getting a $15 Starbucks gift card in the mail as a thank you. WOW!

…playing WII with friends until midnight. Competition is fun. 

…reading Scripture & discussing God with a group of friends every Sunday morning. I like doing church this way.

…putting your daughter’s hair into pigtails.

…buying a size 6 dress.

…cuddling in your super comfortable bed & sleeping in until 8:00 am. Then hearing MOMMMEEE.

…hearing about marriage struggles from others – and realizing what true courage & faith really is about.

…gmail chatting with friends during the day.

…an Expresso Truffle from Starbucks. Yum.

…reading other’s blogs.

…reading a book in 3 hours – thanks Sophie Kinsella for being so funny.

…planning a vacation with ONLY you & your husband.

…being married 5 years.

Life is good. No complaints.

Thanks to Monica, Sara, & Jen for the inspiration.

1.       I do not eat veggies, unless you’d count a salad or potatoes.

2.       I always wanted a sister to play with & hang out with.

3.       I am a very fast typist.

4.       I used to be extremely shy growing up – it wasn’t until college that I grew in my confidence to speak & meet others.

5.       I recently was asked to be part of a start up team to begin an organization – that could potentially lead to my dream job – but I had to say no (after much wrestling).  Breaks my heart, but the timing is not right. 

6.       I am learning more about Christ everyday & what it really means to be a follower of Him.

7.       My greatest  insecurity is my nose.  I have had 2 instances in my life where I was asked if I had ever broken my nose.  First Time: 7^th grade by Lacey Logan in Career Class.  Second Time: Freshman year of college in the cafeteria line by Crail (forgot his last name).   These have haunted me for years and if I ever have the chance to have a nose job, I would do it in a heartbeat. 

8.       I strongly believe in personal growth.  If someone does not take the time & initiative to get to know who they are & how God has made them – what good are we doing to this world?

9.       I wish I could sing!  Like really belt it out.

10.   I think I used to be somewhat of a decent dancer in high school.  But now I’m embarrassed to try – maybe Chris and I should take a dance class.

11.   I enjoy new people & connecting them to other friends & ways to feel involved.  I genuinely don’t understand intentionally leaving out others.  Hurts my heart.

12.   I admire my husband for his wisdom, his desire for growth, and passion to see others come to Christ.  I’m lucky he’s my teammate.

13.   I’ve kissed 3 boys in my life – Chris is my 3^rd, last & greatest.

14.   I love to gmail chat and have recently become addicted to Facebook.

15.   Sonic is no longer a daily ‘stop’ of mine.  Yes, I miss you.

16.   I do not have good cooking skills, however, I can make a mean queso.  Thanks to my grandmother’s spicy recipe.

17.   I hate blow drying my hair.  It seems to take forever – I wish I could just be a natural girl that is pretty without all the ‘extras.’ 

18.   I keep running notes/lists at both home & work.  If I don’t write it down – I’ll never remember.

19.   I easily get bored & need to be entertained.  Sitting around watching TV is not a fun option for me.  Sorry, Chris.

20.   In 7^th grade, I burned my little toe while making fudge.  (You have to beat the fudge after it boils to help it harden…while beating, the fudge flew out & landed on my toe!)  I was on crutches for weeks.

21.   I worked 3 jobs at once during my Freshman/Sophomore year of college.  I.  County Clerk’s Office.  2.  Cracker Barrel (cashier, 3 stars!)  3.  Assistant to Youth Pastor in Garland, TX.  How I did this, I have no idea.  But somehow, I still fell into debt.  Go figure!

22.   When my mom visits – there is always shopping involved for her, me, and now Tatum.  You never say no to a mom that loves clothes & helps you grow your personal wardrobe!

23.   I wrecked my car in 2000 and my shoulders realllly hurt.  After 2 days, Michelle drug me to the doctor and he said ‘M’am, you’ve broken your collarbone.’  My response, “REALLY? HA.”  Why do I have to laugh at everything?

24.   I tell myself that when it’s time to die, that Chris and I have to go together, when we are old.  Like on the movie Notebook.  I can’t handle the thought of life without him.  So that is how it will happen.  I’ve decided.

25.   I don’t like having my back cracked – it makes me nervous & I think my spine is going to break. Everytime.  I even cried once.

One of my major goals 4 years ago was to see Celine Dion in concert before I turned 30.  This sadly didn’t happen…..until I turned 30 & 9 months!  Yes, all, Celine has entered my life, and it is oh so sweet. I remember hearing this time last year that Celine Dion would be making a few Texas stops on her world tour.  I made several references to my loving husband – but those clues didn’t lead to any light bulbs coming on in his head.

I kind of forgot about her tour until Monday.  I thought, hey, what the heck, let’s try to find tickets in San Antonio or Houston! Surely I can find someone that understands the VALUE IN THOSE TICKETS.  My good friend Susanna would only go up to $50 for a Houston concert.  Couldn’t find anything cheaper than $85.  Susan, thanks for being willing to help fulfill a dream.

Once Chris realized I was desperately searching on Craigslist Monday night for Celine Tickets, he was on the hunt with me!  He thought months ago I was just being facetious.  He felt bad & began emailing everyone on Craigslist to see if they still had tickets for Wednesday night in San Antonio.  In the meantime, I was on the hunt for a partner. 

And wooo-la.  Tickets for $35 a piece!  Nose bleed seats – well yes, but who cares!  While on my way to pick up the tickets, I found out that Julie was on the hunt, too!  Both of our husbands were being Mr. Budgets for a set of tickets, so I called up Julie and said, hey – go with me!  This saves our husbands from having to be at the Celine concert and saves them from having to buy a SET of tickets.  She was in!

We named yesterday Celine Day, as she was top of our priority list.  No distractions or other emotional factors would take our excitement & joy away from our date with Celine Dion.  We hit Starbucks (so I could stay awake past 9:30 pm), arrived at the stadium in super good time.  Went to the potty, found our seats, and began sitting anxiously for her entrance.  Where’s she coming in from? How’s she going to do it? What’s she going to wear?  I wonder what song she’ll open up with? 

Some lame guy opened for her that did impersonations while singing – so I headed to buy my very fun white & hot pink tshirt that says “so that you’ll love me again” in French.

And then she came!  I Drove All Night was her song of choice to sing as her first song to us.  I think I’m in such awe still of the night that I can’t even remember the other names of the songs that she sang.  She had like 8 costume changes – she was beautiful with long flowing curled hair!  She tried to trick us TWICE with saying goodnight after upbeat songs, but we KNEW that wasn’t it.  She HAD to end with Titanic’s ‘My Heart Will Go On.’  We KNEW it.  So, here she comes again for the third time – clips from the movie, candles/sparkling lights fill the auditorium, and in a long black flowing dress, she ended with My Heart Will Go On.

Yes, Celine, my heart will go on as well – near, far, where ever you are, I will always love you.