Heather Vassar

a Tennessee fall..

2011-10-10T12:06:00.000-05:00

Never did I imagine that I would see THREE Tennessee Falls when I moved here.
However, it's absolutely one of my favorite things...
It never gets old.
The leaves changing never ceases to amaze me.

and this is only the beginning for this season.

Kris and I decided to drive around and find some that have started to change. It's a great time because the grass is still green and most of the trees are too..except for those few that have succumbed into the cold and fading into winter.

Autumn is my favorite.
it's a transition.
It's giving into the colder weather.
preparing for the harsh winter when it's been so used to a warm sunny day...
and as it is...
it's BEAUTIFUL.

It makes me think of Nichole Nordeman's song 'Every Season' every time...so I think you should listen to it as you look at these pictures I took:)

who loves you...

2011-10-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

What have you done today?

I just love this.

are you using your life to love others?

xoxo...

places...

2011-09-23T02:10:00.001-05:00

as most of you know all the new rage is Pinterest.
It's incredibly addicting and I love it. I've just started my own boards.

I sometimes catch myself looking at pictures of places that I'd LOVE to visit.
I even imagine myself standing in that very spot.
The very spot of whoever it was that took that photograph.
I wonder what they were thinking.
How they felt.
I try to imagine what they were doing there and who they were with.

So when I see a picture that looks like some where I'd LOVE to go...
I imagine who's there with me.
I imagine what we feel when we see such incredible and distinct beauty.
I imagine us getting immersed in the culture.
I know we're smiling and laughing and soaking it all in because honestly..the world is far too big to stay in one place forever...to comprehend that the God who made you made all of the incredible places around the world.

like this one..

Source: tumblr.com via Lorrie on Pinterest

Source: None via Ashlea on Pinterest

or this...

Source: weheartit.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: la-belle-vie.tumblr.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kailey on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jane on Pinterest

see what I mean?

So where do you want to go?
better yet...who wants to go with me to these places?! :)

xoxo...

2011-09-22T17:28:00.003-05:00

Incredible honesty.
Sincerity.
Hope.
Truth.
Beauty.

Thank you Ellen and Demi for using your voice to help others.

Sidenote: Dear Demi & Ellen, I have a song called "Chasing Beautiful"..you should give it a listen! ;)

xoxo...

Did you know..

2011-09-20T17:19:00.000-05:00

the "did you know"'s about the airport in the middle of a storm in the middle of the night.

did you know....
that airport lights are SO bright at 3am and in fact..I think they turn them brighter.
the speaker is SO loud and plays the SAME 3 messages over and over.
there is a girl hired soley to drive around passing cotts out in a golf cart.
the cotts make me NEVER want to go camping.
they sound like you're tooting when turning over.
there are ZERO restaurants/shops open past like 12am.
did I mention how bright the lights are?
tons of people get stuck in the airport.

did you know it isn't any fun at all..as much fun as it sounds..

see for yourself..

Now here's a video from that same night..MAN..I wish I would have seen these guys! So funny...

STUCK from Joe Ayala on Vimeo.

now mine...

xoxo...

Beth Moore

2011-09-19T19:41:00.002-05:00

Recently, I was able to go to the Beth Moore simulcast in Lubbock, TX.

If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE Beth. I love her writings, her heart, her ministry, her sense of humor, her sincerity, her ability to not take herself to seriously with her big Texas hair and necklaces. everything.

In fact, something that most do not know is that in one of her studies, she talks about "Chasing Beautiful"....to which began my journey in writing my debut record, Chasing Beautiful. Now that I think about it I probably should have included her in my credits! ha oops:)

I also got to experience this with all of my favorite women in my life. My mom, sister, Nanie, aunts, cousins, and my best friend, Kim. Some times I would just catch myself looking at everyone thinking how thankful I am for each of them in my life. I am sad we didn't get a group picture.

Living Proof Live Simulcast Lubbock TX from David Lowe on Vimeo.

xoxo...

a 'classic' celebration:)

2011-09-18T20:40:00.003-05:00

'As the finest and best.

a model of timeless.

unlike all the rest.

with excellence and class.

The big 5-0 has finally arrived.

and we’re throwing a SURPRISE.

come and join the fun.

as Mark becomes ‘a classic’ one.'

We threw my dad a surprise birthday party! It was so great!

Above is the invitation!

Here are some pics!

Happy 50th Dad!

I love you!

xoxo...

You coming?

2011-09-12T10:39:00.004-05:00

You heard right! :)

xoxo...

what I'm listening to..

2011-09-07T01:15:00.000-05:00

So I have come across a band that I think it absolutely amazing.

See what I mean? So good..and they have originals too!

You're welcome..

xoxo...

Creativity. Color.

2011-09-01T11:37:00.003-05:00

I think this is an interesting video.

I'm all about creativity but I think he touches on a deeper subject.

being more aware of your surroundings..
being more aware of people around...
and really taking notice to why they do what they do.
why they say what they say.

'if you walk around with a head full of preoccupation, you won't notice anything.'

how can you enjoy the little things if you aren't aware of them.

if you're so preoccupied with the daily grind that you miss this...

don't miss something.

don't miss the colors of this world by walking with your head down.

xoxo...

wait. stop.

2011-08-31T14:23:00.001-05:00

Have you ever been given a sign like this for your life?

when you had plans on where to go and then this showed up in your life.
maybe it doesn't exactly look like this. maybe it's flashing and bold and bright.
maybe it's a dull voice in the back of your head.

maybe it looks like this...

and it's trying to keep you safe from what's ahead..
whether it's the rush of life..or the danger ahead you aren't prepared for.

or MAYBE..just maybe..you get this one.

now this is big and red and it doesn't say "please stop then proceed ahead".
it just says 'stop'...
it says 'wait'...

for how long?
it doesn't say.
why?
it doesn't say that either.

it just says to stop...or to wait....
and signs like this..especially the red ones..or the flashing light blinking ones..

we should probably listen to.

so i'm waiting...i'm stopping..i'm preparing...for what? I don't know...
but what I do know is this..
it's gonna be

and through it..with the ups..with the downs..the spins and turns..
our lives can look like this..

fun, crazy, happy, smiles, fast, slow, and beautiful.

so wait if you need to.
stop if you feel like you should.

but whatever you do...do it with all of you.

I'll wait with you.
xoxo...

grace.

2011-08-25T14:24:00.001-05:00

think of the worst day you've ever had.
the worst hurt you've ever felt.
the biggest heartbreak.
the hardest hit to your soul.
the biggest disappointment you've endured.
the most life threatening situation.
the deepest pain you've walked through.
think about that moment..that day..

think of how it felt...how the tears streamed down your face...how your insides were in knots..how you couldn't breathe deep...how the very words out of your mouth made tears fall...how anger welled up and then swept away by sorrow just as fast...

but guess what..
you survived it.
you overcame it.

but now...
someone's walking through that right now...at this very moment.

we all have to at some point in our life.
some several times.
none of us are above it.
and none of us can avoid it.

so the driver you flipped off...
the cashier you were short with..
the waitress you didn't tip...
the funny looking girl passing you in the bathroom you didn't smile to...
the door you didn't hold open for the one walking behind you..

because we all fall victim to our own lives..and the busyness of it...we forget how we felt that day..that week..that year..and we forget that we all have to walk through it at some point.

but they could be walking through their biggest hurt at that moment..and you could have done something about it.

you could have given them a glimmer of hope.

you can help them walk through the deepest discouragement just as someone helped you..whether you knew it or not.

someone helped you.
you might not remember it anymore because you were undoubtedly fighting for that next breath.
but they were there..
we never walk ours alone...so don't let someone walk theirs alone.

and i'll try and not let you walk yours alone.

xoxo...

Epitome :)

2011-08-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

last night Kris and I went to a 'House Concert'.
when we pulled up to the address..Kris was super shocked it was actually IN a house.
it was the epitome of a Nashville jam session.

They are all SO good. such talent just hanging out and doing what they love.

not only that...it was a packed house.

the downfall?

it.
was.
HOT.
in there from all the people! haha

this guy we knew from Crosspoint..and has such a killer voice!

xoxo...

a birthday song:)

2011-08-22T23:42:00.007-05:00

do you ever wish your birthday party had that little extra POP to it?!
well WE might be JUST what you're looking for!

we have talent..pizazz..fabulous looks..did I mention pizazz? :)

oh and happy birthday kenzi:)

xoxo...

the beginning of HKV tV :)

2011-08-17T23:24:00.001-05:00

just a normal day in the life of...

xoxo...

love is all that matters..

2011-08-01T11:03:00.010-05:00

baby B's FIRST family reunion..

pa-pa-pa-parrazzi..

oh just everyday life..

us lookin' mighty civilized:)

BOOM, baby! it's the Vassars!

'we are FAMILYYY'

watching the natural..

taking in a boat ride..

we are HOTT;)

and so are they..

holla!!

sweet baby girl:)

love them more than chocolate cake!

she's headed to the Pros next year! ;)

ouch!

he STILL got it!

1-800-i'mthebestpersonaltrainer

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/kristinevassar

'why so serious?!'

sweet sweet picture.

grillin'

love them soooo:)

killin' it! :)

what's your favorite family reunion happening!?
where do you go?!

xoxo...

summer lovin' favorites..

2011-07-22T22:55:00.013-05:00

so it may seem... aliens had captured me!
they did not though. :)
although..if they did..I think they would have thrown me back! ha
(or at least that is what my parents used to tell me if I ever ran away..)

I took a much needed summer break.

it.
was.
awesome.

I hope you didn't miss me too too much...but no worries friends I'm alive and well!

want to see?! :)

First stop..the BEACH!

see there?
you didn't miss much..except WHITE SAND, delicious sea-food, tanned/beach skin, the ocean. ;)

xoxo...

please know this...

2011-04-13T10:49:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it is hard to go on
Its hard to see the reasons
For breathing, living, letting love guide the way
But you must hold on

Chorus
Don't give up
Don't give up
Hold on for one more day

Sometimes we fall down
We get ourselves in trouble
But it's ok
Cause we still have another chance to get it right
To get it right

Chorus
Don't give up
Don't give up
Hold on for one more day

I've come too far
I've seen so much
I've heard the call and felt the touch
I've tasted love that I cannot deny

Chorus
Don't give up
Don't give up
Hold on for one more day

who loves you...

Radio Tour - 2011 part 1!

2011-04-09T12:16:00.002-05:00

Radio Tour 2011 - Heather vassar from Heather Vassar on Vimeo.

who loves you...

the little things..or are they the big things?

2011-03-13T19:14:00.000-05:00

Life's about "enjoying the little things...because in the end those are the big things."
Right?
Yet..sometimes we don't really do that.
Right?
(no? come on...give me just a little amen!!)

People always ask me how I keep up with myself...or another question is.."is your life ever boring?"
Well...to answer you..
I have never been one to say "man i'm so bored."..
not because I have SOOO much going on or have this great big secret on figuring life out
(that is DEFINITELY not the case...sometimes i wish it was though.)

...but..being the procrastinator I am(and I SO am)...there is always something I need to do!

so you see...something is always going on..because I'm usually always a day late getting normal things done! ;) ha it's a gift I have.

but what I am figuring out...
is that I was raised and have learned...
that it really IS the little things in life that matter.
that it's finding joy in ALL that you do.

(sidenote: joy doesn't come looking for you...you must choose joy...because there will always be something to try and steal that joy right out from under you.)

so with the little things it's...
cherishing those.
holding tight to those.
thanking those.
loving those.

like...

a sweet little nap..

hope of a sunset after a storm..

a miracle little baby girl..

a dinner full of laughter..

reaching the top of the fort..

friends that let you act like this..and love you for it..

a yummy restaurant...

a blurry picture of a great night..

carnival lights that always make you smile..

a sweet card in the mail that can be read over and over..

I could go on and on...
little things happen all the time.

the joy in life is seeing those as the big things.
are you seeing the little things today?

who loves you...

Traffic jam?

2011-03-12T21:16:00.001-06:00

Have you laughed today?

Well....if not...you can thank me later!

(apparently I'm stuck in traffic often;) )

you know...they say out of your entire life you will spend a total of 2 years in your car...i prefer to spend that time singing and dancing!

"Ghetto Cowboy" from Heather Vassar on Vimeo.

And of course...this one:)

traffic jam...and this passes the time!! :) from Heather Vassar on Vimeo.

Now show me what YOU got!

What's your favorite song to sing in the car?

AND what's your favorite thing to do while in traffic?

who loves you...

an unexpected visitor..

2011-03-11T14:26:00.000-06:00

I'm in Houston this weekend(more to come about that tomorrow!)

while sitting at my brother's apartment...Krissy and I had this happen.

the unexpected visitor!! from Heather Vassar on Vimeo.

Have you ever had an unexpected visitor?

What happened?!

who loves you...

these hard times...

2011-02-13T15:18:00.000-06:00

There are few very things that I really connect with like I do with music.
There's just something about it.
I get it.

Those closest to me know that I don't listen to songs like 'normal' people do. I hear everything..from the incredible lyrics to the serious phat (and yes that's with a PH!)beats on the bottom bass line:)

I love it.

So today...I'm sharing one of my favorite songs right now. by one of my favorite bands.

Give me something brighter

Give me something I can see

Give me something vicious

Give me something I can be

Give me all the love and peace

To end these wars

Give me something sacred

Something worth fighting for

It's clear enough to me

The ugliness I see

Is evidence of who I need

Give me an answer

Give me the way out

Give me the faith

To believe in these hard times

Give me the answer

Give me the way out

Give me the faith

To believe in these hard times

Give me motivation

Give me all my heart's desires

Show me something gorgeous

Show me 'til my eyes get tired

Give me all the drums and

Show me how to play them loud

Show me how to move

When I can't feel that you're around

It's clear enough to me

The ugliness I see

Is evidence of who I need

Give me the answer

Give me the way out

Give me the faith

To believe in these hard times

Give me the answer

Give me the way out

Give me the faith

To believe in these hard times

We hide like thieves in shadows

Scared of the sun

'Cause we know the light will find us

Us and all we've done

Give me an answer

Give me a way out

Give me the faith

To believe in these hard times

Give me the answer

Give me the way out

Give me the faith

To believe in these hard times

Give me the faith to believe in these hard times

who loves you...

Brownie Pop Pop Popppss!

2011-02-11T15:10:00.000-06:00

So I normally don't blog about making food...however..I've also never made Brownie pops...

so this venture was worth writing about.

Kris helped..& we searched and searched for recipes. However...we ended up not following any exactly. It's usually how I do things. I make it up. and learn what to do and not to do. and it USUALLY turns out great. with maybe a few minor (sometimes major) mishaps along the way. (see pictures below for such...)

perfectly great pan of box brownies..

let cool...then scrape out.

we then placed them in a bowl..oh and something to remember...let cool completely..my fingers are still burning..

please note the "table spoon of love"...

roll 'em up.

find a UFO looking device and place brownies on top of it!

then freeze...this is KEY..for the brownie to stay on top of the pop! :)

get the ever delicious almond bark and melt:)

(sidenote: for the good of all mankind: do not set the unopened package on the oven while the brownie bake...you'll have a stringy melting mess...or so they say...)

dip and cover:)

sprinkle.

then to spice things up...(with the wrong food coloring I might add..see it's a learning process)

add food coloring. except not this kind! haha because this changes the consistency of the chocolate..

and it's usually best NOT to do this...OOPS!

it just slipped!! come one! give me a break! ;)

a different look to the brownie pops! :)

ta-da! Valentine brownie pops! fancy, eh? no. oh...oh ok! :)

the ugly color of pink..because I dropped the food coloring in the bowl..remember that?

goodness.

Those are cute, aren't they?
well for the first round, I think they turned out cute! :)
Eat. Enjoy. Laugh. Love.

who loves you...

a little sun through the wall of gray...

2011-01-22T01:38:00.003-06:00

I've had to be inside for a week straight because I got sick on our drive back from Texas to Nashville. It happens every time I come back to TN..
I don't know what it is...
I think I'm allergic to TN or something! ha
that's no good!

but TODAY was my day to GO OUTSIDE!
Even though it was about 11 degrees. yep. 11.
I didn't care though..Kris and I bundled up and went out for a little bit.
It had snowed the night before and is supposed to start again tonight until at least Friday!

Today was great for 2 reasons...

1. I went outside!

2. The sun peaked it's beautiful face just for a few hours today. It hasn't in a week...in fact...while driving into Nashville it was like we hit a "wall of gray" because of such snowy weather...well...it's been gray all week...and will be for another week...so today was our little piece of smiling warmth(at 11 degrees!! :) )

3. I took this picture with my new camera..fancy, huh!? and there's more where that came from!

Did I say 2 reasons?...I meant 4.

4. I blogged! yay! which..I'm trying to be better at..can you tell?! (please say yes!..because it was in such high demand from all my readers...ok..maybe just my mom..oh and my dad!) TA-DA!

who loves you...

Momentum Conference Video

2011-01-20T17:49:00.000-06:00

So remember that one time I went to Disney World?!

Well I've actually been 3 times now!! Fun, huh?

2 times were when I was little..and short..had an awful hair cut and rolled down socks to my keds with a fanny pack!

my word...sorry about that mental picture!

MOVING ON! :)

but the last time I went, I attended the Momentum Conference.

I was able to show this video to a room full of radio stations, DJ's, record labels, big influential companies and so many more incredible people. I was also able to meet other artists who were either in my same position or a few steps ahead. But mainly I was there to learn and soak up as much information as possible to continue taking the steps I need to with my music and my life.

Here are also some pictures of the event!! :)

Matthew West and I

Fellow Lubbock native Josh Wilson

Britt Nicole

Don Koch (my producer/manager) and I playing Buzz Lightyear! ha

my radio promoters booth!

you really can feel the magic in the air when stepping into this place!

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!
It's a blizzard out there today for us...

Happy sledding:)

who loves you...

sunsets...

2011-01-08T20:43:00.001-06:00

There are things in life that create such an undeniable sense of something far greater than ourselves.

where even a small picture can take your breath away...

where it can be so powerful to make you stop in the chaos of a day...

maybe just to listen.

maybe just to think.

maybe to encourage your heart and soul for something great.

"Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn."

take some time today and take a few deep breaths.
get out of your normal routine to truly find the beauty of this crazy life.
even if it is just a sunset on a January evening.

who loves you...

A catch up of lately:)

2011-01-01T18:17:00.001-06:00

Because I have deprived you so selfishly of what has been happening lately...I wanted to share some pictures with you to catch you up a little! :)

a CD release :)

signing CDs... :)

sweet friends...who've been there for all of it..

photoshoot with siblings for our parents!

MERRY CHRISTMAS...from my family to yours!

Small Group Christmas Party..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

24th BIRTHDAY to me!!! :)

sweet friends...

Who loves you...

Eight...

2010-10-09T22:59:00.001-05:00

Want to know eight random things about me?!

Well how about...I answer eight questions from a friend...

THEN you answer eight questions from me?!

Deal?

It's super simple.

Just hit the comment button..and reply to the questions there! :)

1) If you could pick anywhere in the world to visit, where would you go? Why?

Australia. or Fji. I would visit either place! I think they are beautiful!!

2)Favorite childhood memory?

I grew up playing a lot of softball...so I have a lot of memories from that. However..a funny memory I have is that my grandad has a farm and we would walk around the horse pens a lot. Well one day..I was probably 7 or 8...and there was an electric fence that my grandad told me not to touch..well...I touched it..and it shocked me!!! haha scared me! then my brother yelled at me because I touched it! :)

3)What season is your favorite? Why?

Fall. no doubt. I love when the cool weather starts coming in. Living in Nashville now the leaves start changing. It's when you can burn fall scented candles..and college football starts too. Just so great.

4)If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?

exactly what I'm doing. I never imagine I would be where I am today..so I am trying to soak that in!! A little closer to friends and family would be an added bonus though! :)

5)What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love it. I love everything about it. The decorating..the smell..the family time..the importance..the significance of who Jesus is and what He's done. and let's be real..who doesn't love some hot cocoa and scarves.

6)Does your name have any specific meaning? If so, what?

Ummm...not that I know of. it's a flower right? or a color? that's about all I've got! :) However..if you'd like to make a story..please share and I might start using that one!

7)When it snows, would you rather build a snowman or a fort?

Hello!! a SNOWMAN!! it's the only time Frosty gets to come alive!! :)

8)What is your favorite movie of all time?

The Holiday. hands down. I have it memorized! :) (british accent and all!)

Ok friends...now it's your turn!! GO!!

Happy Fall! :)

who loves you...

The Making of the music videos

2010-08-13T17:48:00.000-05:00

Annnnd because I absolutely love you..I wanted you to see the making of BOTH videos posted below!!! :)

who loves you..

Heather Vassar - I Don't Want to be Free

2010-08-13T10:16:00.002-05:00

who loves you...

Heather Vassar - Chasing Beautiful

2010-08-12T11:59:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!!

If you haven't seen it..check out the music video for one of my new singles that will be releasing THIS WEEK to radio!!!!!

Thank you so much for your love and support!

Spread the word. Share with your friends. Leave some lovin'. :)

who loves you...

Awesome August Announcements!!! :)

2010-08-02T00:06:00.000-05:00

Hey Hey friends!!

I hope your summer has been incredible.

I just left my second family reunion...and can I just say that I have the best family..ever! Love them..and miss them so much!

I can not believe it's already August.

August 1st.

WHAT. time is flying.

Let me see if I can catch you up on some things.

I'm so excited to announce the radio releases of the first 2 singles will be THIS MONTH!

So be looking for "I Don't Want to Be Free" and "Chasing Beautiful"!

Also...there is a sneak peak video to "Chasing Beautiful"

This song means the world to me and hope that it inspires you!

Also...I am SO PUMPED to tell you that I will be attending Momentum at DISNEY WORLD this September and will be hanging out at Night of Joy!!

I will have some meet and greets so if you're there come see me! :)
When I have more info...YOU...will be the first to know!!

You know I hope this message finds you well!

who loves you...

little bit of summertime...

2010-06-26T15:02:00.000-05:00

Family...friends...& favorites!

This summer has been crazy from the start with graduations, birthdays, music videos, cookouts, anniversary party, & getting to hang out with some of my favorite people.

I can't help but love this life.

who loves you...

this book...

2010-06-16T13:29:00.000-05:00

I don't normally promote things on my blog but this I couldn't pass up.

I just finished a book.

This book in fact.

GET IT.

READ IT.

Girls..ladies...women...friends...family..follwers...

It's a must read.

It will rip you to shreds.

AND it will restore, empower, & encourage all at the same time.

You won't be let down.

I promise.

who loves you...

long overdue...(don't miss #8)

2010-06-15T12:20:00.001-05:00

Guess what time it is?!

UPDATE TIME!

if you listen quietly you can hear the millions of screams coming from afar!

haha ok kidding.

But I have so many things to update you on!

Lets see...where to begin...

1. I am still living in Nashville. lol just fyi.

2. 2 weeks ago I received the FINAL MASTER to the record! YAAY! I am about to send it to duplication after I receive the final master of the album cover layout! :) Fun, huh?

3. Sorry it has taken SOO long.

4. Thank you for being patient.

5. I PROMISE it's worth the wait.

6. I shot not 1 but TWO music videos last Thursday.

7. I won't see those for a month while they are in editing. But I am SO EXCITED for you to see them. It was an 18 1/2 hour day shooting both videos and an interview..but so fun!

Here are a few BEHIND THE SCENES....

8. I have some big opportunities that have come about. God is really doing some work. It's a big reason for the delay in releasing the CD....but I can only ask you to pray with me for direction and for God to open the right doors.

9. I wish I could give you more information...but just know...that these are some opportunities I only dream about! :) And when I can give you information I will

10. I am also working on promoting the 1st radio single and I am hoping to have that out by July-August!! WHAT! so soon! :)

You guys are my favorite. You stuck with me through thick and thin and I love you to death for it.

who loves you...

1 year ago...

2010-04-15T23:50:00.003-05:00

1 year ago today...I flew into Nashville for the first time in my entire life.

I was still in college...preparing to graduate that May.(I can see you doing the math to figure out how old I am...punk....I'll save you some trouble..23! HA)

I had no idea what I was doing here.

There were some seminars that I was attending and I went to the Dove Awards, which I decided right then and there that I wanted to perform at the Grand Ole Opry someday! :)

Little did I know, I would be a resident of Nashville just a few months after that...5 to be exact.

I would have said "there's no way" if you would have told me then..

When I was here, I felt everything was WAY over my head(still do!).

and it honestly amazes me just how much has changed in 1 year.

I have almost finished my first full length record.

and i love it.

absolutely love it.

I wouldn't be here if I didn't take a risk.

at the time felt like the biggest risk of my life..

but i'm SO thankful I did.

you never know what life will bring your way...

the decision you make today can change your life!

so cheers to 1 year ago...
cheers to new things...
cheers to being a Nashville resident..
cheers to being naive dumb crazy enough to take risks...

so give life all you have, where you are, while you have the chance, because it can change in an instant....and you don't want to miss this.

who loves you...

Pick a Picture Contest!

2010-04-14T17:48:00.006-05:00

Voting poll is closed, but since I love you, you can comment on the blog if you didn't get to vote! :)

I need YOUR help.

Yes....yours.

I am deciding on the pictures for the album..

I already have the cover picked BUT...I need your help for the others!

and since you have been a HUGE part of this process...

I didn't want you to feel left out...

So here's what I'm thinking...

You pick a picture.

Vote on it.

The one with the most votes...

WINS!

and goes somewhere on the record! :)

Sound easy enough?

and don't forget to leave any/all comments! :)

Ok..here goes...

Picture 1.

Picture 2.

Picture 3.

Picture 4.

YAY!!! I can't wait to see which one it will be! Also...invite your friends to vote!

who loves you...

7 months...

2010-04-11T17:34:00.006-05:00

HAPPY 7 MONTHS IN NASHVILLE!!!!

Can you believe it?

that sounds ridiculous.

It really has flown by.

Of course there are things that tear at me saying "you've missed blank since you left..."

but for the most part...it has gone so fast, been so fun, taken the craziest turns, & turned out to be very different than expected.

I've also learned more in these months than I have just about my entire life.

So here are some things I've learned in these 7 months of this crazy thing that's amazingly enough my life...

1. TN and TX may look fairly close on a map...they aren't.

2. The nicest drivers live here.

3. The nicest people live here...mostly.

4. It's beautiful. absolutely...without a doubt.. beautiful.

5. Nothing happens before 11am but nothing stops until 4am.

6. Everyone is addicted to coffee here. i mean REALLY addicted.

7. City livin' is super loud...but super cool..you get used to the roar of noises.

8. Schedules are almost completely thrown out the window.

9. I've never had to rely more on a schedule until now.(and yes...the contradiction from #8 is exactly how life here is! haha)

10. Church hunting is fun at first...not so much later..it's like going on hundreds of first dates.

11. I don't really fit in here since I'm still learning the "musician mentality".

12. You must be ready to run into anyone, at anytime, anywhere.

13. Writing songs all day can give me a bad headache...but I wouldn't trade it!

14. I have never been more thankful for modern technology...iChat, email, airplanes, etc.

15. We don't need to know our next steps..as long as we stay willing to take the jump.

16. It's the little things that mean the most.

17. I really do just loving spending time with people.(not that I didn't know this before...but being here solidified it!)

18. Texas really does have the best Mexican food.

19. Life is too short not to give it all you have.

20. All of the power outlets are upside down here. sounds like a small detail...it's a bigger deal than you think! ha

I know there is so much more I am missing but this should give you a good glimpse!

so Happy 7 months.

it's been amazing and so much more.

who loves you...

I can't make this up..

2010-04-11T00:24:00.001-05:00

I was told again today that my life should be a TV show.

I don't know if it's THAT interesting.

BUT.

what I do know is that there is always some ridiculous things that happen.

like today for instance.

I was sitting outside because it was BEAUTIFUL today and I was filling out copyright forms.

i know. THAT is the glamorous life! haha

but I had been out there awhile(2 hours) when my sister joined me.

Her dog wouldn't come outside so we left her inside (mistake number 1)

well I enjoy about 10 more minutes of sun and was ready to come in and eat lunch at 3:30 because who doesn't eat lunch at that time! :)

So picture this.

I stand up.

head to the door with laptop, charger, cell phone, water, & sunglasses in hand.

grab the handle and try to pull the door open.

and it won't budge.

it's locked.

her dog had managed to pull the lever down and lock the door.(reason 12,872,983 to not have a dog)

So there we are...soaking up some sun on our 4th floor balcony and our door is locked.

we were stuck.

(and to make matters worse..I had no makeup on.)..mistake number 240,258 that day.

and yet we were laughing so hard. (we were laughing to save ourselves from crying..I think)

The front office is closed on Saturday but thankfully Kris has the manager's cell number in her phone..and THANKFULLY she was right down the street at the park with her kids.

We get her on the phone and try and explain the situation.

So 1 hour later...she appears at our front door and opens it with a her master key...then she walks inside to the back door and opens it.

She was laughing HYSTERICALLY. as were all our neighbors, I'm sure.

We were saved.

not without small humiliation though.

But just remember this story...if you are ever having a day where things just quite aren't going your way...just picture yourself stuck. outside. 4 stories up. with no exit.

then picture me out there roasting in the sun waiting on help to arrive....ok just kidding about the last part...icky.

who loves you...

Easier said....than done.

2010-04-10T02:18:00.001-05:00

what is it about us that makes things easier said than done?...

easier to say "love people" than to really care deeply.
easier to say "let it go" than to truly forgive.
easier to say "don't worry" than to trust completely.
easier to say...than actually do....

why can it roll off our lips without hesitation but when taking a step is involved....we begin to second guess it...or try to control it.

I know my recent blogs have been short..

but as I go through my day..I ask myself questions exactly like this.

This week has been a pressing of "to-do's" "what's next" & "schedule" kind of week.

which isn't a bad thing at all...but it does stir up my thinking a little bit! :)

wanting to wholeheartedly do rather than just say it...

wanting to give life all i have...

who loves you...

wrestling match..

2010-04-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

today I'm having a hard time letting this soak in.

my heart & mind are battling it.

the beauty.
the hate.
the scars.
the love.

today is one of those days that I don't even come close to grasping this.
how one thing can be both beautiful and horrific at the same time.

(don't forget to pause the music at the bottom first)

"what should i gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
but this i know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom"

have you ever fought with this?...

who loves you...

How much..

2010-04-07T19:33:00.004-05:00

should we share with a confidant?

should we be held accountable for?

for everything?...

or just most things..

what about just some things?..

enough to make us feel open and honest?...

or all of it even though sometimes it's uncomfortable...

are you being held accountable?

are you fully known and fully loved by at least 1 accountability friend?

or is there something you're not saying...

think about it..

who loves you...

list of wishes..

2010-04-07T13:09:00.002-05:00

yesterday was a writing/thinking day.

as I was thinking...I started making this list.

I've never just made a list like this but a great teacher once told me(aka. told me over and over and over and over) that if you actually write a list down of goals & objectives you are 95% more likely to achieve them. (ok so I made up that percentage but I know it's REALLY high)

so.

here goes.

in no particular order.

1. Journal more.
2. Love deeper.
3. Get frustrated less.
4. Speak softer
5. Live more free.
6. Laugh harder
7. Dare myself to be better.
8. Hold on tighter.
9. Enjoy time sweeter.
10. Dream bigger.
11. Trust easier.
12. Take risks.
13. Soak up second chances.
14. Talk to God genuinely.
15. Study His word intensely.
16. Walk confidently.
17. Let it go faster.
18. Dance more.
19. Forgive quicker.
20. Expect less and give more

Have you ever made a list?

to accomplish..

to reach for..

to think about..

What does yours look like?

who loves you...

what makes spring so beautiful..

2010-04-06T13:23:00.005-05:00

it's the time you get to spend with your favorites..

it's laughing so hard...

it's frozen yogurt with captain crunch with the best 4 little ones..

it's an amazing family...missing brother.

it's a sister

it's everyone hanging out and working in the kitchen..together

it's the time spent trying to catch up on each other's life and wishing you don't miss so much of one anothers..

it's never missing a beat when you get together.

it's not taking for granted the time you do have...because as time goes on...one understands there are more days without them than there are days spent with them.

who loves you...

it is good.

2010-04-06T12:35:00.001-05:00

Easter is all part of the greatest story ever told.

Just as the crucifixion and resurrection..

we will endure hardships.

but the veil was torn.

a way was made.

and those trials will be turned into good.

just as the marred body of Christ became alive.

it won't be instant.

sometimes it takes a few days.

few weeks.

few months.

and even years.

but know...learn..from the best.

what we endure today will be good in time.

"by His stripes.
we.
are.
healed."
Is. 53:5

who loves you...

ten things.

2010-03-24T15:50:00.001-05:00

I know it's been too long.

I apologize for that.

I'll try and be better.

Since it's been awhile...I didn't want you to forget me so I thought we could play a little game.

Just a 10 Random Things about me game!

fun, eh? :)

well let's not waste any more time. i know you're dying to know these things.

ok maybe not.

but I like to tell myself you are so just play along.

it'll help with my self-esteem. :)

1. I love when conversations with a good friend go to about nothing to something deep and then back to nothing without thinking about it. those kind of friends are hard to find.

2. I could stay in my PJs all day if the world would let me.

3. I drive way too fast no matter if i'm early or late.

4. I used to hate my hair..but now I hold my head funny if i have straight hair.

5. I don't watch/read the news...ever... it isn't one of my strengths to know anything news related.

6. I always have clothes in my floor...always clean but somehow they go from the dryer to my floor..fast.

7. I wish I could pull off skinny jeans(or what i think should be called "i wish i was skinny" jeans) & flats. I try...but i go back and look at pictures and realize..epic failure. thanks for sticking with me in my attempts.

8. I used to listen to punk/semi-scream music all of the time. Now you will only find me listening to pop, pop country, and acoustic. For example, top 3 most played on my iTunes are Chris Brown, Carrie Underwood, and Norah Jones.

9. I was THAT kid with an inhaler and breathing treatments who's had pneumonia 3 times. I just shuddered typing that. and to think...I used to think i was so cool.

10. i'm surprised you even came to #10 after what just happened in #9. for that...you are a trooper. a little crazy...but a trooper..so for that I'll give you an easy one. :)
I always have my phone with me. always. email, facebook, text, twitter, and the ever-fading phone calls are read the very instant received...so if i don't answer your phone call/whatever..i'm screening it. it's not you..it's me.

ok your turn..

GO.

who loves you...

ALBUM UPDATE!!

2010-03-01T14:03:00.001-06:00

Friends, I have some EXCITING News!!

I know this is so overdue so first I want to THANK YOU...yes..YOU..for sticking around!! We have had only a few setbacks in the making of this record but I am SO EXCITED to tell you that....

by the end of this month we should be FINISHED with the record!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!

Of course we will then be sending if off for duplication BUT...we are SO CLOSE! We have vocals left on 4 songs and are already starting to mix some finished ones!

A week ago Saturday we finished cutting drums & bass guitar. I was actually really sad to finish that up because I aboslutely LOVE the guys that played on the record.(Dan Needham & Matt Pierson) I am blow away with their talent and STILL cannot believe that they played on my record(sounds weird to say!) They are incredible guys. The minute I tell someone here who played...they say "wow you definitely have the best!"

I didn't arrange that so HUGE Thanks to my producer Don, who I now refer to as the treasure hunter...because (honesty alert) I have alot of junk he has to look past to find something you'll love to hear! :) and he's definitely done just that!

This month is already packed with finishing up vocals, photoshoot, video shoots, and recording strings with the amazing composer, Phillip Keveren. and I can hardly believe it. In fact, I can't believe it.

So thank you.

for keeping up.
for encouraging.
for being excited with me.
for the numerous times you've asked..."where is your record?"
for being you.
for letting me be me.

and thank you in advance for buying the record ;-) ha. in a month or 2. :)

who loves you...

Sunglasses on a jet plane...

2010-02-15T16:40:00.002-06:00

(written while flying but i forgot to post until today..so sorry!)

I come to you from 30,000 feet. Hello!:)

yes..i'm flying..well i'm not technically flying..i'm sitting in row 2 seat A while a man I've never seen or spoke to is holding a lever that keeps us going up in the air...thank you nice man...

A little background with me and flying is that we don't get along.

At all.

I wish we did because I really love it.

But it never fails that flights are delayed, re-routed, cancelled, body searched, awful seat buddies..the works!

Well this trip I picked a seat by the window on the 2nd row.

So far so good.

And Krissy was my seat buddy so I should be good there.

Well we take off..get above the clouds and the sun is BLINDING coming through my window.

That's not an exaggeration.

Almost simultaneously you hear the shutting of window blinds from the entire left side of the plane.

(slam slam slam slam)
(why I didn't pick the right side I don't know!)

So my first instinct is to pull th shade down along with the rest of the lovely (some stinky) people I'm sharing recycled air with.(and yes..if someone farts passes gas(only to remain "ladylike" haha) in the back we get it in the front through our vent..you know how that is..almost instantaenous gags from all around! just keepin' it real!)

Well my shade wont pull down.

Nope..not happening.

Why?

Because it's broke. There isn't a handle.

Of course.

It was only a matter of time after the missed alarm clock, stuck in traffic, missed exit, slow 'expert' travelers security line and a delayed flight that something was going to come up!:)

Sidenote:(ahh STINK..just now a guy in front of me lays his seat back bonks my head makes my water bottle fall in the floor and land on the end of the sippy tip thing..MAN..it was full too! No sanks..I do not want to share water with millions of people feet...)

Sorry back to the blinding light.

Since I'm really spiritual(HA!) my immediate thought was Isaiah 6(verse somewhere at the beginning). Where it talks about the angels can't even look directly at God because of the blinding glorous light.

I thought, 'wow I bet this is how they feel'
My eyes were pouring even when I wasn't looking out the window.

Well I immediately grab my sunglasses..because let's be real...every rockstar wears sunglasses inside the aircraft and I just want to be like them!:)

But as I grab my sunglasses I thought 'this is exactly what we do to God..'

When things get tough we use anything and everything to cover it up..to hide it...to ease the pain..we do everything to try and stop it.

We dont want to learn from it.

We just want to get out of it. Unblinded, unscaved, unhurt, unlearned, & unchanged.

We just want things to go smooth, live an easy life of health, happiness, fame, & fortune.

Right?

We'd all love to be like Carrie Underwood, Heidi Klum, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, or someone like that.

But we aren't. well I am but ..ok I'm not. Besides Carrie has spider veins, Heidi has to find super long jeans for her legs, MJ wants to be a golfer now, & I hear Babe was overweight.

We are all alike in that we fall into the same trap.

painful moment, grab the sunglasses, look away, avoid situation if at all possible...then go on your merry way wanting life, liberty, & happiness.( I feel like I've heard that last part before:)

Sometimes that's not what it's about.

We will spend most of our short life in a valley. In the depth of a darkness. It's true. We will have more times of suffering than happiness and Christ wants us to suffer well.

that's deep right there...I should have put my seatbelt on for that one...oh wait...it is...no worries..we can continue...

I know..I know...suffer well..sounds ridiculous. and i'm not even sure what that means. to be honest i don't really want to learn that...

lately...there have been some things that have been coming to my attention quite often...i have realized that so many are suffering and have suffered...more than i ever have..people have gone through things I can't imagine.

for example...

i feel like cancer is on an ugly rampant. not that it hasn't been but maybe i just haven't noticed until now. numerous people that i "follow", listen to, kind of know, and actually know have been hit with the same news.."you have cancer".

I also have been reading a book for awhile now..a long while..no it isn't long..it is just taking me awhile...it's called "Don't Waste Your Life". (ironic? I just tell myself that I'm out living my life instead of reading that book! which isn't true but makes me feel better!)

Well I hadn't touched the book in 6 months and so when I was picked it back up to read...you won't believe it. but the chapter i was on...was about cancer.

SIDENOTE: and this is fact straight from the book...the 40 federal institutes of cancer are only looking for cancer treatments/cure...not cancer preventions.

for me that seems really crazy. I think if music doesn't work out I want to help out in finding how to prevent cancer. I don't know if i would be any good at that...maybe I could sing a song while the much smarter people do the research! :)

anyways....i don't know what any of this means..that cancer has come up alot in the recent months...that i try so hard to avoid any kind of suffering(and i say that loosely) even if God is trying to break me of bad habits and take my life in the direction He wants me to go...

but I do know I learn the most in those times...i learn to listen more intently. and thankfully I have incredible God-given friends that pray me through it.

AND then knowing at the same time that the angels are even blinded by God's infinite glory.

i guess this all comes down to fear.

fear that something might happen.
fear that you might want something different than what God has.
fear.

i'm not the worrying type...and I can't think of but a few things that i worry about.

I think all of this goes to show that we have nothing to worry about. take life as it comes and learn from it....knowing that God is far greater than we can even imagine.

trading all that you have for all that is better.

So grab your sunglasses, love one and keep flying through life.

who loves you...

what a beautiful day looks like.

2010-01-29T23:36:00.001-06:00

So apparently you understand my love for snow.

I love it. so much.

I just love winter.

So here are a few pictures from today!

Krissy said "act like you just heard your song on the radio"

apparently I would scream with my mouth WIDE open. then jump up and down

Kris and me in the blizzard!!

I just love this picture!

It's still snowing here and I LOVE it!

I'm thinking of going sledding tomorrow.

I ended the day with snow scream and a movie!

Did you have a great day?

who loves you...

snowsnowsnowsnowsnowsnow

2010-01-29T10:55:00.002-06:00

IT'S SNOWING...

It just started not too long ago so if it stays awhile I'll take some pictures!

But so many people were asking me..

"I thought it snowed alot in Nashville so how come you say it doesn't?"

Well this is actually the first legit snow since I've been here. The locals tell me that it doesn't snow much. In fact...they describe the weather EXACTLY to Lubbock..which I didn't believe. (because we actually have mountains here...and trees! haha)

but it's true. just like Lubbock. In fact, Lubbock has had more snow than us...however..it is just more humid/rainy here. blah. My mop on top of my head just becomes poofier on those days...because it DOES get humid...

The locals say Nashville gets too cold for snow...

umm excuse me..."too cold"

this West Texas girl does NOT understand that. I'm used to begging for it to be cold so it will snow THEN when it finally does it doesn't stick because the ground is too hot...right?

well not here..I think our average winter temperature is 8 degrees.

not exaggerating.

that's below freezing if you weren't sure.

we usually just have a nice big ice skating rink on the roads...
(our drivers are worse than Lubbock's...i promise...you don't believe that but it's true..they panic here)

so today...we are glad it warmed up to snow...
(that sentence just doesn't even sound right!)

off to sled away..

who loves you...

Training #2

2010-01-28T11:20:00.000-06:00

Hey friends!

I didn't want you to think I had forgotten that you were my accountability friends in this training so I wanted to post a couple videos for you!! :)
(just click on the titles)

Fat Cow Training 1

Fat Cow Training 2

Now I know that the name seems kind of mean/ridiculous but in the second video I tell you why we call it that! :) It also gives us motivation...and you get to see where my mind wonders to while we run! haha

But we wanted to do this to help motivate other people to join in with us! Maybe not in training for a half marathon...but just working out in general!

SO COME ON! :) It's not too late to start!

Feel free to share your encouragements, discouragements, good training tips, bad training tips...we welcome everything!

We are also still doing a little P90X!(and i say that loosely! haha)

Do we have any brave P90X people still out there?

well grab your shoes...letsssss go.

who loves you...

time flies flyin' down memory lane..

2010-01-26T12:45:00.005-06:00

I can't believe it's already the last week in January!

WHAT!

time is a funny thing..

how the days seem to fly by...

how the months go just as fast as they came...

reminds me of a song lyric from WAY back..."time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin into the future"

haha seriously does anyone remember that?

I'll give you a hint...SPACE JAAAM!! thank you MJ!

anyhoozy...I look at time 2 different ways...

1. I can't believe how fast it goes..
2. I can't believe how long it's been since...

My weeks feel like months because everything is packed into it and just flies by and I think.."surely it's been a month because that is what it feels like"

Well recently my dad sent me a couple of pictures he found and I had to laugh because I could not believe it had been 5 YEARS since then! Look at the date...2005! I forgot I was such a stud ball player! haha

Why don't we take a stroll down memory lane and remember how things used to be...mmk?

That's a picture of me in the paper hitting a homerun in my last home game of high school! My dad was up in the press box announcing the game and he said he couldn't believe it! (I didn't hit too many homeruns and this one just happened to be off my cousin pitching! haha) and it was also the game the umpire wasn't giving my pitcher any calls so I accidently purposely ducked on a pitch and didn't put my glove up and he took it right in his face mask..SOO BAD! (I was a little mean..BUT..He started calling better after that!)

(click to enlarge if you wish)

This isn't me...this was our centerfielder...

I had all things figured out then..I knew what I wanted to do..I knew who I wanted to be!

haha I laugh now.

I'm nowhere near any of those things now...(which is a GREAT thing...so many lessons were learned & few bridges burned)

I don't play ball anymore(obviously) but I do miss the simplicity of those days! I spent 13 years devoting every part of me to the game and being a catcher(yep..I was the mean one that talked trash behind the mask! suckers!..but I can feel that now when I can barely make it up the stairs from such bad knees! haha)

but it does have me thinking...

we spend so much of our life doing something and not 5 years later we could be doing something COMPLETELY different...

i went from softball to music in just a few years...

I was so comfortable with playing ball...the adrenaline rush, the smell of the dirt(sounds weird...but true), stepping under the lights, the homeruns, the squeeze plays...it all made sense..I understood and knew the game without even thinking about it.

then I started playing music..none of it makes sense...I play piano without knowing how to read music, I write 3 pages without knowing how to make it 3 minutes! haha I moved to a place where everyone is super legit in it which causes me to be 120% vulnerable!(sounds fun, eh?) I am such a rookie and I love it! (most days...some days it's hard being a rookie)

but our lives could take a turn for something different in a matter of seconds..

so give it all you have, don't leave anything behind and learn the lessons...

thanks for taking a stroll with me...

who loves you...

recording, rain, relationships, & realizations...

2010-01-25T14:15:00.017-06:00

Wow...this has been a GREAT weekend!

A sweet friend from college came through town.

We had the chance to grab coffee!

I cannot tell you how great it was just to sit and hang out with a familiar face.

THAT is what becomes sweeter when you move away.

We had great conversations and I loved every minute of it! So thank you Danielle!

(this is us at my college graduation in May 2009)

since then I have moved to Nashville and she just moved to Colorado Springs!

We never imagined that we'd either be where we are at the time

this picture was taken!

THEN the next day...We started cutting drums and bass for the album!

I cannot even describe how crazy it was!

I have some of the most incredible people playing on this album!

Don(my producer)-who is amazing has put in so many hours for this record!

I feel like we took a HUGE step when we started cutting the instruments.

It makes it real. The songs I've written begin to come alive as

I'm sitting in a room with musicians who are playing them.

They listen to it a few times, read a chart and then play their hearts out!

I just sit in awe and try and soak everything up!

I want to have a video camera set up so I can go back and

watch later in case I missed something or forgot something I learned!

Because honestly I have learned so much!

Here are a few pictures and "Behind the Scenes" Video of recording!

THIRD..my amazing brother came to hang out! Kris and I were SO PUMPED because he has not been to Nashville since we have lived here...he was skipping out on heavy lifting in school when we moved so he came to check out the place!

the real us...we told him he totally fit in here...don't you think?

We are the type of siblings that can go from talking about something serious to absolutely nothing within a matter of seconds. We had a lot of great conversations and realized that we are all kind of in the same situation.

(honesty alert!!!)

We have no idea what our "next step" is...

it's true...we may look like we do...but we are walking by faith just like anyone else...

and these conversations with them could not have come at a better time for me! We joked and said after we moved away from each other(Krissy to Colorado, Ryan to Dallas then Houston and then Kris and I both to Nashville) that we kind of fell apart and aren't sure what to do with our life anymore now that we don't all live together! haha

but now know...

the time you have together with those you love is much sweeter...

maybe it's a part of growing up..

maybe it's a part of living far away..

maybe it's both..

and this goes with all of your relationships, friendships, mentorships, & all other 'ships...

or at least it does for mine..

I miss my sweet friends & family alot...

and when I have the chance to see them...

my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE is to just sit, hang out, and talk about everything and nothing...and alot of times...we don't even have to say anything...

even if it's meeting for coffee...(which I've become a coffee freak fanatic.. thanks to Nashville...everyone drinks it here! so if you want to hang out with me and talk life...let's go get some coffee, k?)

but the whole time I wish time stood still for a little while...

and I have come almost come to terms with one of my love languages being quality time...If you're "quality time" you understand..if you aren't this will sound completely pathetic...but I can honestly say...I just want to hang out & spend time with people!

with that being said...I still don't fully understand God's plan in moving me far away from just about anyone that I'd love to spend quality time with but I'm working on it God and I are working on it. haha

but i know when I'm with them...it is so much sweeter.

so don't forget to soak up all the time you have with the ones you love...

in fact just today we lost a friend from college to lymphoma. he was 24.

you never know...

if it's raining on you today...let it rain

if the sun is shining...let it shine

if you're holding on..let it go

if you've lost hope...just know

that you're somebody to someone somewhere...

who loves you...

life goal...

2010-01-21T20:32:00.007-06:00

so i have a new life goal.

but you're going to need to brace yourself for this one.

it's a big one.

I don't even know if it'll ever come true.

but one day.

one.

day.

Now i know I moved to Nashville for music.

and what i'm about to tell you..you're going to ask "where in the world did that come from?"

because people don't just pick up and move to Nashville to "fulfill THIS goal".

so without wasting anymore time....

DRUM ROLL PLEEEEEEEEASE.......................

I want to write 2 books in my life.

there it is... i said it.

i feel better...

not just 1.

but 2.

i already have the "maybe" titles.

fun huh?

you see...when i started writing for the album I'm recording...I realized that I was much better at the 3 page stuff rather than the 3 minute stuff.

(it's probably just me being long winded)

but i couldn't say all i wanted to say in the short 3 minutes without a little help from co-writers...but i could fit it all in 3 pages....

so...there came the idea of writing a book..

now how I got to writing 2 books..I don't really know..

I guess I figured if I was going to write 1..I might as well write 2..

now..as of right now..I can't divulge any more information about the books.

that would spoil it for you.

but...just know...that they are coming...one day...

hopefully you won't be 95 when they are published..

do you have a cool life goal? goals?

please share...i might add some to my list.. :)

who loves you...

a cape, Tiara, Rollercoaster, & Jesus

2010-01-20T19:25:00.000-06:00

“I am fairly certain that given a cape, and a nice tiara i could save the world”

I love that. because i’m pretty sure it is true. if i had a cape. if i had a tiara. i could at least change the world.

but there are somedays when i don’t always feel it. I forget. I forget that I have a cape. I forget my tiara. I forget that i need to love people better. I forget that life is short and there is really no time to waste. I forget Jesus.

You see..life is full of ups and downs.

Life is mountains and valleys.

life is a rollercoaster that turns upside down and right sight up..takes a left, then a right.

and its during those upside downs i forget. I get so caught up in what is going on...

you see... it’s there that i begin falling in love with all the wrong things.

what others think of me

who i should be

succeeding

and beauty

i start to love what the world loves.

because it always seems to come in a nice fancy present and what girl doesn’t love a present with a big fancy bow that ironically has my name on it.

promises to make me beautiful.

promises to make me filthy rich.

promises that i will be loved by all.

sounds fabulous doesn’t it?

it’s such lies.

this is a set up.

for failure.

and im sitting in the front seat.

i can hardly breathe

and for the life of me

i don’t know how i got here.

you see..i thought i could do this on my own.

i was feeling so brave...

but i was wrong.

the one thing i need is the one thing i leave

and i chase after what i want..or so i think.

“Do not love the world’s ways. Don’t love the worlds goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

so let’s stop running..join me will you?

then maybe we can change some things..

the world probably...

just don’t forget your cape and nice tiara...

who loves you..

G-Rated...

2010-01-20T18:48:00.003-06:00

So a little secret about me is that I love murder mysteries.

I absolutely love Criminal Minds.

However...when I lived alone I couldn't watch it and even now I have to be very careful when I watch it even though I live with Krissy.

Well Krissy can not watch them at all. She doesn't watch anything related to that..CSI, or anything. Well this past week there was an episode that was just plain freaky and I started telling Krissy about it.

She stopped me and said..

"um can you give me this in the G-rated version?"

I laughed and said sure..

so began my story that went something like this...

"So there was this ugly fat girl who didn't like the skinny pretty girls....and the big girl was not very nice..The fat girl would bonk the skinny girl on the head..which is not nice..and take her to her house. She would give her some bad medicine and the skinny girl couldn't move.. "

so the moral of the story?

Don't be a mean ugly fat girl because they are not very nice and you could give people bad dreams even in the G-Rated version...

who loves you..

To-Do Lists...

2010-01-19T23:13:00.004-06:00

I do not love lists..

I'm trying to love them but i just don't...at all! I mean..i feel like it's a reminder of what I didn't get done that day! I'm usually a VERY optimistic person..but when it comes to scheduling..I just don't love lists!

Since moving here I've had to learn to use a "list"(more like a chaotic mess of things I have to do!)...I'm still horrible at it..and this blog will show you that...

You probably won't believe me BUT I've still yet to buy a night stand since moving to Nashville..so you guessed it...my lamp/alarm clock are sitting on the floor by my bed!! haha and since I didn't think you'd believe me here ya go..

but today I was finally able to get some things accomplished that I had been meaning to since moving to Nashville!

I've been collecting vinyls for a short while now. When I first decided to move here I wanted a wall in my studio to be solid records..so I started looking for some and had everyone I knew looking for some! :)

Well I collected a good number and they have been sitting patiently in my studio waiting to be hung...

and I DID IT!!

Check it out...

There are all my favorites...The Beatles, Elvis, Dolly, The Judds, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Mandrel, Chicago, Alabama..and a few more!

Looks good huh?

I'm not quite finished...I'm thinking of putting a different color backing behind the vinyls...I just haven't decided what! :)

So see..one more thing crossed off the dreaded list...

maybe tomorrow I'll get a night stand...

who loves you..

Training...

2010-01-19T00:39:00.004-06:00

If you have not heard...I have lost all self-control...

haha..

I'm training for a half marathon.

I wasn't really planning on it..I mean..this wasn't a New Years Resolution or anything. In fact..I never even made a NYR! mainly because I can barely plan out a day much less a year! haha

but I started training with my sister.

who I might add is a workout fanatic. I mean...she just absolutely loves it. Me on the other hand...hate it. absolutely hate it. I used to blame it on the "hell weeks" of Texas Tech Softball workouts but i think I just naturally hate it.

Krissy couldn't believe it. She always ask me on our runs "you alright?".

if I could breathe this would be my response.

"umm. no. does it look like it? i can't feel my legs, i cant breathe...somehow my 1 cramp turned into multiples and for the life of me i have no idea what song is playing on my iPod because all I can think about is "don't die..don't die"

haha ok so that's a litle dramatic but..mostly how it would go!

Nonetheless...she makes a great partner for me because we are total opposites..I just feel bad because I do not make a good training partner for her after about 3 1/2 minutes into the run! ha

I explained it to her as this...

my version of Hell would be me ending up getting put on a black-top circle track and told i couldn't stop running...

if God wanted to punish me to the fullest extent..that's where He'd send me! hahaha

but so far...it's been alright...the first week I had HORRIBLE shoes and messed up my foot pretty good...it's still not well but i'm pushing through it...it stays blue now..gives me more of a tan though! haha but it really hasn't been bad! tonight was actually the BEST run we've had..3 miles baby...done and done! :) oh and I got new running shoes so that helped a ton!

i think we are going to start taking videos of our progess so you can hold us accountable....before/after runs..haha fun huh?! :)

Well did you make a New Years Resolution?

or do you have training tips for running a half?

who loves you..

thank you Owl City

2010-01-18T00:48:00.007-06:00

the past couple of weeks have been those that seem to just run through the motions.

frustrating. difficult. dry.

but..

finally..

along with many other things...that's all about to change...

over and over today i have listened to this simple song but yet it has said so much.

'i can finally see, that youre right there beside me. I am not my own. For I have been made new. Please don't let me go. I desperately need u' ---Meteor Shower - Owl City

So thank you Owl City...

I love that Jesus can & will use whatever whenever and however to change me, inspire me, impact me.

think about that sentence for yourself. don't doubt for a minute that He won't use something, anything, & the only one that can even use nothing.

"...Don't let the poison of the ordinary deaden your senses to the magic of the moment..."

one of my best friends told me this...and i'm forever grateful for incredible friends who love & listen to Jesus because there are sometimes when i just don't feel like it...

things have become ordinary...when everything could be magical.

seein' magic in the moments from now on...

who loves you...

nothing Short of a Dream Come True..

2010-01-15T21:07:00.005-06:00

nothing short of a dream come true.

i've been thinking of that sentence for weeks now.

I even wrote a different blog & posted it at 3am...then it was deleted by 8am the following morning.

You see...for the last couple weeks things haven't felt like a dream come true.

I've acted like they have...

but deep down I haven't really "felt" it.

i'm running through the motions and can barely breathe.

i know it's a "phase" and if God brings tomorrow it'll be better. I've talked to alot of artists and they all seem to go through this..

I've not written anything on here because of this very thing...

I knew that if I put this into words it could make me look dramatic, over the top, and ridiculous.

and if it didn't make me look like that.. it could reveal a vulnerability I wasn't so sure I wanted to deal with...

You see...5 years ago I didn't know my life was going to turn in this direction.

better yet...5 months ago I didn't know it.

but it has.

and don't doubt..that it's nothing short of a dream come true.

because it is.

yet at the exact same time...

its the fear of inadequacy that come screaming at my door.

most of you probably know me fairly well..

you know I don't like to be bad at something..

you know I hate to lose..

you know I give it everything I have plus some..

but sometimes i wonder how i got here. i wonder if this is all worth it.(don't get me wrong..life is worth it...but is what i'm doing really worth it.) is it going to make that much of a difference in this world. is "making a difference" REALLY what we are all trying to do.

i've seemed to have gotten caught up in this whole thing...

maybe I'm the only one that this has happened to...

am i...

thoughts to ponder...

BEHIND THE SCENES

2010-01-10T01:16:00.007-06:00

Because I love you...

here are just a few pics from the MAKING OF THE NEW ALBUM!! :)

this is beautiful huh? :)

about to start some vocals!

hitting the vocals! :)

the wizard at work!

I have been in the studio all week recording vocals and I am SOOOO pumped for you to hear them! I cannot believe how fast it is all coming together! :)

Soon! I promise! :)

Thanks for stickin' around...

oh and don't worry..we will DEFINITELY have some sweet giveaways when the time approaches!!

dreamin' & believin'

Discoveries in Tennesee!! :)

2009-12-16T21:53:00.004-06:00

So in Tennessee I have discovered a few things....most of them make me laugh!

1. There are wreaths on every window & door. EVERY one of them.

2. Every mailbox is decorated with either tinsel/garland/ornaments..the works! They are decked out!

3. There are rarely ever any lights & if there are they are just thrown up in the trees...even in the mansions...the lights make the house look ridiculous!

4. Also with the lights..not many have them on the roof. Are the people afraid of heights? I don't know...

5. This doesn't really pertain to just Christmas time but there are zero and I mean zero streets lights throughout the neighborhoods! At night when winding through the streets it is PITCH BLACK.

6. also there are no sidewalks here in the neighborhoods. NONE. Where am I supposed to walk? I don't know!

7. Drivers are sloooooooooooooow. must be a cultural thing because if the speed limit says 65 I GUARANTEE they are going 55 and lovin' it!

8. Drivers are even SLOOOWER when it snows!

9. It's really amazing how similar Lubbock and here is...the people are nice, the wind is frigid during winter, and they are aweful drivers when it comes to any kind of weather condition that doesn't involve sunlight! haha

haha these are only a few discoveries..and I promise I have more... but I absolutely love discovering new things/places/cultures/life.

Do you?

what's your FAVORITE discovery?

dreamin' & believin'

Some days...

2009-11-12T13:22:00.000-06:00

some days i feel like i can change the world.

some days i feel like i cant go on anymore.

some days i can beat everything that is thrown.

some days i can't shake feeling alone.

some days i think i have found what's beautiful.

some days i think i'm just a fool.

Wow...these last couple of weeks have been kind of crazy! Those few lines pretty much sum it up!

Alot of writing has been going on! Some days I went in circles without any kind of hope that what i was pitching out to write was junk! Those are stressful days! I'm so thankful for co-writers. They make all the junk I say into something beautiful! haha Of course we go round and round with alot of things trying to get them just perfect! Hopefully those days won't come often anymore! I had kind of gotten in a rut with having some bad writing days in a row but thankfully I had a few days off and I flew home.

I didn't even know how great that would help.

To see what normalcy looked like again.

To remember what it was like to go through my days at Tech...oh how easy that was! haha

but I love writing..the process..and everything about it!

Well this week has kind of been a slow/fast week! haha I don't even know if that makes sense! Not much writing has been going on but I've still been doing alot!

The other day Krissy(my sister) and I got up at 4am to go watch Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley on Good Morning America! We didn't even know we'd end up on TV! haha but it was well worth getting up early and seeing them! I have so much respect for both of them! I've attached some pictures from that morning! :)

soundcheck 5am!

but so far things are going great! I haven't mentioned this but I have been posting videos here so if you would like to keep up/follow a little bit there is where you can find them! :)

well i'm off for today!

Dreamin' & Believin'

the sweetest thing...

2009-10-11T02:14:00.008-05:00

Ok...so I know I have showed a video similar to this on here but I just love this one!

It is truly the sweetest thing. For them to even like to listen to my demo CD is amazing but to know the words to one of my songs and sing along is INCREDIBLE. I can't tell you what kind of feeling it gives me! It's such an honor. I already know this is way better than ever winning an award!

When I left for Nashville I told them I was going to make "10 more" for them since that one is getting played over and over again(Sorry Kim & Ken!) so every time I talk to them they ask if I'm still in "Nash-y-ville" making some more songs! haha So don't worry guys..I'm still here making 10 more. Hopefully you will like these even more than that one!

and on a little side note:

hopefully YOU will like them too! :) I really can't wait for you to hear them! The writing sessions have been going GREAT! working with Don is truly an honor! the vision we both have for the album has been right on so far! but more updates on that coming soon!

here are...

My favorites...

(don't forget to scroll to the bottom and pause the music)

although I couldn't believe I accidently cut Sydney out of the video but I was having to be very discreet or they would not have sung with the camera on them!

I hope this made you smile today!

Dreamin' & Believin' & FOREVER Thankful