My kind of Church.

So God is Awesome. If you don't know that, you should.

So two weeks ago, I had the chance to talk/pray with a really sweet girl. She was hurting and needing someone to talk to. That's always intimidating. I always wonder if I'll have the right words to say. I wonder if I will do any good at all.

We spent some time together. Talking. Praying.

She was on my heart in a crazy way. I started contacting people I knew to try to find other people she could connect with. Someone to help her find a job. Someone to give her some hope.

Oddly enough (or just in God's timing...) I had a chance to go to another girl's house from church. Let's be honest - I knew who she was from other friends, but really, our friendship was a cyber one...established through facebook and we decided to take it to the next step. Good thing it worked out for us.

Anyway...while I was with her, she mentioned that our women's minister had asked her about inviting the girl I met with to Bible Study. So I did. And the 3 of us went to Bible Study tonight.

Then we went to Starbucks. My cyber friend (turned "REAL" friend) invited her best friend to join us...and the four of us sat outside Starbucks tonight for almost 4 hours. We talked. We shared our struggles. We talked about our past. We talked about our future. We talked about being patient and waiting for God. We talked about how we all need Jesus.

And I look at this night, and I am amazed that God, in his infinite wisdom and divine timing, knew before we did that we'd all be sitting there together. 4 girls who didn't know each other before, finding SO much in common (even shared friends & experiences).

Tonight was church. Maybe not the "normal" kind. No building. No pews. No music. But it was so real. So good. And I am so thankful for the chance to experience it.

Milk Does a Body Good....

Pass it On.

Sea World Horror!

With great expectation, we went to the Penguin Exhibit. This is Curtis' favorite part of Sea World. He talked about it several times on the way to San Diego. Who could blame him? Look how cute these little guys are....


So....Imagine our complete shock and utter horror when we stumbled upon this....

A HEADLESS PENGUIN!!!!!

Shouldn't there have been a sign to warn us of such things? My poor kids will never be the same.


Disclaimer: Before I get sued by Sea World... the penguin was just very flexible, and had his head bent backwards to scratch his back with his beak. I had to quickly point this fact out to my daughter Haley (who we've nicknamed PETA because of her outrageous love for animals)...who almost lost it when she caught sight of the headless penguin.

P.S. - Click on the picture to enlarge it. It's even funnier.

Good-Bye Mullet

My daughter Lexi has been rockin' the mullet for a few months now. For those of you wondering what a mullet is - it is defined as "short in front, long in back. " Or...business in front, party in the back.

Exhibit A.



We decided to get that fixed this weekend. It was Lexi's first haircut.

Her only request was that "Christie no cut me."

I think she was happy with the results.


Here is Christie Walker (who does all of our hair) with the end result. Also featured in this picture are the lollipops that I used as bribery to keep the kids still.


Farewell fair Mullet. May we never meet again.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From me & my man who are tearing the dance floor up.

From my dog - Molly.

From these crazy kids...

From my friend Gina with her mad crazy dance moves.

From my sweet Lexi getting her groove on.

From this crazy guy.

From my sweet husband dancing with his daughter in their matching outfits.

And from this tired mommy....


We had a wonderful New Years Eve spent with precious friends. Hope this year is just as good.
Wishing you all the best my friends....

Why I gave up dancing...

I was once on the fastrak to having a fabulous dancing career. Truly...I was brilliant. Okay, I'm full of crap. But I've always WANTED to be a brilliant dancer.

So I turn on this Superstars of Dance show. Which by the way, is awful. It's just missing the magic. That's all I can say.

But one thing I did take from this drab show was the reason I'm glad I'm NOT a dancer!!!!

CAUSE I LIKE TO EAT MORE THAN 1 CRACKER A DAY!!!

I WILL OVERCOME.

So I started playing piano when I was 3 or 4. Taking lessons and stuff. It came pretty naturally (as it should considering what my Dad AND Mom can do on the keys). Then it got boring. High School happened. And there was a lot more interesting stuff going on than practicing piano.

I quit playing for about 6 years then I decided to take it up again. But it was all classical stuff.

Again, I could play, but the problem was...not when it counted.

College was one disappointing performance (or workshop) after another. I HATED IT!

Then I started getting involved in leading worship at a church in Las Vegas. Everything was done by chord charts. So here I am able to play sonatas & have no IDEA how to play off a chord chart. It was like learning a whole new language.

That has been 7 years now. Of learning a new language. Of dealing with major insecurities & doubts. Of being embarrassed. Of trying hard. Giving up. Trying again.

Once I started working in my current job, I felt safe. And that opened me up to being more comfortable at the piano. Now I long to play and feel at home when I am sitting and playing and singing and writing. I love it. It's an escape. It fulfills me.

So...an opportunity opened up for me this week to play at a local restaurant in town. I'm only going to play piano on one song (a cover of Sara Bareilles Love Song) and I'm glad cause I think that's all my nerves can take. I'm just telling myself I can do it. I have prepared for this. And not to be scared. But oh man, is it eating away at me. AAAGH! Breathe. I will overcome. I will overcome.

It's also intimidating because I'm performing with some great musicians. Which by the way...if you'd like to hear some great music - Curtis & Robbie are singing ...as well as Dave Yaden. The rehearsals went great yesterday. We'd love to have you there.
So come join us... KONA's on PCH in Sunset Beach. Wednesday at 7pm. (Come a little early if you can.) There is a cover charge of $7 adults but it is going to support the local Performing Arts School.

Come enjoy the music. And watch me try and battle my fears. Either way it goes...it's bound to be entertaining!

The Horse says Hi.

Remember I Love Lucy?

When Lucy was always trying to get into Ricky's act? I think Haley is the reincarnation of Lucy. She finds a way to get in the middle of every show. My friend Sarah was at our house tonight and noticed a picture on the fridge of Haley's preschool class acting at the nativity scene. Guess who was Mary? Yep, Haley. Guess who was Mary last year? Yep, Haley.

So, as we are strolling along the Sea World Grounds, there is a lovely little trio playing Christmas tunes. Haley stops to listen to her "Friends". (Cause, yes...everyone is "her friends"...especially if instruments are involved.) So she puts a request in for Jingle Bells. The musicians asked her to join them up front, but she declined. She opted instead to sing from her position in the audience.

Ladies and Gentlemen...Haley....





After one song, she apparently gained her confidence and joined the guys up front. This time she didn't sing though. She just ate some chips. But at least she was kind enough to share.

Shamu through the eyes of my children.

Enough Said.