Hand-made Jewelry by Rashida

Did I say one more? I meant two more . . . well, maybe three more. I can't help it! I literally have SO MANY amazing, creative, talented friends and they're all up to something right now!

I received this note from Davita Hungate about Rashida Johnson, who is one of my favorite young women of all time. Saturday is going to be a whirlwind of a day for us, so we probably won't make it to Franklin to support her, but I wanted to at least help get the word out.

WHO: Rashida Johnson is a sweet friend of mine, who, as a godly young
hard-working entrepreneurial woman, makes beautifully inspired
hand-made jewelry. She is the oldest girl in a family of 10
children. This reception will give her great opportunity to
share her gifts with us, while allowing her to earn money
for Christmas presents.

WHAT: a Reception for my good friend Rashida Johnson to sell her
hand-made jewelry to earn money for Christmas. You'll find
high-quality hand-made jewelry at a low cost ($2 - $10 for necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets).
It's the only jewelry I wear!

WHERE: Davita Hungate's house.
1129 West Main St. Apt. 8, Franklin
(call for directions if you need them : 568-6833)

WHEN: December 12, 2009
2p.m.- 4p.m.
* you can drop by for 5-10 minutes, or stay for awhile and
have some cookies and tea or coffee with us.

WHY: Because you may need some beautiful jewelry for your family
or friends for Christmas presents.



Merry Christmas and we can't wait to see you!!
** feel free to print this and share it with your friends!!**

Davita

A Christmas with the Stars

Just one more . . . (yes, amazing, creative, talented friend story and link) . . .

My friend Andy Reese, who also happens to be an Ivy League trained scientist/engineer, has created a DVD presentation called A Christmas with the Stars, which "compellingly portrays the majesty, science, geography and history behind the story of the Star of Bethlehem and the Magi." Check out his website for a 3-minute trailer and more details. Excellent gift idea for hard-to-buy-for family and friends!

http://achristmaswiththestars.org/

365 Canvases 4 the Future.

Did I mention that I have amazing, creative, talented friends? I'm pretty sure I did. Well, here's another one . . . Dennas Davis, who happens to be the illustrator of my kids' favorite children's Bible and a terrific friend, has decided to create one painting a day for 365 days. Check out his paintings and his painting tips on his blog: CRAZYTRUCK.

Too Too Cute!

I have really amazing, creative, talented friends. Really.

For example, I grew up approximately three miles from a girl named Stacie. She and I rode to school together in high school almost every day for a year. She pursued a degree in deaf education at Eastern Kentucky University and then we lost touch. Thanks to Facebook, I have discovered that she works only 10 minutes from my house. We had lunch together at the Frist Center Cafe and spent some time catching up. Turns out, she spent some time in Africa as a missionary, which is where she met her husband. They are now in the process of adopting a little African princess! She is making "too too cute" tu-tus and selling them for $12 each to help bring her little princess home. I'm going to meet her this week to buy one for my little princess Miriam who is turning three on "the sixteenth of Decembah." If you'd like to add one to my order and have me pick it up for you, give me a call or e-mail me. If you want to place an order, you can do that through me, or by messaging her on Facebook: Stacie Brown Livingstone.

Blog Apology

Dear Blog,

Sadly, I have sorely neglected you. It's not for want of ideas or good writing material. No, it's a silly reason. I couldn't sign into two gmail accounts at the same time and didn't like having to sign in and out of e-mail just to write new posts. See? So silly. However, I have just discovered that if I leave two separate Internet windows open, I can be signed into one gmail account for one and this account for the other. Hooray! Now I hope I will stop neglecting you and start writing again. I've had lots of fun quotes from the kids, but I've taken the quick and easy route and posted them on Facebook. I know this is a more permanent place to write them and I really should have been posting them here all along, but I admit I was too lazy to figure out an easy way to do it. Please forgive me.

~ Her Royal Excitedness

Come Celebrate 10 Years of Marriage with Us!

It's official!

Our 10 year anniversary bash will be a week from this Sunday on October 11 at Edwin Warner Park--pavilion #6. ALL DAY!!!

Come and go and eat and hike and hug and play and enjoy the beautiful fall weather TOGETHER!

Little News and Big News

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in over a month. I suppose that's about the time we discovered we're going to have another baby!

Yep, I'm officially pregnant, due April 8, 2010. Both kids are convinced we're having a baby boy, but they're both open to having a girl. They got to see the baby swimming during the ultrasound. Judah thinks it looks like a little bean (at 10 weeks it kind of does look like a bean with very busy arms and legs). Miriam tells just about everyone she meets that she has a baby in her belly--for sure.

Oh, and Judah lost his first tooth! He lost it at 9:09 a.m. on 9/09/09 while I was talking to my mom on the phone about how I was going to have him push it back the other direction. He overheard me (even though his door was shut), pushed his tooth back, and it came out. What a thrill!

For weeks he would say, "I have two surprises for you. Do you want to hear the big surprise or the little surprise first?" 100% of the people asked would say, "The little surprise."

"The little surprise is I have a loose tooth and I'm only 5!"

"And the big surprise?" they would ask.

"My mom has a baby in her belly--FOR SURE!"

So fun. I had Miriam at home and am planning to have another home birth. I think the kids would be amazed at the whole experience and kind of hope they get to watch. If you think I'm crazy, just ask my husband, my sister, and my mom what amazing labor and delivery experiences I've had. I wouldn't subject the kids to something I don't think they can't handle. Judah was full of great questions after the ultrasound, and he's fascinated by the whole process. Getting to share the whole process with both Judah and Miriam has been absolutely delightful.

One final note . . . Christy, who lives with us, shared this short film with me. Then, my friend Amy told me to watch it this morning. It completely blew me away. The kids love it and so do I. Enjoy!

THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS

http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=4dd298f102c77b625cf37a9e7744ac68

A few pics from the show MIRROR, MIRROR, courtesy of Stephen Moss

Was that the REAL play?

I was telling Judah this afternoon that I was really proud of him last night for doing such a great job delivering his lines in front of a live audience.

He said, "Was that the REAL play?"

"Yep," I said, "that was the real play."

"So I don't have to rehearsal anymore?"

Reminds me of a time when I was four. My mom had enrolled me in ballet lessons. After our big performance, I told her that I didn't want to go to practices anymore--I just wanted to be on stage. Sometimes I feel as though I'm raising myself.

We made the news . . .

Did you happen to see our article in this Sunday's Tennessean? Click HERE to read it online!

I'm quoted on page 2, and the 5-year-old the author mentions is Judah!

The show opens this Friday, so I'm getting my hair dyed auburn on Wednesday, and I'll be trying on costumes tonight. So fun.

We spent the weekend building things (thank you, Dad and Uncle Charlie!!!), painting, and generally having fun sweating in the sun and heat with a bunch of hilarious theater people. It was fabulous!

Hope you can make it to one of the performances. Remember, you have six to choose from!

Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1
Sunday, August 2
or
Friday, August 7
Saturday, August 8
Sunday, August 9

Shows start at 7:30 each night, tickets are $10, and seats can be reserved by calling (615) 364-5199 or e-mailing scott@oracleproductions.org.

Hope to see you there!

Judah and Lori take the stage--next weekend!

You know how Judah and I auditioned for a play a few months ago? Well, not only did we both land roles, but we're now getting ready to start the show! The play opens in a week and a half on July 31, which is a Friday night.

You'll have six performances to choose from:

Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1
Sunday, Augsut 2

and

Friday, August 7
Saturday, August 8
Sunday, August 9

The show starts at 7:30 PM sharp, and tickets are $10 each. Group rates are available. To reserve seats, call Oracle Productions at (615) 364-5199 or e-mail scott@oracleproductions.org.

Come out and see Judah in his first stage production and Lori as Morgan Le Fay, the wicked Queen Morgana. This is our first play together, and it's going to be worth your time--we promise!

Where is it? Glad you asked. Lipscomb University's Shamblin Theatre, 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN (across the street and large parking lot from Pizza Perfect, Copper Kettle, laundromat, bookstore, and Mexican restaurant). Take I-65 to Wedgewood and head away from the fairgrounds, toward 8th Ave. Hang a left on 12th, which turns into Granny White. Immediately past the light at the little row of shops on your left, turn right into the parking lot and head into the University Center (first building on your right). The theater is tucked away in a corner, past all the places to eat, near the restrooms. If you get turned around, you can call or text my cell (615) 496-8079. Hopefully, I'll hear it!

See you next weekend or the second weekend in August!

Judah and Miriam recite Judah's lines

Miriam has heard Judah practice his lines so many times that she can now deliver them with ease--usually while running--as demonstrated in this video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw8WtsIrUjw

If that doesn't entice you to come see us in Mirror, Mirror, then check out this little video from Judah. This is a little picture of what he says to nearly everyone he meets.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_AyfTi0ark

Miriam Talks to Ms Ruthie about Baby Arianna's Visit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubXaUz4XSoE



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV9cQz-JUN8

VOTE for Jonathan Frank!

We have a close friend (Jonathan Frank) who is auditioning for a year-long contract with a local television station in Virginia to be their new "Face of Fox 43." To vote for him, all you have to do is watch his funny two-minute video audition all the way to the end. I recommend watching it twice so you can read the captions the second time.

If you have the time and the desire, open up several tabs, play the video in each one (on mute, of course!), and then start the video all over again as many times as you're able. We'd love to see him win this contest!

http://www.fox43tv.com/generic/face_of_fox_43/frank_jonathan

First-round voting ends at midnight on Sunday, July 19, 2009.
Vote often!
Tell your friends!
Help Jonathan win!!!

Judah Quote of the Day

Overheard on the steps, spoken by Judah to Miriam: "I'm wounded, Miriam. Do you know what wounded is? It's a boy way of saying I have a boo-boo."