You probably think this is about you...

So last night on American Idol started off OK. I so wish Carly would smile every once in a while! She's so talented, and I think she could be a great entertainer...she just needs to connect more I guess. Syesha was great, I thought...although the judges weren't big fans of her rendition of "Mr. Jones." My favorite for the night was Brooke White's "You're So Vain." There's just something about her...she's so cute and I think I just expect a 'cute' voice to come out. Instead she's got this really cool, unique, folksy sound to her. Love it! The rest of the night went way downhill. They were so terrible I don't know how to pick 2 to go home tonight. I hope that Alexandrea will make it because she's been alright in the past, but last night was rough. My guess is that it'll be her and Kady Malloy, the impersonator. We'll see tonight!

Imagine all the people...

I was really pleased with last night’s American Idol! What an improvement from last week. Everyone really seemed to pay attention to the critiques and worked hard to correct whatever it was that wasn’t so hot last week. Although it annoys me when they snap back at Simon just for “shock” factor. Hi? He knows what he’s talking about and I agree with him 97% of the time. Granted, they still aren’t blowing me away yet. I loved, once again, David Archuleta. What a mature voice...and to sing "Imagine" and kill on it?! He already has all the young girls following him, too! He may definitely be one to watch out for, especially given that he’s genuinely talented as well. I was really disappointed in Michael Johns, but he’s still a favorite of mine, and a new one on my list is David Cook. What a rockstar! Chikezi, David Hernandez, and Danny Noriega were some surprises for the night, so I think they’re ok for this week.. I think the wannabe rocker, Robbie Carrigo and Jason Yeager will go home though. Now for the girls tonight!

Music Monday (ok, so I'm a day late)

So on Mondays I get our R&R and MediaBase charts. I love seeing where all the records have gone...not just ours. So I thought it would only be appropriate to pick my song for the week on Music Mondays! :) Obviously today isn't Monday, but that just tells you how crazy chart days are, so forgive me if my Monday becomes a Tuesday from time to time.

My pick for this week is an easy one to start out with. It's only been on the charts for 6 weeks and is already within the Top 20 on both MediaBase and R&R, so that just goes to show what a rockstar this girl is and will continue to be. "Picture To Burn" was my favorite song from the debut, self-titled album by Taylor Swift. It is just a very fun song that says everything every girl has thought at least once after a break up. My favorite line in the song (though it's not included in the radio edit) is "So go and tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy. That's fine I'll tell mine you're gay." HA! That's hysterical. Only Taylor could get away with that. It's great to listen to with the windows rolled down and thinking about just how much better off you are without him!! :)

Sleeping in on Sundays!

No, Mom & Dad, I didn't skip church today. My church just started the first week of 6pm services! I must say, it was incredible. We already have two morning services, one at 9 and one at 11. Due to the major increase of visitors and the major lack of parking spaces and seating for the 11, an additional service was needed.

First of all, who can say no to an extra day to sleep in? It just so happens I was babysitting until really late last night, so I would have either missed and listened to the new series (more on that later) online, or gone with major exhaustion and risk lack of focus. However, neither had to happen today, or any other Sunday!

Second, I was a little apprehensive about there being a difference in the services. One of the things I love about Cross Point is the praise and worship and the special music at the end (go figure, being a music person, right?). I was nervous that it just wouldn't be the same. I'm happy to say that I had nothing to worry about whatsoever. Jarrod and the worship team, as always, were incredible. They even sang one of my favorites, "Lead Me To The Cross." You can listen to it here. There was also a different sense of comfort, I think. Another thing I've loved about Cross Point since the very first time I visited over a year ago, was the relaxed atmosphere that gave me the undeniable ability to focus on God without thinking about anybody or anything else. The level of comfort was multiplied tonight. Pete is a very funny guy all the time, but we laughed even more...and harder! I didn't know it was possible, but I'd venture to even say it was more FUN than the morning services. And even with all the fun, there was the irrefutable presense in the room and definitely in the message that absolutely captivates me and makes me so much more attentive to Pete's words.I know this doesn't really have anything to do with the time of the service exactly, but I already love the new series Pete started tonight. It deals with the ideas and perceptions non-Christians have of Christianity. A lot of research has been done for a book called unChristian (which I've bought but haven't started reading yet), and was referenced tonight. Pete talked about how Christianity shouldn't be "Faith in Christ +" anything, meaning it shouldn't be the type of service, type of music, number of times to take communion, or anything else that makes Christianity. The faith in Christ is all we need. The rest comes with that faith. "Don't complicate what God made simple," he said. I love that. And finally, what I love most about my church...more than the music, more than the friendships I've made there, more than keeping the sweet babies every other week, more than getting to sleep in now, and even more than Pete's messages that ALWAYS hit home with me...is that the combination of all those things evokes thought and emotion from me that I haven't ever had before. And that is what makes me know, I'm exactly where God wants me to be right now, to "lead me to the cross."

50/50

So I called both of the girls! Woohoo! But neither of the guys... Oh well. I was relatively surprised that both those guys left. Neither were superb by any means, but I think there were worse. I liked the video they shot of everyone...and I LOVE the fact that they're using a Graham Colton song for the "goodbye" song. Love him! Now we're only 5 more days until 3 more days of Idol...

American Idol

Ok so I admit it. I love American Idol. Don't judge me. So with the continued difficulty in figuring out what to talk about (thanks, Mom, for reassuring me in the fact that I'm kidding myself to think I might be interesting enough to blog about. HA), I figure that I'll always be able to talk about American Idol. Especially given that it's on 3 nights a week.

So for you Idol fans, is it just me or is the lack of incredible talent this year losing your attention in the show? Don't get me wrong, there are some great people on the show, and maybe it's my short attention span that easily distracts me... but the past 2 nights I have been incredibly bored. So much so that I'm still not even sure what to talk about because I barely remember any of them. Stating the obvious, I LOVE Syesha. Last night didn't blow me away, but there's no denying that she's SO talented and has the "It" factor. I think she may be my early pick for this season. Ramiele was impressive vocally, but I'd rather be doing something and listen to her, instead of watching her on TV. Carly Smithson is another great one, of course...she's my pick to be the undeserving one to go home earlier than she should. Actually, with all the hype of her having a record deal when she was a kid might do her in earlier than that. I also love Brooke White (she, Syesha and Carly were my top 3 picks from Hollywood week), but she didn't impress me last night. As for the guys, the only one that really stands out to me is Michael Johns. It doesn't hurt that he's incredibly good looking and can sing... the others? They're good, but I don't see them winning. Like David Archuleta...great! But seriously? I think he'll go far, but I don't see the majority of America voting for him. I don't think I can pick 2 guys and 2 girls to go home this week...there were too many that were totally forgettable. Just for the heck of it, I'll pick Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella, David Hernandez and Danny Noriega (just because he was obnoxious...although people tend to vote for the annoying ones). We'll see tonight I guess!

Wonderful Weekend!

Things that "tickled me pink" this weekend! :)

• The long, warm bath I got to take Friday night (soooo relaxing!)
• Going to lunch with my aunt and uncle Saturday. They are like my 2nd parents and two of the most admirable, honest, Godly people I have ever met. I look up to them and love them so much. It's always great to be with family...but especially them!
• Playing this game that Sam got for his 11th birthday with him, Linds, Lori, Kay, Bailey and her friend, Mady. It's the coolest game...it's basically a game of catch, but it's electronic. Each player has a color-coded band that's strapped on your palms, and the ball "knows" your throws and has several different games in it. So cute! It's called Cosmic Catch... definitely fun for kids and adults!
• Going on two great, warm weather walks with all 3 dogs! Dasher LOVES to be outside now (he's almost 9 weeks old), and runs right along with Paisley and Rocket. Here he is, tuckered out on Rocket's bear after a long walk:

• Keeping the nursery at church this morning. We only had 2 kids this morning, but Caitlin was there and she is SO funny and has the cutest little personality. Our other baby, Jacob, is very easy-going and sits back at lets Caitlin call all the shots.
• Seeing Definitely, Maybe with Linds and JoJamie. Very cute movie, by the way!
• And quite possibly the best of all...it's not over yet! I have Monday off!!
  

HI! My name is...what?

So I'm having the hardest time figuring out where to start this thing... The blogs I've been reading have been people with the most adorable baby pictures and stories ever or are really creative and add interesting thought to whatever they're "blogging" about. I definitely don't fall into one of those categories, and I'm not sure I'll fall into the 2nd...so what do I "blog" about?? That's another thing... I really don't like that word. Can we call it something else, please?

So let's start with the easiest, 'k? Lindsey talked about me in her first...post, so let's return the favor, why don't we? :) I have the most understanding, hilarious, caring best friend in the world. She is a total blessing to my life and I wouldn't be the same person without her. She's definitely the sister I never had and I thank God for our one-of-a-kind friendship!

I work in the business that I dreamed of getting into since I can remember - the music business! I'm in the promotion department of an independent record label and so thankful for a job doing exactly what I want to be doing right now! I still have so much to learn, and I'm trying not to become too jaded (having an easily star struck best friend helps in that area, too!) too quickly, but I'm so grateful for where I am at this point in my life.

So now that I've gotten through the "my first blog" writer's block, maybe the rest will be a little easier! Here's to hoping, right?