New Favorites

The support team at Blogger are working on getting the issue resolved so I can fix Mommy's link and add Jasmine's (not that we are on a first-name basis now or anything) - so in the meantime, we'll have to wait.

First Favorite - My hair!

My hair is stunning! I look a little more like Ashlee Simpson and Mary and Jenni all at the same time. Earl is still getting used to it and I am falling in love with it each passing second ;o) Kudos to my friend Lindsay Donde who rocks the scissors and is a fun friend!

Second Favorite - Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm

A new favorite of mine is my Burt's Bee Replenishing Lip Balm. So yummy and nourishing! It has a slight tint to it and it smells great! I just love to wear it.

We are watching Life right now and enjoying all the Charlie sayings - they are just about as good as House's sayings.

Thank you! (As Brenda Lee would say!)

Hey y'all! Guess what?!? Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson got married!! She and Fritzy are off to their honeymoon in Italy. So, come June we will see them and we will find out who is transferring out of the unit - either Sgt Gabriel or Dt Daniels. It's definitely going to be interesting! But, it stink that it's 4 months away!!

Let's see...an update on the past couple weeks. Earl is back home from recording in Philly and from a weekend in Minneapolis. Both were great trips, but very draining physically. So, he has been resting up ;o)

Red Carpet Ball was great - if you haven't already, go check out my pictures on Facebook. Everyone had a great time. There is always a bit of drama at those things, but it went fairly smoothly. I had a few friends who came and volunteered with me and it was a lot of fun to have them there with me.

Work has been pretty busy - just under 12 hours today! But, God is faithful to supply my every need, right?! So, I'm staying sane, but I am tired.

There are a few things that have been motivating and inspiring me lately. 

The first is Jasmine Star Photography (jasminestarblog.com and jasmine-star.com). Jasmine is the daughter of Pancho Juarez and I have met her twin sister a little more than Jasmine. The band has played a few times at Calvary Chapel Montebello and Bianca works at the church and we have spent a little bit of time before the services, but I have fallen in love with Jasmine's photography and her blog.  It's very funny and witty and the pictures are fantastic!! She is motivating me to find my own voice on my blog.

Secondly, is Jennifer Braswell Christy.  Jennifer is a family friend from Miami who currently lives in Louisiana. She just turned 40 and is always competing in races, triathlons and is currently training for another IronMan. And, yes, I said competing - she just placed 2nd in the Masters Division at her last marathon. I want to do those things! I'm not sure that I'll be able to devote a lot of time to it until after tax season, but I do want to get cranking!!

Finally, Donna Partow. Donna has authored many books. My Bible study group is currently going through her book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me To Be. It is a study on Proverbs 31. It does a great job of mixing the spiritual and the physical. Every day has a practical step to take so we are doers and not just hearers of the Word. And, we have a checklist to go over every week to make sure we are really being proactive. This has been great! I am loving it and I look forward to keep going through it.

I'm heading off to bed. Tomorrow I've got work and then I'm heading over  to my friend's to get my hair done - a new color and style. Should be fun! :o)

What She's Taught Me

The whole twenty-five years of my life have been blessed especially by a certain lady.  While I would not be here without my Mommy, I would not be the same without my Grandma.

Grandma has taught me so many life lessons.

That love suffers long and is kind

When Granddaddy was dying from cancer, Grandma was so faithful to stand by his side and suffer alongside of him.  She held his hand and tried to comfort his pain.  She was kindness to him.  She wasn't just kind, she embodied kindness. She always has.

That love does not parade itself or seek its own

Grandma will never call attention to herself.  She is a lesson in humility. She always puts the needs of others before herself. No matter if she is sick or hurting or just tired.  She has taught me what it is to be a servant of others and how to love without expecting anything back.

That love bears all things

My Grandma embraces me completely - faults and all.  She encourages me to grow and loves me just as I am. She has loved us every single day, no matter what. 

That love believes all things

Grandma has never doubted that Jenni can do something.  There may be people in this world who would limit Jenni and what she can accomplish - but Grandma is not one of them. She has taught me that Jenni is no different and, with love and encouragement, she is capable of accomplishing just as much and more. She has always believed in Jenni.

That love never fails

Her love is so much more than words.  Her love is displayed through every action. Love pours out of Grandma's hands. One of my favorite pictures from my wedding is of Grandma's hands sewing a last-minute fix to one of the sister's blouses. Her hands are always working to bless her family and anyone who walks in the door. Love is in the moments when she would pull one of her grandchildren on her lap and read to them. Or when she fixes a "little snack" for you to take on the road. Her love never fails to act, to bless.

Grandma, thank you for loving me and showing me every day what love is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

When I Get Where I'm Going

So, there has been a request for an update. Other than working (!!!) I actually had a pretty busy weekend. Last Thursday I went over to a friends to make cupcakes for a DSAOC event. We copied Martha's design (not her recipe, we are both girls with full-time jobs - making cupcakes and icing from scratch was NOT going to happen!). They were so cute - vanilla and chocolate with strawberry icing and brownie hearts on top. It was POURING rain and Earl was in Yucca Valley for the band rehearsal. I got to her place around 7ish and we commenced eating homemade tamales, spanish rice and sauteed onions and green peppers - delish! Then we got to work making cupcakes and decorating and gabbing. All the while, I was completely oblivious to the myriad of text messages I received from my loving husband - who decided to surprise me and not tell me he was home. He even hid the truck so I wouldn't see it when I drove in. So, he got home around 8pm and I didn't get home until 10 - so it was a bit of a bummer to miss spending those precious hours with him since we have not seen each other for more than about an hour a day for two weeks and not all all since this past Saturday. But, it was a blessing nonetheless. Friday was Girls' Night at DSAOC and my friend Lindsey did a class showing us how to do our hair and make-up - I was the "model." Then Kevin Arthur (he's played bass for Christina Aguilera, Common, etc) who is helping with the arranging of Shachah's album spent the night on Friday and I drove Earl, the band and Kev to the airport at 5:30am. I took a little nap and headed into the office for a few hours and spent just about the rest of the weekend with Ali. So, you may ask what is getting me through all those hours at the office - my ipod! I have Taylor, Les Mis, and Brad Paisley on a steady rotation. My favorite song today is Brad's "When I Get Where I'm Going" (featuring Dolly Parton). I can't "embed" the youtube video for some reason, but here's a URL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Zfx5qra_g) and the lyrics, because they are SO GOOD! (and Dolly was the perfect choice!)

When I get where I'm going

On the far side of the sky

The first thing that I'm gonna do

Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion

And run my fingers through his mane

Or I might find out what it's like

To ride a drop of rain

[Chorus]Yeah when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

I will shed the sins and struggles

I have carried all these years

And I'll leave my heart wide open

I will love and have no fear

Yeah when I get where I'm going

Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy

And he'll match me step for step

And I'll tell him how I missed him

Every minute since he left

Then I'll hug his neck

[Repeat chorus]

So much pain and so much darkness

In this world we stumble through

All these questions I can't answer

So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going

And I see my Maker's face

I'll stand forever in the light

Of His amazing grace

Yeah when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

Hallelujah

I will love and have no fear

When I get where I'm going

Yeah when I get where I'm going

So, Saturday is the Red Carpet Ball with the DSAOC. There have been many planning meetings and get togethers to get all the pieces in line. I am looking forward to it! And, of course, there will be pictures! Earl is getting home on Saturday night, so we will spend most of the day together and then the band is playing Sunday night. This should be a fun weekend!

Double the Birthdays, Double the Fun!!

There are two birthdays to celebrate today and in honor of these birthdays, we have posted two separate posts with some pictures of these birthday ladies that we love.  

Happy birthday Omi and Katherine!! We love you both and wish we could be with you guys to celebrate. Hope you have a fantastic day and feel loved and honored today!

love love love

Melinda and Earl

Picture Post #2

Picture Post #1