this weekend...

This week feels like it's flown by! We've had lots going on between Labor Day, my birthday, our weekly COM Group and a few other activities, plus trying to get caught up on errands and housework! I hope you all had a lovely week, and that many of you were able to enjoy having an extra day off on Monday. This weekend we'll be at home, and we're looking forward to spending time with our church family. I have a feeling we'll be keeping an extra close eye on Lorelei as well, as she's been in full two-year-old force this week! Lots of errant scribbles, spills, and stubborn attitudes have been keeping us on watch (and trying to keep from laughing at her cuteness and thus encouraging her naughty behavior!). A few fun links after the jump...

this weekend...

"A Kind of Magic" print by Fine Art Nature Photography

Happy Friday! I hope your week was a lovely one. We played an outdoor concert at Cedarville University last night (where I attended for a time) and it was such a lovely night to be outside. Some of the students are friends we've made on the road over the last few years and it was so great to see them. Lorelei had a blast touring the campus and playing with them while we set up and performed! This weekend we're headed back home to Nashville, and it will be our first weekend off since May I think. We're looking forward to a little stretch at home and to be with our church family. Especially because they are just finishing a major renovation project at the building, which will give the church much more room to grow! What are your weekend plans? A few fun links after the jump...

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Hello again friends! The last few weeks have been crazy and I was a bit under the weather, so my poor little blog has been a bit neglected. Even though it's already Friday, I thought I'd try to get back in the swing of things! Jordan and I had a lovely anniversary last week and we're looking forward to a busy upcoming weekend/week full of concerts, driving, appointments, and more concerts! Here's hoping this recent stretch of beautiful weather continues to carry us into Fall. I cannot wait for Fall, but I'm trying to be patient and enjoy the last of the summer spirit! Here are a few fun links from around the web...

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

What does everyone have planned for the weekend? Other than watching the last of the Olympics, of course! It's been so fun to stay up a little late and cheer for the USA. My favorite is gymnastics, and Jordan gets so into the swimming! I'm always shocked by how young some of the athletes are. It's so amazing that they are so talented, and so disciplined to make it so far! This weekend we're headed back on the road for a few weeks, and we'll see both of our families while we're out, which is always fun! Here are some fun links to take you into the weekend...

this weekend...

Happy Birthday to my sweet, joyful, energetic, silly, creative, hilarious little Lorelei Jade! I can't believe my baby turns two today. In some ways it seems like the last two years have been full of a lifetime's worth of traveling and experiences, but so often it feels like she was just born moments ago. She is teaching me so much, and I am so thankful for the blessing of being her mama. We're having a little celebration with friends this afternoon, visiting with an out-of-town friend, and playing in Ohio this weekend. What will you be up to? Here are some fun links from around the web...

this weekend...

It's the weekend (almost)! I hope your week was fantastic, and that your weekend is even better. We're playing in South Dakota for the first time, then Minnesota. We're sneaking in a few visits with family while we're out this way in Iowa as well, which is always a blessing. Here are some fun links from around the web...

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

I can't believe it's already Friday! Our week of vacation is drawing to a close, and although I'm a little sad to get back to "real life", it's been such a blessing to have this time off. Wednesday we unexpectedly spent the day in the ER with Lorelei. We're pretty sure she was dehydrated after a few days of sun and lots of activity. Once we got her to keep some liquids down she perked up quite a bit, and we were able to get back to the hotel to rest and clean up. Although it wasn't exactly how we planned to spend 4th of July, we were so thankful to have a hospital nearby and for the chance to get in quickly. Seeing my baby sick is the worst! I'm so glad she's on the mend. This weekend we'll be soaking up our last moments of vacation, and then performing on Sunday before we head back to Nashville. Here are some fun links from around the web...

This weekend...

Hey all! We stopped in Hilton Head, SC for a few days on our way to FL, visiting with friends that recently moved here. It's too pretty to sit inside on the computer, so no links this week, but I wish you all a lovely weekend! Try to stay cool, especially our Nashville friends (the temps are predicted to reach 108!). Happy Friday! :)

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Happy Friday, and Happy Summer! It's felt like summer since before Memorial Day in Nashville, but this week marked the official beginning of the season. To be honest, I much prefer Fall weather, but there's something so carefree about summer that I love. Lorelei loves to be outdoors and especially loves the water, so we've been having a blast playing in pools and sprinklers with her. She looks so cute in her little bathing suits! This weekend we're playing at the Alive Festival on Saturday (11 am on the Woods Stage if you'll be there) and on Monday we head back to Nashville. I can't wait to see my new niece! Here are some of my favorite posts from around the web...

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

It's Friday! Do you have big plans for the weekend? We are headed to MI today, and I'm so excited that tomorrow we'll go to Mackinac Island for the weekend. It's our third summer doing an event with Mackinac Island Bible Church, and it's been such a special time to get away and recharge a little bit. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island (except for the emergency vehicles) and everyone bikes or takes a horse drawn carriage. I'm looking forward to getting back on a bike again this weekend—I hope the weather is good! Last year was our first time leaving Lorelei overnight with her grandparents, and being on the peaceful island with perfect weather made it so much easier to relax!

Fingers crossed that we all get great weather this weekend and can enjoy some time in God's beautiful creation. I'm so thankful to be escaping the heat of Nashville for a few days...Here are this week's favorite links:

A gorgeous home before and after.

How to DIY a one-of-a-kind masterpiece for your family.

Loved this post on flying with a toddler. (Lorelei has been on a few flights, but not since she was an infant. Flying with a toddler scares me!)

I couldn't help but repin this stunning photo. Such a beautiful woman!

One of my favorite things in life is cheesy potatoes. They get me every time!

I would like some giant balloons with beautiful tassels please.

I'd love to make these neon dipped "teacher gifts" for myself, if we were home enough to keep plants alive...

Not at all practical for long-term decor, but this flower wall is so dreamy!

Have a beautiful weekend!

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Happy Friday! I hope it's been a wonderful week for you. I have really been enjoying spending time with family and friends in Des Moines this week, and it's been nice to escape the crazy heat in Nashville and enjoy some midwestern weather. We'll be in the area through the weekend for another concert, anxiously waiting to hear if our new niece will decide to join us! We got a peek at some of the video footage from this week's project and I am even more excited about sharing it when it's ready! Here are some of my favorite links from the week:

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Isn't that photo of San Francisco dreamy? Jordan and I had the chance to visit a few months ago. We performed at a retreat center, but luckily our friend Joey hosted us for a few extra days and had time to show us around a little bit. I'd visited before, but having our own personal tour guide really made Jordan and me fall in love with the city ourselves. By the way, that photo (and most of my Friday photos) was taken by the talented Char Beck, a dear friend we met while serving in Ecuador during the annual Extreme Response Christmas parties in 2010. I'd highly recommend browsing his site and hiring him if you need a talented and charming photographer. Lorelei was quite smitten with him!

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

How is it already Memorial Day weekend? I am seriously in disbelief that we're coming up on June. In just over two months Lorelei will be having her second birthday. She is growing and changing by the day and it's crazy how quickly the time seems to have passed. We have some friends visiting from out of town on Saturday, and we're looking forward to being at our home church on Sunday before a long string of weekends out. We're hoping to sneak in some relaxation and get outdoors as well, but the weather is predicted to be in the mid-nineties, which is a record high! At least that might give us a solid excuse to get ice cream (as if ice cream really needs an excuse)! :) What do you all have planned for the holiday weekend?

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

It's Friday! What do you all have planned? We're on our way to Michigan and Indiana this weekend and I'm looking forward to some cooler temps. We had a few nice spring-weather days this week and then it got hot again. I love Tennessee, but the heat and humidity I could do without. I hope your weekend is full of sweet and relaxing moments.

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Happy Friday! Do you all have big plans this weekend? This week has been jam packed and we are in for a weekend of celebrations! Sometimes I feel like life is just flying right past me in all the hustle, and I try to make sure I'm not missing out on all the beautiful right now moments as they come. We'll be officially dedicating Lorelei at our church on Sunday and we are so excited to have the chance to share such a special moment with our dear friends and visiting family. As a happy result of LJ's dedication, both of her grandmas (and grandpas) will be here to celebrate Mother's Day with us. Most importantly today, we are celebrating my amazing husband because it's his 27th birthday! I'm so very grateful for such a loving, fun, talented husband who takes such great care of his girls and lives his life in service to God. Happy Birthday my love!

this weekend...

ferris wheel print by bomobob

What does everybody have planned for the weekend? We'll be traveling to Denver, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte. We actually lived there for almost a year before we started our music career and moved back to Nashville, so it will be great to visit with a few old friends while we're there for some concerts. Also at the top of our list is eating at Japan, a casual hibachi restaurant we still get frequent cravings for. Last weekend was spent in Michigan, so I'm still adjusting to the high temperatures here in the south. It's hard to remember it's only May when it's in the high 80's! Here's what I've been loving this week...