Lukewarm?

A few months ago, I wrote a little bit about things going on in my life. I referenced a video on YouTube of Francis Chan, author of one of my most favorite books ever, Crazy Love. His chapter on "lukewarm Christians" was deep for me. There's no other way to really express it. He illustrated a very clear picture of what it means to truly be Christian. As I've struggled with church lately, I've been watching Francis Chan videos. I love each of them, but this one is awesome. I've seen it a few times. Check it out. Check him out. I've already pre-ordered his next book. This is the first pre-order I've ever done. (Thanks amazon.com, I love you!)

Here's the video, check it out.

"Say cheese... or kibble!"

A couple months ago Nola, Titan, and Roxy had a photo shoot with Brittany Wright. She's a local photog working on a book that features rescue dogs and she's been collecting stories and photos of dogs in our area. She was SO awesome and we got some great shots of the pups. Nola was super nervous and had her freak-out face on most of the time but towards the end of the afternoon she started to settle. If helped that B-dub brought a bag of kibble treats. I caught sly Belly with her head in the bag a few too many times!!!

Best picture of Roxy.... ever.

Belly's nervous smile, but a smile no less!

Brittany (we call her B-dub to differentiate between the Britts since they spell their names the same way and have the same last name initial) is still in need of rescue dogs for her book project. If you're local -- check out her site, she has a blog too!

If you're not local but are interested in having your dog featured in her book, still contact her! We think she's pretty awesome and D and I have already booked her for engagement pics.... we're hoping she'll be able to shoot the wedding next year too!

Oh! Be sure to ask her about her dog Scarlett, she might sing a song for you! (Tony! Toni! Tone! 'nuff said.)

Also be sure to check out MyleStone Gallery that she and her sister run -- they have some incredibly neat finds that are mostly local and/or handmade. I bought a bracelet and a soy candle when I was last there and feel the need to stop back by and check out the new stuff!

I'm such a sap.

I cry at forwarded emails about sick kids that might possibly not exist. I cry when I watch Wedding Story, Baby Story, and Adoption Story on TLC. I cry just thinking of something happening to Nola, Luka, or Finley. I might possibly cry if you look at me the wrong way on a bad day.

I often cry when I sing, even if it's not a sad song but is just a little slow. Seriously, I could be singing a slow song about twinkies, rabbits, or candy corn and cry about it. I'm just like that. I'm a sap. I'll admit that openly. But only because I know I'm not the only one. ;)

So I'm watching this video today of Naturally 7 on a subway in France. They started singing somewhat randomly and of course, as soon as I saw people realizing what was going on, I teared up. What is wrong with me?! There is nothing sad about it. It's cool. It's fun. It's good times. I think that any positive act of human nature must stir something in my bones. There's potential for me to cry a river. Like when I read Same Kind of Different as Me. Have you read it? You should.

Don't forget to see the not-at-all-sad video of Naturally 7 in France.

I'm missing Africa today...

I was just reading Compassion's blog. At the bottom of the post is a link to a video. While watching it, I remembered when I was in Africa, how much I loved listening to children sing.

I can recall many, many times at church as a child hearing our Sunday School teacher tell us to use our "singing voice" to sing. Thinking back, I can also remember hearing our choir director in elementary school tell us the same thing. We had these little rhymes we sang to get our singing voices warmed up.

African singing is different. There is no such thing as a "singing voice." Singing is just that, song. It is a story. It is innocent. It is joy. I miss it tremendously. It was something I heard on a daily basis. Children sing walking to school, doing chores, playing with friends... nothing is more beautiful.

Fido Bags!

You asked, now shop! :)

If you don't see something you like, let me know!

I'm planning to make child sized bags this weekend along with some laptop sleeves.

25% of ALL sales donated to Hope Aid.

Thanks everyone, for encouraging me to do this...it's been a lot of fun. Many late nights, but fun nonetheless!

[Almost] Wordless Wednesday... Diamonds

I'm not actually participating in the WW blog carnival, but I am in love with this picture and am just a tiny bit obsessed with taking pictures of my new favorite piece of jewelry. I can't promise there won't be more.

While we're on topic, let's have a poll. Before I got this ring, I decided that when I did get it, I wouldn't take it off unless I was doing something super gross, or something that could harm the stones or metal. That being said, because I am a hydration fanatic, I use a lot of lotion. I realize that rings hate lotion so I've been using a brush to clean it after the rub down. I suppose I'll probably clean it every week or so just because I do keep it on all of the time.

Tell me... do you take your rings off? How often do you clean them at home (if you clean them at home)?

I know a lot of people take their rings off at night or when they shower. What makes you take your rings off? I'm curious.

(So much for the wordless post....)

Nature Girl, the Warthog, and the Hyena

My sister and her dogs came for a sleep over this weekend... we had SO much fun! Saturday we decided to take the dogs out for a short hike since the weather was great and we needed some pictures.

Blogger is being difficult tonight so only a few pictures uploaded and for some reason I can't change their order, grr!!!
Titan really didn't die. But he was SO tired! Neither he nor Roxy (aka Fluffy, aka Leigh Ann, aka the Hyena) are used to much exercise so they were completely worn out by the afternoon!

I know it sounds crazy, but Nola really seemed excited to have Titan and Roxy at the park with her. She always gets excited about going but she was super pumped this time!

Is Nature Girl not the cutest? I picked on her the entire morning but we had a fun time. I LOVE this picture of her with Roxy!

...will try to post more pics tomorrow.