Mr. & Mrs. BJ Keener 06.26.10

I was honored to stand beside my friend, Brooke today as she married her best friend. I have known both, the bride and the groom for years and I was so incredibly honored to be asked to stand along side of them on this special day. Since I spent most of the day with Brooke, she is the only one I really have pictures of. While we waited for someone to come get us for the wedding to begin and realizing we still have 40 minutes to wait, Brooke was a great sport in letting me take whatever pictures I wanted....I have a lot more on my camera, but only worked on a few as I am too tired to keep working on them now, but I will post the ones I have:

Congratulations to BJ & Brooke Keener!

Pool Time

Saturday, Brandon and I had the chance to take Lucas to the swimming pool. When we went to pick him, he was so excited to get to the pool. Once we got there, I am certain he knew almost every kid in there :).

Lucas cannot swim...yet, however, he borrowed his friends' swimming goggles and one he put them on, he thought he had some serious swimming powers. It was a blast watching him play in the water. After we swam, we went to McDonalds, ate at the Greenway, and before we got him home, he was sound to sleep.

It was a great day to play.

What A Week!

This has been one busy week. Sunday morning, Brandon left our house with Jeff King and headed towards Orlando, FL for the Southern Baptist Convention. I wasn't too worried as to how I would spend the week, as I already had some plans in the works. In the four and half days that Brandon would be gone, I would have 3 lunch dates (which totally takes the place of the ones he usually has on a very regular basis :) ), talk about missions at VBS, go to Tiffany's house, get a facial, and begin our children's program at church. Although I had quite the list to occupy my time, there were moments of "down time" and it was during these times that I was extremely bored, simply because Brandon was not there. One of these times occurred Sunday afternoon, Brandon had been gone for only hours, I found myself doing laundry and watching "Wild Russia" on the Animal Planet, I was ready for him to come home!

However, I knew that Brandon was really looking forward to the Pastor's Conference and would have a great time and he has. I, too, have been able to use these last few days to do some extra things that I don't normally do.

Monday, I spent some "girl time" with Tiffany as we worked on our Summertime Children's Wednesday night program for church.

Tuesday, I had a lunch date with a special friend. An hour and half later, we left our table at Monte Albans, which reminded me that we need to do this much more often. As we left in our vehicles, we agreed that our husbands needed to come along next time so they can be in on the "catching up". That night, I had been invited to be a part of Windy Gap's VBS, to talk to the Middle and High School Students about missions. I was able to encourage them to look for ways to serve Christ this summer. It was a lot of fun, I'm thankful for the invitation.

I had really been looking forward to Wednesday. I was getting to meet a new friend, Renee for lunch. Renee has had some pretty substantial events in her life all at the same time as she has graduated from college (with a degree in Education) and two weeks later, got married and moved from Ohio to Franklin. Before meeting for lunch, I was concerned that we wouldn't have a lot to talk about, but that fear no longer existed when we got up from our table close to 2 hours later. :)
After lunch with Renee, I headed to Spa Siobhan for a facial. This was a graduation gift and definitely not something that I do very often, but it was fun and was more than relaxing! Unfortunately, as soon as I walked out of the building, the relaxation was over. I had to kick it into gear as we prepared and got ready for the summer program that began last night. The kids LOVED it and I look forward to how this goes as the summer progresses.

Today, I'm completing my week with a lunch with several friends Brooke, Allie, Maddie, Amber, Reed, & Ella and then....for the moment we have all been waiting for..... Brandon comes home!!! ( I realize this is really only the moment I have been waiting for, however, it fit).

Although I have certainly missed Brandon while he has been gone, I have also enjoyed the time I have been able to spend with old and new friends, taking the moments to be thankful for the people in our lives and sharing with one another what God is doing in and through our lives. It has been a true gift to get to spend time with the special ladies in my life. I have realized this week just another way God has blessed my life and for that, I am left with nothing but thankfulness.

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord!

This is kinda lengthy, but so sweet to hear, in it's entirety. If you don't have the time to read it all right now, I welcome you back anytime when you have the chance. These 3 chapters in Psalms overwhelm my heart and serve as a reminder of our purpose here on Earth: to Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens,

praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and maidens, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 149
Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,
to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron,
to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.

*Mailbox Surprise*

Within the last week, I have received the two pieces of paper that has taken, well, a really long time to achieve. One day last week, I opened the mailbox to find an envelope containing my degree in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University. Yesterday, I opened the mailbox and found my license issued by the Department of Public Instruction for the State of North Carolina.

It looks like I have all I need to teach: the degree, the license...now I need a JOB/CLASSROOM.

Lindsay & Chris' Wedding *06*12*10*

On Saturday, Brandon & I went to our friend, Lindsay Cavendar's wedding. It was held at the Southwestern Macon Campus, here in Franklin. The location was so extremely beautiful, I can definitely see why this was "the place" for the couple to share their vows. Sitting there, waiting for the ceremony to begin, I couldn't help but to think of the Creator that placed the mountains that surrounded us, exactly where they sat. Everything, was beautiful.
As Lindsay & her dad walked down to meet Chris, my heart said a prayer for the two that was now becoming, one. Through the actions and words of these two people, it is evident that their life if centered and solely focused on King Jesus. I am thankful for their commitment to each other, but so thankful for the commitment they share in Him.

Happy BIRTHday, Zachary Todd Breedlove!!!

Matthew, Brandon's brother, and his wife, Brooke welcomed Zachary Todd Breedlove into the world this morning, Friday, June 11, 2010 at 7:49am. He weighs 7lbs 10oz and is 20in. long.
Here are some pictures that have been sent to my phone. When I get off at the theatre, we will be heading over to meet Baby Zach ourselves!

Congratulations Matt & Brooke...and Happy Birthday, Zach!

Sweet Baby Boy!

New Daddy & Baby Zach

A Reminder to be Thankful...

On Monday, Memorial Day, Brandon and I were both home. I was working on the blog in the living room when Brandon came from our bedroom and told me his dad had just called and he was going to meet him at Lowes (to get the new water heater for our apartment).

While he was gone, I went into our bedroom and saw what Brandon had been doing before his dad called him.

There on the corner of our bed, sat Brandon's bible. As it laid open to the page he was reading, I stood there with thankfulness in my heart. I couldn't help but to thank Jesus Brandon and all that he is to me: best friend, husband, and spiritual leader of our home.