Preview:: Cara

Random Thoughts on a Saturday:: Catching Up

Hey friends!

I apologize for the lack of blogging... So thank you to my faithful readers!!

Random Thoughts on a Saturday

~My birthday is in ten days!

~I LOVE coaching!! The kids are absolutely adorable. On Wednesday I was so excited- one of our 4 year old 6&unders swam a whole lap of freestyle without stopping! Whoo hoo!

Super cute sign Julia made for the swim team!

Last Fun Friday we had an obstacle course! Above is the "Board Walk" and below are the hula hoops to dolphin dive through.

~We have yet to finish a full meet. I have yet to swim a 100 IM in a meet. Both meets we have had thus far have gotten rained out towards the end. :p

~Last week I went to the Cheesecake Factory with Julia, Cara, Mimi, Sarah Beth, and Jenny before Sarah Beth left for CO :( We had so much fun!!

Julia, SB, and Cara
Charming Charlie- new fave store!

SB, me, Mimi
Tiramisu cheesecake= YUM
Lemon Raspberry
Reeses Chocolate Cake Peanut Butter- they were all delicious!

Mimi & me
Jenny, SB, and Cara

Lunch at Chickfila with some of my Mako girls last week! (minus Hannah who came later :)

~I love these sisters' videos! Six sisters= Cimorelli Band.

~ My favorite:

~Some of the people in my class went to see Mr. Popper's Penguins! Very cute! See the trailer here.

~Did you know a new Winnie the Pooh movie is coming out July 15th?

~One of my favorite photographers- Rachel Moore Photography- just did a wedding that included lanterns like in Tangled! LOVE! Check it out- and be sure to check out Rachel's awesome photography!!

~This video "Thumbs up for rock and roll!" is adorable.

~Latest favorite song: Galaxies by Owl City!

~Jack and the Beanstalk told by a two year old- so cute.

~Special note for Mary Eveleen: we love you hon! :) You are awesome!

Love,

Lily

One Thousand Gifts:: Take Twenty

475-529

475. safety and protection from our one true Protector

476. adventures

477. wonderful friends

478. sleepover/party with Anna and SB

479. Anna's amazing sense of humor which keeps me laughing

480. my dear family

481. the best dad in the whole wide world! I am so thankful to be your daughter, Dad! You are my favorite guy in the whole world and you are my hero. I love you!!

482. two wonderful grandfathers whom I love very much!!

483. tacos on Father's Day

484. Panera, Blush, and Tarjayyy with two of my favorites

485. new friends that are old friends

486. belatedly celebrating the life of one of my dear friends

487. sour patch kids, swedish fish, izze drinks, and gummy worms

488. being able to hop in the car and drive anywhere

489. texting and phone calls when loved ones are away

490. finding non-presidential hairstyles for my new 'do

491. bad burns turning into semi-tans

492. rain

493. the safety of my house when I discover I'm not a fan of storms, especially driving in them

494. the library

495. my adorable munchkins

496. the amazing people I work with

497. the fact that I'm sad when it rains - I love my job

498. meet entries on rainy days

499. spending the night with my dear grandparents

500. safety driving for an hour in the worst storm of my life

501. seeing deer in the backyard

502. kids that make me laugh

503. when the kids apply what I am coaching

504. proud smiles when the kids get it

505. hugs from cute Gators

506. sweet children saying, "Ms. Lily!"

507. two hand touches on butterfly and breaststroke

508. giggles

509. excitement and competitive kids when it comes to games

510. Fun Friday

511. nice and long chats with the lovely Anna Rose

512. cold pool water when it's hot

513. my new favorite song- Galaxies by Owl City "He is the saving grace of the galaxies"

514. pool date with Christina!

515. ice cream

516. our wonderful church family

517. Redeeming Love

518. Words with Friends

519. fun swim lessons

520. free songs on iTunes

521. Chickfila in between coaching and teaching

522. God's grace and mercy

523. seeing one of my dear friends baptized yesterday!

524. driving with the windows down and the music on

525. being in the pool 3 times a day

526. getting un-lost at the airport and picking up my darling dad

527. long chats with Cayleigh

528. outings with Dad

529. Verse of the week from Keith Beauchemin:

Joshua 6:2

And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor."

The LORD was telling Joshua in essence that the battle has already been won, and God has done it. Yes, the Israelite army had to enter the city after the walls fell down and fight, but the victory was assured by God.

Jesus Christ has assured the spiritual victory for us. He lived the perfect life that we could not live. He died for our sins and he rose from the dead for our justification and our resurrection. We still have to enter the battle with temptation, doubts, our sins, and many other enemies. But, do not grow discouraged in the battle. Remember the Captain of our salvation has already conquered. He who has begun a good work in you shall bring it to the day of completion.

The victory is assured!

Update

Whoa... I have not blogged in a while! Swim team started last week! I am coaching and swimming from 8:30-12:30 every day. I come home, crash, and then go to the pool to teach swim lessons in the afternoons! And then when I come home from that I crash again :) So lately my schedule has consisted of sleep, swim, coach, eat, watch a movie or two, sleep, repeat. :) I took the SAT last Saturday and am taking the ACT this Saturday...

I have also:

~had SO SO much fun coaching

~gotten very burned :(

~worn a stylin swim shirt in the pool to protect said burn

~been to several super fun graduation parties

~gone to the MTHEA Graduation

~had an AMAZING weekend last week

~spent the night at a hotel with some girlfriends to celebrate my friend's 18th (and had way too much fun- i love you girls!!!)

~got an awesome pedicure from my friend Anna

~been at a pool twice a day Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, and will tomorrow

~had Chickfila

~decided with one of my co-coaches that we have been in the sun too much

~taken lots of naps

~mostly been in a swimsuit

~decided I should have been studying more for the SAT and ACT

~gotten a frog out of the pool

~gotten a ton of beetles and cicadas out of the pool

~gotten over the whole bug-in-pool thing

~saw Kung Fu Panda 2

~am LOVING coaching!!

~prayed for something specific and God answered it- He is SO cool!

~thankful for an awesome sermon on Sunday- and the reminder that God is writing our stories!

I am going to leave you with some quotes from the past few days :)

~"Oh wait, the King is not ready. Are you ready? Ok, we can now start."

~Me: "What is your dog's name?" 3.5 year old girl: "I don't know." Me: "It is a nice dog?" Girl: "Yes." "Do you like playing with your dog?" "Yes." "What's its name?" "I don't know."

~Me: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" 3.5 year old: "A babysitter."

~7 year old kid: "I don't want to do swim team. I know everything!" Me: "I have been swimming for 11 years sweetie and I still come to practice."

~"The beetle is so cute!" - 9 year old girl

~"Um, Mom? I am kinda concerned about this dressing. It says its main inspiration is dirt." - Cara

~Kid: "The movie is about cats and dogs." Caitlin: "What's it called?" Kid: "Cats and Dogs."

~Me: "Someone didn't put her happy pants on this morning." Cara: "My happy pants are in the laundry."

~"And it came as a shock that your father the goose isn't your real dad?" - Kung Fu Panda 2 (it was awesome!)

Love,

Lil

Promises from Psalm- God is our Refuge!

Psalm 9:9-10 "The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Psalm 17:6-7 "I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand."

Psalm 18:2-3 "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies."

Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Psalm 31:3-5 "For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God."

Psalm 32:7 "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance."

Psalm 34:7-8 "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Psalm 34:17 "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."

Psalm 34:19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Psalm 34:22 "The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned."

Psalm 37:3-5 "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act."

Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"

Psalm 37:40 "The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him."

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 57:1-3 "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to the God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!"

God is faithful! He is our Protector and Refuge!

5 Things

5 Things I love to do in Nashville! (in no particular order)

1. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens- "This garden in Nashville includes a Japanese garden, herb, perennial and wildflower gardens, as well as a woodland sculpture trail and a nature sanctuary ." There is also a museum! It is a beautiful place to go for a walk, picnic, party, or wedding! There are creeks and ponds to walk around. Right now there is a Train exhibit I am looking forward to seeing!

2. Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn- we LOVE the Symphony! The Schermerhorn is absolutely stunning. The music is always wonderful! Check out the 2011/12 season calendar! Have you heard about the Regions Classroom Classics program? Middle and high school students and homeschool families can get free tickets! Check it out here!

3. Frist Center for the Visual Arts- fabulous art museum! One of our favorite things is ArtQuest- a very fun place for kids (and adults!) to paint, print, draw, and more! Check out the list of current exhibitions!

4. Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC)- I saw my all time favorite show here- Wicked! We have also seen Les Mis, Little Women, Beauty and the Beast, Little House on the Prairie, the Nutcracker, several education programs, and many more!

"TPAC is located in the James K. Polk Cultural Center at 505 Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville, occupying an entire city block between 5th and 6th Avenues and Deaderick and Union Streets. Also housing the Tennessee State Museum, the cultural center adjoins the 18 story James K. Polk Office Tower.

The performance venues at TPAC are Andrew Jackson Hall (2,472 seats), James K. Polk Theater (1,075), Andrew Johnson Theater (256) and War Memorial Auditorium (1,661), the historic landmark located across 6th Avenue and the plaza from the Center. Among its many operations, TPAC presents a series of Broadway showsand special engagements, and administers a comprehensive education program.

TPAC is also home to three resident performing arts organizations: Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, andTennessee Repertory Theatre. Presenting their work on the stages of TPAC, all of these organizations are independent of the center."

5. Gaylord Opryland- "GAYLORD OPRYLAND is the flagship property of Gaylord Hotels. Recognized around the world for its flawless service, luxurious accommodations and critically heralded entertainment, Gaylord Opryland offers planners 600,000 square feet of flexible meeting, convention, exhibit and pre-function space.

Located in Nashville, TN—hailed by Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the "friendliest cities in the United States"—your attendees can head downtown to kick up their heels at the Wildhorse Saloon_®, cruise the Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson_® Showboat, or stay within the nine-acre complex to enjoy our lush indoor gardens and cascading waterfalls. Guests also can attend a performance of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry^® right next door to the hotel, or spend a day on our Scottish-style links at Gaylord Springs_® Golf Links.