Catching Up

• Seems like forever since I blogged...gotta get back into my natural rhythm of writing!
• We kicked off the weekend a day early and had the opportunity to go all the way across the state of Tennessee to new country for us, Kingsport and the Tri-Cities region
• East Tennessee is GORGEOUS
• We had the opportunity to visit some friends of mine from years ago, David and Melanie Gardner.  Their daughter Kelly was one of my youth kids in the Memphis area years ago.  David and Melanie ended up at my Starbucks almost a year ago on a visit back to Collierville (great story for another day), and David and I have been touching base recently and he invited us up to visit.  David and Melanie, thanks for your hospitality and for showing us around Kingsport!
• Friday night, we witnessed the Dobyns-Bennett High School Band...they were incredible (their football team was great in the first half too, but couldn't hang on in the second half unfortunately).
• We also met some new friends at an amazing ministry, Celebration Church, in Kingsport.  Pastor Dave Spear led a wonderful worship service and Pastor Robert Russell preached a much-needed message to my heart.
• On the way back, we were able to meet our friends Matt and Jennifer Weston and their two boys for lunch in Nashville at the Cheesecake Factory.  It was so great to visit with them for a couple of hours over a great meal and dessert.  It made me realize how much we miss being able to hang out regularly with the Westons!
• If you eat at the Cheesecake Factory soon, try the Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake...killer stuff!!!
• Because of travelling, I didn't get to watch the Bama/LSU game until last night on the DVR--Roll Tide Roll!!!
• I listened to the Titans game on the radio for the second straight week, but they have really solid announcers who helped me visualize what was happening on the field!
• Fall weather is in full swing at Starbucks and my coffee ninja skills were tested greatly over the last couple of days.
• My brother in law had a deer jump out in front of him on the way to preach at his church in Odenville this Sunday morning.
• Mike didn't make it to church, but fortunately was not injured.
• The deer unfortunately cannot say the same thing.
• Neither can EPG's truck, but it least can be repaired.
• RIP Bambi!
• Still a little travel-lagged, but it was a great trip. 
• I laughed at my travelling family at one point on the road...Maddie was watching a DVD, I was driving and listening to ESPN, and Alison was listening to her iPod...great family interaction!
• Seriously, we had lots of laughs and good conversation on the way to and from Kingsport...Maddie is the best travelling seven year old in the whole world!
• Still loving some Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend.
• Christmas Blend is only 16 days away!!!
• Maddie is on fall break until tomorrow, so yesterday we went to see Madagascar 2--lots of fun!
• The girls are watching High School Musical 3 right now...I sat that one out...I figure I'll get to see it enough when the DVD shows up around here.
• Speaking of DVDs, Kung Fu Panda is out and Maddie and I watched it after Madagascar 2 yesterday.
• Bobbitt Fantasy Football rolls on with a 7 game winning streak...two weeks left before the playoffs...a win this weekend virtually clinches a number one seed for Team Bobbitt, but it may be my toughest challenge yet.
• Three more days until my ESV Study Bible is purchased...I am very excited!
• I know that God is always at work in our lives but I am very grateful to feel Him at work in my heart right now!