Ray LaMontagne 11/6

This is one of the most exciting posts, ever!

Seeing Ray LaMontagne in concert has been on my bucket list for almost 10 years now and IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

We had the busiest week at school this past week and it so happened that this concert was on a work/school night but, every single second of loss sleep was completely worth it. 

Let's talk about this venue first--the MSU Riley Center in Meridian is stunning. It is so nice and the theater portion is quaint and beautiful. I didn't even know this place existed and now, I'm looking for any upcoming shows so I can return. 

We ate dinner at Weidmann's--it's literally across the street from the venue--and it was divine. Another treasure in our state that I didn't know existed (I think I'm one of the few that didn't know about this one--LOL!). Everything we had from the drinks, to the appetizers, down to our entrees and dessert was delicious. It made our date night even more epic than we anticipated.

The Secret Sisters were the opening act. They are actually how I even learned about this show. Thanks to Magnolia Record Club, I've been exposed to their music and therefore, followed them on social media. 

They posted about opening for Ray LaMontagne and in MISSISSIPPI at that--like what?! They are so fantastic--real sisters, great harmonizers, funny story tellers--they were the perfect opener. They also shared that their first tour ever was with Ray back in 2008--really  neat how they circled back to being with him again. 

The mere fact that we were able to see him in concert was enough--but, the icing on the cake is that he played my all-time favorite song(s) (yes, not even just my one favorite, three of them!) I was blissfully happy and so thankful I got to see him--easily, the best concert I've ever been to. 

I don't know if my videos will work or not--but, if they don't... do yourself a favor and give my  top three favorite songs a listen to:

"Jolene", "Like Rock & Roll and Radio" and "Such A Simple Thing"

Lauren Daigle 10/28

Lauren Daigle is one of my all-time favorite artists. 

Not only can that girl SING but, her songs are so full of wisdom, God's truths, and soothing words for weary souls. She is BLOWING up and it is awesome--just in the last month she's been on Ellen, Jimmy Fallon, and one of her songs was on Grey's. Like come on, that's the way to get The Word out to the nations. I am LOVING it. 

Her new album, "Look Up Child" is so, so good. 

Here's the videos to my 2 favorite songs:

"You Say"

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough

Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?

Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know (ooh oh)

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours

And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me

In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity, (ooh oh)

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours

And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

Oh, I believe

Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet

You have every failure God, and You'll have every victory, (ooh oh)

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours

And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

Oh I believe (I), yes I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

Oh I believe (oh)

And this one:

"Rescue"

You are not hidden

There's never been a moment

You were forgotten

You are not hopeless

Though you have been broken

Your innocence stolen

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

There is no distance

That cannot be covered

Over and over

You're not defenseless

I'll be your shelter

I'll be your armor

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you

I hear the whisper underneath your breath

I hear you whisper, you have nothing left

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you

Oh, I will rescue you

6th Annual BYOP 10/27

This year was our 6th Annual BYOP!

I cannot believe we've been doing this for 6 years now--it's such a fun tradition and it's so neat to take the time to reflect on the changes that happen year to year. 

We had our usual pumpkin chili--mine, filled to the brim with fritos to top it off! (recipe here) and Melissa made a delicious pumpkin dump cake

Our pictures have evolved from 6 of us, to including puppies, to including babies, new recipes, new designs, different settings, ever-changing like the seasons of our lives. 

When we finished our carving this year, we took the time to look back at pictures from previous years and it was interesting to talk about what was happening with each of us during that time. For each person, this time hold different attached memories but, I love the common thread that we will each have when we think back on our years of BYOP.

What's a fun tradition that you have with your closest friends?

A Day in Laurel, MS 10/27

Have you watched the HGTV show "Home Town"? It features Ben & Erin Napier and the work they are doing to restore their hometown of Laurel, MS. They have redone so gorgeous, old homes and have brought new life and interest in their little home town. 

I've loved watching the show and really admire what they are doing--I love the idea of investing your time, energy and talents into where you are instead of searching for something better...make it better where you are--make where you are into something you invest in, something you love, something you are proud of.

We started our day at the Lauren Rogers Museum where they happened to have a DaVinci exhibit going on--it was so cool. 

 There were replicas of his inventions & paintings, interesting videos about his life, and a lot of it was interactive. 

We even got to be Mona Lisa...kinda. 

The museum also held some very beautiful art, woven baskets, and some other really neat pieces. The grounds were breathtaking and it served as the perfect start to our day. 

 We headed to Pearl Diner for lunch and had some seriously tasty southern cuisine. 

If you've watched Home Town then you know Mrs. Pearl was on one of their episodes and they renovated the cutest little house for her. 

She came in for lunch at her place while we were there so we were able to meet her. 

You definitely want to eat at Pearl's Diner if you make your way to Laurel!

We spent the rest of the afternoon hitting up all (and I mean ALL) of the shops. 

Everywhere we went, they were decorating for Christmas and sprucing up their storefronts. I can imagine that it's quite enchanting during the Christmas season. 

All in all, it was a fun, full day of working our way through Laurel. 

I also started reading Ben & Erin's Memoir that just came out entitled "Make Something Good Today" and it's been such a good read. It's been neat to read about their upbringings, how they met and how The Lord used their families, their upbringings, and their talents to bring them together and take on this task. Definitely worth a read!

"Bad & BOOsy" with the Thomases 10/26

Is there any better way to celebrate Halloween than with some of your best girl friends, costumes, the best decor, cold weather, and a dance floor? I think not!

Jason's 40th-10/10

It happened! My handsome honey turned 40 and it was so fun celebrating him. 

We turned his birthday into a week-long celebration full of all of his favorite things. 

Our first celebration was spent at Surin's having our all-time favorite spicy tuna rolls, followed by macarons and seeing Venom. 

 A few days later we went to Amerigo and had the best steak in town

 And we ended his birthday week with our family dinner at my parents house which again, was packed with his favorite things (margaritas, strawberry salad, Italian cream cake...all the delicious things) We celebrate with food--if you couldn't tell ;)

 Mom out did herself with the decorations and fun "40 themed" trivia game

You are so easy to celebrate and I'm so happy we had a week to shower you with well wishes, yummy treats, love, and thankfulness of the years we've had with you and the years to come! 

My cousin shared many years ago that her Mom sends her a Psalm each year that correlates with her age and I love that. Psalm 40 says:  

"I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he inclined to me and heard my cry.

 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,

    out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

    making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

    and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man who makes

    the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

    to those who go astray after a lie!

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

    none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

    yet they are more than can be told.

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,

    but you have given me an open ear.[a]

Burnt offering and sin offering

    you have not required.

 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

I delight to do your will, O my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

I have told the glad news of deliverance[b]

    in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

    as you know, O Lord.

I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;

    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness

    from the great congregation.

As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain

    your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness will

    ever preserve me!

For evils have encompassed me

    beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

    and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

    my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!

    O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether

    who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to dishonor

    who delight in my hurt!

Let those be appalled because of their shame

    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

    say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

As for me, I am poor and needy,

    but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    do not delay, O my God!"