So I went to the doctor today just for a regular visit. While there I told the midwife that I have been experiencing some pain. I am 36 weeks and since I went into labor with my son at 37 weeks, she suggested that I be checked. Well, she checked me and I have already started to dilate! Based on what she said and my past history, I could possibly have the baby next week. She doubts very seriously that I will go to my actual due date of Aug. 30th. Unfortunately, Echoing Angels is supposed to be in Pennsylvania next weekend, so we are starting to discuss options. Stay tuned for updates!

So last night was an interesting night in our house. I took my eyes off the Lord and my flesh got in the way. Trey and I had a fight, which is unusual for us. We have disagreements but hardly ever actually have a real fight. And I admit I started it. Let me give you the story. Trey just got home from Nashville on monday, he was recording vocals for the album. They were not able to finish all the songs, partly because Trey was feeling under the weather and his sinuses were clogged, and partly because there just wasn't enough time. So it was decided last night that he has to return ASAP to finish it.....as Neil would say, seriously? They have almost the entire 11 song record done in 16 total days. That's all the instrumentation including a strings ensemble and a horn quartet....all that's left is Trey to sing 4 songs, some bvgs (thats background vocals) and then some comps (that means editing, picking the best takes of each song). So yeah, I think that's pretty darn good, do we have to finish this right now? I thought we were ahead of schedule.....Anyway, so that's how the drama started. The producer called Trey asking if he could come back this Saturday through Tuesday. As Trey is making these plans and asking me while still on the phone, if that would be ok, I'm thinking "no" . I have to work all week. My luxury of my in laws being here is over....my mom is at the beach so what am I to do with the kids? (my mother is gonna feel guilty reading this....please don't mom, it was inevitable. She was gracious enough to ask me if I needed her this weekend anyway before she made plans.) Oh and the band leaves next Thursday for Pennsylvania. So there's more child care I have to figure out. So my mind was racing with the fact that now I have to call my boss and see if I can rearrange my schedule and call James' preschool and rearrange his schedule and hope the daycare has room for baby girl and now I have to pay for that and there is $43 in my account and nobody I know will watch them for free besides mom and be willing to get to my house at 6am til 6pm! Yeah so I was not in a good place and turned the focus on myself. And I said something like, "no, we will not work it out, you mean I will work it out and at least you get to go do something fun!" Yep, shouldn't have said it. It turned into argument about everything under the sun. You know how that goes....but the root of it all was I am overwhelmed and Trey feels guilty that I am feeling this way. Alot of things shouldn't have been said, but now that they have, you can't take em back. But we ended with apologies and prayer. And hopefully we are better off for it. We are only human and I was not feeling like super mom last night. Most days that's exactly who I am trying to be, mostly because I have to be, probably because I try to rely on myself and not Him, who gives me strength. I failed to let Him take over last night. The truth that this journey would get harder before relief came is now in full force. We are there. And Trey leaves for a 24 day radio promotion tour in September. Yikes. I catch myself questioning Gods timing. Why couldn't this be before we had children or when they are older and in school? But I know He is perfect and knew all of this beforehand. I just have to trust Him and continue to obey. That road always leads to His will and thats where I want to be, the only place worth staying.

It's funny how you never know when God is going to decide that a change needs to be made in your life and then take you through a transition when you least expect it. That's kind of where we are at right now. It's not necessarily a fun time but it's one that has to be done. I guess sometimes we get content where we are at and think that we are exactly where we are supposed to be and then God says nope time to move on (by the way...this has nothing to do with Echoing Angels). I guess it makes it extra hard when you don't know why the circumstances came about and you get blindsided and hurt. But, God in His infinite wisdom does understand. And maybe he used this circumstance because He knew that we wouldn't leave where He wanted us to leave without a big push like that. I'm not really sure. So, even though I'm so confused about this certain situation, Josh and I have complete trust in God that He knows what's going on and what's best for us and where we need to be exactly. So even though I'm sad and hurt, I'm holding fast to the Lord and waiting on Him to guide us in His direction.

Okay...so who will she choose??? Roberto or Chris? Or will she not choose either? You know what I'm talking about! Just admit it! Yes, I'm talking about The Bachelorette! The Finale is on tonight and then After the Rose is on after that. They are advertising it as "this has never happened in Bachelorette history." What could it be??? There are so many rumors and spoilers out there that quite honestly I'm ready to just know what happens. Then I don't have to worry about setting the tivo to watch it the next day because I'm afraid I'll fall asleep during it. Josh always laughs at me when I watch it. BUT, he'll ask me "so who did she let go?" See...you get sucked into it even if you don't want to. You know it's true. You may not admit it...but...you know you want to know and will be talking about this at work tomorrow. Don't deny it...just go with it!

I came home from Nashville today. I hated leaving Trey but missed my kids dearly. I had a great time there. We did not have much time for sight seeing but he did drive me around town a little. Saturday, we waited an hour in line, outside in 100 degree weather, to eat at the Pancake Pantry in downtown Nashville...totally worth it. The sweet potato pancakes are what made this place famous and I now I see why....or taste why I should say. Holy moly were they good and had a creamy honey like syrup. Wow. Quite tasty.

The recording is going awesome! The songs are sounding soooooo good. It is like nothing you hear on Christian radio today...so watch out CCM (that's Contemporary Christian Music)! I really think this album could go mainstream secular. It is that good and that relevant to today's listeners. It has such great message with out beating you over the head with all things church. We shall see what God does. I know marketing to the secular radio world is really expensive and not in the budget as is. But I know my God can do all things! Call me crazy, but I really feel like He has big plans for these guys. God saved the day at the last minute and has been pouring on the annointing ever since....why would He bother if not to use Echoing Angels in a BIG way? All we need is faith of a mustard seed right? Well, what if you have the faith of an entire jar of seeds....? What more can He do then? I want to speak life into this endeavor. You may not believe me, but I had enough faith for 100 men even during the lowest parts of the last year, when the band was without a label, a manager, a booking agent, and debt up to their ears. I say that not to brag at all....it is a gift God gave me. God planted in my heart,a long time ago, that Trey, and now EA, is favored and would be blessed someday for following Him, that is why I can have the faith that I do, because He gave me the vision so long ago. Since it is a gift, it is my purpose to keep everyone else on the train too. Some days it was hard, when Trey was ready to give it up and go back to a full time church position. But it was reminding him of the ways God had showed up in the past to bring us to this very point in our lives that would get Trey back on the train. And thank goodness he did, because we are just seeing the beginning of the vision....

Ok, I am finally writing on our blog. It's been an interesting journey trying to get acquainted to this... Needless to say, I'm not the most technology-savvy of the group.

So, I figured for the first blog, it would only be appropriate to use it as sort-of an introduction. I am married to Echoing Angel's talented, somewhat boisterous, and very handsome keyboard player, Neil. We will have been married for two years this fall, and I couldn't be happier! When I'm not at home, I'm working at a dance studio in North Georgia as a full-time studio manager and part-time teacher/choreographer. I figured it is only fitting that my first blog be on NATIONAL DANCE DAY! If you don't know what that is, check it out!

Anyway, I have grown up dancing and exploring the arts. I absolutely love anything that has to do with dance or theatre. So instead of getting a degree in something useful like accounting or nursing, I decided to follow my heart and obtain a liberal arts degree in dance and theatre. I figured one day I might end up living in a cardboard box, but at least I knew I would be happy! I never ended up dancing professionally, but I knew God has other plans. Because I never moved up to New York or Chicago to really "Do the Starving Artist Thing" I always sort of felt like I have missed out on certain life experiences. However, because I have chosen to pursue a career in teaching, I have found a new love for choreography. I absolutely love creating a work that means something, and seeing it come to life onstage through my students. It is one of the most rewarding experiences for a teacher. Don't get me wrong though, I still love to take classes and I really miss performing sometimes, but I have really enjoyed learning how to become a teacher and choreographer these past three years. Even though my name is not in lights, and I'm not dancing for some fabulous modern company in New York, I am still using God's gifts in a way that I can share it with others, and to me that is even better.

Twenty-nine days from today is when our new bundle of joy will arrive, or possibly sooner, only the Lord knows. I am so looking foward to that day. One- we will find out what we are having and two- I can finally sleep on my stomach again! Those who know me well, know that I have VERY peculiar sleeping habits. Anyway, I go back to work on Tuesday and have mixed feelings about it. I absolutely love my job! I am such a people person and with what I do I get to gab all of the time. Granted- the majority of the people I gab with are my students, but I love the people I work with so whenever we get the chance we love to sit and talk. However, I am a sad to be leaving my little boy.

This pregnancy hasn't been the easiest, nonetheless, I know it could be worse. I am thankful that it is all about to come to an end. I developed gestational diabetes during this pregnancy, and had no idea the seriousness of this disease(I guess this is what you would call it). I have to see a specialist once a week to make sure the baby is thriving and then see my regular OB at the end of that same week to check it's heartbeat and activity. It feels like the baby has hiccups right now. Every little kick, squirm, hiccup, is reassurance that everything is ok so I am thankful for each movement.

I am a little nervous about when the baby comes having to take care of two. Jayce is such a precious little boy, but with Jon being gone a lot, it makes me weary about doing everything by myself. I know the Lord will give me strength and I have an amazing support system, so I have faith that everything will be ok. Well, my nap is calling- another thing I will miss when I go back to work, but I am sure I can squeeze one in every now and then.