stacey and jeff 4-ever.

All he told her was to "make sure to not pack any liquids over 4 oz." and then swept her away for a surprise weekend in NYC. And if that wasn't fairytale enough, later that Saturday night on a balcony overlooking Times Square, Jeff got down on one knee and asked Stacey to be his wife.

They are two of the most generous and kind people you will ever meet and I often refer to them as Barbie and Ken. You can see why... :)

I'm so thrilled for my roomy and friend and am inspired by their love for and adoration of one another. I'm excited too for the wedding fury that will soon take over our house!!!

Congrats Stacey and Jeff, I love you both very much!

orson update.

He's totally stolen my heart and has more character than any dog I've ever met, next to Kenai. I'll fill you in on more details later but for now, here are all the photos!!ORSON!

i get to see my brother!!

It's been since last year that I saw either of my brothers or my sister-in-law and I miss them like crazy!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY, I get to see Andrew and am flying into Jacksonville this weekend to see him on his ship The Roseway for this event. They've been working in St. Croix for the last several months and are now en route to Jacksonville. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!Will you pray they have safe travels?!

Want to see photos of Andrew and his ship? Click here.

prepping for orson!

We're leaving tonight immediately after my shift for Tennessee to retrieve our newest addition to the family, Orson.

This morning DK loaded up all my things and helped pack Kenai for the big trip. He loves her so much and takes such amazing care of her... I snapped these photos as he talked to her about Orson and asked her if she was so excited. So cute, he says to her "Come on Kenai, let's get you dressed" as he put her collar back on after her bath. Non-dog lovers must think we are ridiculous, haha...

T-minus 4.5 hours till we hit the road! Will keep ya posted.

tough decisions.

Big news in KSBJ history. Please pray we can soon change this around.

In the 4 hours a day I am in the studio, I can't tell you the countless emails I get from all over the world - soldiers in Iraq, moms in Delaware, missionaries in China, all who listen to and depend on KSBJ for music and ministry. I personally feel devastated by this, knowing the thousands who listen to KSBJ online won't be able to anymore. This is going to hit really hard. Please pray.

Here's the details.

is there anything cuter?

Here are the latest puppy photos. We are leaving THIS FRIDAY night to pick up little Orson and are beside ourselves with excitement. Kenai is ready too... at least we think so anyway :) Enjoy! Not sure which one is Orson yet, but I know I'll make a beeline straight for the fattest, most cuddly little guy, haha!!

500 weddings and a proposal.

I had great expectations for this weekend and both DK and I were genuinely excited about going to this marriage conference. However, there was a sense of worry and dread too, knowing this could be totally hokey and a repeat of all the stuff we hear daily at work about forgiveness, acceptance and showing grace, putting others first. While those things are very important, we were looking to take things to the next level and really dig deep... no surface talk pleassssssssse!!

The Weekend To Remember conference is Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning to lunchtime. But it wasn't until Sunday morning on the drive back to Sugarland I realized the best parts of what I'd been learning wasn't really anything the speakers said. It was how I saw in DK in this new environment.

At one point Saturday, we were instructed to huddle up into smaller groups of about 4 couples and choose a team leader based on largest shoe size. Haha! DK was nominated as group leader and like I said, I didn't realize it until Sunday morning but I think this is something I do often.

Allow me to explain: DK was to lead the group but within me I grew a little anxious, prepping myself to kinda "help him out". I think because of our balance - me being the more talkative, outgoing, more a people person (bossy and controlling too, hmm?) and him naturally more reserved, a thinker, more an observer, I tend to feel the need to either overcompensate and in this case "help him along". I cringe to think about it now, how ridiculous I must look but I seem to talk more, sometimes finishing his sentences, etc. And in this small group he took charge with enthusiasm and gusto, led the group and asked questions, stirred conversation and more. My favorite part was to watch the other people in our group listen to him speak and then refer back to great points he made, finding clarity in their own situation.

Sunday morning when this hit me, we talked about it and I apologized, realizing I really just want to get out of the way and never keep him from reaching the highest points of his greatest potential. In any aspect of our lives, EVER. I felt (feel) so humbled and enlightened.

Later that day the lady speaker gave us an awesome visual that you should actually do yourself right now. Hold out your hands in front of you, palms facing away from you, fingers spread. Imagine you're on the right, your man is on the left. Think of your fingers as strengths, the things that God has gifted you with. Then inbetween your fingers are the holes, our weaknesses. We both have strengths and weaknesses but what happens when you take your hands and fold your fingers together? The strengths of one fill in the weaknesses of the other and vice versa. It's perfect.

I also learned about how when arguing, I spend more time working on my defense strategy than moving towards his needs and understanding what he's trying to say. Imagine how fluidly communication would jive if I stopped expending energy being defensive and trying to explain my side but instead just gave up myself to love him and listen to him. Then as a team effort, holy smokes, both of us working this way, can you imagine? Good things!

Then as the conference was coming to a close, the speakers had everyone in the room stand up and face each other. I guess it's tradition to lead each of the married couples in renewing their wedding vows. I started to feel awkward and nervous, standing next to DK in a sea of married people being all serious and junk but then, watching and comprehending what it was truly about, it all became more real to me than ever before.

Some couples were anxious and twitching nervously, others were steady and focused, but as the words were said out loud "To have and to hold, from this day forward..." I felt like this this THIS right here is what it all comes down to: Two people, before God, giving up themselves to become complete and as one, making and declaring this ultimate committment for life. I imagined how at some point, each of these couples planned and held a wedding with food, dancing, dresses, flowers etc. But to witness them in this stripped down raw version of their nuptuals, I saw the core of what it's really about. I like to think I attended about 500 weddings this weekend and for the first time for me, I truly experienced the main point.

I recommend you sneak away to a weekend where conversation is stirred, topics are brought up and where you get to see other couples striving for the same goals as you. We had a blast!

Oh! and the proposal I mentioned in the title of this blog, hahaha. There was a couple who got engaged in the lobby on Friday night at the conference :)

marriage conference, whoa nelly.

Last year I had Dennis Rainey on my show and after our taped interview, he asked if I was seeing anyone. I told him about DK, how we'd been dating for a couple months and that it was going really well. He prayed over us and then told me if we were dating this time next year, we needed to come to the Weekend To Remember conference. And here we are a year later following orders and headed to the conference next weekend. Whew!

From everyone I know who's been to this conference it brought to light so. many. issues. that had either been covered up, not yet discovered, or that needed healing and forgiveness. I've heard nothing but good things so I'm excited to see what DK and I learn about each other, ourselves and God in this relationship.

Have you been? What did you think?

If you want to learn more about it and how to go, click here!

i got in a fight today.

I was driving to work this morning and he just kept saying crap like "Just give up. Nobody really cares about you. You're really ugly today, look how terrible your eyebrows look. Could your muffin top be hanging over your jeans any further? Your show is totally going to suck today."

And I started believing it. My shoulders were slumping more and more and I even got teary-eyed. But then I got fed up and started yelling back. I rose up, put my shoulders back, snapped my finger across my face and told him to go to hell!!

He's such a liar and wants to steal every last bit of joy from within us. How does he sneak in there so easily? I don't want to give him credit by saying he's stealthy, but he's a gross snake and knows our deepest, most scary places. Then he uses them against us and we buy it. We listen and we agree and before long he's got a stronghold and he's steering our whole world. It affects our jobs, our attitude, our relationships, everything. It keeps us from being totally effective and we let it happen.

I want to better discern the lies from the Truth and not waste any more time. It's a tough fight but we've got the upper hand. For crying out loud, the name of Jesus alone is enough to send what's-his-face spiraling!! Just say it out loud and let it reign over your life. You will always win!!

Happy Mother's Day!

A photo tribute to the moms I know... Betty Kaiser, my grandmother. She raised 8 sons, enough said.

Domenica Catelli, chef and author, Chiara's mom, my best friend. She works so hard, is stunningly beautiful, is generous, energetic, healthy and is the best listener on earth.

Amanda Fisher, beautiful mother of Emily and Andy. She was the first friend of my life that I knew well before kids and was honored to be the first to know she was pregnant with Emily!! It's been amazing to watch her grow so naturally into her role as mommy and maintain her identity as a fashion-forward, tech-savvy and in-the-know woman.

Mary Ann, mother of Donald (DK) and Michael... she's creative and is the reason Michael and DK are talented photographers today! I look forward to getting to know her more. It's incredibly apparent that she loves her boys more than anything in the world.

Heather has two of the coolest kids, they are just like her. Reagan and Ryan. When I have daughters, I want to be just like Heather and her girls. I pray you get to meet and spend time with this family one day, just to be inspired.

Barbara Beninati has two of her own children, but works 40 hours a week taking care of us here at KSBJ. This woman has spoken more encouragement and blessing over me everyday before I go on-air. She is strong, bold, honest and so protective. I don't know where I'd be without her.

This is my Aunt Teddie, my mom, and Aunt Darlene. I always loved this photo of them... Aunt T has two children and grandkids, my mom has me and my 3 brothers, Aunt D has a son Billy and 3 grandkids too! Wow, how time flies! I always remember their laughter together, how funny they are, how much they love to laugh, and their big hugs and kisses!!

I love Becky Kankelfritz, she is hilarious, creative, so real and always with that perfect hair. Becky has Abby Grace and the new little guy Samuel. I strive to be more like Becky...

Darcy Boyd inspires me. The mother of 4 incredibly well-mannered and loving boys, she also works and keeps a house. Darcy exudes peace and love, she's got the Proverbs 31 characteristics nailed.

This is Ma Olden. She's my brother's mother-in-law and is pictured here with me and my lovely sister-in-law Kim! I love Ma with my whole heart, she is a true blessing to my life. Ma believes in me and supports me, knowing that she prays for me gives me wings to fly. Ma has a beautiful pure heart and is so genuinely caring. I love watching how she loves and respects Pa.

Meet Jonnie-Kaye. This is her with her handsome son, isn't he a doll? Jonnie-Kaye is a beautiful friend and I met her when she moved to Houston with her husband, my former boss. Since that time until even now, she has spoken rich wisdom and clarity into my life. It's always apparent she is praying for you and for everything around her.

Cindy Seay, ahhh... I love telling people how I became friends with her, it's so funny. It was through email to the studio requesting her son's band's song Better Days for the Top 10 at 10. This was a long time ago... we've been close friends since then. Cindy has 5 children and hundreds of grandchildren yet still finds time to check in on me and love on me. Cindy is a blessed woman - her marriage, her family and work are the truest evidence of that.

This is me and my mom, a sweet photo that I've always loved.
Happy Mother's Day!

puppies!!

Here are the latest photos of the puppies! Only 3 more weeks till we leave for Tennesee to bring little Orson home!
(The photos are not the best quality, but you get the point! CUTE!!)

"sometimes ya just gotta wear a dress!"

I wore a dress to work today (heels too) and realized how odd this may seem to many of my co-workers when around every corner it was "Wow! What's the occasion?" "Why are you all dressed up?" "Hey, you're wearing a dress!"

In an attempt to lower the level of attention being drawn to my more ultra feminine than nornal ensemble, I shrugged it off a couple times as "the only thing that was clean."

But then on my 2:55 p.m. parade down the hall to the studio, Joey K and his daily "It's all yours!" (referring to the studio) Jim Beeler says "Hey! Why you all dressed up?" I started with my standard "Ehhh, it's all that was clean..." but caught myself, spun around and countered with pride "Sometimes ya just gotta wear a dress!"

And it's true! Whether to work, the grocery store or just at home, sometimes wearing a dress makes you feel more pretty, more light, more free and and more glidey/dancey... I made those words up but you get the drift.

And that's your daily dress for thought.

i laughed out loud. stories from grandparents.

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!"

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, he was was quiet for a moment, and then asked, "Did you start at 1?"

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"

4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure some of these out yourself!"

8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised, "mine says I'm 4 to 6."

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today". The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said, "how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

11. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."

12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

13. A 6 year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."

14. "Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!"

15. "My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog."

highlights and things learned...

I've been so busy lately I haven't stopped to write and reflect. So much has been going on around me and here we are in May! Holy smokes, how did that happen? I wonder if it will ever slow down though, with all the travel and work events I have coming up? We have a new puppy on the way, a pre-marriage conference, Sharathon, a big office move for me, trips to Florida, California, and Nashville... I think mid-August is my next break :) Jeeze Louise.

Right now I'm at my desk listening to none other than Brooke Fraser in my headphones and I am forcing myself to sit and blog about all the highlights and things learned instead of recapping what will turn into a novel of my past couple weeks. I don't think I can really manage to put all these events and things in chronilogical order, bear with me.

Highlights:
Laughing hysterically with Becky K. and Stacy in the hospital room the night before Baby Kankelfritz came into the world. I re-realized the power of girlfriends and laughter in scary times...

The next morning seeing Becky so confident. Watching Mike's mother Shirley rest her head on his shoulder as he showed her the first photos of Samuel Michael after his birth... he was 3lbs 2 oz and 10 weeks early. What a little miracle.

Friday night live broadcast in my hometown, Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay live on my show. Are you kidding me?

Wednesday April 29th - lunch with Matthew West, Grant Hubbard, the morning show, Jon Hull, and Jim Beeler. I sat there in awe. The drive back to the studio with Mike, Jim, Jon, laughing so hard I snorted, they cried.

Matthew on the show, such a good friend to KSBJ. Wrote a song in the couple hours he was here based on listener suggestions - "Rock Star in a Mini Van" debuted minutes later. What a joy Matt is!

Saturday morning in Spring for a festival supporting Spring Assistance Ministries. What amazing people... later that night Kenai and I ventured over to Miller Outdoor Theare for The Gold. Kenai's first musical... she enjoyed it but barked when the Nazi soldiers where marching. We sat on a blanket the two of us - I love watching her take in a new place or experience, she sits so regally with her ears flapping in the wind and her nose discerning every scent in the area. Sunday morning breakfast with DK in The Heights. Terrible coffee, great eggs, even better patio view.

Sunday afternoon I drove to League City for the Texas Music Festival... not at all what I expected. Was there to emcee for the Christian bands onstage(Sunday was Christian day for the event, apparently Boston packed the field the night before) and ended up having lots of great talk time backstage with guys that I'm usually "Hi! Ok, bye!" because things are so busy at events. Not this one. Robbie Seay and his crew, my all time favorite.

As I left, I looked back as Robbie sang "How Great Is Our God" on the stage with two huge side panel advertisements for Budweiser, the main sponsor. How cool... what a place to be.

I started using Mrs. Meyers for my laundry now too and ohhh!! the difference!! Get the Lavender scent, it's the best!

DK and I got burritos to sneak into the movies at Angelika downtown. Tokyo! Though I was a skeptic at first, I learned that skinny tiny girls really can make a good burrito. Movie was amazing!!

Now just catching up on Dave and Kim's blog (SCUBA Kim!) and planning with dad a visit to see Andrew on his boat. Whew!

God is good.