Sunday, April 4, 2010

Time to get wid-it!

Well, it's been forever since I updated this thing, but now its time to get wid it! Live has been fast and furious lately, and doesn't look to be letting up anytime soon. It is good though, and I am grateful. I am still full time night shift at the hospital, which keeps me super busy as well as part time youth lady at church, which is a whole 'nother adventure. And of course, I am the momma to my 3 precious kids, who are my world, as far as this world goes...Cause you know, Jesus is my WORLD...you know what I mean....

Anyhow....to update on the exercise/eating/I-am-unhealthy-hideous-and-generally-disgusted-with-myself-side of things....It is time to get wid it! I went this last week to see a nutritionist to get started on eating better, and am going to do a bootcamp this summer as well. I pretty much know what to do and how to eat, but actually doing it is a different matter, which is why I thought the accountability of a nutrition person and weigh-ins and all that would be helpful. So....tomorrow is get going on it day! I am trying to ride my bike whenever I can, which is great, and will try to get more consistent with the exercise as well.

And of course, I want to get my spiritual self in shape as well....I am craving more time in the Word of God and in prayer....Lord, help me to, one day at a time, follow you....filling my mind up with you, as well as honoring you with this shambles-of-a-Temple You have given me! Oh Lord, how I need you!!!!

Peace out, ya'll! Hoping to report some good news soon...and to keep reporting it much more consistently than I have as of late!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Beautiful Mess...Diamond Rio--My first book review!

I recently read the book Beautiful Mess by the members of the country band Diamond Rio, written with Tom Roland. This book tells the personal stories of each of the 6 musicians in the band, as well as the story of their coming together as a band and their ups and downs through the years. Each of the band members stories are interesting, beginning from their childhood and progressing up to the time they connected as part of Diamond Rio. Woven throughout the book is the larger story of the faith and integrity which is very evident in each of their lives.
I am a lover of biographies, and this book is a dream for someone such as me, with 6 individual biographies as well as the story of a band. And anyone who has been a fan of country music in the last 20 years will recognize many of the songs that are mentioned and appreciate learning the stories behind each of them.
Beautiful Mess chronicles not only the high times of the band, including their rise to fame and their megahits such as "One More Day", but also their difficult times, such as when lead singer Marty Roe stuggled with vocal issues. There is a lot of honesty about their problems, which I truly appreciated. You feel reading this book as if you become friends with the musicians and get to know them much better.
I became slightly confused in the beginning, trying to remember which guy was who and how all the pieces fit together, but as I read on, especially beginning where all six band members lives converged, I found myself drawn into the story, pulling for these guys. Once the story of the band got rolling, I had a hard time putting it down.
I was already a fan of Diamond Rio, but learning about the heart each of these band members has caused me to see them in a new light. I was inspired by their faith and challenged by their honesty. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.