American Idol - Feb. 27th

New pictures on my video/picture blog, so be sure to check that out!

MY personal ranking of last night's performance:

1. AJ
2. Blake
3. Phil
4. Chris Richardson
5. Chris Sligh
6. Sundance
7. Jared
8. Nick
9. Brandon
10. Sanjaya

MY personal ranking of the 'boys' overall:

1. Blake
2. Chris Sligh
3. AJ
4. Phil
5. Jared
6. Nick
7. Chris Richardson
8. Sundance
9. Sanjaya
10. Brandon

So as you can see...Sanjaya needs to go home...he's a sweetheart, but not an Idol...and Brandon just isn't anything special, especially with last night's song.

I have to say that I was a little surprised with last week's results show for the guys, so I'm a little nervous for some of my favorites. I know that Nick was in top 4 last week, so seems like he's got a good following, and I have a strong feeling Phil isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But I really hope AJ, Chris Sligh and Blake hang around...especially after y'all's comments...I realize that everyone has a different favorite! Guess we'll find out Thursday.

American Idol

Okay, so fine, after all the hype last year I decided to give American Idol a chance and watch it from the very start of the season. We are now through the first performance of the top 24 and I do have my favorites, so I thought I would blog and see what everyone else thinks.
Boys: Blake Lewis is definitely my favorite, he's got so much talent and I think he would bring a really different sound if he won...I also really like Chris Sligh (voice kinda reminds me of Eddie Veder)...Paul Kim was a favorite in the beginning, but this week's performance didn't do much for me...I LOVED Rudy's performance, he's in top 5 for me, along with Jared and Brandon probably...AJ has a great voice, as does Sanjaya (and he just makes me smile!), but neither really did it for me this week either...Phil and Nick did pretty well...I think my bottom 2 from this week are Sundance and Chris Richardson.
Girls: Sabrina, Stephanie and Jordin were terrific this week...Leslie and Amy are not my favories...I like Antonella, but her song choice was not good...Nicole and Haley didn't do it for me this week....Melinda has an amazing voice, but she sounds like so many others, nothing 'special'...Alaina was a fave in beginning, and I really want her to do well, but I didn't like her performance this week much at all...I think Gina could really rock it, and I'd like to hear her try, I really like her though and her voice was beautiful with the song she chose this week...Lakisha is like Melinda to me, great voice no doubt, but not really sure they are what I'm looking for in an Idol personally. I'm surprised how the judges react to her, I mean, her voice is probably the best of the 24, but she doesn't have everything else in my opinion?!? My bottom 3 girls would probably be Nicole, Leslie and Amy...and right now Antonella is not far behind.
I have to say, I definitely like the more 'exciting' songs, ballads just don't do it for me. They can all sing, there's no doubt about that once they get this far, so I want to see their range, their performance ability...I want to see if they can 'bring it'.
To recap...my top boys are Blake and Chris Sligh and my top girls are...hmmm, this is tough...I guess I have to go Sabrina, Stephanie, Jordin, and Gina.
Let me know what you think!

I'm Still Alive

I've just been so busy the past two weeks. Two trips to San Antonio, a wedding...and now three baby showers to attend, 1 birthday party and 1 baby shower to throw over the next month...I'm so stressed! Oh, and St. Patty's weekend isn't free anymore...just got a wedding invitation for that Saturday.
On top of trying to get our photography business started. Yikes.
This afternoon my mom and I are going shopping for baby shower gifts and Riley's birthday presents...I mailed the party invitations today...got the proof for the shower invitations last night...so things are moving along...it feels so good to mark things off my list. Getting all the presents purchased will take a huge weight off my shoulders.
I have TONS of pictures to share of the cousins having a blast together, as usual, so hopefully I'll find some time for that soon.
I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to catching up on blogs this weekend.

Up and Running

That we are! Visit us at www.photo-sentiments.com! All pages are working now, so be sure to check them out. We still have a few minor things we want to tweak, like colors, putting our name and number at bottom of every page, etc. but for now it's functional and we are ready to go.
We have done one session already for a friend of mine and she was so impressed she said we would definitely get some business from her, so that's a good sign!
Our biggest challenge is that we are booked at least day almost every weekend through March. We are going out of town this weekend for our friend's wedding, the following weekend I have a baby shower to attend on Saturday that is about an hour away, the first weekend of March is still free (fingers crossed it stays that way), Riley's 2nd birthday party is March 10th, St. Patty's weekend is still free and the 24th I'm throwing a baby shower for my brother and sister-in-law...so...if we do get people who want portraits when in the world are we going to set them up?!? Sheesh.
So much is going on I can't even think straight...I'm trying to head to San Antonio early so Riley can spend some extra time with his cousins who will get there Wednesday...Riley's still doing well with his 'potty training', yesterday he told Chris he needed to poo poo in the potty, and he did!...he also counted to 5 in Spanish last week, I was just trying to get him to say 'dos' for his grandma and he kept going, all the way to cinco! I was pleasantly surprised...I'm really trying my hardest to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME or I'm never going to make it through the next two months. At least they will go fast, and my baby nephew will be here before I know it!
I hope everyone is doing well, I am so behind on blogs with being out of town for almost a week, I hope to catch up soon. Today I'm in 'housewife' mode...laundry, dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, etc. I need to get everything cleaned up and clothes washed so Riley and I can head out of town by Thursday. Fun stuff.

Momma Lucy

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers over the past week. Chris and Melissa's grandmother passed away this afternoon, and she was surrounded by all 8 of her children, as well as many of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members who were blessed to know her, which was so important to her.
At this time the funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
We will all remember Momma Lucy as a sweet, gentle and loving person, who touched your heart from the moment you met her. She will be deeply missed.

Prayer Request

My husband's grandmother (and, of course, Melissa's as well) is not doing very well. She has been battling cancer for years and lately it has taken a turn for the worse. The family received news from the doctor yesterday that she is, unfortunately, losing the battle. I'm not sure how much time they expect her to have, but she is very weak and unable to eat. I am asking for your prayers for Momma Lucy, Chris, Melissa and their entire family, they are dealing with so much right now and I can only ask the Good Lord to give them strength and comfort.

Dear Heavenly Father, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.