AMT Sports Photography

With another school year officially underway, I wanted to take a minute to highlight some of my favorite sports photographs from the previous seasons.  Here's to many more action-filled shots, minus the whole having balls hurled at my head thing.

#one21 takes on #forward2014

From my last gushing post, I'm sure you can tell I absolutely loved  #forward2014!  Well, I've finally had a bit of downtime this week and was able to put together a little video, highlighting a few of CCD's favorite memories.  

It's definitely not one you'll want to miss, especially since I completely embarrass myself around the 1:20 mark.   

All for His glory though, right?

#forward2014

Just about everything I've posted or been tagged in this weekend has included #forward2014.  So, if you're wondering what it's all about, keep reading…

 The vision of Pastor Jentezen Franklin and Free Chapel Church, it was basically a giant three day worship service.  Never in my life have I seen so many Christians together in one place worshiping God.  And, let me tell you; it was FANFREAKINGTASTIC!  

Artists like Matt Redman, Isral Houghton, Planetshakers and Hilsong Young and Free got each service started.  Then, some of the top pastors in the country would deliver the message.  Even though they were speaking to more than 13,000 other people, quite a few times, I felt like the words pouring from their lips were directed just at me.  It was like God wanted me to know I matter.  I'm more than just a face in the crowd.  He has amazing plans for my life.  There's things that only I can do; I just need to listen and let Him be in control.

Listening to each speaker, I wrote down page after page of notes, quotes, and tidbits that God wanted me to remember and share.  So, here's a few of my favorites:

1) Jeremiah 29:11
2) If God has a hope for your future, you should have a hope for your future.
3) Promotion comes not from the East or from the West but from the Lord.  Remember, we serve a God who's in the life changing business.
4) Read 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, and you'll see that God WANTS to answer our prayers.
5) Give Him your weakness, and He'll give you His strength.
6) He's looking for something and someone out of the ordinary.
7) You are not just a human being.  You are a word that God has spoken.
8) You are the intention of heaven for the attention of the earth!
9) I should not show more praise for a sports team that doesn't know me than to a God who does.
10) Worship is the one thing God cannot give himself.
11) Our homes are to be places of prayer.
12) If you'll give God a vessel He'll pour into you.  You just have to be clean and empty.  Then, God can use you to make miracles.
13) God searched for 42 generations to find the box for His product.  Indeed, the product gives value to the box.
14) Because, you're either a container of trash or treasure.
15) The enemy of our souls knows who we are long before we do.
16) Dissecting James 1:2-8 is a bit hard to muster  But read it.  It'll give you something to think about.
17) The attacks on your faith have much more to do with who you might be then who you've been in the past.
18) Don't pray safe prayers.
19) By dying on the cross, Jesus didn't just take your place.  He gave you His.
20) Yes, the Cross=Love, but it's also a weapon.
21) When there's a but God everything changes.
22) Your past is your history, but your future is your destiny.
23) Turn the page.
24) If you listen too long to what people say about you you'll begin to believe it.
25) When we open His word it's a chance for an encounter.
26) There's unsaved people that are more passionate about their sin than Christian are about their Savior.  Seriously, sometimes Christians are the worst advertisements for church.
27) Churches make mistakes because churches are made up of people and people make mistakes.
28) Galatians 5:22
29) The greatest books have not been written.  He's just searching for a vessel.
30) I believe in Jesus Christ.

But really?  What good is The Word if I forget it the second the cover closes? What good are these encounters if it's just a moment I experienced at some conference?

When I went to pick Roo up, of course, my mom and I started talking about my trip.  All I could do was gush and read from my notebook.  Then, as I was getting up to leave with my puppy and overly tired eyes, she asked if I was coming down from my weekend high.

 I turned to her and said, "No, and I'm not going to."

Roo Thublin Is Turning Four!

Call me crazy, but this post is all about Roo Thublin.  Overall, I feel like I do a pretty good job of keeping my puppy pictures and updates to a minimum.  But, today my fabulous dachshund is turning four.  Blame it on the fact that it's just the two of us (and it's my first June 18th as puppy momma), but today we're going to celebrate. 

So, here it is, the top 10 reasons why I love my spoiled pup:

1) Forget that slab of meat, Roo's favorite food is tomatoes. 

2) She looks fabulous in bows. 

3) Even though we have a queen size bed, she cuddles up right beside me.  

4) She's always the big spoon. 

5) She's a protector puppy that isn't afraid to bark when wandering pups or people come within a few feet of our front door. 

6) Her ears crinkle when she gets out of the bath. 

7) She willingly  lets tons of kiddos take her picture and walks around Dublin Middle School like she owns the place. 

8) Her "hiding spot" never changes.  We've lived in the same house for almost nine months, and each morning she's always under the ottoman when its time to put her up for work. 

9) She loves taking long walks, even if one of my steps equals 10 of hers. 

10) Regardless of whether I'm having an awesome or horrible day, she's always there to greet me when I get home. 

My Dad's Pretty Awesome, and Here's Why

I know everyone thinks their dad's pretty awesome, especially this time of year.  But, you know what? Mine really is.

Here's 25 reasons why I'm proud to call Stephen Thublin Daddy.

1) He introduced me to coffee before I got speak in full sentences. Granted, it was half coffee-half cream, but how can you not form a caffeine habit as an adult when your dad's pushing java from your sippy cup? 

2) He made sure there was an Alabama cheerleading outfit in the deliver room.

3) He introduced me to the joy that is TCM and always tapes old movies he thinks I'll enjoy.

4) He puts up with my crazy dog.

5) I love Momma, but Daddy's WAY better at telling us stories from our childhood.

6) He cried during my final ballet recital. Who knew Sweet Child of Mine could make a grown man ball like a baby? 

7)He always picks up the tab when it comes to dinner.

8) And makes sure the door's open for both me and my sister.

9) He REALLY tries when it comes to scrounging up something for his picky vegetarian...even if it is a bag of corn.

10) He introduced us to The Lord of the Rings. 

11) He has a Kirklands Credit Card.

12) He plays old Bill Cosby Comedy albums. 

13) He's always checking to see what's playing at the $2.50 theater.

14) For a Dad, he's pretty adventurous...if it wasn't for him, I would have never been spelunking or white water rafting.

15) He moved me in and out of NYU more times than I can count. Daddy, you gotta admit driving that 15 foot moving van was pretty cool, right?

16) He understands my love of country veggies and S+S Cafeteria.

17) He always makes sure his freezer's stocked with ice cream.

18) He proudly wears his Scottish kilt out in public.

19) And, he's  rocked a mustache for a long as I can remember.

20) Daddy'a got a pretty great singing voice.

22) He introduced me to The Beatles.

23) And helped me plant tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.

24) He's an accountant, so between him and my Momma, I'll never have to do my own taxes.

25) But, most importantly, He loves his three kiddos. 

19 Reasons Why My Little Brother's the Best

It's June 12th, and that can only mean one thing...it's Joseph Thomas' Birthday!  My wonderful baby brother is turning 19, so of course, we're going to celebrate tonight with his favorite dinner and dessert. But, I can't wait until 6:00 PM to contain my big sister excitement, so here's a list of 19 reason why he's my favorite guy.  

1) He genuinely loves the Lord and isn't afraid to share his faith. 

2) He puts up with his crazy two older sisters.

3)And, along with Momma, calls us his best girls.

4) He's literally the kindest person I know.  My mom, sister, and I try to be nice, but caring for others just comes naturally for Joseph. 

5) When we're all snuggly in our jammies, he's willing to put on a pair of jeans and go to the store to buy us that half gallon of  ice cream.

6) He owns more than 50 Alabama t-shirts.

7) He says Roll Tide at the end of each prayer.

8) His favorite color was clear until quite recently.

9) Forget cake or ice cream. Joseph's favorite dessert is Key Lime Pie.

10) He willingly teaches drumming to 48 elementary kiddos.

11) He prefers bow ties over regular ones and has been rocking them for quite a while.

12) He always goes with the flow when it comes to deciding what to eat for dinner.

13) He loves the movie Frozen.

14) And, he knows "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" is better than "Let It Go."

15) He looks forward to his nightly Once Upon A Time TV with Momma.

16) He knows how to iron a collared shirt.

17) And, he understands opening the door for girls is just something you do.

18) He's an awesome barista for Nehemiah's Coffee House.  Seriously, Starbucks' got nothing on his vanilla lattes. 

19) And most importantly...he may be over six feet, but he still lets us call him our baby brother. 

18 Ways You Know You Were a Camp Counselor

Keens tan lines. S'mores. Two minute showers.  Oh, the joy of being a camp counselor.  Think back to the bittersweet nostalgia, and enjoy the memories of that one sweaty summer. 

1) You have a real understanding of writing letters.   Living the camp bubble life kept you from the outside world.  So, mail time was literally everything!  Sure, it was great when your mom sent pictures of her new dachshund puppy.  But really, all you could think was why didn't she give me a blow by blow of this week's episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashains?

2) Forget $7.25 an hour.  You chose to work for way less than minimum wage.   

3) You have a lot of random skills that are basically useless in the real world. The ability to tie a billion knots? Check.  The ability to turn a toilet paper role into a sought after spirit stick? Check.  The ability to add hand motions to any song? Double check. 

4) Really, just camp songs in general.  Why don't people randomly break out into renditions of bad '90s music on a daily basis?  

5) You were always hungry. 

6) …And your daily calories probably consisted of just two things:  tater tots and s'mores. 

7) Whether it be the counselors or the campers, you know summer love is the most special kind of love. 

8) You know true exhaustion is a lot like being really, really drunk. 

9) You know the greatest fashion accessories are handmade friendship bracelets and tie dyed bandannas.  Along with your staff t-shirts, you still can't get rid of the ones your campers made.  

10) For an entire summer, dressing fancy meant applying tinted Chapstick and pairing your neon socks with a clean t-shirt. 

11) You've been on a BLOB and know it's awesome. 

12) You know working in the camp store or snack shack was the greatest assignment. 

13) You've overdosed on Benadryl.  Thanks a lot ant bites on top of ant bites. 

14) You own way to many one pieces.  

15) Someone, besides your mom or significant other, has folded your underwear. Privacy was not an option. If you left your delicates in the drier for too long, chances are your co or campers were going to touch them. 

16) Your funniest stories usually involve something funny a kid said or did. 

17) You know Post Camp Depression is a real thing.  Grief is leaving the camp bubble behind and being forced to function in the real world again. 

18) You've still got your camp's sticker plastered to your Nalgene water bottle.