Fearless

ZOE goes into the studio this week to begin recording our next project called "Fearless". We've got some good songs cooking and I am looking forward to hearing how they sound in the studio.

Yesterday Kevin asked Maddie what they talked about in Sunday School and Maddie responded... "We talked about Peter. The JESUS Peter, not the ZOE Peter."

The ZOE Peter will be flying in today from California to begin recording with us. Looking forward to having you, Pete!

NCL Spirit 2

My trip to the Spirit was great. Even though I was barely on board for 48 hours, I got to see one of their shows and had a nice visit with each cast member. Everyone seems to be doing really well. It's hard to believe we will begin rehearsing the new cast in about 2 weeks. I'll be back out there for their install the first of August.


Backstage before the show--Lindsey and Candice paused in their pre-setting of costumes for a quick photo

After the show we all got to visit and catch up. Becky, Jessica and Yana pictured here

As we sailed into NYC this morning we could see the Manhattan skyline and Lady Liberty. In my cab ride we passed Carnegie Hall and 5th Avenue. It was so tempting to want to "miss" my flight, but I'll be back in 5 weeks and will have a couple of stops in NYC and days to explore. It's been a while since I've been to the city and I love it!

We begin rehearsals for Smokey Joe's, The World Goes 'Round, and Shout on Monday. New York directors will be in and the cast will start on Tuesday. After an audition tour specifically for these shows to London, NYC, LA, Chicago, and Atlanta, we have a truly incredible cast coming and I am excited to see how this all comes together. It's a new chapter for us at GMC. I know it will be such a fun challenge.

But---better than any show, ship, city, food, or anything else is my family. Life with them is more than an adventure. It's a blast! Tonight we will continue our Saturday night family tradition---The Thomas family and the Penna Family (Kevin and Kiki) hang time. Woo-hooo!

NCL Spirit Visit

I am headed today on a whirlwind mid-contract visit to the NCL Spirit. I left Nashville at 6am and will get to Freeport Bahamas around 11:30am just in time to run to the ship which leaves that port at 1pm! CRAZY! Tomorrow is a sea day as we'll head back to NYC. I fly home Saturday from New York. This way I won't be gone too long.

I'll see one of their shows tomorrow night and get to visit with the cast about how things are going and talk some abou their interest in future contracts. Back last winter I spent a lot of time with this cast as vocal director and production manager. It will be fun to see them again!

Red Bull is my friend today!

The Three Bears

When I came home today, the kids had been playing upstairs for hours. They decided to get creative and play "suitcases". They were so cute that I had to snap a couple of pics.

Peek-a-boo Ella!

It was hilarious...each child had a suitcase exactly their size. They are my three bears!

Days like these are golden--especially when they are proceeded by several days of sibling squabbles. Why does that always tend to happen in the car...away from your reach?? :) How many of you have found yourselves saying the words you thought you never would... "Don't make me pull this car over..."? It reminds me of that old Bill Cosby sketch. Remember the one?

Those commercials on TV where the family is all riding along in the spotless mini-van with big smiles on their faces and the kids are quiet...that does not happen in real life. But the bright side is--it makes days when they get along perfectly seem even better!

ZOE Dallas 2

Here are some pictures from our ZOE trip to Texas over the weekend...

One of our close friends, Lea, moved back to TX a year ago and we miss her very much. The kids often ask for her. We were all excited to get to see Lea...and eat at Papasitos!

The kids outside of Papasitos.

A rare ZOE moment...everyone all dressed up!

Sheryl's sister Cindy and her husband Billy, her brother Shelby and his wife Susan all came and we were glad to see them.

After church Sunday we went to Stephen and Stephanie Bailey's house and the kids had a great reunion. I wish we lived closer!

We had a good trip home and are thankful for a great weekend. Thanks again to the North Davis group for bringing us and planning such a great weekend!

ZOE DALLAS

The conference is going well. I had to go to the doctor here yesterday and got a big ol' shot and antibiotics. They're helping. I'm still coughing a lung up every 3 or 4 minutes but I am better than I was!

It's been great to see lots of old friends here...Stephen Bailey, Lea Brown, Beth Plemons, Buddy and Janet Holland and others. Sheryl's sister, Cindy and her husband Billy are also here. Great seeing them! We went with Cindy, Billy, Kevin and Kiki to Pappasitos for lunch today. PERFECT Mexican food!

Sheryl and the kids are here as well. It's been fun singing with ZOE. I love these people! More ZOE tonight and tomorrow and then back home to Nashville. Thanks to everyone at North Davis for their amazing hospitality and sweet hearts!

ZOE Texas

I am headed to Dallas tonight for ZOE Texas. I am looking forward to seeing everyone. Please pray for my physical health. I have bronchitis and have been feeling really yuck this week. I am praying for speedy recovery for this weekend. DJ Bulls and his crew have done a great job planning for this conference. Thanks, everyone! The kids, Sheryl and I are looking forward to being there!

Father's Day Weekend

Our Father's Day weekend was a blast! We test drove some cars on Saturday. Although I love my old Blazer (I've driven it for 9 years), it's becoming a money drainer.

We went to the Saturday night service this weekend at Fellowship since we were leaving town on Sunday. It was awesome as always. I have added a link over there to the right to Fellowship so you can check it out. Sermons are also posted there.

Sunday morning we headed to Center Hill Lake with Brian Randolph, Lauren Gingles, Nathan Slingluff, Kyle Rigsby, and Kevin and Kim Penna. Sheryl arranged it as my Father's Day gift. we spent the day on a big pontoon boat having a blast! Another friend, Michael Morgan, met us later in the day with his ski boat. I skied for the first time in several years. It was so fun! Thanks Michael! Of course, I can't move today, but that's another story. Thank you, Sheryl and kids for a wonderful day!

The kids had such a blast and Maddie and Ella even jumped off the top deck into the lake (life jackets of course). It was a very brave thing to do!

...in other news, Tim Woodroof resigned at Otter Creek Yesterday. For those of you keeping score at home, that makes 3 of us in about 6 months (Scott Owings, Tim and me). I pray God's provision for the Woodroofs and OC.

DC

Rehearsals are going well...show is tomorrow. Here are some fun shots of rehearsals over the last two days...

We actually took a 30 minute break to see with White House today. HA! It was crazy but fun. We're only about 2 miles from it.

More posting later when I am coherent. :)

"Bleedy"

CMA Fest wrapped up today. The Big Machine Records booth was a big success! I know everyone is exhausted. Taylor was the only major artist to stay all day yesterday to sign autographs and greet fans. I guess energy comes with being 17 years old. I can barely remember being 17. :)

Tomorrow morning I am hoping to finish up some casting for NCL. We're in rehearsal most of the afternoon for the show in Washington D.C. this week. We leave Wednesday. It's gonna be a great week!

This morning was awesome at Fellowship--they are talking about adoption over the next 2 weeks. This morning was centered around OUR adoption and on of the texts was my favorite from 1 John 3. Every single Sunday is amazing. The teaching is just incredible. Sheryl and I are feeling really thankful.

Tonight my 5 year old daughter, Ella, lathered on some Bath and Body Works "Chocolate" lotion. As I tucked her in she told me in her matter of fact way, "I smell DELICIOUS, but I do NOT taste delicious. If someone were to eat me it would taste 'bleedy' and that's just gross." I love that girl!

AWESOME Day!

CMA Fest was really fun this week. The booth ended up looking great! There were plenty of star sightings too. :) Pictured below are Kelly Rich and Justin McIntosh from Big Machine Records and Valory Music.

This was a cool display of Taylor Swift's favorite things including her studded guitar.

On Saturday, some of Taylor's dresses were displayed.

Taylor spent all day today greeting fans and signing autographs. My nieces got to visit with her and were interviewed by CMT. I hope it ends up getting aired!

Considering that this IS "Fan Fair"... I had to pause for a fan moment myself. This is Carrie Underwood (or "Underwear" as Ella called her) signing this morning.

This afternoon it was time to PARTY!!! Sam had a bowling party and the kids had a BLAST!

Sam and me
The kids were so excited to be there!

Sam used the ramp and had better success!

The Thomas kids and the Williamson kids...our extended family and kids' best buddies.

Kevin ("Uncle Biggie") and Sam pose together...notice the sign above Sam

Where is Sam?
One of Sam's favorite gifts was these boxing Hulk hands from Kiki and Biggie.

But his favorite gift is his new BIG BOY BIKE! Sheryl and I gasped watching him ride...somehow he went from being 2 to this huge guy!

Happy Birthday, Sam!!

Sam

Happy Birthday, Sam! It doesn't seem possible that you are 3 years old! You have brought more joy to my life than I could ever have imagined. I am so blessed by you! I love you!

Catching Up...

It's been an extremely busy week. I haven't had time to really post anything. Ella's soccer season ended last Saturday. She played her little heart out and we were so proud!




Ella's soccer team...managing somehow to stay in one place for 2.5 minutes.

Ella got a soccer trophy on Saturday and she was so excited!

This week is CMA Fest in Nashville (formerly known as Fan Fair). It is a huge event. Our downtown practically shuts down as fans from all over the world gather to celebrate country music. I was at the convention center all day on Wednesday as the booth we designed for Big Machine Records went up. Artists on Big Machine include Taylor Swift, Jewel, and Trisha Yearwood. Justin McIntosh who is in marketing at Big Machine and I had a blast. Justin used to being our life group. It was so fun getting to hang out again.

Here's a picture of the booth going up...

This is Conway Twitty's booth (isn't he dead?).

Alan Jackson's booth

Here's our booth taking shape. I'll post some pics of the full booth later this week. Sheryl's nieces are here with 2 of their friends for CMA Fest. Justin got them tickets or a signing by Taylor Swift for Saturday. They are really excited! (THANKS, Justin!!)

Yesterday I went to the Creative Artists' Agency open house and CMA Fest kick off party. It was fun to see Jeff Gregg (he was a groomsman in our wedding). I got to see lots of interesting people. At one point I noticed I was standing next to Jeff Fisher (coach of the TN Titans). It was hard not to gawk!

Today was a very, VERY full day. We were all very focused on casting. We have lots of shows coming this fall that need full casts. The talent is really amazing. Now it's just a matter of putting the puzzle pieces together!

Maddie is sleeping over at the Williamson's tonight and Emma Arnett is over here with Ella. Ahhh, the joys of summer vacation!

Still loving the afterglow from reading The Shack! Anyone else pick it up?