Five on Friday

Friday has graced us with it's presence once more and I couldn't be more pleased. A veritable cold front also moved through (it's only 84 outside...what magic...what wonder....) and so that's really made today all the more lovely. 

Now...if only I could share the dire need to go back to sleep...all would be well. My alarm shocked me to life this morning and I haven't quite recovered since. *sigh* Onward to the five...

One.  Job 37:5 -  "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding."

I think that sometimes when a verse pops up...oh...more than once or twice in the span of a couple days, maybe the Lord is saying "PAY ATTENTION TO ME HARD-HEADED CHILD." I tend to need frequent reminders that my life is not my own; that the Lord has a plan and that He will "work all things together for the good of those that love Him..." I just struggle to remember that. So, the frequency of this verse this week...well it hit me and I thought maybe I'd share, in case you need that subtle reminder too. 

Because I know that it’s true.

And I know that He’s working.

And I pray that I would patiently trust Him – whatever His timetable might be.

And also - I used all caps not because I think the Lord yells - I do think that Lord's voice thunders...because...the verse y'all. Pay attention!

Two. Billy Joel - Who I'll be seeing in concert tomorrow night. So that should be all manner of lovely, delightful and good...if only the weather forecast would change. Right now, there's a 60% chance of thunderstorms and well...Nationals Park doesn't have a roof. *sigh* 

I think Nationals Park will look a little different tomorrow night...

Three. Winning - I know; you're wondering if I mean winning at life, and while most days I feel like I am doing that (insert ironic laughter here)...I actually won something, so that's what winning means!

A couple days ago the Instagram account for the Washington Nationals TV presenter/station asked fans to post their best picture from Nationals Park with all the corresponding hashtags and follow their account: the best photo would win a signed baseball. So...I just threw one of my photos from this past Saturday's game out there and lo and behold...they contacted me on Thursday afternoon to let me know I'd won and get my address. What are the odds?!? 

Let me assure you - the excitement level is peak. I'm over the moon and can't wait to get that baseball!

The winning shot - in all it's glory.

Four. Nationals Baseball - Of course, I'll segue into baseball after the above post. This week has been..well, filled with both the good and the bad. I'll start with the bad: Jonathan Papelbon. Funnily enough; he's been the bad before when he choked Bryce Harper last year... This year he's choking in a completely different way. Somehow (oh wait - bad pitching) he blew the Nationals games on Sunday afternoon against the Padres and Tuesday night against the Indians. He tried to blow the game last night, but Ollie Perez and Shawn Kelley saved the day (night).

The good is that with last night's win against the Giants, the Nationals were only the second team in baseball to reach 60 wins so far this season. The Nationals also have the second best record in ALL of baseball, second only to the Cubs...and let's be real; the Cubs are on fire this season and they only have one more win than the Nationals. There are still miles to go before the season ends...but the trade deadline is looming and we need a new closer... 

Also: Trea Turner is FAST. So very fast. 

Tanner & Wilson - owning the Giants on 7/28

Five. The Fitness - I'm walking again...two miles (at least) and I need to really ramp it up...because the Bubble Run is in T-minus two weeks and I'm hoping Danielle doesn't abandon my slow butt in the middle of a bubble bog! 

I've been using the My Fitness Pal app to track what I'm eating; I set a weight loss goal and the app tells me where I need to stay to achieve that. I've only been using it for about two weeks now but I'm liking how it works so far and plan to keep using it as I move along. It's pretty remarkable to see just how much you do/don't eat when you are actively paying attention...


And...that's all for this week's edition of Five on Friday! If you are like me, you're counting down the hours until you are home free to relax. Here's hoping this weekend doesn't fly by!

The Flashback - July

How are there just three days until August? I'm not counting today...by the way... so really there are only three days left in July. This month has included so many good things this year and in the years of the past. 

I noticed my family really has a penchant for going to Disney World in July - which honestly; of course we would pick the hottest month on the calendar to go to Florida! 

2016

Fireworks at Antietam National Battlefield.

Fourth of July at Nationals Park.

We do love ourselves some Nationals baseball.

Rally Cap Action in late July....

Rally Cap reward in late July....

2015

Baltimore's Inner Harbor on a breezy July day...

Cheering the Nationals to a win at Camden Yard.

Birthday snuggles with Amelia!

Going underground with Rachel & Sophia!

Star Wars Day at Nationals Park

Blackberry Delight with Katie at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

2014

You'll never forget your first sip of Butterbeer.

Star Tours - Now Leaving from Ports on Earth...

Obviously riding something intense...although, probably not. Ha!

Post Splash Down splashing....

Taking in the sights at Gaston's Tavern.

Ready to race on Test Track!

Taking a final spin on the monorail...

Cinderella's Castle by night. *sigh*

2013

Cheesing in the cornfield...

My very first visit to Long Branch Plantation...

Also a first - as in my first Washington Nationals game.

Just posing...moments later I would notice a spider on my shoulder & lose my mind.

Open your eyes Natalie! 

2012

Has anyone else noticed that I can never find pictures from 2012?? What in the world was going on in 2012?!? I don't know...but I know I can't ever find photographic evidence. Ha-ha!

2011

Storage before the big move to my new home.

The Fourth of July weekend in Strasburg, VA.

Delicious desserts at Shenandoah Lodge.

Cruising along on the Metro.

Sweet times with a sweet friend & her baby girl.

Posing on the porch of my new home.

The "last supper" at our home in Mississippi.

2010

Hosting Kristen & Megen for Junior Miss.

The whole "Junior Miss family."

2009

Acting like we have no home training...

Hey look - it's Disney in July again! 

We have a wild time - no matter where we are!

I think I might have gotten a little wet...

Ready to rock on!

Hello terrible camera lighting...

A magical ending!

Having dinner with Brock.

2008

Just for vacation in 2008...little did I know...

July Fourth with Nicole on the steps of the Archives.

A Capitol Fourth!

First time ever eating at Five Guys (in Georgetown) - nice face Lindsey.

Up to no good at the Crime & Punishment Museum...

Posing with the current home state.

Enjoying the scenery in Yorktown, VA.

Welcoming Lindsey to Jamestown.

Remember the Alamo - because I also went to San Antonio in July of 2008.

On the Riverwalk...

Mission La Concepcion

The Japanese (Chinese) Hanging Gardens...

2007

Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie LA

Riding the street cars in New Orleans...

Caught in the act!

Feeling the Mardi Gras spirit...just a few months late...

I have no clue what Lindsey is doing...

2006

The summer of Hallmark with Brock...the only picture I could find...

And as always, now that I've made it ten years back in time...if you'll forgive that I completely omitted the year of 2012...because no pictures...of course, a couple pictures from WAY back in the day. 

Pictures that further cement my theory: my family loves to take vacations in July in tropical climates to frolic with large animals. Hahahaha...you know, Disney World...

2001

We are especially fond of large rodents...

They are just our most fave...hehehe.

I think I'm all of about sixteen here...

That's all for this month's edition of The Flashback! I cannot wrap my head around the fact that there are only five months left in this year. What in the world?!?