Wednesday, September 5, 2007

The Jackson concert went very well.  I got to see a lot of folks from my home town, plus my mom and two brothers came, so it was great to see them.  The Gaither Alaskan cruise was really great this past week.  I still feel like we're trying to catch up on our sleep, especially our boys.  Poor Hudson didn't do too well on the ship.  He usually sleeps anywhere from ten to twelve hours every night, but not on the ship...more like seven to eight.  So, needless, to say, Andrea and I were tired!  Here parents got to go along with us to help take care of the boys, so that was really nice.  The weather was the best part of the trip for me.  I believe it was 55 in Juneau...ahhhh...my kind of weather.  I felt really sorry for anyone on our plane on the way home.  Hudson was DONE traveling and had not slept all day, so I don't have to tell you what it was like.  I've added some new pics of the family for you to see on the Photos page.

Andrea, Barrett, and I are headed to Nashville this weekend for Gordon and Kimberly Mote's baby shower.  Kimberly is due very soon with a little boy and we are so excited for her.  We will go to the shower on Saturday afternoon and will probably end up staying with them through Monday.  The GVB has another tracking session on Monday (our last one) and another vocal recording day the first part of October in Indiana.  Hopefully we'll be done then.  We are very excited about this record and feel that it's just as strong, if not stronger, than Give it Away. 

My worship leader (and one of my mentors), Kelly Stephenson, just underwent double bypass surgery.  For those of you who know who Kelly is, he is only in his mid 40's and looks as healthy as can be, so it came as quite a shock.  He is doing incredibly well and looks great, so we can't ask for more.  However, Sandy, Kelly's wife is going through some stuff right now.  Her sister passed away this week from cancer, and on the way down to Texas for the funeral, Sandy found out her mother had a heart attack.  This family is under a lot right now, so if you think of them today, and any time for that matter, please say a prayer for them.  They are so special to us.  Thanks so much.  I also know of some of you who are going through some very difficult times right now.  Please know that God will get you through whatever it is you are experiencing.  I know it seems simplistic, but it is the truth. 

Have a wonderful week.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

I can not believe the heat here in Alabama...unbelievable!  It's so hot that our house will not cool down during the day.  The thermostat stay reads about 80 degrees.  I'm really not complaining, I'm just letting you know that it is HOT.  :)  It was actually cooler in Florida last weekend...now that's just weird.  As a family, we have always loved the fall, so we are anxiously awaiting that time.

I'm in Jackson, TN, this weekend, which is really close to the town where I grew up (Brownsville).  I'm very excited to see so many friends from my childhood...should be a very fun time.  Everyone there has always been so kind and supportive of me.  If you can join us, the concert is at 6:00 pm central time at First Baptist Jackson (www.fbcjackson.org). 

On another note, our prayers are with the families of the Utah miners that are still currently trapped.  I can't imagine how scared they must feel right now. 

If you know me, you know I don't go around preaching to folks, but I want to share one thing with you:  when you're out and about today, try your best to remember Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31.  I know I need to be reminded, and it sure helps me.  Be kind and respectful of those around you.  Show love to people, even when they don't deserve it.  I think we forget this way too often, at least I do.  Talk to you later.

Monday, August 13, 2007

It's Monday morning and it is EARLY.  I'm sitting here at the Tampa International Airport and it's 5:30 (4:30 B'ham time).  The good news is that I should be home hopefully before the kids get up.  I had a great weekend in Venice. 

Last night's concert (First Baptist Venice) went really well, and the church was so warm and welcoming to me...what wonderful people.  One of my best buddies in the world, Jody, and his family, came to see me.  Fortunately for me, Jody ended up playing piano for me on several songs, so that really freed me up to do more things.  I have one more concert (in Jackson, TN) this next weekend before we start back up with the cruise in about a week and a half.  Very excited to get back into the swing of things and to see everyone.
The GVB recording went extremely well in Alexandria two weeks ago.  We got ten songs done and have one more tracking date and recording date scheduled in September and October.  After that, we should be done with the record, besides the mixing and mastering.  It's been very exciting working on this new project.  We have all had our hands in it, so that makes it even more special to us.  I believe it's scheduled to be released the very first of 2008.

Andrea and I celebrated our ninth anniversary this past week...can't believe it's been nine years already.  Things are going by too quickly, so I'm trying to take in as much as possible, especially with the boys...they just don't stop growing.

Okay, starting to board in a few minutes, so I need to wrap it up.  Does anyone else feel like cattle when you're in line for Southwest?  Have a great week...

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

At the Gaither Studios this week in Alexandria, IN.  Recording on the new GVB record is going very well.  We have already gotten five songs totally completed this week.  I think people will really enjoy this record, and we're all in agreement that it's as good as, if not better, than "Give it Away.  It's been a blast hanging out with the guys for a while.  We are all bachelors this week, so it's been quite fun.  I even cooked breakfast this morning, so it kind of felt like home for a little bit.

I need to make a correction on the release date for the GVB/SSQ video and CD release.  I said last blog it would be released in August, but it will not be released until October now.  Sorry for that confusion, but I just found out that they are postponing it until October, since the hymns videos are coming out next month (which, by the way, are EXCELLENT...if you ever buy a Gaither video, these two should be it).

My concert in Virginia went really well.  Dustin, the guy who contacted me about coming up to Virginia, was awesome.  He lugged me around and got me where I needed to be...thanks, Dustin.  Even though the airline lost my luggage, it was still good.  I ended up going straight to a department store once I got in and purchased a belt, shoes, socks, a bag, toiletries, etc.  Fortunately, I had my suit with me, so I didn't have to buy one of those...ouch.  I met some really nice folks after the concert who were so encouraging to me.  I just love meeting new people wherever I go. 

I hate to cut it short, but I've got to get back in the studio to start work on the sixth song.  By the way, the GVB will be at the Gaither Resource Center this Saturday to meet and hang out with folks. If you're in the area, come by an see us!

Later!

Monday, July 9, 2007

The summer is here!  We are still in a stage three drought, but we have gotten some great, much-needed rain this past weekend and today.  It has been so refreshing to see, hear, and smell the rain.  The temperature has dropped to the 70's and 80's, so we can't complain one bit!  Hopefully we have seen the worst of the drought.  We'll keep our fingers crossed.

The solo concert in Minneapolis, KS, was a lot of fun.  Our hosts, Todd and Shelly Wilson, were just the best.  They are such kind, giving people, and they made Andrea and I feel at home the entire time we were there.  There weren't many people at the Saturday night concert, but that was the last thing on our mind.  It was a special, meaningful night of worship, so that's all we could ask for.  While we were there, Todd took us to see Rock City.  It's known all over the place.  There are these huge, ball-shaped rocks in the middle of a plain...the weirdest thing I've seen in a while.  Looks like fossilized dinosaur droppings.  Yes, I just said that...

I go back into the studio with the GVB this next week for another tracking date.  We are very excited and haven't seen each other for over a month, so it'll be good to hang out a couple of days together.  I really miss the guys.  The next week, we are headed to Indiana to record vocals for the new CD.  We're going to take a whole week to do nothing but record all day.  It's actually quite a lot of work, but it's so much fun.

The family is doing great.  Hudson and Barrett both have had runny noses the past week, so we're hoping all that crud clears up soon.  They are in a mother's day out summer program at a local church, so we take them for a half day on Tuesday through Thursday.  It gives us some much-needed time away from the boys, plus they are getting out of the house for a change of pace.

I sing in Harrisonburg, VA, this Saturday night and am really looking forward to it.  It will be my second solo date this summer, and I plan on doing a couple more before the tour starts back up at the end of August.

The new GVB/SSQ DVD and CD will be released this next month, and we are all excited about sharing them with folks.  It's amazing how quickly the guys and gals at post production have turned this DVD around.  They have worked their tails off to get this one done so quickly.  I don't think a lot of people realize how much time and effort go into making a DVD (from the production, pre- and post- perspectives).  That's why it usually takes such a long time to get a DVD onto the WalMart shelves from the time a video is originally recorded.  So, my hat's off to you all at the Gaither production office!

Hope you have a great week. 

Friday, June 15, 2007

It's been a whole month since I last blogged, but I HAVE been busy.  We just finished our basement yesterday, so that has been a huge task in itself.  I never knew I could caulk or paint trim, but I sure learned how to quickly.  I feel like every spare second of time was spent downstairs on that beast.  Fortunately, we had Andrea's brother, Darren, do a ton of work for us.  We couldn't have done it without him.  I never realized how much tedious work it is doing trim, razoring windows, and grouting tile. 

It is hotter than hot here in B'ham.  We are on a level 2 or 3 drought alert, so we're not really supposed to water our lawns.  My poor yard is drying up and dying right before my eyes.  It looks like it could rain today, so my fingers are crossed.  We had a family outing this week to the brand-spanking new Wal-Mart that just opened about two miles from us.  It was so fun.  I just love store openings.  I acted like I had never seen a Wal-Mart when we first walked through the doors.  It's the simple things sometimes...

Andrea and I leave today for Minneapolis, KS, for a solo concert tomorrow night and Sunday morning.  We are very much looking forward to it, even though I am a bit apprehensive about it.  I am so used to sharing the stage with three other guys, so that takes a ton of pressure off of me. 

The last few weeks have been great.  Family Fest was just awesome.  The people there were so kind and gracious, and there was such a wonderful Spirit the entire weekend.  Last year's was great, but this year's Family Fest was even better. 

Nova Scotia and Worchester were fabulous.  The crowds at both were so wonderful and came into the arenas ready to worship.  I love when that happens.  We missed having Bill with us, but I think he would have been proud.  He was just sick that he had to miss, but the doctors wanted him to slow down a bit.  I'm glad he did.  He feels great now, and in his last checkup, the doctors couldn't find a thing wrong with his heart or the arteries leading to and from the heart.  His stints are nice and clear.  I'm glad he has the summer to rest (besides a couple of GVB recording dates in July).  We will hit the ground running in August with the cruise and won't stop until December. 
Okay, time to start packing.  Holler at you soon.
Oh, and for you parents out there, be sure to check out the following link if your child has Thomas the Tank Engine wooden trains...very important.  It involves the uses of leaded paint in some of their toys:  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07212.html#http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07212.html

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

It's hard to believe the spring concert tour is at its end.  We have the taping next week and Family Fest, then we have a couple of concerts the first weekend in June.  After that, we're done for the most part, with the exception of a couple of pending GVB only dates, TBA.  It's been a great spring tour, and we're already looking forward to the fall.  We'll be going to an end-stage setup for the fall tour, so it should change things up a good bit.  We also have a couple more tracking dates scheduled for the GVB record and should be taking a week or two to record vocals sometime this summer.  There are already some really great songs, and I feel so fortunate to be involved in something like this. 

We had a fabulous weekend in Michigan and West Virginia.  We are a fortunate group because all of the crowds we sing to are just great.  I get to meet so many nice folks who share some great stories of how God has ministered to them through music.  We always love hearing these wonderful stories, even the ones that don't always have the "happy ending."  God doesn't always take away the pain, but He does get us through the stuff. 

I've added a couple more solo dates this summer, so if you're in the area, I would love to meet you.  I'm not adding any more for the summer but will probably be adding some to the fall schedule once the GVB schedule is nailed down. 

I just found out about the death of Dr. Jerry Falwell this morning.  Our sympathy and prayers go out to his family and church family.

Have a great week.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Okay, talk about busy...the last couple of weeks have been a little crazy to say the least.  Before I talk about it, I want to apologize to anyone who was offended by my last post when I talked about the Memphis crowd several weeks ago.  I poked fun at my home crowd (where I grew up) and my denomination (southern baptist) and did not mean to offend anyone.  If I did, I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have offended.  That was certainly not my intention.  (I've already edited what I said as not to offend anyone else). 

Okay, back to the last two crazy weeks!  We were on the west coast two weeks ago for a week doing concerts in California and Arizona.  It is so beautiful out there.  One of the neatest places has to be San Francisco.  It looks just like all those post cards you see...I guess that's because it IS the place on those post cards.  Plus, it's the home of Ghirardelli chocolate, which I have come to admire over the years.  Guy, Marsh, and I made sure to visit there.  I bought a little something for the boys, but poor Guy had about twenty pounds of chocolate for his bunch back home.  I always forget that Guy has to buy EIGHT of anything he gets...talk about some expensive chocolate... 

While on my trip, I got a call from Andrea.  She told me that her father had been having some irregular heart rhythms and was feeling pretty weird.  After visiting his doctor, she sent him to the hospital.  After an echo cardiogram, anteriogram, and almost a week in the hospital, he ended up being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.  He's on medication now that is regulating his heart beat, and he seems to be doing just fine now besides feeling lethargic.  It's usually not like me to share things like this, but I will go ahead...out of the shear goodness of my heart, I stayed a night in the hospital with Mark so that he wouldn't be alone (so that Rosetta could get a good night's sleep).  I am the son-in-law of the century!  (okay, not really)

Last Wednesday, we were in the studio in Nashville cutting tracks for the new GVB record due out next year.  We got six tracks done, which is a ton of songs for one day in the studio.  The musicians that played on it were just amazing.  I was really in awe for much of the time, wondering what I of all people was doing there.  We are all very excited about it and can't wait until we get to work some more on it. 

I stayed over in Nashville on Thursday since we left the next morning for Pennsylvania.  Plus, on the way home from California, we found out our bus broke down, so poor Jay (our bus driver) was stuck out in Arizona, along with ALL of our clothes.  So, on Thursday, the majority of my day was spent searching for some clothes to wear up on stage.  Fortunately, I found a few things to hold me over.  I just found out from the office today that the bus is still not repaired, so I will be using the same clothes I used last weekend.  For those of you who will be attending the homecoming concerts this weekend, Marsh and I will not be wearing suits.  :)  Guy has a stash of cool black coats at his house, along with about 500 pairs of boots and big belt buckles, so he's good to go all the time.  Needless to say, we are very much looking forward to our new bus once the fall tour starts up.

The SSQ/GVB taping is coming up in two weeks, which we are anxiously anticipating.  The video, along with the audio CD we recorded last year, will be released this August.  After the taping, we leave straight for Family Fest.  Andrea and Barrett are coming with me to the taping, so it will be fun to have them along.  Hudson and Andrea's parents are meeting up with us in Gatlinburg to spend Family Fest with us.  Should be a really fun time. 

I would like to wish an early "Happy Mother's Day" to all you wonderful moms out there.  Thank you for all that you do.  I appreciate the incredibly hard work you do.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Memphis, Atlanta, and Birmingham were all last weekend...what a great weekend.  They were exciting and the crowds were great.  For some reason, a lot of our friends in the Birmingham area were either out of town because of spring break or they didn't know about the concert.  At any rate, it was still so great having many of our friends there at the concert.  Now that I think of it, I never recall seeing or hearing any kind of advertising for the B'ham concert...hmmm, must be a conspiracy...anyway, back to what I was saying.  Bill decided to stay home on Thursday night to get some much needed rest.  As many of you know, he had a stint put in a while back.  He went into the doctor's office, and they basically performed some maintenance on it.  He is feeling much better, but a procedure like that sets him back about a week.  We were so glad to have him back out with us for the Atlanta and Birmingham concerts.  He can still go longer than any of us can...it's pretty amazing. 

Andrea and I kept our little nephew, Cooper, last night.  Darren and Jennifer went out of town for several days for spring break, so we decided to keep him for a day.  By some miracle, both Cooper and Hudson slept about twelve hours last night.  I got up with Barrett early this morning to get him to school.  I coaxed him out of bed by telling him I made him chocolate chip pancakes.  Works every time.  I stayed true to my word, and the little man got his pancakes.  He loves sugar just like his daddy.  I'm actually about to leave in about 30 minutes to go pick him up from montessori school.  He goes there a couple days a week.  In the fall, he and Hudson will be going to a new school for three half days a week, and it's just down the road from us, so that makes it much easier than it is now.

We are praying for the victims' families of the Virginia Tech massacre this week, as well as everyone affected by the killings.  It is so incredibly tragic, sad, and it makes me quite angry to be frank.  This world is so dark.  I remind myself and everyone who reads this to be light to those around them.  Be kind to people, even the obnoxious person who cuts you off in traffic this week.  Okay, time to clean up and get going.  Talk to you soon.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Our house is filled with the sound of toys being dropped, wagons being pulled, and sporadic crying, and I haven't even gotten to what our boys are up to yet. 

The Birmingham Homecoming concert is fast approaching this coming Saturday night.  I'm excited to be at home and am looking forward to seeing a lot of the home crowd.  If you're free, come on by the BJCC at 6:00.  I would love to see you.  I'm also glad to be in Memphis on Thursday night.  It's so close to where I grew up, so there will (hopefully) be a lot of folks from the town where I grew up.

We are getting ready to watch "Thank God You're Here."  It's the first episode, so we'll see how that goes.  Next is our favorite show, 24.  We got addicted this season and are just hooked.  Wow, what a show...it is so great. 

As you can see, I don't really have much to say today.  I just wanted to remind everyone in our area of the upcoming concert.  I really would love to see as many of you as I can.  Can't wait!

Enjoy the beautiful weather this week!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

The concerts this past weekend were incredible.  Springfield, MO, has to be one of the best crowds I have ever been in front of...Tulsa and Kansas City were great crowds as well.  I got to see my Aunt Diane in Tulsa, and it was a lot of fun getting to spend some time with her.  The Holy Spirit was so evident every night.  It was incredible how things flowed and how worshipful each night was...really special.

Also, in Springfield, I got to meet a huge musical legend...Andy Williams.  Yes, THE Andy Williams, "Moon River" Andy Williams.  It was so surreal getting to shake his hand.  He was very kind and seemed to really have had a great time at the concert.  Even Bill was star-struck and asked for Andy's autograph on a couple of old records he and Gloria listened to while dating.  It was so funny seeing Bill in the "fan" role.  Guy said it was most definitely a "first" seeing and hearing Bill asking someone for an autograph.  Priceless...

I just learned that the GVB will be cutting tracks in May, June, and July for our new record coming out next year, probably in the spring.  We are so excited and already have fifteen possibilities...still looking for songs and trying to narrow things down at the same time.  Bill gets like a little kid when he gets excited about anything, especially a record.  He could be the best example of someone who absolutely loves what he does.  It is so enegizing and gets us all excited too.

I have this coming weekend off, so it will be nice to spend Friday and Saturday together.  Andrea is singing at church on Easter Sunday, and I am backing her up, so that should be fun. 

I love what Bill said in the concerts this past weekend, but I clearly remember one night him talking before "This Could Be the Dawning of That Day," the song that SSQ does so incredibly.  He basically said (in a much better way than what I am about to say, by the way) that we all are faced with difficulties in our lives, some that seem like they will never go away.  He talked about the disciples and what they must have felt the days leading up to Jesus's death and the day following his death.  He said that someone in the audience is about to lose a loved one or just lost a loved one, someone is waiting on news from the doctor, someone is going through a divorce, someone is going through some serious financial trouble, someone just lost a job, or someone has a lost child who has made some less-than-wise choices.  He went on to name several other scenarios after this.  Then he ended with this...the good news of the gospel is that, even though Friday may look bleak and Saturday may seem unbearable, Sunday morning is coming.  Death loses and life wins.  Life is hard and painful at times, but in the end, life wins.  Have a wonderful Easter.

Monday, March 26, 2007

What a great weekend we all had.  The family came down to the Pensacola concert as scheduled and they really seemed to have a great time.  They took their time getting home Saturday morning and even stopped by Foley at the outlets and at Lambert's.  I was jealous that I didn't get one of those huge rolls that they throw at you.  For those of you who don't know what Lambert's is, it's a famous restaurant known for serving big hot rolls that they throw to you from across the room. 

Both concerts went well.  The crowds were great, and it was so much fun having just the two groups, along with Gordon.  Such a change from what we normally do on the weekends.  Both concerts went really close to four hours long, so we did a ton of singing.  We sang a lot of "dual" quartet stuff off the new GVB/SSQ record that comes out this summer.  We will be recording a live DVD in May (in Louisville, KY) to go along with the CD, so that should be fun as well.

Yesterday, Andrea, I, and the boys left church and went straight to visit Thomas the Train in Calera, AL, about 30 minutes away from us.  He's in town for a couple of weeks, then he's off somewhere else.  It was so much fun.  Barrett and I got to ride on one of the coaches that Thomas was pulling, while Andrea took Hudson to the car to catch a little much-needed nap.  It was SO hot outside, but it was still a beautiful day.  We ended up spening about three and a half hours there.  We did much of nothing once we got back to the house. 

The GVB will start tracking for our new record in May, most likely due out next year (I'm totally guessing at that release date, so don't quote me).  We are very excited about getting more songs together and about getting back into the studio.  We really enjoy spending time with each other, and that's a good thing when you're "trapped" in the same room for twelve hours a day! 

I leave on Wednesday this week for Nashville to sing on Gordon Mote's new record.  He's graciously asked the GVB to sing backup on one of his songs, so we were honored to do so.  We fly out Thursday morning for Kansas City for a three concert weekend, so we guys will be spending a good bit of time together this week (again, good thing we enjoy being with each other). 

Okay, I'm going to go.  Barrett is trying to drag Hudson around in our laundry basket...who knows how that will end...

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Spring is fast-approaching...the pollen is in the air!  I've just gotten on Flonase once again to help prevent (hopefully) any allergy-related sinus problems.  It hits me like a ton of bricks every spring, so I hope this time I'll have a little better luck.  The grass is just beginning to turn green, so that unfortunately means that I'll be mowing the yard soon.  I do not like mowing the yard.  I do not like mowing the yard.  No, that's not a typo, I just wanted to emphasize that truth. 

We are in Pensacola and Lakeland this weekend with just SSQ, and I am very much looking forward to it.  I love the regular homecoming concerts, but the ones with just GVB and SSQ are so different.  There's a ton more singing by both groups, plus we have a lot of new material we'll be doing as one big group as well.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Andrea, the kids, her grandmother, and her parents are coming down for the concert tomorrow night, so it will be great to have them there.

Hudson, our one-year-old, is 21 pounds, and Barrett, our three-year-old, is 29 pounds.  Needless to say, Hudson is a good eater and Barrett is not so much, but he is learning.  They both are growing so quickly and are really having fun together now.  Andrea and I can actually let them play with each other now, even though there's the occasional, "no Hudson, you can't do that" from his older brother.  They both keep us busy, that's for sure.

If you have time, please check out the following website:  www.friendsofericvolz.com. Our promoter's name is Jan Volz.  Jan is a wonderful human being.  He has a great heart, spirit, and attitude, and I am honored to call him my friend.  His son, Eric, is currently in a Nicaraguan prison, and they both need our prayers.  I won't tell you the story, but if you're interested in hearing it, please visit the above website.  A terrible injustice has occurred.  Please pray for Jan and Eric during this very difficult time.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Here are several pics of the boys on the cruise this past week.  We are enjoying the beautiful weather this week in Birmingham...high 60's to low 70's.  I love being able to wear shorts, flip flops, and a t-shirt outside.  We'll be in Pittsburg and Virginia this weekend, and the weather there is slightly different than it is here.  :)  The boys really had fun on the cruise.  Barrett wasn't too keen on the ocean water and Hiyiye wanted to eat sand...so we let him.  Have a great week.

Sandy Man

Busy Man

When you're cool, the sun shines on you 24 hrs a day.

Argghh matey...

I may look angelic, but don't let that fool you...

Sunday, March 4, 2007

It's 7:30 Sunday morning, and both boys decided to wake up at about 6:45.  When I finally rolled out of bed (with a sigh I might add), Hudson had settled back down, but Barrett was sitting up in bed ready to start the day.  Thomas the Train is on the tv right now, and Barrett is running back and forth from his room to the living room like a little mad man.  Hudson is up now and gnawing on a pop tart, so life is good.  It's 30 degrees outside, but it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day.  We're about to start getting ready for church in a little bit and aren't quite over the homecoming cruise yet.  We got back yesterday afternoon, but our luggage wasn't quite so lucky.  It got lost in Atlanta, but fortunately, we were happily reunited last night when one of the Delta guys dropped all EIGHT bags off at the house. 
The cruise was great.  We did twelve concerts in six days, so we were busy, but it was a lot of fun.  It was especially fun when I stubbed my left big toe on the corner of the bed and pulled back a third of my toenail...that felt really good.  I'll have pictures from the trip posted sometime soon (unfortunately, no big toe pics).

Fortunately, Andrea's mom, Rosetta, went along with us to help with the kids.  It would have been very tough without her, so we were extremely grateful to have her. 

Of course, we had mexican food withdrawals while on the cruise, so we ate at our favorite place yesterday as soon as we got back home. 

I hate to cut it short, but both boys need a bath.  I'm going to go run the bath water right now.  Hope you have a great week.   

Monday, February 19, 2007

"Surviving Potty Training?"

Did we?  Yes!  Barrett is now telling us when he needs to go...wow, I never thought the day would come.  Not having diapers for him is a wonderful thing.  It took about two and a half weeks for him to get it, but he's got it now.  Now if we could just train Hudson...

The homecoming video taping two weeks ago was awesome.  There were over 200 artists there, and it was humbling to be part of something like that.  This was actually my first "artist only" taping without an audience, so it was a little different than what I'm used to.  We ended up recording about ten hours a day for two days, so we were kind of tired when we finished.  They should get four videos out of this, and one of them will be hymns, which I am very excited about.  I got to see so many great artists that I have admired for years, Wintley Phipps being one of them...what an amazing voice.  The Oak Ridge Boys were there, along with Randy Owen, Andre Crouch, Brenda Lee, Gary McSpadden, and mostly all of the "homecoming artists."  It was such a fun time. 

I stayed in Nashville on Thursday and left for Austin and Wichita on Friday.  I ended up staying in Wichita Saturday night to do a very abbreviated concert at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene.  After that I flew home in time to have dinner with the family.

This past weekend was LONG but good.  We had three concerts in Dallas, one on Friday and two on Saturday.  I had been feeling like I was getting a head/chest cold late last week but thought it would pass...it didn't.  I ended up losing all but about a six-note range, so it was quite interesting trying to sing, especially on Saturday.  Friday night was pretty fine for me vocally, but Saturday...wow, I just had nothing vocally.  It was so frustrating.  I felt so helpless and like there was nothing I could do to help myself.  Once that crud settles in my chest I am done.  I still only have an octave range as of now, but I'm actually getting a "voodoo" shot tonight from a great doctor friend of mine.  It's got a steroid, some anithistimine, and some other stuff that I can't pronounce, but it is an amazing concoction that works...that's all I care about. 
We had a small double birthday party at our house for Barrett and Hudson yesterday at noon.  Barrett turns three this Saturday, and Hiyiye just turned one.  I've attached a few pics of the action.  Hudson was so hilarious with his cake.  That little guy attacked that cake like Guy Penrod attacks an apple fritter or Marsh Hall attacks a carrott cake...or like Bill attacks, well, anything...scary...it was so much fun, and I think the boys had a blast, even though Daddy was in "Lala Land" for a good bit of it from all the medicine.

The family is gearing up for the Homecoming Caribben Cruise this coming week.  Time to get the suitcases out.  We're in the process of packing, which is something that I absolutely hate to do...what's even worse is unpacking.  Okay, Hudson is having a meltdown, so I'm going to go rescue Andrea.  I didn't mention that Hudson has all of a sudden changed from an angelic little guy to an independent, stubborn little guy?  I won't say who he got that from, but I WILL say he didn't get it from me...

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

"Potty Training"

I survived the week without Andrea, I will have you know.  Was it hard?  Yes.  Did I get much sleep?  No.  Did I prevail like I said I would?  Absolutely.  It is so much easier to tackle two little ones with two adults...I have a new respect for stay at home moms...that really is a full time job.
The first weekend out was great.  It was so exciting seeing everyone again, especially my buddies at the Ft. Pierce solo concert.  Josh, Jody, and Andy, all my former suite mates at Trevecca, were all there.  We had a blast, but I will say that I got a total of about four hours of sleep the 48 hours I was there.  Was I exhauted?  Yes.  Was it worth it?  Yes.  I just love those guys.  The church was so gracious and kind to me.  It was a great weekend.

Last weekend was great as well.  We were in Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, and Tampa.  I have to say that Ft. Myers could learn a lesson or two from the Tampa crowd as far as enthusiasm goes...hey, I have family in Ft. Myers, so it's full of good people, just "more reserved" we'll say.  :)  We got to meet some people who flew from Brazil just for the Tampa concert...they were absolutely wonderful.  So gracious and excited to be there.  It was a pleasure getting to talk to them after the concert. 

Barrett is in the midst of potty training right now, and that is FUN.  Every twenty to twenty five minutes, we make a trip to the mini toilet, and on more than one occasion, we haven't quite made it.  We have already gone through one soap dispenser's worth of liquid soap, and we've only just begun.  The good news is that we'll be diaper-free in a few weeks.  The bad news is that we have three to four more weeks of this chaos.  Hudson aka "Hiyiye," is walking and into every possible thing you can imagine.  Andrea went and bought one of those clear plexiglass shields to cover our DVR cable box because he can't seem to resist pressing all those little buttons.  Heck, I can't help resist pushing those buttons at times, so it's a good thing she bought it.   

We are taping another video this next week in Nashville.  I am looking forward to it.  It will be an "audience free" taping in that no public tickets will be sold.  It should be more down the avenue of the first videos that came out years ago where it's just the homecoming crew in a big circle singing.  We're off this coming weekend, so that will be nice hanging with the family.  The video taping should take at least two days, so I guess that will, in a way, will make up for the time we're not on the road this weekend. 

Wow, my fingers are tired.  Have a great week.