Stefano Langone | " I Need You Now " | Wildcard Performance [HD]

I don't watch a lot of T.V. and I very rarely share my thoughts on T.V. related stuff on blog posts, facebook stats and so forth.  But, I do (the whole family does) watch American Idol every season without fail and I feel compelled to share this video of Stefano from American Idol singing "I Need You Now" by Smokie Norful.  The power of this song and the beauty of Stefano's voice is AMAZING and I want everyone (or at least the handful of you reading this post) to feel/hear/witness it's power and beauty. 

We've really liked Stefano throughout the competition. He seems like a genuinely nice guy and it is great to see someone like that who is also incredibly talented on TV in this day and age. His rendition of "I Need You Now", in our opinion, was probably the greatest moment/preformance on American Idol...ever. We will definitely be pulling/voting for him for the rest of the season!




Yeah. I know. Beautiful! You can actually hear this young man crying out to God for help in this important moment in his life and God answers, right away, by being with him and helping him to give the performance of his life!

My First Wordless Wednesday - well, sort of...

"Wordless Wednesday". I totally dig it! Especially since I'd much rather share pictures than do a lot of writing/talking.  So, today, I'm participating in this "visual blogosphere phenomenon".  A big thank you to my loong time friend, Lisa over at Pictakinmama, for introducing me to WW!

It's been a while since I used my macro lens ~ if I'm being honest, I had lost interest in it over the last few months. However, I got the urge to wipe the dust off and use it just the other day.  The urge was sparked by a beautiful bouquet of flowers that my Mom and Dad got Madi for her 13th Birthday.  And now, I'm all obsessed again!  So, thank you, Mom and Dad ~ for the flowers on Madi's special day, my renewed macro-obsession and for contributing to this "Wordless Wednesday" post!

I'm going to TRY and participate in WW every week!  But, next time, I promise the post will be wordless - other than a quick description {if needed} of the photo.

:) Have a happy Wednesday!

A Miller Springs Park Photojog

This post is an opportunity to share some of the many reasons that we love to jog at our local parks. It is a great way to get out and move while enjoying some fresh air and the chance to see some really interesting and beautiful scenery. We both really like the sense of running to get to someplace or, to get back to the car rather than just mundane laps around and around. It makes the time fly by even when we're hurting a little bit.

The following pictures are from Feburary 13, 2011 during our second ever trail run at Miller Springs.

A sailboat out on Lake Belton enjoying the early spring-like February weather
This picture was taken while crossing over Lake Belton Dam - just outside the entrace to Miller Springs Park.

Weaving around and over the rocky trail at Miller Springs Park

Hanging on while dodging around the cedar trees on our way down the trail to the creek.

The water level is not too high this time of year.

Nice action shot.

Sunny days and bare trees abound.

Somehow, the first half of the trip is always a little more fun!

A low bridge thanks to the overhanging cedar limbs.

It's so nice to be out in a place like this on a beautiful late winter day!

This place is amazing!

This is a really cool old bridge on the Tennessee Valley East Trail at the park. Beyond this, the trail quickly runs out as the Park ends and private property begins.

Some really interesting cliffs on the north side of the trail. It looks like there are some caves up there in places, also.

Explorers that we are, we had to check out this little hut beside the river. The screen is falling off and the chairs are falling apart but, it is a really neat spot that overlooks the Leon River.

 This pier sits just beyond the little wooden hut above.

What a day!

Gotta love that smile! And  in the middle of a workout too!

On Old Miller Springs Road, looking back into the Park.

A shot of the sign on the east end of the bridge we ran across. I was running too fast to read it at the time. Pretty interesting!

Dormant golden fields waiting for spring.

 

It's hard to see, but the arrow is pointing a white-tail deer.  We startled it and it ran behind the trees but then seemed reluctant to move on. She stood here for probably two minutes, while Olivia crept closer to get a picture. Amazing how well they blend in even when there are no leaves for cover!

This was our only major ascent of the day. It was short but rocky and pretty steep. Coming at the end, it definitely gets the heart rate up!

Two sailboats out now enjoying what's left of the day as we make the short trip home.