Special Agent Henry

drum roll please.......... Dan got the call & accepted an offer to start working for the IRS!!! He applied in 2006 so we've been waiting a very long time for this and the day finally came on Monday when he got the call! It is so surreal... we have kind of felt for a long time that our life was on hold and we had no idea where we would live or where they would send us.

In the beginning of this whole thing, they gave Dan a list of cities to choose from and Nashville wasn't on the list. He submitted his top ten and we got our #2 choice... Gulfport, Mississippi! There is such a huge range of emotions that I've been experiencing while trying to grasp all the changes that will take place this year. Joy for Dan... finally beginning this career that he has been dreaming of... scared to go to a new city... sad to leave all my sweet sweet friends that I've made here... sad to leave my amazing job... optimistic about the future. We're going to be 3 hours away from our families and only an hour away from one of my bffs Wren!!

So Dan will be headed off to Georgia on June 4th for an intense 6 month training school. I'll stay here in Nashville where I have a great job and friends while he is gone. The first half of the school is the same training that the FBI go through so he is really excited about learning survelance techniques, shooting, non lethal subject control techniques (rolling eyes), undercover stuff... etc... The 2nd part of the school is basically book knowledge and he isn't too pumped about that. I'll be able to go see him about once a month on the weekends and we'll probably spend those weekends in Jacksonville, Florida on the beach! The school is about an hour north of Jacksonville so that'll be good. Gosh... I can't believe I'm going to do the whole "alone" thing again for so long. But hey, I'm a pro at it right? I was alone for 12 months+ while he was in Iraq... at least I'll be able to talk to him on the phone more and actually see him occasionally. That will make things easier.

So we've been planning a last minute vacation to Pensacola next month before he leaves for training. We've also been toying with the idea of purchasing something affordable in Gulfport once we move! That is exciting! Another two things on my mind: going back to school and putting off having a baby for a bit longer. Dan has been urging me to go finish school and get my degree. I agree with him that it needs to be done... I'm just not super pumped about it. The more I think about it the more I'm looking forward to it though! I just hope we can afford for me to cut back to part time work while I finish. I think I'll have just about a years worth of classes... I think we can manage it.

Well my post has been too long tonight... but I wanted to share with all my blog friends what has been going on in our world.

Seacrest, OUT!

Surprise!!

Well we have an new development in the Henry household this week (no, I'm not pregnant) and my hubby is coming back home early from Chicago tomorrow! That's just a snippet for now! I'll share the rest tomorrow! :)

....gotta have some mystery & excitment in life, right?!

Dave Matthews Concert

Yes! We DID see Dave yesterday and it was really great! Jason Mraz and Robert Earl Keen opened and I really like Jason Mraz so that was an added treat! Before the show we hung out with Dan's bestie, Greg and two of his friends. Here are some pictures of us before the concert.





Here's a clip of Jason Mraz... and my handsome husband!



Here is Dave singing "Satellite". Ignore the loud girl sitting 2 rows behind me singing along. **rolls eyes**



AND Dave sang "Burning Down the House" which was my personal favorite of the night! It was so much fun... people were dancing everywhere! In case you were wondering, the concert was at the Vanderbilt football stadium. We didn't exactly fit in with most of the crowd... let's just say the pot dealers definitely made a killing yesterday. Once Dave started playing you could see little puffs of smoke all over the stadium. I'm just glad nobody sitting right next to us was smoking. That would have irritated me... and I'm not any fun when irritated. :)


Here is the video of "Burning Down the House"... it's out of focus but I loved it so much I had to post it!



We ended up leaving early because we had such a long day. We were all tired and sitting on bleachers for hours doesn't feel too good. I guess you can officially say you're old when you leave a great concert early and don't really care. Today Dan went away to Chicago for work. He'll be gone for 2 weeks and I already miss him! I do love a little "me" time but two weeks is a bit much.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Praying for Stellan...

I haven't read this blog much before now... but I was so touched when I saw it today. See the post she made on 4/20... the pictures are awesome! (No heavy reading required.)

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/04/orange-for-stellan.html

Imagine being this baby's momma and getting THIS much prayer & support from fellow Christians. Amazing!

It makes my heart smile!

Birthday Dinner!

Guess where we went for my birthday last night?? That's right! Cheesecake Factory! I haven't been in so long! The last time I said we were going we didn't get to eat there because the wait was so long. Last night, we only had to wait for about 10 minutes! Yay! Here are some pics I took.










Dan successfully embarrassed the heck out of me by having them come sing to me. They sat us in an area where you're super close to the people next to you. (I was sitting on the same booth and they were about.... 2 feet away). FUN!

Comments.

I know you people read my blog... and I am just full of comment love. Don't you feel it? I leave you comments... right??

Where is the comment love lately? Anyone?? Anyone???????





Update: 9 comments.... BEAUTIFUL!!! Sweet success!!! If you like getting comments on your blogs, then lets just keep this up. Kay? Kay! (Yes, I'm being bossy... but I'm so good at it!)

Town Hall for Hope

Took this before devotionals this morning:



I cannot believe that over 5400 churches and businesses have signed up to host this event! Dave's original goal was 1000 churches... needless to say, we accomplished our goal! :)

For those of you that don't know... this is a FREE event held at mostly churches across the country. Dave will be speaking from LifeChurch in Oklahoma (http://www.lifechurch.tv/). He will be talking for half an hour about the economy, how we got here, and where we're going. That will be followed by an hour of questions from people all over the country. Be sure to plan to attend this event next Thursday, April 23rd at 7pm central time. Go to www.townhallforhope.com to find a church near you that will be broadcasting the event. We are praying constantly that this night will change lives. We often joke around here that we "trick" people with our financial advice. Our true goal is to win people over for Christ!

On a side note, people are sending in youtube questions for Dave to answer at the event. Here is a precious video of one of my coworker's children and her question for "Mr. Dave". Enjoy!!

Insight for Today

My mom sent me this article this morning.... it's super good!

http://www.insight.org/site/PageServer?pagename=insight_for_today

Envy is "a coal that comes hissing hot from hell."
Serious stuff!!! So true...

It is so easy to think bad things about people and I think we do it all the time. I know I'm guilty. I think envy has a lot to do with it! When I was in elementary school if someone was being mean to me, my mom and grandma always used to say "it's just because they're jealous!"

I want Christ's love to fill me UP and take away these hateful feelings and thoughts about people I need to be loving! (ps... I haven't been sitting here hating on anyone specific, I just think it is so easy to think mean things about people throughout the day.)

I think I can... I think I can...

All I have to say is.... it's going DOWN in the Henry house tomorrow!!!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/

I'll be attempting those lovely mashed potatoes along with a pot roast tomorrow after church! Please... say a prayer for me. While you're at it, you might want to say a prayer for my husband and our friend Greg (who will be consuming whatever it is that I come up with.)

Happy Easter people!! I'm so glad that my God loves me enough to send his Son to save us! I heard something recently that has stuck with me....

Isn't is amazing that we have a God who can't be exaggerated!?!!


Update: those mashed potatoes were AMAZING!!!! I highly recommend them! They were so smooth and were the perfect flavor! I'm definitely adding them to my list of "things I cook a lot!". (It's a very short list). The pot roast turned out great too!

Blogaholic.... yes, that pretty much sums it up.

Okay, I know that I read too many blogs and get way too involved in blogs written by people I've never met (and who live 500 miles away), but I must share this with you. Sometimes, like today, a blog will just reach through the screen and tug on my heart. When you get a few minutes, take some time to read yesterday's post on this blog:
http://littleoneapril.blogspot.com.

I just love how she is taking an extremely difficult situation, and taking the time to praise God and share about Him. Oh, that we would do the same... praise Him on the good days as well as the bad. It is so my nature to only say "thank you" on the good days like when its beautiful and 70 degrees outside.

On another note, how bad is it when you blog about blogging??

From Foxholes to Faith

You need to read this... it is a very short book and so worth it. Click this link and then scroll down to the 2nd post on that page.

http://reallybadhairday.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html

You can either read it free there or buy a copy here.

I also recommend reading Melissa's blog... but I don't have to recommend it if you read her book. I'm certain you'll be hooked just like I was!

My Dear Husband...

I just have to share with my dear blog friends how funny I think my husband is. You may not find it as amusing as I do, but I will write it nonetheless.

As he is sitting next to me reading his new book, Federal Law Enforcement Careers, he looks over at me (reading blogs) and says "non-lethal subject control techniques". He then grins and informs me that he will be learning these things in the 6 month training school for the IRS. I must inform you that I am not looking forward to him learning these non-lethal subject control techniques for I fear I might become the subject. He might just feel the need to practice these techniques for his own amusement. Joy. I can't wait.

For those of you that don't know, Dan has been in the process of getting on with the IRS as a criminal investigator for a little over two years now. Yes, it really takes this long. We truly believe that we are going to get the call this summer or fall and that he will be off to school in 2009! Special Agent Henry and I are ready for this long application journey to be over with! As I type this, he is playing with his new fancy tape measure and showing me how it has a "13 foot standout"... whatever that means. He is freaking Shelby out... she hates the sound of the metal snapping. He also enjoys making Shelby uncomfortable... poor thing. Okay, I know all of this was pretty insignificant, but I thought it was funny. Now he is "measuring my bad attitude". Save me PLEASE!!!

My Girl...

Well, I can't really think of anything spectacular to write about today except that this weekend has been bliss! I can honestly say I only accomplished three things this weekend. 1. I cleaned our bedroom and closets (piles of clothes = not good). 2) Loooots of relaxing time! 3) Shelby got her bath! Let me tell you how number three really was an accomplishment. This pup hasn't had a bath since JANUARY!! I know, I'm a terrible mother. She just hasn't been smelly and I haven't had the urge to tackle a 25 pound dog into the tub. I'll include some pics of her right after her bath and then some after she dried completely and looked like my little show dog!

Little Wet Rat:


Beauty Queen!


So, all in all, it was a great weekend! I missed my little nephew's 2nd birthday which was a bummer... but I guess that is what you get when you live so far away. Hopefully we can make all the ones in the coming years as those are the birthdays he will really remember! I hope all of you have a fantastic week!

HAAA!

I Love it!!! (the first two minutes, anyway)

http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/

ps... that link will only show what I want it to today (Thursday)!


pps.... guess who I saw Monday at the mall? Here is a little hint! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sApH8VtWFI


Yea... that's right- I. Saw. Him. My first celebrity sighting!

I'm dedicating that song to the education of a Mrs. Jody Gray (aka rock star photographer who has no clue who Josh Turner is).