Official Release!

Today is the official release date of our new CD, Expecting Good Things, IN STORES NOW! Amazon, B&N, Wally World, iTunes, you name it! Go get it!:)


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JM Holiday Cake

Last year at Thanksgiving, I told my step-mom that I wanted to bake a 3D Christmas tree cake. From that idea, we began brainstorming of ways to actually get lights onto our concoction; lights that would actually light up. This year, Madison brought it to my attention that John Mayer was having a baking contest. SO- here is our result!

This is a 6 tier, 3-dementional cake that is completely edible except for the Christmas lights! My step-mom, Grace, Madison, and I created this in 7 hours. The ornaments on the tree (carefully hand constructed of fondant icing) represent events in John Mayer's career. They begin at the bottom with the Fender Strat, the first guitar, and spiral upwards including events such as his living in Atlanta, his attendance at Berklee College of Music, Grammy awards, the Mayer Craft Carrier, and peaking with the upcoming "Heartbreak Warfare" single. We entered our cake in John Mayer's 2nd Annual Baking Contest and sent pictures of it directly to the judge, John, himself! Although we didn't win, the experience and quality time spent together was definitely worth the while. We plan to enter again this Christmas with an even bigger and hopefully better cake!

Angels Unaware?

While sitting at the table over breakfast this morning, I thought I saw someone walk by but looked outside to find that no one was there. This isn't the first time this has happened... so many times before I've sworn that a shadow passed by but because no one was ever there, I figured my eyes were playing tricks on me so I never said anything. I can remember this happening even as a child, yet I've never felt fearful upon this occurrence. This morning, I spoke up without a thought. I casually told my step-mom that "I could've sworn I saw somebody walk by the door" to which she replied, "I thought I was the only one that did that!" About that time, Dad walked in on the conversation and joined us at the table. Once he found out what we were talking about, he said that he always sees it as well, but doesn't think anything of it because he too, has noticed it since he was a child. In fact, he's noticed it since his dad died leaving behind a wife and three children, one of which was my 10 year old dad. On that morning in 1969, a 10 year old boy about to board a school bus refused to kiss his dad goodbye. He thought he was too big to do that anymore. As soon as he got to school, a family friend was there to pick him up: his dad had died of a sudden heart attack just minutes after he walked out the door. My aunt's say that as their dad was sitting there in his chair, they noticed that he looked up at the sky with a smile as wide as the ocean and then fell over. I've heard from so many people that my grandfather, John Lewis, whom I've never met, was such a talented Godly man. In fact, anytime Little Roy Lewis sees me at a concert or at any family event that I attend with Madison, he says to me, "Hey, you're John Lewis's granddaughter, aren't you?" I'm told that he had a giving heart and helped anyone any time he could and that he could pretty much play any instrument that he dared to pick up. All I've ever heard about him is good, and I wish I could have known him. But it's such an honor to be known and associated with someone so highly thought of. It really shows how much of a legacy we can leave behind by how we live our lives. But to hear Dad talk this morning about the "shadows" that we all frequently see but never speak of brings a smile to my face. Perhaps we are all protected by angels unaware.

Recent Randoms

Just some recent random observations. Hope you enjoy.

• There is no better feeling than that of giving.
• In both fear and faith, you are forced to believe in an unknown variable. In fearing, you're choosing to believe the what ifs in life that diminish smiles from our faces. In faith, you're choosing to believe in a positive outcome- one that allows a life free of stress, worry, and negativity. Why not choose faith?
• I've got more in this life to be thankful for than I acknowledge. So here's to the awareness of the little things around us that we should all learn to appreciate.
• Sleep is better when you're going to bed satisfied. From now on, I'm not going to go to bed just because I need to log those hours for ultimate health, but I'm going to enjoy my day- squeeze every bit of goodness out of it, THEN hit the sack.
• Being awake is better when waking isn't rushed. Waking slowly and not hitting the ground running makes for a happier, more stress free day. And even though it seems that you have more time to be productive by running from the minute you wake, you really do accomplish more when you're happy- not stressed.
• Baths are better with reading material. Mine of choice for this week has been The Oprah Magazine, which I love. Bath time is time to relax.
• Even if I don't want to log time on the treadmill, afterwards I'm always thankful that I did.
• I love the crazy rush of Black Friday. I participated for my first time this year and scored a 7ft pre-lit Christmas tree for me and Madison, and I also purchased my very own first set of luggage. It's a 5 piece set and it's royal purple. Spent less than $100, saved $215! And I've always loved a good sale, but now I know what a GREAT sale is... you can imagine how giddy I was!
• About Black Friday- confession: I love it more when I'm waiting in crazy lines for doors to open.. you know, at 5 am. By 8 am, I'm done. I really do love the RUSH. Did I mention that Home Depot only had about 10 of those Christmas trees and they were all gone within about 10 minutes?
• I never seem to have enough books. I have a list of several I'm wanting to buy. Hopefully a Barnes & Noble gift card will make it into my stocking this year.
• Disney never gets old. We're going again Dec 15th!
• Friends doesn't get old either.. no matter how many times I've seen the episode. And there's an episode for EVERY situation.

If you have anything to add, I'd love for you to share!

Update on Wedding Planning

Over the past couple of days, we have had so much progress in the wedding planning process! I'm so motivated and more excited than ever about all the decisions that we've been making. To catch you up:

• We have our location- Sacred Heart in Augusta, Ga.
• Of course, we have our date- 388 days away!
• We have a rough draft of our guest list.
• We bought our save-the-dates and are working to have those mailed by the end of the first week in December! Right now, we're collecting addresses for those which require save-the-dates.
• We have picked out our cake and already have someone to make it.
• We have a rough draft of our reception menu.
• We have our ceremony musician... and I couldn't be more excited about who it is! It's a surprise!
• We've started registering but so far have only registered for a few things at Williams-Sonoma.
• We've already received our first gift from Williams-Sonoma... just a thinking of you from Madison's mom.
• My dress has already been ordered and has already come in! In fact, I wore it for 2 hours yesterday! I am more in love with it than ever before... MAN O MAN.
• We've already picked out our invitations.
• We know what we're doing for wedding favors- but that's going to be a surprise too!
• Did I mention that my guest list is alphabetized? OH YEAH, IT IS.
• We already have an idea of the brides maids dresses we want... and a color scheme.
• I know what my bouquet is going to look like... and those for the brides maids as well.
• On December 8th, we're going to see Sacred Heart decorated for Christmas which is how it will be for our wedding- and we're so excited!
• We have a wedding coordinator.

I think that's all I can tell you at this point. Other decisions are still underway. I'll be sure to blog another update soon!

Three Time Hall of Famers, The Lewis Family, Will Appear For One Final Concert

Join us for this day in history...

Three time Hall of Famers The Lewis Family will appear for one final concert

Grammy nominees Jeff & Sheri Easter will join them

One of Georgia’s most notable musical artists, The Lewis Family, officially retired in September, but the group was coaxed to appear in concert once again in their home state of Georgia.

“We are so excited to be coming together one last time for our friends here at home and for the folks at WJBF who have been so supportive of us all through the years,” said Little Roy Lewis.

Members of the First Family of Bluegrass Gospel will gather to appear in concert Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. in Lincolnton, Ga. at the Lewis Family Pavilion. Jeff & Sheri Easter will also appear. Tickets are $10 and children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available only at the gate.

Attendees should bring lawn chairs in the event available seating is exceeded. Attendees should also dress appropriately for an outdoor concert.

Little Roy said he looks forward to jamming with visiting musicians with some parking lot pickin’ from noon until 4 p.m. prior to the concert.

The Lewis Family television show went on the air in 1954 and ran until 1992 when the family began producing its annual Christmas special. This event will be taped for use as the group’s 55^th annual Christmas Show to air on WJBF in Augusta.

The Lewis Family are members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and hold numerous awards including Doves, SPBGMA awards, and others.

The family began with the marriage of the late Roy “Pop” and Pauline “Mom” Lewis and their children began performing in 1951. As their fifty-eighth year of performing about 200 times a year covering 100,000 miles comes to a close, the group includes siblings Little Roy Lewis, Janis Lewis Phillips, Miggie Lewis, and the ailing Polly Lewis Copsey with third generation member Lewis Phillips. Other members of the family may make special appearances in recognition of this special event.

Two of those former members include Polly’s son-in-law and daughter, Jeff & Sheri Easter. They have distinguished themselves in a highly awarded career of their own including five Dove awards, a Grammy nomination and through their association with the Gaither Homecoming video series selling over 15 million videos.

“I am excited that we are giving people in Georgia a chance to come together and honor the family’s legacy,” Sheri said. “It will be a great opportunity for people to come and say thank you for all the things the Lewis Family has done for gospel music and our hometown and in turn a chance for all of us in the family to extend thanks for the many years of friendship from all those who included the Lewis Family as part of their lives.”

For more information, call (706) 359-1997 or (706) 359-3767 or visit www.lewisfamilymusic.com and www.jeffandsherieaster.com.

Calendar Announcement:

The Lewis Family Final Concert featuring the Lewis Family and Jeff and Sheri Easter – Bluegrass, Gospel and Georgia Music Hall of Famers, the Lewis Family of Lincolnton, Ga. will appear Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. for a final performance at the Lewis Family Pavilion in Lincolnton, Ga. The event will be taped by Augusta’s WJBF channel 6 and broadcast as the Lewis Family’s 55^th Annual Christmas Show. Admission is $10. Attendees should bring a lawn chair and dress appropriately for an outdoor concert. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. Parking lot jammers will be welcomed from 12 – 4 p.m. and Little Roy Lewis will join in the fun. For more information, call (706) 359-1997 or (706) 359-3767 or visit www.lewisfamilymusic.com and www.jeffandsherieaster.com.

Raw Emotion, Inspiration, & Dream Chasin'

There are just some things I find difficult to share mostly because I can't seem to find words for them. I don't really talk about this situation openly or to just anyone because I feel like until you've been there, you just can't exactly understand, but through the struggles that I've at times faced, and tears that I've at times cried, I can tell you this: It has all made me strive for a better self, and allowed me to recognize the opportunities that life offers; that I can choose to nurture my relationships with friends, family, and my future husband, that I can make a difference in someone's life, that I can laugh, that I can cry, that I can chase my dreams and encourage others to do the same, and that I can be the person that I choose to be. This is a song I wrote a few years ago. I was thinking about my Dad, his character, the things he's battled in his life, and the things I appreciated from him as a parent. Aside from our graduation song which I wrote, I've never made anything else public before. This is a first for me. It's a risk, and my heart is racing. I only hope that it can touch someone's life. So, here goes. I call it "Dad's Song".

He holds her little hand and he cries

As he watches her sleep

Her mom had been gone for three days

It was best that she leave

But his little girl needs her mama around

And when she’ll need her the most

She just won’t be found

He constantly wonders how he’ll

Answer questions to come

And whether or not he can be

Both a dad and a mom

There’s just so much only time can tell

He prays daily for God to send angels to help

He loves her

And he prays for her each night

And when he prays he

Knows everything’s alright

Because God’s never failed him

And he won’t fail this time

He may give you a mountain

But not one that you can’t climb

Those days turn to years as she grows

And it blows him away

She was still just his little girl

Yesterday

Now they’re choosing pictures for senior ads

And while they’re looking back

On the life that they had

She said “Daddy I want you to know

That I love you so much.

And this life that you’ve given to me

Has been more than enough.”

They say she is a testament to the faith

That her father had when he prayed for her that day

And he loves her

And he still prays for her each night

When he prays he

Knows everything’s alright

Because God didn’t fail him

And he won’t fail this time

He may give you a mountain

But not one you can’t climb.

And if it seems that it’s too tall

Remember the journey is what really matters

And if you feel you’re gonna fall

He’ll pick you up,

If you want him to

He holds her hand and he cries

As he gives her

Away