Happy Election Day

This has nothing to do with today's election.  It has everything to do with our weekend on the road.  

However, please go VOTE!  It's our right, privilege, and honor as Americans.

*end of politics* 

We went to Illinois and Missouri and I decided to bring a new addition to the road.  And I quite enjoyed having it.  (I'm talking about the eye mask, not the pillow...if you were wondering).

Our first stop was Belleville, IL which is just outside of St. Louis, MO.  This LEGO display of Busch Stadium was in the hotel lobby.  Over 2800 legos used! 

If you follow me on instagram/fb/twitter, you saw my post of the LEGO Nativity that was also in the lobby.  IT. WAS. AMAZING.  Approximately 1 million legos used in 9 months of production.  Each piece was shipped to this location in their  own crate from Seattle.

Here's a closer look at Jesus, Mary and Joseph:

Now, listen.  I love contemporary church design as much as the next girl.  Bring on the smoke machine.  BUT, traditional churches remind me of my childhood and I love them.  St. Matthew UMC in Belleville is BEAUTIFUL, so I had to get a shot after soundcheck:

I think he was being silly at this particular moment.  Telling the legendary loop machine story.

  

Us with Matt Vollmar.  He leads worship at St. Matthews and was our contact for the show.  He also is the lead singer for The Great Romance.

We drove through St. Louis on the way to our next stop (Desloge, MO) just so I could take a picture of the arch.

Allow me to explain this picture...

On the road, we stay in hotels, guest housing, we've stayed in an RV before, and sometimes our own tent. But we've never encountered digs quite like the ones at Desloge FBC.  They have an apartment at the church!  In the building.  We were literally about 20 yards from where the show was!  It had everything we needed.  Just like a hotel.  Except they stocked it with yummy snacks!  Such a great idea.  More churches should do this, we decided.  Not just to house musicians, of course.  They use it for hosting missionaries, evangelists, and guests of other churches. 

The view of the venue before the show.  They have a walking track, too!  And a workout room.  (And awesome retro chairs that I seriously would like to have one day).

I liked the shadow.

After the show, posing for pictures.

We don't always have merch volunteers, but we did this time and they were awesome!  Meet Bekah and Miracle...our Merch Mavens!

And this is random, but this is the book we're reading.  When I say "we" it's because I'm Trent's book on tape.  We are loving this story!

Happy Election Day!  GO VOTE!!

I'm SURE She'll Tweet Me Back

This was our first year to be around Nashville during Halloween.  And once I knew that, I started thinking about costumes.  

My excitement was partly due to the fact that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE dressing up and partly because I hadn't been able to dress up since 2009 (but who's keeping track) when I was a crazy lady with sweat pants, a wig, and a leotard Sally O'Malley: 

Before the actual day, some friends asked if we wanted to help with a Trunk or Treat at a local church.  We said yes and got to monitor the bean bag toss.

We had a great time!  Although, Trent's back was sore the next day from picking up bean bags all night long and I was told I was mean by a kid (not in costume) because I politely told him to toss underhand the next time he came to play.  My inner PE teacher came out.  He was throwing too hard, torturing the poor pumpkin and getting dangerously close to my man's baby making parts.   

The first step to our costumes was to paint Trent's nails black.  I had too much fun.  And he actually asked, "Do they make stuff to take this stuff off?"  Bless his heart.   

Our plan for this Halloween was not having a plan.  So we got dressed up at 5:30 and hit the town.  We drove downtown and saw NO costumes.  We drove by another place.  Same thing.  I was like, "Do people in this town not dress up?"  Then I thought, "Maybe they're all dressed up as hipsters and it's not cool to dress up..." 

Then we realized that it was still pretty early and so we went to Sonic to get a snack and then we realized how old we are.  Out before 8:00 and eating in our car at Sonic.  Sweet mercy.

We finally settled on a place and walked in and people loved our attempt at the Osbournes.  We even spoke in their accents and people asked for pictures of us.  HA!  (I tweeted Sharon our picture.  I'm still waiting for her to reply.  I'm sure she will).  

Finally, people started showing up in their crazy outfits and costumes and all was well.  And this?  Is about the most amazing thing ever...

Bob Ross and his canvas.

(And, to be clear, I have no idea who these people are).

It was a fun night.  It's the only day of the year where you can see a Ninja Turtle, Dorothy, and a Confederate Soldier dance and not think twice about it.  And that's why I love Halloween.  We've already started talking about future costumes.  

And, since we don't have kids, here's the closest thing I got.  The niece and nephews.  Aren't they precious?

How was your Halloween?