Fall Finally

Is it just me or do you think that fall is a little late this year? Normally in Nashville the leaves have all changed by the 3rd week in October but this year they are just beginning to turn and it's the last week. I hope that doesn't mean that we are in for a long winter. Don't get me wrong. I welcome winter, but I don't want it to stay for a long visit! 33Miles was in Stuart, VA, last night playing a youth rally for God's Task Force, a local ministry to teens. We had a great night back after a few days off. The promoter put us up in this cute cabin in the woods, complete with beautiful Fall leaves, wrap around porch, and running stream. It was so peaceful there. The view made me glad that Fall is here...finally!

Boo!

The Barton clan rolled in last night from a few days off in Louisiana visiting family. The entire time we were home Jake kept talking about wanting to get some pumpkins and carve them. I don't know where he is picking this up because this is something we have never done together before. In fact, Halloween is not an occasion I like to celebrate. Candy, YES!!! Halloween, NO! For some reason he is all into it, so I decided that it would be ok for us carve pumpkins. We got up early and went and got 2 pumpkins. Jake had a blast picking them out and I knew I would have a blast carving! I had already picked up a carving kit on our way home the day before. Jake decided that he wanted a pirate pumpkin! Mommy isn't to thrilled that we have a skull and crossbones on our front porch but I guess that what you get when you have 3 boys (no we aren't pregnant! I included myself in the count)!!! I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think???

Praise In The Park

Saturday night in Lucedale was a night to remember! Over 10,000 people crowded into the downtown park of the cute southern town of Lucedale, MS, and had a fun night of praise and worship. This is the second year in a row that we have played this event. Last year we were with Mr. Mark Shultz. This year it was us and Casting Crowns. We played a 40 min. set before CC and it was awesome to see a sea of people singing along and worshipping Jesus! Jen, Jake, and Jonah were there so Jen brought the boys up for the last song "Thank You". Jake brought his Gibson electric guitar onstage and Jonah had a mic. The crowd screamed when they came out. I think it scared Jake to death but Jonah seemed to soak it up. It was so great having my family there!!
We even had Jennifer's parents, sister and her kids, as well as my parents. It made the night even more special with us all being together. Casting put on a great show, as usual, and I have to say that I love Mark Hall. Such a great heart! The committee for the event said that they wanted us back for next year. I asked, "Aren't you sick of us?". "Never!" was their reply. It just amazes me the favor the Lord continues to shine on 33Miles. It is humbling. Praise Jesus for Praise In The Park!

God=Provider

Let me tell you what God did this morning. We arrived at LaGuardia to check-in for our flight and it was cancelled! I freaked! United gave us SO much trouble flying to NY. We paid over $400 in baggage fees, were in the last seat on the plane, etc... so when the lady said "cancelled" I nearly flipped. I kept thinking about getting in really late and then making the 7 hr drive to MS for Saturday's show. This was not acceptable. We need to get home asap! The agent we spoke to immediately put us on a direct flight to Nashville getting us in 3hrs earlier than our original flight PLUS did not charge us baggage fees!!! Unbelievable! It just completely convicted me of how I need to depend on God more and not freak out when things look impossible! He is looking out for me and is my Provider. He always makes a way. Sometimes it's not my way. Sometimes it is so much better than my way. Like this morning. Thank you, Lord!!!!

What Time Zone???

Yesterday felt like the longest day ever! I was already tired from the previous days travel to Boise and hadn't gotten adjusted to Mtn. time when we were up before dawn boarding a plane to Chicago (central time). We had a brief lay-over and then it was off to NYC (eastern time). We arrived at 3pm but it felt like 8pm. I know the day should've felt shorter because we flew from Mtn. to Eastern but No! We had a rough day flying so in an effort to salvage the day we spent the evening hanging in the city. We had dinner downtown near the WTC complex and then I did some shopping on 34th. I even got some of my favorite popcorn, Dale and Thomas, in Times Square. The day turned out OK. Wish I could say the same for my time clock. It doesn't know what time zone it's in!!!

KTSY and Boise

Last night 33 had the privilege of playing a listener appreciation concert for KTSY in Boise, ID. We had a great night but had a few close calls. Chris and Aaron were delayed in ATL and didn't get in until 6:15pm. We barely had time for soundcheck. Our in-ear monitors were not in their case when we arrived so the afternoon was spent searching for replacements. It was a crazy day but God always shines on us and everything worked out just fine. Isn't it good to know He always has our back? We had an awesome night and can't say thank you enough to KTSY for taking such great care of us. We love you guys. This pic was taken from the plane flying in. Beautiful, but I'm not ready for snow!

Fall Monsters

We woke up bright and early this morning and Jake asked if he could wear his skeleton shirt! I had almost forgotten that we had bought these for the boys so of course I said YES! They looked so cute all day! We had a really great day. We let mommy sleep in so it was a guys morning. We had breakfast, went to the park, came home and rode bikes, went to the creek near our home and threw rocks and played "poo sticks". It was a PERFECT morning. I enjoy our "guy" time together. They are growing up so fast and I know that opportunities like today are not going to always be there so we are making the most of our time together. They are so awesome. Jonah wore his new converse all-stars today and when Jake saw them he asked if Mommy and I would buy him a pair "just like Jonah". So we spent the evening at the mall buying shoes and playing at the mall play area. I am heading out in the morning for Idaho and then off to NYC!

HOME!!!

It seems like 33Miles has been busier than usual lately. I guess it is because we have! The last 2 weeks have been a crazy combo of radio visits and shows. I think that I have been home for a total of 3 full days in the past 2 weeks. For those of you that know me you aren't surprised that this is NOT enough time at home with Jen and the boys! I am thankful that God is blessing 33 with awesome opportunity but am hoping I get more time at home soon. This morning I rolled in from the road @ 7:30 and the boys were geared up to play Kung Fu Panda and I couldn't think of a better homecoming than getting those sweet hugs and kisses and hearing "Hiiieeee-YA!". Let the games begin! Daddy's HOME!!!

Discovery Download

OK guys! Sorry for the lack of posts this last week.  Things with 33Miles has been crazy busy and I wasn't able to take my computer on last weeks run.  We had a great time visiting radio stations in OK, MO, MN, WI, and IL and great shows in KS!  If I find the time I will blog specifically about those shows but right now I want you to know that you can download our current single "One Life To Love" on iTunes for FREE!!!  That's right.  FREE!!!  We are the Discovery Download this week and until Monday you can have a free copy of the tune!  We have a direct link from our website here.  Happy downloading and be sure you tell your friends!!!  Send them my blog link, direct them to our site, or just send them to iTunes.  Either way, share the good news!  If you have a cool "One Life To Love" story of how the song has impacted you, we would love to hear it. Leave me a comment and I'll pass it along to the guys!