Elton John & Billy Joel: Face to Face

by far one of the BEST concert's I have EVER been to.

Every effort that was made to get to this show was worth it.

Rachel & I met up in Kansas City - just for the concert.  We were supposed to see them in Denver but they cancelled so we headed to Kansas. We were not even there for 24 hours.

The show was 3.5 hours long -

the pianos, the brass instruments... clear path to my heart right there.
-not to mention two people who have incredible music and talent.

That just topped off my 24th (wow, it was so weird to type in 24 there) birthday.

Rachel & I

Elton & Billy

Elton

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Elton

Billy Joel

Billy Joel

...you'll have to wait for video footage!

This and That

So remember how I said in a previous post how I would be "making the most of my remaining days up here..." well, that would be the reason for the lack of posting on my blog. SO if there are even any followers left, I'm sorry for the delay. And if you're just joining...welcome.

My blog is a place were I'm journaling my life. I moved out of Texas, thus being what started the blog - but when I get back (in May) I have a feeling I'll probably keep it up.

I last left of with our massive snow storm and A LOT has happened recently.

One of the best things I've ever been able to be a part of, the engagement of Matt & Lauren. Matt proposed on Saturday, February 20th 2010 along the reflecting pool of the Lincoln Monument. I was positioned hiding behind a tree, taking pictures. Needless to say it was cold but worth it. I semi-introduced Lauren & Matt back in October and clearly things went well and they're getting married this year! I love it.

I haven't known Lauren for a year (we're coming up on that mark, April 21 (Muster) and it feels as if I've known her my entire life. And Matt, we met back in September/October - he's a Texan and an Aggie and it feels as if I've known him for my entire life as well. I love how the Lord orchestrates these friendships as if they've been here all along, and we've never missed a beat.

The same could be said with a lot of my close friends up here.

Needless to say, I'm so thankful to be a part of Matt and Lauren's life and love how solid our friendship is.

The future Mr. Matthew Robert Kodzik:

twenty-four

After my 23rd birthday I was almost convinced no birthday would ever top it..mainly because I was in Washington, D.C. celebrating and of course never envisioned that (ever) in my life.

However - I was wrong, oh so wrong. And I'm so glad I can say that.

A year ago, I had one friend here - it was rough.  Trust me.

This year, I have more friends that I could ask for, close - good friends that I'm so thankful for.

Twenty-Four certainly is the best birthday I've had.

It's was a birthday WEEK! (Oh, how I love birthdays!)

Monday - I got cards and a gift from my sista, Eric & Will...love mail (hint)


Tuesday - I got more cards and a gift from the Duty's.


Wednesday - I got a cake! My parents sent me one from Janie's Cakes in Tyler, Texas.  I highly recommend trying their cakes!  I got a few more cards.  I was so excited when I got home from dinner that I could not sleep! (It's possible it had to do with the amount of food I consumed at dinner though!)
Wednesday night I went out to dinner with Rob & Sharla.  They took me to L'Auberge Chez Francois - a small French restaurant in Great Falls, VA.  It was absolutely delicious and the quaintest place you ever saw!  I loved spending time with them.  Charlie had a babysitter - so he wasn't there.  It was so nice just to be able to talk and have good conversation.  I'm so thankful for them and the opportunities I have because of them.  I can't imagine a better situation than the one I'm in.

Thursday - MY BIRTHDAY!  I actually didn't get any mail! ha.  But I got lots of phone calls and Facebook wall posts (yes, those make me very excited oddly enough!)
Midinight - I received a text from Rachel
1:15am - Michael (brother) calls to wish me a Happy Birthday and was just thrilled that he woke me up.
...various calls were received throughout the day and it was great!
Thursday night I went over to Lauren's house and we had a little birthday party. It was so fun. We made personal pizzas and Lauren made a cake.  Carrie made the dough for the pizzas from scratch and it was SO delicious!   I got lots of great presents and cards from my friends and twenty four was just great!

Friday I went over to a new friends home! I met her through Gymboree (with Charlie) she has a little boy who is just adorable.  I loved getting to go have dinner with her and her family and hang out.  It felt like we had been long lost friends!

This birthday, by far, surpassed all others.  I'm so thankful my life looks so much different this year than it did last year!  The Lord is certainly faithful and has plans better than I could imagine!

A few pictures:

(so thankful for these 3 girls!)

Snowpocalypse, Snomageddon, Snoverkill, Sno Mas?

If you've caught any bit of news within the past WEEK, I'm certain you've heard that we're being pounded with all sorts of snow.

Our first storm hit on Saturday, January 30... (I actually think we had a little on the ground before that).

Our second storm came on...Tuesday night (February 2nd) into Wednesday morning early.

Our third storm made it's way here on Friday, February 5th right around noon.

And yet our 4th snow is still visiting and making his name known.  We're in "Blizzard Conditions."

Constantly, however...throughout this entire series of storm..all I seem to be reminded of is the Lord and how He washes my our sins - white as snow.  To look outside and see everything with two feet of snow covering EVERYTHING...

smooth. pure. beautiful. as if there is nothing under there that is full of bumps and problems.  Our sheets are as white as snow. All of the stain from those past sins have now been completely washed away by the blood of Jesus.  I'm so thankful He's been reminding me of His grace in this storm.

Isaiah 1:18 -  

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

There is a lot of me that would really like to be bitter at all of the snow, to be frustrated.

I mean, I'm quite positive I'm caught up on all the snow I missed out on, growing up in Texas.

We've taken a few walks outside and it's pretty incredible.  I read on the news that the amount of snow that has fallen in the DC Metro Area could fill The Empire State Bldg 30,000 times.  That's a lot of snow!

So this is day 6 in the house.  We've been out a couple of times to eat lunch and to see how the other places near us look.  Thankfully we live on a semi-important road and we get plowed pretty often (although they always dump the plowed snow in our driveway!)  This time with Rob & Sharla has been good, and it will be treasured.  We've played games, watched movies and laughed and sighed.  It's been good.  3 months from now, I won't have that.

So regardless of how many times we shovel the driveway, or the roof for that matter (it is flat), and how many times the road crews plow all the snow in our driveway - He's reminding me of His love, and His grace... something that has been greatly appreciated here recently.

But... I do have Cabin Fever.

Here are some pictures are two videos.. go to my photo blog for pictures!









I certainly miss the "Texas" form of snow that melts overnight, or even the next day!