It' been a while...

I recently realized that it's been forever since I blogged last! Things here have been going wonderfully wonderful (how's that for redundant?) :)

Our weeknights have been filling up between going to the gym, church, etc. but we love it! :) I attended an orientation session a couple weekends ago to start volunteering. I will be working with disabled children, homeless people, low-income families, etc. I start this Saturday and can't wait! I'm so excited to be giving back to this amazing community!

Work for both of us has been going good. Tomorrow's Friday, so that makes me happy!! :) For Jared, it's only his Tuesday...poor guy. :( At least he's able to work from home on Saturdays and a lot of Sundays...so that's nice.

Last weekend was great!! Some of my family, Jared's family and the Walkups (who we consider family...who says you have to be related to be family?) visited us. We had so much fun!!!! It was so nice to spend time with everyone. And, yes, I hated to see everyone go. I'm all for everyone moving to Charlotte...hint, hint. :)

I hope all of you are doing great Enjoy your weekend!! :)

HOT!!!!!!

So, this heat is a killer.  Usually I like really hot weather.  But today, I have had my fill.  First, sitting in traffic, in 100 degree weather, with a broken air conditioner, is a bit of a bummer.  Second, sitting in your apartment, with a broken air conditioner, is even worse.  Hopefully both will be fixed in the next day or two.  Until then, this hot heat is a nice reminder that it is summer.  I love summer, so I can't complain too much. :)  

Enjoy the weather...and wear sun screen! :)

Look beyond Obama's smooth talk

Hey guys. It's Jared, the less active blogger of the "Turner 2," making a rare but hopefully meaningful post. I felt compelled to write tonight after watching Barack Obama clinch the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.

Engaging and eloquent as the Illinois senator always manages to be, it's baffling to me that so many Americans can be so swayed by such empty rhetoric. I challenge anyone reading this post to pay extra attention the next time Obama appears behind a podium to give a campaign speech.

His words, electrifying as they can be, are so empty at the core. He says he wants to provide healthcare to more Americans but offers no specific way to go about it. He says he wants to unite people, yet his voting record in the U.S. Senate reflects little, if any, evidence of ever reaching across party lines. He bristles at the notion that he is unpatriotic yet sat in the pews of a church for 20 years and listened to a demagogue call America everything but a land of liberty and spew hatred toward those who believe differently. He claims to be tired of the "same old Washington politics" yet refused to denounce his divisive minister until it became politically expedient.

And for what it's worth, Obama's wife has said America is a mean country - the same country in which she has made millions of dollars, mothered two beautiful children and graduated from two of the most elite universities in the entire world!

Do you see the blatant hypocrisy here? Masked behind the smooth talk and the wide smile is a man who openly associates with unrepentant terrorists and has no regard for the protection of the unborn. He also has expressed a desire to meet with leaders of nations that harbor terrorists and want to wipe Israel off the map. It's time for the American people to see beyond the silly "change" buzzword and see the reality of a man who is unqualified and unprepared to inherit the oval office.

Before we go in that voting booth in November may we all remember that one tug of a lever or push of a button could impact the lives of future generations.

I'll be the first to acknowledge that no candidate is perfect. Even Mike Huckabee, the one candidate in this election whose positions come close to aligning with my own, has made gaffes along the way that make me scratch my head and question his preparedness to lead this nation.

But before jumping on the Obama bandwagon, I urge everyone to examine his shocking associations and leftist positions. You'll be surprised, and hopefully disturbed, by what you find.

.... On a lighter note, life is still great for Jennifer and I here in Charlotte. I'm so proud of how quickly Jennifer has adjusted to a new place and new job. In fact, she hasn't just adjusted - she's thrived. I realize a little more everyday how blessed I am to call her my wife. She's witty, hard-working and downright lovable. Oh, to be me :)

Politics

There were three politicians and a ton of commentators speaking on Fox News tonight. My favorite part of all of their comments was when they said, "Good night."

Don't get me wrong, politics intrigue me. They do not intrigue me as much as they do my husband. He gets almost giddy on primary nights and loves watching politcal shows. I am not going to discuss who I think should win the election. Most of you who know us know that Jared and I have strong convictions and opinions that play a huge part in how we vote. While I'm not particularly impressed with either candidate, I do plan to vote and already know who I am voting for.

I must say though, November cannot get here soon enough. I don't say that because I think we need a new president. I am simply tired of hearing about this election. I'm also ready for our country to be a bit more united...does it really matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican? I'm sure the child who is laying in bed hungry, the parents who are stressing over finances, the man sleeping in the park, and the soldier fighting in Iraq would rather you show compassion than hold a sign in a political rally.

That's just my humble opinion. Stepping off my soapbox now. :)

Check out reason #5...we want you to come!!!

More reasons why we love Charlotte:

1. You never know what to expect. Jared and I were getting ready to drive onto the interstate when a random group of college-aged guys stuck their head out of the car window and yelled, "Wewwwwwwww!" I think they were just trying to get funny reactions. It took us back to the nights before a football game in Blacksburg where we would literally hear people shouting "Wewww!" all night. It made us want to yell ,"Go Hokies."

2. The Billy Graham Library. It is absolutely a complete treasure. We only got to spend 45 minutes in it but we definitely plan on going back. It's amazing and a must see for anyone. It's free, too...which speaks volumes about the mission of this ministry.

3. Have I mentioned our church? OK, I know I have, but it's worth repeating. :) We love it and are incredibly blessed to have found it! :)

4. The skyline. There is one road that you can go on and see the skyline in all of it's splendor. It's so great!!! Another must see.

5. The Hokies are playing their first football game here in September. We are planning on getting a bunch of people together, go to the game, and then back to our place for a cook-out (that is if we get a grill this summer!). If you want to come, let us know! The more the merrier :)