So just when I thought I couldn't and wouldn't find a favorite for American Idol this year, out of the blue comes Danny Gokey. Here was this attractive, humble, sensitive man who just came into the Kansas City auditions (ironic much?) and took hold of me (like last year with David.) His story about losing his wife made me cry and I hoped that he could sing. Well when he walked into that room and started singing I was BLOWN AWAY. Wow, could he sing. He was amazing. I knew from that moment I had my favorite, no doubt about it.

Then came Hollywood Week. Danny was so SUPERB and PHENOMENAL that it brought tears to my eyes. He definitely is the class of the field and the one to beat this season. Quote me on that. Danny just has it all. The personality, look, spark, and voice to win it all. He has a unique sense of humor (laughing at himself for almost going the wrong way out of the room in the intial audition and after almost tripping on a rug as he ran out of the room after making top 36), a humbleness and charm about him, he's smart, he's headstrong and he's spiritual.

After all he's been through in his life he still has his faith. That's the one thing that stands out to me above everything else. After losing his wife, he is still so strong. Granted, it didn't come easy, just read his blog to know that. But he put his faith in God and God helped him get through it and see that he could be great and he could help others through his amazing talent.

So far, Danny's done that for me. Just like David did last year. I didn't think it was possible to find someone else that would make me love this season of Idol. But Danny did, granted David will always be #1 to me, but Danny is 2nd. He's just amazing. I really can't say that enough. David may have helped me focus, mature, and get back on the right path with his music and his overall personality, but Danny's helping me to get back on the path spiritually.

I've been a bitter person for so long about not having someone to share my life with, and about losing my incredible grandmother, who was and always will be the strongest woman I ever knew. I wondered 'why me', wondered why I couldn't be happy, and why didn't someone want me, but now through Danny's amazing strength and faith, I realize God does have a plan for all of us. It may not be one we understand but it will work out for us in the end. I'm learning to trust and have faith and not worry about how things will work out. I'm weeding out the people who aren't good in my life and finding my own self in this world.
I am finally putting myself first, no more doing things for others and neglecting me. I have so much I want to accomplish, so much I want to do with my life and I'm finally FULLY ready to go about that dream. I don't want to fail, I won't accept failure. From now on, I'm stronger, more determined, and more mature about things in life.

If it wasn't for my angels on Earth and in Heaven, who knows where I'd be or who I'd be right now. I'm so grateful to the hands of fate that stepped in and sent me David and Danny to help me realize these things. From now on, I will be more faithful and trusting in God and I know He's the one who will love me unconditionally and help me through it all.

Thanks to David and all my new friends I made through our love for David this year was great. David opened my eyes up to a new way of life and made me believe in my dreams again. I'm so honored to have him in my life and so thrilled to know his amazing personality and music. I hope I get to meet him and the band in 2009 and tell David how much he's changed my life. Without him, I'd still be a bitter cynic with no desire to even pursue my dreams further. After all I'd been thru the last year and a half, I'd given up hope and shut myself off. Then David entered my world and made me whole again. I owe so much to him.

I also have some of the most amazing friends in the world now because of him. All my IDFers are like family to me, we just get each other and we support and love all our dysfunctions. Haha. We are family in every way that counts and I am so proud to know them. I love them so much, they are family, more so than my own family. But I know no matter what I have them to fall back on. They are so supportive and so cool. They are amazing people and I can't wait for all our adventures in 2009 with David's solo tewer. Here's to an amazing 2009. I can't wait!

Reflections in the waves of my eyes
My mind's a million shining seas
My life's grounded in the colors of the night
And I'm left answering your pleas

And I'm still standing
Waiting for you
And I'll keep on demanding
Let these feelings subdue
And I'll keep on living
With my heart on my sleeve
'Cause I've seen love
And I still believe

Inspiration escapes me
As I look into my dreams
My hands are open for promise
I fall apart at the seams

And I'm still standing
Waiting for you
And I'll keep on demanding
That these feelings subdue
And I'll keep on living
With my heart on my sleeve
'Cause I've seen love
And I still believe

I'm tired of complaining
I'm tired of restraining on you
Feelings from you

I'll always live to be
The one who selflessly
Gave all my heart
If you only knew

I'll keep on living
With my heart on my sleeve
'Cause I know love
And I still believe

Wow, it feels so good to be able to say that David is our new American Idol...I'm so proud of all he's accomplished and so happy that he got the win he so rightfully deserved. It's so amazing to see someone I've rooted for and been inspired by so much win. This is the first year in which my favorite has won, and I'm still trying to process it all.

David has made me realize dreams do come true. He never gave up on his and he's gotten his dream, after all that hard work and dedication. He has changed my life in so many ways, and words can't really express just how much it means to me that he won Idol. I have never supported an Idol contestant so much in any other season and never had such an emotional connection to an Idol contestant in the past 5 seasons I've watched...David is the most amazing individual that has ever graced that Idol stage and he is going to be so successful in all he does. There's nothing but good that can come from him winning. I am so proud of him, and so proud that I can call him my Idol. It still feels like a dream, but I know it's not..


David Roland Cook is THE American Idol and no one can change that.

Okay, seriously what the heck were the judges smoking last night? Cookie did a phenomenal job on all three songs and I was in awe of him once again. He proved to me last night exactly how much he wants this and when he cried during "The World I Know" I cried...Of course, I usually cry watching him perform anyway, but this time it was different. As I listen to the mp3 of this song I can see that David poured his heart and soul into this song and he did an amazing job with it. Hope still lingers on for me that he will win this. I know no matter what that he'll be successful, but I just want him to win so badly....


I have never been this into Idol before and I've never thrown everything I had into voting like last night. I've only had 5 hours of sleep and yet, I'm not tired. I'm just nervous/excited/scared/anxious. This has got to be one of the most nerve racking finales I've ever watched. David mesmerized me last night, and I disagreed with the judges so much that it's not even funny. I loved "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". That last note was SO amazing. "Dream Big" put it all in perspective for me....Seriously, if you don't dream big, what's the use in dreaming? I felt the lyrics and was inspired by that so much. I can hear that being on the radio tomorrow and just tearing up the charts. And "The World I Know"...well what can I say but WOW. That performance told me just how much he wanted this, and him breaking down really melted me so much...I have never loved an Idol contestant as much as I love David, artist and person..


Only 6 hours to go until the finale starts and I'm starting to get more and more nervous as the minutes pass. I want him to win this so badly and really don't know that I'll be able to handle second place. I know, in the end, David's fine with second place, but I truly believe he deserves the title and I want to see him win it all...In the end, whatever happens is in God's hands and if Cookie's meant to win this he will...