New Job, New House...God is definately in my Life

Patience has been a chore for me, but I can honestly say it has paid off. I have to realize that things don't happen in my time, but in God's time. My family has been super blessed lately. Jonathan has started his new job as a police officer and we moved into the house of my dreams and have been living there 1 1/2 weeks now! It's a safe neighborhood, with several kids surrounding us. I can't express enough how much all this means to me. Although it is materialistic, God has answered my prayers and supplied us with what he feels we deserve/need. We were previously in a single-wide mobile home (which by the way is for sale) and every time the weather was bad, we didn't sleep much. The concerns of wind storms and not to mention the fact that we were somewhat under some large pine trees that would take my mobile home out in one whack! We now feel safer in a much more stable home.

Jonathan has been coming home every day telling me different stories of what he is experiencing and going through. I know deep in my heart, this is what is for him. We also own our own painting business which is thankfully keeping going by a good friend and great painter. God has opened so many new doors for us financially and spiritually. I just wanted to take the time to share with everyone our recent blessings! May God Bless You!

Fun Day At Noxubee Refuge

If you notice, Natalie is waving "bye" to the tree

This tree had small, soft leaves growing from the sides, so Kylie was feeling them.

On the Trail

At the Look-Out

We decided a few weeks ago to start having a "family day", so this particular Sunday afternoon, we went to the Noxubee Refuge. The weather was beautiful and I think the girls had a great time!!

Easter 2010

I'm kinda going backwards, but I didn't post any pictures from Easter. So I hope you enjoy!

God's Blessings

I am so excited! Although things have been crazy, there is a good to it all! Undecided where it was going to go, Jonathan applied for a position for the PD. After many unsuccessful attempts, God decides to bless us with the job! I am now married to a Police Officer and I'm so thrilled about it. Not only will the job help financially and secure monthly income, it is something that Jonathan really enjoys. This job has already openned so many doors for us. We are currently trying to sell our mobile home and move into the home I have dreamed about for 2 years now! The family who owns it has been so wonderful and wants us to have the house just as much as we want it. So I've been packing in hopes that the house will soon be mine! I just need to sell our mobile home. God is so good!!

2010

So it's been a while since I have posted anything! So to catch you up, I'll do my best! I am still a full time employee, a part time student, and I've added many extra activities on the side. I ask myself a lot why I do so much, and honestly I don't have an answer. I guess deep down, it's a desire and God has open these doors and I don't want to shut them.

Lately has been pretty challenging. I teach Children's Church every two weeks and I have a 4-H club that meets once a month. Although these times aren't every week, they definately keep me busy! Kylie is a Brownie in Girl Scouts and I do my best to support her in that.

Everything was going well until the last month. My heart has been in sooo many places! Idealing it belongs to God, then my family, but lately I just cry out! I am not by any means complaining, but like anyone, I need to express myself and why not here. It would be so nice to sleep in some mornings and lately my Saturdays have even been stacked up. Over a month ago, a dear friend of mine was incarserated. She is in deep trouble. I haven't been "real" close to her the past few years b/c ....well to be honest....it's a little complicated.

She has been a friend since we were 5 years old! She was in my wedding and I was even there when her first daughter was born! I drifted from her, b/c of family issues and other situations. She is now, due to poor decisions over the years, sitting in jail. My Saturdays and any spare moment I have has been spent praying for her. Many people are angry at her b/c her situation isn't very pretty. Her parents are angry and disappointed in her and honestly I can't say that I blame them.
But why am I'm still there?? Good question! I prayed before the first visitation b/c I didn't even know if she wanted to see me. God spoke to me and gave me the best vision of why I was suppose to be there and why I didn't have the anger everyone else had. He said "Becauase I Love Her Too!"
So I have done what I know is right in my heart! I have visited her every Saturday morning. Only one of her parents have been there and no one else. I'm so glad I AM able to be there for her. It breaks my heart seeing her in there, but she knows and I know it's what she needed and hopefully it will help more than hurt.

I've never really felt what I've felt for her, the way I do lately. I tear up and try my best to stay strong through it all. I've listened to different sermons to encourage me. I've had some pray for me and my journey through this. And I've even gotten some insight on what she needs from me while in there from someone else who is dear to me that current resides in jail.

I had a break down the other night. I feel emotionally, physically, and spiritually tired. I am keeping my head high and my heart focused. Through all of this, I have began to pay attention to friends who mean so much to me, as well as paying attention to those around you. I've learned to start showing more appreciation to people. I thank all who read and care about me. Please pray for strength and for God to shine through me as I travel this road. Thank you and I love you all!

Memorial Day Weekend-Past, Present, and Future

Memorial Day weekend was such an experience this year! I actually reconnected with a friend I haven't seen in 15+ years. We found each other through Myspace and to my surprise, she was looking for me just like I was looking for her. The moment of discovering her was so amazing! At the time, I shortly discovered she had joined the Army and was currently in Iraq. Her name is Katie and the most memories I remembered of her was running the neighborhood on bikes and playing together. She and her family moved to Birmingham, AL and I continued to write her letters and receive them. Then she moved in with her dad in California and that's when we lost touch. I have longed to find her and close to a year ago, I did! We planned from then that we would make a date that was a long weekend where she would visit her mom in Birmingham and we would stay with my n-laws in Birmingham. Well, that weekend finally arrived...Memorial Day Weekend!!

My heart was heavy of several emotions the whole ride Friday night. Saturday morning, we arranged to meet at IHOP for breakfast and get the day started catching up! The reunion was amazing. I got to meet her little girl and she got to meet mine. The whole family showed up and that was amazing to see how much everyone had "not" changed except the marriage and children.

We went to the McWane Science Center in Birmingham for the the kids to enjoy. It was great and I would recommend to anyone. Very interactive!

My children fixing a flat on a car.

Kylie in a mushroom
Not sure how this really works..but those headbands are suppose to recognize brain waves and there is a ball in a tube on the table. The one showing the most brain activity pushes the ball to the other person's side. (Look how Kylie is concentrating so hard)

You can't have a Science Museum without Dinosaurs and Dinosaur bones!!

They have this "sand box" where the kids can dig up their own dinosaur bones. Too Cool!

Kylie walking on the piano

Natalie golfing

Driving crazy

The girls in front of the bass by the aquarium.

Then we went to visit for a while. The next morning, we visited an Inflatable place called "Pump It Up". It was inexpensive and lots of fun. Even for adults!!

After playing hard, we went to eat at Dairy Queen. WONDERFUL!! The Mushroom Swiss Hamburger is to die for!! Why don't we have one of these in Starkville like we use to?? Hmmm???? Anyway...after indulging ourself to Hamburgers and Icecream, we made plans for the night, which involved going to the movies to see Night at the Museum, II. It was really cute! Katie, Me, and her sister Lindsey

Our two girls together...Kylie and Renae.

What a fun time we had! What an experince. I can only look forward to the next time we get to see each other. I can't wait!!

1 Down...Several to Go!

I am so proud of myself this year! I decided to go back to school. And not just any school...Mississippi State!

That may not seem like much to you, but I had this terror of attending a large university. Before I attended East Mississippi Community College and it reminded me much of High School. All in one building...simple enough...I had to get out of school because if you have a family, you are very much aware of how hard it is to have a family and go to school. Finances were a big part as well. So I went back to work for a bank.

Realizing I wanted to better myself...I applied for a position at Mississippi State and God's graces brought me to where I am today! Closer to Christmas, I decided I wanted to go back to school to become a teacher if all the doors would open that way.

Ok...I have to explain...When I graduated high school I received a scholarship to MSU. It wasn't much of one, but it was thoughtful for the teachers to pick me out of 200-300 kids. When I went to enroll at MSU, fear set in. I mean...MSU is a BIG campus! Plus, when I went to register and sign here, go there, you have to have this, you must get that, before I could start...it became such a chore and headache that I threw my hands up and said...forget it! I did not attend college that next year. Instead, I worked.

So up to date--when I started working for MSU, I realized all the opportunities of becoming a State Employee. You can go to school for free! There are stipulations as with anything...but for the most part, it was HOPE! MSU will pay for you to attend 2 classes a semester, but one of those classes has to be after work hours and one can be during work hours. I don't lose any pay which covers the financial part and I'm getting closer each semester to my dream job! Who could pass this up. So I decided the end of 2008 to do the school thing. Granted, I am older than most of the students attending (good thing I don't look my age).

I just completed my first semester! I started off with a "math" class and passed!! I'm so proud of myself! Not only that, I was accepted to the College of Education and I'm on my way to becoming the teacher I can't wait to be!

Now I'm set up for the Summer and Fall semesters. Wish me luck and I'll keep you informed!