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!

God's Plan Is Bigger!

Well lately has been a little confusing for us. As you have read, we are wanting to buy the house in an earlier blog. Boy was that our desire, but I think God had a different plan for us right now.

It has been so confusing to decide what is the right next move. Like playing Chess. Jonathan and I felt like God was telling us to be patient and allow him to be God. So we did just that. Last week we were called with the news that the home owners have some friends they would love to rent the house to for 6 months while their home was being built. Of course we were ready to move in all except for selling our mobile home. But pressure was there and time was running out for decisions. So we decided to wait! Jonathan called the home owners and told them that without selling our mobile home, we couldn't do it and the 6 months could give us some more time and in the meantime, their friends would have somewhere comfortable to go.

This was a hard decision to allow. But we both feel better now that it has been done. God's plan is bigger than ours! So...now my truck (Honda Passport that I have owned for 6 years now) is having problems. It's been a good vehicle, it's just time for something else. You know how it is....Once you pay something off, that's when it goes downhill. Well, my truck has been a good one, but something had to happen quick due to the problems with it.

So God's plan became more clear as we went vehicle shopping! The Honda was my first real vehicle that was all mine. And meant a lot to me. But on to the lots we went. Our intension was to go to Tupelo, but on the way we decided to stop at Mitchell Automotive. As we're looking, a salesman came out and wanted to assist us. I asked him about where the used vehicles were.

Now let me explain something real quick. I NEVER EXPECTED TO BE A VAN MOM. But I was going to browse them b/c Jonathan suggested them to me. I'm too young to drive a van!

But the only used van they had on their lot, I was not impressed with. The gentleman wanted to let us check out the interior to which I was Surprised!! For me being as short as I am, this Van fit me as well as my Passport did! Humm?? Could I be a Van Mom?? Well after hearing the price the salesman offered, we let them know quickly it was out of the range we were looking for. The salesman didn't hesitate and said to let him see what he could get for us.

So from here, we decided to move on to Columbus (closer in case we decided to come back) to see what else was out there. Nothing seemed right for me! Everything was worse priced than the first lot. It's like God's light was around our first stop! The salesman called back and said they could get the price down to where it would suit us and today..............

I AM A VAN MOM!!!!

I couldn't be more happier. I have never owned something sooo new and wonderful as this. It is a 2008 Dodge Caravan.

(this is only a replica of the van, not the actual photo, although it looks just like this)

My best information I can give out...is if you are feeling the way remember the verse:

"Be Still, and Know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Which teaches us patience and trust in God.

Fun Day At The Park

On Saturday, our family took a trip to the park and had a picnic with Grandmom and Grandad. The day was so beautiful, we couldn't pass it up! We ate, played, caught insects, rode bikes, and played even more!

Kylie and Natalie smiling for the camera while playing in the tube.

Daddy helping Kylie accomplish the rock wall!


Kylie showing her skills in climbing.

Natalie says she can do anything Kylie can do!

Natalie's big smile on the way to the park. Her hair is finally long enough to attempt some type of pony tales. I am so proud!! I have waited 2 years for her hair to be long enough to fix!

Most recently, we have been working really hard to accomplish our dream of moving out of the home we are in now and into something more structurely sound as well as something with more room since we are outgrowning our single-wide mobile home. The time has finally arrived and we are currently trying to sell the mobile home. We are financially able to take the next step in our life and we can't wait! Below is the picture of the new home we will be moving to.
It is a 3 bedroom, two bath with several good points about it. The garage has been enclosed and we plan to turn it into a large play room for the girls. My plan is for this room to help keep the toys in one end of the house and "Try" and keep their bedrooms from looking like a tornado has hit it. I'll let you know how that progresses! It also has a large enough laundry room that is attached to the play room and we hope to one day add an additional bath to that room. This room is large enough to occupy company when they visit and having a bath at this end of the house can only benefit.
The house also has a glassed in room off the formal dining room to which I will move my outside furniture. It will be great for plants and for watching my girls play in the fenced in back yard. There is a real working fireplace in the living room and the carpet is in great condition! It just seems so perfect for us. There are a few cosmetic things that we plan to fix on the house, but that's all in the fun of making a home ours.
The home is on a dead-in street in a great neighborhood. There is also a speed bump right in front of the house so traffic should be light! That's something that only makes this picture perfect.
We are all sooo excited about this house! The only thing holding us back is the sell of the home we are in now. Please pray everything will work out. We need something large enough for the girls to grow in and something that will be structure secure during bad weather.

My family

My wonderful husband of 6 1/2 years!
Kylie with her daddy at the Fairy Tale Ball at Sudduth Elementary

Natalie the day it snowed in Starkville, MS- 2009

My silly girls!!