Reminders

I know it has been pretty long since I did a blog and I don't really know why. My fiance has been traveling for the last three weeks but I just never managed to get something up here! Everything has been going quite smoothly in my life...with the exception of wedding plans and personal satisfaction with my job....I'd say two pretty big areas! Well, actually everything is moving along quite well with wedding plans. We are going today to finalize our "Save-the-Dates" and that means the guest list is just about complete! But I have been struggling with my job lately. I do not find it very rewarding at this moment. I pray everyday for God to show me his plan and to let me know what it is I should be doing to make this job more fulfilling. AND....so I wait....wait for His response! A lady in my bible study thinks God may have me in a rest period...getting ready for something different!! So I am trying to enjoy!

But the reason I titled this blog "Reminders" is that sometimes....when I'm feeling down or overwhelmed by work or life...I have to remind myself how great things really are!! That in the midst of me not finding my job satisfying, God has blessed me so much in other areas. AND...if I keep my faith in Him, I should know that I am in my job for certain reasons for which he will reveal to me in His time.

So here are REMINDERS:


I have LOVE....I give love and I receive love. And not just for (and from) my "penguin" but for many friends and family members.

I have EDUCATION....it might not be working at it's greatest PhD potential right now, but I have it and it will always define my career path.

I have LAUGHTER....(not at work so much) I have always been a happy girl and I can still find her most of the time. People make me laugh and everyday I am trying to remind myself how important my laughter can be for other people.

I have DREAMS.....sometimes at night or in the early morning...my fiance and I just talk...talk about all the things we dream for our life together...family, business, fun....everything. I enjoy that we can imagine the future without losing the importance of today.

I have LIFE....a life that is only here on this earth for a short time...and it is my job to "make the most of it." I am learning to ask God how I can best serve Him in this life. I sometimes get frightened at the thought that I can never get back any moment that has passed. It's gone and all I can do is hope that I have done the best I can.

So...while I worry (which I try not to do) about things like wedding planning or having the "dream job"...I think...Really?? That's the best you've got??? What about everything else...all the perfect things that are in your life....really??

Every now and then we need to STOP....think about it....and get back to the bright side! I LOVE my life...for the most part...it's awesome, amazing, and beyond my wildest dreams (if I STOP and think about it)!!!

So ADIOS to those imperfections (isn't everything from God perfect?) that I complain about and HELLO to this one life!

My Matron of Honor

I continue to be amazed at the way life "works out." Those unexpected events, moments, friendships...that all along God has planned...and we never imagined!

My best friend and matron of honor, Shelley was one of those intended (for God) yet unintended surprises for me! It's kind of a long story so bear with me! Here is a time line to help before I start writing.2001-Both graduated with Bachelor's in special education from Auburn
2006-Both are admitted to the doctoral program in special education at Auburn.....and then here's the story!Shelley and I were what I like to call "school friends" during our undergraduate programs. We knew each other in class and always worked together and had fun....but outside of class we really didn't do too much together! After we graduated in August 2001...we went our separate ways! We were in different states....and I'm not sure facebook really even existed then...either way...we didn't keep in touch. No real need too...or so we thought!!
Then, in August of 2006, five years later...we both (unknowingly) moved to Auburn, got our own apartments, did our interviews, and were both about to begin...what I consider....one of our greatest adventures/accomplishments. I remember meeting with my major professor who asked me if I remembered Shelley from undergrad? I kind of did...but come on...five years! She told me that she gave Shelley my number and sure enough.....Shelley called and we met for dinner!!!! And so began.....a friendship!!!


Our entire doctoral programs were identical....not our areas of research....but everything else. We both got our same minor in leadership, we had the same doctoral committee, we took our comprehensive exams at the same time, we presented our papers at the same time, defended our dissertations at the same time (were even there to support the other)...AND we walked across the stage at the SAME TIME!!!! Together we completed that HUGE journey together....and became PhDs, Doctors, whatever....we did it!!!

So....the bond Shelley and I share is indescribable. Because....what I HAVE NOT mentioned were all the in-betweens....the life part of all those three years!!! The laughter, tears, fear, finances, relationships, families, football, internships, writing, presenting, traveling, worrying, working, and MAKING it through everything!!!


And so on my big day.....Shelley will be by my side...for what now will be my greatest accomplishment!!!

And the rest......well.....we have just about been inseparable...except that we now live in different cities! BUT...we share our "new" amazing journeys together!!

Girls Fiesta Night!!

This month I hosted our "Girls Night" at our house. Most of the group hasn't seen the new house so we had a fiesta/swim party!! This group of girls consists mostly of girls who all went to the local catholic high school in our town and graduated in 1997! We have all stayed pretty close and it's fun when we get together!

Here is everyone in the kitchen!! (note: the wall color is looking so much brighter in these photos..it is actually...in real life..baguette)
A few shots of the food!Eating...a few girls were outside!The LATE night crew!!

Bridal Shower Brunch

Not for me silly!!!! Not yet anyways.

It was for my friend Regina who lives in Auburn! You may recognize Regina from some of our signature poses......I didn't realize how many we had....how funny!!! Of course we took one at the brunch too....see below!

Our Very First Pose
(we were headed out for Regina's 30th birthday...not sure about the spanking hand...but I had to do it in every picture after this one)Auburn Football....we didn't have the order just right!
(I guess we were still trying to be lady like in public)Halloween (I was Anna Nicole Smith)Shelley's WeddingRegina's Brunch

Regina actually met her fiance right about the time that I met JC. She didn't want to wait...so her big day is August 28! We hosted her brunch at Julie's house in Auburn. We had a nice time and she got lots of great gifts!!!!

Me and ReginaRegina and her mom

The Spread

The Hostesses

Shelley taking pictures

I will tell you one thing....I am just not into all this shower stuff...for me....not sure how much these little events will stress me out!! Oh well.....I can be happy about the people who care about us and with the gifts for sure!!

Wedding BLUES!

Made you look!!!!!!

Of course there are no wedding day blues...yet! Well with the exception of one minor (HUGE) detail! It turns out that the venue we had chosen for our reception and paid the deposit is CLOSING...and will not be able to accommodate our reception! Yes...I did shed a few tears...until my "let me make a few phone calls" boy came to the rescue! Unfortunately just about every alternative we chose had been booked. I have decided that I want my reception in one, big, air conditioned, so you can see everything, room. In Mobile, the majority of reception venues do not meet my request! AND....it does not help that the 300 person guest list keeps growing!! However, we did find a place that will be great! I am just happy to have something that I can start to imagine how it will look!!

But onto the Wedding Blues...I hesitated to reveal any details...but then I thought "Everyone always asks what your colors are...so why not share!" Note: these pictures do not depict any of the actual items I have or will use (some maybe), I just wanted to share the color!!

Our "first" Family Vacation

JC and I have taken several trips together...but this was our first adventure with Savanna. We headed up to a cabin in The Smoky Mountains and stayed with both of my brothers and their girlfriends. We stayed in a 3 bedroom cabin overlooking (I mean just about hanging on the side of) the beautiful mountains. We did lots of activities (shopping in Downtown Gatlinburg, Dixie Stampede, Ober Gatlinburg, Ripley's Aquarium, and eating)...so here I go trying to capture the entire trip in this post!!

The car ride was pleasant....can anyone say "Barbie Movie?" We have a DVD in the car but we brought the portable one so that Savanna could enjoy her movies by herself.

The view from our cabin!

Downtown Gatlinburg
(the buggy man)(Savanna had just knocked me in the head...ouch)
(Making a wish)
(Taking a Break)

Photo Session in the National Park

(you know I couldn't resist making people pose for pictures...I just wasn't thrilled about "me" in any of them)

Dixie Stampede

(A dinner show...my favorite. A few pictures of us before we left and then after we got there)

Ober Gatlinburg

(in the winter this place is a ski resort...but during the summer they have other activities to keep the guests entertained....bear exhibit, ice skating, carousel, arcade...and of course we rode the Tram up and down the mountain)

The Aquarium
(we had to see the penguins and we got to watch them eat)

Lots of Mountains
(on our last night JC, Savanna, and I drove into town for some ice cream...we took the scenic route)