Ten years down.....

It's amazing how fast times just flies! I can't believe Kev and I have been married for 10 years now. I was such a baby then. It's been a great ride so far. I look forward to 50 more years by his side. Kevin isn't just my husband....he's my best friend. I can tell him anything, and he'll understand. He makes me laugh when all i wanna do is cry. Often times, he knows what I'm thinking before I even say a word. We've been through so much, and we're still together! I'm amazed at how much I love him, and how I love him more as each day passes....

I LOVE YOU, KEVIN!!!

Back To School!

Well, tomorrow (January 12th) begins what will be my final semester at good ole' John Tyler Community College. I started back in 2006, and cannot express how excited I am to be so close to graduation. Although, I will honestly miss the professors, and the awesome people that I have worked with while there. I have learned much more than facts and figures while at John Tyler. I've learned that I can really do ANYTHING I put my mind to, if I want it bad enough. While being in Phi Theta Kappa (Chapter President!), I've learned valuable leadership skills, and will carry them with me. So, as I get my backpack together tonight, and fill it with my textbooks and pens, I will look back to when I took my very first class, and look onto my impending future as a.......COLLEGE GRADUATE!!!!!

My 2009 DETERMINIATIONS......NOT Resolutions..

First and foremost, HAPPY (belated) NEW YEAR, everybody! I hope your celebrations involved fun, family, and good times, and hopefully, not TOO MUCH alcohol! So, I was thinking today about people who make New Year's resolutions, and how so many people fail to complete them. I've never really been one to make New Year's Resolutions because of that. So, I've decided to make New Year's DETERMINIATIONS instead. Here they are (in no particular order)

1. Lose weight---I've been putting this one off for so long, and it's time for me to start taking better care of myself

2. Pray more---I've been bad about this one lately, and then I sit and wonder why my life isn't where I want it....hmm...could there POSSIBLY be a connection??

3. Learn to de-stress---another one of my myriad of character flaws is the fact that I DON'T handle stress very well. Last semester, my stress led to a "mini stroke", which honestly scared the bejesus out of me.

....I have a lot of great things to look forward to this year. We're moving, which I can't wait to do...less rent means more money to take care of unfinished business. Graduation is in May, which means.....MOM COMES OUT FOR A VISIT!!!! I can't wait!!! I haven't seen my mom in over 2 years, so it's going to be a great reunion. The biggest of all.....next month Kevin and I will celebrate our 10th...yeah, that's right...our 10th ANNIVERSARY!! I can hardly believe it. Where did the time go?

So, for anyone who might be reading this, again, Happy New Year. I hope that all of your expectations are high and met! I will close with a little prayer..


Thank you, God for allowing me another year to love you and praise you. Thank you for giving me so much, and for not asking for more than my love and devotion back. Thank you for my friends, family, and most importantly, for your Son. Thank you for forgiveness and patience when I lose my step. AMEN!!

Merry Christmas!!

So, another Christmas is upon us all. I can hardly believe it! Is it just me, or does this day come faster each year? Every year, I'm reminded of the Christmases spent with my family when I was a little girl. I was always the first one up, usually at about 6:30 or so in the morning. I'd usually wake my dad up first, since he was the most willing! Then, I'd wake up my poor mom, who unbeknownst to me was usually up until about 2 or 3 in the morning wrapping presents and putting them under the tree! After I woke her up, I'd wake up my very cranky siblings, which usually involved some colorful language and pillows being thrown at me! Dad would make some coffee for him and Mom, and then we'd turn on the fireplace, and start the unwrapping. We always had such a good time. I miss those Christmases a lot. I still love spending Christmas with my family now, but it's different now that Dad's gone...it's lost some of its joy, I guess. Celebrating Jesus' birth is the most important part of Christmas for me, now. Anyway, to anyone who may read this, I wish you all (and your families) a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009!

Why Today SUCKS!

With the world in the condition its in, you may be asking yourself, "Why does today, in particular suck?" Well, sixteen years ago today, my dad passed away after a 9-month battle with lung cancer. I was 12 years old. To me, my dad was my hero...indestructable, and (since I was 12 at the time), the man in my life. I'll never forget the moment I found out he died. The night before, I had gone to my 7th grade band concert, instead of visiting my dad in the hospital, something that I still have not forgiven myself for....

I spoke to him for the last time that night. I didn't understand the levity of one of the last things he said to me, "I would come to your concert, but I've got things to do.." The next morning at 2:30, my older sister woke me up to deliver the heart-breaking news. I thought it was a dream...no...a NIGHTMARE, but once I realized it was true, I ran across the hallway to see my mom sitting up on her side of the bed, with her head in her hands, sobbing. I sat next to her, and we cried together.

It's been 16 years, and I STILL cry every year on this day. I always tell myself I wont, but I fail. I don't know what else to say other than I miss him terribly, and the only solace I have is knowing that he is in Heaven now, with his parents, his older brother (my favorite uncle, Myles), and his best friend, Stan. I'm sure they are enjoying the reunion, and the arguing (Dad was a master arguer!)

I miss you, Daddy...I miss you so much!

Note to self

DON'T WAIT TIL THE LAST MINUTE TO STUDY FOR FINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Quite What I Had Planned...

So, today, I got some bittersweet news. I was planning on visiting the VA Hospital on Christmas Day, but was told that I wouldn't be able to because I have to go through orientation and background checks, and the next Orientation isn't until April. The reason? There are actually SO MANY people signing up to volunteer that they had to make a waiting list...go figure! So, it wasn't what I had planned, but I'm no stranger to having to change my plans. Instead, I think I will work on gathering up things that are often requested by hospitalized vets, and donate them. Tis' the season for giving to those who give all year round!