8 years ago.

This time 8 years ago, I was getting ready for my first competition as color guard captain. Little did I know that I wouldn't get to compete at all. This coming Sunday, September 27, will mark the 8 year anniversary of my car accident. The accident that caused multiple scars, a broken arm, shoulder blade and a broken neck. I always start thinking back around this time every year and am filled with thankfulness for life in general. It's such a precious gift that I take for granted too often. When I look at the pictures of the car or my scars even, I'm reminded of just how blessed I am to not only be alive but to be walking as well.

For a while I struggled with my scars, hating the way they looked and the fact that they were permanent. That was probably due to some jerk suggesting I go ahead and get the ones on my face taken care of. I was 16 at the time and what 16 year old girl longs for scars? Ha. I actually had a conversation about the wreck with some new guy friends not too long ago and they said they had never noticed the scars on my face. They don't know how much that means to me. In the back of my mind, I still have some insecurities about them from time to time. But I'd take these scars any day! They serve as a reminder that I'm supposed to still be here and that God isn't finished with me yet.

This week I'm purposing the have a thankful heart and attitude. No, life isn't perfect but it's life and filled with blessings that I take for granted each day. Reflecting on this causes me to look back at the times I've clearly seen God's hand intervening on my behalf. All starting from even before I was born...that will be in a post another day this week. :) Praising Him today for His love and faithfulness.

Back from the blogging grave...

Guess who! Yep, yours truly. After talking with some sweet ladies this past weekend, I was reminded of how therapeutic blogging really is. So it's back to the blogging grindstone for multiple reasons. Reason one the whole therapeutic thing. Reason two is that I feel disconnected from several people due to my odd schedule with school, work, studying and running, it's hard to make time to keep in touch as much as I'd like.

Life is great and such a blessing. Yeah, I have my down days but I'm thankful. Mom, Dad and I were talking about the reasons God has had His hand on us so evidently over the years and while we don't have a definite answer that we can comprehend but we are so thankful. Over the next few weeks I'm going to post a few of the updates in specific segments so the blogs don't run too terribly long or get jumbled...so in those will be examples of the thankfulness.

Tomorrow I'm leaving for the weekend to go with the BCM to Fall Conference. It's basically a weekend conference for all of the BCM's in the Southern Baptist District to attend and get renewed. I'm looking forward to it, even though I am the "old lady" of the group. I've had to mentally prepare myself to see people that I used to teach in children's choir because some of them are in college now....sheesh. Either way, it will be a great bonding weekend with some of the DSC gang and hopefully a renewing time in Christ.

Alive and Well

Wow...where does the time go? So much for keeping up with the blogs last year! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and have great expectations for 2009. Life has been insanely busy and I've been adjusting to this whole "student life" thing again. In all honesty, it's not what I had bargained for but I'm thankful. I've missed blogging. I don't even really care about the comments and such, it was a nice outlet somedays.

The first semester back went well and my GPA went up for sure. This semester is more of a challege so it's definitely taking some getting used to. For those of you who don't know, I finally declared a major. Drum roll please.............Social Work. The plan is to work in hospitals with children and possibly teens. It won't be an easy roade do to the spanish class requirements but I'm excited about it. It's nice to have a goal in sight and to be working toward it. Please remind me of that when my stress level hits the roof. :)

I had planned on adding more today but I'm running out of time and need to go look over things before class. Here's hoping for more consistant blog updates this year and for more blog checks...I have slacked off on doing that too. I make no promises though. :)

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

I was tagged!

The Five Tag...I haven't made the time to finish this until today...so here it is!

10 years ago I:

1. was in 8th grade. I'm the baby of the bunch.

2. met my future brother in law.

3. was the "new kid" at school.

4. played softball...a lot. I was on a traveling team and played for the school.

5. talked a lot. Not much has changed there.

5 things on today's "to do" list:

1. clean.

2. study. Oh the joys of being a student again!

3. go to the book fair with Mom, Tammy & the girls.

4. write some cards.

5. sleep.

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. guacamole and chips.

2. twix.

3. fruit but I don't always opt for it.

4. cookies.

5. strawberry cream slush from Sonic!

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Buy my own house.

2. Pay for Mom and Dad's remodeling of their house.

3. Pay off Tammy & Eric's house.

4. Pay off school debt and for further education.

5. Give. (Church, missions, shelters, friends, etc.)

5 places I have lived:

1. 64 Reid Circle

2. 8 Spring Bluff

3. 1306 Sherwood Dr.

4. Dorm 25-1 @ Liberty University.

5. 1705 Oakmont

5 jobs I have had:

1. Tallapoosa City Hall

2. Tallapoosa Golf Course (it was kinda included with City Hall)

3. Curves.

4. Movie Gallery.

5. RPT, Inc.

A Little Taste of Motherhood

Moms...for the past 2 days I've gotten a little taste of what you experience at times. What's that? Lack of privacy. Thursday night Maddie and Ella spent the night at our house so yesterday morning they were playing in the house while Dad and Eric were working outside. So I was getting a shower before work and next thing I know Ella is in my bathroom asking me to fasten her belt. Thankfully it's not a clear glass door!! Rather surprised I opened the door slightly and said, "Ella I'm a little busy at the moment can I help you when I get out?" Her sweet reply was of course yes. When I was done I walked into the kitchen and asked what I needed to help them with. I was then told Pop went ahead and did it for them. My response? "Ask Pop first next time!"

This morning I was getting a shower. Next thing I know I hear footsteps in my bathroom. It's Ella...AGAIN. Her reason was to tell me, "We're here!" Seriously? It just makes me laugh now but from now on I think my room door will be locked. That way I don't have anymore surprise visits.

Moms, I'm sorry that you have to experience this sort of awkwardness often.

God's Timing-Just For Me

I am so blessed. Yes, I screw up and do it often but am so thankful for the grace of our God. My family is so encouraging as are some very precious friends. I was able to talk to 2 very great ladies(you know who you are) tonight about some stuff and parts of what they said was reaffirmed when I was reading the intro to the study we're going to do in Sunday School. The study is called Jaded and it looks like it's going to be goooood! The author asks us to write down about some of our disappointments and how we felt after them. He then asks us how God has reacted after we disregarded Him and about paint we've experienced from that. A little bit later there were a few lines that struck me...tonight these words were "just for me." "He chose-and still chooses- to engage with people even when they hurt Him through their disobedience. He doesn't give up, He still moves forward."
How awesome is that? I've been praying for a desire to thirst for God more and tonight He showed me where I needed to start! He knows that I screw up and am one inconsistant woman but doesn't give up on me. He still moves forward. Sounds like a familiar blog title? Oh wait...yep, sure does. I haven't been living by this lately. I have gotten so frustrated with myself about backsliding in different areas. I focus on the negative rather than the positive at times and that's going to cease. God doesn't focus on it...He chooses to "keep moving forward." For that I am so thankful and love the fact that we get to start anew. I'm looking forward to diving into this study and to see what God has in store for all of us as the year progresses! Now it's time for bed...tomorrow is my craziest day of the week.

Back by popular demand...

Ha...ok not really popular demand but nonetheless, I'm back baby! I've felt so busy lastely and by the end of the day when had some time to blog I either didn't feel like it or just went to bed. Where do I start? I'm officially a college student again!! Can you believe it? I've paid for my classes, bought 3 of my books and got my student ID. I'm giddy with excitement and that's just strange. Crud, does this mean I'm going to be a nerd? In all honesty, I hope so. I have a desire to learn and move forward with my life. I'm striving for all A's...and that A does NOT stand for absent this time. :)

With the bible study we've been doing, "no other gods," God has shown me what I've been putting before him and how I've not been trying to see things through His eyes. That's my prayer now, that He will give me His eyes so I can see things with more understanding and love. Compassion for others has increased as has conviction of my poor attitude with people who get on my nerves. Be careful what you as for! My patience for others has even increased some so that's a plus! I'm trying to enjoy life and making a choice to do so every day and be thankful. God has me in the place for a reason and I'm choosing to be happy about it, no matter what place everyone around me is in. It's really neat to stop and look around and see how God has been weaving the parts of our lives and how it all clicks. He really does care about our day-to-day.

Disney World countdown...34 days!!!! I am so looking forward to that trip with my awesome family. It will be entertaining to say the least.

Until next time...