Time has flown by!

Sitting here I cannot help but smile at how wonderful this year was.

My nephew Shane was born! He will be one on January 16th, and he is easily my favorite person in the entire world.

My best friend got married. Even now thinking of her wedding I am teary eyed because it was everything, beautiful, magical, and more importantly illustrated how much Meg loves Sonny and vice versa. It was wonderful.

I moved out on my own for the first time! Yay!

Also, I got a "real" job. I am now the administrative assistant for Home Health Care of Florida.

I am so official that my voicemail message has to include, "If this is a medical emergency please hang up and dial 911". Oh yeah!! haha!

Sadly though this year did prove heartbreaking as well. On June 18th we lost my 18 year old cousin Morgan. He was a funny, easygoing kid who's battle with drugs cost him his life.

He will be forever missed.

Morgan and I at his brothers wedding last December.

This year I hope that I...

can maintain my set schedule at all of my jobs

try to be more social

make new friends and continue to grow my friendships

travel to somewhere I have never been

grow with my bible study group

be more self disciplined.

make memories that I will look back at and laugh!

I hope you have a happy and safe new year!!



Please dont misunderstand.

"You are beautiful, smart, witty and funny. I cherish you more than I think you realieze.
I will never intentionally hurt your feelings like so many do. You will never have to question my loyalty or my intentions. I will not demeen you, or cause you to question how incredibly wonderful you truly are. I know that this is new for you but my kindness does not come with strings, or alterior motives. I understand that you're used to being on the defensive but trust that I am always on your team, never your oppossitions.
Well for the most part...
Please don't misunderstand...
You see I don't expect anything but kindness, love and loyalty in return. When you have no one there to turn too I hope you will turn to me. It breaks my heart when you act like my feelings are not important, and when I share them with you I want you to care. Please do not hide who you are, be proud, and know that I am proud of you.
 I am not the type to burn bridges; remember that when you think that it doesn't matter, it does. Because we are family by choice and nothing is stronger than choosing to love someone for your entire life."

I am not the type of person to love half way, or just enough so I don't get hurt. I am too emotional, too sentimental and too whimsical. I know that there are none like me. I found this paragraph and changed a few words here and there (original author wasn't named). But I thought that it was very relative and beautiful and I wanted to share it :)


                              

Monday Funday :)

This really inspired me today{Ellen Corier via pinterest}

This really convicted me {Katy Post via Pinterest}

and this is what kept me sane

Annie: who I am pretty sure is related to me and we just didnt know it all these years. Beautiful, witty, intelligent and super hilarious

Gennean: who is such an inspiration! This girl is such an incredibly hard worker but never loses her positive attitude. Eloquent, Beautiful, easy-going and just an overall sweetheart!

Mary: who is like my should be twin. We are so similar and I LOVE IT! Finally someone to gab with about all my guilty pleasures! Encouraging, inspiring, sweet natured, and ADORABLE!

Megara:{shes a little different because I have known her for about 5 years}, I would not be able to function in my day to day life with out this one. Her and I are radically different, but completely meant to be :) Sharp, Spontaneous, Strong, and unwilling to let the enemy bring her down!

Sydney: who is never to be underestimated. She is an incredible woman of God, and her blogs are filled with heart and passion. Wise, sweet, loving, and the listener that everyone needs :)

and last but not least my dear Bethany: who does not even understand how extremely funny she is. She has perfect timing and amazing insight. Charming, Lovely, Inspiring, and Talented.

Ok so my descriptions do them absolutely NO JUSTICE!

But I thank God everyday for the incredible blessings he has put in my life.

Well hello come here often?!

So my dear friend Sydney posted this on her blog and I thought it would be a great way for everyone to get to know one another! Cant wait to read your answers! here are mine

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Kate Hudson! Love her!
2. What has been your favorite year so far? Um I dont know! Probably the year I did non-profit work in Chicago! #missionyear.org Love first and second graders <3
3. Where did you meet your husband? No husband yet!
4. How many children do you have? None yet {but I want to be a foster parent and hopefully god willing have some of my own}
5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? Yes! I was in many muscials and I am a HUGE fan of KARAOKE!!! Also, I sound like Celine Dion in my car. NBD just saying.
6. What’s the first thing you look for in a friend? Sense of humor. If you can laugh together you can get through anything
7. What really turns you off? Lying, Im going to find out the truth so lets just skip the heartbreak.
8. What do you order at Starbucks? Grande Vanilla Chai {its not even coffee }
9. What is your biggest mistake? Overtalking, I ramble when Im uncomfortable. Its not cute.
10. As a child, what did you want to grow up to be? A nurse, mom, teacher, and I wanted to run an orphanage just like Josephine March {from Little Women, but she opens the home in Little Men by Louisa May Alcott} and a librarian.
11. Say something totally random about yourself. When i was two weeks old I had an umbilical hernia that took my belly button. So now I dont have one. Just a 3 inch scar. Im sort of an alien ;)
12. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? YES! I am a huge fan of Pixar :)
13. Did you have braces? Yes praise the Lord!
14. Favorite Social Network? Twitter :) Its more social
15. What is your favorite memory of you and your best friend? Other than meeting her the first time and her blantly telling me she didnt like me? :) We worked at a coffee shop together and spilt probably about 50 dollars worth of unroasted coffee beans all over the counter and floor, and instead of cleaning it up we wrote out messages with the beans. Also, seeing her find her wedding dress. It was just like on the TV shows.
16. When do you know when it’s love? You just know.
17. Do you speak any other languages? I am a fluent toddler translator :)
18. Have you ever been to a tanning salon? Once with a friend of mine, we joined for the free spray tan :)
19. What magazines do you read? Oh this is embrarassing. People and National Geographic
20. What is playing on your iPod right now? Lauren Alaina's new cd {Runner up last season of American Idol}
21. Have you ever ridden in a limo? Nope
22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? My cousin Morgan passed away on Fathers day, he was 18 and battled some really deep demons. He overdosed. It still breaks my heart to think of it.
23. Do you watch MTV? Sometimes but only Jersey Shore {at least Im honest:)}
24. What’s something that really annoys you? Lying. I hate it when people don’t tell the truth to me.
25. Which television show you were sad to say goodbye to? Friends, I love friends. 7!!
26. Can you dance? No but I am going to fake it till I make it :)
27. What’s your favorite place in the world? A bookstore. Or library. But i hate having to give the books back.
28. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Nope.
29. If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be? Louisa May Alcott (Author)
30. If you could change one thing in the world for your child, what would it be? I would want to change the stereotypes. The judgement surrounding kids that look a certain way.

Send me your answers so we can compare!!
Love you all!!!

Joy in my heart!

Hello everyone!


Please bear with me this is officially my first blog post ever!! This has actually been a HUGE two weeks for me I got skype, a twitter and a blog!
I feel its very important to be completely honest. So heres a few facts:
I am a romantic who wants to have a ginourmous library, and probably 15 foster kids and maybe a few of my own one day.
Also, I love nursing; I am prayerfully hoping this time next year there will only be !!!!!! over me starting the nursing program.
I still babysit and my kids bring me so much joy.
I have two brothers and one nephew who I am absolutely obsessed with.
I have suffered some heartbreaks and a lot of joy.
My best friend is my biggest fan and role model. She has inspired me in more ways than she will ever know.
But what you should also know is I have a running away problem.When things get tough I tend to jet. And that includes my relationship with God. Whats worse, is that I know about it. Luckily, unlike me God never runs away.  So this is my vow to you (and myself) I will not run away. I was wonderfully and thoughtfully created to bring glory to his name. So I hope you all will go with me on this journey, and I hope we can share our journeys, and support one another through trials and victories.
We are each precious and cherished and it's easily forgotten when the world is telling you otherwise.
I want this to be a blog about love, and joy found through the everlasting love that God gives us.
:)
See you tomorrow!