Meet my new friend.

How does that say going? Oh yes, make new friends but keep the old. In this case, I could care less about making new friends, ha! Friends are not supposed to cause you pain.

Y'all. I can't help but laugh. This is going to be a love/hate relationship.

Love because it's going to help me get better. Hate because it's going to be pure torture. But this contraption is what the doctor has ordered.

You can get caught up here.

I've been going to physical therapy for my arm to get my range of motion and extension back and hopefully this will speed the process along.

Hurts just looking at it, doesn't it? Needs a name, don't you think? Ha!

Good times. Good times.

Just pray I don't kill it before this friendship is over :-)

So I guess we'll spend our weekend getting to know each other. Sigh.....

It is real.

God brings people into our lives in different ways.

Take the blogging community for example. 

I don’t care what others say, but real and genuine friendships are formed through blogging and you will never convince me otherwise. Some I've met, some I've emailed consistently with, talked on the phone, texted, skyped, sent cards, mailed gifts, prayed for, and rejoiced with friends I’ve made on here. And my Christmas card list, yeah half of it is made up of blog/twitter friends, ha.

It.Is.Real.

Nothing can replace the face-to-face, day-to-day, contact with those friends we have in our lives but this blogging thing…

It.Is.Real.

Heck, people meet over the internet and get married all the time and so forming friendships via blogging, ummmm not so crazy.

I don’t know if it’s just me but trying to explain to others this blogging thing, so so hard. 

Next month I’m going to hop on a plane to Arkansas and go visit some blog/twitter friends. My first thought was how do I tell people without sounding crazy. Little fun fact, I got on a plane back in 2005 to go meet a pen pal that I had ever since elementary school all the way out in CALIFORNIA. I’m sooooo not new at this meeting “strangers” thing. But the thing is, some of y’all, my friends, not strangers to me at all. Sometimes I feel as if you get to know people this way better, if not more, than if there was a face-to-face/day-to-day contact. 

It.Is.Real.

I spill my guts out to y’all more than I do sometimes with the people in my life. I don’t know why that is, but that’s just how it rolls. We all share in the highs and lows of life in our own little corner of the blogosphere. I love the people I’ve been able to meet and the relationships I’ve developed that wouldn’t have happened any other way without this blog and via twitter. 

Yes, all this comes with some downfalls, but the good far outweighs the bad.

This community is so special and unique and so glad to be a part of it. 

It.Is.Real

So so real.

I feel like this should be put on a shirt.

Full heart.

Do you ever have those times on Sunday evenings when you are genuinely sad to see the weekend go and you wake up on a Monday morning thinking to yourself, "What a great weekend".......?!?!?!?!

Unfortunately, I don't have my cord for my camera with me, but pictures to come.

This weekend left me so full.

We had the nieces all weekend, so I got some good Aunt time while Mom and Dad were gone.

But the exciting news of the weekend is we now have a walker people!!!

 

Someone please tell me how that is when it feels like my niece Mackenzie was just born!!! Makes me all kinds of sad, but I got my first ever "walk to me" hug.... Gahhhhh, I felt like my heart could burst. This girl has me wrapped around her finger, and so does her sister. I truly believe those two are the greatest gifts my brother and sister-in-law will/can ever give me.

We got some pool time in, snuggle time, just hanging out and enjoying some wonderful family time.

I am so blessed.

And I was able to sneak away Sunday to see the movie Contagion with Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow. Have any of y'all seen it??? Crazy good. And I'll be stocking up on anti-bac and washing my hands every second. If you've seen the movie you'll know what I mean, ha!

Weekend can best be summed up: Clear eyes (absolutely is nothing more important than family), full hearts....

And with that, you just can't lose! (you know I love me some Friday Night Lights).... haha!! 

Hey, that analogy can go way beyond just football :-)

Oh baby.

Friendships back in high school seemed so much easier. 

Once you get out in the “real world” and get older friendships require a little more work and effort. As you step out of the four walls of high school eventually down the road comes marriage and a baby carriage. We just have different seasons of life that keep us busy and going in different directions.

Neither which I have experienced yet.

Back in high school I had a handful of friends that I could count on my finger. Too me, friendships are about quality, not quantity.

My friend Monica was one of those friends.

I stood beside her as she said I do.

And now….

A blessing on the way and nursery to get ready!

I stole these pictures from her, but don’t think she’ll mind, ha.

When friends are in different seasons of life it doesn’t have to be the make it or break it in a friendship. I have to gain a new understanding of why certain friends may not be able to call me as often as I might like, a better understanding of why the stretches might become longer in between seeing each other.

I’m realizing that I have to learn to extend a little more grace and not take it so personal. 

Monica and I had a chance to get together last night for dinner and catch up. It had been a very long time. It was so nice. She’s 22 weeks along and I still had not seen her cute baby bump. 

I’m learning the value of the friendships don’t change whatever the season might be but yes, the dynamics might change nonetheless.  And I’m learning that's okay and that it's normal.

And now there’s a baby shower to look forward to. Can’t wait to meet baby Matthews! :)

Toothless Wednesday.

My sweet niece is so happy and wanted to share some exciting news with you.

She lost her very first tooth. Like seriously.... Could she possibly be any cuter????? Gah I love this girl to the moon and back!!!!!!

A couple of weekend highlights.

I had plans to go out of town to visit a friend this past weekend but at last minute they got cancelled. So this weekend was very low key. Just the way I like it. 

Just a couple of highlights:

The Gators kicked some Tennessee behind. It was a good game though and the Volunteers put up a good fight.

Here’s my sister and I dressed up for Game Day.

 

It’s great to be a Florida Gator. I had a nice Florida State Seminole fan tell me I need to change my colors to Garnet and Gold because blue tends to wash me out. And well, I said look at the tan we have going on.... haha!! Yeah, blew his theory out the window :) Gotta love football smack talk. Ha!

Okay, so here’s the deal. I’m a firm believer that there are just some movies you are never too old for. So when Lion King came back to theaters, you better believe I was all up on that.

And in 3D, hello? Yeah, I'm soooo there. Ha!! I went Sunday and saw it. Some conclusions:

• Circle of Life makes me bawl. You know it does you, too.
• I totally forgot Jonathan Taylor Thomas (affectionately known as JTT) was the voice of young Simba.
• I will forever love Disney. 
• I can never ever ever ever ever sit through a movie without popcorn. I just can't.
• This is by far my favorite scene.

And with that…. HAKUNA MATATA!!

My story.

I think I’ve shared on the blog before but don’t talk about it a lot.

At birth I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome. It occurs in very few women. It results in a missing or incomplete sex chromosome. In most cases (in my case) it causes ovarian failure and infertility. So the doctors say I will never be able to have children. 

I’m so drawn to infertility and adoption/foster stories because I know this will be in my future. I would love to be a mother someday. And so love hearing about God bringing children to people that have prayed and longed for it, for so long and pray for those who are still in waiting.

I know whose report I’ll believe and I know God has the final say as to how I start my family someday. Have to find that husband first, ha! Of course it’s easy to think, will I ever find a husband someday when I can’t give him kids? But I have to take that thought captive and know that’s a lie from the enemy.

So as you can imagine, I was extremely blessed by Amy’s story. Please click on the link. No doubt you’ll be blessed too. Please pray for her and her husband on this journey.

These are two other stories I’ve loved following . You’ll find them here and here. Just click the links. Amazing stories of God’s faithfulness. His plans are always perfect. 

Back long ago when the doctors told me I’d never be able to have children of my own, the impact of that didn’t quite hit me because that time seemed so far off. But as I get older, I can’t help but wonder and question what God’s plan is. Everything looks uncertain and don’t know how all his plans will unfold in my life.

One thing I do know from reading these stories. God knows EXACTLY what he’s doing. And the same rings true for my life as well.

We all have a story, or maybe multiple stories that make us who we are and exactly who God created us to be for reasons we may not always understand.

So check these stories out and hope you’re blessed by them.

Choose Joy.

Perspective. We all need it sometimes. Perspective brings us back to what’s REALLY important.

The body of Christ is an amazing thing. It’s a beautiful thing.

 If you’re a praying person, could you do me a favor? Or even if you're reading this and your not, hop on over to Sara’s blog and leave her some encouragement. She’s on her way home to Jesus.

I just bawled. I can’t even put into words how amazing this woman is. Just incredible. Her faith, her attitude, her perspective, just cannot be matched. Such an amazing testimony of unshakable and unwavering faith. 

I don't know Sara personally and only through her blog which I came across awhile ago. Nothing else I could have said on this blog today is more important than lifting this sweet girl up and offering prayers on her behalf. I know she’d greatly appreciate it. 

If you’ve never stopped by her blog, please take a minute to go, read her story, leave some encouragement and go back and browse and you’ll come to see the true jewel and real deal Sara is through her words. 

Today and always, for Sara, in her honor, I’m choosing Joy. Will you too????

Thank you!!!

For your viewing pleasure!

It's one of my favorite times of the year! Fall.

And with Fall comes GREAT Fall TV. It's the start of premiere time and these are my must-see TV shows:

Parenthood.

I so want to be a Braverman. Love this family.

I'm a Gleek and darn proud of it.

It will be interesting going into the new season without the dynamic duo of Elliott and Olivia!! :(

Need I say more? This lady cracks me up!!!

I'm a HUGE Betty White fan and this show is pee-in-your-pants funny!!!

The greatness of this show cannot be put into words. Brilliant!!! 

 Looking forward to trying these new shows this Fall:

I watched this premiere last night and it was crazy good!!! Gotta love Buffy!!! :)

I've heard a lot of good things about Parks and Recreation? You have any thoughts on this show??

Charlie's Angels baby! Gonna give it a try. We'll see!

Of course you have DWTS and Bachelor/Bachlorette in between that, ha! And Teen Mom on MTV is my guilty pleasure.

What did we ever do without the DVR?? I feel like I'm missing shows, lol... but this could take all day :-) These are just a few.

YAY for Fall. What are your fav shows???

Who wants to go shopping??

It’s a fact that all women want to walk out the door feeling cute and put together. 

And all you women out there would be lying if you said you didn’t.

I’m by no means a fashionista, but at the same time I don’t belong on the show “What Not to Wear” either… Hello Stacey and Clinton if you’re reading this :)

I’m probably the WORST shopper you will ever meet.  I love clothes but get me into a store, and I’m so lost. But if I have someone with me who knows what they’re doing and I have four or five outfits in my hand in no time. You know the shoppers “eye”? I just don’t have that.  Gah, how I wish I had the eye.

Anyone else with this problem? Ha!

I can find things but it’s the putting it all together that’s my problem. I really do love the layered look when it comes to piecing outfits.

I walked out the door this morning feeling pretty good.

Until I came in and saw I had a tear in my blouse. 

Ugh, oh well. (One thing I’ve learned about the store H&M…they have cute clothes but they do not have a long life span, haha!!)

Anyone want to go shopping with me??? HA!

I'll buy you lunch :)

Blogging.

I was looking back and I’ve noticed up to this point I’ve blogged way less than last year. I got to thinking as to why that could be.

I can’t quite put my finger on it except to say the urgency to blog everyday just isn’t there like it used to be. If I don’t have anything to say, then I just don’t blog. I’ve realized that less and less I’ve documented just my every day to day life and I want to get back to that. I’ve taken the camera out less and less. I began to get frustrated with myself. 

I’ve shrunk back. 

I really really have come to love my corner of the internet. I cherish it. But blogging is a funny thing. It causes you to play the comparison game and you find yourself trying to measure up to those you might never even meet.

I wish it didn’t, but it does and it happened to me.

I have no husband. Have no kids. I’m still living at home trying to work towards getting out on my own. Still in school trying to get into my career. I have to be careful and don’t have tons of money to go out and spend on alot of things. And at the end of the day it’s easy to think who wants to read about that?? 

But I am so so blessed in MANY ways!! More than I deserve.

Let me say, this is not a woe is me post. The point is, I need to realize all this is okay. I’m not trying to be like anyone else or measure up. My journey is just that, my journey.

Everyone is in their own season of life. I guess the moral of all this is just to be content with blogging during every season, no matter what that season maybe. At the end of the day I know I'll be glad I have this blog to look back on to see how God has gotten me through each and every season of my life. 

Anyone feeling me here?

So this is me. Where I’m at right now. This minute. And I’m learning to be okay with that.

Hand in Hand.

Two years ago my Grandpa went to be with Jesus.

Today is his birthday as well. And I just wanted to honor him today.

Honestly, I can not think of any greater birthday gift than the one he received two years ago, oh to be face to face with Jesus! I imagine that was one pretty amazing day for him, but hard for those of us left behind.

Today holds so much.

My Grandpa passed away in the ICU at the hospital. I was standing right next to him as he drew his last breath. It was the first and only time I've truly experienced death like that. To witness someone's time here on earth end and not only that but on the very day that his time here on earth began.

To me, there was nothing morbid about it. I felt honored as his granddaughter to be holding his hand and rejoicing, but tearfully so, that God was waiting for him with open arms.

Gramps, for two years now you've got to experience the awesomeness that is Heaven. I wish there was a direct line to Heaven so I could talk to you so you could tell me what it's like. I can only imagine.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you again. Walking hand in hand.

Accent Vlog.

Here goes nothing:



The instructions are to say these words:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught (I realize I missed this word in the video, ha).


And answer these questions:

• What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
• What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
• What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
• What do you call gym shoes?
• What do you say to address a group of people?
• What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
• What do you call your grandparents?
• What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
• What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
• What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

I realize this is kind of on the short side but seriously how awkward is it talking into the computer and you feel like you're talking to yourself, ha. And don't mind my eyes, they are even kind of freakin me out, haha!! And don't you love my face before you push play??? HAHAHA! It's like it went and picked the worst possible shot of me. Oh well, it is what it is :) Hope you enjoyed watching. Head on over to Jenna's blog and participate!! So fun seeing everyone's vlogs!!!