Sneak peek!

And there's more where these came from!

I'll be back with more! The wedding could not have been any more perfect!

Can't wait to update ya'll and catch up with you!

Happy Monday!

Mentors

The dictionary defines a mentor as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher!

Think about it and see if that description fits anyone in your life?

Let me tell you about one particular mentor in my life!

In May '06 I started on the journey of becoming a court reporter. Sitting in my first class I realized that this is a move that was forever going to change my life. In October of that same year I came to know my mentor and friend that was truly a God send during this time in my life. The thing is, I've never met this person face to face, but this is a person I've come to admire, respect, and trust. Let me start from the beginning...

One evening at class a classmate brought in this article that she found on the NCRA (National Court Reporters Association) website. Please take the time to read it, this is a great read for anyone who is in pursuit of anything. Each time I read it, it's like I'm reading it for the very first time. It's an article that forever changed my life, and formed a wonderful friendship, and it was written by my mentor, Michelle Smith.

I was so inspired and touched by it that I contacted the NCRA to see if I could get contact information for Michelle so I could get in touch with her. I was able to get it and from then on, a friendship was formed.

I couldn't imagine walking this road and getting through school without her encouragement and support. She's like a cheerleader on the sidelines, and I'm in the game and she's cheering me on whether I make it to the goal and even at those times when I fumble the ball. Except she's walked the road before me and has been where I'm at and she truly knows how hard it is to get to the goal in obtaining a career in court reporting! She has invested so much time in me and many many emails listening to me vent out my frustrations and concerns!

Little did I know that someone living in Nashville, TN., and whom I've never met would have such an impact on my life. And to her, I will forever be grateful.

So I ask, who is that Michelle in your life?? And if there is that person in your life, let them know how much you love and appreciate them. Because for God to bring that kind of person to you is such a special thing!

And tonight I'm heading out to celebrate with another special mentor and person in my life, my Mom. As I said yesterday she's getting married tomorrow, and so we're heading down south for the wedding. I'll talk to you when I get back, and most definitely pictures are to follow!! :)

Does the craziness ever end?

Put me in one of these please!

You know how I said I was looking forward to July because things will be slowing down and maybe I can breathe a little bit?

N.O.T happening people!!

This month is crazy!

Every weekend this month is filled with something. Of course last weekend was Fourth of July festivities. This weekend my mom is getting married. We are leaving tomorrow night to head down to South Florida and will come back on Saturday. She is getting married on the beach at sunrise on Friday morning! The little get-a-way will be nice. I hope the weather cooperates and that the day is everything she wants it to be. I'm so incredibly excited and happy for her. My mom has always wanted to say she's been married 30 years. I don't know why, but 30 has always been her number for some reason, and I hope she gets that this time. And just by the looks of it, I think she will!

Then the following weekend I will be at the beach again. Our family always takes a week long vacation to the beach each summer but I can only make it the first weekend.

And then, oh wait...the next weekend I might actually have a break, but then the last weekend of July I am going to Georgia to visit a friend!

All this mixed in with work, school and yadda, yadda, yadda....

So whoever only invented 24 hours in the day, what were you thinking??? :O)

Do any of you have schedules that are crazy right now as well?

Well, then I cordially invite you to join me in the nuthouse! I promise it won't get too crazy!

Okay, well.. maybe a little, ha!

And don't let the straight-jacket scare you. It's actually rather comfortable, if I do say so myself, ha! And it's one size fits all! :)

Don't get me wrong! It's all fun stuff so a straight-jacket might not be needed! Only time will tell.

P.S.

Mrs. Newlywed is having an awesome giveaway for a monogramed cosmetic bag. Go by and don't miss out!!

And pictures to come of the Fourth and the wedding festivities!

Dear Journal....

I'll be the first to admit. I have a slight journal/notebook obsession!

Does anyone else have this problem?

Seriously.... if I see one with a cute cover, I can't pass it up!

And sadly, "Dear Journal" is where it starts and ends when writing in it. So therefore, that's why the bloggy thing is great for me because as you see, I don't lack in this, haha!!

I got another one this past weekend, the brown and pink one in the picture, like I needed another one.... But it was just too CUTE!

I have a problem, HELP! HA!

And on a fun note, the American Idol auditions are taking place in Orlando today! Which song should I sing? I'm taking suggestions!

Well, gotta go! I have a date with Randy, Kara, Paula, and Simon.... and that Simon, he better be nice or I'll send my bloggy buddies after him, ha! :)

Ya'll think I'm kidding, you could potentially be speaking to THE next American Idol! haha!

Be on the lookout in January! :)

UPDATE: I think I need to clarify that I'm not actually trying out in the American Idol auditions, haha! All that was said in good fun. I'm good, but not that good, HAHA! JK! They are in Orlando today, but I seriously don't think I could endure the wrath of Simon. My self-esteem would be shot to pieces! Sorry if this saddens you, ha! :)

Home Sweet Home!

Hey everyone! Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July!

My long weekend was great but I'll share about that with you soon along with some pictures but don't have my camera with me today!

But the thing that truly topped off my weekend was I think I finally found a church! I visited a church yesterday and really really enjoyed it! I'm going to go back next weekend! It was so refreshing and it just felt really good to be in church and be in corporate worship with other believers. This is something I've been wanting for a long time.

It's a drive but I knew in my church search that I'd have to look outside my city because we just lack in really good churches. I shouldn't say we lack in good churches, because I'm sure there are good ones, but it just lacks in churches in which I'm desiring. But I figured if I found a church that I like, then the drive would be completely worth it.

And not only that, but this church has a Nature's Table Cafe in it. SOLD!! HA! No but seriously, this church has alot of stuff going on for women my age and bible studies, and that's truly what I was seeking!

Everyone that I came across was so nice and friendly and helpful. And it's a really beautiful church campus. The worship and message was great. Such freedom in the way they worship there. The particular message yesterday wasn't one of those that got you pumped up and left you feeling good in the end, but it was one of those messages that nonetheless you needed to hear. Am I making sense? Have you ever found yourself leaving church after hearing a message and it leaves you feeling one of two ways...either you leave feeling renewed, rejuvenated, and ready to face the week ahead, or it leaves you really thinking, contemplating, and disecting and processing everything you just heard, doesn't leave you feeling all mushy inside, but like I said, nonetheless though, it's a message you needed to hear. It was kind of like that yesterday.

The pastor was at the start of a new series yesterday called "Intellectual Challenges": Isn't the bible full of errors and contradictions?

Basically he was talking about how you point people to the word of God and the truth all the while when they are contradicting what it says. So it wasn't a gooey make you feel good kind of message, but it was very interesting and really got you thinking!

Then we had a sweet time of communion, and I've taken communion many times, but this time was different. Break this bread in rememberance of my body that was given for you, drink this in rememberance of my blood that was shed for you.... So powerful, and to think he loved me that much!

Good stuff!

And so I think I just might have found my Home Sweet Home! :)

What's a girl to do on her day off?

And my answer to that is..

S.Q.U.A.T

That's been me today! I've been watching TV, laying on the couch, getting up knowing I need to be productive, and then somehow finding my way back to the couch again.

I have a bed that needs to be made because I washed the sheets, I have laundry to be done, a car that needs to be cleaned out, a room that needs to be cleaned, you get my drift.

But tell me, honestly, does that sound like fun on a day off?? ha!

My biggest dilemma today is figuring out what I'm going to eat for lunch and we have S.Q.U.A.T in our fridge!

There's that word again, can't get away from it!

So I think I decided on Wendys! Sure haven't had that in awhile {{insert sarcasm}} because one thing you should know about me is I'm a frequent customer. Seriously, I think a discount is in order for me!

So for all who have the day off (and my sympathy goes out to those who don't, truly....in the name of red, white, and blue, and all things good in this country, you should have it off), what are ya'll up to today?

Maybe I'll be productive today, maybe not...

It all depends on what's on T.V., ha :)

My chicken nuggets and caesar salad are awaiting me!

Happy 4th of July, ya'll. Count your blessings and remember the ways that make this country so great to live in! Happy Birthday America! Tomorrow I'll be spending the day at the beach and getting back in time for the fireworks!!

Clumsiness must run in my genes!

And when I say my genes, I mean strictly my genes, because no one else in my family is as clumsy as I am.

But just let me ask you another hypothetical question here.

If this person's name just happens to be Lauren, then so be it.

Follow me here.

Say that yesterday a girl was so giddy that it was 5 o'clock and it was time to break out of the four walls of the office, that she nearly skips out of the place. Not literally, but that's how happy she was.

Let me also say that it had been rainy and it was very wet and the parking lot was forming a very big conspiracy, little did she know though. So the giddy girl proceeds to her car with thoughts of consuming her much anticipated chicken/broccoli dish at Cracker Barrel (prehaps this also could have been why she was giddy). And need I remind you that this is only served on Wednesday night, so you can only imagine the anticipation she must have been feeling.

Are you keeping up with me here?

And there were also dreams of just chilaxin at home after her tummy was satisfied.

So back to the parking lot.

Much to her surprise, in the midst of her daydreaming of food and relaxation, she found herself all the sudden in the air and making a wonderful graceful fall on the ground, if I do say so myself. The pants now wet, office mail flying in the air, and purse landing a ways a way but still in tact. And cars driving by and all the while just praying that no one saw her. So she discreetly picks herself back up, trying to keep her diginity.

A picture would have captured it, but she just wasn't feeling it!

On the embarassment scale, you take your guess....

Blame it on the rain.