Faith

In life there are struggles and hard times. We are not promised a life of pure, constant happiness . There will be good times and bad times, happy times and sad times. I have had several seasons in my life that have not been so happy due to tragic events  that were out of my control. Although I have had to face many life atlering moments, I have chosen to make the most out of everything and eventually turn turmoil into happiness. At the age of 9 my dad passed away unexpectedly. Five years ago my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was just recently diagnosed with a recurrence that has spread to her liver, hip and abdomen. These are just three of the seasons, one of which I am currently going through, that I have not enjoyed by any means.   Losing a dad at a young age and watching your mom battle a nasty disease is heart wrenching.  I have also lost a best friend to suicide while I was in the midst of going through a very bad situation with an ex-boyfriend while in college. This was my lowest point in life. I do not wish any of the latter on ANYONE! I have become stronger through it all and hope to help others that might go through the same things because I have been through it. Sometimes it is just an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.

I have always been a church-goer and had a relationship with God, but when the unexpected hits us like a ton of bricks it is so hard to not question God. In those times I seek God and dig into his word. It is what keeps me going. I have to say, I am not the best when it comes to reading my Bible daily and during the difficult seasons in life God is faithful and always points me to what I need to see and read in His word. It is so refreshing to know that when I am not always faithful, He is and his unconditional love for me gets me through this thing we call life.

No matter what you are going through know that God is there when no one else seems to be. I'll leave you with this quote that I try to live by daily!  Enjoy!



A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

It's Monday!!! Hope y'all had a great weekend! It was pretty darn hot here in the deep, hot, humid South.  Friday was my mom's birthday so we took her to dinner. Saturday we had a going away party and a baby sprinkle for some dear friends of ours. And Sunday we went to church and had a pretty relaxing day. So we had a pretty fun weekend.

I have started the early stages of learning all the tricks to becoming a successful couponer. I have always tried to go through the coupons in the Sunday paper and have always bought the Buy 1 Get 1 deals at Publix, but I have never figured out the true art of couponing and saving tons of money like some friends I know. I would just like to save money on things that I normally buy. I am not trying to become an extreme couponer by any means. I have watched the show and some of those people are just amazing and some I consider just down right INSANE!  Since it is just the two of us at the moment we live in a small house with NO room to  stockpile like those people. Nor do I want to spend 40 hours a week going through all the deals and driving across town to go to several stores. So earlier this week I went to Wal-Mart and bought a pretty purple binder, of course because purple is my all time FAVORITE color, and some baseball card holders to go in my binder to hold all my coupons that I AM GOING TO COLLECT! I am determined to go to Publix one day and save more than I spend even if it is just $1 more!  If you have any tips I am open to suggestions!! Help a sista out!

Happy Monday!

And They Lived Happily Ever After

March 26, 2011 was the BEST day of my life! I became a Mrs. The day was everything I had dreamed of for years and years. The planning was finished and the all the final touches were complete. I always wanted a Church wedding so we got hitched in the Methodist church that I grew up in. I had many memories from childhood in that church so it made it even more special to make another memory there. The day was full of primping and picture taking before the big moment. At 6:00 I walked down the aisle and we said our vows with 16 of our best friends at our side and in front of 400 family members and close friends. The ceremony was short and sweet! We laughed a lot during the ceremony due to some minor glitches, but nothing major! If nothing else, it relieved some stress from my sweaty palmed husband who can't stand being the center of attention.

After the ceremony we headed the reception in style in an antique convertible Cadillac. The reception was at a private venue here in town called The Club. It is on top of a mountain and overlooks the city. The view is breathtaking. We had a Motown band and lots of great food and drinks. Everyone had a great time dancing the night away and celebrating with us. It went by so quickly. I wish I could do it all over again!

Monday morning we headed to our honeymoon in Playa del Carmen, Mexico to an all inclusive resort. It was AMAZING! I can't wait to go back one day! We had so much fun meeting other honeymooners and hanging out by the pool relaxing everyday. The waited on you like you were royalty. It was the best thing ever.

Everyone said that the first year of marriage is the hardest. It was a breeze for us for the most part so I just hope that means that our marriage is going to be easy and laid back forever! My husband is so so good to me and brings a smile to my face one way or another everyday. I hate when we are apart. Some days I would rather both of us stay home from work and play hooky just so we can be together!
Stayed tuned for pictures of our one year photo shoot!

To see the rest of our Love Story go here:  Here

Happy Belated 4th of July

Happy Belated 4th of July! Hope you and yours had a fantastic 4th! We had a great time with family eating and frolicking about in a pool full of bambinos. I was water logged by the end of the day and "Marco Polo" was ringing in my head as I laid my head on my pillow last night! I wouldn't take those moments back for a minute! I love playing and hearing the joy of laughter amongst little ones. It brings much happiness to my ears. One day I hope that laughter will be coming out of the sweet mouth of one of my own! Until then I will just enjoy the neices and nephews. Right now it is nice to be able to leave them and be able to go home and relax, just the two of us!

We went to a friends house to enjoy a community fireworks show on Tuesday night. I just love fireworks, don't you? It amazes me every time I see them burst into bright lights in the air over and over again. I am like a little kid on Christmas morning when I know I am going to see fireworks. It takes me to some kind of happy place everytime.  Here's a little video of Macy's Firework Show!

Today it was back to work...blah. Thank goodness it is just for two days! Until next time....