I am horrible at posting. Life has been super busy, crazy, daunting, and exciting. 

So what's happened since March? To not be SO boring....

Story summed up:

A - Anniversary for four years! 

B - Brothers came to visit

C- Cancer and Chemotherapy

D - Decisions to be making! 

E - Energy of my nephew!

F - Friendships that are lasting. 

G - Grace felt abundantly, God's surrounding arms

H - Healthy living 

I - Investing in the future

J - Jokes all around 

K - Kindness of church members. 

L - Love all around

M - Moments with mom

N - NYC!! 

O - Opportunities to use talents

P - Peace in God's security 

Q - Quiet moments

R - Rambunctious clients

S - Showers for dear friends 

T - Taryn coming to visit! 

U - Unconditional support and love 

V - Visits to Papa and the Mountains. 

W - Weight lost! 

X - Xrays

Y - Yucky

Z - Lost sleep (get it no ZZZs)

Stages...

Everyone says life is in stages. I guess right now, I'm in the "everyone and their sister/daughter/friend is having a baby" stage. I just counted out of curiosity. Off the top of my head 9 good friends/family and 7 other friends are currently pregnant/have infants. That's 16 in one full year September to September, that I know of! Good grief. 

I also am apparently winning the bet for two categories at work. One = The next one to get pregnant & Two = the next one to leave. I don't want to win the first category. Granted, three of my co-workers are getting married this year, so maybe one of them will.

Other stages, Tim and I are finally in the "wrapping up/seeing the end of the tunnel" stage for our licensing. I'm looking to Sept/December area. He's halfway done tests & on to a year experience. Finally, I will be ready to be out of this stage! It's draining! Anyways, if you wonder why (the two of you who read this) I have not written in forever...it's because there is a lot to do and little time. Plus, I'm having trouble concentrating & am really just too tired to write much! That's it for now. Maybe another post in 3 months! 

2012!

Brief recap of 2011 and all the great things that happened: 


Starting my full time job
Celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary with Melting Pot! 
Weekend getaway to Savannah
Celebrating Cutter's birthday
Thanksgiving at my sister's house
Tim passed a CPA exam, three to go
Tim graduated with his Masters!
Christmas with Tim's family


A lot more happened, but my memory is fading now! Looking forward to the first year Tim and I will have together NOT in school! 

May all your holidays and New Year be wonderful.

Best Pick Me Up Treat!

Without going into a long story, I had a rough couple weeks. One week ago, I ended up getting sick, calling out of work, and sleeping all weekend. So that Sunday, we needed to puppy sit for my parents. My mom and dad mentioned there was something at the house for me as a "pick me up." BEST pick me up!

Yup, that's what you think it is!  A homemade waffle cone maker!!! 

 I love having ice cream cones yes I never have the cones!

Me with the best pick me up present ever! 

Thanks Mom and Dad! 

**They taste delicious too!**

Whole lot of catch up!!

I decided the best way to condense the past couple months into one post, is also my favorite way! Photos!

Job: Not much to say....but, I come home every night to dinner being prepared/cooked, the house is staying clean, and my lunches for work are backed. I'm the envy of all the other girls I work with!

Camping with the Howells: Memorial Day - We ended up driving down and meeting up with the Howells to camp for the weekend! So much fun! I'm glad we were able to do it. We hiked, we ate, we played games, and we ate! We had a great time and it was so nice to get away! 

Papa's: We got to take a few days away thanks to my insane 55ish hour week on Emergency Services. It was great to spend time with them. We nearly died at one point, so I'll set the stage. Papa really wanted to go out on the lake. Karen, Tim, and I all thought it would storm. Papa insisted. So we went. Somehow due to Papa's insistance, I got on the raft. All is dandy. It looks like it would storm - so we turn to head back. We just turned around and got caught in the worst storm. Thankfully, no lightning but CRAZY rain and oh how it hurt. Tim can't see and he is driving, I am hunkered down under a raft because it keeps flipping off the boat, Papa won't sit down, and the dog....poor dog. He was traumatized. We got lost, I finally got the map from Papa and got us turned around. I did not warm up the rest of the day. My face felt like it had gotten pounded, and I had some red marks to prove it! Tim also helped Papa get his rotisserie chicken rack to work after 4 years! Tim made some phenomenal chicken that night too!

Taryn & Cutter Visit - Chris came with them for the weekend & they stayed the rest of the week. What a blast! Tim and I spent almost all weekend down there, and went back the next Friday too! My nephew is the most adorable child ever. It really was a great way to celebrate July 4th with them in town! We don't get to see each other much so it was great to hang out for several days with each other! We played a ton of Chicken Foot too! So glad they came!

Anniversary: Harry Potter & the Melting Pot. I'm always so happy our anniversary is around restaurant week so we always get to go to new/fancier restaurants at better prices! 

...A posting...

My sister got on to me about not blogging. So....I tried. But time ran out & I forgot. So to remind myself of what I am going to do a catch up blog on....

1. My job
2. Visit to Papa's.
3. My sister's visit
4. Our anniversary (Can't believe I forgot this post)
5. Something else I'm sure.

But to make it more fun, I will do a picture post and catch you up with a photo/brief details. It's more fun that way!

I have not forgotten I have a blog....just don't have time to write! : ) My alarm is going off & it's about time for bed! Catch up soon!

Praise you in the storm.

I'm amazed sometimes when I sit back and look at my life. It's hectic, it's challenging, it's beautiful, it's challenging, it's wonderful, it's everything.  I see pain, suffering, struggle all day long. I hear stories that no one should have ever experienced. I see survivors, triumph, success. I hear stories that remind me that every day in life is a battle, a challenge. Some days I leave work so happy because I could see how I helped someone. Some days I leave drained, challenged to "leave work at work."

I come home to a great husband and a busy life. We're trying for so much. There is progress, setbacks, uncertainty, and great things on the horizon. Life is uncertain, life is complex. But I have life. In all the busy times, in all the struggle, in the setbacks, in the uncertainty, in the great things, in the progress, in the suprises, in the opportunities. I am blessed. My husband supports and encourages me in all that I do, in all that I want to do. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends. They encourage me, support me, listen to me, and give me advice when I need it. They wrap their love around me so that I will never forget that I am loved or alone. I have a job where I am helping people share their stories, to heal and move on, to cope, and to learn that they too are not alone. Simply put, I am blessed beyond measure. I have so much to be thankful for and that is what I need to focus on. I am loved, I am blessed, and God is great.

I just hope the words of this song continue to be true on the days where I am overwhelmed, stressed, and burdened, because I know there is so much going on:  As your mercy falls, I raise my hands and I praise the God who gives and takes away. I'll praise you in this storm. And I will lift my hands. You are who you are, no matter where I am. Every tear I cry, you hold in your hands. Never left my side, although my heart is torn. I will praise you in this storm. I lift my eyes into the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  (Casting Crowns)