Expect the Unexpected

I have always believed that you are put in certain situations for a reason. I also believe that you are taken out of situations for a reason. Thus, I also believe about people being in your life for a reason, season or lifetime. I believe that when we are first put in a new situation that maybe we can't see the reasoning behind it, but eventually God shows us.



I received an e-mail from someone in my past from when I lived in Virginia. It was from a guy that I dated for a long time and it was not a pretty break up. We "found" each other again on Facebook through mutual friends. He is married with a little boy who was born three months after we had Luke. Anyways. We hadn't talked in at least 3 years. I thought that we were way past the break up by that point since we were both married in 2005. I know I was. (reason, season, lifetime kind of thing). We've had very little common conversation on facebook: you have a beautiful family! How's your mom and dad doing? That kind of conversation. But today I got a full message from him. He mentioned to begin with that this was possibly going to be looked at as stupid or silly but to just let him say it. He spoke of how after we broke up (8 years ago) that I had said I always belonged in Florida. He went on to say about how angry and upset that had made him and that he had held on to that for so long. He wanted to let me know that he was working on finding "the plank in his own eye" and that he needed to apologize for holding on to that anger and for being upset about it. I almost fell out of my chair when I read it. But I guess that I also owe him an explanation about what I meant by the fact that "I always belonged in Florida."

I believe that we moved to Virginia for a reason. There was purpose behind meeting all of the wonderful friends that I have from there. There is also purpose behind the relationship that I had with him while I was there. But all in all, none of those things were meant to be a lifetime event. Those were seasons. I met those people, had that relationship, and lived there for only a season and then God said it was time to move on to my lifetime. By saying that "I always belonged in Florida" was not meant to be hurtful...but looking back it was the truth. I have an amazing husband that I found here in Florida. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy here in Florida. I spent the last 8 years being close to my father here in Florida. I have a home, a great job and a wonderful church family here in Florida.

While yes, I believe that I belonged in Florida, I don't regret being in Virginia. What God has "put us through" or "brought us out of" is what makes us who we are today. So I feel very blessed that I was in that season because if not...I wouldn't be in my lifetime now.

Could this be...

the longest week in history? Oh, wait, no that might have been the week leading up to our wedding! But seriously I really don't know how much longer the week could've gotten.

We had Stanford 10 testing this week for all 1st and 2nd graders in the county. Two weeks ago the state decided to spring a surprise on all of the teachers: instead of the usual two days of testing, we're gonna change it to 4 days of testing! :) Ok seriously?! Oh and there was more: we're going to add a whole new section and days worth of testing! WHAT?! Ok, ok...breathe...it's all good. And you know what? It was! I am very proud of my kids. I had a couple that did the typical add when they should've subtracted...but what do you expect when you are taking a test that all you have in front of you are answers and the teacher is only allowed to read the question 1 time?! (Not kidding here...really wish I was)

Anyways...Jeff has spent a lot of time up at Shand's this week as we had church family dealing with death. We haven't gotten to spend too much time together which is why we are having a date tonight...a REAL going out to dinner, do something, got a baby sitter date! YAY!

One week from today momma will be closing on her house in Callahan and will be only a few steps away from my front door. We really are happy about this as we are still mourning the loss of daddy and grandma...and anyone who has gone through something like this knows what some of the best medicine is: a baby! and Luke will be available for plenty of play dates with his Gammy.

Meanwhile business is picking up with the photography company. We're getting ready to announce a great deal for sittings. It'll be good on senior sessions, family portraits, etc. Loving the new equipment we've been getting and am getting ready to order a shootsac (can't wait...got it picked out and everything!). Super excited that we have a wedding coming up in 2 weeks to shoot. It's going to be a great opportunity to try new things and to scratch the itch I've had since Charlene's wedding, with all of my mental notes I took. (Not stealing ideas from ya'll Chris and Ros...I promise! :-) just an over active mind at work!)

Until later...


Love ya!

Just because...

After I cut all of MY hair off.

Praise the Lord!

He has yet again answered prayers.

A close friend of mine at work, who is a breast cancer survivor, had to have tests ran on Tuesday for a growth on her back. She went back to the doctor today to get the results. We have all been very nervous because of her past history with cancer... But God has shown himself again. She just has a mass of fluid! We've been praying for her at church, especially in the youth group...and I am so thankful for those prayers and the answer that God has given.

Praise Him!

Love ya!

Exciting News!!

Well...to me it is anyway!

My mom is going to be closing on her house in Callahan on March 27th! I can't believe how quickly it has gone up and how fast time has passed.

Some people have said "your mom is going to live across the street?!" I realize that might be hard for some people...but I believe it's going to be the best to help all of us through what has happened. We all live our own lives without interruption from each other.

Anyways...I'm really excited and I know that it is going to truly be a blessing in the long run. And there will be a baby sitter just a few steps away. :)

Love ya!

4 Things

4 jobs I've had:
1. Student Assistant at FCCJ
2. Weight Loss Consultant
3. Teacher
4. Mommy and Wife

4 movies watched over and over:
1. Steel Magnolias
2. Veggie Tales
3. Diary of a Mad Black Woman
4. 13 Going on 30

4 places I've lived:
1. Jacksonville FL
2. Callahan, FL
3. Chester, VA
4. Jacksonville and Callahan again.

4shows I watch:
1. Friends
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. One Tree Hill
4. American Idol

4 places I've been:
1. Jamaica
2. New York
3. Virgin Islands
4. Cozumel Mexico

4people who e-mail me regularly:
1. My director Kim from 31 Gifts
2. Use to be my grandma til she passed.
3. Mom
4. Jeff

4favorite things to eat:
1. Mexican Food
2. Five Guy's Hamburgers
3. mom's chili
4. popcorn

4places I'd rather be:
1. in my bed snuggled up watching a movie
2. in the mountains
3. on a cruise
4. and any place with jeff and luke

4things I look forward to this year:
1. Growing in my relationship with jeff, luke and Christ
2. Continuing to grow both of our businesses
3. Rose's Wedding
4. Our trip to Orlando with Brandon and MacKenzie

4people to tag:
1. Rosalind
2. Melody
3. Shauna
4. Goldie