Revamped

After celebrating Gibby's birthday, enjoying some much needed time with my wonderful friends, and celebrating the time of year when we all remember just how blessed and thankful we should be for everything, which I absolutely adore my Family!......I can say that I am so happy with where I am in my life right now! Completely Revamped.

And now it's time for the countdown(s) to begin......
1. Sara's Wedding
2. Lindsey's return
3. Christmas Break
4. Test Day
5. Christmas and New Year's!

I cannot wait for these upcoming weeks! I plan on taking them one day at a time, and enjoying every single minute! Also....It's time to focus on some different things in my life, and everything else will follow!

"So let's shake hands and reach across those party lines. You've got your friends just like I've got mine. We might think a little differently, But we got a lot in common you will see. We're just like you...Only prettier!"
-Miranda Lambert

September 9, 2009: Livin' life on the fly....part 2

MY celebration weekend. That's what I called this past weekend. I celebrated my 23 1/2 birthday on the 4th (yes, I know that's a little odd, but I LOVE birthdays and holidays!) I also celebrated the fact that I am now a teacher and things are finally starting to happen! I celebrated the time of my life and I am in, having to no longer put up with drama, enjoying the fact that I can take my time and allow things to happen, and my amazing friends!

I spent the weekend in Austin and stayed with Meagan. We had such a great time and I could not have asked for a better weekend! Both of us are going through alot of the same things, and it is absolutely wonderful to be going through them together! We are so excited about our lives and what's ahead! Our goals are to be career driven and Christ focused and everything else will happen on its own.

I will be leaving Booker T. Washington Recreation and Community Center September 19. From there I am subbing until wither a full-time job or a long-term sub job opens up. I hope to be moving to Austin one day soon but not until I find a teaching job.That is the tentative plan, but I am must say that I am excited either way!

I have never been happier to be in the place that I in right now in my life. God is so good! I've come to appreciate the past few months and all that has occurred. I'm moving on to bigger and better thing, but wouldn't take back a thing. These events and experiences have helped me grow tremendously.

"I got a feelin', that tonight's going to be a good night."
-Black-eyed Peas

September 3, 2009: Kick it Back Jack

Well I did it. I am officially a certified teacher within the state of Texas! I received my probationary certificate last night in the mail, which means that I can teach music anywhere within Texas! I still have complete my probationary year and be recommended by the school district and pass 2 more tests. But I can do that! I am so excited to live y life and see what is going to happen next! I've also closed a few doors that I've known for a while that needed to close. I cannot begin to tell you how good that feels! It is absolutely amazing how God has His perfect timing, even though we may not see it. The place I am currently in I just knew that I was there for a reason, and I know I was. I was there to allow myself to grow, learn from others, interact with others, be an example, even though the ones that needed to see that the most didn't allow that happen. I tried my best and that's all I can do. They don't want it, their loose, not mine. And so I move on and close that door.

This could not have come at a better time in my life. A point when I needed to be assured that what I am trying to do with life is exactly what needs to happen. People come and go. You can try with all of your heart to be a good friend, but the impact you make is up to them. I have an ides of what I want for m life, but I have learned so many times that my plan may not be His. I have a saying that I started saying Spring Break of SR year..."livin' life on the fly." It's time to take that literally and allow God to continue to lead me in the right direction.

I have never been so happy with the way my life is! It's time to LIVE YOUR (MY) LIFE and to kick it back Jack! Praise God for getting me out of situations at just the right time!

"So Live you life...Ain't got no time for haters."
-T.I.

Hiatus

As my Aunt Carol pointed out last weekend, I have taken quite a little break from blogging. I feel that it's time to start back up again. The next few posts are actually things I wrote in September but never posted them.....

Heavenly Day: September 1, 2009

This summer has been a journey that I shall never forget. With many ups and downs, lots of self reflections, my faith being tested to the up most extreme, and memories that I will always keep with me, I have finally learned how to deal.

Through all of this, one thing that I have had to constantly remind myself this summer is that I am not in control and I have to have patience. The past few months I've been the encourager, the friend, the example, the working girl, the convenient girl, the one that seems to have it together, the flavor of the week, the hunter, the runner, the time healer, the one who puts all of their heart into something, the determined one, the scared, the naive, the accomplished, the faithful one, the helper, and the one who has been completely broken. I've witnessed and experienced things this summer that have and will continue to make me so thankful for the life I have and the life I lead. The people that I have had the honor and privilege to interact with continue to make my life an on going roller coaster.

From interviews and trips to Nashville, river trips, and other engagements with the DS, weekly convo's that make my life complete, weekend movie nights, late night talks/texting, singing, allowing God to mold me into the woman he aspires me to be, studying for endless hours, enjoying my friendships both old and new, being a bit of a work out/health freak, embracing who I am, starting school again, becoming a teacher, becoming more confident, and making the best out of every situation....My life is a precious one...I know that without a doubt.

Crazy to think that I was living in Nashville at this time last year. I miss that place, but am looking forward to what's ahead. Maybe Austin is next. We shall see! I'll finish school in October and then have 2 more tests to take, and then that will be it.

The one thing that I keep coming back to and the thing that I live my life by are the words "I am free." These words have been my spiritual grounding over the past few months as well as the verses taken from Ephesians 3, "Now to him that is able to do immeasurably more, than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through out all generations forever and ever, Amen." I would be lost without these words that is for sure. I am human and need that constant reminders of who I am and whose I am. I am free because I choose to live a life of Christ, and when I consider all that, things would be different for me otherwise. I am free because I have decided to do so.

"Oh Heavenly day! All the clouds blew away. Got no trouble today, With anyone...."
-Patty Griffin

Expanding

Now by listing these next big news topics, I am not insinuating which once is more important but rather listing them by which happened first. (for the record)

I'm going to be an Aunt! Now no, Craig and Macy are NOT pregnant, but my cousin Ashley and her husband Brent are! And seeing how Ashley is practically my sister, it just seems fitting to say that I am going to be an aunt. Judge all you want.

She called me with the news on a Monday, and well the best way to describe the conversation, let's just say that I was a basket case of emotions. She told me first, and I sat in silence. She even had to ask if I was still there! Then I started crying, alot. And that was followed by pure laughter due to the excitement that I had! I am so so so excited for Ashley and Brent! Although let's hope the little tot doesn't carry Brent's mean gene, and actually likes me.

And now for the second round of news: Craig and Macy are engaged! It happened Thursday night, and let me say just how impressed I am with how Craig was able to pull everything off and give Macy such a sweet proposal! He sent her on a little scavenger hunt that then ended with the proposal at the church they go to. And the ring, well it is very nicely done! After the proposal, we (the two newly engaged peeps, Macy's family, and our family) met for dinner. It was such a joyous occasion and I am so excited for them!

And now for a small tribute to the musical genius himself:
"ABC easy as 123 easy as do re mi. ABC, 123 baby you and me girl!"
Jackson 5

Good Night for Dancing

I've said it once and I'll say it again, I believe whole heartily that everything happens for a reason. And truthfully, I am quite content with the way things have played out recently. He has a plan, although I may not be able to figure it out at the moment, He's in charge and I am have complete faith in knowing that I am headed in the right direction that He wants me to be going. I've given God complete control and that's how it's going to stay. It's time for me to continue to pull my big girl pants up and pursue my dreams.

Last night Shaley, Evan, Jamie Lyn , and Holly ventured down to good 'ole Cleburne, TX from the big city to hear me sing. I am so glad that they were there! I had the joy, nay, the pleasure to give Evan and Shaley a grand tour of Rio and Cleburne. I hear that there is a facebook album that will soon appear to document this joyous trip. Can't wait, although I would be more than happy if the pictures taken of me as a small cross-eyed tot were left out of the mix. I will say that last night was wonderful and just what I needed. We danced, laughed, sang, and enjoyed every minute. The college friends got to meet some of my friends here, and experience a little slice of country.

To be honest, I cannot wait to see what God has planned for me next. And for now, I'm going along with this crazy dance we call life.

"It's a good night for dancing. It's good night for you."
-Josh Abbott Band

So Close Now

I'm not going to lie, I love flying. Yesterday when my parents dropped me off at the airport, I told them, I felt like we've done this before...having them watch me fly off to Nashville. But this time it was a bit different and a better situation. 

Now when I get on the plane, I usually just stick my Ipod in and listen to music the whole way. But this time I sat next to an amazing Christian woman named Diane. She was on her way back home to Nashville from her nephew's graduation in Texas. We spent the next hour and half talking about life, God, things we would like to do, and her giving me advice. I told her what I was going to be doing in Nashville and why I wanted to be up there so badly. And I told her how much of a planner I am, and that I had come to the conclusion that if things didn't work out in Nashville this time, that it was ok, that was just God saying that maybe Nashville isn't where I need to be right now and that he had better plans for me. Diane then told me what she always tells her 11 year old grand-daughter. She tells her," Put your hand on top of your head. You feel how warm it is? That's because God's hand is on your head. He is always with you, even when you feel like no one else is." Diane then squeezed my hand and told me to always remember that. 

When we landed, Diane introduced me to her husband, Papa John and they helped me get my luggage. We then parted ways after Diane gave me the biggest hug and said, "I know that God is going to do great things through you. God bless you, and I can't wait to see you someday!" If I walk away from trip with nothing else but that, I am completely satisfied. Talking with Diane was an absolutely wonderful experience and I thank God for allowing us to be able to sit next to each on that plane.

"I am so close now to walking away. About to walk a path I've gotta take. I am packing up heading out. I can't sleep, I'm dreaming way too loud. I'm so close now, so close now to getting out."

-Eli Young Band