Another Crazy Fall

Oh I wish I could say I am looking forward to fall but just thinking about the next couple of months brings me nothing but anxiety. I have a full plate. I realize having a full plate means I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a job where I am in demand. However, just looking at my schedule gives me an ulcer. No kidding, I really think I’ve developed a stomach ulcer. When I think about my upcoming week this week makes me want to run to my momma’s house. You know because running to your momma’s house means no responsibilities and no real worries. First off, this work week is going to be like 60 hours! And it is my birthday. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun? Oh my birthday…. That brings another load of anxiety to me. If I skip the presents and cake can I skip getting older? It’s a deal so don’t worry about writing on my Facebook wall on Tuesday because I am skipping it this year. I do not know why I am having such a hard time as I inch closer and closer to the big 3-0, especially when my friends who have already reached that milestone birthday take it in stride and make it look not so bad after all. Each year just goes faster than the one before. I need things to sllllooooowwwww down a little. I cannot believe how fast the months fly by.

I am also very grateful that in the midst of my crazy fall schedule that we have some really fun things planned.  In ten days (if I survive hosting Business After Hours and a football team) we leave for the beach.  And just not to any beach. I am going to my happy, happy, happy place which is Saint Simons Island, Georgia. I must keep my eye on the goal. I am so excited that our friends Trina and Marshall will be joining us. While we are there Trina will turn 30 (which adds to my own anxiety about getting older but this is the part where I am supposed to focus on the positive… ha ha). We are also planning to attend the UT vs. Auburn game in November. Plus my best friend is getting married at the end of this month. I cannot wait! I must keep focused on all the good and exciting stuff and not how overwhelming and almost impossible my schedule seems. I would appreciate any prayers and support. 

Being Real

I always feel God at the beach. It's like that line in "I Hope You Dance." "I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean." I really do not know how someone could stand at a sea shore of crashing waves and not believe in our Almighty Creator.

I refuse to have one of those blogs where all I share with you is a picture of my perfect life. Because come on who are we all kidding! While I really am having a great summer, I'm also really struggling: professionally, personally and spiritually. Obstacles keep blocking my picture perfect life or at least the one I'm trying to "control. "

Oh control.... This is my number one struggle. I am without a doubt wired to control. I just downloaded Let. It. Go. How to Stop Running the Show and Walk by Faith. I'm 30% in and amazed at how much God has already revealed to me in this book. I know this is going to be another journey in my life and probably a continuous struggle but I want to break this cycle and surrender my need to control to the Ultimate Controller. So here I go. I know this one book won't change my life but I hope it is a great starting point. I plan to share with you all about my journey. I know it won't all be fixed by my next post but hopefully I will have made some progress through Him.

Looking Back: 2012 in Pictures

Welcomed the New Year in Phenix City, AL with Ashley, David, Trina, Marshall, and Alex.



 

Bought our first home in January.

 

March was full of birthdays and weddings.

Isaiah & Evelyn's birthday party

 

Joseph & Breanne's wedding

 

Brant & Megan's wedding

 

 

Spent some time with both of my great-nephews in April.

 

Celebrated John's 7th birthday with a party in the park in May.

 

Spent a week at the amazing house with the Painter family in Pawleys Island in June. 

 

Celebrated Memorial Day and the 4th of July at the Painter's pool.

 

 

Went on a much needed and overdue girls' trip to Birmingham in July.

 

 

 

We went to Cookeville in August for Greyson to play in a memorial tournament for his former college coach.

 

In September, the two of us went to Saint Simons Island.

 

 

Joint Birthday Party with Trina.

 

Elizabeth & Ryan's wedding in September.

 

David's Surprise 30th Birthday in Chattanooga.

 

Volunteered at Wine Around the Square with ZTA in September for breast cancer awareness and research.

 

MTSU's Homecoming in October.

 

MYP's Brewsboro  to benefit United Way in October.

 

Dad and Keith's birthday in October.

 

Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Game.

 

Thanksgiving in Culleoka with the Stokes Family.

Christmas at the Painter's.

 

And we ended the year just like we started with great friends welcoming the New Year.

 

 



Just the Two of Us

We are on our way back home from a wonderful vacation in Saint Simons Island, GA. We visited here last summer and it became a new favorite for us. The island is so quaint and beautiful. We had amazing food and weather. It never rained a drop on us. I am so glad we planned this trip. It was a much needed break.

Beach Bound

That's right! We're beach bound for a long weekend. It is just G and me. I'm so excited. Here's what's on our agenda: NOTHING! Ah, it feels so good. The last two weeks at work has been nothing short of madness. I've hosted a couple of large fundraising events, a college football team and had just a few days to complete my 2013 business plan. I got it all done by the grace of God. And in the midst of all of that we had the Bobby Nichols Memorial Golf Tournament for Greyson's college golf coach in Cookeville. Now I'm an hour and a half away from sun, sand, seafood and most importantly quality time with my husband. And for those of you wondering we are not in the path of Isaac. We're going to St. Simons, GA.
We also have a lot to celebrate on this trip. G received a promotion at work this week. I am so excited and proud of him.
Well the beach is calling my name. Pictures to come soon!

June

Sorry it has been a while. I know I say this every month but I seriously do not know where the month went. I can’t believe tomorrow is July 1. So since I have not posted all month, let me recap the month of June. The first week of June was my last program day and graduation for Leadership Rutherford (a 9 month, extensive leadership program). Sadly, I came down with an awful viral infection. My symptoms were the same as a sinus infection and stomach bug all at once. I was in the bed Tuesday afternoon until Friday morning. That meant I missed my last program day and graduation which was held at the hotel. I had planned an incredible reception and dinner so I was very upset that I had to miss it. Thankfully I still graduated. I can honestly say I am going to miss LR. I made some incredible friendships with some of the funniest people on the planet. I am extremely grateful to my employers for this opportunity.

The day I started recovering from the virus was also the day we left for our annual Painter family vacation. Thankfully by the time we arrived at the beach house on Saturday, I was pretty much back to my normal self. We had an incredible time. We went to Pawleys Island, SC. We stayed in a HUGE house. We all had plenty of space which is always nice. Greyson’s mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew were there. G and I fell in love with our king sized bed with a memory foam mattress. G even slept in until 11 one morning with me, which in my 6 ½ years knowing him has never happened. We took some great pictures of the kids on the beach. G’s sister is pregnant with their third child, who we just found out this week is a girl! We are thrilled to welcome a new baby to the family this November. We had great weather. It did rain one day but we all just took it easy and enjoyed our time being together. All the other days were sunny and in the low 80s. It is 107 here today in Tennessee so I would give anything for some low 80s weather again. G and I went shopping one day in Myrtle Beach and I racked up on some deals at Banana Republic. We enjoyed fresh seafood every night (my fav) and made some incredible memories. Here are some pictures of our week at the beach.

Our Beach House

G & Me

Towns Family Picture

I wish we were there now.

Bill & Nancy

The past two weeks at work have been unbelievably busy for me. I am very grateful for all the new business coming my way. I’ve also been interviewing for a new catering coordinator since my current one is moving out of state. My office is in the process of a major makeover. I have freshly new painted walls (done by yours truly because the maintenance men had way too much going on to take on another project), and new carpet and office furniture coming next week.

I hope to do better blogging in July! I hope everyone has an incredible 4th of July. Although, I am not that thrilled about it being in the middle of the week but oh well. At least G and I both have the day off.