It's a Girl!!!!!!!!! :)

Meet Raelynn Rebekah



She surprised us all by arriving a month early! She made her entrance at 1:58pm on June 25th weighing in at 4lbs 9oz. Momma and baby are doing well and I'm a very proud sister and aunt.

Off to spoil a tiny baby! :)

Under Construction

My house got behind schedule during the recent rain in Florida. It's quite difficult to do electrical and plumbing work during torrential downpours. But after airing things out, replacing all the doors, and working through the weekends, they are back on track! :)


I had my pre-drywall walkthrough today. Very Fun. You can actually tell it's going to be a house now! :) And it should be done in 60 days! With the aid of a few pictures and your imagination, I am taking you on a tour of my townhouse!

After entering through the garage or front door you will find yourself in an entryway leading to my kitchen/dining/living room. What you see here is my flooring (left) and kitchen cabinets and counters.



As you walk upstairs you will see the loft and bedrooms (2) painted and carpeted in beige. Boring but neutral and ready for lots of fun decorating! (But I can't reveal all of my secrets!)


I have 2 and a half bathrooms. From left to right: counters, cabinets, paint.


And for a sneak peak at one room of decorations....my bedroom will be decorated in these colors to make me feel like I'm at the beach all the time! :)

A path already written, but not yet uncovered.

I know I'm a bad blogger, I truly do apologize. :) But my life is boring! Consequently, I can't ever think of anything to say! :) (Pretty much I just keep a blog, so that I have a place to keep track of all of your blogs!)

So since there's not much to say about my life right now (or at least nothing I want to share with the world wide web), I'll start by sharing another lesson God has been reminding me through a song.

Disclaimers: To those of you who think it's boring when I blog about God and my faith: You should listen to the song anyway, it's a really good rock group and you might like it! To those of you who think I use Christian music too much to make my point: I promise I also read books, including my bible, and go to church...I just really like music!) :)

Anyway...the lyrics of this song remind me that sometimes life requires a second glanse and a new perspective to see the beauty in all that surrounds us. The new day isn't always what we were expecting, but sometimes it's even more beautiful.



I'm gonna sing this song
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you're like me
You need hope, coffee, and melody
So sit back down
Let the world keep spinning 'round
For yesterday's gone and today is waiting on you to show your face

It might not be
The prettiest thing that you'll ever see
But it's a new day, oh baby, it's a new day
And it might not look like
A beautiful sunrise
But it's a new day, oh baby, it's a new day

I'm a pilgrim soul
I've traveled far and come back home
This land is hard and cold
For those who long to love
And I know it might seem
That the world is crumbling
But it's me and you dancing in the kitchen at 2 am
And we're still alive

It's the calm of the storm that comes blowing in
It's the springtime saying I'm back again
The clouds that roll by
Crossing moonlight
Me and you love - everything's alright
Standing in the rain with nowhere to go
Laughing and we're spinning and I hope that you
Remember this day
For the rest of your life
Me and you love - everything's gonna be alright

And it just might be
The prettiest thing that you'll ever see
It's a new day
Oh baby, it's a new day
If you look outside
To see a beautiful sunrise
It's a new day

Joyce Meyer always says, "I used to pray for God to bless my plan". I must admit that I was and sometimes still am very guilty of this prayer. I always have my idea of how I think my life should go and how and when things should happen, but I've learned that God's plan is even better. So I'm striving for my prayer to be, "God reveal your plan for my life to me in your perfect timing. Help me to trust You to guide my steps."

This song by According to John has often been a part of my devotions during the last decade, showing up most often in decision-making times. I'd love to share the song, because it's really beautiful...but I can't find it. The lyrics will have to suffice.

All I’ve got
All I am
All my dreams and
All my plans
I’m holding back
I’m holding nothing back from you

I surrender it all
I lay it before you
For all of my days
I’ll give you the glory
You caused me to see
My heart is divided
Lord, take all of me
‘Cause I have decided
Yeah

CHORUS

All I’ve got
All I am
All my dreams and
All my plans
I’m holding back
I’m holding nothing back from you
Whatever it takes
I trust you completely
I’m here in your hands
If you need to break me

CHORUS

All I’ve got
All I am
All my dreams and
All my plans
I’m holding back
I’m holding nothing back from you
All I’ve got
All I am
All my dreams and
All my plans
I’m holding back
I’m holding nothing back from you
Hey, nothing back
Nothing back from you

Tell Me You Remember This!

Okay...so at my church small group we do an ice breaker each week. A few weeks ago, the question was "If you could be any super hero, who would you be?". I, of course, said She-Ra!

No one at the group knew who I was talking about! Please tell me that I'm not crazy, and that all girls that grew up in the 80's wanted to be She-Ra, Princess of Power! I mean come on she was He-Man's twin sister! That alone makes her cool. Anyway...if you're still with me on this here's some other things you may recall.

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's or Early 90's If:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You wanted to be a Goonie



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey from "Blossom" and that "How Rude!" comes from Stephanie from "Full House"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two words: Hammer Pants



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

L.A. Gear....need I say more?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen.. and still know the turtles names



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember Hypercolor t-shirts



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember "Where's the Beef?"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man were amazing!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You watched the Pound Puppies



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember Popples



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't worry, be happy



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You had big hair and you knew how to use it



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember watching both Gremlins movies



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gummy Bears were not just candies



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember when mullets were cool!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You had a mullet!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You wore (or knew someone who wore) a ponytail on the side of your head



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You wanted to change your name to "JEM" in Kindergarten. (She's Truly Outrageous)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement

The Motions

This is another song that God has really used to speak to me lately. Sometimes I feel we are too guilty of doing good things, but for the wrong reasons. We get caught up in the day to day and forget what's important. It's hard in the business of life to keep our passion. It took a possibly life altering surgery for Matthew West to write this song. I hope that as I am making some transitions in my life this year that I will continue to examine my life and not wait for the huge moments to make me change my focus.

My New Favorite Song

I'm pretty much in love with this song...I was struggling with things before break and heard this on my way to South Carolina. Music always speaks to my heart with a clarity that can't be replicated through other mediums.

Oh and did I mention that I went to college with Meredith Andrews. I always knew she'd make it big. I need to buy her CD so I can listen to all of her songs!

Spring Break!

Can I just say that this title and picture seem to be a bit of an oxymoron! I mean really, isn't Easter when we put away our winter clothes? Apparently, I left Florida...to visit winter! But I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

First of all, let me say...I know I'm a terrible blogger! I stopped blogging cause I was getting busy. First I had house buying stuff and my dad and mom visited. Then I started getting involved in my church and playing tennis. And then I had a rough month or so with school and some personal relationships....and then I had eye surgery and couldn't see! And somewhere in there my friend Steph came to visit again. Oh and I did a ton of races (a 10K, a 15K, 2 1/2 marathons, and 3 5Ks in 3 months!)

But I'm going to try to start posting again. So I thought I'd start with break! (And let me just tell you...I've never been so excited for a week off in my life!)

As soon as school was done (Friday March 20th) I rushed home to finish packing and cleaning and hit the road for Charleston. My friends Rachel and Stephanie met me at my Dad's townhouse and we ran in the Cooper River Run. Way fun...definite plans for an annual event! Though at one point I thought I would surely sustain a concussion from the fruit that was being thrown at the runners. (After the race...apparently it's difficult for 40,000 runners to move efficiently through lines to get food so the volunteers just started lobbing apples, oranges, and bananas at the crowds!)



I was exhausted from a crazy week, a long drive, and a very late arrival...so it wasn't my best run...but Steph and I stuck together and she got me through a very long 6.2 miles in just a little over an hour. Then we hung out in Charleston. It was my first time and I loved the open market. We even got interveiwed by the local station and Steph was on the 6 o'clock news.

It was great to see my dad and Kathy (his fiancee) and my uncle. My dad took us out for some awesome seafood at a local place and we slept in on Sunday! What a great weekend!

Then I headed to Tennessee where I spent my time visiting my former students, hanging out with friends, having eye surgery, and watching a lot of movies! On Saturday Rachel, Steph, and I drove up to Mt. Rogers, VA and saw Jes, Ben, and "Little Mel". (That's what I call Jes' baby; she refers to him as "Leroy")

Anyway...we did some very low key hiking and got to pet the wild horses. (There is a possibility that we also fed them...but don't tell any park rangers!) It was so cool! I want to go back one day when it's not as cold! (I didn't pack appropriate attire...luckily my sister had an extra sweatshirt of mine and I always keep a jacket in my car...but it was FREEZING!)



After spending a week in Tennessee, I got my bandage contact lens off on Easter Monday. Then I spend 10 hourse driving through the rain, trying to get used to my eyelid touching my eye again.

I still can't see very well and decided to sit out the next session of Tennis. But I'm hoping that by the summer, I'll be able to see clearly. If not, I guess I'll get a contact! :) And life will move on.

Lot's of you have been asking about my house. They got behind because of the weather but will be pouring the foundation on Tuesday. I'll post more on all of my decorating plans soon. (I promise!)