Dec 12, 2012

6 more weeks!

I can't sleep tonight so I thought I would catch up on my blog.

 Here's a little summary of all that is going on over the next 6 weeks:

1. This weekend my parents friends are having a shower for Jonathan and me in South Carolina. I love this and I know it is going to be so much fun but it involves a weekend of travel.

2. Next weekend is Christmas weekend. I will have started MY NEW JOB and am only hoping that I have Christmas Eve off.

3. The next weekend Jonathan's mom is having a shower for me in Knoxvile. Then it's New Year's Eve.

4. The next weekend my sister in law is having a family shower for us in Greenville.

5. Then it's only TWO WEEKS TIL THE WEDDING!!!

The wedding is only 6 weeks away and I really can't believe it!

So, there's a lot of fun stuff coming up! I am trying to enjoy this time and this pre wedding season!

But I can't wait to be married to Jonathan!


Dec 4, 2012

A few things lately...

There has been so much going on lately. Here's what I have been up to:

1. Work, work, work:






2. My car turned 100,000 Miles! In just 6 1/2 years, I have done so much driving. It's been a good car and I hope it lasts me at least 6 1/2 more years!













3. I MAILED my WEDDING invitations!!

















4. I did some wedding crafti-ness with the help of my crafty roommate!

















5. Jonathan and I put up our "first" Christmas tree! Since this will be our first Christmas in Nashville, (even though we're not married yet) we have been having a lot of firsts!

6. And just for fun - I can't wait to try these! MMmmmm!
7. Oh, One more thing:
53
days 'til our wedding








Nov 20, 2012

Stolen Words of Thanksgiving

I stole these words from my friend Robin. They're not my words but they express exactly how I feel right now, even in the midst of not feeling like this every minute of the day.

I am so thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving, but especially now in this time of transition…and seeing how God has gone before us and prepared a place for us – in Nashville, and, ultimately, with Him eternally.

Oct 21, 2012

Engagement Photos

Jonathan and I had a great time taking our engagement photos with Julie Connell of Connell Photography! Julie is one of my friends from college and was so much fun! She did a great job. These are a few of our favorites:

LOVE this Knoxville Skyline shot!











Oct 8, 2012

One Hundred Ten

That's how many days it is until...

I marry my best friend.
I marry the love of my life.
I marry the man of my dreams.
I marry the guy that I've been waiting so long for.
I start the rest of my life with him.
I CAN'T WAIT!!

Photo by Julie Connell. www.connellphotos.com

Sep 16, 2012

New Everything

So, It's September 16. In the last 2 days I've had a new city, a new home, a new roommate and a new job. Whew! I'm exhausted to write how I feel other than to say that I am so excited to be in the same city with Jonathan and to move here to be with him. I am so excited to be living with my friend Molly. We've been roommates before so that helps and we get along great. She's doing me a HUGE favor letting me live with her for free. She is a fantastic friend :)

More later!

Sep 4, 2012

September Update

Oh my gosh, When did September get here! It is almost unbelievable how quickly these last 8 months have flown by.

In May Jonathan got a job offer that he could not turn down at an accounting firm in Nashville. He has been working there for over a month now and loves it. He is doing IT Auditing. About this same time, I began to be generally unhappy with my job that I had really enjoyed before. So, we decided together to make the move to Nashville. The plan was for me to hang out at my current job and save money until January when I planned to move to Nashville with Jonathan. BUT, in the mean time, we got engaged and realized that being apart is harder than we thought it would be. So, I began furiously looking for jobs in Nashville, with no luck. Not even a phone call back. That was a little over two months ago.

In the middle of all this, Anna decides to get her own place because she realizes that it'll probably be before January when I move out. So I was afraid that I might be homeless for a week or two. But, my good friends, the Reilly's, came through and have put me up in their home until I make the move to Nashville.

This past week, I realized that I was just done with my job. I got over being angry and sad about it and just decided that it was time to move on. So this past Friday, I turned in my two week notice. On Thursday, I got a phone call from Panera and an interview scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Well, they offered me the job! So, I'll be starting there sometime in the next few weeks! I'm so excited to have a stress free job. I'm nervous about having to have a schedule that someone else sets for me (because I've basically been free to do what I wanted). But, I also think that it will be low stress and a good float for me until we get married or until I find the "perfect" job. I realize that is idealistic and the perfect job probably doesn't exist, but I do believe I can find something I love to do. And that may be Panera or it may be something else. :) I guess we'll see.

I really feel that Jonathan getting this job is God protecting us from a lot of stress that would be present if Jonathan were still at MBS. I know that HE knew what would be best for me and for us. I had to go to Marriott to meet Jonathan and if that would be the only thing that would ever come out of this experience, then it would be well worth it. I've also made a few other good friends at work and am sad to leave them. I told my parents this past week that all of this crap that I've been through the last few years with my job is worth every cent of worry and heartache that I've experienced, if only just to wait for this, for Jonathan, for Nashville, for Panera, for our new lives together. I know that this is God and I know that HE is laying out his perfect plan for me. I do not know the outcome and I am worried about the details, but I know that HE is in control. So, I'm trying to "be still and know".

Aug 6, 2012

Jesus Calling, August 6

When things seem to be going all wrong, stop and affirm your trust in Me. Calmly bring these matters to Me, leave them in my capable hands. Then, simply do the next thing. Stay in touch with Me through thankful, trusting prayers, resting in My sovereign control. Rejoice in Me - exult in the God of your salvation!

Job 13:15, Psalm 18:33, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Other Wedding Things

There are a few other things that I have done for the wedding that I left out of my last post!

1. CAKE! (Thanks Molly!!!)
2. The Groom's suit and all of the groomsmen's suits. Jonathan did a great job picking those out!

I haven't gotten into the details too much. I'm looking forward to doing that soon! The next big thing I have to do is bridesmaid dresses. I have a couple of favorite picked out and am gonna go with my girls sometime in the next few weeks to look! I can't wait!

Aug 5, 2012

Exodus 14:13-14

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The LORD will fight for you. You need only be still.

Jul 26, 2012

I can't wait!

to be married to this man :) He is beyond wonderful!



In the opinion of the world, marriage ends all. The truth is precisely the opposite: it BEGINS all!
 - Anne Sophie Swetchine

Jul 18, 2012

Complete Insanity

Oh my gosh! There has been SOOooooo much going on lately. It is almost unimaginable and doesn't seem real! I can't believe it! When I think about all of the things that have happened with us over the last 3 months, I get overwhelmed with the goodness that is being revealed for my future. I just get so excited when I consider all the good things that are going on and all the wonderful things that God has blessed Jonathan and I with. I hope you will pray with us as we face all of these new things over the next 6 months!

1. Jonathan starts a new job in 2 weeks!
2. Work for me is crazy busy!
3. WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!
4. Planning the wedding!
5. Trying to sell my condo in Greenville.
6. I'm moving! Anna has found a place of her own so Jonathan and I will be look for OUR new home! He'll go ahead and move in and I'll move in when we get married in January! In the mean time, I'll be living with Kevin and Kathy Reilly. Gracious and wonderful friends and "family".  I'm so thankful for them!

There are a few more complications thrown in there that I'm not quite ready to reveal to the whole world!

We have all the big stuff for the wedding completed:

1. Church
2. Pastor
3. Photographer
4. Reception Place
5. Caterer
6. Decorator for the reception and wedding
7. DRESS!!!
8. My rings
9. Calligrapher (Thanks Diana!)

I know there are a lot more details to be ironed out but those are the biggest things and they're already taken care of! Music is the last big thing and I'm waiting to hear back from the girl I want to organize that. My mom has been a big help and I am so thankful for her. I can't imagine planning this by myself! I really am so excited about all of these changes but a lot of them don't seem real yet! Everything on the list above is so exciting and wonderful but it's also very overwhelming. I'm trying to take it one day at a time. I think it's been a trying and growing time for our relationship. For the last year, we've been pretty carefree and in the last 3 months we've been through some really big changes - my grand father passed away, he got a new job, moving and so many other things at the same time. It's has been good to be reminded of what a wonderful man I'm marrying.

Tonight was the first time since probably the beginning of May that we have been "us". Know what I mean? We've been so covered up with these other things that we haven't taken time to be us. I really enjoyed our date and just hanging out without too much wedding/serious talk!


I love lists! This helps me feel like we have things to mark off the list and that there are things that I have accomplished! 

Jun 26, 2012

Engaged!!!!


I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with this man!

Jun 17, 2012

Better Get Reading & Writing



You might ask what the picture is above...it is a suitcase and a shopping bag full of my grandparents love letters. My original plan was to scan these and put them into a book. But the truth is that not everyone wants the read every word of every letter. Also, some of the letters from Baxter to Dot were not as well preserved and have some water damage/age damage so all of the words can't be read. So, my new plan is to write a book based on these letters and their lives together. We'll see what happens out of this. I'm not very creative but I really don't have to be, their story is already written.

Jun 15, 2012

28

Today, I turn 28 years old. When I was a child, I thought so many things would have happened by now but I am beginning to realize that God has perfect timing. To be honest, the last year of my life has been the best year of my life for so many reasons - these are a few! 

I have a job that I like. 
I have a man that I love.
I have so many wonderful friends.
I have promise and hope for the future

Jonathan and I am spending the weekend with my family in SC and I can't wait to be with my parents, brothers, sister in laws, and nieces and nephews! I can't wait!

Jun 10, 2012

My Recent Reveries

WHAT IF...


These two little words cause so much grief in my life. Of course I sit around thinking those two words followed by so many others. I'm not going to reveal those here tonight but details will be coming soon. I know that there's no way that I can live my life by the "what if's". I feel like I could "what if" myself to death and still have no answers. I know that is why it is so important to give all to Christ. He knows me and my situation and what's going to happen and I can't do a whole lot about it but trust in HIS will. As hard as it is for me to wait for Him, I know that is the only right thing to do!


Regarding these questions: 


Wise thoughts from Jesus Calling - June 8


"I want you to be all mine, filled with the Light of My Presence. Hold back nothing from Me. Bring your most secret thoughts into the Light of My Love. Anything you bring to Me I transform and cleanse from darkness. I know everything about you, far more than you know of yourself. But I restrain My yearning to fix you, waiting instead for you to come to Me for help. Seek my face with a teachable spirit. Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed."

Jun 5, 2012

Anniversary Flowers

That's right...we've been together a whole year! Our first date was one year ago tonight. Tonight we went to Lakeside Tavern to celebrate and ate outside on this lovely Tuesday evening!


Jun 4, 2012

Vacation

This past week, I had my first real vacation in about 2 years. It was glorious! I had a whole week off!


  • Friday, I left work at 3! Woo-hoo!
  • Saturday, J and I went to Dollywood for Bluegrass & BBQ! It was so much fun! On Saturday we saw Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. We also saw Daily & Vincent. Both of them were awesome! We have season passes so we basically went for free. We had to pay to eat (that's where you spend all of your money)! But we had a great time.
  • Sunday, we went to church and then I laid out in the sun all afternoon. I had to get ready for the beach! We went bowling Sunday evening and then went to the Cotton Eyed Joe for some line dancing!
  • Monday, we went back to Dollywood and saw Lonesome River Band, Russell Moore and IIIrd Time Out, and we also saw Kenny & Amanda Smith. They were all really good too! I liked Kenny and Amanda Smith the best. Ben gave me some recommendations on who to go see. He's my source for bluegrass listening so I of course sent him the list and asked him who we should go see. It's still going on but I dont think that I'll make it back up there. It's only about 45 mins from my house, but that's kinda hard when I'm working long hours. I'm trying to make up for being out all of last week.
  • Tuesday, I slept til 11, laid around in my pajamas all day and packed for the beach!
  • Wednesday, I got up at 5 and Anna took me to the airport. Jonathan and I flew to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a long weekend. We got down there Wednesday early afternoon and spent the next three whole days laying on the beach, drinking good drinks, eating good food and sleeping. It was absolutely glorious!! I loved every minute of it! There were drink carts that drove around on the beach, umbrellas, lounge chairs, a pool, cool CLEAR ocean water, restaurants and people to wait on you hand and foot! It was magnificent. We really lived like Kings for 5 days! Here's a few shots of our trip!

Enjoying some lunch at the Sea Level!

This is the view from the Hotel Room. Ocean View, 7th Floor!
Sunset on the last night.




May 26, 2012

A Life Remembered

A few short hours after I wrote the post below, my grandfather, Hambleton Baxter Carpenter, went to be with Jesus. Here is his obituary from the Greenville News, Greenville, SC.

Hambleton Baxter Carpenter, resident Of Rolling Greenville Village, formally of 6 Trails End, Greenville, husband of the late Dorothy Tourtellotte Carpenter died Friday, May 4, 2012.Born in Greenville, Baxter was a son of the late Fredrick Garrison and Mary Hemsley Carpenter.A communicant of Christ Church and former member of the Vestry and Sunday School teacher. A graduate of Presbyterian College he worked as a CLU with Prudential Insurance Company for more than 45 years until his retirement in 1983. He also served as a past president of the Greenville Life Underwriters Association and the S.C. Association of Life Underwriters and President of Estate Planning Council. He was a member of The Cotillion Club, St. Andrews Society, Poinsett Club and past president of The Tarantella Club. He served in the U.S. Army as a Lt. Col. during WWII with tours in Germany, France and Czechoslovakia. Surviving are his children, daughter, Dorothy "Dusty" C. Brownell and her husband I.O. Brownell, Jr. of Greenville; Vicki C. Waters and her husband B.B. Waters III of Greer; son, H.B. "Bud" Carpenter, Jr.and his wife Mary Stewart Carpenter of Mt. Pleasant; 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sister Helen C. Brady and brothers, Richard H., Davis F. and Walter B. Carpenter.A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 2 o'clock at Christ Church Episcopal with The Rev. Harrison McLeod and The Rev. Bob Chiles officiating. Interment will follow in the churchyard.
Special thanks to Baxter's Caregivers Doris Acosta, Rosa Torres, Tonya Johnson, Tracy Welchel, Carol Cole, Hospice Care of SC, especially Pam Campbell and the Nurses at Rolling Green Health Care Center.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Christ Church, 10 N. Church St., Greenville 29601 or to Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC

I am so very sad. At the same time, it's hard to be sad. Baxter lived to be 94. He would have been 95 in July. He is home. He's been ready to go home for so long. He lived a full and wonderful life, which can be seen from the few words above that sum up his life. He had the pleasure of living abroad, marrying a wonderful woman, having three wonderful children, spending his retirement traveling all over the world. He was able to accomplish so much during his lifetime. He lived a long and wonderful life. We are blessed to be able to have him this long.

Baxter was cremated and buried in the same box with Dot. She passed away almost 6 years ago and nothing was ever done with her ashes so they were buried together.  At the burial site, my uncle Bud was allowed to say a few words and he spoke of how Baxter loved people. People who knew Baxter spoke of what a great man he was and how much he loved people. Bud went on to talk about how we should live forward Baxter's legacy of love. He loved everybody. That can be seen from the names of his caregivers listed above. They were all at the funeral .He loved everybody - no matter their social status, color of their skin, or where they worked. He is a wonderful example to me of how I should live my life.

It has been a sweet time of remembrance and hearing stories about Baxter and the life that he lead.

May 4, 2012

A Love Story: WWII Style

Here's the story:

My grandmother, Dorothy, was married to a man named Victor Miller. They were married in January of 1944 when she was 22. They were together approximately 3 months when he was shipped off to war in France in early 1944. In December of 1944, Victor was reported as "Missing in Action". His death was not confirmed until February, 1945. He was buried in Belgium.

My grandfather, Baxter was a friend of Victor's. When he heard of his death, he wrote to my grandmother and told her how sorry he was of her loss. Well, they started writing back and forth and a little over a year later, they were married. My grandmother would say that they never went on a date before they were married in June, 1946. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2006, the year that my grandmother passed away.


My mother and her siblings have been caring for my granddad for quite some time. He's been bedridden for probably well over 4 years. It's been 6 since his Dot passed away. In January of this year, they moved him to a nursing home. This was a down the hall kind of move. He was already living in an apartment in a retirement community. He moved there with my grandmother about 8 years ago. They were still fairly active but definitely slowing down when they moved out of their home on Trails End - the house where they had lived for 50 years. When Dot passed away, I think my mom, aunt and uncle realized how bad off Baxter really was. And when they realized that they could not provide all the care that he fully needed, they moved him to the nursing home for better care.

In January my mom came up to visit me and brought me one of the most awesome things I've ever been privileged to read. It's my grandparents love letters. My mom just brought me a handful of these letters from Dot to Baxter. And the next time that I went home I got the rest of the letters from Dot to Baxter. They begin in September of 1945 and go through September of 1946, with May and June missing because they were together and were married then.  Mom mentioned that Dusty might have some of those so I emailed her so that I could get them. She has all of the letters from Baxter to Dot. She has had these letters since my grandparents moved from Trails End. She hasn't even read them yet or done anything with them. I do not have these yet but will get them, probably this weekend.

My plan is to scan all of these letters and print them into a book. That's going to be my summer project. It's going to be time consuming and maybe expensive to print this book but I am so excited about reading all of these together. They're folded up in the original envelopes that they were mailed in with date stamps so they'll  be easy to put in order. They have also been pretty well preserved. 

I've been thinking about my grandparents A LOT lately. It could be that it's been 6 years since Dot passed away and Baxter is quickly declining. He may not be with us but another few moments but I'm not sad. I know that he has lived a good, full, long and wonderful life. He is and always has been a wonderful man. And I know that he is going to be with his Savior and to be with his Dot. And I know that is really all he wants. So, as Baxter's life comes to an end, I want to be able to celebrate his life and the love that my grandparents had. That's what Baxter would have wanted. He loved a good party!

Apr 16, 2012

Sick Day

So today, I am home from work sick. That's the first time that's happened in awhile. It's kind of nice and I've been able to do a few things like laundry and room cleaning and straightening up. I am taking it pretty easy though. I went to bed about 8 last night and didn't get up til about 1030 this morning. It was a fabulously long, much needed rest. I plan to go to bed pretty early tonight too and get back to work in the morning.

I went home to SC for Easter and enjoyed visiting my family and friends while I was in town. I was pretty sad to leave actually. Excited to get back to Knoxville and back to Jonathan but not really excited to leave home. It's such a bitter sweet feeling.

This past weekend, I've been pretty sick but have been able to do some fun things. I went out to the Grill at Highland's Row on Friday night with some girlfriends and had a lot of fun! We just talked and laughed and talked and laughed! Saturday, I went to Biltmore with Jonathan for a picnic and to see the flowers. It was a beautiful day there. Because it has been so unseasonably warm, the flowers were in full bloom about 3 weeks ago, so they were not too pretty this weekend. It was rather disappointing. But the grounds there are always gorgeous. And even though I was sick, we had a good time. We went the long way home through Johnson City and had dinner with my friend Carshonda. It was good to see her and loved eating at my fav spot there - Cootie Brown's!

Yesterday and today, I have just laid around. It has been fairly nice and I have enjoyed being lazy!

Back to the real world tomorrow and looking forward to my vacations over the next few weeks: Litchfield and Ft. Lauderdale!! Woo-hoo!

Mar 25, 2012

Forever Reign

We sang this song this morning at church and I just couldn't help but think that I hold back from running to the Lord. I do not run into His arms. He is waiting to bestow on me the riches of His incomparable love. And I hold back for whatever unknown reason. My new goal is to spend more time focusing on Christ and running to Him.



You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love 
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light 
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy 
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life, 
In You death has lost its sting

Chorus:
Oh, I’m running to Your arms, 
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Chorus

My heart will sing 
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus


Mar 18, 2012

Jesus Calling - March 16, 2012

It is good that you recognize your weakness.
That keeps you looking to me, your Strength.
Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth;
it is living in continual dependence on Me.
Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold,
relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing.
This mid-set will free you to enjoy Me
And to find what I have planned for you to do.
This is far better than trying to make things go
according to your own plan.

Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me.
You have Me on your side, so what you are you worried about?
I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will.
The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you.
Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your thoughts.
When you look to me and whisper My Name,
you break free and receive My help.
Focus on Me and you will find peace in My Presence.

Mar 6, 2012

In other news

Just a few quick updates:
  • I got my tax return back in less than a week!
  • I have already spent some of it on these (see below) Mine aren't quite this, um..colorful. Mine are gray, cream and orange.
  • My college roommates are coming to visit! Two of my best friends from college are coming into town the last weekend in March. I couldn't be more excited about spending time with these ladies!
  • I'm going to Biltmore this weekend with Jonathan and we are staying at a Marriott Autograph hotel. It is REALLY nice and I am so excited. It was just such a great deal! Almost 60+% off!
  • My blood pressure has been really high and when I went to the doctor this morning, it was really low! And I've lost two pounds in the last two weeks!
  • I've exercised each of the last three days! 
  • I miss my family. Gabe sent me a pic of Baxter today and I was so glad to get it. I really miss being able to see those babies! 
  • And since I am a Grandma and go to bed early - I'm going to "hit the sheets"!

Jan 4, 2012

2011 in Review

Well, it's been almost a month since I last posted. It's been a busy and fantastic month. With Christmas and the New Year having come and gone, I have wanted to take a few minutes to review what I can only say has been the best year of my life. I can't remember when I've had a better year!

First off, It started with my niece Dot being born on New Year's Eve! What a fun time to celebrate and what a fantastic Birthday - you'll always have plans or a party! 

Second, It started with a job! I went into the year unemployed and was definitely terrified of another 2008 happening. In 2008, I was unemployed for 8 months. When I lost my job again, I just had the awfulest of expectations. But my unemployment was short lived, thanks to sweet friends who got me a job as a bank teller. That was only a 6 week position and at the end of the term, I had a new job waiting on me, albeit temporary as well. It has been a challenging year, work wise but I have enjoyed it and I have learned A LOT and I have worked particularly hard. 

Next, I met J. We've been dating for about 7 months now and I have really enjoyed getting to know him and our relationship. We had a great time in 2011 getting to know each other and doing so many fun things. I'm excited about 2012 and all the fun that we'll be having this year. On a side note: we started off 2012 with a real bang by staying home, drinking margaritas, getting super sleepy at 11 but somehow staying awake until midnight to watch the ball drop. Super fun but it was actually really nice to be home!

Next, I got hired on full time at Marriott. It was such a relief to be full time and to be ready to earn a real living again. It's so nice. I've met a lot of great people at work too and have enjoyed making new friends and learning so much about a new industry. It is such an inspiring place to work and I have really loved every minute of it. 

Next, my new nephew was born around Thanksgiving! Baxter Carpenter Waters. He is a beautiful and Handsome baby and I am so thankful that he is here and healthy. I never thought that Gabe and Ashley would have another baby after losing Maeve. But it has been such a wonderful healing process for our whole family. I can't wait to get to know him more. I have a niece named after my grandmothers (Dorothy Louise) and a nephew named after my grandfather (Baxter Carpenter). It really makes me cry happy tears to know that they will be remembered long after they are gone from this earth. 

And the Christmas season was just wonderful. J and I got to do a lot of fun things together. We went to the Biltmore for Christmas and ate dinner there. We went to see A Christmas Carol at the Clarence Brown Theater on the campus of the University of Tennessee. We went to the Singing Christmas tree with his parents. We were able to do dinner and lunch with them several times. I wish that my parents were closer. J is close with his parents so it's been good to get to know them. Laura and her husband Christian were in town for Christmas and J and I went to dinner with them and David and Melissa. It was so fun! I wish Joetta could have been here. We also went over to the Greene's house so I got to visit with Ashley, Tim and Cooper! It was so good to see them! It has been nice to catch up with my college roommates recently - everyone except Joetta...hope to catch up with her soon!

J got me a few great Christmas presents. One is a remote control for my lamp so I don't have to get out of bed to turn it off at night or on in the mornings. I really love it! The other big thing he got was me diamond earrings. I was totally surprised to open that gift. :) I know that I've talked about J a lot but he's been a big part of my life this year! 

I'm so looking forward to all that 2012 has to bring.