Closing on Friday?!?!?

Chad and I are closing on our house this Friday at 10:00 A.M.

I refuse to post any pictures until everything is good to go.

Having said both of those things both of us are stressed. The Brown's arranged

my first shower and it was on Saturday this past weekend. It was wonderful!

They are all so sweet and I can't wait to "officially" be a part of the family.

Chad and I received wonderful gifts that we can't wait to start using:)

That afternoon Jennifer and I spent a wonderful day together.

We went to see Bride Wars at the dollar Theatre. It was hysterical!

Anyone that has been married or in the process should

go see that movie. That evening we went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and added

a few more things to the Registry. Afterwards, we went to my Grandmother, Honey's, house and played cards. It was a wonderful day and I really enjoyed getting to

spend time with my Amazing sister and family.

Yesterday we started addressing all of the invitations.

My mom, Jennifer, and Reagan addressed the invitations

because my cursive is terrible. I worked on my thank you cards while

they did the other. My mom pointed out that I really should

write my thank you cards in cursive. I practiced on a scrap sheet of paper

and then made my first attempt. I tried to write absolutely, however,

it looked like absobutely. I put my hands in my face and was laughing but

all of a sudden it turned to tears. I was just crying and I couldn't stop.

While everyone at the table was giggling at me and I just kept on.

My mom said its the stress and everything going on.

I can laugh about it now. At the time, I was really upset.

Through my tears, Jennifer was laughing because

I said, "I just feel more comfortable writing in print."

Needless to say: Funny now...Not then...

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

I will get pictures up this Friday of the house:)

Go Melissa! It's your Birthday!!

Dancing with the Stars has invited Melissa Rycroft to replace

Nancy from Access Hollywood on the show! Love her!

Chad knows my obsession with The Bachelor and

he called this morning to fill me in:)

This girl is an American Sweetheart. She either is a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader

or was one but now is not. She has the background!

I wasn't going to watch this season however I now have a reason!

Super Pumped!! I guess I will now be the moron voting 50 times a night;)

A tad bit overwhelmed...

I am striving to remain calm and sane over the next two months however striving and achieving are not the same thing. Chad and I have a lot going on right now and at times I feel as though my head is going to explode.

The invitations are suppose to go out in two weeks. My first shower is in two weeks. As these two things draw closer it becomes more of a reality that I will be a married woman in less than two months. Which is exciting on so many levels and yet nerve racking all at the same time.

For those of you who don't know, Chad and I are set to close on a house on March 13'th. Very exciting!! I don't have any pictures of it on this computer at work so I will post some later on this week. Chad and I are very excited about this step in our lives. We have both lived at home our entire lives are we need to do this for us. We are ready. Chad is about to be 26 and he's ready. We are both ready to have our own home. It is scary with the economy like it is however we discussed it as a couple and made our decision. No regrets! It is a beautiful home and it is one we won't have to move out of as soon as we start having children. I can't wait to post pictures:)

This Friday I will be turning 24:) Where is the time going? I can't hardly believe that it has almost been a year since Chad proposed!! For my birthday present I would like to know I have the job at Chick-fil-a. Yes, that would be a wonderful present.

I will keep you all posted on everything coming up. I hope you all have a Wonderful day!!

C'mon Nadya...Get a Grip

The more and more I hear about this story the more aggravated I become.

Here's the deal:

This young lady named Nadya has been a patient of In Vitro not once but twice. The first pregnancy gave her six children and now with the second she will have eight more. I quit trying to grasp this and just realized this woman is just not right.

She is not married and has never been married. The sperm donor was a friend the first time. However, she used the same doctor for both pregnancies. They are considering pulling the Doctor's certification.

Believe me I fully understand a woman wanting to have children and become a mother.

However, in this situation I feel as though she is doing a disservice to her children.

There was a quote in the AJC from Sunday's paper and it referenced how much it cost to raise a child from birth to age 18 and it said average was around $118,000 to 165,000. A wide gap but you get the point. This mother is not working, she receives workers comp. She received about $165,000 in workers comp but that's what she used for the In Vitro. She lives at home with her parents and they have had to file bankruptcy and are living on welfare. The Grandmother has said that as soon as the other children are born she is going to move. She says,"My daughter has no business having that many children."

My feelings are is if she can have that many children then she can work. Her plan is to go to school however I find that unrealistic with this situation. HELLO!!! You have 14 children...Did you know that? You need to get a job but with 8 babies how do you plan on doing that?

She received workers comp from being injured in a jail while working as a counselor when a fight broke out.

Many are upset that sponsors are not coming forward to help her. Why would they? Her actions were irresponsible. She did this to herself. Why should Pampers or Gerber come forward other than for the children. I'm tired of people not taking responsibility for their actions and expecting the government to bail them out.

In closing, I truly understand women wanting to be mothers but having children means you have the necessities to support them. Children cost money no matter how you spin it. Maybe she should not have requested for all 6 embryos to be used and all 8 the second time. I find her actions to be extremely irresponsible. I'm interested to see if I am alone in my thinking...

Three Months Away:)

Chad and I were sitting in Sunday School yesterday and after it was over Chad looked at me and said, "3 months from tomorrow you wont be able to get rid of me." (He did an evil laugh). It hit me how fast the past year has flown by. I'm in shock but so excited at the same time. As far as wedding planning goes I am checking the wedding list and making sure everything is right, staying on top of chad about the rehearsal dinner to make sure that goes smoothly, and making shower dates:) I'm trying not to get stressed however that does not come easily for me. I am a class act "worrier." I'm trying to put the fact that it could possible rain as far out of my mind as possible!! At times I feel overwhelmed. Chad and I have yet to find a home that we like but I know that we will be where God wants us. I am still awaiting to here from Chick-fil-a about a second interview from my interview on January 9'th. It's so much easier to say hand it over to the Lord than it actually is. I am striving to do this because I know it would alleviate the stress I'm experiencing. My cousin who is now way to far from me will be giving birth to a beautiful boy named Tristin in February. I'm thinking about asking her to wait and have him on February 27'th. Why you ask? It's the best birthday of the year...Mine:) I'll have to wait til April to see him which stinks but I understand. I think thats it for now:) Please keep Chad and I in your prayers while we are seeking to follow God's will for our lives. I have some pictures I want to share... I let Chad open up the vaccum cleaner so he would know that its his too;) We got luggage from my parents for the Honeymoon:) Have a wonderful day!!

God's Gift of Christmas

While I am sitting at work today answering the phones at church for Linda I have been reading a book by John MacArthur called, God's Gift of Christmas. If you do not own this book I urge you to. This book so far has put many things into perspective for me. I chose to read it today because I think throughout the Christmas season the true meaning for the Christmas season gets lost. John has once again blown me away with putting things so simply that I wonder how I have missed this for so many years.
He discussed the incarnation which was the act of the preexistent Son of God voluntarily assuming a human body and human nature. He did not give up his diety to become human but he set aside the right to his glory and power (Phil 2:5-8). He pursued God's will and never waivered. What an amazing example we have.
Colossians 1:15-20 describes Jesus' Divine Nature. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning , the firstborn from the dead, so that He himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. -Colossians 1:15-20. I find peace in this scripture. I take great comfort with everything going on in the world right now knowing that He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Everything that happens (big or small) is according to his perfect will. I cannot think of a place I'd rather be than in the center of God's Will for my life, where ever it may lead me. These truths are what make Christmas truly wonderful.
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, John brought out the immeasurable gift of Christmas. Christ, God's own Son, gave up his wealth and privilege to live as God with us, that he might save his people from their sins, and that through His poverty might become rich. There is no greater gift on earth than this.
I hope this Christmas for people to remember the sacrifice, suffering, and love that come with Christ's love for everyone. You aren't just another person you are special and loved by God. This being my last official Christmas waking up in my bed at home is bittersweet. I am excited for the new but mindful of all the wonderful memories I am taking with me. I don't tell my family enough how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with my parents. I am who I am because of them and instilling in me my Christian values. They are always supportive, honest (even when I don't want them to be), and there to give unconditional love. This Christmas I am mindful of all I have to look forward to and all that I have to be thankful for.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Me??? With a degree!!!

On Thursday afternoon at 4:00 I will walk across the stage and receive my degree from the Dean. This whole week I have been doing a lot of self evaluating. It's such a big step. Aside from the sense of accomplishment I will feel there is a little bit of fear mixed in because it is such a huge step in my life. I honestly can't wait til Thursday because it will be official. I've been done since last Wednesday however I will really be done on Thursday.

On another note Chad and I officially have a real estate agent which makes the fact the we will be homeowners sometime in the next four months more real than ever:) Every house that we have gone to so far I have tried to invision our families there for the holidays, what the kids will look like playing in the yard, how I can decorate the living room, and what the master bathroom looks like. Chad however is worried about the yard and the garage; "The Man Stuff." It amazes me how differently men and women think. Absolutely amazing:) I will keep everyone posted on our Home Hunt. Clever huh?

Hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the Christmas Season to the fullest!!

This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace,
Now home to the 4th Infantry division.

It will eventually be shipped home

And put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood , TX

The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad ...

Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country;
He melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers
and their fallen warriors.

Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.

To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.

Do you know why we don't hear about this in the news?

Because it is heart warming and praise worthy.

The media avoids it because it does not have the shock effect.

Thanksgiving already???

So with each day that passes I am coming more and more to the realization that I am about to be a married woman and a college graduate. On December 11, I will graduate and I am beside myself with excitement. I have my cap and gown and am ready to go. With that milestone, I realize I am entering the working world on a different level. I have had a job since I was 15, always worked, but this is going to be so different. I'm diligently praying and hopeful about a position I may be getting starting in January. I hope to know something here in the next couple of weeks. God is blessing me with all that I am experiencing and I am so thankful for everything. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and fiance. Knowing that I am going to be able to spend the rest of my life with my soulmate and bestfriend is amazing! This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so much and yet a little overwhelmed with everything that is going on. I feel as though I am talking to Jesus all day long. I am trying to not get stressed and enjoy every bit of these experiences I am having. I am looking forward to being with my family on Thursday and seeing my cousin who is due at the end of February!! I cannot wait to hold Tristan:)

My final thought: "I know with the economy like it is and everything going on in the world that most are stressed but I am so thankful that my faith is in God and not in man. I truly believe with all of my heart that he is here and in complete control and in the end everything will be as he has planned."

Learned something new last night...

So I was in my marketing class last night at about 9:30 and my teacher proposed a trivia question to us. He offered a whole 5 points (which in college everyone jumps at) to the student that could name the actor (now deceased) that starred in the most movies in Hollywood history. I began my googling and of course it led me to IMDB...Well, the person that came up with over 900 so called films was Ron Jeremy. Not knowing who he was or looking at the title of the "films" I said his name to which the whole class busted out laughing. Still not really knowing what happened my friend Samantha informed that he was a porn star. I had no clue because I don't watch porn but apparently I was in the minority. From the pictures they don't have too much in common...

Moral of the story: Don't give up! Despite my embaressment I kept looking and ended up with the right answer: Bob Steele and I got my 5 points! I guess I showed them...That's all for today!! Have a wonderful day!!