children's moment

I started my new job at the church on March 15th but haven't really got to do much with it until this past week. I had my first official staff meeting and a birthday party with our partners in education OJ Semmes Elementary. The staff meeting went well. I went over all my vacation bible school plans and everyone was so impressed with how much planning I've done already when I've only been "on board" for about a week and a half. With a fairly new paster, new youth director, and new children's director...I'm soooo excited to see the changes that will come with our church. Especially since we are all young and are all on the same page with plans and what not. I even may get to chaperone the youth trip this year to Kentucky. I can see God's vision already and that in itself is amazing! I will admit however...it will be hard to work 2 jobs when the staff meetings at church are right in the middle of the day. It works out usually that I can just take my lunch break then, which is fine...it just wears me out. Going all day. Especially lately since I've been working 10 hour days at my full time job, and then not getting that lunch break to just relax/tan/whatever. However...yesterday at OJ Semmes...I realized that it is all worth it. We were at OJ Semmes giving out birthday cake and singing happy birthday, laughing at how sweet the cake icing was, and how our cake slices were starting to resemble pizza slices....and Darren (our pastor) was telling the kids how happy he was to be there...when this little girl in the preschool class runs up, taps him on the arm..he looks down and says "yes ma'am" she says in the sweetest voice, "I have to go to the bathroom."

It was the cutest moment of the day. Just to see how innocent all these children are. That is how I know that my calling is to be with children. I love love love working with them and being in their presence. I learn so much everytime I'm with a child of any age. Last night at church we died and stuffed the eggs for the Easter egg hunt this weekend...and seeing the children's faces as they dropped their eggs in to the dye and then pull them out with their little fingers...it was the cutest thing! And then watching as they put candy in the eggs and getting so frustrated when the candy they wanted didn't fit. SO precious.

I'm just so excited!!!

Settling

Last night I came to the realization of one thing...I am getting OLD. My mom asked me what my plans were and I simply told her...nothing. Which isn't such a big deal. But a year ago to date I was the one that was out just about every night of the week. I enjoyed going out and getting a drink during happy hour. I enjoyed late nights of drinking and meeting new people every night. Those were probably the best days of my life. I miss it sometimes. I definately don't regret it...I would have never met Tim if I hadn't gone out with a bunch of guys one night. Now, however...when the day is done, all I want to do is go home, curl up on the couch with a good book and Tim's arm around me, and settle in for the night. My mom said a few days ago that she noticed I spent a lot more time at home than I used to. Actually I'm at home more than my mom is. And it isn't because I don't have money or that I don't have anywhere to go...I just simply don't want to go anywhere. I enjoy spending time at home with my family. I like that Tim and I can just come home, prop up our feet, and relax..and be completly content. And it feels really good to know that we're both on the same page. He's already got all of his partying/going out days out of his system and so have I. We are ready to "settle down." We're ready to start our lives together...and that feels simply amazing. We have decided to start looking for a place together sometime at the end of this year and I simply can not wait. Not that it really matters one way or the other. We practically live together as it is. He stays at my house more than he stays at his own, so it would just make since for us to make it official.

I wanted to post more pictures from this weekend!!!

she's strong....pushes on...

This weekend was sooo much fun!! Weekends like this make me realize that everything is going to be A-OK. Me and Tim had a Very Relaxing weekend with a little bit of music and a LOT of sausage. We started on Friday and went to the sausage festival of course to see some Taylor Swift. I bought her cd a few weeks ago...so I was excited to see her. And minus all her stories before every song...I thought she was fun! We went from there to the ticket...which we had so much fun at! I love when there is a group of us hanging out. It's always so much more fun than when it's just 2 or 3 of us. I got everyone hooked on the ring game. If you haven't played it...you should. It was so much fun making fun of how serious people got playing it. haha...just thinking about it makes me smile. I ended up drinking a little tooo much so we left earlier than everyone else. Saturday we woke up early (7:30) and went to my cousin's house for her yard sale. Which I got the cutest Easter dress from her and then stole her entertainment center. She's the one moving to Daytona in a few weeks. I'm going to miss her so much. But I can't wait to party with her down there and me and Tim will be going to all the Nascar races so I'm real Excited about that!! We went over there in shorts and sweater's...bad idea...so we left from there and went straight home to put on some jeans b/c it was COLD! We then left from home and went straight to the sausage festival with our chairs and blankets to hold spots for our group. I was REAL excited to see Craig Morgan. I've seen him a few times and he is SOOOO much fun!! We got out there around 1:30 and stayed for both shows...so we ate a LOT of sausage and drank plenty of beer! We left around 10:15 or so. Went home and crashed!! I was soo tired from our long day. On sunday it was my first day as Children's Director. Well I was supposed to be shadowing until April 1st, but I was semi-on my own since the other girl was out of town. It was fun though. One of the parents went with me to children's church and I got to sit and talk with her for 30 minutes and get her view on the children's program. She gave me a LOT of input on I really got a chance to see what the parents want and hope from the program. So I'm really excited to try and meet or even succeed their expectations. I am so ready to work hard and help this program grow! I just loooovvvee children!!! After church, we went to monterey's..duh! And then I went home to cut the grass and help mom in the yard while Tim watched the Race. Then I went to my friend's little girls' birthday party! Angie (my friend) has 2 little girls...it was Ashley's party (turned3) and her other little one is Danielle (who's 2). They both Love Aunt Brandi! and I love them so much!! It's always a pleasure to spend time with these 2 girls. Me and Angie have known each other since around 3rd grade so we go way back. :)

new camera = me doing no work.

I got a new camera almost a week ago and I finally figured out some of the features on it...well...some of my favorite features anyways.

This is one of my favorite features.

Here is just a cup of pens on my desk...

this is another favorite

<--before

after -->
notice how much tanner we are..haha!

by the way...the last pic was taken around 10:00 when we were laying in bed...and my room was pitch black. All this light is from the flash!! I'm soooo glad I finally found a camera that is decent. Now I just hope it takes good pictures at concerts. *fingers crossed*

I still have 2 weeks to return it if I don't like it...and the Beulah Sausage Festival is this weekend! woohoo!!

"I don't know what's down this road, I'm just walking"

I got the Children's Directors Job at church and I'm sooo excited about it!!! My preacher called me on Saturday to tell me that my interview went so well, it was a unanimous decision across the board. I'm really excited/anxious to see what happens with this wonderful opportunity. I know that I will grow from this as much if not more than the kids and that in itself is a wonderful feeling. It's a part-time position so I'm able to keep my full time job. I've definately been praying so hard about this and basically leaving the decision up to God. It feels good to let him deal with all my troubles. It's hard...don't get me wrong. And it's taken a while for me to realize that this is OK, that I can not deal with it all. But after a LONG talk with my preacher a couple weeks ago...I came to the realization that God is here for a reason. He wants us to lean on him. He wants us to depend on him and to cling to him. So when I finally do...oh my...it feels wonderful.


ps. I'm starting back at school this summer. will be done by May of next year and will then take the teacher certification test. HOPEFULLY...(fingers crossed) I will be an elementary teacher within the next couple years. things are falling into place...finally!

two horses

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting, that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.



Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this.


You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.


"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".

"So if all of these trials bring me closer to You, I will go through the valley, if You want me too"

So a LOT has been going on lately. As many of you know...but here's what keeps me going. The reason I wake up in the morning. The reason I keep pushing on to face a new day.

♥ Tim brushing my hair back to kiss me goodbye in the morning
♥ my mom telling me that I am the Interior Decorator of the family and I get to pick out wall color and accessories for the house
♥ my brother saying "Thank You" after wiping the sauce off his mouth from the pizza I ordered for dinner
♥ my dog rolling over on his back in bed with his head on the pillow as if to say "I'm just like you, mom"
♥ After one of my customers has asked me if I've "Put on some weight", hearing Tim get so upset and even swearing he's gonna find this guy and tell him like it is [even though I know secretly he's all talk... :) ]
♥ Listening to Ginny Owens over and over and over again until my co-workers ask me if that's ALL I listen too...it puts a smile on my face.
♥ looking at the pictures on my desk and knowing that I am loved everyday
♥ Tim scraping wall-paper at my house
♥ being thankful when times are so hard, you forget to be thankful for simple things

"ok....I'm praying..help me out guys"

so my brother got in a wreck last night...


in my mom's new car. It's totalled...and she doesn't have full coverage. He hit a tree...he's ok though.