New Beginnings

It's about time for me to get back into the blogging world. There is so much to keep updated with in my life these days, so why not? Let's rewind a little bit...

On November 21, 2012 I gave birth to my sweet Mackenzie Rebecca. I don't even remember what life was like before her. (Well, except for being able to go out and do things when I wanted to!) She's the reason why I work so hard to be successful. I want to be able to give her everything she needs and more.

                                                          Newborn picture at 2 weeks old

2 months old

On another note, I'm currently doing my teaching internship right now in a 1st grade class. I love my school, directing teachers, and students so much; I got so blessed to be where I am. I'm in a co-teach classroom, so I have 2 directing teachers and 29 students. I took my certification exam today and passed, so I'll definitely be graduating at the end of April! I really hope I can find a job soon after or even before.

Life is Short

Reality has hit me hard and I've realized that life is so short. We, me included, should live for what's important and not just live our life day to day doing whatever we please. Don't get me wrong, doing what we want ins't wrong, per se, but living carelessly is not what we are meant for. "We were meant to live for so much more." -Switchfoot

The reason why I'm saying all this is because my grandfather, (mom's dad), passed away tonight. He's been doing badly for a while now, suffering from Emphysema. He's been on 100% oxygen for at least a year now and has been declining fast. But this fast was just a shock to me. He was put in the hospital a week ago from Monday for Pneumonia then moved to Community Hospice yesterday and passed away tonight. For those of you who don't know what hospice is, it's a service facility for people in their last days. It's kind of like a rehab building but very nice, very accomodating for families and very peaceful. I was up at hospice all day today, just sitting and being with family. I came home for about an hour and went back up there, and he had passed just before my dad and I arrived. It was good to know that all his daughters, wife, and some grandchildren were there for him, so it was very peaceful. I'm so thankful for the memories I have of him. He was really protective of me as his granddaughter. Thanks be to God who is always by our side during difficult times! I don't know how people cope with situations like these without hope...

In better news, things are getting busy for me! I have a lot more Christmas shopping to do, I'm slammed with rehearsals for my church Christmas special, I'm working more and am starting a second job next week! Oh Lord, please get me through this season! I know it will be good, bittersweet, I'm just stressing now! I'm so thankful I have awesome family and friends and a loving boyfriend to be here for me :)

Me & Gilbert

A Long Time Coming

I didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted anything, until yesterday lol. I just get so caught up on looking at everyone else's blogs that I don't think about making a post myself. So to say the least, a lot has happened since my last blog in June! Last I said my best friend, Kristina, was getting married! Well she and her husband, Matt, got married on August 8th and it was a beautiful wedding! They are now expecting a new addition to the family coming around the end of May or early June :) I'm so excited because Kristina has asked me to be the Godmother, which is such an honor.

I took this semester off from school so I can figure out what I want to do next! I have one class left to get my AA, and then I will most likely be going to Cosmetology school in the summer. It was such a hard decision for me because I love music so much and it's been tough not being able to be in chorale this semester. Everyone was like my second family and I've missed not seeing my friends everyday! But I've decided that I should do cosmetology and then possibly finish my bachelor's in music at a university. We'll see how things go.

Other than that I've just been blessed to have a job, wonderful friends and family, and the sweetest boyfriend in the world! I'm now working at New York & Company and I really love it! Working black Friday was CRAZY to say the least, but I've enjoyed working there so far. I've made some new friends and have just started dating an amazing guy named Gilbert. We met through one of my friends in the middle of October and hit it off really well. Ever since then I honestly haven't been happier in my life! God really does work everything out for good.

Below are some pictures from the past few months, so enjoy!

Me & Gilbert

Kristina's Wedding
The Bridal Party

Me & my best friend, Kristina
Family pictures

Me, Meg & Jessica on my 20th birthday

Busy Bee!

Busy bee pretty much describes my life right now! Summer is coming to an end (sadly), but a lot of exciting things are happening! My best friend Kristina is getting married August 8th and I'm a bridesmaid =) I've been busy helping her with wedding prep stuff, her bridal shower, shoppig, etc. and it's been very eventful. I'm so very happy for her and I can't wait to post more pictures along the way. Her wedding is going to be outside by a gazebo and the reception will be inside this antique house; it will be so pretty! A few other things have been happening as well. I'm singing A LOT at church now so that's been keeping me on my toes. I'm singing in the college praise band, adult choir, college ensemble, and I've also been singing at the South campus some Wednesday nights, not to mention me and 2 other girls are going to start a trio! I'm really enjoying serving the Lord and he has really been blessing me with these opportunities. I've also made a lot of new friends and have met an awesome guy! My friend Jessica's fiance is in the Marines and I met him through her; his name is Matt and he's also in the Marines. Sadly he will be leaving for Iraq in October, but he will be back in April next year! We aren't officially dating yet, but I will post an update whenever we are. He's got to be the sweetest guy I've ever met and he treats me so very well! Well anyways, that's enough writing for right now. But here are some pictures of things that have been happening during my summer.

Me and April laying out

A group of us at the Suns baseball game

Kristina opening a gift she really liked

The bride, bridesmaids, and flower girl =)

The Lord is Good!

I've been having the time of my life these past two weeks! God is ever so faithful and has answered my prayers in so many ways. I know it's pretty soon, but I've already found a new guy. His name is Sean and he is the sweetest Christian guy I have ever met, and he encourages me so much in my walk with the Lord. I have been learning a lot in my devotional, especially the last two days. I have really learned that I need to be secure in the Lord and trust him with my whole life! He will never leave my side even when I sin against him. I struggle with having to control some areas in my life, but the Lord is helping me overcome that and have patience! Right now I'm super busy with helping plan my best friend's wedding since I'm a bridesmaid. Her wedding is in August so we have to kick everything into double full gear, but we are getting a lot done fast. We have already ordered our bridesmaids dresses, her dress and accessories, booked a location for the wedding and reception, and so much more! I'm so excited for Kristina and Matt to start their lives together!

Last night I went to the FBC Home School graduation which is for the homeschoolers at my church. It was crazy to think that I was right there two years ago! There were some great speeches & special music done by them, and the pictures of their childhood were so great! Afterwards we went to the reception & ate some food and signed our friends memory books. I can't believe all my younger friends, the one I was a mentor to as a senior, have graduated now!
Madison, Melissa, Me, Liz & Anna

Me, Alison & Melissa (Future singing trio!)

Me, Tiffany & Melissa

The Class of 2009!

So happy!

I'm back to blogging, and it so feels good! I have to say I haven't been this happy in a long time; God has just been showing me so many things lately! I'm doing a Bible study on the Psalms of Ascent & I have learned so much! One of the verses that has been my favorite is Psalm 121:2-3 "My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. May He not allow your foot to slip! May your protector not sleep!" This has really been a stronghold to me in the past few weeks while I've been struggling with some relationships. I finally broke up with my boyfriend Jon almost two weeks ago. It was really hard at first because I was so hurt about everything, but within a few days I had such a peace about my decision. He really wasn't what God wanted for my life, and now I know there is someone waiting that is better and definitely more Christ-like. These verses have made me realize that God NEVER leaves my side. He won't allow me stumble and fall and not get up. He doesn't take a ten minute break from my life and just rest, no, he is constantly guiding me. I have really been praying for wisdom and guidance in my life as I'm overwhelmed with some things, but I know the Lord will show me what to do! I'm making new Christian friends that have already been an encouragement to me and I thank the Lord for them! I'm also re-joining my church choir since I've taken about about a 9-10 month break! It's awesome to see how God is using me in music at church. I sing in the college praise band and we are going to start playing in some of the high school summer events, the Friday night college service we're starting, and then maybe even at our new South campus, so I'm busy but I enjoy it. My vacation last week wasn't exactly what I expected... My family and I took a week at New Smyrna Beach and it rained the entire time! It was like a monsoon! They were shutting off roads from flooding, there was a tornado (thankfully it wasn't around our condo), and 30 mph winds. Craziness! Though I was disappointed I didn't get to lay out on the beach, I watched a lot of movies and went shopping a lot, and I even got to see my friend Chelsey who lives there! I will post pictures soon. I hope everyone has a great weekend =)