What now?

What a day! People have asking "So, do you feel any different?" And the answer is I don't know. I don't think it has really hit me yet that I just graduated from college. Even sitting in the rows waiting for my name to be called didnt really help everything sink it. Graduating from high school, yeah that felt different. . But college not so much. This was a humongous step in my life. If you haven't been following along this little journey of mine then here's a quick run down of my timeline.

September 1, 1989- born
August 1992-started kindergarten
February 5, 1993- became a big sister
October 5, 1994- became a big sister again.

(Skipping the boring stuff)

August 2003- began high school
May 13 2004- diagnosed with an Astrocytoma Brain tumor
June 11, 2004- surgery to remove said tumor
August 2004- sophomore year of high school
October 2004- began having seizures
February 2005- first day back to school since seizures began
April 2005- first date

(Skipping more boring stuff)

May 2007- high school graduation
August 2007- began college at MTSU

(More boring stuff)
December 25, 2010- engaged to high school sweet heart (first date guy)
August 11, 2011- married high school sweet heart
December 15, 2012- graduated from college

So do I feel different? Not really. But i have realized how thankful I am for all the people that got me to this moment.
-I am thankful for the amazing parents I have that we're always there through the good, bad and the ugly.
-I am thankful for my mom. Who has always been my best friend. Held my hair back when I was puking, held my hand when I was scared, and always open for a much needed hug.
- I am thankful for my sister and brother. I don't know how things would be today without them. After sharing a room with my sister for oh 16 years, I still miss it today.
-I am thankful for all the friends and family that kept encouraging and praying for me throughout my life.
- And finally I am thankful for my husband. I am glad it was raining that April day otherwise We might not be together today. Thank you for always being right beside me in everything I do. You always believed in me with everything I did and will do. I am so happy to be able to share this time with you. I can't wait to see what God had in store for us on the next leg of our journey.


So, what's next? I am a college graduate with a degree in chemistry and biology and a minor in education. I survived cancer, epilepsy and I am going to be a teacher. I want to inspire students just as I was to reach for the stars. With hard work and perseverance you can be anything you want to be. Just look at me!

Christmas Lights and puzzle pieces

Yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet and I have already changed my layout but what can I say, I love Christmas. I have already put lights around the living room window. Christmas cards a almost filled out. The only things that has not been done is the Christmas tree and playing the Christmas music. Soon enough though.

31 Days until graduation! That means I have spent 5 1/2 years, that's 84 weeks, 588 days, 14,112 hours, 846,720 minutes, 50,803,200 seconds of college and it all comes down to 31 days left. That's insane and scary at the same time. Who would have thought that a girl who had a brain tumor and has epilepsy could graduate college with a degree in Chemistry and Biology and a minor in education. Life is like a puzzle and God has the box. At least some of the piece are beginning to fit together.

Since our year anniversary, people have been saying or asking something about children. "It's been a year, you know what that means?" I don't mind the asking but the last few days it has brought back memories. I have my days when the memory gets triggered but overall, we were just going with the flow of things. It has almost been a year since our little one went to heaven. This year hasn't been the easiest. Since the PCOS diagnosis in April, our lives have changed directions again. It was an answered prayer because now we know what is going on. I just have to trust in God that he has a plan for Allen and I and this was just a step in the journey. He never gives us anything we can't handle, right?

We have decided to take the next step since my regular doctor has no clue about PCOS and how to treat it. We finally made an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist for December 4. I guess I was scared to make the appointment. I was unsure of the unknown and another doctor on top of the 5 others. But one thing I do know is that in order to begin our family we need to find out how to help this PCOS or at least how to get it under control. So, a new journey has begun. The only thing is that I want a cup of coffee that is actually caffeinated.

Never too old to learn something new

9 weeks down 7 more to go! During the past 9 weeks I have learned several things. Like never leave your favorite pen on your desk or some child will take it. Bribery still works with students especially with ice cream sandwiches. When something happens unexpected, like almost catching the school on fire, don't freak out! Yes, it did in fact happen.

 My first placement was definitely....... enlightening. I learned a lot about myself as a person and a future teacher. I also learned that college did not prepare me for the classroom. I learned that students think you are older than you look because you are classified as a teacher. I learned to never turn your back.

I have now moved on to my second placement. On my first day, I learned another new concept. Middle schoolers are totally different than high schoolers. Sadly, I want to stick with high schoolers. I can blow things up and set things on fire. They don't wear their hearts on their sleeves. I can definitely do more of what I like to do.

How has this experience effected our marriage? Considering we see each other 2 nights a week, really it is only 1 since i have to work one of those, it is going.....who am I kidding. It is crap. I think it is harder on me since I am the one that is home ALONE after school and while he is home he is asleep then goes into work so he doesn't notice it as much. When Allen first got put on first shift I was excited. Get to have him home more, actually sleep in the same bed, not be home alone at night. It would be great! yeah, it was up until, oh 9 weeks ago! If this is how it is going to be when I start teaching then I want a change. WAHHH! (stomps feet)

No, I dont always act like a child when I dont get my way. The Lord convicts me of it for sure. Sometimes, I would just like to cook dinner a hot dinner for two instead of a hot dinner for one and a microwave plate for the other. Oh the joys of being the wife of a second shift security Sargent for Nissan.   

Interesting Night

If you know Allen and I pretty well, you would know that we are very different when it comes to our movie selections. Allen has been watching scary movies since he was little (around 4). He loves a good scary/bloody/halloweenish movie. His favorite holiday is halloween because of all the new movies that come out.

 I however grew up never watching scary movies. The scariest movie I watched as a child was Sleeping Beauty and Snow White with the evil queens. As of today, I still hate scary movies because I over think things and freak myself out. Don't even think about movies that spew blood because I will most likely puke on you.

Well, monday night I tried to be a good wife and let Allen pick the movie and where we at dinner on our date night. I think I only watched maybe 30 minutes of the whole movie because my eyes were either dug into Allen's shoulder or trying to read my ebook on my iphone. Needless to say, my nerves were shot when it came time for bed. My husband, being the concerned guy he is, said I should take 1/2 of a sleeping pill so I am not up all night. Ok, 1/2 of a pill, that's not that much. I'll be able to get up at 5:45 no problem. LIES!!!! Yes, I did get up at 5:45 but I fell asleep in the shower, eating breakfast, blow drying my hair and almost driving to school. So, me being so smart, I stopped for coffee with 2 shots! I'm awake now and it's a good thing I was not teaching anything new yesterday hahaha.

Changes

Fall is finally here! I love fall and everything that comes with it. While grocery shopping today, I found the cutest wall hang of which I hung on the outside of our door. I love the cool days and nights, pumpkins, apples, Hoedown, and the homemade soups.


Well, I have some news...... No I'm not pregnant and I'm sorry if that was your guess and you are totally bummed.
Marley is no longer with Allen and I. No, she isn't dead just was sent to another family. The morning that became aggressive with me was her last week with us. She was sent to a family that has no child (she doesn't like children) and they have another chihuahua. Her new own says she has adjusted to her new home with ease and is very friendly.


 11 weeks until graduation! This student teaching experience has been going well. So far, I have learned that students can be bribed with ice cream sandwiches. Luckily  there are only 2 1/2 more weeks left at this placement. Student teaching is definitely an adjustment for the both of us. My day starts at 6 and lasts until 4, not including the days I work at the church. Allen is at work from 2 pm-10 pm. Most nights, I am in bed before he gets home and he is asleep when I get up and going. We really only get 1 night together because I work on the other one. I have learned that I am a jealous when it comes to time and it is something I need to work on.

Other than marley's departure our life has been pretty boring. I guess it is time to shake things up again.

Song of Solomon 8:6-7  Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.

Greetings from Philly!

I just learned there is an app for blogger so now I can write on my phone. So in my three days in Philadelphia I have learned many things

1) 97% of the streets are one way and the green light is your signal to walk
2) being other shoes besides heels and flip flops
3) don't ask for sweet tea because they will laugh at you
4) hashbrowns doesn't exist above the mason Dixon line.
5) dont speak to anyone because southerns, including tennesseans, will be laughed at immediately.
6) instead of saying excuse me just push your way through.
7) scrapple is like the southern equivalent to hash.

So far, the convention has been wonderful. We presented our posters yesterday afternoon and last night. Yesterday afternoon was all the undergraduate students. The following presentation was a mix of everyone( including professionals, professors, graduates and undergrads) however, they only excepted 25 of the undergraduate posters out of 400 total and both of our posters were accepted. We go a certificate, pretty ribbon to put on our name badges and popcorn. Overall it has been a great trip but, I miss home. Especially my husband. i think this will be the last research presentation for me.

1 year and counting

Well, we made it! It's hard to believe it has been a year already. People say that the first year is the hardest. I, however, disagree. Our first year was actually really good. Now some days weren't as easy as others and it did require lots of prayer and perseverance but overall not a bad first year of marriage.

As I was growing up, Walt Disney was a big part of my life. In every movie that contained a princess, she and the prince lived happily ever after in a HUGE castle with no care in the world. But he forgets to mention that in the real world when a princess finds her prince and the marry that things are a little different. You don't start off in a castle, you now have added families members and there aren't dancing kitchen objects that cook extravagant meals for you. Oh, the imagination of a child.

To celebrate, monday night we went out to dinner to The Stockyard in Nashville. Let's just say it was worth every penny we spent. This is my steak. it was HUGE. I ate a 1/3, Allen ate 1/3 and the rest was for lunch the next day. Yes, it did come with one onion ring. We then came home to dig into the top tier of our wedding cake. I hope it tasted better the first time because the only person who liked it was Marley, well she not really a person but you get my drift.

Since we didn't do the whole smash the cake in the other persons face deal we decided to have some fun with the dry crusty cake. 

 As I lay in bed that night, I just kept thinking about how blessed we have been. The Lord says not to worry about anything which I am really bad about. Everything was taken care of this year. We paid off Allen's car. My yearly MRI was crystal clean. My hormone levels are dropping. I got a wonderful student teaching assignment although it seemed kind of sketchy at first. and I am graduating in December. Everything is just falling into place as far as I know, but only he knows the true plan for this journey.