Changes...

oh change... how you make me so anxious!! I am definitely one of those people that likes things to be planned out, have a schedule, BE ON TIME, be comfortable with my surroundings, and form a routine. For the past year and a half I have gotten up every week day and gone to The University of Alabama's Children's Program at the Child Development Research Center. That is now about to change... I have loved working at The Children's Program, I have made life-long friends, I have learned so much, and formed some pretty special bonds with some pretty awesome children! But now, I am changing that... Starting in the beginning of August I will be working at University Church of Christ's Preschool Program. This was a decision Brett and I made together. We discussed it, prayed about it, and thought about what a change would do. All doors opened at University Church. It wasn't that I was unhappy at UA's Children's Program, it was just that something was missing. Brett and I have been blessed immeasurably by University Church of Christ and consider that church family, our family. I'm excited to be working there with some of the members children as well as meeting many new faces. I'm excited about fulfilling the children's spiritual needs (along with mental, physical, and cognitive development) using Bible stories, songs, and trying to lead by the example of Christ.

My last day at The University was a tough one.. I worked with a fabulous teacher, that became a dear friend. Jessy made going to work better, and taught me alot!! She made my last day special.. I walked in to work my last day and saw this..

The children were holding papers that said We <3>

I was tackled :) I will deeply miss these children, I had been with some of them through 2 classes, and they are so dear in my heart!! I will greatly miss so much about the Children's Program, but know that I'll be able come back and visit, and use The Children's Program as a resource for many years to come!!

I start in my new class room in August, and I'm so excited!! Although the change is making me anxious and nervous, I know it's a good thing, and God is will take care of it all!!

I've got this week and next off, and I am enjoying some down time!! I plan on having a spick and span clean house- with many things re-organized and put away! Getting all of my 'teaching stuff' organized and ready for my new class, and cooking dinner as much as I can for my sweet husband.. who might I add, has been wonderful with his support for me in the job switch, continuously prays for me, and always pushes me!!

Last weekend we went to Ringgold Georgia to watch the Northport Nationals play in the world series, we had such a great time and didn't want to leave! I'll blog on that soon! The Nationals are still there continuing to play, Go Nationals!!!

The Lake, 4th of July, and Baseball!!

What a world wind of the past couple weeks have we had, but it's been great, and we wouldn't want it any other way!! The past couple weeks have been spent mostly at the lake, a ball park, or in our car :) That's what summers all about right, going till you can't go anymore!!! We are truly blessed with so many outlets of things to do and friends to do them with!

We spent the Fourth of July out at Sunshine Pointe on Lake Tuscaloosa, the same thing we've been doing the past several years- and we always have so much fun!! Thank you thank you to the hospitality shown by all those involved!! Brett and I spent the day mostly watching the youth group in the lake, and it was so nice to sit back on the swing and watch (and listen) to them laughing away at their craziness! Towards sunset is always my favorite time of the day at the lake, when the sun is getting lower and lower and reflecting against the water.. it's breath taking! I often have to stop and close my eyes while I smile and say prayer of thanksgiving for such beauty our God created for us to enjoy so thoroughly!!

Saturday before the 4th Brett and I went for a ride with our good friends the Davis'.. we rode from one end of the lake to the other, just taking it all in, it was a great day for a ride, and always wonderful when friends are involved!! Huge thank you, Andy & Glisa, for allowing us to take the boat out- Brett and I enjoy it so much and always have a great time-- the only thing missing that day was y'all!!

Throughout the past week we have been going back and forth to watch the Northport Nationals play in the State Tournament. Yes, you can call Brett and I crazy, but we just love it!!! Brett and I are sports fans, and we know several of the boys playing- and we absolutely have a ball watching them play! We even get a little fanatic at times as well! I think this is just preparation for when our children get into sports!! Although the boys fell a little short in the championship game, it was a great week of great baseball. Next stop... the world series!!

I've posted some pictures from the past week or 2, they are kind of crazy out of order and a few duplicates, blogger wasn't letting me delete or move any of them it just didn't want to cooperate with me!!

A picture of some of the Fireworks at the lake (pics don't do the show justice!! It was a Great show!!!)

Andrew

Brett's little buddy

Part of the sister's cheering squad!!

Random picture next... This would be the almond crust of a Paleo Key Lime pie Brett and I attempted to make...

He really did help... with "Bones" in sight!

So, no... there is not a finished product picture of the Key Lime Pie.. why?? Because it was DISGUSTING!!!! Seriously, neither one of us could even hardly stand ONE bite!! Oh Paleo, only 22 more days--- but who's counting!?!?!!?


Now, more firework-- sorry guys, it just wouldn't let me delete or move pictures today!

part of the Firework shooting crew

ahh, I just love the lake!

back to baseball... (and that was Kirby's snow cone- I wouldn't waste a cheat meal on that thing :))

Back to the lake!

Brett and Clayton driving us around

This weekend we are heading to Greenville to celebrate my nephew's (Kemper) 2nd Birthday!! Both of my parents will be in town, along with brothers and sister, so it should be a great weekend!!

Sweet Summer Time!!

Hard to believe that the summer is already just about half over!! It's been great so far though!! Very low key for Brett and, just the way we like it!!! He and I have now past the half way part of our first year of marriage, and how wonderful it has been!! I'm truly blessed with an amazing husband!!!

Most of the summer has been spent here in Tuscaloosa, although we haven't gone anywhere we have had some jam packed weeks and weekends! And they've been great. We've had birthday parties, family dinners, Wedding showers, baseball games, dear friends having and adopting babies, spending time at the lake, date nights, and more!!! I love our always on the go life!

This one is hard to see, but it's Brett with Caroline & Mary Helen on his shoulders at Chandler & Brooks' birthday... I honestly don't know who had more fun, Brett or the children!!

Clayton & JG on a super cool bounce house water slide at Caleb's birthday party

Ashley and I went to Sips-n-Strokes one night, such a fun night with a wonderful friend and sister!

Ah, the lake, one of our favorite places to be during the summer!! We try to go any chance we get! We love it!

And then there was the UY Fiesta Lock In.. I think I'm still catching up on sleep from that night!

Thank you God for great friends to spend these wonderful days with!!!

Congratulations Brett (or should I say Spidey??)

May 8 was a very exciting day for us, Brett graduated from Alabama!!!! He has worked SO hard over the past years to be where he is now, and I am so so proud. We are blessed in that he already has a job and all if his hard work is paying off! Thank you Brett for working so hard and
diligently to be where you are now, and be the leader of our family in every way possible!

We had a graduation Celebration at the Boykin's with our dearest friends, thank you all for blessing us in so many ways!!!

As you can see, I took these pictures from my SIL's web page, she's an awesome photographer!

So now we must ask the most important question of all... Brett, what are you going to do now that you've graduated...

Become Spiderman of course!!!

Filled with web fighting and all!

Don't be fooled, Brett had equally as great a time as the children (he may have actually had more fun!!)

Happy Birthday Clayton, we love you!!

A friend loves at all times...

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Brett and I have always believed that God puts certain people in and out of our lives for specific reasons. He puts people in our lives to help us grow, help us over-come, help us mourn, help us succeed, help us love, and help us grow closer to Him. Our greatest friend of course is God, I learn this more and more every day. Learning I am not alone, even when I feel I am, for God is always with me, and will always listen to my joys, concerns, and fears and He will at ALL times have my best interest in mind. God has also given me my best friend on Earth, as my husband. The man that I can share anything with, grow in faith with, and figure out our next steps together.

Brett and I are blessed by so many great friends. God has allowed us to live in a town where we have an amazing church family. A family that we can go to in need, share excitement, and worship with amazing love. In this church family Brett and I have made amazing friends. Many of our closest friends are older than us, with families of their own, but all of them include us and would always help us if need be. We are thankful for these friends for their time, guidance, generosity, and most importantly their love for God that they display to us on a daily basis.

Proverbs 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

-there are many times I am sure we talk their ears off asking random questions, as well as seeking advice, but we appreciate and value their advice, as well as their prayers for us.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

- We thank God for our friends, because we know He has the master plan for us, and has allowed us these friendships to grow, and feel protected. He has allowed us to be a support system for each other and workers for His kingdom.