Man O Man!  It has been forever since I updated this thing!  Honestly, I have no idea where to begin!  Things are going really well for me right now and slowly but surely my life is coming together! I absolutely LOVE being in Texas!  I am working for the City of Garland in the Clinical Services division as an Outreach Specialist.  I love my job and just recently I was offered a full time position instead of part time.  This was such a huge answer to prayer because if I work for the city full time I will have benefits for Barrett and me when we get married :).  Starting in a couple of months I will be one busy woman though because on top of working 8-5 Monday through Friday I will be starting my Masters degree in Applied Gerontology at the University of North Texas! I am so excited about my Masters program because it is offered completely online!  I know the Lord has called me to help the elderly and I am so passionate about becoming an advocate for them.  

As many of you know we lost my papa at the end of March.  It has been a hard time for my family but the Lord's grace is sufficient and His peace is unexplainable.  I have also experienced the Lord's unexplainable peace this past month because Barrett's uncle was murdered on May 2nd. It has been really hard on me because I have been so far away, but again the Lord's grace is sufficient and He has all the answers.  Barrett and his family have had a difficult time and I know they would appreciate the prayers.  I know that heaven is a better place with my Papa and Barrett's uncle.

Barrett and I have been doing well.  Long distance is VERY tough, but it will only make us stronger.  I have learned that although you have been with someone for four years there is always something new to learn about each other.  We have been trying to see each other at least once a month.  He will be taking a graduate assistant position at Alabama this next year and finishing his masters degree. We are trying for a summer 2008 wedding (Lord willing)! 

Well, that is about it for now.  I can't promise that I will be any better at updating this thing! I hope everyone is doing well! God Bless!              

Ok, where do I begin this post.  The past few weeks are a blur now! I graduated from the University of Alabama on December 17th and moved home December 18th! It still is not a reality that I won't be heading back to Bama in the spring! 

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! I am amazed each year how fast the holidays come and go, but it has been such a great time with friends, family, and my new fiance! That's right, I said fiance! As of December 29th Barrett and I are engaged!

It has been nice not to feel rushed seeing everyone at home over the holidays since I will be in Dallas now! Be praying for me over the next few months for Christ's direction in mine and Barrett's life. Barrett and I are in the process of deciding what grad school and program we will be enrolling into in the fall.  We are trying to be flexible and work everything out where we can at least maybe be in the same state if we aren't able to get married within the year.  I also plan on getting a job here in the next few weeks...kinda scary to think I will be entering the working field permanently!

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year! I'll be posting again sometime next year! :):):)

Here is a pic taken the night of the proposal!

and the ring....

Hey! Wow, I can't believe it is already December! It is even harder to believe that exactly 2 weeks from today I will be a graduate of the University of Alabama! :) It seems like just yesterday Mom and Dad were bringing me to college! It is still bitter sweet to be graduating, because Barrett will still be in Alabama and I will be home in Texas.  I think we are getting excited about a new step in our relationship and we know that distance is just another thing we can get through together...especially when you have been with someone for almost 3 1/2 years(trust me we have been through some crazy things together!)! Anyway, enough of that! School is keeping me busy but finals week really isn't too bad for me.  I have one final and one big paper due.  Next week I have 2 tests, but I am definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I am getting really excited about Christmas and the holidays.  It will be crazy when I move back home because we are having Christmas at our house this year.   This means we will have to get me moved back home and the house clean all before everyone is at the house!  After Christmas,  Barrett and the team will be playing in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 28th.  Even though it is not the best bowl game I am excited it is only 3 hours from my house.  Barrett's family will be coming to stay with us for a few days after the bowl game maybe until New Years!  January 6 - 11 is going to be awesome because I am going on a cruise!!!!! I have never been on one before and I am really excited to be going with Amanda! It will be much needed relaxation and fun to end the holidays on a BIG note!!!!

Well, I am not sure when I will have time to post again, so just in case I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and especially a Merry Christmas!!!     

I guess this will be my November entry :) I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying Fall! I am enjoying the cooler weather as long as it doesn't get too terribly cold! Time is just flying by! I graduate 40 days from today and I can't believe it.  This past weekend was a lot of fun because Mom, Dad, Reid, Lisa, and little Elle Belle came to visit me in Tuscaloosa.  We all went to the football game and tailgated awhile after it was over.  The game was not that great (we lost to Mississippi State who had not won a conference game in 3 years) but we had an awesome time! I am staying busy between school, work at the Athletic Director's office, and work at the court house in the Tax Accessor's office.  God has truly blessed me with great opportunities to work with wonderful people and it will be hard to say good bye come December.  I already started packing up my room in the apartment.  Mom and Dad carried some of my belongings back with them and if I drive home for Thanksgiving I will haul some more of my junk home.  It is starting to become reality that I will be leaving here in a little over a month.  In some ways I am relieved and in others I am sad.  Change can be uncomfortable but it only makes us stronger.  Barrett will be finishing up the regular season of football in two weeks and then the team will probably go to a bowl game.   He is very excited to go through his last semester (the spring) as a normal college student!  Well, I hope everyone is doing well and getting excited for the holiday season! Here are some pictures from my families' visit!