Meetings, Marriages, and Memories (Part 1)

So I think this is a wonderful idea and will try to link up with rachel every week to share my story. Actually, more like God's story for me! I don't really know where to begin or what to include so I guess today will be an introduction of sorts. A little background to start the story of me and the one I love.


I was home schooled from 1st grade through the 7th grade. I loved it. I have 2 sisters very close to me (a twin and the other only 13 months younger) We all stayed home together and I have amazing memories of our mom pouring her heart and soul into our little lives every moment of everyday. She was a wonderful mom and great teacher. It was during those early years that we were taught about the Bible and given an invaluable foundation of faith for which we still stand today. Being raised in a christian home has been a joy and a blessing and I cherish the rewards our lives have received because of it!
Anyway, all that to be said, I had a strong sense of faith and who I was in Christ even as an 8th grader starting out in public school for the first time. I was different. I stood out. Sometimes that bothered me. Most of the time I didn't care. My value and worth was not based on what the world thought of me. It was based on my savior and I knew He loved me! I also learned that he had a plan for me. That plan was a special one that began to take shape long before I would meet the man of my dreams. I placed my heart, soul, and purity into God's hands as a young teenager, desperate to be faithful to the truths held in the Bible. With a promise ring on my finger and a request of God to never have to date, I set out on years of high school, college, nursing school and then a career as a nurse, all without the trials and emotional roller coaster ride of love and break ups. I simply asked God to please show me who I was supposed to marry when I met him and not have to worry about all the messy relationship stuff that I had seen so many around me fall victim to. I just wanted to know and that would be that!

Our life stories were worlds apart but things fell into place year after year and God's plan unfolded into an amazing and wonderful love story. One day I was a single 20 something, the next day it all changed...

Not Me Monday!

Check out www.mycharmingkids.net for Not Me Monday and see where it all began!


It certainly was NOT me that shoved 4 loads of clean clothes back into the dryer all at once because I hate folding laundry and I really hate folding cold laundry. And it definately had NOT been sitting on the couch for 3 days without being touched. THat would be crazy since I have to stare at that couch everytime I check my email or facebook!!

Show your life...Tailgating edition! Go DAWGS!

I have to say, I'm a military brat and married into a family of Mississippi State Bulldog fans. It has been a tough team to cheer for more often than not, but those are some dedicated fans. We did go to the Independence Bowl when State made it and it was in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was crazy! New Years Eve, 2000 and it SNOWED! Yep, in Louisiana! We FROZE! I just kept thinking, I can make it four quarters. Then it went into overtime!!! I thought I would die of hyperthermia (us southerners are wimps!) IT was worth the trip and the overtime as STate won by 3 in a crazy and wonderful game! Here are a few pics ( and yes, some more cheezy scanned in ones)!

WINNER!!!

Yeah! This is exciting! The winner of the Pink Package giveaway for October (an my first ever giveaway) is jenna! Check out her cool blog and family at www.thejacksonfivefamily.blogspot.com!

thanks to all 5 of you who commented! The winner was selected out of names in a hat by my wonderful hubby!

Jenna, I will be in touch to get your address!

odds and ends...

check out this video. i can't even imagine. she is an inspiration and makes me think of things a little differently today.

http://www.oprah.com/media/20090924-tows-stephanie-struggle-crash


today is the last day to get your comment in for the giveaway! I will pick a winner tomorrow around 7am! go to the giveaway below and get your entry in!

Gap is holding another kid casting call with some cool prizes. So get out those cameras and submit a pic of your cutie pie to be the next gap kid!! www.gap.com/castingcall
through october 22!

not me monday!

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check out http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ for mckmama's Not Me Monday event!

I most certainly did NOT in any way forget to look in jackson's folder this weekend and totally miss the fact that he had a book report due. Nope, not me! I am a totally organized, wonderfully responsible mom who always stays on top of homework and projects :/

MY FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ok, so I thought I would try out a little giveaway just for fun. I got the idea from here, so jump over there and check out her site, but come right back to see what you can win here!!

Today is October 1st. For a lot of people it means getting ready for halloween, looking for pumpkin patches, settling in to enjoy some fabulous fall weather and spiced apple cider. But for a lot of other people, it is an amazing month of remembering and recognizing breast cancer awareness month. If you are reading this blog, you are most likely someone who has either had or known someone close that has been touched by breast cancer. A mom, sister, aunt, friend, gramma, or daughter. Everyone has a story.

I had a little scare 2 years ago. I found a lump. It is scary, horrible, and happens to so many. I had it check out. My doctor thought it wasn't anything to worry about, but I still worried. So i had a mammogram and ultrasound! Turns out it is just dense, fibrous tissue. Whew. But now I know what is "normal" for me and I will be able to detect a "change" in my breast tissue during a monthly exam because I know what feels usual for me!

So to kick off this month, I am giving away an entire PINK PACKAGE!! It will have all kinds of goodies in it. A t-shirt, a breast chek kit, stickers, and some very helpful breast health info for you and to share with someone you love this October! It will be a value of over $100!! And it's my first giveaway!!!

Just leave me a comment about what October means to you, or if you have been touched by breast cancer in any way, share your story!! I will select a random winner next week and get back to you! make sure there is some way to get in touch with you on your comment!!

And just because it's my blog I am going to give you some info to remember!!!

-Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women! (yikes)

-A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes.

-Most women do not perform monthly breast self exams (early detection is key!)

-Exercise, eat right, and perform monthly breast self-exams, it could save your life!

-If you are over 35, talk to your doctor about a mammogram!

I look forward to hearing from you! Happy October 1st!!!