Dear 2012

Dear 2012,

Wow, what a year you have been! You were a year I had been anticipating for so long in so many ways. There were big life changes made this year and I can't believe I actually made it through alive and well. Now you are almost over and I can't help but reflect on how blessed I have been this last year.

I spent my first true semester in a classroom and fell in love with a group of kids I never imagined myself teaching, even in my wildest dreams. It's amazing how things work out, isn't it? Little did I know I was hand picked for that group of kids. God knew exactly what he was doing when he placed me in that classroom. Those kids were perfect for me and I can say in confidence that I was perfect for them. We got to dive deep into slavery, war, and civil rights together but I know I learned more from them than they learned from me. It was exhausting, irritating, frustrating, and perfect in every way. I was forced to take a good, hard, look at myself and am a better person and teacher because of it.

After four seemingly short years I graduated from the University of Georgia with my degree in Middle Grades Education. Every year at UGA passed more quickly than the one before it and I wasn't ready for it to end. I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for the opportunity to start and finish at such a wonderful institution. My dad has always been quick to remind Haley and I not to take our education for granted. We know there are so many people who would have loved to attend UGA but couldn't for different reasons. My education is one thing I will always be thankful for. Athens and UGA will always hold the most special place in my heart.

I finally got to walk down the aisle and marry my best friend after seven and a half years together. The date had been set for nearly four years but when it finally arrived it felt like it couldn't be here already. We aren't old enough for this, are we? We worked day and night for over a year to make sure everything was perfect for our day. It felt funny to sit back and have everything done for us that weekend, but that's exactly what we wanted. We wanted to enjoy our time with our friends and family and enjoy we did! The week we spent in Jekyll will always be the best week of my life. It's been six months and it still feels like yesterday. Is that how it will always be? I can only hope it is because I never want to forget that feeling.

Now, here's where I'll be honest. This is one change I wasn't happy about in 2012. Getting through the wedding was my main focus and I didn't let myself think about what would happen after it was over. I didn't want to think about leaving Athens. Somehow I kept pushing that to the back of my mind and pretending we could find a way to stay. Like so many others, I love Athens. Like, serious love. As in, it took me two months to move my things after the wedding... And, if I'm being totally honest, it's only because my sister had to find a roommate. If that hadn't happened I can guarantee you that my room would still be the same. I didn't want to leave Athens, UGA, Hilsman, my friends, and especially my sister. I don't do well with change; I am a creature of habit to the extreme. Moving to a totally new place didn't sit well with me, but over time I have adjusted and am learning to love my new home. Marriage isn't all fun and games! Especially when a certain someone gets a fantastic job they love and drag you away from everything you've ever known! But, in this scary time I couldn't be more thankful for my husband and his job. We're getting there!

Along with moving to a totally new place came working in a school system I knew nothing about. I started substituting in Dalton so I could get a feel for the area and the schools. I am so thankful for the work and to be back with the kids. I spend most of my time in the same Elementary school and I absolutely adore it. Never in a million years did I think I would love those kids so much. I have learned that I can teach something other than middle school and that feels pretty darn good. I hope to be more settled next year and find a teaching job, but only time will tell!

We've got some exciting plans I can't wait to share with you when the time comes. This has been the best year yet but life just keeps getting better! The best is yet to come!

2012 - You have been so good to me and I am looking forward to what 2013 holds!


Love,

Family.

Not only was yesterday the anniversary of burying my own grandfather, but it was the day Charles was laid to rest. Despite the dreary day and pouring rain, the service was beautiful and just what I had expected. It reminded me just how lucky I am to have married into such a kind, loving, and close-knit big family. I've never seen anything like it in all my life. Every family has their trouble, but if this family does you better bet you'd never know it. I've been lucky enough to be apart of the family for eight years and I've yet to see it. They truly are some of the best people I have ever known. Even though I'm "not blood," as Scott jokingly said during the service, they treat me just the same and I know they would do anything in the world for me.

During the service the brothers and sisters got up and sang together. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed. They were hurting too but they stood together and stayed strong for their sister. Y'all know by now it doesn't take much to make me cry, but that did me in quicker than even I expected. It's not often I see siblings who have the same love for each other that I have for my sister, but they definitely do. That's the one word I'd use to describe them: love. Love for each other and love for the Lord. I've never met anyone who shows the love of Christ like those women. You only have to be around them for a moment and you can feel it surrounding you.

I've learned a lot about myself as a Christian over the past couple of years. While I value the word and witnessing to others, I'm more concerned with "walking the walk," than "talking the talk" in my daily life. I've encountered many of those people who turn Christians away in the past and that's the last thing I want to do. Anyone can talk about the Lord but living it is what we struggle with. That's what these women have taught me. They make me want to live my life in a way that brings glory to the Lord. As a teacher I can't bring God into my classroom in the ways I would like so I have to bring him in through my actions. Every morning I teach I pray to the Lord and ask him to shine through me so that the kids can experience his love and grace through me. In light of all that has happened that seems more important than ever.

Love to you and yours,

At a loss

It's been a rough couple of days for me for several different reasons. Yesterday was the anniversary of my grandfather's death so that is always a sad day for my family. Thursday evening my husband's great uncle passed away and it has been devastating to his family. 

I've lost four grandparents and two other relatives in my life, but my husband's family has been pretty blessed. This is the first death that has happened in the eight years I have been with him. He still has five living grandparents and many more extended family members that are much like grandparents to the both of us. His family is just as much my own and I am hurting seeing them grieve over the loss of such a sweet and caring man. I think about myself when I think about his young grandkids. Several of them are around the age I was when I lost three grandparents and I will never forget those days. 

My mom said yesterday, "I can't believe he has been gone this long. I can still see him, hear him, just like it was yesterday. I hope I never forget that." I don't think you ever forget. 

I can still imagine sitting in my Grandpa's lap while he scratched my back. I'll never forget the smell of his button ups or the sound of his voice, a normally rough voice, talking to me so sweetly and telling me stories as long I would sit. I can taste the carrot muffin he would share with me at Stoney's after picking me up from Clarkesville Elementary after school. 

I can feel the way my Grandma hugged me. She was so little and frail but when she hugged you, she gave it all she had. I can smell her kitchen and taste her fried potatoes as if I just had them for breakfast! I can picture the walls in her living room, covered with photos of her many grandchildren. We would always count the frames and talk about the faces inside them.

I can feel the warmth and softness of my Meme's skinny little hands. I can hear the way she called my name, the same way at five and at fifteen. It didn't matter if I was sitting right beside her or darting into the ocean without my floaties. I can remember digging through her purse to find candy during church then falling asleep on the pew beside her with my head in her lap.

When I think about them those are the things I want to remember forever, not the sadness surrounding their passing. The sadness never fully goes away, but in time it is replaced by more and more comforting memories. Those good memories will last a lifetime as long as you let them. God knew what he was doing when he created us. He created us to be compassionate and loving and created a heart and head for memories. As long as you remember, you can keep them alive and with you.

I am crying as I write this post just like I cried all day yesterday watching the footage of the school shooting in Connecticut. This one really hit home for me in a new way. As a teacher we love our kids as if they are our own. I don't think parents quite understand how much their babies mean to us. I promise we do everything in our power to keep them safe, happy, and healthy. There are so many families who are hurting and lost after this tragedy and I can only pray the Lord comforts them in such a sad and confusing time.

Pray for those sweet babies who are home with the Lord this Christmas. Pray for their devastated families who have suffered a loss that no one should ever have to endure. Pray that the community can band together to heal. Pray for those who had to work that awful crime scene. Most of all pray for our country. We are lost and need guidance more than ever. I hope you'll pray too.

Missed

My sweet Meme went home to the Lord two years ago today. It is unbelievable that she has been gone this long and we miss her just as much now as we did then. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about her or want to pick up the phone and call her. Every time I buy some new clothes I immediately want to take them and show her! The woman loved nothing more than a new outfit!

As we watched the longest of the wedding videos a couple of nights ago, we all laughed about how much she would have loved to be there. She would have absolutely loved riding the golf cart around The Club and would have waved to everyone as if she was the Queen of England! Hopefully she would have left the decorations alone this time though, right y'all?

Meme adored Chris and couldn't wait for us to get married. Mama used to get onto her for asking us when it would be when we were still in high school! She's the one who gave me the idea to be married on Grandpa's birthday, June 3rd. We decided that would be the perfect day almost four years ago and she was so excited! She promised me he'd make sure we had a beautiful day and she kept her promise! She loved my Grandpa more than anything and loved seeing her granddaughters find that same happiness. She would have thrown Amanda and I under the bus for Matt and Chris any day!

The older I get, the more I appreciate my grandparents. I didn't get as much time with any of them as I would have liked, but God knows what he's doing and I'm thankful for the time we did have together. I am glad that I only have wonderful memories of them all to cherish forever. Each of them has contributed to who I am and I can't wait to share memories of them with my own children someday. I was so lucky to witness a fairy tale first hand in my grandparents and will always believe in true love because of them.

Do me a favor - if your grandparents are still alive, call them up and listen. Listen to the same stories you've heard a hundred times because one day you will cherish them! Take all the photos you can because you will never have enough. Lastly, learn from them. No matter how you feel about your family, you wouldn't be here without them. They are important. Learn about where you came from and be proud. You never realize how much you love someone until they are gone! Take it from me!

Our Annual Gatlinburg Trip

Hello All! How have y'all been during my hiatus from the blogosphere? I'm sure you've all been enjoying this fantastic weather as much as I have! I don't know exactly where I've been but when I look back since I last wrote it feels like I've been extremely busy! I guess that's life though, huh? Living in the in betweens.

Last weekend we enjoyed our annual trip to Gatlinburg with Chris's family. This is the family's eleventh year going together and my eighth year joining the crew! Chris and I look forward to this trip all year long! It's so insane how time flies. I remember anticipating this trip for the first time like it was yesterday. You know, back when we were fifteen and seventeen and skipped high school to go! It was so weird not having to study or go back to school this year. Well, I went back to school but in a different way I guess! Geez we are getting old! Twenty two and twenty four... that doesn't sound as cute! All these years we've been counting down until we could get married and now we are finally here. Your parents aren't kidding when they say the older you get the faster time flies. I hope it will start slowing down a little bit...

Back to the trip! We stay in a big cabin with everyone usually just outside of town. This year we had a cabin overlooking Gatlinburg with phenomenal views of town and the surrounding mountains. The Smoky Mountains are almost at peak this time of year and I never tire of looking at them! I have taken about a zillion pictures over my lifetime and just keep snapping! We did the usual: a whole lot of shopping and eating! Plus a little bit of hiking, board games, putt-putt, arcade games, and of course enjoying the sights and each other. I'll try to narrow down the several hundred photos I took -

Since we got into town before noon we decided to head out to Cade's Cove 

Plenty of self photography coming up, y'all!

Always have to take a pic of this place ;)

Love him

And him!

Excuse the ghost halo in the photo

Cutest thing ever.

We just couldn't help ourselves!

Sunny Tiff and me

The most beautiful set-up in the fall

Can you tell we are sleepy? Going to breakfast with everyone

Our HUGE bear friend!

Enjoying our last night!

Favorite thing on Earth

View from our cabin

Love listening to music in the rocking chairs

Love love love them!

Lunch at the Apple Barn on the last day

Heading back over the mountain 

We try...

It was so beautiful we decided to take a short hike right before sunset...

COLD

More beautiful with every step

Look at these bridges, Lisa! Teensy!

Arch Rock

I swear the colors change every minute!

How do people doubt the existence of our Creator?

He paints the most beautiful pictures!

Hope those brightened up your Monday!

Social Studies Saturday!

Catchy title, eh? I feel it's most appropriate for what we did today! Social Studies are kind of like vegetables - kids claim to hate them on principle, but when you sneak some in on them in an unexpected way they love it! Well, I love vegetables and Social Studies all the time! That's because I'm a hundred years old... but anyway... We had an awesome day exploring Lookout Mountain today. It was one of the most fun things we have done in a long time. It's so nice to be in a different area where the sights and sounds are new and exciting. I'm well aware we have our share of activities in Northeast Georgia, but when you grow up in the middle of it sometimes it loses its appeal. Chris's parents spent Friday night with us and we got up early this morning and headed north. We bought tickets to visit all three attractions - the Incline Railway, Ruby Falls, and Rock City. 

First we rode the Incline Railway up to the top of Lookout Mountain. It was so neat, but pretty scary I must admit. I'm not one for heights! At one point it was at a 73% grade. Terrifying, y'all. 

Heading in to get on the train!

This is looking out the top windows at the steepest point, almost parallel. Lisa would not like.

The View from the Observation deck

My handsome husband and me up top

Such a sucker for these nifty things!

There wasn't much to do at the top of the Railway, but if you walk a few blocks down the road you can visit Point Park (and walk by some giant old houses). It's a beautiful garden area with awesome views, trails, and a little museum. It just so happened that we found Civil War re-enactors - so much fun! I tried to get Chris to sign up but I'm not so sure he liked that idea ;)

Heading in - part of the battle of Chattanooga/Chickamauga

Stunning views (and a super cute boy too!)

Re-enactors in the park, set up camps and the whole shebang!

Shooting demonstration with Civil War gun replicas

Said guns

Photo-op! One of the little side trails

So pretty!

Adios,  Point Park!

Next, we rode the Railway back down to the car and headed to Ruby Falls. They closed early today for a wedding (uh, awesome!) so we wanted to hit it with plenty of time. Let me just tell you, if you plan to go here on a Saturday make sure you allot plenty of time and go a little early. It was packed! But, that's probably because it is so stinkin' hot and humid so people are looking for a little relief. It was nice and cool the whole thousand something feet down!

Heading down, down, down. You see a lot of this!

Finally reaching the falls. Beautiful!

I'm a sucker for some crazy lights!

Crazy lighting from all the photo ops

I'll just be honest with you, the trip was a bit annoying at times. We were in a large group (obviously this nerd sticks right by the tour guide) traveling through teeny tiny caverns the whole way. We kept having to "pull over" to let groups leaving get by. By pull over I mean squeeze ourselves up against wet rock as twenty people shimmy by! If you could make your own time it would be much better, but I understand them not letting people wander the cavern alone! Bad idea. The positive to all that shimmying is that after you visit the falls you get to pass all those people and you make good time getting out of there! Overall, it's a great little tourist attraction. Cool, easy walk, neato waterfall. After Ruby Falls we headed the last attraction - Rock City. I've always wanted to go simply because of those darned old birdhouses! Mom has always had one and Haley and I made so much fun of her for it - for no reason other than to make fun of her I guess! Sorry about that Mama! It was a neat little place with a lot to explore.

Of course we had to watch the "Raptor Show." In case you didn't know, I'm married to the bird whisperer. Big deal, y'all! ;)

IT'S SO FLUFFY!

Staring deep into my soul... I think owls might be dementors... maybe?

A sweet 26 year old Bald Eagle missing his left wing

The swinging bridge - where I almost dropped my camera twelveteen times

Trouble. Maker.

At the top - so neat!

Thank God. I didn't get myself stuck! 

So pretty!

Over-grown man child anyone? Do you have these at home too? Bless him!

The souvenir! 

Obviously I succumbed to the pressures of Rock City and bought one of those darned old bird houses! Getting old does that kind of thing to you, doesn't it? You get all excited about bird houses and plants and crap! I can't wait to get that sucker up and watch some birds. Don't worry Hal, I'll invite you over for bird watching too!

PS, y'all should totally go to Lookout Mountain if you haven't. And when you do, visit me in Dalton!