Mini Update

So I know the point of the last blog was to catch up, but obviously that didn't work out so well. So I apologize again, but I don't think I could remember everything thats happened to even do bullet points. The last one was before I really started my job, and people have been asking about it so this blog is dedicated to work/life as an adult.

I started working In May and feel so blessed to not only have a job, but one that I love. There has been a lot of learning, but unlike most subjects in school, I actually care because it pertains to what I'll be doing each day. For those of you who don't know or that talked to me before I really even understood what I would be doing, in a nutshell, I work as an implementation consult and teach people how to use the company's software. Everyone that I work with is fairly young and a good amount went to ACU. It's been a lot of learning and there is still so much I don't understand, but I'm enjoying it and can't wait to see how these next few years pan out.

In the meanwhile, I'm still enjoying the job, but the adult life is another thing. I like working and being busy all day and having fun with people at the office, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of all the other things that come with being a grown-up. Before, I guess it didn't really hit me because I was working for my dad and still had a lot of flexibility, so the bills and stuff that were "adult-ish" kinda evened out. But now that I have work all day, pay bills, don't have summer vacations and celebrate my birthday by going to work all day then dinner/bed after, it just seems real old. I know I'm still young, but this year on my birthday was the first time it hit me that birthdays just aren't as exciting anymore. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely plenty of things I love about getting older that make it fun and exciting, but realizing that time of your life is over kinda sucks.

The 4th of July this year was spent at the Lake with lots of family and it was such a joy to be around so many people that you just love. Like deep love that you just know every one of them will be there for you always and no matter what. I don't know if I never thought about it before, or realized it before, but not on this level anyways. We celebrated my grandpa's 80th birthday and it was just so cute to see my grandparents and all their children. Family is such a blessing and I'm constantly overwhelmed by it.

These thoughts sound like I've been doing a lot of deep thinking lately, but I haven't really. Haha I've just been busy and when I stop to think and pray and just look around, I just can't help but be so thankful.

I'll post some pictures this week cause I think blogs are more fun with pictures, but I just kinda tired of being on the computer. :)

"Someday I will live in a house that's built by hands that hold the world..."

Tanzania is a new song I have been listening to by Alli Rogers thats really good. Check it out if you are looking for a good new tune, I love her lyrics though..

Someday I will wake,

where the earth is clean and safe

my children have a place to play

not here in Tanzania.

Someday I will live

in a house thats built by hands

that hold the world.

But someday I will wake

in a body that won't break

On ground that doesn't shake, not here.

And someday I will live

in a house thats built by

hands that hold the world.

So since I have been a little slack regarding pictures on my blog, here are a few favorites from this last month-ish..

Mol and Chris

The engaged couple!

The dinner we all made (it doesn't look as good as it tasted)

Seth, Carly and Bennnnn

Other side of the table after church!

THe group at Joe T's before the Josh Turner Concert in FW

Shay and I at the Rangers game!

Me, Zach, Travis, Alanna, and Lars after the Spazmatics (an 80's cover band) Concert. It rained the whole time, but we got to end up right next to the stage, Alanna and I got to get on stage, and it was just a blast dancing in the rain all night. If you ever get a chance to see them GO! You won't be disappointed!

I GOT A JOB!!!!

Well these last couple weeks I have been in the process of applying/interviewing for jobs. With the help of my Uncle Phil I was able to expedite that process and I interviewed with Homecare Homebase on Friday last week and today, they offered me a position as an Associate Implementation Consultant!! YAYYYYYY!!!!

Obviously I'm freaking out and today at work I probably won't get much done. I want to go frolic in the field and sing praises! God is so good. This is at perfect timing and I can't wait to start this new job. I will get to travel part of the time, be home for the other part of the time so it seems to be such a great balance for me! Also, I have a couple good friends in the office so that makes the prospect even more appealing.

It's such a beautiful day!! haha well I just thought I'd update the blog world. I'm gonna try to get some work done!

High's and Low's

It has been over a month since my last post. So to those of you avid readers (mom), I apologize! :) SO since I don't really remember everything that has been going on since my last post, I'm going to do my High's and Low's of March.

High's (working chronologically through March):

A mini road trip with Travis to visit the Hamiltons and Seth in WACO.

Snowboarding in Crested Butte with the Fam. Always loads of fun!

Kristin (a JH Ranch friend) came all the way from B'ham to visit for a couple days!

Molly and Chris came in from Cali for their Engagement Party

Primerica IPO. Now publicly traded on the NYSE!

Chad and Kelley Clinch got hitched.. (Justin's best friend) so it was great to hang out with him and his friends since I hadn't seen most of them in years!

Texas Rangers are now in season and I got to go see the Mariners with my lil sis! Even though she hates baseball, it was kinda fun to experience her first baseball game.

Lows/Prayer Requests:

Justin burnt his eyes in Colorado. That was more funny (for me, not him) than anything, and they have healed but that was an unfortunate part of the trip.

We managed to pick the 2 best travel days and got to travel to/from Colorado in a white out.

Dad is having heart complications. He's been going to a cardiologist to get some tests done, but keep him in your prayers as we try and figure out what's going on

Katie (Mack) Browder's momma is a constant in prayers as she continues fighting cancer.

On a lighter note, I'm applying for jobs and have had interviews this week (Monday and Friday) so just prayers that the Lord opens doors if one of these positions is right for me!

That's all I've got.. Things have been so busy and I just kinda forgot or didn't feel like blogging, but now that I'm up-to-date it won't be as much effort and you will start seeing my random thoughts again.

Finding Kind

I am super excited for Mol and Lauren in this and just wanted to share this:

Here is the link to their trailer (scroll down and click on Watch Trailer right below the picture)!!

This is the main website to check out more of what they are doing: Kind Campaign Website

Looks like Love

This morning I was listening to some of my favorite music that reminds me of the JH Ranch and I started looking through old things, notes, pictures, etc.. I stumbled upon some things from when I was in Georgia and found a sweet note that I had written that I thought I would share:

There was a little boy who was about 8 years old. He was autistic. If I remember correctly he was H1N1 positive and we were trying to start an IV to get some fluids and medicine in him. Knowing that we would only be able to poke him one time before he completely lost it, we had to do it right the first time. His mom asked if she could come in while we were starting it, but we said no as we typically don't encourage parents to be in there because its harder to get stuff done with the kids freaking out and reaching for their parents all the more. As we were putting the tourniquet on and cleaning the area with alcohol prep pads, he begins freaking out. At this point he is absolutely hysterical and it seems as its going to be a challenge to even calm him down, much less get his IV going. We allowed the mom to come in with hopes of calming her son down. She came right beside him on the bed and grabbed his face. She had her hands around his face (kind of like blinders) and her face was right in front of him so they could only see each other. She said, "look at me!! Look at me! Look at me... 1... 2... 3..." He slowly joins in as he's calming down, "4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10" until he stopped freaking out and was focused on her. In the midst of that the nurse had still been holding his arm and just rubbing over the spot where she would poke him but as he was focused on his mom the nurse poked him and by the time they were done counting she had poked him and had him ready to go.

It was such a sweet moment to witness because you could tell that was their thing. What she has probably done with him countless times in order to help him relax. Later I started thinking about how the Lord desires us to do the same thing. If we would just focus on him instead of the the chaos and confusion around us it would make every situation better.

Change of Time

I have nothing in particular to write about but these are just a few things that have been on my mind lately..

I don't understand why its so cold. A constant cold. In Dallas. I think it has to be some kind of record because the constant cold temperature around these parts is unheard of. I'm ready for it to be warm. Not hot. Not 110 degrees, but 70 with a slight windchill would be nice. :)

As I prepare to head to Abilene for Sing Song I think of all the crazy things that will happen this weekend and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I can only imagine how many old friends and familiar faces I will see and I can only wonder how many names I will remember. I laugh at how we have slightly overcommitted our car to hold not just us 4 girls but an additional 4 people.. Should be interesting. The entire idea of Sing Song is absurd to me. I'm not hating on it as I have been apart of it, but I think the idea of it, how big of a deal it is to people is something I don't think I will ever understand.

I am on this never ending journey to figure out what I really want to do with my life I have begun to realize that the big decisions don't really matter. Alanna (my roommate) recently got a job and 2 days into it she has begun to dread going to work.. To her credit she is still just learning the ropes and doesn't have much responsibility and doesn't know a whole lot of people, but I think we have this perception that a job will magically fix things because it is our focus throughout college and even after. Although it does help in aspects, it's not an end all. I've realized that you never really arrive. Even if you try so hard to obtain something, after the excitement wears off, its not usually as great as you thought. The grass is always greener. It's the stolen moments.. like waking up to coffee already made, or sitting watching ridiculous television shows for hours, or late night conversations. Those are the ones that are the precious ones- the ones that have nothing to do with big life decisions or figuring out answers.

I have a few favorite words right now: ticky tuck, amoebic, bam bam, and shaggy. I don't know why so please don't ask.

I think I might take a break from the book. I have thought about it again as I sometimes get annoyed with all the commotion on there. So if I disappear off facebook for a while, don't fret. I'll be back whenever I get bored..