You live, you learn

After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and changing a soul;
and you learn that love doesn't mean possession
and company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises and you begin to accept
your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of an adult not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
burns if you get too much so you plant your
own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure,
that you really are strong and you really do have worth
and you learn,
and you learn..."

Lovely

This weekend was a ton of fun with some old friends. Here are a few pictures form the wedding reception (I forgot my camera during the ceremony):


DJ and I...this is actually right before I accidentally hit him in the face with the bat...sorry Deej
"I just wanna lose your love tonighhhhhhttttt"Jen, Carly, and I...wow....its been how many years?!?

I am so happy for Mr. and Mrs. David Yates! Saturday was the perfect day for them and I wish them many years of love and happiness.

This Monday certainly started out not so great. I woke up this morning sneezing and couldn't breathe due to either the outrageous pollen count or a cold. Throughout the day, I had headache that just wouldn't go away. So, hopefully, this will go away sooner rather than later! But this afternoon, things are looking better. I FINALLY got a haircut, I got to come home and relax and watch a couple of episodes of West Wing, and got to fold and put away my laundry!

Now its off to bed...goodnight :)

The best cheer you can receive....

is to cheer up the ones around you. Every morning while driving into work, I pass a couple of churches and this was on the marque in front of one of them this morning.



This weekend my two friends David and Gwen are getting married! I am so excited for them and can't wait to see all of our friends who are coming into town. It should be a beautiful weekend for a wedding in Florida.

So this week I have found myself driving down the road with the windows down (because its been absolutely beautiful here) listening to Dave. I can't wait to see him in July. I just hope he plays my favorite song. Their live albums just put me in a happy mood and makes me want to sing (it sounds fabulous, and Shelley, if you are interested I can for sure sing at your wedding!).



http://www.musicmonthly.com/archives/archive.cgi?id=1

The opening week of the 2010 season is coming to an end and I have to say that the Braves look good this year. They won 2-3 against the Cubs and had record attendance for Turner Field during opening week. I guess fans are starting to realize that they have a shot this year for the NL Wild Card. Since this is Bobby's last season, every one is rallying behind them to win the Series this year. Good luck to the Braves tonight as they face the Giants in San Fran.

Happy Wednesday!

So, Wednesday's usually mean that the week is half over. I can't wait till this weekend, when I can relax and sleep in! This weekend my friends David and Gwen are going to become Mr. and Mrs. Yates. I am so excited for the wedding and to see some old friends.

Today, I have been thinking about how lucky we all are. We all have roofs over our heads, food in our tummies and people that love us. I think sometimes we forget and take for granted some of these things that some don't have.

Tonight is full of uploading some old pictures from the past few months and watching one of my favorite shows, The West Wing! I love this show, as I have mentioned before, and I believe that everyone can learn something from it.

Here are some pictures from the last couple of days:

Katie and I

Katie. Shelley, and I (I am soooo happy for her!)

Pic of the ring (he did a GREAT job)


Noah and I :)

There's nothing like the south in springtime...

I hope that everyone had a very Happy Easter!

I love the spring time here in Florida! The weather is just right. There is this old saying, "there's nothing like the south in springtime." What a true statement. As I am sitting here at work, we have the windows open and its such a beautiful morning. This morning the space shuttle took off from the Cape. I walked outside at 6:21 am and you could see it from our back porch. I used to want to be, among my other career aspirations, an astronaut. The only thing that held me back, I believe, was my fear of flying; that's a major one! In middle school, we were a science magnet and we used to do the space simulations all the time.

Yesterday was the opening day of baseball; another reason I love this time of year! Both the Braves and the Mets are opening today at home. The Braves have a real shot this year (I tend to say this every year).


www.atlantabraves.com

CCR

So, this past week I have found myself listening to "Stupid Boy." It is originally sung by Ketih Urban BUT I found a version by Sarah Buxton and it is absolutely amazing! The lyrics just hit home with me and I find myself playing it over and over again. This week I have also been listening to the magnificent Creedance Clearwater Revival. They are oldies but goodies let me tell you. This music puts me in the summer mentality and just in a good mood in general.


http://www.creedence-online.net/photo_gallery/displayimage-2-15.html

I am right now using my cute, new computer! I am so excited to finally have a new laptop that wasn't made in the stone age. It is red and a dell and cute. I stayed up last night, very frustrated trying to get the internet to work on it. FINALLY, this morning I got it to work. I want to thank everyone who tried to help me get it to work- I know I wasn't the easiest person to deal with last night. I now have a webcam which I am still trying to learn how to use...I mean I just had to have it so I have to now learn how to use it.

Today is Good Friday and what a great Friday it has been. I had the day off so I layed out and just relaxed after having lunch in San Marco with Kel. It was such a beautiful day here and tomorrow is expected to be the same weather.

I am also very excited about Easter and my Easter dress. I tried it on today, just to make sure that it still fit...and it does :).

Happy Friday!

YAY!!!

I woke up this morning to a text message that I was so excited to receive! One of my best friends, whom I am have grown up with since birth, is ENGAGED! I am so excited for Shelley!


This is a pretty old picture- back from freshman year in college I think. But its the only one I could find where we weren't totally acting a fool :)

I'm so thankful to have her as a friend and in my life and can't wait for the excitement that is yet to come!

Oh and update on the Easter dress hunt...I found the perfect one :)

Rainy Days and Mondays

Today is rainy day here, so I have decided to bring a little sun to everyone! This weekend absolutely flew by. Why do weekends seem to do that? We had the banquet on Friday night, which was a treat. The food was amazing and the company wasn't so bad either. Saturday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with an old friend. My friend Lauren Carlucci :) is an amazing woman who I have had the pleasure of being friends with since my freshman year at JU. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know and she would do anything to make you laugh. I have learned a lot from Lauren and enjoy being around her. We went to the Riverside Arts Market and then much to our surprise the annual San Marco Arts Festival was Saturday as well. It was so windy on Saturday that a couple of the booths literally blew away. San Marco is just one of my favorite places in Jacksonville.








So back to Monday. Today I absolutely HAVE TO find an Easter Dress. I can't believe that Easter is this week and I still don't have a dress. Being Southern, this is just unheard of. So today, I am going to find a dress that is perfect for the occasion, hopefully.

Music Friday!

via www.avettbrothers.com

The band I have chosen for music Friday is The Avett Brothers. I have just recently started listening to them and I absolutely love them now! Some of you have probably never heard of them but you should try them out. Of the songs I have listened to so far the one that I like the most is "Find My Love." The lyrics are so real and true.

This weekend is going to be full of friends and relaxing (finally)! I will be headed to the zoo this evening for our annual banquet, where I will get to see the fantastic penguins! Then tomorrow is the Riverside Arts Market. If you haven't been to the market, may I suggest you attend. They are every weekend (April- December) under the Fuller Warren Bridge.


via http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/underbridge.html

There is a lot to do at the arts market. There is fresh produce, art for purchase and of course FOOD! I love this season and living in a place with such amazing weather!

My Little Munchkins

On Wednesday nights I have the privilege of teaching the little 4 and 5 year olds at our church. I get to spend 45 minutes with them and lets just say it feels like an 8 hour day!


This Friday night, we have a banquet at the Jacksonville Zoo. I have been wanting to go to teh zoo; there is a new penguin exhibit, Tuxedo Bay, and I absolutely can't wait! Then on Saturday, my friend Lauren and I are going to go to the Riverside Arts Market and hang around San Marco and have some fun. I haven't talked to her since she got married, we have both been super busy.

Tomorrow, I am going to start my weekly post, Music Friday. I am going to start writing about new bands I have heard or just music that has gotten me through the week.