confessions.

It's amazing to me how God works...how he orchestrates the events in our lives.  Four days ago, the doctors said my brother would be on a ventilator for two weeks following surgery.  After being sick for months and enduring the operation we'd feared all along, he came off the ventilator in only two days.  Yes, two.  His body, overwhelmed with infection, is fighting tooth and nail to heal.  He is exceeding the doctors' expectations for recovery.  Who else could orchestrate these events?  I am so overwhelmed with thanks--for this brother who won't quit, for my supportive and loving family, and for daily reminders that God is real and working in our lives.  I don't mean to sound "religious" or even as if I am this super person who has it all together.  I don't.  BUT, I know that I know (that I know) that I need Jesus all the time and He is here all the time...and I'll leave it at that.

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Confession.  My body is revolting.  I never do that well staying on track when I leave home, and the past four days are confirmation of that.  What is exercise?!  What is fueling my body?!  I wouldn't know because I've done neither of the two.  My menu for today--

Breakfast:  Bacon, Egg whites, and Cheese on a Asiago Bagel 

Lunch:  Angry Birds Gummies, Goldfish, and yellow melon mom cut up yesterday

Dinner:  Does a Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte count?  

Cut me some slack.  I've been at the hospital all day.  I know, no excuse.  I vow to get back on track tomorrow.  Say a prayer!

Confession.  I am ridiculously excited to go back to work.  I know, I know, teachers everywhere are wondering if I'm sick.  But honestly, there is so much excitement that comes with change and new beginnings.  I love my teammates already, and I adore my instructional coach who has been nothing short of incredibly helpful and supportive.  

Confession.  I'm a freak of nature.  I am still recovering from sun poisoning from two weeks ago.  My legs look absolutely ridiculous, and there is no possible way they will heal in time to wear summer attire.  On the plus side (yes, there is a plus side), my ankles are no longer swollen and I can walk without piercing pain all the way down my legs.  On the not-so-plus side, when my legs do heal, they will be just a pale white as they were before.  Winning.

Last confession, I promise.  I miss my husband soooo bad when he's gone whether that's 30 minutes or 5 days.  Being the wonderful man that he is, he brought me home to take care of my brother.  Unfortunately, he had to go back home and work but is driving all the way back to get me this weekend.  A week apart is just too long when you love someone just this much...and it's a HUGE much.  He is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I am really lucky to call him my husband.    Truth <3

downtown and a little cafe.

The last few days have been such a good great time and so full of family, friends, and fun...oh, and FOOD. How could I forget food?!  I couldn't.  I can't think of a better reason to splurge than a birthday, and I definitely splurged on mine.  This year's theme--cupcakes.  My husband knows me so well, he had these in hand first thing Sunday morning.

If you haven't had a Strossner's cupcake, you are definitely missing out.  Thankfully, my mom and her friend were coming for a visit so between family and myself I only actually ate two cupcakes.  Ok, I lied.  I had one every day for three days in a row.  But I'm done.  I'm back on the right track, and I honestly feel much better!  And yes, the birthday celebration lasted a solid three days.  I feel so lucky to have such wonderful family and a husband who treats me like a princess.

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My mom and her longtime friend, Louanne, came to Greenville for a visit to help celebrate my birthday.  We've been learning our way around Greenville and finding all of the best shopping spots.  This morning, we headed downtown to check out the shops and find a local place for lunch.  While I didn't find much in the way of shopping, we hit the gold mine of restaurants.  I'm talking heaven on earth people.  While in a cute little cooking store, we asked the store clerk where might be a good place to eat downtown.  She sent us to Tupelo Honey Cafe.  This super-cute place served up the goods!  My favorite is their Signature House-made Rosemary Peach Lemonade.  But at $3.50 a glass (no refills) and an unknown number of calories, I stuck to one glass.  You better believe I savored every sip.

Yes, those are FRIED okra.

After lunch, I took the girls to see Liberty Bridge...

The view from Liberty Bridge.

It is truly beautiful in downtown Greenville!  It's still hard to believe this is now my home, but I can honestly say it feels more and more like home each day.

Off to pick up the mother-in-law at the airport, and soaking up the rest of my visit with my mom this evening.  Wanted to leave you with this thought...

"You've only got three choices in life--give up, give in, or give it all you've got."  Make each day count. Choose happiness over the negative.  Choose to love others.  Whatever you do, do it with you're whole heart.  

they're how old?!

Last week, Bo worked at a wrestling camp in Wilmington for a few days.  It only seemed obvious that I'd go home for a visit during that time especially since my sisters were having a BIRTHDAY!  It's so hard to believe that they are 11 years old now, going into the 6th grade.  It seems like yesterday that they were just learning to walk and talk.  Now, they starting to think about "big girl" stuff.  It's scary.  I am so thankful to be so close with them and I pray that they always want their big sister around.

On their birthday, I took them to the beach.  I was worried the weather wouldn't hold out, but it ended up being perfect...well, other than the rough waters and gloomy sky!

That's my favorite.  If you look closely, you can see that they gave Alex boobs!  So silly :)  That evening was the real celebration.  My family took the girls to their favorite restaurant, Musashi.  Musashi is a Japanese steakhouse and the girls love to watch them cook the food right in front of you. And, of course, there were presents and dessert.  Three desserts to be exact.

Camryn, Emma, & Alex turn 11!

Awaiting their gifts :)

Needless to say, they had a good day and I was thrilled to be able to spend it with them <3

our new home.

So many are asking for pictures of the new home, so here goes!  If you didn't know, Bo and I moved to Greenville, SC on July 1st to start a new adventure together.  Sometimes change is a good thing, and I believe in my heart of hearts that this was a great decision for us.  We absolutely love it here!

The trip down here was a hoot!  Bo drove the moving truck, pulling my car behind it, and I drove Bo's truck.  Lucy rode shotgun with me and Miller hung out with daddy in the truck.  What should have been a 5 1/2 hour drive took almost 7 hours.  Those trucks are slow!

After arriving, it took me a short two days to get all the boxes unpacked.  My OCD kicked in full gear! While it's still a work in progress, here's a sneak peak at the new place...

On a side note, I finally got a job!  I'll be teaching 5th grade at Hollis Academy, and I am more excited than I've been in a very long time.  It'll be a challenge for me since I'm changing grade levels and teaching all subjects, but I'm up for it.  As soon as I can get in my classroom, I'll be posting progress pics of the room as I transform it into my own.  I'm looking forward to building new relationships with coworkers, and getting to know my 5th grade babies :)

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Heading to our NEW gym to take a Zumba class with my sister-in-law!  So nice to have a workout buddy here.  Check back later...I'll be posting pics from the birthday festivities last week with my sisters.  Don't miss it!

life through my iPhone.

It's been crazy hectic.  I'm the world's worst blogger, I know.  Between work, drill team, and grad school I can barely catch my breath.  Add something else to that...Bo and I are moving!  On July 1, we will move in to our new place in Greenville, SC!!  We are really excited to start this new chapter in our lives.  Of course, it is bittersweet.  My family lives in New Bern and we both are having a hard time leaving our teams.

Bo was offered a job as AD, coach, and health/PE teacher and he couldn't turn it down.  I still don't have a job, but I am confident and have faith that with God's help, I'll end up exactly where I belong.  I've been doing some pretty extensive job hunting but haven't had any bites yet.  I don't have children so being a stay-at-home mom just isn't an option ;)

My spare time has consisted of lots of workouts, food prepping, and spending time with family and friends.  I wouldn't trade my busy life for the world because I know I'll never get these moments back.

Stephanie's birthday outing!

Post-5K at Furman University

Lots of food shopping and prep, prep, prep work.

Field tripping at Shackleford Island

Jesus Calling...a daily staple.

Homework never ends.

Grover's new mascot.  In case you're wondering, it's a naked hamster.

Binge eating.

Stole my phone.  Weird.

Dates with my soulmate <3

 So, while I may not be blogging, I am doing something.  In store for this weekend...a Mother's Day dinner with my mother in law, and lunch tomorrow with mom and the family!  Love family time :)  Make it a great weekend!