I am exhausted. But I had things on my mind and I want to get them out. I closed on my house on Tuesday!!! Everything went great! Monday night I got a phone call from my realtor saying that the money from the seller had not showed up in the bank yet for the closing, so she didn't know for sure if I would be able to get the keys at the closing...so I was pretty bummed after hearing that!! But an hour and 15 minutes before the closing the money showed up!!!! I was so thankful!!

I feel so blessed with the people that God brought in to my life with this whole home buying thing. My realtor, Karin, was on top of things and was so easy to work with and made me feel so comfortable during the whole process. She is a member of the Rickelton family for sure!!! And the lady I worked with at Piedmont Federal, Lois, was also on top of things and took care of me completely!! She even prayed for me. So God really took care of me through those women.

Tonight I went to the my house to do a few things and 2 of my best friends moms wanted to come and bring me dinner, so of course I said sure!! And when they came up to the door, Jolene had an enormous basket in her hands overflowing with cleaning stuff, a broom, papertowels, toilet paper, plastic ware, lots and lots of other goodies! And they got me this basket(yay Sarah!!!) that I have admired for months with my name on it! They also got me a set of dishes ( which I didn't have) and some drinking glasses and silverware!!!! Nice silverware!! Oh man I was so excited!!! They were my first dinner guests and we ate on my patio!! They are the most generous women!!! I am so thankful to have people like them in my life! Thank you so much Lesa and Jolene! I love y'all!!

So thankfully I have a 3 day weekend and I will have time to paint and get some other things done. I am a little overwhelmed but just so excited for this new journey in my life. I love new journeys, new beginnings, new places! I am so thankful that God made this possible and I'm sure it will make me more dependent on him, which I need!

Now...I need to make a list before I try to fall asleep!! And I will leave you with some pics...

Happy Fourth Of July!!!!

Beach trip 2009!!!

Our yearly beach trip is what the whole family talks about all year long. We always have a great time and now that the kids are getting older (and one on the way!!!) it just gets better! We spent most of our time at the pool, at the beach, and at night eating dinner together and playing games every night. Not knowing what time of day or day of the week is freeing. I wish vacation like these happened more frequently. I am very thankful for the family that I have and for having family that actually want to vacation together. Ava and Jackson are so blessed to have 2 aunts and an uncle and a mimi and a papa who spend so much time together!! Can I PLEASE so back now!!!!

2 years!!!

Next week will be my 2 year anniversary working at Baptist Hospital. I never thought I would ever say that! Recently I have been thinking about what a huge accomplishment that is for me. I looked for an old journal that I was writing in the month or so before I started work in 2007 and wanted to share what I had written.

June 19, 2007

I want to be at peace with my job starting next week or even some reassurance that this is the right thing. I know I need this experience and this struggle to mature in all of lifes areas. When I walk in there on Wednesday morning I want to feel God carrying me through, to feel his presence. I can't get through this without God. This job is satans trap for me because I'm entering a place full of doubt, selfishness, lies and aggressiveness, all of those things satan knows that I struggle with. I'm scared.

June 22, 2007

God- when I walk in to Baptist allow the Jennie that you created to come out, to blossom, allow me to have an attitude that is humbling and serving. 3 more days til I start. On the 3rd day Christ arose, maybe today is the day for a new resurrection.

Two years later I am still there. Working hard every day. Holding patients hands. Standing up to people who want to see my fail. Proving that God never lets go of his beloved. During those times before and during work I doubted God. Not understanding why he would put me in a place where I could have easily failed. And there were times that I did screw up and I am still learning every day how to do my job better.

I don't have the perfect job. I stand on my feet about 7 out of the 8 hours every week day. I wear 20 pound lead every day. I listen to doctors talk badly about everyone but themselves. I smell/see/hear the most vile things.

I just wanted to share my thoughts because if you have been praying for peace and reassurance about something, know that God doesn't always answer and show you things right away. He wanted me to work where I work in order for me to grow and look to Him in a deeper and a more intense way. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had at work and for getting to know some very big hearted and funny people. And thankful to have a job right now...even though I am writing this while I am on-call and that beeper could go off any time between now and 7 am tomorrow...I am still thankful.

Congratulations Byron and Sarah!!!

Getting in the car!

Sarah on the way to the ceremony!!

I was so honored to be a part of their special and rain-free day!! I will miss both of them so much, but so excited for their new journey!!! Love you guys!!

I'm a big girl now!

I bought a townhouse!!

More pictures to follow, but just thought I'd give a view of the front and back!

And just wanted to give a shout out to my neice Ava. I went to her dance recital on Sunday and was just so amazed at how excited she was, how great she did, and how fearless she was! She has made my name mean so much more (Aunt Jennie), she brought our family together and my heart melts everytime she runs in to my arms for hugs. Her giggles brighten my day, her smiles tell how much love she has to give. I get so excited when I know I get to see her again! She is my buddy and my favorite neice!!! Can't wait for the beach this year Ava!! I love you so much!

The month of April!

Here are some pictures of things going on in my life lately...

Me and Katie at Melissa's baby shower
Me and Melissa at her shower!

Melissa with her great cake!!

My lovely bible study ladies

Another one of me and Katie, at Byron and Sarah's wedding shower

Patrick and Erin singing in Nashville

Me and Grandpa in Paris

Me and Grandma in Paris...probably the first digital camera picture that my grandparents have ever taken!

And the lovely couple themselves...I miss them oh so much!

Now my next exciting venture is that I am house hunting!!!! (Well townhouse)

Things are getting pretty deep and I have been looking at several, just very overwhelming at the whole idea, but it is time to do it and I am so excited!! Please pray that I make the best decision! And me and the family go to the beach in a MONTH!? It is a lot sooner this year and having something to look forward to makes the work week a lot brighter! Even after the awful weekend I had, a total of 21 hours of work this weekend. One hour of sleep on Sunday night and worked 8 hours on Monday!! So, that was the worst weekend of my career so far! I'm sure there will be others!

I love beautiful Spring days.

Did God know what he was doin' or what?!

This was my view from my blanket...

OH and....GO HEELS!!!!!