Four...

Four years of high school all came rushing back to me as I sat back quietly watching the other members of the class of 2000 during our visit to the park today. We had a great bbq lunch while the boys tossed washers, the girls sat around gabbing, and the kids ran around playing. About a third of the group that showed up brought kids. It was quite interesting to see how the kiddos are shaping up to be just like their parents, sometimes a good thing, sometimes not. A few awards were handed out, like most marriages, most kids, furthest traveling distance, and most unchanged (which went to my best friend by the way).

After a big group picture, everyone began to slowly disperse to rest up for the fun night planned at the karaoke bar. I took a little time to get ready; after all I don’t go out very often. I have to say that this was my favorite event. Everyone was having a great time, sharing memories, laughing, and talking about the future. It was kind of funny having drinks with these people, seeing as the last time we were together, it was illegal for us to do so. Most of the group only graced the dance floor to do the electric slide and only one person got up to sing, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless with just sharing our stories.

By the end of the night, we all felt reunited. While most of us still keep in touch through Facebook, it was nice to all be together again at the same time in the same place. As Justin and I headed back home, I felt grateful that I was able to break away from the times that once held me back, and look ahead to the success that I have found.

I now realize that success is the best form of payback…

Three...

Three events over the course of two days made up the Class of 2000 Reunion. The reunion was a lot of fun, but at the same time made me realize that I am so grateful for my life and what I have made of it. Most everyone there had been successful in some way with a career, children, and/or a spouse. It’s amazing to see how no one has really changed in ten years, but everyone has matured. Naturally, the events progressed as no time had passed with everyone flocking to their high school cliques.

The first event was a gathering last night at the Homecoming football game. It was fun cheering for the home team, resulting in a win for us. I spent the time catching up with my best girl friends in school. My very favorite part of the evening was spending time with such special friends. After the game, we had a bonfire with smores at the home of the married high school sweethearts. It was great fun to visit with more friends and catch up on what everyone was doing.

That evening I came to several conclusions: the jocks were still throwing the football around, the smart guys were talking about their intellectual jobs, the less ambitious ones were talking about their jail-time, the stuck-up girl was still acting rudely, the sweet girls were still sweet, the kids that partied all the time were still partying, the quiet kids were still quiet, the loud ones were still loud, and everyone that was married, married someone that complemented their personality.

It’s funny how no matter how much older I am, more confident I am, or successful I am, when put back in that atmosphere, my insecurities come flooding back to me. I felt out of place often in school, always feeling like the kid on the outside of the circle. I fit in right where I am in my life now, and I’m very happy, so none of that stuff even matters to me anymore.

To Be Continued…

Two...

Two months ago, I was completely clueless and unsure of what was in my future. My faith told me everything would be okay, but my human emotions told me I might never find success. Every time I have set a goal for myself, God has led me to the finish line. The thing about this race is that it only ends when we have come to the end of our life. So, I keep making goals for myself and simply start a new race as soon as the previous one ends.

The first goal I remember setting for myself outside of high school activities was a college education. It took me 9 years, a lot of ups and downs, many sleepless nights, and naturally a lot of perseverance. God was definitely by my side guiding me.

Ever since Justin and I were married in 2003, we have accomplished the things we have set out to do, mainly due to our faith and patience. We’ve worked hard to get each other through school, keep our heads above water when times got tough, and stay out of debt. Every year of our 7 years of marriage has brought some sort of challenge.

This last year has been very trying for us both, not knowing what the future would hold and being stuck in an unchanging limbo. Within a few weeks, our lives have been turned upside-down in a great way! We’re finally reaping the benefits of all of our hard work over the past 10 years or so.

In just the last month, I have finally gotten a job that will help us move on down the road in regards to a career, home, and family. We have joined a new church where we can serve the Lord and grow as Christians. We have been fortunate enough to be able to purchase a wonderful new vehicle.

I hope that if nothing else, I am able to inspire people to keep going in life and to never give up. There is no doubt in my mind that God rewards those that strive to live their lives according to His will. Our life has definitely turned 180 degrees in the last two months, and we’re loving every minute of it.

An excerpt from my favorite hymn, “Sing and Be Happy”

“Sing and you’ll be happy today
Press along to the goal
Trust in Him who leadeth the way
He is keeping your soul.”

Never stop looking ahead to the finish line…

One...

One day in a land far, far away, there was the absolute perfect car that Justin and Erica had always dreamed of. It just so happened that the stars aligned that day because Justin and Erica drove that perfect car home.

Justin grew up loving Fords, and Erica grew up loving Chevrolets. However, when it came time to look for a new vehicle for the family, Chevrolet did not offer the car that Erica wanted. So, unfortunately, Erica’s GM mechanic father would just have to sulk.

Justin and Erica drove the “Banana-Mobile” (their old yellow car) to the car dealership that was over an hour away late this morning. After several hours of paper work and negotiations, Erica drove away with the car of her dreams. Who would have thought in two weeks time Erica would have a new job and a new car? Certainly not her!

Justin and Erica celebrated at one of their favorite Cajun seafood restaurants, Razzoo’s. Their fried pickles are to-die-for. After the drive home and a nap, Justin and Erica decided to take the car out for some family bonding at the local Drive-In Movie Theater. It was so much fun for them, sitting in the back of the SUV with the hatch up. They both beamed with pride at the awesomeness of their choice and purchase! They look forward to cooler weather with no mosquitoes. They still had fun nonetheless!

The light blue 2008 Ford Edge includes the following awesome qualities: the coolest color ever, leather interior, lots of room, a giant sunroof, exquisite cup holders, a 6 disc CD changer, SYNC (which allows Erica to tell the car what she wants it to play from her IPOD as well as talk on her phone hands free through the car), a smooth ride, 20” chrome wheels, and lots of other special features that make this car ah-mazing!

Justin and Erica are very happy with their decision and hope to have many happy years in their new-to-them car. Erica feels so lucky because she got the boy she wanted, the education she wanted, the job she wanted, and now the car she wanted! Erica is a strong believer in working hard and is having a wonderful time enjoying the benefits that come from that hard work!

If at first things don’t go your way, give it time. Sometimes patience is the only answer…

Purple...

I think it’s fitting that I wore a purple peasant top to work today not even thinking that I would be writing about ‘The Color Purple’. When I think about this color, I always think of the cheeriest dinosaur on earth, Barney. In addition, Prince not only dabbles in songs about red; he also has a song called ‘Purple Rain’.

Enjoy some fun purple stuff… I’ve pretty much decided I don’t have enough juice to do my blog justice 5 times a week. So, after this week, you can expect the old fascinating, witty, and exciting posts on the weekends!

Watch out for the one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater…

Red...

Today’s color is red! I’m looking for something in red…I found a few things. Here goes…

Red Songs:

The Red…Chevelle
Little Red Rooster…Rolling Stones
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer…Gene Autry
99 Red Balloons…Nena
Lady In Red…Chris De Burgh
Red Red Wine…UB40
Little Red Corvette…Prince





Red Stuff:

Ruby Red Slippers
Red Watermelon
Red Traffic Light
Red Delicious Apple
Red Tomato
Read Newspaper…haha
Little Red Riding Hood
Red Dawn (the movie)
Red Lobster
Red Hat Society
The Red Cross
Red Hot Chili Peppers (band)

I think I might paint the town red this weekend after I’ve read a good magazine with a glass of red wine and a slice of red-rind cheese followed by painting my toenails red while listening to ‘Little Red Corvette’ and dabbing on some red lip gloss.

This is a cake...wow!

If you mix red and blue together, you get purple…

Brown...

I haven’t always been a fan of brown. It’s probably my least favorite color. However, here recently, I’ve really been loving browns and beiges. I don’t really like to wear it unless there is a pattern or picture that accompanies it. I do really like brown shoes, though. I think one thing I really like about browns and beiges is the naturalness of them. Things that come from nature are often brown. Some of my favorite brown things are: seashells, chocolate, wood, trees, sand, and coffee.

Since I continue to be extremely tired when I get home from work, yes work!, you will continue to get blog posts that are easy for me to write with little thinking involved. Maybe in the future I can get back to the witty and fun posts. Or maybe, I’ll trade off five mediocre weekday posts for three outstanding weekend posts. We’ll see which way the wind blows. For now, enjoy some of my favorite brown things.

“If I stand here, I can see the little red-haired girl when she comes out of her house…Of course, if she sees me peeking around this tree, she’ll think I’m the dumbest person in the world…But if I don’t peek around the tree, I’ll never see her…Which means I probably AM the dumbest person in the world…Which explains why I’m standing in a batch of poison oak.” –Charlie Brown

My favorite brown thing is…definitely…chocolate…