**Photgraphy Site**

Started something new! For those of you who know me, know I love taking pictures, so as a result I started a little business of my own called Scenes N Things Photography! I have always dreamed of being able to one day decorate my own house with photography, and I thought some other people may also want to use real photography to decorate there house. Now you can take advantage of that by going to ScenesNThingsPhotography.blogspot.com to check it out!

Things People (We) Say...

I started thinking tonight about my childhood and my past and it is so amazing the things people say. Not excluding myself because we all do it! Making promises we don't intend to keep to friends and everyone around us, and I do not what made me think about it, but my rambling mind just went there, and it started down several paths. You know as a child we dream up all these things, what our spouse will be like, what kind of house we will have, the car we will drive, and what we will be when we grow up, and not all the times but most of the times it is SILLY and so funny to think back on. When in all reality God has different plans for us, plans we usually don't see coming for us! MUCH MUCH GREATER things than what we could EVER imagine! Like usually, the moment you quit looking for love is when you find it! Or when the moment you think now is the time I give up on whatever it may be that is when God prevails and turns that right around and gives you something or blesses you in a way that you never imagined He would! But to get back to the things people say, it just amazes me because you tell your best friend from kindergarten you will be friends forever, and not to say that doesn't happen, because sometimes it does, but you don't know that, life happens, and everyone changes and goes there own direction! And talking about people change boy don't we all! I know personally I have changed, not for the bad but changes do come in our life, as life happens and things happen, they make us into who we are, so personally I think we all change on a daily basis because of who we meet, the paths we go down, and the choices we make! Kind of similar to the song by Lady Antebellum "leave your plans behind" and this is what you have to do because God's plans are so much bigger than any plans we could ever have for ourselves for example...I NEVER thought I would have such an AMAZING boyfriend like I have now, God REALLY surpassed my expectations and blessed me in a BIG way, BJ is everything I dreamed about and more. The jobs that I have today in a time when it is hard to find one, I have two maybe not what I went to school for, but that will come in God's timing and not a day before, of course some days it is harder for me to focus in on that than others but I try and I am learning it is about counting the blessings that you do have not focusing on what you don't have! I have met some GREAT people along my journey so far and know that this will continue! God has placed some very wise people in my life that make me see these positives things even when I don't really want to! And I am not one bit disappointed for the things people have said or done in my life, or the things that I have been through in my life because they all are a part of me and made me who I am today, if it wasn't for all of these things I would not be where I am today or who I am today! Never do I regret for one moment the people I have encountered or been friends with througout my life so far because they all are a part of who I am today! I feel that you are a changed person because of each person that you meet and that God places in your path! So I am thankful for each person that I get to encounter and meet each day, there is a reason for that!

BUSY BUSY

Well have been looking for a REAL job....on vacation...and working at Cato's and Weight Watchers!!! Still haven't found a teaching job...still looking...quite a bummer especially since I just completed 4 years of college to get a degree that I can't even find a job for now...still hoping and praying for something to come along!!! Went to Gatlinburg with BJ we rented a cabin up there and had an ABSOLUTE BLAST!!! What an amazing place and time we had!!! I MISS IT!!! Work at Cato's and Weight Watchers is still trudging along!!!

NEW JOB!!!

Well the church I intervewed with for the teaching position...filled it but not with me...and I am still waiting to hear back from the charter school!! Hoping to find a teaching job especially since I have been in school for four years working toward that degree!! But, I got the job with weight watchers, which just thrills me to death because I really really wanted this job!! I start training thursday night, at the boiling springs location. I absolutely cannot wait!! I will start out training as a receptionist because you have to know how to do that before you become a leader...it is a 4-6 week span of training and then you have to start training as a leader if that is what you want to do!!! I hope to one day become a leader at Weight Watchers, but that will all come with time, going to take it all one step at a time!! I was so excited when I received the phone call because this has been a long time coming and waited for, for a long time!! The centers are becoming computerized but we all still have to be paper trained in case of emergencies when the computers are down or when the power is out and then we will be trained on the computers!! I am so excited about starting...I cannot wait!!! I will continue working with weight watchers even when I do get a teaching job!! If I do not get a teaching job for this coming year I plan to eventually go full time with weight watchers, where I will be scheduled for certain days that are consistent week to week and to sub on the days I am off at weight watchers....that way I can get my foot in the door at some schools for the next year...and when I get my teaching job I will go part time with weight watchers!!! I believe this will be an outstanding job to have, the atmosphere always seems friendly and welcoming!! It will also be so much FUN!!! So ready to start!!!

CHANGES and NEW THINGS to COME

Well I have had a couple of interviews with schools and waiting to hear back from them. Praying that they went well and that I will hear back. I also have an interview coming up June 11th with weight watchers!! This I am very excited about because it is something that is very near to my heart seeing that just this past december I hit my weight goal from doing weight watchers and am in a size four...a size I have NEVER seen before until now and NEVER though I would even starting weight watchers I was expecting an 8 maybe boy did I surprise myself...quite amazing really. With all this going on I get stressed and bogged down worrying as I wait to hear back and know which way my life will go next! I know it is all in God's hands and He is in control, but at the same time being human I still worry and wish I knew. It is hard to know that this could be the start of my career or that I may be waiting another year for it to come to me. I know either way, whatever happens it is in God's hands and what is meant to be will happen, but I am not much of a person who likes to wait!! SO keep me in your prayers. On the other hand on the 23rd and this month me and BJ will be together for a year and a half which floors me, because this is the longest relationship I have ever been in, I believe he is the one for me and hope he feels the same!! I know there are some out there that NEVER thought it would be possible for me to be "serious" about anyone and that I would always date someone for a few months and then break it off because of an uneasy feeling that I get!! BUT believe it or NOT I have made it and boy has it paid off!! And Honestly i think the reason none of those others worked or that I got that feeling is because it just simply was not meant to be!! Anyone that knows me knows that I have always said what is meant to be will happen!!! I am the luckiest girl alive and wow am I glad that waited it out because I have met the man of my dreams!!! It is hard for me to believe that me and BJ have been together this long...it feels like just yesterday we met and started dating!!! I have so much fun with him...from fishing...yes me fishing, I LOVE it it is so much fun...going new places we have never been, going hiking, going to see a movie, going to downtown greenville to walk around and spend the day together, and so much more!!! No matter what we are doing together is always fun...at least I think so!!! :-D Well I just wanted to bring an update...because I am trying to blog more!!!

Busy Busy Busy

I know I haven't been blogging very much lately! I have been staying very busy...between looking for a teaching job and working at Cato's and babysitting I have been very busy! I haven't had much time to blog!! But summer has started and I am loving it!! This satuday me and BJ have a fishing tournament that we are in together at Lake Wiley. It is there his and her tournament that his mom and dad puts on. I am very excited...lol yes excited about fishing!! I have really started to enjoy going fishing with him, we usually go about once or twice every two to three weeks or so at the pond, or when it is pretty and have time and are off together!! I haven't actually caught anything but I have had some bites. I am hoping this luck turns around on Saturday lol we shll see!! I am dstill going to Weight Watchers...I am a lifetime member there and have hit my goal weight but still go to stay on track and to get the support from the meetings because that is what really makes the difference!! I am telling you I absolutely love it and I feel amazing!!! I have lost 35 pounds total...and have dropped 4 sizes!!! WOW I know its amazing!!! I NEVER thought I would be saying I wear a size four and NEVER thought I would have lost 35 pounds. I started out saying if I could get in a size 8 I would be happy and wow did I surpass that thought and blew myself away!!! Weight Watchers is the first thing I have done been able to stick to...and its not about dieting for a week or however long it takes you to lose your weight and then going back to how things were...it is TRULY a lifestyle change it teaches you how to eat better and to be more aware of what you are eating. Well that is all I have time for now...trying to get back blogging regularly but we all know how that goes!!!

Super Long Time...and SO much has happened!!!

Well...where to start?...I have finished my student teaching placement...wow what an experience...I had a BLAST and am very blessed...I learned so much and had a GREAT class...not the end though I still plan to go back and see them...through attending a zoo field trip with them, their end of the year program, and for field day! I have finished everything school related and graduate on Tuesday. It is so hard for me to believe that four years ago I started college and now in less than 4 days I will be graduated! It seems like just yesterday I graduated high school and was just starting college. I will have a degree in Early Childhood Education and now it is facing the battle of finding a job teaching...with the job market we have today. Me and BJ are GREAT...we have been together for a year four months and eight days! Hard for me to believe but I wouldn't trade our relationship for the world...I LOVE him with all my heart and soul! He is honestly the BEST thing that has and could have ever happened to me!! He stays by my side through it all...he is always there for me no matter what!! I have lost 37 pounds on weight watchers and I feel GREAT...it is the best thing I have ever done!!! I went from a size 12 to a size 4...its amazing!! I am loving the way I feel...its fabulous!!!

Catching Up

Wow...it has been a while!!! Student teaching is going GREAT!!! It keeps me very very very busy...and I go to bed way early and get up all the earlier but it's so much fun!!! I look forward to the weekend so I can catch up on my sleep and spend time with BJ!!! I love my class and I am having an awesome experience!!! I take over full time the week of Feb. 16th and will be for 6 weeks!!! I am really blessed to be in such an awesome class....Everyone at the school is very welcoming and friendly and so willing to help in any way they can!!! Spanish class on Mon. and Wed. is going well!! BJ and I are GREAT...we both have new jobs now and aren't working together anymore, it was a huge adjustment at first but we have both handled it well!! And not seeing him everyday just makes it that much better when I do...I love him with all of my heart!!! As much as I hate not seeing him everyday, it is GREAT when I do get to see him!!! Once this semester is over we will be back to seeing each other everyday...and I will be graduated!!! I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!!! He holds my heart!!!

I love the way that people try to make real bold statements by leaving comments but yet they post them anonymously...like that takes real guts. And the thing is...is that if they weren't reading or checking my blog they would have NO idea what was being said and it just goes to say that it must have been someone that it was about or else they wouldn't feel they needed to post anonymously. They would have felt that they could post it and let their name be shown but yet again that goes back to people sticking their noses where they don't belong. And if they weren't in the wrong they wouldn't feel a need to defend themselves. And me sharing what I want to my friends and family shouldn't concern anyone else...this is used to keep my family and friends that I don't see everyday up to date on what is going on in my life and how things are going...for those that don't fit into those categories...I don't see any of this being in their concern...why would they even begin to waste their time reading my page about my life...hmmm...maybe they don't have a life of their own...well in that case feel free to read and post what ya want but don't be surprised when I continue posting about what is happening in my life and the ones I love lives as well and I can say that if you don't feel like I should be posting that then heck go find someone elses blog to read and get a dang life!!!!!!!

So close to the END!!!!

Well......it went by soooo fast and I didn't think I would be saying this but college has went by extremely fast and I have only one semester left in which I will be sudent teaching!!!! I found out I will be at Oakland Elementary School next semester with a Kindergarten Class with Mrs. Showen for my student teaching!!! :-D We have a lot of upcoming meetings to meet with our teachers from our schools and lots of work before this semster is up!!! I graduate on May 5th 2009, which is extremely hard for me to believe...by this time next year I will hopefully have a job and be teaching :-D!!!! I am very excited about student teaching but at the same time a little nervous about it!!! More to come soon!!!

Wow...how things and people change!!!!

It amazes me how quickly things and people change!!!! I have learned quite a few things here very recently and even up to the last 5 months!!! I have learned that no matter what your family and the ones that truly love you will be by your side no matter what happens or comes your way!!! I have also learned that you have to be cautious who you trust and to what extent you trust them NOT saying at all that you shouldn't trust but just that you should be cautious!!! I have also learned that the things you think will never happen probably will and the people you think will never let you down may be the first ones to do that!!! I have learned that you have to forgive and forget and move on with your life no matter if the others choose to move on or not...because sometimes they just aren't ready for that step!!!! Be Optimistic! Give people a chance they may prove you wrong!!! Love comes when you least expect it!!! Be the change you want to see in the world it has to start somewhere!!! Don't hold grudges because you never know how long we have!!! So overall I have learned that no matter what be who you are and if people don't like it that's something they have to deal with!!! Smile no matter what happens because it may brighten someone elses day that needs it more than you do!!! Laugh as often as you can and enjoy every minute of it!!! Enjoy what you have and what you do because you never know when your last moments are or how long you have!!!! These are a few things I have learned recently!!!!

It has been a LONG time!!!

Well...it has been a very long time since I have been on here to update!!! Stayed busy with school and work a lot lately!!! Me and BJ have been dating for over 9 months now and he is sooo awesome!!! I love him with all my heart!!! I am sooo lucky to have him!!! I am about half through my first semester of my senior year and my last semester of college is approaching rapidly!!! It is sooo hard to believe I only have one semester left and that will be student teaching!!! Now don't get me wrong I am very excited but...it is sooooo hard to believe how fast it is approaching...I am a little nervous but I always am when faced with new challenges. Drew and Mikayla are growing sooo fast...I can't believe how fast they are growing!!! Work is still going well...I stil enjoy it a whole lot and love what I do!!! Well that's it for now may I will stay on top of updating a little better.

Back again...after a long time of not blogging!!! Its been busy!! Still working at Ron's waiting tables and at Sassy's Tan and Style!! Me and BJ just celebrated our five months of dating on Friday :-D!!! He is the GREATEST guy ever and he means the world to me!!! He has my heart!! I am the luckiest girl ever to have such a GREAT guy!!! Yea I know some of you are probably thinking wow how has he put up with her that long ;-) lol who knows but I sure am glad he has :-D!!! I start summer school a week from tomorrow on June 2nd and will be there from 9-3 45 mon-thurs taking Chemistry!!! What fun ha yea right!!! But its ok because I know some people i am taking that class with so it won't be so bad!!! Then in July I am taking Spanish 1 mon- thurs 11 15- 1 so that isn't quite as bad!!! Went swimming today with BJ, my sis, drew and mikayla...we had so much fun!!! Well swimming wore me out today so Im off to bed!!!

Everything has started back up!!! Another year ahead!!

Everything has started back up and it has been busy busy busy for me!!! School has started and is going well!! I am in my block education courses, and they are GREAT...I have five classes on monday I have 2 classes the 1st one goes from 8 30- 11 10 and the second goes from 11 20- 1 50, then on tuesdays and thursdays I have the same class from 11 45- 1, on wednesdays I have my Clinical one from 8 30- 12 10 and this where I will be traveling to my set school to observe and do some hand on things in the classroom before beginning to do student teacheing they want us to have some experience in the classroom! So far we have been at the Child Development Center at Upstate, and it has been a lot of fun, on fridays my class goes from 8 30- 11 10. I am really enjoying this semesters classes...they are all geared toward my major and they really teach us a lot about the things we truly need to focus on in becoming teachers!!! Work is still going well. Its been crazy lately Im either at school, work, with BJ, or at church!! Haven't been able to go to church as much as I would like to bc I am over the floor at Ron's on Sundays so I have to be there! SO some Sunday nights I am able to make it to church and some Wednesday nights!! We have started meeting at Ron's on Monday nights to have a Bible Study since we are closed on Mondays ad I really enjoy being a part of that!!! Well thats what's been going on in my life lately!!!

It has been a while and LOTS has happened!!!!

Passed this semester of classes.....and got into the teaching program and will be starting classes in the education department on Jan. 14th!!! I am excited!! I also have started dating a guy that I work with and he is a great guy!!! He is respectful, very sweet, and just the best!!! I turned another year old im now the big 21 and I have heard its all downhill from here...but I believe thats just some peoples state of mind!!! My Christmas and New Years was GREAT...busy but GREAT..spent time with those that I love the most and the ones that are the funnest to be with and thats what it is all about!!!! I also just got back from Gatlinburg with my church which was a lot of fun!!! We had some pretty interesting times their and we learned a lot!!! Saw lots of GREAT bands in concert like Toby Mac, Chris Tomlin, Skillet, and Sanctus Real!! So now its just home and work and getting ready for school to start back on the 14th!! Got to get some things ready before starting back on the 14th but for the most part I will be ready to go when it starts!!! I know how I get and with me starting something new I will be nervous at the beginning but it will all work out!!!

Hey Hey!!!

It has been forever since I have last posted!!! I took the praxis~ a test that I have to take to get into the professional education program at USC Upstate~ on October 25th and passed both the reading and the math!! I am still waiting to get my writing scores back from it!!! My grandmother went in the hospital yesterday because her heart rate was too high, the doctors did some test on her that they were suppose to get back to day, she seems to be holding up fine, and I ask that each of you will keep my family in your prayers!!! And tonight my mom decided she wanted something to do at night and she starts working at Ron's Hog Pen with me tonight...she was so excited!!!! I dropped my Chemistry class and lab that I had on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I felt like if I was to stay in there it would drop my gpa so I went ahead and got out. I will be taking this class and Spanish in summer school!!! So that I will still be able to graduate on time!!!

WOW...been a while since I have done a post just because!!!!

Lets just say in the least LOTS and lots of stuff has happened since I posted a new blog just because!!!! Well school has gotten very very hectic for one lots of homework, test, projects , Rons Hog Pen is going GREAT I love it...the atmosphere and everything is GREAT...I am such a people person so this is right up my alley!!!!.....Now for the more serious of it all...I have also let myself be consumed by many things that I should not have even worried about by knowing me I think I have to be in control...and its God's place not mine and I find this every single time...so now once again here to say im handing the reigns back over....this occurs very often I know!!!! And I have had a lot on my mind lately with guys/ relationships not knowing which way to go not knowing really what to do....and I have been holding off not going forward with what I really needed to do until 2night...and finally did what I felt compelled to do all day which was talk to one of my exes about some stuff that needed to be cleared up.......and wow I'm tellin you what s much as I had been praying about everything it was JUST what I needed to hear....gave me closure and let me know I could really move on and not feel bad which I have a real tendency to do!!!! I'm telling you this makes me smile :-D on the inside big time because I have needed this for so long !!!! I don't know what it is but I have a real heart for people and hate to feel like I am hurting someone's feelings which sometimes puts me at a disadvantage but its just part of who I am so I make do!!!! But 2night I'm tellin you God is really an on time God because I needed this and it was an answer to my prayers.......and I got exactly what I needed!!!!!! I don't think it could have came at a better time to be honest with you!!!!

I's been WAY too LONG!!!!!

Wow...its been quite some time!!!!......I have started school for the fall semester..which is going pretty well a little hectic right now though!!!! We have a ton of freshman and new transfers..which means the campus is growing BUT the parking is absolutely NUTS I thought is was bad my past 2 years but um WOW no nothing even compared to this year doesn't even hold a candle to it!!!! They have made some additional parking but geez that doesn't help much bc its full 2..I really don't know what they are going to end up doing but they are going to have to do something!!! Got my last of my basic education classes this semester its going to be NO piece of cake but it is going to be FUN!!! And well while im at it, I start a new job on Monday which I am pretty excited about...back to waiting tables I go at Ron's Hog Pen...and believe it or not I have missed it.......I love meeting new people and its just a way to have fun while you work and the way I see it if I am going to work I might as well have fun while I am at it...don't get me wrong there are bad days but ya know they are worth it......not that I think that at the time everything is going on...you know just things that can go wrong on a typical bad day...but like I said its worth it!!!!.....I go for orientation 2morrow at 2:00...I ask for ya'lls prayers because I got to ask about Wednesday Nights off so I can still continue helping with my churches Youth Group with the Word of Life Ministry we do on Wednesday Nights.....so I am just hoping they will be able to do that for me!!! So if ya don't mind say a prayer for me!!! Well its off to hit the books to do some homework, it doesn't just do itself I have figured out lol so someone has to do it lol so I better get to it!!!!

Been a WHILE

It has been quite a while since I have just done a regular post on here....been pretty busy!!!! Everything has been going pretty good though!!! Had a pool party Friday night for the youth before the lock in at the church and WOW it was so fun but I am one of the most GRACEFUL people ever ha....feel onceat the pool and once playing hid and go seek!!! Lets see......def broke the bottoms of my swim suit LOL which was quite hilarious I must say!!!!....Gah and I am sooo sore from running around and just being goofy but thats how we are!!!! Then once everyone left here we all headed back to the church to play hide and seek in the dark which yea is pretty much GREAT even at the age of 20....we played with glow sticks around our necks only that we kept takin off and hiding when we were in our hiding spots so we wouldn't b spotted!!! Then me and Trish stayed in our hiding spot for 45 minutes because they couldn't find us...as she fell asleep and started snoring lol but we had a BLAST!!!!! Went and got stuff ready for school to start BLAH.....which it starts in a little over a week!! I really have to work my butt off this year to make the grades I need!!! I really am going to have to make some adjustments in how I study and to really buckling down this year!! I know I can do it...its just setting my mind to doing that and going after it!!! I have gotten a good bit off track from God and I really need to reset that as well!!! I plan to start working on that and gettin back to where I need to be with that!!!!

UPDATES

Well......writing again after a LONG time!!!....Been busy busy busy!!!.......New Orleans went GREAT....got refreshed and recharged!! It was exciting and glad that I had the opportunity to go!! We gutted houses cleaned them out it was amazing to me how after 2 years how much destruction was still there and the stuff that still needed to be done there. I am so glad that I decided to go and that I was given the opportunity to go......It helped me a lot and got me to the place where I need to be face to face with God again and back on track!!! Keep me in your prayers that I will stay where I need to be and keep my focus!! Benn through a lot lately but I know God is there by my side and with me at all times...just got to let him have control of it all and keep giving Him everything daily and stop trying to do it all on my own!!! Also keep Michael Mitchem's family and friends in your prayers he was a friend of my family and died Wednesday due to a car accident that happened on Saturday