New Adventures

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Actually, that may be an understatement! The most exciting being that Kyle and I are finally married! June 16^th was the happiest day of my life. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. I am so happy that I was able to share it with my family and friends. Sunday after the wedding, Kyle and I went back to Tuscaloosa because I had to teach and be in class Monday at 8:00 a.m. He was able to stay with me for a few days and then had to go back to Hammond. I finished my Early Childhood program on June 26^th. As soon as I finished up I was headed to Hammond to spend the rest of my summer with my husband!

The past few weeks, Kyle and I have been praying for a career move for him. I am so excited and blessed to say that he is now the head baseball coach at the Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg. With that being said, we immediately began to look for places to live and get things in order. Everything quickly began to fall in to place.  We began to pack up Kyle’s apartment in Hammond. As of yesterday, (Friday) we moved to Hattiesburg! We are so excited. Kyle is happy to be back home and is very eager to get started at the school. Also, I am happy to be only 2 and ½ hours away from my husband again (in the fall) and we are only 2 ½ hours from my family. I am excited to see what is in store for me here in Hattiesburg.

Monday, we finally leave for our honeymoon. Amongst the chaos of the past few weeks, we are ready for a break before we both are back into full swing with school. I cannot wait to be on the beach soaking up the sun and relaxing! It is much needed!  We are 90% unpacked and into the house, with a few odds and ends still left. Tomorrow (Sunday), our first out of town visitors are coming. I cannot wait for my family to get here so I can show off our new home! We have a lot ahead of us in the next few weeks, but like always I am blessed to have these opportunities that God has set in front of me. I am eager for Kyle to start his new journey at PCS and be by his side through all of it!

Pre-Wedding Festivitites

       Well, it has been another busy past few weeks. To sum it all up: showers, two full weeks teaching, final assignments, Kyle’s baseball and wedding planning. Kyle and I are so blessed at all we have received from our showers. I have had so much fun visiting with family and friends while they help prepare us for our future together. My first shower was given by my Maw-Maw in Albertville. My second shower was in Monroeville at Eastwood Baptist. My third shower was a “teacher” shower at the home of Leslie Carpenter. My fourth shower was given by Kyle’s family in Hattiesburg. My fifth shower was given by Whitney Lowery. My last shower will be given by Mrs. Sharon Owens. The only thing I wish is that Kyle could have shared some of these showers with me. Thankfully, he loves finding out what we got and most importantly how many bows I broke!

     I  have been finished with school for the semester since about April 27^th. I will begin my Early Childhood Program on May 29^th. Needless to say, I have a lot to do between now and then! I know everything will fall in to place and be perfect by June 16^th. I am excited that I will be tagging along to cheer on Southeastern in their conference tournament May 22…in Texas. I have never been to Texas before but I am excited for a road trip and “vacation” before my summer classes begin.

     These next few weeks will definitely be cram time and I’m sure a crazier and even more stressed Julia will appear. However, I can honestly say so far I have not been the “Bridezilla” my daddy just knew I would be! J  Also, as I have been breaking the news to some people, there is a possibility that Kyle and I could be saying “I do” over the home plate in Omaha during the College World Series which begins June 15^th…funny huh?! (And Kyle and I planned this date BEFORE he was at a NCAA school...I’m not that crazy!) Either way I know Kyle and I will have a beautiful wedding and all I am concerned about is us saying “I do”!

Well, I can actually say, I have “day off” today! Not really (I have a million things to do...as usual), but today is “Honors Day” at UA and because of this...we weren’t teaching in the classrooms. Between school on Mondays and Tuesdays, teaching Wednesday-Friday, planning a wedding and a long distance relationship you might say I am a little stressed! This semester has been another whirlwind! I am placed at SouthView Elementary (In Tuscaloosa) in first grade. I am so thankful to be my young babies again :) – also, as most of you know I have been accepted into the Early Childhood Certification Program this summer. If I have heard it once, I have heard it a million times, “Aren’t you getting married this summer??” and my first response wants to be “Oh! I am? I’m sorry I forgot!” Kyle and I have prayed and talked about this. As any person working in the world of Education, the more you can do to build your resume, the better you look. The program lasts from May 29^th-June 26^th. When I graduate in December (yes...in December) I will graduate with a double certification being able to teach 3 year olds to 6^th grade! I am preparing for my two full weeks in the classroom starting April 16^th and ending on April 26^th.

                Wedding planning is in full swing...we are almost exactly two months away from saying “I Do”! I cannot believe how fast time as flown. I ABSOLUTELY cannot wait to attend my showers. April 21^st: Albertville, AL – given by my family. April 29^th: Monroeville, AL – at Eastwood Baptist Church. May 3^rd: Excel, AL- given by teachers. May 5^th: Hattiesburg, MS – given by Kyle’s family. May 12^th: Monroeville, AL – given by Mrs. Sharon Owens. Kyle and I are so blessed to be surrounded by people that love us and care for us! As of yesterday I went to be fitted for my dress. I can honestly say I am more in love with it than I was before (I didn’t think that was possible!). Daddy, Mama and Sarah were able to share this exciting time with. This is the one thing I have been the most worried about, since a dress in not a quick or easy fix. Even though my dress was big, the seamstress wasn’t worried a bit and made put me to ease!

                Another thing in full swing...literally is Kyle’s baseball season. The Lions are having a great season. I haven’t been able to see him since March 15^th with both of our crazy schedules. Leah has also been with her mommy since then, so I am not the only one who is missing Kyle! Thanks to my parents and my new camera, I have been able to capture some great pictures during some of Southeastern’s games. The Lord has already been so amazing with opening career opportunities for the two of us. Despite the fact they mean sacrifices now, we both know it will only be beneficial in the end.  

                I am so thankful for this Easter weekend. I am looking forward to being able to get lesson plans, reflections, intern forms, wedding registry, Thank-You notes, and wedding details...in other words I hope to get a lot accomplished this weekend! But the real reason it because I will be able to spend Easter Sunday with WHOLE family...yes including Kyle! He will be coming in tomorrow night around 11 or so and then we will both head back out on Sunday. I have always loved the feeling I get at Easter. The hope, the renewal, the promise, the reminder that He loved me so much to die for me on a cross so that I may spend eternity with Him. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend, remembering the real reason!

New at this..

      I am quite new at the whole blogging thing, however; this is one of my New Year goals. As busy as I am, I really want to take time out to blog about everything that is currently taking place. January 11th, I start Block III of the Elementary Education program at Alabama. You  can only understand the stress of this program if you have been through it at Alabama! The only thing that keeps me going, is  knowing it will be worth it in the end.  I love my sweet Kindergarten babies!
       I have thoroughly enjoyed my month break..despite not wanting it to end! During the Christmas season, I worked at Hutcherson Jewelers, which is sort of a tradition for me. I did enjoy being home and Kyle being back and forth to spend time with us. We celebrated Christmas Eve with my family and then woke up early Christmas morning to head to Hattiesburg to spend a few days with his family. Kyle is enjoying his new pistol my parents got him and I am enjoying my new NookColor.
      During the break, I am trying to get as many wedding preparations done that I can, such as: sending out Save the Dates (which requires getting addresses), registering (Belk, Wal-Mart, Hutcherson's, Owen's, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Dillards...just to name a few, WHEW!), decorations and attire. I am very, very thankful for my wonderful mama who is being a huge help as my wedding planner! I cannot wait for all of our festivities to begin!
      Kyle is gearing up for his first baseball season as Volunteer Assistant/Camp Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana. The season kicks off February 17, and I can't wait to be there to watch his games. In other words, I am about to lose my fiance to baseball for several months. I am excited about his recent career opporunity. If everything continues like it is, I will be moving to Hammond for the summer and then again more permanently next December. I must admit, I do love Louisiana (just NOT the LSU part!!!) -- if our future children grow up in Louisiana they will still be Bama fans!
       Our wedding is set for June 16, 2012, 4:00 at Eastwood Baptist Church in Moroeville. I have 6 bridesmaids: MOH- Sarah (my younger sister), Dallas Jordan, Kellie Hilton, Allison Kearly, Whitley Ledkins, and Ashley Watson. Kyle has 5 Groomsmen: BM- Seth Maxie (his younger brother), Joey Archer, Travis Burge, Shane Shattles, and Brit Bowen. We have both been blessed with so many wonderful friends, it was  hard for us not to have a stage full! The reception will be held at the Monroeville Country Club..we want to dance!
       As you can see, we both have very busy schedules over the coming months, but I thank God everyday for blessing me in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. I fully rely on the verse Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I know I will be able to make it through this next year with the help of my Savior. Hopefully, I will be able to get some blogging tips from Julia Cartee (my blog inspiration)!