One week, 7 days, 168 hours

However you want to put it, I start cosmetology school in 7 days. In a few hours it will be 6, but at this moment, I'm still at 7 :-)
I have so many mixed emotions. I'm excited to finally be doing something that I think I'm really going to enjoy. I am SUCH a people person and I know I will love being around people and making them "pretty." I just hope that God will give me the knowledge to do as good of a job as I want to do.
I love every aspect of knowing that in a few short months, I will be on my way to owning my own salon. I CAN'T WAIT! I'm not trying to rush things by any means, but I am so ready to DO SOMETHING with my life, rather than just bounce around from job to job.
So, in one week, 7 days, 168 hours (really less than 7 days and less than 168 hours, but still...) I will be on my way to making my dreams a reality. I don't think I ever would have had the courage to step out of my comfort zone of my office and actually do this if it wasn't for the love, support, and help from Josh. Thank you sweetheart, for allowing me to do this, and for supporting me and believing in me. I love you!


*Oh, and Sara B, if you're still reading...thank you for the comment on my music :-) I was going to look at your blog, but it doesn't seem that you have one :-) It was nice "meeting" you though!*

VBS 2008

I have been preparing away for VBS! I am so excited to be helping out this year and will be teaching the preschool class! I can't wait!

This coming Sunday, July 27, kicks off the first night of VBS for STRAWBERRY PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH and we would LOVE to have your children there! We'll start at 6:30pm and be finished by 9:00pm. We'll be doing lots of fun things...learning about Jesus, snacks, games, music, crafts, and more! You don't want to miss out on DISCOVERING JESUS' MIRACULOUS POWER!

Makeover Wednesday

I decided last night that I was not satisfied with my old layout, so I decided to take some time today and revamp my page. I searched and searched for the one that fit me the most, and these pinks and oranges were perfect!

Besides giving my blog a makeover, I decided to work some magic on Lacey's hair last night and took her back to her original color. So blonde Lacey is now brown Lacey. It looks great on her and I must say, I was pretty impressed with my skills. Cosmetology school is looking better and better everyday! It's a good thing too because as of today, I have 13 days until I start! Can you tell I'm super excited?? I don't think I have ever put an exclamation point at the end of a sentence that had anything to do with any type of school, unless I was counting down the days until I was finished, haha!

In other news, as I was laying out all the things I needed to get ready this morning, I realized that I left my Victoria Secret So Sexy Hair Straightening Cream in Greenbrier. That did not start my morning off well AT ALL! Needless to say, my hair today is a wavy/curly HOT MESS! And a stop at Victoria Secret is in order tonight!

Reminder Update

My summer goals have not gone as well as planned. However, I am happy to report that 2 of the 3 credit cards I own have a $0.00 balance on them and the third is on its way to being paid off. And I'm also happy to report I have done super good at not putting anymore purchase on above mentioned PAID OFF cards!! Yay...go me!

If you want to read my reminders, you can do so here: Journey Through Life: Reminder to Me

After this week I should be able to cross off enrolling into Cosmetology school as well, since that is happening this week. I can't tell you all how excited I am about that!

A Possible Trip Home??

Josh and I are hoping for a break this weekend and will possibly be making a trip to my home town...Greenbrier :-) I'm super excited. The downside...I may have to drive to Cookeville to pick Josh up from a job he's doing there on Friday. Oh well, at least I won't have to drive the whole way!

Life in general is going great. I'm looking forward to starting Cosmetology school, and the days are quickly passing. I hope to get everything submitted and my first payment made BEFORE I even start, that way I will be somewhat ahead! I have started babysitting on the side some to make some extra money to put aside for school. It feels good to watch kids again. I didn't realize how much I missed working with them until I started babysitting again. Granted, I know that I don't want to make a career out of watching kids...but it does make me look forward to being a mommy! (Don't worry, not anytime soon will that be happening!!) I'm not sure that the money flow from babysitting is going to be enough to cover my growing list of expenses...so I'm hoping to find a waitressing job soon to compensate! Pray for me! I know God will provide...sometimes it's just hard to make that jump and have total trust in Him.

Thank you for your prayers for Ron. As far as I know he is doing somewhat better, but will probably never be fully out of the woods. Please continue to pray for him and the rest of the family. Josh and crew should be coming home this evening, pray they have a safe trip! I can't wait to see him, he's only been gone for a day but I still miss him :-)

Please pray

Tanner's dad (Tanner is Samantha's boyfriend) had a heart attack this morning. This isn't the first time he's had one, in fact, he had one not too long ago. Please pray that Ron pull through. He's such a great man, and loved by so many. I don't have too many details at this time, this has all happened within the last 45 minutes or so. All I know is that he needs prayers. Thanks!

**Update July 11,2008 12:24pm: Ron made it through the night. Right now, there isn't much doctors can do for him. His heart is severely damaged from the previous heart attack. He has a clot the size of a half dollar in the lower chamber of his heart. There is no way to remove it, however, if it dislodges itself, it will kill him instantly. They placed two stints in yesterday to see if that would help any. Please continue to pray for him and the rest of the family.**

27

27 that's how many days I have until I start Cosmetology School and I'm super excited! I've just about got all my ducks in a row and will be ready to go come August 5th! Please continue to pray for me, as I will be going to class Tuesday through Saturday and working as much as I can in between as well. I know God will provide all my needs, as He has so graciously done so in the past!

Girl Trip 2008

Last week I had the chance to meet up with Mawmaw, Amber, Ella-Kate, and Taylor and spend a few days in Pigeon Forge. Monday we went to a couple of shops and to the Dixie Stampede. Ella-Kate loved the show and so did Taylor. Amber and I loved the food!

Tuesday we took a trip to Dollywood and had a blast. Ella-Kate and I rode the Flying Elephants and she had such a good time. The whole time we were in the air she wouldn't stop laughing. Her and Taylor also rode some more of the smaller rides together. The weather was perfect and not too hot so we had a really good day together. We also got to see a VeggieTales show while we were there, so that was fun too.

Wednesday we filled the day with shopping and eating. For supper we took in a show at The Black Bear Jamboree and loved it! The food there was amazing and the show was really good as well.

I'm so thankful to have such a great family, and even more thankful that I got to spend a few days with them.

Happy 4th of July

Today, as you celebrate with your friends and families by cooking out, swimming, hanging out on the lake and shooting fireworks or any other various activity, take time to remember why we celebrate the 4th of July.

I come from a military family and fully understand and appreciate the sacrifices that were made before today and are still being made today so that you and I can live freely in this country that we call The United States of America.

If you know someone that has served or is serving our country in any way, take time today to not only thank them, but thank their family as well. I can't begin to tell you the support my family received when my dad was in Iraq and how much it meant to us that people saw the sacrifices we made, the things we gave up, when daddy was gone.

I wouldn't trade what my daddy does for anything. Because I know that he enjoys his job, and is making a difference in the lives of others, here and overseas. He's making our country safer while he's away and serving our country the only way that he knows how...by defending it.

Thank you, Daddy, for all the things you have done for me, our family, and our country. While I was sometimes bitter that you were gone during some of my most memorable times in high school, I was proud of you. You were doing what you believe is right and you did it proudly. Thank you for being one that heeded the calling to serve our country. You were only 17, a kid, when you chose your life's path by signing those papers. You didn't know what was in store for you, yet, you did it with an open heart and an open mind. Thank you for loving us, taking care of us, and fighting for us--overseas and in life. You have been, and always will be, MY HERO.