A Walk Down Memory Lane!

15 years ago- I was one week from turning 21 years old. I was living in Louisiana on my own. Sitting out of college and working two jobs. Lonely and knowing that I wanted something more out of life that what I'd experienced so far. It was only 3 months later that I moved away to be with my mom, step-dad, and sisters in NJ. Hardest thing I ever did. BEST thing I ever did. I was able to get back into school, find a great church and awesome friends. The first few years of living in NJ were times of the most spiritual growth and changing in my life.

10 years ago- I had been dating Andy for 10 months and was quite sure that he was THE ONE for me. Things were good... I was in love and lovin' it!! I was the Children's Ministry Director at church and I was working at a private learning center as the Assistant Director of Education. And, if the truth be told, I was anxiously awaiting becoming engaged (which happened 5 months later).

5 years ago- After several hard, long years of battling infertility, I was about 1/2 way through my pregnancy with Emma. IT WAS GREAT! The Lord had finally blessed us with the desire of our hearts... a child. We'd spent the year prior to this taking care of my nephews for the entire school year. They were in second and fourth grade. Another one of the best things I ever did... it was a sacrifice and it forced Andy and I to lean heavily on the Lord for wisdom, patience, and strength... as did our fertility battle.

3 years ago- Emma was a year and a half and I was just about to turn 33. We'd been married for 6 years and since we didn't get to go away for our 5th anniversary, we planned nice trip. We went down to a place called the Whitestone Inn in Tennessee. I HIGHLY recommend it for a romantic get-a-way. It's owned by Chrisitans, there's a chapel on site, an amazing restaurant, beautiful grounds, and awesome rooms. Anyway, it was our first time away from Emma and we had a nice, relaxing trip.

1 year ago- Genevieve was six months old and I finally felt recovered from her birth and my pregnancy w/ her. It wasn't easy... gestational diabetes that was tough to control, very tired and uncomfortable, sick more... after the c-section: ER visit when she was only 6 days old... I had a kidney infection, nursing had to stop for a week or so b/c of meds, developed a major incision problem that lasted over a month. It was a hard time, but I was so full of joy at this new little lady in our family. Genevieve was and is a total Mama's girl, so we dealt with alot of separation anxiety and such. I remember thinking that 35 was OLD, but now I'm almost 36...

NOW- We just began our journey as a homeschool family and it is going great so far. I still need work on being more self disciplined and going to bed earlier... I'm writing this last part at nearly midnight. We'll be celebrating 9 years of marriage soon. I love Andy so much more now than I did 9 years ago, not that I always show it, but I do. I feel joyful in my life right now and blessed beyond belief to have my husband and our precious girls... especially in light of two different friends who lost a child and a wife this past year to cancer. I desire to be a more godly woman, mother, and wife... to be about the things that Jesus is about and to let the rest fall away.