2nd Deployment

Jason's second deployment is coming up less than two weeks. Thankfully, he won't be in Afghanistan this go around. He will be on a naval ship in the Mediterranean Sea. I ask everyone for prayers during this time. Without a doubt, I believe in the power of prayer. We had a great visit to see him in North Carolina but the moment I hugged him goodbye, I couldn't stop myself from tearing up. He is scheduled to return to the States August 15, 2010. I will post his address once he sends it to me.

Matthew 5:16- "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

#21: Message in a Bottle

As you may or may not know, I made a list titled 101 things to do in 1001 days! Since Jason is getting deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in about two weeks I thought now was my time to make my own "message in a bottle." To be honest, it's something I've always wanted to do but I don't exactly know why. I once was watching TV (probably on Discovery channel) and I saw where this man found a message in a bottle out in the middle of the ocean. He contacted the person and it had been around 30 years since it was thrown out! I told Jason to throw it out somewhere he thought was interesting. Except for Somalia--I don't want the Pirates to get it! I'm anxious to see when he throws it overboard. Who knows, maybe some lucky person will find it and send me an email. No, I didn't leave my phone number. I'm not that blonde! I just included a short note, curled it up and dropped a penny in it--just in case they have never seen American money. Maybe it won't be 30 years until someone finds it. I'll be 50, geeze!

National Champions--Lucky #13

There is not a better time to attend to the University of Alabama than in this moment right now! We cheered on the Crimson Tide from Topsail Island, NC...good thing we had a TV! And it was HD too! This is definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life. RTR :) Gotta love football in the South....

How great would life be if we lived a little EVERYDAY?

As I walked into Jason's condo on the beach that he is staying in until his deployment, I see this picture hanging on the wall. Just like the title it reads, "How great would life be if we lived a little everyday?" The picture reminds me of something that you would see in a hole-in-the wall restuarant that usually ends up being some of the best southern food you've ever tasted. It is a very striking picture but it got me thinking. How true is that quote? It seems self explanatory to me but I found it interesting so I thought I'd share.


Today Jason took Mom and I to the base on Camp Lejeune. Even though I have lived with Jason my entire life, there is a still a tiny piece of Jason I'll never be able to figure out. I'll have to thank the Marines for that. While our lives are completely different, I've never been a more prouder sister than I am at this point in my life. As we were walking around in the PX this afternoon, I observed the Marines all around me. So focused, yet so proper. While I don't have to worry about defending this country, those guys do. And for that, I'm thankful.


It never fails. Something is going to happen to me while on vacation. As I was enjoying my Baskin Robbins cookie dough ice cream cone today, the glue off my top retainer popped off. Great. Well, that's not exactly what I was thinking. I finally got it fixed, thanks to the nice orthodontist! Once I was heading back to Topsail Island, I pushed the scan button on the radio. I thought I heard a familiar song so I stopped. The song was "My Redeemer Lives" by Nicole C. Mullens. Oh my gosh. I really can't think of a more powerful song. I was driving over a huge bridge with water on my left & right, the sun was setting, and I became overwhelmed with emotions. God is good!

101 Things in 1001 Days

Start: January 1, 2010



End: September 28, 2012


*I recently saw this challenge on the internet and it sparked my interest. You make a list of things you have always wanted to do and you try to mark off as many things as possible in 1001 days. To my surprise, 1001 days is in 2012. I hope to finish this list (or most of it) by that time. The end date is actually on my Dad's birthday! I'm anxious to see where God leads me throughout this time. Happy New Year everyone!!






1. Drink nothing but water for a whole week.


2. Take a trip to Savannah, Georgia.


3. No internet for a week.


4. Skydive.


5. Buy 5 meals for 5 different homeless people.


6. Run a half-marathon in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee


7. Tailgate (home & away games)


8. Read the entire Bible.


9. Make all A's.


10. Cook for someone.


11. Take ballroom dance lessons.


12. Get up early for a whole week & workout.


13. Pray for someone all day who I don't like.


14. Surprise my parents/family one weekend at home.


15. Take a hiking trip with my Dad.


16. Learn how to re-do a piece of furniture.


17. Swim with dolphins.


18. Go on a cruise.


19. Watch the sunrise at the beach.


20. Volunteer for a charity.


21. Send a "message in a bottle" and throw it out in the ocean.


22. Fast for twenty four hours.


23. Have a sleepover with the girls.


24. Prank call someone.


25. Send a care package to troops overseas.


26. Truly get to know someone.


27. Get a 6 pack(of abs haha)


28. Learn how to use a can opener.


29. Sleep in the boat on the lake under the stars.


30. Learn how to make my grandmothers Apple Cake.


31. See a musical.


32. Ice Skate.


33. Eat lunch at 5 of Alabama's best places to eat.


34. Stop biting my fingernails.


35. Learn how to play Rook.


36. Take a self defense class.


37. Be in 2 states at once.


38. Spend a whole day at yard sales and thrift stores.


39. Plant something in the yard.


40. Send a card to someone for no reason.


41. Make homemade ice cream.


42. Go all out for a Halloween costume.


43. Spend a whole weekend with my grandparents.


44. Let someone know that I'm praying for them.


45. Whiten my teeth & actually finish the pack.


46. Drink one glass of milk each day for a week.


47. Hand out a Bible verse to a complete stranger.


48. Go to a MLB game and get good seats.


49. Ride in a hot air balloon.


50. Write a letter to both of my parents.


51. Make a scrapbook.


52. Learn how to braid my own hair.


53. Go to a place where it snows & build a snowman.


54. Read 3 Nicholas Sparks books.


55. Graduate from college.


56. Help out a family in need.


57. Go rock climbing with my brother & anything he wants to do.


58. Get a massage.


59. Go white water rafting.


60. Turn off the phone for twenty-four hours, maybe longer.


61. Make homemade ornaments.


62. Go to the U.S. Open(tennis)


63. Work at a camp.


64. Visit Texas and get something that says "Don't mess with Texas."


65. Scuba dive in the gulf.


66. Snow-skiing


67. Don't skip class for a whole semester.


68. Go to a church I've never been to before.


69. Get my picture made with Big Al.


70. Save some money.


71. Send my brothers a surprise in the mail.


72. Complete a small dualthon or triathalon.


73. Go to a festival.


74. Take a trip on a train.




75. Make a snow angel.




76. Backpack the Pinhoti trail.




77. Have a picnic.




78. Learn sign language.




79. Have a water balloon fight.




80. Go to the flea market and buy something funny for someone.




81. Make a recipe book.




82. Buy a book for someone.




83. Visit a town in Alabama I've never been to.




84. Try a new type of food.




85. Try yoga for a week.




86. Take my parents out to eat for their birthday.




87. No fast food for two weeks.




88. Take a random road trip.




89. Get my picture made with someone famous.



90. Talk someone into doing 101 things in 1001 days.


91. Play Black Jack. (And Win!)


92. Watch a whole series of movies I've never seen.


93. Play a prank on someone.--Like Scare Tactics!


94. Buy myself flowers.


95. Go on a long bike ride.


96. Play in the rain.


97. Make a good breakfast.


98. Re-connect with an old friend.


99. Paint.


100. Go to an I-Max movie.


101. Buy a cute pair of high-heels

Give thanks

As the holiday season is approaching, it makes me very thankful for many things. To many people, Thanksgiving may just mean a good meal with friends and family. While that is very much true, it has such a deeper meaning. We should be fortunate to even have this opportunity ever year. Lately, everything has been in full swing and so many times I forget to say "thanks." Whether I am saying thanks to my best friend or saying thanks to a complete stranger, I truly think it makes a difference.

This past semester I have had a classroom full of 1st graders and the other day I read them a story about giving thanks around Thanksgiving. Before I read the story, I had children raise their hands and tell me what they are thankful for. Things such as family, friends, Jesus, food, pets, and video games were some of the most popular answers. Even at six and seven years old, children know what they are thankful for.

Changing the subject, I started running again so I'll be ready for my next half marathon. Now I just have to stay motivated! I'll try to squeeze in some miles since Holiday is in full swing at Bath & Body Works. Black Friday = the busiest day of the shopping season! Hopefully I'll be ready for the grouchy customers who are going to drive me crazy. And for some reason I still love it! The malls open at 5 a.m and I'll be there at 4 a.m. so if anyone is up, come visit!

Also, the Iron Bowl is that day! War Eagle or Roll Tide? :) I'll be cheering on the Tide!

Get Organized!

I've never been the type of person who has had the desire to have everything put in the right spot. I would never call myself an organized person and I think all my friends can vouch for that since I ask them, "What time do I have to be there?" "Where is it at?".......Oh, the questions go on and on. An un-made bed, a messy room, or clutter has never bothered me. I use to think it made things easier if everything was just thrown everywhere. Bad thinking on my part. Recently I've realized that getting organized makes my life a whole heck of a lot easier. Since taking all of these Education classes, I'm practicing "teacher" mode for sure. I never thought a hole puncher, a stapler, and a printer could be my best friend. So while this is a skill I may never master, getting slightly ahead makes me feel pretty good. And who knows, maybe that will bring my stress level down. You should try it :)