High School Yearbook

Trying to swart a case of slight insomnia and also looking up pictures of some people I was trying to remember how they looked in high school, I spent some time reading some of the "autographs" I got in my Senior Yearbook.

Let me tell you something.... the people I went to high school with who signed my yearbook my Senior year were so amazingly nice. So nice, in fact, that I started to cry. Yes, cry.

I totally recommend that if you need a lifter upper, that you read your high school yearbook signatures. I was amazed at how many people believed in me, said nice things about me, and just were friends to me.

Now, I don't believe that a person should live in regret, but I do believe you should take a trip down nostalgia lane and help yourself remember to be a better person to those around you.

I wish I had kept in touch with more people. Especially those who I could've.

One of the most wonderful friendships that I neglected was my friendship with Dinara Turabekova from Kyrgyzstan. Somehow, her address got misplaced, and with good intentions I had planned on getting her address from her host family, but never got the guts to "re-ask" them for it. I read the entry in my yearbook tonight and flat out cried. Every time we sing "Shine Jesus Shine" at church I think of her. She really did touch me with her life and heart while she was here, and I often reflect on how I wish I had kept in touch.

Many others tugged at my heart with their entries into my yearbook. I thank you for being so kind and encouraging in your words. I also thank you for the memories. Sometimes we reflect back and wonder what happened to "so and so." Well, you do have that chance to reconnect. And, I would do it.

Thank goodness for things like Facebook.

Also, can you believe I have been out of high school for 7 years? Whoa.

Dinara- I googled your name tonight and found it but with no contact info. I would love to reconnect! Remember Volleyball? That night on the bus? Yeah, I'm that lost friend.

You think you know me?

Take My Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com Can you Ace my quiz? Yes! No Let's Find Out!

Contemplation

Lately, I have been contemplating where I am right now in life. It actually amazes me to think that I'm not in life where I expected to be just a few short years ago. If you had asked me when I was college where would I be when I was at the verge of turning 25, I would have told you I would be in Medical School, in my third year, and living in Greenville, NC. Pets? Probably a parrot of some type, being that I married a parrot-guy. What would Rodney (my husband) be doing? Writing music full time and teaching music part-time. Kids? Probably after medical school.

Where am I now? Well...... Let's just say, not quite what I pictured, but probably happier now than if I had been where I thought I would've been.

I am a Mommy to 4 wonderful pet parrots for one (+ 2 breeders/pets). I am an Aunt on MY side of the family (WOW! who would've thought that???). I am fulfilled taking care of my home (that one has got to be the craziest of all). I turned down medical school for the fall (holy moley!). We don't want kids (hey, I got a baby nephew... I'm all good in the diaper dept there). I am coming up on 2 YEARS (yes, unbelievable!) of marriage. I feel like a newly wed still even though I am a bit of a veteran now (when your single friends come to you for "marriage bed" info, you know you've been married a little while longer!). I own 2 businesses (me, business owner? who would've thought.... not me!)!

Why is all this relevant? Well, I am turning 25 years old in August and I am still learning that there is no real way to "plan" your life. See, we all end up with unexpected obstacles in our lives. The decisions you make surrounding those circumstances truly make you who you are. That is a pretty cool thing too because, then, at least you can try and make the right decisions in your life.

Hindsight can be depressing at times, but then again, it can also give you insight to why certain things didn't go as "planned." That is when you can see the directions God led you to get you where you are now.

I love the motto, "Who you are is God's gift to you, and who you become is your gift to God." It is so true. God doesn't force you to make certain decisions. He opens doors and closes doors for a reason. It's trusting Him and knowing that He has 20/20 foresight! Man, sometimes I wish we had that so that then we could "plan" our lives. But then there would be no surprises!

Congrats Class of '07!

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 a hope and a future."

Oh, the places you'll go!!!!

Vanessa- You amaze me! I know you are going to do awesome things in your life. You certainly teach me what's important in life. I just wish you the best in all and for God to truly help you touch your kids' lives as a teacher!

Marty- You are a doll! I always enjoy being around you. I am so glad you are sticking around here. I love your joy in life!

Andy- What can I say? You are awesome. You make me laugh. I know I am going to miss your funny comments and hilarious antics. I am so sad for all those folks who will never get to ride your Wolfline bus!

Brent- I pray that you will bless many people with your life. You definitely have been a blessing to me. My life certainly wouldn't be very interesting without you! Thanks for your hugs (& kisses... haha!), your happiness, and for always being a great friend/brother to me!

My Nephew Andrew (Video)

A short of my nephew Andrew "talking" and then giving us a surprise fart!! He is 2 and a half months old!

Haha!!!!!!!

My New Baby

Introducing.... Pigwidgeon!He's an American Normal Green Budgie (Parakeet). His is hand-tame and sweet. He is a little shy right now as we have only had him for 48 hours! But he will step up and cuddle our necks. He is also a good forager!

He is a rescue from our downstairs neighbors who were moving out and couldn't take him.

Unfortunately, he won't be able to play with our lovebirds (lovebirds can be aggressive to smaller birds).

We took him to the vet yesterday and he definitely has some health issues. He was underweight, had an overgrown beak (due to Fatty Liver Disease from an all-seed diet), and possibly may have a testicular tumor (not sure about this one; his cere has a small brown spot where it should be blue. We will do another vet check next month to see if it is worse or better and maybe then know for sure).

Normally, we don't take in birds as we are definitely crowded enough around here, but we made a special case for Pigwidgeon.