DSP

It's been a while since I have posted...
Kind of a big event is going on this weekend. The family that I work for nominated me, back in the spring, for Direct Support Professional of the year for my region (there are 10 regions in the state). Well, there were 80 nominations for the region and I was one of 15 chosen to be recognized at an awards brunch back in June....it was a good day.
I got a call the first week of September that the agency i work for chose my nomination to represent the region at the state Direct Support Professional of year, which is to be held this coming friday evening. This event is much more of a big deal because they actually choose a "winner" as opposed to the recognition that was given to 15 of us back in June. I am still wrapping my head around all of this...the family I work for sent in the nomination and how the agency chose mine to be the one among the 80 that were sent in is beyond me. I have only been doing this DSP thing for just over a year. I sat in the very awards banquet last October and I was in awe of the DSPs that were nominated then and felt so inadequate. I guess it pushed me to strive to be better and educate myself, but I never thought that one year later I would be among the top ten in the state.
A few weeks ago was DSP appreciation day, and there was a little shin dig on the lawn of the State House, it was there that the nominations were made official.

Photo Shoot For Dad & Kristie's 10th Anniv.

Pass It On

This song was sung at church recently and it brought tears to my eyes....
This is for all those who I want to pass God's love to.


Pass It On

It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing.
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding;
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love;
Once you've experienced it, you want to sing
"It's fresh like spring"; you want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD
I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.

In this case, it's better not to ask

Ok people I'm getting on my soap box....I understand that the natural progression after getting married is to have kids. And, when 2 1/2 years pass it is only natural to wonder if kids are in the plan. But please stop and think before asking "when are you gonna have kids?" or "are you pregnant yet?" It's possible that the person on the receiving end of those questions gets emotional after explaining over and over again. Just because they aren't having children doesn't mean they don't want them and pain they feel by the fact that they are having a hard time cannot be understood unless you've been there. Pray instead...that's probably what they are doing.
Off my soap box now :)

Waiting...

It's been a trying few days. I think I spent the majority of the weekend in tears. Saturday afternoon I had to reopen some old wounds, but this time I am pretty sure it will lead to a final healing of the matter...so in the end they were tears of relief. I found myself welling up at the oddest times, probably no real reason. Women have that perogative and I chose to exercize it. Monday I took a mental health day off from work and it worked that I got my afternoon off as well.
Ok now what...still haven't quite processed all that went on this weekend. Time will heal the wounds.
I also have had that "what if" feeling for about a week...the maybe I am prego this time. As much as I want to run and get a prego test, I don't trust those mass produced over the counter tests anymore--they gave me a false positive a couple months ago and for someone who has been trying for so long, it wad a hard pill to swallow. So, I wait.

Thank You Lord...

Much to be thankful for....
I have gone through something of a funk since Christmas--winter blues I guess. I do have many things to be thankful for. First, my salvation and the grace and mercy God has granted me and the eternal home in Heaven that awaits me regardless of my works on earth. My husband--don't deserve his love or patient quiet spirit, but God has blessed me with the best man out there for me, I love him so much. My church family--it has been an adjustment being back at EBC, even though I was in another church of like faith during the year and a half away from EBC, it has been difficult to pick up those relationships where they were left off, but I see God beginning to do a work. I praise God for the ministries he has put me in working with kids, who truly are a passion of mine. My family, dysfunction and all, I am where I need to be. I am so thankful for the family that I have married into, I don't think I could have hand picked better sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews...and of course father and mother-in-law. My jobs--I can say my work is truly something I love to do. I may have to work long hours, but every moment I work is a moment I am making a difference, I wouldn't trade it for anything. My jobs have brought wonderful relationships as well, and I can't imagine life without some of these blessed souls. My home--God provided the means for us to purchase a condo this year and it is so awesome to have a place to call our own. Trials--I am thankful for each trial God allows me to go though. I may not see it at that moment, but looking back each instance has made me a stronger person and I am able to use it to honor and glorify God. I am not alone--I often have the thoughts that I am alone, no one cares, and I don't want to bother others with my issues. That couldn't be further from the truth. God has placed amazing people in my path, I don't deserve any of them, but I need to utilize them the way God wants me too before its too late and they are no longer there. Anxiety--Praise God bouts of anxiousness seem to be dwindling down.
Thank you Lord for everything....it is because of You that I have life and purpose, I will continue to keep that as my reason for living.

I took a "mental health" day today...in a bit of a funk.

Woa!!!! I can blog from my iPod...sweet :)

Sweet Memories

These are pictures from my freshman year at BBC (1999-2000), and my awesome roomie Heather! The first one is our final moment as roomates, freshman year coming to an end. Miss you tons Heather!!!
Man I had a baby face then!