Bring on the FUN!!

So it is 11:45 on a Friday night and I am not tired. Thankfully, I can sleep in tomorrow all that I want. :)

I just finished reading over some old blog entries that I had written two years ago. I think blogs are so fun because it is very similar to a journal. You can read over journal entries you wrote months or even years ago and see how far you have come in life and how much God has used and transformed you.

My life has drastically changed over the last few weeks. Yes, I am busy with wedding planning and all of the stuff that comes with being weeks away from being married. But, tonight as I write this blog I am referring to something else.

Two years ago I was offered a supervisor role in my job. It was a great opportunity and I learned a lot. I have no doubt that I made the right decision in accepting this job. I accepted it during a time of my life where I needed to learn some very valuable leadership skills. I also learned a lot about myself. But most importantly, I learned this.... I would rather play with kids and invest in families than supervise adults any day.

I felt convicted to step down from my leadership role and take on a role which I held very close to my heart. I wanted nothing more than to be a Child Life Specialist again. I wanted to come to work and play with kids. I wanted to hold precious kids after traumatic procedures. I wanted to rock babies to sleep when their parents were unable to be there. I wanted to hear the stories of these families and how they are making it day by day.

And I have done just that. I am now working with kids all day. :) I work in Outpatient Radiology and Outpatient Pediatrics. I see a variety of different things. But the thing that I am enjoying the most? Playing. I love to play and I love seeing kids play. It brightens my life. It brings me joy.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. I pray for these kids and their families. Please heal them. We put our trust and hope in you.

Engaged Life

Hello everyone. I am the biggest blog slacker ever. I often take the time to click on my blog and look around, re-read posts I have previously written, and then I'm done. But tonight- I decided to actually post an update! I know, I know...it's about time! Anyway...life is absolutely crazy these days. I have moved out of my apartment and into a friend's place until Jack and I get married. 95 % of my stuff is currently at Jack's place besides a few clothes, my toiletries, and of course..me! But, I am so thankful that God is providing me with a time of transition. I am getting the amazing opportunity to live with a sweet friend who is absolutely wonderful. It's already been a big blessing on my life!

We are counting down the days until our wedding! We are currently at 63 days! It will be here before we know it. The wedding preparations are going well and we are attempting to enjoy our last moments as single people. There are moments that we get caught up in wanting this time to speed up, but I try to step back and thank God for each moment that leads us to the moment that we become one. Jack and I are both very excited though! Everything is coming together!

I will try to continue keeping up with the blog, but no promises. Once the wedding has come and gone and we've gotten settled into our new lives, I will try to keep up with it much better! :)

Here is a recent picture of us. Enjoy!

We're Engaged!!!

Jack and I got engaged on December 28, 2009. We were in London visiting his older brother's family along with his younger brother and sister-in-law. It was such a great time spending a week with them and really getting to know them on a much deeper level.


We're engaged!


Here we are at dinner with the rest of the family celebrating our engagement.




The West men and their ladies.


I am truly humbled that I get to marry Jack. He is a man of great character, integrity, love, compassion. Jack is everything that I have prayed for God to bring to me for as long as I can remember. He is someone who is sensitive, yet strong. He is patient, yet challenges me to be a better woman. He loves me unconditionally even when I may seem unlovable. He exemplifies what it means to put Christ first every single day above anyone else, including me. He loves me not for what I can do for him, but for who I am to Him. He brings me joy in the most indescribable ways. I love him more every day that passes. He has pursued me not just with his words, but his actions.

We have walked through some challenging situations and the grace that he gives seems to seep out of his pores. He can see God's goodness in just about every situation, no matter how bad it may seem. He loves God with his entire being and I am proud that I get to call him my fiance and soon to be husband. I can't wait to see what direction God sends us in. All I know is this, I am a better woman because God is allowing me to love Jack and be loved in return by him. Please pray for us as we walk towards marriage with one another.

Here are a couple of pictures of us over the past two years. :)

Thanksgiving

Happy Halloween!

Florida Hospital for Children Fall Festival

My hair can get huge. Here is proof for whoever didn't believe me!



The Child Life team dressed up as 80's rockers. I was more of a "groupie" than a rocker, but nonetheless... we had a fun day!

I love this man.

I am one blessed woman. Thank you Lord for providing me with such a great man of character, integrity, and humility. I am reminded daily of how much I love this man and I just thought the world should know.