I don't know why...

I wish I knew why bad things happen to good people... My cousins, Erin and Nicholas, were tragically killed in a car/train accident on 12/22/09 and each day was hard to get over the fact that they're not here. Still to this day, I'll have something I wanna tell Erin, but then I remember that she's no longer here. I can no longer call or text her, nor see her. She was only 26 years old...She would've been 28 coming up on November 16th. She had so much going for her after a hard time in her past. She was so young. Her son, Nicholas, was ONLY 5 years old. 1 month after the accident, he would've been 6 years old. I questioned why things like this happen to people so dearly to me. I'm not going to lie, I was angry and yelling at God. I didn't know (and still don't know) why this happened and why He couldn't stop it. My faith has grown since the accident and God has helped me realize that tho we don't think He was there during the accident, He was. Aven, 4 months old at the time, was the sole survivor of the accident. She is now a little over 2 years old. She may never physically remember her mother or brother, but her father is a great dad and she will know mentally and emotionally through the many stories we share with her. She is a true miracle and every day, she amazes me!!

Today, my cousin's daughter passed away at the very young age of 12. Taitlyn woke up Friday morning and suffered a brain hemmorhage which put her into a coma and on a ventilator fighting for her life. We weren't close, like Erin and I were, but I still remember that she ALWAYS smiled when we did see each other. I last saw her a few years ago at one of my cousin's weddings. She is survived by her loving parents, Nicole & Chris, older sister (Darian), and 2 younger brothers (Dalton & Landen). She was a believer in Christ and I KNOW for a fact that she is rejoicing in heaven as one of God's angels. And even though Erin and Nicholas might not have remembered Taitlyn, they're all rejoicing high above the clouds and looking down on us. I rejoice in the fact that one day we will all be reunited again. To Nicole, Chris, Darian, Landen, and Dalton, you will get through this. It may take a while, as I know, but Taitlyn is looking down on you right now.

What a blessing it is that Taitlyn wanted to donate her organs to other children, if something like this were to ever happen. So many children will be able to live through Tait donating her organs. That's a miracle in itself!!

God bless everyone and thanks for all the prayers.

Thankful!

30 things I'm thankful for... for each day of the month of November!!

1. Being one of God's children...I am blessed each and every day for everything I am given! :)
2. Having a home to live in.
3. My parents - they have done so much for me and one day, I would like to give back to them!
4. My sister - we may not always get along (we rarely do), but I'm thankful for the times that we do get along (when we're miles apart).
5. My wonderful and amazing boyfriend - He is the love of my life and I'm so glad I met him and look forward to every time I see him! :) Our 3 year anniversary is on 12/26/11!! :)
6. Having a job - I may not make a ton of money, but I LOVE teaching children!!
7. My girl friends - they are truly amazing and I love being able to vent to them when I need to!
8. My church - Plymouth Church is awesome and I'm so glad to be a member of a great church!!
9.

Thank you! :)

Kendall's dad had a stroke almost 2 weeks ago while driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. Thankfully, his friend was with him and they got 911 helicopter to come and air lift him to a near-by hospital. He stayed there til Sunday, then released him to come home, to Raleigh. (Side note: he was just having a leisurely trip to Asheville when all this happened.) On his way home with his friend, he had another stroke and was taken to a hospital in Greensboro. While there, he had another stroke (or after shock from his first stroke - they're not quite sure) and stayed there another day. He came home a week ago tomorrow and has seemed to be doing pretty well. He has to change his entire lifestyle now - eat more healthier, etc. This has been a true wake up call to his entire family, and others, who know him. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. He hasn't shown any side effects other than getting confused every now and then and sometimes has a hard time figuring out what to say, but thank GOD there aren't any MAJOR effects! God is one great God, for sure!! :)

Why do people HATE instead of LOVE?!

This world is full of so much HATRED!! The news of Norway being bombed yesterday saddens my heart, among all the many other acts of crime that happens every day.... Why can't people LOVE one another like the Bible instructs us to do. Growing up, I don't ever remember hearing of so much hatred... I think the world has gotten worse in the last 15 years. I guess we'll never have peace until God returns...

Changes...or are they?

I normally do well with changes, but some people have a difficult time with them...which is understandable. Several people have asked me how I deal with Kendall going off to school at App State in Boone. Well, at first, it was definitely difficult to do. But, it's been a great thing with our relationship. I think we have become a lot closer and understanding of one another. We're both adults and both have our own lives, but also share and enjoy our times together as well!! When he's off at school, I enjoy going to my job every day because I LOVE my kids and co-workers. I love coming home on weeknights and watching my tv shows - Bachelor(ette), Big Brother, etc. I enjoy hanging out with my girls on weekends when Kendall isn't here. I usually pass the time by reading books, doing puzzles, etc. When he's up in Boone, he goes to classes and then hangs out with the guys at his apartment. He does his guy things and he enjoys doing that. Kendall & I talk to each other every day via text and/or phone calls. Talking to him every day helps because it's always great hearing your lover's voice! I visit Kendall at school at least once every month, and that helps time pass by quicker! Even though it's lonely at times, I rely on the fact that every day that goes by is one day closer that we'll be in each others' arms again!! :) He graduates in December and then will hopefully be going to grad school. Please pray for him as he prepares for the GRE and takes that test in August.

Kendall, if you read this - I LOVE YOU & can't wait to see you again! :)

Good News!!

My colonoscopy results came back normal. Praise the Lord! :) He is good!! However, they still found bacteria in my intestines...which has accumulated over time making my mid-region look bigger than normal. With this said, I have to change my diet for 4 weeks to see if this will help. My doctor also prescribed me with some meds to take when I'm having abdominal pains. I can see a big difference in my mid-region just over the last week... it's gone down some! YAY! :)

Thanks for all the prayers I received. I can truly feel them coming in!!

I would like to ask for some prayers for some people I know. Not going to say who or what their requests are, because in the end, God knows exactly who and what!! Just pray for these people if you have a second in your day.

I'm going to try and update this more often! Love you guys... have a great Friday & an enjoyable weekend, because YOU deserve to!!

Why is it this way?

For a while now, my stomach area has been really aggravating me. I saw the doctor in January and had blood work done and an ultrasound done to check out my stomach, kidneys, etc. Everything came back okay and nothing seemed to be wrong. They gave me Prevacid to take. I've been taking it ever since, and still having uncomfortable burning pains from my chest, down. Today, I went back to the doctor and told her that my problems were still occurring. She gave me a another prescription to take when my stomach (or whatever it is) is having spasms. We'll see how all that works out.

On Saturday, I'm having a CT scan done. Then going to a GI doctor sometime next week or the week after. After talking to my mom, I'm thinking I could have Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease can't tolerate gluten, which is in wheat - bread, pasta, etc... everything I love! Why I'm thinking this may be the problem, is because I taught a boy 2 years who was 4 years old and he had this disease. His stomach was really big for a kid, and it wasn't just "baby fat." After doctors found out his problem, and put him on a gluten-free diet, his stomach went completely back to normal.

With this said, I'm going to mention it to Wake Radiology on Saturday when I go in for my CT scan. Please just keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I feel fat and I hate feeling this way. Everyone around me says "you look fine" etc, but I just don't feel that way at all...I really want to get all of this solved, because it's kinda been irritating me and stressing me out recently.