Too close to Christmas to be away...

So this week we're in Gainsville, Florida for T's job. He has a new store to open here, and training the staff...and then we're heading off to Delray Beach, Florida (which is about 4 more hours South) for all of next week. I was slightly disappointed when he told me that he had to be away for 2 weeks because that put me in a difficult position to make a decision. I know what you're thinking, "is it really that hard to decide if you want to spend 2 weeks in Florida"? Actually, it was. I definitely didn't want to be away from my husband for a whole 2 weeks, so hands down that made my final decision, but I really had a hard time deciding because I just have so much to do at home...we aren't even going to be back until the Sunday before Christmas. The hardest part is missing all the Christmas festivities back at home. Kaitlyn had a thing at school she had wanted me to come to, mom's christmas play at her church, Mannie's christmas play at hers...it's just hard, I feel like I'm missing out on so much. But I'm here, and actually Gainsville isn't so bad at all...there are LOTS of shopping places around here (you can imagine how excited T was to see that)...and I do have a few things left to get for Christmas gifts...so I'll make do.
Enough complaining.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. FINALLY!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Jess : )

My little blessing....

Today has been a pretty fantastic day. I had planned on visiting with Alyssa today since she's back in Asheville ( I like to see her and the other kiddos as much as I possibly can) and I was so excited when she wanted me to stay the night with her tonight. She doesn't usually like anyone but her mom to stay with her, so I felt extra special when she actually WANTED me to stay the night with her! We've had a good time tonight. We haven't done a whole lot, but I walked her laps with her in the hall, and she's got her strength up and movin' pretty fast. Tonight she's pretty tired, and we're both just kinda hangin' out and watchin' some Disney Channel. FUN! Haha. But really, I love every single minute of it. I love this kid, and her family more than anyone could ever know...
So that being said, she started her radiation treatments today, she has one every day for 22 days. Im asking that everyone who reads this send up a special prayer for this little girl and her family...If everything goes well she's hoping to go home for a few days around Christmas. There couldnt be anything worse then having to spend Christmas in the hospital. She's already spent her birthday, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving in here...
God is so good, and I know that only He can work in her life. Please just pray for her, and all of the cancer kids and families that are going through anything like this.

Holiday Exhaustion

So...Thanksgiving is over. YAY! Bring on the Christmas music. T laughs at me because I refuse to listen to christmas music or wrap any presents until after Thanksgiving. It's important for me to keep the holidays individual and celebrate them that way...I'm not exactly sure why though. It just drives me nuts when Walmart has started the christmas decorations and it's just JULY!

Thanksgiving was great with our families, even though it was incredibly busy. We started out at T's parents in Bishopville, SC (which was very eventful the night before Thanksgiving) and then drove down to Rocks Pond, SC on Thanksgiving day for his extended family Thanksgiving meal. We then drove 4 1/2 hours back up to NC to visit with my family that evening. T got his day of rest and relaxation yesterday...I however was awake at 3 am for Black Friday shopping. We started at Walmart (which was COMPLETELY insane) and then to Hendersonville and Asheville for MORE shopping. By 6pm when my sister, my mama, and I got home...I was beat. Needless to say, today was a day to sleep in, rest, and do absoultely nothing. It's been a cold and nasty day out...so we ventured to the movies to see 4 Christmases (which was pretty funny) and then to Cato's (haha...never too tired to shop I suppose). Finally T and I are back at home in Greenville for a few days, before heading to Florida for his job. Ugh.

I'm tired from just re-reading what I've done these past few days...

Beyond Blessed

Hi all...T and I are down in Bishopville, spending some time with his side of the family for Thanksgiving. Last night was a rough night, and I won't go into detail online, but something happened with my sister-in-laws brother, and we ended up getting roughly around 3 hours of sleep. Unfortunately it did not end well for him, and it's just so sad and unfortunate that it had to happen...especially being Thanksgiving (he's just in heaps of trouble).
It made me stop and think about things that I am so very thankful for. God has blessed my life in so many different ways, and I know that I could never be thankful enough to him for all he has done. Too many times I get stuck on "my problems" that I don't see the blessings...
I have an amazing family (and wonderful in-laws too)...my sister that is my best friend, parents that have worked hard all my life to teach me right from wrong, and help me learn about the love that God has given to me, my brother, who despite his age right now, loves and looks out for me...even from an hour and a half away. I have Ginger and her kids, who no matter how far away they are, love and miss me...and make me feel needed...and Alyssa who is improving everyday (the power of God is amazing).
I have a wonderful husband, T, who loves me, unconditionally, and I know I can rely on him, who works very hard for our family, and is my supporter.
I have amazing friends who would bend over backwards for me, who pray for me everyday, and who just make me laugh and enjoy the goodness in life.
I have an awesome God. I have been given another day to breathe in life, and rejoice in the many blessings he has given to me. How incredible is that? I can't imagine not having all that to rely on. To know that every new day that I am given, it's because God has a purpose for me in that day...if not, I wouldn't be here.
I know that I could never be THANKFUL enough for what He has given to me, but I want to share my thanks for Him with others.
Thank you God, THANK YOU!
I challenge you all to look at your lives as well. Not the problems, the blessings. Think about it...are YOU thankful?

<3 Jess

Exciting News : )

Okay....I'm new at this whole blogging thing, but I've heard it's a really good way to vent, and just get things out there. So, here's mine.

Here's a little bit of background:
*I married the love of my life, Trevor, on August 30, 2008. I now live in Greenville, SC...about an hour and a half from my hometown Canton, NC, and it's tough. It's hard to leave family, and friends that you are so close to. I have lots and lots of friends, but my "little twin" sister is my best.
*I love God, and am so very thankful for the many things that I have been blessed with.
*I have an "etended family" (Ginger and all her kiddos) that we kind of adopted into our family. They spend lots of time with us and are a part of all of our family traditions/holidays. I consider Ginger to be my "big sister" and the kids are my "neices and nephews". Back in February of this year Alyssa, the oldest, who is only 10 years old, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma (cancer)...and it's been tough. I can't even imagine what Ginger is going through, because I know how hard it's been on me just seeing it all. Her kids are a HUGE part of my life, and not just now, they have been for as long as I can remember. I even got to be there for the birth of Savannah (who just turned 1 year old) and cut her cord and be the first (after Ginger) to hold her...It was an amazing experience.
*I got to spend some time with Kaitlyn and Daniel this past weekend, T and I took them to see the new movie Bolt, and we had fun. It was really hard to leave them while they were begging to come back to Greenville with me. I love them so very much.
**SO THE EXCITING NEWS: Alyssa was sent back to Mission Hospital in Asheville today, after being told she would probably be at Duke through Christmas and probably longer...so that was GREAT NEWS! Hopefully I will get to see them sometime this week or next. They are both very excited to be so much closer to home so they can see the other kids and family.
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On another note...I'm starting North Greenville University in January of '09...and should have my Elementary Education Degree in a year and a half (at the most). I have 93 transferrable credits from HCC (I changed from Early Childhood to College Transfer and have tons of extra classes) so I will be entering NGU as a junior. I can't wait to be a teacher : )

Oh...and my dog snores. I know, random...but she does, and it's ridiculously loud. Go figure.