FLORIDA!

So, we've been in FL for about 5 days now and I miss it terribly! It's been 70-80 degrees the entire time...I just want to stay here. Why not?

We went to Disney yesterday, it was absolutely ridiculously and disgustingly busy. No, not just busy, PACKED! The kids had a blast though, and we had fun too. I want to go back when it isn't so busy! Jake and I have been by ourselves...when we first got married, but I would like to take the kids during a different time of the year.

Anyway, we're enjoying our next couple days of FL weather...and not looking forward to going back up to MD! Ugh!

:-) Hope you all had a great Christmas! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So we're headed to Florida the day of Christmas - we'll be stopping in GA, to stay with Amy and John (Jake's sis and bro-in-law) for the night and then go on down to the Sunshine state!!! Ahhhh, I cannot wait to be back in the warm weather again! We really miss living there! It literally feels like 7 degrees here right now...ridiculous.

The girls don't know yet, but we are going to Disney World while we're down there. Halee is going to go crazy with all the princesses! I can't wait to post pictures. We'll be down in FL for a good week, hopefully we'll be able to defrost while we're down there. :-)

CHRISTMAS!!

I'm so excited for Christmas! We decorated our townhouse today, got our Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving, finished our Christmas shopping yesterday--YAY!!! I just cannot wait. We have decided that one of our traditions will be to sleep down in the living room Christmas Eve, as a family - Jake actually suggested it! And I love it. Halee is really understanding what Christmas is about - which is such a joy! Today she found a picture of Jesus hugging someone and ran to us, telling us all about it!

One thing that really upsets me though is the "Christian" radio station in our area. It's really pathetic and Jake and I would almost rather listen to a secular station or only our 1 Christmas CD because of it. I was running to Lowe's with Halee today and we are listening to this particular station, we were singing to the music and just enjoying the Christmas spirit. But then these idiots started talking...and ADULTS, yes adults, were saying that they were so thankful for the real reason for the season which was "all the turkey, food, friends, and family...", "that we can celebrate the religious reason, not just santa...", "giving to others..." UGH!!! Not one word about Jesus Christ, OUR SAVIOR, being born - nothing, nada...I immediately called Jake because I was so upset. It's absolutely ridiculous, those things are great but the REAL reason is Christ's miraculous birth!

Some people may be a little taken back by my previous post, others may think they are better than me, and many may just shake their head in shock or disgust. That's fine. But I hope you will read and share my joy at the things that I have been through. I am confident that my God loves me unconditionally, no matter what people think. I am also thankful that God used tough times in my life to strength and grow me.

July 6, 2001 (Out of a journal entry from 2001)

Last night I went over to Missy's (well she's house-sitting), and a bunch of people were there! It was so fun. I drank for the first time, I mean I've tried it before, but just a taste...definitely haven't ever gotten drunk. I mean, my parents don't drink, so I've never been exposed to alcohol and I've been taught that I shouldn't. But seriously they also won't take me seriously, they won't even let me going to BBC to play soccer. You would think they would want me to go to a good Christian college - whatever. So last night, I got so drunk -it felt good to do whatever I wanted- it was so fun, although this morning I didn't feel so hot. And I lost my virginity...ugh! Serves my parents right. They are so strict and ridiculous. If they gave me some slack maybe I wouldn't have to act out so much. I hope I never treat my kids like this! So all in all, I had a great birthday! 18 BABY!!! I think I'm going to move out of my parents house. I mean what's the use of being there anyway. All they do is give me rules, that are absolutely ridiculous! Whatever, I'm 18 - I can do what I want.

July 6, 2001 (Looking back from where I am now)
So, I made the biggest choice of my life last night. It was my birthday, I turned 18! Missy was house-sitting so a bunch of us went over and had a party. I had never really drank alcohol before, except a taste here and there, but I got wasted. I did a couple things I regret, including losing my virginity. Yeah...wasn't the best choice of my life. At all. Ugh, on top of that, I felt awful this morning. But I'm at the lowest point of my life right now, so I am just going to keep getting lower, until I realize that I really need to find my relationship with God again. This night changed the rest of my life forever.

I'm starting today...I mean, my life is so complicated but yet so simple. I am very busy - finishing up 2 courses through the local community college, working 20 hours a week at Sbux, taking care of 3 small children, taking care of (I mean spending time with) my husband, cleaning, laundry...etc but I have, more than ever before, the desire to write. I would say that I'm not even a very good "writer". But I really don't care, I want to share my life, my story, my love to the world. So, I'm starting today. I've just been inspired...thank you.