Such a slacker....

Yes, I am fully aware that today is July 12.  Life has not stopped long enough for me to post, so I thought, "better late than never!"  So... with that being said, "HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!"  I hope that everyone was able to enjoy their independence day, celebrating the freedoms and luxuries that we often take for granted. 

To-Do List:

Sara's To-Do List:

• Alaskan Cruise
• Win the lottery
• Travel around the world
• Go to the NKOTBSB concert and touch Joey McIntyre's hand!!

Yup.... that's one more thing off my to do list!!!!  On Wednesday, my best boo Cotney and I ventured to the ATL to live one of our lifelong dreams.  We had tickets to the NKOTBSB concert!!  With only 7 rows of 98% women between us and our teenage heart throbs, we were officially in heaven.  It truly was an AMAZING concert and brought back so many memories!!  Oh... and did I mention.... JOEY MCINTYRE TOUCHED OUR HANDS, SANG TO US AND RAISED HIS EYEBROWS AT US AS HE PERFORMED ON THE LEDGE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US?  Yeah... he did.  I am pretty sure that I not only repeatedly hit Cotney on the back in shock and quit breathing!!   Here are just a few of the over 100 pictures that were taken: (ps... these are with my "old" camera:))

THE tickets:)

for Cotney, love Donnie

right before Joey made his way down the ledge and touched our hands

a freshly touched hand by Joey:)

the whole gang+Brian's son

confetti on "the ledge"

Overall, the night was just amazing.  There are no words to describe our NKOTBSB experience!!  

My head is spinning!!

I am smack in the middle of site visit and can barely look ahead.  I can honestly say that I have always been blessed with jobs that are not too requiring of my time in the "after hours," but this job is surely not the case (I know, since I have had soooo many jobs:)).  I have put in many, many hours at our agency to ensure that our charts, paperwork, trainings, etc are all up to par.  I am exhausted, hungry, grouchy, emotional and can barely see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I even question myself, "am I cut out for this?"  But then I stop and think of all of the consumers that we have helped and those who's life has been changed for the better, because my agency exists.  I know we are by no means perfect, but knowing that it allows us to have a program, a bed or a staff to look up to tomorrow.... it makes it all worth it.


ps-- to anyone who has called, emailed, texted, facebooked, etc in the past 7 days... forgive me.  I have barely even acknowledged my own existence, much less anyone elses.  I promise I will re-surface when this is all over!! 

A Leave of Absence

Whew... what a week. After graduation, I had a work conference in Birmingham until Thursday and a weekend of work to prepare for site visit (which is quickly approaching)!! Until next week, I will be eating, breathing and dreaming of our state accredidation... no big deal?!?  Unfortunately, I am overwhelmed with cleaning up messes made prior to my arrival at this position, but it has been a tremendous learning experience.  One HUGE lesson learned is how important it is to be a team player.  It amazes me how much more can be done, especially for the good, when everyone does their share and works together.  Hmmmm... what a concept.

Anyways, don't expect any fantastic and inspiring blogs in the near future (as if they were before:))!!  If I can only make it through the next week of my life, I promise to post about the happy and fun times as a Brown!!

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.”

--Babe Ruth

ps-- I am so glad that I do have a wonderful player on my team:)  I couldn't do it without you!!

A Weekend Full of Milestones...

Well... where do I even start?  This weekend was filled with milestones that will not soon be forgotten.  I celebrated the big 2-9 in a low-key, old- person kind of fashion and Stuart graduated from Auburn University, on the hottest day of the year, I might add.  So, nonetheless, we have had a weekend of celebration, all with the theme of growing up.  Graduation was held outside, at Jordan-Hare Stadium for all 3,589 students to graduate in one ceremony.  It has not been held at the stadium since 1968, which I guess was pre-global warming days, seeing that it was 1,000 degrees with the sun baking the left side of my body.  While Stuart might have the diploma to remember the day by, I have the lovely awkward tan lines.  All in all, it was a wonderful day of celebrating and seeing Stuart move onto the next chapter of life:)

Here are a few pictures from our scorcher of a day:

Procession

College of Education

Where's Stuart?

Getting his diploma:)

He's a Graduate!!

Official:)

WAR EAGLE!!

Congratulations, Stuart!!  I knew you could do it... even without a textbook.  There are some lucky special education students, who will be very lucky to have you enrich their lives!!  Can't wait to see what your future holds.... besides me:)

PS... here is a little photo fun I had while sitting in the hot box today:)

Take a Moment...

As I posted my last post, I couldn't help but think about all those who have lost parts of their life this past week in the deadly tornadoes that took over our state.  I hope that everyone is slowly able to collect their life and piece it all back together.  I can't imagine how losing all of your possessions feels.... tragic.  I must say that it feels good to be from a state that has put all rivalries, issues and past grievances behind them and band together and help those in dire need.  As we go through the next few days, weeks and months, my prayers are with those who were affected by these horrific storms.

ps-- My parents are still without power (and probably will be until at least Tuesday), but did not suffer any major damage to their house, so we are very lucky!  Please keep them in your thoughts!!

**NEW POST BELOW**

Goodbye, Old Friend!!

I thought that I would take a moment to give a shout out and say goodbye to an old friend of mine...

My beloved, Nikon Coolpix.  You have been such a great companion the past few years, capturing many of my favorite moments in life.  I can thank you for providing me with vivid memories, from milestones to nights of fun, you were there.  It must have been true love, seeing that you were returned to me after weeks of separation.  I carelessly left you in the dressing room at the bridal shop and someone mistook you for their camera and took you home.  Thankfully, they were very kind and returned you to your home:)  Rest assured, this is not a forever goodbye, just a "see you later."  I will still be utilizing your friendship for things that are not "big girl camera appropriate" (ie- NKTOBSB concert in less than 2 months!!!)  So until then... thanks for the memories:)