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:)

Happy Easter!!

Even though it is almost over, HAPPY EASTER!!  Hopefully, everyone has had a wonderful Easter Sunday!!  I will take you through our day:)



The Easter Bunny came:)

I guess Stuart and I were good since the Easter Bunny decided to make a stop at our house.  This year included candy, shorts, a bow tie, trail mix, a Vera Bradley bag and a massage certificate... so I thought...  Next we went to church in Phenix City and went to the Browns' afterwards for lunch and a good ole fashioned Easter egg hunt.

Our first Easter as the Browns:)

Next, we went inside and shared Easter gifts, or once again... so I thought.  I got a birthday present early from Stuart, his parents and my parents!!

A new Nikon D3100 SLR with 2 lenses!!

 

I have soooo much to learn about this new toy!!  I am so excited to use it though!!  I had a ton of fun just shooting pictures all day, using different settings and actually see how bad a photographer I am.  I am going to post a few pics just for me to compare to later, when I become a picture perfect photographer!!  BTW--if anyone has ANY tips, feel free to send them my way!!

A Stuart Brown original:)

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO THIS GUY RIGHT HERE!!  THANK YOU STUART FOR COORDINATING WITH THE CAMERA FAIRY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!

I Love You:)

Happy Easter to all and to all a goodnight:)

A Tornado of a Weekend...

We had a great, fun and fast weekend in Mississippi!  It was a quick trip for my cousin's wedding, but a great excuse to see family, especially SUSAN and JOSIAH!!  My parents picked them up in Chattanooga on Thursday, while my brother and sister-in-law got a vacation, so we got play all weekend!!  We got to Brandon, despite driving through floods and tornadoes, literally, just in time to see family before wedding festivities began.  Uncle Stuart got to play "daddy" while the girls went to a tea Saturday morning.  Everyone was fed, somewhat clean and toileted to satisfaction.  We then headed back to the hotel to get rests and baths for the big event!  The wedding was beautiful and we wish Lauren and Whit many happy years of marriage:)  On Sunday, we loaded everything back up (not a simple task) and enjoyed one last family feast before we all went our separate ways. 

While it was a short trip, it was great seeing everyone!!  Here are a few pictures to share from the weekend!!

The Suse & Josiah

Silly Susan:)

"We are girls so we smell pretty."  --Susan Latimer

Boys




I must admit, I am super jealous that my mom gets to spend ALL WEEK with the kids and I don't, but I guess that just means that they will have to come spend a week with Aunt Sara and Uncle Stu soon!!