Life Lessons...

First off-- get excited, Mom! I think I actually ENJOY reading! Well... let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, maybe I have just picked some really good books lately. Right now, I am knee deep in the book, "Bloom. Finding Beauty in the Unexpected." It is A-MAZING!! I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

This book by Kelle Hampton is the true story of her family's story of finding out their youngest child has Down Syndrome when she was born. Kelle reflects on this life changing milestone as well as the important things that aid someone in surviving the tough stuff, friends that go that extra mile, family that knows your mind's racing thoughts and communities that support your ups and downs. I have followed Kelle's blog for sometime now, but this book has taught me more about life than my prior 30 years. Not only does Kelle have the most amazing and cute family, but she is also a fantastic photographer and writer. I have truly been touched by her stories of life experiences that has brought her to where she is today.

Reading Kelle's experiences forced me to recall many life lessons that I have been blessed with in my day to day encounters. I can't help but be thankful for the many lives that I have crossed paths with and reflect on the lessons they have taught me. Working in the field I do, I feel like I get to really experience life as it was intended to be. Life was intended to be filled with experiences that teach you something, whether good or bad. The Hamptons have taken everything thrown their way, embraced it, given it 150% and shared it with the world. It only inspires me to provide open opportunities to all of the adults I work with, providing them with a foundation and education to take with them and live their life to the fullest. Everyone deserves the right to succeed and Kelle and her precious family are striving their daughter, Nella, with any opportunity they can. I can only hope that I can have her positive and eager outlook to strive for the best.

I am struggling to find my next read, since this book has placed so high on my reading list. I will gladly take recommendations, as I am drawing a blank. Kelle Hampton has truly put her thoughts and songs of her heart into words and shared with the world. I truly hope that others can take this material and take as many lessons as I have to maybe "better" the world.

I wanted to share a song that Kelle shares in her book that one of her dear friends shared with her while she was still in the hospital. The song,"Add to the Beauty" by Sara Groves speaks loudly to me how the world should be. I can only hope that these words can speak to mankind, that we might be a little more kind, a little more gentle and a little more beautiful to those around us.

We come in with beautiful secrets.

We come with purposes written on our hears,

Written on our souls.

We come to every new morning with possibilities

Only we can hold...

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces

Calling out the best of who we are.

And I want to add to the beauty

To tell a better story

I want to shine with the light

That's burning up inside...

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces

Calling out the best of who we are...

This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful

...an invitation...

Calling out our best.

Kelle & Nella Hampton

Friday the 13th and Impromptu Trips...

So working in Mental Health, I have become a firm believer of full moons, Friday 13th and all the other "twilight-ish" types of days.  Usually, it is a day that my co-workers and I dread with every ounce of our beings, but today... I was lucky enough to not experience this dreaded Friday at work. I (and my dad who was on a business trip and my Aunt from Mississippi) made a quick, impromptu trip to Huntsville, to be with my mom.  While my luck worked in my favor, my mom's.... not so much.  This will be a Friday the 13th that she will not soon forget.  After she suffered a fall yesterday, she required surgery on her compound fractured ankle this morning to install 7 screws and a plate.  She will most definitely set off the metal detectors at the airport.  Even though she came through the surgery beautifully, it is definitely going to be a long road to recovery.  She is not allowed to put ANY weight on it for 4 weeks... which I view as impossible.  I had to ask her if she would like for me to order her a Hoveround... you never know when you might want to visit the Grand Canyon?  Hopefully, the hospital and wonderful doctors and nurses are able to keep her pain under control enough tonight for her to be released tomorrow.  I have no doubt that the pain that she has experienced from her 3 fractures (one on each side of the ankle and one on the tibia) and dislocation (like rotated the wrong way...) ranks on up there with kidney stones and childbirth.  If you get a chance, feel free to shoot her a prayer for a quick recovery and easy, pain-free and crazy-free healing.  While I love being home and seeing family, I hate the circumstances. 

Since my Aunt and my dad are taking over doctor duty tomorrow afternoon, my plan is to meet Stuart in Birmingham for us to celebrate our 2nd anniversary.  Being that he is working camp and I will be in Huntsville, we won't get to celebrate much on the actual day, so we are having dinner and going to the Stardome to see Rodney Carrington.  I am so excited to spend the night with some great friends (and husband) and have some great laughs!



For Real This Time!!

Ok... I know what you are thinking.  But I promise, I'm for real this time.  My blogging bug has bitten me once again and I am back.  I know there are no real excuses, but I will say that my summer vacation the past few/many weeks have been all work AND all play!!  I was able to get a bit of time in at CSH (my home away from home), trips to the pool, trips to the lake, Fort Rutger graduations, endless nights with friends, fun days at work and many more.  It's hard to think that the summer is half way over, but that only inspires me to enjoy it even more!!  SJB has been at Camp ASCCA since Memorial Day, so I have hated enjoyed having a quiet, empty house to come home to where I haven't had to cook a soul dinner or do absolutely anything.  He gets to come home every Friday-Sunday, so I definitely enjoy my weekends with him!  In the next few weeks, we will be enjoying:  our 2nd anniversary, trip to Birmingham, trip to Monroeville (just me:)), trip to the Neshoba County Fair and much, much more!!  I will have plenty to share over the next few weeks... I can only hope I have time to share it!!

Here are a few pictures from our past few weeks...

Olympic night at CSH

Zula's (& Joe's) Hug Booth

David's Helicopter School Graduation/Pinning

The 4th at the Lake

Liam or Langston....

4 kids under 8 months

The whole gang:)

Andie was a GREAT entertainer!!

Me and the sweet Suzanne:)

So... as you can see I have not just been sitting at home, choosing not to blog.  Well, maybe I have, but needless to say.... I'm back.... again!!

I have a lot coming up in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for a lot more fun!!

Better late than never....

A few weeks ago (yes, I know I am behind...) my niece and nephew got to spend a couple of weeks with their GG. I was lucky enough to get to spend a few days with them at my parents' house and in Mississippi for my cousin's baby shower. We had a great time hanging out, doing our nails, building legos, getting haircuts, bubble baths, going to a "girl party," hotel parties and much, much more. Here are a few pictures to show some of our good times!!

Playing with Miriam

Our new legos!!

Hop scotch with the Suse!!

Posing for the camera!!



Ninja moves:)

Granddaddy and J & S

Using the remote:)

Susan helping at Ashley's "Girl Party"

GG & the Suse:)

Sleeping Susan

DJ, Samuel, Josiah, Susan and Bo 

Can't wait til they make their way back down south!!

3 Decades Old...

Well.... It's official.  I am 10 decades old.  As of Tuesday, I have lived on this earth for 30 years.  My world-wind birthday WEEK has included a trip to the beach with Georgia and Allison, flowers, cards, a trip with work to Birmingham for a conference, dinners with co-workers, a new flash for my camera, a surprise dinner with friends and a fiesta by the pool to wrap it all up.  Needless to say, I am feeling very blessed having my family and friends celebrate this special day!  And believe it or not, I do not feel a day over 18!!  Here are a few pictures from my week-o-fun...

An un-edited picture before going to birthday dinner:)

A peek at what my new flash can do...

Our hats at the beach:)

Here's to my next 30 years!!!

The Best Kind of Post...

Since I have been such a slacker, I thought that I would recap the past few months by sharing some photos.  Sorry if they are not in chronological order, but rest assure that they were all good times!!

Gender reveal for Ashley & Jason!!

It's a BOY!!

Baby Anderson:)

Sweet Suzanne!!

Mardi Gras Ball!!

Sip & See for Georgia, Dustin & Suzanne:)

Suzanne & Eli's first date

Photo shoots with Friends:)

One of my favorites...

Eli & Zoe

Maddie turned 3!!

Easter 2012... and I won the egg hunt!!

My newest camera attachment....

And it has a remote!!

Jimmy Buffett with Amanda & Heath!!

All the parrotheads:)

My Buffett debut...

Stuart & Heath's new friend:)

Suart & Pat Dye at the CSH fundraiser!!

Birthday Beach Trip Destin

LAST BUT NOT LEAST....

My sweet Abby went to heaven:(  While I know that she is enjoying her eternal nap, she is definitely missed.  Abby is the only pet that I have ever had... and she was by far the best cat ever!!  My parents' house is just not the same without her.

Hopefully, you understand why I haven't been blogging since I have been so busy with all of the above events!  Next up, Josiah and Susan are coming South for 2 weeks!!  I am heading to Huntsville for a few days to play with them.  I can't wait!!