Progress

Corey has been adamantly looking for a new job, preferably at a fire station somewhere close (because God knows I will not let him go too far!). It's so much work to just get accepted to take the written test, which is the first part of the hiring process, then a physical test, which in part is followed by interviews and the POSSIBILITY of being hired, so there is no guarantee. Sunday he was offered a job working in Jacksonville for an ambulance company transporting patients, since he knows the owners of the company, he gets to skip the interview and basically once he submits his application, is hired. This is not what he went to school for, but he will get to utilize his EMT degree and hopefully in time, he will be invitied to test with a station. This is step one in "future" plans :)


Saturday I took the second part of my Hunter Safety Course. It was not my idea of fun, but we basically had to show we knew how to safely handle four differant guns and archery equipment. I kicked some behind on the skeet field, thanks in a large part to my dad dragging me out there to shoot skeet last year when he was home on R&R! So now I am officiailly a "safe hunter" and when we all go to South Carolina this year for hunting season, I can hunt...legally!

Bittersweet Moments

On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, Corey's Papa passed away. It has been such a roller coaster of a week, I want to feel happy that Papa is in such a better place, with no pain, but my heart hurts. I wish he was still here with us, that is the selfishness inside of me right now. I should feel jealous that he left us here to be in a far better place, knowing that we are all going to see him again someday, but that is very hard for me. And even though he wasn't technically MY Papa, he was just as close.

I have so much I want to write or say about the whole situation, but I find it's easier just to pray that all the angels in Heaven are taking good care of him. I feel so blessed to have known him and been as close to him as I was. There is no doubt in my mind that the day he left us was perfectly planned out by God and every moment he spent with us that day will be cherished forever, as well as every moment before that day!

I say that these moments are bittersweet because I can't help but to cry when I think about Papa, just missing him in general, but then I can't but smile everytime I think about how he called me "his sweets" and how much he loved Corey and how proud of him he was.

There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven.
[2] A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
[4] A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
[6] A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
[8] A time to love and a time to hate.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8



William "Bill" Starner [September 10, 1927 ~ April 16, 2008]

What a differance a year makes

I know that life changes as you get older, you meet new people, you go to new places, etc. but I've never felt or experienced so much change over a course of time than I have this past year. So many things happened, some of which weren't the happiest of moments, but on the other hand, I did fall in love with the most amazing person I've ever met, I've realized what it really, truly means to be happy with someone and what it's like to be so in love with someone and to know that they feel exactly that same way about you, without question. This year has been so exciting, I know this is just the very beginning for Corey and I, and honestly my favorite memories, thus far, are the ones he and I have made together.

I would have to say that I've learned a lot, not only from personal experience, but also from watching other people. So many people that Corey and I grew up with and graduated high school with are married and starting families of their own and it blows my mind to think about it! That doesn't go to say that I am not thrilled for all of our friends who are happily married or who have beautiful children of their own, but it all seems so surreal to me. And it's funny to think about all of it. I can't wait to get married, I know it's only a matter of time for Corey and I, and I have no problem waiting...but I'm starting to feel left out, haha!

Lauren used to tell me all the time how she hated getting older and having to grow up and I would just look at her like she was crazy, and now I can see how growing up and gaining this sense of responsibility that I've always seen other people carry is now becoming my own, in a way it's kind of scary. But I am so thankful for every opportunity I've had and every lesson I've learned...my hope is that I can take all of this and use it.

Happy Birthday Corey Ryan

It just happens that Corey's birthday falls on a night that I have my class and a lab, but it's not just any lab, it's THE most important lab of the whole semester (figures) and can absolutely not be made up (again, that figures)...which means I won't get out of class and over to Corey's house until after 9 tonight. I have been so sneaky with his present, since he knew what he got I had to lie to make him believe he didn't get it...and he actually believed me! I'm very proud of myself for not giving it to him early, and that he has no idea he's really getting it, so he will be surprised!
I'm just bummed that we don't get to spend but only the last few hours of his birthday together, but he assures me that "it'll all be okay..." :(

And even though he NEVER reads this, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Corey... I love you!

Nathan and Tricia Lawrenson

Tonight, I am praying especially for Nate and Tricia. You can read Nate's blog here to get an idea of whats going on. I ask that anyone who reads my blog and happens to read Nate's as well, to please say an extra prayer for his family, and also for him. I know they are very strong Christians and God is working in their lives. I read Nate's blog every day and it's amazing to read about all the miracles and blessings going on with them and through their story.

4 more days...

and Corey will be 21! I can still remember being 17 and meeting him for the first time, it's CRAZY how much has changed. Not only that, but how much we have changed! I think I am more excited about his birthday than he is...but I think he's just not "acting" as excited as I am, I know he secretly really is! I have to take his present to his parent's house so his Mom can hide it from me and prevent me from giving it to him early, which I had to do with his Christmas presents. I just get excited and I want to give him his presents right away, I hate waiting...but, I did get him his Garmin GPS for his truck, which I'm sure he will LOVE! I just might steal it though, I really like the Australian guy's voice on it :)

He really surprised me on Sunday when he gave me a promise ring. I know some people aren't huge on that whole concept, but it was the sweetest thing in the world! We already know we're going to get married, we're just not in that "Let's get married right NOW" state (yet), but I promise...our day is coming! It seems like we're going to have another summer full of weddings, last summer was chaos, it seemed like we were going to a wedding every weekend, and if you're from Starke then you know I'm not exaggerating! I love weddings though, so I don't mind, but poor Corey...he was tired of them after I drug him to 3 or 4!

Our First Easter Together

Corey and I had a great Easter, it was the first one that we got to spend together. It makes me kind of sad to think that once he gets hired on at a Station, we won't know ahead of time the holidays we get to spend together and the ones we won't. I guess that comes with the territory. I won't complain about that now, I'll wait until it atleast gets to that point!

I think I had the most fun with the egg hunt that Corey's parents put on for Gregg, Corey and I. Needless to say, I didn't find the most eggs but it's not always quantity, sometimes its quality! I found the eggs with all the money hid in them! Those poor boys, they have no idea the kind of skills I have!