Decade in review...

2000 - I survived Y2K...which technically isn't saying much but the media DID try to scare us. Due to our impending mortality, my bff at the time and I dressed as new years princesses...kind of hot:) I'd post pics if I wasn't scared of my storage unit.

2001 - Big year for me...graduated from college with a fabulous degree that has earned me exactly NADA:) Also got hitched...can you hear the wedding bells singing softly??

2002 - BIGGER year...had first child in October. Changed my life...I cannot even express how it changed my life. I remember looking at him in the hospital...drugged, scared...and alone...and thinking...nothing else in THIS world matters....and I knew that God was very real.

2003 - Bought our first house...I became queen of the doublewide:) YES...I've heard the redneck jokes:). Let me give you another laugh...we had goats...as pets...they had names. Tinkerbell, Buzz and Lady...and Lady was retarded...and had seizures...shut up.

2004 - I can't think of anything too eventful...Brad went back to school...Bishop turned 2...

2005 - Got pregnant with baby #2...later to be named Shayden. We were praying about whether we wanted another child and it happened...so regardless of how some see it...she WAS and IS an answer to prayer.

2006 - Shayden came into the world kicking and screaming as any good diva does. Lost my grandmother...someone who loved me unconditionally and whole heartedly. Shayden had colic for 6 months...marriage began to slowly become...stale.

2007 - NEW HOME...brick, 2 car garage, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 3 living areas...the American Dream...ended the year on a bad note. Husband left on New Year's Eve...not a good way to bring in the new year. Did I mention we were supposed to have a party? I can literally hear the party horns fizzling...

2008 - Where to begin? Discovered the world again...remembered who SHANA was. Discovered I was stronger than I ever imagined. Discovered that I can do ANYTHING through CHRIST. Went to work full time for the first time in my life...struggled, battled, prayed, got ditched by lots of people...climbed my way back up...whew. Ended the year struggling with whether or not to give ex husband a chance...

2009 - Lubbock journey changed my life:). Started dating ex husband and allowed God to work in both of us. Sat down at church one evening and preacher looked directly at me and said, "God can save your marriage." Cried hysterically...listened, trusted...God is good, and faithful...and well...just all around awesome. Brad & I will get remarried in April...


I truly just discovered that the children born in 1979 get to begin each decade at a milestone year...in 2000 we all turned 20...this year, we all turn 30. How very cool. I am 30! Did you hear that world? THIRTY. I get to start the new decade as a REAL adult...are you laughing?

Seriously...I know it will be another crazy ride...I also know I have the right person driving...and it ain't me:)

Happy 2010 friends:)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It has been awhile:) Life got a little busy with school, work, kids, life, AND the Christmas season but I think I am back for awhile. I decided that I would make some resolutions for the new year...or as I prefer to say...make goals for 2010. So...here goes...

1) I think all women have the same resolution at the top of their list...lose weight. Mine is no different. I MUST LOSE 10 pounds. Must. I have to wear a white dress in April...enough said. I will do this by practicing weight watchers and excercising 4 times a week...I will walk, ride a bike, and do some crunches. I will not run.

2) I will not touch the child support we receive for the next 5 months...this will pay for our vacation AND put money in savings. I won't touch it, I won't touch it, I won't touch it!!!!!! This means....I am officially poor:)

3) I will read my Bible everyday...even if it is just a verse. (I will make sure my kids at least look at the pictures in theirs. Shayden actually has a new rhyming Bible...the rhymes are sometimes a stretch but she actually asks to read it...so...I recommend it!!!) I will focus more on God being present in the little things...I always ask for his help when the problem seems large but I will try to turn to Him for the smaller things I think I can handle...which I usually can't:). I will continue to put him first in my life and in my soon to be marriage...

4) I will quit apoligizing for the following things: being a women that is emotional, irrational, and at times hormonal...that is how God created women; for wanting to be a mom first and not being completely excited about working...again how God created us; for living at home...it works for us for now and allows us to prepare for the future God has for us...I will NOT apoligize for waiting for God to unveil his plans; having an opinion that is different; for not being a neat freak; or for talking about my personal bff, JC:). If any of this offends you, we should probably not be friends...but I still love you:)

I want to start this decade out right...the last one was good, bad, and ugly...and I suspect this next will be no different. I just want how I handle it all to be different. I get to start 2010 off as a thirty year old...how cool is that?? New friends, new husband...job opportunities, I can't wait. GOD IS SO STINKING AMAZING. Happy New Year friends....