Never Say Never

Wow, it's been a long time. Time just whips by way too fast these days and I am not sure where all it goes. A lot seems to have happened in my life since this last post. Here's a quick run down:

1. My favorite holiday: July 4th!! We went to my cousin's house for a pool party. We ate lots of food, swam, and played some cornhole. Here's Brett teaching Thomas the ins and outs of the game.

Thomas and I (Brett was being a party pooper) got experience Thunder on the Mountain, literally. We went to Meg's house and pretty much had a front row seat. It was beautiful. I always get a little misty eyed during the fireworks show. Thomas also loved it.

2. I've been on a bit of a reading binge. Recently, I discovered how wonderful checking books out of the library is. You can go online, add books to your cart and then when you books are ready to be picked up you get a sweet little email letting you know. To top it all off, it's free. Why am I just now realizing this?? I guess it's better late than never.

3. We made a quick trip to Jacksonville, FL to celebrate the life of a very close family friend, Andy. Andy lost his short, but courageous battle with cancer earlier this month, he was only 23. I've yet to wrap my brain how something like this can happen to someone so young, someone with so much life left to live. My Aunt Sue, Andy's Mom, gave me some advice: cherish every moment. Those are words that I've heard before but it really hit me hard when she said it to me. Call me selfish, but 23 years with my little boy just doesn't seem like enough. I'll take what I can get though.

4. I've sworn up and down for the past 5 years that I would never ever be or want to be a Store Manager for the bank. Back in April I was asked to fill in as the Store Manager at a branch while the current manager was out on maternity leave. The opportunity was great since it gave me a taste of what it would be like to be a store manager and see if it was something I'd like to do. Well, recently a branch opened up in my district and I applied, interviewed, was offered the position, and accepted. So, I am now the store manager of the Trace Crossings branch and I am not sure how this all has happened. It seems like such a whirlwind. I am nervous, excited, scared, and much more about it.

I have two weeks of training starting on Monday in Hartselle, AL. Two weeks! Away from my little family! Luckily, Hartselle is only an hour away and I have two sets of dear friends that will let me stay with them while I am there. I am actually looking forward to training this time.

5. I've recently gotten Photoshop Elements. It isn't full blown Photoshop, but it's just enough. It's even still too much that I have no clue what I am doing. I've enjoyed playing around with it though. Here is a before and after shot.

Before:

After:

Photoshop is so complicated, there is no way I could possibly learn all the ins and outs of it. I sure can try though.

6. Planning a 2nd birthday party. 2 years! How is that even possible? It feels like it was just yesterday that I was complaining about how swollen my feet and ankles were and how ready I was to meet my baby.

I've gotten the invitations done and I've hand sewn (yes, you read that right) a Happy Birthday banner--that I am quite proud of. I just need to figure out the cake, balloons, snacks, and other small things. We've also been working on blowing out the candles.

Mom, I promise I won't go as long before my next post. Beach trip, birthdays, Aunt Emily coming in town--I should have plenty to share.