Where will He take you?

Have you ever looked back on your life, and said, "WOW I've experienced A LOT!" I just had one of those moments today. I guess I'm able to say that not many have the opportunity to be where I've been or do what I've done in just the past 6 or so years.

I've attended a Marine Corps graduation ceremony, and have kept in contact with someone through only writing letters for 5 months. I've had the pride of calling my husband a Marine. I've moved 21 hours away from home in a 2 door car stuffed with everything I could fit, so I could be near my (now-ex) husband.

I can tell you that I've walked on the white beaches of Pensacola, FL. I have seen the inside of 3 military bases. I've lived through a major hurricane and saw just how much destruction nature can do to a town. I've seen jets fly so close to the ground I could see the pilot, and I've seen the Blue Angels fly. I've stopped my car in the middle of the road or stopped what I was doing to look at the closest American flag and put my hand over my heart when its evening 'colors' because that's what you're supposed to do. AND SHOULD.

I survived 2 deployments, both of which helped me become a more independent person and I proved to myself that I CAN be on my own. I've also had the opportunity to work for some AMAZING people, who now consider family and had a job that I couldn't wait to go to work the next day. I've lived in 3 different states, and have been traveled to so many different places, I can't count them on two hands.

Out of all these things (and more) that I've seen and done, most importantly I've become a mother. I had the opportunity to carry a child inside me, to hear the first cry from her mouth, to watch her grow, see her first steps, and hear her first word.

It's so amazing what happens when you open yourself up to taking chances, "going with the flow", just letting life lead you instead of worrying about what you need to do in the next minute, hour, or day. I needed to stop myself for a second and remember that. I've made some incredible friends, (Stacy! Ryan!) met my AMAZING husband, and made some memories that I wouldn't have if I didn't take a chance.

Life has a way of working itself out. I just have to trust it. God has a plan for everyone, including me.

And I can't wait to see where He will take me next.

Why I'm happy to be a mom...

Moments like this...

She's Walking!

Getting By

Hi everyone,

Well, its been almost a month since Chris was laid off. We couldn't be more blessed though. Both of our families and friends have been helping us out A TON. We've managed to have all our bills payed on time--even April's rent. Thank you, GOD. I mean that. Our faith in him is what's keeping us going right now. He has a plan for us.

Chris found a job working in a furniture store. Not being payed what he was before, but, it's better than what he was getting from unemployment. NO ONE can survive on unemployment.

Anywho. Here are some pictures of Kaelah in her Easter dress. I love it!

Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

I know you get a million of these letters/emails a day, but I don't know where to go.

My husband was in the Marine Corps for 5 years. He decided not to re-up as I was pregnant with our first child and the thought of having to deploy to Iraq and leave his new family for 7 months twice a year just killed him.

After about 4 months of job hunting, Johnson Controls hired him on to their Atlanta, GA branch. We couldn't have been more blessed in a time where the economy was just starting to turn for the worse.

Nine months later, March 25, 2009, my husband called to tell me he had lost his job ,"due to the economy " and asked if I could pick him up from the office.

This is such a devastating blow to our family. We were trying to pay off our credit cards and improve our credit scores so we could buy our first house. We were ready to settle. We were only a few months away from doing so.

Now, we're deciding which parents home to move into.

I have been job hunting since July of 2008, when we first moved to Atlanta. I have had no luck. I have 3 years experience working with a Non-Profit organization, and some college majoring in Business Administration, plus 5+ years of working as a sales associate. I know I can wow my interviewers--if I could just get that interview.

Now that my husband is out of a job and we're in a panic. Yes, we can apply for unemployment. We wont be able to pay our rent and car and car insurance. Medical insurance is definitely a no, seeing that COBRA is wanting us to pay more than $600 a month--HALF of a month of unemployment. I do, however, plan on getting my daughter on the government assisted health insurance for the state of Georgia. Thank GOD for that.

I'm not looking for a hand out. I'm just looking for reassurance that we both will find a job and be able to afford our first house, and have our child live a stable life--soon.

Thank you for everything you are doing for our country. So far, I'm hopeful of what our future holds with you as our President.

God Bless,

Emily Turner
Proud, Hopeful American

Krissi's Visit!

I always love when Krissi comes down to see us. She keeps me company...haha.

Anyway, there was plenty of laughter, (inside jokes) reminiscing, girl talk, and just good old vegging, (oh how I miss those days.) Did I mention how much I love her?

Here are a few pics from the week:

So cute


Just playing around


Her first plane ride! haha.

The aftermath of bathtime splashing

Yea, I have a feeling these to will be inseparable

Geeze, she's getting too big, too fast!!

She's ready for her close-up Mr. De ville.


Possibly the beginning of 'Terrible Twos'


What a stinker!

It's always sad when she leaves. But, we know we'll see her again--and hopefully real soon!

Kaelah's big day...

She's a year old!?!?! I just can't believe it. It's been one of the best years of my life. Challenging at times, but so rewarding.

Chris's parents came down for the weekend, and we had such a great time! Here are some pictures...


We started the day opening birthday presents:




Then, we headed to the Georgia Aquarium:






And then ended the day with a little bit of ice cream cake!



What a great day!!!

For my daughter

Dear Kaelah,

For your first birthday I want to be able to give you something special to know how much you mean to me and your dad. But no toy or material object would ever express that. I don't think even this simple letter will do.


I loved you from the moment I Knew you were going to be in our life. I didn't care what you looked like or if you were a boy or a girl. You were ours, and that was all that mattered. I was excited, and also a little scared that I wouldn't be all that you wanted me to be. We found out you were going to be a girl and my heart jumped with joy! It was a princess that would be joining our family! And I knew the perfect name for you. I picked Kaelah because I love your Nana and Aunt Katie so much and wanted you to share something special between them. I picked Elizabeth because I wanted you to share something so special between my side of the family that has been passed on to each daughter.


Feeling you kick and move inside me was the most awesome feeling I have ever had and it gave me reassurance that I was keeping you healthy and letting me know that you were getting stronger. Just knowing that I was helping you grow and become strong was undescribable.

When I heard you cry for the first time in that hospital, I knew my life was changed
forever. I couldn't wait for our family to finally meet you. I was nervous believe it or not. But as soon as I held you for that first time, all my fears, worries and nervousness just melted away. You were so beautiful and full of love. I couldn't stop staring at you.


Both your father and I went into parenthood not knowing much about anything. But you were such a good baby, we quickly learned just how you liked things to be done--how much to feed you, how to burp you, how to get rid of that nasty gas, how you liked to fall asleep in the swing before we put you in your crib--I could go on and on.


I think the best experience for me, though, is seeing you learn and grow and knowing that Daddy and I were the ones to teach you. The day you learned how to crawl and pull yourself up to the couch, the day you said "mamma" and "dada" and the rest of the words you've learned, and watching you play with your baby doll cuddling and singing to it; doing as mommy does.


I hope one day when you're older, you'll look back on this letter and know how much you are loved by us. You are such a special little girl. You've brought so much happiness and love to our family and I can't remember a time in my life where I was more happy or proud before you joined our world. I can only hope that when you have a family of your own, you will be able to experience all the joy, all the excitement, all the pleasure that I have had as being your mommy.

I love you with all my heart always and forever,

Love,

Mommy

Just Relaxin...

They love their daddy

A Wedding...

Finally, pictures from my mom's wedding. I still don't have the actual wedding, as these are just the "before" shots...This is my mom. Gorgeous bride.
Bride's Family
Groom's Family
Chris, Kaelah and Me
Chris and Baby Girl

I'll hopefully have a couple CD's sent to me with the good stuff. It really was a pretty wedding. I'm so happy for my mom. God bless the new family!