giveaway

Well this just made my night. Not only did I log on and see that my sister in law Dana had a new post, but even better it was about a give away where everyone wins. Yep I said it everyone wins. All you have to do is blog about Lewis Designs, which are by the way spectacular. Even if there wasn’t a giveaway I would head on over and check them out. They are perfect for so many different things, and would make great gifts, too. So check it out. (www.lewasdesigns.com)I have fallen in love with several of the ideas for kid’s rooms. Oh and I love the Dandelion. It is so happy and whimsical. If you blog about it then you get to chose between three adorable wall decals; A medium size caterpillar, baby swirly bird which I love, and a baseball. How awesome is that. Oh and you get to pick the color. There are other giveaways to check out. Thanks Dana for posting, but this doesn’t let you off the hook. I need something new very soon. Oh and some pictures too. Have a great night everybody, and don’t forget to check out lewas designs. The web site rocks.

Love Lex

Matt is Home

Just a warning the tears are all ready swelling in my eyes, so this blog may be a little messier than usual. Matt is officially a firefighter. The graduation was spectacular, and I honestly don’t know how to express my gratitude to everyone who has encouraged and supported him. It seems like yesterday when he joined the rescue squad, and the fire in his eyes was very evident. He had found what he was going to do for the rest of his life. He has seen and faced a lot of tragedy over the years at the rescue squad, but he has also helped save many lives. He has also found a new type of family. A band of brothers who sometimes have more drama than most teenage girls, but who would always stand beside each other with a love that runs deep. I am not going to lie and say it has been easy. It hasn’t there were times I wanted to take his call radio and throw it off a tall building. I have been frustrated many times, but it has all been worth it. Just to see him achieve what he has worked so hard for is worth all the frustration in the world. I can’t say enough about the Williamson County Rescue squad and all the wonderful people who make it what it is.
Now Matt is off to Hendersoville to make a career out of his dream. I know that he will still be the same firefighter he was a few months ago, but I think he is a little more sure of himself now, and will make a terrific addition to the City of Hendersonville. I know this road will be long, and that the dangers will be tremendous, but I am going to pray that God keeps him safe, and his mind clear. I am so proud of my fireman, and am so excited to have him home. Now I must run, because Matt’s baby brother is graduating high school today, and I have to get ready. Have a blessed Sunday. Oh and the pictures are some I had from the rescue squad, and the large group picture with Matt laying down is at the academy.

Isabelle is in kindergarten

Well It’s official my baby is no longer a baby. She just graduated from preschool. I would love to say that I am one of those moms who get teary eyed at every step in her child’s life. However, it is hard to get teary eyed when you are too busy giggling. Isabelle definitely brought the entertainment this year to the Forrest Hills pre school graduation. From, her excited waving to all of her fans in the audience or her conversations with herself through out the program. The best was when she was taking the stage to except her umm huh diploma. When the teacher called each child’s name they would also announce what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some were police, vets, teachers, actresses, and so on. When they called Isabelle’s name to come up to the stage Ms. Debbie announced that she wanted to be an artist, but Isabelle quickly signaled for her to come down to her level and started whispering and pointing to her school mates. Ms. Debbie listened quietly, and then announced that Isabelle would also like to be a vet. And that’s my child. She is just a free spirit that moves wherever her imagination takes her. I love that about her. I can’t wait to see the mark she leaves on this Earth. She has been the biggest blessing in mine and Matt’s life and we are so blessed to have been given such a gift.
Speaking of gifts, the gratitude I feel towards Forrest Hills Baptist Preschool is far reaching. Not only did Ms. Debbie and Ms. Sally help get Isabelle ready for school. More importantly they helped plant a seed inside her heart. One that is blossoming into a love for God that is far beyond it’s' years. It is amazing to see her little eyes light up as she talks about Jesus and how much he loves us, and how much she loves him. As a mother nothing could make me more proud. I am just so grateful that she was in such a nurturing loving environment. Every day we were met with warmth. I could have been having the worst morning, but the minute I saw the director Ms. Carolynn my mood always shifted. Her words were simple but always with meaning. “We’re so glad you’re here”! It never failed to brighten each day. There were also her daily bible verses that she handed to all those who passed. It was just an incredible place to be. I am so grateful that Isabelle’s preschool memories will be bright, and I pray that all her school years will be as spectacular as this one. What a beautiful day it was. I will never forget it.

Instant gratification

Ahh the sound of instant gratification. That was what I was looking for on Tuesday when I went for the information session on Tuesday. Will I be in or out? Hard or easy? What I got was a piece of paper laying out what seemed like a scavenger hunt that seemed never ending. Now the truth be told it all makes pretty good sense, but I am one of those people who needs a plan, I need to know what is going to happen way before it is scheduled. I am a very chaotic person, and not having things laid out for me only adds to my insanity. To get to the ever so drawn out point This is the situation. I fell in love with the program. It is a year long practical nursing program that will allow me to bridge to a registered nurse while I am working as an l.p.n. The classes and clinicals are in Franklin. Plus just hearing the director talk about nursing made me light up like a Christmas tree. The application process is what put me in a sour mood. On the nineteenth I have to return to the Franklin center and drop off my application between 11 and 12. They will then give me my testing date and time for the N.E.T. which is the entrance test for nursing. The dates are the all on the following week, and I have to drive to Dickson to take the test. I will then go on the 12th of June to pick up my test results, and get three reference forms that must be filled out, and mailed to the nursing director, after that I will wait until late July or early August for a letter telling me whether or not I got in. I was really hoping to know by June, because I will need to figure out childcare, and other things. Then I heard how they pick the class, and my heart sunk. They take the top 24 test scores from the entrance test. The problem is that there are over 200 applicants. I left the meeting with my heart a little broken, but that night I prayed and decided that I was being really ridiculous. I have just as much of a chance as the rest of the applicants, and I test very well. I also know that if I don’t get in this semester I can keep trying. In the mean time I am going to go back and get recertified as a nurse tech, and start working again on Matt’s off days. I am going to keep my head up and think of it as a bonus if I get in to school. So that’s the plan. I will of course keep everyone updated on everything, and thanks for everyone’s support. I know that God has a plan, and everything will work out.
Now on to spectacular news. Matt is graduating from the Fire Academy in Bell Buckle next week, and I honestly can’t believe it has already been almost ten weeks. I am so proud of him, and while things have stayed much cleaner while he was away, I can’t wait for him to be home for good. I know that this isn’t some big fancy college graduation, and he won’t get a degree, but he did achieve his dream, and we all know how hard he has worked to achieve it. So I think that this more of an “I did it”! The graduation is at 9 a.m. on Friday the twenty-second in Bell Buckle. Everyone is welcome, but it’s a bit of a drive, so I will take pictures and post them later. Thank you all for the prayers and support through this journey, we are so very grateful. And I am so excited to see what God has in store for us next. I love you all, and will post again soon.

LIfe

Okay blogging buddies. I told you that I would have a lot of stuff to talk about in the coming months, and I wasn’t joking. First let me just say that Mothers Day for me was just amazing this year. Isabelle made me the sweetest card, which basically said that I was the best mom ever, and that I was as pretty as a pumpkin, oh and the best part that I was so smart I even knew how to vacuum. She also made me a pottery piece that she had painted a flower on. It was the sweetest gift, because I knew that she made it from the heart, and the smile on her face was perfect. Ava’s gift was in the form of song. She sang happy birthday to me at least five times. Even Matt was extra sweet. He cleaned and straightened, and helped me get ready for my family to come over for lunch, and then he even cleaned everything up after lunch. AMMMMAAAZZZIINNG! I get to spend time with my family, and then we went to visit my mother in law, Lana. It was just a blessed day. I loved it, and now there is even more to look forward too.
I just finished my classes at Columbia State, and was awarded a scholarship for my grades, which isn’t that big of a deal, but still feels really good. I go on Tuesday for my nursing orientation at Tennessee Technology Center to get more information on getting into their L.P.N program this fall. I am calling on all the prayer warriors out there, because I want to be accepted in the worst way, and from what I hear it is a lottery. I will post later this week with all the details, but would still love a few prayers! This is such an exciting time in our lives, and God is really at work in our lives. I have a ton more to write about, but I think I am going to save it for later in the week. I love you all and to all the moms Happy Mothers Day. I love you!! Oh and just so you know what is to come. More on Matt and his fire adventures,and Changing churches, Soul searching! HA! Stay tuned!
Love, Lexie

Mother's Day

Mothers Day is right around the corner, and I am so blessed to have such an amazingly beautiful gifted mother to celebrate with, and that alone is such an incredible gift. However, when I started to look back I have been blessed with so many strong women have inspired me to be who I am today, and it is all of these great women that I choose to honor on such a beautiful day. It seems that every woman in my family is strong, faithful, and teaches me by simply living. So, I found this essay or whatever you want to call it, and thought it was very appropriate, because most of the things I’ve learned were through one of the incredible mother figures in my life. My mom, Lana, all of my grandmothers, Kimmy Campbell, Ms. Bolin, Ms. Ruth, my teacher’s, Jackie, Dana, and the list goes on. I love you all, and count my blessings everyday to have you in my life. I hope you hve a Happy Mother’s Day, and thank you for being a part of my crazy life!



Author: ? I've learned.. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person
।I've learned.. That when you're in love, it shows।
I've learned.. That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day।
I've learned.. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world।
I've learned.. That being kind is more important than being right।
I've learned.. That you should never say no to a gift from a child।
I've learned.. That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned.. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned....... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned....... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned....... That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned....... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned...... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned....... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned....... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned....... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned....... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned...... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned....... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them॥
I've learned...... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned....... That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned....... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned....... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned....... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned....... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned........ That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned..... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.