2009 in Review..

Christmas 2009 made it's presence and then quickly left us. It is amazing how much hype and anxiousness (sp?) that we put into those two days. The sad thing is that we are all running around trying to grab the right present for someone and scheduling plans that we don't bother to say two words to The Birthday Man until we get ready to get dinner that day. I'm just as guilty as anyone else. I would LOVE to see a Christmas where my family only does presents for the little kids. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE getting presents AND I love picking out the "right" present for people. But Christmas has became ONLY about eating and opening gifts. When Bradley and I start our family I am going to make sure our child knows that Christmas is about Jesus. ALL about Jesus. Then the gifts, family, and food will be an added extra. Nonetheless, I had an awesome Christmas. I am fortunate enough to have such a huge family..that Bradley and I had to go to seven places in two days! (I am used to it after 21yrs.-He is still getting broke in!) I was blessed beyond anything I deserved with gifts and love. I wasn't about to buy the presents that I wanted for everyone in my family, but I think we came up with something nice for everyone. A little gesture is better than nothing, I suppose.

2009
To be quite honest, 2009 went by just like any of my other years. I was forunate enough to have another year to spend in The Word, at Encounter Christ Church, and building onto my relationship with Jesus. I have learned things about him that I never knew about or understood before. I know that Jesus: Saves lives, can perform miracles way above any comprehension that we have, WANTS us to prosper and live in abundance. I have seen the workings of the power of His healing, how great the offering system is, and most importantly I have got to the point in my Christianity that I can feel him with me all day and night. In every situation that Im in HE is there. Not to judge me and send condemnation onto my life. But to protect me, love me, and give me guidance. If you know me, you know this has become the number one priority in my life. I'm not perfect. But I know I have non-Christians looking at me to see how a Christian is supposed to act-and I don't take that respsonsibility lightly at all.

I have had 365 more days to spend with my family, friends, and my fiance. They help make me who I am and give me the sunshine that is in my life. I'm not finished with school yet, but I am at the home stretch and we are in full gear!

So, as you can imagine...Working a full time job, going to school full time, taking care of a house full time, and planning the my dream wedding. I am a busy lady!

2010
Please be good to me! By the looks of it..it's going to be pretty grand! A wedding, graduating college, and hopefully (crosses fingers) we will be adding a new addition to our family somewhere before 2011!

Goodbye 2009.

A life update & personal "Thank you's"

I am pretty aware that no one really cares THAT much about my life that they need to read my blogs, however, as I have mentioned before..it's pretty good therapy for me. So, hopefully some of you will amuse me and read this mess anyway! It's almost midnight. Everything that breathes in this house is asleep, except for me, of course. I just have so much clouding my brain that its so hard for me to sleep. (So if this entry seems incredibly random..that would be why.) As most of you know Bradley got a job in Charlotte a few weeks ago. yay! That means no more traveling for him. (or without me that is!) He's home...for good. I couldn't tell you how good it is to have him here with me all of the time. We are finally a family again. AND...sooner than later I will become Mrs. Jessica Clayton (ahh!) It's getting so close I can smell it :) A little over 4 months. We have managed to get a lot of planning done, but there is still so much more to do!

My family life couldn't be better. Most people know this as well, but things with my mom & Gary have worked out. She had a change of heart; and he had a change of personality. It's beyond amazing to see her so happy. They are like a little school couple. It's too cute. He treats her like a princess. (which just thrills me.) It was suprisngly awkard not having that whole family together. There are too many things to name...just a bunch of awkardness. Thank goodness things are back to normal!

Exams are starting next week. (shoot!) Am I prepared? Not at all. Do I think I can pretend to be? Sure! Will there be mucho cramming and pulling out of hair? You can bet on it! I was dianosed with child A.D.D back in the day, and in all honesty, I think I should get checked for adult A.D.D. I'm not saying that as a sarcastic "haha" comment. I really think I should go get checked. Many people have told me this. I will probably do that at some point. I KNOW I can do better in school. If my self-discipline was as a good as my mental drive..i'd be in great shape! Too bad it's not. I always say "next semester i'm going to get it right. It's going to be MY semester." But it always ends up the same way. With me cramming for finals and doing a lot of praying to the good Lord above. Seriously, starting in January I AM going to make that change. If not, i'm too afraid that this awesome chance I have in life will fade away. So, let's stop matters before they get worse!

I always talk about my church & Christianity on my blogs. I'm only going to say ONE sentence about it this time. "COME TO ENCOUNTER CHRIST CHURCH...it's the Epicenter of Albemarle!" :)

Okay then, moving on...

Thanksgiving just passed and we are all gearing up for Christmas. In case some of you didn't know I wanted to make a few personal thank you's. I always give the thank you to my mom, grandparents, friends...etc. (I am still thankful for you guys) But this time I want to make it a little different. I want to thank a couple people that I don't usually thank.
Elaine-I know sometimes you feel like you aren't really apart of the Tunner family because you aren't related by "blood." However, I can tell you that in all of my family memories YOU are in there. I remember you used to play "santa" during Christmas time at Bop Bop's and you'd pass everyones presents out. I remember you used to come over to my house and i'd BEG you to play house with me. Then i'd beg you again to CARRY me like i was a baby. You'd ALWAYS be the mommy. I remember staying at Uncle Frank's house and crying so hard because I missed my momma. Then you'd let me come in your room with you and hang out. You ARE and ALWAYS will be apart of this family. I love you!

Cathy & Glenda-Both of you have shown me what true friendship is. It's not always about what friend you've had the longest, or who you have the most in common with. More importantly it's about who you know will always be there in the future. You two have already taught me so much and i'm so thankful for both of you being in my life.

Mrs. Butler-You are one teacher that I will ALWAYS remember. You have such a heart for your job, and it really shows. Your students notice even if you don't think they do. I'm glad i've got to know you outside of the class. Not as just a teacher, but as a person.

Anna-I've thanked you for "being a friend" before. But I don't think i've ever thanked you for this. You have always been the one person in my life who will be bluntly honest about anything and everything. No sugar-coating. There aren't too many people who are like that. At times I will admit I wasn't appriciative. But in all honesty, I am. Everyone needs a friend who can keep them in line and call them out when need be.

..That is all for now. Obviously, thats not all the people that I want to thank. Thats just who came to my mind in the past 5 mins. There are more. Maybe I will add an encore...sometime.

I think this is a long enough blog for tonight. For those of you who read all of this, BLESS YOU!

Goodnight.