My hope again, is that I get to share my story. I get to express myself, the pretty and the ugly truth about living with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) and have a little bit of my life in between. I promise to be encouraging when I can, to be helpful, to be truthful, and to always point whoever reads this to Christ.
Again little blog, I am sorry. This year has been one for the record books! It has been a year of craziness and excitement and blessing beyond measure. The year started off with BIG changes and that was pretty much the theme for the rest of the year. Here we are in December and as I reflect on 2016 I can't help but say "Wow!". Here's a few reasons why 2016 was so "WOW" worthy:
1. Big, BIG move
I woke up on the first day of 2016 in a new state. After years of frustration and praying for a full time teaching job I was at my wits end and sent my resume to teacher friends in other states. I had been praying, along with my family, for God to open a door for me. I had been praying for years and was becoming extremely discouraged. Then, suddenly, I got a phone call for an interview. I had a phone interview, and shortly after I was offered a job. After more prayer, talking to my family, and careful consideration...I accepted the job, packed up my life, and moved to the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina on December 31st 2015 and started my new job on January 4th, 2016.
2. Not a bridesmaid (but still not a bride)
I was NOT in any weddings this year. I threw a baby shower and went to a wedding as a guest but for the first time in about 4 years I was not a bridesmaid. And, as far as I know, I don't have any plans to be a bridesmaid in 2017...yet! :)
3. Captain Doctors and Lieutenant Bachelors
This year my siblings and I all hit some big milestones. My baby brother graduated from college with Bachelors Degree in Applied Math and Physics (#nerdalert) and at the same time he completed ROTC and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. As if my big sister heart wasn't swelling with enough joy and pride, my sister, a Lt. in the Air Force, gave my brother the oath of office and commissioned him. It was probably one of the best big sister moments of my entire life.
Two weeks after my brother's graduation, my sister graduated from medical school with honors (#nerdalertagain) as well as got promoted to Captain in the Air Force. My big heart swelled to almost bursting again, especially when my sister requested my brother and I pin her. Of course, being the "civilian" that I am, I pinned them on sideways and my brother had to help me. While my whole family (and three other families) looked on and took pictures. #embarassing
To say May was an exciting month, is an understatement. We ended the month with a huge party with all of our friends and family! It was an AMAZING month for all of us and we are beyond blessed.
4. Master...of Summer Vacation
To add to the excitement of all the graduations, I did some educational promotion myself. I completed my one year intensive Master's program in special education. It was something that I've been trying to complete for several years through several schools and finally....FINALLY...completed in June. It was glorious to have no homework to do anymore. I was able to spend a few weeks ago with family and friends as well some time in muggy North Carolina summer with friends and family as well.
5. #Adulting....FINALLY
One of the pluses of FINALLY having a real job was that I was able to FINALLY get my own apartment! A friend from home that I grew up with was able to get a job down here as well and we get an apartment together! Let me just say that I living on my own...is exactly what I thought it would be and I LOVE it! Little by little we are yes, there are bills to pay and food to cook, but this has been a long time coming and I am excited for all that this season of life has in store.
To say that this has been an exciting year is an understatement. It's been the craziest, busiest, most exhausting, and exciting year of my life. My family and I were able to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas together this year and it seemed like the perfect way to end such an amazing year. I hope in this next year, we continue to see the hand of God in all aspects of our lives.
With that, I'll end this post. I will post another blog soon about what 2016 brought for me
medically but those weren't as "WOW" worthy as some of the other things that happened this past year.
So, little blog. I hope we can be friends again. I promise to try really, really hard not to forget you ever again. Enjoy some pictures of from 2016 below.
God Bless,
Emily
1. Big, BIG move
I woke up on the first day of 2016 in a new state. After years of frustration and praying for a full time teaching job I was at my wits end and sent my resume to teacher friends in other states. I had been praying, along with my family, for God to open a door for me. I had been praying for years and was becoming extremely discouraged. Then, suddenly, I got a phone call for an interview. I had a phone interview, and shortly after I was offered a job. After more prayer, talking to my family, and careful consideration...I accepted the job, packed up my life, and moved to the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina on December 31st 2015 and started my new job on January 4th, 2016.
2. Not a bridesmaid (but still not a bride)
I was NOT in any weddings this year. I threw a baby shower and went to a wedding as a guest but for the first time in about 4 years I was not a bridesmaid. And, as far as I know, I don't have any plans to be a bridesmaid in 2017...yet! :)
3. Captain Doctors and Lieutenant Bachelors
This year my siblings and I all hit some big milestones. My baby brother graduated from college with Bachelors Degree in Applied Math and Physics (#nerdalert) and at the same time he completed ROTC and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. As if my big sister heart wasn't swelling with enough joy and pride, my sister, a Lt. in the Air Force, gave my brother the oath of office and commissioned him. It was probably one of the best big sister moments of my entire life.
Two weeks after my brother's graduation, my sister graduated from medical school with honors (#nerdalertagain) as well as got promoted to Captain in the Air Force. My big heart swelled to almost bursting again, especially when my sister requested my brother and I pin her. Of course, being the "civilian" that I am, I pinned them on sideways and my brother had to help me. While my whole family (and three other families) looked on and took pictures. #embarassing
To say May was an exciting month, is an understatement. We ended the month with a huge party with all of our friends and family! It was an AMAZING month for all of us and we are beyond blessed.
4. Master...of Summer Vacation
To add to the excitement of all the graduations, I did some educational promotion myself. I completed my one year intensive Master's program in special education. It was something that I've been trying to complete for several years through several schools and finally....FINALLY...completed in June. It was glorious to have no homework to do anymore. I was able to spend a few weeks ago with family and friends as well some time in muggy North Carolina summer with friends and family as well.
5. #Adulting....FINALLY
One of the pluses of FINALLY having a real job was that I was able to FINALLY get my own apartment! A friend from home that I grew up with was able to get a job down here as well and we get an apartment together! Let me just say that I living on my own...is exactly what I thought it would be and I LOVE it! Little by little we are yes, there are bills to pay and food to cook, but this has been a long time coming and I am excited for all that this season of life has in store.
To say that this has been an exciting year is an understatement. It's been the craziest, busiest, most exhausting, and exciting year of my life. My family and I were able to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas together this year and it seemed like the perfect way to end such an amazing year. I hope in this next year, we continue to see the hand of God in all aspects of our lives.
With that, I'll end this post. I will post another blog soon about what 2016 brought for me
medically but those weren't as "WOW" worthy as some of the other things that happened this past year.
So, little blog. I hope we can be friends again. I promise to try really, really hard not to forget you ever again. Enjoy some pictures of from 2016 below.
God Bless,
Emily
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