Can I get some things off my chest?

I'm not gonna lie...I cried on the way home from work today. Actually, my tears had nothing to do with work...for once. I cried because I turned the radio off and listened to my heart. I listened to some things I've been trying to tell myself for the past few month but haven't wanted to listen.

There are some major things taking place in my life. Some of you all know about my family situation. My parents are divorced. They divorced when I was 17. Since they've been divorced my mom and I have really become best friends. We developed a relationship that we couldn't really have when my dad was around. The relationship with my dad is for another blog, another time...(ha). Anyway, I got sad because I realized that I am so excited about getting my new house together and planning a wedding and I'm leaving her alone at home. I KNOW she will be fine, I KNOW I will see her all the time, but still...I want her to be ok. She's been single for almost 10 year now, but, she hasn't dated or anything. I wish she would. I think my mom has so much to offer a person. Plus, it would make me feel a lot better. (Isn't that selfish of me?) She deserves a man who will treat her the way she should be treated. My dad wasn't that person for her. She tells me all the time that her pain that she went through with my dad was all worth it because she had me. That's amazing love you know? Unconditional love that I can imagine would only come from loving a child. It's strange to think that I'm going to be using a lot of my summer packing my things to start moving into Chris' house. I've only ever lived at home. Now there will be a new home. Just thinking about that makes my heart flutter.

I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, I love Chris and I can't wait to marry him and have a home of my own. This is all just a big change!

In addition to my cry on the way home from school today, I also cried in the middle of church on this past Sunday. The last worship song was "How Great Thou Art?" Now for those of you who know Hope Pres. you know that we typically don't sing traditional songs, they are more contemporary. So hearing this song was refreshing, but it also sent emotions flooding into me. Has that ever happened to you? The kind of emotions that no matter how hard you fight them those tears are going to escape? This song made me cry because of a sweet memory. My grandfather who passed away in 2007 used to go with us to church when we went to Collierville United Methodist Church. I can distinctly remember singing the song "How Great Thou Art?" and my 94 year old grandfather, who couldn't carry a tune, belting out that song as loud as he could. Oh, how I wish I could hear his sweet voice again. For those of you reading this blog who knew my grandfather, you know exactly the man he was. Completely devoted to God. An amazing inspiration. Wow. I just don't think I've thought about him in a while. Althought I cried, I'm glad I cried because of this sweet memory. Those are the good memories. Not the memories of his last few days on Earth that were emotionally exhausting.

So I know this blog isn't making much sense because it's all over the place. But, one more thing I wanted to mention. I also have had a friend on my mind lately. She will probably read this blog and I hope she does. http://ciannawilliams.blogspot.com/ I want you to check out that blog. It is the journey of my friend CiAnna who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She is amazing. A true inspiration. I actually told her the other day that at church Sunday I thought of her the whole time because every piece of scripture described her, or her situation. Please pray for her. God has put this in her journey, and while we don't know why He has, we will all understand someday.

I think I've unloaded enough now. I'm going to get ready to teach Jazzercise tonight. Hey, maybe you'll come see me. 6:40...Collierville United Methodist Church....with Katie....it's a blast.

Thanks for reading guys...
Katie

Working on the house....

...is HARD WORK! But it really has been fun. Chris and I have been spending the past 3 weekends working on our house since my Grad School is over. This post is going to be mostly pictures so you can see all the progress we're making. Once we finish all this painting it'll be time to put down the new floors!

Dining area in kitchen before

Kitchen area before

Dining are in kitchen in progress

Kitchen area in progress

The kitchen finished! Plus a new light fixture in the main kitchen area!

Now, starting on the sitting area in the kitchen it is a dark brown color.


Angle of the wall in the sitting area up against the green of the kitchen.

Taking the brown color down the hallway by the laundry room and bathroom off the kitchen.

Other hallway leading down towards the spare bedrooms and bathroom.


And the living room!


Living room entrance into kitchen. Love how that green looks with the brown.


Fireplace area


Entrance to the master bedroom

So whatcha think? This weekend we are going to finish trimming the living room and get started on the master bedroom and master bath. Yikes! So much to do!

Happy Bloggin!

Katie

So much to do...so little time.

GRAD SCHOOL IS OVER!

I finally submitted the final portions of my Graduate Portfolio and now have to do the waiting game to see what my final grade is and recieve my diploma in the mail. I don't really feel like flying to Minnesota just go walk across the stage. It is a complete relief to have that chapter of my life closed. I don't see myself going back for anymore school. Atleast not for a looooong while.

Anyway, wedding plans are in full swing now. Got the save the dates out and in the mail. They turned out super cute. Thanks to a couple of the local bridesmaids for helping address all those puppies! The next step is attempting to make a decision regarding bridesmaid dresses. I think I have given too many choices! Yikes! Also I have got to get ahold of my photographer and florist to check on some things. I think my problem is I have all of these lists, and they all need to be squished into one. I need to register, Chris needs to pick out tuxes, engagement party coming up soon, and so on and so on.

On top of all that Chris and I have been working on our house. The painting is really coming along. So far we have been devoting our entire Sunday's (after church) to painting. So far we have the kitchen, sitting area, and one hall way done. The rooms left to paint are the second hallway, living room, entry way, off the kitchen bathroom, master bedroom, and master bathroom. AH! See what I mean about the lists? I think starting this Saturday after Jazzercise my mom is going to come over and help knock some of the painting out. As soon as the painting is done we can put the floor down. Then the furniture!!!

Anyway, moving on...things really are going great right now. I've been dealt a couple of blows, but I'm keeping my chin up. I'm coming to understand certain circumstances in my life. I still need prayer, for a few certain situations in my life and those of you close to me know what I'm talking about. :)

I tried to post pics of the house but blogger is being weird. So that will be another post.

Happy Blogging!

Katie