Hurry up little lady…

I was a junior in college and an intern at ABC 33/40. I really do remember it like it was yesterday. I remember I wore this high waist black skirt, black blouse, green blazer, black patent peep toe pumps and completed my look with TV helmet hair. I’m pretty sure mom even took a picture of me, because I was living at home for the summer, driving 3 miles up the road to the TV station.

We spent our 2nd anniversary in Israel and on the first day we trekked to Mount Carmel.

We were awestruck by the beauty and history surrounding us on that mountain. The backdrop will forever serve as a visual aid whenever I dive into the word. The stories and scripture literally come off the pages.

It’s hard not to hear “Elijah” and associate the beauty we saw and emotions we felt standing and learning more on that mountain.

I turn 32 years old on Saturday. 

I’m 22 weeks pregnant. 

And we’re having a BOY. 

I hate how previous pain can steal your joy. 

And I hate how our current joy can cause someone else pain. 

Emotionally, I hate knowing this post in general can cause other people pain. I remember experiencing the pain. 

I remember what it was like to be on the other side of those celebrating their milestone and how it made me feel. I was sad, jealous and just when I thought I was okay, I felt resentment all over again. 

I only know I would have been 20 weeks yesterday, because I put it in my calendar.

I'm an extroverted, social, creative, and a driven idealist who thrives in communicative roles with the intention of empowering others and at the end of the day, I REALLY hope they like me.

Mississippi State was where I covered my 1st college football game on the sideline.

Dan Mullen was in his 2nd year as Head Coach and was starting to make a name for himself in the SEC (despite Alabama and Auburn rotating SEC west titles).

There was a redshirt true freshman named Dak Prescott fresh on the roster that year. They were pretty excited about him. 

Sooooo shopping for baby products can be super overwhelming! I knew nothing, literally nothing before I had my own babe!

I sent an email out while I was pregnant to some of my mommy friends and asked all of them the same two questions:

1. What stroller and/or car seat do you use?
2. What were your 5 MUST HAVE baby products? 

The past 30 days have been a whirlwind, to say the least.

Valentine's Day is HERE! 

I figured instead of writing some cheesy about about how much I love my husband, dog and anything chocolate [it's nauseatingly accurate], I'd take a different route. 

I thought... hey... how about letting the people know of some great things out there that LOVE giving back and have a really cool backstory? 

You come off of these juxtaposed emotions when retreats are over because you go from a hands high worship rush to a sugar coma to a coffee crash to a "wait I ate Taco Bell last night and that's why I feel so terrible and my metabolism isn't of a 15 year old girl anymore" to "IS EVERYONE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE CAR DID I LOSE A KID PLEASE I HOPE NOT." The run on without punctuation was necessary. 

I accepted and declined a TV offer all in one week.

I accepted for the possibility. I accepted for the possibility of a new challenge on a national scale. I accepted for the opportunity to be a light of a great role model and example.

I declined for the expectations. I declined for it didn't align with my brand nor integrity. I declined so I could be a light of a great role model and example. 

I’ve had the honor to cover my alma mater on various occasions since going into my profession. As luck would have it, it was right when they began this championship run of a dynasty.

So the Powerball is tonight and we bought tickets.

I hate Christmas cards.

I mentioned Christmas cards to my husband and he said “why do we send those again?” and I remarked (probably in an uber sassy tone), “it’s just what you do, Michael!” And then he said "well you're just going to post it online anyway, so what's the point?" 

“It’s just what you do” was my response. 

No I'm not Oprah or Ellen.

I can't surprise you guys with a new TV, new car, or an all expenses paid trip to somewhere dreamy us normal folks can't afford. 

BUT, I can show you this little list of things I'm personally loving right now. 

Here we go!

 Why I’ll continue to root for Coach Mike London. 

Class.

Mike London exudes class. He teaches his players to go to class, play with class and treat people with dignity and respect. That’s his motto. He talks the talk but walks the walk. I met Coach London when I was covering Syracuse at UVA for Homecomings this past Saturday. Yes, homecomings as in plural. It’s a Virginia thing. AnyHOO, they were sitting at 1-4 and desperately needing a W for more reasons than one.

Ah, yes. A cheesy thanksgiving [I’m T H A N K F U L] post.

In all seriousness though… thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect and gain perspective on how the Lord continues to bless you. Here are just a few of many things I'm thankful for this past year... 

I emceed a luncheon for the Women’s Giving Circle this past spring. My brother in law is on the board for the Boys and Girls Club of Dekalb County and thought it would be a good fit. It was through that introduction I was led to an incredible opportunity to serve as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta’s Youth of the Year.

My love letter to North Point…

I remember conversations when Michael and I made the transition back to Atlanta full time. Where would we go to church? Small? Big? Would we go to a smaller church where people would know our name? Or would we stick with the big church? A place we’ve already known? But how do we meet people? Will we get lost? No really… the building is so big. Ultimately we weighed the pros and cons of each option and couldn’t get away from the main principle: we love Andy Stanley’s purpose and message.

As a sideline reporter we prep each week with enthusiasm to find unique stories to draw human interest and add depth of content to our broadcast. We read a plethora of articles, reach out to schools’ respective SID’s, schedule conference calls and talk to players as they’re usually coming off the practice field. We prepare with stories a plenty in hopes to insert them into our broadcast as it correlates to the narrative of the physical story unfolding before our eyes. Unfortunately, a lot of those notable conversations or little “nuggets” if you will never make it on air. I figured this would be a pretty cool place to get some of those unique stories “out there” because you wouldn’t hear them from anywhere else.

March 1st, 2014 was an incredible day.

I married my sweetheart in Savannah, Georgia where we danced the night away, thanked the good Lord for each other and created memories with family and friends, which would last a lifetime. Also, pizza. Yes, Pizza.