My chosen family

This blog post is for people who don't necessarily understand us car enthusiasts. When I was a teenager I quickly learned the distinct sound of the mustang, and hearing that sound never gets old. I dreamed of having my own mustang someday.  Little did I know that dream would become a reality not once but twice. I've owned a coupe and a convertible, it's the best of both worlds.

A short time later I learned about the Rocket City Mustang Club. I went for my very first car show at Sears on May 12, 2007 when I was 8.5 months pregnant with my son. I baked in the hot sun all day, and at the end of it all I was rewarded with a sunburn and a first place trophy. There were a few giggles as I waddled up to get my award. That was all it took I was hooked. I met so many good hearted people that day, people who remain to be some of the best friends I could ever ask for. People who have been there for me through thick and thin, just as I have done for them. The following year, my husband dropped my car off at the show, and returned to the hospital to be with me and our newborn daughter Shelby. She was named after Carroll Shelby, and I will own a Shelby mustang someday!

Sure the cars are nice to look at, and always fun to drive, and occasionally turn a few heads. Yes, we can get a bit unruly on the roads from time to time but it's an adrenaline rush most people just can't comprehend. I've driven my car in numerous parades, been to countless shows, and cruise-ins. I participated in the Mustang's 45th anniversary celebration at Barber Motorsports park. I've driven my car at 135mph on the turns of the Talladega Super Speedway. Nothing can compare to that.



BUT it's so much more than all of that!  Being a part of RCMC, MCA, AND MBMC has brought so many new people into my life. Many of which will remain lifelong friends, people who will always be there for me no matter what. People that I've laughed with, cried with, disagreed with, and always make fun of Camaro's with. {it's all in good fun though} Some of these friends I talk to daily, others just occasionally. Yet I still know that no matter how many miles to road puts between us they will never be more than a phone call away. These people have become more than my friends, they are my family and I am so blessed to have met each of them.


Lisa and I at her wedding. She's just as beautiful on the inside as she is out.

My friend Alex at Dauphin Island during his visit with us a few weeks ago.
He's like a brother to me, and I would do anything for him.

My goofy friend William and I at Hooters in Huntsville,AL

My sweet friend Sharon and I at Wintzell's during her visit last month.

So now you know, it's more than just a car: it's a piece of who I am. I've made so many memories with my RCMC family, and I'm looking forward to the new ones I will make with my new MBMC family.

Contemplation

Sometimes I wish life had a pause button. I would just pause until I figured out what I'm supposed to be doing, and who I am.

Seems like I have lost myself lately. I don't feel like I know who I am anymore. I'm 28 years old, and until recently I've always thought I knew who I was.

My relationship with God has grown so much over the past few months. My family and I regularly attend church. So why do I feel like I don't know what my purpose is? I'm listening and waiting for his guidance. I know he will guide me into the right direction in his time, but I can't help but wonder about things. What was I created for? Where do I belong?

The people who I thought cared about me don't seem to care about me at all. I love my husband, and children. I know they love me yet I feel as if I'm not worthy enough to deserve their love. Where is all this coming from? I went from a happy person to a confused person within a matter of a few days.

Is it stress? Am I overwhelmed? Is it because I'm trying to balance work, being a wife/mother, finding a house, and somewhere in between trying to do laundry clean and cook dinner. (Not to mention school, dance & gymnastics.) I've even had two panic attacks in the last week, that's not normal for me at all.

I've asked myself a thousand questions the past few days..... Am I a good wife? a good mother? A good friend? A good sister?

It seems as if I've put so much of myself into trying my hardest to be a good wife, and mother that I seemed to have lost myself. So where did I go? And how do I get the old me back?

I've picked up the phone a dozen times to call my grandmother, only to burst out into tears because for a split second I let myself forget just long enough to call.......only to remember that she's in heaven. I miss her, and I miss her wisdom & guidance.

Would she be proud of me? What advice would she give me right now?

People probably don't understand why I'm being so distant to everyone now. I deleted my Facebook, I rarely get on twitter. I'm just trying to figure me out, and I don't even know where to begin. I know one thing for certain I can't do it with all these distractions in my life.

Happy, & excited, but stressed!

• My husband has been a police officer for 26 years, and will be retiring in June. {Just 12 weeks away!}
•  The past few weeks we have spent hours at night sorthing through real estate listings online.
• Seems like everytime we find one we LOVE, someone buys it before we can even go look at it.
• I know God has a plan for us, and I guess those other homes just weren't meant to be ours.
• Today I was so stressed out over it I felt excited, worried, stressed, freaked out, hyper, scared, worried, and about to vomit all at one time! Worst feeling ever!
• I've already started packing the non-essential items. I just can't believe we are about to move.
• We talked about it for so long and it always seemed so far away, and now its so close to happening that it's like I feel like a child waiting on Christmas to arrive!
• Any tips/suggestions do's/donts on the subject are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to post them!

Unexpected Blessings

I haven't been able to post anything in a while, or even read my friends blogs. I just felt like I needed to take a moment to remember all of the blessings God has given me. Seems like I've lost track of all reality since my beautiful grandmother passed away, and in that I have forgotten to be thankful for my blessings.

I had been working at an awful job where I would go into work at 4 in the afternoon, and if I was lucky I would get off at 1am. Most nights it was closer to 2:30 or three before I would get off work. Then I would have to get up the next morning and get my son ready pack his lunch and take him to school. I just felt awful all the time, drained, no energy what so ever!

I finally decided to just quit. I went two months without a job. I applied anywhere and everywhere I could. Then one day I was on Facebook scrolling through my news feed I saw a  post from 24/7  Health & Fitness saying they were looking for Kidz Zone attendants, and to email to schedule an interview.

I went for two different interviews, hoping to just get a job as an attendant. They shocked me when the gave me the coordinator position! God is so good! I had prayed and asked him to help me find a job and its like it literally fell into my lap! (literally on my computer screen)

I started on November 5th, and I enjoy it so much. I work with babies three months old to children twelve years old. I have great hours for a mom who still has to tend to kids, keep up with a house, make dinners etc.

 I am just so thankful for all the blessings I have been given.