As I sit here in the living room, listening to the dish washer, Travis snoring on the couch, and Miracle on 34th Street... I am pondering how blessed I am. There are gifts under the tree, but this is the first year I have honestly discovered the true meaning of giving. It felt so good to help a friend in need this year and I was honored to work along side my sister and others to provide basic needs, a meal, and a few goodies for a family. I have a new huge appreciation for what I have every day. I think everyone should take the time to give. I keep reading people being offended by people buying presents for Christmas. I well respect your opinions. However, it is my family's tradition and I want to share my thoughts. In my family we have had huge Christmases and some where we scraped to buy each other one thing, but looking back it is not the gifts I remember. I remember the laughter in the air, the smiles, the hugs, the memories of loved ones gathered in one place. It is sad that our America only allows us one major holiday to have time off with one another. That is one reason I love Christmas--it means we are all together without a billion things to do. We do indeed praise God and rejoice over the birth of Christ. We will be heading to our Christmas Eve service tomorrow, as of tradition. :) This day a year ago Travis proposed in the living room, 3 feet from where I am sitting in the recliner. It was the happiest Christmas of my life, and I am so blessed that he chose me to live with forever. Now, off to wrap 3 more gifts before I pass out. MErry Christmas! --Mrs. Roberts

"Here Is My Catfish Shark"

Life lately... I am living my dream and for once I am happy and not pretending to be happy. I am exhausted daily, but that means I am doing my job and living my dream. My Friday night? A romantic Johnny's pizza dinner date before Travis went to work (graveyard shift). What an appropriate word for this festive Halloweenish time of year. Speaking of which...my school is so haunted. LOL I told this to Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Sheila (my wonderful co-workers/friends). I love the Holidays. Most refer to the holidays as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.. nope mine kicks off with spooky month of October and then goes into all the goodies. I am not a Pagan, I am an American that buys into commercial holidays. I do purchase the cheese ball mcgraw decor too. I am even more excited to dress up at work because we say "Boo to drugs". LOL I am also excited for a Halloween party a close friends momma is throwing. It's funny when we grow up our friends parents are our friends too. I guess they always were, but adult-hood makes you appreciate them so much more. Same goes about my parents. They are my best friends. Heck my whole family is. Oh I got off on a tangent... my Friday night: Now I am watching TLC Secret Princes. I actually really like it because I'm not much of a TLC network lover. I usually watch ghost adventures on Fridays that I've DVRed, but there was only one new episode that I flew through. It's funny how writing's pause in time is a space... but I just spilled a coke all over my floor. Stupid Johnny's cup. No casualties...just a sticky floor. Yet, it took me 10 minutes to get back to writing.... I like being myself. That is something new that came in August. I used to worry about what everyone would think of me, but now not so much. I think getting a big girl job built some confidence in me. Don't get me wrong I am still open minded and kind to people, but I learned there is a difference in being kind and being walked on. I have a paper to write tomorrow. UGH. I think I will try to do it shortly after waking so I have some what of a weekend, but I doubt I do because I know me. I want to do it on ADHD because I feel some children get overlooked while some get un-necessarily medicated. That is not a reference to anyone, just something that interests me. I guess I am a teacher when I actually yearn to know more knowledge to help my students/future students. Back to the prince show.. I'd punch these England meanies. The wedding is coming up so closely. I hope it all comes together. I have the pre-wedding jitters about the venue set up and food more than anything. 27 days now. I am so excited. I'll be CMR (my friend jamie says comehere). Monday I get visited by state the first time, please pray for my children to really show this lady how brilliant I know they are. They are smart and that makes me happy. My kids make me happy period. This afternoon at recess they caught fish (imaginary fish) and the pond was a shadow cast from the building. They continued to carry me their "fish" aka leaves and would say, "Here is my gar!!" "Here is my catfish" (My fave--"Here is my catfish shark!) Let me say I never heard or saw a gar until I was in college so these little country souls are smart! I felt so proud because one of my little girls said, "I caught a small, medium, and large fish!" I loved hearing they used that vocabulary word. Thank you Jesus, even if they do not come out little brainiacs they will come out prepared and with knowledge to build on. I push them to learn, but unlike so many who seem to have an opinion on it, I like letting them have fun. They are still young children and anyone who is education knows how important Vygotsky believed play was to children. It develops character and teaches them vital social skills. So am I the teacher that will leave them on the rug for one hour and say, "It is my duty?" Nope. I will teach them though and I vow to have them ready without making them little soldier zombies. Judge me. I don't care. Again. I have to start being me because I so easily say what I think will keep peace among others, but I have decided tonight to start being more real with both myself and others. Otherwise, I am having battles in my head of what I should have said because it's how I really feel. <3 --Christina not for so much longer Gordon (but always will proudly have it as my maiden name.. me with a maiden name.. sounds so adultish)

Butterflies.

Our lives are composed of BIG moments that together create our life story. These moments, depending on how they go (good or bad) all happen for a reason. They leave butterflies in your stomach--like a first date. Which means GREAT things can come from them or great let-downs. I am prepared to accept either at my new little chapter of life because this past couple of months have taught me that let-downs are going to happen. Let downs do not define me though, nor do people's opinions. I know that I am a positive and hard working person. I know that I am intelligent and kind, and I know I will prevail in the end. I love and dislike butterfly moments at the same time. The anxious feelings balance with exciting feelings and my body is super confused on whether to be scared or happy. I think I'll choose happy though, because God has a plan. I just have a feeling my whole life is about to change, and I am accepting the change, but ready for my life to be in a routine again. :) Summer is going well. My wedding bouquets are about to be shipped. They are all hand sewn from old ivory and lace and I am super pleased with them. I find them worth the hard earned money. I also have some windows my in law cousin gave me to use for the wedding. I have some fun crafts in mind for it! My best friend moved to Florida, she always said she would. I am proud to see her independently chase her dreams. I miss her, but honestly I think that Florida holds so much potential for growth and adventures that her heart desires. Good for you, Megan. I can't wait to come see you! She had her big, butterflies moment this week. It's time for mine now. Our new chapter of friendship--we're going long distance! LOL. I am making an effort to get into shape this summer, and to get in touch with some of my older friends (and stay in touch with my newer ones). I have had some fun conversations thenceforth. I am also venturing to new churches closer to home. My heart will always be with Lea Joyner, but almost in Sterlington is a bit too far for my location. It's been fun going to check out different denominations and get a feel for what is best for Travis and I. I went to his parents Apostolic Church a few weeks back and loved it. I have also enjoyed visiting some churches around here. It's so hard to decide, especially when everyone is so kind. Church is important to me and I want to pick a place where I can raise a family. <3 Sleep for me...

Feather

I completed my last final with a 100, I would consider that a good way to go out sparkling like a firecracker. I feel super excited about graduation, but oddly sleepy. Things have been a little overwhelming lately with the changes in my life...graduation, job, wedding, best friend moving. I feel like my solid planted life is now "feather like". I just hope I land somewhere I am happy and not get stuck in a rough position. Actually, I know and THANK God ahead of time for leading me in a wonderful direction. I am waiting to hear about a position that I have wanted now for 3 years. I am prayerfully hoping I get it, but keeping my options open in case God has another plan. I have worked very hard to get there and it would almost be disappointing to not get it now, but again I am trying to stay positive because this waiting game could last up until July. Anyways, no long post, just wanted to commemorate the last day of my undergrad studies. I think graduation will make it feel a little more real.

Tech Email:

Christina,

I just wanted you to know that I enjoy reading your papers, online postings and comments. Keep up the good work.

Best,

Dr. Asiedu

------------------------------------------------------

I received this email from one of my professors. I LOVE TECH. I love supportive professors. I am not writing this to be boastful, but proud of my hard work. I want to look back and remember that I was capable of applying myself and making a name for myself amongst my classes. I feel like being online it is hard to "shine" because I can not discuss things out loud in class. So it felt AMazIng to get this email. I like the thought that my work is strong enough to be enjoyable from a person with a doctrine. I know it's simple, but it gave me the extra push to get through these last few weeks! Thank you, Lord.

Best, ;)

Christina

Grown up people world

They make growing up sound so much fun... well I guess I do not know who they is. I just always assumed it would be super fun and exciting. Exciting it is, fun... sometimes... but I never knew about the tough times.

The tough times are having to say goodbye to people you love and letting them go.
It happens a lot in grown up people world:
-Deaths
-Break-Ups
-Moving Away

I have had my share of parting with loved ones and break-ups and hopefully for a while those moments have passed and I have come to terms with the grievances that went along with them. However, now I am faced with my best friend moving away.

She warned me. She always has, since we were 14. She is the adventurous and bold one out of the two of us, and I am the homebody who has dreams far closer to my roots. I actually think my dreams are intertwined with where I grew up. Her dream is beautiful and I consider mine to be also. I just wish they were the same places.

Megan, I am THRILLED for you. I know that this move for you is as big as me getting married. We are finally doing the things we laid on a trampoline and talked about as children. You are getting your dream, and I am super super happy for you. Yet, I would be lying to say that my heart does not beat a little bit faster when I think of you moving away. I know that distance can not affect our bond or take away any memories, but I know that it will change our relationship. Our new hang-outs will be on skype and not getting cussed by crazy craze people in Ruston's theater during a scary movie...or sitting on my porch swing...or camping out at Jennifer's. There will be trips though! Lots of trips...and maybe we can do oldschool letters from time to time. I'm just scared. I want you to chase your dreams, but I want you to keep our friendship close to your heart and we both have to not allow life and distance to change that. The Lord says lots of special things about friends, and I know you are the definition of one. Oh gosh, I am crying. What a baby am I?

Now, onto the next line of business. I have 1 month and 1 week of class left until I have completed all of my work for my undergrad. Then I will graduate. I can not believe I finally made it. I have said this all year, but it seems unreal. All of my dreams coming true. I am marrying the man I adore and love and graduating. Oh, God... You are so good to me! I can not wait to teach and to impact little lives and teach them the Word of God~~!!

I have a prayer request for a dear friend who's grandchild was born with illness. She prefers to keep it personal, but please please pray for the child and family.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. I always love this time of the year because I am reminded of the Lord's sacrifice and love for us and filled with the Spirit. I need to strive to have this joy all year round.

Just so you know, I love you.

Those words showed up as a text at 10:01 p.m. Just when I think we're comfortable and the romance will slack off because often times relationships do that when life gets busy, he throws me a curve ball. He always tells me I love you, but the out of no-where just -so- you- know- text made my heart flutter as much as it did on our first date.

I loved our first date. I tried so hard to be pretty. I usually had a habit of acting a nervous fool on first dates, but not with him. I was myself. I laughed like myself and I enjoyed myself. I wish I could replay those moments in time to hear what we talked about. Basically, two strangers who had talked on the phone for a long time. I guess we were not strangers in that aspect.

Life is changing again, though Spring is a time for renewal in life, yet I am convinced it is a time for change. I found out that a friend who I've grown up with (in my 20's at least) is moving. I found that out today, and my heart felt sad. I know what moving is, it can not take friendship away, but it changes it just the same. She will ever be a part of my chapter of life no matter where the roads lead us.though. I pray for happy journeys for her and the man of her dreams though. Changes make me terribly sad, hard to describe oddly....even the good changes make me sad. I take a while to adjust. My whole life seems surreal here lately. When did my dreams that I have worked for and soul-searched for all start coming true??! Seriously, EVERYTHING that I have EVER prayed for is coming true. God had His timing for my life. I am so ever thankful for that. Again, His timing is better than anything I could have dreamed up.

I could still use prayers to guide me into this next step. I am searching for some stability. :) I have it in Travis, but the rest of my life seems to be going at 100 mph! :)

Love--Christina Gordon