Amanda

The baby just kicked her daddy in the head for me :-D. Go baby!!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

One year ago today was my surgery. I'm so glad it's over and I have gotten "another chance" at life. My life is very stressful right now but I still love it.

We got our engagement pics done today. The turned out pretty good but it was freaking cold out there.

2006 was the worst year of my life overall but it also had some positive things. As all of you know, I was very sick this year. I spent a month in the hospital and was close to being dead. I knew that I was probably sick enough to die but I never actually heard anyone say it until Saturday. My mom was talking to my uncle and said "The doctors told us that she was definately sick enough to die." My heart jumped to my throat. I knew that was the case but to actually hear someone say it was scarey. That was definately the scariest time of my life. Laying in ICU and only being able to see your family and friends during visiting hours, waking up not able to breath, throwing up multiple times a day every single day for about a month and a half, not eating a bite for about half a month, being on life support, "drinking" water from a sponge...I could go on and on. I hope I never have to go through that again. And I hope that none of you have to go through that. I honestly have to say that I couldn't have made it without my family and friends though. My mother stayed there with me every minute of it and I am so happy that she did. I wouldn't want it any other way. Everyone else stayed there as much as they could and I thank them for that. Especially the ones that drove long distances to be there with me. I know it happened a 10 months ago, but I still think about it everyday. I still talk about it a lot too. I even still cry about it every time I think about it. I guess it helps me cope. I dunno.

On a brighter side, my 2 beautiful nieces were born in 2006. I'm having so much fun watching them grow up. It is all happening way too fast though.

I hope that 2007 will be a better year. I know that it will be in some areas. I am marrying the man of my dreams on June 23 and I know that will be the best day of my life. I can't wait!

Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Okay, so I'm making my own Save The Date magnets. They are on Avery Magnetic Business Cards.

Whatcha think?? Any advice??

Good News:
-kidney doctor released me. he thought i had lupus to begin with. but when i went back to find out, he released me.
-two days until my bday!!
-olive garden saturday for my bday...all you can eat pasta!!!
-Thursday is my last day at Office Depot.
-I love my new job (at least when I'm with the 3rd grade)
-wedding plans are coming along (slowly but surely)
-One of my coworkers used to be a florist and going to teach me some DIY stuff for the wedding...tight budget lol.

Bad news:
-my dog Lucky died yesterday :( My neighbor's siberian husky killed him.
-my cousin that had the mellanoma: it went away and then came back. They did surgery to remove it last Tuesday and took 42 limpnodes (spelling??) and a gland. They told her to go ahead and take radiation just in case. They did a CT scan yesterday and there's still more in there. She now has to take radiation and kemo (spelling??)
-I have Kindergarten alone today (yesterday we had 31 kids with 2 teachers)
-I have no time to work on wedding plans right now.

On another note:
-I've changed my mind about being a kidergarten or 1st grade teacher. Those kids do NOT listen at all. You have to repeat yourself about 10 times at least before they even comprehend what you are saying.
-I would much rather be a 3rd grade or higher teacher.

I think that's it for now.

The wedding plans are coming along. Slowly but surely. I didn't realize how close it is until the other night. I saw someone's ticker on their site that said that their wedding date is June 23, 2007 and it was 9 months and 4 weeks away. So now I guess it's 9 months and 3 weeks away. That's when I realized I should really get this stuff going.

So on Sunday, I went to David's Bridal with my mom and aunt. I picked out four wedding gowns to try on. I put on the first one and fell in *LOVE*. The others were no use but I still tried 2 of them on. The second one was beautiful but more expensive and not as pretty as the first. The other two had no trains so I didn't even bother with them. I'm not posting them here for obvious reasons. *cough* Brian *cough*.

I have an appointment to go back this Sunday at 3:00 with my bridesmaids to pick out the Bridesmaids dresses. Here are the 2 possibilities for them so far:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=2046&prodgroup=110
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=1552&prodgroup=110

Both in the Azalea color. And that's it so far. Next step is invitations hopefully.

The date is set for our wedding. It is June 23, 2007. It will be at Cohutta Lodge. Here's the link if you want to look at it. It is beautiful. http://www.cohuttalodge.com/weddings.html

It's in Chatsworth on Fort Mountain. Some people are getting a room the night before the wedding so they won't have to drive so far. If you would like a room, let me or Brian know. I need to let them know by the end of this week. If you think you want one and are not sure, let me know and I will reserve it for you. We can cancel up to 10 days before the wedding. The rooms are $79.99 (after the 10 dollar discount lol). Just reply to this and let me know.

My brother's wife had her baby last night! Her name is Kaylee Amber. She was 6 lbs. and 19.5 inches long. She was born at 6:30 pm. They had to do a C Section on Andree and she wasn't expecting that. They are all okay now though. I haven't seen her yet. I'm going to see her tonight. I'm so excited!!

Hey, I created a seperate account for my wedding planning/future plans. Feel free to look at it. It's bride2be2007. I would make that a link if I knew how to lol but its on my friends page.

If you have more than 40 of these, you're spoiled.

I had 20 I guess I'm half spoiled

Do you have:
(1) your own cell phone
(2) a television in your bedroom
( ) an MP3 player
( ) a photo printer
( ) your own phone line
( ) TiVo or a generic digital video recorder
(3) high-speed internet access (i.e., not dialup)
( ) a surround sound system in bedroom
(4) DVD player in bedroom
( ) at least a hundred DVDs
(5) a childfree bathroom
( ) your own in-house office (/sewing room/art studio/library/extra guest room/everything else)
( ) a pool
( ) a guest house
( ) a game room
( ) a queen-size bed or larger
( ) a stocked bar
(6) a working dishwasher
(7) an icemaker
(8) a working washer and dryer
(9) more than 20 pairs of shoes
( ) at least ten things from a designer store
( ) expensive sunglasses
( ) framed original art (not lithographs or prints)
( ) Egyptian cotton sheets or towels
( ) a multi-speed bike
( ) a gym membership
( ) large exercise equipment at home
( ) your own set of golf clubs
( ) a pool table
( ) a tennis court
(10) local access to a lake, large pond, or the sea
( ) your own pair of skis
( ) enough camping gear for a weekend trip in an isolated area
( ) a boat
( ) a jet ski
( ) a neighborhood committee membership
( ) a beach house or a vacation house/cabin
( ) wealthy family members
(11) two or more family cars
( ) a walk-in closet or pantry
(12) a yard
( ) a hammock
( ) a personal trainer
( ) good credit
(13) expensive jewelry
( ) a designer bag that required being on a waiting list to get
( ) at least $100 cash in your possession right now
( ) more than two credit cards bearing your name (not counting gas cards or debit cards)
( ) a stock portfolio
( ) a passport
(14) a horse
( ) a trust fund (either for you or created by you)
(15) private medical insurance
( ) a college degree, and no outstanding student loans

Do you:
(16) shop for non-needed items for yourself (like clothes, jewelry, electronics) at least once a week
( ) do your regular grocery shopping at high-end or specialty stores
( ) pay someone else to clean your house, do dishes, or launder your clothes (not counting dry-cleaning)
( ) go on weekend mini-vacations
( ) send dinners back with every flaw
(16) wear perfume or cologne (not body spray)
(17) regularly get your hair styled or nails done in a salon
( ) have a job but don't need the money OR
( ) stay at home with little financial sacrifice
( ) pay someone else to cook your meals
( ) pay someone else to watch your children or walk your dogs
( ) regularly pay someone else to drive you taxis
( ) expect a gift after you fight with your partner

Are you:
( ) an only child
( ) married/partnered to a wealthy person
( ) baffled/surprised when you don't get your way

Have you:
( ) been on a cruise
( ) traveled out of the country
(18) met a celebrity
( ) been to the Caribbean
( ) been to Europe
( ) been to Hawaii
( ) been to New York
( ) eaten at the space needle in Seattle
( ) been to the Mall of America
( ) been on the Eiffel tower in Paris
( ) been on the Statue of Liberty in New York
( ) moved more than three times because you wanted to
( ) dined with local political figures
( ) been to both the Atlantic coast and the Pacific coast

Did you:
( ) go to another country for your honeymoon
( ) hire a professional photographer for your wedding or party
(19) take riding or swimming lessons as a child
( ) attend private school
(20) have a Sweet 16 birthday party thrown for you

Today was good. Got to spend all weekend with Brian. But now it's gonna be hard to sleep without him but I'll live. I seem to be getting more and more strength by the day. Maybe I'll be better soon. Keep praying for me though bc I'm not completely better yet.

http://www.hamiltonhealth.com/baby/babies/6018.asp

This is my new baby neice. She is so cute. She was born when I was in the hospital so I didn't get to see her til she was almost a week old. But I've already babysat her once. I was the first person to keep her :). She's a wonderful baby. She just sleeps all the time.

Hi everyone! I have read back a few weeks and saw that people were updating on my conditions (thanks Chris and Katie). I just wanted to let all you guys know I am home and on my way to being "normal" again. I am still very weak and in a good bit of pain, but much better than I was. That was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. Especially being on life support.

But, I just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and visits. I would like to thank my WONDERFUL fiance most of all. Brian stuck by me 100% and I am very greatful to have him. He is the best. My parents have even said that this has helped them accept that he is the one for me bc of how much support he gave us. Thank you so much honey. I love you more than anything and would be so lost without you. I definately couldn't have made it without you. I remember waking up and thinking "Is Brian coming today?" and if he wasn't I'd get all depressed and stuff. Anyways, I'd also like to thank Chris and Katie for making the long drive to visit me a few times. It means a lot to me guys. Also, thanks for all the prayers and updating people! You guys rock! hehe. I would also like to thank everyone who took time to pray for me or think about me in any way.

I know I couldn't have made it through this without God. I had an unbelievable number of people all across Georgia praying for me. Even people that had no idea who I was would ask people for updates on me. That is such a good feeling to know that people care that much for you. This experience has definately brought me closer to God and I hope maybe it has helped some other people get closer to him.

That's all for now. Almost nap time. I'm getting a little weak now. Talk to you guys later

Well, the Rendezvous was towed back to Chatsworth yesterday. I have had it 3 weeks and its already a problem. The battery went out and then the coolent *poured* out. We got it towed back to Chatsworth for free though. It better be fixed soon.

My best friend is getting married. I am the maid of honor. I don't know what all I am supposed to do. I know the stuff at the wedding like fixing her dress and holding the ring and such. And I've been told that I'm the one at all the showers who writes down what she got from who. And I'm throwing her a lingerie/ Pure Romance type party. Any other suggestions?

She just decided like a week ago that she's getting married soon. REAL soon. April 15. So yea...it'll be very rushed between now and then. We went and got her dress and picked mine out Saturday. And we picked out the ones for the bridesmaids. Mine is more fancy than theres. Has diamonds on it and such. We also got the flower girls dress.

I had a pretty good weekend tho. We went out with Chris and Katie Friday night to Texas Roadhouse and the movies. They got to ride in my new car lol. Then I went home Saturday and did the stuff with Shanna for the wedding. Someone proposed at the dress shop. It was sweet but weird. Then I just went to my parents house cause it was snowing and I was tired. Sunday I went to Sunday School (second time in about 2 years probably). We got a new youth pastor at my church and I live him! Him and his wife are so sweet! Our Sunday School class has already grown from 2 people to 15. Anyways, after thatt I went to Walmart with the family. Then to the mall with Kellie. Then back to church then out to eat with some people from church. Then came back to Kennesaw. Over all and pretty good weekend.

Skipped class this morning I skipped class. I felt real bad. Oh well.

Okay today is officially an awful day so far. It's starts off with me refusing to get out of bed and Brian forcing me to roll out of bed and brsh my teeth five mins before my 8 am class starts. It's freezing so he drives me to class. I go to class and the teacher isnt there so we sit there for 15 mins before they tell us that she isnt coming. She left a voicemail saying shes been sick all weekend. Why the hell didnt she send us an email so we wouldnt get pneumonia trying to walk there?? So I come home and take a shower and look outside and its snowing. So I dont feel like walking to my next class. My roommate then informs me that her and her boyfriend's best friend died in a motorcycle wreck Wednesday night. I didn't know him but I had met him and it's still sad. Then I skipped both of my other classes lol. Then I go to change my clothes over to the dryer and the washer lid is open and there's yellow shit all over my clothes. I'm pissed but maybe i forgot to shut the lid. But that dont explain why theres yellow stuff on my baby blue shirt that wont come off. my detergent is purple. anyways, i have to go to work at 5:30 for ONE hour. What a waste.

Okay, so I'm on my way to Dalton on Saturday after a fun weekend day with my sweetie. I call my mom to tell her I'm on my way and she says they are at a barbeque place in Cleveland and I ask why they are there and she says come to the Chevy place in Chatsworth as soon as I get in Dalton. I ask why and she says my dad is test driving a truck and they have a car in mind for me.

I get there and they say something about "The payment for the Malibu" and I let them know real quick I dont want a Malibu. So they take me out to see another car. It's beautiful but it was only two doors and it was white. It was a 00 Honda Accord. I've always wanted one of those but the white really bothered me and the two doors would have been really stupid since Brian and I are going to be married in the near future and mainly because I take two kids home after work (only on Wednesdays now) and I have a nephew who is still in a booster seat and a neice and a neice/nephew on the way. Too hard to get carseats in the back with only two doors.

So I decide I don't want it and the sales guy asks what I think about SUVs and I said that I love them but they take too much gas and cost too much. He says "What would you say if I told you I had a SUV for the same price and gas mileage as this?" and I said "You talk my daddy into it." He then shows me a maroon Buick Rendezvous. I hated it at first and said "Forget it I want the Accord." So they do the paperwork on the Accord and I decide I want to test drive the Rendezvous. I LOVED it!!

So, I am now the proud owner of a 2002 Buick Rendezvous! It holds seven people and actually does have good gas mileage.