A Proud Aunt!

Just because I got some really cute pics of my niece and nephew over Thanksgiving, I thought I would write a blog to brag on them :) Ashlyn & Weston are Brandon's brother's kids. Ashlyn is 6 and Weston is 4. They live in Wilkesboro, and even though it is only an hour and a half away, I wish I could see them more often! But, I tell you, after visiting with them, I am pooped out! They are all about "Aunt Ginny" right now. I hate it for Brandon, as I know he would love to interact with them a bunch too, but there will be a time when it will be all about "Uncle Brandon." Whenever we go out to eat (which is what we do every time we visit) it is always fun trying to figure who is going to sit where. Jana and Derek have gotten to the point that whenever we get to the table, they say "Ok, Ashlyn & Weston, where is Aunt Ginny sitting so the rest of us can sit down." I am always right in the middle of Ashlyn and Weston, and spend the rest of the meal like I am at a tennis match with my head going back and forth, back and forth between the two of them. Most of the time, I have both of them talking to me at once, which becomes quite entertaining. But, all in all, I wouldn't trade them for the world! They are really great kids, and I just hope I will be so lucky one day!! Ok, now for some cute shots of my sweeties!!

Their favorite restaurant is "Fire Mountain" because it is buffet style and you get to make your own ice cream cones!

Ashlyn just lost her first tooth! She told me that the "Tooth Fairy" came to visit her. I asked her how much she got, and she said, "oh, I got a dollar - I would have liked ten, but that's ok". Hey, at least she is honest!

And Mr. Weston might as well be "Brandon Junior"!! It is amazing how much he looks like Brandon. I wonder if that means my kids will look like Derek!

At least the game boys they got last Christmas entertain them some so the rest of us can actually eat and talk. I tried to play Mario, and I forgot how bad I am at video games!

Lots to be thankful for.....

Brandon and Chelsi

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things, but most of all I am thankful for my wonderful husband, Brandon, who picks me up when I am down, makes me laugh, is a wonderful listener, cute, loving, strong, smart, great with my family, understanding, laid-back, patient, affectionate, full of random knowledge, handsome, and makes me feel "at-home". Recently someone told me how lucky I was to have Brandon, and that what we have is not as easy to come by as you would think. These words rung true in my heart, but also opened my eyes to the world around us. All I have ever wanted is for my family and friends to find true happiness, and when some of them have their ups and downs, I seem to have them with them. Brandon has told me several times that is the reason he feel in love with me, for my big heart. But, sometimes this big heart can get in the way of my own happiness. I get wrapped up in what is going on with everyone else, that I sometimes forget to appreciate what I have. I am doing my best to step back and realize that life is not always "peaches 'n cream", and that all I can do is stay true to myself, pray, and smile. I truly believe that God will only give each of us what we can handle, and sometimes when the world feels like it is crashing down on you, you just have to take some time to pray, find the little things that make you happy, and your roller-coaster of life will have an upward slope again soon. I find myself taking my own advice, and so this holiday season, I am going to appreciate all the little things and try to get out of this "funk" I have been in recently. On a lighter note, here are some pics of my Turkey day with my wonderful family!

My Mom and me

My Dad and brother, Andrew

Brandon with his parents, Barbara & Rex

My niece, Ashlyn and my sister-n-law, Jana

My nephew, Weston and me

Brandon and his brother, Derek

Auto damage and a Deer

So, I hit my first deer last night. I am ok, and the damage to my car really wasn't that bad. But honestly, what has got me the most upset is that there is an animal out there hurting because of me! Sure, it ran out in front of me and I know there is nothing I can do, but it still doesn't make me feel any better. It was about 5:30pm last night, and I was on my way home from work (only about 5 minutes from work actually) and I tried to call Brandon at home to see if he needed anything from CVS. I couldn't get him, so I hung up, and made the left turn onto Birch Creek Road. Less than 30 seconds later, the deer (a doe) ran out in front of me. I hit my brakes but it really was too late. I just hit the butt of it - shattering my front left headlight, and it continued to run into the woods. There was someone behind me, so he stopped to make sure I was ok and said, "That thing came out of no where!", and I said, "Yeah, well that is how they roll." I was amazingly calm, and no idea why that phrase came out of my mouth, like I am Mr. GQ or something. Anyway, I called Brandon (after 10 tries, he finally picked up), and then called Highway Patrol. They asked me if I thought the damage to my car was more than $1000, and I said I didn't think so, and they said in that case I wouldn't need a report, but if later my insurance company requested one, I could call them back and get one. So, I continued my trip home (slowly and more cautious this time). Brandon was really sweet, and offered to come and get me, but I said I was fine. Again, amazingly calm (especially for me). When I got home, he was waiting for me with a flashlight and camera, and took in the damage. Of course when the boy looks at the car, he sees more damage than the girl, but still isn't too bad. Brandon said he called his dad to ask if what the Highway Patrol told me was correct, and his dad said, "Tell Ginny that it happens to the best of families, because it has happened to me." So, I guess I am officially on the "Inscore Roster" for deer killing, even though I didn't want to do it! Brandon has never hit one, but he sure has shot one or two - something I will never understand. Anyway, we came back inside, and Brandon gave me a big hug and said it would be ok. He said he would stay home from "Theology on Tap" (men's group from church), but I told him no, go ahead, I am fine. The rest of the night I proceeded to bake, clean up, and pack for our Thanksgiving weekend away, but my mind just kept going to the poor deer that was suffering in the woods somewhere because of me!

The good part about the night, was that I had that feeling that someone was watching over me. I don't get it very often, but when I do, it really is a cool feeling. I think that is why I was able to stay so calm. Just little signs when I look back on the night - the fact that Brandon didn't pick up the first time I called, or I would have been on the phone with him when the deer ran out in front of me, and may not have been as aware and could have done more damage to the car and myself. The fact that someone was behind me (but not too close for following distance) and nice enough to stop and make sure I was ok. The fact that where the accident took place was not a busy road, so I felt safe pulling on the side of the road. The fact that where I pulled over, there were two horses at the top of the hill just looking down on me (I work out towards the country in McLeansville) - I know it is corny, but I thought of them as my guardian angels. And most of all, I feel lucky that not more damage was done and that I am ok. So yeah, someone is watching over me, and I know exactly who that is, and that is a really really cool feeling.