Oh My Maya and I'm 32!

Greeting to you all!

It has been a while since I've last written, but things have just been SO busy! Here is a short update on what has been happening lately.

My sister Laura was expecting to deliver her little girl on March 5, but God had other plans. She had some pregnancy issues that left her in the hospital for 2 weeks! It was a time of waiting and wondering when little Maya would make her appearance. We were all praying that she would at least make it to 34 weeks and she did! On January 26, 2010 my new niece Maya Nicole was born!! She was 4.7 lbs and 18" long and totally healthy. She stayed in the NCIU for about 6 days and then was able to go home to her very excited parents. Because she was due on my birthday, her middle name is Nicole after me. I cannot tell you what an honor it is to have a niece with part of my name! I so look forward to being a very involved Auntie! Here are some pictures that I got to take of little Maya when she was a few weeks old. Couldn't you just eat her up!!

Our Little Princess

She is gonna be a Latin dancer, just like her mama! Snap it out Maya...
The little sweet pea!
She's is smirking already!
Another sweet surprise was that my dad was here visiting during my birthday. It was his first time meeting his second granddaughter. Here is dad and Maya.

On my actual birthday my dad and Laura and me got to go and hang out in St. Augustine. It was a bit chilly, but I love walking around on St. George Street and shopping and strolling. It was a great day! Here is a pic of me and my dad. There is no question that I am his daughter! =)

It's a bit ironic that Laura and I both went into teaching and are now both trying to do something else. I really did enjoy my time as a teacher, but it is time to do something else for a time. Laura feels the same way.

Sometimes I still cannot believe that I am 32, but I am learning to just enjoy the ride! God has brought so much healing and growth in my life and I am so thankful for every blessing and trial. I look forward to this year and all that it has in store!

Hope you are enjoying your year.....wherever you find yourself!

What To Do When Life Doesn't Look Like You Thought It Would

I know I am not alone in the feeling that this is NOT the life that I had dreamed of. Like most girls I had dreamed of a beautiful wedding and cute little house that I could call my own. A handsome prince who looks like James Marsden wouldn't hurt either. =) I wanted to be a mother of at least 2 children and have a job that made me want to get up in the morning. In my fantasy I also kept my slender figure and was one of those "graceful agers". The ones where grey hair was so distinguished and lovely and the wrinkles were few. Ahhh, I can just close my eyes and see my life the way I had dreamed it when I was younger. Unfortunately, when I open my eyes this is not what I see. My reality is far from the dreams of a young girl. I find myself divorced for over 4 yrs. with no children. I have a job that calls when they need me and have not been successful at finding much more employment. My palace is an apartment and let me just say, the ever increasing grey hairs are not all that attractive. Sometimes I just lose it and yell, "God, do You see me??!!" (of course, I do this in private so no one commits me). So, once again I ask, what does one do when life doesn't look like you thought?

I believe that I have the answer and it has taken me more than 6 months to realize it! It seems so simple and much smarter people than I have been doing it for a long time. I need to keep dreaming, and dreaming BIG! Killing your dreams is killing your hope for something different. I do not think we can survive long without hope. I also have figured out that it's all in our perspective. For example, I may not have children of my own yet, but my sisters have both just had 2 beautiful little girls. One of them is my godchild and the other has my name as her middle name. I cannot wait to buy them too many dresses and twirl with them and take them to Disney World and watch their faces light up when they see the all the wonder! Most importantly I hope to be an influence in their lives to know Jesus Christ. The One who created wonder and twirling and giggling and hope. And as for a job I love.... I now have the time and life experience to decide what I WANT to do! How freakin' awesome is that! I can decide to do something that makes my heart come alive and make a difference in the world. For now I may have to do some jobs I do not love, but I have a light at the end of the tunnel. AND one of the coolest things has been the opportunity to live with my BF Tiffany. I know that both of us would not have chosen for our marriages to fail, but in that we have gotten to be roommates! We get to laugh and cry as we watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition and talk about our dreams. It has been so amazing to have someone actually get me and understand exactly where I'm at. What a great gift that could not have happened if I were in control!

So you see, I would venture to say that most of us have a life that didn't look like we thought it would. The secret is that God knows what we need and He has plans for us that are much much bigger than we could have ever dreamed up. Our plans are so small compared to His and sometimes He has to shatter our dreams to make room for bigger ones. Please know that I do not feel this way all the time. I have my moments where I need to grieve and cry and hit something or talk out my disappointment for hours at a time. And I am only 31 and not quite ready to let my grey hair win. =) I just want my life to be an encouragement to others and I want God to guide my steps. How do you see your life? Could you change your perspective to see the beauty that is right in front of you?

Here's to dreaming BIG dreams!

My Oh My How Time Flies By....

Hola!! I hope this finds everyone getting back into the swing of life after the holidays. It's amazing how much cheer and warmth Christmas decorations add to a home. Our apartment seems so bare, and BIG, without them. So much has happened since my last post and I would love to share some of it with you.

First, and most important, my sister Andrea had her first baby! It was a 6lb 11oz baby girl and most of us thought she was having a boy. It came as quite a shock, but a very sweet surprise. They named her Paige Michele and she is the most beautiful little peanut I have ever seen! I got to spend 10 days in Chicago with my family and get to know my new niece. Here are some pictures I took of pretty Paige. You are going to fall in love as I have!

You have fallen in love, haven't you!

When I get to see my brother and sisters and family, we always have a great time. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve.




Mommy and baby

Well, there you have it. I believe pictures are some of the best ways to tell a story so I don't have much more to say. I pray you all had a very Merry Christmas and that this year is filled with many blessings and new adventures. The glory of God is the human being fully alive. Do what makes you come alive!!

Until next time.....

Thanksgiving, Singing Christmas Trees & More Bellies

Hello Everyone and Merry Christmas-Time!!

I wanted to catch everyone up with the latest news going on in my little world. Some of my favorite people came to Orlando during Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful time. I got to take some Christmas pictures for the Jones Family at Disney's Boardwalk. The Boardwalk looks so jolly with all the Christmas decorations. The decorations really help make it feel like Christmas because 80 degrees doesn't really do it! Here are some of the shots from my time with the Jones'. They really are family to me and I'm so thankful for them!

I know, I know, we look JUST alike! =)

That day we got to go mini-golfing at WinterSummerland. I definitely had a night of extremes with 6 strokes on one hole, to 3 holes in 1!!! Hamp was the overall winner that night and was very mature and didn't rub it in.....much. =)

I also got to share Thanksgiving with my sister in her new house. I even got to take some pictures of her and Luke and the "coming soon" Maya. Here are a few of my favorites.

It was hard to get a serious shot of these two. They like to laugh! I think it's a family trait. =)

Tiffany and I have also spent the last 3 months rehearsing for something called "The Singing Christmas Trees" at First Baptist Orlando. Those huge trees are actually going to be filled with about 350 choir members. My spot was in the tree on the left about 3 rows from the top. We really are quite squished in there and we stand for the entire show. It has been quite the experience and I think that while this is my rookie year, this is my veteran year as well!

So, that is just a short update on what is going on in my life lately. I will be posting another blog VERY shortly, because on December 2nd I became an aunt for the first time!! I will leave you in suspense until I can get some pictures to post. I must say..... the baby is beautiful.

Until next time,

Nikki

Bellies, Baby Showers, & Christmas Time at Disney!

Hello All and Happy Holidays to you! I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is next month! How the time flies when you're living in Orlando and still looking for a job. =) I don't really like to put a blog up if there isn't much to say, so that is why there has been some gaps in my blogging life. Now I will catch you up on a couple of recent, and super fun, events in my life.

If you have read my blog in the past, you know that I really enjoy going to Disney World whenever Tiffany and I have some free time. In the midst of trying to find work and doors closing most of the time, Disney always brings a smile and lots of fun. They have it decorated for Christmas and it looks SO beautiful! Also, I went home to Chicago last weekend for my sister Andrea's baby shower. She is due December 13th, but we all think she will be having that baby any time now. Today she made it to 37 weeks so the little guy (or girl...I think she's having a boy) can come out and play anytime now! I get to go home December 20th for Christmas and I cannot wait to hold that baby and take lots of pictures. I have some of my favorite people coming to visit this week, the Sanders and Jones families, so I'm sure I'll have many more smiles to post after this week. I get to go and eat Thanksgiving at my sister Laura's house on Thursday and this year I only have to travel one and a half hours to get there. A great improvement over the 7 or more hours it would have taken if I still lived in Georgia. So, while things are still tough, I still believe that this is where God has planted me and I intend to grow.

I have lots of pictures to share, so here goes.

My beautiful sister Andrea and her awesome belly. She's glowing!







Last night I went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party where they make it snow on Main St. and the castle is draped in lights that make your heart long for heaven! It was so magical!




The snow was actually foam, but it looked so real! I hope it snows in Chicago when I'm home for Christmas!

The fireworks are always amazing, but there is nothing like fireworks and Christmas music.







Have a great weekend and a very Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for so much, but mostly for my dear friends and family!

XOXO,

Nikki

I'm Gonna Be An Aunt!!

Hello All! It's mid-October and it's in the 90's here in sunny Orlando. I cannot say I'm used to that, but I will take it over a harsh 3-6 months of winter anytime!

Some of you may not know that both of my younger sisters are pregnant and are 3 months apart. My sister Andrea who lives in Chicago, is due on December 13th so I am looking forward to an amazing Christmas present this year! She and her husband Scott have decided NOT to find out the sex of the baby so we all wait with eager anticipation. I'm going with boy, but you never know. My other sister Laura and her husband Luke decided to find out the sex of their baby last week and they invited me to be there when they did. Luke was convinced it was a boy and I was sure it was a girl. The baby is due on my birthday, March 5th, and if it was a girl she was going to be named Maya Nicole. So you see, I did have some bias here. As the ultrasound got started it only took a few minutes to see that the baby was a girl!! I had my camera all ready and had taken a few shots before the announcement, but I really wanted to capture the moment on Luke and Laura's faces when they announced the sex. Instead, I started screaming and jumping myself and just couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Here are some of the shots I did get during this time.

It was amazing to see the baby on the big screen.

Baby Maya
My excited Brother-in-law Luke
So it was an amazing day full of smiles and excitement. I have to say that it was an honor to get to share this with my sister and Luke. I do have to be honest though, and say that there was a small part of me that hurt. A part of me that still asks God, "why not me? Will I ever get to be a wife to a wonderful man and know what it feels like to be a mother?" I know it may seem selfish to be feeling this way in the light of such a wonderful thing, but that's just the way I feel. I don't feel this way all the time and I am more than excited to be an aunt. Yet at the core of how God made me, these desires just will not go away. I know there is much to be learned in the waiting, no the longing, of this time and He is showing me through it all that He is faithful.

I want to live life to the fullest, for that is why Christ came. In times like these, I always wonder how people get through the pain of life without Christ. Hope comes from knowing that we are loved and loved well and that this life is not the end of our story. It's just a blip on the radar of eternity, but that doesn't always help when I need a hug from someone with skin on. =)

I do know that there is redemption in that I get to share this journey with my sisters. After the past few years, that is saying something.

I also had a friend from Atlanta, who is now living in Baltimore, come and visit last weekend. Here are a few pictures of Lauren that I took at Disney's Boardwalk. She is very photogenic so it was fun to take them.

My roommate Tiffany also got a new haircut so I had to capture that as well. I think she looks beautiful!

One last thing before I go....I got a job!! I am substitute teaching at a prep school here in Winter Garden and I really like it. I get to go in and talk with students all day and then leave. No lesson plans, little stress, and NO WEEKENDS or EVENINGS!! Being in a school does make me miss my former students, but many of them keep in touch and I was so grateful for my time with them. I'm still looking for auditions and to teach private voice lessons, but things are slow here. I am just thankful to have some income coming in.

I wish you all a wonderful week!

xoxo

Lots O' Visitors

Ok, ok....now I know that I don't have a following of thousands or hundreds....or even 10 for that matter, but I know it's been a looooong time since I've put up a blog. I've just been busy with some awesome guests while getting the most out of living in Orlando. The Sanders Family came down to celebrate Andie's 18th birthday by going to Disney World. For those of you who do not know the Sanders Family, Andie was in my choir at Hillgrove the past 3 years and I have become wonderful friends with her whole family. Michelle and Bundy sponsored me for my Tres Dias weekend and I have felt so much love from them over the years. Going to Disney with them has become a tradition and it is always so much fun to storm the Magic Kingdom with people who love Disney as much as I do.

They got in Friday night September 11th and we all went to the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party where most people were dressed up and the park was decorated for fall. The best part was that we got to go trick or treating inside the park. They gave away the good stuff too! Here are some pics from that fun night.

Andie in her Tinkerbell costume and I in front of the castle.

Andie looking at the castle....I loved the innocence of this shot.

Me and Baloo from The Jungle Book. He liked to cuddle.

These were some of the decorations throughout the park.

The next morning was Andie's real birthday. We all met at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom to have a character breakfast to celebrate. We had to be in the park by 7:50 a.m. so we definitely had a lot of coffee! The park was not open yet so Main Street was almost totally empty. That is something I have never seen.

I loved this picture of Michelle and Tigger!

Andie made a shirt to wear on her birthday. I totally agree, I'm never growing up!

Just being silly in the line for Philharmagic. It's one of my favorite rides at Disney.

Later in the weekend, I got to take some of Andie's senior pictures at the Disney Boardwalk. Here are a few of my favorites.

I had so much fun with the Sanders Crew. I cannot wait for Thanksgiving when they come back down to have fun again. They are some of my favorite people!! Love you guys!!

Last week my good friend Ashley Johnson came to visit. We had a really good time exploring some places that I have never been. We went to Sea World and Busch Gardens and rode some awesome coasters. Ashley also let me take some pics of her so here are a few of my favorites.

Ashley is an awesome photographer so when she told me she liked these pictures, I was super excited! Thanks for visiting me my friend! I love you!!

I keep saying that I will be a better blogger, but honestly...I may not. I try to write when I have something to say and sometimes it just takes me a while to have something to say. Tiffany and I are still looking for a job, but we are keeping busy with much searching and we are participating in the Singing Christmas Trees at First Baptist Orlando. I have directed choir for so long that it is fun to just get to sing. Plus I need to keep up my chops =) I also have some leads to start teaching voice lessons and substitute teaching so we shall see. I keep waiting for something to just "work out," but it is taking longer than I thought. I guess that's why God makes the plans and I do not. It's been a nice long break...but we are ready to work. Keep us in your prayers if we come to mind. Also, pray for the people in Atlanta, GA and Burkina Faso, Africa. They have had some horrible rain and the flooding is becoming a problem. People are losing homes and crops. I love you my friends from all over the world!

Thanks for reading!!