Music cures all

I honestly cannot remember a time in my life that I have not had musical influence. Even as a small child I have memories of dancing and singing around the house. I used to love to put my Whitney Houston cassette in and try to sing every line with her. Of course...she probably was a little more in tune than me, but I held my own. Ha.

My parents were huge advocates for all of my siblings and I to learn to play the piano. We each took lessons for 10 years. At the time I used to hate to practice every day...but I always enjoyed the peace I felt when I touched the keys. Over the years I have not had the opportunity to play as much...but when I do, I usually get lost in the melodies.

I have found that many times in my life I have looked to music to "cure" what ails me at that time. Many songs have spoken to me during bad breakups, deaths, job stresses and just plain old bad mood days. There is something to be said about the power of a song and words that can bring you back from a dark place. Not to mention the good mood the music usually puts you in. Josh always teases me because I am constantly singing. I sing in the kitchen, shower and my best performances are always in the car. I pity the poor soul who pulls up next to me when I am in my car and I am in full throttle belting with Lady Antebellum. What a site to see.

Perhaps when I grow up.... I might give this singing career a shot. In the meantime I will continue to sing to anyone willing to listen (poor Winston....he takes the brunt of my performances) and dream of being the next American Idol.

JAR

PS. I have had a lot of stress at work lately and the song that seems to resonate the most with me now is 'Strip Me' by Natasha Bedingfield. Here are the lyrics:

Everyday I fight for All my future somethings A thousand little awards I have to choose between I could spend a lifetime Earning things I don’t need That’s like chasing rainbows And coming home empty And if you strip me, Strip it all away If you strip me, What would you find If you strip me, Strip it all away Ill be alright Take what you want Steal my pride Build me up Or cut me down to size Shut me out But I’ll just scream I'm only one voice in a million But you ain't taking that from me Oh oh no you ain't taking that from me. I don't need a microphone To say what I been thinking My heart is like a loudspeaker That's always on eleven And if you strip me, Strip it all away

Hello Again...its been awhile

"Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat."
- Joanne Woodward

Yep...it has been awhile since we last talked...but I promise it has been for a good reason.....I am now married!

Life has been very good, no wait...GREAT for me since August 28th...I could never have imagined that being married would be so wonderful. I sometimes wonder why the heck it took me so long to come around to the whole marriage idea! I absolutely love waking up every morning next to Josh and the favorite part of my day is coming home after work and spending time with my boys (Winston and Josh of course). Knowing that I have my best friend with me at my side is the most amazing experience. I am truly blessed.

Marriage is a funny thing. I have definitely learned quickly the art of compromise. As a stubborn person this was not the easiest of tasks to learn (or accept), however I am an observer and I noticed quickly that this was essential to the survival of a marriage. Oh don't get me wrong..there have been plenty of times that I want to stomp my feet and scream "I am right...I am right"....but I know that won't win any battles. One of our dear family friends, Suzan Monk gave Josh and I this key piece of advice before we got married: "Being happy is far better than being right". Great advice. Every time I think I want to argue (like how the right way to fold laundry should be or cooking pasta a certain way)..I always go back to that statement. I have a strong suspicion that this mentality will be VERY helpful in the future with kids!

I am excited about the coming year for Josh and I. 2011 will be big for us in many ways. We hope to make decisions on where we both want to be with our jobs...hopefully we will also be in the market for a new home. And who knows what else will be on our agendas (smile). Whatever our futures may hold...I am ready and up for the adventure.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday and I hope that you will be able to share this time with your closest family and friends. I look forward to writing in the new year!

Love always
Jenny (aka: JRH)

...And then she got married...

"Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays."

-Henry Youngman


Little did I know that when I started this "Single Southern" blog that I would eventually not be single one day. How time and life flies when you aren't exactly making plans. So on August 28th I officially dropped the Ms. and became a Mrs.....a Mrs. Hammond that is. What an amazing feeling to be married.


Thanks to great family and friends we had the wedding weekend that some only dream about. As everyone told us it would ....the time certainly did fly by. It is hard to think that after 8 months of planning, stressing (at times) and strategies..that it could all be over in less than 48 hours! No kidding...it flew by. In the midst of it all we enjoyed our time catching up with family and friends and celebrating every minute the we could squeeze in. Truly when you stop to think about it...it is one of the few times in your life that you get to have all the people you love surround you with hope and happy wishes. Just amazing. More pictures and comments to follow in a future post.

So now we have been married for three weeks and we are starting to get into the routine of life. After an amazing honeymoon in Punta Cana (with our dear friend Hurricane Earl) we returned to our home in Raleigh to our spoiled son Winston and a stack of dirty laundry. Reality started to set in quickly. I think the first few days we simply tried to recover and bring our heads out of the clouds. We started to unpack, unwrap wedding gifts and try to make sense out of the chaos that was forming in our home. After a few good naps and one crying breakdown (by me of course) we got our act together. We ventured out on our first "joint" shopping trip to Walmart (Josh hates Walmart) and survived the dubious tasks of grocery shopping and cleaning. We got through it....but quickly decided that maybe I should do the shopping and Josh do the cooking! Ha!

It is so funny and amazing to me all in one thought that we are 1.) married and 2.) living in very tight quarters. For the last 7 years Josh and I have lived on our own and basically lived like a bachelor and a bachelorette. So not only are we getting used to being "married" we are just getting used to having a roommate again. I laugh at this because it is the little things that we are finding adjustments to (where to put the groceries, how one might do their laundry and why we both need more sleeping space). We have already concluded that we will have to purchase a king size bed for the new house that we intend to buy. We are just two very independent sleepers and neither one of us wants to give an inch in that bed! To be continued....

So other than adjusting to a 1-hour commute (each way) to work every day.....the new Hammonds are making it. We are learning the very fine art of compromise and the importance of taking time for ourselves. Now don't get me wrong...we are only three weeks into this marriage thing and we still have plenty to learn. But I think so far....we are doing a spectacular job. I look forward to the coming months as we adjust to one another and to joyful art of marriage.

JAR

One Month

"A happy marriage has in it all the pleasures of friendships, all the enjoyment of sense and reason - and indeed all the sweets of life." - Joseph Addison


How in the world have 7 months flown by since Josh got down on one knee and proposed to me? I truly believe that time does fly....and fast. I have really not been nervous or anxious about the upcoming nuptials....but as I woke this morning and realized that in one month I will no longer be a Ms. but a Mrs.....I started to ponder. I pondered how after 33 years did I really go without being with this wonderful man? It is so true that when you know "you know". As I drove into work this morning I kept thinking of all of the wonderful events in my life and how blessed I have been. I also thought how lucky that I am to be in this moment now. I joke around a lot with people about this next statement, but I "truly was and will not be ready to marry until August 28th". I think God has just an amazing way of planning our lives. The song lyric that says "if you want to make God laugh..tell him your plans". So true. I think back to all of the years that I wondered if I would ever get married or would I be right to be married to someone....but all along he knew. God was molding me, allowing me to have experiences and embrace challenges that would only make me a better wife and hopefully someday mother. I am a religious person...but you don't even have to be religious to "get that". There is a power out there that is much stronger than us that guides us...

So one month to go. Yes....all of the little details (wedding programs, seating charts, flowers, honeymoon plans) they all start to come into full circle. However I keep reminding myself that although all of that is wonderful....at the end of the day, I just want to be married to Josh. I am looking forward to being a "Not so Single Southern" and embracing this marriage thing that everyone has been ranting and raving about all of these years! I look forward to being the next generation of Mrs. Hammond and I can't wait to be a family (with Winston of course!).

So I suppose the moral of my story is from a little country tune by Garth Brooks....

"Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered"
"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"

However the greatest prayer that he did answer was that of happiness. I know life is not easy and I am sure Josh and I will have our bumps along the road like everyone else. But in the end.....I love him and he brings me the most happiness.

One month.

JAR

God Bless the USA

"There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream." ~Archibald MacLeish

As we approach this Fourth of July weekend, I could not help but think about all of the things that I am most thankful for. Being an American is truly a privilege and often times it takes a trip to another part of the world to appreciate it. Fortunately I have had the chance to go abroad a couple of times....and there is no feeling like the feeling you get when the wheels of the airplane touch the sweet American soil. With all of the events in the world currently, I think living in the ole' US of A is still a pretty lucrative deal.

While I was watching the news the other night, I started to think about all of the things I love and appreciate most about being an American and living in the land of the free. Here are a few that came to mind:

• Freedom of Speech
• Right to practice my choice of faith
• the ability to obtain an education.....at all levels
• the right to vote
• having laws that protect our animals, homes, choice of sexual orientation, faith and ways of life
• being a woman and being allowed to do anything that a man can do
• choosing my own health care (not for long)
• having as many children as I wish
• living in a safe and clean environment (fresh water, trash-free streets, rules and regulations on food, war zone free)

Of course there many, many more that each day I think about...and I am grateful for. I know that for each of these freedoms that I have, I have the men and women who served this great nation to thank. We are a great land with great opportunity and I never take that for granted.

On a final note, this month (July 14th) will serve as the 6th anniversary of my Nanny Kirk's passing. I think that it was fitting that she left us during our most patriotic month of the year. She herself was the most patriotic person I've ever known. She would go all out with decorations for the fourth and she loved to sing God Bless America by Lee Greenwood (she played it over and over on her little tape player). She supported our troops and loved being an American. So every time I see a little flag or anything that is adorned with the stars and stripes I smile and think of her.

So on this fourth of July, I will pause in remembrance of those who have protected this great nation and pray in thanksgiving for the freedoms I am granted everyday as an American.

God Bless the USA!

JAR

p.s. If you have never seen the original "God Bless the USA" video....here you go!

The Race.....

Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are. ~Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha



Tomorrow I will be running in my eighth Susan G. Komen Race in Raleigh, NC. Last year I brought Josh along for the race and he nearly killed me when it was all said and done. However this year, he has been training with a running club twice a week....so he is ready to race tomorrow. Not real thrilled about the humidity and heat we may face, but I figured that pales in comparison to what cancer patients fight daily, for whom we are racing for.

If you have never had the opportunity to participate in such an event...I encourage you to do so. Not only is the experience a physical challenge....but it is an emotional circus! You see survivors, patients, friends and families of patients and survivors and neighbors lined along the streets cheering you on. It is really an amazing feeling to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself.

When you stop and look around, it dawns on you that this idea (pink ribbons, breast cancer awareness, races, fundraising) started with a promise between two sisters over 31 years ago. Nancy Brinker assured her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would find a cure. She would not allow other women young (Susan was 36 when she died) and old to suffer as she did. And so became the Susan G. Komen Foundation. If you would like to learn more about this story, check out the book written by Nancy Brinker about the organization and her special relationship with her sister, that will debut in September.

I look forward to the day that there is a cure for breast cancer and cancer as a whole. I am confident it will happen in my lifetime. Until then...we must continue to fight one day at a time. So the next time you see a product with the Susan G. Komen logo on it or you have someone who wishes to be sponsored...but it and give them anything you can. In the end....every single penny makes a difference.

JAR

Love to all my friends and family who have succumbed to cancer, to those who are fighting and those yet to fight! I am so proud of each of you and rest assure....I will keep walking and spreading the word for a cure!

In memory of:

Josephine Ruggieri
Dorothy Kirk
Jerry Sides
Mary Llloyd Kirk

In honor of:

Linnea Weddington
Mrs. Trexler
Matthew Ruggieri
Larry Gildea
Jeffrey Weddington

What is Interactive Media?

Many of you have asked exactly what is Interactive Media? Well...here is a quick overview of what my first class of Master's Students in the IM program are all about. This is a promo video for their upcoming portfolio showcase this week. I guess you can say I am a proud mama! Way to go grads!

JAR

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=0tqcmwfG7Lw&feature=related

Pugs and Kisses...last forever

"The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor." ~Margo Kaufman

So as many of you know....I am getting married in August (whew...time is flying fast)! And as I prepare to make my next steps.... some pretty big transitions are about to occur. As I mentioned in a previous post I am going to be living with my parents this summer prior to the wedding. I only have two weeks left to live the life of a single lady...because after that I will literally be living with someone for many, many years (hopefully!).

And with my move that means that I also only have two more weeks with my dear Winston before I send him off to live with his new Daddy for the summer. Winston is always welcome at my parents' house...just not on a permanent basis. So...one of the stipulations with my parents when I asked to live with them for a few months was that Winston could not come with me. As upset as I was...I understood and respected their decision. So...Winston will be off living the bachelor life in Raleigh, adjusting to his new pad.

Now one may think this is not that big of a deal...but let's remember what the little guy has meant to me over the past two years. When I got Winston back in January of 2008...I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I literally thought..."how hard can this really be?". Hmmm....boy was I thinking crazy. That little pug taught me so much about every aspect of life. From his not so glorious potty training experiences to his constant shedding...my OCD of a lifestyle went right out the window. I also embraced the true meaning of patience. I not only had to get some...but I had to execute it at times that I did not feel so confident in doing so. Having the urge to throw a shoe at him when he chewed to death a pair of $50 high heels or when he decided that he wanted to cry all night long in his crate when I really wanted to sleep...was a true test of patience. And for the record....I am still be tested daily.

Probably one of the most important "gifts" I have received since having Winston is my desire to truly do for someone/something else. I never really considered myself a selfish person but after having someone to care for 24/7...I realized that I was truly selfish. Winston has taught me so much about giving to others and loving unconditionally. I would do ANYTHING for that dog. And the funny thing is I never understood what pet owners meant when they would go on and on about their pets...but now I do. There are some months that I probably could not afford to do something .....but you better believe that dog had plenty of food and treats fit for a king!


It's funny how life paints its pictures sometimes. When I got Winston...I had and was going through a really rough break-up and knew my then job was coming to an end. Needless to say I was at probably one of my lowest points. That summer and the transition of moving to Elon was really, really hard on me. However....Winston did not care. He loved me so much and gave me so much comfort that it truly saved me. No matter how low I felt or how discouraged I became...I would just look at him and knew that I had to do better ....if not for me...but for him.

I guess you can say that Winston has taught me a lot about love and life. There is no doubt that he gave me the will and the confidence to love again...and I believe that is why I was so open to Josh in my life. And when it comes to bracing for my future with children....Winston has definitely opened my eyes to what lies ahead. Now I know not everyone believes in angels and all of that mystical stuff....but I do. I KNOW that he was a little angel sent to me from above to guide me along my path. And although it saddens me that someday he will leave me (but not for a long, long time)...I know the gifts he has given me will last for a lifetime.

So I will embrace these next two weeks as much as I can. Some don't understand what the big fuss is all about....because I will see him on the weekends and back to full time in August. But for those of you who have pets...know that coming home everyday to that tail wagging with excitement to see you is irreplaceable. They love you no matter how bad of a day you are having...and they are just so excited to see you. Now I know Mom and Dad will provide some of that (ha ha)....but nothing to the satisfaction of a pug kiss and hug.

JAR

"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." ~Author Unknown

30 days and counting....

No matter what, Dad was always there with solid words of advice . . . "Go ask your mother."- Alan Ray


Ok....so in exactly one month, I will do what I NEVER thought I would do after I turned 18.....move back in with my parents. Now...let's get the story straight...this is only a 3 month stint and it is really for the purity of my future marriage to Josh in August. Well....and also because my father said if I ever lived with anyone before I was married....he would not come to the wedding. Now I don't know if he would really do that...but I thought I would not risk walking down the aisle by myself! Ha!

In all seriousness, moving in with my parents really made the most sense since my current lease ends on May 31st and Josh and I really do want to wait until we are married before we live together. I guess this will be a great way to save money, get used to the commuting concept (ugh) and relish some time with two of the most important people in my life. After all...how bad could it possibly be?

My sister Lynn spent a couple months before her wedding two years ago and she said she really had a fun time with my parents. She said it definitely was different being back since she was used to coming and going on her own (kind of like coming home from college that first summer) and it was also unique to see how Mom and Dad had adopted to life "post children". So in a way...I am kind of excited about spending some time with them myself.

I am looking forward to having dinner every night with Mom and Dad...although I am not sure if Mom really cooks anymore. I am also excited about watching evening shows with them as well....but then again they do watch TV in separate rooms every night. Oh but wait...we could go to the movies every once in awhile too....but now I just remembered they go early to catch the senior citizen discount rate...and I would not qualify for that (too young! ha!). So maybe it won't be as glamorous as I anticipate it to be.

Perhaps in the end it will be an opportunity to plan the final details of my wedding from home base and catch up on some quality conversations with Mom and Dad. Of course I have to keep the mushy conversations to Mom...Dad does not like to deal with those. However..if I have a Bridezilla moment..he will have to deal with it too!

All in all I think it is funny that after 15 years of being on my own....I am coming home to where it all started and with the two people who gave me this great life. In a way it's a proper send off to the next great phase of my life!

JAR

A Birthday Year to Remember

"Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them."- Anonymous

Today back in 1976....a little fellow by the name of Joshua Emory came barreling in to this world. Although two weeks late...he proceeded to make his entry to the "real world" with a bang. 34 years later he is still making his presence known by all of the wonderful deeds he does for others.

Of course I am grateful that I am privileged to marry this sweet man....but I am even more humbled by all of the great characteristics he has that so often he shares with others. Josh is the guy that no matter what time of the day it is or where he is at in his own world.....if you ask for help he will literally stop what he is doing to come to your aid. Now...perhaps I am a little bias because I am his fiance', but I do speak with authority that I have seen his deeds in action many times with friends, family and co-workers. Occasionally a total stranger gets the benefit of his generosity as well. I think Josh is one of those rare people (similar to my brother Joe) that just enjoys doing for others and simply wants nothing in return. His reward is seeing others happy and that is trait I truly, truly admire.

So....on this great day in April...I wish the most giving and loving man I know...the best birthday ever. I look forward to many more birthdays together!

JAR

A little faith in the world

"Without faith, hope and trust, there is no promise for the future, and without a promising future, life has no direction, no meaning and no justification."-Adlin Sinclair

Well, if you are like most Americans (or at least the 85% reported) who were happy with your health care before Sunday...you probably are having a hard time swallowing the pill that our government has just made us all take. Some days it is hard to have faith in the world in which we live and the leaders that are supposed to lead...but if you had the weekend I just had with about 40 high school juniors and seniors...you might have a little more faith.

When Josh and I first started dating, he constantly spoke of his involvement with "Search". I had no idea what this was but soon found out that it was something he was very passionate about. The program, based out of the Raleigh Diocese, is something that Josh did as a teenager and has now gone back to supervise for as an adult. The program is described as:"Search is a weekend retreat for 11th – 12th grade youth. Activities encourage self-discovery and reflections on relationships with others and with God. Retreat team is made up of past Searchers who model leadership, faith sharing, and ministry with their peers. Adults in youth ministry also attend and participate in Search".

Josh had mentioned many times that going to Search was a life changing experience for him. As a teenager, that seems amazing. I can't recall anything in my teenage years that was so profound. His passions for the event continued after he was in college and he has been volunteering as an "adult searcher" for the past couple of years. So as one could imagine, my curiosity about this grand program was always there. A few months ago, Josh asked if I would like to attend as an adult Searcher myself. So...without hesitation I decided to do so. Little did I know what I was getting into!

When I arrived on Friday night, I was greeted with 60 plus teenagers screaming and having a grand time. I thought to myself "Oh Lord...what have I gotten myself into?". However we (the adults and the kids) quickly were oriented on the pace of the weekend and what was to be expected. I learned within hours (and I say hours because we got there at 7pm and did not go to bed until 2:30am!) that this was going to be a weekend like no other. The evening started out with a young woman who "told us her story". Her story ironically enough dealt with her battles of depression and finding herself. My attention perked and I instantly knew that this was something I could relate to.

The rest of the weekend consisted of great "talks" from teens and adults. Each one telling a different story and each one emphasizing how they grew closer to God. I was so in awe by the bravery and courage for the kids to get up in front of their peers and share so much. I was more than humbled to share in the experience. The weekend posted many great events and memories,including a special visit from my future in-laws. I knew that I had made the right choice to participate in the program and I felt even closer to my faith and Josh.

The best feeling I had after walking away from the Search weekend was that I knew for sure that not only was the Catholic church in good hands....but so was the future of our country. These kids were amazing and each of them had so many great qualities that I know they will utilize them to the fullest. I know that they will take their love for the Lord and their passion for the message and spread it all around them.

So for those of you who doubt the world we live in...let me assure you that you can have Faith once again...we are in the best of hands!

Love
JAR

Cakes, Flowers, Dresses....Ohy!

"Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry" ~ Tom Mullen

I have now been on this wedding planning ride for roughly three months now and it still amazes me how much there is to do. I mean I knew that planning a wedding would be a lot....but nobody tells you about all of the details...small details that take up so much of your time. I have to admit there have been times that I have thought about tossing the whole plan out the window and eloping (at a tropical location of course)...but then I refrain. Overall I see the big picture...but why does it have to be so time consuming and expensive? Ugh.

So on a brighter note...some of the wedding planning is a lot of fun. This week I chose the bridesmaid dresses (so fun) and Josh and I are cake testing tomorrow. I suppose there are some perks to planning. I am really looking forward to testing the cakes...makes this crazy diet I am on seem worth it. I have a sense that I may prefer one vendor over another simply due to their love of Pugs. Maxie B's is a quaint little bakery in Greensboro and they are known for their great cakes and cupcakes......but the owner also has three pugs of her own...so maybe that is a sign!

Also on Saturday, Josh will be taking me to the jeweler who designed my beautiful engagement ring. I can't wait to meet him and thank him for the wonderful job he did on recreating the beauty of my grandmother's ring. I also hope that he will be able to restore a pair of pearl earrings that my grandfather gave to me. They are a pair that he brought back from the Philippines to give to my grandmother....and now I own them. I really want to wear them on my wedding day. And finally on Sunday...we will meet with Father Kelleher (the priest who will marry us) to have lunch and review some of our pre cana work. He officiated my brother's wedding and he has been a long time family friend...love him!

So as you can see the madness never ends....but the one thing that I keep telling myself through all of this (other than the fabulous honeymoon) is that the day will make me Mrs. Hammond....FINALLY!

Love to all

JAR

Mrs. Saunders

"A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image." ~Author Unknown

One of the most fun side effects of planning a wedding I have discovered is reuniting with old friends and family. Yesterday I started to receive the word that our Save the Dates were hitting homes across America. So not only is that great..but I guess this wedding is officially on! Just kidding!!

So yesterday I received the sweetest note on our wedding website from my 4th grade teacher...Mrs. Saunders. She had received my invitation and was excited to hear from me. Little does she know that I could not imagine having this huge life event without her....she is good reason I am the way I am today.

When I was young...let's say between the ages of 8 and 12....I really struggled with my self image. I was short, buck teeth and had glasses thicker than a coke bottle. I hated being me...hated it. At that age all I could see were the pretty girls around me that had none of my flaws and it just did not seem fair. Of course my parents always reassured me that it was just a phase and someday I would have straight teeth and contacts and that this "too shall pass". However when you are 10, your parents aren't exactly the ones you listen to.

I can remember being in Mrs. Saunders class like it was yesterday. She was a young, energetic blonde teacher who always dressed to the nines. She was funny, witty and if you did something wrong (or misbehaved)...she was not afraid to tell you. I LOVED being in her class. I would wait each day for her to tell us a story on her two children (Tommy and Byke). She always had funny stories about them...even disclosing how much Byke loved cheese....really loved it. In fact there were days that the class would beg her to tell a "Byke" story because they were always so funny. At that age I was still such a kid...I played school and I might have even still played with my Barbies...who knows. But I do know that I could remember thinking that someday I wanted to be like Mrs. Saunders.

Perhaps it was the way she took a genuine interest in my family or perhaps it was the way she made me feel when I did something great...but she was always so wonderful to me. One day I can remember her pulling me aside at recess and showing me her childhood yearbooks. She showed me pictures of herself when she was younger (also buck teeth and with glasses). She said that we all grow out of our phases and to not let the teasing or those around me get me down. What a moment. Till this day I can remember that conversation and how it forever changed my life. She saw how I struggled and really reached out to me...and she didn't have to. Which is why I would forever call her a mentor not just a teacher.

So when I see students today I always wonder if they have had a "Mrs. Saunders" in their lives. Teachers to me have the hardest job in the world and are paid so little. But perhaps most of them are not there for the money...they are there for students like me. Students who need more than just the curriculum but compassion and warmth. And if every student would have that experience than perhaps learning would not be so laborious.

I cannot wait to see Mrs. Saunders on my wedding day. I don't think she will ever know the magnitude at which she has effected my life. But perhaps on that day she will discover that the woman I am today....has a lot to do with the little girl she reached out to yesterday.

JAR

Embracing my love language

In the Catholic church if you want to be married, you must participate in pre-cana (pre wedding) preparations. This includes attending classes about marriage preparation and counseling sessions with your priest. As a newly engaged couple, Josh and I were looking forward to this process. We felt that this would assist us in our journey with our faith as a married couple and our practical lessons on what to expect when we are finally together. Like most aspects of our relationship we really wanted to waste no time and get started. So two weeks ago we attended a "Couples Engagement" weekend with the church.

Our "weekend" took place at the Avila Retreat Center in Durham, NC. The facility was very tranquil and had a restful feel to it. The center is run by nuns...so we had great food and attention all weekend. Now I have to admit that before going into this weekend, I had a lot of expectations in terms of outcomes. I fully expected to get information on all of the aspects of the church's teachings (prayerful unity and Natural Family Planning to name a few) as well as practical hands on stuff for a successful marriage (financial tips and communication strategies). Although the weekend fell short in some areas....I felt that we definitely walked away with more of a "game plan" on how we wanted our marriage to be. The format allowed for plenty of time for Josh and I to discuss the bigger things that we wanted out of our marriage as well as the tiny details.

One of the highlights of the weekend was a workshop that we attended facilitated by an older couple who had been married for nearly 45 years. They spoke to the group about the importance of communication and how it can literally "make or break" a marriage. Good stuff. They also introduced Gary Chapman's "Five Love Languages". Now if you have not read this book or heard of these languages....you definitely need to check them out. The languages allow couples to understand how to "talk to each other". For example if you are a touch person and your mate is not.....that could cause problems if you did not know it. However if you understand your partner's love language, you are more likely to respond to their needs as well as yours.

Now keep in mind that I had read the book previously and had an idea of what my love language was. Of course it had been a few years since reading the book.....so I was anxious to see if I still "spoke" the same language. Josh on the other hand had not read the book, so this was all new to him. As we broke apart to take our language quizzes...I could not help but think what our outcomes would be. I knew we would be different. So when the results came back...we both laughed at where we stood. I clearly was a "Words of Affirmation" person. I spoke that language loud and clear and valued it in every aspect of my life.....not just my romantic relationships. Josh's love language was "Touch". Hilarious in one regard because "Touch" was my very last language in the rankings of the five. Clearly we knew we had some differences.

The great result of learning these love languages is that now we know how to really talk to each other. I know that I need to touch Josh more and he understands how important it is to affirm his love towards me. We had a lot of fun learning these new languages and we definitely made fun of ourselves for the rest of the weekend.

Knowing what each other needs now......can most definitely save a lot of headaches and heartaches in the future.

JAR

Mike, Mikey Joe, Squints or Michael..the Baby

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." -Clara Ortega

When I was a kid I used to be so embarrassed by the fact that I had three siblings. I mean when you are a teenager and your Mother is picking you up at school in a van full of young kids..... that was not always the "coolest" of situations. Plus, being the oldest of four children also had it's unwanted responsibilities. I remember changing lots of diapers and helping mom with things around the house. Not all of it was hard or taxing...but the fact that I had to stop playing with friends to babysit one of my brothers or sister was sometimes more than I could handle. I just wanted to go back to the days of being an only child or a "smaller" family. I often heard that we could not go here or there because there were too many of us and it would cost too much. It was always mortifying to go to a restaurant and tell the hostess that we needed six seats and likely a high chair! Geesh...always such a circus and production.

However over the years I have shredded my immature feelings about a big family and have embraced it even more. One of the most fun things about having so many siblings is discovering who you are most compatible with. As we each grew up in the house...it was obvious who was similar to who. Joe and Lynn were very similar in that they had such compassion towards others, excelled well in school and in athletics. They always had tons of friends and never had the personalities of stress or anxiety. Now Mike and I on the other hand were the opposite. Although Mike was much smarter and athletically gifted than I was .....we always had the same demeanor. We both tended to dramatize our lives and we made it a habit to question and ponder the bigger picture. We also had the most common sense out of the four of us. I think we could just about adapt to any situation if need be.....in fact Dad used to say that if we were all four trapped on an island....Mike and I would survive because we had the wits to...Joe and Lynn...well..they would struggle! LOL!

Mike has and continues to amaze me constantly. His zeal and love for sports is something I have long admired. Ask him anything about anyone and he knows the answer. He is also a human GPS system.....he can go anywhere once and will remember how to get there forever! He is often full of crap and tends to love anything that everyone else hates. I love that about him and it is so predictable at times it is almost comical. Mike was by far the quietest child growing up....and clearly I now know why. He was an observer....if he ever needed anything he had three older siblings to do it for him. But he also had the upper hand in so many ways. By being the youngest he discovered early on what to do and what not to do to stay out of trouble. In fact....I don't ever recall a time that Mike got punished. The rest of us.....well...let's just say that we "did our time".

Today Mike is all grown up and doing very well. In fact...I always tell people that Mike is living the life we all should at 25. He lives in a huge city with a bunch of his buddies. He has a great job and travels often. He is so much fun to hang out with as well. I love spending time with him at ASU football games and when it comes to taking sides on most issues....he usually sides with me! Sometimes I am amazed how stinking smart he is and wonder where does he store all of that knowledge? Not to mention that has the best sense of humor....but you have to look for it!

I look forward to seeing how Mike evolves in the next few years. He says he would like to go back to school to be a professor. I can definitely see him in that role. Students would be drawn to him and I think he has natural gift for helping and teaching others. He swears he is never going to get married or at least wait until he is 45. I beg to differ big time. I am convinced that some girl is going to come along and knock his socks off. However this girl has to be someone who can handle his wit, tolerate his passion for sports and love to watch all of his favorite TV shows (and put up with a not so clean car at times). I can tell you that she is around...and I might have already met her too! In the mean time, I will enjoy watching Mike embrace being a bachelor and continue to listen to his crazy stories.

I love you Mike!

JAR

Good things come to those who wait...and wait...and wait!

I suppose I always thought I would follow my mother's timeline. You know...married at 24, kids by 26. So when the first milestone passed and I was not married or "with child"...I began to doubt the process by which life is supposed to go. So I thought of course by 30...I would have the "two car seats and a minivan" as Lee Ann Rimes would sing. Nope. Not in my cards. Evidently God just did not see that I should have that lifestyle just yet.....so I waited. I kept thinking after each bad relationship ended, "do I really have to endure another one?". Obviously so.

So when I decided reluctantly to start dating again this past January....I did so with very much trepidation. I went out on a couple of dates with a few guys and started to think...."this has got to get easier..right?" Nope. It does not. So when my high school friend Laurie emailed me to ask if I would be willing to be set up on a blind date with one of her friends...I was really NOT willing to go there. But...what did I have to lose? Boy...am I glad I took that leap of faith. That small leap...landed me right into the man of my dreams.

Nine and half months later I am happily looking ahead to a life with a man that fulfills every dream and desire that I could ever imagine. I have to think that every bad relationship, every "toad I had to kiss", every lonely New Year's Eve and every bridesmaid dress that had to be worn....can honestly be said to be worth it. I mean I felt that at some point the waiting would pay off.....but 40 was starting to come faster and faster every day! So here's to the future and to a life worth waiting for!

JAR

p.s. Stay tuned as I slowly move from a Single Southern to a Not So Single Southern and all the adventures of planning a wedding...Jenny Style! Love to all, but most of all, my husband to be Josh!

The Quiet Outlaw

It is not the years in your life, but the life in your years that counts.- Adlai Stevenson

Some might have called him a wall flower, others would say he was just very quiet...but those that knew him well, knew he was far from both. My Uncle Jerry was by no means a flashy guy. He was always the man that stood in the back of the room at huge family events and always stepped aside when someone was flying through the kitchen at Nanny's. You never heard him complain about anything...and I mean anything. Uncle Jerry endured many dinners and events with our large nutty family including my lovable Uncle Jay! Oh boy....I know he will miss him!

Uncle Jerry had the wit and humor that could make you smile for hours. I can remember when I was younger having endured hours "in the front room" at Nanny's house, walking back to the TV room only to find Uncle Jerry sitting on the couch watching something that was always more interesting than the drama in the front room. He would always make a joke about not having to "put up with the front room drama" and ask if I wanted to join the crowd. And I always did. He was a funny guy, quick to crack a wise comment and the man that created the "outlaws". The outlaws were the husbands of the sisters. They would usually stand together at a function (usually at the back of the room) and make fun of everyone else (quietly of course). He was the ringleader and you would never know by his size and demeanor....but he was indeed the man with the plan!

My uncle was a family man as well. He was devoted to my Aunt Margie and was always by her side. I can't ever remember a time that there wasn't one without the other....they truly were a pair. I imagine like any couple they had their ups and downs, but you would never know it. They stayed true to each other and true to their children and grandchildren.Whenever either of their children needed anything (or grandchildren for that matter) they would help without hesitation and go over and beyond what was necessary to make everything better.I often thought that they reminded me of one of the couples from the "in between" scenes in When Harry Met Sally; they could always finish each others' sentences and thoughts...literally.

I can't help but think that when Uncle Jerry was diagnosed early this year with lung cancer he probably was scared. I imagine that was not a diagnosis he was prepared for. Heck...it's not a diagnosis anyone is prepared for. But in true Uncle Jerry fashion....he handled it in stride. Throughout his entire battle you would always seem him with a smile on his face and ever so often catch him saying something funny under his breath. Even last week, my father told me he was sitting up on the couch, wrapped in his blue snuggie making fun of Uncle Jay (lol)! Oh Uncle Jerry! Some things will never change!

So I would like to think that somewhere in heaven right now, my uncle is sitting somewhere in front of a beautiful pond, peacefully relaxing without any distractions. Of course...there might be a TV near by with a good western on...because after all...he is the quiet outlaw!

Love to you Uncle Jerry and to the Sides Family

JAR

Dear Lord.....

Each night as I lay down to sleep I close my eyes and begin to say my prayers softly. This week I can't help but give more reflection as we begin the Christmas season. One could say that this is a difficult time of the year for me. It is hard for me to get in the "spirit" and even harder for me to tolerate the frills of it all at times. However I will pause and reflect a little more closely this year due to all that has occurred in the world.

Many friends have lost jobs, many loved ones have become ill and the tone of the world seems a little less joyous then most years past. However, I feel more thankful and grateful than ever before for all that I do have. I have been blessed with a wonderful family.I could not ask for more loving and fun people to surround myself with. I have been sent an angel this year who I truly see spending the rest of my life with. And as I have said all along...good things come to those who wait. I have friends who I am may not get to see often, but I know are always there. I have my health and memory and can function freely. I am able to get up and go to a job everyday that I love and I can put food on my table. I live in a country that is free and allows me all the opportunities in the world to be anything and everything I have dreamed I could be.

So Dear Lord on this Thanksgiving, thank you for this life you have given me and thank you for all that I have to look forward to.

JAR

Great Song. Great Meaning.

If you have not turned on your radio in awhile.....take a moment to listen to this great new tune from country star Trace Adkins. The song, "All I ask for anymore" is a sweet and simple truth to what we all should think about his holiday season.

Take a moment to see for yourself.

JAR

"All I Ask for Anymore" video

Freedom isn't Free

“The men and women who serve in our military have won for us every hour we live in freedom, sometimes at the expense of the very hours of the lifetimes they had hoped to live.”- Bob Riley


So on this Veteran's Day I would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have given of themselves so freely to defend this great country we live in. Not only have they sacrificed so much of themselves, but most likely the livelihood of their families and friends as well. I believe we live in no greater nation than America and usually it takes only one trip abroad to verify that if you can't realize it living here day to day.

In a time of uncertainty in the middle east, unsettling boarders with our neighboring countries and an overall poor economic climate, one would question whether or not the role of the military should be altered or downsized. NEVER before have we ever needed our military more and they will probably be asked to do more with less. It is without question that they often have a thankless job and that is unacceptable. So the next time you see an officer in uniform, be sure to thank them for the service they have provided to your great nation.

I would be remiss this Veteran's Day if I did not honor those in my family who have served or who are currently serving in the military. I have/had family members serve in all branches for the last 70 years going back to World War II. So on this day I say, "Thank you" .

Grandpa Ruggieri

Fuzz Weddington

Andy Weddington

Linnea Weddington

Matthew Weddington

Pete Weddington

Ken Weddington

John Pickett

John Kirk

Dean Sides

Brian Foil

Mark Trexler

Andrew Scruggs

Ryan Windam


God Bless America! JAR