Vacations and Memories

Well, the second leg of our vacation is winding down.  We spent one day touring some beautiful country in North Carolina and another day in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  We have really enjoyed ourselves and made some really great memories.  That's what vacations are for, right?

A funny thing happened though, while we were sitting in a theater listening to a bluegrass band.   As we sat there clapping to the music I looked at a lady sitting on the row right in front of me.  She was clapping and swaying and singing along. She looked to be about the same age as my mother would've been. She was enjoying the music just as much as my mama would've.  In fact, as I looked at her I could see my mama sitting there smiling and clapping and saying "Oh Hun, ain't they the galiest!"  Before I knew it I felt a tear on my cheek. 

I am sure that one thing or another makes me think of her on a daily basis, but this was different.  This was a really happy memory of a time before cancer and Alzheimer's stole her away.  I don't think this was a sad tear at all!  It felt more like a tear of joy!  To me it was like being given just a few more minutes with someone who is so dearly missed. 

So I guess sometimes vacations are not just for making new memories. Sometimes we get to revisit some old and cherished ones as well. 

We still have eleven days ahead of us. I can't wait to see what's in store!

Georgia on my Mind

The first leg of our vacation has been all about our country and its history.  I think it's safe to say that we have had every bit of fun there is to have at Stone Mountain!

We have toured the mountain and been to museums and other sites that had much to teach us!  Even better than the history lessons is the fact that Stone Mountain has gone out of its way to honor those who have served their country and those who never made it home!  Today's society is all about "me" it seems. It is good to be reminded that there are some brave men and women were willing to fight and possibly die to protect our freedoms.  Freedom Is not FREE!  

Happy Memorial Day and thank you soldiers past and present!  May we never forget the price that was paid!

AWAY WE GO!!!

Well, the day has finally arrived!  Summer vacation is HERE!!!  Teachers had to work half a day today, and Johnnie has to work until 6:00pm, but as soon as he gets home we are OUTA HERE!!!

We have been planning a mega-vacation for about a year and a half now.  We always have some kind of trip or another in the works, but this one might just turn out to be epic!  We will be traveling north-east all the way to Niagara Falls, New York and back again.  We have several really cool stops along the way.  I am so excited about this trip that I can hardly stand it!

I love that my husband shares my love of travel and that he understands the need for not just down time, but real vacations.  He understands the correlation between working hard and playing hard and I am truly thankful for that!

I do believe that I am just as excited to be able to spend some alone time with my husband as I am about all the places we will go.  He has worked SOOOO hard this past year.  Between building a camper that suited our needs to completely remodeling our house, he truly has NOT stopped to take a break!  Oh, and did I mention that he is a police officer?  I have never met another human with the kind of work ethic that he has.  He is truly an honorable man and a wonderful husband.

I plan on blogging from the road and hopefully uploading some photos of our adventure.  I can't wait to see where the road leads us!

Time To Breathe

Whew!  This semester, and perhaps my graduate school career is officially OVER (at least for a while)!  The best thing I can say about it is that I am extremely glad that it is done!  Now I can get on with living my life, since I kinda put it on hold about 7 1/2 years ago to restart my academic career!

NOW... I get to plan a life that doesn't revolve around research and assignments.  Maybe one day I will get bored (having so much time on my hands) but for now I will just enjoy the down time!  Now I get to concentrate my time on just being with, and loving my family!  I have a wonderful husband and a daughter, son-in-law and grandson that I am absolutely over the moon for!

I know that I am blessed to have a husband who I am crazy about and who loves me just the way I am!   Our nearly 9 year marriage has truly been an adventure.  I can honestly say that there have been more great days than struggles!  Again, I thank God for such a blessing!
My mama told me that she thought we were the "original" odd couple and I think she was right!

My husband Johnnie shares my wanderlust!  Some have even called us Gypsy's.  That always makes me laugh a little, but it is also pretty fitting. He built us the coolest little toy-hauler travel trailer and we love to take off with it every chance we get.  We've got a really big trip planned this summer.  We will head out in 5 days and I can NOT wait!  I plan on sharing my stories from the road so stay tuned!

https://www.facebook.com/acghough

Fast and Furious

BOY, this year is FLYING BY!!!  Seemed like I just started my blog and now, as I look up..... it is FEBRUARY ( & Late February at that!).....

Well, so far, I am keeping the promises I made, or at least I am trying to!  Not settling on my laurels I am still taking classes, and often asking myself "WHY ARE YOU STILL TAKING CLASSES???"  Seriously, I am feeling a little tired of school.  Maybe this will pass!

My kids are making sooooo much progress!  I love seeing the light in their eyes go on!  This year really is FLYING by!  We'll look up and it will be Spring Break and then this year will be over before we know it!

Note to self.... Catch up on your bible reading!!!

Stay Tuned!

Ambitious Amy

January 2013

I sure hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!  I have always got some kind of count-down going.  I had lots of countdowns going last year.  Some countdowns were personal and others were professional. One had to do with large groups of people and another was very personal.  My heart and my family got fuller last year and so did my brain!

 The most exciting countdown I had going, last year, was the one that ended in the birth of my very first grandchild.  On July 16, 2012 my sweet love was born and life has never been the same!  I never imagined loving anything that much.  When I first laid eyes on my sweet Beckham he absolutely took my breath away!  In the weirdest way the past met the future and left me completely happy inside!  I saw so much of my baby-girl in him, and had all kinds of excitement for what his future would hold.  I live an hour and a half away from them so I don't get to see them as much as I would like, however, I know that they are in good hands while I am away. My girl hit a home run when it came to finding a husband.  I know that he and his family love my girl and our sweet baby as much as I do.  That is what my prayer, for her, has been since the day that she was born!

Another exciting countdown had to do with my professional life.  Did I mention I am a teacher?  I teach preschool to students who have been identified with some kind of exceptionality.  This is my third year in this position and I could not love my job any more!  I work with some amazing, Christian people and we are all focused on working with some of the neediest students in our parish.  Anyway, the professional countdown had to do with the fact that I completed the coursework and earned my Master's degree in education.  I still can't believe it!  My professional life has surely been exciting and I honestly never thought I would be here!

The last countdown had to do with my own personal health and well-being.  As 2012 came to a close I had some health issues that had me feeling pretty poorly.  Anyway, long story short, I had surgery and five weeks later I am feeling FABULOUS and ready to go back to work!  I am anxious to see what the rest of this school year brings and there are big plans for our Summer vacation!

So, when January came around I looked back at all the goals I had met in 2012 and had to come up with new goals for 2013.  It wasn't difficult, since there is room for improvement in all of our lives!  With that said, here are my resolutions for 2013:

• Read the bible completely in 1 year
• Make lifestyle changes that include quitting smoking & improving my overall health
• Strive to be better, each day, than I was the day before.  I want to be a better Christian, better wife, better mother/grandmother, better teacher & better friend.  most of all I want everyone who crosses my path to see Christ in all my words and deeds.

I know these are ambitious goals, but I do believe that I can reach them!!!

Stay Tuned!