Dear 16-year-old me,

Dear 16-year-old me,

Smile. This year is going to be bigger and more monumental for you than any other. You are entering the 11th grade. You have finally grown into your features and decided to tame your eyebrows despite your mother punishing you. Just don’t get too carried away—full brows will always suit you better. Stay away from the hair dye. Just pluck those few first grays and move on.

Don’t worry about boys. There really are more fish in the sea. Don’t feel like you have to have a boyfriend to fit in. He’s not the one for you, and you will make the right decision.

Every time you wish you weren’t so thin, pinch yourself. The people that question why you are so thin are the ones that are in a personal struggle with their own weight.

Treasure your friends. Life takes some unexpected turns after high school, and you are almost 30 before you reconnect with these girls. They do like you for exactly who you are, not who you think they want you to be. Go to the parties, but stay true to yourself. And no matter what anyone says, you CAN be just friends with a guy.

Go a little easier on your parents. They are new to this, too. They may not always have the right things to say, and you may swear you are leaving on that first train out after graduation, but they will turn out to be your biggest supporters, no matter what you decide to do.

Don’t start smoking. You end up not quitting until you are 26.

Never stop writing. You end up doing that as a career! Keep reading. It helps you in more ways than you will ever know. People, even your own family, will pick on you for your wealth of useless knowledge. In your late twenties, something called Buzztime Trivia is in every bar and restaurant. You will ROCK this and impress lots of people.

Overall, treasure these moments. You are a very serious teenager. Loosen up a bit. Life is meant to be LIVED! You are strong, and I’m proud to tell you that you do make all the right decisions.

Press Photo

Every serious writer needs a press photo. You know, a head shot, to send along with works to be published. I am terrible at taking serious pictures. The photograph will inevitably get one terrifically silly shot that I beg to use. This is that shot. And Yes, I got shot down when I asked to use it in the Magazine. boo.

Happy Wednesday! Here's to finding the silly side of you!

Chosen

Lately many of the blogs I follow have been chatting about adoption, specifically Africa and the orphans in that country. Reading their stories and experiences has been breaking my heart. But in some ways, it has also forced me to look inward and examine exactly what adoption means to me. Being an adopted child, not internationally, but right here in Louisiana, has played a major role in my life. Whether I want to admit it or not, it was tough being told at age 11 that I was adopted. Imagine everything that you know as true, all of a sudden, isn’t any more. Your parents aren’t related to you. Your brother isn’t your brother by blood. Everyone has been keeping this HUGE secret from you all this time. It took me until nearly the age of 26 to finally realize the best part of being adopted.

I was chosen.

Ephesians 1:3-6 says: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.”

Just as God chooses to allow us to enter into His family as adopted sons and daughters through faith in His son Jesus Christ, my parents chose (and were chosen by God) to add a daughter to their family through the miracle of adoption.

To know and feel this love in my heart is an amazing thing. My parents went through a tough time and miles and miles of seemingly unanswered prayers while trying to start a family. But God had a plan. He planned to place a beautiful baby girl (me, of course) directly into their laps as an answer to prayer they had forgotten to pray. And in their infinite wisdom, they chose. They chose to keep this precious gift and to raise her as their own. So much their own, that telling her any differently seemed like a lie. I was as much theirs as the next one, a little brother, that God blessed them with a mere 16 months later. And our family was complete.

Today, I awake and thank God every day for blessing me with this family. They are the miracle I hope my birth mother prayed for. To this woman, I also say a prayer of thanks for being strong enough to give me up. The greatest gift, the gift of life, can never be repaid. I hope she knows that.

To parents considering adopting a child, I hope God answers your prayers. It will not always be easy, but with your love and His, your child will be forever thankful.

Who wouldn’t want to be chosen?

My Mood These Days...

I really think this just sums it up. I have some seriously great plans. I know where I'm going.

Do you?

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

March’s most popular holiday is St. Patrick’s Day. It used to be one of my most favorite days too. Green is my favorite color and I have a thing for four-leaf clovers. Many years ago, I wore a t-shirt around my Grandmother that said “Kiss Me, I’m Irish!” She looked at me and said, “That’s true, you know. You are part Irish.” Of course, I had no idea, but it made me all the more proud to wear that shirt.

Recently, my dad began to work on our family tree. He signed up for a popular website and threw himself into the research of his past. It was incredible to see how far back a person could really trace their history. This particular website had actual scans of original census records, military records and draft cards. On the draft cards, we could actually see the signature of my great-great grandfather.

It was amazing to see where family names come from. My father and brother’s middle name was actually a family surname at one point. It was apparently lost in a generation where there were no males to carry it on and became a middle name.

My grandmother was right, our family can trace its origins back to Ireland. So look for me on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating my heritage like my ancestors would want me to. I’ll be playing green-beer pong at Mahony’s Irish Pub. Sláinte!

If We Were Neighbors; Linky Party!!

If we were neighbors... WHEW! Would you have heard it from me this week!

Bloggers, it has been a rough week. I live in South Louisiana, where these last two weeks have completely revolved around Mardi Gras.

I belong to the Krewe of Hyacinthians, an all-ladies club that is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. And I was a royal maid to boot. It was an amazing time, I had a blast, met some wonderful women that I am honored to call friends, and made some everlasting memories.
But I'll let you in on a little secret.... I'm exhausted!!

And while the festivities tend to include a LOT of drinking, I chose to abstain. And I'm STILL exhausted. It is a full week after the Tableau and Ball and Parade, and I still can't seem to catch up on my sleep.

Fast-forward to my work week...

I am the managing editor of a local lifestyle magazine. I am in charge of getting all content turned in, on time, and getting it edited.

It seems as though all my writers must be exhausted too. Everyone asked for an extension. Everyone.

Boo.

Being raised in a military household, deadlines are my thing. Don't get me wrong, I procrastinate like a mad woman, but I always make my deadline. I like schedules and itineraries, and being prepared. People not being on time or on schedule drives me bonkers.

If we were neighbors, I hope this is the part where you would offer me a big hug and a cupcake, and tell me the world was going to right itself after Carnival season is over. I would accept the hug, devour the cupcake and hope with all my being that you were right!!!

If We Were Neighbors

If we were neighbors, the wonderful kind that enjoys coffee as much as I do, I would expect you to come over every morning and join me for a cup or 6. With my handy, dandy new Keurig coffee-making machine, you can chose a new flavor for every cup. And if we were close neighbors, like I know we would be, you would love the fact that I have a million choices for a single cup of coffee and love the fact that I can change my mind with every cup.

Today's conversation would have started off very casual, chatting about the weather and this easy warming trend. I know you are just as ready as I am to see those first little signs of spring. My flip-flop collection is screaming my name.

We would chat about the dogs that by now are running in circles around us as we sit in my backyard. Our newest member, Winnie, is a sweet foster from the local animal shelter. She is super high energy, but so lovable. We would discuss my concerns for her and where she will end up. After 4 weeks, she is starting to become a part of the family. As much as I know we can't keep her, she is not the right dog for our family, she has worn away my outer shell and is snuggling close to my heart.

We would talk about Mardi Gras and John's tableau that is this Saturday night. You would inquire about my dress, tell me of course I don't look fat, and compliment my fantastic shoes. We would talk about my tableau that is getting closer by the minute and discuss my anxiety about having to be presented in front of all those people. I am so worried that I may trip, or forget where I am going or what I'm supposed to do or whatever strange and embarrassing thing I am obsessing over at that minute.

We would talk about family and those we love most. About our boyfriends, husbands, children, etc. The more we would talk, the more we realize that God has truly blessed us with people in our lives that love and care for us.

This morning we would also chat about the magazine. Today is our final working press day and it can get kinda hectic. I would share with you my excitement about today. I love seeing all our hard work come together. The finished product always amazes me. Somedays I can still hardly believe that this is my job. It is so much fun!

We would smile and hug and say goodbye, even if it is only for a day. And I would know that I am blessed to have a neighbor like you.