WINTER

2005 started out to be a great year! With my family healthy and my precious niece Emma growing bigger and smarter everyday, life was good! Looking ahead to the coming months, I planned my move to Nashville with excited anticipation. This is the first time I would live away from Murfreesboro in my entire life! I know...I'm 26 years old and lived in the same place my whole life...but what can I say? I'm a smalltown girl at heart! The commute to Nashville every single day, working downtown at Country Music Television was just getting to be too much. I could hardly wait to become a Nashville girl!

SPRING

In April, I made my move to Nashville. I found an apartment in Hermitage, about 15 minutes outside downtown. I found it to be a little scary at first, living 45 minutes away from everything that was familiar...but I got adjusted pretty quickly. I spent most of my time working (I was a bit of a workaholic!) and didn't really get to see my family much once I moved, which was painful for me, because I am extremely close to them. In April, I also got to be on the red carpet at the CMT Music Awards, interviewing the artists, which was a thrill and completely surreal! I talked to stars like Keith Urban, Loretta Lynn, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, and the entire cast of the Dukes of Hazzard! (Series - not movie) It was really great, because I got to interview everyone about their fashion, which is completely up my alley! I was in heaven, to say the least.

SUMMER

With the summer came a season of great reflection. I served as a bridesmaid in one of my best friends, Sarah's, wedding in Florida, and because of work, I was only able to drive down for less than 24 hours to attend the wedding. I had to miss out on the rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid activities, and everything. I was beginning to see just what a sacrifice my job was becoming. After lots of soul searching and inner struggle, I moved on from CMT to find a job that was a little less demanding and allowed me to have a life outside of work. I also wanted to feel more fulfilled in my career, like I was somehow making a difference in the lives of others. I kind of lost myself in CMT, and it was time to rediscover who I was. I packed up and moved back to Murfreesboro to be near my family, and I haven't regretted it for a minute. I know Nashville is still there waiting for me when I'm ready to move back.

In June, my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law, and my niece, Emma all went on a family vacation to Destin, Florida. The weather was beautiful and we had a really good time. It was nice to spend time near the ocean...a place I often think of as God's backyard. It's so easy to get lost in His presence next to the ocean.

FALL

I have to say...this fall has truly been a season of blessings! After a lot of prayer and contemplation about where my life was heading, God blessed me with an amazing job with the Library of Life. My heart is moved daily by the e-mails I receive from family members of those people who are honoring their loved one in some way on either memory-of.com or celebration-of.com. It's such a privilege to play a small role in helping others honor or celebrate the lives of their precious loved ones. Already this fall, my mom, my sister, my dad, and niece have all celebrated their birthdays. Emma turned 2 on October 29th...and she truly is my heart. I never thought it was possible to love another human being the way I love her! I have my own birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, on November 23. I'll turn 27. Wow! I remember when I used to think 27 was SO old! =) But God is good and continues to keep His word and provide everything I need for the moment...and hey...who can ask for anything more?