Brought Into The Fold

oK, so after enjoying all my friends' blogs, and hearing so much about it at work, I have decided to join too.... BUT this does not mean that my life is at all interesting, or that I will update often... but when in Rome!

Here's a photo play-by-play of my summer…




First there was my visit to Jessica in VA! We went to Jerusalem/Bethlehem/Galilee where we got stormed on halfway to Eqypt...

We had Amish icecream in Bedford...



And went to the lake!... (illegally)

...Then it was Michael's 16th birthday!

... And then our first Sunset Beach trip of the summer! finally! This is all the sibs and I at my uncle's beach house.

Despite my lack of athletic skills I attempted to learn how to skimboard on the trip... and this is the fruits of my labor...

and then there was Indiana Jones... the midnight premiere... with Jord and Steph... probably the worst decision of our lives.

and then all the graduations started...

first, with Billy's Seminary Graduation (surprise!!)

and then Christopher's 5th grade graduation! (well, here the loyal siblings are that attended it anyways)

Then Billy's highschool graduation... I never dreamed he would be taller than me! and graduating! and going to college! It makes me feel so old and so proud all at the same time!

Then Jackie came home for Jord's graduation and we went to Winnie's wedding reception. I love having him home!

Among a plethora of other friends that got married, my friend Whitney (aka Winnie) got married! Here Vanna and I are with the beautiful bride!

Then there was Jord's graduation (pool) party...I love when my boys are all together!

Then there was Sunset Beach trip numero DOS!

And then on June 27th, my beautiful (adopted) nephew, Parker, was born! He is my little buddy and I love him oh so very much! Needless to say, I am def his favorite aunt.

And during all of this, I have been diligently working at Hanesbrands Inc. (aka HbI) saving some moola and having a blast!! My manager took a picture of me in my pod (yes, they are called pods, not cubicles) for my presentation... It doesnt look staged at all!

Then in July we went to NY for my grandparent's 70th birthday block party! It was awesome to see all the family again and laugh at a bunch of drunk New Yorkers! :)

Before Jackie (and family) moved to Wyoming, so very far away, we took a long awaited Carowinds trip! Here we are at the BEST kid ride, Scooby Doo!

And most recently... Steph and I's spontaneous trip to the movies to see none other then Mama Mia... which I fell in love with. What more could you ask for than James Bond singing to you like he is going to cry because he loves you so much? NOTHING thats what.

I have had an amazing summer... there have been the downs but I feel like way more ups! I came home winter semester still in the healing stage of getting back to normal Julie. Somewhere along the line I had lost sight of what I was really about... who I really wanted to be... and I was finally back on the road to somewhere. The "I dont care what you think if you think something stupid" Julie is slowly but surely coming back to the surface, and with every step forward I become more sure that I am finally becoming the woman I am supposed to be. Someone with confidence, kindness, and a sure sense of purpose. In this process I had an epiphany, if you will, and it has brought a sense of peace I have not felt in so long. A motivating, external factor that makes me want to be a better person, continuously makes me happier, and is the strength and support that makes me complete.. and I am more than willing to wait.

Interning at HbI this summer has stretched me beyond where I thought I could be, and I have learned so much about myself, along with the "real world". I have loved it so much that I feel like just staying here and not going back to the world of studying, all-nighters, and lectures. But as my last day at work draws closer, and the first day of classes is taunting me on the horizon, I am starting to be ready for it. Only because two of my best friends will be there for my last year and make it so bittersweet. Only 2 more semesters and I am on my own. Its one of those weird things you thought you would never actually look in the face, and then you turn around suddenly, and you run right into it. Its very exhilerating, and also very frightening.

Well, there is my life for you. ok just the summer... and I still have one more month left! :)