10 Things You May Not Know About Me

 1. I didn't want to go to college at Clemson University. I wanted to go to Carson Newman College in Tennessee. There was another Anna Vaughn that applied & they flipped our SAT scores. Once they realized their error, it was too late. They approved me for admission, but I only was able to get a 50% scholarship. Clemson was a 100% scholarship. So, I learned to love Clemson.
2. I have a weird OCD habit that makes me keep Outlook as my first open window on my computer. If I accidentally click out of it, I have to click out of all open programs so that Outlook will be first on the tray.
3. I had a dream (before I found out that I was pregnant with Leah) that I was pregnant with a girl & I was supposed to name her Leah. She looked just like me in the dream. Well, two days later, I found out I was pregnant. And she does bear a strong resemblance to me. :)
4. I live in the same town as the Duggars of the TLC show 18 Kids and Counting. I have seen them out & about several times. My mom talked to them at Walmart when she was visiting when Connor was born.
5. My favorite part of every week is snuggling in bed with my kids on Saturday morning for some cartoon watching.
6. I love Coca Cola. I used to prefer sweet tea, but oh my goodness...I love Coke.
7. I love fast cars & driving fast. I also think that it is great to be married to someone who thinks the same way. I am 100% convinced that this love is genetic - inherited from my Daddy.
8. I want to have a big family. The thought of another baby right now is overwhelming, but I do want to have more children added to our family. I am a huge fan of adoption & hope that the doors will open accordingly. Names I still want to utilize: Ian Jack, Elizabeth (Libby) Anne, Abby Lynn
9. I am scared of all aquatic animals. My fear is mainly of killer whales. However, I am also afraid of sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, eels, whales, jellyfish, stingrays, fish, sponges, clams, lobsters, crabs....
10.My passion is cooking. I absolutely love to cook or bake for others. I don't get to do it as much with two kiddos & a full time job, but I really enjoy it!

Today, I am thankful for the cross. I have listed below the lyrics to my favorite song.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

So, what's on my mind today? Sometimes, it is really tough to put on a happy face. It feels like an act...a forced expression, so that people won't think you are a real downer. I want people to see that joy that is in my heart, but I also want to be real. Because life has real pain. And, because this is a public forum, I can't enumerate some of the things that occupy my mind right now. But, suffering is a part of the human experience. I'm going to spend this week revisiting some respected writings to try to reconcile some of the conflict that I have regarding these emotions.

In the meantime, I have found that the best way for me to manage my sorrow is to realize the joy in serving others. Have you ever just been elated because you know that you have the opportunity to encourage someone? Or, have you ever just found peace and joy in watching your child sleep? These are the moments that take my perspective away from the sorrow and into a heart of gratefulness.


Some updates since my last blog:
1. My sister had her skull tumor removed last Friday. We are grateful it was able to be removed & she is recovering well.

2. My mom's biopsy came back from her thyroid removal. She did have cancer in her thyroid, so we are grateful it is now gone! We are not sure about any additional treatments at this point, but hopefully the clear margins of the tumor will mean little to no additional treatment.

My parents

I was thinking today about how my parents have been married for 34 years. They are so cute because they don't like to be apart. I giggled when they stayed with us for several weeks in February because my mom and I would go to Wal-Mart together. Within 20 minutes, her cell phone would be ringing and Daddy would be asking her what she was doing. After rolling my eyes, I realized how special it is that they WANT to be together.

Jesse's parents have also been married for 34 years (12 days before my parents). They still have a special devotion and understanding of each other. I often giggle with them as well because they remind me so much of my parents.


In fact - check out these similarities.
1. My mom (Joy) and Jesse's mom (Kay) are Baptist pastor's daughters.
2. Jesse's dad (Jesse) and my dad (Buddy) both ran car dealerships early in their careers (and they both still love fast cars).
3. Our dad's mothers are also both widowed for over 10 years (and not remarried) and active in the Methodist church.
4. Kay Lynn and Joy Anne both have 3 letter first names & 4 letter middle names. Jesse and Buddy also are both 5 letter names.
5. They were both married in November 1975.
6. They had similar parenting styles and political views.

Jesse and I are so grateful for our parents and they way we were raised. We might have caused them some grief during our college days. But if you train up a child in the way that they should go, when they are older, they will not depart from it. Thanks, Mom & Dad - both sets of ya!

My mom's surgery was successful as they were able to remove her thyroid. Now, it's recovery time. Swallowing is painful, but hopefully the medicine will help her manage. I am so thankful that all went very well. I had a special co-worker keep me occupied today with some good conversation and some great laughs. I was very thankful.

After taking Connor to the dr for croup & handling two needy kids, I was spent last night and didn't get to the blog. But, my life can't be so interesting that I should do this every day, right?

Tomorrow is my mom's thyroidectomy. The risks for this type of surgery include things such as damage to laryngeal nerves (affecting the voice), damage to the parathyroid glands (serious condition), and excess bleeding or swelling. We are praying for steady hands for the surgeon and an easy recovery for my mom. It hurts so bad to not be able to be there, but she will not be far from my thoughts tomorrow or this weekend.

My sister, Kelly, also will be having surgery, but not until next Friday. Please pray for her as she has an osteoma on her skull that has to be removed due to growth. It sounds terrifying to me, but the doctor assures her that it is relatively routine and minimally invasive.

I feel like I am not a very good daughter or sister by not making a way to go home. I want to go home so badly. But, it has not worked out. Connor can't fly because of his croup & Leah just got over her bronchitis. I feel like my kids need me right now. And, it's just not a smart financial decision because of the need to sell my house in Greenville first. I want to be there to hug them and tell them how much I love them. I want to be able to see for myself that they are doing okay and that everything that they need is taken care of. But, I am going to need to let this go.

My little boy is snuggling and requesting sugars. Ah...I love my momma's boy!!! I am going to need to sign off so I can enjoy this rare moment!

Writing a Novel...

I am thinking about writing a book...a novel, to be exact. The plot centers around a law school student that stumbles upon hidden court evidence that reveals the real story behind the death of the Lindbergh baby. I did a research paper in high school about the Lindbergh baby "abduction" and subsequent death. My research presented a lot of questions about what really happened. I have a theory, but it would have to remain a fictional novel. I don't want to be a conspiracy theorist, but I do want to write about this historical event with a novel twist. I'm really excited to find a creative outlet for the English major that still lives within me.

When am I going to find time? I guess it will be after the kids go to bed. And an hour or two every weekend. But, I just really want to do this. 

Any advice? Would anyone want to read a murder mystery conspiracy novel?

Dr. Seuss

It turns out that our Dallas trip is not until next weekend. I am seriously considering going home this weekend, but I will have to find an amazing flight deal to make it happen. Not to mention, I will need to convince Jesse that he can handle our two kids alone for the weekend. Nevertheless, I am going to do some deal shopping to see if we can make it happen.

My "serious" thought of today...I had a business associate email me the following Dr. Seuss quote today--“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” I think that it is sort of tragic advice on multiple levels. Career sabotage and lost friendships can easily be tracked to insensitive, inappropriate, or simple slips of the tongue. Saying what you feel is great for a counseling session, but in some cases, biting one's tongue really can be the best decision. Silence is sometimes better than anything you could say. I dunno...maybe I should just take it at face value as a cutesy quote. :)