If I've Said It Once.....

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. I'm a horrible blogger. I think all the time about what I could write about it but it really gets away from me. I guess it's time to catch you folks up on my year. To my 13 faithful followers....thanks for sticking around.

Well, well, another year has come and gone, and to be quite honest, I was not sad at all to say goodbye to 2011. I hesitate to even say that because in essence, aside from a bump in the road, it really was a great year. In February, my brother, Jonathan graduated from Army Basic Training. Me and my roomates (aka, my parents) as well as my sister-in-law, Brittany, flew out to Oklahoma City for his graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, Oklahoma had just been hit with the blizzard of 2011 and there were 18 inches of snow on the ground. After having 3 flights cancelled and spending most of the day trying to figure out how we could get there, the sweet flight attendant from Southwest Airlines got us all straightened out. We finally got to Oklahoma City around 1am and then drove (in the blizzard snow) to Ft Seal about an hour or 2 away. Needless to say, we were exhausted, but seeing Jonathan walk across that stage made it all worth it. I was so proud to see him accomplish that!

We spent a few days around base, then drove back to Oklahoma City and got to visit the bombing memorial. It was incredible! It's unbelievable how many people survived such a horrible event! It was a really cool museum and I would suggest you all go visit it!

In March, I left the banking world and came to work for Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association (SDEA) as the AtlantaFest Administrator. Most of you know I've been volunteering with SDEA for years, and I'd been praying for an opportunity to come on board full time, and in March a position was created and they offered me the job! It's been a huge challenge but I LOVE it! AtlantaFest is a 3 day Christian Music Festival held in Stone Mountain Park each June. As administrator, I am basically in charge of making it all come together. I'll talk more about AtlantaFest later.

In April, the big tornado came in and wiped out much of Pleasant Grove, my sweet little small town. I won't talk about it too much, but thankfully, my home was spared and we didn't have any damage. I wish I could say the rest for the city I love, but thankfully, now, the rebuilding stage is beginning. Each time I drive around and see a new house pop up, it gives me a little more hope for the future of good ole' PG.

In May, I got to go to North Caroline to the mountains of Maggie Valley with 11 of my closest friends. After literally almost drowning on a white water kayaking trip after falling out 3 times and being washed a mile down the river with nothing to stop me, thankfully, my friend Wes Butler saved my life.

This is the best picture I could find to show you:

Needless to say, I'm not really an outdoorsy girl. That water was like pure ice water! Anyway, other than that whole near-death experience, we really had a great time and even got to take part in the block party the little town had. Nothing like dancing in the streets to live music. Now that I like :)

June started the craziest month of my life! With AtlantaFest in full swing, I didn't have a lot of time to celebrate my birthday like I normally do....you know, with a month long celebration. I did have dinner with some great friends and played putt putt afterwards.

AtlantaFest was held June 15-18th and we had a blast getting to know lots of new people and seeing lives changed! I can't wait for the next one! I did almost get arrested for driving a golf cart on the side of the road, but you know, no big deal.

While we were at AtlantaFest, my sister in law, Brittany called to tell me that she was expecting their first baby, my nephew Ryan! They are stationed in Ft Stewart, Georgia, which is located just outside of Savannah. I went to visit them in June with my parents and we had a blast! Savannah is a beautiful city, full of history, and my favorite, of course...spots they filmed movies in. My dad couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose as Forrest Gump in this spot:

Goofball. I guess you can all see where I get it. Anyway, I stayed a few days longer than my parents, and on the way home, stopped to see my other brother, Jordan, his wife, Kari, and my neice, Hannah, also known as the cutest kid in the world. Who couldn't love this kid?

Anyway, while we were talking, Kari tells me that she and Jordan are expecting their 2nd baby, my niece Leah! WHAT?!?! The Bankston's are out of control! 2 babies within a month apart? So needless to say, we're going to have babies out the wazoo coming soon!

In August, I FINALLY graduated from Huntingdon College with a degree in Business Management. I travelled to San Francisco to visit my Aunt Susan and her family and had a great time! I love Northern California! We also visited Sacramento while we were there, but best of all, Palo Alto! If you don't know what's in Palo Alto, let me show you.....

We had a blast. Well, aside from the holidays, that's about it for good ole 2011. It was a fun year. I made some great friends, shed a lot of tears, but God is good. Stay tuned!