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*Imported from A Lindsey Christmas Story*

Monday. A new week, a fresh start, and as I write this my house it quiet. Everyone is still asleep, which is a bit odd since at least one of my toddlers is almost always awake by 7:00am. I awoke feeling hopeful, that today would be a great day, because let’s face it — last week was a long one. For no particular reason, it was the kind of week that made me miss living in Louisiana.

I miss my family.

I miss my friends.

I miss those comfort radio stations (94.5, I’m talking to you).

And I miss the food.

Born and raised in the bayou, I moved away for good in 2009 a few months after Keith and I began dating. I wanted to be close to the boy that I loved. He proposed a few months after my arrival in Charleston, and with the exception of briefly living in Georgia and North Carolina for Keith’s job, I’ve lived in South Carolina ever since.

I spent the majority of my childhood planning my escape. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life or where exactly I wanted to live, but I knew for sure it wasn’t going to be in the Louisiana. I was a mostly happy child and teenager, but a lot was going on under the surface. A lot of it was hormonal, but the majority of my internal struggles are directly linked to my life at home. One’s identity is shaped by their childhood and adolescence, and mine was heavily impacted by my father’s erratic behavior. So when I was old enough to do so, I got the heck out of there.

I moved out of my parents’ house when I was 17 and bee bopped around the state living with different family members. I also moved to California when I was 18 to be an au pair (long story…I’ll tell you sometime), then there was Texas for an even shorter time, but I always ended up back in Louisiana. My extended family and friends made that trip coming home worthwhile, and when I moved away in 2009 I had no idea that this would be my final exit.

It’s been almost 7 years since I’ve been permanently gone, and while I’ve lost my accent, I’m still a Cajun girl at heart. Growing up and becoming a woman while living a few states away has allowed me to view this quirky place with fresh eyes, and the things that used to bother me are no longer relevant. Every year around this time, I get a little more homesick than normal, and it’s all because of Louisiana football (New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers, UL Ragin Cajuns). The game itself is exciting, but what I miss is the atmosphere it creates. Food, fellowship, and football is what Louisianians are all about. Charleston (and South Carolina in general) just isn’t on the same level, and it’s disappointing.

Nevertheless I’m trying to embrace the Lowcountry. Charleston is a beautiful, historical city and there is much to do and see. My family and I live around 20 minutes from downtown, and I think exploring this unique city more often would lessen my homesickness. I’ve always had difficulty blooming where I’m planted, because I’m always looking ahead or wondering what’s next. I’m going to work on that. I’m trying to lower my walls and let new people in, but that can be risky. My prayer is that God would give me peace and contentment. I don’t know what the future holds, but whether we stay in Charleston, move to Louisiana, or even relocate to a place that isn’t on our radar yet, I’m going to try and embrace it. Afterall, home is where my sweet husband and babies are.

No. 15 - Learn to Play Tennis, No. 30 - Further My Education

#15 - Learn to Play Tennis

I have no idea why I never wrote about tackling number 15 on my 30 Before 30 list, but on my birthday (in January!) my husband taught me how to play tennis! It was a pretty cold day, but we were determined to play for a little while. I wasn't very good, but we did manage to play a decent set. I'd say that my biggest challenge on the court was controlling the ball. I would hit it so hard that it would fly way out of the court area and we spent a considerable amount of time searching for the tennis balls! 

Overall, I really enjoyed playing, but unfortunately haven't played since. I'm hoping that as my kiddos get older I will have more time to work on perfecting my tennis skills. :) 

January 2013, taking a break from my tennis lesson

*****

#30 - Further My Education

On October 26th, I began my first semester of graduate school at The University of Cincinnati! I was accepted to their Criminal Justice distant learning program and am currently wrapping up my second class. While UC seems like a great on-campus school, I am highly disappointed with their online CRJU program. I feel like I'm paying for a degree but I'm not learning anything. The classes are large and I never have contact with the professor, but instead a facilitator. Also, in my current class I've only had two assignments -- a midterm paper and final paper. I know that I shouldn't be complaining, but I want more! So, I will be leaving UC and heading to another online program at Liberty University. 

I was accepted to Liberty's Master of Business Administration program with an emphasis on Criminal Justice and will begin in January. I took a semester at Liberty for my undergraduate studies and I think this is going to be a great fit. Plus, my new major is definitely going to make me more marketable in the workplace. While my ultimate goal is to be an attorney, this educational route works best for my family at the moment. :) 

What the Heck?!?

(The following post is what some may call a rant. Consider yourself warned)

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I don't know about you guys, but I thought last night's game was a freaking joke. LSU, you played like crap! Plain and simple. More specifically, Jordan Jefferson....what were you DOING?!?! Were you hungover? Sick? Did you just choke? Regardless, it's not your fault that you were left to play in the game. That would be LES MILES' fault. Les, buddy...why didn't you give Lee a chance? Did you think that Jefferson and the OL would eventually make a first down? (You guys made 5) Or maybe that they would cross the 50 yard line? (You did this once) No? Okay, well if you were confused about what to do then maybe you should have gotten on facebook. There were only 3204732 people begging for you to put LEE in. 

You guys didn't deserve to win. 

And you sure as heck didn't show up ready to play the #2 team in the country. 

And you know what? BAMA deserved it. They fought hard. Their defense was solid (but then again it's easy to be solid when your QB can't throw a pass to save his life), QB was on-point, and their kicker actually performed well this time. So, congratulations to Alabama. You guys played well and deserve to be #1. Saban, great coaching. Les, you're an idiot!!!

End rant.

(Side note: I have never claimed to be an LSU fan, however being from Louisiana and having lived in SC/GA, I feel a fondness for them that never existed before. I do support LSU and all Louisiana teams for that matter, but when any team performs on such a craptastic level, this is my reaction. I am not disowning them nor am I a bandwagon fan. I just can't stand ignorant coaching when it's time to be clutch. That is all.)

A Sporty Miscellany Monday

~ Tonight is the BCS Championship game and this Louisiana girl is so pumped! LSU will be taking on Alabama (again!) in New Orleans, and while I think it's ridiculous that Alabama even made it to the championship game, I am looking forward to watching LSU beat them again. ;) For argument's sake, let's say Alabama does win. So, LSU beat them once, they would have beaten LSU once...this win would not make them the best team in college football. There was no playoff system to put Alabama in this position, and therefore Nick Saban's whole It's-just-like-when-the-Patriots-beat-the-Giants-in-regular-season-but-the-Giants-beat-the-Patriots-in-the-Superbowl analogy is invalid. :D

LET'S GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!!

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What's harder than beating Alabama twice?

Beating LSU once.

(I heard this on facebook and couldn't resist sharing... :) )

~ In other sports news, did anyone watch the Broncos/Steelers game last night?!?! While I'm not a fan of either team, I am a fan of Tim Tebow. And that game last night was seriously ah-mazing! 

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I am SO happy that the Broncos won and I sincerely hope they do well in the rest of the playoffs. I'd love to see a Saints/Broncos Superbowl, and even though I do love Tebow, this Who Dat would be cheering for BLACK AND GOLD! :)

~ Speaking of the Saints...can I just say WHO DAT?!?!? I am SO happy that we beat the Lions and are heading into the next round of the playoffs! Brees, Sproles, Graham and the rest of the guys did an awesome job on Saturday and I am so proud. It truly was the perfect end to my birthday! :) On our immediate to-do list is 1) We beat the 49ers 2) Brees is named MVP, which he so rightly deserves!!!!

The footage is old, but the chant is the same. LOVE.

~ Saturday was my birthday, and just like last year my Discovery flight was cancelled. :( Legally we could have flown, but it was a very cloudy day and our visibility would not have been great for my first time up. We're heading back to the flight school on Thursday so (God and weather willing!!) this prego can finally fly a plane! :D

 Planes :)

My doctor's note. I love how he states "as long as there is another pilot on board", then I can fly the plane! Lol well duh!!! LOVE my doc. :)

 Me, my sweet man and Baby Gavin on my 26th. 

(That little black fur ball at the bottom is Abigail)

I'd wish I could say that I'm sorry that this turned into a sports post, but I'm kinda not.

I love sports. 

:)

Happy Monday, readers!

1 vs. 2

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I am SO excited for tonight's game! #1 LSU is playing #2 Alabama tonight in Tuscaloosa, and it's going to be a heck of a game! :) 

My pick? 

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I mean, come on. I AM a Louisiana girl. :) 

Are you watching the game tonight? 

Who will YOU be rooting for?