Adam, an angel

This is a re-post from a previous blog of mine, but with the time coming around and it having been 2 years since I've posted about this--I wanted to re-post it, because it is certainly a part of even this new chapter of my life and will always hold a place in my heart. 

So what I am saying is that angel is another name for my brother, Adam Armstrong Jussely, born on April 17, 1988 and died April 18, 1988.

If you're reading this, then you more than likely know me and my family--you might not have known that bit of information though. I never got to know Adam  since he was born before me but then again, I guess no one really got to know him.  Even so, being the human that I am and having the feelings that I do, it's a sad day for me.  As I sit here typing, I can't help but to think about my mom and dad and the feelings they must  feel every year when this day comes around and they think of Adam.  Yes, it's been 25 years now and yes, he was only alive for one day... but I've heard that parents (mother's especially) form such strong bonds and feelings of love for their children well before they are really born. After thinking about that I can barely find the right words to use to describe the love and adoration I feel for my parents today and just thanking God for blessing me with them.  Even sending praises for the trials they have had to overcome because they wouldn't be the amazing people they are today without them.  

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow

Adam was born on April 17th, my mother had Group B Strep while she was pregnant with Adam and it caused complications when he was born.  If he would have lived he more than likely would have been intellectually disabled in some way (I think my mom told me before he would have more than likely been blind, deaf, and maybe some brain damage).  I think that it was God's way of caring for Adam to bring him home to Him so that he could be fully healed...so that he could "soar on wings like eagles; so he could run and not grow weary, so that he could walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

"Today is the anniversary of when Adam died.  He has had 23 years in Heaven with Jesus.  Isn't that great?" --text from my mom this morning--and isn't that such a wonderful way to understand that, to see it as the blessing that it is :) (now it would be 25, but being a re-post I don't want to change her sweet words)

I can honestly say that when I hear my mom talk about Adam's death that I am 100% sure that's one of the reasons that my parents are so strong in their faith.  I fully believe that God does not let things happen to his children that they can't handle--and always uses situations to bring you back to Him--and my mother is a strong woman, the strongest I know--and through Adam, she found peace.  Not anger, but found a deeper love for Jesus knowing that He brought Adam to heaven to fully heal. The understanding of my parents still amazes me and reminds me of one more reason I am so thankful for them.

Hopefully from reading this post you can see one of my links to my path to be a special education teacher.  A lot of people don't know that Adam is one of the many reasons that I chose to do this, but he is.  I feel as if it's my place and that in a way I'm getting to be around people that would have been like Adam and learning from them and being able to love them, like I could have loved him, whole heartily.  God has a funny way of working things out, doesn't He?

So today, say a little prayer for my family and we'll be thanking God for our angel, Adam. 

The Engagement from the Man’s Perspective

I am a little late posting this but I am still learning so I will not be as fancy as Ellen is with the posting of pictures and other neat things she does.

After 3 plus weeks of planning a proposal to Ellen, the day was finally here. The morning of the engagement day we leave the hotel to go get some breakfast and the walk there was nice. The streets were empty and freshly cleaned. We get to Croissant D’Or Patisserie and the aroma of the food is delectable. It was a nice quaint place and I knew I was going to need coffee bad! I barely got sleep the night before with anxiety about the day. Of course I trusted everything would go well and according to His plan so I was not worried. I was just anticipating how everything would unfold. I could only plan so much and trust God would deliver on the order of things.

The seat we chose by the window was pleasant and the food was great! The day was already starting so well. God was certainly delivering this day. We finished breakfast and were about to tour the streets. We started toward the French Market and got to witness most of the vendors racing to get their product setup. Many of the merchants were not ready which lead us to a great photographer of areas throughout the Quarter. Ellen loves to take pictures so we enjoyed looking through all of his photos and we bought some to remind us of this day. The photographer and his father were kind and I really do appreciate their positivity towards us especially on a day such as this.

After our fill of the French Quarter, we hiked down Decatur going to some of the shops and then made our way down the Riverwalk. The sun was warm and the breeze was cool.  Everything was perfect so far. The walk by the river led us to the aquarium. This would be the first time I have ever been to an aquarium so it was an exciting experience for me. We got some good memories, good pics, and it occupied just enough time for us to work up an appetite.

We walked down Royal St. towards Yo Mama’s and the street was good and bustling unlike the morning time. The music was great and the mood was even better.  We arrived at our lunch planned location and the food was delicious. I was enjoying my time with Ellen and the time to propose to her was drawing near. 

After eating I wanted us to go back to where a band we like had been so that we could just enjoy listening to them while we relaxed and let the food settle. We went by to get Hand Grenades first and headed toward their location. When we got there they were playing their last song and were packing up to move somewhere else.  This worked out nicely because Ellen got a chance to finally meet an artist she always wanted to meet. Ellen was very happy and I was just so relieved that the day was doing so great.  This was the reassurance I needed to know that now was the time I was going to propose.

We walked to the Jackson Square and we sat under tree to ourselves. I dug the ring out of a box I had made to keep it safe that was in my pocket. Oh man! Here I go!!! I am about to do this! The very thing that has consumed my thoughts for over 3 weeks now. All the planning was now about to come to fruition. I had only one opportunity to do this and I was a little bit nervous but the anxiety built up of wanting Ellen to become my fiancé and letting everyone know exactly what my intentions were much greater. I wanted to propose to Ellen really badly and after having the ring for over 3 weeks now and how easy it could have been to hand it to her the day I got it. The moment of truth was here.  I wanted this moment to be special to Ellen. I knew it was special for me.

When I say that I wanted it to be special for Ellen I mean I was aching for it to be. Ellen means so much to me. There is no other person that comes close to the way I feel about her. She is the most deserving person I know that deserves to have her engagement as meaningful and special as I could possibly come up with.  I have never planned something on this scale. I never thought I was worth the trouble to ask a group of people to drive hours just to have dinner but I knew she was worth it. Even though Ellen deserved way better than me she chose me and I was going to treat her with all the love I can give and go beyond any expectations I ever had for myself.  Why??? Because Ellen makes me feel special and I want her to feel the same.

So here I was sitting under a tree with Ellen. I say a small prayer and then I give my proposal and begin to say “if you marry me...”  When I was interrupted with “you mean when.” I knew that was the go-ahead I needed. Why go any further with that proposal. Nothing left now to do but ask Ellen officially to marry me. I needed to be humble about it so I knelt to ask. Ellen said yes and she looked very happy. I was pleased. I could not have asked for a better reaction. Many kisses from Ellen and her telling everyone we talked to that we just got engaged made me feel like a child that was praised.

Exhausted from the anticipation leading up to that moment and the overwhelming feelings of joy I had to lie down to take it all in. I still had one more surprise for Ellen but I felt no more anxiety about it. To me my task was done, Ha. But still… I knew she would be very surprised and thrilled to see her family and friends when we walk in our final destination on the agenda.

So we arrived at the Acme Oyster House and Ellen was surprised! The look on her face was priceless. I was very thankful everyone came. Even more thankful she has so many people that care about her.

Ellen is more than I have ever wanted from anyone. She has made me very happy. I am very lucky and privileged to have her in my life. I look forward to the happiness that she will bring me in the future I only hope that I can make her feel as happy and special as she makes me feel and I pray that I will love her as close as possible the way Jesus loves us.

Jason

One Month and Counting...

It's been one month and one day since that sweet day in March when I became Jason's fiancé (no, I don't get tired of hearing or saying that)! 

What a joyous day that was and all the days that have followed. 

As I reflect back on that day, which I have often, I feel so incredibly blessed. 

The Lord is so good and I have seen so much of His hand in our relationship--from us both being special education teachers (which we probably would have never met otherwise), to how we met, to so much of our interests, and above all else our desire to serve Him before anything else, and all of the other little odds and ends in our lives that seem to mesh together so well. 

His promises ring so true when you love and trust Him. 

I am gaining an outstandingly amazing, soon-to-be husband and I couldn't be more thankful for this sweet, sweet blessing the Lord has shared with me! 

I am overjoyed. 

We continually feel like the next 7 months, 1 week, 0 days, and 18 hours will never come to pass--even though everyone keeps telling us otherwise. Hopefully we will make it to the "down hill" sooner than it feels like! 

Come on November 23rd! 

In the meantime, we have gotten so much done!!--drum roll please--we have the church, a reception place, I have a dress and bridesmaids dresses (and cute shoes for us all), we have a caterer, a photographer, we have rehearsal dinner plans, we have pictures to use for save the dates. Needless to say, we really hit the ground running! Which will hopefully mean more "coasting" as our wedding draws nearer! (A girl can hope)

a sweet recap of me telling the girls how Jason proposed

and getting "YESSES" from all my best friends to be a part of our wedding :)

 I am really enjoying wedding planning. 

Although there is much more to do, I can't wait to see the final product of all this time and work. 

I am going to do my best to keep you all updated on our progress and anything of "interest" :)

some of the girls--dress shopping

As for other exciting news... we are closing on OUR HOUSE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH! 

On April 29th, we will be home owners. 

Yep, you read correctly, we already found us a house. 

We had school off Easter Monday and kinda...jokingly wanted to look around with my mom (who's a realtor) and it turned in to a full blown day of house hunting--which turned into another day of house hunting--which then turned into us finding THE HOUSE with all of the little "things" that we, somewhat jokingly, said we wanted in any house we ever bought. 

So, I present to you, what will be our home (well, Jason's 'house' until we're married)

more pictures to come once we've closed and it's officially ours

Once again, the Lord is so good! 

I want to leave you with some fun things we've been doing--since it's been a MONTH since my last post I feel like I have to have something to show for my absence!

Easter Sunday

our sweet new addition to the family 

Jason's parents went on a cruise this first weekend in April so he and I got to visit one of our favorite places again, New Orleans! We, of course, revisited "our spot" in the square where we got engaged and reflected on that sweet moment. New Orleans will forever more hold that special meaning to me. 

We had so much fun enjoying the music, the food, the people, just the cajun culture that we so appreciate. I'll never grow weary of this place.  

you just can't beat that 

this woman can TEAR. IT. UP. 

enjoying cafe du monde

a must when in New Orleans

but, what has quickly become a tradition of ours--going to Croissant D'or for an almond croissant

and some neat interior designs

Until next time