Big Changes

Wow, it amazes me as I go back and look at the content of this blog -- that my life has changed so dramatically! In the past 6 months everything has been flipped upside down, turned all sideways and somehow has put me right back on my feet in the happiest place that I'm not even sure my heart allowed me to imagine! I'm not saying it was easy, heck, if anything it was heartbreaking, soul testing and just plain hard.

Hmm, so much to catch up on..... Well, in March I had a trip planned to Miami with all my girlfriends from Law School for one of my bestest friends, Ashley, for her bachelorette party. The day before I left I wasn't feeling so good. I had been nauseous for the past week and I just knew something was off. Well, a pregnancy test later and VWA-LA I'm preggo. I was so busy with work I took the test in the bathroom, shoved the EPT in my pocket and worked for over an hour until I realized I had forgot to check it! I pulled that little sucker out and the words "Pregnant" were sealed on the tiny screen. OMG! OMG! OMG! That's what kept running through my head! I closed the doors to my office and just sat in shock and disbelief. I wash of emotions and thoughts came over me: What was I going to do? How am I going to tell Justin? What will his reaction be? What will my parents think? OMG! OMG! OMG! I'm not married, this is not the order of how things are supposed to be!

So I called my mom, only my mom could help me in this very emotional moment. So I picked up the phone and called. So through my light crying I tell her. To which she SQUEALS with excitement and joy! I was taken aback, I reminded her of all the stuff that was running through my head and she said...."WHAT? Amy, this is the best news ever! Why are you upset, you're almost 30 years old, you're an attorney with a good job, you love Justin and you guys have been planning on getting married soon anyways. Honey, you're not 16 and this isn't MTV, this is GREAT!" And so, I took a deep breath - evaluated her words and thought....SHE'S RIGHT! So, I left work a little early for lunch and ventured over to Justin's office to tell him the news.

I was beyond nervous and I found myself crying a little and not being able to form the words to tell Justin the news. **Now let me pause and say this: Justin is a kid loving, sweet amazing man but for some reason I was terrified he would be upset. Mainly because we had a plan, a life plan and this wasn't in it, at least not for the next year or two.** So i finally muster up the gumption to tell him, and I say it, "I'm pregnant." A second of earth shattering silence was ended by a huge smile and a, "Really?" I nodded and he couldn't quit grinning. He said the kindest words anyone has ever said to me, he said, Amy, I love you! This is great news! It's going to be okay. This is everything we wanted, maybe not in the order but it's always been our goal to get married, have babies and raise a family. He sat me on his lap, hugged me, kissed me and told me to quit that crying that this was great and everything was going to be okay.

He gave me the engagement ring he had saved forever for and we began the process of planning a wedding, for a baby and narrowing down our house hunting.

In April, I left my job and not on good terms. I had worked for a man that had allowed his demons to get the best of him and it was putting me in a terrible position. I'm not going into any details, but I can say that it's sad to sit on the sidelines and watch someone self destruct. I decided that it was not healthy- physically or professionally for me to continue to work in such a crazy environment. And so I left....

I took the next couple of months to regroup, plan a wedding, look for a new job, do some pro bono work and wrap up the house buying. Justin was wonderful, he supported me taking a break and let me do my thing.

We had a beach wedding on June 19, 2010 at 7:30 and it was absolutely beautiful. It was the most relaxed, easy, uncomplicated day of my life and that was my goal. I was 5 months pregnant: glowing just a little, 14 lbs heavier - mainly in my face and belly. But possibly the happiest I have ever been in my whole life. I got to walk down the isle and marry my best friend and seal the deal and my heart has never been more full or loved. Now I should probably tell you, the week up until this wedding was a bit nuts- but it was all taken with a grain of salt and I nor Justin let the craziness get to us. We found out we were having a baby boy on June 17, closed on our house and had a huge pre-wedding party on June 18 and got married on June 19!

I always tell people: If Justin and I can survive living apart for over a year, 2 bar exams, the surprise of having a baby and the week of our wedding -- WE CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING!

So, that my dear friends has been our life for the past couple of months, and what a crazy, wonderful time it's been.

I am now 6 months preggo and Jackson Cash Lovely is due to arrive the first of November! God is good and life is sweet.

More to come....

Just Me, Catching Up

Ah! I feel so guilty, I have not blogged in AGES. I apologize for my long hiatus but my new goal is to make this a priority.

So being a new lawyer has had its ups and downs but ultimately it has been great. I have been at my job now for 6 months and I still adore it. How wonderful is that?! I am constantly learning new things, processes, outlooks and strategies and I feel vested in a firm that is vested in me.

Oh! We found out on Friday afternoon 10/23 that Justin M. Lovely passed the SC bar exam! WHOOT WHOOT! My chest is just bowing and beaming with pride! I am amazed by that man.

We moved at the beginning of October to Conway, which is about 20 minutes from MB. Why you may ask: Because I work here in Conway and the courthouse is here. Driving 25 minutes a day became too much and we found an adorable little house right in the heart of downtown. And I love it. Just me, Justin and Coop and we are loving it.

Halloween is just around the corner and I'm excited about traveling to Knoxville, TN for the UT/SC game this weekend and Ashley and Dunkin's engagement party!!! YAY! I get to see all of my fab friend from law school!

My heart is happy.

Amy

My Hectic, Manic LIFE!

The last week or so has been super busy with work, which is ALWAYS a blessing. I am still loving my job, my boss and my sweet lil paralegal! Last weekend I left out on Friday and headed to Columbia and spent the night hanging out with Justin and enjoying a lil QT with my honey :) We went out in 5 points, had dinner, drinks and a lot of fun. On Saturday we headed to Asheville, NC for Thomas and Janet's wedding at the fabulous Bohemian Hotel and it was FABULOUS! It made my heart so happy to see all of my law school friends. We had the very best time! I'll post some pics when I can! Sunday we had lunch at Tupelo Honey, a FANTASTIC restaurant that has the most wonderful gigantic Mimosa's in the world! I got to see my sweet lil Bobby and catch up on all the gossip, fun and life that has been happening.

After brunch, Justin and I headed back to Cola and then I drove back to the beach to meet my parents for dinner and company. I had not seen them in a couple of weeks and I was in need of a lot of MOM and DAD time! We spent hours talking and catching up on the happenings of my life. I love that they are such active parents who genuinely care and love their kids.

Work this week has been great. I've gotten a lot of stuff done, things that I've never done before and I'm excited to be able to cut my teeth on such interesting stuff and to have a boss that's a great teacher.

I went and worked out for the first time in over a YEAR! Wowzers! I woke up feeling yucky and realized I needed to make a change in my life. For right now, I need to just get on a treadmill/elliptical and burn off some steam and stress. I walked out of the gym covered with sweat and out of breath -- OPERATION CRAZY WORKOUT = COMPLETE!!

Off to shower and catch up on Bravo.

~Aimless~

Happy

So it's Friday night and I'm laying in my bed, vegging out, and watching "What Not to Wear" and I am LOVING EVERY SECOND of it! The only thing that could make it any better -- is if Justin were laying beside me. I think that this is the 1st weekend I have spent at home in Myrtle in months. I feel like all I've done is travel like a crazy girl and this weekend is all about just relaxing and getting a lil me back.

My job is going F-A-N-T-A-B-U-L-O-U-S-L-Y! I feel so at home and good about what we are doing and trying to achieve at the firm and it makes my heart happy to know that I have a good person for a boss. His whole family is great: him, his wife and his kids. They are all just great. I'm learning so much and he gives me an opportunity to put my 2 cents in. I've finally found exactly where I need to be.

Justin is studying for the bar exam in Columbia and I am LOVING that he is finally in the same state as I am! He's stressed out and going through all that is the bar exam but he is surviving and doing well. He finally gets why I was such a mess last summer.

Last weekend one of my good friends Johnathan Minga got married in TN! Let me first say this, Minga is one of the best men I know. He is good, kind, thoughtful, sweet and genuine. And he found a girl that is just as lovely and great as he is and it was a true gift to be able to witness their marriage. It was great to see friends from law school too. Gosh, I miss my law school friends. Next weekend is Janet and Thomas' wedding in Asheville and I am BEYOND excited about the upcoming nuptuals!!! I feel like I had a hand in the whole thing --- I mean I did get the 2 of them together! Ah!!!! YAY!!! A ton of our law school friends will be there for the weekend and I my heart leaps at the idea of seeing their lil faces.

Tomorrow I think I'm going to go sit on the beach, read my new Grisham book and just "Being." I think I need a little ME time and I'm excited.

XOXOXO

Updates

My new job is going fantastically! I love it. I have a fantastic boss, I'm meeting great people, learning new things and I'm a part of something bigger than me and I am HAPPY! I drove to Columbia to visit Justin tonight and I'm heading to Johnson City in the morning for Minga's wedding. I just love Minga and I'm super excited to see him take the big plunge with such a kind person (Christina). Off to bed my loves.

A New START!

Today I started my new job!!! And it went great. After leaving my last job I was actually bombarded with 3 job offers and I ended up taking a job with a solo guy that made me feel super comfortable and was just a nice guy who was normal. He and his wife (and his kids) are all just great and I am so thankful that God has placed such a fantastic opportunity in my life.

I'm looking forward to Katy's Bridal Shower this weekend! Mom and I have been planning feverishly, trying to make everything just perfect for my baby sister. We have 65 ladies coming to the house for a fabulous shin-dig. I can't wait to post pics of all the fun.

Justin starts Bar Prep class in Columbia next week. I was thinking back about being nervous about starting my preparation for the bar exam and all of the craziness that ensued. I do not envy him one bit. The bar exam is one of those things you would not wish on your worst enemy. AH! THE PRESSURE! But the pressure makes the diamond, right? I know he will do just fine and has nothing to worry about.

Off to watch the Real Housewives of NYC!

XOXO

Justin Gradutated From Lawyer School!

I know it's been a while since I've posted but I've been running around the South East like a mad woman! Last Thursday I spent all day in court in Dillon, SC dealing with an appointed DSS case. A heart wrencher to say the least. It took 2 1/2 hours to get to Dillon due to thick smoke/fog. You literally could not see more than 5 ft in front of the car. Scary. On the way back to town, I got a call from an attorney I have been in talks with about a job and got a formal offer--- Of which I accepted. I'm super excited about this new avenue. I think it will be a fabulous fit.

I left out Thursday night for NC and on Friday my parents and I drove up to Grundy, VA for Justin's law school graduation! Hip! Hip! Hooray! He did it! Okay, enough with all the exclamation points. After graduation on Saturday and lunch at Cuz's (a crazy BBQ place with fantastic food), Justin and I headed to Knoxville to unpack all of his "stuff." I've determined that men/boys do not have belongings they have "stuff" or maybe the better word is "shit." So off to K-ville we went, truck loaded down with the Virginia mountains in our rearview mirror. Leaving Grundy was bitter sweet. In my heart I knew I would not be returning for quite some time. There's something about that little, tiny mountain town that makes my heart so happy and warm. Maybe it's because I loved all of my classmates so much, or maybe it was where I found out what I am really made of, or maybe it's because Grundy is the place that Justin and I met. It's the place that we became friends, made 2 am Huddle House runs, played Scrabble for hours and the place where I fell in love with that silly boy. Ah, I just love Grundy and ASL.

Okay, enough with my stroll down memory lane. We spent Sunday unloading and unpacking and on Monday we left out early for Franklin, TN where we picked up a car Justin bought. After a 12 hour fiasco, we hit the road for NC. We stayed in NC and hit the road for Myrtle Beach on Wednesday night. AH!!! I'm so sick of traveling.

Today, I met with my first big personal injury case and I really am excited about helping my new clients! I really feel like I can make a difference and do it well. YAY!

This weekend is Justin's birthday and I have no clue what to do for him......last year I took him to Abingdon for dinner and a drive in movie. Maybe we will go to the Darlington race this year. He loves Nascar and I know he would have a blast.

Time for bed,

Amy