A New Experience

Now that you are all caught up on how Joey and I met, I thought I would skip over the past four years, and move on to what's going on with us now. So Joey and I are in our fourth year of marriage, and we are still going strong! We have had a lot of ups and downs the past few years, and we have survived them all so far. We have a lot of things going on in our life right now that I would like to share.

In December, we will become a host family for a German student named Johanna. I can not be more excited to meet her, and learn all about her culture. Now you may be wondering why we are doing this, or how we even came to the decision to do it. (I get these questions a lot) Basically, ever since I have been in high school, I have always known that I wanted to host a foreign exchange student, and I would have loved it if my parents would have done it when I was still in high school. I never asked them too though, because I knew they would say no. I guess it isn’t for everyone, but I was determined to host ever since then. Now I know that you are probably wondering why I wanted to host still! Well, I had a friend in high school that was an exchange student, and she was from Germany. We became friends, and I was always intrigued by her differences, and just knew that when I was able to host, that I would.

Well, I started out the quest to host a year ago, almost two years ago, really. I got all the information, and was contacted by a representative from the agency, only to find out that you have to be 25 to host. I was 24 at the time. I was a little crushed to find that out, but at the same time, I figured if I had waited this many years, one more wouldn’t hurt. Well then this year, I started getting calls, and emails about hosting again, and after talking to Joey, he almost talked me out of hosting. We were at the time thinking about trying to get pregnant(which is a whole other blog in itself, lol), and then my sister moved in with us, and since we only have one spare bedroom, I decided that it was not the right time. After a few weeks, just as I had anticipated, things didn’t work out with my sister living with us, and she moved back home. We had decided to wait one more year to try to get pregnant, and were even planning on going on a cruise for our anniversary next year. Then all of a sudden all of those plans slowly turned around, and changed, and now I honestly can’t say that any of them are still in place! We are once again trying to get pregnant, and I finally talked Joey into hosting! We also decided that the cruise would not be a good idea either, because for one, I may be pregnant, or have a newborn, and two, we would have an exchange student. Some people may see both of those situations a hindrance to their life, but I am honestly happy to make the sacrifices, they are my own choices and couldn’t be happier with them.

So we finally decided for sure that we were going to host. We met with the area rep, and she interviewed us, and checked out our house, and we had to go through background checks, and give her references. After all that had been completed successfully and we had picked out a student, we found out that we had already missed the deadline for Columbia County, to have a student for a full year. The student that we had picked out was set up to come a full year. The agency that we are working with told us that we could host just for the spring semester, so we would get our student in December, and then they would leave in May. Neither Joey, nor myself wanted to limit the student that we picked to just coming for a semester, if she wanted to do a full year, so with the help of our area rep, we searched for another student. That’s when we found Johanna. She was setup to be placed outside of our region, so we had to get special approval for her. (In the beginning I was not really sure what it meant for her to be “outside of our region”) Now I have come to realize that the students must be able to chose where they want to go in America, because when we got all of Johanna’s information, her application stated that she preferred to be placed in Minnesota. Now I feel like I have passed up one student because we didn’t want her to be disappointed with coming for a shorter time, only to get a student that wanted to be placed somewhere else….



I have been communicating with her frequently through email, and she seems very excited, and interested to come. She has never once mentioned that she was upset to be coming to Georgia. She has sent pictures, and also tried calling once, unfortunately I was at work and wasn’t able to answer. We have about five months before she arrives, but I am already planning, and trying to get everything perfect for her arrival! I want to redecorate the bedroom, to be customized just for her, and we plan to take her to many different places, to show her as much of America as possible. We are still thinking of all the places that we can take her, and of course at the top of our list is going to a Braves game next year, and also going to Washington D.C. for spring break. I can only imagine what a teenaged girl from a completely different culture can expect, or what will make her stay enjoyable.







If anyone has any good ideas of what to show her while she is here, or also any tips for making her feel at home, even though she will be so far from home, I would be happy to hear your ideas! Also, if anyone is interested on getting more information on hosting, you can visit www.ayusa.org this is the agency that we are using, and haven’t had any problems. You can actually view student profiles on the site, and you can host students from almost any country! It seems as though it will be a great experience that we will all remember for a lifetime!

Meet Johanna!

God Bless the Broken Road

So here we are, Joey and I, dating, after only knowing each other for a few months. Through dating, we were pretty much inseparable. There wasn’t really a day that we went without seeing each other. One day we were going to the mall for some reason, that I can not remember (possibly because the outcome of that mall trip was far more exciting than what we were originally going for), and we decided to go to a few jewelry stores, and look at rings. It was truly a random thing, and not something that we had really talked about before. We had talked about our feelings for each other, and hinted around at marriage, but we never talked about it as if we were about to actually be married. However, after looking through a few different stores, we went to Helzburg. Well, they were absolutely the nicest and friendliest people that we had encountered all night. Well we looked at rings, and I tried pretty much all of them on, and then Joey looked at me and said “Let’s go ahead and buy one”. I was shocked, and at the same time, having trouble realizing that this was FINALLY happening! (I was only 20, but boy did all those years seem like forever!) Well he told me to get whatever ring I wanted, and I ended up falling in love with a set. So we began the process of purchasing the ring. The store was offering no interest until the next year, so we decided to finance it; well we hoped to finance it! The lady went and input all of our info into the computer, and came back and told us we were approved! So we took the rings and went home. So on the way home, I was wondering, “does this mean I am engaged now?’ I was hoping not, because even though I got to pick my own ring out, I had hoped to have a romantic proposal to go along with it! But before I could think of the words to ask Joey about this, he told me that he was going to hold on to the ring, until he felt it was the right time to ask me, and that way I would be surprised.

Well, that Saturday, Joey asked my dad to go golfing with him, so that he could ask for his permission to marry me. I knew that he was going to do that, but it was just so that when he was ready to ask me, he could. So Joey goes golfing with my dad, and I think he played the worst game in his life, because he was so nervous. My dad said he would go to ask him something, and then he would just say “never mind”. He eventually got up the courage to ask him, and of course my parents loved Joey, and had no problem with it. Later that day, Joey had to DJ a wedding. (He did it for an old friend, and occasionally did it for his friend that owned the karaoke business) Well the plan was to meet him after he got done with the wedding to go have dinner or something. So I got to his apartment, and waited for him. And waited for him, and waited even longer. The wedding ran later than he planned, which left me at his apartment with nothing to do, and not very happy about that. When he finally got home, I was not in a very good mood at all. He told me that he wanted to just go somewhere and get out of the house. So he took me to the savannah rapids pavilion, and we walked down the canal. Well, little did I know, that when we were back at the apartment, he asked me to get him something to drink so that he could get me out of the room and get the ring into his pocket, because as we were walking, he started telling me how much he loved me, and so on, and then got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! And he was even able to get back up, lol, not that he would be able to do that so easily these days. So here we were, officially engaged. I was surprised! And it was a lot sooner than I thought it would be! My anger from being home alone and him being late went away quickly, and we went to celebrate…. at IHOP. Of all places, we went to IHOP because I had never been there, and really wanted pancakes, and since it was so late, there were few choices!

So here we are in June of 2004, only been dating about a whole month, and we are engaged! We had a lot of firsts that year. Other than the ones I have already told you about, our next first, was our first trip together, which came about in July. We went to the beach with Joey’s family. I pretty much had met most of them, just not his brother and sister in law that lived in MS. Well, the trip was going pretty well, until the day of the cookout for the 4th. Joey and one of his brothers got into about something, and it just went downhill from there. We ended up just leaving and going downtown and watching the fireworks on River Street. It was quite the experience!

Over the next few months, the wedding planning started, and we eventually settled on our wedding date, May 28, 2005, a little less than a year away. Joey and I really never fought…. Until the planning started. Planning a wedding really stresses you out! But the time came, and the wedding went really well, and was completely worth all of the stress and hassle! We were both heading in completely different directions, we thought, but thank God, He crossed our paths. We had gone down so many broken roads, but they all were just leading us to each other.

A New Day

Well I last left you with me giving Joey my phone number, and making sure that I got his last name. I would like to continue with our first date. As we were exchanging phone numbers, we went ahead and set up a “date”. He suggested that we go to karaoke with some of his friends. I wasn’t too crazy about that being our first date, however I really just wanted to hang out with him, and get to know him, so I didn’t care what we did. He told me that he would call me with the final details.

So the next night I was waiting for my phone to ring, but nervous at the same time! What was I supposed to say?!?!? Being as timid as I am, things like this usually make me really nervous. Nervous like sick to my stomach nervous; but this time that nervous feeling was different. There was definitely a feeling in my stomach, but it wasn’t making me feel sick. So all day/night I am waiting for this phone call, but it never came… not that day anyway. The following day I was pretty much thinking that he just wasn’t going to call and that he was just like so many other guys. Well later on that night, he called! I thought that my heart was going to melt faster than an ice cream on a hot summer day! We decided on that hanging out with friends would probably not be the best for our first date, so we planned on eating at Chili’s and then going to see a movie.

Well that Friday night came, excited as I was, I told no one that I was going on a date. I still lived at home with my parents, and if I would have told them that I was going out with a guy they would have asked a million questions and also made me be home by a certain time.; if they thought I was working, then I was able to stay out until about the normal time that I get off work, and Stool Pigeons closed at 2 am. Well in order to get out of the house, I had to pretend to be working. So I left home in full uniform, with my ‘date’ clothes in the car. I changed as soon as I got out of sight.

So our plan was to meet at Chili’s at a certain time. Well I was way early, and decided to go by Stool Pigeons, which was right next door to Chili’s. Well everyone there was wondering why I was so dressed up, (I wasn’t really all that dressed up, but from my normal Stool Pigeon “garb” I guess you could say that I was). I let them know I was going on a date, but didn’t give up much more info. One of the guys there suggested that I make him wait atleast 15 minutes before I got there, so I didn’t look too anxious. For whatever reason I listened to the guy and in fact made Joey wait for me. On my way over I felt guilty though, and called him to let him know that I was almost there. Once I got there I really felt bad, and told him why I was late. He told me that he thought he was being stood up and almost left! I am so glad that I called to let him know that I was almost there, so he didn’t leave! So that goes to show that you should never listen to advice from other guys, when you are trying to impress a different guy! Where would I be today if we would have never had that first date?!?!?!?

Well we finally are seated at Chili’s and have been seated for a good 10 minutes or so, and have not even ordered our drinks. Well, if that wasn’t enough, all of a sudden the table right across from us starts jumping up and going crazy. Of course that grabs our attention and we try to figure out what the deal was. Well, low and behold there is a HUGE roach crawling across their table!!!! I didn’t know at the time, but Joey is really terrified of them. He can’t even kill them. So needless to say, we decided to leave Chili’s and walk across the parking lot to Logan’s.

Once at Logan’s, the night was much better. We talked so much that it took us forever to order! During our never ending talking, I discovered that he had actually been the youth minister at Piney Grove Baptist, and some of his youth members were some of my really good friends in high school. We had a lot of things in common, and it seemed as though there were many, many chances for our paths to cross, but they never did, until now. After dinner we saw a movie, and then called it a night. I was a little unsure of what to expect as we said our goodbyes… was he gonna try to kiss me? Hug me? I had no idea! But he just walked me to my car and we said good night.

To my surprise, not long after I got home, he texted me to make sure I made it safe. At that point, the “heart melting like an ice cream” was happening all over again! Shortly after, we had our second date. This time, my parents knew that I was going out with him, and they had already met him. He actually came all the way out to Girard to pick me up, and with a rose in hand! (Ok heart melting AGAIN!) Then we spent the night at the lake just talking. It was probably the best date ever. I can remember thinking that I wanted him to kiss me, but he never did, and I definitely wasn’t going to make the first move! Well the night ended, without a kiss, and even though I was a little bummed, I was glad that he wasn’t rushing things. The first kiss came later when I was completely not expecting it!

After the second date, we pretty much saw each other every single day. He would usually come by Stool Pigeons and visit with me while I was at work, and we went out to eat --- a lot! (this would be the reason for our weight gain! This is where it started!!!)

One other night that was very memorable for us when we were dating, almost made me lose my life, I think… I was of course at work, and Joey told me to stop by his house after work to see him. So by the time I got off of work and got to his house it was past 11pm. He was asleep. So when I got there, we both quickly fell asleep on the couch after talking for a little while. Well before I knew it, it was well after 2am!!!! In a hurried panic, I ran out the door, and drove like crazy to get home! (now for those who don’t know, I lived atleast an hour away). I flew (I mean drove) home praying that my parents were just asleep, and didn’t notice that I still wasn’t home. (also I must add that my parents were really, really strict, and usually kept a close eye on me) Well as I was pulling up to my house, I realized that EVERY light in the house was on! This time my heart wasn’t melting, I think that it was really about to jump out of my chest. I was sooooo scared to walk inside and face whoever was awake, (praying that it would be my mother, who usually let me get away with anything, my Dad was really the strict one). Unfortunately I walk inside to see my Mom coming at me from one direction, and then my Dad from the other! At that moment, I thought oh no! what do I say?!?! So naturally like any other person in my situation would have done, I lied. I didn’t want them to be mad at Joey, or not let me see him, so I blamed my being late on having to work late. My parent’s actually bought it, and let me pass with just one scolding. One that was actually a blessing in disguise; “I won’t tell you that you have to quit working there, but no more working nights!” I was actually glad to give up the late nights! That just meant that I could have more time with Joey!

All this excitement happened within about 2 months. We met in April, and were officially dating in May. We were both each other’s worlds at that time, and had taken a new path that we both had not expected. It felt like we started a fresh new life, on a fresh new day. We were both happy to be going this path, but I don’t think we knew quite what was about to happen. So quickly…

Are you Ready ---- What I Forgot!!!!!

SO I completely forgot to include that the night that I met Joey, he was up on the high bar(which was a high long table, not the real bar) singing New Kids on the Block - "The Right Stuff" LOL--- And might I add, he was definitely doing the dance as well!!! And yea, I still liked him...

Are You Ready?

So as the first real entry for this blog, I decided that it only seems appropriate to start at the beginning; the beginning of mine and Joey’s life together. I hope you enjoy!

I had just started a new job at potentially the most horrible restaurant in Augusta, Stool Pigeons. An old friend from high school, Amber, “hooked” myself and best friend, Debra, up with this job (remember Debra … because she will come up again!). This was my first real experience with being a waitress, and I really and truly HATED it! But I still don’t regret that I worked there, because that is where I met Joey.

Well, my first time meeting Joey just happened to be on my very first night working. The place was really, really busy. I don’t remember very much from that night, except I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, and my friend, who was showing me the ropes, introduced me to the “regulars”. The regulars were a group of young guys that frequented the sports bar establishment; especially on Tuesday nights for karaoke; coincidently, it was Tuesday night and in that group of “regulars” was of course, Joey. This first meeting was very quick and to the point. A small hello may have been exchanged, but that would have been all, like I said, chicken with my head cut off, lol.

Over the next few Tuesdays, I was all on my own, and I had things down pretty well. On a random Tuesday night, the karaoke crew was all there, and it was blaring as usual. Unfortunately for me though, I had an ear infection, which did not pair well with the intoxicated versions of “Tipsy” blaring out of the microphone. However, shortly thereafter I would forget about the terrible pain and ringing in my ear, because I was soon offered some drugs. Now before you jump to conclusions, let me explain. I actually was Joey’s waitress this night: of course I wasn’t up to par, so when he asked what was up, I let him know that my ear was bothering me, and it was getting worse as more and more people began to scream (I mean sing). At that point, Joey’s gentleman side kicked in and he asked if I had been to a doctor yet. Well of course I had not, because I had no insurance, so doctors were not a priority for me. Later on that night, he stopped me and told me that his aunt worked for a doctor’s office and that he could get me some antibiotics if I needed them (see those types of drugs, lol, not real drugs!). Now remember, this is a guy that I had only seen like one time before, and had barely said hello to him. He was now offering to get medication for me? I think back and wonder why I never thought this was weird? I can pretty much bet that any other guy, any other time in my life, I would have given that “eat you know what look and die” if he had offered something like that, simply because I didn’t know him from any other stranger. But this was not the case at all! For whatever reason, I thought his gesture was simply him being a good caring person (as he is). However, I didn’t mention this to anyone, and just went on working. But, this did plant something in my mind, and by the next Tuesday, I was actually looking forward to working!

This time I was not Joey’s waitress. Debra (remember her?) was his waitress. Although Debra was his waitress, I tried to look out for their food and drinks to be ready, because I couldn’t resist going by their table to try and flirt with, I mean, talk to Joey. And it worked! Because to my surprise, Debra (again) came up to me and said “Joey wants to know if he asks you for your number, will you give it to him?” Excitement flowed through me and I couldn’t help but yell out YES! So Debra proceeded to say “Awww yall are gonna get married.” Even though I somehow felt that way deep inside, I didn’t let it show, I just responded with “That’s crazy, I don’t even know his last name!” Also, at this time in both of our lives, we were both pretty content with living the single life; neither of us were on the prowl in this sports bar hoping to find “love” or anything close to it (since I was solely there to work, and he was just hanging out with friends). I think we were both actually at a time in our life that we thought we had years before we would find that special someone, and if we would have been told what was about to suddenly hit us, we may have got the you know what out of dodge!!!

But the wonderful thing about it was that God had a plan for us that only he could have set up. We may not have thought that simply being at this crazy place would have ended up the way it did, but God knew all the time. He knew that we were ready, even though if anyone had told us that we would have never believed it. Eventually, at some point that night, Joey got the courage to ask for my number (not that I think he was really all that nervous). And, of course I gave it to him, and then I made sure to ask for his last name….







“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11


Also for anyone wondering…
Definition of a Stool Pigeon: Slang. A person acting as a decoy or as an informer, especially one who is a spy for the police.

To Blog or Not to Blog?

So after reading many of my friends blogs, I couldn't decide whether or not I should start a blog myself. It seems as though everyone that I know is blogging, so I figured why not? It is a great way to share with people that care to know what is going on in your life, without having to retell the same stories over and over again. So I am going to give it a shot. I figure that Joey and I have some interesting things that happen in our life, that some people may be interested in reading about. So here goes nothing, and I hope you enjoy reading!