Boom! Done!

I MADE IT!

Today is my final "official" day as Project Manager/Meter Operations for the City of Dallas/Star Parking! It has been quite a learning experience to say the least. Training the person taking my place has really tested my patience and my ability to be slow to anger... but it's over! He's on his own now :) (Although I am sure I will be getting phone calls for about the next month or so...)

A BIG thanks to my husband for being so loving and patient with me throughout this job and then the process of leaving. He has been so wonderful while I have been stressed, frustrated, and unsure of myself. I have gained a lot of knowledge about management, operating a very large project, and dealing with a high stress job.

Now on to the next adventure! My first lesson will be on January 6th and I am excited to get started :) I will have a few days to really prepare our studio and make it "homey & comfortable" for teaching and I am so looking forward to it. Thanks to my in-laws for our new office chair and "student" chair! I can't wait to get them in the studio.

On a different note: I think I am going to begin blogging my favorite recipes since cooking is my new favorite hobby. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Have a wonderfully safe and blessed new year everyone!

Love yall!

Blessings

Things I recognize as blessings:
1. My Godly Husband
2. My Precious Puppies & Beautiful House
3. My Loving & Supportive Family
4. The Chance God Has Given Me to Pursue My Dreams
5. The Friends That the Lord Has Placed in My Life
6. A New Church Family

Blessings I Take For Granted:
1. A Healthy Body & Mind
2. Waking up Each Morning With Purpose
3. Jesus Christ Shedding His Blood so That I Could Have Eternal Life in Heaven
4. The Gifts and Abilities God Gave Me
5. No Debt (other than college)
6. Knowing That No Matter My Transgressions The Lord Forgives Me

I am going to make a real effort to shrink the "Blessing I Take For Granted" list and become more aware of God's blessings in my everyday life. I tend to reflect around this time of year (especially with the decade coming to a rapid end) and look back at how I have spent the last year.
In this decade I graduated from high school, graduated from college, married my best friend, bought a house, added two precious puppies to our family, allowed the Lord to transform my heart, found a home church that I am excited about, got a 'Big Girl' job, & faced many, many demons.
Thank you Lord for the this past year and for the past 10 years. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for your promise. Thank you for your grace. May I grow closer to you during the next 10 years.

Love you all! Be blessed!

TGIF!

We made it! Friday has arrived! This time next week Philip and I will be celebrating our second Christmas as husband and wife :)

I am praying that this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be filled with joy and love within all of your families. I understand that the holidays can bring on a feeling of angst and trepidation. I pray that you will all find joy in celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Happy (almost) Birthday Jesus!!

I Just Love a Good Countdown!

Only 10 work days left for this Project Manager! :)

I have been waking up every morning with the number of days left flashing brilliantly in my mind. It is so exciting to have a husband who is just as excited as I am. He has been such a wonderful supporter! Every night he prays that I will make it through these last few days and that I will be blessed by my new adventure. (Thank you honey!)

I think our "pups" are excited too because that means Mommy gets to stay with them and they don't have to be 'locked up' during the day ;) (Mommy is excited about that too, haha)

Thanks again to everyone who has been so wonderful and supportive... ONLY 10 DAYS!!!

Sweet Emails Make My Heart Happy :-D

I just thought I would share a few emails that I recieved from people in the City of Dallas after they learned that I would be leaving...

"Courtney: You will be missed!!! You have been excellent to work with and I wish you the very best in your new endeavors! What a great opportunity to work from home. I have done that before and it really helps to bring some balance to your life. I just signed my daughter up for voice lessons through Mesquite ISD and she loves it! Best of luck! Keep in touch."

"It will be sad to see you go. You will truly be missed. I hope they realize that. Unfortunately, we never appreciate people until they are gone. I want to say thank you for all your hard work and I appreciate you! I wish you happiness and success. May God’s blessing be on with you."

"I hate to see you go, but I wish you well with your new opportunity. Thanks for all your hard work."

It almost makes all the stress, rude emails, & immaturity worth it.... ALMOST! :)

"Everything Rides on Faith Now"

It is becoming more and more real that I am going to be leaving a job with a steady paycheck and I am constantly finding myself doubting God's plan. I am human and willing to admit that I go through plenty of valleys. Satan has a way of beating me down and sadly I tend to let him (and then take over in beating myself up). This morning I was imagining how it will be when I am teaching voice lessons and my joy was being slowly extinguished by thoughts of failure.

So I prayed.

"Lord, please take control of these doubts and fears and turn them into excitment and joy. I am not in control and I thank you for the wisdom to recognize this. You gave me gifts that I can use for your glory and I desperately need you now."

God has his hands on me and my sweet family. I am finding peace is knowing that this is part of his plan for us. If you will, please pray that I can overcome this 'sickness' (as I call it) of letting Satan convince me that I am not good enough.

Love you all!

Christmas Cards....

I am looking for some help in this area...
First, does anyone know of any low price (free would be even better!) ways to send out Christmas Cards this year? Phil and I have never done it and I would just love to start this year :)
Second, I need addresses, if you would like to recieve a Christmas Card from the Collins' please send me your address! Email me @ Courtneyscollins@yahoo.com or Facebook me :)
THANKS A BUNCH!

Love you guys.

Tacky Sweater Party!

Philip and I will be hosting our first Christmas party at our house on December 18th! :) Of course to make it interesting we are making it a "Tacky Sweater" party, it should be a blast. We are excited to have our friends over and share in some wonderful fellowship. We have the greatest friends and we are so thankful for all of them and what they bring to our lives. Can't wait to see what everyone will wear, with our group of friends I expect nothing but the tackiest!!

Bring on the Mistletoe! :-D

Christmas time is here! My favorite holiday! Our Christmas tree is up and the house decorations are almost complete (we just need to put lights on the house). I LOVE having a house to decorate for Christmas, so fun! Once I start a project I don't stop until it is completed (to a fault) and this can drive my husband crazy ;) He just sat on the couch and watched me run around the house like a crazy person with garland in one hand and ornaments in the other. I had so much fun. He just laughs at me.

We are excited to be hosting our first Christmas in our house this year! I can hardly wait!
(Have you noticed how many exclamation points have occured so far in this post?!)

We love you all and hope that you are having as much fun as we are decorating for Jesus' birthday!

Taking Steps Forward

Happy Philip's Birthday Month to Everyone! :-)

My precious husband turns 24 this month (on the 23rd), I always enjoy being the young one.



In other news...

Phil and I have made some big decisions lately that are going to change our lives quite a bit (no Mom, no babies yet!)

I have given my job notice that my last day with the company will be December 31st. I have been hired by a company called Take Lessons (TakeLessons.com) that connects me with voice students in my area. I will begin teaching voice lessons after I complete my orientation in December! I am super pumped about this exciting new adventure albeit a little nervous. I am so looking forward to working with students (young and old) that are looking to grow in their abilities. It is a little scary giving up a constant salary and moving into a field that isn't quite as steady but we know that the Lord will provide. He has truly given me the desires of my heart and I know that as I am serving him in this new career he will continue to bless Philip and me. We have been blessed beyond anything we could have ever imagined.



Thank you for your prayers and encouragement during this time and in the days to come! We love you all and are so thankful to have such a wonderful support system.

Finding Strength in Lord

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8

This past weekend I got a very distressing call to let me know that my beloved choral director, Ron Shirey, had passed away due to a heart attack. I want to take a second to remember and honor this wonderful man.
Shirey (we always left off the Mr.) found me during my high school years and tracked me down during a Texas Music Educators Association conference in San Antonio, TX. My voice teacher at the time, Mary Drayer, had studied under him during her years at TCU and was more than happy to introduce the two of us. I remember him taking me by the arm (as he did quite often in my years at TCU :) and told me that I would be auditioning for him and some of the music staff at TCU. There was no question in his statement :) I adored him immediately!! He was the reason I went to study music at Texas Christian University and the reason I recieved scholarships. He believed in me during the most uncertain time in my life. He was a confidant and a wonderful director. I learned more musically from him than I have ever learned with anyone else.
I can remember the wrath of Shirey during rehearsals when our group of friends would see just how much we could get away with and I can remember after each class hanging out with him at his podium and laughing about exactly that! He was a precious man and I will never, never forget him. The Lord has his angel with him now... and I KNOW he is singing and conducting that heavenly choir, hope they can handle it!! :-)

All My Love,

Courtney

The Countdown Continues...

It is hard to believe that Philip and I will be celebrating our ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY this Saturday!!! This has been the best year of my life!!!

Phil will be taking his Civil Service Exam that morning and my fingers are crossed that I won't hear from him ALL day (because this will mean that he passed and is going through physical tests and so on). We plan on going to dinner to celebrate Friday night and then of course the celebration will continue in the British Virgin Islands :)

ONLY 9 DAYS 'TILL PARADISE!!!

Police Officer????

This is Phil and this is my first time ever to BLOG. How is everyone doing tonight.... (crickets, crickets). In case you didn't know, I am pursuing a career in law enforcement. Yes, I want to be a police officer!!! It is something that I have wanted to do for a while now and I am finally taking the leap. With the support of my amazing wife and my family I know I can do this.

Becoming a police officer is not an easy task. The process is lengthy and tedious, but I am up to the challenge. I have already applied to the City of Allen and am registered to take the Police Officer Selection Test on October 3rd. The test is in the morning and for those that make a 70 or above, they are allowed to do the physical agility part of the test. After succesfully completing both, there is then an oral interview. There will probably be around 400 people and there are only 3 openings.

I am also applying for the City of Mesquite. There application is 55 pages and is no fun. I plan on turning that in before Sep. 24th, so that I am eligible for the test on October 5th.

We know that God has the ultimate perfect plan and are trusting in HIM. Thanks for reading.

I'm Getting Old! :)

Well my younger brother turns 20 this week.... when did that happen??? Time truly does fly by. I sound like a grandma but I just can't believe that that little chubby cheeked baby boy is an adult! I can remember blaming him for coloring on the walls (sorry Mom!), playing hide and seek in the laundry cabinet, daring him to flip off the bunk bed (which I could obviously do since I was a foot taller!), and having argument after argument when we were growing up.

I think back at how I thought we would never be able to have the kind of relationship that I wanted us to have because we were just too different. I am increadibly glad that we HAVE been able to build a strong relationship as brother and sister as well as friends.

I tear up as I write this because I am so greatful for him, his life, and his love. He is such a wonderful human being and I am so proud of him.

Trey: I know I gave you a hard time for years and I probably played "Mom" a little too much at times, but I just want you to know how much I love and respect the man that you have become. You're such a light in my life and I am thankful that you let me be a part of your life. Happy Birthday little brother :)

Take A Deep Breath

What a week this has been!
Until last night, when Phil and I stayed home and took it easy, I hadn't stopped to breath. Work was immensly stressful this week as I had a big meeting to prep for and everything seemed to be falling apart right on top of me. But the Lord delivered me just like I knew He would.
I have such an increadible support system around me and I want them to know how appreciated and loved they are, THANK YOU!! To everyone who had me in their prayers, you're an angel :)

Phil and I are ready to begin our long weekend and it begins with an awesome CD release party at The Prophet Bar tonight to support our friend Blake and his band, The Breach! Hooray!
We plan on staying pretty low this weekend, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's time to recover from this week!

Hope you all have a fabulous Labor Day weekend.
Love you.

*What a Weekend*

This weekend my step sister Karah had a going away party before she left to join the forces. Phil and I are very proud of her and the choices that she is making, we know it cannot be easy. I had the opportunity to spend time with my biological father and his family. I admit that I was apprehensive about going, as I told them later, because it has been quite a while since I have seen or communicated with them. They were very welcoming and very happy to see Philip and I, it did not turn out how I had expected it to (and that was a very good thing). I am appreciative of their open and accepting nature since I had such reservations about the party.
We wound up staying well into the night catching up and learning about one another, it was a blessed evening. Phil and I prayed before we went that the Lord would give me strength in confronting some of my fears and He was there holding my hand the whole time.

Thank you Keith, Jana, Karah, Sue, & Wendell for making it a wonderful evening. Phil & I look forward to having all of you be a part of our life, no matter how long it took to get to this point.

Back To School Time!

Oh how I remember getting ready to go back to school & thinking, "Ugh! I just want to be a grown up so I don't have to go to school!" My how that come back to bite you in the rear end :)
I am praying for all of you going back to school as teachers, both veterans and first year teachers. I hope that you get a good group of kids that bless you and make the year fun!

On another note;
I cannot believe how quickly time flies. I have been a Project Manager for nearly 7 months although some days it feels as if I have been here for years. It has its ups and downs as with any job but this week has been uncommonly difficult for me. When it rains it pours, right? I find myself getting frustrated and taking it home with me. I am so greatful that the Lord gave Philip so much patience. I truly believe there is no one else on the planet that could put up with me when I get this way :) I am so thankful that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that God has given me such a wonderful hand to hold until I get there.

This week is almost over though and on Friday Phil and I will be going to the first ever Cowboys game at the new stadium! That's something to look forward to (and rest.... I need it!)
Be blessed my friends, recognize it and embrace it. God never put anything in front of us that we cannot handle and I am living proof of this fact. I love you all.

Our Poor Little Girl :(

Poor little Jenny is getting spayed today and needless to say her momma is a nervous wreck!! David (my brother-in-law) dropped her and Jonesy off this morning (Jonesy is getting a haircut) and I paced around my office while I was on the phone with him helping to fill out some paperwork. I haven't ever had a girl dog before so this is new to Phil and I... you always fear the unknown.

I am just saying a prayer anytime it really starts getting to me and I start to let my mind wonder to horrible things, God's gonna be with her the whole time even though I cannot be.

I only have to go about 10 hours before I get to see her and know that she is just fine. The doctor said she is going to have to wear one of those cones around her head for a few days so she doesn't chew out her stiches and that we have to keep it clean and dry. Easy enough right? Haha, it is going to be interesting to see our Jenny calm!

Writing all this out makes me feel better :) Thanks for letting me vent!

Love you all. I will post pictures of her 'cone head' soon <3

Let the Countdowns Begin!!

It seems impossible that Philip and I are only 1 month & 24 days away from our FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! I can't help but giggle when I think about my "... days 'till I am Mrs. Collins" countdown (which started with 620 days!). I remember how excited I was then and can honestly say that I am just as excited to be approaching our first full year of marriage :) What a blessing marriage is!

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I have also started counting down to our trip to the British Virgin Islands in October (1month & 29 days!) which keeps me going on rough Mondays like this one ;) We can't wait to wake up and hit the beach instead of the office.

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We are also looking so forward to adding another poor shmuk to the Collins family... hahaha! Sarah and Matt are getting married on the 22nd of November and we are so thrilled for them. It is going to be such a fun time, plus I am stoked to be IN the wedding :) I love having sisters!

Needless to say we have quite a few things to look forward to... so the countdown continues!

A Couple of Prayer Requests

A dear friend of mine, Whitney Anderson, who I had the pleasure of workng with while I was in Plano @ DSW is going through something that I could never imagine; her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer around March of this year. I have copied a short version of her story below so that you can have a better idea of the struggles of this sweet family...

*(Copied from Whitney's blog- www.TheAndersonsCrazyLife.blogspot.com)

Brian and I have been married for almost five years now. We have 2 children, Audrey our active and hilarious three year old and Caden our adorable and sweet three month old. About a month after our son was born we found out that Brian had a brain tumor about the size of a baseball. We were told that it was a slow growing tumor and that if it was cancerous it was a low grade cancer. They removed the tumor on March 13 and three weeks later our world was rocked again when we found out that Brian had stage 4 Glioblastoma multiforme (an extremely aggressive brain cancer). We have the best doctors and the best treatment plan and are sure we will beat this!! We are so busy living our "new normal" (as our Bishop put it) life and excited to share it with ya'll.

... Whitney has been so strong and faithful to the Lord throughout these past months since the diagnosis. I am proud to call her my friend and pray for her strenght as a mother and a wife as well as the only caregiver for their family.
I ask that you join me in supporting them through the power of prayer. Our God is so mighty and gracious, I know that He has his hands on this family.

I love you Whitney and we are thinking of you guys and praying for you. Your such a treasure and I am lucky to know you :)

-Courtney

Birthday Time

I just so happen to have the best husband on the planet (alright I am a little bias) and we have been having a "Birthday Week"! Wednesday night we went to see the new Harry Potter movie at Studio Movie Grill and tonight we are going to Desperados for a wonderful dinner. I am really excited about our weekend plans though.... we have booked a room at a local hotel and will spend the weekend dining in style and relaxing, just the two of us! I cannot think of a better birthday!

Let's Get This Blog Started!

Well, hey!
Excited about being able to share what is going on in our busy lives. My hope for this blog is to get a chance to keep our family and friends updated on the wonderful things that the Lord is doing in our lives & marriage! We have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams and are excited about our future together :)

To catch up:
Philip and I have been blessed with great jobs; Phil is working as an office engineer for Andres Construction and I am the Project Manager for Star Parking and the City of Dallas. Both carry their fair share of stress and frustration, as with any J-O-B, but we are greatful for the opportunity to work (and the paychecks aint so bad either!) with so many people not able to find work.

We bought our first home a few months ago and are completely infatuated with it! We have painted, decorated, rearanged, and made it a home. It is our favorite place to be! We just finished painting the kitchen last night... really happy with the outcome!! So pretty!

We have our own sweet little family- Jenny & Jonesy, our precious puppies :) Jonesy will be 4 years old in March and Jenny will be 7 months old on the 31st (they grow up so fast, haha). They truly are our children and boy are they rotten!

We look forward to keeping up with this blog and we appreciate all those who take the time to read it! Love you guys. :)