From a boy to a man...my brother!

As a sister and a middle child, I have learned over the years to be protective of my siblings... older ones and especially the younger ones. I remember when Ben turned 12 and just started attending our church youth group. Let's just say, he was a little cocky, know-it-all and wasn't very well liked. I remember sticking up for him once or twice or a few times from people not listening to him or just making fun of him. As the older sister I needed to protect him, stick up for him, whatever it took. When I went off to college, I was nervous how he would be if I wasn't there... Let's just say, he did a 180!

My "little" brother, the know-it-all was no more! He became a very well liked, charasmatic, and tall (for an Everett) young man. Ben became captain of his ultimate frisbee team, became a boyscout leader and instrcutor of archery and just all around pretty cool guy.

Ben is now on a mission in Japan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saings, serving, teaching and learning about the gospel. We get weekly e-mails and updates from him, each letter I see him grow more and more into this wondeful person. Far from the 12 year old boy I used to protect. He loves being a missionary and loves the people, language and culture of Japan. I learn something new everytime I read his e-mails and I can tell he's changed a lot even from when he left. He certainly writes a lot better and more than how he talks in person, I think I've learned more about him in his weekly e-mails than in the last 20 years! He's so energetic and enuthsiastic in all letters and I look forward to them each week.

I'm proud of my little brother, who in the last few months became a man and a missionary! I can't wait to see him in the next year to welcome him home and just see his english to japanese speaking, should be fun!

If you ever want to write him, he loves gettng letters and hearing from friends and families. Just beware his timing in response is little lacking... =)

Elder Benjamin Charles Everett

Japan Fukuoka Mission

9-16 Hirao-josuimachi

Chuo-ku

Fukuokao-shi, Fukuoka

810-0029

starting my business

Well... I took the plunge and have started my business!! It's something I've been thinking and planning for over a year now. It's a small start, but atleast it has begun.

I have worked in the wedding/planning industry for over 3 years now, but my passion turned to invitation making when I created my own wedding invites last year. I've always had a creativeness, but never knew the right outlet. Never had any formal training, it's just something I've always had fun with... but now I would like to move forward and do something, like create invitiations for weddings, birthdays, events and not just invitations but announcements, save the dates and so much more!

Another reason for starting my own business, I'd like to set my own hours. After 3 years in an office job and working for corporate america... I've decided it's just not for me! Plus, one day Josh and I would like to start a family and it would be nice to work and stay home. I know it will take awhile for this to take off, but you've got start somewhere, right??!

What I'm most thankful for...

Yesterday Josh and I had our Charlotte family over for an early Thanksgiving dinner and we'll be having my family over this coming week. While all our friends were here, I kept going over all the things I am most thankful not just for the holiday season, but all year long.

I'm thankful for....
     *  a loving and kind husband who takes care of me
     *  the beautiful home we live in
     *  great friends who are there for me no matter what
     *  a job even though at times its stressful, I was still able to work while the economy was down
     *  warmth from our fireplace during the winter
     *  loving parents who taught me great values and patience
     *  the education I've been able to receive
     *  an amazing family I can turn to at anytime and who will support my decisions
     *  our crazy/hyper beast of a puppy
     *  the ability to reason and think for myself
     *  for my freedom in this country


Mostly I'm thankful for the opportunities that are presented to me and my family and friends everyday!

just the beginning

I'm starting this blog because I don't want to forget the little things along the way... Life is full of all kinds of adventures and tid bits of knowledge and if what ever life lesson I learn along the way, I'm more than happy to pass on the information!

A new life began for me almost 3 years when I met this guy... Since then we've been unseperable! He's my best friend and I couldn't imagine my life without him =)

We got married in Aug 2010 and a few months later had an additon to our family... a little puppy we named Stryder. (And if you can guess where we got his name from, 10 cool bonus points to you!!) We call him our little beast... well, main because he's huge and only just a year old! He's a sweet, hyper fella but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Besides Josh and the puppy the next best things are my family and friends. With out them, I'm not sure where I would be today and I'm greatful for each and every one of them in my life today and in the past.

One piece of advice I'd like to leave today... be sure to live your life, work should not be your #1 priority, there is more to life then working day in and day out!