July 5, 2009. 5:14 a.m.

I woke up again in the wee early morning hours again and decided to do a little blogging. Clifford is still asleep in the bed next to me and I am sitting here wondering if/and/or when I will be falling back to sleep. The air smells faintly like skunk which is kind of gross but all in all, the cool crisp air feels good. July 4th was quite enjoyable even if I did have to work and Cliff and I went to see the fireworks with only each other for the first time. However, it was our first Fourth of July as a married couple so that was reason to celebrate. We played Go Fish until about 9:45 and then sat back and watched the fireworks. As I was sitting there snapping away pictures on the camera, I started humming a song. "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord." Now looking back on it, I know exactly why I was. His name should be blessed even when we go through trials & tribulations because in the end we will find rest in His name. So even when the land is plentiful or when I walk through the desert place, blessed be the name of the Lord. I am so blessed by God with a roof over my head, a car to get me to work & school, and of course- my wonderful husband. Clifford has stood by me through it all and I couldn't ask for anyone better to spend the rest of my life with. (Not that I would want to of course). My family is amazing. They have supported me through all of my decisions. Thank goodness for that otherwise I don't even know where I would be today. I don't want to know. Although, I suppose I should try & get some more sleep. I have a feeling I might be able to curl up with the hubby and do so now. But that you again, Lord, for everything that you have given me; even when I deserve it the least. Please count your blessings. For the fact that God has given you life in the first place is a blessing in of itself. God bless!

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name 

In the land that is plentiful  

Where Your streams of abundance flow 

Blessed be Your name  

Blessed Be Your name 

When I'm found in the desert place 

Though I walk through the wilderness 

Blessed Be Your name  

Every blessing You pour out  

I'll turn back to praise 

When the darkness closes in, Lord 

Still I will say  

Blessed be the name of the Lord 

Blessed be Your name 

Blessed be the name of the Lord 

Blessed be Your glorious name  

Blessed be Your name 

When the sun's shining down on me 

When the world's 'all as it should be' 

Blessed be Your name  

Blessed be Your name 

On the road marked with suffering  

Though there's pain in the offering  

Blessed be Your name  

Every blessing You pour out  

I'll turn back to praise 

When the darkness closes in, Lord 

Still I will say  

Blessed be the name of the Lord 

Blessed be Your name 

Blessed be the name of the Lord 

Blessed be Your glorious name  

Blessed be the name of the Lord 

Blessed be Your name 

Blessed be the name of the Lord 

Blessed be Your glorious name  

You give and take away 

You give and take away 

My heart will choose to say 

Lord, blessed be Your name

Fourth of July

I know it's been a while since I last wrote on here but I have been incredibly busy! School went very well and I am quite excited to go back in the fall. I turned 21 almost a month ago and that was fun as well. I went to the beach with some friends and then afterwards Cliff & I as well as some more friends went to TGI Fridays. Mixed in there we had three friends get married and Cliff was in the hospital for Ludwig's Angina. Yeah, fun stuff. I know. What else is there? In a little over a month Cliff and I will have been married for a year. It's pretty crazy I know. Actually, in only five days Cliff & I will celebrate 11 months of marriage. Even crazier. I am still working at Yankee Candle. I have been working a ton of hours there and will be working more at the end of the summer. Apparently working hard is a good thing! We had a perimeter reset. Which means we have to move all of the candles into their new hutches. Which doesn't sounds so hard but you also have to re-shelve the shelves & clean them all off with Windex & Goo-B-Gone. And those shelves are heavy! Oh well. I did most of the reset and the managers were very impressed. So even though I am 'rushing through summer,' I am really looking forward to September. My sister Alicia is pregnant by the way! We are having a baby shower for her in a couple of weeks. She is due October 25th. (I think it's still the 25th). We are all very excited. Sonshine is on July 16-18 as well! Now that I am ecstatic about. Each year is pretty much the same thing, but it's always so much fun. Anyway. I guess it's time I go and get ready for work. I am very happy that I even have a job and now I am even looking for a second one. Oh well. Some day I will have a career and we won't have to worry about money anymore.

God bless!