I went to Nashville for part of my break from grad school and figured I'd look for a new car while I was there so I could return to Atlanta in the new ride. I had wanted a Mazda3 Hatchback for quite some time. Dad had read how highly rated they are and reliable and great gas mileage, etc (about 33mph on the highway...Jimmy was like 22 haha). So I found two I was interested in in Nashville and drove to look at them both. One was a 2005 going for $11,900. The other was a 2007 going for $16,000. Clearly the 2005 would've had to be the one because it was more affordable, etc. The people at the dealership; however, were unwilling to work with us. Were kind of rude too actually. Then I went and looked at the 2007 and everyone was so nice there and I was more worried about affording it. Low and behold, I got the dealership to come down to the $11,9 asking price of the 2005 AND they were going to give me an additional $1,500 for the Jimmy to put towards the new car! So after consulting with Dad back in VA on the phone (this happened numerous times) we knew it was a no-brainer and went with the 2007. YAY!! I had to get mom and dad to cosign because my credit had no depth. They said I had a great credit score, just nothing really on it. I'm beyond grateful that mom and dad stepped up for me. I was able to get my payments down to like $275/mo for it. I couldn't be more thrilled! A replacement car for Jimmy had been a hope of mine for a while...I will honestly miss Jimmy though. Lots of memories in there. :) So here is what my 2007 Mazda3 Hatchback looks like...
Yeah I'm pretty excited about it...as you can probably imagine ha. Things have been pretty busy. I was able to go to Nashville like I said to visit my brother and his family. Plus get to see my niece Carson and nephew Jadd. Here they are...(since I know some want to see pictures of them).
Aren't they just adorable?! I could hold them forever. One night I was reading Carson to bed and she was like "snuggle me now, Buddy." It was too tender. I can't wait to go back Easter weekend. The whole family will be together (minus Rachel who is still serving in the Philippines...sad.) Christina is going out there with me to meet everyone...she already met mom and dad. So it should be fun. I tried to warn her we're a huge family, but she is excited.
This Saturday we're going to Greenville because I have to do some Bridal Portraits. So I'm also going to show Christina my school and all of that jazz. But things are going really well with her. We're becoming concert pros here in Atlanta. By the end of the summer we'll be hitting these concerts: Hillsong United, Gavin DeGraw, No Doubt/Paramore, Coldplay and Rascal Flatts. Crazy! In May I'm taking her home to Lynchburg for a weekend to show her there and I have a wedding to shoot. Then the following weekend is my only weekend off of the entire Summer practically minus one other one, so I'm going with her to a friend's wedding in Orlando and we're also going to go to DisneyWorld. WOO HOO! Wedding season is getting crazy, but I'm not complaining at all. My next wedding is April 25th and after that I don't have a weekend free until end of July. Wow! What a blessing! I've gotten 2 emails today asking for other weddings. All I'm saying is keep it up God! :) I guess I'm doing great work.
I've been trying to work on my Kenya support letters to mail out to people. It costs $3,500 and I need to have half of it by the middle of April. I know God will provide...or I'll be writing a check ha. Keep that in your prayers. And send me your address if you'd like to receive a letter :) Or ask me how to give online.
Grad school 3rd quarter begins on Monday. I can't believe how fast things are going. I'm really looking forward to learning what classes I'll have. I will definitely keep you all updated. Thanks so much for your continued prayer and support. I hope you are all doing extremely well! Here is an updated finished photo of my Jesus shot from this past quarter. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It isn't perfect, but still better than I thought ha. I hope everyone is doing well. GOD BLESS!
More to come...
