Maybe because today is June 1st, the beginning of the new fiscal year at work, I feel the need for one of those reflective, where-was-I-at-this-time-last year kind of posts. So, this time last year, I was:

Celebrating having my fiancé in Tulsa with me! Bryan had just graduated from UCO and started his new job at AIG. After six months of commuting back and forth to see each other, we were finally in the same zip code again.

Starting to take grad school classes two nights a week, meanwhile wondering how in the heck I was going to pay for them… oh wait! Student loans…

Having real panic attacks and anxiety related chest pains for the first time in my life, you know, from all that free time I had on my hands.

Planning the wedding. Last summer, the wedding still seemed like some illusive, far off idea. I think I was picking out my wedding dress about this time… and now I’m two months married!!!

Deciding to coach drill team! I think it was actually in July, but my dear mentor and friend Kristi Posey approached me and asked me “Hey? Do you want to coach JV drill team with Lauren McGuire next year?” I actually laughed out loud when she asked and I didn’t immediately say no… it was like I knew in my heart it was something I wanted to do. Bryan begged me not to take on one more obligation, (hello! I was a little busy), but after prayerfully considering it, God convinced me that I could do it and that it might be fun… and guess what? It was!!!! And it brought me so much joy and wonderful new friendships.

So, that’s where I was this time last year. I was in a valley, friends. Life was big time stressful, but God delivered me once again. I remember thinking “if I can just make it to March” over and over. And here I am in July! Praise Jesus. Just for funzies, I’ll make a short list of things I’d like to accomplish by this time next year:

Reach my goal weight and stay there!

Be close to paying off those pesky credit cards… hey, I really wanted crab cakes at my wedding!

Be just as in love with my new hubby as I am today.

Join a community group at church.

Maybe have a pet? I know Max and Louie want to come live with me. We’re not planning on kiddos for a while, so I’ve got to do something to satisfy that crazy mothering instinct of mine. I want a pet so bad that last night, when Bryan and a friend found a bat (bat!?!?) outside our door, I started cooing at it and singing "my pet bat" to myself. Sad.