Coincidence or Fate

I say FATE.
Let me give you a definition of the two.
Coincidence: is the occurring of an event in conjunction with any some conditions, e.g. another event. As such, a coincidence occurs when something uncanny, accidental and unexpected happens under conditions named, but not under a defined relationship.
Fate:The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events.The inevitable events predestined by this force. Here is what I found about Fate in reference to the bible: Only God is sovereign. His sovereign control is called “providence.” He has chosen to give us a free will, and He has created a moral universe in which the law of cause-and-effect is a reality. But God is God alone, and there are no “accidents” in the universe.

     This week was weird for me. I would say weird in a good way and that it really made me think about how God really does hear you, he really does care, he wants to share your feelings with you, he wants you to turn to him, he wants you to trust him... and what I really really learned is the more often you DO turn to him the more and more you will see him take action in your life, whatever that may be, and however that may be. Mysterious ways is how he works and I've seen it TWICE this week, and its very reassuring.
     Now when I was younger and in highschool it was always a struggle for me to understand that God wants you to Believe by faith and not by sight. I always was a believer, I just wished for something cool to happen to me, so that "I would believe even more"... sounds dumb right... well, it is. As I got older I learned that God wants us to believe in him with out seeing things directly because its all about TRUSTING. He wants us to put all of our trust in him, and the more you do it, you find you don't need to "see" miracles to feel satisfied. You will look at situations in a different light and feel satisfied just by the fact that he's got ya. Helllllllllo, he is my satisfaction, and he is the miracle in my life.
    Because of the story I am about to tell you, I do not believe in him any more than I do now... it just simply was an extra blessing for me to experience, and for him to once again tell me, "Cameron, I do hear you, I've got ears bigger than you know"... and that is a good feeling. I have serious issues with technology, whether it is losing them, breaking them, dropping them, losing warranty's and experiencing malfunctions with them (referring to the 2nd and 3rd example!) Sorry if you think this is gross, but I have to say it to make my story complete. The other morning I took out my retainer on the way to work because I wanted to drink my coffee... (Following the doctors orders, your not sopposed to drink warm drinks with it in.) So, naturally I put it in my lap and had all the intentions of the world to put it back in before I got out of the car, and what do you know technology got the best of me! (retainers are not computers or electronics, I get it, but I like to categorize them this way, go with it.) I didnt realize it until I left school, got to the gym and realized I didnt have it. After searching my car, I new it had to be in the school parking lot, so I turned around and looked. No luck. I called the orthodontist and told her my story and she said, "I'm sorry, I'll set you up an appointment, it will be $250 to replace." I was holding back my tears and could NOT make an appointment at that time so I told her I'd call her back... how embarrasing. Anyways, I was so frustrated because a few weeks before my camera broke, and a few days before my phone was stolen. At this point, "technology" is winning... lets be real. If I was writing a book, here is where I would start the chapter of the book that middle schoolers learn to label "Climax" (or, turning of events.) On the way to get my new retainer, I got a call from the place I get my hair cut, she said YOU WON! I said, WON WHAT?! I never when anything... ha! I had won the drawing they had, which I don't even remember putting my name in for, a credit of exactly $250 dollars to the Salon. FREE HAIR CUTS FOR A LONG TIME.... was all I could think about, and then I thought even more about how my retainer was $250 dollars... Coincidence or Fate? I was ecstatic and thought that my winning had canceled out the money that I have to pay for my retainer, since I won't be paying for haircuts for a LONG time. I immediately flew to cloud 9.
     The second "weird" thing of the week... I tried out two bible studies this week, first one wasn't such a great fit, and the second one I really felt a connection for and enjoyed the girls group! It came to the end of the night where prayer requests were taken. I had prayer requests, as everyone should but had just met these girls 30 minutes before and honestly didnt really feel quite comfortable enough to make a "request." So, I wasn't going to. The girl who went before me starting talking and essentially prayed for everything that I wanted to be prayed for, and in the exact same way that I would have wanted it said... it was weird! My eyes starting watering because I just could not believe what she had requested as a prayer request was what I wanted them to pray for me for, I was just to scared to do it. I left feeling a little overwhelmed, but connected, and once again assured that God was looking after me. It was fate, and it was in God's plans for that to happen because he knew I was too nervous or scared and he completely took that off my shoulders and prayed it for me through the other girl in the group. God works in mysterious ways.
     You could think these two things are coincidence if you wanted, but it is much more satisfying and fufilling to know it was fate and that God had control in both of these situations, and that he really is holding you in the palm of his hand, whether things like this happen to you or not... remember believing is not seeing. This was just two blessings I recieved this week. I hope that by telling you these stories that you look forward into this week knowing that he does hear you, whether you immediately see an outcome or not.

Have a good week
xoxo,
Cameron
P.S. This is my FIRST post without a picture, and for that I thank my broken camera :)!

The Gift of Giving

     My mom and dad for Christmas gave my sisters and brother n law and I an envelope each in our stockings. The envelope was stuffed with a printed out paper that said OPTinNOW. It was a gift card for us to use to donate to this foundation, which is, Opportunity International - End Global Poverty. Faster. We were able to go to the website and pick for ourselves who we wanted to help, and what organization we wanted to contribute to.   
     This organization is a non profit one and is very well known for providing loans to entrepreneurs located in some of the poorest places in the world. This is their opportunity to be successful, and we helped and so can you, so log on and donate.
     I gave my money to this woman below, Martha Boffah. She is 64 years old and has been running a Kindergarten classroom for 8 years now in a rented out space in Ghana. She started out by helping take care of her grandchildren and a friend of hers children and it developed into more of a school setting. She is raising money to expand this infrastructure to admit older children as well, and for school necessities, like desks and all of the basics for a classroom.

     Once I contributed they give you a website to where you can follow her and her donations that she has recieved... I looked this morning and Martha Boffah has raised her $475 for the kids!! Go Martha :)
The gift of giving is the most rewarding gifts to recieve. Thanks again moms and pops!


    

William Clark Morrison's Debut

     It seems like yesterday that it was Mothers Day when Jennifer and Brian told our families that they were pregnant and would be expecting a sweet baby boy on January 16th (which actually ended up being January 15th). On the other hand however the past month has seemed like for me an entire year, literally. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting.
     We all went to the hospital on January 15th around 9am, and he was born at 9:47am, big ol' boy 9lb's and 20 inches! It was seriously the weirdest feeling, thinking in just seconds that I was going to be an AUNT along with Jordan, Jennifer was going to be a MOM and brian was going to be a DAD and my parents were going to be GRANDPARENTS. Good Gosh! It was almost like we were little figures in a doll house and whoever was playing with us designated our soon to be roles, like it wasn't really real or something... and then we heard the first cry from baby Clark!
     Let me tell you about this cry... My dad couldn't sit still in the waiting room, can't blame a new gramps eh? He walked by her room, (room 6) and came back and said, I heard a cry. Mom and I got up and did a casual fast paced walk over to room 6 only to hear the nurse, and my dad from down the hallway saying we had to leave that we were violating policy and for security reasons we couldn't be there yet. When we got back to my dad, (I mean back in our waiting room cave) we were discussing this "cry" and I had originally thought that my dad had heard JENNIFER crying not the new born baby boy! I will say that wasn't such a bad interpretation coming from my end, I mean it could have easily been Jennifer crying, lets be honest. But, in fact it was our baby boy, Clark... and that was an exciting feeling.
     In my post feelin like this through pics I talked about how I couldn't sleep because of the anticipation of my nephew's arrival. You would think it would be better now that he is here... think again ladies and gentleman, I found my self waking up in the middle of the night wondering what he was doing, if his eyes had opened up, what he was maybe thinking, was he annoyed we past him around like a sack of potatos, what was it going to be like when we took him to the beach, when would be the first time I would get to watch him at my house in Raleigh, would he really like the "I love my aunt cam onesie", what was he going to grow up to be like, football linebacker, or in sales like his daddy, how would Jennifer and Brian know what to do with him, how often do you feed him, how would Jennifer and Brian even be able to shut their eyes to go to sleep at night knowing little Clark is 4 days old and "sound asleep" right beside them, what will it feel like when he hugs me for the first time (a good grip and squeeze kind of hug)... so many things, so many things = Aunt Cam not sleeping = hello Tylenol PM!
     For now I just give thanks to God for a safe arrival and for a healthy baby boy and momma! I love you little one, Happy Birthday to you sweet boy  January 15, 2011

P.S. It has been said quite a few times that my little boy looks like me, I am a happy and proud aunt, thats my boy! I don't know where the dimple on his chin came from, but he has my cheeks!




I surrender to the monogram outfits, haaaaa



I love you




 

sleepy boy



let me just think about this, yep, I'm ready to go to my new room!



BEST WISHES TO THE NEW MORRISON FAMILY OF THREE! (4) when I come to in town, ha! XOXO    

I'm feelin' like THIS through pics.

First, and most importantly I feel ANXIOUS:

I am just literally on edge waiting for the phone call from my family saying, "Come home, Jennifer is going into labor and your nephew is about to be born!!! (It is the most exciting thing.......) I also am on edge waiting to find out from a job interview I had last week. It is a kindergarten position at a year round school and it just seems like this school really "fits." I've been praying a lot about it and the conversation usually goes like this. God, This has to be it right, this is my break, this is where I'm meant to be right now right, I mean you made me to do this, this sounds like a perfect opportunity to use my talents and skills and teach and show the love you have for us through me teaching at this school. I'm probably going to be really upset if this doesn't work out, so just preparing you, I'm going to need lots of reassurance that YOU KNOW BEST. K, love ya! He usually laughs at me and says "patience grasshopper."

Secondly I feel UPSET: My camera lens is stuck and won't open all the way, therefore leaving this new and improved blogging girl all out of luck. How can I blog without my camera?! ugh! Thank Goodness my ever so smart father buys insurance and warranty's when dealing with two things: Cameron and electronics. The question is how long will it be in Wolf Camera getting fixed... we will see.

Third I feel PUMPED UP: A few of my family members have signed up with me (they better hurry up if they haven't!) and Deana to run an 8k race in Charlotte. I have always wanted to run a race that I have worked hard for, prepared for, and have been really motivated to do. The "Turkey Trot"I went on in November was literally just a trot for me, I didn't train or anything. I have gotten my pedometer, figured out exactly how to use my mace I got from Santa, and gotten an arm band for my Ipod. Most of my training is done outside running, which is really different for me, I am used to the tredmill, but really excited to be doing this! I printed off a novice training schedule that includes days of strength and stretching, cross training, running, and most importantly rest day! Anyways, it just feels good to work towards something and even better I am sure to accomplish it!

Fourth I feel a little SCARED: My sister is due this week, technically the 16th, but could be sooner. Well, if you aren't "meteorology" (I could have made that word up, I'm not really sure.) material like I am, lets just say the Triangle is about to get ICED OUT. No, not Ice House Beer. Charlotte is supposed to get 5-9 inches ( I just heard it!) which means... I'm a little scared that she's going to call between right this second and Thursday morning where it will be probably very dangerous getting home. I need to be here as long as I can though just in case I get the job and my principal needs to see me, and I have a substitute job lined up already for Wednesday (which could get canceled anyways). Just really praying for a safe ride to Charlotte for myself and for Jordan whenever that may be this week. Jordan, I say we fly home, you in?!



Alright, time to log off this computer, because all of these feelings I haven't been sleeping well AT ALL... I actually have been up since 2am if you can imagine that. (Should have gone to Charlotte then before all the white stuff fell at 3:30am- yes, heard it on news at that time) I tossed and turned for three hours and got so bored I went to the gym at 5:15am (of course, with all the working people, jealous.) and got a Starbucks drink at 6:45 and well now, I'm about to try and get some sleep! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Cam

Dear Mom and Dad

     I love looking through OLD pictures and OLD notes and cards etc. A few nights ago when I was at home in Charlotte for Christmas I was headed to bed, and I have no idea what sparked my interest but I went in my closet and brought out two huge (Sketcher shoebox might I add... stylish huh?!) shoeboxes and I sat in my bed for about an hour and a half looking through and reading old birthday cards, and notes my parents had written. It had been awhile since I had rummaged through these boxes, (yes, I'm a card and note girl pack rat, and have done this before) but a few really were a tuggin at the tear jerker, I went to bed with happy tears and woke up like a snowman face injected with salt.
     My Great grandfather had written me several birthday cards, most of them were when I was young in my Tom-boy stage. I did guys, I really did wear Umbros and T-shirts OFTEN. Yikes. Anyways, we called my Great Grandfather, "Ba-Ba" and in every card he wrote, "Hello dimples." I remember him always calling me that. He wrote, "He couldn't wait to see me, and that he hoped that I had a special special birthday." My sisters and I were lucky in that we were really close with Ba-Ba, we even named our "Wallabees shoes" after him. (I think they reminded us of the shoes he wore, so all the time we would refer to those shoes as our Ba-Ba shoes. I can hear it now, "Mom, have you seen my Ba-Ba shoes anywhere?" Maybe, when I'm 90 I can still wear my Ba-Ba shoes, be old  people stylish and save my self some money. Good thinking Cameron. Love you and miss you Ba-Ba.
     Some silly and ridiculous notes were in there as well, lots from my two best friends Andrea and Melanie. I'll keep those to myself but lets just say I laughed and cried.
     It was a good "looking back" evening, and even better one when I found these pictures below... ENJOY!

  

Dear mom and dad,

Thank you for letting me run around the house naked with Jennifer with foam on our heads. I remember those days and making cone heads like it was yesterday. We HAVE to find the home video of this in ACTION.

Dear mom and dad,
Did I really like this T-shirt of mine. I know I never really kicked it, headed it, or smacked it like the T-shirt says, ha I just had fun running and trying to chase the soccer ball!
P.S. Whats up with my SHELL hair doo?!
(see, I wasn't lying about my Tom-boy) days....

Dear mom and dad,

Looks like I'm giving baby Jordan the snake grip, and thankyou for letting me rock the LEVIS they are HOT! Did Jordan let me always pick her up and hold her?! I remember loving to hold her! I guess my niche for being a teacher started young! (except I do remember using the tredmill we use to have as a Harris Teeter grocery check out line, good thing nothing came out of that afternoon of being a clerk.)

Dear mom and dad,

Dang! This face shouldn't ever give you any trouble huh?! If you do ever get mad at me like when I'm in highschool and never want to come home on time, and in college when I have a hard time handling my Wachovia account and over draw... will my dimples you guys gave me make it all okay!?



Fellow Readers,
Take some time this week to look back and see what old pictures you have laying around, maybe move them from the dusty closet to a picture frame or a magnet on the refridgerator. You will appreciate you did it and memories will come flying at you once you look at it long enough, thats the BEST part!

xoxo,
Cameron

It has been an entire year since I started my blogging hobby. That is CRAZY. Why has time flown by so fast? On January 31st of last year (ok, so I lied, its been almost a year...) I blogged about my 5 reasons why I was wanting to take on this new hobby : Why I started blogging.  I have to say after briefly looking back on my posts that it has been very good stress reliever, and pretty good evidence as to everything I have to be thankful for. I totally crack my self up sometimes typing, and I am more aware of how I am taken away by such small things in life, and that makes me appreciative. I am excited for what 2011 has to bring for myself, family and friends. I pray for exciting and memorable times with my soon to be nephew Clark, I pray for a clear direction and a 3 letter word that goes like this J-O-B, I pray for good health amongst the ones I love, and again and ever year I will pray for " laughter, love, and learning new things often"

Here's a recap on the end of TWO THOUSAND AND TEN....

Christmas was wonderful as always is but it was extra special this year...

We have a tradition that we go around and open one present at a time in a cirlce, this year our circle was in a way added my Mr. Baby Morrison. It was really fun watching Jennifer and Brian open for baby Clark and EXTRA fun when he knew we were laughing and smiling about THIS.....



Baby Clark LOVED his new onesie from Aunt Cam, He was breakin it down inside momma's belly, I saw it.

Another tradition that always happens Christmas morning during our opening presents is that we (Mom, Jennifer, Jordan, and I get new Winter pajamas from Dad! Yes they are all the same!) This is not a normal open present, tear off the bow, throw the paper in the trash kind of ordeal. It happens sometime in the middle of opening presents, after dad has had his coffee or two. He runs in the bedroom, grabs the bag that he has put them in and comes out in his crazy voice "jammmmmmmmmmmies for you, and you, and you, and you." (and throws them at us) This year he added, "BONUS ROUND" and threw  matching tops to us, that are SO comfy! Hmmm... wonder what dad has up his sleeve to include Clark in our "jammie" tradition next year?! Here is our annual Jammie pic....

And here we are, excited and smiling in our AM attire :)

Our Oyster Roast was another success! We have one every year with family and friends and this year it was at our house! Dad and his friend Sam drove all the way to Wilmington to pic up those slimy little suckers. When we were younger we used to look forward to the Chic-fila chicken nuggets the moms bought for us as our appetizer dinner, now we actually look forward to enjoying the oysters (my taste buds are still in progress, I had 2 this year.) and sipping wine! The night mainly takes place in the garage, where tables are set with newspaper and the heater is a blowin! It is filled, with good convos, laughter and always fun memories! Uncle David, Grandaddy, and Dad always try to find the least slimy ones for me so that I'll like them a little more year after year. Welcome to the Oyster Roast of 2010...........

Uncle David and  Cousin Neil (who ended up being Mi-Mi's waiter all night haha)

Oyster Shuckers UP!

Me, my awesome momma, Jennifer, Jordy, and Clark... essentially 3 generations in there!

Danny and me :)

Sisters!

Happy Anniversary "Livin La Vida Cam!" My New Years Resolution  to YOU is to not be a monthly blogger and to turn into a typing machine and make myself a weekly blogger :)

XOXO and may LOVE and LAUGHTER fill your days in 2011!