Goodbye 2011

On this last day of 2011 I reflect of the year that has passed. 

It has been a good year. 

I have learned a lot. 

I have grown personally and professionally.

My life in 2011 has been another blessed year. 

I finally believe what I have heard since I was a child,

"The older you get the better it gets."

Struggles and all....life is good. 

I am so thankful for what God has done for me. 

In 2011 I did not make resolutions. 

I decided to work toward one thing...balance. 

I actually think I did ok on this. I of course need lots more work.

I will continue to work toward balance in the new year. 

I hope you all enjoy celebrating the year that has passed 

and the year yet to come. 

Ho Ho Ho

Merry 

CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I hope that Santa was good to you all!!!!

Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes of St Nicholas soon would be there. 

........My mom used to read The Night Before Christmas and The Christmas Story in the Bible for 

us every Christmas Eve. Traditions have changed a lot. But I still cherish them all...new and old. 

 I love the magic of Christmas and the reason that we have it at all. 

I am so thankful for the baby that was born of perfection into a world of sin. 

I am thankful that God came in flesh to walk among us, and that he died to save us from those sins.

Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Blog Button???

So I was playing around on picnik

and made this little beauty. 

What do you ladies think about me using it for a blog button?

Teenage Sis = Amazing

I have a sister that is 14...Madison.  

She is so different than me now, 

but especially when I was 14. 

She is strong and opinionated. 

She stands up for what she believes in. 

She has a big heart, and she loves Jesus. 

She amazes me. 

I was just texting with her  when she amazed me again. 

She was telling me that she had a friend who just lost his dad. 

He is really sad and is not wanting to get out of bed to go to school. 

This boy has had some trouble in the past,

and the boy (living with other relatives) 

could be in trouble if he misses much more school. 

So her and her 14 year old (8th grade)

 friends all go to wake him up every morning. 

When I was in the 8th grade I was worried about me! 

I went to church, but don't remember being felt led to do anything for anyone else. 

My other sister Valerie (now 25) was always like this,

but we were closer in age.

And I was not aware of her (Val) changing as much. 

I am older now 

and I am very aware of how much Madison has changed.

Being able to see her change and grow is AMAZING. 

The joy that I feel from seeing her grow is amazing. 

It makes me excited to have kids of my own 

and be able to watch them grow in the Lord. 

"Start children off on the way they should go, 

and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Peace for an Anxious Soul

Have you ever had the feeling like something was missing?

Like you forgot to do something?

Or something was just not right?

I am having one of those moments. 

I hate it. 

I have no idea what I have forgotten. 

I just know that it has me anxiously searching my mind. 

Only one thing can easy my worried soul. 

Psalms 23

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.
 ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside the still waters.
 ³ He restores my soul;
         He leads me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
        
 ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
        
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
         All the days of my life;
         And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the LORD
         Forever.

Impulse Control

Working with teenagers as a therapist in a hospital setting, 

I find myself dealing with the same problems just in different forms. 

One thing that is EXTREMELY common among teenagers is impulsiveness. 

I was just so unpleasantly reminded that I share that same struggle. 

Don't get me wrong it is WAY better than it used to be, 

but it is still there. 

If I shared with you the instances in which I was impulsive you may laugh. 

The instances are not bad. They are not going to destroy my life. 

I am not in danger. Yet I still know that these instances are me trying to control my life, 

and not giving control to God. 

I know that I am called to lay down my life daily to Him. 

These little instances of impulsiveness are examples of me not dying to self. 

I want to live a life that shines the light of Christ....

NOT the light of Cary. 

"Direct my footsteps according to your word, let no sin rule over me."

Psalm 119:133

A Dream

I am still feeling the affects of yesterday. 

I never imagined that I would inspire myself.

It is a strange but exhilarating feeling. 

Not many people know this,

 but I have dreamed about being a speaker for a long time. 

I can remember it in my early 20's, mid 20's, and even now in my late 20's. 

I really thought that when this opportunity came (to speak) I would do it and have my fix.

I may have been wrong about that. 

Now I feel even more inspired and driven. 

I am reminded of my dreams,

and that God has dreams for me too.

He places them in my heart. 

I have no idea what God has planned for my future.

I am very excited to see what is in store. 

After Shock

Today I spoke to a group of high school students in their service. 

I got to share with them the story of my drug addiction and how God miraculously saved me and changed me. It was the first crowd that I had told my story in front of. 

I have to be honest, the feeling that I had after was amazing. 

When I think about my story I am always amazed because I know how significant my life has changed. As I stood there this morning, with the lights shinning in my eyes God amazed me again. Besides the fact that He helped me get all the way through it, He brought me revaluation again. I was standing there talking about how He changed me when it hit me: He CHANGED me. Not just a little. Completely. 

If you would have told me in the midst of my drug addiction I would be sharing my story at church on a Sunday morning I would have laughed. Even 3 1/2 years ago at the beginning of my sobriety I would not have believed you. If I'm honest I couldn't believe it a week ago. 

When I was standing in front of those teenagers this morning I got it.

It took 3 1/2 years to truly understand that God had big plans for me. 

What I have learned...if you continue to follow Him, He will continue to shock you. 

Breaking Dawn

Tonight is the night. 

The beginning of the end. 

And the moment we have ALL been waiting for. 

So as I prepare for this fanastic moment

 that I have been waiting for

 since 2008 I thought I'd share some pics that I love. 

Favorite Movie Poster

Favorite Still

Moment I am so ready for...to see vamp Bella!!!! 

**All photos are from Google

Twilight

Star and Tara are hosting this awesome link up and I had to join in!!!

I am SO excited about the premier

 and you better believe that I will be there at the midnight showing. 

We are going to get in line at 5 so we make sure we have good seats. 

I cannot wait to see when Edward first reads the babies thoughts. 

I loved that part in the book. 

I am team Edward 99% but there is that 1% of me that is team Jacob.

It is hard for me to pick a favorite book. 

I have read the saga 4 times 

and each time I loved another book the most. 

I guess it depends on where I am in life. 

I love all the major characters in the saga. 

When I read I form a bond with the characters.

 My Twilight Saga bonds are strong. 

I have to say that I relate the most to Bella. 

I have been blindly and hopelessly in love before. 

I got the heart ache and the pain she felt in New Moon. 

And her joy in Breaking Dawn fueled my hope. 

I love Twilight because it got me through a hard time in life and it reminded me of what a book nerd I was before I got to high school. It helped me to get in touch with my imagination again. 

My Twilight story started in 2008 with the release of the first movie. 

A friend wanted to see it for fun. I was so resistant but went anyway. 

I had heard my mom (an 8th grade English teacher) 

and my step sister (at that time an 8th grader) talk about the book, 

but I thought it sounded stupid. 

I did not understand the appeal of vampire high schoolers. 

I watched the movie and have to admit I thought it was CHEESY!!! 

But I was intrigued. I knew there had to be more to the story. 

I couldn't get it out of my head. 

After seeing it in theater 2 more times I knew I had to read the books. 

I borrowed them from my mom and read them in about 1 week and 1/2. 

I LOVED them.  

I immediately ordered the set online and read them again. 

I love the books so much. 

I love the movies too. The first movie is what hooked me.

I know I'll love this one too!!!!

Hope you ladies enjoy the movie. I can't wait to hear your reviews. 

Unknown Friends

I am a lover of social media. 

I was a myspace junkie, then facebook, and now twitter. 

My twitter started out as an experiment. (more on that in another post)

Then twitter quickly became a place for me to follow blogger chicks, 

and that is when I fell in love. 

I love reading blogs, and I love reading twitter even more. 

I got to know more about you lovely ladies. I felt like we became friends. 

I even like twitter more than facebook, and most of my followers are unknown. 

That fact is something that cause some reflection on my part. 

It is not like I am on twitter to be a different person than facebook. 

I am the same person in both places. 

I like my twitter/blogger friends because we have things in common. 

That is why I follow your blogs. 

I love you ladies. 

I love to catch up on twitter several times a day 

to hear about what is going on with you. 

I miss y'all when I can't log in. 

I love hearing about your babies, husbands, and boyfriends. 

I often reference you in conversation. 

I get so excited when we get a chance to talk. 

It is a really strange thing for me. 

I have to admit that I once was the girl

 that thought meeting internet friends was weird. 

Not any more. 

You ladies will never know how much you mean to me. 

Thank you for being there in the good times, the bad times, and the times I have nothing to say.

*I feel like I need to add a little dedication to my loves. 

Sonya, Patricia, Sonja, Sierra, Kerbi,

Star, and Ashley Paige

Just to name a few. 

There are new blogs/twitters that I follow and I hope that we become fast friends. 

Life- A balancing act

It seems that my life gets so un balanced so fast. Balance is what I've been working on this year. As soon as I feel I am making progress in one area another area gets out of control. Then when I think I have gotten all areas manageable I add 10 more things to my list to do each week. Which means the balance I was starting to achieve is gone. I then have to reorganize and prioritize. When this happens I lose time for the things in life that bring me joy like blogging, reading, and lazy movie days. Balance is what I struggle with and what I strive for. My present obligations will be done in December. So it is looking like balance will be a continuing theme for 2012.

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Off Kilter

Have you ever felt like you were missing something?
Like something just isn't right, but everything appears to be going ok.
It is a crazy feeling.
And I am totally feeling it right now.
It is hard to wrap my head around.
Every thing is going pretty good.
I have spent time with my family, I've got great friends,
and work is not too stressful at the moment.
Yet I feel........off kilter.*
Off kilter means out of balance.
That is exactly what I am feeling, but it seems that things are going good.
What needs some attention?
HUM????????
Doesn't take me long to answer that....
My relationship with God.
I am busy doing all these things for Him,
ie 3 life groups and an extra Sunday morning service,
but I am not spending any quality time with Him.
I just solved my own problem.
Thanks for listening.

*Imagine me blogging wanting some feed back from you.
When I stopped in the middle of the post to look up the phrase off kilter
the purpose of the post changed. I answered my own question.
It feels more like something I would write in my journal, but since
I already typed it I thought I'd share. It is just a little glimpse into my
thought process and how I work things out.
ENJOY!!!!

Beauty From Ashes

As I drove home last night I could see the smoke of some serious fires going on in East Texas and the very western part of Louisiana. A little later on, as I walked around my neighbor hood,the setting sun shining through the smoke and the trees was beautiful. I almost forgot that there were tragic fires burning out of control close by, until the direction of the wind changed and the smell of smoke surrounded me. I continued to walk and marvel in the setting sun and moon coming into view. I couldn't help but think, "God can make beauty out of anything."After all He made man out of dust. (Genesis 2:7)Then I look back over my life, the choices I have made, the road I have taken, and I look to where I am now. Wow have I come along way. My life was ugly and full of sin, but God used the ashes of my former life to create a new life that is pleasing to Him.I am so grateful that in Him all things are new. He can use your ashes too. Surrender them and see what beauty He can make. 
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"2 Corinthians 5:17

Back to the Basics

The one thing I like about blogging is expressing myself. 

I am a big ball of emotions, and sometimes it is hard to express them. 

So I write. 

I have done that since I was young. 

I have kept a journal for as long as I can remember. 

Sometimes I cannot find the words to speak,

but when I sit down to write they just come. 

I started my blog to have a place to share my thoughts and feelings anonymously, 

but now I do it publicly. 

I feel like I have not been connecting here on my blog. 

Sometimes I don't have anything left to give. 

But I want to try harder.

I want to get back to what this blog is all about.....

A little piece of Sunshine!!!

Silent Sunday Tribute

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Accent Vlog

Silent Sunday

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Impulse Buys

I went on an impulse shopping spree today so I may as well share my goodies.














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Good Morning!!!

Good Morning bloggers. 

I hope that you are getting your Wednesday morning off to a good start. 

I know I am. 

Over the past month I have been fighting off some pretty bad fatigue. 

There are days when I can barley get out of bed 

and then come home from work and crawl right back in it.

I am still not sure what is causing this, 

but I am taking actions. 

I am having blood work and visiting my doctor regularly. 

I know it is nothing big at all, 

and I am sure that it is nothing that can not be fixed with a few life style changes. 

I started my day off great after getting some good sleep last night. 

I woke up, worked out, spent time with Jesus, and am even posting this blog. 

Please keep me in your prayers. 

For no other reason than being so tired is really frustration. 

I hope you ladies have a fantastic day. 

True Life: I'm a GENERAL blogger!

Hi!!!! I'm Cary. 

Welcome to A little piece of Sunshine. 

I am a 29 year old big kid doing my best to make it as a grown up.

I have had a lot of nicknames in my life time.

Some are CareBear, Big Girl (my daddy is the only one that calls me this), and Sunshine.

My blog name comes from the name Sunshine. 

I have a masters in Counseling 

and work as a therapist at a psychiatric hospital for adolescents age 13-17.

It sometimes gets crazy, is always changing, and i absolutely love it. 

I started blogging in 2008 anonymously.

I was depressed and crying out for help.

Now I blog because I love it. 

I love to write, read, and watch movies.

I have an unnatural obsession with the Golden Girls. 

I am silly and have to remind myself often that I am an adult. 

I love Harry Potter and Disney....ALOT

I really like to BLOG about:

Books

Movies

My Christian walk with Jesus

Things I love 

& LIFE in general 

I know I am a little late on the link up, but that is me....

procrastinator till the VERY end!!!

Hope you enjoyed A little piece of Sunshine....ME!!!

Is It Worth It?

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with life. 

Sometimes there seems to be tons of things to do and no time to do them. 

There is always something:

work, friends, family, me, extra circular activities, volunteering....

When will it ever stop?

Is all the hustle and bustle worth it?

I stop to wonder and then something happens....

A kid that is struggling decides to make a change,

a parent of hard headed kid says they won't give up,

a friend that has been prayed over for 25 years gives her life to the Lord,

someone thanks you for all the hard work and dedication you put into your job, 

or you hold a new born that is only weeks old....

and then I know that it is all worth it. 

God has it all under control, 

and he has a plan. 

Through HIM all things were made; 

without him nothing was made that has been made.

In HIM was life, 

and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:3-5 NIV

Bag Love

So I have a slight obsession with bags and purses. I have so many, but I have not got a great bag in a while Well I can celebrate now because I got a new bag!!!!


Isn't she pretty. There are 3 compartments and a long shoulder strap.


And the inside is so pretty. It is by Urban Expression and I am in love.


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Life.....

I am having a moment tonight. 

I just keep thinking about my life, 

and wondering which direction it will go. 

I am happy and content these days. 

I never thought I would be either of those two things, 

but I want more. 

I want to be better. 

I want to make a difference. 

I want to stop planning and start doing. 

I want my life to make an imprint on this world. 

I don't know where to start,

but I am ready for the journey to begin. 

Captain America

Not being a huge super hero fan, 

I had no clue what Captain America was about. 

So I went into the movie with an open mind. 

The movie had a lot going for it. 

I love the World War II area of American History. 

I love the whole concept of an American hero 

risking his life for the good of our country. 

I love hot guys, and I love me a good love story. 

I also love Tommy Lee Jones. He is amazing.

I love how dry he is. 

Durning the entire movie I was sure 

that I had been turned into a Captain American fan. 

I have to be honest I loved it till the end. 

It was not the ended I wanted or expected. 

I feel that it was left over for part 2,

so maybe I will be won over 100% in part 2. 

Did you see the movie?

What did you think?

Silent Sunday

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Harry Potter....The End

As you all know I am a huge Harry Potter fan.

I was in line with all of the other Harry Potter fans for the midnight showing.

I was actually 4th in line. (Yes I am that big of a fan.)

I was not dressed up, but I did have my wand. 

It was bitter sweet. 

I love the excitement of waiting in line on midnight for the first showing;

but as we sat there it was sad thinking it would be our last time in line for Harry Potter. 

The movie was great. 

You could hear a pin drop in the crowded theater. 

(One of the pluses of going at midnight is you get to see it with true fans.)

There were times when you could hear the entire theater sobbing. 

Overall I think that the movie was done very well. 

It was a great adaptation of the book, 

and I cannot think of anything that was left out. 

I am sad that the excitement is over.

At least the magic can live on forever in books and movies. 

Friends With Benefits

Last weekend I went to see Friends with Benefits and LOVED it!!!!!!

I love romantic comedies. 

I love that they are cheesy and predictable. 

I love the combination of love and laughter.

I even love the drama and heart ache also. 

Mia and Justin did not disappoint. 

I laughed so hard. 

Justin and Mia are hilarious, and they had great chemistry. 

The story line was great. 

I will definitely be purchasing this movie on DVD. 

And I'll be totally honest Justin Timberlake is H O T hot!!!!!

Have you scene FWB?

Are you going to see it?

Do you have a crush on JT? 

Silent Sunday

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Silent Sunday

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The End

Tonight it ends. 

At 12:02 AM I will be sitting in a theater

 with my tissue and and my popcorn waiting for the end. 

I am excited and sad.  

It has been an incredible journey, 

and it will forever live on in our hearts and imaginations. 

Extreme Couponing

I took the plunge and went to a couponing party. 

To be honest, I have been interested in it for a while. 

It was a lot of fun. 

I got some good tips and am ready to start saving money. 

Anybody got any tips or tricks they have found so far? 

Fighting the Rebellion

Sometimes my relationship with God reminds me of the relationship I had with my parents when I was growing up. When I was younger my parents would tell me not to do something, and I would insist on doing it any way. The situation always turned out bad. I would either be in trouble or hurt emotionally (probably a few times physically). When I was a kid I thought that my parents were strict and didn't want me to have any fun. Now I realize they were trying to protect me from hurt and pain. 

The same thing happens with God. There are situations that come up in life that I know for definite that God is telling me "NO". He tells me no because He wants the very best for me. He does not want me to be hurt. When I act outside the will of God pain is usually what I end up with. Even knowing that God only wants good for me I am still human, and my rebellious nature comes out. Thankfully when I act in rebellion God is always there waiting with His arms wide open. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

*Picture found on www.weheartit.com 

Getting Crafty

I have been getting crafty on this Saturday morning. 

My first card.

I am out of practice,

so it will take me some time to get back in the swing of crafting. 

I also don't have all my supplies.

Good thing I am going to my mom's next weekend.

I'll be able to pick up all of my things. 

I'm off to a baby shower today.

Hope you all enjoy your Saturday. 

Maybe I'm Afraid

I recently heard this new song on Air1 and I feel in love. Check it out! You can even download it for free.

Maybe I'm Afraid by Kerrie Roberts 

Single Living

I am a 29 year old single woman. 

I have never been married. 

I have been in a few serious relationships;

one which lasted approximately 7 years. 

I have been single for the past 3 years, 

and even though they have probably been the best years of my life,

I struggle with being single. 

I am from the southern part of the country 

in the area that is known as the buckle of the Bible belt. 

It is pretty normal to married at 22.

Getting married at 25 can be considered getting married late. 

So it is a cultural thing as well as the fact that I dream of getting married.

I have been struggling a little more in recent times 

and have found myself discontented. 

I have even gone so far as to take my frustration out on God. 

I stopped talking to Him regularly.

I was just going through the motions of life. 

A couple of weeks ago something inside me woke up and said

"This is not the life you were meant to live."

I am meant to live a full and happy life. 

I meant to walk daily hand in hand with my Savior. 

Good things have been happening since my wake up moment. 

A friend of mine told me about a sermon series that is online by one of my favorite pastors. 

It is called "The New Rules of Love, Sex, and Dating" by Andy Stanley.

I watched the first part tonight, 

and it was amazing. 

So single ladies I recommend it. 

Criminal Minds

I recently found a new love for Criminal Minds. 

As a matter of fact I stayed home Friday night for a marathon. 

There are a couple of reasons I love it:

1) I am counselor. 

I have a psychology background. 

I love the way the brain works. 

I love the way they solve the crime by learning how they think.

These people are so smart and brave. 

I mean I could just go one and one. 

2) Derek Morgan

3) Dr Spencer Reid

Need I say more?

4) Well I will say just one more reason.

If you have scene the show,

 you know that there is usually one character

 that has been through some traumatic event in their life.

It could be the victim or the perpetrator. 

The marathon I watched someone in the show was affected traumatically 

by a parent. 

I deal with this everyday with the kids I work with. 

Most of them have been affected by something that his/her parents have done. 

True maybe most of them are not as drastic as the ones on the show,

but sadly to say that some of them are. 

So I guess what I am trying to say is I get it. 

Do you like Criminal Minds?