April 23

When I moved to Utah two years ago, I gave myself an out and said I would move in two years if I wasn't loving it, or if I was just looking for a change. I really didn't have any intention of sticking to that, but needed the option at the time. That was April 22, 2010. April 23, 2012, I arrived in Georgia. My advice, be careful what you say!

I honestly couldn't be happier. Saying goodbye and leaving Lori was the hardest thing I have EVER done. Forget surgery, forget firing people, forget it all...I left a piece of my heart with her, but I'm so happy and at peace here. I was talking with my mom last night as we made dinner (because that's what we do now) and I told her just how happy I was. There was a right decision, a big decision...I made it, I followed through, and here I am. There is so much to be thankful for...I am seriously so blessed and just can't get over it. Stay tuned for pics and stories from the road trip, the arrival, and more! (Not to give anything away, there are also going to be some REALLY cute pics of our 4 day old kittens...just saying).

April 11

It is here again, April 11th, my own personal holiday. In case you haven't heard, April 11 is my day. About 7 years ago I just decided I wanted to celebrate a holiday, just because. For whatever reason, April 11 is the day I chose. Every year, I do something fun. Some timesI take myself to dinner, or I go see a movie, or I take the day off work. Today, I was busy - I am currently sitting quietly in my apartment after having spent a couple of hours packing and working out. And, while it may not be what I would typically imagine for my own celebration, it has been perfect!
Happy April 11 - see you again next year!

It's Just a Dream

I had a dream a few nights ago…actually, it was just as I was waking up. To start, I have to explain my extreme fear of heights/falling. I’m okay going up things, but I don’t really like looking down for fear of falling.

With that in mind, in my dream I am with just about all of my family and friends. Seriously, I think everyone was there. We are at the top of the incredible tall mountain/cliff thing – it is a LOOOONG way down. The area that we’re all on is safe and has a rusty chain link fence on the edge keeping us “safe”. I was holding on to it because I was scared, but it shook every time I breathed. I got to the open part of the ledge and to keep going on the path to the next rocky cliff/mountain thing, you actually had to jump from one side to the other – nothing underneath you. Just typing it is making my hands sweat and making me nauseous. I kept standing there and kept telling everyone that I just couldn’t do it. Everyone is behind me, encouraging me, telling me I can take this jump.

Then, I woke up. I don’t know if I jumped, but the first thought I had was that I probably would have jumped if there were people on the other side to catch me. Instantly, I realized that I was probably nervous about “taking the jump” and moving to Georgia. I have so many people behind me telling me that I can do this, and I know they’re right…I have no doubts about that. But, unlike my dream, there are also people on the other side of this jump encouraging me. Pretty much, I have so many wonderful people in my life who believe in me that I’m pretty sure I could take any jump, I could do anything. It is so empowering.

Thank you to all of my wonderful friends and family. It is because of you that I am able to take major steps in my life. I’ll never be able to repay you for the wonderful support you have provided. 

And as for my dreams…I’ll keep dreaming them, and I’ll keep living them. Dream Big!

Called To Serve

I’m doing some serious back pedaling to cover some of the BIG events of the last few weeks. I found out March 28^th that I got my dream job of working from home. That day was also a HUGE day for Lori.

I got a phone call at about 4:30 with Lori on the other end screaming what sounded like:

“CristygethomerightnowmymissioncallishereandyouneedtogethomesoIcanopenit”.

 I followed up with something clever like “What??” 

She told me again and this time I understood. The time had come. The large white envelope that determined the next 18 months of her life had arrived.

Our friends showed up. Parents were on the phone and webcam. She opened the letter and she read ahead – you could see it on her face. With one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen, she read :

“Dear Sister Crawford, You have been called to serve in the Arizona Tempe Mission”.

She reports July 5^th and will be missed so much! I am so proud of this girl woman. She is so ready for this. I know she will be an amazing missionary and will do so much good.

Again, I’m the luckiest girl in the world. Not only am I the sister of such an amazing person, I got to spend the last 2 years as her roommate. Sure, there were some pretty stressful times (probably because of me), but there were so many fun times, good memories, and experiences that most people don’t ever get to have with a sibling. She has taught me so much and I am a better person because of this time. I seriously want to be like her when I grow up.

I love you Lori and I’m so proud of you! Don’t ever forget it! I'll miss you while I'm gone...and then while you're gone. 

Seriously, So Blessed

Well, life is crazy busy right now. But, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest girl in the whole world, and I’m pretty sure I am. Now, I’m not trying to be arrogant, just realistic…perhaps I should explain.

It started a several months ago. I knew I wanted to move to Georgia, but I just had to figure out the timing. Then I figured out the timing and had a plan. Then I changed the plan back and forth, but still knew I wanted to move to Georgia. In that timeframe, I went to visit Georgia and fell completely in love with it (probably because it was in the 60’s and 70’s consistently). So, I came back to Utah and knew what I wanted, had prayed about it and felt that it was okay for me continue heading in the direction I was going.

Once that decision was made and a date was set, the next thing was to find a job (and quit a job, I guess). In my head I had this idea that I would give notice and they wouldn’t want to lose me so they would offer me anything to stay on. I already had my “demands” in my head…let me do my job – from home in Georgia. It was ideal…too good to be true. I knew this likely wouldn’t happen, so I started looking for jobs in Georgia and was having very little (read: no) success. Then, the time had come…the day to give notice. I personally don’t believe in giving just 2 week’s notice. I have always given several weeks notice since I work for people/companies who generally take good care of me. In this instance, I was giving 5 weeks’ notice. When I met with my boss, she basically said ok, and that was it. No counter offer, no trying to convince me not to leave, nothing. I was so upset, but then again, I knew that my idea really wouldn’t have been accepted anyway.

Fast forward two weeks…I’m in having a meeting with my boss. She asked me how things were going with preparing for the move and finding a job. I told her that things with the move were fine, but that I wasn’t having any luck at that point in securing employment. And then it happened. My mouth opened. The words started spilling out. I knew then, just as I know now, that it was me speaking, but it wasn’t really me speaking. I told her that I would love to see me be able to stay with the company in a work from home position in my current role. I kept talking and spilling the plan of how I thought it could work. I kept waiting for her to stop me, or to look at me and tell me I was crazy, but it never happened. Instead, she looked at me and said “interesting…let me think about that”. 48 hours later, we had approval. This is definitely the very abbreviated version of this story, but even so, I can’t help but think over the events of the last 3 weeks, and really – the last year – without realizing how I was guided and led, and ultimately…so blessed.

So, beginning April 25, I’ll be working at home. I get the best of everything. I get to keep the job I love (stressful though it may be), I get to see my parents every day, and I get to have a new adventure.