Happy Birthday Baby! Bryan turns the big 3-8 today!!! I'm so proud of him! He's managed to complete another stellar term in law school while working full time at a law firm..quite an accomplishment! My birthday wish for him is to have a healthy and happy 2008..that's my wish for all of you. I've learned something over the last couple of years...the most important wishes can't be bought..health and happiness. Yes, we can work on our health issues..but true happiness can't be found within a store..it comes from within your heart. Someone to love and to love you..a family who thinks you're wonderful..those things aren't available at your local discount store...they come from above..from our heavenly Father. As I think about my birthday boy..I know each day is a gift with him and I hope to have many, many more. Here's hoping you'll find your "gift" in 2008 if you haven't already...and when you do...remember to cherish him or her like a rare treasure because that's what your soul mate is...the completion of your heart.
Happy Birthday Bryan!
Love,
me

What a busy day it has been. It's 1:00 a.m. and I am almost done for today. I could have never imagined how things were destined to evolve when we began this journey a few years ago. There are times that I still miss the security, stability, and peacefulness of a quiet life that seems now to be a million miles removed. Janie and I have had no shortage of "adventure" since this began. It has taken some time, but we are almost there. She would never tell you, but today on her show at 5:00 she hosted Alabama's First Lady. Tomorrow she has the head of the state Republican Party. I'm really proud of her. She is doing so well and has come so far. The years of hard work are beginnning to finally pay off. She did so well as an anchor in Tuscaloosa and she's doing an amazing job here in a much larger market. You know, when you decide in your 30's to chase whatever dream is in your heart, you can only go forward. There were days when I still wonder how it will all work out, but God continues to make a way. Somehow I still get all of the cases briefed for class, manage to get my assignments and research for work at the law firm completed and even find time to sleep at least 4 or 5 hours a night. Life is good, and I am so glad that Janie and I have time to share and savor the occasional victory, brainstorm about plans for our future, or just order a movie and some chinese (Thursday is the new Friday...no class!). I hope you find a bit of inspiration in our words. There is nothing magic about making changes and finding your purpose in life. It might even be as simple as keeping a simple marble in your pocket to remind you that each moment is a gift. More to come about the marbles. I have one more case to brief on the "Rule Against Perpetuities" before bed.
All the best,
H.B.W.

Hello out there! Winding down a busy week. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching..can't wait to go home. Looking forward to seeing our family. Bryan and I are doing fine. Bryan's still doing well in school and working hard. He thinks he's narrowed down his choice in law: civil litigation. He loves a good fight...glad he's on my team! I think he'll do great! I'm always telling him we need lawyers with a soul and a conscience..he's such a blessing to me..my rock.
This week has been a study in courage..asking for chances..taking the right moment and grasping it with both hands. Hoping to see some major changes soon. Each day offers an opportunity to shine...I hope you will take the time to find the moment you can shine...sometimes it's a quiet moment..listening to a friend's problem..sometimes it's in the heat of the battle....pulling someone from the flames. You can be the one person who can make the difference. Have you found your purpose yet? Keep looking...you will. It doesn'tcome over night..takes lots of soul searching but when you find it...you'll know. And remember don't let anyone tell you it's not possible. If you're willing to sacrifice for it...it's your life...do it. Believe...that's the word for this week. Have courage and believe..
God Bless,
Janie

Greetings! It's been a long time since I've written....a sign we're too busy.
Since the last writing..I turned 40! It was amazing..first of all I didn't wake up dead...with a beard...or I didn't turn into a man! For my birthday..my husband treated me to a day doing whatever I wanted...it was great! I got to go home to Tuscaloosa and see some very special friends..it was wonderful seeing everyone again. Bryan is still doing an amazing job juggling working full time and attending classes in law school three nights a week..he's really working hard. I know it will pay off one day..it's just really hard right now. Some people think we're crazy...selling our home...moving to two different cities where we knew nobody...starting back to school in our 30's.....working two jobs each...and switching careers in mid-life...they're right..only a crazy person would do that.
You'd have to be a little crazy to think it would work...but actually it takes a lot of courage and team work. To start with....this adventure didn't happen over night..it came after many,many months of soul searching. After the explosion where three of Bryan's co-workers died...we knew we weren't where we wanted to be but we had no clue what we wanted to do. That's kind of how it starts...you know you're not where you want to be....that's easy to know...the hard part is figuring out what you're all about. We hear from so many sources..."you should do this..it's got great..fill in the blank" but if it's not what you're happy doing...you'll be miserable. I know all about that. Being a naturally gifted musician does not make one a happy teacher. I love music..it's what I've done all of my life...it's a part of who I am..but not all. I chose education because it was "safe"...a better option than performance at the time. The degree has served us well providing a stable income and insurance but it also provided me with years and years of stress that made me very unhappy. Yes I met some amazing people in my students and fellow teachers...that I will never regret..ever. But the fact is..I always felt like an impostor because it wasn't who I really was...it was just something I did.. Bryan and I have talked about it a lot..when we first started trying to discover new "careers" instead of just new jobs..we researched a lot of memories and books and came across an amazing book by Po Bronson titled "What should I do with my life?" and it's full of people who left very prosperous careers because there was a void that no large bank account could ever fill. But when they discovered what they were interested in..what makes them tick...they were filled with an excitement and happiness and peace. That's what we discovered...when I first started broadcast news...it was after a long heart-felt search into what do I enjoy doing more than anything..hello!!!...talking! No one loves "dirt" more than I do....love getting the scoop on someone. My elementary report cards ALWAYS said "talks too much" on there and that's actually a compliment. Ha! But it's not always clear after high school at 18 years old to know what you want to do with the rest of your life..sometimes it takes some moment that makes you question your existence to make you realize that there's more to what you're doing everyday. I felt a fire in my belly I've never felt anywhere else the very first moment I walked in to WVUA and it's never left. Bryan found his passion after many sleepless nights and questions about what's life is all about. So many times people would call him for advice..counseling...various things about their most important times ...crucial decisions....looking for "wise counsel"..and it finally occurred to him that's his thing...now looking at us you wouldn't know it....but he has the ability to see clearly for other people and that's huge. Going to court one day he came back with his fire lit and he said "I found it! A lawyer!" He remembered back in high school that he was considering that and someone somewhere mentioned something negative about it and squashed that dream..this is important to note...there are going to be a lot of dream stealers...usually people who haven't figured out their thing yet...but don't let that stop you from finding yours...just keep searching...reading...talking ...remembering what you're all about.. Key point...if you would do it for free...if it's the first thing you think about doing when you wake up in the morning...that's probably it!! I worked for 2 years at the station for no money while still working my day job..I worked every weekend..every holiday..and some sick and personal days...just to be where I felt alive..what is the thing that moves you? Is it painting? Teaching? Singing? Helping others? Cooking? We live in an amazing world..you can actually be anything you want to be if you are willing to work hard. Did I miss being at home on the weekends? Yes! But I knew it was going to pay off. The third year at the station I was paid for doing something I loved! It was the best feeling! Wasn't paid a lot..but what I gained in experience was priceless! The point is..you will find success when you find what you do best...listen to yourself..make a list of what it's NOT...seriously...write it down..look at it.. if you can intern somewhere or shadow someone who's into what you're considering..you'll do yourself a great favor because you'll be in the "atmosphere" of what you're considering doing. Don't make these changes without that component because had I done my student teaching the very first semester of college I might not have lost so many years. Right now I'm not where I want to be...still not on the air..miss that with every fiber of my being..but I'm closer than I've ever been and believe me it's going to happen somewhere . Bryan is quickly becoming a very important part at his place...he's going do to great things..help many people..it's just who he is and now he'll get paid for doing something that brings him much joy and fulfillment. So to all you seekers out there..it doesn't happen over night..the explosion was May 11, 1999...this is October 31 2007...8 years later..but it's just the beginning!
God Bless,
Janie

Happy Birthday to my mother! She turns 83 today...yes...that's right she had me when she was 63....ha! No, seriously I'm so proud of her. She's done a really good job of being an inspiration on growing older ....she just refuses to feel and act old. She had a stroke last year and has done a great job recovering. Lots and lots of prayers and hard work have reallly helped her along. We had a wonderful time this weekend with an early celebration. Got to see Bryan's mom and dad, too. We had a really nice time catching up with them..and visiting with Bryan's Mee Maw. We're really tired this week...back to the grind..work and school for Bryan...producing for me. Had my 60 day review..it was great! Hoping and praying I'll be on-air before too long. Still loving being in news...but I do miss my kids and all my Tuscaloosa friends. The kids were awesome..the best ...I love so many of them and hope they're doing well. I think of my friends so often and wonder what they're doing...hoping they're o.k. This is my last month in my 30's...next month is a large milestone...Bryan says I'm turning 39...again. It's the official first anniversary of my 39th birthday..ha!!! I hope the next 40 years will be even better...new career and a healthy life with my husband and family. In these 40 years I've learned some pretty important things...1. Love your family...2. When it's all said and done....don't have ANY " I wish I could have...." Do whatever "It" is before it's too late...3. Treat yourself good..you only get one chance..this is not a dress rehearsal..it's the real thing so do it right! That's all for now...got to go...got to get ready for Wednesday!
Blessings,
Janie

It's finally the weekend! It's been a busy week..I'm so glad the weekend's here. Going home for my mother's 83rd birthday party! We're really looking forward to seeing our family. Had a hard day at work..hopefully next week will go better. So...Bryan is doing really well in school...star student !!! I'm so proud of him! He's working full time at the firm and going to school three nights a week..that's really hard. I admire him so much for working for his dream..when all is said and done..he's going to be a great attorney. He's just got two more years and then he'll be finished...sure it will fly by. That's all for now...will write more when we get home!
Blessings,
Janie

It's September 11th...the sixth year anniversary of the the terrorist attacks against our great country. I was in the middle of teaching class at a middle school when it happened...in rural Alabama. I really wasn't even sure what the world trade center towers were...but it didn't take long to figure out what had happened was bad and our world as we knew it would never be the same. The Principal had a school meeting with all the students, teachers and staff on the front lawn and we had prayer. All I could do the rest of the day was watch the t.v.waiting for another attack...and when school was finally out..I rushed home the 97 miles to be with Bryan. I didn't know what might happen next and I didn't want to be away from him just in case something happened. We have gotten used to "remembering" 9-11 but I have a feeling that those who were actually in the buildings or had loved ones who perished don't "remember"...they are living it. Something like that changes your core being..like your DNA or something else deep inside and you're never the same. While the rest of us look at the weeping people at today's memorial...I wonder as they look out at us through the tears what they must be thinking. I wonder if they think..why me? I know there are times I think that about my life and the
problems I've faced. They have survived and gone on with their lives but there is something different...we as a country must never forget that when those planes ripped through the glass and metal...and when the plane hit the ground in Pennsylvania...and when the plane struck the Pentagon...thousands of people lost their lives and many more are still paying the price missing them daily. Had a very special guest on my show today...A retired NYPD officer who was at ground zero the day it happened. He drives a school bus now..his life is going on, too. But I must say that when I looked at his face and looked into his eyes..I saw something...a hero. He's not on a football field making millions of dollars..he's not on a VMA award show trying for a comeback..he's just an average ordinary man who went to work that day and ended up becoming a hero. While I wait on my husband to come home from Law school...I pray this prayer: God Bless America, the 9-11 victims, the family members left behind and the soldiers who are now fighting to keep it from happening again.
Blessings,
Janie

Background

Happy Sunday! Bryan and I went to church today at FBC in Montgomery. We really enjoy attending the services there. Thinking about joining later on. So..we're adjusting to life in a new town...can be scary you know. But thankfully I married an awesome man. He's not only my husband but he's my very best friend on the planet. I am totally blessed. We have each other and that really makes adjusting to all the new things better..if I didn't have him there's no way I could be as brave. He's always encouraging me and has complete faith that we're going to make it...even when I'm ready to jump off the cliff!!!! Remember,...there is someone out there who will love you just as you are, too...don't give up..just keep looking. Well, I've got to get ready for the workweek...laundry, etc. Talk to you soon!
Blessings,
Janie

Hello!

Hello! Welcome to Janie and Bryan's blog. We're living in a new town with new careers..finally. This journey has taken eight long years but we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Bryan and I both decided in our thirties what we wanted to be when we grow up...talk about slow learners!!! Ha! Anyway...after a tragic event one day where Bryan works...three people died...we evaluated our lives...and discovered we were both just exsisting and not really living. This blog is where we'll share our story....maybe someone else who's "just exsisting" will be inspired to finally start living! Thanks for reading...more coming soon.
Blessings,
Janie