Protecting children...

One of my passions is helping to protect children. I have worked in the field of Social Work and Child Abuse since college and have found that I have really enjoyed helping families in both the prevention and investigative side. As most people know I previously worked for a children's advocacy center in Fort Worth, TX. I loved working for Alliance For Children and with them while I was with Child Protective Services. Please help Alliance For Children during this holiday season, donation of Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts are appreciated for all the children at all three centers. Please check out all the ins and outs of Alliance For Children at their website, http://www.allianceforchildren.org/.

While working for Alliance For Children I presented information on child abuse prevention to community organizations in Arlington and Fort Worth. I stand by all of the curriculum's and would continue teaching them if I could. After finding out I would be moving to Greenville, NC I began searching for places to work, hoping there would be a Children's Advocacy Center somewhere close by- and with an opening. After looking I found the TEDI BEAR Children's Advocacy Center in Greenville and immediately called for any openings, even though it was May and I wouldn't be moving til October.

I spoke with Julie Ocker, Executive Director, and she stated they will have a part time position available for a presenter of the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children program. I was super excited, I was a presenter of the program already and hoped to be able to apply and work for an agency similar to AFC. Well it all worked out for me and I am now employed by East Carolina University TEDI BEAR Children's Advocacy Center teaching child abuse prevention to community members all over Eastern North Carolina.

The Stewards of Children presentation is such a great program. It teaches adults to stand up and take action for their role in protecting children from Sexual Abuse. It teaches adults to prevent, recognize and respond appropriately to child sexual abuse. The program is based on Seven Steps to Protecting our Children. The seven steps help adults learn how to help the children in their lives and the program focuses on parents, community members, organizations that work with children, etc. Please take a look at the website to get more information and help to protect our children from sexual abuse, http://www.darkness2light.org/.

A new President in town...

Big news is happening in Eastern North Carolina!! There is a Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni group starting up and I am so excited!!! When I moved to Greenville, NC I was unsure of making friends and meeting people and I wanted to get involved with some sort of group similar to Junior Women's Club/ Junior League/ or KKG Alumni group. Well there are not any of these particular groups in Greenville so I had to start thinking of different ways to become involved. 

After almost a year of living in Greenville I received an invitation to a meeting to discuss the building of an alumni group of Kappa Kappa Gamma. I was thrilled and called to RSVP immediately hoping not to look desperate :). I found out there are more than 100 Kappas in Eastern North Carolina but no group at all and I discussed leadership roles within the group if necessary. On October 25th I met with 5 other women to discuss this topic and left with a brand new title... President of the Eastern North Carolina Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni group!!!! :) I said I wanted to be involved and wanted to meet people in this area, I guess this is the best way to do that. 

In the picture: Christine, Sandy, Alberta (Treasurer), Me (President), Taylor (Secretary), and Sandy. The first members of the ENC KKG Alumni group. 

New interest...

This past weekend while we were in Fort Worth I realized that I enjoyed reading. I know that sounds kinda silly but I have never been very fond of reading and it usually puts me to sleep. With that being said, while Geoff and I were at the Charlotte airport I picked up a copy of Nicholas Sparks' book The Wedding. I thought the book looked interesting and I knew it was a sequel to The Notebook so I bought it and took a chance at reading again.

Well, I loved this book! I read the entire flight to DFW, 2.5 hours long, and still wanted more. It really surprised me how much I enjoyed it and was  able to read more than half of the book in the flight time. On the way home on Sunday, I was able to finish this book. I suggest if anyone has not read this that they do. While I was in FW I told Lynn, Geoff's mom, about how much I enjoyed the book and when we returned from the wedding on Saturday night she had two more of Nicholas Sparks' books for me, True Believer and At First Sight. I am looking forward to starting these soon! 

Starting out...

I am new at this and just learning how to start blogging so sorry to those of you who are up to date with it all. I want to start this so that I can keep up with all the friends and family who we miss so much.


So for my first official blog:


We just got back from Fort Worth this past weekend. Our wonderful friend Zack got married to his beautiful bride, Jenn, and we were so happy to share in the celebration. The wedding was wonderful and Zack and Jenn were so happy throughout the day. Thank you for letting us share in your joy. I have included some pictures of the big day.


Geoff and I before the ceremony, it was held at the First Christian Church in Granbury, TX, where Zack's father is the minister. He officiated the ceremony.




Geoff was a groomsman in the wedding so we arrived a couple of hours early for all the pictures and arrangements needed beforehand. Will Ringel road with us to the ceremony and shared in the day with Zack and Jenn. Will was my date during the actual wedding.

Here are the three guys beforehand.

Jenn looked great and so full of excitement. Her dress was beautiful and she was ready to marry Zack. This is Jenn, her mother, and sister before the wedding.

The reception was held at Joe T. Garcia's, what a great place to have it. Who doesn't love their dinner and margaritas!!! Geoff and I were very excited as we don't get to enjoy Joe T's as much as we want since moving away. This wedding was full of TCU Alumni and we couldn't go without getting the TCU picture. Here we are cheering on TCU, Go Frogs!!

We had a blast with everyone and we can't wait to see them soon. Congrats Zack and Jenn, we are happy to have been able to share with you and thank you for inviting us to share.