Who knew a love for one person could be so great..

Let's discuss today agenda.

Corey has been having chest pains for over a day and half. I was really worried about him, and told him several times that he needed to go to the doctor. But if you know Cor, he's stubborn. He kept pushing it off. Yesterday, he went into work with his chest still hurting and worked late into the night, to cover a top story. He looked plum worn out at the end of the night, and was still complaining about the pain. Today, I told him that if he didn't go to the doctor I would be super angry. He worries me so much when I know he's sick because he never complains. So, early this morning one of our really good friends Joshua (who is also Corey's best man) took him to Bristol Medical. I had to go to work. (Like a horrible fiancé'). When I got to work, a co-worker told me to just go on to the hospital since it was only 5 minutes away, so I did. This is when it gets rough for me.

I never knew I could love somebody so much besides family. Corey is my rock, the person I go to when everything else has failed. And for him to be sick, it just about kills me. I walk into the ER, he's laying on one of those twin size cots or whatever, and I just about loose it. I hate hospitals for several reasons, but when someone who has your entire heart, who you love and couldn't imagine what you would do without them, is laying in the ER, well it just freaked me out. They did a couple test, took some blood, and pronounced that they couldn't find anything wrong, and sent him home. I've never prayed so hard in my life.

I'm pretty sure it's stress, that or he pulled a muscle, but mostly stress. He works so hard, and he's kind of a perfectionist.

I love him so much. I seriously don't know what I'd do without him. I thank God tonight, that he answers prayers, that it was nothing serious. I told him last night in the parking lot that I need him forever, and I do. He makes me laugh when I've had a bad day, fixes me supper, talks to me when I'm upset, he actually listens to about anything I say, and he loves me through everything. My life is complete with him in it. I cannot wait for him to be my husband. I love him with my whole body and soul.

Thank you God for your never ending love and mercies. Thank you for touching my fiancé'. Thank you for just being awesome and sending me someone who can put up with me. (I know its rough)

"Find rest oh my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him." Psalms 62:5

Love always,
Callie Marie

More Wedding Planning (Interesting Developments)

The Himalayan Brown Bear is a close relative to the Brown Bear. However, said Himalayan Brown Bear is speculated to be linked to the legendary Yeti species.

(An arial shot of a Himalayan Brown Bear as it searches for a hibernation den to beat a grueling winter)

Now on to some basic information on the Himalayan Brown Bear...

The Himalayan Brown Bear exhibits what some call "Sexual Dimorphism".  Now this mean male and female Himalayan Brown Bears have different attributes and physical traits.  Male Himalayan Brown Bears range from 4 ft.11 inches- 7 feet tall!  Females range from 4 foot 6 inches - 6 feet tall! WOW! That is totes a large specimen.

(The Himalayan Brown Bear hears a loud sound causing concern)

Now you are probably asking yourself what place on earth could hold such a fine specimen.  Well since you asked... India, Pakistan, and TIbet.  They used to be found in Bhutan but have since been named extinct in said area.


(A mother entertains her young between feeding times)

Now lets say you go to one of the said areas to see the Himalayan Brown Bear but yet you do not find one in the greater area.  Well that is probably because you are in said area around October through April, when they hibernate.  Comeback after April and you will see this majestic creature in all of its glory.

(The Himalayan Brown Bear stands tall on a mountain)

Now the Himalayan Brown Bear is an omnivore usually feeding on roots, grasses and other plants of that nature.  HOWEVER, they have been known to feed on larger mammals, specifically goats and sheep.
* Side note adult Himalayan Brown Bears typically feed before sunrise and later in the afternoon.  So if you want to approach one, which I strongly DO NOT recommend,  then approach one around noon (please use immense caution).

(What a majestic specimen)

Scientists and other people think the Himalayan Brown Bear is linked to the Yeti.  They are wrong.  It is not.

They are endangered and International Trade is prohibited by the Wildlife Protection Act in Pakistan.

The Himalayan Brown Bear is an interesting creature and is vastly different from its opposite sex. Corey and Callie are like said Himalayan Brown Bear as they are different yet found a pure, conditional, unadulterated love for one another.  Totes perf if you will.

     

(Two Himalayan Brown Bears express love for one another)

At this point you have probably read this with all intentions of a status report of planning for the September matrimony ceremony between Corey and Callie and now are probably tiffed because rather than updates you have been educated on such an interesting specimen such as the Himalyan Brown Bear.  Sorry... my b.

(A Himalayan Brown Bear in hot pursuit of a mammal such as a goat or sheep)

(Bill Cosby, Himalayan Brown Bear enthusiast) 

Photography, Check!

Today has been a great day.

Today we chose our photographers and I am super happy with our choice. We met Kayla at the starbucks in Johnson City. I was super nervous because meeting new people isn't my cup of tea, but she was so nice.

I had ask around Facebook about photographers and a lot of people had recommended Andrew & Erin photography. I really wanted someone who was artsy. I wanted two people who were super...we take a special moment to hear a word from one of the groomsmen..Matthew Lipsius.

I like turtles.

And now back to the blog...as I was saying, I wanted two people who were super talented and knew what they were doing. So, I took an adventure to Andrew and Erin's Facebook page, and loved their work. I would recommend them to anyone and they haven't even taken any of our pictures, but I am super excited for some engagement pictures.

So now we have our venue, my dress, our florist, our photographers... we still need the caterer which we're trying to work out right now. This wedding thing is coming together nicely if I do say so myself.

One of my friends from work who is getting married next year just went...

Me: What do you call it when you shop for your wedding shower?
Matthew: Shower shopping? showering?....

okay he's no help and my mind is blank, but you get the idea. She said it was so much fun, and I think that's what Corey is the most excited about. Of course, I think I've already written this before, but Corey thinks that someone is going to buy us a boat, so he wants to register at Bass Pro Shop. *roll eyes*

Oh yeah, it's called registering, oh goodness, it's super late. I'm dumb.

I'm so glad that today was a successful wedding day. I'm am so blessed to have a loving fiancé' who calms my nerves, and puts up with all my crazy antics. And for all the amazing people in my life, who are helping out in this wedding process.

"Find rest oh my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him." - Psalms 62:5

Love always,
Callie Marie

The memories.

I can't sleep. Tomorrow is going to be such a hard day for all of us. In all seriousness it feels like a dream, like it didn't happen, like I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll see my cousin again.

I cannot believe this happened.

All I know is that I have to let God take control. I have to lean on him.

I was thinking earlier about how working at a tv station puts a wall up in front of life in general. What I mean is, we run stories everyday about people dying, people getting in car accidents, people being shot, and we never think twice about it. It's news, it's what makes a show better. We never think about the families and what they must be going through. But when something like this happens to your family, it stops you dead in your tracks. Your whole life falls apart.

At this point I'm just rambling, because I can't cry anymore. And writing has always helped me to express what I cannot say out loud.

I loved my cousin. He was an amazing person, even though he liked to give me a hard time.
I'll always remember him telling me that at the bottom of the West Virginia lake there were giant man eating catfish, up until that day I loved going to the lake with my Aunt and Uncle. Now whenever I get in the water, I think of those man eating catfish, and stay as far away from the shore as possible, and I never let my legs sink too far down. He would laugh so hard knowing this.

I also remember him telling me about his many adventures of swimming underneath a duck and pulling it under water. I've always wanted to try this, but I'm pretty sure he was lying, there's no way a duck wouldn't know you were underneath it.

When I was younger, he worked as a tour guide at one of the rafting companies in WVa. Of course I wanted to go. I remember everything but riding down stream. My mom told me tonight, that I got mad at him because he took me down the smaller rapids. And of course he started picking on me saying, "When you're ready for the bigger rapids, I'll take you on them!"

I love and miss you jimmy!


"I know that I still love you God, despite the agony. He loves us, oh how he loves us!"

Continue to pray. I know that God's got this. He will always love and protect. Always give peace and hope. And as always I leave you with a scripture that always gives me peace of mind....

"Find rest oh my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him" Psalms 62:5

Callie Marie

In Loving Memory...

People always ask me why I take so many pictures and I've finally found an answer.
It's for capturing the moment, to savor the good times, to enjoy the memories of looking at them later.

 On Saturday night, we lost a very special person, my cousin, Jimmy Lawson.  And as I look back on the pictures of a recent get together, I'm thankful for the pictures I was able to capture.

He was a great person. Giving my sister and I a hard time, every time he was around. He would wrestle us in the floor, poke at us, but what I remember most was that he always enjoyed the company of his family.

He would always ask about me, always want me to come down and see him. He even told me when I was looking for colleges, that I could just move in with him and go to a college in WVa.

The last time I saw him, he met Corey. And as always he had to give him a hard time too, telling him something like, "if you hurt her, I'll hurt you." And then he told us to come see him.

Which we didn't get around to, which I hate. We always forget how short life can be sometimes.

I know this blog doesn't do justice to who my cousin was, but I wanted to write something. He left behind a wife and two beautiful children.

 I'm asking that you say a prayer for my mom's family. Pray that God will just wrap them in his arms.

I love family, I think they are the most important part of life. And it's rather sad that we get separated and don't make time for the ones we love.

I know that God is in control and that my cousin is with Jesus, but this is still very hard for me.

Please continue to pray.

"Find rest oh my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him." - Psalms 62:5

Callie Marie.

Happy Birthday Kade Allen.

I'm going to take a second out of talking about wedding planning and instead write on a different subject entirely.

Three years ago today, my sister gave birth to a beautiful blue eyed baby. She named him Kade.

  Ever since that day, I have been wrapped around his little finger. 

Kade Allen Bowba (as he calls himself) is the most amazing little boy in the world, well to me anyway.  God truly blessed us with this little baby. I've loved watching him grow and grow. It's really cool how God placed that special space in my heart for Kade. I love him so much, it's rather kinda strange. 

I've always loved kids. Actually before I became a broadcaster, I wanted to become a 1st grade teacher.  I found them to be the most creative, funniest, and loving human beings. 

And then Kade came along. 

Look at those gorgeous blue eyes, and that was it, I was super in love. He completes my little heart. And not that he's older, I like to talk to him on the phone. "Hi Ci Ci!"

I love that little voice. 

So Anyway, Today is Kade's 3rd Birthday. 

He's getting so big!

And I wanted to write a blog about my love for him, and how much one little boy has changed me forever. 

Here's to you Kade...with many more memories to come!

Happy Birthday wittle baby!

I love you forever and always...and to the moon and back of course!

Love,

Aunt Ci Ci

Dinner is served...well maybe.

So we've found a place to get married, Thank you God!! We've also found a woman to help with the flowers and decorations, Thank you God!! Now we have to find a photographer and a caterer.

Photography to me is rather expensive. I really don't understand the whole, "Our photography starts at 3000. REALLY?? I get that traveling cost money, I get that spending all day with me, you would need some sort of compensation, I get that prints are expensive. But 3000 dollars, just hand me the flash drive, I'll print them out myself. In all honesty though, I really do want a good photographer, one with hopefully a photography degree. I mean come on, everyone has a really nice camera and everyone thinks they can take pictures, and everyone has a Facebook page dedicated to their "photography".  But when it comes down to it, for you to decide what is the best lighting, how to make me look like a super gorgeous bride (instead of a really awkward one), what shots are going to be super artsy, then you've got my vote, but my wallet's still not willing, I guess I'll have to decide sooner or later. That's definitely not the biggest of my worries.

CATERING....
I'm going to have nightmares about this one. Catering=where you pick out the food that everyone else will enjoy. It's like a huge family cookout, but it doesn't matter what your opinion is, just as long as everyone else is happy.
I found a caterer that does pecan crusted salmon, I love salmon, but lets think about how many people like fish. (it smells bad, it taste gross, do you really want your wedding to smell like that) YES!!

I have noticed that God gave me Corey for a bunch of reasons....to love me even when it seems utterly impossible, to help me be patient, even when it seems utterly impossible and to humor himself in making me angry, and then after 2 seconds I can't help but smile and just love him.

I ask Corey what he would like to eat on his wedding day. I gave him the menu from one of the caterers we're looking at. I thought he might pick out fried chicken with creamed potatoes, and for an appetizer shrimp cocktail. Corey's response to the question...Grilled Caribbean Jerk Chicken (boneless), Grilled Vegetables (squash, zucchini, peppers & onions), Crab Stuffed Mushrooms. And at first I'm like, really Corey, really? These don't even sound like things you would pick out at a restaurant. His response well they're new and exciting, just like our marriage. (this is the man I'm marrying) I put away the catering list and began to write this blog. 


I'm not sure what we'll have for our wedding dinner. If Corey can't decide, maybe we'll just have soup beans and corn bread!! (I like mine with mayo) :)


It will all work out though, it always does. God's got this. 


"May the God of hope fill you with all ljoy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13


Callie Marie