Beginnings

I feel it only proper to begin my blog by introducing myself and providing all of you with a glimpse into this whirlwind story that is my life. I have a notepad full of topics I hope to one day discuss and share with you, and if you are going to stick with me through the duration of my ranting and antics, we should most definitely become better acquainted. :)

My name is Annie if you haven't already figured that out by my so aptly named blog. I am a Christian, wife, and mother, and my faith keeps me going, especially on the days I don't feel OK. I have been married for nearly five years to Mike - he's a blog entry all his own, but I do dearly love and admire him. I've been blessed with two children who keep me laughing more than should be legal. Carson, my son, is six and has just completed the challenge known as kindergarten. My daughter, Camryn, is four, and she is nothing more than a compact, feminine version of my husband. I'm also a Mom to a pit bull named Ruby, as well as two cats who hate my life named Tango and Tommy.

I was born and raised in a small town in Western Kentucky, so not only do I say words like 'y'all' and 'ain't', but I may actually type them on occasion. Don't judge. I graduated from Murray State University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, followed by a master's degree in forensic science from the University of Florida in 2013. I began my career in 2009 as a Forensic Scientist where I'll most likely stay until forceful removal or retirement. Let's just go ahead and clear a few things up:
-I do not drive a yellow Hummer
-I do not know how to do DNA analysis, gunshot residue analysis, and paint comparisons in the same day; in fact, I know how to do NONE of those things
-I do not go to crime scenes in stilettos with great hair - I actually don't go to them at all
-I've never questioned a suspect from one of my cases and I never will
-I do not have a magic computer that tells me the answers to all of life's questions in seventeen seconds
-I'm not a cop.
What I actually do is drugs...my Mom HATES when I say that. The sophisticated, tactful way I describe my employment is the "analysis of solid dose substances for the presence or absence of controlled substances". I test drugs. I occasionally work some toxicology cases and determine blood alcohol concentrations, AKA how drunk were you compared to the magical 0.08 law. I do real, legitimate science and I don't make things up, take drugs home, or lie. I just keep it real, yo.

In addition to my own little family, I am blessed to still have my Mom and Dad, as well as a big brother. I have a great set of in-laws, a few close friends, and one best friend that's been hanging around since age 8ish. This is usually where normal people would say things like, "in my spare time I like to..." and describe the awesome things they do. I do Mom stuff, family stuff, and church stuff. About a year ago I started doing Crossfit! Yes, I fell in love...but sadly, and for reasons one day we will soon discuss, time evades me and it is nearly impossible to make it to the grocery store, let alone the gym. Sigh...one day!

I'm not completely certain of the direction in which I hope to take my future posts, but I do know that in the past few years, I have experienced life in some of the most challenging and rewarding ways. I hope that in the posts to come, you'll find encouragement from my stories, laughter from my tales, and faith enough to know that even when you walk away and give up, God doesn't.

I'll be back soon!
-A x