It's been 8 months exactly since I've seen one of the funniest guys ever. It was New Years Eve. I miss him so badly. He was always so fun to be around and had the most distinct laugh. When I lost my dad, Ethan was the very first person I had to say "my dad died" too. He was fishing on the dock next door and I had just met him. He asked if we were having a party, when really it was just all the people coming to show us their love and support. In that was I always felt a special connection to Ethan... There are way to many stories to tell, but I just thought I'd share some pictures :)

After prom senior year

Halloween 2009

donkey riding. best night ever! it was hilarious

always smiling...

senior memory day... cracking me up the whole time!

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday ,and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart. 

Love you Ethan!

Just The Way You Are

Okay, I love this song. And I can't wait until I find the guy who thinks I'm amazing just the way I am! I know he is out there ;) I posted the song and the lyrics. Hope you like!

Oh her eyes, her eyes

Make the stars look like they're not shining

Her hair, her hair

Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful

And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know

When I compliment her

She wont believe me

And its so, its so

Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay

I say, When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile,

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

Her nails, her nails

I could kiss them all day if she'd let me

Her laugh, her laugh

She hates but I think its so sexy

She's so beautiful

And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know

Id never ask you to change

If perfect is what you're searching for

Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking

If you look okay

You know I say

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change....

Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

That's What I Love About Sundays

This weekend had been great!! Friday night I went with Holley and Hilliary to see their baby cousin, Shelbie Jayne. She's such a doll!! I was so glad to see Holley since she was home for the weekend! Saturday I went to a Premier Jewelry party and I bought a pair of earrings. They are just rhinestones with a pretty silver and gold setting. Just simple ones that I can wear every day! I can't wait until they come in! Saturday night I hung out with Kendall!!! We had so much fun!! I feel like they haven't even been gone to Auburn for a few weeks. I'll be visiting there soon :) Today has been a lazy rainy day. I have been watching a movie network all afternoon. I should probably start some homework.... I thought I'd post a few of my favorite things today!

Me and mom went to Wal-Mart after lunch today and I wanted some nail polish. I remember when I was younger every time we would go to Wal-Mart I would BEG for some bon-bons nail polish. It's just $1 so I decided to get one today. I love fun colors for my nails!

We also saw this cinnamon sugar febreeze and got it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fall and this scent reminds me of it :)

I got this Twilight Woods lotion and spray from Bath and Body Works last week and It smells so good! It's good for fall too. I love B&BW but I always tend to spend a small fortune in there. I bought 3 lip glosses last time I was there.. 3! i also got a cute little hand sanitizer and a holder for it for my key chain. Love it. The scent is candy corn.. can't you tell I'm ready for Fall:)

Me and Kendall on Saturday night. I was dying to wear my boots. Again, rushing Fall!

AHH can't wait for these leaves!!!!

Granny Peg Cookies

Okay so ever since I can remember, my grandmother had made these amazing cookies! I mean they are just perfect. The best ones are at Christmas time. Christmas trees! Duh! Halloween is ghosts, Valentine's Day- hearts...well you get the picture. I was tired of waiting for holidays to have them. Since baking is one of my favorite past times I decided I needed to make them with her one day and get the recipe. That's when it all began... everyone loves them! and I love making them for people!!! I just thought I would post some of the ones I have made! Of course some look better than others, I'll still working on perfecting them. Now, Granny Peg had that already down pat!

Okay, I didn't bake the Christmas, but I did decorate them so I had to throw it in.

Me and Laura made cookies a few weeks ago. She's my baker buddy and one day when i open the Pink Zebra, I'll have her to thank :)

Perfect People

Just listen to this song.. it's so great.

First Day of School

Well, yesterday I started over! Of course I took classes at NACC this summer, but lots of people did and then went back to their University. Yesterday made it more official. I was nervous about walking into my first class and scanning the room to see if there was anyone I knew. I hate that awkwardness. So I walked in and took a seat, without looking. A few minutes later two people from high school walked in and sat beside me. SHEW! What a relief. We talked a bit, I always get the "I thought you were at Alabama?!?" question. Luckily one of them had done the same exact thing, so he understood! After that class I was nervous about the next. I found Rashad and he had to point me in the direction of the English building. Found it. Know zero people in that class. The guy sitting beside me didn't have on shoes. REALLY?!?!  However on the way to that class I did get the privilege of seeing Trooper. The Mustang Mascot-it's a horse incase you didn't know. Made. My. Day. I love goofy things like that. Well, English got out like an hour early. I was freaking out. I was NOT about to walk in the student center alone to see if I knew anyone or get food. So I made my way to my car and drove 5 minutes down the road to get a grilled chicken sandwich and apple fries from Burger King. (and ate it in my car) haha! I have got to get over this whole being shy thing. But you know, it WAS the first day of school. I was texting anyone I could think of to see if they were out of class early too. Nope. When I got back to campus I was going to meet Sarah so we could check out the horse again, and I saw Ben and Rashad, again. Relief again. Seeing faces I know make me happy! Ben walked with me to my next class, and made me go through the student center. Arrrrgh. At least I wasn't alone! I only saw 3 people I knew, because I wouldn't really look around and they were right in front of me. More familiar faces. I loved it. I realized that I'm not going to be alone and miserable this semester. It was fun! All in all it was a good day!

Sorry that it's so large! But this is Trooper. I wish I had gotten a better picture :)

Weekend

I had such a fun weekend!! Friday I went out with some friends. We ended up somewhere between Stevenson/Scottsboro/Bridgeport... I really don't know. haha! It's going to be an interesting fall and winter, that's for sure. Saturday I had to work, then go to a wedding (which was beautiful!), then I went to Florence to stay with Laura. I LOVE FLORENCE!!! I was only there for one night and I didn't want to come back home. Everyone I met was so awesome and I can not wait to go back and hang out and move there in January!! I know I'm making the right decision this time :) Here's some pictures from the weekend so far!

Me, Sarah, Jennifer Friday night

 Laura, me, Sarah Elizabeth and new Florence friends!!

Laura, Max and me... representing Scottsboro!

Friends

I love my friends! Missing them and high school!! ha!

Senior Awards Day

My Surprise 18th Birthday Breakfast

"Let's face it... we've changed. We all changed. Somewhere between summer ending and school starting, we've all gone in our own directions. Hearts were broken, friends diminished, new love started and new people came into our lives. We no longer spend all of our time in our circle of friends, we no longer talk for hours about nothing at all. We've changed -- some for the better, some for the worse. Some of us are finding love and others are trying to let go. Even though we've changed, we all know that even though we're all finding our own place in the world, that when we find out love, when we let go of a love, when the tears fall, or the happy smile spreads across our face... we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us and no matter what happens, nothing will ever change so much to the point that we're not all friends forever."

Plans

This time one year ago I did not think that I would be living back at home the next year. I don't regret making the decision to come home, but I have felt jealous of some of my friends who recently moved to Tuscaloosa. I know it was not the place for me. Sometimes we get so caught up in making our own plans for our lives. Or that's what I did. Of course I prayed about it but I had this great idea of how my life was going to be that I wouldn't even consider anything else. Now, I know that God was giving me signs all along to go look at UNA or consider staying home for a year at Northeast. I wouldn't do it. My time in Tuscaloosa was a learning experience and I grew SO SO much in my relationship with God. One Bible verse I read daily is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 "

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Even when we think we have plans for our life, God sometimes laughs in our face because His plan is SO much better than anything we think we want. I love that. I love that there is a plan for my life already mapped out. And I love the new discoveries I make each day, each week, and each year. It is so reassuring to me that even when I am selfish and make a mistake, God is still there. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 He loves us. Always. No matter what. And I LOVE Him.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31

Housewarming Party!

Two of my friends recently moved into a house together and last night we had a get together for them! I love painting so I made them both a little canvas with a quote on it. I'm going to do something bigger for the living room walls I just need to get a bigger canvas!!!! I love their little place though! It's nice to have somewhere to hang out! I also made a cake but forgot to get a picture.

Kellie 

Jennifer

Opening gifts

I Want to Leave a Legacy

I love this song. It's been on repeat in my car all day. It's how I want to be, and be remembered. I had to share it! Sorry it's not a fun video, but the words are great. Enjoy! 

Weekend

I had SUCH a great weekend! I always do when I get to spend it with family. Friday night me and Kendall went to see Step Up 3D. It was sooooooo good! It's about dancing (duh) but it had another really good message. I recommend it for sure. Me, my mom, and Tony went to Auburn for Mary Jeanne's graduation party Saturday! It was a blast! Our gang was all there except Butler. I love when we're all able to spend time together. Sunday when we got back, my mom's best friend, Michelle, from high school was in town so we went to dinner with her, her daughter and her parents. It was so good to see them all!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well!

The food was all so yummy!

Sarah Grace, me, Mary Jeanne, Adair, Hannah

Before and after...                                                             

           

(Okay I'm still trying to figure out this blogger stuff.. be patient with me when it looks bad! ha!)

Mine

Y'all, I'm pretty excited right now!! I just heard T. Swifts new single "Mine" on the radio! I cannot wait to see what the rest of the album (it comes out Oct. 25?? I think) will hold. I'm sure it will be a mix of everything like always! I know a lot of people can't stand her but I personally love the songs. So many of them I can relate to. Here's a personal fave right now: "I really, really hate that Stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive. You’re a redneck, heartbreak who's really bad at lying. So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time. As far as I'm concerned, you're just another picture to burn. Burn, burn, burn, baby burn." :)

After working on math basically all day yesterday (and NOT getting along with quadratic formulas) I decided I wanted to go away. Somewhere tropical- I'm thinking Hawaii. I don't care who goes with me. As long as they pack their happiness and don't annoy me. :)

I want to lay here:

and here:

and do this:

and NOT think about this:

... for a week.

I totally wish I could go. How great that would be! Too bad summer is almost over! Since I can't go to Hawaii for a vacay, I'll settle for going here this weekend:

to celebrate her graduation:

I'm so bummed that I have finals and won't be able to go to her actual graduation Monday! But I will be there Saturday night for the celebration! I am so excited to get out of town, even just for one night. 

Now I'm off to do more math...

Starting Over

Well, I had good intentions when I started this blog but I slacked off. One of my friends, and fellow blogger Ashley Ham, said she was going to start one and of course I was like, "I'm gonna start mine again too!" 

So I'm starting over and SOOO excited about it! But, sometimes new beginings are scary. This time last year I was getting ready to move to Tuscaloosa, packing up all my things, and mentally preparing to live in a tiny room with another person for around 9 months with a bathroom that was down the hall. I didn't think life would ever get any better! Definately one of the most exciting times in my life, so far, but also one of the scariest. I had NO clue what to expect and I was walking around rather clueless. There was no other option but to learn and adapt quick. No doubt- it was a great 9 months, and as much FUN as Tuscaloosa is... it just wasn't the right place for me. So I made the huge decision to not go back this fall. It was a scary decision because with every ending comes a new begining. And beginings are scary. I think its just the whole "not knowing" what is to come in the begining is the scary part. Let's be real, not knowing how things are gonna go down in many parts of life is scary. The lesson is to not that that fear of new hold you back! As all my friends start leaving home again to go back to college, I'll be staying home attending Northeast this semester. I never though I would be doing this but some things we must get out there and learn the hard way! Even though it's scary for me to be doing this all over, how WONDERFUL is it that God gives us the chance to start over brand new- each day. That's what I'm doing. Starting fresh at Northeast then (Lord willing) I'll be off to UNA in Janurary! Ohhh my how wonderful, exciting, scary, and good life is!! :)

I'll leave you with some lyrics by Bon Jovi...."Remember every new beginning, is some beginning's end. Welcome to wherever you are. This is your life, you made it this far. Welcome, you gotta believe that right here right now, you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Welcome, to wherever you are"