Music!

I love listening to songs that take me back! I realize I've only been out of high school 2 going on 3 years, but it still seems like forever ago. So much has changed, friends drifted apart, friends got closer. It happens no matter how much you try to stop it. Personally I can say that my life has only continued to get better, and better, and better! I am happier now than ever, and often find myself laughing over the things I thought were the end of the world in high school. But getting to the point, I LOVE listening to songs that take me back to those memories for 3 or 4 minutes. I like to listen, reminisce, then keep trucking along with my life. Just thought I would share a few that I'm loving and why right now!

I'm Not One of Them- Lauren Alaina

Guys always gotta prove himself...

Dirt Road Prayer- Lauren Alaina

"It's good to know I can always go where the green grass grows, the weeds are high and the sun hangs low. Look to the sky and I say hello." This reminds me of my farm. It's "my place"

MercyMe- Bring The Rain

Probably just my favorite song ever. Praise HIM no matter what!

Clear As Day- Scotty McCreery

Just LOTS of nights that are still clear as day to me! Sweet memories.

Been There Done That- Luke Bryan

Wish I would have known this song back then!

I know You're Gonna Be There- Luke Bryan

The most perfectly real song.

Okay that's just a few songs on my current playlist! I hope y'all enjoy them!

Sweet Story

Oh goodness! Isn't life so beautiful?! I was reading in a book something that I wanted to share. I am twenty, never been in a serious relationship, I have always thought to myself that I would be in one serious relationship forever(other than God and family.. you know what I mean!), but I often find myself wondering when God is going to put that someone in my life. It takes a great faith, and sometimes more faith than other times. But, stories like this give me give me a little more faith! Long story short....

In high school Amy made a list of things she wanted in a husband. On her list was that she wanted him to always carry peppermints in his pocket so that when they had grandkids, they would come to him and know he would always have a peppermint for them. When she met Philip, the first thing he did was offer her a peppermint. Wow, yea! They dated for a while until fate called them to separate directions. After the break up, Amy focused solely on her relationship with God. Two years passed. One day she felt as though God was telling her to call Philip. She said the feeling was so strong, so she called his mother to get his number. She called him, they chatted for hours. He kept calling week after week, and they kept falling more in love with each other. They finally had a date and a few days later he called and asked if they could meet. They went to the mall, drove around, and just hung out so Amy was confused as to why he was so urgent about them meeting up. Finally he said, " Has God been saying anything to you about me?" WHOA! Obviously God had been saying things to Amy too! My heart would have exploded! Then he said, "I feel like you are supposed to be my wife." He got down on his knee and she said yes! The ring came later on. They were married 6 months later.

This story made my heart smile. It proves that God works in miraculous ways, and it shows that when we listen to him, great things will come! If Amy hadn't listened to God telling her to call Philip that day, who knows where they would both be?(well God does, of course.) Pray for your future husband if you don't have one yet!!! And listen when God is telling you something.

Rush/ Bid Day through pictures

(I got a hair cut!!)

Oh, How He Loves Us

Do y'all have pinterest?! I had some friends tell me how awesome it was, but I kept putting it off. Well I finally got one and LOVE it! I found tons of cute things to make for my new room (which I will be showing next week!). I haven't been able to sleep tonight so I was pinning some things and this quote was one of my pins. It got me thinking.. Did I thank God for all that I should have yesterday? I know I am guilty of not always being appreciative and getting so caught up in things that I forget to stop and remember WHO provides me with those things. God is just so, so good. Each night I start off my prayer with, "Thank you God for this beautiful day and all the blessings you show me....." My goal is going to be to write down things I am thankful for through out the day and thank God for each of those individual things. My heart is so content right now. I read these blogs often about peoples trials and tribulations, sickness, cancer, death. It's so sad and my heart breaks for them. I pray for those people and my prayer is that even through their struggles that they can see God's love. It reminds me of the song "How He Loves" by David Crowder. I cry every time I hear that song.

I hope all of you will take a moment to say a prayer for all those fighting cancer. Pray for their family, friends, doctors, and nurses too. They need prayers for strength. Trust me, I've been there.

Mexico

We took a fam vacay on a cruise to Mexico! It was a lot of fun! Our port stops were Cozumel and Calica! Lots of shopping and sunning!!

In Playa Del Maya

I don't care how old I get I will always love silly cups

at dinner the first night

me and brother

Friend

Goodness I can not believe it is August!!!! July was a SUPER busy month for me and I have a feeling August isn't going to slow down either! I told myself I must start back blogging in August. So let's get to it! I'm just going to start tonight about a sweet friend of mine. I've known Beth since the diaper days. We grew up together, and are still growing up together. She studied abroad this summer and saw tons of amazing sights! I am so jealous of her trip! She backpacked for the first few weeks before her class began. I went over tonight to see her, hear about the trip, and look at pictures. She had me a treat! Some chocolates and a tulip magnet from Holland! How sweet! I loved visiting and catching up so much. On my way back home I got so touched by the gifts. She personally selected the gifts for me, just a she did for the other gifts she brought back for people. That's they type of person she is- and I LOVE that about her! I am so grateful for her friendship and SO blessed that God selected her to be a part of my life. I do not know what I would do with out this girl. She has been there for me through it all. The best part is, I know she will still be there through all of the things we have yet to face in life, just as I will for her! I am so excited to see where our lives take us, but hopefully we will live close so our future children can grow up and be best friends like us! I am just feeling extra blessed by her and ALL my other awesome friends and family. God is so good! I can't end this post without saying how GREAT her parents are, too! I just love sitting in their living room chatting for hours with them! I am one lucky girl. I hope you all a friend like I have in Beth!

These are the chocolates she brought me. Yummy! Who wouldn't smile at this cute box!?

This is us almost a year ago when I was in Auburn for her birthday. Most people would laugh at a gift of a mum with a squirrel(for Alpha Gam) yard decoration in it. However Beth appreciates special gifts like that, as do I!

"A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope."

Love you Doroth!

CUTE CUTE CUTE I made cake balls and individually wrapped them and put them in these cute mini buckets. I usually buy a few of these buckets when Target has them in the dollar section. I'm obsessed with them!

This is a cupcake/cake ball platter I made

3 different cake balls. They were adorable in the mini buckets!

Vanilla cupcakes with raspberry buttercream... YUM-O!!

How cute are they!?

Retreat

I am having an amazing week here at The Lighthouse Family Retreat!!! I just can't even explain how awesome this is. It's a retreat for families who have children with cancer, but are in remission or healthy enough to be out of the hospital. The kids are great. It is SOOO hot here and there is so many people that it can be over-whelming to some of the children. It is the best feeling when you get to see them smile though! It makes everything worth it. Tonight in nightcap with all the volunteers we sang "Our God". I looked across the room and a lady crying caught my eye. She recently lost her daughter to cancer, and her and her son are here volunteering to help families who are fighting cancer. From being there, I know how hard it is to lose someone to cancer. My dad fought the battle for 2 years and unfortunately lost. But he didn't lose, he won. He is with our Heavenly Father and in a Christian's eyes that is the ultimate finish line. Anyways back to "Our God", Our God is GREATER, our God is STRONGER than any other. I don't see how the he sweet lady and her son could be here helping if they didn't have God's love. He is shining through them. Sometimes God's puts situations in our life so that we can take something from them and help others because WE have been there. I went for a run as soon as nightcap was over and a song called "Blessings" came on. OH MY GOODNESS. It says it all. I couldnt get the video to work but take a minute and go google or youtube the song Blessings by Laura Story. You won't be disappointed. Please pray for the families here! Pray that they feel God's presence this week, and in the weeks, months, and years to come as they may continue to face hard times. Help them remember that "God is good" all the time. (that was our lesson for today!) Love and blessings to you all!

Culinary Arts

Back to the topic of "What do you want to do for the rest of your life." UGH it is so SUPER stressful for me. I mean, I know what I love to do and what my one huge career life dream is but I talk myself out of it time and time again. The voices in my head say, "No you can't do that" or "Nope it's never going to happen" or "You will be so broke that you will live at home forever."(yikes) Anyways as I was looking over my classes next semester I finally made the decision to change my major, once again. When I started college I was an Interior Design Major. Well, I somehow ended up not taking any interior design classes and was in Fashion Merchandising instead. It was fun, thoughts of living in New York and working for some fancy smancy designer sounds all fun, but not something I wanted to spend THE REST of my life doing. So it then changed to Childlife Specialist..took a few basic classes, then decided I wasn't going to attend Alabama anymore. Along with a school change came a major change. I was a Family and Consumer Sciences secondary education major. Now, all of these things interest me, but again not what I want to spend my remaining years doing. So, today, I made the decision and emailed my advisor. I am just going for it and my major is going to be Culinary Arts. It's my one true passion and I am not going to shove it aside any longer. So here goes to another Major change and lets hope this one sticks. I only need 39 more hours to have that degree which is MUCH more appealing than the 88 needed for Family and Consumer Sciences. I know God has an incredible plan for me and I am SO excited to see where this leads me in life. Though sometimes I wish God could mail us a package with all of our life instructions.

What about y'all? Anyone have any advice/ stories about college, jobs, major changes??

How Do You Know?

Probably the most commonly asked question I get as a 20 year old is, "What's your major?" "Right now my major is Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education, but that isn't really what I want to do soooo I just don't know." I'm serious that is how I usually answer. I mean being a teacher is great in theory.. out of school by 2:30-3 ish, weekends off, summers off, decent breaks throughout the year. But then I think about all the grading and extra stuff that comes along with teaching. Is it really my calling? No, I don't think so. Should I settle? No, probably not. Do I know what I REALLY want to spend the rest of my life doing? No, sure don't. It's pretty scary.

I do know that I love creating things with my hands. I love working on art projects, adding details to cupcakes, cookies, and cake-pops, painting, and creating new things. It just makes me HAPPY. But how can I support my self by doing those things? I don't really know to be honest with you. Of course it's always been a dream of mine to own a bakery or something along those lines, but how practical is that? Some folks opinion is "very practical, you can do it!" and others are like "places like that don't usually last long and don't make any money". Well cool, thanks for the feedback. It makes me want to pull my hair out. I'm 20... how am I supposed to know what I want to do for THE REST OF MY LIFE?!?! I'm about to be a Junior in college and I am still not 100% sure what I want to major in. Stressful. What I do know is that I'm going to keep on keeping on. I'll get a degree in something, and hopefully be able to use it in that career.

I found this quote and It makes sense to me..

"When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our things were answers like astronaut, president, or in my case, princess… When we were ten, they asked us again. We answered - rock star, cowboy, or in my case, gold medallist… But now that we’ve grown up, they want a more serious answer. Well, how about this… Who the hell knows? This isn’t a time to make hard and fast decisions. This is the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love - a lot. Major in philosophy because there’s no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind. Then change it again because nothing is permanent. So make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask again what we want to be… We won’t have to guess. We’ll know." -Eclipse

So yeah.. I think I'll just be a princess.

Fortune

One day a few weeks ago I went to a Chinese restaurant with one of my friends. I didn't eat, but they brought me a fortune cookie at the end. I LOVE fortune cookies so I was excited to read it. It said, "A new relationship is about to blossom, you will be greatly blessed." I was like YAY, finally, about time!!!

I've been in an extra happy mood lately and I have that fortune to thank. Even though a "new relationship" hasn't blossomed yet, I know it will one day. It didn't specify what type of relationship so it could be anything. I am volunteering at a Lighthouse Family Retreat in a few weeks and it could be a new relationship with a child who was cancer. It could be a potential boyfriend. It could be my future little. Only God knows.

Some people are like, "It's a fortune, get over it. Those things never happen." However I am optimistic and I like to think there is a reason for everything. There was a reason for me getting that fortune. So I have been praying for my future little, my future husband, and the children and families who are facing with cancer that I am about to spend a week with. And I am so excited for all three! I'll be driving down the road by myself just cheesing. Because I have no reason not to smile. Life is good, getting better all the time, and someday someone will walk into my life and make me realize why it never worked out with anyone else.

Life is exciting!

Father's Day

All because two people fell in love....

I was blessed with the best parents. I can't ever be thankful enough.

This is how i will ALWAYS remember my dad. Smiling, on the dock, with his greatest friends around(of course they aren't in the pic, but they were there!)

me and a little wee baby

on the lake.. other than yardwork, his favorite past time.
my 3rd birthday.
brothers first day of school!
"My father didn't teach me how to live, he lived, and let me watch him do it."

I am so lucky to have such an amazing daddy to make days like to day a little easier. He keeps me strong and I cannot wait to hug his neck any time I want to in Heaven.

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Quotes from Twitter

I favorite things on twitter A LOT! I was going over them tonight and though I would share!! It's funny to look back and see what was going on in my life because all of these kind of relate! Enjoy!

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” –Oprah Winfrey

STOP SAYING "I WISH" AND START SAYING " I WILL"

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. ~Abraham Lincoln

"everyday is a new opportunity to smile" - bieber

The truth is, nothing is guaranteed. So don't be afraid. Be alive. ~@SarahDessen

Wanting to be someone you're not is wasting the person you are.

Certain people are good for you at certain time. Everyone isn't suppose to be there forever.

You can have everything in the world and still feel empty if you aren't happy with yourself.

Sometimes, we need to leave people from our past behind because of one reason: they just don't deserve a place in your future.

Rule #66: There are so many people out there that will tell you that you can't. What you've got to do is turn around and say, "Watch me."

Focus on where you're going but don't regret where you've been. Every smile & every scar added to who u are.

No matter what u're going through or how long u're waiting for answers. One sure thing: God is faithful; He keeps his promises.

i finally learned what life's all about.. hanging on when your heart's had enough and giving more when you wanna give up -- NiCOLE RiCHiE

Maybe our past is like an anchor holding us back. Maybe u have to let go of who u ARE to become who u WILL BE. ~SATC

Whenever God puts a period never put a question mark

More important in life than the friends you can count are the friends you can count on.

Many people pray as if God is a big aspirin pill; they come only when they hurt. Dont pray when it rains if u don't pray when the sunshines.

"No amount of Guilt can change the past, and no amount of Worrying can change the future" -Unknown

Rule #59: If he doesn't chase you when you walk away, keep walking.

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. ~Les Brown

Life is not about what I've done, should have done or what I could have done... It's about what I can do and what I will do.

Trust God to do what's best for u. Stop trying to make things happen the way u want. Please God more than yourself.

Never tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

God will replace everything you lost. If He asks you to put something down, it's because He wants you to pick up something better.

We always give joyful thanks to God - Colossians 1:3

Sometimes you've gotta stop seeking, searching, asking, knocking or demanding..& just let IT come to YOU.

If you started today, imagine where you could be in a year. The time is NOW.

"Forgiveness is letting go of the idea that you could have had a different past."

Have a super week!

New Blog

SO SORRY I have been such a lame blogger lately! I promise some things soon!! But for now HERE is the link to my new baking blog! This is just another step towards me fulfilling my dream to have a bakery one day!!

Looking Back

These pictures are from newest to oldest... It did that when I was uploading so I just went with it.. anyways, my first semester at UNA is over :( so sad! I has the best semester ever!! It felt exactly like how college is supposed to feel. I have found my happy place! I was thinking about how much happened this semester and wanted to take a look back....

I volunteered with my sisters.

I met new friends and got new nicknames. Young Hay Hay, Rowdy Riles, and A-town.

Went to my first formal.

Rode a camel.

Went to the zoo with my sisters.

Went to the beach for Spring Break.

Went to some mixers.

Had Casino Night.

Ate with the Chic- Fil- A chicken

Turned TWENTY!

Spent many Wednesday nights at La Fonda's

Made some fire with Sam.

Was a gangster.

Went to the circus with Chelsey!

Spent Mardi Gras in Auburn.

Played in the snow my first week there.

Had some lovely entertainment at LaFonda's

Made a quick trip to T-Town.

Bonded with my Big.

"Borrowed" some pizza rolls.

Got initiated into Phi Mu.

Met Lee Brice and Gloriana and got their signatures.

Left a car door open outside BWW on the busiest road in Florence. (whoops)

Pulled a few all- nighters.

Made some wonderful friends.

Had a roommate from Brazil.

Was freaked out many times by my haunted dorm.

Changed my major.

Survived tornados.

Went for numerous drives trying to find some country back roads.

Counted my blessings many times.

Cried to a Professer.

Had THREE flat tires.

Made memories more to last a life time.

I am home now and all I want is to be back in Florence with all my friends! I will NEVER replace my lifetime best friends from home, but there is a different bond with college friends. I am so lucky for all of them and going to miss them this summer! I'll be making many trips to Huntsville, Athens, and Florence for visits! I can't wait to be reunited in August and do it all over again! LOVE y'all!

"Thank God for all I missed, cause it lead me here to this."

MOTHERS DAY

Me and my momma! She is way to good to me and I owe her for everything I am and hope to be! I love you!!

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

My sweet Grammy! (moms mom)

The sweetest sounds to mortals given

Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.

~William Goldsmith Brown

Mrs. Deborah! I consider her my second mom!

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

My dads mom, my Granny Peg!

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL! I LOVE YOU!!