Monday, February 28, 2011

Blogaiversary


I was looking through my old posts and today was one year since I started my blog!! I can't believe it's been a year and I didn't even realize it!!!


Monday Music

It's late and been a long day, I didn't feel much like typing lyrics so I posted the songs. Some are old and some are new. I guess you can tell what kind of music mood I have been in this past week. Crazy Girl is my current favorite. I started typing another post about attitude and how our attitude affects others, and how others attitudes affect us. So stay tuned for that! Love you all!


Mike Posner- Halo



Justin Moore- If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away



Eli Young Band- Crazy Girl



Jason McCoy- I'm Not Running Anymore



David Nail- Let It Rain



Brantley Gilbert- You Promised

Sunday, February 27, 2011

College


Surround yourself with people who are only going to lift you higher.

I found this big long think about friends/college/life. I can relate to parts of it. My friends that I grew up with will NEVER be replaced and I love them so very much. I love that we can be apart for weeks and when we are back together it's like no time has passed. However I am making some really great friends in Florence too. I am just so happy, blessed, grateful, and lucky. I love my life, and the people in it!


Maybe the time has gone, but the faces I recall. Things in this life change very slowly, if they ever change at all. The scary part being that we've all been hit with change lately, and it doesn't seem to have come slowly at all. Do you remember the day you left home? I'm sure that you do. But I'll bet that what you remember even more clearly were the days in the week before you left. You know, the days that you spent getting addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses and trying to figure out how to say good-bye to everyone that you've loved for as long as you could remember.

Do you remember standing by your best friend's car one night, after midnight, trying to sum up the meaning of a friendship you'd managed to maintain through thick and thin for years? Do you remember how hard that was, to think of how to say good-bye to that one person? It was nearly impossible, wasn't it, to give them that one last hug and turn around and walk inside?

I'll bet the part of what you remember was the night before you left, kissing your boyfriend good-bye one last time. Just knowing that you'd have to turn around and walk back inside was almost motivation enough not to leave. Stepping back to take one last look at that person you love--it's really scary. And you go and you tell yourself that you won't ever find someone new. You won't ever replace your old friends. You'll never fall in love again.

It's really crazy,what kinds of things can happen when you don't mean for them to. You get to a new place full of strangers. You meet people who forget you. You forget people who you meet. But sometimes, you come across some extra ordinarily special people. They have tears to shed, too. They also left people that they love behind. They're still in love with that guy back home where they used to live, and they all want someone to talk to. So you talk. Talk is good. You form bonds you never thought you'd form. You call your old friends and tell them about the new ones. Sometimes, they don't understand. Sometimes, you hurt their feelings. Sometimes everyone is a bit jealous. You miss your boyfriend.

One day you're sitting in the park, thinking about all that stuff you didn't want to leave, and a stranger sits down near you. Sometimes that person stays a stranger. Other times you talk to him or her. Sometimes you experience things you didn't want to ever happen. You become interested in a person that isn't your boyfriend or girlfriend @ home. Sometimes college is really complicated.


Sometimes you stay together, other times you break up. Sometimes you think you've done the wrong thing by coming so far away from home. And sometimes when you start thinking like this, it's time to make a change. So when this happens, you sit down and turn on your stereo, and that song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" from the Armageddon soundtrack is on, or The Eagles "Sad Cafe" song, and you wonder if you can still recall all the faces from your past. So, you pick up the phone and you call them all just to say, "Hi, I love you, I'm thinking about you." And then just as an after thought you say, "You know, I'm really learning a lot from college. I wish you would visit all of my friends. They would love you. And you would love them. They're very important to me."

Because, after all this is college. And college is a growing experience. Growing experiences cause change is hard. But whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

So call your parents. Call your siblings. Call your best friend. Or your boyfriend or girlfriend. Or even your ex, if that's how it worked out. Tell them hello. Tell them that you miss and love them. And then, turn off your stereo, walk out of your dorm room. Go to a new friend's room and give them a big hug and say, "Thanks so much for being here. I love you."

You learn a lot when you go to college. You learn that pulling an all-nighter means staying up all night to study for a test you will then sleep through. You learn to appreciate the taste of beer-the cheapest of all alcoholic beverages. You learn that you can roll out of bed 10 minutes before class and go to class looking like crap-and no one will notice or care. You learn you really can do things for yourself without your parents looking over your shoulder--but you also learn you never realized how nice it was to have them there, just in case. More than anything, however, you learn how much your friends really mean to you. College friends come to mean a lot to you, but they can never compare to your friends from home. Your friends from home teach you the meaning of friendship during your college years. Because you are apart from them you tend to express your feelings more --- you learn how much these people truly affect your life.

You've got your best friend who exemplifies friendship-she calls at least once a week, sends email every day, and even sends you real mail. You feel like you never left each other...she still knows everything about you, and even over the Internet can tell when something is wrong. She teaches you that distance doesn't have to change a friendship at all. Then there is your other best friend. She rarely calls or writes and she doesn't do the email thing. At times you think she has forgotten about you...until you hear from her. You hear from her for the first time in almost two months-and nothing has changed. You are still you and she is still her --even though you never talk you are as close as ever, you are still the best of friends. You find yourself expressing to her just how much she means to you -- because you realize it now more than ever. She teaches you that true friends are friends in the soul... separation cant tear them apart.

Then there are those friends that you sort of lost touch with those last few months of high school and during the summer. You were busy, they were busy...but somehow, the magic of email has brought you closer together than you ever were in four years at the same school. You share secrets, heartache, and joy...it's another person who cares about you as long as you will care about them too. Away from all the pettiness of high school, you've finally formed an adult relationship...and you realize just how great a friend this person is suddenly, the people that you thought for sure you would lose touch with in college are the ones you're keepin closest contact with--and you miss them more than you ever thought possible. Sadly enough, there are also the friends that you were closest to in high school who drift too far for you to hold onto. You've both changed and suddenly you don't have much to say to each other. But these people teach you a lesson too, they make you value the others, the ones you have stayed close to, that much more. These distant friends, though you miss them when you rarely think of them, show you who your forever friends really are-and they make you appreciate those forevers much more than before.

College is rough. College severs some bonds and solidifies others...it puts a distance between you and the ones you love. But it teaches you so much. It forces your real friends to come to the front, while the rest take their places in the shadows of your memories. In college you lose some people -- but through real friendship and the strength of the soul (which is where real friends join as one) you keep the ones you will need most in your life.

“You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..."

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Random acts of Kindness

Everyone loves someone to do something nice for them. I know I do! But also, it is important to return the favor and do kind things for others. It doesn't have to take long or much to do a random act of kindness! Here's some ideas that I encourage you to start practicing.


  1. Send someone a hand written note of thanks.
  2. Pay for someone’s dinner
  3. Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.
  4. Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
  5. Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.
  6. Walk your friend’s dog.
  7. Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
  8. Send someone a small gift anonymously.
  9. Stop and help someone replace their flat tyre.
  10. Let someone jump the queue at the bank.
  11. Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
  12. Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.
  13. Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.
  14. Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
  15. Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.
  16. Give another driver your parking spot.
  17. Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
  18. Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.
  19. Smile a lot.
  20. Tell all your family members how much your appreciate them.


That's just a few of the things you could do! You never know what someone is going through, and the smile you give them may be the only smile they see all day. One thing a few weeks ago that really made my day was when I found a post-it note at the gym that said, "You're Beautiful". and it had a bible verse on it. It would only take a minute to do that and stick it somewhere for someone to find. It could be just what they need to save their life, or save their day.


"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

Ephesians 4:32


"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality."

Romans 12:9-1

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Weekend Recap and Randoms

Lauren(brother's girlfriend), me, Butler, mom, and Tony at my cousin Evan's Engagement Party at the Birmingham Country Club. SO NICE! It was so special to be a part of their celebration this past Saturday. We stayed at Ross Bridge after and I love staying there! The weather was so warm that people were actually swimming in the pool! I enjoy any excuse to spend time with my family.(even if I am the 5th wheel)
Butler, Kim(cousin), Granny Peg, and me
Friday I went to Tuscaloosa to celebrate one of my friends birthdays! It was weird being back there, but I am for sure glad I do not attend school there any more! It was a fun night for sure!
I never posted the Valentine cake pops so I wanted to just to have. These were teddy bears with a conversation heart and then a pink heart. They turned out super adorbs!

Tonight I had another Phi meeting and it was so great! I am loving getting to know these girls better! I am our pledge class Chaplain and I'm very excited about it! I am shy but have been wanting to do something like this! I feel like it's going to be a baby step in the right direction! :) Love y'all!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Monday Music


I am in love with this song! I listened to it probably over half the time I was driving to Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and back to Florence. I have been so busy and didn't get to detail songs today but listen to this song and I hope you love it as much as I do! My favorite part is "don't look fate can only find you, you cant choose for something to surprise you". When I heard this song it was exactly what I needed....a reminder to STOP looking for a relationship. Anyways, enjoy Sweet Serendipity!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Peace

Sorry that it is underlined and blue..... I don't feel like fixing it.
So it may be safe to say that I am a little bit obsessed with the sky, trees, and just pretty views. When I see something so beathe taking it just assures me that there is eternal life after this. I don;t know how to explain it but nature gives me a peace. My dad loved anything outdoors so of course it reminds me of him which I love. I wish I could take better picture of the stars at night because that is probably my favorite. I believe that the stars are little holes for him to watch down over me, and when they twinklie, I like to think of that as a wink. Silly, but it helps me make it through These are just a few of the photos I have taken of some beautiful sights I wanted to share.. I hope you enjoy their beauty as much as I do!

Winter

my backyard and front yard on Christmas 2010

When snow falls, nature listens. ~Antoinette van Kleeff
How can someone not enjoy looking at the snow?! It is so beautiful falling from the sky and so pure when it first graces the ground. It's not often we get to see snow in the south, which makes it that much more special and beautiful when it does come.

This was the sunset on my way home from Auburn a few weeks ago. I had to snap a pic while driving.




Summer
Vero Beach, Florida 2010
Venice Beach, California Jan 2010
Fourth of July 2010- my favorite holiday, I just love the watching the fireworks in the boat with my family. Some of my best memories are this night each year.



Fall

This is along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Fall 2009


Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir



one if my favorite trees at my house. it will hurt your eyes it's so pretty in fall.



Spring

This is the tree in front of my high school. I drove by it 5 days a week for 4 school years. Saw it rolled, full and green, with no leaves, with snow a time or two, and colorful in fall. Now when I drive by it so many memories come back to me. 4 of the best years of my life.

This is a dogwood tree at my house. I absolutely ADORE it every spring. It represents new life to me. This picture was Easter 2010. It's usually in full bloom on the anniversary of my dads death and it is so comforting because I know that he knows that I love this tree, so he makes it beautiful for me. I know it :)

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." ~e.e. cummings

view from my dock. Love it. Easter 2010
My farm, Easter 2010. This place give me such a peace of mind every time I go. My dad LOVED this farm and took such good care of it. I honestly don't want to ever think what I will do if this is not in my family anymore. I like to go here to feel especially close to dad, and God.
Orange Beach, AL September 2009- My uncle had just passed away and my family was staying at a condo down there. I honestly don't know how someone could not see the beauty in this picture. I look at it and know that there is a God. How else could something be THAT beautiful. The sun was going down behind the clouds and it was so beautiful. God was watching over us, as he always is.