Day by Day

2008-10-05T22:00:00.001-05:00

Friends

2008-09-22T18:34:00.002-05:00

Lately I've been kind of settling into this new phase of my life. I really like it too. I feel like the friends I have now are friends that I will have for life. I love how we can be silly and sometimes immature, but the next second we can come together and have a deep and meaningful conversation. I know that they will all be there for me come what may. The friendships I have now are natural. By that I mean that it really doesn't seem like I have to try, and they all help me develop into a better person. Right now, my focus is to truly become the person that God wants me to be. I'm not the same girl I was a year ago, and while I feel like I'm starting to settle, I'm also constantly changing. I don't know if any of that really makes sense. I say all that to come to the point that I am so incredibly happy right now. God is really working things out and challenging me, and in this he has surrounded me with friends that I can rely and that I know seek God's guidance in their own lives. (Insert Michael W. Smith "Friends are Friends forever" sound clip)

Right now, a lot of girls from church are having a Bible study one night a week. We're going through Priscilla Shirer's Bible study Discerning the Voice of God. It is so good, and it's really opening up my eyes to a lot of things that I have kind of absentmindedly closed God off to in my life. I'm so happy that God has placed every single one of us there together and that we are getting the chance to grow closer together in him.

On that note, it seems like for the past few years I've constantly been at a crossroads. It's like my life is a grid street system... once a figure out which way to go, I come to another red light and another decision that decides where I travel to next. (I hope that made some kind of sense). Right now things are moving along smoothly. They seem to be working out just fine. I've been developing this routine, and then I get the sudden urge to go back to school. I've always thought that I am called to teach, but I also felt like God was leading me to put that off for a little while, graduate and enter the "real world" or whatever you want to call it. This past week, I have felt the call to teach stronger than ever before. So, maybe this time next year I'll be back in school chasing the dream of becoming a teacher again. Please pray for me as I continue to seek God's absolute guidance in this decision because it is definitely not something that I will be able to do on my own. It would also require me getting a job teaching while I am getting my masters, so quite a few doors are going to have to open for this to happen.

glasses... ugh!

2008-09-03T21:47:00.003-05:00

I am still being forced to wear glasses due to scratched corneas. I'm so tired of pushing them up on my nose and not having very good peripheral vision. I want to have vision correction surgery.

I started a new Bible study this week with some gals from church. I'm super excited about it too! As I grow and learn, I'll post.

This is a cute wedding present:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14843924

(hint hint wink wink)

Progress!

2008-08-24T14:40:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a very eventful day. I had an appointment at David's Bridal at 10, and Jessica, Megan, Laura, and my mom went with me. I found my dress and we ordered it! AND Jessica and Megan picked out a bridesmaid dress. We all decided that Champagne was the best color. The brown they had looked a little purple. This is it:

We all liked it, and they will all look so pretty in it! I tried on like 6 dresses and found the one that I liked. I'm sooo happy that I can check those things off of my list. I also picked out a junior bridesmaid and flower girl dress yesterday. I'm really ready to get all of the big things checked off of my list!

Also, Megan and I went to Linens and Things to look for curtains for their apartment since she had a gift card and everything was on sale because Linens and Things is going out of business. She got some extremely pretty curtains, and other things they needed. Then, we went over to the Galleria. We went into a jewelry store that is going out of business just to see what kind of wedding bands they had, and I found one just like Ryan had said that he wants. So, we called the boys, and they came out and I got Ryan's wedding band!

I'm already ready to have planning over and covered! But I know that I have much more to come!

A little Preview

2008-08-19T19:29:00.003-05:00

This is part of my wedding inspiration:

I saw one of these when I went to market with Ryan's mom a little while back, and that's how the whole peacock feather thing started.

I'm also thinking about using Latte or Champagne colored dresses for the bridesmaids instead of brown.

I have an appointment at David's Bridal on Saturday morning. I plan on deciding on a dress for me then and the bridesmaids' and junior bridesmaids' dresses. I'm taking an entourage with me to help make those decisions. My mom is even coming up!

Growing Up

2008-08-18T20:59:00.003-05:00

Wedding planning is underway. I can't believe that we are 5 1/2 months away. I'm going dress shopping Saturday. The plan is to find a dress and pick out the bridesmaids dresses. I've picked out the flowers for the wedding and reception, and I've figured out what I want to do for reception centerpieces. If only my dad would just rent out the reception hall... Anyway...
Here is a small preview of what I'm thinking.

Working 40 hours a week completely drains me! It is a big adjustment for me to go to bed around 10, but by then I am worn out. And it's kind of weird that I'm not starting class tomorrow with everyone else. I'm just at the point in life where things are changing I guess!

I'm singing in church Sunday, and I'm taking suggestions for songs!

BTW... I love the Olympics, and I REALLY want to go to the winter Olympics when they're in Canada in 2010. And Summer 2016 might be in Chicago.... how awesome would that be!

In all honesty....

2008-08-03T21:41:00.002-05:00

Life never ever slows down anymore. It's always one thing after the other. Sometimes I'm just glad that I voluntarily breathe because I might not find the time to do that if I didn't. I'm not quite sure that all made sense, but I said all that to express that I am completely and totally over the whole hustle and bustle that has been going on in my life. Honestly, I don't think it will slow down for another 6 maybe 7 months. There is always something to do or somewhere to be!

Meanwhile, the job has been going well. It really stresses me out sometimes because a lot of new stuff gets thrown at me all at once, and it is really hard for me to find the chance to slow everyone else down and allow me to process what is actually taking place. Pretty soon I'll be in the complete habit of things and then I'll never look back (I hope). It is obviously taking a lot to adjust to a full 40 hour work week, but I am doing it. As much as I don't want to roll out of the bed in the morning (yes, I roll), I do. So far I've made it through an entire month. I've only been settled at my branch for 2 weeks, but I'm surviving so far.

With that said, God's really been working, and he has shown me through all of my stressing out and trying my best to do things the best way I can that He is the one that is truly in control. If I would just SLOW DOWN enough to notice that even though I screw up and make mistakes that are stupid, He can help because He is always in control. When Bro. Mark was preaching today, He read this verse that really stood out to me. It's going to be my calendar verse for August.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

I have been stressing about several things lately, so this is definitely the verse I need to remember!

Love.

Sometimes...

2008-06-27T13:33:00.002-05:00

I'm sure that the general Christian population can back me up when I say that sometimes I have absolutely no idea what God is doing. I remember about a week ago, I thought I finally had this whole job issue figured out. It is a pretty big issue considering I have bills and rent to pay, and I wasn't planning on being homeless anytime soon. Then, I talked to Regions again. I really thought this phone call was just going to be some kind of confirmation type deal, no biggie. Well, I was wrong. The lady apologized several times, and informed me that they no longer had the position available that they hired me for. I got off the phone and started crying. In the midst of trying to pull my scattered self together, I started asking God why this was happening. (Side note: A few years back I used to think that it was not okay to ask God why. I really thought that I was supposed to be passive and bottle up those emotions. You know the ones like why is my 19 year old friend suddenly dead, but then my youth minister... whom I look up to immensely... informed me that it is in fact okay. While God may chuckle at us and say, because I know what I'm doing... don't you know that by now. It is okay. Now back to the point)...

In all of this ugly crying, nose blowing, and bafflement, I remembered a passage that Joseph talked to the youth about a few weeks earlier. Isaiah 55 is pretty awesome. Verses 8 and 9 say,

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'"

God knows what he is doing. And while I didn't want to accept that a week ago, he showed me that. I went for an interview with Compass Bank this week. I thought the process was going to be another long one, just like the Regions process. I received an e-mail from Compass on Monday saying they had received my application (from about 4 weeks ago), and they wanted me to come in for a test/interview. I was excited. At least I now had a prospect of a job again. So, I went in Wednesday morning, and by that afternoon, they were calling me and offering me a job. Not to mention more money than Regions offered. God knew what he was doing. Truth is, I needed to make more money than Regions was willing to give, and God took care of me! Unless something goes wrong between now and Monday, I will be starting a job on Monday morning. Yay.

VBS pictures are coming soon. Tonight is the last night. It has been great. Last night I came home with blue tempera paint all over me. The joy of painting picture frames!

Interview...

2008-06-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

I have a test/interview with Compass Bank tomorrow. Praying that it goes well. I have been applying for jobs like crazy! Hopefully something fantastic will come up soon.

VBS is this week. It is going great so far. I can really tell that everyone involved has put a lot of extra work into it this year. I'll share some pictures at the end of the week!

Love.

Eventful week

2008-06-20T17:04:00.002-05:00

Registering can wear you out! Ryan and I registered at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond this week! It is really exciting, but it is exhausting. It's hard work, and then you get home and realize that you forgot some stuff. I can't wait to start getting things, but it will be a few months.

Well, I was supposed to start at Regions on Monday, but apparently they hired me for a job that is no longer available. So, I'm back looking for a job. MAN!

Guess What!

2008-06-13T11:03:00.001-05:00

I won! I never win anything, but that all changed today. I'm trying to be sure that more than 5 people's names were in the drawing.

Anyway... I've got to get to packing. Dothan calls! I'm going to look for a wedding dress tomorrow. Eeek!

Some things I've been working on...

2008-06-04T12:56:00.009-05:00

Over the past, well, months. I started my new calendar (I start it in the middle of the year. It goes June-May... so). I'm going to pick a verse each month that I want to memorize and scrap it for the calendar. One of my goals for the year (that I've been slacking on) is to memorize more scripture, so hopefully this well help.
All of these pages are 9 x 9, and my scanner is 81/2 x 11, and I didn't want to learn how to stitch pages together, so a little bit is cut off of the pages. I tried my best to make sure that the good parts were scanned in. :)

Also, I began working on my engagement album pretty much 2 days after we got engaged. :)
I was soooo excited to get to started on it. I only have a few pages, but here's what I have so far.
These two pictures of us are almost exactly 4 years apart. The first one is of us in high school on the first night that we hung out (shirts with initials on them were cool in 2003, right?). The second one is just a random picture from Decemberish (I'm not sure if it was end of Nov. or beginning of Dec.) last year (2007).

This picture is actually in the yearbook from our senior year of high school. We were sitting in the gym one afternoon, and a friend of ours that was on yearbook staff took this random picture of us. She gave it to me after they scanned it in and everything.

I couldn't get this page to scan very well. I don't know what its problem is. This picture is from about 2 minutes after we got engaged!

Pretty self explanatory. The story of how he asked me to marry him. I don't really like how the journaling turned out on this page. I'll change it later.
Right when we got back to Birmingham from our exciting Spring Break trip, Megan and Joseph gave us a wedding planner. It is wonderful! I've already started using it. Basically just to make up a guest list for save the dates. This page also has the card that they gave us on it.

Yay. Well, that's that. I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. Pray!

how about...

2008-05-28T11:20:00.004-05:00

I have 400 mosquito bites. UGH! I hate them. I really have 15 (yes I counted... so what). One day, I want to be able to spell the word mosquito in a scrabble game. How amazing would that be?

Look at the sunset. It's so pretty. God is awesome!

The job search is still on. I pray for a phone call every day. I'm really ready to move on with this! I guess this is God's way of teaching me patience and to wait on his perfect timing.

Adam was in Birmingham for a little visit this weekend. We went to the Summit and journeyed into Urban Outfitters on Saturday. Because of my lack of money, I just aimlessly wondered around the store and I found this. I was soo excited. I've really been wanting some of Kurt Halsey's work, but I couldn't ever find something that was suitable for purchase. Ryan bought the canvas for me! I hope they keep getting more!

Anyway, I am going to try to get Ryan to help me out in photoshop so that I can do a face lift on my blog. maybe...

Oh my...

2008-05-22T09:34:00.003-05:00

It's been a while. I've been busy trying to get things together and busy doing nothing. A job is necessary.... like now! I've put my resume in at tons of places, now all I have to do is wait and be patient. That's probably the hardest part. I know God knows what he's doing, and I trust that he has something prepared for me. Sometimes it is just so incredibly hard to wait on his timing; especially when the worries of this world are so close and in my face. I am thankful that he has surrounded me with people who genuinely care about my future and are more than willing to help out. I just hope I start getting some phone calls soon!

Ryan bought the new Wii Fit yesterday. This thing is pretty much the reason I decided to go ahead and get a wii a few weeks ago.

It's pretty awesome. I'm excited and ready to get rid of some of this weight that I have allowed my college fast food lifestyle to put on me.

Finally, Ryan and I officially set our wedding date for February 7, 2009. Yay! Now I just have to find somewhere to have to reception....

Almost Finished

2008-04-29T16:39:00.004-05:00

I'm in the home stretch (considering I passed all of my finals)!

I have a portfolio due a little later tonight, and I'm almost finished with it. Right now, I am taking a little break from school work and watching my favorite episode of The Office. I'm also roaming around online, and of course I ended up at my favorite web site. I found this today, and I want it soooo bad. I would be wonderful to hang some long necklaces on. I have to get a job before I buy anything else!

The Office is so wonderful. Yay for tv being back to normal!

Woo Hoo

2008-04-26T16:21:00.008-05:00

I was looking through some old pictures on Ryan's computer and I found these.

Look how little Beckham was! Not that he is huge now, but before seeing this picture again I didn't think he had grown much since we got him in January. I was wrong.

And look at this picture of these two goobers. I think this was at the beginning of June last year. It makes me laugh.
I guess Ryan took this picture of himself at school sometime. I don't really know when, but his hair and beard were shorter.

Anyway... We had a Crawfish Boil this week. It was a lot of fun! The pictures have such pretty colors. We all liked it so much we decided that we are going to start having two per year. That would be amazing.

I need a job. REALLY BAD!

Finally...

2008-04-17T11:07:00.002-05:00

KLC has gone home. Thank you American Idol. I don't know if I could take it anymore. Granted she wasn't anywhere near as bad as Sanjya was last year, but still.

Sometime after class today I am headed to Dothan. I hate that drive. I love Dothan, but not the time and rows of endless trees I have to go through to get there. It's all okay when I do get there and see friends and family though. My grandmother died (mom's mom) yesterday, so I am going home for the funeral and to be with family.

So that is where I will be for the next 2 and a half days. I'm ready for life to settle, but it never does. I keep trying to think forward to a time where I won't have anything going on, and I can't. I have papers due and finals for the next two weeks, and then I graduate. After that, we're going to the beach for a week. Then, hopefully I will have a job.

I started Beth Moore's study Stepping Up yesterday. I'm really excited about it. I'll try to put highlights up weekly.

Randomness:

John Mayer's song "Stop this Train" is one of my favs of his. Partly because it expresses how I feel about growing up. I guess I'm reflecting on it since my birthday was a few days ago. It's not that I think 22 is old, because I know it is definitely not. I don't really think I'm anywhere near being old (30 is the new 20, right). When life starts to change, and you are kind of forced to start making your own way, sometimes you just want not grow up. You want to sit and enjoy right where you are for a while. But then again, you would never get to move on the the joys of life that await you. All that to say, I really understand the lyrics. And I love the ending. I like the answer to the problem... you've just got to do it. We'll never stop it.

Stop This Train Lyrics
Artist(Band):John Mayer

No, I'm not colorblind
I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind
But I just can't sleep on this tonight

Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?

Don't know how else to say it
Don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said "help me understand"
He said "turn sixty-eight
You renegotiate"

"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train"

Once in awhile, when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark
Singing

Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train

I found this video of John Mayer performing the song. The sound quality is surprisingly good. If you've never heard the song, I encourage a listen.

It is officially....

2008-04-14T22:54:00.011-05:00

my birthday week! That's right, I get a whole week. I suggest it to everyone. I mean why would you only celebrate for a day? A week is so much better.

I went to Dothan this weekend. I got to spend some time with my friend, Heather, and her cute little boy, Evan. It was wonderful. No stress, just relaxing. Heather took this picture of him with my camera.

Meanwhile, a couple of Wednesday nights ago, I created a monster. I took CoraBeth and Brayden into the youth room and let them sing into the microphones. Most of the time they just yell into them, but I have a feeling that they are going to want to do this every week. I've got to figure out some kind of excuse to get them not to go in there because I'm sure it is driving Joseph crazy! They are still the cutest toddlers I know!!! Brayden gets into it. They actually sang a few songs this week. They are all about putting on a show.

Meanwhile, Beckham is just as cute as ever!

I got a haircut this weekend. I went in to get it colored, and Tam cut it some too. It needed it so much. I was letting it grow out, but I was hating it! I like short hair so much better.

I'm stealing this from Ali's blog cause I'm bored.

The Rules:

1. Open up the music player on your computer.

2. Set it to play your entire music collection.

3. Hit the shuffle command.

4. Tell us the title of the next twenty-five songs that show up (with musicians), no mater how embarrassing. That's right, no skipping that KEVIN FEDERLINE tune that will totally destroy your hip credibility. It's ime for total musical honesty.

The Results:

1. Morningside, Sara Bareilles

2. Final/ Guys and Dolls (Reprise), Guys and Dolls

3. Here We Go Again, Paramore

4. Heading Home, Donovan Frankenreiter

5. Twenty Three, Yellowcard

6. Mediocre Bad Guys, Jack Johnson

7. The Promise, Anberlin

8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Judy Garland

9. Figure it Out, Plain White T's

10. Older Chests, Damien Rice

11. Finale B, Cast of Rent

12. The Uncloudy Day, Brad Paisley

13. We Build, Nichole Nordeman

14. Healed, Shane Barnard & Shane Everett

15. Let Me Be the One, Blessid Union of Souls

16. Weather, Stephen Speaks

17. Papercuts (The Reason for the Lesions Remix by Mr Dibbs), Gym Class Heroes

18. After an Afternoon, Jason Mraz

19. Tears of the Saints, Leeland

20. Closing Time, Semisonic

21. Left with Alibis and Lying Eyes, Emery

22. Remember Me, Bo Bice

23. Fool for You, Nichole Nordeman

24. Here is Our King, David Crowder Band

25. Daddy, Jewel

..........................................................................................................................................................................

I admit it...

2008-04-02T09:51:00.004-05:00

I am addicted. To etsy that is. I just love all of the unique things you can find-like this owl and this cute elephant. I haven't been buying stuff, but if I had money I would.

A few favs for today:
Fabulous Earrings
Awesome Clock
Super Cute Magnetic Board
Waiting For Sunshine
More Fab Earrings

I do have a birthday coming. I wish my fam shopped online. Man.

Pray for a job for me. I'm starting to become kind of worried. I have one in mind that I really really want, I hope that God works it out. We'll just have to see I guess.

It is so beautiful outside. Classes should be canceled-or more realistically-moved outside on days like this. The windows are open in my room, and the breeze is wonderful.

I was talking to my mom the other day, and she asked me to decide what kind of flowers I want so that she can have some kind of idea about how much they are going to cost. Whoa. We're getting married in February. I realize that wedding stuff has to be done ahead of time, and I'm all for it. I've been doing little things here and there, but nothing major. I was waiting until after I got a job and settled to start planning for real. I haven't even booked anything or asked anyone to perform the ceremony, be in the wedding, etc. Mom! With that said... these are haunting me now...

And I completely forgot about the "excited about Paramore" pictures...

This is not a wonderful picture, but they are still wonderful.

Finally...
My name is Beckham, and I need a bath.
Love.

Owls and Trees

2008-03-29T10:04:00.003-05:00

Last weekend when we were hiding eggs in the dark at Scotty and Amy's house Amy said, "I just heard something go 'whoo'." Like she was all scared. Then a second or two later she said, "It was probably an owl." Then we giggled. (Good Times) Anyway, as I'm looking around etsy this morning, I've discovered that I really like paintings (or prints rather) with owls and trees (separate and together). Hmm...

Some of my favs:

Sitting Pretty

Four Seasons (I really like this one a lot. Mainly because it is a series)

Mother and Child (I like this one because of the book paper that shows through)

Tree

Intertwined

I just like them.

Yay!

2008-03-27T18:18:00.011-05:00

The Paramore concert tonight was really good (minus all of the sweaty, stinky people and lame kids). I did get to see a few people I haven't seen in a while and that was great.

Ryan and I went to Leaf 'n' Petal in Cahaba Heights this afternoon and got some flowers for the balcony (an early birthday present). I'm so excited to get them planted. I love when it is really pretty out there. I might take some pics tomorrow and post them. Also, he got me some prints that I have been anxiously awaiting. They are from Elsie's Etsy shop. I don't get those until my birthday, but I'm super excited.

The job search has begun. I've applied to a couple of different listings. I might go to an employment agency. A friend suggested that, and I think it might be a good idea. I'm so nervous!

Anyway...

Here are some pics from my Easter weekend that make me super happy. I love getting to go home and spend some quality time with family and friends that might as well be family.

I love him.

2008-03-16T22:46:00.004-05:00

And we're getting married! I'm really super excited. We've pretty much agreed on February 7th. We just have to make a guest list to see if both of our large families will fit in the church we want to get married in. So, nothing is set in stone yet. I'll let everyone know when it is.

We were in New Orleans, and I had a little bit of an idea that he might propose while we were there. It was our last night there (Tuesday), and we had eaten a nice dinner. We went for a little walk toward the French Quarter. I was sure that he was about to propose in Jackson Square, but it was closed. I was really sad. Then, he started acting like he wanted to go back to the room. Disappointment set in. But finally he asked me if I wanted to walk down by the river behind Jax brewery. I was so excited that I think I kind of zoned out. I remember realizing that he was a little nervous, and I was thinking, "You can ask. I'm going to say yes." Then he pulled the ring out of his shirt pocket and asked me to marry him. I responded with something along the lines of "do you even have to ask?" But we all know he did.

We took this pic right after he popped the big question.

New Orleans is great. It's sad at parts, and so much more needs to be fixed up in some of the residential areas. The architecture there is so beautiful. I convinced Ryan to go on a carriage ride. It was wonderful. Our guide was awesome, and it gave us some time to spend together after we got engaged. Even little Becks got to go to New Orleans. We couldn't reach this big milestone without him there (and I was afraid I would miss him too much). He's so cute. Anyway, I'll give you guys a quick glance at some pics...

I'm pretty sure that Beckham is the cutest dog ever.

Spring Break... Come NOW!

2008-03-07T08:21:00.004-06:00

I am so worn out. I am so tired of being in school. I'm ready to move on. And that was my choppy sentence beginning. I started thinking about it a couple of weeks ago, and since I started college in the fall of 2004, I have never taken a summer off--that's 11 semesters straight. I was in the elevator going to class last week, and a girl that was in there with me was on her way to take a midterm. She looked at me and said something to the idea of: I'm about to take a midterm that I didn't study for and I don't even care because this is my fifth semester straight. I almost wanted to laugh. With that said... I really lack the motivation that is absolutely necessary at this point the semester. I have to read like 150 a class for my American Lit class, I have to turn in journals 3 days a week, and I have a portfolio due next week (in the middle of spring break). All of this lack of motivation has caused me to be a bit of a procrastinator. I'm not the type that will put it off so much that I'll be up all night doing a project, but it is rare that I finish something before the day before it is due. But, be proud because I'm almost finished with my portfolio (basically because I know I won't have time to do it next week). With all of that rambling done, I want to make the point that I'm really ready to move on to something bigger than school. I'm ready to get a job and have a somewhat steady schedule. I'm ready for some new challenges.

One more class to go and I'm somewhat free for a week. I've been on scrapbook hiatus for a while, and I really want to get back to being creative. Hopefully I'll have some time for that this next week.

One last thing... American Idol! I'm pretty much okay with the top 12. The only bad part would be that if anyone goes to the tour they'll have to listen to Amanda (Vote for the Worst got one of their people through. I can't make this underline go away and it's annoying).

I want to do some revamping around the old blog... maybe after my trip (New Orleans... I'm so excited) and some creativity I'll do something new.

Love.

AND----> I got approved to graduate!

hahahaha

2008-02-28T15:52:00.002-06:00

One of my professors posted this on our class WebCT thing. It's so funny!

and this is pretty funny/ridiculous. :)

Take Home Midterms

2008-02-23T16:07:00.002-06:00

Some people get excited when their teacher announces, "I'll be giving you all a take home midterm." I do not. It just gives me something to avoid/stress about. I would much rather do it in class. That is just how I feel.

So since I have a take home midterm that is due tomorrow while I'll be at church, I have to work on that.

I'll leave you with this though:

Oh, American Idol

2008-02-14T10:15:00.002-06:00

How I have missed thee! I'm so happy that the "Bohemian Rhapsody" singing Australian accent guy made it! Most (if not all) of the people Ryan and I liked made it to the top 24. We weren't really sure how we felt about Josiah. I'm okay that he didn't make it, and he should come back next year. Also, cute little Kyle, not that he's little, but he always made me smile. hmmm... I just can't wait to get everything started up! I've been without new TV for so long. Reality shows are all that I have. And LOST. Which comes on tonight. I'm excited.

Ryan and I really don't do Valentine's Day. I think the first year we dated was the only time we really celebrated it. So instead of buying gifts and stuff we made things. He designed this really cool layout. I love it. Maybe he'll give me the file to put on my computer and I'll post it. Or I'll get on his computer and post. Maybe.

I have a paper to write that is due tomorrow by 3. Have I started? No. Have I considered a topic? No. I have a major case of the lazies. I need motivation or something. A boost.

Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day!

P.S. I gave up on the whole song title thing. It was dumb anyway.

If I had $1000000...

2008-01-25T14:18:00.000-06:00

I'd be rich. And I'd buy a lot of stuff off of etsy. I don't really have to have a million dollars to shop on that site, but I would be able to buy lots and lots. Some of the things I really am tempted to buy (but I'm not because I'm trying to do better about that whole spending money thing):

For some reason, I've always wanted a ring like this:

Part of the listing for this next ring reads, "Wear it out to show your love or turn it around to face the inside- saving your love... either way you have a fantastic ring- simple and understated." I'm sold. Look how cute.

If you've ever talked to me at length about my childhood, you know that my brother, Jason, and I used to watch Batman on TV almost every afternoon. We're talking about the old Batman TV show (and in my opinion, the most awesome). You know, the one where the words would pop up on the screen every time someone would get hit in the fight. Well this is the ultimate necklace to commemorate those memories:

I love this next item because of the possibilities of it. You can get anything you want engraved on the inside of this ring, and unless you show anyone, only you and the person you give it to will know what it says. So it's a secret. I would put something funny on there so that anytime I needed a little pick me up I could look at it. You can buy just one to give away, or you can get a set of two. Your choice!

And you know that I am going to explore the purse section. Oh the goodness I found here! The last one is my absolute fav!

Little Beckham got a haircut and such this morning. I don't think he was to happy about it, but he wanted to show you what he looks like now. So, here he is in all his glory...

And this is just a random shot of him playing with his little bear. The bear never had a chance.

Hope your day goes well! I'm off to make some Butterfinger cake for tonight!

Times like these

2008-01-24T17:55:00.000-06:00

I'm a little bored at the moment, and I came across these questions. If you know my roommate, Jessica, very well, you know that she has a certain affinity for the TV show Inside the Actors Studio with James Lipton. It comes on Bravo. At the end of every show he asks 10 questions that have answers that are always wonderful to hear. In my state of boredom, I'm going to answer them:

What is your favorite word? abhor (I love how it sounds and the intensity of the meaning)
What is your least favorite word? done (I know it is such a common word, but I like the word finished better) the word no runs a close second! :)
What turns you on? creativity and hospitality
What turns you off? drama and people who aren't straight up
What sound or noise do you love? rain on a morning when I can lay in bed
What sound or noise do you hate? squeaky shoes!
What is your favorite curse word? can't say I have one since I don't use them...
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to be an interior decorator
What profession would you not like to do? plumber... although I've seen some pretty bad ones on Dirty Jobs
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Welcome Home"

So here's the deal...
If you read this, you do the same. Copy and paste the questions and answer them. It's fun, and it helped me to successfully pass 12 minutes!

My chicken pot pie is in the oven. I wish it was finished (not done. ha.)

Love...

Hallelujah

2008-01-23T23:12:00.000-06:00

So picking out a title for this blog was easy.

I've been messing around on itunes looking for some good music. Also, I'm looking for some that I think I can sing well. hmmm. Will, the wonderful person he is, spilled the beans to our new music minister that I used to sing solos and such at church in high school. So, somehow I am now on the solo list. On that note, I got to looking for music. I probably won't be singing for a couple of months, but I've got to build up my confidence between now and then.

While I was looking I came across Bethany Dillon. I've heard about her. She's had some songs on the radio (All I Need; Beautiful), but I've never really listened to some of her other music. I came across a song that she sings with Nichole Nordeman in the background called "Sing Over Me."

Here are the lyrics:

Sing Over Me
Written by Bethany Dillon & Ed Cash

I live in the wonder of Your love
You rise like the sun in my heart
Even when the night draws near to me
There You are

I will wade in the water of mercy
I will walk in the light of Your will
Whatever should come against me
Teach me to be still
As you

Sing over me
Draw me close to rest in Your peace
Sing over me
Oh, sing

Sing of Your unending faithfulness
That knows no doubt or fear
In the face of all that I don't know yet
Remind me of who You are

You are mighty
You will save
Rejoice over me with singing
You will quiet
By Your love
Glory over me with singing

I really love the song because it has my favorite verse in it.

Zephaniah 3:17

17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

I also found another song that I really like. It's called "Hallelujah." I love this song. You should go get it on iTunes like right now! Being the nice person I am, I'll supply you with the lyrics.

"Hallelujah"

Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?

I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach

I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah

The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day

Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play

And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah

Pretty awesome huh? Hallelujah is such a powerful word to me. It actually means "Praise ye the Lord." I love it.

So that's what I'm contemplating today.

It's been a while

2008-01-20T22:14:00.000-06:00

So I haven't been the best at this whole updating the blog thing. Maybe if more people read it I would... or maybe I can develop a following... Hmmm.

Anyway. In the past two months I have:

Passed all of my fall semester classes (with flying colors!)
Celebrated the holidays with the fam and friends
Gone to Utah to see Ryan's family (it was exciting!)
Gotten a new puppy (more info to come)
Started back to school (only 12 hours this semester... PRAISE HIM!)
Chilled (like literally it has gotten so cold!)
Seen snow in Birmingham (there is still some on my car and on the ground at the boys' house).

Well... here's a pic of little Beckham. Ryan named him , and I like it. Becks is a little ball of energy (he is currently running suicides between the living room and Ry's bedroom). We got him the first week of the year, and he's been good so far. Here are some pics. They aren't that great; it's really hard to get a puppy to be still! :)
He looks like a little teddy bear doesn't he?

He's a Maltese, so he is all white. He's about 3 pounds right now and he'll probably be around 5 when he is full grown.

I have a lot of reading this semester, but I'll only have to take one more writing class, and then I'll be completely finished with the English portion of my degree!

Here's a pic from everyday life except that Ryan would usually be on the computer designing or something, and I would be on the bed reading a book. Also, all of that junk wouldn't be on Ryan's bed. That's how we spend school nights. Exciting huh?It snowed yesterday. I didn't play in it mostly because I was too lazy to change out of my pajamas. I took some pics of it from my balcony, but I don't have those on Ryan's computer. It was exciting. It snowed/sleeted a little bit last Wednesday and there is a slight chance that it might snow again on Wednesday night. It's fun, but I'm sooo ready for springtime; I can only take this cold for so long!

Oh and... I've got a little surprise. This is the official announcement. Unless you have seen me yesterday or today, you don't know this. Suspense killing you? This has been coming for a little while now, and I finally got up the courage (and it took a lot of it). Can you tell?

Probably not because the lighting for that pic is really bad, and I look like awfulness, but I got my nose pierced yesterday! I really like it, and I can't wait for it to heal! If you look really hard in this pic you might can see it better. I took these on Ry's computer, so they aren't the greatest. I'll try to get some self portraits with my camera sometime this week and maybe I'll share them with the world.

I'll be a better blogger this year, and I'll try to give more insight or something. Maybe I'll start trying new recipes or post about book readings or something. I think all of my blog post titles are going to be titles of songs. I'll attempt it, and we'll get a little Grey's Anatomy theme going on.

I do want to scrapbook some this week. I haven't done it in so long. Like before Thanksgiving long (not counting Christmas gifts). I need to get on that!

Love.

Does Life Ever Slow Down?

2007-11-08T18:35:00.000-06:00

Just when I think everything might slow down for a second, it all starts up again, and I realize I've done something completely wrong. I'll get through it though!

I can't wait for this weekend! Time to relax and laugh a little.

In the midst of everything, this song can explain my sentiment. I have loved this song for a long time. I think we all get this way. Look at how many people in the Bible did...

Small Enough
Nichole Nordeman

Oh, great God, be small enough to hear me now
There were times when I was crying
From the dark of Daniel's den
And I have asked You once or twice
If You would part the sea again
But tonight I do not need a fiery pillar in the sky
Just wanna know You're gonna hold me if I start to cry
Oh, great God, be small enough to hear me now

Oh, great God, be close enough to feel You now
There have been moments when I could not
Face Goliath on my own
And how could I forget we've marched around
Our share of Jerichos
But I will not be setting out a fleece for You tonight
Just wanna know that everything will be alright
Oh great God, be close enough to feel You now

All praise and all honor be
To the God of ancient mysteries
Whose every sign and wonder turn the pages of our history
But tonight my heart is heavy
And I cannot keep from whispering this prayer
"Are You there?"

And I know You could leave writing on the wall
thats just for me
Or send wisdom while I'm sleeping,
Like in Solomon's sweet dreams
But I don't need the strength of Samson
Or a chariot in the end
Just want to know that You still know how many hairs
Are on my head
Oh great God, be small enough to hear me now

Real Quick...

2007-10-30T09:53:00.000-05:00

Are things ever going to slow down? It seems like when I finish one thing for school 4 more are due. I'll be soooo happy when this semester is behind me!

I absolutely LOVE that it is getting cold outside. I hope it stays this way. My brother and my friends, Tamara, Scotty, and Amy are coming up this weekend for the Casting Crowns concert and to hang out, and I really want the weather to be Birminghamesque.I absolutely love this time of year!!! Football, cool weather, pumpkins, Halloween, the peanut fest in Dothan, and jackets! Just a few of my favorite things! Not to mention this is a great time of year to take some pics!

I've got to clean up my apartment since I will be having guests this weekend, and I am so not excited about that. But, I've got to do it. I also have 5 things due this week. 2 Wednesday and 3 Thursday... eek! I wish I had the motivation to do this stuff!!!

Anyway.... Since I haven't shared any pictures recently, here are some from a trip to Old Baker Farms and the BCM Costume Party that was this past weekend. The party was a Disney theme, so it was a lot of fun. Disney karaoke was great! haha... I'm still laughing from some of it.

I can't wait to take some pictures at the Peanut fest... those will be coming soon! I've got to make my Christmas list because I know that my mom will ask for it next weekend when I am at home. Any suggestions about what should be on it??? I seriously have no idea what I need/want.

Well... You Know.

2007-10-14T22:30:00.001-05:00

So I'm supposed to do this middle name thing. I have to come up with a word that starts with each letter of my middle name and describes me right now. This is hard because I am not very fond of my middle name. It's a family name, and one day my mom asked me if I was going to carry it on. I promptly responded "NO!". I probably crushed some of her hopes or whatever, but that was years ago, and I'm pretty sure she's over it. If not she hides it well. :)

So here goes nothing....

M -- I guess I'll pick "mom". OKAY.... keep reading... I DO NOT have ANY children, but sometimes, or most of the time, I have to act as "mom" to the boys that are my good friends. Examples of this "mom"-like quality are: I always make sure they have fruit and juice boxes at their intramural sports games (I get help from Jessica too!), I clean where they live every now and then when I just can't take it anymore, I pretty much try my best to keep them quasi in line, I don't know how possible that is, but I try, I used to bake cookies and cupcakes all of the time, I probabl need to start that again. Basically, I try to keep some level of maturity to their playfulness. ;)

E -- Eager. I am VERY eager to finish school. While I love and have thoroughly enjoyed this phase of my life, I am ready to move on. People keep saying, "Stay in school as long as you can," and I just think, "Are you crazy!?!". School is wonderful, but I'm ready for a steady schedule and for life to settle down a little. Along with the eagerness comes a little bit of apprehension, but that is just all part of growing up I guess!

R -- Resolute. I am at a point in my life where I know where I want to go, and I have an idea of who/what I want to become. I am pretty determined to get there. There are definately times when I want to drop out of school (like right now) and just go find a job, but I only have 2 semesters left (if all goes as planned), and I am trying my best to be faithful to that cause. Things get pretty overwhelming and just plain out not fun at times, but I'm pretty determined to make it through and come out being who I want to be, not what people want me to be or expect me to be.

L -- Laughable. I think I have finally gotten to a point in my life where I can just laugh at myself and the things that happen around me. I have great friends and wonderful experiences with them. I feel that I am to a place where I can brush off the little things and all the drama, and that makes me pretty happy. Laughter gives me a calm outlook on life, and gets me through the day. "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." E.E. Cummings

E -- English and Education. The worlds of English and Education pretty much own my time right now. I'm really excited about what I am going to be able to do with this knowledge in the future, but right now the acquisition of this knowledge is something that I really have to endure. It takes away my fun time to be lazy, scrapbook :), and finish the Harry Potter series. COME ON! I NEED to finish those books, but I'm too busy reading books about secondary education, the 4MAT wheel, Shakespeare, The Canterbury Tales, various stuff that encompasses lit and religion, and boring 18th century stuff. You know Harry Potter is SOOOO much better than that stuff. (If one of my teachers ever read that last line I would probably get an automatic "F".)
I know that everything I am reading is essential to my well rounded education and my competence to teach, but I'm so over it. I do get excited when I see everything revealed to me and the genius of it all, I've just got a lot to do. Oh the joys of being a senior in college.

That wasn't as easy as I thought it might be, but it was enjoyable. I guess I'm supposed to get people to do this now? UMMM... Ryan (hehee) and Jessica ... you two take on the task! Please!

That's all for now!

i SO want to go...

2007-10-09T00:50:00.000-05:00

I mean read the details...

New for 2007: 9 Nights of Spooktacular Fun!

Special appearances by Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter characters
Planet of the Ape experience
Children's activities and games
Roller Racers Raceway Ride
Ghastly Carousel & Haunted Train
Hay Ride
Pumpkin Patch

Wear your favorite costume for the 16th Annual Boo at the Zoo! Make your way through safe trick-or-treat & game zones, organized by local non-profits and child-centered businesses. Ride the Haunted Train and Ghastly Carousel! Check your appetite at the GORE-may Buffet, see an animal up close at the Harry Potter Alabama barn and be sure to check out the new Slytherin House in the reptile building! Enjoy the Planet of the Apes Experience in the primate building.

Special appearances by mischievous Max from Where the Wild Things Are on October 13th and October 19th from 5 to 6 pm. There will also be special appearances by Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, King Arthur & Harry Potter characters for a one of a kind Halloween photo!

How about the BEST Halloween photo!

Someone please take me or just go with me! :)

This is how I feel...

2007-10-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

It = yuck.
I have class in a little while and Bible study tonight. Not to mention ANOTHER paper due tomorrow.
I skipped one class this morning. The test I took removed all of the energy I had.

Sickness...

2007-10-01T11:03:00.001-05:00

This weekend we worked on giving the Children's Department at church a much needed facelift. The guys worked really hard painting all of the rooms (I think they painted 5 rooms in one day!) Donna, Vicki, and I worked really hard shopping at IKEA on Friday for stuff to go in the rooms! :)
It looks SOOOO much better now! On Sunday, my kids were a little rambunctious due to the change (I think), but they loved it!
We're doing a "fishers of men" theme, so everything looks like the ocean. The walls are painted blue, green, or "seafoam ashley" as Mr. Derek tagged my room color. :)
Here are some pics from the 7 1/2 hour day.

This is the 4 year old room, but it is so cute I just had to put a pic of it up. :)

The last pic is of my kids doing part of the Sunday School lesson on Sunday morning.
I still have to put some curtains up in my room and do some finishing touches!

Now I have to study for a test that is tomorrow!

Overwhelmed...

2007-09-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

This man is going to cause me to have a great big anxiety attack.

I really don't know what I was thinking when I registered for classes this semester. FOUR LIT CLASSES? What in the whole world made me think I could handle that? I have no idea.

I promise, one of my teachers is going to make me have a really bad anxiety attack before the end of the semester. I already get short of breath and tense when the idea of her class is there...

I made my second C on a lit paper this week. The first one was this summer. Crazy. As much as I love getting good grades, I think I'm finally going to have to accept that with this kind of schedule I may just need to concentrate on passing and getting things over.

I want to have more time to spend with friends, really scrapbook with all of them, and just go out to dinner with some.

For those reasons, the halloween party in my future gets me so super excited! I love when people dress up for halloween, and this will give me that much needed friend time.

This next week is going to be a killer.

Nykki and Jessica - can we be nerds and plan a crop night soon? That would be absolutely amazing!

Now I'm off to run errands around D-town and buy a bigger bookbag (my current one feels like it is about to bust at the seams when I am walking to class).

P.S. : I've really been frustrated with this whole "diet because you have a fatty liver" thing. It is not conducive to my college student lifestyle (which resulted in my fatty liver). I need to be able to eat fast food and not worry about the sickness that comes with it!

Blah blah blah... okay. I'm finished being whiny... for now.

i know...

2007-08-27T09:54:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I posted. The internet at the apartment is miraculously working properly right now, so I'm taking full advantage.

I've been leading a busy life since the last post. I've gone to the beach, celebrated Ry's b-day, moved some people into dorms, and started fall classes. Summer barely ended and now I'm starting fall. I have about 1,000 pages to read today (I'm only slightly exagerrating). I wish I could find a way to motivate myself to get school work finished in a timely manner.

Anyway, the beach was a lot of fun. I got a pretty good tan, and it provided me with some much needed relaxation time. The pictures are cute too! :)

You can enjoy that if you haven't already seen the pics.

Ryan's birthday was fun too. I had leadership meeting all day, but dinner that night was great.

I got him some sunglasses that he wanted for his birthday. They're hot, right? (I was told that they are supposed to be "hot" and not "cute".)
This is a sticker from the card Nick gave him. It's funny, but Ry only wore it long enough for me to take a picture.
Will and Joe got him a soccer net that he has been wanting. Then, Keli ate his soccer ball.

We went to dinner at Botega with his mom and Brent. It was really good, and totally on my diet plan :)

Now I'm off to read all of my stuff....

OLW Challenge: Automatic

2007-08-03T16:52:00.000-05:00

My love for you is Automatic.

The journaling around the edges reads:

We've been together for almost 4 years now. We've been through a lot in these years. Through all of the ups and downs, everytime I look at you my love for you swells up automatically!

Matt and Carla are Married

2007-07-28T14:31:00.001-05:00

The ceremony was so sweet, and the wedding was a lot of fun. I am so happy for them! Here are some pics from the wedding fun.

I finally did it.

2007-07-24T14:27:00.000-05:00

I gathered up my courage and finally got the tattoo I've been contemplating for a few years...

It's the Celtic knot (three interlocked circles) that stands for the trinity. It's on my right foot. My family, friends, and I have been through a lot in the past couple of years, and I never would have gotten through all of it without my faith in God being my first step. I love it!

My trip to the beach this weekend went well. I can't wait to go back!!! 3 weeks...

Just for laughs...

Look at his face!

By the way, the pink beach tunic I bought from GAP Body was an amazing purchase! I love that thing. I think I'm going to go buy another one.

The doctor put me on a low cholesterol, low sodium, all grossness diet to make my liver healthy.

Healthy = no flavor, YUCK, unfullfilling.
I better see results soon. :)

hmmm....

2007-07-17T15:53:00.001-05:00

Well... this weekend was fun. I got to spend some time with my friends back home and get some scrapbooking done. yay. I always have fun with these people. We laugh a lot.

However, my whole reason for going home was a bust! I went to the doctor Monday morning to try and figure out all of this stomach sickness. He said it sounded like I have gallbladder disease. While that is not really good news, it was a relief to know that something was pinpointed, but when they did the ultrasound on my gallbladder they didn't find anything! So they did some blood work and sent me on my way. All I got from the doctor's office was a bruise on my arm. MAN!

I'm ready to go to the beach this weekend, and I'm even more ready for summer classes to be over! I want some real relaxation time.

Ryan finally comes home tomorrow. YAY! I told him before he left that I was going to get a tattoo and something pierced while he was gone. I wish I had followed through with the tattoo part. I think I'm actually ready (since I've been contemplating this for years). I want to get in done in Dothan though, so who knows when I'll find the time to do that.

I'm going to follow suit and post the about me album that I just finished.
So here it is...

I have a funny looking name...

2007-07-13T17:12:00.000-05:00

You know when you see something for a while and it starts to look funny? That's how I feel about my name.

My TEP interview went well! YAY! Maybe I'll sleep better tonight.

I wish I was on my way/in Dothan... I don't want to discuss it any more than that.

Thanks.

God's Quieting Love

2007-07-10T22:37:00.000-05:00

In my quiet time the past few days I have been reading through David Nasser's book Glory Revealed. I bought it a while back, but I picked it up this week and started using it. The first days focus on Zephaniah 3:17. This is becoming my new favorite verse. It says:

"The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing." (ESV)

It is so amazing and inspiring for me to think that God is loudly singing over ME! God is a warrior who is fighting to save me. He does this through his awesome grace. As the book I'm reading says, his grace is "given in a moment so right that it floors you. A moment so right that it leaves you speechless. But why? Because through this he reveals his glory. He shows us a love so might, powerful, and pure that we find ourselves wanting him even more. He wants us smitten, dumbfounded, flat-out taken." This is better than any human love story I could read or write! Once we experience this awesome, overwhelming love, we will never be able to accept anything less. We are a "constant target of the glory of God."

More than his awesome grace, God's love for us so intimate. When we worship God, he is right there in the midst of it, involved in it. The Bible says he is singing over us. You know what that means? We're singing a duet with God! Our worship is us responding to Him. "Singing over us is God's way of letting us know that he is our Father, singing over his children, bringing us to a place of love and safety." It's such a comfort to think that when I am in the moment of panic or pain God just starts to sing and uses that voice to soothe me. What a beautiful picture of a Father! When he sings, "he's letting us know that he is mighty, yet still tender enough to flow over us with song." God's love quiets us so that we can hear this song. It's like through his love he is saying "sshhh" when we're rambling on, and he wants us to simply listen to his song. When we listen we can hear his love, direction, and purpose. His love and singing brings us to the "place where we trust him and know that he has us in his protection. We may not understand what he is singing or bringing us through, but we can tell by the tone of his voice that he's got us and we're safe." Our conversation with God is constant.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and wonderous things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

This study has been really refreshing so far! I'm really looking forward to the rest of it.

Jessica is AMAZING!

2007-07-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

Thanks goes to her for my great header. Today was really good. Amy and Scotty were coming back through town on their way home from a wedding that was in Nashville yesterday. I got to have lunch with them. Then, Amy and I went to the scrapbook store and she was a little overwhelmed... in a good way. It was great. Next we traveled over to the Coach store, and that was a little bit traumatic. I'm really jealous of Amy's new purse AND wallet.

It's so stinkin' cute!
It took a lot for me not to buy these...

I exercised a great amount of self control today! Thank you God!
Church was really good this morning. I haven't been there regularly this summer because I've been back and forth between Birmngham and Dothan, so it was good to be back. Joe, Morgan, and the youth are at World Changers for the week, so it was just me and Nick in service. It was kind of funny...
I'm going to start reading the Harry Potter books. I'm really excited about it. I just have to finish The Sound and the Fury for my American Lit class. I wish I was excited about that . Plus, I started reading Boy's Life by Robert McCammon again. It's my favorite book. I love it! It will be good beach reading in a couple of weeks.

I really want to work on my about me book for a little bit, but it is getting kind of late... we'll see...

RAIN!!!!

2007-07-07T14:28:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning to a beautiful sound outside of my bedroom window: water dropping from the sky to the ground and pouring off of my roof. I love rainy days, especially since they have been so hard to come by lately.

Also my balcony is looking good since it has had a relief from the scorching heat!

I've got to get going and buy a gift for a wedding shower that is TONIGHT! AHHH! I completely forgot about having to get something this week. I think I'll have to go get my daily dose of Orange Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks. MmMmMMMMmmm!

I am dumb...

2007-07-06T10:18:00.000-05:00

I created this at this very point in time because I am trying to avoid revising my paper that is due in one hour and 41 minutes. I haven't even taken a shower. It's a good thing my hair is finally long enough for me to wear a hat and not look hairless. However, I can't figure the dumb thing out... maybe later.