cbs sharing day {5.9.13}

Praying over the day.

Mom did an AMAZING job decorating the CM tables.

YUM.

So many thank you notes...I should've been thanking THEM.

Today really was our last day...sharing day. Up until two years ago, I didn't come to sharing day, but the ones I have been able to come to I have loved. This year was obviously pretty dang full of memories and emotions since it would be the last one I'd be at. We were thanked for our work, got to hear some of the moms CBS testimonies, and eat some REALLY good food. And then it was over and I cried.

I was so blessed by this ministry, and will continue to be because I know that I'll still have these people in my life whenever I need prayer or a chat over a cup of tea (thank you second mom, Miss Beth!). All I can say is a huge THANK YOU to everyone at CBS, no matter if they were in the leadership or if they simply attended, and most of all to Him.

Onto a new chapter in life...kind of excited, kind of nervous. But I know that the foundation CBS gave me with help me through all of it.

cbs last day practice {4.25.13}

Mom watching 'her' homeschool kids practice.

Sweet feet that were so excited to be on stage.

I've said it before and I'll probably never stop saying it: watching the CBS kids praise Jesus brings me so much joy and makes me praise Him as well. Since this is the last time I'll see these kids practice before they get up on stage and sing for their mommies & daddies, it's even more special.

Man, I'm gonna miss this.

spring weather is here.

 

 

Readers. The weather lately has been perfect. Yes, I talk about the weather a lot on the blog, but when you live in NC, it's a big part of your life. All us ENC-ers are basically flipping out over the fact that it is actually spring here, not the spring we try to make by wearing shorts on 50 degree days. Nope, it's legit 70 degrees here and we're busting out the sundresses it's so nice outside. Studying for finals is made just a bit more tolerable by sitting outside and soaking up the rays.

Sigh. I love spring, ya'll. What's the weather like in your area?

happy 17th, emily! {3.1.13}

one of my favorite of this beautiful girl...she's my IG idol {via her IG, duh}

This isn't some ol' April Fools joke, readers. It's my best blogging friend's birthday. Anybody who's reading this is probably thinking "How can they be besties, they haven't ever met!" I was one of those people when I first started blogging. But now? HAHAHA. It's possible, and probable, and very true for me & her!

She's the blonde me, except so much better at everything. Everyone knows we both work at CFA, we both love photography, we've both been through pretty similar life experiences, blah blah blah. We're so alike it's kinda crazy and it would take forever to list all the things we have in common.
We've already planned out our meeting, and we're constantly adding things we HAVE to do with each other, but until that meeting happens, I'm cool with texting & writing ya sappy blog birthday cards.

I love you , Emily Joy!

Forgive me for the extreme belatedness of this little note? That's ONE difference between us: I'm late, and she's always on time...can I be you, Em?!

hello april

cause it matches my blog font and I gasped when I saw it {via the Tumblr tag april}

April is a weird month to me. The weather is such a tease and fools you into thinking that it's summer, cause in ENC we tend to skip whole seasons...oh, you say it's Spring? Hahaha, NO. 80 degree days for you! But that's okay cause I'm a summer girl through and through and am loving the warm weather.

That's not why April is crazy to me...it's cause the weather might be nice and perfect but school is still in session and oh boy oh boy. It's all comsuming because you're finally getting into the routine and then OMG finals and soon and commence the studying and finishing up of projects.

The parentals birthdays are in April, so we're got that to look forward to. So here's to April, readers!

a typical tuesday for me {2.26.13}

This kid, ya'll. I have 'known' him since before he was born. I've seen him through rice cereal, diapers, and cribs...now he's eating whole PB&J sandwiches, decided he wanted to be potty trained overnight, and sleeps in a big boy bed. It's his last year fully at home with his mom (and me!); he starts preschool in the fall.

I'm gonna miss my Tuesdays with this little man...watching for the trash truck, drinking tea in our Tervis' together, and listening to country music. Those are memories I'm never going to forget.

a friday off {2.8.13}

These are the things I do when I have an extremely rare Friday off...

Slept until noon. Apparently I was tired.

messy top knots FTW.

Sat around in polar  bear jammies all day long.

 Watched copious amounts of Doctor Who (rewatching it for the 5th time). 

In case you can't read the episode summaries up there, I said goodbye

to Nine ::sobs:: and hello to Ten.

Licked the brownie batter bowl. 

Just a few captures of what I did today. Which was nothing, really. No school (I KNOW)...AND IT WAS GLORIOUS. Except when I cleaned the kitchen, washed ALL dirty clothes, and scrubbed the toilet. I didn't take pictures of those glamorous jobs. You're welcome.

Happy Friday, readers.

holler 2012, 'sup 2013?

If my title is any indication, my new year's resolution is to become a gangster. But I disgress.

I don't really want to become a gangster in 2012. I simply want 2013 to be as full of life as 2012 was. Cause ohhh boy, readers. 2012 was a huge year for me. I took my first on-campus college class with big scary college kids that tried to walk me to class or give me rides home (yep, that's PCC for ya. Creepers everywhere). I got my first job and came out of my shell...the friends I have at work care about me and I care about them. I got my license and started driving myself around on the regular in my Tardis-car. I had photography jobs where people PAID me to do the thing I did for fun, I strengthened relationships (with God, family, and oh so many friends), and I got a kitty of my very own. I embraced the change. I had to.

 

It wasn't all rainbows and unicorns. As a family we've gone through tough times. We lost two pets and our hearts still haven't healed properly. I royally screwed up on the daily but I redeemed myself. Nope, stratch that. GOD redeemed me and erased my sins, giving me the mercy I didn't deserve but had to have to survive 2012. I proved things to others, and myself. I lived because God gave me a beautiful life and oh so many second chances.

So here's to 2013. Let's be friends. Chapter 2013, page 1 of 365 in the book of my life that's being written by the all-time best Author. It's a story I cannot WAIT to read, a page turner for sure. And the best part? I'm the main character.

Peace out, homies. Whoops, there I go again.

pea ess: just a few housekeeper notes. Christmas/NYE posts will be up soon, and a new blog design is coming cause no one wants to look at Christmas stuff anytime after Christmas DAY. my apologies. and lastly, shout-out to my homegirl Grace. this post is dedicated to you, gorgeous girl. thanks for making me blog for the first time in two weeks.

PARTAY!

As of 4pm today, I am free of work & school so my Thanksgiving break can really begin! So far I've been rewatching Firefly (Gosh, I love YOUNG NATHAN FILLION that show so much), washing every.single.dish in the house from the Thanksgiving cooking, and reorganizing my room. Drawers, closet, desk, everything. I know how to have a good time ya'll. This is my "I'm having a good time face" in case you were wondering...

Ok, so not really my excited face, but I wanted to show off my hair again. Rachel is amazing with hair.

How's your Thansgiving week going so far, readers? Because let's be real, it takes a whole week to eat all the Thanksgiving food so it's like a Thanksgiving week.

remember that time i got so sick i had to go home from work?

And remember when I spiked a fever of 103 three afternoons in a row? And when I had to call in sick to work on Friday and couldn't quit laughing on the phone about it because my fever was so high I was loopy? AND do you remember the time I went to the doctor and they tested me for mono and my gag reflex although caused me to throw up on the nurse when she stabbed the back of my throat for a strep test? AND DO YOU KNOW THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED OVER MY FALL BREAK?!

Yeah, good times.

NOT.

My body finally decided to say enough and give me a little wake up call telling me I needed to chill for a couple days. I'm better now, just in time to go photograph a kiddo's birthday party and take an exam (yes an exam OVER FALL BREAK. my life). Yay me!

I hope your weekend was better than mine readers, because unexplained viruses kinda ruin a weekend. Speaking from experience DUH.

FRO YO.

In my opinion, it's better than ice cream. But only if we're strictly talking about the kind that comes outta a carton at the grocery because let's face it: Chick-Fil-A's icedream is pretty dang good. But nothing beats CHEESECAKE BITES IN CAKE BATTER FRO YO.

Imagine my elation when Mama said "Hey, let's stop and get some frozen yogurt guys!" one afternoon.

Cake batter/chocolate fro yo with sprinkles, cheesecake bites and whoppers. DROOL.

So what are you waiting for? Let's go get some frozen yogurt. Does next Saturday work for you?

that day when spiderman 3 made everything better

My emotions today ya'll.

I couldn't drag myself out of bed and rushed myself all morning because I was lazy the night before and didn't wash my uniform.

And then we were busy at work (which is great. yay money for Chick-Fil-A!) but I worked a 6 hour shift and it dragged all afternoon. You can only fit so many sauces into the little container before it overflows. I felt in the way and still like the newbie even though it's been a month since I first donned the all black uniform.

Then I watched the Grey's Anatomy episode where George died and no one got to say goodbye and I cried in the middle of the Coffee Shack because ya never know when you might die and what you will die from.

(I'm a morbid person I know.)

But then one of my favorite movies of all time comes on (spiderman 3. tobey maguire baby.) and I laugh. Laugh at how "it's only a bird" and the science experiment ends up producing a huge sandman monster. Laugh at how Peter Parker goes emo and does this...

Yep. Spiderman 3 changed my whole day.

Happy Saturday readers.

my day (Thursday)

the CBS hallowed hallway.

DONUTS. they are a weakness ya'll.

Late Vday dinner @ the Ruckers for Bible Study.

Just some scenes from my Thursday. Not pictured is a surprise luncheon for Mama's birthday (thrown by the children's teachers at CBS), sitting in the car playing Tetris while Mama and Clark volunteered at Humane Society and texting friends. There was a lot of texting. And me being the teenager I am, I love to text.

The little things that make a busy day less stressful are amazing.

thunderstorms

Looking down the driveway at the storm.

Thunder rumbles in the distance, shaking the ground and letting you know a powerful storm is coming. The wind picks up and whistles through one window and exits out of the other, knocking over a picture frame and sends me scrambling to close the windows so the rain does soak everything within a foot radius. I do so reluctantly because the smell of the air is so refreshing, and as soon as I do, the rain starts, pounding on the metal roof at a deafening level.

I smile, reveling in the fact that the Earth is making a sound...so often it's the things that are IN the Earth that make the music in the background of our lives.

In case you couldn't tell, I like thunderstorms. 

first world problems

My cell phone screen broke.

Honestly, I laughed about it because it was a freak accident. I had something blunt but hard (the buckle to my coat) in my pocket and it pressed up against my phone for an extended period of time so it shorted out the screen. Like I said, probably the most random accident. I showed Dad and he was confused, as was I.

Then I remember that my contract isn't up for renewal therefore if they can't replace it there in the store, I had to go back to my old phone, which I replaced because, by another freak accident involving perfume (it spilled all over my phone), the lighting is wonky. The keys are tiny and my camera is really bad and none of my pictures were transfered over.

Oh and our laptop is freaking out and will only connect to Internet Explorer. We already had to give up our beloved Google Chrome because it quit working one day and then Mozilla stopped. I am about to punch something. That's how bad IE is.

First world problems, ya'll.

CFA Anonymous

No way. I didn't go to Chick-Fil-A twice today. NO WAY.

And I most certainly didn't enjoy every bite of my chicken burrito, little hash browns and waffle fries. I didn't suck down the last watery drags of my Dr. Pepper in that styrofoam cup and I certainly didn't scarf down my beloved number one sandwich even when I dropped it in ketchup (yuck).

::whispers:: I totally didn't consider a job at CFA even though it would be wearing the cow suit.

Anyone wanna go with my to my first meeting? ;)

Happy Thursday readers. 

today we...

...spent the morning doing schoolwork. Algebra 2, I hate you. Yes, hate. Strongly dislike sounds too nice for that evil subject. Anatomy is flippin' amazing though. I can tell you ALL about the flow of blood through the heart. You know, in case you wanted to know.

...played with the puppy and got some battle wounds. A full update post needs to be written, but since the last one Bullet's been having seizures due to what we think is low blood sugar. He has been having great days lately (but not normal) so actually PLAYING with him is a rare treat. The bite marks were worth it.

...ran errands and blasted  the radio while playing Solitaire.

...ended the trip into town with a trip to Chick-Fil-A. Oh, Chick-Fil-A. I'm pretty sure I should become your spokesgirl because I can only sing your praises.Your waffles fries and special ketchup mini bottles make me drool and an ice cold Dr. Pepper to wash down a bite of their famous chicken sandwich is amazing.

Goodbye, CFA.

...jammed out to Jason Aldean + Kelly Clarkson, One Republic, and Colbie Calliat on the way home while taking bokeh pictures.

...played (more) with the puppy and watched our favorite show together. Perfect way to end the day...I highly recommend snuggling a puppy and laughing at Last Man Standing.

Happy Tuesday, readers.

tumblr.

So I have a Tumblr that I resurrected a year after orginally joining. I always seem to join in on the new website wayyy after everyone else has but that's OK. Tumblr has forgiven me because it is awesome...and it's getting back at me for neglecting it by sucking all my time. You win some, you lose some.

If Doctor Who and Hunger Games fangirl sthuff, GIFS, superhero & Pixar movie stills, and inspirational prints are your thing you should consider following moi because I reblogged a bunch of thing that fall into those genres. I reblog and I do it often, bombing my followers dashboard but I'm pretty sure they still love me.

Wanna follow?

the good, the bad, the ugly.

Ya'll. This week is not treating well. Today was kinda sorta a balance...one minute everything's cool, the next I'm sobbing. This has nothing to do with emotions (I know, that was my first thought too...I am a girl, after all) but just life in general. Life is totally...life. That's the only way how to describe it.

So, if you want to know how I cope with the ups & downs of this thing we call life, read on.

Depressed when ya get up? Start you day off right with emails, the Twitters, and watching silly JHutch videos. Seriously, I've watched this video five times today. He is SO making fun of Vanessa and she thinks it's hilarious which makes that much more hilarious to me.



Sad that your blog is blue and all wintry when the weather is anything but? Email your amazing blogging design friend and plead for her to resize your February header. Then make your blog look all pretty in pink and starting updating it a little. Full monthly makeover post coming soon! 

Annoyed that you had to work on schoolwork until 7? Be proud of yourself for sticking with it and having a hot meal lovingly prepared by your mom. Also? Reward yourself with a Doctor Who episode while eating yummy turkey tetrazzini.

So sad for your sweet puppy not feeling good that you sob in the shower for the 2nd night in a row? Eat your feelings by stuffing your face with a Snickers bar and snuggling him.

That's my day. School, worry about the puppy, and surfing the Interwebs. Happy Tuesday, friends!

rainy days are good for...

...sleeping/taking naps. I had perfectly good intentions of taking a cat nap this afternoon because DUDE. Homegirl got 4 hours of blissfully dead-to-the-world sleep last night. The crazy part is I woke up all hyper & actually talked to people within 30 minutes of waking up. Your body does cra-zay things when you mess up your sleep schedule.

...sitting in the Coffee Shack. Technically, I was tagging along with Mama on a coffee date with one of her friends but I had a date with my laptop. It was amazing; we got reacquainted with the whole blogging thing.

...comfort food. From a doughnut for breakfast, a mocha frappe at the Coffee Shack, peanut butter sandwich & apples for lunch, AND a Dr. Pepper, I've had some of my favorite food today. Too bad it's not healthy or anything. Excuse me while I nom on carrot sticks to make up for those THREE donuts I had in 24 hrs.

That's my day in a nutshell: no sleep, food, and sitting in front of a glowing screen typing away. Glamorous, I know. Happy Saturday, readers!