Plans

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11  

If you would have told me this time last year, what I would be doing right now, I wouldn’t have believed you. I had it all planned out.

I was going to move to Austin, get a job there working for a non-profit. I was going to move with him, get engaged, be happy…  

I believed in this dream with everything I had. Little did I know that God had bigger plans, His own plans.

I didn’t do any of the above. I moved back to my home town, I work for an insurance agency and we broke up. So I guess what this post is about, is seeing the big picture of it all. Looking past the bad and realize His plan is bigger and better than anything I can dream of.

Many things have been painful these past 7 months. Days where I didn’t want to get out of bed, days where it took everything in me not to break down at work. Days where I shut everyone out. I am not going to lie, I still have some of those days. With each day though, it gets better. I don’t want to say time heals all wounds, because it doesn’t. There is one rock in my life that does heal all of my wounds and that is Christ.  

Going back to a year ago, I did have those dreams. One thing I didn’t have though, is the relationship I now have with Christ. To be honest, I would take that relationship over ANYTHING I had in my life last year.  

Yes, I believed in God. I worshiped Him, I went to church,  and prayed. I  have gone to the same church my whole life. The same church my momma and daddy got married in.  I felt like I had somewhat of a relationship with my Savior. In college I never questioned these things. I accepted “my part” of being a Christian.  I would rarely want to speak of Him to others, let alone write full blogs about Him.    

Fast forward to this past May, when my world seemed to be turned upside-down. I am not going to get into it again, but you are more than welcome to go read my old posts. Anyway as I said, I was at my lowest. It took me to get there to realize the only one there for me, the only one who had not forsaken me, was my Lord. He was there holding my heart, soothing the storm in me. No one had the right words to tell me, except Him.  

Therefore, I turned to Him. I immersed myself in His words. I went to bible study twice a week and started helping out at a youth girl’s bible study. It is during these times that I am at peace. All of my burdens disappear. I am no longer lost, my spirit is found.  

Realizing all of this made me look back on how I used to be. A year ago I had plans, but I was lost. The people I surrounded myself with were not ones that supported my relationship with God. I became somewhat ashamed of my religion and what I was raised as. Seems so silly now, because when people deny that, they aren’t denying you, but Him.  I remember one conversation I had between a few people about Him. They were saying how silly it is to post a status on Facebook about God. How they don’t want to shove it down anyone’s throat. They love God, but why talk about Him where everyone can see? I somewhat agreed at the time. WAS I CRAZY?!?!?!  

How can you not want to speak His GREAT name?!  

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8  

 God is all of these things!! This is why, regardless of MY plans that I had, His plan is the best!! I love being in love with God. He is in control of my life, my life is His. I want to speak of Him, write of Him, sing of HIM.  

As I look back on the ones I associated with last year, I can only hope and pray that they will learn the power in truly knowing Christ. The power in His love and how trusting in Him and following His plan will guide you in the right direction. I know if they did, things would turn out differently…  

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for blessing me with everything I have. Thank you for tossing my plans aside and replacing them with You. Thank you for moving me back home so that I may spend time with my Papaw before he passed away. Thank you for giving me a job, with such a short drive and no traffic. Thank you for the amazing people I work with…for all of  them know you and I am truly spoiled at this job compared to what I had before. Thank you for pushing the wrong people out of my life, so that I may have the chance to have the right people.  Thank you for my amazing TRUE friends I have here and for Ashley, who is such a blessing even when she is all the way in Huntsville. Thank you for my family who love me through it all. I cannot thank you enough for all the things I do have. Please let me continue to follow your path, and let me help those who have strayed from your path or have never known of it.

Change.

Ah...the big debate of can people really change? My friend and I were discussing this topic recently. My friend believes people do not change. They can pretend for awhile, have a "life changing" event to prompt them to change, but never actually fully make the change. They will go back to their old ways...not to be trusted.

Well I can't believe this...

"It is the possibility that keeps me going … and though you may call me a dreamer or a fool or any other thing, I believe that anything is possible."- Nicholas Sparks

And to me this is enough. I have decided to have a positive outlook on life. I decide to trust others, look for the good in them. Will I get hurt by this? Sure, I have in the past and I am sure I will again. The temporary pain and hurt is worth living a positive life and not a cynical one.

I do believe one must want to change for oneself. I don't think a person will change unless they truly have the want and need to in their hearts. I know this because this is where I am in my life right now. I want to be this great Christian, I long for it, I work so hard everyday to change into the person He would want me to be. Is it hard? It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Changing isn't meant to be easy. I know it is is possible though. I have faith in Him and the change He will make in my life.

Which brings me to who I believe is the one who can help a person change. Christ. It is all over the bible. Saul, later called Paul, was a persecutor of Christ followers and then he saw Christ. He was blinded by Christ, spent time with him and became the teacher of salvation to many Gentiles. How awesome is that?! I love how life-altering, loving and amazing God is. He took the one killing followers, and changed him into a man of God.

Now unfortunately, we don't live in biblical times. We live in a culture where sins are thrown in our face daily. I believe that it is hard for many people to understand that they are forgiven. Yes, you reading this. God loves you, you are his child, you are FORGIVEN!! Who you were in your past does not mean this is who you have to be in your future. You do not have to live the life that the culture says is "right". Live a life full of Christ and love!! :) My heart is so overwhelmed as I write these words!!

As I said, this is not going to be easy. It is a battle everyday for many Christians, but the battle is worth it. I still am prone to going back to the person I was before Him. I know others struggle with this as well because it is easier to give into temptation. Your so called "favorite sins" will be harder to quit than other. Please remember that with Him by your side, anything is possible. All past demons and sins can be overcome. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us." Romans 8:31

I know in my heart people can and will change. Faith, hope and love will win. I am sticking to my guns on this one people.

I am going to make an announcement soon that I haven't told anyone about. I know what I am about to embark on is my calling. My heart is full of Him when I think about my future and what He has planned for me. :)

Have a great Thanksgiving, spend time with your loved ones.


Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on
I go I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something
He is not finished with me yet....

Mawwage.

Well, I have caught the blogging bug once again. I guess I really started all of this to keep family and friends updated on my life while I was in college. Especially because I spent 50% in Huntsville, 25% in Belton and 25% in Houston. Now that all my time is spent in Houston, there is not much to exactly “update” on. I keep in contact with my friends whom I enjoy spending what little free time I do have, and that’s about it. Therefore, I guess this is now just something for me to vent with. I don’t care if anyone reads it. I just love writing and always have. With that being said, welcome to my newest post :)


“Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us together today. Wove, twue wove...So tweasure your woves forever”- Princess Bride

Marriage. The word that when I bring it up, (mainly from older generations) will almost always promise the response of “OMG, you are so young!”, “You have your whole life ahead of you, why do you feel so rushed?!”

The truth is people, I do not feel rushed into it. I mean I don’t even have a boyfriend, nor a potential suitor. So, before I continue I just wanted to throw that out there. It would be different if I had a boyfriend whom I am pushing the topic on, but I don’t nor would I do that.

What I do have an inner battle with is my personal accomplishment checklist. Now, I do not have this written down somewhere of a timeline of when I should succeed at things in life, but it is definitely in my head somewhere. Let me let you in on how I live my life and process things in this brain of mine:

Step 1: I see a goal in my mind.
Step 2: I make a plan to reach this goal.
Step 3: I successfully reach this goal.

There is A TON of mini steps in between these. Most of them consisting of hard work, little “play-time” and all that good stuff. This is how I graduated college in 3 years with an almost 4.0 GPA. I am driven.

Anywho, here I am… I have reached that goal, I have a career in front of me. The next obvious “step” in my mind is mawwage. This is just how I have grown up. I see my parents, grandparents, friend’s parents, co-workers and now even a few of my friends happily married. Naturally, I do not believe divorce is an option unless some sort of abuse is going on. I believe in love, romance, miracles and the magic of it all. I choose to look at the positive aspects. Believe me, I know marriage is not all daisies and roses, but I am willing to put up with the thorns.

In my little mind, I had it all planned out. I would graduate college with my high school or college sweetheart…we would both get jobs and he would propose to me in the most romantic way ever and we will live happily ever after and start our own little family with no white picket fence, because we would want lots of open land! Haha

Welcome to why I am frustrated now. I am used to “getting what I want”. Not because I have it handed to me, but because I work HARD for it. I put every ounce of me into my goals. This is why when I see people just kind of just “floating” through life, I want to encourage them with what I have done and to set goals. I don’t mean go to college. I just mean set a goal and accomplish it.

I digress, my previous goals dealt mainly with me pushing myself. It did not include someone else’s feelings and their life. I realize marriage is not exactly a goal. It has just always been the next step in my mind. Now that I am nowhere near taking that step, I am sort of wondering what’s next? What is my purpose now? What is my role on this Earth?? Haha

Then, I started going to this bible study every Tuesday evening. It really put “my life” in perspective for me. First of all, it is not MY life. My life belongs to Christ. I was put on this Earth to do his work, whatever that may be. I have to let go of MY plans for life. It is in His hands now and I am courageous and willing to be faithful to Him. This is going to be very difficult for me to stop planning because I am such a planner!! I must give everything up to Him. It won’t always be easy and I know I won’t always be happy. That is OK though because my kingdom is not here.

So God, here I am. Use me as you need. Whether it is getting married and having a family or dedicating my life to being a missionary. I was made by God and for God and until I understand that, life will never make sense…

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 :)

Awesome!

There was a time when you were five years old, and you woke up full of awesome. You knew you were awesome. You loved yourself. You thought you were beautiful, even with missing teeth and messy hair and mismatched socks inside your grubby sneakers. You loved your body, and the things it could do. You thought you were strong. You knew you were smart. Do you still have it? The awesome. Did someone take it from you? Did you let them? Did you hand it over, because someone told you weren’t beautiful enough, thin enough, smart enough, good enough? Why the hell would you listen to them? Did you consider they might be full of shit? Wouldn’t that be nuts, to tell my little girl below that in another five or ten years she might hate herself because she doesn’t look like a starving and Photoshopped fashion model? Or even more bizarre, that she should be sexy over smart, beautiful over bold? Are you freaking kidding me? Look at her. She is full of awesome. You were, once. Maybe you still are. Maybe you are in the process of getting it back. All I know is that if you aren’t waking up feeling like this about yourself, you are really missing out.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me.

Respect. An action today that has somehow been forgotten about in the mix of everything else going on.

While respect in general is important, there is one type of respect that I feel so many girls and women forget. Self-respect.

What is self-respect? Let’s go with the dictionary…
Self-respect –n. Due respect for oneself, one's character, and one's conduct.

The meaning of self-respect means so much more than just this definition. It means to respect the body and mind God gave you. Respect it in your daily activities and in your thoughts. Unfortunately, so many young girls and women today do not know how to respect themselves. They find it easier said than done. They give themselves up to a guy in order to receive “love” in return. They bare their body to get attention. They don’t realize what smart and intelligent women they can be.

What I hope is that I can help other young girls and women realize their self-respect before they head too far down that path. Young girls in high school and middle school have such few positive role models to look up to. They see Snooki and think they must “smush” in order to have a guy love you. Many TV shows make it appear normal and right to have a new sexual partner every night. I honestly feel that if these women respected themselves and their bodies, their actions would reflect this. Then, there are so many real life examples that I see just among people in my life. I just want to shake these women and tell them that sleeping with a guy won’t make him love you. If you do not love and respect yourself, he won’t either.

I am not trying to sound “high and mighty”. I have been at fault with lack of self-respect. I have done things just to get the acceptance of someone, even if it wasn’t in the best interest for me. I am not perfect, I am a sinner. I am not writing this to let everyone know I have never lost my self-respect, because I have. More importantly, I realize now what having self-respect means. I no longer feel the need to impress people to feel wanted. I know I am loved by the one who is most important, God. He has been the one to help me on this journey of realizing what His plans are for my life here. I no longer will settle for less than what He has planned for me. I know better now what I need out of every relationship I have. Whether it is family, friends or men.

Speaking on terms of men and relationships with them. I feel so blessed to have Him show me what I deserve. As I said, I will no longer settle like I have done in my past. I hope and pray that one day He will bless me with a man who is not afraid to rely on God when life is great or when times get tough. Someone who can be a partner with me on this journey. For now though, this quote sums up where my heart is at…


“A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her” – Max Lucado

Isn’t that such a beautiful saying? So friends and family, please don’t forget to respect yourself. It may be hard to break this habit, but rely on Him. I promise if you do, you will wake up one day feeling full. You will no longer need that guy, alcohol or drug to fulfill you. He will fulfill you, and that will always be enough for me.

Love y’all :)

Praise You In This Storm

OK time for a HAPPY post. Well maybe happy isn't the word, but a healing post is more like it.

Since I have moved back, especially in this last week, the radio station that I am been listening to is KSBJ. The music on there is just so healing. It constantly reminds me that I am not the one in charge. "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns really spoke to me...
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Those words are just so so true. I know God is here for me, like he always has been. I just need to learn to turn to him and his love.
I also want to thank those people who have been there for me. I need to remember to be thankful for what I do have and forget about what I don't....
The best advice my mom has given is "this to shall pass"

My friend from college, Galen "Sunshine", who I haven't spoken to in over a year really helped me put things into perspective. He said " I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather passing. That's seems to be the only real problem though. Just do what you know would make your grandfather proud (and I'm sure he is)"

He is right. I know none of this would have been as hard on me if I didn't lose him. I never really grieved when he passed. I now feel like all of it is hitting at once. Now I realize he is my only true loss. I love you and miss you way too much Papaw. I miss the high fives, the random Czech words, and you making your funny faces and mumbling about how crazy Mamaw is. I was lucky to have you as long as I did and I am lucky to still have Mamaw. Please watch over us.

Thank you also to all my other friends- Catherine, Carolina,Heather, Kelli, Ashley, Megan and to the one who has been probably annoyed by me-Lauren. Y'all all have pulled me up and made me realize who my true friends are. I can't wait to see those of you who I haven't seen in forever!!

Finally, a word to some of my friends who have been having a tough time at work. I promise y'all will one day find an employer who will reward you for your hard work and perfectionism- haha. You will actually enjoy going into work each day. They will do anything to help you succeed and not thrive on drama. Keep y'alls head up- I have been there before- for 2 long years of defeat and negative people. I know it gets better because that is where I am right now. It is so wonderful to have people who care and support you in the work environment and in life.


So here's to moving on-praising Him in the storm and true friends.
Love y'all!!

Because I trusted you…

Throughout any girl’s life, she will have friends that come and go. Some that grow to be sisters, others that will stab you in the back. I think the worst of this is one, who you thought of as a sister, and really turned out to be far from that.

I trust my friends. I trust them with my insecurities, I trust them with my problems, and I trust them to the point where they could probably ruin my life if they decided to. I only trust a few people this much and I usually think I have pretty good judgment on who gets my trust.

So I trusted you. I trusted you with all my problems. You were the first person I went to when I needed to cry, needed a glass of wine, and needed a laugh. Of course, we had our ups and downs, but this last year, you became someone I knew I wanted in my wedding. They say you go to college to find your bridesmaids, not your groom. Someone I knew I could tell everything to and receive no judgment. Someone who I wanted to work alongside everyday though at times was pure hell. Someone who when I was at my lowest could pull me up. I treasured our friendship. I know I was all this for you too or at least thought I was.

Then I graduated and Martin and I broke up.

I heard from you still, not as much. One can expect this when moving away and starting a new life. I understood.

What I didn’t understand and probably never will is the events that followed after.

I don’t care if others think it is not a big deal. I don’t care if he and I are no longer together. I do not want him. The issue at hand is not that I am still in love with him and I want to make that clear.

The issue is purely based on friendship and sisterhood. I trusted you enough to NEVER question your intentions, mostly because I remember how you BROKE when it happen to you. Even when things got a little fishy, I thought she knows how much I loved him. She was the one I went to when things were falling apart. She was the one I would cry to when things got bad with him and me. It has barely been two months there is no way.

So please, imagine my surprise when I got that text stating what it did.

This time it was my turn to be broken. A thousand million things filled my head at that second and I have slowly been able to get them out these past few days.

Yesterday I finally felt like I had a moment of clarity. I know that life teaches lessons and this one is to appreciate the friends that are true to you. The friends that can be stuck on an island with the one you used to love and not lay a finger on them. I know this is your loss, I know I am a true friend that would have driven up to Huntsville at the drop of a hat if you were hurting. I know this because I considered you one of my sisters. I am sorry you can’t say the same about me.

I am not going to lie; I am still hurting, a lot. I know I will miss you as a friend, but I know I could never make the mistake of trusting you ever again.

This is me opening up...

So...

I promise that I am not always writing about death. In all honesty Austin has been the only person I have lost that is close to me...until now.

On May 28th, my Papaw went to be with God. His story is more of a celebration of life, rather than mourning of death. He was 93, lived a full and happy life. The day before he passed away he had a lucid moment and told my Mamaw that he loved her and was sorry for everything. The story of their life together is so beautiful. I only hope to have someone who is willing to stick by my side through peaks and valleys. Someone who is my best friend, who will be by my side to my dying day. They had true love, love that is hard to find in the world today.

Since I haven't written since April, A LOT has happened. I have graduated :) I now work at an amazing place, with amazing people and I love what I do. It can't get much better than that. I am close to family and old friends again. Sometimes it is all bittersweet. Especially because Martin and I are no longer together.

I think we both knew it was coming. The distance and some other things were just too much. The hardest part so far is just getting used to not always having him around. It can get lonely at my house when there is no one my age to talk to. Not to mention all of this happen the day after we buried Papaw.

I am not going to lie, I hurt at times. Sometimes it takes everything in me not to break down. I know things could be much worse and I am SO thankful to be blessed with this awesome job. Just in my head, I had this plan for my life and I thought I would be in a certain place by now...but I am not.

In the middle of all of this mess and sadness, I have found something to lean on. Since I have moved home my relationship with God has grown drastically. I love it and feel so full inside when I am talking to Him or worshiping or talking to someone about Him. I know this journey is not going to be easy, but the destination is the ultimate pay off.

So I guess to end this, life is not perfect and right when you have it figured out, it tumbles upside down. This is me now, trying to make sense of everything and where I should go now. Until next time...(and I promise it won't be almost 3 months)

Love y'all!!

April 8th.

I have been too busy. I know this because I woke up on April 8th and it didn't even hit me what day it was until Catherine texted me. I mean a week ago I knew what the 8th meant, but when it came I just didn't put two and two together. Well April 8th is when my life changed forever, along with a lot of people who were close to me. Four years ago on April 8th, Austin died.


I can remember it all like it was yesterday, yet it is all blurred in a way as well.
I had spent the night at my best friend Nasime's house, it was Easter. I remember we watched Borat that night and Austin always imitated Borat, but I never understood why he did until I saw it that night. Anyway, we went to bed and I got woken up by a phone call from the guy I was seeing at the time around 8am that morning. We didn't have school that Monday, I can't remember why. He went to a different school, so he was already wide awake and delivered the news to me..."Do you know a guy named Austin?" Well of course I did, I knew a ton of Austins. I asked he why..."Because on the news there is this Austin guy that went to Dobie and he died last night." Well I was half asleep and responded with saying I knew an Austin that was a bit on the wild side, so it was probably him. I asked if he knew the last name..."Jones? I think yeah Austin William Jones." My heart stopped. I couldn't believe it. I accused him of lying and being wrong. It can't be. Not the Austin that I have known since kindergarten. Not the Austin that could make me laugh just by a facial expression. Not the Austin that was about to graduate and had a full life ahead of him. Not the Austin that I was getting closer to daily and was suppose to hang out with last night, but instead went to Nasime's house. NOT HIM! I didn't say all of that. I couldn't say anything. I just hung up the phone and started crying. I couldn't believe the voice on the other line. I woke up Nasime, got on his Myspace and saw the truth. Already people were posting "I miss you" etc. It was real, Austin was gone.

We quickly flipped on the TV and yet again our fears were confirmed. News reports of Austin and 2 (or maybe 3) others being in a car crash the night before. Austin was the only one killed. Why him? Why not the idiot driving? They were driving "recklessly" and crashed into a tree. The truck collapsed right where Austin was sitting. The news reports were vague and wrong. Accusing them of drunk driving. I hated them making Austin sound like they did. He was an amazing young man, how dare they say what they were saying in the midst of this pain. It also turned out that the girl in the truck whose name they couldn't release was my close friend Amber. This didn't make the situation any easier.

I left Nasimes, went home, showered through all of my tears. I didn't want to stay at my house, I had to go be with my friends. I went to Lovelace's house. He was one of Austin's best friend. It is there I found out that everyone was trying to get a hold of me since midnight last night. I had just changed phone numbers and the only people who had it were Austin, Nasime and the guy who told me Austin had died. I remember we kept calling Austin's phone to hear his funny voice mail. It is there that we decided Austin deserved a candlelight vigil. I made a few calls and with the help of Myspace and MANY friends, we scheduled one for that night at the local fire station where Austin's dad worked at. It was amazing the number of people that came out, but that's all I can remember. The rest is a blur. I cried myself to sleep.

The next day, I had to go to school. The morning was the toughest because that was when all of us would see Austin. No Austin today though. I remember that they announced his death over the loudspeaker. I tried so hard not to cry. It was impossible though. I broke down. That week of school was hard. It was hard when Amber returned to school. I just wanted to take all of her pain away. As bad as I was feeling, I knew her pain was unexplainable. The funeral was that week. I wrote a note to him, gave him a kiss and saw him buried into the ground. I try to forget all of this. I remember going up to his mom, who is one of my "moms" now and saying sorry. That sounds so dumb when I look back on it. You should never have to bury a child. Her words healed me more than anything anyone had said to me that whole week. She told me that Austin spoke of me often and she knew how much I meant to him. Thank you Momma for telling me that. I have never told you before, but it put me at peace to know Austin cherished me as much as I cherished him.

The next year or two after, I was a mess. A song would make me cry, I was afraid of losing everyone close to me. I still think of these things, but try not to obsess. I know people who were not with me during this time just don't understand and I don't expect them to. You had to know Austin to understand this pain.

Austin is the first and only close friend I had ever lost. We all thought we were invincible and then it all changed. I have tons and tons of funny stories of Austin and that's how I like to remember him. I love spending time at his house and with his family. Especially his little sister Jessica who is growing up way too fast. I love that she calls me sister. I love having a little sister and I know Austin is proud of how amazing she is.


It seems like every year around his death I hear of another friend of mine that is thinking they are invincible. I makes me sad that they don't cherish life and their loved ones enough. I pray for these friends as much as I can. Thank y'all for spending the time to read this. It means a lot to me.


Here is the Dobie News Candlelight Service Video

The R word.

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.

I am just going to be honest and say that I will not and cannot put a picture of what I hate on here. It is a roach and even the thought of one gives me the chills! Therefore, I will not torture me or anyone else with this same fear with a picture of this creature!
Here is 3 good reasons I hate these buggers:

1. First off, they have been here FOREVER!! Nothing good ever last that long! They can survive nuclear explosion and probably the end of the world. No bueno!

2. My dad chased me around the house with them ALL the time when I was little. Mostly they were dead, but still...gross!

3.The sound it makes when you kill them...their exoskeleton or whatever...nasty!

OK well that's it for today! Oh I turned 21 last Monday and I couldn't ask for better friends or family! :)

Johnny, Pirates and Vampires!

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.


Kelly Funni Parker!!
I cannot even write all the interesting things I have done with this woman!! haha Here's a little background on our friendship: We met at children's choir at the church we were both attending. I have fond memories of us singing Spice Girls at the top of our lungs on our way home in her mom's car. I don't know if she remembers that, but I do! lol Moving on, we went to different elementary schools and reunited in middle school! We were both in Th. Arts and that is where our Johnny Depp obsession began. We had a Johnny Book and watched his movies over and over and over again. We also made Johnny cookies. I can go on and on about all the weird stuff we did. We made a "movie" called "The Ding", loosely based on The Ring. A one weekend in a hotel room in San Marcus we were British! haha We did a lot of weird things, but it worked for us. In the awkward time of middle school, I always knew I had someone just as weird as me to lean on haha thank you for that Kelly!!

High school and the few years after is when the "messed up" things really started happening. We lifeguarded together and we were both managers. We were hard workers, but we always had A LOT of fun!! Outside of work we enjoyed Twilight maybe a little too much. When we received a scholarship from lifeguarding, we knew where that money was going...THE TWILIGHT CONVENTION!! haha It didn't end up working out, but she did get a Edward cardboard cutout (featured in the pic) We even took him out to eat with us one day. Our friendship also featured onesies, snow in a can, TP'ing houses, putting post-its on cars and a lot of other things I don't have time to go into haha Kelly is now married and has a beautiful little girl!! I don't get to see them much, but when I do we love to talk about all of these memories! Thank you Kelly for always being the person I can be weird and immature with. :)

The Best Friend.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.


No questions asked, Catherine has gotten me through the most. We met in 6th grade and had many interesting times. Middle school is full of drama of course and so was our friendship. We got into silly arguments and I even once poured water all over her at lunch. It's a funny story we tell people now, but I always wonder why she continued to stick by my side even after that. As high school came and went, we shared breakfast and lunch together on most days. We would share our lunches (especially dessert).Literally, we go together like cookies and cream.(Cat you know what this means). We were each others Psychics partners and gossip partners. When our mutual friend Austin passed away, we clung to each other. We cried on each other shoulders, we were each others rock. College is no different. We don't see each other everyday nor every month, but when we see each other we are the same best friends. I think that is what makes our relationship so cool. I know that no matter where I end up I will always have a best friend in her. Catherine is just an amazing person in general. I am proud to say my best friend is one of the nicest people I know. She is getting married soon-ish and I am her Maid of Honor and I know she will be mine, no questions asked.

Papaw!

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.


Meet my Papaw. He is the subject of my Alzheimer's documentary. He is I believe 93 years old. I took this yesterday while filming parts of the documentary. This makes me laugh because it reminds me of who my Papaw really is. While he might not know who I am, he still knows how to make me laugh. He is a funny man and I love him for that!!

Pictures.

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

I honestly am not very materialistic. I treasure people and experiences more than items. I seriously have been trying to think of my most treasured item, but can't. I mean of course I love both my laptop and my cellphone, but those are more my most convenient items, not most treasured. So after some debate, I have decided that my most treasured item or more like items are my pictures! I seriously have TONS on my computer. Martin doesn't understand the need for me to keep hundreds of pics from high school. I think it is because I just love photography in general and I love to look back and just be in that old memory again. I am not saying I live in the past, but I am sure any of you who cherish pictures understand me. So I can't really post a picture of my most treasured item, but I will post one of my fave pics!



This is Amber, Jessica and me. I could write a whole book about these two girls and the reason behind this picture. To make a long story short. This was my junior yr. in high school. Summer was just beginning and we had just ate snow cones. We were jumping on our good friend Chris's trampoline. What makes this picture special though, is love and closeness that can easily be seen. Jessica was about I am guessing 9 ish? Sorry if I am wrong Jess. Well, her brother passed away that April 2007. Only a month or so away from graduating high school. Amber, the other girl in this picture was Austin's best friend and I have known Austin since he was in kindergarten. Through the hurt and the tears we came together to make it through this hard time. We have all grown so much since this time. Jess is turning into a beautiful young lady and Amber I never see and miss dearly. When I look at this picture it just speaks for itself and brings me back to that day. Austin loved playing on that trampoline, just like we were doing that day. Miss you Austin and I miss you girls dearly :(




I'll update again later b/c I have to get to school!!

Angelina.

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.



So anyone that knows me knows that I am def. an Angelina fan. Not only do I think she is an amazing actress, but hellooo she is married to Brad! haha Plus she just seems like she has an interesting life with all those cute babies! :)

Day 04 - A picture of your night.


This is pretty much my night, every night. Martin is added in there of course. Since I am taking 18 hours, my nights are filled with either homework or relaxing with the pups. Sadie is almost always all over poor Samson face. It is super cute, but Samson gets annoyed easily and lets Sadie know her place! haha

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.



While I don't have any personal pictures on my computer, Disney is def. one my fave memories. I think this is because as a child every thing is magical, especially at Disney. I can't wait to one day take my children!!

Falling Behind.

Yes, I missed a day... not much of a surprise, but I didn't think it would happen that soon! So here are two posts in one :)

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.



Meet my mom. Growing up it was mostly a battle between us. She wasn't the "cool" mom who, like some of my friends would drive me to parties or give me money every time I asked. Most the time she was over-protective. I look back on it now and wouldn't want it any other way. What I like about it most is that she never tried to be my best friend and by doing that she somehow became it. She is one of the silliest people I know. I never really noticed all of this until I left my parents home. In fact, I never thought I would look forward to seeing her and staying at my parents house, but I do. She stills tends to be over- protective, but I know she is just doing her job. I love her for who she is and I know she loves me the same way back. I am blessed with her and couldn't ask for a better mom.


Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.



DEXTER!! If you would have asked me a few months back, this would have been True Blood. I recently fell in love with Dexter though thanks to Martin! I have only seen the last two seasons, but OMG it is SO good. Anyone who likes thrillers and mysteries would enjoy it. To sum it up it is about Dexter, who studies blood splatter for Miami Metro. Well, Dexter is actually a serial killer himself. He gets himself into for pretty interesting situations, especially because his sister works along side him as a detective. Alas, I must wait for the new season to begin sometime in September I am thinking. I must get Showtime before then!!

See y'all tomorrow!

Well HELLO There!!

So I have not written in a VERY VERY longggg time!! Sorry!

Let's do a rough overview of the past few months...

November: Thanksgiving was wonderful, but went by way to fast

December: Made my A's. Last fall semester EVER!! Got to spend lots of time with family, both Mart's and mine. I finally got a camera for Christmas. I have SO many pics, but don't have time to put them on here!

Jan: YAY 2011 and last semester of college! School started too fast, but I am ready for it. I have decided to do a documentary for my directed study. As I mentioned before my Papaw has Alzheimer's. I am doing this documentary on him. I am sure y'all will hear a lot more about this was the semester goes by. Finally, I got a puppy named Sadie. She is a black lab and will one day make adorable little puppies with Samson! More on her later as well.

Feb: I started selling Scentsy! https://lroehr.scentsy.us/Buy <---- you can go there to buy things! Most is 10% off through Feb. :) I plan to do a party in both Huntsville and Houston soon.

So in order for me to keep up with this thing. I am going to do the "30 Day Challenge" some are doing on Facebook.

So here is Day 1:
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.



1. I graduate from SHSU in May!! 13th or 14th to be exact.
2. I love the way puppy breath smells.
3. I am a sucker for sad movies and songs. I will cry every time.
4. I don't know where I would be without Catherine and Elizabeth. They have came to my recuse more times than I can count.
5. I am Methodist and proud.
6. I would be lost without my Iphone.
7. I have grown closer to my family since I moved away.
8. I have no idea where I will be in 4 months.
9. I am 21 in 32 days!!
10. I pretty much like Mango flavored anything.
11. Icee's especially the blue ones make my day better.
12. I love animals. If I were rich, I would have a zoo.
13. I miss dance a lot...and sometimes lifeguarding because I was super tan and fit! haha
14. I miss Austin William Jones everyday.
15. I love theme parks! Universal and Disney are the best!

OK we will see if this thing works! Be back tomorrow!