Holiday FUN!

WHEW!

It has been a busy few weeks. Right after exams, I worked softball winter camp. It was great. I love those kids! They're so much fun!! I got to be in charge of all the younger kids...wow! I had great help from Shippy, Katie, Jess, Christina, and Lauren. I hope that one day I'll be able to coach...

My next stop was home for a few hours and then off to Maine for a whole week. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! The weather was beautiful...mid-30s most of the time. We didn't get snow, but it didn't matter. We hiked and slept in and hung out with family. All of my dad's family flew in to be with our Gammy for Christmas. We had a blast!!

The third stop in my whirlwind break is Macon, GA for YEC...which is where I am currently blogging from. Amber, Becca, and I arrived at the hotel a little while ago, thankful we didn't have to drive up the morning of. I'm anticipating three jam packed days of merch and camera and friends and minimal sleep!! WOO HOO!

After YEC, we're heading up I-75 a few more miles to visit my Grandma in her new apartment. As I type, mom and dad are packing up her belongings and furniture and loading it in to a U-Haul. We'll go visit her for the day and help her unpack some before heading home.

Then it's New Years and then back to school. I think I'm going to need a vacation from my Christmas vacation!




One more thought- I am so thankful for my whole family and the time we got to spend together this Christmas. We all get so busy in life and rarely have a moment to spend together. They are so special and a tremendous blessing to me. I am also so thankful for the faith that binds us together. God is so good to me!

what a great day...

First of all, I had a final at 8 am. Its 38 degrees outside. I didn't get much sleep and felt very unprepared. The test was hard, probably didn't do too hot...

...then I go to the computer lab to pay my credit card bill on-line. Guess what! No money in my checking account. Wonderful. Even better, probably won't have money in it for a while...

Recap so far: freaking cold, failed final, no money...good morning, right?

Now I get to go have my leg looked at for the wound research I'm participating in. Usually not a problem, but today my leg hurts. I think one of the wounds is not cooperating. This is not going to be a fun time...

But...there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I get to go shopping with Lauren for a Bible for a French student! I might get my hair cut! I get to babysit Salvatore! and I'm going home for Cari's bridal shower!

Sorry for the crummy attitude, but the cold weather makes me very cranky! I'm trying hard to not be crabby all day! Writing this down is making me feel better already...

a visual

Here's a quick glance at a few of the things I've done, where I've been, and who I've been with!

Bert, Shannon, and Bill at the Snow Ball Dance!

(Dec. 1, 2006, Jacksonville, FL)

Trip to St. Augustine with the International Students!

(Nov. 4, 2006, FL)

Amber, Tabby, Teeter, and me!

(Nov. 25, 2006, Brentwood, TN)

Ford, me, Ruby, and Trevor (in the back)

everyone has kids now!!

(Nov. 23, 2006, Canton, GA)

Annual Chili Dinner at the Lowe's...

What a good lookin' crew!

(Nov. 24, 2006, Sandy Springs, GA)

hello old friend

Hi! It's me...remember me? I know I haven't posted in a long time and I apologize!

Things have continued to be crazy busy, but I guess that's how life is going to be....forever!

Here's a quick run through of what's been going on....

• Thanksgiving break trip to Canton, GA and Franklin, TN- got to see so much new family (baby Ford and baby Quinton!) and my dear friend Stephy!
• volunteering at the Snow Ball Dance (fun time for adults with special needs)- definitely the highlight of my month!
• preparing to run in the Festival of Lights 5K (tomorrow), and by preparing I mean just thinking about it because I haven't been running! :)
• had my leg "scraped" for a wound study my professor is doing
• Courtney and Tim's wedding in Miami- she was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen! (it makes me tear up just thinking about it!)
• got to spend time with Jenna and her mom! I miss them so much!
• saw friends I haven't seen in almost 10 years! Becca, Sara, Katie, Torri, Tyler, Jason- you guys are the best!
• Couch came to visit on Turkey day! YAY! (She had to though...the "above Macon rule" was in effect!)
• turned in a huge project for my Special Methods: secondary science class...lesson plans on a butterfly garden...life-changing!
• taking the GRE on Tuesday, Dec. 5th! AHHHHHH!

That's pretty much it. The semester is almost over. Life is just flying by! I hope to post more consistently soon....I hope...

so...

So here's the deal:

1. I'm sick of not having internet...but at the same time, loving it! There is some sort of freedom in not constantly checking my email or seeing who is on AIM...

2. I'm so excited about the new Bible study I'm going to with Lauren. We're studying Esther...and the girls are so cool!

3. Courtney and Amy are coming down this weekend for the Florida-Georgia game....WOO HOO! I cannot wait!

4. I've met some really cool people from church...that makes me excited! I really want to make more friends at Southpoint and get involved in the cool ways God is working through them...

5. I got to "work" for Starbucks on Saturday at the Race for the Cure... Man, that was intense...
First of all, we were up super early. Second, seeing so many people supporting such an amazing cause really made me think. Third, people freaking love Starbucks...especially free Starbucks! Borders doesn't get people that excited about their coffee :)

6. The volleyball team is doing really well. I'm enjoying continuing to get to know them and spending time with Stephanie and Shauna and Katie and Megan. They're such cool girls....

Alright, well I guess that is enough for now...it's getting late and I still have more homework to do...

Pray that I don't get overwhelmed as I begin looking for and contacting possible graduate schools...and I have to take me GRE soon...AHHH!!

until next time....

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Ouch!

so...

yesterday i shot myself in the eye with a staple gun...

fyi: that hurts! i don't not recommend doing it, ever!

good news is my eye is ok...no visible damage at all...just a little sore...

just thought you all might like to know that!

Plush

UNBELIEVABLE!

that is how good Jacks Mannequin was tonight...
I have great, great love for Andrew McMahon.

The Hush Sound, Daphne Loves Derby, and Copeland were great too!

whew! I'm beat though...

...but don't you worry, there will be more about this later! I just wanted to officially post some of my excitement as soon as I could!! :)

until next time....

Jack Rabbits

Tonight was a great night...

I got to see Anberlin, up close and personal! It was a great concert...crowded, hot, loud, smoky! I mean, can it get any better then that? (and just for the record, I can't hear like normal...I hope this isn't permanent!)

I guess this is just the week of concerts for me. Thursday night I had the honor of seeing Paul Wright, Warren Barfield, and Shane and Shane...it was pretty much too amazing for words... and next week is the Copeland and Jacks Mannequin show! I'm SO pumped!!! Music makes me so very happy...

Some life updates...
1. People actually do read my blog! Thanks to all of you!! ;)
2. I still have no internet of my own...boo...Comcast is NOT "comcastic"
3. I get to take my first unsupervised road trip with the UNF volleyball team this week....we'll be at Kennesaw State Thurs-Fri and East Tennessee State on Sat
4. My cousin got married today--Congratulations Kevin and Jennifer!
5. Jami's 23rd birthday is Tuesday (I'm not sure how I feel about my friends and I approaching our mid-twenties....sheesh...)
6. GRE?! GRAD SCHOOL!? HELP!!
7. As much as I love people reading my blog, I love reading theirs more!! Matt, Criddy, Harrison, Stephanie, Ginger, Jason, Auny, Brock, Jess, Anthony and Sharon-- thanks for the insight, entertainment, inspiration, and laughs!!

Good night, my friends!!


"A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook." Proverbs 18:4
--A special thanks to those of you who speak words of wisdom into my life and others. It means a lot!

shout out!

This blog goes out to Christy Davis...this one's for you, Criddy! :)

I apologize to those of you...all 3 or 4...who read my blog...for the long time between posts. I have tremendous internet problems en mi casa. I currently do not have the internet at all, making life most interesting...

Hopefully all my internet woes will be resolved as of Tuesday, between 8 and 11 am, when Mr. Comcast comes to fix things...

...until then, posts shall continue to be sporadic and dull...boooo

RANDOM!

Ok, so I was in the bookstore at school today and saw the craziest thing ever...

...a dangly belly button ring with the UNF logo attached to it!

Seriously, who would buy that?!? It was the ugliest thing I've ever seen...not to mention tacky...and, did I say ugly? I guess that's good ol' UNF for you...


Today I traced a banner for BCM with Lucas. Man, my arms got really tired. We thumb tacked the fabric onto the wall and then projected the logo with an overhead projector. I'm really excited about it. The next step is painting it. Hopefully I won't mess it up!!

Tonight was the season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars!" Shippy came over to watch it with Jami, Amber, and me. It was GREAT! Maybe one day I'll learn how to dance...

More exciting news...Jami purchased season 2 of Grey's Anatomy. We have some catching up to do before it premieres next week!

So in between good new tv shows, banner making, and ugly belly button rings, I'm staying super busy with school. Classes are pretty tough...tons of reading...lots of projects...many many hours in the training room...

I guess I better get going...quizzes to study for...behavioral disorders to understand...and a good night's sleep to get....


"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

BUSY BEE!

School is SO time consuming...sheesh...it never leaves me any time to blog! Also my internet is currently not working...I never realized how much I use it...and of course, all my classes this semester use a system called BlackBoard, which has to be accessed via the internet...

Here's a quick update:
-working with the volleyball team everyday...still loving it! the girls are really cool
-taking lots of education classes...they're really tough...lots of reading and writing lesson plans
-doing a lot with BCM...this is new for me...I used to not have much time, but I'm starting to like being involved with "the Grove"
-I did pilates for the first time...hurts a little to bend over and to lift my legs!
-I got to see Brock, Auny, and Stephy last week...I wish Nashville and Jacksonville were closer together...
-Sharon and Jason are engaged!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!

That is about all I can think of right now....my internet should be up and running again tomorrow, which hopefully means I'll post more often!

"Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of things unseen." Hebrews 11:1

Here you go, Court!

As requested, here are some pictures!!


This is me at the beach...illegally sitting in the lifeguard stand!














Me and Amber our last night of SuperWOW.

Back-to-School Blues

So long sweet summer...

Even though school doesn't start until the 28th, it feels like summer is already over. I just got an email from a professor. This semester is going to be rough...

There is so much I have to do and I'm sure not enough time to do it!

finish my independent study...be at volleyball practices and games...study for and take the GRE...finish my proficiencies...find out about and apply to grad schools...go to a million weddings...

whew! It makes me tired just typing it all. Even though I have so much to do, I have to keep a few things in mind...

1. God is God and I am not. Meaning, that I am not all-powerful, wise, perfect, and true.
I MUST remember that.

2. He has a purpose and a plan for my life...Jeremiah 29:11

3. It is ok to not understand and I don't always have to have all the answers...Isaiah 555:8-9

4. RELAX

5. Don't procrastinate!

As much as I'm dreading the start of a new semester, I know that it is the beginning of the end- my last year of college! What I do this year will dictate where I go and what happens next year...there are important decisions to be made...and as scary as that is, it makes me a little excited!

So here is good bye to a great summer and hello to a new beginnings!



"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Update

As I cannot sleep again, I will do a brief recap of the week:

• preseason volleyball = 2 practices aday...we'll just say I'm logging in lots of clinical hours before the semester even starts...(but my CI and the girls are great; so far so good!)
• photo shoot...I bet you guys didn't know I was a model! SHOCKER! (don't really believe that because I'm not one, but I will be appearing in a brochure for UNF)
• CPR and first aid recerticication...can't wait to get my new card!
• doctor's appointment concerning my knee = it's healing great! I can even start jogging! WOO HOO!
• my brake lights are not working...boo...but I am getting to practice my hand signals
• I start back to work at Borders on Monday...actually looking forward to that!
• I FINALLY ordered tickets to see Jacks Mannequin and Copeland...so pumped about that!
• bought new shoes! faux Vans from Target...black with white starts...LOVE them!

That's all the exciting (and by exciting I mean mundane) things I did this week...

There is more I'd like to talk about, but I'm starting to get sleepy! YAY!

Just a little verse to express my happieness at being released to run...

"I RUN in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32

Halleluia!

JUST A liddle LIST

Things I currently L-O-V-E:

1. people reading and COMMENTING on my blog! wooo (Hooty) hoo!
2. being back at school?! (sorta...)
3. my big girl bed
4. getting flowers from people that mean a lot to me
5. red jumpsuit apparatus
6. pretzel crisps! YUM!
7. my tattoo
8. the X games (I wish they last longer then just a weekend...what a bummer....)
9. HANK! (the moose and Court's new puppy!)
10. Manford the Manatee and the cute old man, Joe, who wrote the book!



"This is the day the Lord has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it." Psalm 119: 24

ZzzzZzzzZzzz

do you ever just lie in bed, wishing you could go to sleep?

thoughts running through your brain, one after the other after the other...

why? why? why?

this is new for me. i usually have no trouble sleeping...

and i don't like this at all.

i can now sympathize with those people on the sleep medicine commercials...

not being able to fall asleep = no fun!

and it seems that these bouts of insomnia come at the most inopportune times!

here is my current thought...thanks to my dear friend cindy...
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." Psalm 3:5

good night to you...

...and hopefully soon for me...

It's been a while...

Summer has come and is almost gone since my last post.

Here is a brief synopsis of where I've been and what I've done:
Impact = INCREDIBLE!
SuperWOW, amazing!
Ft. Walton: fun, sun, Skit Guys, and quality time with the Couch's!
Softball camps- always a good time!
Redecorated my room (big girl bed- YAY! and freshly painted walls)!
Knee surgery, not so fun...

I've lived, learned, loved, and laughed my way through the past few months. I'm looking forward to what the new school year brings- anxiously anticipating the Lord to move in mighty ways!

I will do my best to post more regularly! :)


(PS- I LOVE Shark Week on the Discovery Channel!)






"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32

silly crayon box

I am sitting here, not at my usual computer, but at my mechanic's computer...
why? you may ask...

Well, my lovely little Jetta, affectionately referred to as the "crayon box", needs some work...
$500.00 worth of work!!

AHHHH!

But I guess that's life...and one of the joys of having a car...

Good news is that I won't have to worry about breaking down on one of my (many) future trips to Georgia!

Thank you, Jason, my wonderful mechanic! The crayon box and I thank you!

Oh and one more thing...Miss Jami Willis, I hope you're happy! Look how many new posts I've written!! haha!! I freakin love you, you silly Clay-mate!

Induction

Tonight, I was inducted into a new club...that's right...a club....

SINGLE FOR LIFE! (for life = right now...not forever)

WOO WOO!

Jami, Meagan, Nate, and I are all proud members....

Secret handshake, password, and club shirts are still in the making...suggestions are welcome....

Cafe Ole!

Most of the time, I really like my job....most of the time....

I mean really, what is not to like? steaming milk, pouring shots (of espresso!), baking cookies, making smoothies (drinking the leftovers!!)!

I love talking to the customers and making friends with the regulars...

...what I don't love is RUDE people and PICKY people!

Seriously, I apologize for not being able to steam your milk to exactly 185 degrees because my steamer automatically cuts off at 161 degrees! For goodness sake! Does it really make that much of a difference?!

Whew! I needed to get that out...what also helps (besides venting) is that my favorite future lawyer came in to get his usual large decaf and bottle of water and then the nice lady from Petsmart for her medium latte- not to mention the great people I work with...Korey rescuing me from long lines, Danielle's lemon concoction, and Jason holding down the fort as I sprinted to the potty!

I just have to remember, daily, sometimes minute by minute, that soon I'll be at camp...yay for camp...and that it's not about me...IT'S NOT ABOUT ME! why is that so hard to remember?!?

Just a thought...

Ok, so I haven't done this in a while and don't know really where to start.

A lot has happened, and one thing I have learned...

Not much in life is constant...one thing is...JESUS!

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Yay for a God who is sovereign and eternal...

I don't want to talk about it...

you know that "thing" that everyone knows is going on but no one wants to talk about?

well, I don't really like that "thing", never have... why? because sometimes that "thing" makes me emotional- mad, sad, happy/sad, vulnerable...ugh vulnerable...

lately, there have been lots of "things"- none, of course, that I currently would like to discuss, but of course I'll mention...

• senior night
• spring athletic banquet
• finals week
• my friends graduating
• knowing my brief stint as a collegiate softball player is quickly coming to an end
• pretty much knowing that life is changing faster then I am and that things aren't going to stay the same forever
• thinking that maybe I should decide what I want to do in the next couple of years/the rest of my life

scary stuff...growing up...

am I ready for this? right now, no....tomorrow, maybe...soon, I hope!

but for this moment, this very second, I just want to go on not thinking about it...

"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

more then eggs and bunnies...

sometimes I think people forget what Easter is all about...

This year it hit me how much Easter is about family and love...

God sent His ONLY son to die for OUR sins...to show how much He LOVES us!

AMAZING...

A love so great that He would sacrifice is son...it blows my mind...

Humps

We lost to a bunch of CAMELS! First of all, who wants to grow up and play for the Camels? Second of all, who loses to Camels?!?

Ok, I know I sound bitter, but I am tired of losing....and not just to the Camels. Just plain sick and tired of it! What is even worse is that I'm not sure why we're losing. We're a good team with good players. Player for player we're better then the teams we face! DANG IT!

On a more positive note, I get to be roomates with Kelli Rutenbar. She a good person to have to spend a weekend with. I also get to go home for Easter! Which means fun times with mom and dad, Amber, and Cooper...

...I guess life isn't so bad...but LOSING still is. Kelli and I have decided to be positive-- no more negativity. We're going to go inning by inning, play by play, at bat by at bat...

Gardner-Webb better watch out...the Ospreys are swooping their way and we're not going home 0-4!

long time....no post

Ok, so I admit, I'm not the best at keeping up with this....but I promise I'll try to do better. A lot has happened since my last post....

• spring break came and went
• we played our first conference games
• Amy broke her arm...now I'm a left fielder...
• we lost to Kennesaw...grrrrrrr!
• I did my first observation at the elementary school
• we finally won some games!

All in all, I've been a busy girl! And, it's only going to get busier! YIPPEEEEE!

Things that STINK...

...riding in buses for LONG periods of time...

...losing two games...two games that shouldn't have been lost at all!

...losing 4-15...

...striking out and grounding out, in one of my few opportunities to prove I should be on the team...

something that doesn't stink...

...playing division I softball with a great group of girls...that I wouldn't change for anything!
(the winning will come....I know it will!!)


James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

What an Adventure!!

Tonight, Jami and Rob took me to Adventure Landing! We played putt-putt, hit in the batting cage, played air hockey, and shot dinosaurs in the Jurassic Park game! It was a blast!! I had 2, yes 2, hole in ones...amazing!

Numero Uno

Today is the first of many things in my life:

1. first day of spring break!
2. first day of spring!!
3. my first post on my first blog!

Ever since I was introduced to this addicting form of communication, I have wanted my own. I would like to personally thank AnnE for showing me Stephanie's blog and Stephanie for her ever amusing posts!

I don't promise that mine will be funny, witty, or even interesting....but I think it'll be fun to do! So enjoy!! :)