Today is the day

My mom said to set a date. Set a date to say today is the day. Today is the day that you won't look back. Everyone deserves time to grieve and be bitter and cry. Some a little longer than others, but if we make a habit out of it then we are just letting something control us that we have no control over. Now what good comes from that? Absolutely nothing. We have no control. We gave it all to God. He closed this door we thought we would have opened for forever because He has something grander in mind. I might still be impatiently waiting, but I'm sure the wait will be worth it. Is it fair, probably not. But life's not fair and that's a whole other blog entry in general. So today is my day. After today, I'm to leave my past exactly where it belongs and I'm to wake up every single day with a better mindset than the day before. Hard? Well that's an understatement. But if I keep living this woe is me life, then I'm giving all the power to someone who doesn't deserve it. Today I'm taking everything I have left and I'm leaving on a jet plane. I'm saying so long to that chapter and I'm starting a new one. Today I get to see my brother and sister in law and spend the next five days with my best friends in Texas. Of course I'll be back, but not back where everything went so wrong. I'll be back and then I'll be closing on my very own home and I'll get to start a new chapter... a chapter with blank pages with a fresh new book smell, that's a smell to love. Or maybe it's the smell of a brand new home. Either way, today is the day to never look back, because it only brings me down. Today is for me and I couldn't be more excited to see where it takes me. So long Alabama. I'll see ya soon.

Mother's day

Mother's day was far less busy than our Friday and Saturday. We went to church then had a nice breakfast at Panera.

I hope all you blogger moms had a wonderful mother's day too!

Fill in the blank Friday.

Long time, no see. I'm actually rather excited about today. I have no test to study for on Monday.

No chapter(s) to read. No paperwork to fuss over. Just a normal Friday. I almost forgot what it felt like.

ALMOST.

1.   What I love most about my home is  I'm not going to lie, ever sense I moved from the house I grew up in to go to college, it is hard to call anywhere else "home." Sure, I've moved to 5 different houses, but I am ready to create a home of my own. However, I am totally BLESSED to actually have a house over my head. In this area, that is hard to come by after last week's tornadoes. And I do love that there are pictures everywhere. 

2.  I'm excited because,    tonight will be another blast from the past with my roomies from college. 

3.  My preferred method for blowing  off steam when I'm frustrated is    CRYING, deep breathing, and listening to music.I think I have a playlist for most scenarios, and they always come in handy.

4.  Currently I am craving  Chik A-lay as pronounced by Ryleigh. Also referred to as Chik fil A. 

5.  The thing I love most about my mom is    that she always loves me, no matter what.

6.  If I was going to write a book about my life, the title would be      The Story of A Girl, I think. Still undecided on that one. 

7.  If I were to eat one thing for the rest of eternity it would be      MACARONI & CHEESE and Chicken Fingers. I know that is two things, but if it is in the same meal then I will consider it just ONE.

Happy Happy Birthday

to my mama!!!




I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!! 143.

A weekend in photos...

I exchanged a purse that I liked a little, to one I liked a whole lot.

 Then used the difference to purchase my most favorite eye shadow.

Mulch by Mac.

 My brother and I ate at the Original Pancake House,

and he ordered these DELICIOUS chocolate chip pancakes

 And, I got these snazzy new kicks as an early birthday present thanks to my mama.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend full of LOVE.

a semi-long BLOG about Christmas.

Well I think I speak for most when I say I have been rather busy this past couple of weeks. I don't even know where to begin. I know that it feels lovely not toting around 25 lb books everywhere I go, and I know I still have 2 whole weeks of NO SCHOOL. I am also MORE THAN THANKFUL to be starting the 5th semester. For now though, I am okay being a bum. I'll break down my week just for you.

Thursday (Christmas Eve Eve) - I kept the niece, and that night we went to my aunt's for a little family time. Her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 2 nieces (1 niece in law), 2 nephews (1 nephew in law), 1 great niece, and 1 great nephew all came together. And a few other loved ones as well!!

from left to right. Baby Will, Melissa, Bill, Michele, Dad, Me, Ryleigh, Jeromy, Jessica, Daniel.

from left to right: Ashleigh Andrew (Tonya & Scott), Krista and Keith (Holly), Connor, Carly, Carter (Ben & Tammy), and the sweet little lady in blue is my Aunt Lynn (my dad's sister) These are her children and grandchildren.

Also that night, we gave everyone prayer bracelets. Remember the blog, This too Shall Pass? Well, my sister had a wonderful idea to make bracelets to give to the family, and that is exactly what we did. I wrote a little poem to attatch, put them in some snazzy little bags, and everyone got a special little surprise.Tears included.

it reads: This too shall pass. and on the other side: Team Mimi
We will climb this mountain
And hold our heads high
We will push through this together
Together we will fight
The battle may be tough
And the outcome unknown
But we will make this journey
And you wont do it alone
We will laugh until we cry
And make every moment last
We will never give up
Because This too shall pass...

Friday(Christmas Eve) - I went to Kyle's parents for his Mom's side Christmas festivities. We a had a great dinner, and then got to open lots of presents. They open presents one at a time (from youngest to oldest this year), it is a lot of fun! I am very thankful to be a part of it all. Here is quite a few snapshots from the night!! 

 His meemaw has the coolest ornaments! These are caurosel ornaments. They play music, and go up and down, just like the real thing!

 Kyle, me, Stella, and Tallulah. sorry. we had to have a picture by everything. my idea, of course.

 this is wilbur, the snowman.

 Lori (cousin), Mrs.Sheila(his mom), Meemaw (mom's mom), Mike(uncle), Mr.Billy (his dad),Teresa (mom's sister/aunt), Kyle, Luke (cousin),Scott (brother), and Landon (lori's husband).

my Tallulah, and his mom's little Berkley. 

Saturday (Christmas Day) - I started the day out at my Mom's. We had a very yummy breakfast, then opened our presents from Santa. Jessica, Jeromy, and Ryleigh came over. It is always so much fun to see little ones open gifts. She wanted scissors from Santa. Santa must have forgotten, but her Honey (that is what she calls my mom sure didn't), so of course she was fine from then on. However, she did manage to open her presents, as long as she could cut the paper off with her scissors! Too funny. It is the little things. Also, my mom should probably go into the stocking making business. Mine, my sister and brother's were all made by a cousin when we were babies. My mom made the others!!

 check out that cutting action.

 us with our mama.

 the pop up tent popped me in the face. seriously. pretty funny.

for lunch we go see our daddy. we are all STUFFED. 

I don't have pictures from then, but here is a sweet little picture of my dad and me. 

I hope everyone had a very very MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

10.

day one. [ ten things i would say to 10 different people ]

thank you doesn't even come close to expressing how grateful i am for everything that you have done. you are the greatest man i know. thanks daddy for everything. i love you big.

your tunes guide my soul, and sends chills to my heart. i have been jammin' out lately to some of your older music. comfortable is for sure one of my favorites, ever. i promise that next time you come to birmingham, i will be there. some would say i am a bit obsessive, i just think you are fantastic. and pretty cute. dear john mayer, i kindof love you.

i can't believe it has been almost 6 years since i have seen you last. i would give anything to see you one more day. i took the days for granted and they will never be replaced. but i can't wait to see you again. i miss you dearly. i love you granddaddy.

as much as we would want to, we can't question what God has in store for us, and why He has chosen you for this journey. but i know more than anyone, you will take this battle with grace and dignity. you are strong, caring, compassionate, and mean the world to me. you will not fight this alone. i love you aunt lynn, with all my heart.

i never met you. always wondered who you would be like, or who would be most like you. im sure you would have curly brown hair like the rest of us, and a little quirky too. one day i will meet you, and i think about it often. i can't wait to meet the big sister i have never met. her name was kristen.

i know right now you are just a little pea pod growing in my sister's belly. and as much as i would like you to grow, i can't wait for your arrival. if meeting you is half as good as the first two than i am already head over heels in love you. your big sister is pretty funny, and i know you two will be great friends. see ya in april Baby Hall #2.

i think you are fabulous, fun, and delightful. minnie mouse, you are my number one.

to you. thank you for always being there, no matter what. you are amazing and strong, and i don't tell you enough how much you mean to me. you always see the glass half full. i love you mom, more than you will ever know.

you three are pretty darn near amazing. i am beyond lucky God chose me to be your little sister. Bill, Jessica, Daniel, I love you.

you make my day brighter every day. i would be lost without you my little Lula bug.

One Family + One (or three) Photo(s) = Day Ten

melissa.bill.will.dad.michele.me.daniel.unclescott.jessica.jeromy.ryleigh.

jeromy.mom.jessica.ryleigh.me.daniel.

jeromy.jessica.ryleigh.dad.me.daniel.

 

 

 

happy MOTHER'S day.

today we celebrate mother's day. even though i could name 1million+ things that i love about my mom, i will give you ten.

10. she is the strongest, most couragious person i know.

9. she is also one of the sweetest and most caring.

8. she would give the shirt off of her back to anyone who needed it.

7. i love that she loves the summer and the beach just as much as i do.

6. she is right beside me at disney world with matching minnie mouse ears.

5. she understands me when no one else does and is always on my side.

4. her uncanny ability to mumble through each and every song on the radio, but always catch the last lyric.

3. she always sees the glass half-full, no matter the circumstance.

2. she loves me.

1. her love for others in undeniable and something i will always hold closest to my heart.

so HAPPY HAPPY mother's day to all of the mothers out there! love you.