The secret's out!

Let me start off by saying, I'm awful at lying and/or keeping secrets. 

However, I did pretty good with this one!  I previously said I had some exciting news coming up, and this was it! One of my best friends Brook is engaged to a sweet and very loving fiance named Blake.  They're a match made in heaven and I couldn't be happier for the two!

Congrats Brooke and Blake! I can't wait for you two to tie the knot :)

Let's play catch up

So many exciting things have been happening lately, and I've yet to fill you in!

Where to start.... Ok, first things first, I observed at Kidspring on Sunday in Jumpstreet (2nd and 3rd graders) and absolutely loved it!  It was a tad intimidating at first because we began the morning with play time.

In order to set this picture up for you, let me tell you it did not go like this:

Image found here, Thanks Google.

After the initial shock of playtime we arranged the kids in small groups assigned by their color on their name tag.  Now that is more my style.  It was a low key and organized way to deliver a very important message to the kids.

It's so admirable to watch their excitement and enthusiasm, and I'm almost envious of their polarization. What's wrong is always wrong, and what's right is always right.  Black and white with little to no gray; if it were only that easy!

I then got to visit Alex in Atlanta! One week without him and it had been really tough.  Although I've learned even in this little time that our separation will be good for us.  It will give us time to miss and appreciate each other a little more... oh, and he's coming to Greenville this weekend (so technically we still haven't experienced "long distance" dating yet).

But, he's coming to visit my dad because on Wednesday he had a very invasive surgery on his back! I believe it was called a spinal infusion, and it was very scary.  However, no worries because he is doing absolutely fantastic, praise the Lord!  They expected him to be home on Saturday, and Todd being the strong man that he is made it home Thursday afternoon.

Yes, that is a pink hair net.

One last thing to spring on you, I got the FCA Small group leader position! 

I couldn't be more pumped, I just couldn't!  It was so affirming to receive this news because I've felt a calling to really dive into community with others and share my passion for the Lord and I'm so excited to see what He plans to do through me!

I'll try to refrain from being so slack on blogging now that school is out, no promises of course.

What have you been up to this summer?

Mothers day surprise!

Need a unique and fun date idea?  No worries, I believe I have found it!  This was probably the most fun mother-daughter date I've been on, and she was completely surprised!

I picked my mom up while being very secretive, the only clues given on the way there were that it included wine (which we brought ourselves) and that it was on woodruff road.  She guessed many different things: wine tasting, wine making, many guesses that weren't right!  Before we arrived we stopped by T.G.I Fridays for some appetizers and headed right across the street to Uptown Art Uncorked, a BYOB art class that can turn even the most artistically challenged person into a pro.

The atmosphere was so calm and friendly, and the art teacher was patient and unbelievably talented!

One thing I liked the most was that you were free to add your own personal touches, whether that be different colors, different styles... you decide! Also, like the glasses? I'm going for a geek-to-sheek look, attempting it at least.

It's safe to say i'm so pleased with this mothers day gift! Not only do we have the somewhat amusing memories of us exploring our creativity, we also have the paintings to show for it!

Hope everyone had a happy mothers day!

We're getting older!

I'm officially finished with my junior year, and I'd have to say it wasn't too shabby.  It's weird though, realizing that I've got a year and a half left and then its out in the real world.  It's so odd growing up and becoming and adult, but I look forward to what the Lord has in store!  These past few days have certainly been bittersweet.  Yesterday a friend of mine graduated college as a biochemical engineer, I think.  That's all pretty much beyond me.  The graduation was very long, but fun as well! Afterwards we had the luxury of surprising him with a ridiculously large tiger head, and cookie cake celebrating the class of 2012! Congrats grad!

On another note, today is the day that Alex moves to Atlanta! I'm very excited for him, obviously, but I'm also pretty nervous.  It's not that I don't think we can do life without each other for eight months, because he could be so much farther away, it's just we don't want to do life without each other! So bare with me as I whine and complain while getting used to life apart from Alex, I know i'll survive.

Also, I've got a sweet surprise for my mother tonight as an early mothers day gift, so certainly expect a post about that soon! I'm so excited!  And on the topic of being sneaky, I've also got some rather exciting news coming up in about two weeks, so keep a look out. 

Hope everyone's doing good and enjoying some sweet sweet summertime!

Finals

This week was finals week, a week where it is completely ok to do the following: cry, NOT wear makeup, stress, drink gallons of coffee, wear norts and t-shirts (every single day), sleep in the library. Ask any college student and they'll tell you, college finals are tough.

One thing I've had to realize this semester, which actually came to me in the form of a sermon a few weeks ago is that my grades do not define me.  Perry preached a few weeks ago on how what other people think of us, does not define us.  And I really think that this applies here as well.  When you walk out of a class at the end of the semester knowing that you've done the best that you can, be proud at what you've accomplished.  Unfortunately we're not built to succeed at everything, there is only so much that we can do. So, if you're anything like me and you let grades freak you out, keep you're head up and do the best that you can!

Want to know what helped me through finals week?

1. Sleep. No all-nighters this semester. I'm proud to say that I got at least 6 hours of sleep every night this week, crazy right? Well, 6 hours with the exception of the 4 hours total I spent conjugating spanish verbs in my sleep last night, but ... that still counts, I guess?
2. Food.  Yeah, I did this crazy thing and like kept my body nourished, because I guess that's a little important.  Haha all sarcasm aside I really tried brain foods, fruits with natural sugars, whole grains, etc.  Check out a cool list here!
3. Sometimes you've just got laugh it off.  When I felt like I couldn't study anymore I really just tried to find things to get my mind off of school work.  Right before my exams I watched funny you tube videos, like this one:
and visited funny websites like, #whatshouldwecallme, and #mylifeasmeangirls, check them out! There has to be one that makes you laugh!
4. Oh! Also, instead of coffee i've moved to the Crystal light energy packets.  You've got to try them, they're amazing.

Well, that's all for now.
Good luck on your finals, and if you're no longer in college... this is one time to be thankful!