Anticipation

Well I have to say that 2010 has been one crazy year so far. I've spent most of my time filling out numerous scholarship applications, taking weekend trips to different college campuses, worrying about interviews, getting ready for baseball season, trying to finish a yearbook that's way behind deadline, trying to keep peace on a cheerleading squad (this is nearly impossible), and going to Christian's basketball games on the weekends. It's been exhausting and exciting, but also sad in a way. I know that this time next year I'll be a full time college student. And that's a scary thought! How am I going to make it through a day without seeing my family? Will I be able to figure out how to do my laundry? Who the heck will my roomate be? And will we get along? And when I think about all the friends I'm going to get out of touch with and all the little things I'm going to miss, I can't help but feel a tinge of saddness. But, I know that things will work out the way they are supposed to. The anticipation is killing me! And then again, I don't want this year to be over just yet. It's been a crazy mix of emotions but I'm sure everyone is going through the same thing. In the mean time, I'm enjoying all of the steps it takes to get there. Well, parts of it anyways. Like the weekend roadtrips with my family and the GPS that always seems to take us the long way. It doesn't matter though, Dad usually already has a different route mapped out. So for right now, I'm going to keep making this the best year it can be. There's still proms, financial aid letters and my senior project to look forward to before graduation. I can't wait!

Things That Matter Most

This weekend David and I took Caylee and Ashley to have a look at Appalachian State! App is in one of my favorite places on earth....Boone! It holds such sweet memories for me.....all the summers and weekends spent with my family. It's something I wish I could capture for my kids...We drove by my grandparents house and it broke my heart to see it without them sitting on the front porch, to see grandpa's barn falling in. It was never a grand house, but it WAS filled with love, laughter, genuine kindness and happiness.... that made it the best home ever!!!!!!
Ashley loves Appalachian!!!! Too bad for me! It is 2 1/2 hours from our home....I guess we will just wait and see..... how could I say anything bad about it other than it being so far away....... besides I know she would have family close by and that means soooo much!!! I'm sure she has grown up TOO fast for me and her dad!!! She is so bright and a great young lady that anything that she does will be incredible ( and I not just saying that because I'm her mom !)
One of the things I hope that my children learn from me is a great love and respect for their family, when you come from a family as wonderful as mine, how could you not???

Off to a Good Start

As the days get colder and the evenings come faster, there's no doubt that fall is almost here. For those who don't know, this is a disappointment to my family, especially to me and mama. Don't get me wrong, fall is great; going to football games, watching the leaves change, going back to school. But there is something about the summer that me and mom love. I guess we were just destined to be beach girls!

I officially completed the first week of my last year of high school, and I can already tell it is going to be a great year. But also a hard one. With AP classes, yearbook staff, cheerleading, student government, FCA and pep club, it's going to be tough to balance it all while applying for college, scholarships AND completing a graduation project. I think it is all worth it though, I want to make the most of this year. It only comes once and I want it to be the best year yet. I know that it will be as long as I focus on God and let Him guide me. God has worked wonders already this school year.

As mom mentioned, three students were in a car wreck. The girl, Jordan Hodges, was killed in the accident. Jordan went to church with me and the few times I hung out with her, she was always welcoming, fun to be around and just sweet. She always had a smile on her face. I guess God just needed another pretty angel. You wouldn't believe how the community has pulled together, it just amazed me. One of my friends organized a candlelight vigil at West via Facebook, thinking that only 30 people would come. Instead, over 400 people came. Me and my best friend Lori went to the visitation, and over 3,000 people signed the guestbook. 90 people were saved after the funeral. Not only has the community came together, but also my school. We are havinga change drive for the other two students to help the families pay for medical expenses. I know that Jordan had a close relationship with God, so there is no doubt where she is right now. I also know that right now she is smiling, because nothing would bring her more joy than knowing she made a difference in so many people's lives in helping them to know the Lord that she loves.

Here are some pictures from the vigil. Isn't it beautiful?

August

August has been a tough month!

My Uncle Bud passed on to Heaven, that left a sadness in our family that is hard to deal with. He was one of my mom and dad's best friends (even though they were related!!! :)

Then, a father of Caylee's friend from school and church died last week, suddenly and without warning. I got to know their family from being grade mothers in Kindergarten and at church. They had adopted the little boy and his brother while our kids were in Kindergarten, you have never seen happier people than they were! Knowing how those little boys and their mom is feeling now breaks my heart!

This week, three kids from Ashley's school were in a wreck. One little girl, that would have started high school next week, was killed. Remembering seeing her happy family at church and thinking about how her parents feel right now is overwhelming to me, even if I didn't know them that well.

It's makes you remember to pull your family in close and hold tight to them, tell them you love them every time they step away from you and not to let any moment pass you by! Fortunately, all three of these people were Christians, believe me, it's make a difference to their families knowing that they will walk the streets of Heaven one day with them!

Family

This week my family and I attended the funeral of my Uncle Bud. He was a wonderful man... funny, kind and very loving. If a person wealth was judged by how much love was shown to them at their funeral, then Uncle Bud was a very, very rich man. His family was distraught, because they will miss him. Under all that grief though, they know that they will see him again. That knowledge will help their hearts heal and see them through the next couple of months. I can say from experience that missing him will never go away, but you take comfort in remembering the things that they said to you, the times you spent together and when you see something in your kids that remind you of them. My son commented that our family is always there when you need them . They are there to share something wonderful and to support each other when times are bad. It's just what our family does. We can thank our parents and grandparents for teaching us to love our family and God. It's the greatest gift you can give to a child.