Fresh Start

So today I went to Boone and packed up the rest of my stuff. It was kind of a bittersweet moment because I have lived at the Highlands since I went to App. I know a lot of people that do not like the Highlands, and have had issues, but for me I haven't really had any problems. I have enjoyed my time there, but I am ready for a fresh start. Moving out of my apartment today really made me realize how fast my life is moving! I only have one more semester left of college...yes I know most of you are like FINALLY I am going to be done. Well I am saying that too trust me. I am very excited to finish my college career, complete an internship, and hopefully find a job. Welcome to the real world. Like I have said before in August I am moving in a house with 4 other girls. I am excited, but also a little nervous only because I have never lived anywhere but the Highlands. I think it will be fine-new experiences are always good. Not having to ride the bus to campus is going to be a blessing, I hated having to depend on that thing to get me to class on time. Walking to campus is going to be good, oh and maybe it will help in the weight department as well!!
Speaking of new experinces, this week I am beginning to work on things for my internship. I am really nervous about, not about the internship part itself, but just about getting everything lined up and actually getting an internship. Once I have one I think it may be a sigh of relief. I am beginning to email people this week. There is one daycare center in Denver that I am looking at, and then I am going to try all the Mor-at-4 programs just because I would like to be in a school system. Because they are cutting back so much I am not sure if they will have room for interns. Please join me in prayer for finding an internship!
In other news, the NFL lockout is over...yay! For those of you who know me know that I love some football. College and NFL. Sunday afternoons would not be the same without football. I am excited for the upcoming season and beyond excited to see what my Saints & Drew Brees are going to this season :) 
This week has been pretty quiet, my parents got back on Sunday I have spent most nights at home hanging out with them. On Thursday I am having dinner with my long-lost friend Tricia! I am so excited, we have so much to catch up  o . She is going to Kenya at the end of August for a year..I am so excited for her and know that the Lord is going to bless her tremendously.
Things are changing, life is continuously moving, and a fresh start is exactly what I need right now!

Update on Life

This week has not been the best that is for sure. My parents are gone on vacation. Number one, I am jealous that I had to stay home and work. Number two, I miss them and are ready for them to come home. Number three, I hate staying by myself. Anyway, I got some really good hours at work this week, some early morning hours which I love. I would rather go in and work every day 8-3 because I like being there from 8-10 it is so peaceful even though we are busy getting things ready for the day, it just seems less stressful for some reason. So I'm not sure what has been up with my mood this week, but I have not been in a good one. Work has been good, but my goodness it is so hot in that place. This week-we have literally been taking turns going to stand in the freezer for a few minutes when we are not busy. How crazy is that? Today was probably the worst day for me, I thought I was going to die of a heat stroke...Dear Lord send me back to Boone where it's not this hot. haha.
 I haven't really done much this week at night just hung out with some friends and watched big brother, and that has pretty much been it. I got to skype with both Anna and my roommate Taylor this week which was good...I love technology. One of my mom's old co-workers came in the king today, and we were catching up and she asked if I had a man. My immediate response was "No, but I need one." haha. It was so funny because Donia and I were just talking about that right before she came in. I said "I need a man," Donia told McCoy that and he came and put his arm around me...bless his heart, he is so sweet! I said I need a man that isn't taken. haha. Trust me McCoy has the sweetest girlfriend and I am so happy for him, it was just a funny thing! I really hate when people ask me that question because I am so ready to the day when I can say "Yes I do have a man." haha.
 I am so exhausted from work this week that I have decided to stay at home and have a relaxing Friday night by myself, maybe with some Edward Cullen. I am in the mood to watch Eclipse for some reason. Happy Friday!
P.S. My parents come home on Sunday...YAY!

Ready...

I'm ready...ready to go back to Boone! I miss it a lot. I'm not so much ready for the school part, but I am ready for everything else. I miss my roommates. I miss coming in the door every day and someone asking how my day was (someone besides my parents). I miss knowing that if I need to talk all I have to do is walk in the next room or this year walk upstairs. I miss my CSC family. CSC has become such a huge part of my life during my college years and I miss it like crazy when I am not there. It is truly a blessing. Although, I don't miss the school part, I do miss all Child Development friends. It is so crazy the bond that you form with people when you have almost every single class together...I love it! For those who graduated I am going to miss you dearly! Things are just so different when you leave home and go off to school, and then when you come back for the summer. Although, I am working at the king I desperately am missing my friends. I realized the other day this is the first summer that I have not spent almost every single day at Arden Oaks pool with Anna or nights at the campground with Emaly. This is the first summer that both have them been MIA I guess. Emaly is married, and Anna is across the world in a different country. I am so happy for both of them, but I miss them. I think this is part  of the reason why I am so ready to go back to Boone. Also, I am living in a house in August and I am so excited about it. I am living with the 3 girls that I lived with last year, and then my friend Cait...yes 5 girls! It should be interesting, but I think it will be great. I still have a few exciting things left to do this summer, but  I am ready to get back to Boone with some of my favorite people in the world in one of my favorite places in the world!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my best friend's 23rd birthday! As most of you know Anna Catherine is currently serving in Argentina as a teacher. On this day-the day of her birth I wanted to take the time to share with you all how great she really is.
Most people who know us know that its no secret that Anna and I have not always been the best of friends. There was a time around the 9th or 10th grade when Anna and I really disliked each other. Mama Neenie picked me, Emaly, and Anna up from school every day and it so strange. It is so strange to look back on it now. I remember when Emaly and I were junior and Emaly had just got a new room in her house. She wrote me this letter that said you and Anna have to come over soon for a sleepover, if yall want to come at separate times that is fine. haha. How funny that is now, obviously we didn't even want to stay the night at Emaly's at the same time. Somewhere during my senior year, something just clicked. I realized that Anna was this amazing young woman of God and someone that I should strive to be more like. She never let the "drama" of high school get her down, and always seemed to walk with the boldness about her. This was the beginning of our friendship. 
Since then Anna has become my best friend, someone that I can depend on for anything. We have spent many nights in the green room, staying up late talking, praying, laughing, crying about husbands (wondering if they are ever going to come). She has been there for me through some of the hardest times in my life, and has been the one person I could constantly count on. We have spent many days on the lake or at the pool, watching seasons of Dawson's Creek, or just enjoying each other's company. Her family has become like my family and I am so grateful for them. I am so blessed to have Anna in my life. She has taught me so many things about God, love, life, and relationships. The one thing that we are constantly reminding each other about is the fact that we do not need a man to complete us. This is a hard one. We both want that so bad, but know with time, and prayer if it is supposed to happen it will.
So to you Anna Catherine Sipe...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I love you so much and miss you more and more each day! Here are so pictures of us through the years...

Anna-no complaining about how you look in these pictures. Each of these pictures represent a special time in our friendship. Thank you for being my best friend! Today, I celebrate you...happy birthday lovely!

4th of July Weekend

I had the best time over the 4th of July weekend! We went to my aunt's house, she lives on Lake Murray in SC. They have a boat, and we spend most of our time on the lake! My family and I arrived there on Saturday afternoon and everyone was already out on the boat. They came back to lay the kids down and then we all went out back on the boat. Just to clarify this is the first time that I have seen my cousins and their kids in years. My cousin Jenna just had another little boy named Harper and he is the cutest thing in the world. I loved getting to hold him, and play with him. I really wanted to take him home with me. Saturday night there were fireworks on the lake, so we all piled on the boat to go watch them-they were beautiful. Most of you know that my cousin Justin and his family were trying to get out of Germany to get to the United States. So there were a few more flights Sunday and they were able to get on one. The bad news is that because is was a holiday weekend all the rental car places were closed and so my aunt and cousin Josh drove 11 hours to New Jersey to get them! So Sunday we went to the church where my uncle is the pastor and had lunch there. When we returned home we laid the kids down and some of us went to the mall. My aunt Kaye had no idea that we were planning her a surprise 50th birthday party for Monday afternoon. It really worked our perfect for her to be gone all day on Sunday because we were able to get a lot done for the party! We went swimming in the lake Sunday afternoon and just relaxed the rest of the night. My aunt and Justin's family arrived home from New Jersey about 10am on Monday morning and we immediately hit the lake! We went back to the house around 2 to lay the kids down and Jessica and I stayed back where we could get some things ready for the party. We put up some signs and some decorations. Everyone else returned around 4 and we had aunt Kaye come in last and we screamed "SURPRISE!" She had no idea-success! We ate, and we ate. The cake they had made for her was amazing. The first layer was strawberry, the second vanilla, and it had peanut butter filling in the middle...yum yum! It was a great time with family. I am so thankful that I got to see everyone and all their kids. You all know that kids are my thing so I thought I was in heaven being surrounded by so many all weekend! Here are some pics from the weekend...

cousins

new baby cousin harper

jenna

jessica

jenna and whit

hayden

aunt kaye

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

SURPRISE!

As most of you know last weekend we threw my stepmom a surprise 60th birthday party! Her birthday is not until July 8th, but we thought if we did it earlier she would be less likely to expect it. I am sure you are all wondering how we got here there. Well that is a funny story. My brother in-law JR's birthday is also in July, only a few days after Pat's. So my stepsisters told Pat that this party was for JR. She believed and asked if she could bring anything. For those of you who know Pat, she isn't going anywhere unless she takes/cooks something. So she made her famous chocolate cake (which we all love) for her own birthday party, but we didn't know how else to get her there. Anyway, so we are all at the church anxiously awaiting her arrival. She walks in the door and we all yell "SURPRISE." She had no idea, and was overwhelmed by emotion. We pulled it off! YAY! This was so great-my stepsisters did an amazing job putting it all together. I am so thankful for this side of my family. The pictures were so funny to look at, let me tell you my stepmom was so pretty, and still is. After the party we went and watched Christopher's ball game. We were out there late, and they lost, but I am glad we got to go. I still can't believe that he is 13. I told Tara (his mom) during the ball game that looking at him made me want to cry because he is so grown. They are all growing up so fast. I am so thankful to have spent a weekend with them! Glad I got to love on Christopher, Alli, and Pat Pat a little bit! Here are some pictures from the events! 

All of us!

The Cake

My dad and I

My stepsister Abby and her daughter Alli

My niece Alli

Opening gifts

My nephew Chris playing ball!