30DC#20- Bible Verse

30 Day Challenge- Day 20- Bible Verse

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It's my favorite verse. I love it because it commands me to do three things that I sometimes have a hard time with. ALWAYS be joyful, CONTINUE to pray, ALWAYS be thankful... in every circumstance. Because the circumstance is God's will and he has a far greater plan than my own.

30DC#19- Something I Regret

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 19- Something I Regret

I regret not cherishing my first year or two of college as much as I could have. Now that I'm closer and closer to graduating, I'm starting to realize how freaking AWESOME Athens is and I really don't ever want to leave. Or maybe I just want to be young forever. ;)

Along those same lines, I kind of regret being such a goody-goody in high school. I think I probably could have had a little more fun and taken a few more risks than I did. While still making good decisions!

30DC#18- My Favorite Birthday

My favorite birthday so far was my 16th birthday. It's a big milestone and my parents threw me and my friend Collin a joint birthday party. We had it in the church Collin and I attended at the time, Sugarloaf Community Church. We had a pinata, tons of yummy food, slideshows of the both of us, volleyball, a giant blow up jump-around thingy, and ALL of our friends. Collin and I have had a few joint birthday parties because in high school we had similar friends, and it was always nice getting everyone together in the middle of the summer to chill for a few hours. They are definitely a few birthdays that I will never forget.


Our crazy friends

30DC#17- My Favorite Memory

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 17- My Favorite Memory

My favorite memory is of the times my Big Daddy took me out on the Seadoo on Lake Martin. My grandfather was one of my favorite people in the world, probably because he is my Daddy's Daddy and like him in so many ways. My family would go to Nanny & Big Daddy's house on Lake Martin most weekends in the summer and fall when I was young and when Big Daddy was alive. My favorite part of the weekend was always when Big Daddy would take me out "in search of... WAVES!" I would sit in front of him on the Seadoo and he would always look for the big waves because I liked to be splashed. It wasn't the same if somebody else took me- Big Daddy's waves were the best.



Big Daddy died in October of 2002, just 3 months after taking me on my 12th birthday trip to New York City (he didn't know he was sick then). I'm glad I was old enough to remember spending time with him... it makes me sad that my younger cousins will not have as many memories with him. I'm looking forward to seeing him again in heaven, though. I hope Jesus likes Seadoos...

30DC#16- My First Kiss

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 16- My First Kiss

"My first kiss went a little like this..."

I was 17. All of my friends knew I had never been kissed. Several of my guy friends offered to take care of this for me (haha), but I wanted to wait for someone I really wanted. In April 2008 Matt and I had been "dating" (see My First Love for what this means) for a few months and I had been waiting for him to try to kiss me. I found out from his friend that he hadn't because he was afraid of us getting too attached (again, see the past post). But I decided it was worth the risk.



I decided I was going to kiss him the day of his 18th birthday party. I thought about it the whole night, but never got him alone long enough. After the party when everyone had left, he walked me up the street to the elementary school where I had parked my car. I remember looking at the full moon and being able to see so many stars. He hugged me by my car and I told him I wanted to give him his birthday present. "What is it?" he asked. "A kiss" I said, and gave him a quick peck on the lips. I guess it was too quick because he asked me for another one.

Needless to say, his fear was right. We got attached. :)

30DC#15- My Dreams

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 15- My Dreams

Here's my bucket list that I've had going since high school. The items shown in BOLD I have already completed! The others are what keeps me motivated...

1. Get a beagle puppy 11/01
2. Design, build and decorate my dream home
3. Vacation in Hawaii
4. Spend a day at a spa with the works(facial, massage, haircut, etc.)
5. Attend the Olympics
6. Go on a vacation to Italy
7. Own a convertible
8. Vacation in Disney World 12/97 & 5/02 & 2/04
9. See Justin Timberlake in concert 2/07, 8/07
10. See Justin Timberlake in concert with VIP seating
11. Meet Justin Timberlake (haha)
12. Take dancing lessons (ballroom, salsa, etc.)
13. Take golf lessons Fall/10
14. Vacation in Las Vegas 2/05
15. Attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York
16. Renew marriage vows on a beach – 20 years
17. See UGA play in National Championship
18. Learn how to water ski 9/97
19. Learn how to wakeboard
20. Learn how to surf
21. Go on a cruise 5/06
22. Take a hot air balloon ride
23. Ride in a helicopter
24. Get my teeth whitened
25. Win a jackpot while gambling
26. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans
27. Go on a mission trip. 08/06
28. Have children
29. See my children graduate from college
30. Tour the great sites of ancient Greece
31. Go on a cruise in the Mediterranean
32. Go behind the scenes at Disney World
33. Shop on Rodeo Drive
34. Learn a foreign language (Spanish) 2002-2009
35. Swim with the dolphins
36. Get married.
37. Learn to play the piano 1995-2001
38. Own a baby grand piano
39. Ride through Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage
40. Visit NYC during Christmastime
41. Go parasailing 2006 in Bahamas
42. Own a hot tub
43. Vacation on all continents except Antarctica
44. Celebrate my 50th Anniversary
45. Witness the change of a century 2000
46. Visit Madame Tussard's Wax Museum (NYC & Las Vegas) 2002 & 2005
47. Graduate from college
48. Ride in the back of a stretch limo
49. Drive cross country with someone I love
50. Own a Coach purse
51. Kiss in the pouring rain
52. Sit on a rooftop
53. Skinny dip
54. Read & write notes in a Bible to give to my children
55. Fall in love 6/08
56. Have a job I love
57. Not have to worry about money
58. Have my own library in my house
59. Receive a love letter
60. Be there for a baby’s first step
61. Receive a dozen roses from someone I love 8/08
62. Get a tattoo
63. Find a four-leaf clover
64. Stand on the equator
65. Read every book on my list of 1000 books to read before you die
66. Write my name in the fresh concrete of a sidewalk
67. Take pictures in a photo booth 1/09
68. Wish on a falling star and have the wish come true
69. Spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square
70. Attend my 20th high school reunion
71. Witness a miracle
72. Ride on an elephant
73. Catch a bride’s bouquet
74. Learn to play the guitar
75. Win the lottery

30DC#14- Three Wishes

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 14- Three Wishes

If I rubbed a magic lamp and a genie granted me three wishes, I would wish for:

1. A date with Justin Timberlake. (This is a given)

2. To have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life. Not have to worry about bills & live paycheck to paycheck, be able to help the poor, give to the church, etc.

3. Make me be not so OCD/able to be spontaneous/able to go with the flow/not have to have everything planned out/not get stressed out so easily. This more than anything would make my life so much easier.

30DC#13- This Week

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 13- This Week

This week was a lot different than my normal week, obviously because of Christmas break. Last Tuesday I took my last final (which I probably didn't do my best at, as it was my class with the lowest grade...) and then drove to Suwanee on Wednesday to visit with my high school friends. Wednesday's weather was disgusting... freezing and rainy, which resulted in ice on the road that night. Ice=plans ruined because everyone stays inside.

Thursday I met my friend Tony for lunch to catch up (War Eagle!), then Matt took me bowling at Dave & Buster's. It was nice to spend some time alone together and get treated like a princess! Then I caught up with Mandy at O'Charley's and we went to see Tangled. SO CUTE! Go see it!



Friday I had lunch with Matt, Jake, Laura, Rebecca & Whitney, then watched the boys play basketball. (Y'all know I'm not about to join in.) Then Jake and I drove down to Atlanta to meet Allie and her church friends for dinner at a yummy Asian restaurant, then to a Christmas concert at Grace Midtown. My childhood crush, Kristian Stanfill, played. Sigh. He's married now so I tried to control myself. Then I stopped by game night at church to see some of my favorite people.

Saturday we had a birthday party with all my old friends for Matt (a different one) and Jillian. It was sooo good to just relax with everyone and catch up. And dance!

Sunday morning I left for Hiawassee to visit my grandparents for Christmas. We played card games and went to look at Christmas lights. I taught myself how to crochet a hat and made a couple for Matt. My mom and sister met us the next day and we had lunch at the country club and then opened presents. My favorite gift from my grandparents is a sleep shirt that says "So many books, so little time" and has a picture of a girl sitting on a stack of books reading. :)



Yesterday we left Hiawassee to go BACK to Suwanee (for me, anyway). Once again I went bowling at D&B with Matt & friends (Thanks, Byron!), then Matt and I went out to dinner, followed by movie night at Allie's to watch Inception (another friend reunion).

Today my family hung out with the Beasleys, and tonight I'm going to see Tron with my friend Tim! In the morning we're having breakfast with Matt and then we're off to Atlanta to see my mom's best friend.

BUSY BUSY but so enjoying spending time with the people I love. :)

30DC#12- What's in My Bag?

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 12- What's in My Bag?

I bought my bag on Black Friday at Belk for half off. Go me. Here's what's in it, in case for some reason you're interested:

my makeup bag. (Not even about to go into detail about what's in there. Another day, another blog.)
to-do list from Monday
checkbook
hand sanitizer
camera
sunglasses
mints
toothpick
a bunch of spare change
lipgloss
three pens

Here are some bags I found that are more interesting than mine:

30DC#11- My Siblings

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 11- My Siblings

I have one little sister, Alyssa Jaclyn Stephenson.



She'll be 18 in February (I feel old) and will be graduating from Lexington High School in June. When we were younger we played together all the time, although we would also fight just as often. As we've gotten older we've appreciated each other and our time together more. She's lived in another state since I've been at UGA, so we don't see each other very often, which makes me a little sad. But I love how excited she is to see me when we do get to see each other. My mom didn't have a good relationship with her brothers, so she always stressed that your sister will always be your best friend.



We may look alike (people have started asking if we're twins), but we are completely different people with different personalities and interests. Alyssa is taller, has hazel eyes, naturally straighter hair, and less curves. I'm a bit shorter, have blue eyes, naturally curly hair, and I'm curvy. Lol.



Alyssa is going to be at Johnson & Wales studying culinary stuff in the Fall. She loves to cook, hates to read. I'm the opposite. She loves that she's going to be at a small school in the city. I would die if I wasn't at a big southern school with a football team and a million extra-curriculars. She's athletic (mostly volleyball), I'm obviously not. She has her own business (Bella Dolce) making truffles and decorating cakes, and has won a bunch of young business leaders scholarships. She's pretty dang cool for a high schooler.



For the first time (probably in our lives) we have something in common... We both just got out of 2.5+ year relationships. We're both learning from that and learning what it's like to date and be single, and that I think has made us feel more like friends lately than sisters.

I love her!

30DC#10- iPod Shuffle

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 10- iPod Shuffle

I'm not gonna cheat and keep shuffling to get a good song. That way I guess you get the most accurate look at my music as possible...

1. L.O.V.E.- Ashley Simpson Yeah, remember when she made music? I loved her on 7th Heaven.

2. Part of That World- The Little Mermaid If you try denying you love classic Disney songs you sit on a throne of lies.

3. Crank Dat Soulja Boy- Soulja Boy I hate Soulja Boy. I think I just downloaded this for Matt because if it comes on I will change it.

4. If Love Was a Plane- Brad Paisley One of the greatest songwriters and most romantic men ever.

5. When You Were Young- The Killers Aw, I miss listening to them.

6. You Alone Can Rescue- Matt Redman Cause I love Jesus.

7. I'm Coming Back to the Heart of Worship- Sonic Flood Really old I love Jesus song. Early high school memories...

8. Vegetable Car- Joshua Radin A weird song but he's one of my favorite artists. If you've never listened to him, do it now. His voice is beautiful.

9. The Scientist- Aimee Mann Coldplay cover, and one of the view Coldplay songs I actually like. Her version makes me cry.

10. Believe- Cher Everyone needs a little Cher.

11. Fun, Fun, Fun- Beach Boys Classic summer music.

12. Majesty- Big Stuf Band Soooo many memories of summer in high school.

13. Just a Ride- Jem Really encouraging song for when I'm frustrated with life.

14. What Goes Around... Comes Around- Justin Timberlake My husband, and one of my favorite songs off the FutureSexLoveSounds album. Gives me shivers every time he performs it. This one's my favorite:


If you're not gonna watch the whole thing just skip to 4:25ish. AHHHHH.

15. Never Know- Jack Johnson This reminds me I needs his newest album.

30DC#9- What I Believe

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 9- What I Believe

Already wrote about this here. :)

30DC#8- A Moment

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 8- A Moment

Or this moment. Finals week in the 124.

I'm sitting in the chair in the living room being distracted by writing this blog post instead of writing the 15 page paper on my contribution to theory of the novel (the function of oral storytelling in novel form) which is due Wednesday afternoon. Probably because I'm burnt out from writing the 8 page paper on 18th century British literature that I just finished last night. Mrs. Doubtfire is on the tv, which is obviously not helping my productivity much either.

Katie is sitting across the room studying for her childhood & family development final, which means she is spouting out random facts about adolescence (the section she's on) every few minutes, probably only a third of which Valerie and I are actually hearing. Luckily she has stopped screaming every few minutes as well because luckily Latte is not attacking her feet like she normally does. Instead our beautiful little kitten is sleeping soundly under the kitchen table, exhausted from playing with her 23423 toys that are strewn all over the room. Which, I might add, is a mess. Finals means cleaning is at the bottom of the to-do list.

Valerie should be studying for her final tomorrow, but instead is crocheting a hat for Andre which is probably going to be too small. The hat is going to have a crocheted beard attached. She's also practicing her choreographed dance moves for the Wesley masquerade tomorrow night.



Now back to being productive.... Hopefully.
Oops, Katie just announced she's playing the Snake game. Productivity is officially gone.

30DC#7- My Best Friends

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 7- My Best Friends

My top 3 girl bffs, in order of when I met them. Please don't be offended if you're not one of them.


Mandy Beasley My family bff.
See 30DC#3 for the origin of our friendship. We like to joke that we became friends even though she's two years older because I thought she was so cool and she liked that I thought she was cool. haha. Now she's a real adult with a real job and it's super weird, but I know she's loving it. Mandy is my sister. We have completely different interests and personalities, but for whatever reason, we're like peanut butter and jelly. I know that she will always support me and be there for me forever.


Allie Vallecillo My life bff.
We met in 7th grade because we were in orchestra together (she played the viola, I played the violin). We clicked and were pretty much attached at the hip until senior year of high school. Allie is my person. :) She gets me. No matter how much time goes by, we always have a special connection where we can talk to each other about anything we're going through I'm so excited to see what journey God takes her on because I know she's going to do BIG things for Him. I think we have more inside jokes than any of my other friends, and I love her random msgs and texts that remind me of our friendship.


Christina Hensley My college bff.
I feel like our friendship was SO put together specially by God. Haley Simmons saw me at the first SAO recruitment event my freshman year, told Tina "We like her," introduced themselves, and we instantly became friends. She prides herself on being a classy redneck. ;) Tina was one of my roommates last year and I miss living with her! She's my accountability partner, and we can talk about anything on a real level without judgement. Tina is funny, loving, & inspires me in my walk with God.

30DC#6- My Favorite Movies

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 06 – Favorite movies


Fight Club
It makes you think. The storyline is genius. The end makes you go "oh my gosh!" Edward Norton as the narrator is amazing and does the character perfectly. It's based on a book and is actually as good as the book because quotes are pretty much word for word. You can watch it 10 times and every time you watch you will see something new. And Brad Pitt's abs are gorgeous. Need I say more?


It Takes Two
This has been one of my favorite movies since I was little. I used to LOVE Mary-Kate and Ashley. This is a movie I can quote literally 90% of, and if you ask me I can act out the first full ten minutes of it from memory. I've seen it that many times.


Ocean's Eleven
Genius plot. Love the music. Has some of the best actors ever, as well as three of People's Sexiest Men Alive. Again, Brad Pitt never gets old to look at.


Hook
Peter Pan all grown up starring Robin Williams- Captain Hook has kidnapped his children and he has to learn how to be Peter Pan again in order to get them back. I used to watch this movie every time I went to my grandmother's house, and if it comes on tv I will drop everything to watch it. It reminds me of my childhood.