Santa, thanks for the Roses

Santa sure brought me one heck of a gift.....a big, nice, and shiny ticket to the National Championship game played in the rose bowl! The rose bowl is one of the great historic landmarks of college football and i am so pumped! I sure hope my boys pull it out and play like i know they can because i will be there cheering them on!!!

Inspired today

Today on Youtube i came across this video of Celine Dion aand this 16 year old filipino girl who performed a duet with the one and only Celine Dion....it was great just watch the video and follow the link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPbzKgZHWHA

Good times at UA!

Well as most of you may know...if not, shame on you! (just kidding) I attend the univeristy of alabama and let me tell you, there are some good things going on in Tuscaloosa! Our football team has done great all year and we made it to the SEC championship game and just played awesome,probably the best i have seen them play all year long, it was just so awesome! Winning that game gave us a bid to THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP game in Pasadena, Ca at the Rose Bowl stadium. The very next weekend was another historic moment for the Alabama Crimson Tide, when our very own Mark Ingram won the hiesman trophy - this is debated as one of the most prestigious awards in college football - this was history because it was the first heisman trophy ever to come to alabama...crazy i know! 12 national championships, and 22(i think) SEC championships and yet no heisman but now...We do!! yay! it was so awesome..I was so happy for Mark and crazy watching it happen to a guy that i see when i eat lunch on campus.

So now we are on to the rose bowl, in pasadena! Matthew and I and some friends are attempting to make the trip out there! We are so excited and know that this is a special opportunity and if we win then we definitely want to be there to witness it! =) We will see how it plays out but i cannot express how proud i am to be a part of this university and the overwhelming spirit that is just overflowing across the nation!

Since i am doing nothing more than watching tv, eating, and hanging out with friends i will try and be more up to date on this blogging thing! Love you all and ROLL TIDE!!!

She said....YES!

Did I mention that my brother proposed to his long-time girlfriend tonight! And she said YES!! I am so happy for them and so glad to have a new sister in the family...I still cannot believe that my bubby is getting married though!!

Defying Gravity

I have heard multiple tracks from the musical Wicked, but had not actually seen the show...while in NYC we actually got to go see Wicked on Broadway and let me tell you...it was INCREDIBLE! i absolutely loved it, defying gravity is one of my favorite songs anyway and to get to see it performed in its original setting was great (2nd best definitely Glee) Well it was awesome and I am sure i could individually blog about everything that we did in NYC...it was a great trip!

Crumbs Bake Shop

Visiting New York City over thanksgiving i sought out this precious little cupcake cafe called Crumbs bake shop. I recommend it to anyone! it was phenomenal and had some of the most amazing gourmet cupcakes! Believe me we bought 12 and took them back to the hotel and just pigged out for a couple days! There were all sorts such as red velvet, apple pie (with real apples inside), grasshopper(mint/chocolate), smores, raspberry swirl...etc! The one we visited was on Amsterdam and close to 75th? i think...it was very near the upper west side of central park...Everyone should try them cause they were awesome!

back to the usual

As you can see i have reverted the blog back to the generic "me" blog haha and not just the cupcakes..i do love the cupcakes but it was not much to write on and not too successful on the attempts haha. I really wanted to be able to change the decorations with the holidays/seasons and write about whatever! but lots to come of new york and family news!

updates from myself...

Last weekend was a HUGE football game here in Tuscaloosa and thankfully the crimson tide pulled off a great win! It was alot of fun and intense, i had butterflies almost the whole time! Winning the game, we clinched the SEC west division which means we will head back to ATL for the second year in a row and battle the gators! I really hope we can pull it out because i am not sure i can take losing to them 2 years in a row. If we win there...we could be going to the national championship in Pasadena, Ca...and if we do, I am going for sure...even if i have to camp, drive, or whatever!

Also, in just one week i will be heading with the fam to NYC and i am soooo excited we have got tickets to Rockettes, Wicked and of course...MACY'S!! Its going to be a great thanksgiving break!and after that all that is left is dead week and finals and then Christmas break! wooohooooo!

Coconut-Cherry

Today was cupcake recipe #2 and it was Coconut-Cherry. This was tricky as it was the first with homemade icing and the use of the real piping bag...not just a zip-loc with the ends cut off! I felt it went pretty well...I was nervous about the icing because it didnt seem to make alot but as i was piping i realized that when you are using those tools...a little goes a long way!

Now I am not the biggest coconut fan, i like it in bits and peices but not an overwhelming amout - after trying one of the cupcakes...it is pretty tasty but very coconutty (if that is even a word haha) I personally enjoyed the fresh cherries on the top and i am glad that there are lots left over that I will get to enjoy in the coming days!

I am just a little proud of myself because i felt that it looked pretty similar to the picture and was quite a success and would love to make them again - knowing that the people eating them also enjoyed coconut! They would be good as a dessert, for teas, showers...etc!

Pictured here is the cupcakes and the book with the recipe and original picture in the background.. not too bad huh?? =)

now i never promised that my photography skills would be anything worth bragging upon but maybe the cupcake will make up for it!

I just loved the cherries on top...they called for either candied, maraschino, or fresh cherries and i thought the fresh cherries just worked out wonderfully and i loved them the most!

Until next time.....

Queen's Cupcakes

Today was the first day of the attempt to cook the entire cookbook of cupcakes i bought this summer. I dont really claim this as a cupcake, haha because it has no icing but it is called "Queen's Cupcake"

They turned out pretty nicely, probably not one of my favorites as it is kind of plain and it has currants in it which is like a mini raisin. Which i like raisins but it just wasnt too particularly sweet. Oh well! The chocolate ones are to come but i thought for my first ones it went pretty well! here are some pics alongside the original recipe!

I would recommend for a brunch, tea, shower, or something of the sort with light finger foods but definitely not the highlight dessert! If the recipe is desired please just let me know!

(Personally, things have been good....busy as truly the semester is winding down there is alot of due dates and finals on the horizon. I am incredibly excited because we are officially going to New York City for thanksgiving a fun filled trip with Wicked, The Rockettes, and Macy's Day Parade! ...not mention tons of great bakeries with wonderful cupcakes!! woohoo!)

Queens Cupcakes

New Theme

I have decided to change the theme and action of my blog, beginning next week it is going to be Cupcake themed. I love cooking, baking, food network, martha stewart and other things of the sort...this summer I purchased this cupcake cookbook because though i love all of these things cupcakes for some reason have a special place in my heart! So i am going to bake my way through the cookbook....hoping to make 1 set of cupcakes each week - everyday would be expensive and time consuming, so after i go home this weekend and go grocery shopping with my mom =) then i hope to begin this adventure. I will also attempt to make note of different bakeries and their special cupcakes, ones that i have tried and ones i hope to go to some day! I will, I am sure to continue to throw in a little here and there about my life - but sense it is really not that exciting maybe this will give me more focus!

hope everyone has a wonderful day!! =)

some wedding pics

Who needs a bouquet anyway...

So, i of course have not blogged in forever and i would like to give blame to the fact there there was midterms, papers, and not to mention my sisters wedding. Thus it has been quite a busy couple of weeks. ( i swear one day i am going to jump back on that whole cupcake blog thing...) But the wedding went well and nothing major went wrong..the weather was beautiful which was quite a blessing since it was like a 70% chance of rain!

i guess there was one small mishap that is quite humorous...the ceremony had begun and i had just walked down the aisle being the last one as i was the maid of honor, i see callie come out of the doors and looking as such a beautiful bride but i notice something is missing...she didnt have her bouquet!! I notice it immediately but am already down the isle, i begin to subtley shake mine hoping she will see me and i guess run back in and get it...but nope! she walks down the isle we go through the ceremony...and after we exit i go "hey cal, i will go get your bouquet so we can have it for pics.." and she responds with "WHAT, i didnt carry my bouquet" hahaha she didnt even notice and after she began to fret and i claimed it didnt matter it would be in all of the pictures and blah blah blah...but it was just funny! How do we forget the bouquet...it was quite gorgeous though.

but hey, if that was the biggest issue....Oh Well!!

How deep the Father's love for us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I knoww that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


Just really letting these words sink in...what incredible lyrics

studying, baking, blogging

Well as always i have failed to continually update this blog but i have been quite busy plus fighting sickness between sinus' and all the other junk going around.

I am about to head to the grocery store in attempts of making "five layer bars" recipe courtesy of Paula Dean for tomorrow nights Greys Anatomy Season Premier! Woohoo I am so excited, hopefully my dessert will turn out good as well. I will post more on that tomorrow but until then, the picture above is what they are supposed to look like..haha!!

Callie is getting married in 2 and 1/2 weeks...(sidenote: i am the most emotional person ever) and i have already begun to get sad thinking about my sis all grown up. i will probably be a huge basketcase on that day but i guess that is what waterproof mascara is for. she has taken her bridal shoots and they were gorgeous now im working on a lil something special for them at the rehearsal dinner and its just a sappy time! Oh well, i guess emotions arent always a bad thing - except maybe if your like me and cry watching the biggest loser (crazy emotional show)

okay off to grocery shopping, work at the nursery @church, The Well, and then more studying for my Special education class test tomorrow -(IEP, NCLB, and 504's wooohoo!)

apologies

I give my apologies to all who read this ....so to you Elizabeth (my roommate I might add...) that I am officially the worst blogger in the world. I get on to read and just claim i will update later but it never happens..

would it sound better if i say that i am just so consumed with studying and school i have no time to blog...i am busy but i cant claim that that is my lazy excuse! Anyway...things have really been rockin and rollin with football season underway and tests and all ther other exciting things that go along with it. This weekend the stanfords are coming to visit for the game, which i am happy for its always a pleasure to see some familiar faces and next weekend i will get to see my dad, my sister and my mom so i am really excited for that!

I had this desire to (stealing from Julie&Julia) that i was going to bake my way through this cute little cupcake cookbook i bought this summer...it is solely cupcakes there is only a slight problem to these great ambitions...and its called the lack of funds and lack of ability. But i am thinking about doing it slowly like once a week or something...who knows we shall see.

and once again i apologize for my horrible blogging abilities.

Cupcake Eater

So this might be random but i was realizing that i have 3 followers...yep 3 whole followers and one of them by the name Cupcake Eater and sadly I cannot remember whom it was...can anyone answer this???

The New Apartment!

The "Dining" room!

My shower

My bathroom!

My room!

My bed!

I love this place!

I am officially back in the swing of classes and being back again on my own....Elizabeth and I have our very own apartment this year and we LOVE it! it has been fun to hang out, have space...our own bathrooms, washer, dryer and a stove and real kitchen!! i will post some new pics of the place!

Also, I have just realized how much i love this campus and this school...everything there is to it! The campus is everything i could want for a college campus..old/new historic and beautiful! My classes i think are going to be good...everything is geared toward my major except for geology but that is my LAST class that does not reflect my major! woohoo! I actually have education classes this semester and will get to work in some of the local schools which i am very excited about! I know this is the right place for me and i am so glad i will have the ability to live for here for just a couple more years!

This past weekend i went on a leadership retreat with the leadership group through the college ministry that i attend here. it was awesome, i was able to meet alot of new people and get to know and spend time with those i already knew. We have a new college minister and i LOVE him and his family. I think he is going to be absolutely awesome for calvary and the college ministry i honestly cannot wait to see what this year has to come...its going to be awesome!

A fresh start

This sunday I will be heading back to tuscaloosa for year! I am actually quite excited...slightly sad to be leaving home and the family but also very excited to be back on my own and in my new apartment with Elizabeth!! Yay! I am so excited...as soon as i get back and we get everything in order then i will definitely post some pics!!

But there is something cool about a new school year (definitely not the work) but its like a fresh start...new classes, new teachers, new places to live, new ways to get involved and i am really excited about the opportunities to come! =)

Also, college football is just a few weeks away and i am reallllllly pumped about that because i love saturdays in the fall - especially in the beaultiful Bryant-Denny!

I will try and be more on top of my blog as the school year starts but i am not making any promises!!

How He Loves Us

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane,
I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah,how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way
That he loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves He loves us,

Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves


This song is really just "rocking my world" right now, i guess you could say. I find it funny how you can hear songs multiple times and then one time the words and meaning just really "click" thats how i have felt this summer with this song.

especially what i highlighted the line that says "I dont have time to maintain these regrets when i think about the way, he loves us" this is just - man hard to even describe because i feel this summer i have begun to realize the vast Glory of God and how I dont have time to be upset about things in the past or things i have done wrong instead i should realize the incredible and grace from my Savior and begin living now proclaiming to everyone how much He does love us and how incredible His love is...

check the song out - its awesome

BigStuf Camp 09

This past week I have been in Panama City Beach with the youth group from first baptist as they attended BigStuf Camp. I had never been to BigStuf before, but i had been to a couple church camps so i kinda knew what to expect. This was fun and kinda different though in that we were staying at a hotel on the beach which was awesome. One night we had worship out on the beach and it was just impeccable and then every night we had a designated "quiet time" and i always chose to do mine on the beach watching the sunset and looking out over the ocean.

I was technically an "adult leader" for the group i was in charge on 5 middle school girls! I know, I know...but they were great! it was alot of fun and they were full of questions which was awesome, i really think God touched their lives in individual ways and it was awesome to see!

But even though i was not a "student" it was an awesome event and I really felt God speak to me in ways I had not felt before. The last night we were there (wednesday night) - words can honestly not describe. We went into worship and started off the night with worship songs that were old and hymns and then all the way to the present which was great. then the speaker did an awesome job, they had a time of decision and there were tons of decisions made in the group of 1500...and we even had one boy in our group give his life to Christ which was just such an awesome moment! After that, the band came back out and played a couple more songs but the building was just on fire - God was impacting lives in so many ways that the people leading worship actually felt lead to have another time of decision and even more people raised their hands - Praise the Lord! it was just AWESOME! well the boy in our group was so sure of his decision and everything that he decided he didnt want to waste anytime and he wanted to get baptized right then - so after the like 2 hours of worship in song because it was just pumpin and no one wanted to stop - our who group went down to the water at like 11:00 and watched our fellow friend make the most important decision of his life!

I honestly am still processing everything that happened because it was truly indescribable for the first time it seemed as though i was at a complete loss for words. I pray that the feelings and thoughts never leave...there were some awesome moments i got on video and picture..i will upload them in a new post cause this one is getting lengthy!!

love you all and God loves you more!

Slacker.

Well, I guess you can call me a slacker because i have not been doing very well on blogging. I admit i have been quite consumed with Twitter it seems. But in the mean time I have been working, still doing my online class, and getting things ready to move to tuscaloosa in about oh 17days! I am really excited, i will actually only be going back for a couple days to move furniture and what not into my apartment and then will be going back around the 16th for class and the beginning of school!

This past weekend, i bought pots-pans, a vacuum, and even kind of figured out what bedroom furniture i will be using which is something that i really needed to do....there is still packing and stuff to do in order to be ready t0 move back up there but im trying to get a head start!

I am currently "working" on some online work...but this weekend i will be heading to Panama City Beach to help CHAPERONE - yes chaperone, like im old enough to be in charge of the kids going to camp - the youth from first baptist as they go to Bigstuf camp! should be alot of fun!

Mexico...Wednesday!

Well I haven't blogged as much because its long days and I get tired at night! But today was great! We worked in the colonials (basically slums)with pastor Felipe's church doing vbs and what not...there was a ton of kids and families, awesome! We fed lunch and practically ran out of food but everyone got something, it was like Jesus feeding the 5000! Hopefully that will go again tomorrow as we feed everyone that comes or try to and give out foodboxes..

This is always sad to me because we always run out...no matter how many we bring..and I hate telling people no.

We are just hanging and then will have a worship service and meeting tonight then tomorrow is an all day affair but ends with the chicken place - pollo buenavista- the most wonderful restaurant in nuevo laredo mexico!! Its scorchin hot and we had one team member actually have to go to the hospital but doing better! So pray for our strength and that tomorrow we show God's love!!

Sunday in mexico

Today, we have gotten up and had breakfast now just waiting for church to start. Rachel and I are obsessed "God of this city" by Chris Tomlin really we just can't get it out of our head at all! So we are actually listening to it right now in the girls room!

After church we will do lunch then get everything prepared for the orphanage tomorrow such as crafts, puppetts...etc! There is a group going over today to begin working on the house that we are building for a family! Pray for safe travels across the border and flexibility for the week!

Cannot wait to get to be with the kids tomorrow!!

Mexico here I come....

Well, I am currently "mobile blogging" on my phone as we drive to mexico! This will be my 5th year and 6th time getting to go spend time at Casa Hogar Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo,Mexico! I am so excited, I love this place and these children! This year is going to be a little different as we will spend 2 days working at the orphanage and then 2 days out in the colonials which are basically the slums of nuevo laredo! I cannot wait to see the precious childrens smiling faces bright and early monday morning! In the mean time pray for us with safe travels and maybe no mechanical problems...ha...ha...we are in church vehicles! I'm not exactly sure how this mobile blogging exactly works so hopefully I'm doing it right! Will give some more updates this week!

Adios! (Just getting ready for mexico)

There is a date!

We have a wedding date! October 10th, 2009 for Callie and Jeremiah!

Its settled and will be at the Eglin Officers Club both the ceremony (back lawn) and reception (indoors) so yay! we can finally breathe a sigh of relief!

on the other hand... I am working and preparing for my mission trip to mexico which i leave for on Friday night! I am so excited and just cannot wait!

Art history or...blog...? hmm

I have a presentation in the morning for my next to last art history class...it has been fine until now. A presentation on a paper we had to write last week, well i was not to confident on the paper itself now i have to get up and talk about it infront of people..BOO! So instead of working on it, i am blogging! Sounds like a good plan to me huh...



Wedding Update Callie is well still wedding planning and we do not have a date or venue yet. the ones she likes are not big enough to hold to massive amounts of people on the invite list. We have a dress, bridesmaid dresses, colors, tuxes....but no venue! Hopefully within the next couple of days..not hopefully but WE WILL have something in the next couple of days..we have no choice!


CMT music awards are on..again better than art history! Maybe i will throw something together by 8am

We Must Go

God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord

"God Of Justice" Tim Hughes

Wedding planning, work....etc

Callie is engaged but she would like an outdoor wedding, due to multiple reasons the wedding is planned for this coming fall, in october or november possibly. Well that means one thing... Get to it ladies! We hit the ground running this week with wedding plans..dress shopping, venue shopping, lots of internet sites with pictures and colors and what not! Well, we were mostly successful because Callie found "IT" and its gorgeous and she loves it. But no details until the big day!! Which will be.....??? Good question the date and venue have not been nailed down for sure but hopefully ASAP! We also picked out the bridesmaid dresses which i realllllly like! I kinda picked them out so uh, hopefully everyone else agrees! But we are making progress nonetheless, its busy but defnitely exciting at the same time!

I began working this week at Big K, its hectic but it is alot of fun and I have alot of friends as co-workers so that helps alot...not to mention the sweet hawiian polos we get to wear! That almost makes it all worth it!!

I am not really sure I have much else to say, but I am sure with wedding and family in town there will be many more updates!

Love you all!

Amanya Kennedy!

Matthew and I decided the summer before my senior year that we wanted to sign up with the program called Compassion International where we would sponsor a child and communicate through letters and send 32$ a month! We split the costs and its definitely well worth it! We have been able to watch Amanya grow, he lives in Uganda and is 6 years old about to turn 7! The money we send goes to a community program for the children in the area that provides education, health care, food, and so much more! There is money given to the families as well to support them and help them out.

I just recieved a letter and it just makes my day when I do because they are obviously translated but, that makes them even more cute! I have a binder with all of the letters that he has written us and truly recommends joining in this program. Its life changing for these children and their families and there are thousands just waiting to be sponsored!

http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

Check it out!

I am going to try and scan the pictures and add them on here!

Engagement!

Callie's charm bracelet that read "Will you marry me" and the date on the back!

My peeps that were there!

Bridal magazines! (opening a couple gifts)

SURPRISE!!!

the cake!

NOT ME! haha!

Yesterday my lovely older sister was proposed to by her boyfriend Jeremiah! And now they are getting married! It was very fun and exciting but as most events are...stressful! We had been planning with Jeremiah for a while of when he would ask because he wanted to throw a surprise party for her that would be waiting after he popped the question! So long story short, he took her to what will be their future house and proposed to her there...we were all waiting friends and family at my brothers house where Callie currently lives and she was definitely surprised and needless to say freaking out! I will give you some pics of the surprise and the ring! now on to the adventure of wedding planning! Woohoo! We are all very happy for her though and what an exciting time!

Bored

I never thought I would be saying this...but I am ready to start working. I am bored sitting at home and feeling like i do nothing all day! I am in the midst of two classes but you know thats not very exciting..not to mention i am in dire need of a paycheck!

I cannot believe its already been a year since I was in high school, it has just gone by really fast and I feel like I am getting old...=(

I guess i never did an update last week but most the shows on tv have had their season finale and American Idol ended with a bang. The finale show was great and my favorite Kris Allen won!!! wooo hooo! Good ole Arkansas boy from the town where all of my family lives and Callie went to school! But i have respect for both the guys! Shawn Johnson won Dancing With The Stars! woohooo! i loved her as well!

Great week!

employment!

I finally found a job for the summer. I have been home for a week and weeks before that i spent so much time searching for jobs online and in the newspaper...filling out applications and just constantly feeling rejected!!! it was so depressing but yesterday I went to Big Kahunas water park in destin and......Im employed!!!!! wooohoooooo!!!

Last weekend was great, my dad made me get up at 8 am and go on a walk at the beach....it was soooooooo hard we went 20 minutes out and then went back and it literally kicked my butt. he made me walk on the soft sand and i was crawling back to his house i was so beat and yeah he beat me!! I am still sore from that...maybe i should take it as a hint and i dont know..work out more?

But then I went on the boat with my mom and mike to see my brother and some of his friends out on one of the islands and it was alot of fun! Matthews family was having a little get together to watch slumdog millionaire (amazing) and i was asked to bring desserts. Well i have been on a huge cooking/baking/food network kick ( i reallllly want a standing mixer!) so i found this recipe for carrot cake cupcakes and a frozen lemonade pie that i would make. Well i was scurrying around the kitchen making all of this - my cream cheese icing was lame and i have since found a new receipe that i will use- and i was just stressing and i thought i needed to be there at 6 so i realize its like 5:15 and im like OMG i gotta hurry the cupcakes need to be iced and this pie mixed....well at about 5:30 i realize my phone has a ton of missed called and texts and they are all from matthew (doesnt he understand that I am doing all of this for his family and i cannot possibly talk....) so i call him and hes like "Where are you?" im like "babe im hurrying trying to get this done to make it by 6 and hes like well your late and im like nooo im trying not to be but then hes like...Lynnlee it started at 5...everyone is here.... i drop the phone and just start crying!!!!! Not to mention after that i realize that pie was supposed to freeze for 24 hrs...

im pretty sure everyone ate and complemented the cupcakes and soupy pie because they felt bad for me....but we put the pie back in the freezer and had it sunday night as well. it was great frozen as it was supposed to be!

I have the visions of how i want my cooking to look and it was just below par....=( but i guess it turned out all okay..i still blame the fact that i need a standing mixer.. =)

oops!

Did I mention that I got straight A's this semester and I have not done that since like 7th grade so i was ecstatic!! woooohoooooo

Finished!!

I came back to fort walton on Saturday afternoon for the summer! Woohoo! Finished with my first year of college, crazy how fast it went and it was definitely nostalgic moving out of my cubicle that they call "dorms" as it was my home for the past 9 months. I will miss the rooms.. (Lexie) even though im sure she will be hanging with me and elizabeth next year since we can have real food there! But on the up side...I get to be here in the lovely fort walton for like 3 months.. minus the summer school and job it will be great! =) Also, that means that in just 3 short months Elizabeth and I will be rooooommmmmiiieeeess!! We have the cutest apartment called "The Ives" and I absolutely cannot wait to be in it!

We celebrated Mothers Day this weekend and Mom had a great day! Today I began summer school and it was not tooo bad...=/

ps- if anyone watches Private Practice, Greys Anatomy or Brothers and Sisters...the season finales have just been cliff hangers to to ulimate! I cannot wait for the next seasons. if you cannot tell i am a TV junkie and so excited for american idol this week. Kris Allen = AMAZING!

LoLo is getting Married!! =)

Cousins after the engagement!
B-E-A-utiful ring!!

The Happy ENGAGED couple!

The "Will You Marry Me" Plate the dessert was on!

SHE SAID YES!! =)

"What are yall doing here!!!!!"wooohoo!!!

This past weekend matthew and I traveled to Conway, Arkansas to spend the weekend with my mom's side of the family! We were there to suprise my cousin Lauren (Lolo) because she was getting proposed to and her fiance setup a some friends and family to be awaiting them after he popped the question!

It was an eventful trip to say the least...as every arkansas trip always is... Friday we had quite the family emergency. In a very very long story short my grandmother was hit (bumped) by a car in her driveway sending her face forward into the groud (she is 81) incredibly scary. I will leave out all the details but a 911 call, emergency room visit, stitches, and probably encounter with the swine flu later we were back home with my grandmother. Bless her heart, she was bruised and swollen but only managed to break a part of her nose. She is such a strong woman and handled it so well. Matthew was there and Jeremiah (callie's boyfriend)...What a great way to meet the whole family huh..

Well the show must go on.. Saturday night we went to Little Rock and met up with Laurens friends, parents, John's parents and awaited their arrival back at his house. She had no idea we would all be there...while we were waiting to she called each one of us to tell us the BIG news! She got there and we had a great time, then it was back to tuscaloosa early sunday to prepare for finals week!

Congratulations to Lauren and John...I am so happy for yall and so glad I was able to be a part of it all!

The Country's Best Yogurt

This weekend was quite relaxing...friday afternoon we hung out at the pool at matthews apartment complex and then went to the Alabama Baseball Game! We played kentucky and we won, even got to see a 8th inning grand slam to secure the win and fireworks to top it off!

I admit it...lately I have been OBSESSED with TCBY! oh my goodness its so bad and really good that I did not realize the obsession until now! We went friday after the game...i got this one (the cheesecake shiver) but they made it funny and it was a slight disappointment so what did I do..go back saturday night to redeem myself. its really an addiction i should take care of

But Saturday we hung out by the pool at the university Rec center...it has a lazy river and such so it was alot of fun and then of course we were back at matthews apartment to OF COURSE watch the NFL draft...and i mean for hours on end we watched it "And with the 87744584754389735734534th pick the New York Jets take....." Over and over again although I was very interested as well. Props to the alabama boys for representin us well.. Andre Smith, Glen CoCo, Rashad Johnson, and Antoine Caldwell... cant wait to cheer yall on!

Sunday was church, studying, meetings.....this is "dead week" before finals..so let the fun begin!

Grey Street - Crash Into Me

Here are some videos I took at the concert of Grey Street and Crash into Me!

More of Grey Street

Crash Into You

Dave Matthews Band....

For Matthew's valentine's present I got us Dave Matthews Band tickets! Last night was the concert and it was GREATTTT! While there I realized I did not know as many of his songs as I thought I did, but nonetheless it was a great concert and had so much fun! It was in the Verizon Wireless amphiteatre in Pelham(birmingham), AL! Its outdoors and the weather was great and you could get a great view of the stars and "city lights" surrounding us! We went with our friends PJ and Katie....Dave has alot of instruments used with his band. a few we saw were violin, guitars, drums, trumpet, saxophone, flute...and many more! It was quite entertaining! I feel as though my horizon of music has been broadened and i am so glad!! here are some pictures from our night!

The awesome violinist! (see on the screens)
Dave and the city around him!

The great stage setup!

Dave Matthews!

The view from out seats was really good!

Some of the entertainment of the night....this girl danced non-stop and her dance was like a continual groping of herself! HILARIOUS!

Katie and PJ!

Matthew and I!

A-Day weekend!

This weekend was the annual Alabama spring football game "A-Day" There is many different festivities but obviously the biggest part is the Crimson v. White game. Well its taken quite seriously here...you might say "your just playing yourselves..." but here in alabama they will take any opportunity to show their pride and love for alabama football. There were people tailgating, they had their RV's and tents out on the quad...from the outside looking in you would think it was any other game day weekend! But I love it!
Also, this weekend...a girl in my bible study group up here just recently got engaged and so we threw her a small little engagement party brunch! Maria and Jaclyn did a wonderful job cooking and everything was soooooo goood! It was all around a great weekend!

Lauren and I at the brunch!
Jaclyn and I at the brunch!! =)

The incredible food table all made by Maria and Jaclyn

Coach Nick Saban at A-day!

Coach Saban again!

Crazy Tennessee fan... his significant other must be an alabama fan becuase his sign said something about "HELP, Im stuck behind enemy lines.."

Matthew and I at the game!

The stadium before it reached the days total of 85,000!