"Pride and Prejudice" and a sweet glimpse of Spring...

1. Family. Alice, my "fake" grandmother, celebrated her 79th birthday today! I got to spend time with several cousins and aunts while we ate bagel bites, marshmellows, and cupcakes. PTL for good food and family!
2. Little glimpses of Spring. The weather may be a little iffy, but the jonquils have started to bloom. Because of this, I have hope!
3. Stained glass. A perfect example of how man gives God the glory. Even though stained glass is man made, it reflects His creation. It's such a blessing to look at during worship and a beautiful reminder of how small we actually are.
4. Going to bed early. It's the only real solution to anything. Even if it makes you seem like a grandma.
5. Motivation! I was so productive this weekend. I got everything on my to-do list done. Now if I can just make it through March, I'll be home free!

Coffee, Southern Living, Bible Study, and Avett Brothers. Perfect.

1.A lazy morning. This morning was perfect. I wrote some, researched Charleston, and listened to the this. And I tried new coffee. Boom. 
2. Community. We had Chicken Pie Supper at Wauka Mountain (my elementary school) and then we went to watch the girls and boys basketball games. They're both in the Sweet Sixteen. Being a part of a tight-knit community like this is such a blessing. 
3. Lunch with my dad. My dad & I had lunch at Dari Spot aka Dirtyyyy Spot today. Thankful for semi-good food and a good time with my dad!
4. Inspiration. I've had a little bit of writer's block in the past couple of weeks, but I just got two article ideas in two days. Woooo!!!
5. Southern Living. For reminding me of all the joys of living in the South.

Slightly Internet Famous [Day #8]

Our FPF pictures!

1. FPF pictures!!! Abby, Shea, and I made our Internet debut here today! A HUGE thanks to Emily Loerke, the author of Today's Letters and a big part of my blog inspiration. Nbd, but we're slightly Internet famous now...

2. A completed deadline. My yearbook body copies are DONE! Eeeek! So happy.
3. Biscuits. I could eat good biscuits all day, every day...especially from Weezie's. My brother (Andrew) and I go to Weezie's every Friday morning before school. I'm thankful I can spend time with my little bro, afford to eat out, and live in the South where I can get a great biscuit 5 minutes away from home.
4. A night in. There have been too many late nights this week so I'm thankful for a quiet night.
5. My dad is feeling better! We had a little ER scare with my dad and his blood pressure the other night, but he's doing a lot better now! PTL!

Letters and Lent [Day #7]

A letter from Chase

1. A letter from Chase. My friend Chase (who is also my best friend Mary Elle's boyfrannn) is at basic training in Columbus, Ga right now. He isn't allowed to use his phone or computer, so he has to write. I wrote him a couple of weeks ago and he responded yesterday! He's doing really well but keep praying for him! 
2. UGA Wesley. I've never seen this many people in one place! So crazy. It was a night filled with unbelievable fellowship and worship. I only get more excited about next year when I think about it. I'm so thankful to know that there are people out there who are proclaiming His name! 

My portfolio is finally finished!

3. A finished portfolio. My GSPA Journalist of the Year portfolio is finally finished!!!! It took forever but it was worth it. Even if I don't win, it was something I needed to do. It contains writing from my freshman year, which is crazy. By the end, it was 27 pages long. 
4. Lent. I'm really glad for this time of reflection. Sometimes I think we forget what God gave up for us and this is a really good time to remind ourselves. I gave up Diet Coke...so pray for me! 
 5. A break! I finished my portfolio, case briefs, and reading. So glad the craziness is finally over. I'm looking forward to going to bed before midnight!

Sunshine! [Day #6]

"He has made everything beautiful in its time..."

1. Sunshineee! It has been raining for the past two days. And by raining, I mean pouring. When the sun came out today, I was reminded of this: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart." -Ecclesiastes 3:11. So thankful that our God is a redeeming and faithful God.
2. Being outside. I've had a cold for the past week and the medicine hasn't been working; however, when I hiked Blood Mountain today, I didn't sniffle once. Crazy, I know. I also had a TON of homework today, but instead I spent time hiking. Do I regret it? Not at all! Even though I just SparkNoted 6 chapters of a book...

Shea and Abby at the trail head.

3. Good friends. Abby and Shea are reminders that not all hope is to be lost in the world! They are funny, adventurous, and easy going. A girl couldn't ask for better friends.
4. Good food. I had a huge breakfast at Longstreet this morning. Then I had a huge lunch/dinner at Yonah Burger. Nommmm. So blessed to be able to have food readily available.
5. Lessons. Although I don't practice as much as I should, I'm still thankful for my piano and voice lessons. They are a nice escape from what's waiting for me at school. Not to mention that I have the most precious voice teacher ever.

CHOOO BOI [Day #5]

Abby and her "big" heart

 1. Miss Abby Cooley. Today was my friend Abby's BEST DAY EVER! A 'best day ever' is something that one does for her friends. Basically, you pick a day and pick a friend and celebrate them all. day. long. I met Abby in ninth grade at church choir. She is extremely vocal and honest. Three ultimate descriptors: sassy. and. classy.

CHOOOO BOI!

2. Camp Glisson. My home away from home, where my faith began, and hopefully my future employer. I had my Crew interview today and I'm so excited for what the future holds. The staff are so loving and we had a great time during the interview. Cho boi.
3. I don't qualify for FAFSA. Some people would think this is a bad thing, but in fact, it's not. I have been frustrated with my scholarship search lately because I don't qualify for many of them; however, this is really a blessing because I have a family who is willing and able to support me for the next four years. 
4. My ability to stay awake. I almost fell asleep driving home from Snellville tonight. ALMOST. I had to play a lot of little tricks and games, but by God's grace alone, I made it home.
5. Experiencing the outdoors. Abby and I walked to falls and through the "EcoEternity" forest. This beauty alone is enough to know that God exists.

Home with a side of Shirls [Day #4]

Shirls and I in the "world's biggest undies."

1. Give Us Names. These guys are awesome. They have a great cause and are the friendly-est people I've ever met. They have such an easy going and genuine faith. So inspiring.
2. Home. Home is something that we all take for granted. But in a few months, I won't be living here anymore. I'm excited for the future but I'm truly going to miss the comfort of home.
3. Dancing in chorus. Our random dance parties are so crazy and provide a break in our hectic schedules. Phoenix may not enjoy it, but I certainly do...
4. Time with Mama. My mom went with me to the Give Us Names film screening tonight. She actually really enjoyed it and I loved sharing something that I like with her. We also ate banana pudding for dinner. Nommm.
5. Shirls. Mrs. Tessa Shirley is one of the greatest inspirations in my life. I want to be just like her. She is beyond selfless and so innovative. She has the ability tell a story that will bring you to tears or cause side-splitting laughter. She has been my second mom over the past four years and I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

A little cutie and SPF 100 [Day #3]

Bet he grows up to be a heartbreaker...

1. William Robert Cape (aka Will). We haven't met yet but you are still so. stinkin'. precious. Shoutout to my cousins Robbie and Christy (his parents)! Welcome to the great big world and a weird family, little man!
2. Skype! I got to Skype with one of my friends who is studying in Spain this semester and it was awesome! PTL for technology!
3. A glimpse of summer. I got to pull out the Chacos and Patagonia Baggies for a little while today. The only problem is that all of my summer clothes smell like sunscreen...specifically Neutrogena SPF 100+. You think I'm kidding. 
4. The Girls Trio. My friends Phoenix and Tiffany are competing with me for North Hall at Literary Meet on March 2. It's a big arts and humanities competition among the high schools in our district. We've been singing together since sixth grade and we're blessed to have such a cool director (S/O to Mama Whelchel!) who picked out uhhh-mazing songs for us! We're singing Tennyson's "There is Sweet Music" and get ready..."It's My Party!!!"  We rehearsed earlier and it absolutely made my day.
5. Manners. I'm so glad that I am fortunate enough to have a mom who taught me how to say "Yes m'aam and No sir" and set the table correctly.
Always blessed.

Mountain-woman [Day #2]

"Take me home, country roads. To the place I belong...."

1. Women's rights! Sorry for the feminism, but I was inspired after learning about Robert Louis Stevenson's response to Charlotte Brontë's poetry. He said, "It was enlightening, but not very becoming for a woman." So thankful I can express my creativity and that it is accepted by society!

2. Mountains. Next year is going to be very lonely when there are no mountains or curvy roads to keep me company. The Classic City is as flat as a pancake. So happy to be a mountain-woman.

3. BOOKS! We talked about Wuthering Heights in class today and I think I almost started drooling because I was so entranced. I have The Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire waiting for me at home, too!

4. Handbells. It's Wednesday so that means it's time for handbells! Playing handbells is literally one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I'm grateful for the challenge and the good friends.

5. TEAMeffort.. I got to visit the lovely ladies (and dudes) of TE today. I like going home in the afternoons, but I seriously miss seeing all these people on a daily basis! So happy that I get to recruit for them next week!

Blessed beyond words.

Valentine's Edition [Day #1]

"KEEP CALM and CARRY ON"