you tube videos

I have to admit I LOVE youtube. I think it weirdly connects us, as does facebook, but nonetheless I love watching the crazy stuff people come up with.

I have always loved funny videos, especially candid videos of people's lives.

I took a speech class once and we had to do a speech about a "how to" topic. I did: How to Become a Youtube Celebrity (silly, I know, but college students love stuff like that).

I gave these three guidelines:

1. Share your weird talent

2. Show us your very unique experience

3. Make it funny!

One of the videos I used as an example is going to start us off on my new series of favorite you tube videos!

Matt Harding did this video just to challenge himself--- Stride gum ended up paying him to do it and they used it as promotional material.

old jeans

I got new jeans today... which is always exciting. I love getting new clothes and these days it doesn't happen often on my budget!

Anywhoooo
I have two pairs of very loved jeans with huge gaping holes in very inappropriate places...I feel weird throwing them out. What should I do with them? There has to be a craft or something that would allow me to recycle my beloved denims that I've probably had since high school or before.. yikes.
Any ideas crafty ladies??

p.s. 10 days 'till Jesus' bday, 3 days till grad time & 6 days till my bday! woo hooo!

easton corbin and delray beach!

isnt he cute?!

This past week after I was done with classes, the boyfriend, David, and I went to South FL for a concert. Originally this was supposed to be a surprise but I don't think he could contain his excitement and I kept bugging him to tell me so I knew what to bring with me! (A girl needs to know how to dress for the occasion, right?)

So he got us tickets to see Easton Corbin in concert in Davie, FL, near Miami. Easton is a country artist from FL -around Gainesville, actually!

We went to Delray Beach and stayed at his mom's house Wednesday until Saturday. Davie was just a short drive from Delray on Thursday night.

The concert was a blast! He played his own songs and some songs by Alan Jackson and George Strait (two classics!). We were 10 ft away from him on the stage!!

I got to meet his mom's family in Delray- including Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and of course grandma and grandpa Buzzelli...they are Italians from New Jersey!

I had alot of fun and he took me on a tour of Boca Raton and downtown Delray Beach. I had never been to South FL before and it was like a whole different state!

Can't wait to go back when it's warm outside and enjoy their beaches. :)

my last week of college..

Today is the beginning of my last week of classes. I am done Wednesday at 1030am!

I have a test each day (of course!) and lots to do to be finished here at UF!

I am super excited to be finished with school work and exams but a little sad that I am no longer going to be a college student :(

It's been a great 3.5 years!! I am so thankful for the experience and the people I have met along the way.

Day 10 and 11

Day 10 and 11:

Another double whammy post!

My parents! They are just the most amazing people on the planet. I love them to pieces.

I could go on and on about them but there aren't enough adjectives to well describe them!

love ya momsy and popsicle!

happy thanksgiving y'all!

Day 8 and 9

Day 8 and 9:

I am playing catch up with these posts in order to get back on track, so this is a double whammy!

Day 8: My Aunt Rita!

She is the wife of my recently passed Uncle David that I wrote about often in his battle with cancer. Rita and Uncle David got married when I was about 4 or 5 years old so I have no memories of Uncle David before she was around! With Aunt Rita came two new cousins as well- Jacob and Jessica (Jessi!) Jessi is mom to my ADORABLE two baby cousins Lilly and Layla that I have written about before too! (more on them later...)

I think the world of my Aunt Rita.. she is the perfect mix of sweet, funny, organized, teacher, mother, wife, aunt, (etc)... I love to sit and talk with her in her kitchen or help her bake. She is so wonderful to talk to and makes you feel like you are the only person on the planet because she gives you her undivided attention. She is a strong Christian women that adores her kids and her grand-babies with all her heart. I want to be just like her when I grow up!

Day 9:

LITTLE COUSINS!

These beautiful girls make my heart so happy! I don't get to see them as much as I would like but every time I do, I SO cherish it. My cousin Jessi is a great momma and I know her girls will grow up to be sweet, funny, smart, beautiful girls that love God and their family just as much as she does.

Lilly Catherine will be 3 in February, and Layla Kay will turn 1!

Day 7

Day 7:

I am SO thankful for the teachers I've had in the past 22 years of life! I went to a bunch of different schools through the years (2 elementary, 2 middle, 2 high schools and UF) and I was always so happy when I found a teacher that I could really connect with.

I had a rough time deciding to leave Douglas Anderson after my sophomore year of high school and moving to Wolfson High School but I'm so glad I made the move!

Especially because of teachers like Mrs. Force! She was my yearbook staff advisor/teacher, and I got to become really close with her in my two years at Wolfson. I was also president of DECA (a business club type deal) and she was our club advisor. This woman really inspired me and motivated me to do well in school and life in general. :) Miss her lots!

Day 6

Day 6:

Today is my last home football game as a UF student! So, today I am thankful for the opportunity I had to be a UF student! I am of course very thankful for Gator football too but we will just sum it up as being a student in general.

Here is a picture of me and steph as freshman at UF at our first, EVER, Gator game!

(it was like over 100 degrees that day... so hot!)

Day 4 and 5

Well, I definitely missed a couple days with my series-- in many thanks to my lack of dependable internet two days in a row!

But now I'm back in business... :)

Day 4:

Thankful for my dance group, Dancin' Gators!

I am SO going to miss this group when I graduate :(

Its been really cool for me to be able to keep dancing while i'm in college. It is such a passion of mine and I have made some really great friendships in this group too.

Here is a picture of a group of us in costumes before our show in the fall last year. We did a rendition of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" recorded by Fall out Boy.

Day 5:

Paynes Prairie... weird choice, I know. But it is a pretty cool place. Payne's Prairie info can be found here. I love to visit the park itself but also the boardwalk that takes you out onto the prairie. Some friends and I visited the prairie for the meteor shower the other night and went back at sunset yesterday. It's a really beautiful reminder of what the good ole' Florida outdoors looks like in its natural state.

This picture was taken during the meteor shower from the boardwalk on the prairie, by a friend of mine.

Thankful Series: Day 3

This post will be especially fun for those of you who are fellow GCA attenders! :)

For Day 3 of my thankful series I want to talk about Grace Church of Avondale!

A lot of you reading my blog will probably agree with me when I say that Grace Church is great place to be :)

A little church history about me-- I grew up going to church in Mandarin at Mandarin United Methodist with my parents. I LOVE that church as well but during college I started attending Grace. I first attended Grace with the Murphy family (also SO thankful for that amazingggg family) and my best friend Steph.

Over the past 4 years attending Grace I have met some really amazing people, heard some amazing testimonies, was challenged in my faith more than ever and felt a sense of community.

I think sometimes churches become comfortable in their checking the boxes routine... go to church (check) sing the songs (check) read a passage (check) shake pastors hand (check) attend a sunday school class (check)...etc. But at Grace I really felt from the moment I walked in that the people who attend are there because they want more than that in their sunday morning, and throughout their week.

They are seeking God on a higher level every single morning and they genuinely care about each other's needs.

When the church becomes too comfortable in a their "checking of the boxes" there is no room for growth. This isn't the case with Grace.

I am so thankful for Grace Church and the people who make up the church body. (which reminds me-- I am going to be there Sunday! woo hoo! it's been over 2 months!)

This picture is from VBS.. craft time with one of my girls in our class!

Thankful Series: Day 2

Day 2:

In light of our recent national holiday remembering and honoring those who have served our country in the name of freedom, I will say I am thankful for veterans. In my family I have many relatives that have served in the military, including my mom, dad, brother, cousin patrick, and others I'm sure I didn't know about.

But I think I am almost equally proud of the boys I grew up with through the years that have served over seas. It's kinda cool to see these guys do something so brave and then to watch them grow up and become so manly. (i feel funny saying that but it's so true!)

Two of my very close friends from church growing up, Alex and Thomas have both been to war a couple times and though Alex is back now in the states, Thomas is still overseas. I think about them all the time!

Alex and Thomas both are married now and I really love seeing them when they are home. I hope this holiday season I get to talk to them or hug them!

Here is Alex giving a speech (he is a talker for sure!) after getting promoted:

And here is Thomas and a friend in the desert on deployment, he is the TALL one (about 6'7")

You may have also heard of their friend, Corporal Tyler Southern that was welcomed home to the mandarin area recently after losing both legs in war. He stepped on explosives and was in critical condition for a while but is now home with his family! He has fully recovered and has prosthetics he is learning to walk with.

SO proud of these young men! :)

what i'm thankful for..

So in honor of Turkey day swiftly approaching us.... (food coma, yes please.)

I want to spend time to express what I'm thankful for this year!

I think I'm going to try and do one everyday until T-day gets here... that means you get 11 more days of my thankfulness! I would LOVE for you lovely people to also tell me what you're thankful for this year :)

I don't think I spend enough time telling the people I love what they mean to me-- maybe this will be a good way to start.

Day 1:

MY NEPHEWS :)

Many of you know I have much older siblings that have kids. So, as you can imagine I became an "aunt sam" at a pretty young age. I was in 4th grade when I found out my sister was having her first child, Blake. I love being Aunt Sam to Blake and his younger brother Evan. Blake just celebrated his 11th birthday in September (Evan turned 7 in August) and this picture of them is from Blake's family birthday party.

These boys have my heart!

On that same note, I have 4 other nephews from my brother! (boys totally outnumber the girls in this family!)

Two of them are his step sons that are a few years younger than me, Matt 2o and Collin 18. His two kids with his wife Susaine are Caden, 8 and Keaton, 5. I got to spend lots of time with these boys this summer in Tennessee when their family came to meet us there from Illinois.

My brother Mark, is in the Navy Reserves. The boys love to dress up in his jackets and gear! This was a couple years ago.

Jesus Gets Around

First off, just so you know the meaning behind the blog title... check out this pretty funny site I found today. I think it's worth checking out :)

http://jesusgetsaround.com/

And second, phone interview with Teach For America= success! Now to wait on the results and if I get asked back for the final face to face interview! The anticipation is killing me!

Third, Sneezy McSneezerton (aka my kitty) is all better! Thank you Mom for curing my baby of his sicky-ness. :)

Have a Great week!

sneezy mcsneezerton

my poor kitty is sneezing up a storm this week. he really gets his whole body into it (pre and post sneeze). i feel so bad for him!

in other news: i find out tonight if i get to move on to round two for Teach For America interviews! yikes! keep your fingers crossed for me :)

a life worth celebrating

As some of you know, I have been asking for prayers for my Uncle David battling prostate cancer.

On Monday October 25th he went to be with Jesus.

It was a long and hard battle- one that doesn't seem fair to me- but he is no longer suffering and is totally at peace now.

I find peace with knowing that.

I would obviously rather him still be with us-- healthy-- but with us. He was such a great man, brother, father, husband,uncle, grand daddy. He gave of his time to others, was fair, kind and a true man of wisdom and integrity. He worked in public schools for 34 years as a teacher and principal. His life inspires me and I could really see that he made a huge impact in his community.

Over 300 people came to his visitation on Thursday night. I'm thinking about that number or a little less were also there Friday morning to celebrate his life at the funeral. I was impressed by his small town's respect for his life and concern for his family he left behind.

I did, however, get to squeeze and play with my little cousins Lilly and Layla (2.5yrs and 8mos old) though.

All I could think about was that their grand daddy would ask me to do that because he couldn't anymore.

I also got to spend time with my older cousins and go out for dinner and drinks. Some times I think its weird that family only gets together when people die (last time we were all together was Granny's funeral) but I know that Granny and Uncle David would be up in Heaven saying, "Y'all need to get together and eat ya somethin'!"

Cancer frustrates me a lot, but thankfully I have peace knowing Uncle David was a true man of faith and he is finally home with his savior.

I'll miss you Uncle David :)

feels like Fall!

If you read my last post I mentioned that my Uncle is battling Prostate Cancer which has been pretty aggressive in the past 10 months since he was diagnosed.

I've been asking a lot of you for PRAYER and trying to

hold onto some hope in the midst.

Last week after his Dr. appt he was told a lot of bad news, mainly that they didn't realize how bad it was until too late, and etc.. HOWEVER, two days later he got a call from his other Dr. and they informed him that he had been approved by insurance to take part in a study using chemo meds usually prescribed for breast cancer, which without insurance can cost $10,000! The reason he is getting this news is because he found out through some other doctors that this drug used for breast cancer may be effective for his type of prostate cancer since some forms of prostate cancer act more like breast cancer. He has been trying to get approval from his insurance for this treatment since his doctor was very optimistic about its effects.

I am so excited about this and very hopeful for what it may be able to do for him. :)

(thanks for all the prayers-- God is definitely answering mine!)

In other news, my mom made these covers for my futon pillows! How much do they scream "YAY, it's Fall!" I just love them.

They were pink stripes..

have a great monday! :)

friends for life.

Well, on the eve of my furry little child's 4 month birthday I thought I'd take the time to introduce his best bud, Russell.

I honestly can't believe that cats can make friends.

Exhibit A:

Twitch and Russell

Twitch is the one on the left (b&w) and Russell is on the right (pretty much all black)

These two love each other more than words can say. Twitch is my cat, and Russell belongs to my best friend, Stephanie. Steph adopted Russell not too long after meeting (and falling in love with) her nephew Twitch. At this point in our lives we aren't having kids or any of that so we decided kitties are just about as close as we can come to children.

They are pretty good kids. :)

Although, at first Twitch was needy because I found him in the wild before he was weaned from his momma. Bottle feedings at 2am were tiresome (I have a new appreciation for that part of motherhood) and although I know that a baby kitten is nothing compared to a real baby-- he sure was worth it!

Anyways-- Twitch's birthday is May 30th so tomorrow marks his 4 month birthday!

Russell is spending the day with Twitch and I at my apartment. (It is currently kitty nap time.)

Twitch and Russell's favorite activities include:

Sleeping

Chasing each other

Bathing each other (okay so that's a little weird, but for cats its normal when you love each other)

Pouncing on one another

Using the scratcher

Hiding toys and finding them later

Getting treats when they are good boys

Getting attention from their mama's

Eating together

Sharing quality time at the litter box (also weird, but hey whatever makes them happy)

It's been fun to give them time to play together and bond. They weren't happy about it at first but grew to really love each other. And even though half the time they are biting each other and pouncing when the other least expects it, they seem to really enjoy each other's company in the end. Twitch always seems a little sad when Russell leaves. :(

They even have friendship charms on their collars now. (you did too at this age I bet!)

To life long friends! (And by that I mean Steph and I, too!)

Pretty Recently...

I have been a stranger to the blogging world for a couple of weeks now with the beginning of my last semester starting, and all that comes with the start of the school year. And adding in the job hunt makes free time pretty hard to come by!

I haven't been able to do much as far as crafting goes... although I wish I could say I have! Maybe within the next few weeks I can get around to finishing some jewelry I started a while back. I plan to go to the Bryan Turner Benefit Day on Saturday and look forward to seeing some the crafts some of my favorite GCA ladies have prepared for this great event. Go here to learn more!

I'm enjoying spending time with the youth at church while I'm doing my internship hours. They are teaching me a lot more than they probably realize. I spoke on guarding your heart with them on sunday night. They seemed really into it, several of them shared about what they are going to start proactively guarding their heart from. In my own life, I am completely susceptible to letting the world mold and shape my heart into something totally opposite of how God would like me to allow Him to do. Joyce Meyer has a GREAT series on guarding your heart and why that is SO important for us to do. Look it up on youtube! :) The youth and I had fun watching the first part of that series sunday night.

Other than that I have been faced with a pretty dramatic change in my life- my Uncle David has been battling cancer for about a year now. Recently he has been having more problems with fluid remaining in his abdomen when he eats or drinks anything. The doctors are able to drain this fluid every now and then, but have no way to completely prevent that. It makes him pretty uncomfortable. They also believe his prostate cancer may not have been prostate cancer after all. He has been back and forth from Panama City to Jacksonville going to Mayo Clinic for some help with his breathing trouble too. The doctors there have been really encouraging to him and very helpful. I am thankful for that. I know he is too. While it has been good to see him and spend some time with him while he visits Jax lately, it is hard to see him hurting. I have never spent much time around anyone dealing with cancer-- so this is all new for me. I am praying hard that he experiences healing and that the doctors and those taking care of him are able to find answers and give him a more comfortable day every now and then. I know it is taking a toll not only on his body and spirit, but also for my aunt who is his primary care taker at home right now. If you think of it, add him and my family to your prayer list. I'd appreciate that.

kitty!

I recently adopted a kitten, his name is Twitch! Although his name really fits his personality, my parents have called him little stinker or attack kitty because at the moment he is in full swing play mode--everything is good for biting and attacking! haha!

He is about 2 months old and 3lbs. He looks similar to a tuxedo cat but has some tabby in him as well. Some people speculate he has some maine coon in him too which could mean he will grow pretty big! Maine coon are known for being large, and so far his feet and ears are pretty big!

Needless to say he is the love of my life--- I didn't know I could love an animal this much! He is such a sweet and friendly kitty that loves to nap with me until he is ready to play again! :)

Here is a picture of him:

LOVE him!

music campin' and VBS

This past week and the week coming up, I am home sweet home in between semesters. I finished up Summer semester with 3 A's and 1 B! (I still get excited about grades..I am such a dork!)

While I've been home I have started my internship with Mandarin United Methodist Church, the church I grew up in. The youth pastor there, Nicole, is 9 months pregnant (and already dilating!). She and I talked a few months ago about me filling in for her during the time she is taking off to be with her new boy! I am super excited for the opportunity. I needed the internship for my practicum hours with my degree and she needed the help so I am glad it worked out. It means I will be at the church sundays and some wednesdays leading small groups. I will mostly be working with the high school youth but also working out details for youth on Sunday nights. I am sad that I will be at GCA less during the next couple of months, but at the same time it's nice to be back at Mandarin during this time! (I will miss my GCA friends!)

In addition to youth group fun, I have been helping out at Music Camp at Mandarin this week. I used to LOVE music camp at church when I was in elementary school so naturally I volunteered to help out. I have been helping behind the scenes, choreographing and spending time with some awesome kids! Here is a picture of some of what goes on at Music Camp at MUMC.

This picture is pretty representative of what goes on in dance rehearsals at music camp... I am telling them what to do and they are either distracting each other or too busy daydreaming.. haha!

In the choir room learning their songs..

Practicing on the stage in the sanctuary..


I can't wait to see their performance Sunday morning! They are the bomb!

And of course, can't forget all the FUN I am having with the kids of GCA!

This is my second year helping at VBS with Grace Church and it is so fun!

It's amazing seeing what the kids get out of it and of course, seeing the smiles on their faces during worship, games and making their snacks and crafts (go Eva!).

One of my favorite moments so far..

Reed's mouth turned black and blue after he put his harmonica he made in crafts into his mouth... poor thing had either paint or marker ink on him every day. He was a good sport about it though and thought it was funny!

Our Class..

Looking forward to the last day of VBS and the Music camp performance sunday! :)

from 1980-2010!

I am moving wednesday and so, I must furnish my apartment.. and do so on a budget of a poor college student! (I have been living in a furnished apartment until now)

Anyways, I looked up and down craigslist for some furniture items to use in my new place and wasn't really having any luck considering I couldn't spend much... and I didn't want something that looked reallllly worn or old because that sorta grosses me out sometimes. There IS a difference between vintage and just gross and old. Haha.

Well I ended up finding this coffee table for like $15 and decided with some DIY improvements I could make it look better. So I bought some black spray paint and got to work. I think this coffee table got 30 years younger...

BEFORE



AFTER




Next... spicing up my bookshelf. Stay tuned!

A letter...

To my beloved blog (and its fans):

Although you may feel neglected, disowned, rejected, alone, useless or sad, I promise I have not forgotten you. I do apologize for my lack of visits and posts. Please know, there has never been a blog as great as you, or fans as devoted as yours, and therefore I vow to make up for lost time.

If you wish to blame someone or something for my behavior, you may contact: A. my professors, B. a fuzzy little cat named Twitch, or C. Interstate 26 in SC for its behavior during a rain storm June 22. (those mentioned have either taken up my time or consequently given me things to do that kept me from spending time with you.)

you know I love you... please forgive me.

Sincerely,

Samantha
___________________________

Okay but seriously, I still have to update about how my dad's day present turned out (I did the DAD scrapbook that Eva posted as an idea) and other pertinent news... like my new kitty! :)

Stick with me!

summer speculations

Although I guess it is nice for the most part to have a laid back summer just taking a few classes in Gainesville, I am not really loving the loneliness of it.
After my favorite roommate, Amy, left for the summer and all of my other friends left to go home I am still here. Just doing classes and babysitting. Pretty boring, really. I love the weekends because I get to go home and see friends and family in Jacksonville. During the week it is nights like this where I come home from class and sit alone in my apartment that I really dislike. Don't get me wrong, I love alone time and really value silence and relaxtion.. but not when it's like this pretty much everyday. I am either home alone, or babysitting. Sorry for the debbie downer post but I guess its what's on my mind!
On the bright side, 5 more months till graduation and back to Jax! I am SOOO looking forward to that!

Here are some of my favorite things from my trip to Tennessee with my family in June.

seeing all of these wonderful people.. included in this picture are all of my dad's kids and their spouses & kids, plus one of my mom's sisters and her daughter, and stephanie (my best friend and practically part of my family anyway)

Steph and I, spending a night in Knoxville with my cousin Angie

(the one second from the left) and her friend Susan

porch swing talks with Steph at the cabin in the Smoky Mountains!

Oh, and here's a recycled pickle jar I made the other day.. I guess it's random, but I was feeling artsy with this!

I painted it teal-ish blue and used paper to wrap around it then tied a ribbon around that. I am not sure what I will be using it for yet.. I'll keep you posted!

(BTW: I get lazy sometimes and just take a picture from the computer..

which usually doesn't turn out very well!)

tells it like it is

My sister showed this to me a while back and I thought this girl's rap was AWESOME... enjoy!




I'll update soon with some of my projects, including my latest.. the rescue of two kittens! I am SUPER busy feeding and loving on these kitties.


sitting on my lap this morning.. not a great picture but he is shy :)

Thankful

Yesterday night, my best friend Stephanie and I were headed up to Tennessee to join my family at our cabin for a week's vacation.
At approximately 7pm, June 22nd, my car hydro-planed and began spinning off the road.
Stephanie had just taken over driving for the second half of the 9 hour trip.

She and I spun around in my car about 3 or 4 times before we landed in the median, facing the road. Upon hitting the cable in the median my survival instincts set in. I assured Steph it wasn't her fault and that we were okay and that's all that mattered.... but that was just the beginning.
I decided to get out of the car and check the damage. I got out of the passenger side of the car and walked around the car. Steph opened her door and I told her that the car looked fine. I remember picking up a piece of tire and asking Steph if she thought it was from my car and the next thing I know I see another car spinning off the road, coming STRAIGHT TOWARD US. I started screaming for Steph to get out of the car and to run with me away from where my car was parked. I just wanted to pull her out and get away as fast as I could. I knew that black pick up truck was going to smash into my car, and it would be a hard collision. Steph's foot was out of the door but she said all she could do was look away and hold on to the steering wheel as the black truck smashed into the passenger side door and spun my car around at least once. I just ran away as far as I could so I wasn't pinned between the two cars. I thought we would both die.
The black pick up truck landed on its driver side and the young man climbed out of the passenger side window. Steph got out of the car completely unharmed and I ran to her. (I know this sounds so dramatic but it really felt like a bad dream.)
As the three of us now stand in the median I notice 4 OTHER CARS spin out within 500 feet of our two car pile up. None of those were related to our crash though. They all spun out because of the hard rain that just began before our crash.

During the impact of the black truck, my car's windows shattered, the passenger side door smashed in (WHERE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SITTING), the bumper fell off, all lights smashed, door handle fell off my side, and trunk completely smashed in. And to think my car was still in one piece after we first spun off the road...
Long story short, we were able to get our cameras and phones out of the car with the help of some REALLY nice women who stopped and helped us, calmed us, and prayed for us. I have never seen such a thing in my life.
As I stood in the median with Steph and the pick up truck driver watching Semi Trucks sliding around and cars crashing, all I could think about was that we just barely escaped death. Praise God.
The fact that I got out of the car to check it out initially, my have saved my life and that is God. The fact that all windows except Stephanie's were shattered, saving her from being bloody and wounded, is God. The fact that the other driver's car got flipped and he still walked away from the scene, is God.
My parents, who were already in TN at the cabin drove to South Carolina to get us as soon as they could. We waited in a Waffle House in the middle of no where. Literally. I have never been so happy to see them.

I am SO thankful that God saved us and put a huge blanket of protection over us. He is so GOOD.
Even as I sit here just about to burst into tears, remembering the vision of the truck coming towards us and the initial spinning off the road, I am in AWE of the way God protected His children.

Isaiah 41:10
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Praise God for His goodness ALWAYS, and please be careful in the rain.

My Dance Project!

This summer I took a Fundamentals of Dance class, and our final project was to choregraph a dance. Although I have had lots of dance experience, two of the girls in my group had not. It was a challenge but we made it work!
I am the one in the front left at the beginning and then move to the back left. :)

a musical monday!

In light of the Tony awards on last night.. sorry if you missed them, they were awesome!

And, because I went to a show last night called "Broadway Nites" at the church I grew up at....

I will call this post "A Musical Monday!"

I just love musicals. But maybe love doesnt ever cover the depth of my obsession and complete devotion to the craft itself. haha!

Before I transferred over into the dance world, I was a theater girl. My first play was the Broadway version of Peter Pan. There was a Youth Theater program around the corner from my house and my neighbors introduced me to it when I was about 5 or 6. It was here that I really found out I loved musicals. I was never the lead role (although I did have some speaking parts) but was completely content with dancing and singing in the background.

Some of the plays I was in:

Peter Pan

Aladdin

Fairy Tale Factory (our theater's brainchild) where I played Penelope the ballerina pig of a spin off of The Three Little Pigs

Annie

Fiddler on the Roof (fun fact: although I was only 9 or 10 at the time, I played a "momma" in the show because I was SO tall..haha!)

....you get the point!

When I was in New York a few years back, I got to see my first show on Broadway which was Wicked, I LOVED IT! The music is by far some of the best written songs I've heard in a show, ever! If you haven't ever heard any of it or seen it, you should check it out!! Here is a video from the today show where Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth sing "Popular"

if that video doesnt work... here is the link to youtube, Popular

I guarantee if you buy the soundtrack from Wicked you will fall in love. I love to listen to it in the car and pretend I can sing as well as those two women!!

Have a great monday!

Oh and I almost forgot, here is a picture of the "africa purse" I got for Steph.

banana puddin' and john deere green

(Just me hanging out with Paula Dean in Savannah)

I have been super busy this week and haven't had a free minute to update about this weekend's birthday shenanigans in Savannah, GA for my

best friend's 21st birthday... until now!

Last week I posted some hints/ teasers as to the party goody bags I made for the girls that would be celebrating with Steph for her birthday.

Inside each of the bags were:

1. noisemaker horns (the ones you blow into and they make lots of noise)

2. glow stick bracelets (used as a way of keeping everyone in check when we were out and about Friday night!)

3. coozies!!! (my favorite part of the bags)

here is a picture I took of them when I made them, from my computer camera so its flipped. (i didnt get a picture of them while we were in Savannah)

All of the drink coozies say "Steph's 21st" on the front and the back of each has a girl's name on them... Steph's is the orange in the bottom left corner

and it says, "It's my 21st!"

Everyone really loved them and we had a BLAST in Savannah.

It is such a great city for walking around and... for good eating!

While we were there we ate at Paula Dean's restaurant, "The Lady and Sons"

Steph's birthday present from me was a new "africa purse" as she calls it. Last fall she ordered this really cool bag made in Africa by some tribal women. She loved that dang purse... until some person stole it from our friend's car. :( it was VERY sad. So when I was at the farmer's market a couple weeks ago I spotted some very similar bags like her beloved "africa purse" and I picked out one in orange (her fave color).

I don't have a picture of the bag to post for you,

but maybe I can get one of her wearing it soon and post it! :)

On Saturday night after returning to Jax, Katie, Steph and I went around the corner to Harmonious Monks in Mandarin. It's a very, very fun place with lots of good music to sing along to. All of the bartenders and servers sing or play instruments.

Also, here is a picture of our SWEET room that we got a free upgrade to because the Savannah hotel overbooked. It was a bi-level suite with a spiral staircase, 3 flatscreens and three beds!

view from the bottom of the girls on the top level

And the view from the window..

Katie and I in the car with the sunflower we bought for Steph.. it was kinda windy!!

I'm ready to go back to Savannah! I love that city! :)

happy hump day!

This week has gone by pretty quickly already- which is quite alright with me because this weekend has some exciting plans. STEPH'S BIRTHDAY! (pictures to follow!)

Also this week, I have endured the cough of death. I randomly started getting worse and worse, and with no other symptoms of cold or flu I headed to the Dr. today. My doc says I got an upper respiratory infection. Icky. So I am taking it easy in hopes that I will recover in time to properly enjoy the birthday fun coming up in about 48 hours!

What I do on my sick days:

--watch movies, last night it was Alice in Wonderland, and tomorrow will be Where the Wild Things Are

--crafty things (duh) and see below for tonight's creation :)

--re organize and re arrange things.. i actually enjoy this (I know, i'm weird!)

--catch up on reading, my most recent read: "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges (I met him in Colorado!)

I had some corkboard squares I was using to put up pictures and whatever else,

and tonight I covered them in fabric and ribbons glued down with buttons!

(not a good picture because I used my computer to take the picture)

and, with photos..

(top is my brother and his son, bottom right is my sister and I a few years back and group photo on the bottom left is the youth group I worked

with last summer before our mission trip)

[the words are backwards because photo booth on mac does mirror image]

HAPPY HUMP DAY :)

one more thing today..

I just saw this and had to share it!

I love this little boy's family very much-- his mom really is such a great woman and someone I am so glad to call my friend! I hope that one day I am at least half the mom she is!

First Coast News did a story about 9 year old Preston's cancer survival story.

Preston's Battle and WIN over Cancer!

FINALLY.. I can reveal some *presents* pictures!

This has been a fun month for me to be artsy/ crafty, because so many people I love are having birthdays verrrryy soon!

(today, is my sister's birthday!)

So I can finally post some pictures.. and Steph, even though I know you will read this don't worry because I am not revealing everything about your birthday presents/ celebratory accessories until after your big day!

For my sister I decided I wanted to make her some wall art and she has a degree in graphic design and therefore incredibly artsy herself so I hope my art measures up!

(it was realllly hard to paint the letters, so I may use a stencil next time!)

I am SO incredibly excited about Steph's 21st coming up next weekend! A group of us girls is traveling to Paula Deen's homeland, SAVANNAH GEORGIA! wooo hoo!

So for the party festivities I made some goodie bags for each girl- their contents will be revealed after the birthday is over so I don't ruin the surprises for Steph (and everyone else!)

This is Steph's goodie bag with her own personalized party favors :)

Inside this wrapped box is a present that I am sooo excited to give to Steph. She totally deserves to have the greatest birthday ever and I hope I can be a small part of giving her the best day ever!

Here is a hint as to what is inside the box..

Stay tuned for a reveal of what goes down for Steph's Birthday in Savannah! We are crossing our fingers that Paula shows up to her restaurant while we are dining!