Never have I ever been so incredibly excited about football season. With T minus 11 days (or 10 days if you wish) until the first game, I literally can't get football off of my mind. There is something about senior year that makes me more excited than ever before. I must admit, I've never made it to all of the home games for an entire season, but hopefully that will change this fall. 

There is no sweeter sound than the words of Rocky Top coming from Neyland. 

Go Vols! 

Big Apple Adventure

I spent the last week of July in NYC visiting a dear friend of mine! I could not have asked for a better trip to the Big Apple. My friend Kelsea lived in Manhattan all summer while she interned at Diane Von Furstenberg, pretty cool huh? It was awesome spending a few days with Kelsea and experiencing her lifestyle in NYC.  There were a few downfalls during my trip, such as my wallet getting stolen and a double ear infection I was unaware of, but I really did have a wonderful time! Kelsea was a wonderful hostess and took me some amazing places around the city. 

Of course I had to visit Central Park.

Can't even explain how beautiful it was.

My beautiful, beautiful friend.

Finally have DVF in my wardrobe, thank you Kels!

Shakespeare in Central Park, amazing!

Most of the taxis are Escapes, love that.

One of the nights I was in the city, we saw Crazy, Stupid, Love. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it! I'm not a huge fan of cheesy love movies, but this movie was absolutely perfect. The theatre we saw it in was beautiful, I managed to snag a picture of this blue light fixture, but you can only imagine.

Somedays  I just have to take one giant step backwards to take in all that God has done for me. Today was certainly one of those days. I often doubt God's plan when life isn't going my way, but every single time he provides what ultimately is best. Sometimes His plan isn't exactly what I was hoping for, but without a doubt His plan has made me a stronger person. I'm easily stressed, I'm pretty emotional, and I'm a worry wort. I don't know why I let my emotions get the best of me sometimes, but God always knocks me off my feet. It's times like these that in return I just feel silly.

On another note this morning I got a text from my dad that read, "I'm going to miss you when you go back to school. I love you". Tears literally filled my eyes when I read this simple message. Only 3 weeks until I go back to Knoxville, where in the world has summer gone? It's bittersweet.

Ugliest painting ever.

A few weeks ago I noticed that there was a painting missing from a wall in our living room. Not just any painting, but the ugliest painting I've ever laid eyes on. From the tacky green frame to the terrible artwork, this piece needed to go. My dad left the painting laying near the trash bin so naturally I grabbed it and used it for my own crafting needs. I've been wanting to find a decent size frame to make a collage with and this painting worked perfectly. All it took was white paint, a crackle finish, Mod Podge, and my favorite pictures.

The painting getting a serious makeover. 

Hard to tell, but I used a crackle finish for a somewhat aged appearance. 

Patiently waiting for the Mod Podge to dry.

The final product. I can't wait to hang this in the new house.

Caroline is ENGAGED!

 I'm happy to say that one of my very best friends is officially engaged! I'm literally ecstatic, overjoyed, & delighted for Caroline and her fiancee Stuart. I'm excited to be a part of this lovely adventure; I'm even lucky enough to be a bridesmaid, ekkk! Every time I even think about Caroline's big day I get all giddy inside, typical girl eh? Maybe so, but that is okay with me... CAROLINE SCHUTT IS GETTING MARRIED! Look at her gorgeous ring, it fits naturally and is absolutely stunning. Caroline is going to be the most beautiful bride and I can't even wait. I'm sure this post will be the first of many dealing with Caroline's wedding, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Congrats Cline, I love you!

Celebrating my Daddy, very belated post.

I know I know, Father's Day was almost a month ago, but I never got the chance to dedicate a post to the greatest man that I know. My Daddy is so wonderful, and he deserves to be celebrated every single day. I honestly do not know what I would do without him, my world would literally fall to pieces. I always run to my Dad during tough situations because he knows exactly what to say and when to say it. He keeps me sane, and he humbles me when necessary, but most importantly he always reminds me whose I am. In that case, happy belated Father's Day to my Daddy on earth and my heavenly Daddy!

This year for Father's Day my sister and I bought Dad some delicious smelling cologne that he wanted. Well, of course at midnight the night before I realized that there was not a single roll of wrapping paper in our house. The only thing I could find was left over Christmas decor, and although I considered the festive bags, I quickly decided upon more appropriate wrapping of choice- an ESPN magazine! We had plenty extra around the house, So I gathered some of my favorite magazine clippings and went to work.

Just a few simple supplies. 

Naturally the gift wrapping needed a bow, so I managed to make this cute little one. 

The final product- Dad absolutely loved it. 

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do. But we do not give up and quit." 2 Corinthians 4:8

Finally 21, just a little late.

Over the past two weeks a very stressful, but silly, thing happened in my life, I thought that my Macbook was broken, finished, done, dead. I've had it for about 3 years now, but I hope that it will last another year or two. Crazy me, my laptop is not broken, but instead my charger is broken. Phew! With that being said, my blogging has been put on hold and it feels great to be back.

I know this post is a little overdue, but I had the most wonderful 21st birthday celebration! Like usual, my family and friends went above and beyond. I'm a lucky girl and got to have pretty much an entire week of celebration. High maintenance much? Maybe, but only for this special occasion. My birthday celebrations were filled with my sweet family and friends, a few balloons, tons of flowers, and many chocolate treats. I could not have asked for a better birthday, thanks to everyone who made it so very special for me.

The precious cupcake that I woke up to from Dad and Bobbi, along with an assortment of balloons. 

Birthday lunch at Macaroni Grill, my favorite.

Love my Momma. 

Dinner time at Mellow Mushroom with these beauties. 

Lovely flowers and cards, Emily's grandma card wins the greatest card award. 

The best birthday sign, thanks to Jessica :)

My roomies are fabulous.

Mexican and margaritas, there is nothing better.

My two favorite people in the entire world. 

Life update

Yesterday defined what I would consider the perfect summer day. A few good friends and I spent the day at Center Hill Lake; everything about our time on the lake was fabulous. We spent the entire day tubing, tanning, eating, napping, laughing, and loving, but best of all we spent the day relaxing. 

I officially started my internship and to say I am obsessed would be an understatement. I still can't believe that I have been given such an amazing opportunity to work with one of the most well-known labels in Nashville. There really is nothing comparable to the drive down Music Row in the morning. I know so many people that are eager to get out of this city, but this internship made me realize even more how much I love Nashville. 

Today my supervisor decided that she wanted coffee from Bongo Java, a small hipster coffee shop located across from Belmont's campus. I offered to make the trip for her and in return I scored a Chai Tea Latte. What could be better than that?

T minus 5 days until my birthday. Finally, the baby of the bunch turns 21. I've waited very patiently for this day to arrive, and in return I think I deserve a quality birthday celebration with my wonderful friends and family. 

I am absolutely dying to go camping. I've been talking about it so much lately that I think my family finally gave in and agreed to go. What better way to start my birthday weekend than a family camping trip to Fall Creek Falls. My fingers are crossed that we actually make it there.  

Love for Enemies

    ²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you. 

   ³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

At Fellowship Bible on Sunday, we studied Luke 6: 27-36. I can remember learning about this passage when I was in elementary school, but those were the days where our biggest worries were centered around who ate the most gummy bears at lunch time and who knew how to color inside the lines. Years later, I am brought back to this passage, and for the very first time I am hoping to live in accordance to this scripture. 

I can't tell you the last time I "did good to those who hate me", possibly because I've never attempted to live my life in such a manner. Doesn't that sound silly? Love my enemies? Bless those who curse me, and pray for those who mistreat me? I don't consider myself a mean person, but I'm not quick to bless people who hurt my feelings. I've got it all wrong. As Christians, we are called to love those that do us wrong. How great is our God that he wants us to love one another even in the midst of anger, confusion, and hurt.

The infamous golden rule lies within the pages of the Bible, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." So, this is my promise to myself and to the world, I will no longer curse my enemies, but I will begin to love them, pray for them, and seek a righteous relationship with them. I will no longer spend hours upon hours with a broken heart because of hurtful actions, but I will instead pray for my brothers and sisters and above all do good to them.

As Luke writes, our reward for living this way is far greater than any other reward in the universe.

"At the end of the day faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don't really expect it. Its like one day you realize that the fairy tale may be slightly different than you dreamed. The castle, well, it may not be a castle. And its not so important happy ever after, just that its happy right now. See once in a while, once in a blue moon, people will surprise you , and once in a while people may even take your breath away."

-Meredith Grey

Oh glorious day.

On Sunday I made the most important decision I have made thus far in my life- I publicly committed my life to Christ by getting baptized. Everything about this day was absolutely perfect. I was surrounded by my greatest friends in the world, and I could not have asked for more love and encouragement.

When I first started to pray about this day and how exactly I should go about it, I had no idea who was going to actually baptize me. After a few days of prayer, the answer came to me loud and clear. What better person to baptize me than the person that has had the biggest spiritual impact on my life- Cali. Cali, who was my young life leader in high school, is one of my closest friends in the entire world. Her love and support overwhelms my heart, brings me close to her and even closer to Christ.

My relationship with Christ would not be as strong as it is today without Cali's guidance and teaching. She was the first person that truly showed me the gift of salvation and for that I am forever thankful. I feel so blessed to have experienced this wonderful day with Cali; it was a day I will never forget.

I decided to keep my actual baptism private, but asked my wonderful friends to join me after in celebration. I was so excited to enjoy a meal with everyone and to praise God for an amazing day. My friends went above and beyond, and I feel like such a lucky girl. I could never say thank you enough to all the people that made my baptism a very special day for me. Good is so good; yesterday was a fabulous celebration of my love for Christ. It's been a long time coming, but I'm proud to say that I am officially a daughter of our awesome King! I love our Savior, and I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life. Here's to my walk with Jesus!

So thankful to have Cali in my life.

My lovely roomie/bestest. Love you Bessica.

Thank you for taking great care of me, Ry.

So glad Tyler could make it. 

Pretty jewelry box from Jess; she is so creative. 

My seester is 16.

This post is a little overdue, but a wonderful thing happened two weeks ago- my little sister Bobbi turned 16! Well, little as in my younger sister, not little as in smaller than me. It's quite obvious that my sister got our dad's height, she towers over me by 8 or 9 inches. Although Bobbi is taller, stronger, and longer than me, she is still my little sissy and there is not a thing in the world that I wouldn't do for her. So although this is a little late, Happy birthday Bobbi Renee! You really are my best friend, my wonderful sister, and my better half. I love you, and wouldn't trade our relationship for the world. 

"It's hard to be responsible, adult and sensible all the time.  How good it is to have a sister whose heart is as young as your own." Pam Brown