Sweet Southern Pearl

  l   o   v   e     On Valentine's Day during the day, a few of us from our newly formed Bible study group ( Sarum, Carmen, Kevin, Zach, and I) got the pleasure of taking candy, cards, and flowers to elderly widows, including Zach's grandmother and great-grandmother and my Granny. It was so sweet to see their reactions and hang out with them a little bit.   ...................................................     Later that evening, Zach brought flowers to my house, gave me the cutest box of candy and stuffed dog, and took me to J&S (FAVO RITE) to eat dinner. It was very yummy. Then we went to Putt Putt! [[All of this was a surprise...I had told him the only thing I HAD to do was see Safe Haven.]] Putt Putt was really fun, and after that we went to starbucks before seeing Safe Haven. It was wonderful and I'm so obsessed [[In fact, I'm gonna dedicate a whole post to it soon!]].   We had a grea...

There's something I absolutely love about the calmness of a Monday morning. Usually, I go work out, but this morning I had a doctor's appointment. Afterward, I went to Michael's and Target. It was pretty early, and the only people out shopping were young moms with young, cute kids. I wasn't in a hurry, I was just browsing.  With a hectic and busy life, it's nice to have some time like that. Picked up some new acrylic paints at Michael's. Didn't get tempted to buy anything at Target. The sky was calm and overcast. Everything was quiet. I love Monday mornings.       And here's your Monday Motivation for this week:                   eBa     

Since it's the last Friday in February, today's Friday Five features five fun things I've done this February (how about that for alliteration??)         On February 1st, Zach and I celebrated our 2.5 years. We ate at Ruby Tuesday the night before, and being the kid that he is, Zach wrote on my plate with ketchup :) We also started our morning workout routine on February 1st and had Waffle House after.     On the weekend of February 8th, our church had its annual DiscipleNow weekend, which is always very moving and powerful.  I was delighted to help out again, this year with high school girls. We always meet cool people from Liberty University and our youth group grows closer together and closer to God. The leaders get to bond as well! It was a great weekend, and we could definitely feel God's presence as He moved among us.     Also that weekend, Granny, Ashley, Zach and I went to the circus! I feel like I'll ...

"Here I go again on my own, Goin' down the only road I've ever known. Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone..."     That's what I'm listening to right now, and what I've had stuck in my head all day. I'll be the first to admit, I love that song. The original is good, but I fell in love with it when I heard the version from Rock of Ages (Don't see the movie; just buy the soundtrack. Save yourself the trouble and get straight to the good stuff).     I am in love with Julianne Hough's voice.     But listening to this song reminded me of something:   No matter how hopeless things may have seemed in the past, or how hopeless they may seem in the future, I am never, ever alone.     "...lo, I am with you always , even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20     Isn't that comforting?         And that, folks, is my two cents worth for the day.   ...

For day three of my "love blogs," I decided to bring back a survey I took last year for Valentine's Day! With the exception of question 11, this is exactly how I filled it out last year, and the answers haven't changed. Just thought I'd post it again to celebrate this year :) 1. How long have you and your significant other been together? Zach and I have been together since August 1, 2010 2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story? } Well, during my second sophomore year in college (hahaha) - Spring 2010 to be exact - I had a radio show with two friends, Shannon and Nick. One Friday night in March, Nick decided to bring his friend Zach to Libby Hill Seafood (where I work) to visit me. From then on, things just kinda grew...Alex and I hung out with Nick and Zach and their friends a lot, and by June, Zach and I decided that we really liked each other :) [[mushy mushy]] 3. If married, how long have you been...

"love blogs" day 2   Disclaimer: I am in no way perfect. No one has a perfect relationship. I am growing and learning, just like anyone else.     but   Many years of mistakes and learning experiences have taught me a few things about relationships. And I'd like to share some of them, and give advice (and you didn't even have to ask for it!).   And when I say "mistake," I don't mean mistake mistake. I mean "learning experience." Everything that has happened to me has been for my growth and made me stronger. Don't equate "mistake" with "regret And like I said, these are just a few. Just a few .     Mistake #1: Dating someone because he's popular.   Don't date a guy because he's popular. Often times, popularity is a negative thing. Especially in high school boys. Just saying. I've found that the very best guys don't have that many guy friends because they don't confor...

Super Special Edition Monday Motivation! Since it's Valentine's week, I'm gonna do blog posts that deal with love for the next four days!   Since today is Monday Motivation day, I'm gonna post some cool pictures/quotes/verses that deal with LOVE! [[[ My favorite are the verses because true love comes from God, and without Him, love isn't possible. ]]]           This last one is the picture of perfect, true love.               eBa 

Friday Five   Today is James Dean's birthday, Bethany Hamilton's birthday, and Gary Coleman's birthday!     James Dean - a legend. Enough said .     Bethany Hamilton is SUCH a great role model, not just for young girls but for everyone. She was thrown a giant obstacle and she overcame it through Christ and now has a wonderful testimony!     And I have been watching Different Strokes with Granny a lot over the past few weeks, and I remember why I used to love it so much! We joke that my boss looks just like Gary Coleman HAHA.       Also, I've been tanning over the past few weeks, and it really relaxes me and helps me fight my winter blues. I love it! (at The Tan Line in HP)       Lastly, I got this book last night BECAUSE I HAVE TO SEE THE MOVIE THE DAY IT COMES OUT and for the first time in about ten years (no lie), I actually have time to read for pleasure. For the past fe...

ALSO....... On this day 10 years ago, my awesome Bible study group had a sleepover. We went to Olive Garden in Winston-Salem at Hanes Mall. It was a two-hour wait. We were a group of like 12 (?) 8th grade girls and our two 11th grade leaders. Margaret and I decided to share a plate of shrimp cooked in wine, but we were legit worried that we would get drunk from eating this shrimp, and I kept asking the waiter if that was true. HAHA. The sleepover was amazingly fun (obviously...because I still remember it really well!). We watched Lilo and Stitch and Like Mike and just hung out and acted like 8th grade girls act. life is so much fun when it's simple and sweet!               eBa

"Throwback Thursday" could technically just be a "Memory of the Day," so I'm confusing and frustrating myself. Let's just do it this way:   Every Thursday, I find a random picture or two and write about it. That will be "Throwback Thursday."   For "Memory of the Day" blogs, I will write about bigger events in my life, and these will be on random days when I feel like writing other than Thursday.   (Just trying to get my blog life organized.)   With that being said, I'll continue with my TBT post.       About two years ago (give or take a few days), Zach and I went to Four Seasons mall in Greensboro to just spend a day shopping and walking around.   We went in one store that had tons of cute stuff, including letter magnets. So Zach, being the creative and sweet person that he is, decided to make a cute little acrostic-type thing:       It was a super fun day. I love shopping with Zach.   ...

February 1st!   February 1st is gonna be my "New Year" ...meaning starting today I'm gonna get serious about doing the things I want/need to do this year. The first thing I'm gonna do is start getting up before 10:30 every day (or most days at least...some days ARE good for sleeping in...). I'm already doing well with some of my resolutions, but January is kind of a recovery month for me and my post-Christmas depression, so February is a good time to get serious.   This February 1st also means that Zach & I have been dating for two and a half years! We celebrated a bit tonight by going to eat :)     For some reason, I just love the first of every month. Like I love the fact that my phone says "Fri Feb 1." It's not only a FRIDAY, but the first day of the month. And I feel like it's gonna be a good one! I'm not good with change, but I really like a fresh start with months. If that makes sense.     .......pr...