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