Sweet Southern Pearl

  I realized that there is a LOT I haven't caught up on... with graduation this past May being one big thing.    On May 4, I had two graduations to attend for some very special friends. Brooke graduated Valedictorian of Laurel University! I was so proud of her. She worked so hard to accomplish this.  Her speech was perfect! It was a wonderful time for her, her family, and her friends.                 Onto graduation at HPU! This was very bittersweet for me, seeing as how I had walked across that very stage just a year earlier, and I was also seeing my friends graduate, knowing they were going to be leaving and going back home to different states :(   I am so proud of Leanna, Meghan, Monyae, and Blair, but I miss them all terribly! I'm so glad I got to attend their graduation, though...and get pictures with them afterward! Great memories :)       ...

  I can't believe I didn't acknowledge yesterday that it was the first day of July! July is such an exciting month. I especially love the 4th of July - Independence Day! There are lots of birthdays in July as well.   I'm really excited to see what this July holds! I absolutely  love going into stores and seeing all the red, white, and blue and patriotic things. I love seeing fireworks stands set up in Walmart parking lots. I love watching the fireworks every year as if I've never seen fireworks before. I even love the smell of fireworks and bug spray . I love 4th of July cookouts. I love red, white, and blue sweets. I love spending time with family and friends. I love wearing patriotic outfits. I love celebrating the greatest country in the world! I'm so thankful for our country - the people who founded it, the people who fight for it, and the people who love it. God bless America!     What are your plans for the 4th of July?! ...

Monday Motivation/Manicure Monday!!       This week's motivation:    This is so important to remember! Love, love, love. Love when it's hard. Love when it seems impossible. Love when you don't think others don't deserve it. Love because God first loved you. Love til it hurts.           And onto my nails:    They look a bit cuter in person, but I LOVE to be patriotic, so I went with red, white, and blue with gold glitter this week :)           Hope everyone has a wonderful week and an amazing Fourth of July!               eBa

  This quote seemed fitting to me for this week because my heart and mind have been so heavy the past few days and weeks. There's so much going on that I catch myself thinking and worrying all the time.   Instead of worrying, PRAY! Pray, pray, pray. God even tells us NOT to worry! HE will take care of our needs. He will take care of it all.     "So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34   .........................................   In addition to other things, I was really worried and bummed about missing most of VBS at church this week. VBS has always been one of my favorite parts of the summer, ever since I was tiny.   God knew my disappointment, and I found a church to help with VBS at in Boone - right beside my apartment complex! I'm so excited to see what God does this week :)         Hope every...

    June 21st - the first day of summer, the longest day of the year, and national "Wear Your Lilly Day!"   Summer has become my favorite season, so today is super exciting for me!   I've been listening to the song "Summer Breeze" by Seals and Crofts all day, because it's perfect for two reasons:   1) It's about summer (duh). 2) And the first line is "See the curtains hangin' in the window in the evening on a Friday night"   And today is Friday!   Perfect!       Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and a fantastic summer!!             eBa

In two days, one of the houses that "built me" will be a mere memory to me.   When my dad was 7 years old, his parents moved the family down to High Point from Galax, Virginia. They moved into a ranch-style brick home that would be filled with years and years of love and happiness.   My dad grew up in this house, and from what I've seen in pictures, and from what I know from my experiences, if the walls could talk, they'd have so much to say .   I go to the house almost every day. Not because I'm a crazy person, and not because I have emotional issues, but because I like to have peace and quiet to read, it's a comforting place, it's a wonderful place to talk to God for hours without any distractions, and yes, because I know that it won't be long before I can't go there at all, and I want to go while I can. I want to savor it while it's there for me to enjoy.   I know it's just a house. Walls and floors and carpet and brick....

    I finally did it!! I had a birthday party for Honeygirl!   I've wanted to for a while, and she's like 13 now, so that's a lot to celebrate! [[I saw on Kathie Lee and Hoda the other day where some people had sent in pictures of their dogs' birthday parties. SO cute.]]   So two Sundays ago, I made a sign, went and got balloons and party hats, frozen yogurt with doggie treats inside from Feeney's, a little cake, put Honeygirl's sassy summer dress on her, and we had a party!   Honeygirl loved the frozen yogurt with the doggie treats inside. She ate some cake too! Granny brought her a gift and when she opened it she found MORE doggie treats! She stuck her whole head inside the bag trying to get them out. It was adorable.   Honeygirl was a regular party animal and thoroughly enjoyed her birthday bash. I love her so much.   The whole party was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.     ...