Wow...just wow.

I can't believe all the terrible things that have happened in the past 36 hours. What can you really say?

Yesterday around 6:45 mom woke me up, saying we were going to go to Scottsboro to take my driver's test and get her license renewed (it was her birthday...). Even in my sleepiness I told her that we'd never make it up there because of the storms. And if we did, it'd be closed. I wasn't very happy. We agreed to take the baby, Elissa, with us so that Aunt Stephanie could get some things done for work. Right after the baby got there, is when the storm started. It wasn't bad at first...I even fell asleep waiting on it to go by. I woke up with a phone call from my Dad saying we needed to get ready cause it was about to get bad. Soon after, the tornado sirens at Bryant School went off. Loud enough for us to hear it, about 5 minutes away. Dad called again saying that there was a tornado heading towards Bryant and it will be there in minutes. So mom told me to hold the baby and get in the bathtub with a couch cushion over my head (they say that's one of the safest places to be in a trailer...we have a double-wide). Mom went over to get Grandmother so we would all be together...they took so long coming back, and things got so bad so quickly, I ended up getting out of the bathtub to be ready to help them as they came over...I thought I'd have to help one of them, especially if they fell. I was so nervous my whole body was shaking and I was tearing up...I hate being alone, especially in a storm. Especially with a 6 month old baby. But they finally made it over and the storm passed not long after.

After all was calm, the sun even came out! I thought, how in the world could another storm be just a couple hours away? Well, it really was. Mom and Grandmother thought they'd try and go on to Scottsboro after getting a hold of the court house and finding out that they were still open. They got right up the road and turned back around. Decided not to risk it, I guess. That was probably around 10 a.m. est. Around 2:30, the sky started to get dark. The wind started to pick up until the trees looked like they were about to snap in half. I had been watching Schindler's List and ended up just turning it off. I got nervous for Grandmother who was at her house a few yards away, alone. So me and mom decided to go check on her before it go too bad...we walked off the porch, took 2 steps and heard popping noises...then mom yelled "ouch!" We looked, and hail was coming down. We ran back up the porch and into the house and just prayed that Grandmother would be okay. We watched for a long time, and I even videoed the quarter sized hail a little bit but it was coming down hard. Dad was headed home right in the middle of all of this..he works in Tiftonia, where they had gotten hit BAD that morning. The hail was coming down hard enough to dent Dad's car so he stopped on the side of the road to stop further damage and so it wouldn't bust out his windshield. I told him I'd rather the car be tore up and him home than for him to stop on the side of the road...but he loves his car. Finally it slacked off enough for Dad to get home. I feel like I finally could breath when Daddy walked in the house.

Around 6, we were sooo hungry, the power had just went off, but I found out Cassie's restaurant was open...cooking with gas. So I text Cassie and we went to go get it. She actually had never gotten my text so we sat over there as she was at the restaurant ALONE and cooked all this food for us. It started to hail a little and we decided to sit over there with her for a few minutes until it calmed down and hopefully her boyfriend got back from getting a generator. So once it calmed down, we headed home. Mom told me to keep an eye on the skies in case I saw something...it even started hailing again before we got home. But thankfully we made it into the house, soaked, but safe. Not long after, we got a text from Cassie saying that her people had just gotten back so it worked out perfectly. Actually, it didn't even get that bad at our house the third time. It kept raining, thundered and lightning-ed a few times but that was about it. The rest of the night was relatively calm and I actually slept so well. Could be from all the stress of trying to make sure all of my family and friends were okay, maybe because it was pitch black and nothing else to do...I don't know.

Sadly through all of these storms, I lost a dear friend of mine, Chelsie Boatner-Black. Honestly, when I found out I couldn't believe it. I even said no she didn't! It's so hard to wrap my head around the fact that one day someone can be on Facebook, posting pictures or saying how much she loved a certain show, and the next, she's gone. Chelsie graduated with me in 2009...in my Senior book she wrote how she couldn't wait to see me receive the Holyghost. Sadly, she never got to see me with it. But I will make her proud. And one day, I will see her again! I love you Chelsie! You are greatly missed already!

Also, we've lost Morgan Sigler and Scott Atterton...Morgan lived right up the road from me and Scott lived right around "the loop" growing up. They were both very sweet people and very funny. I hate to think they they had so much life to live and so much potential but it was taken away so quickly! All the deaths and losses that have happened lately have made me really think. Life is short. Live it up, but live for the Lord. Do the best you can do. Love EVERYBODY. Petty fights are NOT worth it in the end.

So if you're reading this, and you've read this far, you're a true friend. lol I know you probably didn't really care, but you read anyways. I would like you to know (yes, YOU) that I LOVE YOU. You are a friend of mine, and if you ever need ANYTHING you let me know. I will be there for you.

<3 April

Smokies & Easter (:

Okay, first thing's first, Holy Snikeys! I have 18 followers! :D Yay! Thanks guys! haha

Now, Thursday evening around 3, me, Brett and Hil headed on an epic adventure to the always amazing, SMOKEY MOUNTAINSSSS!!! WHOOOO! (: It was so much fun! After our over ten hour drive to Davenport, the 3 hour drive to the Smokies felt like going to Trenton. lol Nothing. The whole time we made random Pterodactyl noises and screamed EW and HEY! lol Well that was mostly me and Hil. And we pretty much made Brett wanna stab us in the eye. haha. But it was pretty funny. Anywho, we quickly made it to the hotel with ZERO stops along the way! Once we got there, we didn't even go in, we just went to the nearest Arby's cause we were quite hungry! lol It was either SUPER delicious or I was VERY hungry. Or both. Whatever. ahaha Then we went back to the room to watch American Idol and see Katy Perry so obviously lip synch her way through E.T. that it was sickening. And then see Kanye-I'm gonna let ya finish-West...yuck. Anyways, after that we headed back out to some random shops and before we did, we had to give Sis. Towana the extra key to our room. When we went by their door, Brett pounded like CRAZY on it, actin a fool because Sis. Towana had went hysterical beating on our door before. Well, when we heard the "what!?" come from the room, Brett realized that it wasn't her mother. So we flipped out and ran to hide. We decided to play it cool and go ahead and walk out to the parking lot but those people were out there on the balcony yelling and calling names that I'm pretty sure were directed towards us. (Later on, I had the door open and the lady walked by and gave me the stank eye stare...I was scared but I just smiled hoping she wouldn't see through my expression. lol) They were pretty angry...and it was all an accident. :/

(This is how we slept for the duration of our stay. lol)

After we got done freaking out and shopping we came back to the hotel to end up watching the same episode of America's Best Dance Crew, twice. lol

Friday we woke up early to go shopping at the Tanger Outlets and I was sooo glad I went! Everything at Old Navy was 40% off and I got a super cute little sweater and FINALLY got a zip up hoodie!!! haha. I've been meaning to get one FOREVER and I finally got around to it when Summer's on its way! Oh well. You always have those chilly Summer nights! Hilary even befriended a pigeon! (:

 After we got done shopping there, we went to the hotel, put on our dressy outfits and went to Gatlinburg! We walked around there for a while trying to wait on the sun to go down enough to take some pictures without squinty eyes and only got a couple in. I got to buy an awesome Free Hugs t-shirt though and a tote bag, that matches my overnight bag and satchel (houndstooth!), for my hair products when I go on a trip. lol We got some cute pics taken that day that I'm pretty excited about, but I'm waiting on Hil to get the rest of those to me. haha.

We even had a five year old moment, and jumped on the beds! hahaha it was pretty funny but I feel bad for the people in the room right under us...lol

That night we came home, put on our pj's and talked for a long time... went out to a gas station at like 12:30 to fill up the car and get drinks, and then take some more pics when we got back. 

Gangsta face? Idk. hahaha 

Overall, it was a VERY good trip and I had an absolute blast with 2 of my best friends by far! (: It was good to just get away! 

My past 4 days (:

So the past 4 days I have been in beautiful, warm and sunny FLORIDA!

I'll admit it, until last weekend, I was NOT excited about the TEN hour drive to Davenport, Florida. But that was before I found out that TWO of my BEST FRIENDS were going with me. (: The Wednesday night before my birthday, Hilary and Bailey came up here to spend some time with me...that night, we asked them to go with us to Florida. They had to talk it over with their parents but by the time Monday rolled around, both of them had the okay to go! I was so happy! Everything is MUCH more fun with your best friends! So after many texts all week and planning, planning, planning, Friday morning rolled around! At about 8:30 Friday morning, we left the house and went to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrell in Tiftonia! (Ahhmazing btw!) We then left from there to meet up with Uncle Larry, his family and Sis. Glenda and Sis. Trudy and we were on our way! We rode, and rode, and RODE it seemed like FOREVER (taking random pics along the way and sleeping)

 until we finally stopped at Red Lobster in Orlando (we snacked pretty much all the way. lol) around 8 p.m.! The food at Red Lobster was absolutely fantastic (Shrimp Trio---yummm!)

After we finished eating, we headed to the house and the home with the people us girls would be staying with (shout out to Leia and Kayla! (: ) We started to the house and we were sooo tired. Us girls started to watch "Tangled" and about passed out so we went to bed. lol 

Saturday morning we got up early to get ready to go to the beach! We went and got some breakfast and after about 20 stinkin stops (it seemed) we finally took the hour and a half drive to the beach! A long time, yes, but it was TOTALLY worth it! Melbourne Beach was absolutely gorgeous and a BLAST!!! 

We left around 3 and headed home to get ready for the singing. 10 people getting showers and ready in about an hour and half? Check! (By this time, Shaun, Curtis and Donovan had joined us!) We went to the house and invited over the Davenport teens to hang with us! The boys swam in their (very decent) clothes and we sat around the pool talking to them and laughing. Singing " la la la la la, la la la la la, la la la la la lalalalala, doo doo doo doo dee doo, ahhhhhhhhh!!!" with Bailey and the girls every few minutes! It was pretty great! (: We went back to the girls' house and hung out with them for a little bit and we went to bed again! (It's tiring going to the beach! lol) 

We got up Sunday morning to head to church, hoping and praying that we'd get to go to the beach again that afternoon. And sure enough, we did! (: We skipped Sunday night's service and this time we headed to Cocoa Beach! We got there and had another blast! The water was SO warm but the wind was pretty chilly! The waves weren't as rough as they were in Melbourne but we still had a great time jumping them! Afterwards, we got dry, warm clothes on watched the full moon rise over the ocean! It was absolutely gorgeous! (:

 Shaun, Mom and Nana showing off their crazy hair!

 Me and Shaun after he threw my shell back in the ocean. ):

On the dock watching the moon rise over the ocean! (:

We headed home and Shaun, Curtis and Donovan headed home. (Shaun and Curtis had to work, Donny had school Monday morning.) They got home at almost 7 in the morning. The rest of us went to the house where the girls went swimmig in FREEZING water with Leiah and Kayla! After teeth chattering, warm showers and the girls headed home, we sat out on the patio talking and playing spoons until 2 in the morning. We had an early morning to get ready to go home so we went to bed not long after. I slept like a log. haha. 

Monday morning we got up at 8 am to finish cleaning the house, get our things together and get ready to head home. We went to Cracker Barrell and ate breakfast again (the last time left a fantastic memory..haha) and met up with the rest of our peeps there. We headed home and sang, chilled, laughed, and slept all the way home. We finally stopped in Chattanooga to eat at the Terriyaki House *very good btw*, and got home around 10 pm. We talked to Bail and Hil for a bit and then they headed home too! I'm so glad that we had the RIGHT people spending the weekend with us! We had a great time and got even closer on the trip! I love my friends! Can't wait til our August trip to Gulf Shores!!! (: (: (: 

The past couple days...

have been so much fun! I've spent the majority of Tuesday and today with Alexis and Kris! It's been great! Last night Kris called and asked if I'd help decorate for Dee's household shower at Higdon...of course, I said yes. And it ended up being so cute! I'm glad I got to help with that at least since I will be in Florida this weekend! (I'll talk about that later.) So we went there to fix all that up and before, we went to eat at Cloud's which was soo good. lol

So this is how a normal conversation between me and Lex on the phone goes. (Example is from this morning.)
*RING RING*
Me: Hello?
Lex: What are you doing?
Me: Eating soup, why?
Lex: Put the soup down, we're going to Chattanooga!

haha Idk how many times that that has happened to me! I love it! (: So today, I went to Chatt with Kris and Lex! We went and ate at P.F. Changs *Sesame Chicken...yummm* (Where I got Happy Birthday sung to me by a former American Idol contestant!)

 and to Forever 21 and a couple other shops. I'm so excited cause I found a summer dress there for $12!!! And a super cute shirt for $13! It was awesome! So now I have a new outfit for the beach! (: Yay me! lol We ended up going to Sonic TWICE for drinks (before and after the trip) and I got them to try a Chocolate Dr. Pepper! haha. It was pretty good!

*Side Note* I'M GOING TO FLORIDA THIS WEEKEND!!! I can't waitttt!!! It's gonna be sooo awesome since 2 of my best friends (and maybe a third!!!), Bailey and Hilary are going with me!!! (: We're going down there for a singing but getting to go to the beach too so I'm super excited about that! I haven't been in almost 2 years! Ahh! lol Hopefully I'll come back darker than before....

*2nd Side Note* The Thursday after I get back from Florida on Monday, I'm heading to the Smokies with the bestie Brett! Whoo! I'm so excited! It's gonna be a total blast, I know! (:

This month is shaping up to be soooo amazing! I love it! (:

Just because everything's changing, doesn't mean it's never been this way before. All you can do is try to know who your friends are as you head off to the war. - Regina Spektor

self explanatory blog post

Dee's Bridal Shower!

 I finally got to see Mrs. Clayton again (:

 Dee had the best toilet paper dress! haha

 Reading off all the things that Devan said while she was opening her gifts!

 Me, Lex and Tator!

 The Bride-To-Be (:

 Mama Hannah!

 The bestie Bee (:

 Tristan with a creeper Bee (:

 Shaky Faces or an Herbal Essence commercial?

I love this picture (:

My BIRTHDAY weekend!!! (:

Okay so we're gonna start with Friday night of course! Blake had a singing at Limrock set up but he wasn't gonna make it home from Augusta in time, so we thought it was cancelled. But instead, they asked Mom to sing. So me and Mom headed to the middle of nowhere, Limrock, Alabama (insert banjo music here). It actually ended up being a LOT of fun. The singing was great and there was a ton of laughter. I got to see Miss Lizzy Rice and that was awesome!!! I got home at 2 a.m. and I was sooo wore out! But sooo glad I went!!!

Me, Shaun and Donovan near the end of the singing when we were getting kinda ridiculous. lol

 So Saturday I have to get up at 7:30 in the morning and be ready to leave by 8:30 to buy food and go decorate the building and fix stuff up for my birthday party! We finally got all that junk done and at 11 people started coming in! At first it was just a few and then more and more. By about 12:30 there was probably 30 or so people there. It was pretty cool. Throughout the day there was at least 60 people! I was very pleased with the turnout and it wasn't just how many people were there, but it was the RIGHT people. The majority of people participated in the games and stuff and it seemed like they all got along. I was very impressed. They played softball, basketball and then we had a water balloon fight! About 500 balloons, gone in 5 min. but it was a blast! And then afterwards, I got an entire bucket of water poured all over me. Happy birthday to me. lol But actually it felt amazing! It was such a beautiful day! Sunshine a lot of the time but a soft breeze made it non-miserable. It all worked out perfectly! (:

(I'll try and put pics of the outside activities later!)

After a lot of the people left and we got ready, we met up with Kenzie and a lot of the Griffin people to go to Steak N Shake and play laser tag! It was a pretty fun night! Especially hanging with Shaun, PJ, Andrew, Megan, Keely and Tasha! They make me laugh until I cry! 

 Me and Andy Rew on the way to Fort O!

I thought that was a pretty cool pic!

 At Steak N Shake with the future Mrs. Bridges! (:

My little Asian friend, Shaun! (:

I got to go to bed at about 1 Sunday morning! (So I'm already pooped.)

Sunday morning I wake up, get a shower and head over to my house (I spent the night with Grandmother since Andrew and JK were staying at the house) to eat breakfast. I go turn my phone on and BAM, 16 text messages telling me happy birthday from FB and friends who actually have my number. This was the beginning of more than 100 texts and facebook messages for my birthday. Made me feel really good! That morning we decided to go to Scottsboro! And we had a REALLY good time! Even though Jameson kept smacking me on my very sunburned forehead and screaming "Oh, btw, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" lol And Loren singing Rocky the Raccoon. ): We went our separate way from Andrew and headed home. We got back for church at the BC, had a fairly short service and went to Amber Kirby's house afterwards for Mexican food and just chillin! It was so much fun! We were singing (at times, terribly) and I was in tears from laughing! People slowly began to leave and we just sat around talking til 12:30 when I finally pretty much had to forced Blake to get up and leave...I was sooo tired. lol 

Overall, my weekend was amazing! I have great friends whom I love very dearly! (: Thanks for making my birthday amazing! (: