Memory Lane

Let's have a stroll, shall we?

Ben and I when we first dated- Summer of '06.

Summer of '07- My first trip Missions trip to Mexico.

Spring of '08- My dear friend, Katie's wedding.

Summer of '08- Second missions trip to Mexico.

Summer of '08- Beloved friends at our music venue/outreach that my family owned and operated for a year called "The Red Door"

Spring of '09- My beautiful sisters and I on my 22nd birthday.

Spring of '09- 22nd Birthday with friends at Peg Leg Pete's on the beach

Summer of '09- My gorgeous cousin, Sonya's wedding.

I can't believe it's 2010. I also can't believe that I am on the verge of turning 23. How in the world did that happen? I haven't been a teenager for 3 years now. Insanity. Some days I feel like I'm still 17. It's the strangest thing.

I was just going through old pictures and these ones in particular brought back some spectacular memories and I thought I would share. The last 4 years have been a bit crazy and SO much has transpired within them. Life has changed drastically from year to year and I mean, DRASTICALLY. I can only imagine what these next few years hold. I'm so blessed and fortunate to have experienced so much for my young age. I've been to 2 countries, traveled the states numerous times, been in 2 weddings, had one boyfriend, learned another language, played music, completed a plethora of journals, learned so much about myself, realized how important family is, discovered who my dearest and truest friends were, fell in love all over again and more importantly, discovered that life without my creator is so pointless and mundane.

I'm very much looking forward to this next season in my life. I feel it will be a season of tremendous growth, wonder and life. I'm so blessed.

Here's to many more to come...

Homesick.

I'm missing my family extra much this week. I've been SO emotional this week. Poor Ben sat and listened to me cry about it last night. He was so sweet and just listened and held me. I am so lucky to have such a caring and sweet person as my boyfriend.

I miss my mom's cooking, hanging out with my sisters, talking to my parents in person, my dad's silly songs and jokes. I just miss them all so much. It's so weird how "on my own" I actually am now. I do love being independant but I miss my loved ones being in my every day life so very much. I feel like I'm missing out on so much of their lives and vice versa.

Those of you who live far from your familes, how do you cope?

I know that as time goes on, it will get easier. It's just something that I'm having to get used to.

I have an incredible family and sometimes I forget how blessed I am. My parents have been happily married for 24 years and have given us a wonderful life. I grew up in a loving home with a solid foundation. I seriously could not be more blessed. I'm so thankful.

I'm hoping to make a trip up to Charlotte with Ben next month for my 23rd birthday. I seriously can't believe that I'm turning 23. Blows my mind. I hope to be with my favorite people for it. If not, this will be my first birthday ever being away from my family. I don't like that idea, at all.

On another note, my Dad's ministry website is up and running! I'm so excited for him and all that God is doing through he and my mom. So many exciting things are on the horizon for them and I couldn't be more thrilled for them. Check it out here.

Happy Thursday!

Takin' it on back. Now and Then.

I came across this picture the other day as I was going through old photo albums and it just cracked me up so much...

My cousin Sonya and I circa 2002.

Sonya and I this past August at her wedding rehearsal dinner.

Some say we favor each other. I'm not sure if I see it but I'll take that extremely flattering compliment any day ;)

♥

Valentine's day is a somewhat silly and commercialized holiday but when you have a significant other, it is wonderful. :)

I hope you all had a happy heart day!

I know I did.

Ben brought me flowers before church and then after church, he took me to Destin and we ate at Cantina Laredo, a fabulous gourmet mexican restaurant. Their guacamole is to die for. Seriously. Everything about that place is just fabulous. The weather was also absolutely beautiful. Perfect day.

We exchanged gifts. He handmade me a precious card and wrote the most amazing things within it. Made me cry. He also got me a digital picture frame, something that I have been wanting. I got him a picture frame filled with 6 pictures, 3 from when we dated when we were 17 and 3 recent ones. We both loved our gifts.

The night ended with me getting a little sick- ugh. We hung out at my apartment for a bit and I fell asleep, naturally.

It was a fabulous Valentine's day.

I ♥ my valentine.

Finally, some pictures of the apartment...

Here it is! I still haven't had the chance to hang pictures or get a kitchen table but here is the gist. I love it! It's so cozy and perfect.

Sweet Ben pretty much provided us with every solitary piece of furniture with the exception of my roommate's bedroom furniture.

It's perfect. I'm so happy and blessed. :)














The living room.

Loveseat and paper lamp from target that I love :)

One side of our little alley kitchen.

My bedroom. (need to hang pictures)

Meagan's bedroom.

Attempted self portrait to show you our somewhat hideous bathroom wallpaper. Oh well. Character, right?


















Roomie and I!

I'll try and post more when I hang pictures and all that fun stuff. So far, we're really loving it. It's so nice to have our own place! The location couldn't be more perfect and the size is also perfect.

Happy Thursday everyone!

The National Weather Center is calling for SNOW tonight and early tomorrow morning. SNOW! I live in Florida! We don't get snow. We're supposed to get 2-4 inches. That blows my mind. I'm crossing my fingers and praying that we do because then I will have work off tomorrow and I would absolutely love a 3 day weekend! Bring it on, Mother Nature. Then again, people will probably go crazy here. I guess it's a win/lose situation. It would be fun, nonetheless.

Hope all of you northerners are staying nice and warm!

Moved, yet again.

We're officially moved in!

The move went rather smoothly. I ended up with way more than I thought I would at the end of the day! Such a blessing!

I have the sweetest boyfriend of all time and his parents are also quite amazing. They helped me SO much and provided so much as well. Pretty much everything in my apartment is from them. Insane. I don't take it for granted, though. I couldn't have done it without them. So blessed.

Moving day began soon after we went to sign the lease at 9am on Saturday morning. I went and picked Ben up and he helped me load all of my belongings into my car. We moved all day long. It was fun but also, tiring. I was anxious to get everything in and set up and we got it all done before it got dark!

That night, Ben surprised me with a brand new stainless steel coffee pot and microwave! I got dishes, glassware and a new comforter. Everything is coming together really nicely and I feel so blessed!

We don't have internet at the apartment yet, so I haven't been able to update much but I hope to post pictures soon!

Just got news that my Dad will be in Tallahassee this weekend! The circumstance is unfortunate as a dear friend of his has passed away and he will be speaking at the funeral. I'm glad that I will get to see him though. I'll be driving over there this weekend. He's also bringing me a lot of my stuff that has been in Charlotte as I originally had planned to move up there. It will be nice to be reunited with my belongings.

Pictures coming soon...