Here's to 2011. Cheers to 2012.

I don't know about you, but 2011 sure did fly by! Looking back at pictures, it sure was a blast with many learning experiences. From concerts to a tornado I'll never forget to summer nights making new friends to an awesome trip to NYC to football games to Sunday night dinners, and many many more memories that weren't captured on film {and trust me, there are tons}!

Fun concerts . . .
21st Birthday
Trips to Auburn
4.27 tornado Summer at the lake
July 4th with new and old friends
Reunion
NYC trip
Last one to turn 21
Sunday night dinners
Braves Game
Alabama Football
House 23 Tacky/Dress To the Nines Christmas Party
Christmas Sunday Night Dinner
Sibling Christmas
I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring. Here's a start on the bucket list . . . more to come next week.
Trips I'd like to make because 1) I've never been there {Chicago, Santa Monica, Boston, and Washington D.C.} and 2) I'd like to visit more often
1. NYC
2. Chicago
3. Santa Monica
4. Boston
5. Washington D.C.

Goals
1. Start a healthier lifestyle
2. Work less, play more
3. Take more pictures
4. Enjoy the sunshine
5. Spend less money, spend more time with friends and family

And as John Mayer says . . .
"May this be the year that things go your way most of the time, and when they don’t, may you have great friends to lean on."

i'm back!

Sorry readers for the lack of posting last week, I was out for a family emergency. My grandfather was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome which is a strange and very rare case basically where your body's immune system attacks your nervous system leaving you paralyzed {read more in depth here}. Luckily it is curable, it's just a very long and slow progress. Needless to say, keep him in your thoughts and prayers!

I've been playing catch up over the week, but got a break Thanksgiving Day to spend some time with the family! Friday I spent the morning shopping . . . did any of y'all score some awesome deals?!?! I sure did!

I had a BIG football weekend! My highschool alma mater landed in the championship game which they will be playing in the beautiful Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday. Can't wait to see the baby bro play! AND the game ending rivaly week was Alabama v. Auburn. Roll Tide to that . . . Bama won 42-14!!! Now if only I can score a ticket to the National Championship game down in NOLA {cough, cough Mom, that would be a GREAT Christmas present}!

I also send my apologies to my Pinterest followers, I have been obsessing over Polyvore. Check it out if you haven't already. It's a neat website where you can shop/organize outfits. Here are some of my favorite outfits . . .

Even though the Christmas music has been playing on my iPod for a few weeks now, I've just recently come across this rendition by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. If you're in the Birmingham area, they're playing at Workplay December 14th {more information here}!

weekend roundup

One thing I learned this weekend . . . friends uplift the soul. Not that I didn't know that already, but I realized how blessed I am with an incredibly group of friends. Here's a photo from our tail gate on Saturday . . . let's just not mention the game other than the fact that there's still a shot at #14.

Best Friends.

Hope this song brightens your Monday just a little bit!

Yesterday was Meredith's 22nd birthday, so pictures to come soon! And thanks to Kari for all the pictures since I can't ever remember to bring mine out.

weekend roundup + motto

Happy Monday! What a whirlwind of a weekend! Life has been non-stop for the past couple of weeks, and it's definitely catching up {starting with a cold coming on}, but I'm determined to stop it ASAP! The weekend started off right with a good friend visiting from Auburn that I've known since way back in middle school, Katie! Saturday was full of anticipation and good times with friends at the game, which I must say, they are pretty awesome! If you happened to not catch the game, Alabama dominated Tennessee {37 - 6}.

This weeks motto . . .

Weekend Roundup

Hello there readers! Last week was exhausting from work and school so I planned for a relaxing weekend . . . well that didn't happen quite well. It was packed full of fun! Friday we went and saw Moneyball {which I highly recommend going to see}. Saturday some friends went to see Alabama dominate on Ole Miss turf, and Sunday we took a quick trip to Birmingham to hear Katie Davis speak.

Kelsey, Meredith, and myself at the game! We took a 3.5 hour road trip to Mississippi. I must say one of my favorite things are car rides, there is always such interesting conversation.

John David scored us some awesome seats in the visitor player's section . . . we were right next to the end zone!

Here's a snap shot not soon after the second half started of the Ole Miss student section. Let's just say it cleared out pretty quickly.

Final score: 52 - 7!!

But the real highlight of the game was Trent Richardson's uncle sat in front of us. Which was wildly entertaining, 1) because he got really excited every time Trent had a great play {which was just about every other drive} and 2) because it was funny watching fans try to get his attention/ high five him when Trent had a great run/ get a picture with him.
Back in March of 2010 I posted about Katie Davis. Katie has an amazing story where she moved to Uganda right out of high school at the age of 18 and now is 23 with 13 adopted children, living out the word of God. Her blog shares her stories and tribulations of life and how God is working through her to help others. Some friends and I were very fortunate to see her last night at The Church of Brook Hills, also the home church of David Platt. She is one humble lady for sure! I love how she has done so many great things with her life, but when people give her praises she just refutes them and says that she is just "doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him".

road trip

Senior year was promised to be full of fun and excitement and what's better than a spontaneous trip to a Braves game?!

Roommate!

Oh hey Jason Heyward

Matthew was so nervous

Dancing King's go to Alan and Matthew {who is not shown, but I have a hilarious video of them}!

meet my roommate jordan

1. What’s your middle name and how do you feel about it?
Denise, I like it because I was named after my aunt.
2. Talk about your piercings and/or tattoos.
I have both my ears pierced and my cartilage pierced but I had to take it out because it hurt too badly. As for tattoos, I have a heart and a cross on my ankle. I am not against another tattoo . . . maybe one with my husband, but we’ll see!
3. Your favorite television program?
I love The Bachelor, but I’m a sucker for reality TV on Bravo and E!
4. Favorite retail stores/Designers.
J. Crew, Francesca’s Collection. As for designers, Michael Kors {I just a watch and a purse for my birthday!}, Cole Haan, Kate Spade.
5. Tell us your 3 favorite books.
1) Hunger Games Trilogy 2) The Help 3) Redeeming Love
6. Your favorite season and why?
Fall, because of the food, football, nice weather, and the delicious smells!
7. Thoughts on Harry Potter and Twilight?
Love them both! Twilight books should have been in my last. And I’ve been to all the movie premiers!
8. Top 3 favorite bands?
1) Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors 2) Needtobreathe 3) Adele
9. Siblings? What are they like?
Alec: 2 years younger than me, very cool, loves sports and his car, very sensitive and thoughtful, head strong
Trent: 5 years younger than me, big teddy bear, thoughtful and sensitive as well, really easy going
10. Favorite junk food?
Cake! Yellow cake with chocolate frosting or better than sex cake!
11. Favorite Disney princess?
I love the Swan Princess even though no one knows who she is.
12. Thoughts on Ugg boots?
Their hideous, but I still wear them because they are warm and comfortable!
13. Soda, Pop, or Coke?
Soda, but Coke since I live in the south
14. What are your opinions on Lady Gaga?
I think she’s weird as crap, but I secretly love her. I love her music!
15. What are your guilty pleasures?
Shopping, reading, and a good movie, popcorn, and coke . . . can’t beat it!
16. One place you’d like to visit.
Hawaii
17. Who was your first celebrity crush?
Justin Timberlake, and now Ryan Gosling
18. Pinterest, facebook, or twitter?
Pinterest and Facebook and still haven’t jumped on the Twitter wagon.
19. Let’s talk organization . . . are you a post-it notes, planner, or go with the flow kind of gal?
Couldn’t live without my planner.
20. Concert or movie?
Concert because of the atmosphere. My first concert was probably some Christian artist my mom took me to. My last concert was Dave Barnes. And my next will hopefully be Needtobreathe!

meet my roommate meredith.

1. What’s your middle name and how do you feel about it?
Caryn, love it! If I have a daughter, that’s what I’m naming her!
2. Talk about your piercings and/or tattoos.
I just got my ears pierced 3 years ago because I played soccer all my life and couldn’t wear earrings. No tattoos.
3. Your favorite television program?
The Nanny!!!!
4. Write about your closest friends.
Julie is crazy. Kari is in love with her kids at work, Sarah is a wiener. Kelsey is the girl next door. Butter is a hippie. Jordan is the girlfriend.
5. Tell us your 3 favorite books.
1) The Bible 2) The List {Marian Jordan} 3) When God Writes Your Love Story {Eric and Leslie Ludy}
6. Your favorite season and why?
Fall, football the weather is spectacular.
7. Thoughts on Harry Potter and Twilight?
Great movies, but haven’t read the books.
8. Top 3 favorite bands?
1) Needtobreathe 2) Hillsong/Hillsong United 3) Jimmy Needham
9. Siblings? What are they like?
Maura: best friends, mom of precious Freddie, and eco-friendly
Blake: big brother, protective, and a pilot on the weekends
10. Favorite junk food?
Moose Tracks Ice Cream
11. Favorite Disney princess?
Cinderella
12. Thoughts on Ugg boots?
So comfortable
13. Soda, Pop, or Coke?
Coke
14. What are your opinions on Lady Gaga?
Strongly dislike
15. What are your guilty pleasures?
I really love eating French fries, watching movies late at night
16. One place you’d like to visit.
Greece!
17. Who was your first celebrity crush?
Aaron Carter . . . and now Channing Tatum
18. Pinterest, facebook, or twitter?
All three please!
19. Let’s talk organization . . . are you a post-it notes, planner, or go with the flow kind of gal?
Go with the flow
20. Concert or movie?
Concert, first one was Britney Spears in 5th grade, the last one was Steve Moakler 3 weeks ago and the next one, hopefully Needtobreathe!

needtobreathe + 21st

Needtobreath's l-atest album came out this week and I highly recommend purchasing it! One of my favoritites. . . .

And my roommate Jordan FINALLY turned 21!!!! More pictures to come out later today!

weekend roundup

Roll Tide! It was a fun gameday Saturday in Tuscaloosa . . . and by fun I mean lots of picture taking, goofing around, and fellowship with friends during the game! Not to be mistaken, we watched the game, but after we were toppling North Texas by about 24 pts, I lost interest. Here's a round of photos, enjoy! Roommates! {true fact: girl in the background hasn't shaved her legs in a year}Note Sarah's tube socks.

John David got to dress out!

And photo of the night belongs to Kelsey and Sarah. You are both beautiful {inside and out}!
Hope that last photo made your day, if not then have a listen Ben Rector's new song titled "She Is"

Or John Mayer and Tony Bennett's take of "One For My Baby"