Time flies.

Good grief. These past few months have been a whirlwind and I can hardly believe that it's almost December. I just finished my last test until finals and it feels SO good. It's like that feeling you get when you wake up before your alarm clock and realize that you have at least an hour left to sleep. My alarm clock will sound again during finals week, but I am free as a bird until then. Thank you Lord!

Over the past month I've been to a wedding, attended several of my brother's high school football games, played lots of flag football, randomly attended a new Sunday School class, and studied like a maniac. Life is good. Fall in Auburn is beautiful. And I have much to be thankful for.

The Wedding. Hailee, Ashley, and I made a road trip to Dothan for Taylor & John David's wedding. Cathryn, Anna, and the three of us all squeezed into one hotel room for the night and had the best time. It was one of the sweetest ceremonies I've ever attended and Taylor was the most beautiful bride. It's so uplifting to leave a wedding and know that God has been glorified through the joining of two of His children. Of course I shed a few tears, but those were all gone by the time we reached the brunch line at the reception. The spread of food was unbelievable and we ate our little hearts out. On the ride home Hailee and I entertained ourselves by making a list of all of our college formal dates. I'll leave it at that. There were quite a hysterical few.

High school football. It's always fun to re-live the glory days and I've gotten to do this alot lately. My little brother is enjoying his senior year as QB and they have already made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. I've been able to watch several of his games and we're hoping Crenshaw makes it to the Championship! Here's a picture of me and my neighbor from home at the game.

5th year Flag football. Chris, Thomas, Chase, Bo, Scotty B, Jenny, Bethany, Kate, Hillary, Lauren, Amanda, Jessie, Mary Lindsey, Rose and I have all had a ball every Tuesday night under the counsel of our trusty coach John Mark (aka the predator). We call ourselves the "Victory Lap" since we're still hanging onto another year of college. Yes, we even have jerseys. It's great to take a break and cut loose once a week with these wholesome people and so far we're undefeated.

Sunday School. As we were leaving church on Sunday, Alley and I randomly decided to check out the new ladies Sunday School class. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical of just popping in, for fear of what it might entail, but I'm so glad we did it. There were women of all ages and walks of life: married, single, mothers, grandmothers (?? I think). During the class we took turns reading one verse from each book of the Bible that depicts God's love for us. It was different from your typical Sunday School class, but worship knows no boundaries. Those verses were exactly what I needed to hear.

Well, there you have it. Now you know what I've been doing over the past month. I purposefully did not mention studying since it would far outweigh every other paragraph on this page. Hopefully I won't be away from the blogging scene for quite as long from now on. I'll have you know that I've turned into a blog fanatic and absolutely LOVE your posts. So to all you bloggers out there, keep posting.

She's gonna be a Jenkins!

Another one bites the dust. Kasey’s getting married! She called yesterday and I knew exactly why as soon as my phone rang. Kasey and Matt have been at the beach with their families this weekend, and during their jog yesterday morning, he popped the question. I figured it was bound to happen sometime soon, and sure enough, Kasey is going to be a wife. Kasey and I lived right across the hall from each other freshman year in Lupton, and I have been blessed by her friendship ever since. Matt is one lucky guy--and Kasey is one lucky girl.

I figured I should share this. Here are a few pictures from Kasey’s debutante ball in July 2006. Matt was Kasey’s escort, and they were not dating at the time, but all of the pictures from that night look as though we were at their wedding. Kasey’s pretty white gown, Matt’s tux, and all of our friends just made it seem like it was their big day. We all joked about these pictures with Kasey and now it's actually coming true. It really will be their big day oh so soon, and I am so excited!

Yes, that would be Kasey & Matt dancing in the back of the limo. Not yet dating, and still having the best time! Sorry guys. It was obvious that you liked each other, even back then.

Carhartts, Pumpkins, & Soup

Sure. I love spring, summer and winter, too, but there's just something special about this time of year. Leaves are changing, the air is cooler, and you can practically smell football in the air, even though it's just not as sweet this year--at least not for Auburn. Fall is, by far, my favorite season. Let me join a host of others and tell you why:

1. Chilly weather. There's nothing better than rosy cheeks in the crisp autumn air. Carharrt overalls and cowgirl boots are a staple in my wardrobe, even though it makes my mom cringe. Before I head home, our conversation usually consists of her reminding me to "please bring something home other than those boots!"

2. College of Architecture's annual pumpkin carve. I checked out this event for the first time last year and I am bummed that I missed out on the years before! Hundreds of pumpkins are carved by architecture students and put on display for the community to see. I am still amazed at the talent, time, and effort that went into each detail of every pumpkin. These folks are gifted.

3. Taylor's Bakery. Coffee makes studying a whole lot easier, and the atmosphere at Taylor's is the quintessential place to curl up in your fleece with good coffee and school work. Although nothing beats Taylor's vanilla chai, I must admit that I am partial to Cambridge Coffee's white chocolate mocha- soooo good.

4. Heartstrings. The quaintest little shop on College Street. I worked here my junior year and fell in love with the people, the gift wrapping, and just going to work in general. Since pharmacy school demands too much of my time, I had to give it up, but I am flattered that I still get to help out on Bid Day and decorate for Christmas in October every year--hence the reason Heartstrings made my fall favorites list.

5. Auburn football. You win some, you lose some; however, nothing will change that feeling you get during a Friday afternoon campus jog when you exchange a WAR EAGLE with tailgaters. Cheesy, but it sends chills up my spine and reminds me of why I love this place so much. Auburn football is also an excellent way to lure friends back into town for the weekend.

6. DAD III. For those of you not in pharmacy school, this means Drugs & Disease III. For those of you in pharmacy school, you're wondering why in the world this made it as a fall fave. The studying for this class is painful and the tests hurt even worse, but I actually feel as though I could carry on an intellectual conversation concerning the drugs we've covered over the past 2 months. That in itself is a miracle. I am filled to the brim with random bits of knowledge, dying to reveal it all to you at any moment, although I'm almost positive you won't be as fascinated by it as I am.

7. Mulled cider Tyler candles. Mulled cider is the perfect fall scent and I am a sucker for these smell-good inventions.

8. Soup. Fall is just not fall when there's no taco soup or chili involved. It was and still is a fall essential for my family. Cooler weather = warm soup. My Bible study group had soup fellowship night this past Wednesday, and although I couldn't make it due to a test, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who appreciates it.

The Art of mul·ti·task·ing

mul·ti·task·ing (mŭl'tē-tās'kĭng) n. The concurrent operation by one central processing unit of two or more processes.

I'll begin by informing you that I am multitasking at this very moment. Trying to simultaneously eat dinner and type is harder than you may think. I've been wanting to post this for quite a while but I simply haven't found the time--this would be due to multitasking elsewhere. Although far from terrible, it humors me to think that this really is my life. Some days you've just gotta do what you've gotta do to get it all done, and this demands the art of multitasking.

I brush my teeth while I'm in the shower. I eat cereal while getting dressed. I quiz myself before tests while running. I talk on the phone while chatting on gmail. I flash drug notecards while driving down I-85.

I am completely consumed with daily tasks, as I am sure most of you are in some way, and the Lord is constantly reminding me to just be still. So, if you are multitasking like crazy, rest in the fact that He is Lord and He is life.

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Weekend Getaway

Pharmacy school is cutting into my blogging time and I am not a huge fan. P2's have a test in Drugs and Disease III every two weeks this semester, so basically we never get a break. We've already been tested on anxiety, insomnia, and seizures and we've only been in school for three weeks. Lately all I've done is eat, drink, and sleep pharmacy school, so this weekend was a much needed getaway.

Eight of the ten former White House girls retreated to Lake Rabun for a weekend at Brittany's lakehouse. I visited Lake Rabun for the first time the summer after my freshman year of college and I fell in LOVE. It's where I learned to water ski, and I'm not lying when I say it's one of my favorite places in the entire world. Lake Rabun is nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lakemont, GA. When you're on the water, it seems as though you've escaped to the inside of a giant cereal bowl. I love cereal, so this comparison is great for me, maybe strange for you. Nothing else exists inside this cereal bowl, if you will, except the people you love the most and a glorious creation the Lord allows us to enjoy. A swimsuit is the only essential, you don't have to blow dry your hair, and sun kissed cheeks are the perfect complement. At Lake Rabun time doesn't even exist. The sun is itself your alarm clock, and before you know it, it's already setting directly across from where it had risen.

This weekend we ate our fair share of candy and trail mix, discussed this weird phase of life that we are currently stuck in, went on a hike, reminisced of our college days, dominated Big Bertha (the new 3 seater tube), learned quite a few things from our newlywed, had breakfast in the most peaceful little nook, got the down low on a new boyfriend, job searched, traveled by boat for pizza at Louie's on the Lake, got at least 8 hours of sleep every night, watched the finale of Dawson's Creek, soaked up every glimpse of God's masterpiece that is Lake Rabun, and just plain loved being together.

Brittany and me at Lake Rabun, Summer 2005

She's gonna be a Newlin!

I really don't think I will ever forget this moment. Two weeks ago my phone rang. It was Chris: "I bought a ring." And yes, you guessed it, I nearly had a heart attack. According to Mary Lindsey I've been "so sketchy" lately--now she knows why! I've figured for quite some time now that ML would get married next summer, but it always felt as though next summer was years away. How quickly things change! Next summer is right around the corner and my best friend will officially be a Newlin. I am so excited for them and so thankful for their friendship! I'm calling it--their children will have jet black hair.

Spreading the news...

Priceless. Haley & Maria had no idea.

Celebrating at dinner, despite the tropical storm.

Mary Lindsey's trading me in for a male roommate.

Woe is me.

I've been absent from the blogging world for a little over a week now, not because I've been on a blog strike or anything, but because I've been too busy pouting. As much as I'd rather not admit it, I have thrown my share of pity parties over the past few days. Let's be honest, there is really no legitimate reason to throw these pity parties, but I have certainly made it look as though there were:

Many of my friends have moved on to bigger, better things and are no longer in Auburn (though there are a few still here, which I am incredibly thankful for). School started back in full force Monday and I am already neck deep in notes. The printer in the library ate my Drug Products packet multiple times. I am 22 and shouldn't still be printing things in a college library. Everyone around me seems to be engaged or on the verge of engagement or married, leaving the role of lone ranger up to me. I bought oatmeal yesterday and this morning at breakfast couldn't seem to find it anywhere. It is still missing. Reasons enough to pout, huh?

Well, as of this afternoon, I decided otherwise. The Lord opened my eyes to how selfish I have been lately. Every single reason stated above stems from the fear of compromising my own satisfaction. If my friends were back, maybe I'd be satisfied. If I weren't studying all the time, maybe I'd be satisfied. If the printer hadn't eaten my paper, maybe I'd be satisfied. If I weren't single, maybe I'd be satisfied. And if I could just find my box of oatmeal, maybe I'd be satisfied. But that's the thing, as hard as we try, nothing on this earth is capable of satisfying us like our Heavenly Father. He alone is true satisfaction and we will never experience it to the fullest until we meet Him in glory.

I have been far from joyful this week. I have strayed from the path of peace. What solid truth Alley spoke to me tonight: "Choose joy." Choose the joy of the Lord over pouting in my present plight. Choose His peace over my uncertainties. Trust that He is good. No more woe is me. I choose life abundantly. I choose Christ.