WOW

Word of the Week is back:) Not like it has been missed!

This week my WOW word is thankful. I have SO much to be thankful for.

Really my whole April has been full of fun and excitement. I am thankful.

I have taken more steps as responsible, semi independent woman. Very thankful.

I have been appreciated for doing the job that I LOVE. Too thankful for words.

Others have shown me that they sincerly care for me. Humbled and thankful.

Brighter mornings and brighter evenings extend my productivity. Thankful!

Though tis not the normal season to remember thanks....this thankful list has already put my spirit in a good place, so has the random Flickr pic above:)

29 Receives

To start... My 25th birthday was a true blessing. Better than I had even imagined!

I have finished my first 29 Days Giving journey and let me tell you...I LOVED IT. It changed my perspective and I can't wait to start again on May 1st.

I want to list here 29 receives that come to mind. The whole idea is to give AND be open and aware of receiving. Boy am I aware!

1 weekend with my amazing friends!
2 free packing boxes
3 a buyer for my car
4 a new car!
5 alone time at Lake Ella
6 smiles
7 joy
8 adorable headwrap
9 $$ from a sale
10 an much needed gift from Melanie
11 rest
12 purposeful prayer
13 new books!
14 free dessert
15 book club!
16 birthday gifts
17 encouraging words
18 love
19 a deeper understanding of God and Christ
20 manicure
21 hope
22 a much waited for update from UGA
23 support
24 free breakfasts, lunches, and dinners!
25 time in nature

Thoughts....

Soooo, I have some varied thoughts. My mind is a perplex place right now. Here is how it usually starts.

WHAT IF?
* turning 25 is not what I am picturing?

* I have a much harder time adjusting to UGA  than I think?

* I drop one of these 200 balls that I am juggling?

* I am missing something? Like there is this huge step that I have not even imagined!

Thankfully, the best part of turning 24 has been my growth in my Christian walk. It is not all about me ( one of my struggles). As one of my favorite songs says..."In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my life, my strength, my song." All of these WHAT IF's are going to be OK. It will all work together for good.

I think the center of my confusion is fear. That is tough for me to admit, but there it is. As I pray for others each day, I hope they are praying for me. That is where the true solution is:)

Saturday in Pictures

7:30 am- Me time at Lake Ella (so peaceful!)

9:30 am- Pancake Breakfast! Thank You Annie!

2:00 pm- Saw this crazy movie 

8:00 pm- FSU Circus  (Those kids were fabulous!)

Fun Day!

Smile Music

These guys besides being gifted are cute:) Here is some Smile Music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFbQ23E94s0&feature=related

* As featured on Dancing with the Stars this week!*

Seasons of Your Life

When you think about your life it really relates to the seasons. The Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter of life. I love Spring and its beauty. So let's start there.  I think that with my 25th birthday coming up, I can safely say that the Spring of my life is ending and that is OK. That's life. Growing and changing, changing and growing. The Spring of my life has been great. I am most excited though because I feel with God's guidance the other seasons will be even better. More focused and productive.

The summer of your life is a beautiful thing. What do I hope mine brings...festivity, journeys, and discovery! Sounds exciting right! In the summer you get to kick back but you still have responsibility. I need to be a tad concerned because this stage is coming up, and I don't know much about it. You will just have to stay tuned I guess;)

The fall of life reminds me of one word...stability. Permanent address, home with a fence and pets. That type of thing. That is the distant future. What will that point look like for me? I know a lot of people in the Fall of their life. Many from my school, and I don't envy that. Not yet. Fall is my second favorite season in real life and there are things about the Fall of life that I think I will LOVE because they match my personality. My parents will celebrate 30 blessed years together soon, they exemplify Fall to me.

Winter rounds out this time of seasons. Again I know a lot of people in the Winter of their life. It is not easy. You have to give it to God even more because the Winter brings uncontrollable changes. Health, Wealth, everything begins to jiggle around a bit. I can't even begin to think of the cultural changes that those in the Winter of their lives have seen. I have a great aunt who is 96! What have her eyes seen? It's an interesting thing to think about. In the end, just like in the Spring of life, we need others help and support the most in the Winter.

This cycle of life is unique. Enjoy the ride, you don't want to wake up one day and see that you are in a new season and have no idea how you even got there! Live each day to the fullest and in the end your "year" of living could be quite a beautiful thing!

Back to Travel

After my previous post I still had travel on the brain.

Soooo looking ahead, instead of behind I began to think. Where do I want to travel to next?

1. Pristine white buildings and aqua blue ocean views. GREECE!!!!

2. Rip roaring, crashing waves and waterfalls. NIAGARA FALLS!!!!

3. Hot volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. HAWAII!!!!!

What about you? Where are your dream vacation spots for the future?

WOW

This week my Word of the Week is Travel.

I am Spring Breaking in Jacksonville at the moment. As I travel around my hometown I keep thinking, wow that sure is different. Or, when did they put that there?

Being on break has also given me time to think about all of the traveling that I have done since I came to Tally! I was surprised about how long my list became. Each trip was packed with such amazing memories.

Here are the top 5:
1. Beyond Borders trip with FSU (mainly Germany and Italy).

2. Las Vegas (graduation and birthday trip combined).

3. NYC (visiting friends from Timberlane and family).

4. Puerto Rico (summer vacation with my aunt, cousin and Mel) My first and I hope not last, time at a Ritz Carlton..sigh!

5. Road trips to Orlando (OH Disney I loooove you:)) I have been for Christmas with the family, theme parks with Cherika and Julie and also just randomly!

As I get ready to move up to Athens I wonder what travels will my grad. school experience bring me? I am beyond excited to find out.
PS- I have 2 months left in Tallahassee and I know they are going to fly by! Excited and nervous!! Be praying for me please:)