"Life is the total sum of what you do with the moments given you." - Erwin Mcmanus

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happiness is back!

Remember how down I was last post? Well, I'm not down anymore! Wednesday night we had such a great youth service, worship practice and prayer time. After that, I felt so happy and I want to give everyone some of the happiness, because I don't think it will ever stop! It makes me so excited when something like this happens! Can you tell from all the exclamations!?

Also, at our youth revival some of our friends (and Emily and I) are dancing. We haven't practiced the dance in six months . . . and only two of the girls have any professional dance training. Needless to say, we're a little rough. Hopefully we'll get better.

After dance, our friends Jackie and Dana came over. We went to Target AND Walmart. And found footed PJs. That have dinosaurs on them and get this.... they're camouflage! I'm pretty sure I'm going back to get a pair. No, I am not joking. Here it is! Isn't it amazing! Anyway, following that escapade we got little baby pumpkins and painted them. Being the smart person I am when I spray painted mine, I succeeded in getting silver paint all over myself. I even got some on my face. It's pretty attractive.

Are you as excited for Christmas and the holidays as I am? I've already started listening to Christmas music, including Sufjan Stevens and Ten out of Tenn Christmas CD. Check them both out, they are amazing! I've decided my favorite Christmas song is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. AND... I already bought a couple birthday/Christmas presents. I'm feeling pretty good about my progress.

I just noticed that I sort of skipped Halloween. Probably because we never officially celebrate it, since my parents don't like it. This year we're going to a fall festival, though. They have fried oreos, so I'm excited!

Have a great weekend!

- Abigail

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Almost...

I am in stress mode. Since we took a week away from school to go to the beach, I have been in frantic catch up mode. Which is not fun. Yesterday was not good. I was so tired and overloaded that I snapped at everyone. But, on a good note I did get a bottle of my favorite perfume for half price. That's good, right? Here's to November almost being here and another trip to Tennessee coming up (hopefully).




Here's my favorite perfume: G (Harajuku Lovers) by Gwen Stefani


this lovely picture was taken by my talented friend Rebekah.


photo credit: fashionesedaily.com

- Abigail

Monday, October 26, 2009

Happy Birthday, Emily!!

Happy Birthday, Emily!! You are now 18 and can order stuff off TV! Aren't you excited? We love you!

- Katie and Abigail

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Beach Bliss



"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace."
- Kate Chopin


This past week our friends the Carroll's took us to Hilton Head Island for mine and Abby's birthdays! We had a wonderful time swimming in the frigid ocean, enjoying the hot tub, watching movies, shopping, boogie boarding, star gazing, dolphin watching, picture taking, and being with our lovely friends Aubrey and Rebekah and of course Aunt Kathy and Uncle Todd. Here are some pictures taken with my birthday present!









Abby and me






Aubrey and me


Abby, Rebekah, and me. Isn't that tree lovely?


Sunrise!

And now back to real life.


- Emily


The first three photos were taken by Rebekah Carroll and the last photo was taken by moi.


Thursday, October 22, 2009

this week i'm loving...

autumn!
i love the music of owl city, especially their song seattle.
i've been in a jane austin mood.
i can relate to ann (from persuasion) right now.
and i've always love how sweet and innocent catherine (from northanger abbey) is.

i just started reading, at my friends suggestion, this book and am really liking it so far.
bought a bag of these the other day and polished them off in an alarming amount of time.
and, as always, i will forever love the office.

~katie


Monday, October 19, 2009

international birthday

our family has never been one for huge birthday bashes, but we always go out for a nice family dinner.

and since last friday was abby's birthday we all went out to the restaurant of her choice, she chose to go to ru sans, which boasts some pretty delicious sushi (see below). i always forget how much i like sushi until i eat it again, it's like rediscovering a favorite food all over again! so needless to say, i really enjoyed it.

my favorite

the birthday girl
and for dessert we made our way over to amelie's french bakery where we tried the cream puffs, chocolate mousse cups and a salty caramel brownie (not pictured) which was, by far, my favorite.

as you can see we stuffed ourselves silly
all-in-all it was a really nice night out with the family. emily's birthday is next week so stay tuned for more birthday escapades!

~katie

Saturday, October 17, 2009


Lately I've been really bummed out. I can be really emotional sometimes, and for the past month, I haven't been very happy. Of course there are times when I am happy, but something or other always brings me down. But, while I was at the COGOP youth conference, I realized that I have been depending on other people to make me happy and I should be depending on God to make me happy. I'm still having a hard time realizing this, but I'm working on it.

Luckily, our friends are taking us away for a week of beach time! I get so excited and happy when I think about it. I'll be able to get away from everything and be with one of my best friends. Hopefully the water will still be warm, because we have every intention of swimming. :) And I got a camera for my birthday, so I will be taking LOTS of pictures!
This is from Bald Head Island a couple years ago... I miss it.

- Abigail

Friday, October 16, 2009

Nashville Trip

here are some pictures from my nashville trip this past weekend:

first of all, isn't mont the cutest baby ever!?!

second, our downtown adventures:

this is the nicest hotel i have ever seen, i aspire to stay at the hermitage someday.


i love the city of nashville!
and having amazing friends that live there is even more amazing.
~katie

Happy Birthday Abby!

Happy 15th Birthday Abigail!
We hope your day is amazing!
Love you so very very much!
~katie & emily~

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

keeping my head up

right now i'm trying not to feel overwhelmed.
things do not always go as i hope.
people i care about disappoint me.
which makes me feel insecure.

but...

then i pray.
and spend time with people who love me.
and listen to jay-z.

and i know that i'll be fine.

~katie

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Autumn Thankful List


Right now I'm supposed to be working on an essay on The Scarlet Letter, but I'm stumped and stressed so I decided to take my mind off of it and write a Autumn thankful list instead. Whenever I'm feeling really down, stressed, or just in need of an attitude adjustment, I try to write thankful lists to remind myself of all the good things in life. So here goes:


1. A wonderful God who never fails me and still loves me when I fail him
2. Family who loves me even when I'm difficult
3 Friends
4. Fall
5. Pumpkins
6. Mrs. Betsey
7. Birthdays
8. Trips
9. Birthday trips
10. The ocean


Well, now off to that essay which I am not thankful for . . .


- Emily

Tomorrow! tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow!

tomorrow, i'm heading down to my friends hannah's house (the very same one who came to visit me last week-end). from there we're heading to nashville with some friends for 5 whole days (due to fall break)!

i cannot tell you how very excited i am!!

my cousin sarah lives in nashville, so i'll get to see her. which makes me very happy:)

and see my friend megan and her insanely cute baby.

it's ok if you're jealous, i would be too.

~katie

plus i'm going to the fair tonight too!

(you can be really jealous now.)

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Oh school...


School has started to get a lot harder. Our friends are taking my sister Emily and me to the beach for our birthdays, and my parents have told us to get a week ahead in school. It is not fun. Also, we will be away for the weekend in Tennessee for a youth conference. Hopefully it will be fun. On another note, the weekend was great! I just realized I was not sounding too positive. :) oh well, maybe tomorrow will be better!



- Abigail