Christmas Day

Christmas Day we went to my Mama's side of the family for lunch and dinner!

This picture describes our family perfect!!
Everyone dreads the family pictures..but I love how we have a new one every year! Its different this year not having Aunt Lynda in the picture..

opening presents!

We had a piano session. My brother is very talented at the piano!

Me and Mama playing Christmas carols

Mama and her CRAZY brother!

My poppy and little cousin Reid singing Joy to the World.

Me and my only girl cousin, Kate, on this side of the family!

my cousin Spenser.. I think he will be taller than me next year!

The little cuties.

Me and Kate :)

The annual "cousin picture"

Honey

My wonderful parents.

presents!!

more presents!!

Uncle Mike

Me, my brother and our cousins Hunter and Taylor.

Christmas at Mimi and Poppys is so special. We started the day out by eating, then reading the book of Luke in the Bible about Jesus' birth, then opened presents, went home and rested, and went back over for more food and more pictures! We have such a good time together, even with the chaos of kids everywhere! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, Godly family on both sides of the family!! This is the only time of the year that we are ALL able to get together, and I cherish it more and more every year!

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas!!!!!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve it is a tradition that we go to my Dad's side of the family. We go over for dinner, then open presents, and just talk and talk! This was our first year without Suema (my 101 year old great grandma that just died) so it was definitely different without her this year, but I know she was smiling down on us all!I was trying to get a picture with just Chanel, but my dad just HAD to jump in! I think its a pretty good picture of him tho :)

Me and my G-daddy!!
My ONLY girl cousin, Kendyll :)

All the cousins on my Dad's side of the family

Me and my brothers "smiles" after we got tired of taking pictures!

I love spending time with this side of the family. I got to sit at the "kids table" this year, and I have never had as much fun with all the cousins like I did this year! I wish I would have had a video camera with me, everyone was HILARIOUS!! Christmas Eve is such a special time. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family, on both sides!!!

One of my favorite nights...

Tonight was one of my favorite nights of the year. Each year the "Class of '07" girls get together for lunch or dinner. This year we decided to come to my house!

I love this picture so much! It shows how close we were and how close we still are, even after graduation, and being in all different colleges now!
silly pictures are my favorite!

These girls arent the "typical" college girls. These girls all have a burning passion for the Lord and for spreading the word to anyone and everyone they come into contact with. We sat around the table tonight talking about how we could witness to others, what the Lord has taught us, what the Lord is doing in our lives, and what we want to happen.

sweet girls! :)

This girl is one of the biggest role models in my life! She has the biggest heart out of anyone I know!!

Sara and I have been friends since k-3!

Me and Amy were the two "blonde ones" of our class.. BUT as you can see, she was the only BLONDE one of tonight ;)

It wasnt all serious talk tonight. We had the living room all decorated, but once we started talking we never left the table! I love that!

There were times we laughed until we cried. There were times we said absolutely stupid things. There were times where we wanted to laugh but couldnt. There were times where I just wanted to tell them how much I miss seeing them every day. There were times that made us all miss high school. There were times that there were 4 different conversations going on at the table! One thing I love about this group of girls is that we pick up right where we left off! I have gone to school with most of these girls since k3, so I think that is a bond that cannot be broken!

I love yall!!! Thanks for making my night!!!

My Birthday...

Tuesday was my 22nd birthday! I am finally starting to feel old! After 21, you start counting to 30! Every year, my mom always writes Happy Birthday on my bathroom mirror with lipstick!! Its so funny, but I get soo excited to wake up and see it the next morning!!



The family came over that night for cake, icecream, and presents!! I just love this wooden sign Mimi had made for me! :)
My cousin Seth and Anthony.

My Grammy, me, and Chanel.

My great grandma, Nanny!

Anthony bought me a bb gun for my birthday!!!

His dad showed up and had bought him one too!

Me and Seffer

Mama and Daddy bought me a gorgeous diamond necklace!!! It is sooo pretty!

i looove these! Makes me feel like a kid!

Me, Aunt Sue, and my cousin Kendyll

I had so much fun with my family! I am so thankful for everyone that came. I hate that I didnt get pictures with everybody, but I think there is more on Mama and Mimis camera! I hated that my birthday had to end. I love that "special day" every year where everyone is so much nicer to you, gives you all the attention you want, you cant do anything wrong, and you are treated like a princess!! One of my favorite days out of the year! I was overwhelmed with all the texts, tweets, and calls I got wishing my a happy birthday!! I seriously have the best friends and family in the world!!!

Happy (Belated) Birthday Lyndsie!!

Happy Belated Birthday Lyndsie!!!!!!Lyndsie is one of the best friends anyone could possibly ask for. She is full of love. She is a giver. She is an inspiration to me and my family. She is the person that no matter how bad your day is going or how depressed you feel, she will do anything she can to put a smile on your face. She is the person that send you sweet cards in the mail or sweet texts to remind you how much she cherishes your friendship. She is the person shines the light of Jesus wherever she goes. She is the friend who will not stab you in the back, gossip about you, put you down, give up on you, and will never stop loving you. She is a wonderful representation of a "best friend". I am so glad to have a friend like Lyndsie in my life.

No matter how hard things have been in her life, whether it be cancer, a full hysterectomy, or a failed adoption, she has not lost her faith in the Lord and has not taken her trust away from the Lord. That is the kind of person that I strive to be.

Lynds,
I love you so much! Thank you for being such a good friend to me these past 6 years!! I still cant get over how we met, and how weve done nothing but grow closer and closer each year. I think the Lord knew what he was doing back then ;) I hope you had a wonderful 24th birthday!! Im sorry I couldnt be there to celebrate with you, but I am really looking forward to meeting up soon!! I love you very much pretty girl!!!!!!!!

-Mandy

Last 2 Weeks.....

MERRY (ALMOST) CHRISTMAS!!!

I havent posted in a while because I was super stressed with finals, moved back to Albany for Christmas break, started a new job, and been hanging out with friends and family non-stop! Finals ended great... finished the semester with all A's and B's!! All that stressed paid off!! Only one semester left!!!

My neighbor, Mrs Margaret made me and my roommates red velvet cupcakes to help us get through our finals week!

While I was studying, my cat Paris made herself at home on top of my pillows. I just thought this picture was cute.

I was worried that Buddy was going to be upset since our black lab died, but him and Chanel are best friends now! They are so cute together.

Last week was Anthonys dads birthday. Anthony gave him a picture of them two from when Anthony was a little kid. His dad was SO excited to get it.

We went to Mikatas to eat for his birthday. I love that place because not only is the food good, but the people who cook like to entertain you while doing so.

Mr. Chris and his girlfriend Ms. April

Me and Anthony.

My pregnant friend Geordan came and spent some time with me last week, and watched Shreck with my family. She is due with her baby in January, so I was excited to feel baby Miles kick, and spend time catching up with her.

Friday I went and got coffee with my good friend Jill. This girl is such an inspiration to me, and brings so much joy to my life. She is in the adoption process, so it was neat talking about what all is going on and what the future holds. I cannot wait to see her as a Mommy!!

Love you Jill!

Today my friend Courtney came into town to hang out with me. Funny thing is, I officially met her today! We met a little over a year ago when she was dating one of my friends, and in February we started texting and talking all the time. She is such a sweet, strong Christian girl and is a BLAST to hang out with! We spent the day shopping, talking, and stayed at Maggie Moo's icecream for hours today just laughing with each other.

It felt like we have known each other for years! Im so thankful for the "young women" the Lord has been putting in my life this past year! I dont know what I would do without them!!

Thats what has been going on these past few weeks! Tomorrow is my birthday, so I will be posting more pictures then! :)