Times are changing

Today, May 30, 2009...Steven Adams, Zachary Cawthorn, Charlie Ellis, Lauren Reimink, Marissa Rhymer, Victoria Shipley, Daniel Griffen, Carl Brown Setterlind, Brittani Taylor, and Hannah Warren all graduated High School! It was the most meaningful, sincere, thoughtful graduation I have ever been to. I am so happy for each of them...I know that God'll use them in great ways if they let him. It was really hard for me to sit through the graduation though...I had so many mixed feelings...I just started realizing how fast life goes by. On one side of me was my brother who is going to be starting his SECOND year of middle school, on the otherside was my Mom who is turning 40 this year, Taylor Warren who is getting married this Saturday and Jordan Setterlind my first boyfriend back in the 8th/9th grade. In front of me where 10 graduates, 7 of who were big parts of my life..even if they didn't know it...and they were about to take the next stepping stone of they're life..the stepping stone that says "I'm not a child anymore, I'm an adult...and my life begins at this moment". One of the seven was my 2nd boyfriend in the 9th/10th grade..also my best friend in those years, Zachary Cawthorn. It was at that stage in my life where I was the most broken, where I made stupid mistakes...and I realized as he walked on that stage that though my "dating" him was inmature and ridiculous...he was one of the many who have left a footprint in my heart. I realized that I had a harbored anger toward him, anger that he didn't deserve..I looked at him in a whole new way and was so proud of him...he has grown up to be a godly, determined, smart guy. The other two, Brittani Taylor and Hannah Warren have been my sisters since 4th grade...no one will ever be able to take there place...with everything in me I hope that they never leave my life. So many countless memories were made with them and I love each of them more than they know. I'm so excited for them both, they're each so talented and driven. Carl Brown Setterlind was Jordan's brother...and though he'll probably never know it...he has been a big brother to me at times in just the past couple of years...we went through phases of being close..but I always knew I could go to him. CB is one of the most special guys I know, I have so much respect for him and I have no doubt in my mind that God will shine through him in this next stage of his life. Daniel and I have a very different relationship than the rest...though I don't really call him a friend now...he still left a mark on my life. Daniel was a close friend when I was figuring out who I was, looking back now I don't even recognize that girl...but all I know was he was a friend I chose at that time. I can't say he was one to help me along the way, or that I can look at our past friendship and smile, but he was still a mark in my teenage years. Marissa and Lauren were two older girls that I always looked up to, they are both beautiful, godly young ladies that have left such a positive footprint on my life. Lauren and I got really close last summer when I recommitted my life to Christ. She encouraged me in so many ways. None the less I was a complete "ball bag" all through the graduation...a flood of memories came to mind. Honestly change had always scared me, I hate letting people go. I know they'll still be around, but still, things will never be as they used to. It really helped me know why I love each of them in different ways and to appreciate everyone around me. Next year it'll be me.....time does fly...

Despite the rain..

Let's just begin this post by saying, this was an incredible weekend..but I am worn out. Really, I may fall asleep while typing this..hehe. After Hannah's graduation party last night Katie, Kady, Kyle, Taylor, Hannah, and Turner stayed and played a long game of phase ten. It was great fun. And, may I add...I was blessed with beginners luck (though I don't believe in luck ;) After we FINALLY finished the game...we girls (grammer way wrong, I know) had a sleepover..it was crazy crazy weird because we were dead tired..but a lot of good laughs came out of it. haha. It took us forever to get out of the bed this morning and go to church, I'm glad I did though because Clayton King spoke and his sermon was amazing. After church we had a family reunion (cookout) for my mom's side of the family. Ever since my Kacky died our family has tried to get together more often. Unfortunatly it rained the whole day, but it was still fun..annnd if I'll just go ahead and admit that I ate WAY too much food. It just all looked so good and I couldn't resist :p. Ronni came over tonight and we watched old home videos together...it brought back a lot of memories.

well, I'm off. I just feel like ending this post with a "salutations". :]

The beginning of my weekend..

Goodmorning:) This morning my mom made us strawberry pancakes and bacon..mmm delicious, (so of course that was a great way to start off the day :). David, Beth, Leah Grace, and Bennett are coming over this morning and my Dad is surprising Leah Grace with a horse ride! She has been wanting to ride one of our horses everytime she has come over, but, they were always too dirty..so needless to say she will be happily surprised! After the Sprays leave my family, Uncle Barry, Aunt Patty and I are going to spend the day hiking and whatnot. Well, I'm off to get ready to enjoy this lovely day...

Simple things.

I just got done spending my friday night with my 6th grade brother and his best friend and neighbor. I honestly had an awesome time with them...funny I know, I mean half the time my brother drives me crazy but at other times I would rather spend time with him and his friends than anyone else. We hung out and talked about girls ;) haha...made popcorn and cookies and watched the "Hulk" movie....we even went for a drive. I need to do that more often with them. It's refreshing..a lot less complicated than what my peers and I talk about/deal with. Just thought I'd share. :) sometimes I forget what it was like to be that age again.

Just an update.

Yesterday I got to babysit Bennett Spray all day :) unfortunately I left while he was still napping and Mrs. Beth said that when he got up he looked all over the house for me. Beth told him that I had left and he just started crying :( poor thing, I felt horrible because I had promised him that once he woke up we would go back outside and swing on the playground. I just didn't realize he would sleep longer than usual.

Today I got off early from work, not that I did anything fun when I came home though :p. I've just been cleaning and doing a butt load of laundry haha. Jared's friend, Hunter is over so the bathroom that I just cleaned and my vacuuming job will all be in vain soon I'm sure.

Tomorrow is Hannah's graduation party. I'm excited but at the same time, it makes me sad to know that this part of life with my friends is ending soon. Most of my friends are a year older than me, so I'm losing a lot this year :( I know God's got great plans for each of them though...so, I'm excited for them all!

MORE photos from 11th grade year.

Just me, Mallory and I at Christmas, Brittani and I on New Years Eve, Irina me and Ronnie On New Years Day, GETTING MY LICENSE at the DMV, My family at Kacky's last B'day, Brown Family on Thanksgiving, Shopping with Hannah and Brianna, Football game, Candace's 16th B'day (80's style :), Baptisms at the Lake, Me and Becks as santa girls during CMCS, Snow Boarding at Sugar Mountain.

Some Pictures from my 11th grade year!

Girls Retreat, Candace and I at D'now, Goodbye party for Ronni, Wild Wings for Jordan's 17th Birthday, 11th Grade bonfire, Camping at the lake with Becca, Photo shoot with Emma, Jared in Outer Banks, Sleepover with Kailie.

All part of growing up :)

Tomorrow I have to go back to the dental surgon(spel*) by myself for a consultation and for them to re-fill my dry sockets. That isn't the big deal, the big deal is that I'm going by myself! OK, I know you're like...huh? But this is the first time I've don't anything like this without my mom with me... Next she'll be sending my to the doctors by myself when I'm sick ;) hehe. Needless to say, I feel very mature at the moment ahahaha. Then I'm going to follow directions by myself for the first time....to run errans for my mom and dad. Visit my Grandparents (since Pappaw is home from the hospital!) Drop by David's Bridal to try on and order my bride's maid's dress. Then do some quick shopping. Leadership meeting...Speak...and the best part: coming back home..ahh :) Last night when I got home from work I decided to become more organized this summer and start a envelope system for my paychecks.Hey, it's the first step to recovery for me...hehe.

I got my taste..

I now have a whole new respect for all mom's...and I'd like to just give all of them a shout out right now saying thank you for living out the hardest job that was every given to anyone. Seriously, I just babysat a restless, crying, 1 year old and a wild, attention deprived 5 year old for just 6 hours. I'm exhausted and when I was about to complain, I realized.."Jada, you got to give them up and go home...their mom lives with them 24/7.." Tonight I have a different sympathy yet admiration for stay-at-home moms who dedicate their lives to being exhausted, yet when you ask them what they think about it...at the end of the day they consider it a privaledge not a job. No teenage girl should ever think they're ready for kids...real babies aren't baby dolls. I know I still have a lot to learn. So I'll continue to watch "my kids" for a few hours and give them up when they're parents get home...drive home to my warm bed, and thank God for mother's :)

My Weekend/ update on my life

Friday night was the start of "Truly You". It was a girls retreat for the 5th grade girls at our church, and the girls in my connect group were in charge of the whole thing! I was only able to be there Friday, but it went really well. I think God def. spoke through us to those girls! The retreat was prayed up for sure :). Emma, Katie, And I were responsible for the "boy talk" and that was, well, interesting...haha. These girls are faced with issues at a much younger age than I even was...and I'm only 7 years older. They were on a whole different level than I would have expected them to. Granted there were still some that are "eww boys" stage, but, the majority even have boyfriends! I was shocked! Anyways, they really caught on to what we were saying about being mysterious and letting the boys persue you...and how important it is to have standards and just wait for God to bring you the right guy. There were some more topics covered by the others and from what they said...theirs went great also!

Saturday my family and I had the Renual House Fundraiser Cookout at the pavilion. Emma spent the night friday night, so we got up early saturday morning to clean and prepare for the cookout. Not as many people came as we had hoped due to the Delong's father's funeral..which was completely understandable. None-the-less it went really well. I met an ederly lady who helped me extremely with college tips and the Speach Therapist career idea I've had in mind :). I was very thankful to get to meet her..Pam I think was her name.

Emma spent the night again Saturday night, with much begging on her part..hehe. We watched a movie, took a much needed nap, made hot tea..brocolli and chedder quiche, and had chocolate chip cookies for desert :) The thunderstorm outside made it even cozier.

My Pappaw got to come home today! It is a huge answer to prayers! He had a open heart surgery two friday's ago, and was still held up in the hospital because of a pinhole the doctors found in his lungs. He wasn't able to breathe on his own...even after a quick operation to try and fix the hole. Well, after much prayer and breathing excercies..he is finally home!

My wisdom teeth removal was an absolute nightmare. Worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I only got the bottom two removed, but because I got dry sockets..it made the pain much more unbearable :/. Thankfully the pain is gone now..I just have to go every four days and have them put new medicated swab-type- things (haha) in my incisions. I'm just glad it's OVER!

PRAY FOR ME

2 exams today.
2 exams tomorrow.
wisdom teeth removal friday.

plus side= next week it'll all be over ! :)

Summer break is in view:)!

I have def. slacked on updating my blog :/ oops. Just to explain myself though, I forgot my password so I had to make a new one. Anyways, a lot has happened since I last wrote..of course it would take forever for me to update you on all of it...I'll just give a brief summary:). 2009 is already going by so fast...this past school year wasn't that bad, though I'm glad to see it end. I got to redecorate my room 2 months ago and I love it! I'm still in the process of hanging pictures on the wall though. Two of my cousins got engaged in the same week! Mallory is engaged to her translator in Mongolia where they plan to start a church and live:) They're getting married this September and I'm so excited/happy for them (not to mention I get to be a brides maid, yay!) Benjamin finally proposed to his girlfriend, Hannah, that he has been dating forever haha. My family and I went to the Outer Banks for spring break but we got a call while we were there that my Great Aunt (my mom's aunt) Katherine McCombs had died (we called her Kaky.) So we came home early for the funeral...Kaky was def. loved and we all will miss her, but we know that she's with her Jesus. All that's left in school right now are just the final exams which I am none too excited about, but ready to get them over with! Speaking of which I need to get back to my Chemistry study sheets....bla :/ I'll write more later!