Family Time

The holiday's are filled with Christmas parties, family get togethers, and being taken out of your normal routines and put into situations that you just aren't always use to.  This holiday season was a little different for me because it may be my last Christmas with my family.  Next year, I could easily be working on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (The perks to working in the service industry. Not!)

This Christmas I was lucky enough to get two weeks off to come home and spend time with my family.  Four years ago, you couldn't have paid me for those two weeks off with nothing to do but spend time with my family.  As I get older, I am starting to realize what is truly important to me.  My family.  I am lucky enough to have two great-grandmothers still living! I am extremely grateful that my grandparents are walking distance from my house.  I took that for granted in high school... a lot! 

The one thing that I never thought I would say only a few short years ago, but I have thoroughly enjoyed spending two weeks with my parents.  My Dad and I have taken long runs together and my Mom and I have shopped and enjoyed baking/eating together.  Who would have thought that my parents would be some of my best friends? Like my Papa always said, "One day you'll realize just how smart your parents really are" and I have come to realize that very quickly.

This year I was lucky enough to be roommates with my brother.  In high school, I would have dreaded this situation but it has helped us develop a stronger brother/sisterly bond.  Spending time with him as been a blessing this holiday season as well seeing as he has a bowl game to get to tomorrow.  He as only been home three days but it has been a lot of fun having the whole gang together.

My little sister Jaime has had an exciting two weeks (when does she not?).  She was accepted to Auburn, she's had dance/band practice almost everyday, she went to her last DD Dance, and still managed to keep a social life and see the family (a little bit).  I have given her a hard time these last few weeks because I don't see or talk to her that much because I'm in Auburn and she's here in Oxford.  But I know she is still being the social butterfly she's always been.  I can't fault her for being herself.  

My mom mentioned yesterday, "there is something about having everyone together" and there really is.  I'm not a mom (and won't be for A WHILE!!!!!) but when we are all together, yes we drive each other crazy sometimes, but it's like the puzzle is completed.  All the weird, unique pieces fit together to make this crazy family and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Merry Christmas everyone,

Kayla

Happy Holidays!

This year, for some reason, I have been in extraordinarily holiday spirited! (haha) Christmas music isn't always my favorite but I find myself only wanting to hear Christmas music.  For the past two weeks, all I've wanted to see is Home Alone (my favorite Christmas movie).  I haven't seen any Christmas movies until tonight when Brenden texted me and told me Home Alone 2 was on. YAY! I want to watch old cartoons like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Buying Christmas gifts has been on my mind for about two weeks now and I think I am over half way finished now.

Normally around the holidays, I like to decorate but I try to stay away from the normal Christmas routines.  This year, I have been complete opposite.  Don't let the holiday blues come over you.  Yes most people are in a bad mood this time of year because of the crowds (and who wouldn't be if you went out to the stores or tried to get anywhere in under 10 minutes).  Let the little things carry you through the holiday season.  Share to one person this year what the true meaning of Christmas is.  Giving and receiving is always fun but the real meaning is that Jesus Christ was born.  Let that be the reason to have extraordinary holiday spirit be because of Him.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Black Friday

Today is a day of strength, courage, and endurance.  I however have none of those qualities today, at least for the shopping aspect of Black Friday.

But Black Friday is something completely different for me.  Today is the eve of all eves! The night before the Iron Bowl.  This is not just any Iron Bowl.  It is my last Iron Bowl as a student.  Well, it is my last football game as a student.  Oh how these four years have flown by.  Saturday's in Auburn, in the fall, during college, will forever have a place in my heart.

I will always remember the four Iron Bowl's I had the pleasure to experience during college.  My first Iron Bowl was with my dear friend Kristen in Tuscaloosa.  The weekend was fun but we lost that year and I spent my Saturday evening surrounded by Alabama fans celebrating a year of bragging rights.

The next Iron Bowl was finally in God's Country.  This had to be my favorite Iron Bowl of the four.  For some reason, the state thought the Iron Bowl would be best played on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  So my family and our close family friends had our Thanksgiving meal at the tailgate spot.  That Friday, Auburn played their hearts out and that was the first time I cried about an Auburn loss.  However, that Friday night was also the first night I hung out with Brenden and his friends and got to met his Dad and two younger brothers.  This was an Iron Bowl to remember, even if we did lose.

The next Iron Bowl was back in Tuscaloosa and again on Friday.  This year my family spent Thanksgiving at my Great Aunt Lou's farm in Birmingham and woke up bright and early that next day to drive the rest of the way to Tuscaloosa.  The game was cold and wet and Brenden and I sat at the very top on the last row in the end zone with Alabama fans surrounding us.  We only stayed until half-time but man I wish I would have stayed to see that comeback and yell War Eagle (just once) in Bryant Denny Stadium.

This year, I get to celebrate the Iron Bowl on Auburn's turf with the people I love, in the town that I cannot get enough of.  This place means so much to me.  It has given me the strength to know I can do anything I set my mind to, the courage to try new things in life, and the endurance to know that no matter what comes my way I will not give up.  I am so excited to go to my last student football game in Auburn AND it's the Iron Bowl.  This will be a day I will never forget.  I will probably cry (win or lose) but it will be happy tears either way.  Because being in Jordan Hare Stadium was the first time I felt like I was apart of the Auburn Family.  I will always be apart of this great big family but I will never have the same experiences like I have had as an Auburn student in the student section during an Auburn football game!

WAR EAGLE!

-Kayla

Father's Day

Father's Day means different things to different people.  Everything that has happened in our lives thus far has had an impact on how we celebrate father's day.  Some people do not have a father figure and chose to celebrate someone who played that role for them in their lives. Some have a father but do not have a relationship with him because of damages he may have caused or they may have caused.  Others have lost their father and this day is extremely hard for them. And many of us have a father so special that on this day we take the time to honor him and think about how we should celebrate him more than just on this day.

I fall into the last category.  My dad has always been in my life and actively apart of it.  He is such a special man and I could not have asked for any better Dad! When we were younger he was the tickle monster.  I would run away because I would be tickled for hours.  When I got a little older he let me get up with him and eat breakfast and watch Sportscenter before he left for work.  When he would leave, he would always wink at me and I spent years trying to learn how to do that! [I've finally got it down pat! ;)]  Then I became a teenager and my dad was my worst enemy.  We would fight and fight and fight him but little did I know he only did and said these things to protect me.  Now, I'm in college and take my Daddy for granted all the time.  He still spoils me, does anything and everything for me, has bought me three cars in the five years I've had a license, and supports and loves me in everything I do.  I always notice these things and say thank you but I never realize how much all those little things mean to me until this day every year, Father's Day.

To the best Daddy in the world, thank you for always being there for me.  Even though we don't talk as much as I wish (that's my fault!) I love you more and more everyday.  You are always trying to make me a better person and because of you I know what love is suppose to be like.  You make me smile and brighten my days when I'm lost and confused about this whole growing up thing.  Thank you again for EVERYTHING you do for me.  I cannot wait to see you this weekend.  I really don't see you guys enough!

Love,

Kayla

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter everyone!  What does Easter mean to you?  As a child, Easter is the easter bunny, dying eggs, and eating lots of candy.  For teenagers, it's finding the perfect outfit to wear.  For adults, it's spending time with loved ones.  But for everyone it SHOULD be about the risen Christ.

I experienced Easter in a different way this year.  We didn't do Easter baskets (yes, I'm 21 and we still did Easter baskets until last year.)  Mom and Dad still got us great gifts (Thanks for the grill!) but it wasn't about that for me.  I was able to focus on the deeper meaning.  I have been a christian since I was in the second grade.  Christ has always been apart of my life and we have had this come and go kind of relationship.  Well He has never left, but I have strayed.  The sermon at church today touched me in a way that an Easter sermon might not touch everyone else.  I have been keeping Christ hidden.  I only seek Him when I'm in trouble.  I have to learn to live a life through Him all the time and not just when I need His loving and saving grace.

My family supports me through the thick and thin.  My parents use to say "If we can just get her raised, she will be just fine."  Well, I think they are still raising me and always will be.  I learn more and more from them every time I talk to them.  Their relationship is like no other marriage.  I am so blessed to have my parents still together.  My parents always have the right answers and know exactly what to say to make me feel better or feel loved and supported.  A child could not ask for anything better.  Jesus gave me my parents because he knew they would be able to handle all my screw ups and He has given them the perfect tool to make me who I am today.  That tool was keeping me in church.

I have learned so much from my parents and my church.  I am still confused on the whole religion thing but I know I believe in the risen Savior.  That is truly all that matters.  I hope I can continue to keep God out of the tomb and live my life to be pleasing to Him!  My Lord is good and His mercy endures forever!

God bless,

Kayla

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day or as some people refer to it as Singles-awareness Day!

I had a revolution this year.  Valentine's day has never been my favorite holiday.  I think it's just another way for Hallmark to stay in business.  When I was little I always referred to Valentine's day as the day at school where you would get tons of Valentine's cards from all the kids in your class, but you had to be careful which ones you chose for certain people in your class because you didn't want them to think you had a crush on them.  It was always fun seeing which Valentine's cards had suckers attached or the little heart's in bags with the sayings.  As I grew up Valentine's day turned into a "OMG, he likes me. I have a Valentine. He better not break my heart." AND after a few Valentine's days of always being cheated on or hurt I completely turned my back against this holiday.

This year, Valentine's day is not about the boy or the stuff; it's just about the meaning.  Valentine's day is a day to show the people you care about most in your life just how much you truly love them and care for them.  I am so appreciative of my family.  They support me in so many ways and are always there for me no matter what.  I am very thankful for my friends.  Without them I would still be dating the guy that hurt me.  And lastly, I'm extremely thankful for my boyfriend.  I have never been more myself than I am at this point in my life.  I can't give him all the credit but he has played a huge role in that.

To everyone that is against Valentine's day, just stop and be thankful for everything you have.  You have at least one-two people who care about you more than you will ever know: your parents.  Your grandparents who you might not see that much can still touch your heart just by a small post on your Facebook wall.  Your animals, they will love you unconditionally.  You can say all you want, I don't have a boyfriend, I'm single on Valentine's day, but in reality you have so many people in your life who care about your happiness.  I hope everyone was able to enjoy Valentine's day in some way.  I spent mine with my girlfriends, a home-cooked meal from my mother, and the Bachelor.  Be thankful for who is in your life and don't take any second, minute, or day for granted.  You never know when they might not be there anymore.

Sending my love your way if you still feel like you don't have anyone,

Kayla

Christmas Break

Hello dear friends. It has been quite a little bit since I've posted.  To catch you up since Christmas Eve I have been a busy girl.  My mom drove me to Atlanta on Christmas morning and I flew out at 12pm with the Donahue's to Jamaica for 5 days.  Jamaica was so much fun.  We got to layout, read, swim in the freezing lazy river, go down the big slide (which was so much fun), and go on a 3.8 mile run every morning with my workout crazed boyfriend (Thanks B!).  The run was on the back nine of the golf course at the Rose Hall Hilton Resort.  WOW! It was hilly but over looked the entire resort and ocean.  It was gorgeous.  That was the only thing that kept me going. We left Jamaica on the 30th which happened to be the only sunny day we had.  I tanned for a few hours that morning and headed to the airport.  The airport was a madhouse.  There were hundreds of people trying to get through security to get to seven or eight gates all leaving close to the same time.  While we were waiting to get on the plane, we all got upgraded to FIRST CLASS! AH! What a perfect way to start my birthday weekend! I am so spoiled.  Thank you Mr. Donahue for a great birthday present!

Even though our plane got delayed an hour, we landed, got through customs, claimed baggage, rechecked baggage, went through security, and reclaimed baggage all by 8pm.  I had a lot of stuff to get done before the party the next day so I came back to AU that night.  That night, my dear friends kidnapped me and I went and bought my first alcoholic purchase.  After I got out of the store, I was blindfolded and driven all around Auburn, parked, and walked me to what I didn't know at the time Samford Hall.  I finally got to take my blindfold off and I had my first drink at Samford Hall. So memorable! Thanks girls!  The next morning I woke up at 8am and started the day going going and going.  My family came into town and took me to lunch! I was so happy to see them! Afterwards my family came back to my apartment and helped me set up for the party that night.  My dad mounted the TV, Mom and Jaime helped me take down the Christmas decor, and they went and bought goodies for everyone to snack on that night. Thanks again family for all your help.  I was never going to get that done by myself.  

Later that night, the festivities started.  My friends and I went to dinner at Laredo's, I went to the bar with the only two people that were 21 (haha), and came back to my apartment where I was able to spend the best birthday with the most fun people!!! We had so much fun and my neighbors came over and brought in the new year with us.  I could not have had a better birthday.  I feel so blessed to have the friends I have in my life.  They are so awesome!!

The Christmas break is almost over and the New Year has started.  I'll leave this post to just Christmas break and catch up with you guys tomorrow on my new year plans! :D It's going to be a great year.  Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas break and a Happy New Year!

Feeling blessed,

Kayla

Holiday Joy

I love the holidays! December is probably my favorite month and this December could possibly be my most favorite December of my entire life. :) A lot is going on in my life right now and I'm trying to grasp how wonderfully everything is going.

First things first.  My favorite things about the holidays.  I love buying gifts for people.  While it is a huge hole in my bank account it's so much fun trying to figure out, "Well, will they like this?" "Is this too cheesy?" "Do they already have this?".  Buying the gifts is the fun part but the hard part is definitely the holding out until Christmas to give it to them.  I think I gave three of my gifts early this year because I just couldn't stand holding on to them anymore. (haha)  The one thing everyone hates most: wrapping.  You may say I'm weird, but wrapping is another one of my favorite things.  I wrapped all of the gifts I bought, all the gifts my Mom bought, and anything else that wasn't mine and was laying around was wrapped.

I am a huge fan of baking.  I'm not very good at it right yet, but my mother bakes the best goodies around this time of year.  Last night she made her annual homemade cheesecake that she gives out to her friends for Christmas "Thank You Gifts".  Tonight she made my favorite, that we normally have on Christmas day for breakfast but I'll be gone this year, cream cheese braids.  These are for very special people.  She use to make tons and tons when we were little and we would take them to my parent's closest friends and family.  When I was in sixth grade, my grandfather passed away; my mom's dad.  She stopped making them for quite some time but has brought back the tradition and makes about four a year.  It's amazing!! and because Santa needs cookies, we always bake snickerdoodle cookies to put out on Christmas eve.  Oh the holidays! So much for working out. :/

My family has a ton of traditions but we aren't obsessive about them.  We just love (I just love) all the joy the stuff we do brings to everyone around us.  On Christmas eve, we always go to the church service and have the Lord's Supper as a family.  Afterwards, we head to my grandparents house (which is literally .025 miles from our driveway), to eat pizza and open the presents our grandparents bought us, our pajamas from our parents (we get a set every year), and my grandparents open all the gifts they got for each other that night because they always said Christmas day was for us kids. :) My other grandmother lives across the street from my Dad's parents so she normally comes over and joins us.  Luckily, I still have a great-grandmother that lives about an hour away that my grandparents drive her over so she can spend the holidays with us! But that night, Jaime (my sister) and I, set out egg nog & snickerdoodle cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. ;) We sleep in my room, which is upstairs, in our new pajamas, and talk about what we want for Christmas until we doze off.  Christmas morning, my sister gets us all up SUPER early, even now-a-days.  We are allowed to open our stockings without our parents but the gifts we have to wait until both of my grandparents come up, mom cooks sausage balls, breakfast casserole, apple cider, and that amazing cheese braid bread.  After we have a some breakfast, we all sit around the living room and open up gifts.  It's so great to see everyone's reaction of what they got.  After all the gifts are opened, we disperse and play with all the new gadgets we got that year.  Then around 1pm or 2pm we have the usual Christmas lunch/dinner with steak, baked potatoes, salad, and whatever else gets cooked. Sounds pretty routine, right?

Well this year, a lot of my family's traditions have been moved around because, once again, I'm the rebel of the family. (ha) Well, this time, I think they are just jealous of me.  I'm leaving for Jamaica on Christmas morning with my boyfriend and his family. :) We are staying for five days and will be back just in time for the new year.  So all the Christmas day activities are getting moved to Christmas eve and Mom & Dad are driving me to the airport on Christmas day at 6am!

The reason this December is going to be the best December of my life is because: 1. I started out the first few weeks getting my final grades for my first semester of my junior year and got a 4.0 GPA! 2. Christmas is by far my favorite holiday and you saw why :) 3. I'm leaving for Jamaica ON Christmas day! 4. We return from Jamaica on the 30th and on December 31st I will finally turn 21! 5. I am having a 21st birthday party and my parents are coming to take me to lunch.  6. This isn't in December, but it's close, Auburn is in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Hip hip hooray!  So anybody can see why this is definitely going to be the best December of my life.

I know this post is lengthly but I hope it brought you some joy and high spirits for the holidays. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! and Happy Birthday to anyone with a birthday in December! ;)

-K

Finals are over and life is good!

Finals are finished! Everyone can go back to being there fun loving selves again.  Yesterday, I was in between my final at 12 and my final at 4 somewhat studying.  I got an email from my finance professor and I told myself do not look until after your last final cause you will either be disappointed or too excited to focus on it. Well I went ahead and looked and I was way too excited to take my last exam (I got an A - in Finance! I worked my butt off for that grade!). But it's a two hour class about hotels, common sense stuff about hotels.  I work at a hotel so I was thinking, "Oh, this won't be bad!" That final was ridiculous!!! I got the 50 point question right but if I didn't do so well on the rest of the exam, that class will be my only B. So frustrating!

Well, I told some people yesterday that my blog was going to be about some people yesterday and I didn't want them to think it was about them.  I have had a change of heart and have decided to leave the bashing for girls nights ONLY! haha Cyberspace is risky and you never know what's going to bite you in the butt in the long run.  Except I have a Facebook, a Twitter, a blog, and a LinkedIn. I'm a social networking freak! haha I hope that doesn't hurt me in the long run.  Anyways, I had a girls night with my long lost friends from the semester and oh how I miss girls nights!!!  The girls night are being reinstated next semester with no excuses!! It's my only break away from life when I'm with these girls! We have way too much fun together! 

On another note, finals are over and Christmas break has started!  I leave for Jamaica in 15 days! :D The goal is two workouts a day! Starting tomorrow. Today is going to be so much fun! Two tacky Christmas sweater parties, lunch with some friends, dinner with my awesome boyfriend, and fitting a workout in after lunch.  Cannot wait! I hope everyone has a fantastic day.  Until next time, laugh a lot, life happy, and STOP being negative!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Kayla