The Best is Yet to Come :)

I never have time to write on this blog anymore... and so much has been going on in my life. I'm dating a wonderful, sweet, handsome, Christian guy named Travis... we've been together since May. He's a real keeper :) I leave for college in 3 DAYS! Its crazy.

I've wanted to go to Appalachian State University since I was just a little girl and now I'm finally moving there. I can't wait! My room mate is a sweetheart, and Trav and I met her and her boyfriend, Kolby for lunch one day a few weeks ago. I think we're going to get along great and become good friends.

I'm so excited about college... and after working all summer in the travel department at AAA headquarters, I'm ready to get away. I think home is where your heart is, and my heart has always been in the mountains... so its like I'm finally going home.

It's crazy to think about living on my own.... I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. Trav has an apartment like 2 minutes away (and he goes to asu too) so we'll get to see each other whenever we want... which I'm really excited about bec the lost distance thing is really hard. I'm going to miss my Momma a lot though. She's my best friend and we do everything together.

I have spent soooo much money getting ready to leave. (I still cant believe I move in Friday!) I'm in a really good dorm too:) I just can't wait and my heart is bursting at the seams for all the exciting things coming up. The best is yet to come!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future..." Jeremiah 29:11

living and learning...

well if i've learned anything in the last few weeks, its that just because you love someone doesn't mean it's good for you. it doesn't mean its the right thing at the right thing. you never know when God has something better. you never know. God sees the big picture, we dont. so, chris and i broke up... and i'm upset about it, but i know that God is in control and He won't give me more than i can handle. so, i'm living and learning, one day at a time.

Unanswered Questions

Well, as college approaches faster and faster, I find myself getting more and more excited, but also more and more nervous! It reminds me of that Lady Antebellum song "American Honey" when it says "steady as a preacher, free as a weed, she couldn't wait to get goin, but still not quite ready to leave." I can't wait to be at Appalachian, but at the same time, it's very overwhelming.

The thought of leaving my momma is scary- we're so close. Even though we want to kill each other sometimes, she's my best friend and I have never really been without her for any significant amount of time. It's like, when I was in elementary school, I dreaded nap time and did anything to keep myself from falling asleep. Now, as a senior in high school, I would love a nap during my busy school day! Ah, the irony of getting older. Like it says in Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility." The more freedom I get, the more responsibility I feel myself taking on. Balancing school, church, my boyfriend, my friends and my family is more than a juggling act... but it's not a hassle, because I truly love it. I like school for the most part, and all the other things make me who I am. So, it's well worth the time and energy.

I have no idea who my roomate is going to be, and I want to do potluck, because I don't want to be tied down to one person all the time. Like, if I roomed with one of my friends, I'd feel obligated to spend all my time with them, and I want college to be like a blank slate, a new start for me in all realms of life. When you go to college, not really knowing anyone (not that I don't know anyone at App, because I do) you get to start over. There's a new chance to mold and shape people's opinions of you, because they don't really know how you used to be or where you came from. At my school, the stereotype, or the opinion everyone has of you is pretty much set the first week of middle school and it follows you all the way to senior year. So, I'm excited about going to college. I'm ready for my fresh start.

As for the question of whether or not I will join a sorority... I'm considering it. My former cheerleading coach, Ansley Keiser, has played a big part in my decision process. She went to Georgia and was in a sorority and absolutely loved it. She said, "Katie Jill, you have to join one... you are a Sorority Girl!" This kind of made me think about it. The good thing is that you can go through Rush and still get out of it if you change your mind. It's a good way to meet new people. I don't know yet... I might. So, for now, it's just another unanswered question.

There are a few things I DO know, without a shadow of a doubt. One being, I believe in soul mates. I believe that God has one person for each and every person and that without them, the other is incomplete.

Another thing I know, is that no matter how discouraged I'm feeling, no matter how down things seem... I'm blessed beyond belief and no matter how alone I feel, God has promised me that He will never leave me.

And, another thing I know is that it's okay to have unanswered questions. Everyone does. And if you trust God, He will answer them for you, eventually. You just have to trust Him. He never said it would be easy, He just promised it will be worth it :)

Kiley

I just realized that I have failed to mention one of my very best friends in the entire world! Kiley... well, actually she's my cousin, but she is like my best friend too. She's precious :) Kiley and I have made so many priceless memories in the last few years... From beach trips to slushie huntin to being private detectives... we've had so much fun! She's like the sister I never had. I love her... and I want to wish her an early happy birthday- cause she turns 19 tomorrow.

a little more... :)

I've liked high school for the most part. I've changed a lot. I've blended in just enough and stood out just enough. I'm involved in a lot of different things... I've cheered every year of high school, which was a hassle sometimes, but I did it because I truly love cheerleading. When I was little, my mom encouraged me to try all kinds of different things... I was a girl scout... I did Christian Karate haha.... I played baseball... I swam on a swim team... I danced. And when I started cheerleading in middle school it was like I finally found my niche.

I'm really involved with my church too... I sing in the choir, I'm on the drama team... and I love my youth group. It's like a whole nother family :)

Yearbook staff is a blast. I am SO glad I got to be on staff for most of high school. My only regret is that I wish I'd been on staff freshman year too! It's awesome, because I've made friendships that I might never had made if I hadn't been on staff... like Megan, Keri, Cassidy and Camie. My yearbook advisor is amazing. She's the art teacher too. She truly is a very inspiring woman.

My best friend, Ashley is CRAZY :) we're like, attached at the hip. You see her- you see me. You see me- you see her. She has made high school much more fun. We are like sisters :)

I love love love the beach. It's amazing. My favorite place in the world is Avery county, which is in the mountains, but the beach is great too. I couldn't live there, unlike the mountains. I want to and plan to live in the mountains as soon as I graduate. I just love the beach. Walking on the beach at night... going out on the pier... looking for sea shells... its so amazing. I want to be there right now! I'm so ready for summer. My family usually goes in together and buys a big house on the beach.... its so fun :)

I'm getting very homesick for the mountains. I haven't been in like 3 weeks because mock trial has occupied all my saturdays. I'm so glad it's over! I can't wait for summer...

My First Blog :)

this is my mom, my best friend and my rock. she is an amazing woman and i wouldn't be the person i am today without her.

this is my car. her name is ruby. i've always wanted a volkswagen... my mom got it for me for my 17th birthday and i love it :)

this is my yearbook staff. i've been on staff since sophomore year, and loved every minute of it. it's been the biggest part of my high school years and i love everyone on staff. we're like a family

this is my mock trial team. i did mock trial my junior and senior year of high school and i was a great experience. we made it to states this year! i love everyone on the team

this is ashley, my best friend. high school would be so boring without her. we've been through a lot and i love her absolutely to death!

Okay so this is my very first blog. I've heard of people "blogging" before, but never even thought about getting one until my yearbook advisor, Traci Cline, got one to keep up with everyone when her and her husband adopted two children from Taiwan. I'm not sure if I'll keep it up, even though I've heard it's addicting.


My senior year has been quite eventful... not really what I expected. But, I've definitely learned to roll with the punches. I've missed almost a full month of school with my grandparents, who have been sick (they live in the mountains). My grandparents and I are very close, and I'd give anything to be able to take their place. Because my parents divorced when I was 2, my grandpaw is like my father. He's my rock. It's been a hard year for them- they're doing a little better now, though. I think they'll feel a lot better when they can get out in the good weather (they've had a ton of snow this winter)! We're all so ready for Spring!

God wants you to fully TRUST Him with every aspect of your life. If you love Him, He will give you the desires of your heart...

I have always wanted to go to Appalachian State University. In January, I got my acceptance letter and I was so excited. As of now, I'm committed and can't wait to be there! I have a ton of friends that go there already and my whole family lives in Avery County, about 30 minutes away. I'm so excited. I plan to major in Communications and minor in Business. It's hard to believe that I'll be there in 5 months!

I'm happy where I am right now. I've learned that discontentment doesn't really do anything for you. It's how you handle it. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Happiness is more an inward disposition of the mind than an outward disposition of circumstance." I believe that happiness is a choice. So, I choose to be happy. No matter what. Yes, I'm absolutely terrified of all the huge things coming up that will change my life... mainly graduation and leaving for college, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that my God has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11) and He will be there, right beside me, getting me through it. Remember, if the Lord brings you to it... He'll bring you through it! :)