Miss Kimbootie

This entry is specifically for my friend KIMBERLY PAIGE ODOM. Mainly because she is mad that I didn't put her in the pictures on the top. I'm sorry Kimmay! But I love you very, very much and I am so glad that we are friends. You are the best and I miss you lots! Thanks for everything you've done for me since second grade :)

Oh Texas...

So we have been in Texas for almost a week! The first couple of days were long and tiring. We encountered many obstacles that were very frustrating! But now things have settled down and things are starting to go really well. Our apartment is almost finished put together! We take our tests on Tuesday that will decide rather we are highly qualified or not. I get into my classroom on Wednesday! I am so excited about that! I can't wait to decorate. Anyway, the next few weeks will be pretty busy. I will write more later, but I'm just so exhausted right now! I will leave with a few pictures of our apartments.

My Room

Our Den and our new TV!

Holly's room!

It's not goodbye, but see you at Thanksgiving!!

I was once told that if you can count the number of true friends you have on one hand, then you are a lucky and blessed person. Over the past few days and weeks, I have been saying a lot of goodbyes-- and I have realized that I am truly, truly blessed with amazing friends. How many people can say they have as many great friends as I do? I feel so blessed!!! I have so many friends who have been through thick and thin with me.

I read this in a book just the other day, and it made me think of my friends. So here is the excerpt that made me think of you guys!

I've had some realizations lately. Like that I havent had a cold or the flu in exactly one year. I realized I haven't worn shoes with a heel in over two, maybe three years. Apparently I can't be bothered with a shoe that I cant just slide my foot into. No-Hassle Girl, that's me. I realized that the older I get the smaller the world gets, history really does repeat itself, and I will never use calculus. I also realized the immeasurable value of old friends.

And by old friends, I mean the true kind. The kind of friends that have been around the block with me, more than once, and would choose to go around again. Friends that have no secrets and no restrictions and no limit of love to give. My friends have seen the best in me- and the worst. Oddly enough, none of them have run screaming or signed a disinterested yawn. Or worse, none of them have cut me off. Shut me out. They just love me over and over and over in spite of myself.

I hope that in as much as I've taken from these friends, I've somehow managed to give some, too. Having friends, friends like these, was part of my survival. Sometimes I felt like they WERE my survival. During the dark days when I couldn't see one foot into they future, they believed in me. Days when I couldnt pray, they prayed for me. Days when I wasn't sure if God existed or cared anymore, they knew He did and lived as if He did. These friends have never, ever given up on me. And they have had plenty of chances and more than enouch reasons. I tend to get my heart broken a lot. Chances are, I"ll get my heart broken again in the future. And they will be there. They were there for me the first time. And the second. So no matter what heartwrenching situation I find myself in, they will love me and pray for me and listen to me and pray for me some more. Even when I dont want them to. Even when I scream that it doesn't work. When I give up, they'll keep on. I think, I hope, that if I find myself in another desert of loneliness- when I think that God has abandoned me and given up on me- I hope I will have the wherewithal to remember His most creative gift to me. My friends. He knew how much I would need them. Knows how much I need them still. Because of them, I am not alone.

I will thank God every day for each of you. Thank you for being my friend! It means more to me than you know. I will miss you each so much! But just know that this is not goodbye-- it's just see you later!! THANK YOU for everything... I love you each more than you know!!

My friends that made it to my "see ya later" party!

these two girls have been my friend since the highschool days! we've done plenty of arguing, but even more laughing. I will miss them so much!!
My Dare Bear and my best friend! We became friends when I was 15, and have been through pretty much anything you can imagine. We argue a lot, but I know that he always has my back! He is my favorite guy in the world.
My Chele Bell! This would be Darren's beautiful girlfriend! He is way too lucky to have her! She is wonderful and I have loved becoming her friend!! I will miss her a lot, probably more than I miss Darren... haha

Tiffany! We met my sophomore year in college. She is literally the happiest person I know! She is always in a good mood and always smiling. I am going to miss her SO much!!!

My NikNak! We met my freshmen year of college and have pretty much been inseparable ever since (except for that one semester when we hated each others boyfriends.. haha!) She is my friend from Tuscaloosa that I will miss the most. She is my best friend and I'm going to miss her so!
Rere and Nat... these two girls were my saving grace last summer. I know that without them, I would have sat around and moped all summer long. I love you two so much and will miss you guys!
My MoHo! We met in like junior high and guess and have been friends ever since. I love you MoChambs and I am going to miss you so so much! You are so silly and crazy and I love that about you!!!

Nicholas. Oh my NickyPoo! I could write a book about you and me.. haha! All I'm going to say is: Cherries, DRob, date parties (3!), homecoming, prom, Quads, Burke, Geology Part 2, and my list could go on and on and on. I love you and always will and will miss you terribly!!!!

I am so very blessed! These are only just a few of my wonderful friends. If I sat here and listed every single one of them, I would be here all night!! So just because your picture isn't posted doesnt mean I dont love you! It just means that I'm tired of waiting for pictures to upload- ha! So to all my friends-- thanks for the laughs and the memories!! Come visit in Dallas and we will make plenty more!! I love you guys!!!

Recap of the past few days....

This past weekend was a busy but fun one! I spent Wednesday-Friday in Auburn catching up with some old friends. I got to spend time with Kahla, Haley, Terri Leigh, and Kelsey. It was a last minute trip, but I'm very glad that I got to spend some time with each of them before it's time to move!!

Friday night Emily Bryant Freeman had her precious baby boy! He is adorable! His name is Ryland Bryant Freeman. He is the cutest baby boy! I went with the Allreds to the hospital to see him. Congratulations Emily and David!

Saturday was the fourth of July and I went to the lake with Holly, Chase, my dad, and Ashley. We went to one of my dad's friend's lake houses. We spent the day riding on the boat and tubing, cooking out, making homemade icecream, and just chilling. That night I went to the Trussville Freedom Celebration with some friends to watch the fireworks show, and then we went to Jake's house to play games. It was a really fun fourth of July!

Tomorrow night we are moving the boxes out of our apartment in Tuscaloosa. Wednesday is my 22nd birthday, so I will be taking the day off of packing. I am really excited that Holly and I will get to spend our birthday this year together, since last year she was off in Colorado! Thursday morning we are moving our furniture out of the apartment. A week from Saturday we move to Texas! I can't believe it is already here. There is a going away/birthday party for Holly and I this Saturday at 7:00 at Kim's house, I'm pretty excited about that!!

One week and a few days until we're Texas bound... I'm so excited! But I dread the goodbyes I will have to say between now and then... ah!

MEB

Six years have gone by since the day that we lost a beautiful friend. I remember the day like it was yesterday- has it really been SIX years? But that day isn't what I remember the most- when I think about Molly what I will always remember is her smile. She had a beautiful smile and a beautiful heart to match it. She was compassionate and caring. She was fun and crazy. She was always fun to be around. She was kind to everyone. I could sit here and ramble off actual memories of things done with her- but I think those characteristics are the things that are important to remember. Although it has been six years, I will always remember these things about her. We may all be sad and heartbroken about our loss still... but the most important thing for all of us to remember is that she is in the better place now. She doesn't have to worry about drama or heartache or anything else of this world- all she has to do is worship our Lord. I can see her now-- standing in His glory, with her hands raised high, singing His praises as loud as she can. She loved her Lord and while we all have missed her these past years, I know that after being in Heaven she would have never chosen to come back. I look forward to the day when I get to be reunited with her and many others in Glory. Oh what a wonderful day that will be! I love you Molly and I will never, ever forget you.