A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Blessed

Sometimes it takes a special day to remind me just how blessed I am. The list is endless, as is for you-a college education, clothes, a roof above my head, a bed to sleep in, 3 meals a day, special friends, vacations and one I consider most important-a family with two parents.

Yesterday, my family enjoyed spending quality time at the lake as we celebrated a vital member of our family, my mom. It seems that with each year I grow more and more thankful for her. The love and support she shows to our family is constant and is expressed to us EVERYDAY, even in the small ways. My heart explodes with gratefulness when I think about the countless times she has prayed with me over big and small decisions, disappointments and celebrations. In all that she does, she radiates a love for the Lord and for each of us. She has a genuine interest in the well being of other people and showers them with prayer and support in their time of need. My mom has set a great example for each us and I could not be more appreciative. As my sister said yesterday, "Mom, you always go above and beyond."

We love you!!

**Due to leaving my camera in Auburn, I have zero pictures to capture yesterday's fun. :(

About that "Time"...

The clock is tickin' away and my days left at Auburn can now be counted on one hand. Weird. Despite a math final that I had at noon today, I had one of my favorite days on the plains, thanks to the workings of John Michael. 

I turned in my math final and had one thing on my mind-a nice long Friday afternoon nap. Boy, was I wrong--much more was in store. Leaving the classroom,  I naturally got out my cell phone to make my daily phone call to my mom. Instead, I find a text from none other than Brooke that says something along the lines of "Are you done??? Come to Samford when you get out!! We're going to the bell tower!!" It was at this time that I sprinted to Samford Hall carrying a bag that weighed way more than normal and I got there just in time to join a tour of the bell tower with a group of some of the most amazing friends!

We spent the next hour enjoying a view of Auburn that will always be framed in my mind. What a great way to spend my last Friday in Auburn!!

People Always Think We are Roommates...

If you are reading this then you have probably seen Brooke and I together at some point (or many points) throughout our time at Auburn.  But I mean what can we say? We're best friends. You would think that since we have been friends since our elementary school days we couldn't grow any closer, but that is far from the truth.

These past four years have shown me just how much Brooke cares about me and about our friendship. She has been right at my side through celebrations and through disappointments. She laughs the hardest at my lames jokes and cries even when I am the one upset. She knows just what to say and how to say it. She can read my thoughts and usually can complete my sentences. The Lord has truly blessed me through this friendship and uses Brooke to teach me, both the big and little lessons in life.

Unfortunately, we have to grow up. We are about to go our separate ways for the first time in 22 years. Whoa, that's a long time. Tonight, we ended our time in Auburn with sushi and yes, the silly and uncontrollable laughter that often occurs when we are together...don't hate-we love it.

Growing up doesn't mean our friendship has to stop growing. Just as these past four years has taken our friendship even deeper, I look forward to what the future brings!

Best friends rock.

War Eagle and AOT (right, Brooke?)

Big Events

During the past few weeks, I have found that freshmen year and senior year of college are quite similar. Both are filled with new events accompanied with feelings of excitement about what lies ahead. Freshmen year was consumed with formals, rodeo weekends, date parties, chapter meetings, football games & road trips-all for the first time. Those things have now  become quite normal to me as a senior, BUT I am now experiencing another wave of newness. This time those events are engagements, wedding parties, the actual weddings and senior chapters-all for MY friends! It is hard to believe how fast time flies and that I am now buying wedding presents not for family friends and/or my parents' friends, but for friends that are my age! How exciting!

Below are pictures from KD senior chapter & Brittany and Mark's engagement party. They are a tad blurry because I got them off facebook, but I will get better about taking my own pictures. Enjoy!

Proud Owner

Today at 2:00 p.m. I became the proud owner of my very own website! After a series of battles with Dreamweaver, Adobe Flash, Photoshop and all their friends I have finally launched www.carolinepowell.org. I turned the CD-rom into my teacher as my heart rate reached new records--this website is my final grade which in turn determines whether I graduate. I think it is safe to say that many of you would have this same anxiety. All this to say-when you have a minute go visit my site! It would love to have a visit from YOU!

The Grand Finale

Yes, it is true. As of 6:45 p.m.this evening, I have completed my last day as a student-forever. I have listened to a lecture for the last time. I have completed readings and reading responses for the last time. And yes, I have thrown on Nike shorts and a sorority t-shirt for the last time (well, as class attire). With finals and final projects hanging over my head, it is hard for my to completely enjoy this feeling, but I know the day is oh, so close. Back to working on my website--look for a link soon!

Shooting for Consistency this Time...

Okay, okay. I admit I am extremely off and on with my blogging habits. Due to switching my major back in January to Communication, I am taking summer classes in hopes to successfully catching up with my fellow Auburn seniors.Speaking of, I am just now becoming comfortable with telling people that I am now a senior in college. In August 2006, I remember being told by seniors to embrace everyday of your college experience because it goes by so quickly, and i have found myself passing down that same advice to the upcoming freshmen. I am excited to see what my last year on the Plains holds, and am even more eager for the upcoming expansion of my world that will come after May 2010 (crossing my fingers that the expansion=Nashville)!

This past week was filled with many celebrations within my family. Last Thursday, I celebrated my 22nd birthday with my family and friends. With WEGP being a large part of my upcoming senior year, my family decided they would center all my birthday presents around Auburn. My family came to Auburn to eat with me and my friends threw me a pool party, filled with hot dogs, water balloon fights, and all the other activities found at an old school pool party. This past weekend, my entire family was together to celebrate Father's Day and my aunt's going away party as she leaves for Uganda today for six weeks. Being that we have celebrated Father's Day for countless years and have celebrated in practically the same way every year, the siblings decided we would re-vamp this year. Courtney, Logan, and I put our heads together, resulting in the original idea of having a "Father's Day Fiesta". If you know my family and the cheesiness that we all share, you will find that of no surprise. We cooked tacos and decorated the kitchen for a fiesta. Dad found this quite amusing, but loved every minute of it. The three siblings had a great time planning together, and we were reminded of just how much we all love being together.

Now I must return to studying...the joys of summer school....

Sorry I am Sketch...

Ahh! I have been so back and forth with my blogging, putting me in the category of sketch. Not having much free time these days, I have had very little time to do anything but study and other school related activities. After experiencing several days of rain, Auburn was very excited to see pretty weather yesterday. I enjoyed a day of class, tennis, and last night Lindsey and I took our 8th grade D-Group to Coldstone and then went to take pictures on Samford Lawn. We had such a great time and it was a great break to be outside enjoying the beautiful weather!!

Does WEGP ever sleep??

I am beginning to wonder if WEGP ever sleeps. After staying up all night on Tuesday night and then having a "Get Your Suit Breakfast" this morning at Big Blue, all of us newbies are sleep deprived...BUT having SO much fun! We got our official navy suits this morning and enjoyed bagels, fruit, and lots and lots of coffee together! Off to cram for a quiz that I obviously haven't been able to study for!

My First All-Nighter

I am back from the dead! The past week and a half or so has been filled with exciting moments, snow, broken computers, tests, trips home, etc. But now I am back and better than ever. This week has held something I have always wanted to achieve-I PULLED MY FIRST ALL NIGHTER! For those of you who know me, you know that I love my early bed time and my early mornings, so this whole all-nighter thing is a HUGE step for me. Last night, WEGP had the annual "Senior Speeches Night". With the day/night starting at 5:30 p.m. last night at Breezeway, we all enjoyed each other's company until 6:45 a.m. So obviously, I have not slept since Monday night and will definitly have no time for naps today. It is going to be a day run off pure adrenaline, so we will see how it goes! Posted the first official picture of most of the War Eagle Girls before our long night began!

Happy Graduation!

I must say the fast few days have quite busy! They have been consumed with studying for two midterms, interview, meeting with friends, and seeing Confessions of Shopaholic last night for chapter. Because I have a hard time sitting still throughout a movie, I began to make "What I Need to do and Haven't Done" list in nmy head. Though this is not near as important as half the other things I have going this week, I realized I forgot to put up pictures of what some (my sister) may call, my niece at graduation. Courtney and Jonathan's little puppy, Ginger, graduated on Sunday afternoon, and to say the least, her parents are quite thrilled. Ginger has been going to be obedience school for about two months and now knows how to sit, come, and fetch. I agree with Jonathan (my sister's husband) that you pay way too much for obedience school and hardly get anything out of it. I figured some pictures of the proud family would be quite enjoyable for you all! Have a great day!

Disney World Isn't the Only Fabulous Part of Orlando...

Ask anyone that knows me well and they will tell you that it is safe to say that I am obsessed with Disney World. Everything about it. I went there with friends after graduation and a few of us die hard fans stood in line for TWO AND A HALF hours to get a picture with Mickey and Minnie. I am okay admitting that that may seem quite odd...BUT...tonight I learned that Disney World is not the only great part about Orlando, Fl. Tonight I went to a Campus Crusade Women's Dessert Party, where we heard from a lady named Jenny, who serves with Crusade in Orlando. The Lord was shining straight through her, and she had an amazing testimony to share with us. In the comfort of the chi-o chapter room, she shared with us Ephesians 1:7-8...."in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom an understanding." I wish I could put re-put into words all that she touched on tonight, but I will quickly highlight (before I hit the sack) a few of the main points. She talked about how we as Christians get caught up in referring to grace as something that only "lost" people need to receive and be reminded of. But in reality, it is the Christians that sometimes tend to throw the grace of the Lord to the backseat. It is only through His grace that we are living this life, and it is only through grace that we can learn from the obstacles the Lord may throw in our life. She has faced so many tragic events in her life, and it was so encouraging to see that though she still struggles daily with them, she can acknowlege them as a perfect picture of the grace in which the Lord lavishly lays upon us.

Needless to say, attending this dessert party was much more worth my time than studying for my midterm tomorrow!

Where I Come From

Once again, Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was as great as mine! I spent the weekend at home with mom and Logan (dad is out of town), and we had a blast!

Friday-Mom helped give a dessert party on Saturday night, so on Friday we ran errands for that and then went to decorate for it. The party room was filled with desserts, flowers, round tables with white tableclothes, candlelight, all centerd around a tall fountain. Mom attended a women's conference Friday night, so I spent Friday night watching Sweet Home Alabama, which I have now named my favorite movie!

Saturday-STUDIED STUDIED STUDIED! I have two midterms this week,so Saturday was spent mostly studying. I took a break and took Honey a good hour or so walk. The weather was beautiful and I know we both enjoyed it. Saturday night, Mom and I went to the dessert party for Nikki Irvin's engagement and we had a blast. It was so great to visit with old church family and friends that I have not seen in quite a while. I was the assigned photographer, so I had to be careful not to talk the entire time and get no pictures.

Sunday-Courtney and Jonathan came through town on their way back to Birmingham. We all went to eat at Panera followed by Mom, Courtney, and I going to try on bridesmaid's dress for our cousins wedding. We both got those ordered, so we can stop worrying about that for a while.

Let's see what Monday holds!

"Honey, I'm Home"

Most Importantly- At home this weekend, I will be able to play with the precious little rat-terrior puppy that we got a few months ago! My mom has always been anti-pets since you could say she is a clean freak, but I am starting to wonder if she loves Honey more than she loves her own children. She says she doesn't, but I don't know if I buy that...

Been There, Done That, Got the T-Shirt

IT IS ALL DONE! Resume and cover letter turned in and Family Studies mid-term turned in, yay! After a week of little sleep, taking almost every minute of spare time to work, and lots of staring at a computer screen, the weekend has finally begun! I've been told that I should drag out my college years for as long as possible, but I am beginning to think that all these tests and projects are not worth it.

The weekend is not going to be to eventful, unlike last weekend. I am going home to study for 2 midterms, bridesmaid's dress fitting appointment, prepare for an interview, and REST REST REST! Have a happy, happy, Friday!

Almost There!

Break from project time! Julie and I went to breakfast at Panera this morning and just had the greatest time! Over parfaits,we talked about Rome, the real world, devotional books, school, you know just the norm. Wish we could've stayed all morning, but unfortunately we both had class at 9 a.m. Since then, I have been working on this project and studying for my test, looking SO forward to tomorrow when it will all be completed! Until then, my eyes will be on a computer screen...

If I Could Have Anything in the World...

So, I do not consider myself completely clueless in this area, but if i could own anything in the world it would be nothing than the book pictured to your left. I worked hours on this project yesterday, only to bring it to my teacher this morning and watch her butcher it with her little red pen. Though I am very fortunate that that red pen was used now and not after the due date, it means that I will be stressing over every little detail, knowing that I do not have another opportunity for her to critique it. Wish I had more to post, but a)nothing super exciting happened today and b)must get back to project and studying for test! Looking forward to an early morning breakfast at Panera with Julie!!

Mr.President's Own Personal Holiday

Happy President's Day! Though Auburn did not observe today as a holiday, I gave myself the day off. Still tired from the weekend and having lots of school work to do, I woke up early and got to work, skipping my 9:00 a.m. class. It was very much needed-got lots of work done and am now rested and ready for the somewhat stressful week ahead.

And yes, I know George Bush is not our president anymore, but I am somewhat obsessed with this family. Having read several books on the daily and "normal" (so they say) life of these four people, I feel like I am best friends with the Bush twins. So, in response to the patriotic-ness of today, I decided to past one of my favorite Bush family photos.

I Love....

In tribute to Valentine's Day...

I LOVE,
blogs
coffee
mornings
reading-biographies
journals
"cute" handwriting
matching pajamas
family and friends
Sunday afternoon Bible study
sweet reunions
chocolate covered strawberries
family time
bubble baths
planners and planning
The Today Show
gerber daisies
Auburn
laughing all night
trendy jewelry
anne taylor/anne taylor loft
wearing suits
high heels
robes
fires