I'm going on a trip!!

I can't believe it, but I am leaving tomorrow to go to the Dominican Republic with a group from my church to do mission work for a week! I agreed to go sometime late last year and the time has totally gotten away from me. This is my very first time to fly (yes, first time to fly, EVER) and believe it or not, I'm not the least bit nervous. I did have my pre-trip breakdown the other night when I was trying to gather all of my stuff because I wanted to take cute luggage and it was either way too big or way too small. My mom said, "the Dominican's don't care if your luggage is polka-dotted... just put you're stuff in ziplocs." It was pretty lame to pitch a fit over my luggage, but I knew that I was running out of time and there were plenty of things left to do on my list that I didn't think were going to get done. Last night I was putting everything in my luggage, and looked up to see this:

For many of you, you already know that Gracie (my dog) and I really don't like each other. Ha-- it may be because she tends to rank a little higher than me! (just kidding, mom!) Anyway, I couldn't help but really think that her laying in my suitcase was sweet! Way sweet!!

Please be in prayer for me and my friends, Ben, Neil, Amanda, Matt & Justin. Pray that God will help us to be sensitive to the needs of the people in the Dominican Republic. There really isn't a set agenda for the trip, we're basically just prayer walking and forming relationships with the people down there. I'm really excited about meeting the missionaries that we'll be working with, but most of all, I'm excited to see how God is going to use this experience to help me grow as a Christian.

Another Senior

It's May and for many of us, it's an exciting time of getting to enjoy two months of doing whatever we want to do like staying up late, sleeping in each morning, laying by the pool, traveling, not having a strict schedule to follow (not me... I've got such a busy summer for the next 3 months that I have to have schedule), and for many people, May means GRADUATION!!

This past Sunday, my grandmother hosted a graduation luncheon for my cousin Jamey. Jamey is graduating from Lamar High School next Friday night and plans to attend Ole Miss in the fall. Everytime a grandchild graduates, a luncheon is held in her (yes, we only have girl grandchildren) honor. A great time was had by all!!

Grannie and the grandgirls... we missed you, Sarah!

Jamey & her parents

Lauren's Bridesmaids Weekend

*There are several more posts below*

the bride-to-be and me!

Lauren, one of my best friends, is getting married on May 15th. This weekend was her bridesmaids get-a-way in Birmingham. Not everyone was able to come, but those who did had a fabulous time just having girl time. We ate at Lauren's favorite restaurant, California Pizza Kitchen, on Friday night and enjoyed lunch at O'Carr's on Saturday. That was my first time to ever eat there and I was blown away. There's slogan is "Eat by Color" and every plate that comes out of the kitchen is BEAUTIFUL and FULL OF COLOR! I got the chicken salad and fruit plate and it looked like this...

so festive and so much fun!!

some of the bridesmaids at California Pizza Kitchen

Lindsey L., Jessica, Lauren, me, Mary Kendall and Lindsey O. shopping at the Summit

I had so much fun spending the weekend with you girls and can't wait to see you again in three weeks for Lauren & Alan's big day!

Beach!

My summer is jam packed full of activties!! Beginning in May, I'm a bridesmaid in 2 weddings, singing in another wedding, going to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip and then it's all different types of trips with the church during June and July. I'm really excited about everything going on, but I definitely needed to take "a breather" before the summer gets here. Last week, my mom, grandmother and I took a trip to the beach... and it was fabulous. There wasn't a set agenda, we just did exactly what we wanted to do, which was NOTHING!! We ate GREAT food, layed in the sun and enjoyed every minute of it.

a quick picture before we went to dinner at Lousiana Lagniappe!

So... my mom and I wanted floats for the pool, so we went to Walmart to get them. I was just going to try and blow them up myself when we got back to the condo, but she insisted that we blow them up at the gas station... it was a tight fit trying to get them in the car.

Update on Harper Anne

Hey ya'll! Some of you still check in on my blog to see how Harper is doing. Her breathing had become more labored and she wasn't eating well, so Erin and Chad went ahead and took her to UAB to see the doctors. The doctors wanted her to have a heart cath done on Thursday morning. She did have the heart cath, they found she was enemic so she had to have a blood transfusion and the doctors didn't discuss the next round of surgery. She came home on Friday. I really don't know a lot of details, so you can check here for more information.

Woo Hoo!!!

For those of you that haven't heard, I will be traveling on my very first mission trip out of the country. I'm leaving May 21st with four other people from church and will be going to the Dominican Republic for eight days! There have been and will continue to be a lot of "firsts" for me in preparing for this trip. I've NEVER been out of the country, NEVER flown, NEVER tried to carry on a conversation with someone who really speaks Spanish much less sing or try to tell them about Christ and NEVER had to get a passport until now.

Besides getting shots, it's official. I FINALLY got my passport in the mail today!!

I didn't take a picture of the inside of this thing because it's not a good picture. If I would've known what the picture in the passport would have looked like with all those lines, I wouldn't have made the lady at Walgreens take my picture six times. No joke. :)

Hippity Hoppity!!

Well... it was a fabulous weekend in Meridian. Family, Friends, good food, the Easter bunny and worshipping the Risen one!!

Friday, a friend of mine from church helped me hide 1,000 easter eggs for the Preschool/ Children's ministry egg hunt on Saturday. Friday night, I got to spend some quality time with two of my best friends from high school. Saturday, I had SO MUCH FUN at our church easter egg hunt. There were so many people there and God gave us spectacular weather.

And whoever said that the Easter bunny quit visiting once you reached a certain age was WRONG!! I'm 23... and he found me and left me with a wonderful basket of goodies.

A new beach towel, Dr. Seuss book, a swimsuit cover-up, hair clips, tide to go, candles, and candy!! Doesn't get much better than that!


Sunday was a fabulous day at church. There were so many people there and I enjoyed getting to see all of the kids bring their flowers and adorn the cross in the front of the church. After church, all of my family went to my grandmother's house for Easter lunch... and guess who was there?! Our Harper!! This was her first time getting to meet some of our family members. She was precious in her smocked easter bubble suit! PRECIOUS!!

Erin, me and Harper

My cousins from Birmingham and the Rebelette herself came too!! I don't get to see my cousins as much as I would like to, so it's really nice when we get together and catch up!

Sarah, me, Jamey & Emily

me and mom

Four Generations: Grannie Poe, Jesselyn, Erin and Harper

Rebelette!!

Our family received some exciting news on Saturday... my cousin, Jamey, was chosen as one of the 2009-2010 University of Mississippi Rebelette's (the Ole Miss dance team). She and one of her best friends tried out and they BOTH made it! Over 50 girls tried out, and they chose 20. I'm so proud of you Jamey... but please remember... in our family, GO BULLDOGS is the language of choice :)

Jamey and me at Lamar Homecoming

A Weekend Full of Celebrations!

Tomorrow is my grandmother's 70th birthday. That's right, she has been living life to the fullest for the past 25,550 days on Earth. This weekend, we spent our Saturday celebrating her life. On Saturday, there was a brunch hosted in her honor. Many of her friends gathered around, sharing memories that they all have experienced together! It was really fun to hear some of the things they did when they were younger. Saturday night, all 3 of her children, and most of their families joined us in Livingston at Diamond Jim's for dinner. She was showered with gifts all day long, but our family had been working on a little project for her. We all wrote her a letter telling her how much we loved her and how she had made an impact on our lives in some way. Sweet Grannie, I hope you have a fabulous day tomorrow! We all love you and are much better people because of the person you've helped us to become! Mom, Grannie and Me

Grannie Poe (Grannie's sister), Grannie and Judy (their cousin)

Me & Erin

Sarah, Me, Grannie and Jamey! The cousins, minus Emily :(

Rusty, Sandra (my mom), Grannie and Randy-- Grannie's children!

Happy, Happy birthday Grannie!

Looking for a new home??

One of my fellow staff members just accepted a new position in the ministry in Louisiana and he and his wife are trying to sell their home. If you're in the market for a new home, you might want to click here and check this one out... it's a great price and it's super cute!

It's Official!!!

This post should have occured a LONG time ago, but I just (in the past two months) got around to applying for my teaching license. Since I stepped into the BEST job in the world, I didn't feel the need to hurry and get certified because I didn't think I would need it. I graduated last May, yeah... that was in 2008. Now, it's almost May of 2009 and I'm just getting around to getting certified (it's been on my to-do list for a while). I actually got my license in the mail on Tuesday, but the MDE had endorsed me to teach Math & Social Studies (ha, I hate the thought of having to learn about History, much less try and teach it)! So I had to send it back. Now, I'm officially certified to teach English and Math, grades 7-12 and Elementary courses, grades K-6.

A New Found Love

If you haven't tried these Hostess strawberry snack cakes, RUN, don't walk, to the grocery store now! The best part of all?? They're 100 CALORIE PACKS!! Just thought I'd give you a new find for the week!!

new blogger...

hey ya'll! I made a visit out to Harper Anne's house this past Friday and helped Erin set up a blog of her own. I'll continue to update you guys about Harper's progress, but you can also check here for daily/weekly updates! Show Erin's blog a little love :)

Always a Bridesmaid or a Wedding Singer... Never the Bride!

This year, it seems like all, and I mean all, of my friends are getting hitched. I am a bridesmaid in two weddings in May, and I'm singing in a different wedding that's actually taking place on the same day as one of the weddings I'm a bridesmaid in. I'm also in another wedding in August. When wedding bells are ringing then you know that bridal showers are always going to be in the making, too! I spent my weekend hosting and attending bridal showers!!

On Saturday morning, Kristen and I hosted an "Around the Clock" shower for Amber. The three of us were best friends in high school and have remianed very close since then. Amber is marrying Blake, who also went to high school with us. In fact, Blake and Kristen used to date!!! It's funny how things work out, isn't it?! Kristen and I will both me bridesmaids in Amber's wedding and in August, Amber and I will be bridesmaids in Kristen's wedding!

Kristen, Amber and Me

The bride-to-be and her mother

We had a great time!

As soon as that shower was over, I rushed out to Collinsville for Haley's bridal shower. Haley and I met each other at MSU in the elementary edcuation program. Everyone that knows Haley absolutely loves her. She is so laid back, super funny and just an all around fun person to be around. I will be singing in her wedding in May and I'm so glad that I will get to take part in her special day.

Jessica, Me, Lindsey, Haley, Allison, Anna, Courtney and Summer

I also had a great time at Haley's shower getting to catch up with a few of my good friends from MCC and MSU. Anna and I were both in singing groups at MCC. I was in the Dimensions and she was in Encore. I enjoyed getting to know Anna and a few of our other side-kicks during my time at MCC and wouldn't trade traveling, setting up equipment, laughing, crying, complaining, eating out with them for anything in the world! Anna is also singing at Haley's wedding too, so that should be a lot of fun!

As with Haley, Lindsey and I met at MSU. The three of us, along with some other girls, frequently did teaching projects together... and always, always made wonderful grades. Had it not been for Lindsey, I wouldn't have made it through my business calculus class. She truly is a genius when it comes to numbers! It's sad that we're neighbors now Linds, and that we never see each other. We should really work on that!

Anna D. & Abby D.

Me and Lindsey


Finally, to finish off a busy weekend, I woke up Sunday morning to find huge snowflakes falling outside. It truly was a beautiful sight! However, I got dressed and headed out of the house for church! No snow day for me :) I did get a few pictures though.

My car

We have a flat roof... so you really can't see the snow on the house that well!