“What is this feeling, so sudden and new?” February 25, 2009

Well it’s been some time once again…but hey, atleast it’s within the same month! ha.

Life just seems to be running away and I feel like I’m in a constant state of holding on for dear life, hoping my grip is tight and strong enough to not let go. Though I know the truth is, my grip is never strong enough…and if left on my own, I probably would have let go a long time ago. But isn’t it wonderful that GOD is so rich in mercy that He loves me enough to help me hold on…to sustain me when I’m weak…to help me jump when there’s an obstacle and push through when there’s temptation. What freedom to not have to live in fear of “letting go”…or fear that if I mess up, if I miss a step, the consequences would be too great to overcome. Thank you Lord for being my strength when I have none…for being my rock when all other ground is sinking sand…and for gently taking my hand and guiding me back to straight and narrow path when I am tempted to wander. Oh what a kind God we serve.  

 

Well, as you know, I love pictures. I always hate when good events go undocumented. But thankfully, we’ve gotten lots of pictures lately, and I think that’s the best way to catch you up (if you so desire to be caught up) on what’s been going on. 

 

First, a few weekends ago was Stephanie Klinger’s (now Peterson) wedding!

Jenn was there…which made me very happy. It was amazing to see her and HUG her and yeah. Miss you Jenn. 

The same night was AGCC’s first Gounds and Sounds coffee house, for which I had the honor of playing for!

(I don’t know if I’m blinking or looking down…hm)

And some fantastic friends (Ariel, Emily and Michael) drove from Orlando for me…I love them!

the Beautiful Ariel

Ems and Michael

 

Not sure where the rest of ems went…

Tall Tree played at the FCA banquet…went very very well! (thank you Lord!)

this is Jimbo introducing us…

Timmmm Tebow. He was outstanding. 

So one lovely Friday my friend Abby (she was on my basketball team btw) came over and we made Valentines cookies! 

ang was responsible for the face ones…can you tell? 

The night ang pulled an all nighter at school Stevo and I were out keeping her company for a few hours!

working. 

rockin her sweet safety glasses…haha.  

And then the next day we had starbucks with ERIN! Hooray! Love her. 

Ang…no idea how she was alive and walking around that day being as tired as she was. 

Ellie was home for the weekend and joined us It was sunny and quite chilly…she only took her jacket off for the picture. ha. 

K wow that was a ton of pictures. So I’ll stop here Hope you all are having a fantastic week!

Slow down February 4, 2009

Wow it’s been a crazy couple of weeks since I last posted! I’m going to try to catch you up real quick without giving every little detail, which most of you know I’m very capable of doing…ha. I’ll just give you the biggest stuff that’s happened. 

 

Last week was my last week of highschool basketball. We went into the tournament as #1 in our district. We played our first game, which was the district championship, and won that which was QUITE exciting! I was able to score a personal high of 21 points (we thought it was 19 but found out the other night it was 21…hooray) We went on to win the pre-conference champ game, won that, and prepared to play in the last game, which was against pretty much our rival. During the season we beat them once and they beat us once. In the end, they came out ahead by 4 points. But it was a good and fun game…one to remember for sure.

 

To say the least, I’m sad it’s all over…it was an incredibly fun season and my team was simply amazing. I love those girls dearly! I hope to keep up the relationships that were built over the past year for sure.  God was gracious to save us from any severe injuries and we were able to make the most of the time. SO! Here are a bunchhhh of pictures from our last game, all-classic game (where a few from each team are picked to play in like an “all-star” type thing…it was fun…we ended up winning against the team we lost to ) and the basketball banquet. 

 

Abby and me…seriously love her. 

Kelly Wing…she played SO well. 

This was in the last seconds of the 3rd quarter…I was able to hit a 3 at the buzzer…if only it had been the LAST quarter…haha.

In the last few seconds of the game…

During the guys halftime, the other team had this little cheerleading squad. They were hilarious and just ok. So our girls (this is not  the first time they’ve done this) decided to do their own thing so they went out and did the “2 bits” cheer. It was amazing. haha so funny…

The crowd loved it. 

Both of our teams got runner-up. 

Our team in the classic game. 

At the banquet (Tori, Hannah, Trish, me and Abby)

(L-R:Jenny, Michaele, Kelly, Rachel, and Kelley)

The team

Awardsss

My WONDERFUL coach and me  

Rachel and Abby  

 

ok, wow that’s a lot. 

Also, the other day ang had to do a photography assignment and had me be her “model”, if you will. and I’m only putting these on here for Jage. They turned out pretty cool (cause ang is good like that)…here are a couple…

 

Ok well that’s all I’ve got for now…Hope you all have a good week!

More… January 19, 2009

I know I posted last night…but I don’t know if I’ll get to update in the next few days. 

Today was fun, David was still in town so after service we went out as a family to Sonny’s (YUM). It was delish. 

Mom and me

 

haha. I love my momma

Dad and me…the blue-eyed ones of the fam  

David and Ang (Oh the many faces of The Dave) 

handsom

What what?

them again… ha

 

I can’t believe another week is about to begin…I wish weekends could last just a couple days longer! 

Oh other exciting news…it’s almost certain that Stephanie, Chris, Ang and I are going to be going to NYC in March over our spring break!!!!! I’m so incredibly excited about spending that time with my sisters and bro-in-law and getting to go see all of things we’re planning! Stephanie has a good friend that lives just outside of Manhattan so we’ll be staying with her, which will be fun! So yeah, definitely something to look forward to.  

 

Ok…well I think that’s all for now. (hey I think I’m getting better at this blog thing…) Hope yall have a fantastic start of the week!

Oh the joys of weekends January 18, 2009

Well! It’s been a very nice weekend this one. It started off with a beautiful Friday that I was just able to chill before leaving for my LAST regular away basketball game of my highschool days. The team we played was a team we beat by about 40 points just a few weeks ago. Last night ended a bit differently…I won’t bore you with the details, but we lost by ONE point in the end, with the small help of some pretty terrible reffing and the other team playing very very well. They wanted it so bad…and we clearly underestimated them! So, to say the least, it was quite disappointing, but look forward to beating them in the tournament  

Here are just a couple pics that one of the guys got from the game…

(this is right as I faked a shot and made her fly fly fly… ha) 

Kelly going for another sweet layup

 

This weekend was a regional Men’s Retreat that our church hosted. So David has been in town which is always so fun. Today has been filled with sleeping in, cleaning the building after the conference, Tall Tree rehearsal, my momma’s homemade veggie soup with cornbread, wonderful family dinner conversation and biblical fellowship, and now watching a movie which I am going to go join  

I hope you all are having a splendid weekend!! Enjoy the glorious weather….ah such beautiful weather. 

Loves.

Sunny Ormond weekend :) January 12, 2009

So this past weekend Ang, Stephen and I took a road trip to Ormond Beach to visit our wonderful Ormond/Daytona friends. We had a superb weekend…very chill. We got there Friday night in time for dinner with Rayna and the Urquharts (one of my favorite families ever) along with Sam and Khrysten . We sat around talking and laughing after dinner and ate brownies. Saturday we were going to go see the sunrise but decided later that night not to…ha. So Ang, Rayna, Steve and I went to McDonalds for breakfast, then later met Sam at Starbucks while he was on break, ate lunch, and just chilled, played music, walked on the beach, had a fantastic stir-fry dinner made by RAYNA and played apples to apples, which is becoming a tradition, I think. And today we went to church, lunch, chilled some more, and we three Gainesvillians sadly departed from our friends to head back home once again. It was a very fun and refreshing weekend! 

I wish you all could know how dear Rayna and her family and our other close friends there are to us…Rayna, dear, i love and miss you already. And it was so great to see you other wonderful ladies as well!  :) 

 

And now, as always, here are way too many pictures. can’t say I didn’t warn you…

Just outside of Gainesville…the beautiful Payne’s Prairie at sunset. 

Ang and Stephen…being Ang and Stephen.  

We listened to some pretty great music on our car rides…

in the backseat. 

Saturday:

At Larry’s Subs…YUM. he loved those doritos. 

 

Sam got off work and was showing us some serious bubble-making skills…

It was a BEAUTIFUL day as we sat out in the grass playing music…*delight*

:)                                                                                                 Stephen and his outrageous taco bell hat. 

       

Sam making grass into an instrument

Ang  

Cute. 

Seriously. love. them. 

It seemed like a good idea at the time…haha

we’re tried and true….I love that. 

we watched the moon rise…SO pretty! 

Walking                                                                           I looks like he’s jumping to the right…but he was actually spinning                                                                                                                                 while jumping left….crazy, right?

      

Pretty much some of the best friends. 

Sunday:

Momma and Papa U!!!! Love them. 

We stopped in Barberville on our way home at the classic statue selling place…we had to take a few pictures. of course. 

Ang and the epic dragon. 

I made a new friend.

Stevo and the Chief during a very intense stare-down competition. 

And that’s our trip! And that’s all I’ve got for now…so have a good start of the week! take it easy friends.

“…Give your hand to me…and I’ll hold it tight…” January 7, 2009

Ever feel like ducking when it’s time to get back into the “swing of things”? I sure do. But it’s inevitable. Such as going back to school today. First day wasn’t bad though, like normal. And I think I’ll really like my teachers this semester too, which is comforting. Ok so school is VERY boring to talk about. 

 

On Monday ang took Celeste’s senior pictures. they went out earlier in the morning while I was sleeping and then called and woke me up and then picked me up and we went out to this scary abandoned house Ang once found and took some pictures out there. It’s a good thing I went with them though because once we actually got out there I was CLEARLY the only brave one since I had to go first and scope things out. I went up and looked in the dirty dusty window and saw right facing the window a very old and falling apart piano. It was incredibly fascinating!! Here you can kind of see it…

 

After that we went to lunch and then to the PARK! Here’s some pictures…

 

Swinging…which i find most relaxing. 

 

Celeste has an incredible gift of falling/tripping/slipping/etc. Here she abruptly slipped almost completely out of the swing…how? i have no idea. but no worries…she held on. 

Ang and Celeste…so adorable.

 

feet! Ang, Celeste and me. Isn’t it funny how much shoes can tell you about a person?

Swinging again…she ended up falling off of this one too…hehe love you celeste

 

 

Well, some exciting things are happening with Tall Tree!! Among a few other things, it was just made official yesterday that we have a VERY big gig coming up in Feb. We are going to be playing at the FCA (Florida Christian Athletes) Heart of Champions banquet. This is a very large event that’ll be 400+ people in attendance with special speakers being Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer. The media will also be covering some of the event. So to say the least, we’d LOVE your prayer as we prepare and perform at this event! It’s an incredible door that’s been opened and we pray that as a result of this more doors will be opened in the future. 

 

Speaking of Tim Tebow, GO GATOORSSSSS in the national championship thursday! woooo baby…

 

Well, that’s all i’ve got for now. Hope everyone is having a good week!

thinking January 2, 2009

You know, it’d be easy to ramble random things to you such as alli stories that you may or may not find interesting or want to hear. I could easily complain or talk about the unfortunate things that happen in any daily life rather than talk about the GOOD and wonderful things that Lord is doing and that have happened over the good year of 2008. But here i have a few interesting things have caused me to think in anticipation for the new year.

 

I was thinking and realize that no matter how many things went wrong in our eyes, or despite how many things we didn’t get done last year….no matter how many disappointments or failures…despite trials or obstacles…2008 was still an amazing year. Why? Because GOD, in fulfilling His incredible promise to us, was FAITHFUL. Because GOD was present and working and moving and continues to do so. And He blesses us with things that are far greater than all of those negative things. I can say for myself that though there might have been times of difficulty and struggle, I had a wonderful year with so many blessings, fun memories, friends, family, laughter, safety, surprises, and so much more. He was TRUELY faithful to me. 

 

This morning my Mamaw and Papaw left to go home to Arkansas. Last night my Papaw wanted to have a time of prayer with my family. So we did and it was very good. Afterwards my Papaw, during a discussion about what the future holds for the church in the midst this fallen and changing nation/world, made the comment… “The Lord WILL build His church up strong and it will be a mighty people……I just want to be a part of that.” I was struck by that and was just overcome with a new sense of desire to be a part of what God is doing in His church. There will be times when things seem to stand still…but the Lord has promised to be faithful to EVERY generation…I know He will be faithful to us to. It was just a cool thing to think about going into a new year. 

 

Well, I have to go. I hope everyone had a good New Years day and are well! I’ll leave you with a picture or two, as always.

Love to you all. 

 

Ang and I got gator pom poms in our stockings…these are our cheer faces

Then we decided cheering wasn’t for us and found a better use for the pom poms…

Back so soon? December 29, 2008

Yes, I know it’s rare I’d update two days in a row but it’s day 2 in bed and I honestly have pretty much nothing to do. I’ve watched a couple movies…checked the facebook…sent some emails…and am now back here…writing another post. ha  

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*EDIT

I went to the doctor today (Monday) again, this time it was my doctor (we had to go to an emergency care place the other day cause it was saturday) and found out some good news. She said that it shouldn’t take me a whole month, the most should be a couple weeks to recover. I’ll still be weak, but I should be able to play basketball before the season is over…isn’t that exciting?!

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I am feeling a bit better today…I was able to get up and venture into the kitchen and family room to breath some fresh air, which was lovely. I slept until around 1pm and haven’t really been able to sleep much since. But hopefully I’ll be able to sleep tonight. 

 

Tomorrow Steph, Chris, the kids, and David come up because my grandparents are here and we’re going to have Christmas with them so they’re all coming up for a couple days. I’m excited to see them again and I’m glad because tomorrow I shouldn’t be contagious anymore! (they said it’d be about 48 hours after i start my meds, and tomorrow will be 48 hours…hooray) 

 

Well, there’s not really much else to report. I guess I will leave you with a couple of random pictures from different things from December. 

 

Here’s Mallory and me at our AGCC Christmas Gala

 

 

And a December picture of the Gilland (and Jessee) girls

 

Happy New Year friends!

Update…LONG update. December 27, 2008

Hey friends. Sorry I’m such a slacker on this blog. After my update in Nov. it’s like life was going a hundred miles an hour and didn’t stop until…well…now I guess! Between finals and the entire holiday season there was a lot to do. Finals went well…God was good to me and I was able to pull it out with good grades! That was a very big relief. 

 

There was so much that happened in the past few weeks that I couldn’t possibly tell you about all of it but I’ll just touch on it. We went down to Orlando for Metro’s Bash after break started. that was so much fun! We stayed with the Jones and got to spend lots of time with them which is always amazing. Then things were busy here with several bball games before the winter break and other stuff. then last Monday Ang and I headed to Orlando again for an appointment I had AND because Jage was in town and we wanted to see her. It was so very much fun getting to see her while she’s home from Whales. We had a lot of fun hanging out…i’m so thankful for that time! Here are a couple pictures from the Tuesday when we went to lunch before she left. 

 

The girls (Ang, Emily, Jage, Lindsay and me)

I don’t remember what was going on here…haha

Ang, Jage and me 

 

Saying goodbye…just for 8 months…  i miss this

(yes…i’m short…i know)

Love you Jage!

So then on Wednesday everyone came down and my whole family had Christmas at Steph and Chris’. We had lots of fun! Prepare for lots of pictures! 

 

Mrs. Jessee helped us start off the morning right by cooking an AMAZING breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, delicious little potato things, and yeah. it was amazing. 

After breakfast, the Caleb and Alec did a little presentation of the Christmas story for us, which was great. Chris then read the actual Christmas story from the Bible, which has been a tradition for years. Then the gifts were distributed and we were off!

 

Ella bella liked the Santa hat              David got some sweet gator stuff

    

Alec opening his gift from Caleb

Steph! (Little did she know she was about to open up a beautiful new iPod)

Daddy and a picture from Ang

Chris!

A Grand kids book for momma            She is the family hippy! haha…

  

Caleb got pretty excited about his gifts  

Traditional sibling picture. Every year mom buys us each another beautiful Christmas plate to add to our set. 

We got lots of fun gifts this year, including a Wii! and lots of other fun stuff.

 

Ang and me all tuckered out after a long Christmas day. 

Then yesterday my dad, david, chris, ang, lindsay, abbott, Hannah masri and I all went to see Valcrie. So that was very fun and then Ang and I hung out with Abbott and Linds along with Steph and Ariel later and all went to Cracker barrel with my fam last night. 

 

Now there is quite a sad ending to this very fun week for me, and I’ll tell you why. Starting last saturday I came down with a fever. Now we’ve all had fevers and it’s normally something that goes away within a couple days. Well, because we had to go to Orlando I just kinda kept advil in me all week to keep the pain off, but the fever never really went away all week. Well long story short, it got worse and worse and by last night i was in bad shape. I went to the doctor this morning and I have… pneumonia. ahhh! Thankfully it’s a minor case, but it’s a case non the less. I think hardest thing to hear the doctor say was after my dad said “well she’s a senior and plays basketball” he replied “not anymore she isn’t”. He told me i shouldn’t play again for about a month…which is almost all we have left of the season. I know the Lord is sovereign and has a reason for this and I know I have to trust Him. This one is just killing me. but, I’ll make it through and will consider from now on that too much fun when by body can’t handle much more can have serious consequences.

 

Well, I hope you all are doing well and had a good Christmas. Have a good New Year and I’d STRONGLY suggest you don’t get pneumonia…it’s not much fun at all. 

Love to you all.

Merry Christmas! December 25, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful day spending time with family and friends. It’s been a VERY fun day so far with my family and we have had the joy of spending time together and have gotten lots of fun gifts. 

I’ll update VERY soon…I promise  

Much love!