2012 Ski Trip...

So, Thursday afternoon we set out on our big adventure to Sugar Mountain. We loaded up, filled the bus with chick-fil-a, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and prayed that we could make it up the mountain with a forecast calling for rain mixed with snow. Thankfully we made it. When we were about fifteen minutes away the fog rolled in, then the snow. Thank the Lord that there was a car in front of us so that we could follow the tail lights around those crazy curves. When we got out of the bus it hit us. That twenty degree weather was more than most of us could handle at the time. However, the snow was gorgeous, and we noticed how much of it had actually come down. I think Benji said we got three inches the first night and one inch the second night...

Our first night there... laying down the law.

 Some of the middle school girls enjoying the snow on our first morning there.

 Crossing our fingers that the bus could make it up to the slopes.

 One of the girls confessed to have never built a snowman the night before during a friendly game of "Never Have I Ever", so the next morning we built one. They wanted to name him Honey Boo Boo after the infamous video of the girl from Toddlers & Tiaras. 

 Snowball fight!

 Then we left for our big adventure. By the way, it was fourteen degrees but felt like negative three. The wind was blowing 30-40 mph. Yeah, it was cold.

 The icy walk up to the lodge.

 Lunch break... well, it was a lunch break for some. For others it was the "I'm done. Can't do no more. Skiing is not for me." sitting area.

 Benji convinced me to get back out there and try it again. Even though I fell down twenty times on the first run, took my skis off, and walked down the side of the mountain. I was glad I went back out there, though. I still fell, but I did get a little bit better.

 This is our youth pastor, Steven, and the Lodge Bear on our way to eat after a long day of skiing. I think the bear was the only one well-adjusted to the cold.

 Here's some of the crazy chaperones. I was rooming with the one on the far left, Mary Beth. I think this picture deserves an explanation. So, we had one major injury on the slopes. A boy broke his shin bone, but left his ice pack in the freezer before going home. Darlynn (center) is always "burning up", so she decided to cool off with this boy's ice pack. As you can see, the men usually just look on with a mixture of disguist and confusion. Fun stuff.

 Youth pastor, Steven, and his wife, Morgan.

 Me and Benji before we left to head home.

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On our way home, we stopped by Frankie's Fun Park, spent an arm and a leg at Johnny Rocket's, and left with only one injury of a chipped tooth due to a seat belt in a go-cart.

I had a great time. I was so glad that Benji and I got asked to chapperone. I can't wait to do it again. We had a great group that really inspired me. I hope I can do the same for them.

Wet but Wonderful Wednesday...

Although I woke up pretty sick this morning, showed up late to class, and managed to sit through it while sipping on a sprite and eating some crackers all with only four hours of sleep I'm still going to enjoy this day that the Lord has given me. So, I'm linking up with Jamie again to tell y'all what I'm loving on this Wednesday.

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I'm loving that Alabama didn't LSU score any points in the National Championship game, and I'm loving that despite all the criticism, Tebow is still glorifying God in all that he does. And for those of us who are believers, we know where his success truly comes from.

 I'm loving that we leave tomorrow for the ski trip, and that the forecast is calling for snow.

I'm loving that I'm about to get in the kitchen and make some cupcakes for everybody on the bus ride up to the mountains tomorrow. I'm combining the Neely's recipe for Devil's Food Cupcakes and Chubby Hubby Cupcakes that I found on Pinterest.

And I'm loving my sweet boyfriend who (as of tomorrow) has put up with me for four years. I'm so thankful for him and all that he does for me.

What are y'all loving today?

Going Out With A Bang...

Well today I went back to school. No more Winter break. No more sleeping in till 11. No more wearing pajamas until 2. But that's okay because I finally get go into the schools and start teaching every once in a while. I'm so excited not to have to take any more classes about things that I really don't care about. Now I finally get to be in the classroom, which is what I've waited to do for so long. I'm sure that y'all will be getting plenty of updates about the things I will be doinf, but for now I'll update you on how my weekend went.

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So, I decided to head to Georgia Friday to spend some time with my family. While I was visiting, I made some really cute pillows for my bed. Yes, I'm still crafting...

 Here's a burlap and cotton wreath that I made last week. I love the way the blue and white ribbon looks with it.

 So, while I was in Georgia I met my good friend, Kathleen, and some of her friends in Savannah to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant. Yes, I know I have been running my mouth about eating healthy, but in my defense... it's Paula! How many times will I get the chance to eat there?

Kathleen posing with Paula's cut-out.

 The restaurant.

 Her store next to the restaurant. I could've spent a ton of money in there, but all I bought was a peach candle that I've been wanting badly.

 They start you off with a garlic cheddar biscuit and a hoe cake. I almost cried. I haven't had a hoe cake since my Grandma passed away. It tasted almost just like hers. The girls had never had a hoe cake. Must be a Georgia thing.

 Of course I had to get a sweet tea. I sent the boyfriend a picture of it though 'cause if he would've been given this he would've taken that "green thing" out as quick as he could. Love it.

 I was told, "Get the buffet. That way you can have it all." So, that's what I did. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cream corn, butter beans, and macaroni and cheese... it don't get much better than that. However, I will say that I tried the crab cake burger and it was incredible.

Then, our awesome waiter came and gave us a choice from these three desserts: banana pudding, oreo chocolate ooey gooey butter cake, and peach cobbler. They were all delicious.
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I had such a great time, and I'm so glad Kathleen invited me. Needless to say, I'm hitting the gym extra hard today and getting back on track with my healthy eating habits. I hope y'all have a marvelous Monday and I haven't influenced you too much with my guilty pleasure at Paula's. Keep up the good work!

I Don't Believe in Diets...

There was a time in my life when I would "diet". I would start some new craze that everybody swore was the real deal and then go right back to my old ways. To be quite honest, the word "diet", itself, just seems to make me a little tense. But enough of my ranting and raving. Here's what I truly believe. I believe that everyone should attempt to live a healthy lifestyle filled with nutritious food and exercise. So, lately I've been on the search for healthy meals for lunch and supper. I've got a lot of good ideas from other websites, but I know that word of mouth is what usually helps the most. So, here's some of my ideas for healthy meals. I would love to hear some ideas from y'all.

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BREAKFAST

I know I put these banana peanut butter smoothies up here last time, but seriously... they're really good and a great way to get protein. Just make sure to use the natural peanut butter.

 Oatmeal is always a great way to fill you up so you won't be starving at lunch time. Cinnamon is a great zer0-calorie way to make it taste incredible.

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SNACKS/LUNCH

 I love fruit. Since I'm a salt girl anyway, fruit is my way to get the sweetness in for the day. Breakfast, lunch, snacks or whatever fruit is my friend.

 Beef or chicken tacos/wraps are good for lunch too. They can be prepared ahead of time and don't taste awful after sitting like some foods. Just remember to get wheat tortillas. I'm not a big wheat fan, but I can't tell the difference with tortillas.

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SUPPER

I'm still a Southern girl and love my fried chicken, but I'm also realistic and know that I can't have this all the time. However, oven-fried chicken comes pretty darn close to the real thing, and you don't feel so heavy when you get done eating it.

I found this recipe for a healthy version of parmesan chicken on Food Network's website. They have a lot of good ideas, but I want to hear from y'all. What's some tips and recipes that help you live a healthier life?

Let me know :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

Hey y'all. It's a cold day here in the South. The only thing missing is the snow...seriously. Today, I'm linking up with Jamie to tell y'all what I'm loving on this cold, cold day. 

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I'm loving that tonight is the Clemson game, and they will hopefully do better than my Dawgs did.

I'm loving that the ski trip is only one week away.



I'm loving that the Miranda Lambert concert is getting closer and closer, and I'm loving that this gives me an excuse to look for a new dress.

I'm loving that I am keeping up with my New Year's goals, and that Pinterest has helped me find some inspiration to keep me going.

And just like every other day, I'm loving this boy who keeps making me smile.





Happy New Year...

Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012.

I hope everybody had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. Now that we can finally close the book on 2011, it's time for those resolutions. I'm calling mine goals this year. We all have them. Most of the time we forget about them after the second week of January. But I'm actually going to try to stick with it this year. Here's my inspiration that I got from church yesterday that will hopefully help some of y'all reach your goals for 2012.

Here's how to START your new year...

S- Stop making excuses. Start taking responsibility.

T- Take time to plan.

A- Act. Put your plan in action, and have discipline.

R- Refuse to give up.

T- Try less, trust God more.

Isaiah 43:18-19

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And remember ya'll...don't look in your rear-view mirror.