Hello 2015!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm having a hard time believing the year 2014 even happened because it went by so fast. It felt like every time I blinked, another month had passed. I would like to use that as my excuse for why I gave up on blogging after March, but honestly I just forgot. College life will do that to ya. However, I'm making it a goal (not a resolution) to document my life more in words and pictures this year, and I think this blog is a great place to start. 

I thought a good first post would be to do a recap of the big moments of my seemingly nonexistent 2014 (just following in suit with my other favorite bloggers out there). 

First

At the beginning of the year, I checked an item off my bucket list: Find One Tree Hill filming sights. Living in Wilmington would not be right if I didn't search out the houses and sights from my all-time favorite TV show. Luckily, I had some equally obsessed friends who went along for the ride, and it was an awesome day! There are still a lot more places that I have to see, but that was a great start.

Second

At the end of January, I gained a roommate and a best friend all in one little package. While I knew Brittany for a few months before she became a roomie, I didn't know the depth of our friendship until I was coming home every day to her long stories and overwhelming generosity. Brittany made 326-19 feel like home, and my college life (and just life in general) would not be the same without her. 

Third

I finished my first year of college - PRAISE! I grew as a student and a person so much in my first year. I learned a lot about myself and about the world, and I am so thankful for this opportunity God has placed in front of me. There were definitely times that I wanted to give up, but I got through it, and I'm that much closer to getting my B.A. in Communication Studies!

Fourth

In May, I found out that my best friend since sixth grade was expecting a little baby! A few weeks after Cynthia told me she was pregnant, she found out she was having a girl!!! And as if all of that didn't already have me overjoyed, Cynthia and Daniel asked me to be sweet Sophia's godmother! After much anticipation, Sophia Lorraine Cox made her arrival into the world on November 13th at a perfect 6 lbs 11 oz. I am absolutely smitten with this precious little girl, and I can't wait to watch her grow. 

Fifth

As if one baby isn't enough to make this girl the happiest in the world, in June my sister Courtney told me (in typical, perfect Courtney-fashion) that she was also pregnant!!! This season of my life has been so sweet, especially with Court. I spent a lot of this past semester focusing on Courtney's pregnancy, i.e calling/texting every day, making solo road trips to VA, dying to find out the gender, planning/attending baby showers, going to ultrasounds. In about a month, give or take, I will have my first little niece who I already love so much. I can't wait to spoil that sweet girl rotten.

Sixth

I celebrated my third anniversary with my handsome boyfriend in August, and although we've only have three anniversary dates (obvi), this past one was probably my favorite. It was super spontaneous, and I enjoyed just spending time with Al. 2014 was an awesome year for our relationship, and we got to do a lot of things we had never done before, including taking our first solo vacation & road trip! I'm so thankful for my man and the endless ways he spoils me!

 

Seventh

In the way of church activities, I had a busy and fun year! I got to co-lead Vacation Bible School at my home church with three of the greatest people. It was one of the most difficult and thrilling experiences of my Christian life so far because it was literally just us four young adults leading a room full of middle and high school students. I also fell in love with the college ministry in Wilmington called Overflow, as well as spent more time getting to know and love my small group girls. And finally, I attended an Apologetics Conference in Charlotte with some people from my home church, and I learned so much about the Word and about who God is. The Lord is always so good to me.

Eighth

In 2014, I got to spend a lot of time with family. I don't know if this has always occurred and I haven't appreciated it as much, or if it was only this year that I got to see my family a lot, but either way I am thankful for it. I spent a lot of time with my Nana while she has been in a nursing home. I was able to see my cousins on my mom's side quite often, as well as one of my cousins on my dad's side. I spent a lot of time with my parents and my sisters. I ended the year with my dad's folks, and I'm incredibly grateful for a year filled with family.

I am so thankful for an incredible year, even though it seemed like a vapor! I'm looking forward to seeing what 2015 holds for me! The Lord has awesome plans, and He is true to His promises! 

Thanks for reading!