Where am I going???

This is my last semester at TCC and then I will be transferring somewhere else!  Right now there are three schools that I am looking in to; James Madison University (Harrisburg, VA), Old Dominion University (here in Norfolk), and University of Memphis (Memphis, TN).  I think I will found out sometime in March.  The Lord has really helped me to trust Him throughout this whole process of making a decision for next fall.  I don't know where I will end up, but I do know the Lord does.  He has my whole life planned out before me and that gives me great comfort.  He may even have something totally different planned for next fall, that I have no idea about yet.  It will be exciting to see where the Lord will open doors and lead me!   

Days gone by

I was looking through some pictures on my mom's camera and found these ones of Connor and Kara from this past summer :)

Connor and his LONG hair....he really looks like a surfer guy

Kara's Lenscrafters model shot :)

365 days without it....

January 3rd marked the day of when I had gone an entire year without chocolate!  My friend Jessi gave me this idea to start "no chocolate for an entire year."  For those of you who don't know me that well, I must tell you I LOVE chocolate, so giving it up for 365 days was quite a challenge for me at times.  There were two reasons why I did this; one reason was to be more healthy (I have a little sweet tooth:), and the second, more important reason, was to use this experience to show my dependence on the Lord in ALL areas of my life.  I also used it to draw me closer to Him.  Whenever I was tempted to give in and have a piece of chocolate, I prayed and asked the Lord to help me.  Back in January of last year when I first started this chocolate fast a friend gave me a Bible verse that directly applied.

~2 Corinthians 12:9-10~

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

This helped to show me more clearly how I need to depend on the Lord in all areas of my life, whether they are small or big things.  Also, as a side note, its funny I don't seem to crave chocolate as much as I used to haha :)

First piece of chocolate!

It was so good!! :)

The Richards' Annual

Well, we had our yearly Richards' New Years eve party again this year.  We all had a great time with the Adams, Ammon, and Glover families!

Happy New Year!!!!

~2009~

The dapper boys

The lovely moms

The sweet girlies

The macho dads

Enjoying a time of worship before 2009

"10...9....8....7....6......5............!!!"

All the kids

Warning:  Watch out for Kara's freaky face :)

All the parents

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

On Christmas eve both Dad and I had to work most of the day, so Connor and Kara stayed home helping mom prepare food for the evening at the Melone's house.  We ate a wonderful dinner at the Melone's, along with the Murphy and Parson families.  Around 7pm we all headed over to church for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  That evening we stayed up late just talking, hanging out, and enjoying our new pajamas.  Christmas morning started early as usual.  The rule is no one can go down stairs until 7am, so of course at 7am both Connor and Kara are wide awake and ready to see what is waiting for them under the tree.  After checking out what "Santa" left under the tree and in our stockings, we then enjoyed a very yummy egg casserole that Kara had made.  Before the paper tearin' began, we had a devotion time to remind us of what we are celebrating at this time of year; the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Now came the opening of all the gifts!  We each took turns opening one gift at a time, so we could see what each other receives.  Playing with the new gadgets, napping, snacking, relaxing, and cleaning up (Dad:) made up the most of our Christmas afternoon.  That evening we got to enjoy a great Christmas dinner at our good friends, the Adams' house.  The night ended with a stop at the Barstow's house where many other church families had gathered to enjoy more yummy food, games, singing, and fellowship.  

I really can't believe Christmas is over.  It always seems that once it gets here it goes way too fast!  I am really thankful for this time though; not only because of the special times with friends and family, but also it's a time were we can remember how God sent his only Son, Jesus, to the earth to live the perfect life we couldn't live and then die for all our sins.  I hope everyone had a wonderful christmas!

~Merry Christmas-2008~

Christmas family picture

Christmas Eve with our new Pjs

Can you tell Kara's excited to have a Wii?!

Connor's new guitar

My new Dooney and Bourke.  You can tell that I had just gotten out of bed :)

Christmas morning breakfast

Playing Kara's new Wii

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Merry Christmas!

"But the angel said unto them, Do not be afraid.  

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. 

 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!" 

~Luke 2:10-11~

"Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, 

praising to God and saying, 

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

~Luke 2: 13-14~

Our December so far

December has been busy, as usual.  The highlights, so far, have been the 316 Parent-teen ministry Christmas Party, my 20th Birthday party, Access Singles Ministry Christmas Banquet, and spending time with friends.   Each year the Seniors at our church plan the 316 christmas party.  This year the theme was "Christmas in New York City."  Connor dressed up as the "brothas' from da hood," complete with do-rags, baggy pants, and XXL t-shirts.  Kara and one of her friends, Helena, dressed up as punks with purple hair and fish net stockings.  For my 20th birthday we had live music from Connor and his band.  This was their first show and they were SO awesome!!  Dad set up a disco ball and a green spotlight for their stage, so it was really like a concert haha.  They played, "Lovers in Japan" by Coldplay, "We are One" by Switchfoot, "Sleigh Ride" by Reliant K, and their own rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."  Thanks guys for playing!!  Oh, and if anyone would like a signed copy of their new CD, I might be able to hook you up.......jk :)  We also had ping-pong, foosball, basketball, and hang out time at my party.  For my birthday with just our family we went out to Applebees' for lunch after church and then headed home to open presents.  I was blessed with a new North Face Jacket (it's awesome...thanks Mom and Dad!!), a sweet Volcom purse from Connor and Kara, a new piece for my Christmas in the City village from Grandma and Grandpa, and some giftcards.   Needless to say, it was  GREAT 20th birthday!!  Thank you everyone for making it so special! :) Saturday, the 20th, was the Access Christmas Party at church.  All of us singles dressed up and enjoyed a very tasty dinner along with some wonderful musical performances. 

We are all looking forward to Christmas day, when we will celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

My new North Face jacket!

Sugar and I :)

Access Christmas Party

Jess, Bec, Jenni, and I

My friends Matt and Eric from Enchanted Forest

Kara and her friends, Jessica and Katelyn

My sweet friend, Allie

The band, Jonathan, Connor, Aaron, and Nathan

This is how my gingerbread house ended up after it completely fell apart...haha

Laura, Natasha, and I attempting to make gingerbread houses

Mine didn't last long at all :(

The brothas' from the hood

Connor and some of his friends from church