But for some reason, this summer God had a different plan for me, which was to start my dream of becoming a nurse. They always say following God's plan is not always the easy plan, and boy is that true! When I first got here this summer, I was the farthest thing from happy and decided there was NO way I was going to make it the whole summer. I reached the point in the first week that I thought school would be so impossible that I would go ahead and change my major.
Then I went to my church here in Ttown and heard a life changing sermon on worries and fears. (if you have time I really challenge you to watch this...its AWESOME). After hearing this sermon, I decided my attitude needed to change a little. One of my favorite quotes has always been...Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it...I truly feel that a quote could not fit my life more right now.
This is when my roommate, best friend, crime fighter, and fellow nursing student, Natalie and I decided our ways were going to have to change and we were going to enjoy this summer like it was any summer not in school!
Our first weekend here, we were blessed by the hospitality of Madaline to take us to her lake house and it was so relaxing and beautiful. I am so glad we decided to take a much need break from the books and go relax.
Natalie Lizzy and Blake hanging out at the lake
God making himself present when I needed it most!
Blake and I...just a small piece of this earth!
That next week the going got tough as we study for one loooong week for our first nursing test. The coolest part about it was how calm I was going into this test. I usually do not have too bad of test anxiety, but my first big bad nursing test...I figured I would have been freaking out a little more! Natalie, Anna, and I all were blessed my God's grace to have such a peace about the test...and we all ended up doing well...so HOORAY!
That test surely did wipe us out though. That night we went and saw Bridesmaids, which may be one of my new favorite movies, and the rest of the week we relaxed by doing some work but not a lot as well as going to the pool, which was fantastic!!
We ended the week by deciding we needed to treat ourselves to a deliciously meal, and that we did. We went to one of Tuscaloosa's new restaurants called 5. It was such a fun atmosphere, had great food, and great music to dance too (always important).
Me and Anna, who I love more than I can say you have such a heart of gold!
Mary Grace, Meredith, Blake, and Anna
Katie, Me, Natalie, Madaline, and Mary Jordan
My DELICIOUS meal!
Everyone breaking out their dance moves!
The next day (this past weekend) I anxiously awaited the arrival of my parents. I have never been so ready to see my parents. There is nothing like being so exhausted and burned out on studying and having the luxury of your parents visiting to help you clean your house, treat you to some good food, and enjoy some fun games and movies.
Friday night my parents arrived and they spoiled me to dinner at Chuck's. I ordered the surf and turf and it was divine. We sat outside and got to enjoy a beautiful evening in Tuscaloosa with great food and great conversation. I honestly had to look around and pause and realize how blessed I am to be raised by my parents! We got back and took some friends to get TCBY and enjoy some yummy ice cream. Then we came home and while everyone watched a scary movie, we played cards...such a team Longosz thing to do!
The GREATEST man in my life...Daddio!
Rachel, Lizzy, Natalie, Me, and Dad enjoying some TCBY
Saturday morning we got up and went on the river walk and then went to the Paul Bryant Museum, which I had never been too and was pretty cool! Then we came home to conquer the major tasks of cleaning the 1001 casa. We emptied all the cabinets, vacuumed, mopped, we did it all! Working together it did not take too long, and the feeling of cleanliness after was like none before. I have never appreciated cleanliness so much! We were then so tired from cleaning that we just sat around and watched the U.S. Open all day, which some how my brother and dad have turned me into a golf lover and I now LOVE to watch it.
Next, we got ready for dinner where mom and dad treated me and my friends to dinner at Depalamas. Again, it was such a great meal and so enjoyable with the company. We asked many questions where everyone had to go around the table and answer and it made it really fun. One of my favorite questions was what would your major or profession be if you could do anything, my answer...A sports commentator...I think it would be so fun to go to all the different football games and interview the players and coaches. DreamLife!
Girls at Dinner
Me and the Rents!
After dinner, Dad wanted to teach me how to actually make a fire in our grill. Naturally, we were not going to make a fire and then put it out, so my creative parents decided we were going to make s'mores! This was honestly so much fun. It was also bitter sweet because I am used to making s'mores at the lake or at camp and when I looked out I saw the road not a body of water. While I got a little sad about not being at camp, I knew I had to be positive and enjoy the scenery around me as well as the people. Mom, Dad, and I then proceeded to watch the Bucket List, great movie, and go to bed!
We enjoyed an awesome father's day and I was so lucky to be able to actually be with my dad on father's day. If you want to know an A+ kind of guy, just hang out with my dad. I can genuinely say I do not know one person who does not like my dad, nor have I ever heard anyone say something negative about him. He truly is such a blessing and a light in my life, and I would ABSOLUTELY NOT be the person I am today, without him in my life. Thanks Dad for being the man you are and the father to Jay and I. YOUR THE BEST!!
Everyone roasting some mallows
Enjoying my perfectly roasted mallow...take notice I was real outdoorsy and used a real stick!
YUM!
God's Gift to Me!
Lastly, for seizing the day...some of my friends and I recently decided we should make the great investment into some roller blades. Who would have ever thought 8 college girls would go to target late one night and buy roller blades...not I. It was so much fun to bring back the glory days of our childhood, but it was definitely a little hard at first to get back in the swing of things, but it has been so much fun, a worthwhile investment and a great workout!
Seizing the Day in TTown!!
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