Charlotte, GBR 2014, and EFM

It's 9:12 in the morning, and instead of being in pre-cal learning things that I don't want to learn, I am sitting at home in my leggings and tshirt drinking KK coffee. Why? Because today is midterm exam day, and at West if you are a senior and have an A average in the class you can exempt your midterm. After studying my tail off for the last week, doing two projects, and a lot of hoping and praying, I ended up yesterday having a 93 average which is what you have to have (or higher) to exempt. AND I AM SO THANKFUL. I have never hated school by any means, but math and I haven't ever gotten along and I have really struggled with this class this year. But it's okay because I don't have to take the exam… and I didn't have to go to school today. Still doing my happy excited dancing situation.

But I wanted to share about my awesome weekend. Seriously, one of the best one's I have had in a lonnngg time. To start, FSD1 didn't have school Friday, teacher workday. A few weeks ago I discovered we didn't have school, and after talking to my long-time friend Mac, we decided to head up and see our favorite youth pastor-turned seminary student who recently moved to Charlotte and his awesome wife and sweet girls. So we did. It was crazy, we both couldn't leave until Friday morning and we both had to be back around 5:30 Friday afternoon. Yes, I did say Charlotte. Stacey (our awesome youth pastor-turned seminary student) even asked us if we were sure, it would be a lot of driving for not so much time. But after talking to Mac we both agreed that it was really important because we REALLY wanted to go. So I texted Stacey back and told him that we're 17 (me and mac) and we were dying to see them and we're young and crazy and so we're going to do it anyways. I drove because I like driving and I've driven to Charlotte a few other times so I had an idea of where we were going. Mac and I left at 8 and headed out. We made it to their house around 10:30 and I can't even began to explain how awesome it was to see them all face-to-face. After lots of hugs we got an official tour from their 4 girls. I loved how excited they were to see us, and how excited they were to show us their new house. We hung out there for a while just hanging out. It was so fun.

These 5 girls have a reallllllly special place in my heart. Especially the sweet one in the striped shirt on the far right. I have been missing them a lot lately, and I loved getting to hang out for a bit. Also loved the pictures they colored that I took home. 

After a yummy lunch Lia made, we headed uptown (in Charlotte it's uptown not downtown) and stopped in the 7th street market, which is a really fun place that sells all kinds of food and coffee and most importantly, CUPCAKES. Which we all got. And coffee too, which the "adults" had. They had an outdoor seating situation, and we went out there and sat in the sun. It seriously felt amazing. Also, the train came right up to where we were sitting and the girls loved it. They were so sweet the whole day. 

Me Mac & Lia drinking coffee and eating cupcakes.

So after we ate our cupcakes we started walking towards a park. However, before making it to the park, we encountered this barbecue festival competition. Hahah there were vendors all up and down the street, it was really cool. The girls thought it was cool to, and we walked down in the middle of all of it. And of course when we saw this giant blow up pig we had to take a picture. 

Hahaha I just laugh every time I see this

Eventually we made it to the park, and oh my goodness it was gorgeous! There was several cool water features, and a little musical type playground for kids and this enormous beautiful green grassy field. And the sun was shining and it was just absolutely beautiful! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this sweet lady. Look at this view behind us.. Absolutely amazing day.

Four friends. So thankful to be reunited.

These four sweet girls.. Oh my. Just so much joy they have, and they love me and I love them.

So after this sweet time in the park, we headed back to their house. And then me and mac jumped back in my car and drove to Florence. I was really suprised at how fast the trip was from Florence to Charlotte.. which made me happy because it means there will be lots more trips back and forth to see the Severances. Seriously, I loved going to see them even if it was for only a few hours. I've said it many times before, but the influence they have had on my life is incredible. 

Okay moving on. Friday night we rolled back into Flo about 5:30 and after I dropped mac off I headed to babysit for three sweet girls. Basically a chill night. Saturday though, I woke up about 8:15, headed to Harris Teeter bought some snacks, went by Krispy Kreme and got coffee, and then met Abbey and Anna at my house. We picked up Mattie, and headed to the beach! Official Girl's Beach Retreat 2014. It was great. The four of us drove down to Garden City and stayed the night. Saturday's weather was PERFECT. It was one of those rare October days when the sun was bright and shining and warm, the sky was bright blue, and there was a slight breeze. It was beautiful. And we were able to wear bathing suits, in the middle of October, on the beach. It was great. Then we got dressed, ate dinner, saw a movie, came back and laughed and talked and hung out until 2 in the morning, then we crashed. Woke up, ate breakfast, sat lazily around, and then came back home. Honestly it was an awesome way to spend a weekend. Love my girls. 

Amazing October day. And the only pic we took.

 So then Monday was a chill day. Tuesday was EFM. First Pres youth (my church) came this week to provide dinner/teach. Since I go there.. I still taught my class. Because I wanted to. Tait took some of these fun pics. I wanted to share them.

I painted these letters randomly over the summer, and I just love them.

Tait "Let me take your picture in here" 

I love some of their poses. Also, much love for Wilson and Carrigan who came and taught my class with me. Those kids already love them. I am so glad that they were there. Awesome teachers.

So that's the recap. Obviously, time has passed since I started writing this post. It's no longer Monday morning, but now Thursday night. And that's how my life is going right now! Life is fun and busy and exciting and I couldn't be happier with it. I can't believe senior year is already a 1/4 over. It really is. It's going by so fast. So I'm taking it day by day and loving it. Especially in my norts and tshirt which is my daily outfit. 

Thanks for reading. (: