Dear Hormones

This past week has been a mess, medically and emotionally.
I'm crampy, moody, emotionally unstable, laughing at everything, crying at everything else, my mood swings are that of a pregnant menopausal women, and I really dislike the human race as of Thursday. And my doctor is running an underground vampire harvest... I mean really, 3 vials of blood for 2 tests? Something's up.

But on the upside of things,  I'm so blessed to have my two best friends.
When my hormones insist on having a party and my brain is freaking out as the result, they never fail to come to the rescue. MB armed with Ben and Jerry's Cheesecake Brownie ice cream and 500 Days of Summer, allowing me to do whatever needed to be done to feel human again (digesting sugar, not the best thing for me, but it was incredible at the time.) And then there's Nate who earlier in the night, accidentally knocked me up the steps trying to hug me...or was it a tackle? And continued to tell me that love hurts and as they picked me up and hugged me, while I remained stunned. But I know he had good intentions and at least MB tried to catch me.  However, after all that wreck of my emotional wants to cry at the Lawndale Orchestra and Choir Retreat, because they were playing A Baby Changes Everything. And the fact that when I can't hear myself think, I get a little freaked out. And between all that there was the insane high point where Mr. B, our orchestra director went on stage to rap about snow, my body was on complete remix from the confusion of emotions.
So what better way to end the night than to watch indie films past midnight with MB (even if we both fell asleep by the ending scene)? Except when all of your guy friends back in your dorm have gone home and you know for a fact, that Nate is asleep. But because it's dark and no one is on campus and you're desperate, you call Nate and anyway. And what does he do? Sleepily tell you he's on his way to pick you up in five minutes. Sweet, sweet, Nate. Sweet, let's me get away with anything, but still holds me accountable, MB.

I love how no matter what happens, no matter how upset or how much nonsense I'm talking, God still allows them to stay in my life. Blessed, so, so blessed.

Travel.

Summer is almost over! Can you believe it?
The gang and I move back into school in less than a month, what in the world?
With summer came ice cream, oceans, pictures, friends, and best of all roadtrips, which if you've been reading my blog, already know all about.
Traveling is what we love best and I'm super pumped to see what roadtrips and adventures God is going to have for us this fall.
What's being planned?
A girl's weekend with MB to Lake Gaston in September!
and a fall weekend spent in Boone at Oma and Opa's, with MB and Nate!
hopefully the leaves will be beautiful,
the apples will be perfect,
and Tweetsie will be running it's haunted train ride.
Can't wait to get us all together again.

After being in Boone yesterday, I've realized just how much I miss those gorgeous mountains and my amazing grandparents.  They talked about how much they missed the three of us much and can't wait to see our faces and hear our Godly words again. And let me tell ya, we've missed them just as much, if not even more!!
Nate sent Oma and Opa a message through me yesterday saying:
"Ich vermisse euch mit mein ganze Herz! Ich will ihr wierdersehen schon!"
translation according to a very tearful Oma:
"I miss you with all my heart, and can't wait to see you again!"

Oh, to all be back together with these amazing people, it will be an incredible weekend indeed!
Fall in the mountains starts in October but I can hardly wait!  And on a side note, did you know that Boone means blessings? Funny how true that statement really is.

There Is No Me Without You

Finally I've been reunited with my second family, 

my brothers and sister in Christ, 

my best friends by choice, 

and the loves of my life. 

What a fabulous three days we spent roaming between

Asheboro, Sanford, and Durham

with the six of us back together again

and happier than ever to be in each other's company. 

How I've missed these kids.

MB came in Wednesday night 

and we headed off to Sanford 

with Alex and Corbin to meet up with 

Nate and Zach the next morning. 

We got to town a little earlier than expected 

and went up to the train park 

before meeting the guys at La Vita Dolce.  

Hooray for acting like children again! 

We headed to La Dolce Vita for lunch. 

Remember those gifts I mentioned in an earlier blog? 

Well they finally got to open them and were super 

happy with the result.

 I got MB random little goodies, 

along with a cross (the same one I got for Nate too) 

that says,  Love One Another. 

All three of us have this cross because it's the basis of 

our Bible verse; John 13- 34-35. 

Nate got a Hunchback of Notre Dame puppet 

(which stole the tip and helped Zach unwrap his gift)

I don't think I've ever seen Nate so excited before,

good gift choice :) 

Zach's birthday present was an Argentina 

Fifa World Cup jacket, even though it's over now. 

But still he loved it and that's the most important thing. 

Late birthday celebrations never get old. 

After lunch we headed out on the town for adventures.  

We walked up to the abandoned train station, 

where everyone decided to climb over the locked gate 

to get to the roof.  We attempted to find an entrance into the station, 

but couldn't find an unlocked door or window, 

but there's always next time!

(even though it's probably illegal) 

Old building hunting will forever be a favorite past time. 

I'm so grateful that when God was writing out 

our lives, He made us cross paths. 

It's a beautiful thing when your best friends 

become your family and nothing is better 

than knowing that no mater how embarrassing you are, 

or how stupid you may be, nothing will ever come 

between you and your family. 

No greater love than this, friends. 

The fact that our relationship is built on God, 

gives me hope that if anything is going to hold this

family together, it's gonna be our Father. 

We headed to Southpoint, 

danced in public places, 

watched the boys shop

while MB and I sat outside, 

spilt salsa on ourselves, 

explored Urban Outfitters, 

faced fog and storms on backroads, 

ate homemade ice cream, 

got whistled at late at night, 

and climbed onto the roof of the train,

 in the dark with ice cream in hand. 

And no one went to the hospital. 

Very successful day for our group! 

MB and I went to the local German restaurant, 

in downtown Asheboro, the next day for lunch. 

Hooray for schnitzel and real potato salad! 

And I love my wonderful friendship 

bracelet that MB made for me :)  

MB and I had a girls afternoon 

and hit up the local antique shops and art galleries.  

We visited an awesome gallery 

consisting of all things made of duct tape.  

The evening was wrapped up with homemade ice cream 

from the local creamery and life talks in the car. 

It's hard to believe these few days are already over, 

but only 30 more days before we're back at school, 

together again! 

I'm so beyond blessed that God put 

MB, Nate, Zach, Alex, and Corbin in my life.  

I wouldn't trade my family for anyone else in the world. 

They are the sunshine on my rainy day, 

  and the love that keeps me strong. 

******

"Nothing but Heaven itself is better than a friend

who is really a friend"- Plautus

Boone Roadtrip 2010: Seventh Stop: Headed Home and Various Side Trips

Seventh Stop: Headed Home and Various Side Trips

Picture 1: 

"Odd or Even!?" -Nate
"What does that mean?" -Anya
"I pull your hair out and you tell 

me if it's odd or even!" -Nate
"What?!?" -Anya

Picture 2: 

the beautiful sunset 

leaving the mountains

Picture 3: 

Clemens for Anya's first 

Zaxby's experience :D

and then we're on our way home after a 

few more stops for gas and milk shakes haha!

What a wonderful roadtrip this was! 

So blessed beyond measure to have 

this beautiful earth, my phenomenal God, 

amazing grandparents and two 

amazing best friends.  

Not a day goes by that I don't thank 

God for the opportunities, people, and experiences 

He has blessed me with! 

Boone Roadtrip 2010: Fifth and Sixth Stops- King Street and ASU

Fifth and Sixth Stops-

 King Street and ASU

Picture 1: 

I love the fact that King Street 

has public art everywhere :)

"Oh look, that's just like the three of us!" -Anya
"I wanna be that one!!" -Nate
"I was thinking more like Jesus 

symbolism but this works as well." -MB

Picture 2: 

Yo, Yosef! 

Picture 3: 

Love this photo! 

Explorations <3

Picture 4: 

Nate and the graffiti tunnel 

at Appalachian State University

Picture 1: 

Why no, we did not break into the music building

or allow Nate to harass, Ms. Bones, 

the skeleton we found in the 

Alexander Technique room.  

It was true love for those two.

Picture 2: 

Nate's in this picture... 

we just stuffed him in the locker. 

Picture 3: 

told ya. 

since we can't be this crazy at our own 

school of music in Greensboro, 

we have to do when we're 3 hours away

:)

Picture 4: 

Family :)

(minus Ms. Bones)

Next Post: Seventh Stop: Headed Home and Various Side Trips

Boone Roadtrip 2010: Fourth Stop- Oma and Opa's House!!

Fourth Stop- Oma and Opa's House!! 

"You may worry about me leaving 

but if you buy me an accordion, 

I'll never leave you!" -Nate

Picture 1: 

My favorite thing to see,

the German Welcome that's painted 

above the entrance of Oma and Opa's house

Picture 2: 

Nate and I with Oma. 

These two are the glue that hold my heart together.

Picture 3: 

There's a frame at Oma and Opa's house that 

contains two photos of Oma's nun friends

 and if you look at the pictures a certain way you 

can see the face of Jesus in them. We took a picture 

last year on my computer of the Jesus 

photo and His face came out crystal clear, 

here we have Nate showing Opa 

the picture on my computer. 

Picture 4: 

Oma's and Opa's amazing lunch they made for us.  

Oh, German food, how I've missed you! 

Picture 1: 

A trip to Oma and Opa's is not complete

without pulling out the accordion. 

I've never seen Nate so happy before! 

Picture 2: 

Opa, the accordion master, 

 teaching Mary-Beth, the piano major,

 the basics of the accordion. 

Picture 3: 

trips to Oma and Opa's house always 

promise really amazing talks about 

God, life, and Germany. The food is 

amazing and yes, accordions are awesome, 

but when you leave, 

you're soul is refreshed 

with wisdom from Oma and Opa, 

and that's the best blessing we could have.

Picture 1: 

Oma and her German boy :)

Picture 2: 

My beautiful grandmother and I. 

I would not be who I am, without her. 

Picture 3: 

Cheese and Crackers, I'm just like my Opa <3

Picture 4: 

Opa was having some issues 

working the camera haha

Next Post: Fifth and Sixth Stops- King Street and ASU

Boone Roadtrip 2010: Third Stop- Moses Cone

Third Stop- Moses Cone

Picture 1: 

Blowing Rock to see the Moses Cone 

mansion and property. 

"Hey Maybell, did you lock your car?"

Picture 2: 

According to Oma and Nate, 

this looks just like southern Germany :)

Picture 3: 

"Moses Cone, like the hospital?" -Nate
"Well this is their mansion, same family 

who built the hospital in Greensboro though. 

But he's dead now." -Anya

"Oh. Okay." -Nate

Picture 4: 

Moses Cone is now a hotspot for local art :)

Picture 1: 

such a beautiful house with an amazing view! 

Picture 2: 

"Because you're the greatest thing about me"

Picture 3: 

At the rose Arboretum. 

We let Nate pick a trail on the 

property for us to walk, 

and we ended up here along with a 

nasty smelling horse barn, 

a cool stone bridge, 

and beautiful rolling hills. 

And I also managed to get my hair 

stuck on one of the branches haha

Picture 4: 

view from the sun room of the mansion.

Next Post: Fourth Stop- Oma and Opa's House!! 

Boone Roadtrip 2010: Second Stop- Raven Rock Overlook

Second Stop- Raven Rock Overlook

Picture 1: 

"Guys I think that fence is there for a reason..." -MB

Picture 2: 

We came for an adventure, 

so of course we're going to go over the fence 

so we could rockclimb, haha

Picture 3: 

Aside from the dangerous rocks, 

beautiful view!

"Climb every mountain, forge every stream, 

follow every rainbow, until you find your dream."

Picture 4:

and we will gladly perch ourselves on this big rock

 and let Nate do the intense exploring

Next Post: Third Stop- Moses Cone

Boone Roadtrip 2010: First Stop- Grandview Overlook

First Stop- Grandview Overlook

Picture 1: 

Our first stop on the Parkway was Grandview Overlook! 

So excited to get to the mountains! 

Picture 2: 

Breathtaking! 

The heavens declare the glory of the Lord. 

The skies proclaim the work of His hands!

Picture 3: 

Wildflowers were everywhere, another reason to love this parkway! 

Picture 4: 

Nate "tweeting" the view, it makes me laugh. 

Next Post: Second Stop: Raven Rock Overlook

Boone Roadtrip 2010: Let the Journey Begin

And we're off! 

Picture 1: 

while MB was getting her brakes fixed for the trip we decided to just go ahead and walk to Target to get trip food... this involved walking through a field, through the woods, down some train tracks, and under a fence... However it was completely worth it for brakes and wind shield wipers.

Picture 2:

 Windows rolled down, music blaring, fully stocked car, and to the mountains we go!

Picture 3: 

and Nate asleep in the back seat with the cowboy hats...

Next Post: First Stop- Grandview Overlook