21st Celebration

As I said yesterday, I am back in the blogging world.  And as my mom said in her post on here, I went to DC.

Miss Linda took decided to take me to the Embassy of Ghana, so I could get my visa for my upcoming mission trip.  She used the visa as a ploy so we could stay with her son and I could have a memorable 21st birthday.  Here are pictures I took along the way (and some that Miss Linda took).  Enjoy ;)

April 4th, 2016:

 Me and Rhey getting ready to head on out to DC with Miss Linda

Road trips are the greatest with aviator sun glasses and Pandora Radio ;)

April 5th, 2016:

 One of the neighborhoods near the Embassy of Ghana.  I fell in love with the beauty of this neighborhood :)

 Me, Rhey, and Miss Linda at the Washington National Cathedral

Me, Miss Linda, and Rhey having lunch

After lunch, we went to the Pentagon City Mall and walked around

I found this cute cup {but I didn't buy it} - and it expressed e.x.a.c.t.l.y how I feel ;)

Lee (Miss Linda's son) took the three of us out to dinner at Mike's Grill.  He left the table, using the excuse of "I don't see something on the menu.  I'll be right back", and told the waitress that it was my birthday.  I was shocked when I saw my birthday dessert - it was heavenly btw ;)

April 6th, 2016:

Since the beginning of this year, I have wanted to get my picture with a cop.  Don't ask me why, but it was something that I had on my 2016 bucket list.  It just so happened that Lee is a cop, so Miss Linda arranged with him for me to get that desired picture :D 

"Let the attitude show ... you're 21 now!  C'mon baby, c'mon ... lean in!"

After the pictures were taken, Lee started clearing out the passenger seat of the police car.  I didn't think anything of it, and then all of a sudden I heard Miss Linda say "get in Ali".  I was so confused lol ... Lee told me "C'mon, let's ride ... get in girl".  I got in and off we were.  Lee had arranged with his boss for me to go on a ride along.  It was his idea - and I had a blast.  We ended up pulling two people over ... I thought it was the neatest experience!  I'd love to go on a full shift ride along sometime (we'll see if that comes about lol).

Connor {Lee's dog} and I became best buds while I was there.

When we got home, my parents surprised me with two things:

~ luggage for my trip

~ a sister road trip to KY to visit friends

I had the most awesome 21st birthday ... it will be one I remember for the rest of my life!

Upcoming Posts:

~ LillaRose Game 2

~ Ready for Adventure Giveaway

A Purpose for Random Questions

Who loves random questions?

I sure do!  If you were to ask my family + friends, they would without a doubt agree with you.  I'm constantly asking random questions ... or discussing random thoughts with myself (to this I get the "Oh Alisha" eyeroll LOL).

What if random questions suddenly had a "purpose"?

Oooooh what a day that would be .... to finally ask (or answer) random questions, and there actually be a "purpose".

Well ... what if I told you that random questions well have a "purpose" in April?????

I would like to announce .....

So here's what you have to do in order to make this video happen ;)

You can either email me
If you email me, please include the following information ...

-Your name
Specify in your email if you'd like to remain anonymous or if you wouldn't mind your name being mentioned with your question.

-Your questions
you are more than welcome to send as many questions as you'd like.  Enter whatever questions enter your mind ;)

You can fill out the submission form
If you fill out the form, you'll be limited to only five questions.  You'll still need to specify whether or not you would like your name mentioned or not.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Submissions for this video end MARCH 31st, 2016
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So there you have it lovelies - who's excited???????

Comment and express your excitement ;)

XOXO

Rhey's Freshman Year Photos

Rhey's surprise party

This past Saturday, my parents and I threw Rhey a surprise party in honor of her 14th birthday!  We all had a fantastic time of fellowship!  Nooow ... here are the pictures from the party :)

Rhey loves bright & cheery colors, so mom thought that the tie-die decorations would be perfect!!

Rhey loved the flowers I bought her :D

The guest of honor has arrived ;)

Most of the adults talkin'

L-R: Mr. B, Larry, Mrs. B, Mr. L, Mrs. L

Most of the kiddos - Rhey is MIA lol

L-R: Matt, Sarah, D.J, Beth

Mom getting instruction from Mrs. B in how to make garden mint tea

L-R: Mom, Mrs. L, Mrs. B

These three could affectionately be referred to the Three Musketeers ;)

L-R: Sarah, Rhey, D.J

Mom & Dad got her a Bible

L-R: Matt, Sarah, Rhey, D.J

Rhey loves chocolate - can't you tell by her face??? ;)

"Now I didn't know what to get you, but I figured you'd like what I decided to give you" - D.J

L-R: Matt, Sarah, Rhey, D.J

D.J painted Rhey a scenic picture - she loves it :D

L-R: Sarah & Rhey

Matt, Sarah, & Beth got Rhey plants - Rhey loves plants (so of course she loves her new additions)!

L-R: Rhey & D.J

So folks, that wraps up this post!!!!!!

Have you ever thrown somebody a surprise party??

In HIS grace, Alisha

Getting to know you

Okay - so I was reading The Whispering Cottage and saw that she was doing a tag post + wanted others to participate.  Soooo here we go ;)

1. What are three of your favorite hobbies?
If you know me , you know that my hobbies are: photography, playing the piano, and image design.

2. What is your favorite season?
Autumn, most definitely! I love everything: the colors, crisp air, holidays, scents of baked goods, leaves falling, lattes from Starbucks, and I could go on, but I'll stop myself here. 

3. Heels or sneakers?
Due to the fact that I am absolutely 100% a klutz, I'd have to say sneakers ... buuut wedges + tiny heels are awesome too!

4. Casual of fancy?
I'm kinda an in between person haha.  Casual is pretty much all I wear, but I loove getting dressed up for church on Sunday mornin'

5. Which do you prefer: a birthday party, or a girls sleepover party?
I loove birthday parties!!

6. What kinds of blog posts do you enjoy posting that may be out of the ordinary for you or out of your comfort zone?
Ummmm .... hahaha .... I don't really know.  Probably posts on my different convictions (mainly cuz I don't wanna offend anyone). 

7. How old are you?
20!  When I really think about that, it makes me feel very weird thinking I'm 20 (good grief I'm old) lol!

8. When is your birthday?
April 5 ... I love being a spring baby lol :)

9. Do you like the thrill of a roller coaster?
OH YEAH!!!!!  The adrenaline rush + negative/positive G's + wind in my hair ... oh great, now I want to ride a roller coaster again lol!

10. Do you like watching movies in a theater?
Sometimes ... depends on how much I really wanna see the movie.  If it's Disney or DreamWorks - count me in!!

11. What would be your ideal job in the future?
Well - I wanna be whatever God wants me to be!  But I've always wanted to be a wife, mother, and homemaker. But aside from that I would love to be a missionary one day.  I would also love to run a home business like an Etsy shop - we'll see about that though :)

12. Are you into sports? If so, which ones?
Sorta ... I really like football.  Buuut - we don't have TV + I don't follow up on the team I like =/

13. In a football party, which are you: the one that jumps while shouting if your team almost scores? or the one who isn't interested in the game and prefers to eat the snacks while talking to friends?
I'm probably the one cheering my team on while eating snacks with my friends (we'll talk every commercial lol)

14. What are your biggest pet peeves?
Well ... I have a different name for pet peeves (cuz nobody is perfect lol) - buut my "flabbergast moments" are: dogs wearing clothes (God gave them fur for a reason!!). When people appear fake and not genuine. When people ask me if I wanna go to college and I tell them "no I don't" and they respond "well you need to go to college!!"  I wanna say "no really I don't - people in the Bible times got along just fine before college was invented!!"

15. What are your favorite clothing stores you prefer to shop?
Easy ... Goodwill lol :)

16. Are you a bookworm?
When I wanna be haha :P

17. Which do you spend more time on- a book or the internet?
The Internet :P

18. When did you decide to start blogging?
Almost three years ago (blogoversary party is coming up soooon!!)

19. On your honeymoon, which would you rather go to- a rustic lodge in the mountains or a sunny beach house in Florida?
Ummm ... well ... I'm not the type to stay in the mountains ... nor am I the "beachy" type of person.  So my dream honeymoon would be Disney World or Disney Land.  But since those weren't my choices ... probably a beach house in FL.

20. What are five of your favorite TV shows?
1. I Love Lucy
2. The Dick Van Dyke Show
3. The Andy Griffith Show
4. 19 Kids and Counting
5. Bringing Up Bates

21. Where were you born?
In the same hospital as Dad + Rhey ... which was in El Paso, TX

22. If you could meet any ONE fictional character, whether from a book, TV show or movie, who would it be?
Easy ... Nat from "Witch of Blackbird Pond"

23. Do you prefer coffee or hot tea?
Coffee definitely!!

24. What is your hidden talent?
Hahahaha ... I can ... ummm ... well ... *gulp* ... when I was little I could burp my ABC's 

25. If you could travel to any time period (Medieval era, Western 1800s, 1950s, etc.) where would you go?
The 1920's - 1950's

26. Would you rather travel cross country in a plane or a car?
In a plane - although ... rode trips are awesome too haha

27. Do you prefer to play a musical instrument or simply listen?
I prefer to play the piano - but it's extremely nice to be able to listen to others play as well!!!!

28. Who is your best friend?
In my family - Rhey.  Outside my family - Toria, Megan, Rachel, Roxanne (I know, I know, that's more than one - buut there isn't a rule that says you can't have more than one best friend lol).

29. What is your favorite movie?
Father of the Bride 1 and 2; Home; Annie (2015); Betrothed; October Baby

30. Do you believe in God? 

Yes

31. Are you saved, If not what stops you? 
I am a blood bought born again child of God

32. If you could travel some where (other then your own country) where would it be?

Definitely El Salvador, Haiti, the Philippines, and Africa

33. What are you most afraid of..? 
Heights, spiders, snakes, moths, wasps, bumble bees, honey bees ...... this could be a long list.

34. What do you love to do with your time (besides work/school)? 

Read my Bible, blog, experiment in the department of image design, play the piano, pretend I can play as beautifully as Anthony Burger, attempt sewing something, listen to music, email/text my friends

35. What is your favorite color/colors? 

My two top favorites right now are navy blue and coral pink.  My favorite color combination is aqua + red.

36. What are you wanting in you future spouse..?
A man after God's own heart, has a sense of humor, shares the same values and goals, and wants to reach out to others (whether that's thru missions or foster care, etc.) 

37. What is you favorite Bible verse? 
Psalm 27:14 which says, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

38. Do you have any pets? 
Yes - a dog, 2 cats, 3 birds, and fish

39. Where is your favorite place to be?

Home

40. Do you like rain or shine?

Shine - everything is so bright and cheery!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

**I hope that you'll take the time to participate in this post. I can't wait to read your answers. Don't forget to let me know if you're participating!!**

Awk + Awe :: take one ::

So many blogs I read do an "awkward + awesome" post ... and I really enjoy reading them.  I have decided to give it a try since my life consists of really awkward and awesome moments lol :P

So here we go .....

:: Awkward ::

When your aunt mentions that you need to go to college, and your cousin (who's currently in college) speaks up … and you are tired of telling them that you don't feel God currently calling to pursue a degree, so there's just an awkward silence that lingers until you finally answer them with your stock answer.

Talking to a wonderful lady at church and getting information from the last church business meeting, and she all of sudden starts talking about a topic to which you don't wanna show any sort of emotion.

Finding out that your missionary friend will be coming to visit while you're on the upcoming trip, but you don't want to show sort of emotion … cuz your missionary friend is a guy and you don't want the other person to misconstrue any of your emotions.

Texting a dear friend and realizing you text the wrong friend … then having to explain your “duuuh Alisha” moment.

When your mom has the Ready Whip can and decides to squirt it up your nose (love you Mom!).

Sending a text to the wrong person in your contacts that you've lost 19 pounds and they respond with “good for you! Congrats! Uh Alisha are you sure you meant to text me and tell me??”

:: Awesome ::

Finding out that your adopted-by-heart-big brother is tying the knot this summer!

Finding out that your dear friend is getting married this October!

Getting a text from your missionary friend, telling you that she's thinking about you and praying for you.

Finding out that your two missionary friends are being supported by your church. Insert feelings of excitement / happiness / joy.

Having family fun with the Ready Whip can :)

Getting on the scale and realizing that you've lost a total of 19 pounds! #whootwhoot :)

*******************************

What awkward + awesome moments happen in your life?  Leave a comment ... I'd love to hear them ;)

What did you think of this post?  Leave a comment and let me know ;)

In HIS grace, Alisha

Blessings, puppy love, projects, and sister smiles

I know I know .... what kind of blog title is that, right?  I didn't know what else to title this post ... and the current title entitles everything that this post contains haha.

Blessings:

This morning when I looked out my window ... this is what I saw:

an absolutely beautiful blanket of snow

isn't this a wonderful start to Thanksgiving?

sorry this picture was sooo dark - it's was 7am when I took it {not to mention I took it with my phone}

the view from our kitchen window ..... 

sidenote: I'm not a country girl nor will I ever be one.  I'm what you would call the average small town girl.  However, today was one of the days I could step back and say "Wow I'm glad I live in the country ... it's soooo beautiful in the winter time!!"

Puppy love:

If you haven't read my mom's blog, then allow me to introduce you to Nickerson.  However if you were to visit you would rarely hear him being called "Nickerson".  Around here he affectionatlely goes by the following:

*Nickerbopers

*Nickers-o-muffin

*Nickertocks

*Bopers

 ...... and the list could go on hahah!

Anyway ..... he is our cute little 5 month old Husky/lab (oh yeah - we also call him huskador lol).  We all enjoy him so much .....

 He is quite the poser - oh and yes ... he was on my bed (in fact he is quite fond of being on my bed)

Nickerson is quite the love bug!  He loves being up really close to you, but he loves it even better if he can sit in your lap (no joke).  He also loves to give you kisses, sniff/lick your ears (he loves ears for some reason -  idk why lol).  But do not get down on the floor - once your down at his level ... well I have five words for you:

get . ready . to . be . pounced!

Projects:

Today I finished sewing an infinity scarf :)

Sidenote: you can finish an infinity scarf in less than an hour .... but I ran out of time yesterday =/

I sewed an infinity scarf for Rhey's American Girl doll :)

Yesterday I made about three doll size infinity scarves .... yaaay to getting projects started and finished ;)

Toria has introduced me to a new form of creativity - typography!

I have found that it's the best way to end my morning Bible reading ;)

Do you like typography?

Sister smiles:

Ya know ... the past year or two, Rhey and I have grown so close.  Before I always looked at her as just my little sister.  Nothing more and nothing less.  I always used our age difference (6.5 years) as an excuse.  I was so concerned because I wouldn't be able to tell my kids stories about me and my best friend going out for coffee/tea/hot cocoa, sharing what books we're going thru in our Bibles and what we have learned, going shopping, going out for lunch, etc.  

Then God made me realize that I don't need to be concerned about having a best friend (like Mom had) ... I had Rhey.  The best friend I had been wanting/looking for was who I once shared a room with, still get caught committing "a crime" with (yes ... Rhey and I are partner's in crime haha), who comes up and gives me a big hug .... even when I don't want a hug at that exact moment.

My Lord made me realize that no I wont be able to tell my kids about a best friend like Mom had, instead when my kids ask me what my best friend's name was ... I can say "my best friend is your Aunt Rhey" ... what a testimony/legacy that will be for my kids and for Rhey's kids.

Rhey and I have yet to go out for coffe/hot cocoa (maybe I'll take her so she can try Starbuck's signature hot chocolate ;).  But we have enjoyed shopping together, going out for lunch and dinner, satisfying our cravings for frozen yogurt, and much more.

Okay ..... i'm done rambling haha ... here are the pictures ;)

love this girl!!!!

sister selfie out in the FREEEEZING COLD

Sidenote : this was after we played in the snow with Nickerson ;)

>>What projects have you started/accomplished?

>>Do you enjoy typography?

>>How's do you invest in your sister's life?

I would love to know what your answers to these questions are ;)

Until next time ...... Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

     xoxoxoxoxox

A Senior picture showdown

I cannot believe that graduation is next Saturday....man how time flies!  Since we have been sooo busy with house renovations, it's been real rainy, and now that I'm working full-time .... it's been hard to find time to go take pictures lol.  Buuuuuut ..... today the weather was absolutely perfect for pictures :)  So without further rambling ...... enjoy :)

These pictures were taken at a b.e.a.ut.i.f.u.l garden ..... 

 :: Free at last!  Free at last!  Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last! ::

**Martin Luther King, Jr. **

These pictures were taken at a gorgeous Presbyterian church in the town we used to live.  I actually took my old friends pictures at the this church :)

And these were taken at our house .... gotta love havin' 5 acres :)

heehee ..... this is my absolute favorite :)  This was my Pinterest inspired pose .... and after taking about 100 pictures just to get the perfect bubble .... we got the perfect picture and perfect bubble :)

My dad's parents get here on Thursday and we start decorating Thursday night and Friday night.  So stay tuned for posts titled:

*Graduation prep

*The big day

In HIS grace, Alisha