A Letter To The Rising Seniors From A Just Graduated Senior

Hey you, yes you. The rising Senior who is so excited to finally be the top dog in school. A year ago, I was just like you. I was so excited to be a rising Senior. I read an article similar to this one that told me some things about Senior year. Of course, I did not believe them and just thought that the writer was exaggerating. But here I am, a year later and the information that I read could not had been more relatable. So, here is some advice for you, rising Senior, from a just graduated Senior.

1. This year is going to fly by!! ENJOY IT


I remember reading this a year ago and thought "No, this year won't fly by, graduate is so far away!". Let me tell you, I feel like I just went to my last first day of school.


2. Go to that football game, hangout with your friends, go to that basketball game, participate in your student section. Get involved!!

You will never get this time back. Trust me, Netflix is not going anywhere. Go have fun because soon, you will wish that you could go to that last football game...

3. Don't let the stress of this year ruin it for you. 

This year has been the most stressful year of my life. From school work, to being the Student Body President, to applying to college, to just the chaos from this past year. This too shall pass, honey. I promise you, it will all be worth it in the end. Do not worry about the little things, it will all get worked out.

4. If you do not get into your dream school, IT IS OKAY!! 

Have a number one pick for college and then have a couple of back-ups. If you do not get into the school that you always pictured yourself at, maybe it is because GOD has a BIGGER plan for you. Which leads me to my next tip...

5. Always keep your Faith no matter where you are in life.

Whether you are the happiest you have ever been or the lowest you have ever been. Believe in GOD's plan for you. I know it is hard to not know what HIS plan is, but it will all be worth it. Keep your Faith even through the rough times and constantly pray. It is amazing how far a prayer can go.

6. Keep your friends in your prayers.

If your life is chaotic, so is your friends. Constantly pray for your friends because you never know what they are going through. Check out my last blog post for a more in depth discussion about this topic. ;)

7. Be there for someone this year.

Reach out to someone that you usually wouldn't talk to. Use this whole Senior position as a good thing and reach out to someone. Whether this is reaching out to someone sitting alone at lunch or just smiling at an underclassmen in the hallway. You never know how far kindness can go.

8. Always stay humble and kind. 

Yes, I am referencing the Tim McGraw song. This song came on multiple times a day the week of graduation. Therefore, I knew that it was my finale song. Here are some of the lyrics, "I know you got mountains to climb but Always stay humble and kind. When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you, When the work you put in is realized, Let yourself feel the pride but Always stay humble and kind". There will be mountains that you will have to climb this year, but always stay humble and kind. If you have never heard this song, I suggest you listen to it. I hope and pray that I can live how the song says to.

Relax. This year is going to be so chaotic but oh so fun! There will be ups and downs but it will all be worth it in the end. Don't forget to have fun and enjoy the ride! :) 

Thank You To The Friend That Prays For Me

First off, thank you. Thank you for being you and for our friendship. I would be so lost without you. You always know what to say to me in every situation and you are always there for me. Much love to you friend.

I could not agree with this more. When I saw someone post this picture on Facebook it really made me think. I thought about my friends and the so exciting but oh so hard times that we are going through. I thought about the battles that I fought that I did not tell my friends about but could definitely use their prayers. I thought about the battles that my friends fought that I found out about after the fact. After seeing this picture, I have kept my friends in my prayers even more so than before. 

It was so comforting to hear my friend tell me that she was praying for me in times of trouble and in times of happiness. Because we always need prayers no matter what we are going through. Even if my friend and I aren't texting or having a conversation we will send each other bible verses that make us think of each other. How lucky am I to have this friendship?! Not only do I get an amazing friend who is always there for me, and I mean ALWAYS, but also one that helps me build my faith. Thank you God for this friendship. 

This post was on twitter the other day. Preach, girl preach!! It really does help to have a friend that reminds you of where your thoughts should be directed to, instead of the negatives. If you don't have a friendship where your friend is always praying for you before you tell them your battles, I suggest you to get one. It is one of the best and healthiest friendships to have. 

Thank you to my friend that always prays for me, you know who you are. I thank God for you! 

10 Things Nurse's Children Can Relate To

Growing up with a mother that was a nurse was challenging but oh so rewarding! Thank goodness for my own personal nurse to take care of me!

1. Random nursing supplies around the house? That's no problem, just a normal coincidence. 

 Needles, syringe, ace bandages, stitches kits, stapler removal "object", no problem! It is just another day when we find these objects around the house.

2. Your second language is medical.

An appendectomy? No problem! Nurse's children know all sorts of medical language. Thanks to a little help from Grey's Anatomy also. ;)

3. Things that are considered gross to others, are not gross to us. 

We have been raised all of our lives learning and hearing about the gross stuff. It does not bother us.

4. When your parent comes home from work, you hear about all of the crazy stories. 

Some of them are gross, just like the above number, some are just about crazy people. They are always very comical though!

5. Your friend consider you the "nurse" or "mom" of the group. 

Since you have always been raised by someone always nursing you, that's how you treat your friends. This is totally a good thing though! No matter if you think it is or not, it is! You are always taking care of your friends. Everyone needs someone to be there for them!

6. Your friends always call your parent for advice about medical things.

And you aren't even mad at it! By now, you have learned how to share your parent with people that need them for medical advice.

7. There are absolutely no doctor visits unless we are dying. 

Even when you break your arm, become severely dehydrated or you have been sick for months, your parent still won't take you to the doctor! Our nurses think they know everything... From my past experiences, they really do!

8. Playing hooky is nearly impossible with a nurse parent. 

If you try to play hooky they will observe you, take your temperature and ask you a million questions before not falling for the trick.

9. Going to the hospital is just like going to another home. 

If you are like me, you love visiting your nurse at work. People get so worried when you tell them you have to go to hospital; but to us, it is so common and weirdly calming.

10. You have learned how to help and serve other people. 

What an amazing lesson to learn! With our parent being a nurse, we have learned how to take care of others. We will use this lesson for the rest of our lives.

To my nurse: Thank you for always nursing me and taking care of me! I would be so lost without you mama!

This Too Shall Pass

As I sit here, covered in stress and doubts; I believe that God is not putting me through more than I can handle. Thank you God for that! However, it is so hard to let go of our worries and stresses. IT WILL ALL BE OKAY! I know I need to hear this message as much as anyone else. Let go of your worries and stresses that you may have. Whatever you are going through whether it is finals, family problems, health issues or you are in the midst of planning something. Stop stressing and worrying, this too shall pass. You are strong enough. Give all of your worries and stresses to God. When we worry and stress this only makes things worse. God is always there for us, so give everything to him.

You will get through this. Take it one hour at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time and one month at a time. God is always with you even when you feel alone. Trust in God because his plan is so much better than our own. No stress, worry or doubt is too big for God. He will walk through this with you. As the Johnny Diaz song "Breathe" says, " Breathe, just breathe, Come and rest at My feet, And be, just be, Chaos calls but all you really need, Is to just breathe". WOW! This song has been on repeat the last few weeks. When something big comes your way, just breathe and believe that God will get you through it. Just breathe and believe in God. He's got you and your troubles. This too shall pass, just believe. You can do this! 

Stay strong in this stressful time. After this week already being so stressful for me, I needed to hear this message just as much as you. So from a worrier and someone who is going through a stressful time, you got this. 

Why I am always there for others

THIS. A life motto of mine is to always be there for others. Whether this is being a friend, talking to someone that is sitting alone or standing up for someone that is being picked on. Seriously, this is my DAILY goal and life motto. A lot of people wonder why. Why am I so passionate about being there for others? The answer is because I remember when I was standing alone or felt like I did not fit in and when people reached out to me. They made a conservation with me and made me feel not so lonely (Thank you to those people, y'all are amazing!). They went out of their way to help others. Wouldn't the world be such a better place if we all had this mentality?! I think so!!

Not only do I try to make an impact and be there for others outside of school but also inside of school. At school there are so many people that need someone to be there for them. Someone tweeted the other day, "You never know what someone is going through. Be kind to everyone." Preach sister, preach! Seriously, it makes me so mad when someone is picking on someone else at school. You never know what someone else is going through nor how your words affect them. So, choose uplifting words instead of making fun of someone.
Reach out to someone who needs you. I don't mean to always go to the person that is obviously lonely. Smile at someone when you pass them, compliment someone, do a favor for a friend, reach out to an old friend, pay for the person behind you's food or just simply talk to someone, it is the little things. You never know how much impact you will have on someone's life. Make sure it is a good one. Not only are you going to make someones day/week, you will always impact your own life without even noticing. Personally, when I do something for someone else, I am the one that was blessed. I challenge you to do something good this week to make a positive impact on someone's life. You never know what it could lead to!

Why my Dad is my hero

If you follow me on social media you know that my Sister and Dad ran in a half marathon this past weekend. Sorry for blowing up y'all's feeds.. It was kinda a big deal and here is why- My Father ran in memory of his father and also for the Jimmy V foundation. Here is a testimony that my Dad wrote when he was raising money for the Jimmy V foundation:

"On April 15, 1993 my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  He would succumb to the disease on June 17, 1993 at the young age of 50.  Jimmy Valvano passed away two weeks after my fathers diagnoses. at the age of 47.  Both men missed many important life milestones such as their children's graduations, children's marriages and seeing their beautiful grandchildren come into the world.  Papa Fred now has 4 beautiful granddaughters, 2 grandsons and 2 step grandchildren.  All of these joys were taken away by cancer.  Now as a 46 year old father of 2 wonderful children, I am at the same age that Jimmy Valvano was diagnosed with cancer.  I think every day, will this disease hit me and rob me of the joy of seeing my children graduate college, getting married or from meeting my grandchildren?  I will run this half marathon with my daughter in memory of my father (Papa Fred) and will use his guidance to help us complete the 13.1 miles.  I believe he will be glad that we are running in his honor, but he will be thinking why would you run 13.1 miles?  Just drink a beer in my honor!  I am asking my family and friends to make a donation in memory of a loved one that lost their battle with cancer." 

So, thank you Daddy for being such a huge influence on my life and being my role model. Thank you for showing me that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I hope that I will eventually be able to run half-marathons with you, but in the mean time I will be your biggest cheerleader.

To Papa Fred- I have heard so much about you and I can not wait to meet you. Thank you for being with my Daddy and Sister during the race and being their guardian angel.

Also, a big shout out to my sister for running the half-marathon along side with my Dad! I can not believe that you shaved 40 minutes off of your time!!! For you also, hopefully I will eventually run with you, but I will continue to be your biggest cheerleader and photographer. Keep up the hard work Sis and I will always be here to support you!

To Daddy-Keep doing big things and making a difference in this world! I am so blessed by you and the way that you love me. Thank you for everything you do for me and for always being there for me.

Love,
Your littlest baby girl

Why make a blog?

To those who are wondering what caused me to make a blog this is for you. Recently I have had an urge to create a blog. I think it is because I am constantly reading, saving and re-posting other people’s blogs. The thing that I love most about them are that I really get to see what the other person’s beliefs and values are. Another reason that I have a desire to create a blog is because I have a life motto of helping others. I will save this very important topic for a later (hopefully soon!) post because it is very relative in my life right now. When I post a blog post, I hope it touches someone positively; just like I have been touched positively reading other people’s blogs. Thank you to all of the bloggers that made me want to create my own! I am planning on posting about my life and encouragement for others, because who doesn’t need encouragement all of the time?! I hope that you come back and check out my blog posts later! Have a great weekend everyone!!