Having a Little Brother

As most of you know, I am the sister of a three year old brother named Braxton. With the eyes of a three year old come the responsibilities of always being a role model. It never ends. I always have to make sure my words and actions exemplify a characteristic I wish for my brother to have! I'm not at all saying that everything I do is perfectly executed, there are plenty of bumps I've overcome on the road of being a mentor for Braxton, but I am saying that with the chance of teaching him- I gain the opportunity for him to teach me. 

Having a little brother like Braxton is hardly explainable because right when I think I can understand what is going on inside of his tiny but eventful little brain, he seems to switch gears and easily show me that he can never be defined. I love him for that, too. Braxton has taught me to love the life I live, and to live the life I wish to have. He has been my biggest supporter and my best friend. 

So, as I sat across the table from my three year old brother at Chuck-E-Cheese today, it dawned on me. Braxton is growing up, and becoming a little boy. No matter what though, he still continues to make me laugh when he pouts his lips and make me smile when he wraps his small arms around my leg to hug me with the words of "Ash, I love you!" 

To be his sister is my job, but to be his role model is my wish!

Sometimes you have to be the tattletale, and then other times you have to be the partner in crime!

He's a lover of life! 

He adds a little more spunk and energy to my life!

A day spent with Braxton is a day to never forget! 

United for Morgan

Two rival schools with one purpose, the purpose to give back to one special little girl and her family. 

Morgan Hasty, a fourth grader at Providence Christian School, has been battling sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma (rhabdo) since the year of 2010. She has become such an inspiration to so many people in the Wiregrass Area, and on December 14, 2013 Providence Christian School and Houston Academy were both able to be apart of this inspiration, too. 

With the help and ideas from a few of Providence Christian School's students, the United for Morgan fundraiser quickly assembled to help benefit Morgan and her family with all of the medical expenses that followed after treatments. A flag football game between the junior and senior girls of both schools would help this happen. It didn't stop there though, volunteers and supporters also came to contribute their time and money to fulfill the wish of raising as much money as possible for Morgan! 

The greatest moment of the day for everyone, I think, would have to be when Morgan was able to score the winning touchdown for the Providence Eagles. We were all able to witness an ambitious, brave, young, ten year old girl simply enjoy life and all of its blessings. With her two best friends by her side, Morgan ran down the field with a football in her hand and a smile on her face. Just like that, the football players, cheerleaders, volunteers, and supporters were all able to understand the true reason we were there- not to win a game but to celebrate Morgan and to become united for her! 

At the end of that rainy Saturday in December, the fundraiser was able to give Morgan and her family exactly $8,700. 

(If you would like to make any type of donation to Morgan, please like the Praying for Morgan Hasty Facebook page and send a message. Thank you.)

My favorite football player, Alison! 

All of the football players, cheerleaders, and coaches with Morgan. 

Josie giving Morgan some encouragement before the touchdown run!

The people responsible for the creation and existence of the fundraiser for Morgan! 

(Josie, Nick, Morgan, Brooke, and Caroline)

The one little girl who has overcome more obstacles than we could ever imagine- Morgan Hasty. 

War Eagle or Roll Tide?

The day after an amazing Thanksgiving with my family, we were on the road to watch the Auburn Tigers play against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. It's been a few years since Auburn has become a candidate in advancing to the SEC National Championship; so we were all anticipating an eventful weekend. When we arrived in Auburn on Friday afternoon we could easily tell that everyone else felt the exact same way, and we knew this was going to be a crowded game, but the more people the better!

On Saturday morning the game began to play out, and every fan of both teams shared their football team support. As the real game approached that afternoon, Jordan-Hare Stadium began to fill up and became extremely loud. Then, as the game progressed, each fan became more nervous with each play that was carried out. I witnessed first hand that this was not going to be an easy win for either team! 

My favorite part was watching Chris Davis, number eleven, run into the end-zone after receiving what was supposed to be a field goal kick. To be able to see history being made right before my eyes was astounding! I couldn't and still can't believe the miraculous game that declared Auburn the SEC West Champions! Both teams played an amaziong game, and they both fought for the win but at the end of the day there could only be one winner. 

It was so much fun for my family and I because not only was this the first Iron Bowl Braxton was able to attend, but he was able to witness the atmosphere of Auburn and the victory that night! I loved watching him have a blast throughout the entire game, while yelling "War Eagle," and seeing him have the chance to roll Toomer's Corner! Not only did my family make memories, but Auburn made history!

The Friday before game day! Braxton is the football player, and I am the cheerleader! 

All of us cousins were ready to cheer on them Auburn Tigers!

Before the game started!

After the winning touchdown, the fans went crazy and flooded the field!

We believed. We loved. We won. 

This Past Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving isn't just about gathering everyone in your entire family to enjoy a well-cooked meal, but its about gathering everyone in your entire family to enjoy a well-cooked meal that helps you see why the little things in life are the biggest things! 

I hope everyone can see and understand the prior statement because I feel like sometimes we walk down the path of our lives without enjoying the beautiful scenery that surrounds this path. We need to step back and look at the big picture. What a better way to do this than by being surrounded by the people you love the most on a holiday that can't do anything else but remind you to count your blessings. 

One thing my family added to the tradition of Thanksgiving was a "Thankful Board." My mother had this white board with a wooden frame made for everyone in the entire family to sign. Everyone, no matter the age, wrote down something they were thankful for and wrote their name and the year. The great thing about this is that not only is this a chance for you to create memories, but it is such a great reminder to ourselves of just how much we are blessed. 

After pondering through everything I should be thankful for and am thankful for, only one word stuck out to me in my head. This year on the white board with a wooden frame I wrote LIFE. I can't think of a better word to sum up everything I'm thankful for because even though life may be hard sometimes and we can't understand, I know there is a purpose for everything. After all, isn't that what we all should be thankful for- the life we get to live through Jesus Christ. 

One thing I hope every person has on Thanksgiving is something to be thankful for, and to be surrounded by people that help you see why!  

One thing I love most about my family is all of the babies that are within it! 

Trees Before Turkeys

Every year we always put up our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year since the Iron Bowl will be taking place during the weekend after the holiday, we decided to decorate early!

One thing I love most about decorating the tree is all the memories that are rekindled with the sight of an ornament and the touch of the branch that I choose to hang the ornament on. The reason the ornaments have such a sacred value in my family is because every year we get a new ornament, which allows us to accumulate plenty of ornaments by the time we become a teenager. I love this so much because it's fun to be able to call something "mine!" 

Watching Braxton's eager and inquisitive face every time my mother pulled out an ornament truly was something I will never forget. Another thing I learned quickly from Braxton was that he only had three, while I had sixteen, so I obviously had to let him hang some of mine! It was fun seeing his face light up when he was allowed to hang each individual ornament, and it was even more fun being able to help him! I love being able to spend quality time with my family because we all know the times we share together is what holds us together! 

Decorating the Christmas tree is always a fun and memorable experience, and it was just the thing I needed to get me in the Christmas Spirit- even if Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet! 

 

We love decorating the tree!

Sometimes we all need a little lift! 

Finally finished decorating the tree!

The final appearance! 

Passing on the Crown

This past Friday I gave away my first "Miss" crown! The Miss Lamplighter Pageant is a fundraiser pageant held every year at the prior school I attended. Before I transferred, I was blessed enough to win the title of Miss Lamplighter! 

This title is a huge honor because this is the title that represents the school's official yearbook! Every year many girls in grades sixth to twelfth compete in the Junior Miss and Miss Lamplighter Pageant. It's a very special day for every girl because not only do you get to walk on a stage in a beautiful gown, but you also go to school earlier that day and receive an immense amount of support from all of the student body!  

I can't thank my friends and family enough for the support they gave me on the night of my farewell! I am blessed in so many ways and even though I sometimes fail to express it, I am very aware of it! 

Congratulations to all of the girls who competed and the newly crowned queens! 

Shellie(Jr. MissLamplighter)  and I(Miss Lamplighter) before the pageant began!

I love that I have such supportive friends that are always behind me no matter what! 

Then newly crowned queens!

Savanna and I at Cheddars! 

We can't ever take serious pictures! 

Happy Belated Halloween!

Even though it is a day late, I still would like to wish everyone a very Happy Hallowen! 

I love holidays, not only because it consists of great food and even better decorations, but because it is such a great way for the whole family to spend quality time together! 

This year, my family and I decided that we wanted to carve pumpkins- so off to the pumpkin patch we went! We went to a local place called Aplin Farms, which is a great place for any family with children of all ages! What was supposed to be a day of just "picking pumpkins" turned into a day filled with hayrides, train rides, sunflower fields,  animal exhibits, corn mazes, and a pumpkin patch! 

This was my first time ever visiting Aplin Farms, but it is surely not my last! I enjoyed every moment of being there because when you are surrounded by the poeple you love, nothing can be less than amazing! 

I want to encourage anyone that lives in the Wiregrass Area to check out this exciting adventure that awaits your family, and if you don't live near by, I encourage you to find your nearest pumpkin patch and make lasting memories that you will cherish forever! 

More than excited to pick our pumpkins! 

My favorite part about Aplin Farms is the beautiful field of sunflowers!

All of us enjoying the Hay Ride!

I'll do anything for Braxton, that includes riding a train that is slightly too small for me to fit in!

Braxton ready to collect some candy with our freshly carved pumpkins and his Thomas the Train outfit!

Talons Up!

My school takes pride in the white and blue, and no matter what the score board tells us we will always love the Eagles! 

This past Friday my school, Providence Christian School, played our rival, Houston Academy, in the game of football. 

We started off the morning with finishing up the details in our sections for the pep rally, which would come in the afternoon. Next, the entire high school joined together in a tailgate, which included an inflatable! Then, we celebrated our school spirit by participating in what would be the last pep rally of the season. Lastly, we finished the day dressed in all navy, while cheering on our Eagles in the student section at the football game! I love days like these because it truly makes me see how blessed and thankful I am for having the chance to be apart of such an amazing school! 

Even though Providence wasn't able to walk away victorious on Friday night, we were all able to walk away as one! If you just attended one game at my school, you could witness yourself just how unified my school is! We win together, we lose together, we cry together, we laugh together, and we move on together! 

On yeah, I almost forgot...TALONS UP! 

We love the Eagles! 

All of the Junior girls embracing the Navy Nightmare spirit! 

Are you scared yet? 

Ready or not, here we come! 

Bonfires and Best friends

With high school comes many memories and times spent with friends, in this case it happened at a bonfire! 

The one thing I love most about my school is the people that surround it! No matter where I am at I always have a friend because we can all easily hang out and get along. 

Last week my entire high school, ninth through twelfth grade, gathered in honor of a football game that occurred the following Friday. Though we were all there to show our school spirit and pride, we were also there to enjoy everyone's company! 

I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by, but I am making sure to remember to sit back and take everything in because pretty soon high school will come to an end. 

So, as we all go through the daily routine, let's not forget to embrace the moment and realize that time does fly, but if you surround yourself with the right people you will enjoy the ride and cherish the memories! 

Savanna, Alison, and I making memories!

 

I love these two girls! (Emily on the left and Anna on the right)

Hugs and smiles with Carolyn, Hannah, and Caroline! 

Weagle Weagle

Growing up, I've always been raised in believing that I bleed orange and blue. No matter the circumstance or the season, I've always been an Auburn Tiger! 

My family has season tickets; therefore, I attended the game in Auburn this past weekend. I especially loved this game because the weather was absolutely perfect for some football! Let's not even mention the score, which was 62-3 with Auburn taking home the victory against Western Carolina! 

The game wasn't my favorite part, though. Being able to spend quality time with my family was the icing on the cake! We were all able to bond and just enjoy each-other's company, while teaching my little brother the right way- The Auburn Way! 

I also love coming to the games because it gives me a glimpse of my future! When I say this I mean that I want to attend college at Auburn University. I don't want to go to Auburn just because I'm an Auburn fan, but it genuinely feels like home. Auburn is where I belong, and even though I'm not sure what my major is going to be...I know this is my future school! 

How could you love any other team? There truly is only one way..."The War Eagle Way!"

I love my family! They're always helping me chase my dreams, no matter how insane!

This is Auburn Football! 

Days with Alison!

Between a busy summer and hectic school schedule, Alison and I really haven't been able to just spend bonding time together. So, during our Fall Break, we decided quality time was a must! 

First, yesterday we spent the whole day running around town and exploring new things. One of the things we explored was style. Since, we both have similar but very different styles we wanted to try a style that was very beyond both of ours. After contemplating and searching through many stores we found the perfect one that let us become different people with different tastes in clothing. I loved creating a punk/rock outfit that could even turn me. In fact, my outfit kind of did turn me because I ended up walking out with the same jean vest that I'm wearing in the photo. What I learned through the exploration of different styles is that usually a piece of clothing can be very misleading, and maybe if we just try it on, without judging a book by its cover, we can actually expand our own style!

We decided to try out the punk/rock look for the first time!

Second, today we were less adventurous because after a full day of shopping, a birthday party, and late night talks we were very exhausted. Also, let's not even mention the fact that we woke up and took part in a cardio class at X-treme Fitness this morning! After our workout and really just lounging around the house, we managed to get ready and enjoy the fall weather. Being able to relax outside and sit on the grass let me soak in all of life's beautiful creations. From listening to the birds chirp to feeling the fall breeze on my face to laying in the grass, I began to form an appreciation for all the little things we overlook. 

All in all, I have enjoyed these past couple of days with my best-friend, Alison. She helps me see the good in everything, even when I feel like there can't be any good. In fact, I've never met anyone like her at all. I love the saying "opposites attract" because it is very true. Alison and I couldn't be more different, but I think that's why we are so compatible. We bring out the best in each other. Our friendship can't be defined and it sure cant be denied! 

Flowers and Giggles

Life is fun, but when you have a best-friend by your side...it is way more fun!

Laugh at the bad times and gaze at the good.

Our relationship described in one picture! Alison is acting crazy, while I am a laughing by standard. 

Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant!

If you live in Alabama, Florida, or Georgia you might be familiar with the National Peanut Festival. If you are familiar with this, then you must have heard about the Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant. To have the chance of competing in this National pageant, you must first win a Preliminary title within the state of Alabama, Florida, or Georgia. As soon as you gain a preliminary title, you are on your way to "Peanut!" 

This past weekend forty-one young women had the chance to compete for the title of Miss National Peanut Festival. One of these young women was Miss Dothan, Raven Pasibe. She graced the "Peanut" stage with complete and utter elegance. She walked away as 4th Runner-Up, and she placed in top five of every category! I am so honored to have the chance of meeting Raven and being able to build a relationship with her! Believe me, this isn't the last of Raven Pasibe! 

A collage of Raven and I throughout the year!

Caelyn and I at the pageant! We were both very nervous and excited for Raven!

Miss Dothan, Raven Pasibe, walked away as 4th Runner-Up this past Saturday. I couldn't be prouder of her in everything she has accomplished through out this journey!

All the Dothan queens!