Life Couldn't Better

As you all have probably heard I do have a boyfriend. I know I have been talking so long about how happy I am being single but now that I have a boyfriend I couldn't be happier!! Nathan is exactly what I have been looking for, he is funny, nice, caring, and has a wonderful personality! He is also an amazing Christian guy! I am actually going to church with him this Wednesday! I am so excited! He has already met my mom and so far so loves him!! I am going to meet his family when I go to church with them! His mom has been talking to me alot on facebook and she seems SO sweet.
My best friend Meredith recently broke up with her boyfriend and the same day that she told me that Nathan's friend asked if I could bring him a friend of mine to hang with him, so I brought her along, now they are talking and doing great also!
Its AMAZING how God can bring you to someone so amazing after all the losers you were with before! Nathan is just the guy I have been looking for! He will soon get to meet my extended family at my graduation party, I know they will love him!! (Heres a picture of us 4: Roger Berry, Meredith Alexander, Nathan Berry and me!!)

I want to thank all of you that have been praying for me through all this end-of-the-year stress, its gettting worse and worse but there is major light at the end of this tunnel and I can't wait!
We have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week at school. Then a senior skip day Friday. Prom saturday. School Monday. No school Tuesday. School Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. School Monday and Tuesday then Graduation practice the rest of the week and Graduation on the 27th.
I am working on invitations as I type. Thats a big load of stress gone, FINALLY!! Now I have 2 projects due soon as finals and I will be outta that school!!

Love you guys
xoxo
Lainey

Changes

In exactly 10 days I will be on my way to New York City!! I'm so excited I cant wait! From everyone that I talked to they said that it is a trip of a lifetime!! Its going to be so exciting!!
Also last weekend was Tiger roundup at campbellsville University and I met so many awesome people that are coming here for school :) I cant wait to see them again :)


The other day there was a wreck that involved some teenagers in my town. One boy was a Senior at Green County High School, he was pronounced dead at the scene. If you guys could please pray for his family it would be greatly appreciated. The girl driving that car is still in Louisville at the hospital in critical condition, she doesn't know her own boyfriend is dead yet and her son turned 2 today. The other car was driven by a girl in my grade. She was treated and is back home now. All 3 of these families need prayer. Its hard to believe that someone my age was killed....it really makes me realize how much I take life for granted sometimes and how I overreact with some things I need to realize that there are worse things going on in the world.

Also to all of my family, Graduation is set for May 27th :) we will be sending out invites soon :)

Love you guys!!
Lainey
xoxo

SPRING BREAK

 Spring Break is so close its the first week of April!! I can't wait! I do wish I was in college now though cause I would be laying on the beach right now!! haha Me and my friend April decided that we want to go to the beach next year!! Just have fun with each other and have an amazing time and each bring a friend! We could go out to eat once or twice and just lay out on the beach ALL DAY :)
This year for SPRING BREAK I will be doing what I did last year and loved it! Me and my friend Christen just went out to the lake everyday and laid out and that's it!! Didn't spend any money just stayed out there then went to someones house to watch a movie! It's awesome!!
I hope you all have an amazing SPRING BREAK and have the time of your lives, a lot of my college friends are in Florida right now and LOVE it!! It gets me so excited!!
The week after SPRING BREAK I am going to NEW YORK CITY!! I am so excited for this!! Then the next month I have prom!! Then GRADUATION!!! I seriously can not wait!! haha

love you guys:)
xoxo
Lainey

Prove EVERYONE wrong!! :)

Today started day one of:

OPERATION: LAINEY LOSE WEIGHT

I have been talking about losing weight before college and a lot of people have said that I either can't do it or that it won't change that much. But i have going to prove everyone wrong. I want to start college with a clean slate!! I also am NOT going to gain the alleged "freshman 15."

Working out daily is going to suck, running for 30 minutes, pilates for 15 and abs for 15...gonna suck.

The while time I'm working out I gotta think about that I will be skinny after I get done doing it!!

Something awesome coming up in my life is Senior Trip!! We are going to New York City  we are going the second week of April :) So excited!! School is flying now!! I feel like i have something every weekend!! :) As long as its getting me closer to graduating I'm fine!! :)

Love you guys

God Bless

xoxo

Lainey

Everything happens for a reason. :)

When I sit and think about how its been almost 6 without my dad being in my life its strange. He has missed so much, proms, ballgames, my salvation and so much more. Soon he will also be missing my graduation. I just sometimes wish that he cared enough to show up and act like the man he should be and not like a child.
My uncle a few weeks ago asked me if I wanted him to find my dad for me so I could see him. My response was simple: "He made me suffer for years, he is now suffering by not seeing me."
I wish my dad was active in my life but there are good things that come out of it..like my mom meeting the amazing man in her life now, Kyle! :) He is so good to my mom and me and Parker. We all love him so much!
I pray daily for my attitude towards my dad, its hard to love and forgive someone that treated you, and your mom bad.
I do also miss my wonderful hometown of Albany Georgia. (Picture below) But this summer me, mom and Parker may be taking a trip down there to do all the things I have wanted to do but never had the chance to because of my dad. I love being in Albany, the smell of fresh peaches, pine trees, hot sun, walking outside barefoot on pine needles and pecans. I love that amazing place.

Theres a reason that my parents got a divorce, I see that reason now. It has brought me and mom SO MUCH closer. Mom met Kyle and I have amazing friends here in Campbellsville!
My next step in life is college and starting a career and wherever life takes me its because everything happens for a reason.
Love you guys!
xoxo
Lainey 

God is AMAZING!

I just got back from serving some meals at Chrysalis flight #23! It was just for boys this weekend and they all had an amazing time!!
The first night after one talk they had 19 salvations, God is so good! Then by Sunday morning they had a total of 22. It was so awesome to see the guys attitude change from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, they were so different!! I loved watching them change :)
One of the decisions were one of my ex-boyfriends, as soon as he came home he asked if we could be friends again. I made a decision to be friends with him AND his girlfriend!!
She was telling me how she wants to get closer to God. I am going to help her. Shes gonna try to go to church with me as much as she can :) Then in a couple of weeks on March 12th im going to Winter Jam, a one night Christian concert and she is going to go!! :) I am so happy.
I would love if everyone could please send up some prayers for them both.
Love you guys!!
xoxo

Lainey :)

Boys come and go but friends will always be there for you :)

This is my BEST FRIEND April. We met in the most random way ever!! We both participated in Junior Miss. I didn't like her at first, but now we are best friends. I love how God brings people in your life for the perfect reasons.
I hang out with April all the time and love her so much!! She has helped me to realize how bad of choices I made with boyfriends. I also know that no matter what shes gonna be there for me no matter what! That's what I love about friends, no matter what boys come and go but friends will always be there for you :)
 Like tonight instead of sitting around the house moping about how I don't have a boyfriend I am hanging out with April and a bunch of other friends to watch movies! :) Then I am going to Aprils to stay the night.
If you are single and you just sit around all day alone saying "I'm so lonely!! I hate life" its because you aren't making your life fun! You have to get out and have fun with your friends!

Be a best friend

Tell the truth

Overuse I love you 

I love this song called "Love Like Crazy" by Lee Brice. I live these words daily! :) 

This weekend is the guys Chrysalis and I am going to be serving lunch and dinner this weekend out at the campground. I am so excited!! Please be praying for the guys and workers attending this flight! :)

God Bless, love you guys!! :)

xoxo

Lainey

Time is FLYING!!

I felt like just yesterday I was starting high school. But tonight was the last high school basketball game for me, except districts and regional. Its sad to think that I only have 3 months left of high school. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to be going to college but its weird to think that I have been with these people for 12 years and now I probably won't ever see most of them again.
Even though I am sad I am SO excited to be in college!! Meeting new people, learning new things and being on my own. Its going to be so different but so life changing! I just wish I could get away from immature people that are in high school, too bad they are still there at college! I will need ALOT of strength from God. I will need God's strength for everyday in college.
That's what growing up is all about!! I have been hanging out with my college friends lately and totally understanding how amazing it will be! I am going to miss home alot, just thankfully i can come home whenever I want! :) Whenever some guy will want to ruin my happiness I will come running back to my mommy! :)
Never let guys put you down, if they do, God will lift you up! :)
Love you guys,
xoxo
Lainey

Life just keeps getting better!!

Today was one of the best days in a LONG time!! :) Honestly I don't know why today was so good but it was! I actually woke up and got ready and looked cute today!! (If you don't know me very well that's very rare!!) Then when I got to school I was saying "hi" to almost about everyone!! I didn't almost fall asleep in AP Government, I was in a good mood all that period. I laughed and had fun in AP English 4, and even did my work!! haha I just had such a great day! I didn't get in fights with anyone and there was no drama!
For my friends that have been looking out for me, I didn't text a guy today!! I'm doing good on this being single thing! :)
I did have a small argument with mom today but it was resolved quickly! I know I say I cant wait to move out but I'm going to miss my mommy, even if I will be 2 streets over! :)
My inspiration lately? Francesca Battistelli this girl is amazing :) Her song Free To Be Me is love, plain and simple!! Its saying that no matter what "couple rips in your jeans, or a dent in your fender" when your with God and on His shoulders your "Free to be you!" I love love love this song!! She wrote a new song and I just heard it the other day on Klove and fell in love!! Its called This is the Stuff.
Here are some lyrics!

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

 

This feels like my days everyday but then I realize how amazing God is in the smallest ways!! Like today, we had the most beautiful weather! I saw God through the weather today because the weather had been so nasty lately with snow and nastiness I think that's another reason I was in such a good mood!

I hope you guys can see God in the little things, even the bad stuff!!

"If the devil brings you to it, God will bring you through it." 

Remember this quote!!

Love you guys,

xoxo

Lainey 

 

Beautiful inside and out!! :)

I can't stand when guys see girls as just a sexual "trophy" and they don't care about our feelings. I have had too many guys only want to date me or talk to me because of my looks and when they find out I'm not in a relationship for sex they just drop me. They don't even consider my feelings. I am more than what you see. I also can not stand when guys whistle at girls or yell offensive phrases about their bodies. This can make some girls less confident about their attitude and personality. I am not saying you should date someone who doesn't find you attractive but I don't think seeing someone as "attractive" should be put as the top priority of dating them. They may not seem attractive physically but they could be the sexiest man ever by their personality. These guys are hard to find. Look out there girls!!
Coming from experience don't date a guy that ALWAYS has his hands all over you. Nothing about seeing couples in public being touchy is attractive or a good role model!! This can also ruin your reputation by being called "the girl that gets around." One bad choice of a bad boyfriend can set a reputation of who you are quick! Trust me!! Its not a good thing either!!
Guys aren't the only ones that see girls as pieces of meat. Us girls are guilty of it too! (Don't say you aren't girls, we all do it!!) I know for me I'll be out with my friends somewhere and see a guy and say he's "hot" or "cute" or even see another guy and say "oh my goodness he's ugly". That guy could be the most amazing guy there is and I never would get the chance to know him. When girls post pictures on Facebook in bikinis and barely any clothes, it causes guys to see us as this piece of meat. Its offense to all the girls out there. It's like they are setting guidlines for us girls. But us girls need to stick together and change that!! Show guys your more than a pretty face, prove to them that you are beautiful inside and out!! :)

Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.
-- Sophia Loren 


Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.
-- Kahlil Gibran

Beauty... when you look into a woman's eyes and see what is in her heart.
-- Nate Dircks 

Love you guys!!
xoxo
Lainey 

Who I Am

As I am sitting here on a Friday night, alone while most of my friends are out on dates with their boyfriends I am listening to my iTunes. A song just came on and came some AMAZING inspiration :)
I used to be a huge fan on Nick Jonas but lately I feel as if Justin Bieber has over taken his popularity.  Anyways, this song is called Who I am by Nick Jonas and The Administration. (Nick Jonas actually wrote this song....thought that was neat)

I want someone to love me
For who I am.
I want someone to need me.
Is that so bad?
I want someone to love me
For who I am.

Nothing makes sense.
Nothing makes sense anymore.
Nothing is right.
Nothing is right when you're gone.
Losing my breath.
Losing my right to be wrong.
I'm frightened to death.
I'm frightened that I won't be strong.

I want someone to love me
For who I am.
I want someone to need me.
Is that so bad?
I wanna break all the madness
But it's all I have.
I want someone to love me
For who I am.
 

I'm shaking it off.
I'm shaking off all of the pain.
You're breaking my heart 

Breaking my heart once again.

I want someone to love me
For who I am.
I want someone to need me.
Is that so bad?
I wanna break all the madness
But it's all I have.
I want someone to love me
For who I am.

Are you gonna love me
(yeah)
For who I am?

I want someone to love me
For who I am.
I want someone to need me.
Is that so bad?
I wanna break all the madness
But it's all I have.
I want someone to love me
For who I am.
(yeah)
Who I am.

This song just is a major favorite to me because I don't want someone to love me when I'm all dolled up and dressy I want a guy that will love me for whatever hot mess I look like that day! I pray for that guy everyday :) Like my amazing mother said:

"Instead of focusing on the guys in your past, pray for the mat God intends for you. He is out there some where struggling with his own stuff."

Another friend of mine named Jacob told me once:

"If you can't be patient with God then who are you going to be patient with?"

I have always struggled with patience, but if I turn to God and lay my problems before Him He can bring me through  ANYTHING ! 

Love you!!

xoxo

Lainey

Valentines Day...love stinks.

Unless you live under a rock you know that VALENTINES DAY is Monday. Wooo!!! NOT! I have always hated Valentines Day. From Elementary school I never recieved a Valentine from the boy I liked. Then in middle school when I had my first boyfriend he got me disgusting chocolate from Dollar Tree and a fake rose....love you too honey! Now in High school, me and my boyfriend sophomore year broke up the Monday before Valentines Day. I burned his pictures, no lie. I kind of regret it though, cause now I cant show my children my first offcial boyfriend. Oh well!! ;) Then last year my boyfriend bought me this UGLY stuffed monkey that sheds pink fur! AWESOME!! Not :/ So I have never really been a fan of Valentines Day, I know I probably won't until I have one of those AMAZING romance movie status boyfriend that buys me one of those HUGE teddy bears that cost like $20.00 :) 
Another reason I hate this horrid holiday is because the years that I dont have a boyfriend for Valentines Day I feel like everyone else does. But this year again I am single, oddly enough I'm happy with it. I see everyday on Facebook couples are breaking up. So single is the new black :) I find being single so much more fun and easier! I don't have ANYONE to impress, my schedule is clear (minus work and school), I can save my money for me or college, I don't have to get all dressed up on a Saturday night and go on a date to some lame resturaunt. 
Now onto the picture at the top. This is how I enjoy spending my weekends, going out to eat with 10 or 15 of my friends and go bowling and walk around Wal-Mart. I love being with my friends more than I would with some dumb boy.
Don't get me wrong I do sometimes wish I had a boyfriend and do want one but not now. I'm 17 and single and LOVING IT!! I am going through my "trying to love myself" stage. Because how can you love someone else if you can't love yourself? Think about it :) 
 Wise words from my friend:

"God won't bring you a guy until you realize that God's love is better than any earthly guys love"

I will always remember these words, yes its hard to be patient but pray to God for that patientence to bring you that guy.
"Do not worry about anything but in everything through prayer and petition with Thanksgiving present your requests to God."
Phillippians 4:6
Love you guys:)
xoxo
Lainey 

Senior year: Stress, Stress, Stress

I am currently in the middle of the worse case of Senioritis ever. I never want to go to school and when I'm at school I don't feel like doing any work. I am also feeling stress of college setting in. I am receiving a lot of scholarships but I still feel as if I am I wont have enough money for books. I know God will provide me the money!!
I am also stressing/worrying about money with upcoming trips. I'm going to New York in April with the Senior class and I will also be going to Detroit in July with Church. This will be an amazing oppurtunity for me to experience homelessness and to show them God's amazing love. My youth minister is taking groups of us to Nashville, Louisville and Lexington to see what we will be dealing with in Detroit. The group that went last Saturday said it was an amazing experience!! I am getting so excited for this trip!
Growing up is stressful but its also VERY exciting!! I am going to turn 18 in July!! I am so excited for this!! (Mom not so much) I have planned a day to hang out with some of my best friends that day and go to Elizabethtown and eat lunch and shop then go get my tattoo! I am so excited for July to get here!

But for now I have to focus on school and preparations for college! I hope to see a lot of you at my graduation.
A song that has helped me get through all this stress is:
"Keep your head up by Andy Grammer"
Love and Faith.
xoxo
Lainey :)