It’s an ugly joke train, but I’m gonna keep riding it as long as I’m here. I’m editing a fairly hilarious video currently, so that will show you most of what we’ve done. But I also have a few great shots.

For some reason, Sarah and I thought it would be a good idea to take Hope on the ferris wheel at a outside mall. Y’all. They have rides at a mall. It’s like they’ve mixed a country fair and a strip mall, shaken out the white trash, and added a dash of totally rich. That’s the malls in SoCal.

Hope gives the face to express how my heart feels sitting at the top of the ride. Because there has to be a better way to load a ferris wheel than to fill three cars, take them to the top, and hold them there while they SLOWLY load another three cars. Could someone get on inventing a new way to do that? Seriously. Before I get on one again.

Classic.

Then I followed up by making a new friend at the Merry-Go-Round. What happened to the days when the animals you rode were smiling horses? Mary Poppins would cry all the way back to Cherry Tree Lane.
But he’s a good lookin’ fella. Sure, the people around thought I was “interesting” when I took this picture. But that’s how us Southern girls roll, y’all. Photo with a fiberglass tiger? Yes and amen.

Dear Middle-School Annie,
Congrats on getting to fulfill your life long dream of being on Baywatch. Minus the red suit. And the actual act of having to rescue anyone.

[If you judge me for watching Baywatch every Saturday of my young adult life, you need to know I feel no shame. And if we lived in Germany, I would still watch it every Saturday. Cause it's still on there. Ich liebe The Hoff. You heard me. I love him.]

A lot of the rest of my pictures are of Linda and Sarah’s kids, and I don’t feel totally great about loading my blog with pics of other people’s kids. But let it be known that I have had nothing short of a BLAST here this week. I like Southern California a lot, but I love my friends. They could have lived in ArmPit USA and I would have still come to see them and had a great time. It’s nice to talk with people who love to write, but who are my real friends even if I write not another word ever.

I mean it when I say this. I was so scared to go to Mt. Hermon alone. But I went. And asked God to show up for me. And He did. Three months later, I’m blogging in Sarah’s living room while Chad puts the kids to bed. I sat around an in-ground fountain watching Linda’s boys run back and forth. I eat lunch again tomorrow with Shannon. I am surrounded by His goodness.

Hi. My name is Annie. I’m moving to Nashville and I’m not scared anymore.

I totally love when Sarah plays on picnik. Especially when I am in the picture. I just look better when she edits. I don’t know- something about sepia and stretching pictures vertically.

I know that’s cheesy. Back off. It’s so hilarious. And you know it.

I decided in April, before the gas prices (and flight prices) got R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S., to come visit my friends from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference- you know, the ladies more commonly known as the Hermonistas.

This is the point where I want to write about eleventy-eight paragraphs about the goodness of God, how He provides when we step out in faith, and how He multiplies His blessings far above what we could even expect. Or you could just read this.

And that post doesn’t even count my dear friend Shannon who picked me up from the airport and took me here.And it was RagamuffinTopGetsBigger good. But I did drink a water. And I am on vacation. So back yourself off.

Shannon did a fine job of showing me her part of Orange County. [I was going to say the area, but Sarah and Chad said, "Why don't you just put up her address while you are at it?" And though their sarcasm was stinging, it made a good point.]

So we went to Starbucks and this bear made me laugh outloud. Because there are few things finer than a comical play on words, especially when the word is already funny- like BARISTA. Bearista? Thank you very much. And for the rest of my live long days, I will call people who work at coffee shops BEARISTAS. They will think I can’t pronounce, but I will know I’m making a joke.

Then we got a pedicure that lasted for ONE SOLID DREAMY HOUR. And this is the result.Y’all. That is some high quality art. I can’t draw that well on a piece of paper with a brand new 8 pack of Crayola markers. This is how they roll down here and I am all about it.

We got to go to Downtown Disney as well, which was pretty rad.

Here I am next to a letter from the entrance to the California theme park. That’s a big A.And here we were at the end of the night. What a super fun time I had hanging out with Shannon. We have been friends for 2+ years, but this is the first time that we have actually hung out. And it was awesome.Tomorrow I have some pics of Laguna Beach, a video of us on a ferris wheel, and just some all together humorous experiences.

And because I’m on vacation, I have no idea when I will actually post that. And that feels oh so good.

Happily in California.

Happily with some great friends.

Happily on vacation.

Happily unsure of when the next blog post will be.

I’m only putting a few photos up. The whole kit and kaboodle (what?) is on facebook, so if we are friends there, check them out. If we aren’t….. uh….. I guess we can be friends and THEN you can check them out.

This one is from the bridesmaid luncheon.
Top row- Caren, Kelli, Ann Marie, me, Janet, and Kimberly
Middle- Grace Ann, Jessica, Leigh Ann, Melinda
Front row- the bride herself, Candace Curry (or as I like to say “Kansas Curly”)
This almost brought a tear to my eye. Nothing brings back good memories like hearing these voices. (Excuse the background noise- I recorded the rehearsal- I figured recording the real thing would be awkward.) When they sang “Be Thou My Vision” acappella, I think we stepped closer to Heaven. Or Heaven came closer to us.

This is at the rehearsal dinner. Our pastor, Tom Tanner, his wife Melissa, Candace, and Jason.

This is me and Jason’s brother Justin. Who happens to be one of my favorite humans on the Earth. When I get rich and famous, I’m going to fill my house with furniture he builds- like a Nashville-shaped table. The entire Couch family is awesome. As is the Curry family. Which concerns me for when they have kids- what happens when you mix 100% awesome genes with 100% awesome genes? Something genetically mutant. That’s my fear at least.

Wedding day. I mean seriously. What a gorgeous bride.

Listen, I know I look ridiculous in this one, but it is so perfect for how our group of friends roll. Janet and I were being dumb and taking pics of ourselves, and then we realized we could use the mirror to enhance the photo taking situation, so we did. And Candace got in the action, as did Caren. I know your question and the answer is YES- we did have an awesome time in college.
I’ve known Jason for 10 years. This is the best face he has EVER made.
Yep. I’m leaving this one alone.
So there you have it. Candace and I have talked about this day for ten years- it was everything she dreamed and more. Two people who love Jesus receiving an amazing gift from Him. Letting their family and friends be a part. Reminding us all that God hears us and answers our prayers in ways that exceed ALL expectations. Showing us that His ways are the best.

I am more grateful for my years in Athens than I’ve ever been before. To think that every one of these people were somehow woven into the fabric of who I am today makes me realize how intricately God works and how kind He is to all of us.

See y’all on Sunday…. RagamuffinTop Challenge Week 1!!

If I could teleport anywhere tonight, I would go here.

My heart has two addresses- here in Marietta and the UK.

Oh, I’m praying. Break out around the world, Lord. That Your name would be honored by EVERY generation. Would the spiritual heritage of Europe rise up! Draw students to Yourself. Change the spiritual climate of the UK today, God. Permanent. Unending. Be adored around the globe.

[I guess I'm gonna need one of those change address forms for my heart from the USPS in August..... what's the zip code for Nashville?]