The True Life of a Southern Belle

In your opinion, what makes someone a true southerner?

"The South: The place where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter, Summer starts in April, Macaroni and Cheese is a vegetable, front porches are wide and words are long, pecan pie is a staple, Y'all is the only proper noun, chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy, everything is darlin', and someone's heart is always being blessed.

"When life gives you lemons, put them in your sweet tea and thank God you're a Southern Belle."

I love being southern and I love being from Alabama, even though the dearest of friends can become intense rivals during football season. There is unspoken, yet very noticeable, tension from the beginning of the season until the infamous Iron Bowl is played. War Eagle! (Had to throw that in there...) And even then the tension continues as certain fans feel the need to brag about their team's victory. However, despite the intense football rivalry, which I believe is the best and worst in the nation, you will never find anyone more proud to live in their state than the residents of Sleepy Sweet Home Alabama, and last month's devastating storms proved that the great people of this state are more than willing to help others in times of trouble. As a proud Alabamian, one of my favorite things is telling someone I am from Birmingham, AL. "But you don't look like you're from Alabama!" is usually the response I get in return. To which I casually ask, "Is it because I'm wearing shoes and have all of my teeth?" :) All of this is to say: I wouldn't trade being southern for anything!

Also, as a self-confessed Southern Belle and from my many observations at the wonderful Auburn University, I find most of the following to be true:

A Southern Belle:

1. Keeps her lips sealed, but her eyes and ears wide open.
2. Knows the most important man to love, besides Jesus, is her daddy.
3. Knows rudeness and ignorance go hand in hand, and is never EITHER one.
4. Is born and raised at the local country club.
5. Has a family name, a string of pearls, momma's good looks, and daddy's money.
6. Acts helpless and confused when it's to her advantage; she never lets them know how clever/capable she really is.
7. Always sends thank you notes, a necessary component of being gracious.
8. Has a signature silver and Vera Bradley pattern.
9. Can properly plan/give a party, always includes a theme, and never forgets the importance of birthdays.
10. Monograms everything.
11. Can either be a Scarlet O'Hara type or a Melanie Wilkes type. Both are acceptable.
12. Doesn't get mad, but does get even.
13. Is a Jackie, not a Marilyn.
14. Deals with problems in a discreet and graceful manner.
15. Knows a wedding is the most important party that can ever be thrown.
16. Doesn't drink, but does sip (a lot), and never smokes.
17. Appreciates Sundays for church, porch swingin', and perfecting the art of sweet tea and fryin' things.
18. Knows nothing too easy or done too quickly can ever be right. It takes time to create perfection, whether it's sweet tea or her hair.
19. Knows REAL southern belles come from the REAL South, which is Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Just sayin' :)
20. Dresses like she may see her worst enemy or her ex-boyfriend. In which case, she kills them kindness.
21. Knows ballet class is the first place where a girl learns to sparkle.
22. Can charmingly tell someone off. When done correctly, people will be so charmed they will not realize until much later what was actually said.
23. Is always ready to share the news (but keeps the family secrets).
24. Is always ready to help and volunteer.
25. Never discusses money. It is awkward and inapporpriate.
26. Always dresses appropriately.
27. Showers others with affection and expects nothing in return.
28. Values antiques, time, chivalry, and family traditions over money.
29. Knows how to entertain and cook. She has a pitcher of iced tea and yummy sweets prepared for her family as well as unexpected guests.
30. Knows all the words to Lynrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama".
31. Is kind, considerate, educated, graceful, witty, charming, soft spoken, and above all, always a lady.
32. Believes manners are not optional.
33. Understands when someone dies, the first thing you do is start cooking for their relatives.
34. Believes if you can leave the house in less than 30 minutes, you probably shouldn't be leaving the house at all.
35. Closes the door to keep the mosquitoes out.
36. Asks for a "coke" but does not always mean a coca-cola.
37. Knows the art of dressing up on gameday.
38. LOVES SEC football.
39. Holds tradition close to her heart but does not allow it to define her.
40. Gets offended if you don't hear her accent.
41. Knows chivalry isn't really dead.
42. Wears flip-flops all year long.
43. Makes sure her neighbors never go hungry.
44. Never spits... anything.
45. Can wear pearls with every outfit.

Good Music!

I love this song! The first time I heard was during the movie Bride Wars and I recently heard it again on the season of finale of Make It or Break It. I love singer/songwriter music and this girl is dang good. This song is called "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn. Enjoy :)

Jon's Big Day!

On May 14, 2011 Jon became a college graduate! I am so proud of him and I am so excited to see what God has in store for his future. The day was was very busy but all in all it was a perfect day. I could tell Jon was very excited and very proud to be a Samford alumni!

Attending Jon's graduation made me think about the future in the same way I thought about the future when I graduated from Auburn. Even though I know what my life will be for the next year, beginning in May 2012 I have absolutely no idea where God will lead me. Will I still live in Alabama? Will I work with children or adults? How will I fit into the real world?

The simple answer... I must trust in the plans God has for me. Yes, the future is uncertain, but if I keep my faith and trust in God there is no need to worry about my future life. Besides, God has blessed me so much already, why should I begin to doubt his plans now?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jermiah 29:11

Devastation to Glory

This past week has been a week full of news, both good and bad. My heart continues to go out to all the victims of April 27 tornadoes. I have not stopped praying and daily I hear new stories from people I know who survived or from friends who had loved ones that survived or did not survive. I am also in awe of the sense of community the great state of Alabama has right now. Football rivalrise aside, everyone is doing what they can to help the people affected by these deadly storms. My sister's friend lived in Pleasant Grove and her house was completely destroyed. Here is Haley's remarkable story:

Haley and her family were huddled together in a bathroom because their house did not have a basement. With their arms around eachother, her dad was praying when the tornadoe hit. The next thing she remembers is the feeling of floating as she was being thrown from her house. The rest of her family was also thrown from the house. Her mother remembers looking up to see her son floating above her. Haley and her mother were taken to separate hospitals because they sustained serious injuries. However, because her dad and brother had minor injuries, they were taken to city hall. They had no idea where eachother was. My parents went to visit Haley in the hospital where they found out that by God's miraculous blessing Haley's family had all been accounted for and no one suffered very serious injuries.

This story along with many other similar stories demonstrate God's protection and mercy. I am convinced her dad's prayer shielded her family from the destructive power of the tornado. Although Haley's story is a story of survival, many people have stories with a much different outcome. People are still missing; children have been orphaned; and families have been broken. In the midst of these trials, it is comforting to remember Psalm 46:1.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

In other news.... the Royal Wedding allowed me to take my mind off of the tragedy that kept replaying on my TV. I thought Kate's was absolutely beautiful and William looked ravishing :) Ps, I'm a little obsessed with Kate's dress, as is everyone in the world!

Ok, so finally, the last piece of big news was the death of Osama Bin Laden. Even though I am pretty happy he will no longer kill any more innocent lives, I do have a problem with the celebration our country exhibited. Now, I'm as proud as the next person to be an American but we should celebrate the fact that the world is safer; we should not celebrate a man's death.

Ezekiel 18:23 - Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not please when they turn from their ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32 - For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!