Getting ready to go eat at Hard Rock Cafe in Gatlinburg!

On the Chairlift (even though you can't see it good)

                       Happy Holidays!!!

Currently Listening Windham Hill Christmas: I'll Be Home for Christmas By Various Artists see related

Happy Holdiays Everyone!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here! How exciting! My family and I (and Justin of course) went to Gatlinburg for Thanksgiving  break and had an absolute blast. It was unforgettable and will always be one of the best vacations I have ever had.

I know it's  been a long time since I've written, I've gotten bad about that but things are crazy as usual and I feel like I'm being pulled in a billion different directions. It's enough to drive a girl crazy ya know? But at least I know that this week is the last week of school and I'll be able to chill for a while, and hopefully catch up on some school work too! I just want to spend time with my family and Justin and my friends for Christmas. That's what it really is all about isn't it? That and first and foremost Jesus Christ. I think I need to take a step back and really look at my life and the blessings that have been bestowed on me and just thank God for all of those things. It's easy to lose your faith when you've gone through a lot, and duh this year has been total hell but I think that you can never give up completely, no matter how close you may come to saying you're through, you've got to listen to your heart and see what it tells you to do. I think it's that way with God, with your relationships and with family. It's all a part of life and you have to go with it ya know! Even if it's cliche, I try to remember that everything happens for a reason and not stress so much, which has been really tough the past week. I just have to keep reminding myself that everything will work out the way it's supposed to.

Enough of that. So I went Christmas shopping today and picked out all of my Christmas clothes, including the hottest outfit I've ever owned in my life!!! AHHH! It's a lacy brown strappy top with a gold underlay with these brown pants. OMG it's gonna look so good for that Christmas party. AND I so fit into a size FOUR today! I was super excited about that. I got some GREAT stuff for Justin that I'm hoping he will love. I've wrapped all of his presents b/c he is too nosy for his own good and I know that if I didn't he would find the bags and look at what he got. Hehe...he is a mess, but I can't help but be hopelessly in love with him. Not many more words to describe it.

Anyway, you guys give me a shout and let me know about what's going on in your lives and how you're getting ready for the BEST time of the whole year!!! Until then, XOXO and Happy Holidays!

Lyssa-Leigh

Currently Listening Josh Gracin By Josh Gracin Stay With Me see related

WOW- my seventeenth birthday was this past Saturday! Go me!! WOOT WOOT! I'm finally "skinny" enough to get my bellybutton pierced so I did that which hurt a little but wasn't as bad as I thought. I went to Hard Rock Cafe that night and had a BLAST with my mom, Easton, Whitney and Justin of course. It was so special and probably the best birthday I've ever had.

Ok, so here's the sweet part---my baby surprised me the morning of my b-day, I was definaltey still in the p.j.'s, no make-up at all and he walks in my door with this HUGE wrapped up box with a big pink bow on it. So I open it up and....another box, a little smaller. About 4 boxes later, I open it up to find a tiny box with a BEAUTIFUL ring inside. It is white gold (my favorite) with 5 little diamonds in it-- perfect and so me! It definatley looks like something I'd wear and I absolutley love it. I almost cried, of course, and just sat there looking at it forever. Later he gets down on one knee, puts the ring on me and says "Will you be seventeen today?" AHHHH! It was perfect, you guys, and I don't think I've ever felt so lucky. He did everything in his power to make it the most wonderful birthday I've ever had, and you know what? He did. He really did. (Not to mention he held my hand as I got my bellybutton pierced!) By the way- How bout them dawgs this weekend?

On a little heavier note, I've been sick again today and spent most of it crying. I guess it's okay because Saturday was so special, and it's okay for me to cry and be sick today. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and absolutley can't wait. I'm so so sick of this mess---I've been doing great for months and these last few weeks have been yucky and tough. Regaurdless, I'll be okay and keep my head up. Justin is there for me even though I had a nervous breakdown this morning--I just get scared that everyone will give up on me, you know? I've been having health problems for 3 years and the easy thing for anyone to do would be to walk out. I know my mom is exhausted and fed up with it all. She is tired and I hate bringing her down with it. She's had a hard year and the last thing I want her to do is worrying about me and being forced down with that burden. But I don't want to be alone either, and that scares me most. Justin promised that he'd be there this morning and just held me. I believe him. It's a comfort beyond words. He's been calling and checking on me all day and I just stop and think sometimes how lucky I am and how much he means to me.

Well I guess that's about it. Not much else to say. Gonna go do some work and lay down for a little while. Love you all and I'll be talking to you soon.

Lyssa-Leigh

*Cass High has been hit hard this weekend. I think everyone has learned a lot from the experience of the others but it is sad that it takes two deaths to make us step back and look at ourselves and our own lives. Everything happens for a reason and I know that God has a reason for all of this. Just say a prayer for the families and friends of Chelcie and Madison.* 

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So it's been a super long time since I have posted last and I hope that everything is going great for everyone. Things are going really good for me right now. Still crazy about Justin and things are going awesome with us. I love being with someone who truly makes me happy but is there for me on the rough days too. He's really special to me and I don't know what I would be doing without him right now.

The Hawkins family is doing wonderful. Mom is completely done with everything- chemo, radiation, surgeries-- IT'S OVER!!! Yay! I know it is a relief for her. My family is planning on going to Gatlinburg for Thanksgiving Holidays, hopefully bringing Justin and Whitney along with us. I can't wait! We really need a vacation!

School is going good. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but that's completely expected. After all, it is school. Chemistry is kicking my butt right now which sucks. I have a great teacher but I'm just not catching on as much as I hoped I would be. It's a fun class though. Literature is about the same too, I'm struggling with it for the first time in my whole life. My best subject is turning into something insanely hard. I wrote an essay and worked my butt off basically and she didn't like it too much which freaked me out. She wasn't impressed so I'm working about 10 times harder now. It makes me question going into journalism in college---I really don't know if I'm good enough. If I can't impress a high school literature teacher, how am I ever going to impress college professors?? I AM going into magazine journalism which is a lot different than writing essays on Dr. Faustus, but I'm still freaked out.

Anyway, everyone catch me up on your lives and tell me whats going on. Again, sorry it's been so long since I've written but life has been kind of hectic. LOTS of love to all of you and big hugs and kisses!!

Lyssa-Leigh

Hey guys- so I'm sittin' here with my baby and couldn't be happier...not much else to say. Just that I'm having a great day and have an amazing person sitting here with me that makes me so happy and I love it! XOXO

Alyssa

PS- I suppose that I should put his name- Justin Paul Martin  LOL I'll catch you guys up later. Lots of Love.