17th Birthday

Okay, listen up guys.

I literally have the best friends in the entire world!

So, my 17th birthday was Friday (August 21st)

I had zero plans

My best friend knew this and told me to save that day for her

That wasn't too hard because everyone had already told me that they had plans

Yeah,they lied.

They all made up stories of why they were busy

I mean, they were all busy, but not for the reasons they told me

They threw me a surprise party!

But not the normal kind, no way.

It was a secret scavenger hunt thing :)

The first surprise that happened (which wasn't part of the scavenger hunt) was that one of my bestfriends, Emma, showed up at my school and brought me brownies! They were delicious.

After that, I went home and waited for Olivia to show up

She was late.

But that doesn't matter, she told me to change and to head to her car

Since, I thought we were just hanging out, I took my time, which threw off the whole schedule

ANYWAYS, the first thing she did was blindfold me

I was so confused

She tied it on and put me into the car

Once we were all set to start our adventure, she read me a clue

It said "I am your best friend and 'partner in crime', I'm the mild to your wild, the one you tell everything to, and the one on the other side of the soccer field. I think you've probably already guessed who I am, so I hope this nails it home: our child is Judi Graham Vulcano. I am taking you somewhere that will hopefully become our new tradition"

That's when all the craziness ensued

I was supposed to guess where we were going, but she would never tell me if I was right or wrong

Our first stop happened to be Waffle House (I love Waffle House, and yes I know that is weird)

We got something to eat and then we were off again

However, this time I was not blindfolded, so I thought "oh okay, we're done, time to head back home"

Nope, she read me another clue...
"You might know me from my plentiful hugs, want for a goat,or maybe just the word duck says enough. If this doesn't say enough about me then here is one more hint: You will find me where you spend your days whipping with my mom and watching The Walking Dead just for me."
So, this clue lead me to Mark's house.
We picked him up and then had to make a pit stop at my house at the request of my dad
Apparently, my brother and niece had a little gift for me so we stopped and talked for a bit and then headed to our next adventure.
Clue #3 read "You maybe know me from the fact that we are considered the Three Amigos or maybe you know me from the phrase, 'you take so slow'. I also released the turtles you gave me for my birthday this summer. We are cadre leaders together and always pass out the Baskin Robins coupons to the visitors. We roomed together at Impact and share many memories. You might know me from Spanish Club where you called me you 'Fat Fish' or maybe you only know me because you love my mom. Either way, you will find us at the one place you have been wanting to visit all summer long and even want to take up the activity for when you possibly work at Sonic."
This place was CLEARLY Skate Center West
I LOVE SKATING!
We ended up arriving a little later than we were supposed to so they deferred me and drove me to Goodwill
There was this one lady standing outside of Goodwill as they were taking the bandanna off my eyes and she thought we were absolutely insane
It was hilarious
Mark ended up buying me my favorite movie and a disney cd
After we had spent an adequate amount of time at Goodwill, we went back to the Skate Center where they actually revealed that I was at the skate center and Jackson, Jordan, and Emma were there too
We skated for at least an hour before heading out again
I thought "Oh okay, I guess that was it"
So, I hugged everyone thanked them for coming and said goodbye
Then we got back into the car and they blindfolded me again!
"I thought we were just going back to my house" I said
And Olivia assured me we were but she just liked blindfolding me
Then we got to my house and they made me wait outside the car
it was dark, i was alone, and i was scared
So, like the curious and fearful creature I am...
I decided to CRAWL towards my house, I figured I knew it well enough
When they finally came back outside to get me, they found me almost to the front porch
They led me inside and unveiled me once again
EMMA, JACKSON, AND JORDAN WERE THERE TOO!!
We had cheesecake and pizza and I opened presents and we just hung out for awhile
UNTIL, they loaded me up once more
Our final stop was Mark's house where we watched my favorite movie, ever, The Holiday.
Emma had to go home, so it was just Olivia, Jackson, Jordan, Mark, and I
A great way to end the day
it. was. awesome.
I am so thankful to all of my friends :)

Me & Emma - Me - Me & Tennis Fans
Jackson, Olivia, Jordan, Me, Mark, & Emma - Olivia, Emma, Mark, Jackson, Jordan, & Me
Me & Claudia - Me, Emma, & Olivia - Tennis - Statue Man & Me
Mark, Me(blindfolded), & Olivia - Olivia, Mark, Jordan, Emma, Jackson, & Me

Live 

Laugh

Love

~Laurel <3

Brother Parker

Tonight was fabulous.
Not only was today our first day of school, but...
We really kicked the year off / my birthday ;) with a nice dinner at Puckett's
oh, and Brother Parker was there
No big deal
They're only the reason that we went, it's fine.
So, they had an amazing set.
They are wonderful artists, they can sing and play a plethora of instruments
Our group had a fabulous time and we were singing along the entire time!
Afterwards, we got pictures and chatted with the band (AWESOME!)
Then, you know, being girls, we totally fangirled when we got home
We posted pictures, tweeted, made a photocircle...
oh, and had a groupchat that lasted all night!
The best part, the band responded to us!
They liked our photos, commented on some of them (Millie and Maggie)
AND, one of them followed, favorited, and retweeted me on Twitter!!!! <3
Wow, this is a memory I will treasure forever (and a group chat I won't delete)

Live
Laugh
Love
~Laurel <3

First Day of Senior Year

OK, so today was the day
It is completely official.
I. Am. A. Senior.
Here's the thing, I'm actually super excited!
I'm a little nervous about some classes (like 2) but other than that, I'm good
I have an amazing schedule, amazing friends, amazing family, and amazing teachers!
This year could not seem any better
It's here and all I can do is embrace it.
:)
I can't wait to see what is in store for my life this year
I pray that in all that I do, I praise God each and every day for the blessings He gives
Let's do this thing!

Me - Me, Mark, & Olivia
Olivia & Me

Live
Laugh
Love
~Laurel <3

Shiloh

Last night, I got back from New York.
I spent a week up in New York with my youth group on a mission trip.
Oh my. I wish I could go back and stay forever
I miss it up there so much
Most of the week, we stayed at Camp Shiloh
Camp Shiloh is a christian camp for inner city kids
They have different sessions throughout the whole summer
I was assigned to Cabin E, which means I was the helper to that cabin's counselors
Rodjaney and Alyssa were the counselors in that particular cabin, and they were amazing
I think I miss them the most
So, for the first 5 days, we were like CITs (counselors in training)
We just hung out with the kids and ate with them and helped them clean and get ready for bed
We went to all the activities with them and kind of gave the counselors a break
We arrived on Friday, which was the beginning of what they call weekend games
That was hectic
We just had to jump right in, literally ;)
Our first activity was swim time which is the kids' favorite
We got split into teams for our games, 1 girl cabin and 1 guy cabin per team
That was not a good idea
The girls and boys were constantly bickering and fighting
It was trouble
Finally, after three days of weekend games, we got into the normal week schedule
Breakfast, class, worship, activity, lunch, rest, swim, snack, activity, dinner
Easy.
No fighting, no worries, just fun
I enjoyed it so much
I got so close to my girls and the counselors
Also, each night, we would have a special activity.
They. Were. Awesome.
We had wilderness night (campfire for dinner), ManHunt (ulitmate hide-n-seek!), Shiloh Bingo (normal bingo with goodies and DANCE BREAKS!), and then, the Talent Show
Nights packed with fun.
If the girls did good each day, they were awarded points and the points turned into fun night activities
So, on the last night, our girls got to have night swim and a party
It was so much fun. I am so glad we got to join them
Then our time at Camp Shiloh had to come to an end.
We woke up, had breakfast, and packed up
We had one final worship session (and we blew the roof off)
Afterwards, the kids loaded up the buses and we traveled to drop them off in the Bronx for one last goodbye
I was crying, the kids were crying, the counselors were crying, everyone was crying.
We had all grown so close in that one week it was hard to part.
We left once all the kids had found their parents and we headed off to the church that we were staying at that night
After we unpacked the bus, our group split up to explore New York City
My group went to the MET, Chelsea Market, the High Line, and Times Square on Thursday evening
I found out that there's no way I could live in New York, but visiting is fun (I'm not a big city girl)
On Friday morning, I went with my youth minister and a few other people to Tom's Restaurant a.k.a. the restaurant from Seinfeld. btw, I did not order Tuna on toast with coleslaw and a cup of coffee; however, I did order coffee :)
Then, we went to Central Park for a devo before we had to catch our plane home
It was certainly a jam packed week and my legs need a rest
I really do miss that place, and I can't wait for next year when my best friend will come with me!
Who knows, we could make it a special birthday and stay a few days by ourselves ;)
I wish I could describe every amazing thing that happened to me that week in one blog post..
But there's just no way.
So I guess this is it.

a group of us on the High Line - Rodjaney & me
Me - Me, Laura, Alex, Delaney, Millie, Savanna, & Lindsay - Me - Me & Alex
Isyss & me - Me & Alex - Me - Me & Kaylin
masked kid, Rodjaney, me, Kaylin, & Milkah
Me & Brianna - sign - Me & Destiny - Me & Maricruz - Alyssa, Kaylin, Destiny, Isyss, Maricruz, me, Brianna, & Rodjaney

Live
Laugh
Love
~Laurel <3