Christmas 2015

Hello lovely readers. I am back. These last few weeks have been crazy hectic. A few thing happened. First off just senior things and tying up loose ends. Second was finals which thankfully there were only two of. Third but the most important was the passing of the most beautiful soul there ever was. Nancy Dickerson, my nan, passed away Saturday, December 19. It was something our family saw coming as she had decided to stop dialysis. There are many aspects that came into play here but we are not going to dwell on those. She lived her life to the fullest and was ready to be with Jesus. I plan on doing a blog post dedicated to her in the near future. However, it was still Christmas time. I was honored to be chosen as Gabriel for our church production of "White Christmas." This is where we put on the Christmas story. We proceeded to have our normal Christmas traditions just with a little sadness in our hearts over Nan's absence. Christmas Eve was spent putting together a puzzle with my parents and Scottie. Then we went to church and ended the night opening presents. Scottie and I both ended up in bed at about 11 ready to crash and didn't wake up until 9:30 on Christmas Day. A stark contrast from the early 5 o'clock mornings of our childhood. Christmas Day was spent playing with new gadgets and gizmos. Though Christmas Day evening is spent with my Dad's side of the family. We open presents and play dirty santa. However, this year there was a twist I decided to film it all and share it with you. I know you are all very excited to peak into what it is like to have christmas with 12 grandchildren around. If you can sit through the video I promise it will make you laugh or at least smile. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. But most importantly I hope we all kept in mind what the reason for the season really is about. Though my families hearts hurt we know Nan was celebrating a big birthday up in heaven. 
Thanks for reading!!!
XOXO, Emma Rose

Nostalgia

     I have been feeling very nostalgic lately. Normally this happens around the holidays. I begin to think of Thanksgivings and Christmas's of when I was young. Something many people don't know about me is that I have the worst memory on the face of the earth. My parents will agree on that one. They will say "oh remember when we went to (insert destination here)" and I just look at them and make them tell me about it in hopes I will remember. I think that is one of the reasons that I love taking and looking at pictures so much. The memories that I am reminded of just from seeing an outfit, toy, or scenery. With all of the college talk, many days I want to crawl into my bed with my stuffed lamb I've had forever and make my dad read to me just like he did oh so many nights of my adolescence. However, I stumbled upon a bunch of pictures that made me a little teary eyed. They reminded me that I shouldn't try and rush through life because in a flash I am almost 18 and have so many hard decisions to make. I never really grasped the whole "don't blink or you'll be my age" until now. I know there will be many more moments to come and people will still say that to me. So, I'm going to share some of my memories with everyone today.
Thanks for reading!!!
XOXO, Emma Rose

Thanks mom for letting me leave the house like this. 

Nan's favorite spot. 

WHAT ARE THOSE???

Fun Fact: At one point in my life I was athletic. 

Denim hat and penguins

I do love my "bobo"

one of many first day's of school.
I believe this was kindergarten and third grade. 

K-4 and second grade.
We had just moved to Columbus. 

artsy pics by mom 

One of my all time favorite pictures. 

singing in the rain

Friday Night Lights

     As humans, we live by schedules. Mine this fall have included the following things on a Friday night. 5:30 – go to taco bell with the squad, 6 – meet the senior girls in the parking lot to paint faces, 6:45 – go to the game. This has been a very constant thing in my life and last Friday was the last time I will ever get to do it. I am saddened by this fact. This thing that I have been doing will no longer be the way it has always been. Sure, next year I will be going to The Grove and tailgating before the games but it is not the same. I have had more fun this football season than I have any other year. On our second to last and last games I took some videos. I feel like it is a great representation of what our student section has become. The first few clips of us in the pink is from the Winston game. The red clips are from our homecoming. Also, a huge congratulations to our football team for making it to playoffs! To all the students that participated this year in the student section, the senior class and I would personally like to thank you for backing up our football team with us and letting us get to have so much fun this season. I welled up while making this video thinking about all the good memories of the season. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and will for years to come. Now lets get ready for basketball season.

Thanks for reading!!!

XOXO, Emma Rose

Homecoming 2015

Happy Homecoming Heritage! Its been an exciting week. This is the 51st year of Heritage Academy and we celebrated in style. This years dress up days were Halloween, Career, and red, white, and blue. For the first day I was Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) from Breakfast at Tiffany's. On career day we were encouraged to really be what we wanted to when we get older. I was a mom. The last dress up day I received a text that said this is the last dress up day that I will ever have at Heritage. So, here we go with the last again. Last homecoming as a student. I'm sure some day I will fly my private jet back down to Columbus for homecomings. However, it did make me tear up. Life is moving so fast. But I am looking forward to what the future holds. Go pats! Beat Indianola! Thanks for reading!
XOXO, Emma Rose

Wednesday Adams and Audrey Hepburn

Audrey and Rosie the Riveter 

Just doing mom things

another one of my children  

personal farmer

Nurse for my child

lovely ladies

old squad

the realest love of them all

:)

class of 2016

Fall Retreat

     Let me tell you, I love nothing more than cold weather, great friends, and praising Jesus. This years fall retreat was absolutely one for the books. I could not have envisioned a better way to experience the love of God. For those of you who are not aware, fall retreat is a trip that my youth group takes annually. It is usually held early in October. We travel to different camps and spend a weekend relaxing and praising God. This year we went to Timber Creek Camp. Timber Creek is my absolute favorite camp in the world. I promise it's as close to heaven as you can get. We all brought our eno hammocks and set them up in what was later named enotopia. It was truly a sight to see. This retreat was also student led. Our youth group started a youth council this summer. I am fortunate enough to be on it. The theme of this retreat was Mask. We all have them. We talked about how we can take them off and shared a little bit about our own mask. I can truly say that this weekend was as close to perfect as you can get. It reassured me that no one is asking me to be perfect and that its okay to not be okay. Sometimes, in today's society, we tend to put on this mask. For some it may be a mask of perfection, of being okay when in reality you are absolutely broken, or something as small as a mask of happiness. We all wear them and if you think about it, it is stupid that we do. God made us to be a beautiful and wonderful person. We should embrace that with all that we are. However I cannot say that I felt this way before this weekend. The whole week before I had a rough week. I was sick and very bogged down with the constant talk of college. But going to fall retreat and being surrounded with a bunch of beautiful souled people made every day of pain and heartache okay. Life is hard sometimes but IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY. I am so blessed beyond belief in so many ways. My youth group is just one of those many blessings. My prayer for all of you is that you will take off your mask and realize that God will love you no matter what. You are loved.

Below is a compilation of pictures and videos from over the weekend. So make sure you watch until the end ;)

Thanks for reading!!!

XOXO, Emma Rose

Growing Up

     This year has been great. But it has also been trying. One night recently it all sort of caught up with me really late. Slightly hoping my mom would still be up I shot her a text. Instead I heard my door open. In came papa bear holding some clothes and hearing my sniffles. Trying to be a good dad he sits on my bed to talk to me. Unintentionally he sat directly on my leg making me shoot it out from underneath him. He then came and laid down next to me just as he did not 10 years ago when he would read me my nightly bed time story. Even though our conversation was heavy and full of tears on my behalf, I couldn't help but reflect back to that time of innocence for me. Reading my favorite book called "A Silly Day." I've never felt more safe than I did in that moment. Even though I'm 17 I think it's safe to say that most of us just want to wrap our arms around our daddy's and have him tells us that everything's going to be alright. Because for that second, minute, hour, day, or even life time, you can't help but believe him. I realized in this moment I'm growing up. The frustrations, doubts, and worries I'm having are normal. Things like college and careers seem to be the headlining topic of conversation this year. But it continually in stills in me that this time next year when I'm freaking out my daddy won't be there to climb in bed with me, hold me, and tell me everything is going to be alright. That when I don't feel good my moms not going to be there to wait on me hand and foot. That my nana isn't going to call me with computer help and then feed me a big supper afterwards. Life is about to change big time and I'm scared out of my wits. Yes I'm so excited for change and new beginnings but there are more last coming up very fast. So I ask that you keep not only me in your prayers but the entire senior class because I know that I'm not alone in this feeling. As my dad was leaving my room he picked up my quilt off my floor and handed it to me. This quilt is the same one that was on my crib so it brings me a sense of comfort. Then I went in search of my lamb named Lamby who I have had as long as I can remember. You best believe that these two things will be coming with me next year. We've been through a lot and there's more to come. I look forward to what the rest of this year brings. Hopefully less worry and more smiles but I think some worry is healthy. I am grateful for every moment that has lead me to where I am right now. I genuinely believe that I am finding myself again. I was lost for a bit but I think slowly but surely I'm coming into my own again. As always, thanks for reading!!!

XOXO, Emma Rose

Thankful

Today my heart is filled with sadness. A beloved teacher has passed. Mrs. Martha Claire Fitzner was one of the most inspirational teachers I have ever had. The things she taught me have stuck with me throughout my school days. She was my first grade teacher and I loved her so much. I still have my journal from the first grade that she had us keep. If you are friends with anyone on facebook you have seen the post about her impact. Her frog themed room and daily brushing of her hair were things I will NEVER forget. I know she touched not only my life but the lives of so many other students. Keeping her family, friends, and her past and present students in my prayers. I ask that you do the same. There has been a sad vibe throughout the school today. But God has her up there and he was waiting for her with open arms.

Last night Mrs. Mandy talked to us about thankfulness. How we find it easier to complain but how many days do we get up and say thank you God for giving me another day. I am so thankful for everything Mrs. Fitzner taught me. I am thankful for my family, friends, my health, and so much more. We take days for granted but we never know when our last day is going to be. So everyone tell a loved one you love them today. I love you all.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. - Colossians 3:15

XOXO, Emma Rose

Back to School

     We did it. We made it this far. Senior year. What all the hype has lead up to. It's just about how I expected it to be. Lots of "oh where are you going to college?" "don't blink or you'll be my age" "well don't rush anything. This IS the best time of your life."
     So we rode in taking our reign as the senior class. Apparently we run this but we just aren't so sure.We went on the annual senior retreat and "bonded" as a class. It actually was a lot of fun. There is nothing like hanging up eno's and just talking about life with your friends. I am very thankful for my class even though I say I'm dropping out of high school on a daily basis.

    We have begun our last first. Last first day of school, last first youth group, last first small group, last first football game and pep rally, and this is only the beginning. On our "run in" t shirt we had the quote "Don't count the days. Make the days count." Even though every day we are thrown these dates of future endeavors I am trying to treasure every moment.  It's one of those surreal things where every now and then I will stop and think "I am a senior in high school." I can remember being little and never thinking I would get to this point because it seemed so far away. But now its here and I can't believe it. So to the Class of 2016 I love you all. Lets do this.  Hope you enjoy a little video I put together of senior retreat and run in! Thanks for reading and watching! XOXO, Emma Rose

Summer 2015

Summer. For each person it means something different. For some it may mean laying out every day and having epic pool parties. Others may find themselves at a real job every day of the week. For me it meant lots of babysitting and binge watching. While I could go on about the unimaginable hours I spent watching Greys Anatomy and Gossip Girl, I'm choosing to tell you about the memories that were made this summer.  As I said earlier, a lot of babysitting and binge watching took place. However, I did get to enjoy lots of time with some of my closest friends, lay out, and take a few fun road trips. I hope you enjoy seeing a little glimpse of what I was up to. I hope to later be able to post an iMovie of some go pro videos from different places I have been this summer! Without further ado, enjoy!!!

Baby cuddles is the best part of my "job"

The Habitat for Humanity Duck Race

VBS or start of my new career? 

went to see AL at nerd camp

Happy Fathers day to the best dad ever.
Radical Dadical

I would say I spent 85% of my summer in this
exact spot. Two favorite things

Got to see my Bertha at a meeting for Jesus

Stayed up until midnight to apply to Ole Miss
Hotty Toddy!!!

treated myself to mani?pedis and coffee

Making homemade ice cream on the 4th of July

fireworks with my fav Han Fran

Helen (Anna Katherine) took me to the beach

My love Amy surprised me in a lovely way

pool party or photo shoot

a very small portion of the AMAZING staff of
Happening #14

Nick Ellis was in charge of Happening #14 and he
did an incredible job. 

late night movie dates with my loves

ending summer with my favorite people 

go back to back they said
it'll be fun they said

Thanks for reading!!!

XOXO, Emma Rose