Finals...and Flu/Cold Season

It never fails. Not once have I made it through a semester without getting sick. I don't know if its stress, or changing weather or what ever it may be. The one stressful thing about getting sick in the beginning of December is EXAMS. Yep i said it.

The "E" word is something not may students tend to want to think about. Everything you have worked for all semester long with the 20 or so students in your class...all comes down to one, just one final test. Talk about a little intimidating, i would say so.

Each day one by one classes are over and the people you meet have now become former class buddies because you will get a new set in less than a month, then the process of new professors, meeting new people and starting all over begins.

This semester has been one of my favorite. I've met some amazing people and gotten to know my professors more than I ever have over the past 3 years at Winthrop. Hope fully I can put on a good game face and tackle these exams, tissues, cough drops and all!

Laney

Chick-fil-A Santa Cow

Nothing reminds people of the Christmas holiday like good ole' fashion pictures with Santa. Well Chick-fil-A on Cherry Rd. took that idea and turned it into something that the whole family can enjoy.

On December 7th, Chick-fil-A opened up what they call their normal "Family Night". Every Monday evening from 7-8pm families can come and join Chick-fil-A for a night of fun for the kids and great food for the family.

Since its Christmas time, we brought in our very own Santa cow. The cow was avaliable to take pictures with any children that were interested and it was my job to take the pictures and send them out to their families. It was definatly a good night with pleanty of children that turned out for the event.

Chick-fil-A is a family oriented fast food resturnat chain, that continues to blow my mind on how much they care about families and everyone just having a good time.

Here are a few pictures!

Parker's Nursery is Getting worked on!!

Just wanted to post some pictures of what Parker's new room looks like!

Its getting cuter by the day and were so ready for Parker to get here! I hope that you like the pictures...this proud Aunt can't wait to hold the little sucker!

My Girls getting all dressed up.

Well its that time of year again..basketball...WHOOOOO HOOOOO!! I'm super pumped about this season. I love going to games and cheering on 4 of my best friends. These girls are super awesome, and I couldn't imagine my life at Winthrop without them!

Thursday evening the Athletic Department threw a speical dinner to honor the Men's and Women's basketball programs at Winthrop. I was asked to go by my Rock Hill mom Becky. Bekah, Heather, and I went and supported the girls. It was really exciting to see how much support they have outside of just the student body. I provided a picture of Me, Ashley, Sarah and Lacey.

Lacey got asked to say the prayer for dinner. She was quite nervous, but it was an awesome opportunity. Hope everyone is good, and i'll be back soon with some more updates!!

Go Eagles!

German carving a pumpkin

Growing up in South Carolina, carving pumpkins in October is like second nature. Until coming to college, I had never met anyone who had never carved a seasonal orange pumpkin.

As many of you know i'm really good friends with many of the girls on the Winthrop Women's Basketball team. Becuase of the team, i've met many people with different backgrounds and even nationalities.

Kathi is from Germany. She's a point guard or plays position (#1) I learned numbers the other day. She made the statement that we had never carved a pumpkin before...and needless to say we had to fix that.

This is Kathi. we had a really hard time finding a pumpkin in Rock Hill becuase it was the day before halloween. The only pumpkins that we could find was "pie pumpkins". I had no idea what the difference was, until we tried to carve them.

Apparently pie pumpkins are used just for baking pumpkin pie..which is one thing that I love. But the skin or outter part of the pumpkin is 100 times harder than a normal pumpkin. This is a picture of how hard Kathi tried to get into the pumpkin to begin with.

Once she finally got a hang of it, we finally found a normal type of pumpkin where she could carve like a typical person. We had a great time and definatly showed a German what real Halloween fun was all about!

later days,
laney

America's Funniest Home Videos

One thing that I could watch everday is America's Funniest home videos. I could literally watch it for hours and laugh and laugh and laugh. NOt only does it make me laugh, but it definatly makes me feel more normal about my everyday life.

Of course you see the occasional dad being hit in the crotch, or the grandma falling over. But the one thing that makes me laugh like no other is kids. Please watch this video and let me share with you a little bit of what i mean...




See what i mean? ITS NOT FUNNY!! I died laughing when I saw this and i just had to share it with everybody else!

Hope that you all got a great laugh out of this!

laney

Mexican Food, Football...and a real good time

Growing up in South Carolina the weekends were held off for one thing, football. It didn't matter if you were a Carolina Fan (God help them), Clemson Fan, Tar Heels fan...Florida Fan, the list goes on and on. But one thing for sure around 12:00 if you have any sence of what a good time is, you are gathered around a television watching football.

Mexican food was an essential part of my childhood. Although i'm not hispanic, nor is anyone in my family, somehow I always found myself chewing on chips and salsa..and the occasional cheese dip each weekend.

This tradition hasn't stopped since I don't know when. My dad seemes to think that Mexican does the heart good, espically once a week.

So anytime you are looking for the Whittle family on a Sunday afternoon after church, just check any local mexican resturant in the surrounding area.

Those are my two things, Football and mexican. Weird combitnation I know, but i've made it though this long with living off of it. And I can't say that I didn't enjoy it. I love me some mexican food...the greatest combitionation is if I were to be sitting infront of a television on a Saturday eating a perfectly good buritto.

Sorry if this is a random post...but i am a pretty random person.

Reading

Ok so i'll admit it, i'm defiantly not a reader.

This last summer I took the goal of reading the entire Twilight series, which i'm glad to say that i did accomplish. Because i normally don't read at all outside of school text books, reading some of the Twilight's 400 page books was out of the ordinary for me.

Last night I attended a Banned Book event at Winthrop that talked about books that have been banned in public schools. I noticed that many of the books I never had to actually read in school. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men were just a few books that everyone that i talked to said they had to read in high school.

I thought it was weird because I never had to read these.

So thats my new goal.

I'm going to make a list and start reading "old school" books.

I'm serious.

Should be fun..and a good relief from all of the rest of my life.

Until Later,

Laney

Aggrarvation

So I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person that has friends and relatives that are a little aggravating.

Am i right?

Well the past few days i've noticed myself getting aggravated with other people around me. It could be anything from saying something I don't agree with to just pushing me over the edge with sarcasm.

I normally don't have an issue with people. I seem to have a people personality but when you get on my nerves...its totally different story.

So just take a moment and think about other people around you. Just because you are not getting your way or your voice didn't get "heard" doesn't mean that you have to make a big deal about it.

grow up.

So for everyone that is reading this, just be nice. Be polite and most of all just realize that everyone that you are dealing with..has to put up with you. Not just you putting up with them.

Until later,

Laney

Little League games...and action figures.

Many of you who have followed my blog for a while then you should know that I'm a soon to be an Aunt.

My sister is pregnant..and believe me its been quite an interesting journey. Between the random feeling of nausea..to the every now and again crying breakdowns, we have formed quite a few stories.

Being separated from my family during this time is defiantly something that I can't stand. Not being able to go with her to the doctor and hear the baby's heartbeat. Or being there when her and Jay paint the nursery..is something I have to go without, and believe me its not something that I like.

Well today was the big day to find out if were going to be welcoming a little Boy or little girl into the world.

I'm please to say that we are having a...

BOY!

Hooray! God is so good and has blessed our family so much. My parents just had two little girls, so my dad was ecstatic that he was going to have a grandson to take fishing and talk about sports with. My mom on the other hand only knows how to make dress up clothes and how to host a tea party..not to much knowledge in my house on what to expect from a little boy.

I'm going home this weekend for some family time, so i can't wait to see and hear what everybody thinks about this exciting news!

Until later hope this keeps you interested!

Laney

Fall Weather = Amazing

I've decided that Fall is my favorite season of the entire year. I love sitting in my room with my windows open and just hanging out (normally watching football). The awesome colors and temperature is something that I just love!

Last year I wanted to take advantage of the prettiness of Winthrop so I decided one day after a quite stressfull day in classes that I would take a couple snap shots of Fall at Winthrop. So i leave you with some of the pictures I took, and I hope that these get you ready for the great few months ahead of us!!






This was in front of my favorite places on Campus. I thought this was so pretty..and its orange..so i'm definatly not complaing about that..if you don't understand what i'm talking about, check out my last post.












I thought this tree was so awesome. The bright yellow coming through the darkness..looked pretty sweet if you ask me.


















This was just a sky shot that i took outside of Bancroft. I love the blue in the sky...geeze its gorgeous!

College Football

Autumn Breeze, beautiful weather, and Football.

Nothing could be better than College Football in the Fall. I was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina so you would automatically think that I religiously wear Garnet and Black...but lets just say I'm a little different.

Everyday growing up in Columbia made me hate USC more and more. Because the campus is in the middle of downtown...you can't go into any restaurant without a mural on a wall or the street signs be color coordinated with the school colors.

So after about 20 years I've become absolutely sick of it. I was born and raised a Tiger lovin' Clemson Fan. Orange and Purple are two colors that I could possibly wear everyday of the week. I love football..and I can honestly say that I think it runs in my blood a little bit.

I mean honestly what could possibly more exciting then getting ready to run down a hill, rub a rock into a sea of orange amazement, pretty freakin awesome if you ask me.

Sitting here at my desk I'm currently watching the Gamecocks attempt to play the NC Wolf pack..(With all hopes that they get their butt handed to them), so I thought I would share with you my football excitement.

I'm sure that a few people that grew up in Seneca or Clemson South Carolina have some same but opposite feelings about football..but I'll I can say is to make this girl happy all you have to do is make sure Its a beautiful Carolina Saturday and I have a good spot in front of a TV..watchin my Tigers.

So I leave you with a song that gets me goin everytime!!!

1234 1234 C-L-E-M-S-O-N TIGERRRRRRRRRRS FIGHT TIGERS FIGHT TIGERS FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to school Back to school

Ok so i'm back.
I know I haven't had an entry lately..but its been CRAZY at Winthrop. I moved in a few days early to help FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) with Freshman move-in. So i'm all settled in now and i'm ready for some hard core studying....not

One thing that many of you know is that i'm the president of FCA at Winthrop. God has placed me in situations that i never thought I would be in epically on a college campus. This will be my 10th year working with FCA. I started in middle school and then followed through with it in high school. I didn't plan on being involved really in anything in college because i wanted a little "break" from extra curricular activities.

Well my 3rd or 4th month at Winthrop my freshman year I got a phone call from a girl named Kristine and she said that she played on the Winthrop Woman's basketball team and was the current President of FCA. (I originally thought this girl was crazy..and random) But she proceeded to tell me that she was transferring to Florida to play basketball down there. The reason that she was calling was because she had started praying about a president to take her place..and my name kept repeatedly coming to her heart in prayer.

I thought this was CRAZY for a Freshman to be put in a leadership position like a president and I immediately said that I didn't think it was a good idea at all. So i prayed, and prayed and prayed and finally I realized what God had done..I was suppose to take a step of faith and go for it..so I did.


My first year (last year) as president on a college campus was the most satisfying, emotional, exciting year of my entire life. I've met some of my best friends just being apart of this ministry. Its such a blessing to wake up every morning and know that if you need something...and i mean anything that there are people all around you that are servants for Christ and will help you with anything you need!


The woman's basketball program at Winthrop has become a major part of my life. Two girls that lived on the same hallway with me my Freshman year have remained very close to me and one of them is even one of my Best Friends. Sarah and Ashley are amazing girls that are on the Winthrop Basketball team. I met both of them very randomly that first year never thinking that I would build relationships with them and continue throughout the next 4 years with them by my side.

Not only has Ashley and Sarah become a huge part of my life so has Lacey. Lacey transferred from Coastal (Winthrop's rival school) with a chance at a different coaching staff and team. Lacey is an awesome girl and is even on our FCA leadership team and has become one of my closest friends. These three girls are so so so special to me. Fansler and Taquoia are a pair of girls that ride with us to church every Sunday morning and its been an amazing witnessing opportunity for me to reach out to them and hopefully one day make a difference in their life just by being the one that they can talk to or even the one they come to for some girl time.

FCA has put me in situations with these girls because i've used it as an "outlet" for them to come to. On Tuesday nights @ 9:13pm we meet on Winthrop's campus. We have praise and worship and also a different speaker every week to bring the word of Christ and to share that with anyone that wants to listen. These girls come all the time and i hope that one day I will be able to experience an amazing act of God with them.






me with with some of my girls! L to R (Fansler, Lacey, Me, Taquoia, G
Sarah on the Bottom

I love these girls so much and I hope that one day they realize how much they mean to me.












I joke with my mom all the time about in high school I hated basketball. I didn't understand it and I wasn't a big fan at all of watching people run and up and down the basketball court. Well now a days since i've become so close to these girls i dont't miss a game. I'm there every time the doors are open and i'm always here to listen to them complain about how sore they are from conditioning or hear them whine when they can't eat cookies cause its pre-season...but its all worth it.

(to the left FCAers at a Woman's Basketball game :)

Ok this is probably the longest one i've written..but i really wanted to get that out..

Hope you enjoy the pictures and also a little with whats going on with me!!

Laney

One of my other Favorite loves

Starbucks is considered one of the most valuable brand names in America. Well personally I can say that i probably contribute to that name a lot more then i need too. I use excuses when i have a bad day that Coffee will definatly make it feel better. Or when i leave for an early morning job or car ride I always find myself going to Starbucks and getting me a White Chocolate Mocha on Ice...Best thing (besides a Sonic diet-cherry limeade) you can put in your mouth.

This cup of deliciousness is something that at first i didn't have a likeing for at all. I've never been a coffee person..but this is a little different. I can't really describe the taste you to but it definalty isn't your normal cup-o-joe.

So to leave you with a little something "sweet" I wanted to share this song with you. Its one that i listen to all the time during personal worship and has become one of my favorite. I hope that you enjoy!

Wisdom Teeth or No Wisdom Teeth..that is the question

Throughout the next couple of days and weeks i was planning on getting my stuff together to move back to school, saying goodbye for now to my family and friends, and getting a little bit of fun in before I moved back to the exciting Rock Hill. Last week I found out some news that alters that plan just a little. I started to have some pain in my back jaw and i realized that one of my wisdom teeth was coming in. This was a "bump" in the plans i had made.

My mom contacted the dentist and then we got a phone call from the Oral Surgeon..saying i had to have emergency surgery before i leave for school on the 20th. Great...Surgery...I've never been put to sleep before, never had any type of broken bone..healthy as an ark.

So i went to the Oral Surgeon yesterday and come to find out the Surgery shouldn't be as bad as i thought. Normally people have all 4 wisdom teeth and luckily i only have 3. So maybe it won't be as bad as i was thinking. The procedure is going to happen next Tuesday..so some exciting funny stories i'm sure will arise after the pain pills have been in me for a couple of days.

As of right now, i'm eating Ice cream. Something that I guess i will be eating for a while. I've already put in my order to my amazing grandmother for some home made mashed potatos..since i'll be on a no "whole" food diet for a while. So i guess eating some home cooking from granny should be alright for a while :)

Ok i've rambled enough for a day. Hope you enjoy my medical entry....i'm sure i've bored you enough for a day, but thanks for reading!

I'll keep you updated!

laney

Rain Rain go Away

South Carolina Summers are pretty much the equation of humidity, rain, thunder, lightening, and hurricans. One thing that i have always been absolutly scared of is all of the above. Ever since i was little i can remember every time there was a storm i would run to my mom and ask if we could leave wherever we were and go immediatly home. Till this day it isn't my favorite thing in the world, but i havn't quite gotten over the whole situation.

Today Jacqualine (one of the girls that i "watch" during the day) went to the grocery store to pick up something. We went inside and got some yummy chocolate chip cookies and then came out to find it POURING down rain. I suddenly had this urge to go in a corner and hide. But Jacqualine said hey lets go run in the rain....weird i know.

So i took a step outside of my box and went...and had the most fun i have had in a long time. We kicked puddles and stood there in the Bi-Lo parking lot having the best time in the world. I know that i definatly havn't gotten over the Thunderstorm thing...but the rain today is definatly one of my favorite things.

I told a bunch of my friends a couple of months ago that i think it would be so romatic if i got engaged in the rain. Just think about it: you and your other "half" walking and it starts pouring down rain. Then he gets on one knee..and tells you his undying love for you..then you get a romatic loving rainy kiss!!!WHEW! I love thinking about how that would be a blast..so girls whenever i meet Mr. Right..you make sure you relay that message to him!

Staying Dry for now...

Laney

HAPPY HOUR

Ok as most of you know i'm not an avid alcohol drinker. So this title probably catches you off gaurd. I have found a new and exciting thing that makes me very very happy between 2-4pm any day of the week.

Sonic.

Yep I said it. This American Drive Thru phenomenon has come up with something that should make EVERYONE happy. I've caught myself rolling through the drive-thru at least 3 times a week to get a mouth savoring Diet Cherry Limeade. I mean really who would turn down the chance to enjoy a wonderful drink at half the price? SO thats my thoughts for now..gotta love saving money (espically as a college student) and second you gotta love a sweet little treat!!

Living it out,

Laney

Murphy Wedding

Went to an amazingly beautiful wedding this weekend! Nicole and Matt are friends of the family and the wedding was absolutly precious! Pink was the main decoration idea. Dinner was at Brookland Baptist Chruch in West Columbia. The Bride and Groom are avid Gamecock fans and Baseball freaks! They are traveling to Cancun for a honeymoon and then returning to Good Ole' South Carolina! Enjoy the pics!

Getting Started

Ok so i've never been a big fan of this whole blogging thing, but i guess i could start. I didn't get the idea to do by myself, but i was browsing the internet and came across Deni's Blog (Props to you!) and it looked fun. So here you go!

More to come later today!