Everybody's got a song to sing(:

So, I have come to the conclusion that I am thoroughly obsessed with... lyrics? Yes. Lyrics. I really don't mind who is singing (unless it some disgusting sounding British guy... *cough*...NEWSBOYS!) I just love listening to the lyrics of songs and relating them to my life in the past, present, and/or future. Like, at the moment I am learning a song called "Tied Together With A Smile" by Taylor Swift.

{Chorus}
Hold on, baby, you're losing it
The water's high, you're jumping into it
And letting go... and no one knows
That you cry, but you don't tell anyone
That you might not be the golden one
And you're tied together with a smile
But you're coming undone

A very well written song and one I can definitely relate to. But then the second verse,

I guess it's true that love was all you wanted
Cause you're giving it away like it's extra change
Hoping it will end up in his pocket
But he leaves you out like a penny in the rain
Oh, cause it's not his price to pay
Not his price to pay...

It makes me think of one of my friends... Looking for acceptance and love through guys that toss her around like a football.
And sometimes I can find that one song that tugs at my heart so much because I know if I could have thought of it, I would have written the same exact thing. You can find a very detailed story in any song if you just listen... I'm a listener (:

Well, just thought I would share (:

Tacos, Cookies, Icing and Sprinkles! ... and a little bit of flour here and there.

It's been a long night. Went to Walmart, got supplies to make Christmas cookies, went to Taco Bell and ate... a taco. Then returned to my house out here in good ol' Deeeeecatur. I sat at my computer for about an hour learning a song for our spring choir concert coming up in a few months and at the same time listening to Taylor Swift. Yes, when it comes to music, I'm multi-talented (: For a while I thought I was going to bake cookies tomorrow. But, later on (9:45) I got a sudden burst of energy and began baking sugar cookies and dousing them in green icing and little green and red Christmas Tree sprinkles. After an hour of baking, my energy decreased and I brought my Christmas Cookie adventure to a halt. With 30 cookies made, a half a bag of dough still waiting to be "cookiefied" and yet another bag of dough waiting to be opened, it is very evident that I will most definitely be baking until very near Christmas Eve tomorrow. So, with flour on my cheeks, Taylor Swift continuing to blare through my speakers and a very impatient grandmother telling me to "wrap it up", I bid thee farewell and goodnight.

Merry day-before Christmas Eve!
-Karleigh

"But he sends his love to the sinner"

All my life, it seems like I have been searching for something that I just can't quite put my finger on. Yeah, I have always believed in God... sending his son die for my sins, to be resurrected in 3 days and back into heaven until the rapture, when he comes back and takes us all to Heaven with him. But I have always had my doubts. When I was younger, I blamed God for giving me an abusive mother and putting me into a family with someone who would molest me. I thought if he let it happen then he couldn't be the "loving" God everyone said he was. Time went on and of course I learned otherwise. That God never puts us in a situation that we can't handle. And no problem is to big for God to fix. You know, Sunday school stuff.

But it seemed like, when it came to God "loving me"... I couldn't make myself believe it. My thoughts always went back to my mom coming at me with anger in her eyes, ready to strike, and I just couldn't imagine him loving me after I had been so bad as to deserve the punishment I received.

I don't know... I still haven't figured it out. Maybe in time...

Candy canes, food crumbs, and visions of sugar plums...

2 and a half days in counting until Christmas. I'm having mixed emotions, but it's still Christmas. And there are still gifts to be given, family to be seen and a feast to be had. (:

I made sure to express my opinion this year about doing Christmas "the right way". Last year, instead of continuing in our traditions, everyone just grabbed a present and... for lack of a better phrase, went at it. Ha ha. It was quite an event, I must say. Being the youngest of about 15 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren following me with 2 more on the way, our family is far from small. So organization is key. Every year after lunch, one present at a time, youngest to oldest we each take our place on the fire place and open our gifts, one by one until the base of the tree is empty except for a small nativity scene and a white tree skirt. A time consuming feat, indeed. But without any organization, inevitably, a 10 dollar bill, a gift card, or some other small something or other is going to be destroyed or thrown away in all the hustle and bustle. So this year, things are going to be done the right way (:

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and hope that Christmas day is filled with family, friends, food, ORGANIZATION, and awesome gifts (I'm getting a new iPod(: ) but, through it all don't forget the true meaning of the season.
God bless all of you, and once again, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas?

Have you ever had a time where something tragic happened, and it shocks you so much that you are sort of... numb to the world? Something that would normally seem like a huge event or occasion that you should be so excited about seems like a minor ordeal that you barely even take notice of? It's a weird feeling isn't it? Exactly 5 months ago December 8th , my grandpa passed away. Now, unless it's you that is being affected, or if you're one of those people that couldn't care less about your grandparents and they live a bazillion miles away, the death of your grandfather would phase you for a few weeks, but then most would view it as such a small change, you could go back to life as usual and consider it something you just have to "get used to"... like rearranging your room. But I was in a situation that some, but not most can relate to. My grandfather has been more like an actual father to me since I can remember. I didn't like staying at home, so I spent most of my time being his shadow. Needless to say I grew up a little country girl. Boots 'n britches, grease on one knee, dirt on the other. He taught me everything I had the patience to learn and in return, I continued to stand beside him, guessing that I was handing him the right thing when he asked for a Monkey Wrench or a set of Hose Cutters. And topped the day off with a kiss on his forehead and a big hug around his neck (which more often than not had to be accomplished by standing on one of the kitchen chairs).

He was one of those kind of people that had the answer to almost every question... and if he didn't have the answer, he would think about it until he found one that seemed logical enough to sound like he knew what he was talking about (: On many occasions I remember spouting out math problems from my "homework spot" at the kitchen table while he calculated the answer in his head. And he never ceased to finish it off with some shpeal about how math these days is so complicated compared to the math he did when "he was a boy". I can't lie to you... I could be a pain in the butt sometimes, but somehow, I found it comforting that even in my "typical teenager" moments, he loved me and was patient with me, right along with my nanny.

With Christmas quickly approaching, I can't help but think that I would give everything I have just to walk through the door and see him in his chair that has been empty for the past 5 months, tapping his foot to his favorite gospel music. To lean over and give him a kiss, and smell the smell of a hardworking, loving, grandpa that has signaturized him for so many years. To hug his neck, and hear him call me his baby doll. And to look into his eyes and see that man that has put us all far above himself in every situation, and has been to me, personally a hero.

But I know that this year, he has the greatest Christmas present of all. And I think I speak for my whole family when I say that this Christmas it'll be a lot easier to clear our minds from all the busyness of the holiday and thank God for what we have. Because you never REALLY know what you've got until it's gone.

Merry Christmas Grandpa.