Just that bored...

-What were you doing at midnight last night? Chatting online : )
-What did your last text message say? �That would be great- Thanks�
-What color shirt are you wearing? black
-What's the most recent movie you watched? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!!!
-Name 3 things you have on you at all times: Purse (wallet, phone, calendar, iPod, vitamins, gum, student ID, pens, jump drive, etc) That's more than 3
-How much cash do you have on you right now? ZERO�I'm poor
-What is your favorite part of the chicken? Breast
-What's your favorite city? Chicago! It's AMAZING!
-I can't wait to�go to Longview this weekend.
-When was the last time you saw your parents? Friday night- Mom in Van, Dad in Irving
-What did you have for dinner last night? Peanut butter, carrots, and an orange (don't ask)
-What's the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone? A sweet green jacket from Karissa this morning for church
-What websites do you visit the most? Xanga, Hotmail, MySpace, and Facebook
-Does anything hurt on your body right now? YES- my face muscles are the only things that don't�I've been working out : )
-What's your favorite Starbucks drink? Double Tall, Sugar Free French Vanilla, Nonfat, Latte (maybe I go too much)
-Last song you sang to: �Pieces of Me� Ashlee Simpson
-Are your parents married or divorced? Married- 30 years!!
-Going to Heaven? Heck yes!!
-What jewelry do you wear 24/7? Sapphire ring from my parents, covenant ring from Master's, diamond studs in my second holes, and a pink stud in another earring hole
-Wear Makeup? You'll never see me without it�it's a girl thing
-Were you usually the dumper or the dumpee in your past relationships? Sadly, the dumper- I'm a jerk
-Would you ever have plastic surgery? Nothing drastic because I think aging is a beautiful thing, but I'd be open to the idea
-What do you wear to bed? Tank top and sweat pants
-Can you roll your tongue? Yep, I hear it's hereditary
-Pluck your eyebrows? Yeah, they don't need it that bad, but I do
-Abortion? Heck no
-Hair color? Brown with some faded blondish red streaks underneath
-Future children's names? I think my last name would make a sweet first name for a boy: Carter Elliott
-If you could go anywhere in the world on a vacation, where would you go? I think my biggest dream is to go to Cairo, Egypt. I have an extreme fascination with mummies and the pyramids
-Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Yep, a teddy bear- it's the coolest little guy in the world
-Gold or silver? Silver or costume gold (I don't really like 14K gold or anything)
-Beach, city, or country? NOT the beach, I like the city, and LOVE the country
-Who was the last person you touched? Shelby Brown
-Where do you like to eat? Olive Garden and McDonalds are my favs
-Who's your best friend? Alesha Pither
-Believe in Santa? Do kids read this? Umm�not since 4th grade
-Do you talk in your sleep? Not that I'm aware of
-Beach or pool? Pool�I hate salt water and sand
-Window seat or aisle? Aisle�I have a huge fear of needing to go to the bathroom and being trapped
-Do you feel that you've ever had a truly successful relationship? Yeah for period of time
-Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Twirl�I used to get really mad at my mom because she would break the spaghetti before cooking it which makes it hard to twirl
-How long does your shower last? 10 minutes on non-hair-washing days, 15 when washing hair
-Do you drive a stick? My car's not a stick, but I can drive one
-Cake or ice cream? Ice cream- anything with chocolate
-What time do you get up? 6:45 am
-When was your first real crush? 3rd grade- Kelly Atwood
-Have you ever broken someone's heart? Sadly yes
-Ever been given a ring? My sapphire ring and covenant ring
-Last gift you received? MONEY!!
-Where do you live? Waxahachie, Texas
-High school you attended? Spring Hill- Longview, Texas
-Last wedding attended? You know�I can't remember, but here's a list of upcoming weddings: Angela Bazan, Steph Parish, Sarah Hubert, Brandon Wells, Cody and Karen, Brandy and PJ, Joanie Ramsey�take your pick
-Where do you work? Career Services, SAGU basketball table, SAGU intramural basketball stat girl, and baby sitter�I'm even registered to substitute (I am all things to all people)
-Can you cook? Sometimes
-Current Crush? I may tell y'all a lot, but not that
-Your full name? Christen Laura Carter
-Where were you when the ball dropped for 2006? Jason Hassig's loft with a bunch of my Longview friends
-Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry? Nope, but I cried while reading the Bible when David died�haha
-Do you want a baby? Someday in the far future
-What did you do this morning? Church then Starbucks
-What does your dad do for a living? Pastor
-Do you have a date for Valentines? Not that I'm aware of
-What food do you crave right now? An orange
-Did you dream last night? Actually just about 2 hours ago while napping on the couch�weird, weird dream
-What side of the bed do you sleep on? Twin bed�not really sides
-How many tattoos/piercings do you have? 5 piercings in my ears
-Can you imagine yourself ever getting married? I'm a girl, do you have to ask?
-Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss? AMY BECKER!!!
-What did you do last night? Worked basketball games
-Do you care what people think about you? To an extent�but not entirely
-What is one thing you wish you were better at? Sports�I wish I could really school people

Birthdays at Nannie's (My mom and Uncle Andy):

What an interesting weekend so far...

Yesterday during chapel, we sang a song that used to really hit a nerve. It says, "You give and take away; you give and take away; my heart will choose to say blessed be your name." I have always been told not to sing something to God that I didn't believe/feel, so while in Master's, I would never sing this song. I thought, "Why do I want to bless God's name for taking something from me when I didn't want him to?" Anyway, we were singing it yesterday, and I sang it with all my heart because I'm confident in God's plan for my life now.

Last night was fun (and included a lot of driving). I drove to Van after work to celebrate birthdays with my family. It was wonderful getting to see everyone. And, my Uncle Jed paid me the nicest compliment in the whole world. I love my family! As the party wrapped up, I left for Irving to meet up with my dad. We went to see Glory Road. What an incredible movie!! I'll definitely be purchasing that movie some day.

Tonight I worked the SAGU basketball games. Have I ever told you how much I love my job? Doing the shot clock is really easy, and I get to be up in the middle of the action! So fun! We played my ex's team. I wasn't worried about it but just wasn't sure how it would be. "Ackward" would be the key word. Let's just say a hand shake and a hello is just weird. haha!

Next weekend-- LONGVIEW!! I'll be playing in a very sweet softball game while I'm home which the very cool Mark Sorgee master-minded. He really deserves all the credit. Plus, I'll get to spend some much needed time with friends. Love you all! (sorry this was so lengthy!)

Christen

Here's Amy and me at the Southlake Carroll basketball game:


This is my brides' maid dress for my cousin Brandy's wedding this summer. Except the actual dress will be more of an aqua blue. I love it!!

Last night was SO much fun!!  Amy Reed and I went to Fossil Ridge HS in Keller, TX to see one of our old teachers.  Now, I know you're thinking, "you go visit old teachers for fun?"  Well, yes, actually!  Coach Brett White was my senior world history teacher.  He was the varsity basketball coach and really turned around our basketball program.  We found out one day he was color blind and could only consistently see the color yellow, so like 15 girls made yellow shirts with blue lettering that spelled out "GO * PANTHERS !!"  We went to several ball games and yelled and cheered.  It's one of my favorite high school memories.  Even during my freshman year in college, every time I went home I would go visit Coach White and his wife Jana and their 2 daughters.  I just really love this family.  Anyway, they moved while I was gone to Master's Commission to Carroll, and I hadn't seen them since.  So, Amy and I looked up their basketball schedule and took a little road trip.  SO FUN!!  Coach White was really surprised. He looked at us for like 5 seconds before he realized it was us. He was so surprised!

Now, I'm sitting in the office...all alone...in complete silence.  Please leave me comments so that I can come write nice messages on your xangas.    Love you!!

Christen

So...linguistics isn't exactly something I sit around and think about, but it's so cool! Linguistics is the study of language, and I'm taking Intro to Linguistics this semester. I've only read the first chapter of our book, so I may be singing a different tune in a month. : ) But seriously, we're going to be learning about how humans develop and learn language and all the aspects this from forming sounds to the differences in dialects. Talk about cool!

So...I miss Longview. I miss my family. I miss my friends. And I looked at the calendar today and got really depressed. There's only one weekend between now and Spring Break that I'll be able to go. I just want to spend time, you know? Sigh.

Christen

So...in the spirit of Xanga and sharing my entire life with you, I thought I'd tell you...well...more about me. : )

Have you ever had a song that "gets" you? There have been a few through the years that are that way to me. For instance, Miranda Lambert's song "Mama, I'm alright." If you didn't know this, my freshman year in college I dated a guy who broke my heart which contributed to my decision to go to Master's Commission for a year. My parents weren't super thrilled that I was going, but they let me go. Looking back at the entire experience, I realize that I wouldn't change a thing. Even though it wasn't "fun," I learned so much about myself and about relationships that it's all been worth it.

Anyway, one of the song's verses (it's a country song...deal with it) says, "If I'd have done what you and daddy done, would have never lost and never won...I would not know how to fight for my own heart next time around."

When I hear this song, I literally tear up. If not for everything, I really wouldn't know how to fight for my heart. Before, I didn't know that I deserved better or that I was supposed to fight for myself. But I do now...and I would now if I had to.

So, what song connects with you? I like to hear your stories.

Christen

The Love of God

Today was hands down the best chapel Southwestern has ever seen (or at least it was to me). It all started last night.

I was sitting on the couch reading Psalm 91 and 139 and Jeremiah 29:11. These passages are the dearest to me. I realized yesterday that I've felt very insecure the last few weeks, and it's because I had lost focus of how deeply God loves me. So, I was reading, and God just poured out his love on me. I felt so refreshed and loved at that moment.

Then today, I got to chapel a little late (which is normal), and they were singing a song about God's amazing love. Not 5 minutes after I got there, tears were streaming down my cheeks because I just know that it's not about me. It really is ALL about Him! The speaker today was Bryan Jarrett. He's a new pastor in the Dallas area. He said he had prepared a message for us today, but God gave him something different last night. He said he just knew it was exactly what we needed to hear.

He preached about God's love for us and our dreams. WOW, was that not exactly what I needed to hear? The more he preached, the more I realized that I had stopped dreaming. I've been scared to have big dreams for fear of disappointment. So, I'm working on it. Because God loves me so much, He gives me dreams that He wants to see succeed.

I'm going to dream!

Christen

Thanks for being patient with me. Being back at school slows down my xanga communication. I have a mac computer, and Internet Explorer is the only thing that will work with my school's network. Mac + Microsoft = stupidity Therefore, sometimes my computer lets me comment on y'all's sites, sometimes it doesn't. And it never lets me read y'all's comments. So, I'm sorry if I'm slow in replying to your comments. I LOVE your comments, but I have to wait and check them at work. I think that xanga is a give and take relationship. I try to reply to every comment because I think that's fair. : ) hahaha...I really over-think this, huh??

My first day back was great. It's been so nice seeing friends and reconnecting with school life. Shakespeare is going to be a great class. Biblical Perspectives of World Missions? Not so much. Boring is what it's going to be.

Anyway, I'm feeling WAY better than yesterday. I am emotionally stable, I promise...haha.

My good friend Angela is getting married in March to the love of her life. I'm so happy for her. She's having a shower this Saturday, and I'm really excited to see her and celebrate with her!

Love you all!!

Christen

So, I'm a bit of a mess today. I'm excited/sad/nervous/hopeful/frustrated all at the same time. We go back to classes tomorrow, which is the excited and nervous feelings. I really do love school. As weird as it sounds, I like learning, listening to a good lecture, and hanging out with some of my closest friends. I have the best roommates in the world: Karissa and Shelby. (We are mourning the loss of Jeanene; she moved to Boston.) I don't really want to talk about the other 3 feelings. Just know that some different stuff is going on in my life that I have no control over. I hate that. Don't you? Well, if you know me at all, you know that I'm really not that emotional; I'm a pretty balanced person, so hopefully this all blows over, like today.

So, anyway...haha...I got all moved in yesterday. I had such a wonderful break being in Longview (as you could probably tell from all the pictures.) I'm sure going to miss my friends and family, though. I love just being with my family. I am the most "me" with my family because I know I don't have to prove anything or be anything besides me.

I love you, my dear friends. Thanks for bearing with me on terrible posts like today's. : )

Christen

I had a FABULOUS weekend! I got to see my darling Eli and his beautiful smile!! I cannot believe how big he is! He's 7 weeks now. There's nothing in the world like making a baby smile. I would talk to him in my really high voice, and he'd smile really big. SO CUTE!! : ) Well, here are some pictures as promised. I'll write something profound later.





I love this baby!!




Tell me he's not the cutest!!! Anyway, I head back to good ol' SAGU tomorrow. We start classes on Wednesday. I'm a senior this semester, which is pretty scary. Feel free to be my friend because both of my roommates will be student teaching (which means I'll be alone). Love you!!

Christen

Wow, I've been posting so many pictures lately that I haven't said anything to y'all in a long time. Sorry : )

I head back to good ol' Southwestern on Monday, and we start back Wednesday. Guess what, I graduate THIS year!!! December is the month! I can't believe my college career is so close to being over. It's kinda sad; I've really enjoyed it (for the most part).

I just talked to one of my favorite friends, Angela. She's getting married in March. It's so exciting! I can't believe how old I am! haha! I already have 6 weddings on the calendar to attend this year. Crazy!!

Anyway, thanks for all your comments. I love you all so dearly!

OHH my little Eli started smiling!! Here's my adorable nephew:


Christen

More pictures!!

I told you I'd show you some candid pictures from the other night. I aim to please, so here ya go.

Little Scotty again:


Jason and Garrett stole my camera:


Oh Kara, what a face!


Emmaly and Summer:


Garrett looks so perplexed:


Josh and Amber (she's really expressing herself):


Jason, Garrett, and Jarrod (I love these guys!!!):


I'm going to see little Eli this weekend, so you can look forward to some adorable pictures. He's SMILING now!! I can't wait to see his little face.

Thanks for all the comments last post. I feel so special!! I love you my wonderful friends!

Christen

Picture Post!!

Tonight was so fun!! I love having a digital camera, too, to document the fun. I'll post some candid photos later, but I thought these were cute! Summer is moving to Costa Rica tomorrow, so we had to take a million pictures. I love you, Summer, and I'm gonna miss you terribly!!!

Me and Summer Dailey at church this morning:


"The Crew" Garrett, Summer, Me and Jason:


My super awesome little brother Scott and Me:


Garrett and Scott with little heads of Jarrod, Jason, and Brandon:


Me and the infamous Garrett Goode:


Jason Hassig adores me (I have no idea why): : )


Oh and the continuing healing process of my mother's black eye (taken today):


Well, I hope you all had a good weekend!! I've had a great one!! One last week of freedom, then back to school on the 18th for my LAST Spring semester.

Christen

Have you ever heard that song by Bethany Dillon "Beautiful"? It's amazing. The very first time I heard it on the radio, I literally burst into tears. She grasps the absolute truth of what girls struggle with and battle within themselves. And she captures what HAS to happen: Girls need to see they are beautiful to God.

First verse (Girls think that if we dress up just right and fix ourselves up, we will get approval, especially from guys.):

I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it's killing me
Does someone hear my cry?
I'm dying for new life

2nd verse (Oh my goodness, SO TRUE!!):

Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory

Chorus (As long as a girl thinks this towards a guy, she'll be miserable, but the day she realizes that she wants these things from God, life is good.):

I want to be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart,
and be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just want to be worthy of love
And beautiful

Then finally to the Lord:

You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

This song was like my anthem while I was in Master's Commission. After dating the last guy, I felt so worthless of love and especially didn't feel beautiful. I eventually realized that it didn't matter what people think of me (especially guys). It only matters what I KNOW that God thinks about me. : ) I am beautiful inside and out to Him.

I heard this song on the way to my cousin's show tonight, and it just reminded me of all that. I wanted to share it with you. God's acceptance and love is so much better than any guy's. Don't think I know what I'm talking about? Why have I talked to two girls in the last 2 hours about their terrible relationships with guys who no longer show them affection and approval? Yeah, it's there.

Christen

I have found the secret to getting more comments! haha...just kidding. Mom is feeling a lot better. Her headache is gone, so she's not having to take the serious medicine anymore. We're even going to Scott's basketball game tonight. I've been reading her all y'all's comments, and she's very grateful for all the well-wishes and prayers. It was great, today I went and bought her some big ol' sunglasses to hide the shiner! She's going to look awesome!

Last night before bed:


Today- all smiles!! :


Tomorrow night, if you're not busy, let's go watch my cousin's band. Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys are performing at Brewtones in Tyler at 7:30. They are kinda indie/rock, I'd say. "Amazing" would be the best word though!

Christen

Well, today has been eventful to say the least. This morning I got a phone call at 8 am from my dad saying that Mom fell and hit her head, and they were on their way to the hospital. She had been walking up the steps to go to school and tripped over an outdoor rug. Because she had her school bag, camera bag, coffee, and purse all in her hands, she caught her fall with her face!! Yeah.

So, I ran up to the hospital to see the shiner. She caught the concrete right on her brow bone and cheek bone! I'm a little jealous because I've never had a black eye, but she's definitely in a lot of pain. Anyway, I will be chronicling the process of the black eye for all to see (with Mom's permission of course). : )

At the hospital:


About 2 hours later:



About an hour ago:


Christen

Hey, go check out Mark Sorgee's new xanga. (Yeah, it took some convincing, but he took the plunge.) Peter_Griffin424

What a great weekend!! I got to spend New Years with some of my favorite people. We had a little bash out at Jason's house that included chili, shrimp, Family Guy, SNL, and a midnight ki...wait a second...that part's not true. haha I also got to run out to Pat's house and see Alesha, Julie, and Emily!! I love my friends so much!!

Tonight we gathered at the Simpson's to watch The Skeleton Key. I never wanted to see that movie because I was afraid it would be demonic, but it was awesome!! It's along the same lines as movies like The Village, Signs, Sixth Sense, and Secret Window. You'll have no idea how it's going to end!! Afterwards, Mark came over to hang out with me, and he created his xanga. It was great fun!

Anyway, I had a thought today: I will never buy another CD again. I mean, think about it. ITunes has made it easy (and cheap) to purchase music online. Then I can either burn CDs from my computer or put it straight onto my iPod. Yeah, the days of CDs are over. :. (

I hope your New Years was everything you hoped for. My 2006 has already had a great start!!

Christen

Here's my best friend Alesha and me:


Here's another adorable pic of Eli in his cute little plaid shirt: