Not So Little Any More!

Off to school!

It's that time of the year again! School buses, homework, pumpkin everything and cooler weather. And this year my very own Cutie is joining the elementary school kids! She started kindergarden on Tuesday. I feel sappy saying I can't believe how quickly she grew up, but it's true. Just a testament to how precious every day is!

My cutie

Since I am also in classes I couldn't make it home Monday night to be there for the first day of school, so we all skyped. I left her a dress for her first day that she opened while we were skyping and was very excited to wear the next day, and I also got to surprise her that I was going to come home and pick her up from school! All smiles, we ended skype and I crammed in as much homework as possible to enjoy my short time at home.

Shannon and Sean

Tuesday came, and I anxiously awaited the e-mail from my dad full of the traditional "first day of school pictures." She was just too precious! And while the dress is a tad long, it looked adorable with her curly pig-tales. I prayed that God would speed up the clock so I could get home just in time, and through His faithfulness I made it with about 15 minutes to spare!

We walked over to the school and they had the kindergardeners in a corner so they wouldn't get lost or mixed up with the older kids, when Shannon saw us she dropped her backpack and jumped into my arms. It was such a precious moment!

Few more
years buddy!

To celebrate we went and got ice cream (a new first day of school tradition) and Shannon and I spent the rest of the afternoon together. We painted nails, colored, played some games, I braided her hair, and both worn out from a long and exciting day we went to bed early.

In the morning I got to walk her to school and the cutie held my hand the whole time. And when we got to school she gave me a big hug, told me she couldn't wait to come for the football game, and proudly marched into school. That's my goober!

2nd day!

While my trip home was short, it was completely worth it. Shannon and Sean mean everything to me, and to be there for my Cutie on her big day was so special! Their hugs and kisses are irreplaceable!

Ready for the football game!

*Joy of the day: Besides my time with my fam, I love the drive to and from school- it's absolutely beautiful. A true gift from God!

Escape

      Last Tuesday my mom called me from work and asked if I wanted to get away for the weekend. How could I turn that down? A weekend get away to the beach before my summer class started sounded absolutely lovely. Come Thursday I picked my mom up from work and we were off!

     We traveled up to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, which was prepared for our arrival. It was in the upper 70s and sunny all weekend, and rather empty! It was perfect. It was a resting and relaxing break from the unpacked boxes that were crowding my room and the new syllabus that was beginning to haunt me before I had even had a chance to thrown the old ones out.

     We spent our days sunning on the beach, reading (for fun- when was the last time that was allowed?) and enjoying the general splendor! I convinced my mom to indulge on photography adventures with me; sunset one night, 5:30am the next day for sunrise, and a hike out to a park to see a lighthouse! It was absolutely beautiful, God certainly knew what he was doing when he created all of this!

     When I was looking at the sunrise I had to stop and just soak in all of the beauty. And "beauty" isn't even the word to describe it! As I was watching the day begin and taking pictures, the part in Genesis came to my mind where God created the earth from a dark and lifeless form into this stunning creation. It takes my breath away to see this; the sun peaking out over the crest of the ocean, dolphin poking their heads out for breakfast, and the general peacefulness as the rest of the world slept! In Genesis after God creates something it is described as "good" and watching this I can see why! But as I was sitting there God put on my heart that I describe his sunrise one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and yet God only calls it "good." What he sees as "very good" is me! (Genesis 1:31)

     Know that what ever you see in this world as beautiful, a sunrise, a flower, the mountains, God sees you as beautiful beyond compare to those things! That made me stand still. No sunrise can ever compare with his greatest creation- us! We are capable of so much, we're complex (I took anatomy and physiology, trust me we are), and we are drop dead stunning!
     On our spontaneous beach get away I caught up on some sleep, finished a book and a half, got a little sun kissed, saw some gorgeous places and moments, and left knowing that I am a beautiful creation! I would deem that a successful first adventure of the summer.

*Joy of the day: Getting to curl up under a cozy yellow blanket to fall asleep to the sound of rain after five days of joy!

Baby Brother

Today my little brother turns two officially! While we have already had the party, and in his mind he is already two since he ate the cake, today is the official day of celebration. I remember sitting in church on Sunday morning, getting a text from my dad saying the baby was on the way and that he’d call when he could. Since he was a premature baby things were a little different, he was about two months early and the first couple of days we couldn’t even hold him. But now you wouldn’t know the difference! Today Sean is crazy, sweet, fun Sean!

Baby Sean with the IV in his little head.
He was so snuggly, even then!

            The Easter Bunny brought him home and was a surprise to Shannon when she woke up on Easter morning (probably not the surprise she really wanted!). Over the past two years I’ve loved to watch Sean grow and change and develop his big personality. Though I’ve been away at school for most of his life he still greets me with absolute excitement when I come home. He loves trucks and trains, playing with Shannon, running around outside, reading books, and learning new things!

The first time the terrific three was all together!

            Sean has brought me indescribable joy. He makes me feel loved, he makes me laugh, and he makes it hard to say goodbye. God’s shown me how love doesn’t have barriers, I wasn’t around for the part of Sean’s development when he was learning who people were and yet he still loves me a lot. Sean shows me how to be excited for everything, because everything to him is still so new and it allows me to see the world through his wondering perspective! Matthew 18:3 tells of when Jesus is talking and “he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

            God has used Sean to remind me of this verse constantly! Children are awestruck by the world and God’s wonderful creation; they want to experience every part of it. And they also believe full heartedly, without fear or holding back. Just like we should follow God and his commands. The children knew Jesus better than the adults because the trusted him and through that they were able to witness the amazing things that he wanted to show them. That is the kind of faith I want, and that is the kind of faith and perspective that Sean reminds me to have.

The boy who stole my heart!

            Today I celebrate my baby brother. Who will always be the tiniest little baby with the biggest heart, who got my genes for height but has a personality to fill the room, and who has a wonderstruck perspective of the world that inspires me daily. I love you little buddy!
*Joy of the day: Knowing that I will always have a buddy, not matter what!

Spring Break

            Last week was my spring break, and it was indeed a much needed break. Many of my friends went of mission trips or vacations, but I just went home which was all I needed! It was a week full of family, crafts, and friends. I didn’t do a single piece of homework, which is hard to believe but that is what I needed to do in order to fully rest.

The dump truck birthday cake was a hit!

forks are for babies!

            The first weekend I was home we celebrated my little brother’s 2^nd birthday, even though his birthday is not till later this month, in his eyes he is now officially two! It was full of trucks and trains, cake, crazy children, and a sleepy birthday boy. The poor kid didn’t make it through his own party; he fell asleep while we were watching “I’m Elmo and I Know It” on my phone. But I was in heaven! He’s past the point of falling asleep while you’re holding him so this was a rare and special treat for me especially since I am only home every so often!

All dressed up to see the Lorax

            Later in the week I was able to have my little sister skip school (teaching her good habits early!) and take her to see the Lorax. It was so special to get time to spend with just her, and she thought so too since she decide the event called for her special Christmas dress! She’s almost five now, and quite the little chatterbox. I got to hear all about school, her friends, swimming classes, and my favorite quote was “BigSis there was this monster in Monsters Inc. who coughed without covering his mouth and he got germs everywhere!” I am so proud that I have taught her well at such an early age! For the movie she decided that she would much rather sit on my lap then in her own chair, which I didn’t mind at all. So we snuggled and watched the Lorax, which was quite cute!

            Through out the week I enjoyed spending time with various friends from high school and catching up with them. I only got to see a few of them, and I wish I had made time to see other people who were home. But the people that I did see are the types of friends who you pick up where you left off, and those are the friends that you never truly left. I got to hear about how God is working in their lives, whether they see that or not, and hear all about their plans for next year as this school year starts to draw to a close. I love hearing stories from freshman about their college experiences because without fail God has put them where they needed to be, put people in their lives when they needed it and shown them his love without fail. And that is something joyful to hear!

            All week I seemed to have different craft projects going! And let me just say it was wonderful. I covered a mason jar, made hair flowers/bows, recovered my Bible, made two skirts, made a dress for a friend, made cupcakes, made two wristlets, started a bag (I couldn’t find handles to finish it), made a shirt with my roomie (tutorial and pictures coming soon!!!), made an infinity scarf, I made dinner a couple of times… and I think that’s it! There will be another post coming soon with all of the things I did along with links to tutorials from other wonderful blogs that I found over break!

Watching Veggie Tales- my personal favorite!

            While I was very ready for a break I had a physiology test the Friday that we got back that I knew I should be studying for over break but made the conscious decision not to. I made the decision to rest. We had talked a lot this semester at large group for InterVarsity about Sabbath and resting, so I took my break to rest. I surrendered my worries and anxieties to God about my test and school work, so I could enjoy this break with him and relax. God used that week to restore me and give me energy and motivation to study hard this week for my test. 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you.” I relied on that verse during break, because God cares for me, and he is bigger than my anxieties. And His plans for his kingdom are bigger than any physiology test; therefore I have nothing to worry about. So I rested, not only from schoolwork but in His promises and it was a wonderful break!
*Joy of the Day: getting to catch up with a sweet friend over lunch!

2011 Snapshot

A quick look at my year in photos-

Trouble turned ONE!!!!

Photo shoot with my small group, they're fabulous!

I tried coffee for the very first time!!!!!!!!!

My mommy graduated with her masters! I'm so proud of her!

The fam went to the beach for a vacation!

Adventures with friends over breaks, love them!

Goober turned FOUR!!!!

Friends came from near and far to celebrate my birthday!

I ran my very first (an hopefully not last) half marathon!!!

Mommy and I on vacation at Crater Lake

Suite and Sassy (my suitemates for the new school year!)

The fam came up for a football game! Aren't they cute?!

The girls at our winter formal

Santa brought us matching outfits!

 2011 was filled with joy and tears, a lot happened in those 12 months!

*Joy of the Year: I'm so thankful for the quality time that I got with all of my friends and family, the memories that were made are so precious and remind me how blessed I truly am!