Still here

Not much of me has changed since I last wrote. Life around me swirls fast, and yet I've stayed the same. Of course, my hair is longer, my eyesight's grown worse, and my heart is a little more bruised. But I'm still here. People around me are preparing for college, my sisters are having babies. But me? I'm still the same. The same me that started this blog, living in the same house, sleeping in the same bed. I love the same things, the color yellow and a baby in my arms. I still hate toothpaste and pick grape fluoride. 

And yet different? I have a deeper understanding of God and His love. How it compasses the sky? How the sun shines on the righteous and the unrighteous. How we lose ones we love, yet still go on. How the dark isn't quite so dark anymore? 

How is it that I change everyday, but I do not move an inch?

yeah.

Graduation was this past Friday. So proud of the many friends of mine that graduated!!

Em and I

Katie and I

Janessa graduated too. Which is scary, cuz that means its my turn next year!

David got stuck in a tree on Monday. He is just too cute.

My kiddos played together so nicely! Proud babysitter moment. :) 

Eleven days until we leave for NYC, anybody else freaking out? No? Just me, okay. I am so excited though. You can read all about our trip on our team blog. Please be in prayer for us as we prepare and when we go.



 

Also, TWENTY days until we leave for Minnesota for Kortney and Mat's wedding. I am pretty sure that no one is more excited that me(except maybe Kortney and Mat) I can't wait to see all of my cousins again!

 

Yesterday I was at Sonic with some friends and I heard this song by Megan & Liz. I was so excited! Total fangirl.

 

Okay, that's it. I love you all.

The end.

 



 

Old post.

 

Before


After


Heidi and I at her dad's wedding!


Call me strange but I like the muddy, slush snow..

Jillaina's letter to Santa and his response.

 

My Christmas shoes!!




"I'm a pirate!"





Best. Babysitter. Ever.


I love the sky too much.

My whole life for those two weeks that I was sick.. books, homework, crocheting, and tv series.

I dunno..

*I have NO idea how long this has been sitting in my drafts, it has to have been a couple of months... sorry that it never posted! But throwbacks are always fun too! :)

32 days.

 

Hi.

That's how long until I will be in New York City for the very first time. Back in February our trip to Ukraine had to be canceled due to unrest in the country.  But we are all really excited for NYC! Partly nervous, but mostly excited. 

one of my favorite days in New York, visiting the half frozen lake.

Visiting Grandma's gravestone for the very first time..


Niagara tho...

And thennn, only 42 days until we go to Minnesota for Kortney and Mat's wedding. I can't wait to see all my New York family again! I've missed them so so SO much.. although two months isn't very long, it has felt like so much more!

The past months have been pretty crazy, with babysitting and preparations for the mission trip. I've also been looking at colleges, it is so weird that I am old enough to make a for sure decision for my future. There are so many different things that I could choose and I am only supposed to choose one? Choices, choices...How fun.

 Relaxing in OKC with some of my favorite kiddos.


"He thinks I'm his daddy! Silly kitty!"


No comment. ;)


Tuesday was Jillaina's 10th birthday, we had chicken and rice for dinner, and cake after with some of our older brothers and sisters. Heidi surprised me with a visit, I've missed her! It is weird not to see her very much anymore. Hopefully this summer we can hang out more!

"Kitties!!"

Easter at Jennaea and Ben's

 

Yay for cousins!

 

And grandmas and uncles!

 

Favorite photo from a couple weekends ago.

This is a public service announcement:
Sonic now has NERDS slushies. I recommend the grape with NERDS. You would think that adding to such a great flavor as grape would be superfluous, but believe me, it's not! They are way up there with cranberry limeades(lite ice, extra limes, and the occasional addition of lemons)

Hey... if anyone wants free kittens we've got seven.. but seriously. Come and get'em.

I love making birthday cards. :)

 

You know you needed to laugh..

I guess that's all.
Until next time.
Stay real folks.






 

uhm?

 

I am dazzled by the sky. always.

 

 

I've been sick for almost two weeks now and it's been miserable.

Because January is my month for nursery at church, and I LOVE nursery, especially on Sundays because there are so many more kids! I love kids, they are so much easier to get along with than adults. I was only in nursery three out of the four sundays that I was supposed to work. Now that, is just sad.

 

On lighter note, I'm feeling much better. I mean, I can hardly hear out of my left ear(ear infection or something?) but I had my first full nights sleep in three weeks last night! So its not all bad. Also, I got switched to the bass clef in bell choir, which makes me so incredibly happy, since I pick it up so much easier than I did the treble clef. I do miss my old treble clef neighbor though, Sarah was the best. Anyway, happiness, okay?

 

THIS: Pompeii  

seriously, a song about history. this is just so good.

please, just listen to this.

 

TWENTY-FOUR DAYS UNTIL NEW YORK. yayyayyyaay! I haven't been to New York for eight whole years, and that is an awfully long time. I am so excited to see all my New York cousins and aunts and uncles! I wish there was less time between now and then.

 

I don't like meetings or hats. or orange juice. or medicine.

I like summer and good books(I recently read The Selection... definitely a re-read!). also, water. and caramel.

I have this thing against colored toothpaste.

I think that by the ocean would be a cool place to live.

 

Okay, that's all. I just wanted to say hey.

Someday my post with lots of pictures will finally upload!

Until then, xoxo

-jkr-

 

p.s. I've decided that I just LOVE the blue.. a lot. Change is good.



Embrace it

Change is scary.

But it was due time for one.

 

I think I like the blue. and I KNOW that I LOVE the gray and yellow. I've always loved that color combination.

 

I have no idea what I'm here for. I used to think I did, but lately, nothing has made sense. I've been thinking a lot about how every decision I make changes my future. I find that so nerve-racking. That thought is so scary. I think this all just comes with being 16. A small comfort.

 

This blog is going to be whatever, there isn't going to be anything certain about what you'll read on here, because I change every day.

Take it as you will.

Embrace it, I'm trying to.

Updates and lots of lovely music

 

 

Happy 2014!

 

So far this year has been fantastic.

I rang in the New Year with a several of my favorite people at the bowling alley.

My youth group had an all-nighter, it was pretty much the best fun ever. Of course, by seven in the morning we were all pretty loopy and ready to sleep, forever.

 

On New Years Day, we went to my grandparents and had our annual black-eyed peas dinner. Ya know the saying, 'Eat poor on New Years and eat rich the rest of the year.'

It was fun.

 

Christmas was good! We had everyone together this year, the house was full to the max, but we all had a lot of fun. My favorite gift is probably my Bible. It is purple and beautiful, I already love using it!

 

Here are some fantastic songs ya'll should listen to:

 

From Seth:

Box In Love

Same Love (From A Christian)

All Of Me

 

From Other Amazing People:

Lord, I Need You

See You Tonight

Memory

 

Funny Videos To Watch:

Sesame Street Hunger Games: Catching Fur

Kid President's 20 Things We Should Say More Often

 

Yeah, Those are cool.

 

I am getting very, very excited about #summer14 in Ukraine. For reals, can this year get any better? :) I got my passport in the mail on Christmas Eve, so that was a good gift. 6 months isn't so far, right?!

 

Yesterday was my first day back to school, ugh, I like school, but I just really didn't want to do it this week, like at all. I read four chapters of Geography, it talked about Ukraine some so that was cool.

 

I read a lot this break and watched a lot of Christmas movies with Steven's mom, Annette. We probably watched around 18 movies and ate a ton of candy, crazy, I know. But it was fun. :) It is officially freezing over here in Kansas. I have mixed feelings about it. I like the beautiful snow, but I am happy when it gets warm enough to melt away. I don't know, I just adore the sun I guess. Summer can't come any faster for this girl over here!

 

Tonight, Janelle and I made attempted to make a gingerbread house. Haha, you wouldn't believe that anyone could make something that ugly. We had a lot of laughs though, and the frosting actually tasted decent for once!

 

I am reading three fantastic books right now, ones that you just don't want to put down 'cause they are so good. One, my friend Mary loaned to me and its called Sharing Jesus Without Fear, it puts a real interesting look on how to witness. My favorite parts are when the author says "There is no success, there is no failure, in God's kingdom when people obey Him and share Jesus." In one of the other books I'm reading there is a quote by Oswald Chambers "Waiting doesn't mean sitting around with folded hands, but to learn to do what you are told."

 

Lastly, Here is a worship song I've been listening to a lot lately. Enjoy!



Things

My toes are cold. 

I like the sun. 

I don't want to memorize any more summaries. 

I've been reading this kid I don't knows(mutual friends) blog for like an hour while listening to him sing and it's all fantastic. Except his voice is kinda monotone. But he has good words to say. 

      This cutie. 

That's all. 

Hi.

 

I suppose I owe you all an apology for leaving you for so long.

So.

I'm sincerely sorry.

Now, If you have accepted my humble apology,

please, please, continue on to hear of my lame excuse.

(and of my random life)

 

We hosted our annual Wilson Reunion this past weekend.

Lemme tell ya, it was something else!

Relatives traveled from all around.

Colorado, Texas, Indiana, New York, Minnesota.

There were about 50 people at my house

it felt a little bit like grand central station at times

we played a lot of games of Five Crowns.

(i lost them all)

I met my dear new baby cousin, Jack.

(that kid is adorable)

we ate too much food.

At times the sound of all the voices got overwhelming.

I made some pretty fantastic Chicken Soup, if I do say so myself.

I missed my Matthews cousins.

(a lot)

the weather was fantastic.

my best friend came and stayed the weekend.

she is really cool.

Isaac posted everything we did on the Facebook event page.

Everyone stayed up too late making memories.

The guys played basketball a lot.

The girls took walks up and down the dirt road.

We made several Wal-Mart runs.

Nights were spent around the piano singing hymns.

All in all.

We had a fantastic time.

(but we missed the ones who didn't make it)

 

Sometime I will write a post with a bunch of pictures from off the Facebook Event page.

 

I love you.

 



That's how You forgive.

This is why I sing.

You lived the life I could never live.

You died the death, Oh, That I deserve.

You rose to life and now You live.

That's how You forgive. 

 That's how we forgive. Being forgiven by God gives us the ability to forgive others. 

Why I want to be a mother someday.

Sometimes when I'm babysitting, usually when it's eleven in the morning and I still haven't managed to get them out of their pjs, or it's ten o'clock and they still aren't asleep, I ask myself, "How in the world do their parents do this?!" But then, it's eleven in the morning, and sure they are still in their pjs, but the time we spent snuggled up on the couch, reading book after book surely was worth it. And it's ten o'clock and they aren't asleep yet, but you can hear their little voices whispering their goodnight prayers and them giggling as they speak sweet nonsense to calm the others fears. Those are the times when I realize what makes it worth it to the parents. How they push through everyday. Kids, they love you, unconditionally. Kids, they see you for who you really are. Kids, they are so innocent. Kids, they could grow up to be great people, all they need is people that believe in them. And those people should be us! 

It's the time I spent rocking one to sleep who is missing their mommy. It's the exclamation of "BEST BABYSITTER EVER!" after I let them have cereal for lunch or go to the park or play video games. It's the hugs and kisses and 'please come back!''s. It's the 'Ay-Ce, I wuv you''s that make this the best job in the entire world! Those times are the times when I realize why I want to be a mother someday, because even the hard times can be blessings. Because loving a child is always worth it in the end. 

A sad post about basically nothing.

This last week has just been something else. I was busy every. single. day. Sunday through Wednesday was our church's local missionary conference, The main speaker was Lee Lofquist. I loved every sermon. It was very challenging, not just to go but to send as well. 

I have no idea what Thursday was. I might have stayed home actually. I did a lot of school. I know that I had an hour long phone call from my best friend. It was really good. 

Friday. Ugh, Friday. We helped my oldest sister move some things into her apartment. Then, I went to Jennaea and Ben's and we watched some "scary" movies that weren't very scary, but rather funny. :) I spent the night there as well. 

Saturday was the official moving day for Jonalee and Steven so we unpacked boxes nearly all day. We got Starbucks. 

Yummy. 

  

And I held a two month old baby.. He was adorable! Jonalee also gave me a ton of her books.. Happy me! 

Here's a shout out to my awesome friend Emily for being awesome and brightening my day today. :) She is just too cool. 

There is my sad little post with not nearly enough pictures! 💜💜💜 Love you! 

I must see Jesus.

Oh, boy. This is a hard one. Stay strong, folks, stay close. 

A challenge from missionary Keith Hock: What is your reason for being in the Word and serving God? Is it your parents forcing you to? Your image within the church? Even your friends? Or is it this? 

I must see JESUS.

I must tell JESUS. 

I must serve JESUS. 

I must know JESUS. 

I must love JESUS. 

'This' is when you are serving Christ because you must, you can't even help it, you love Christ so much that you must serve Him, you must get to know Him better, you must tell Him all of your trials and joys. You must SEE Him in your life. When He becomes visible to you and to others through His work in your life! 

I love it when you are shining.

"I love it when you are shining. 

When you remind me to smile. 

When you encourage my heart. "

Hi. I like that first line, "I love it when you are shining." It is so beautiful. "I love it when you are shining." That means, I see you for who you really are. I understand how beautiful you truly are and I don't know how I didn't see it before. But you shine so bright now. I know that it's what is inside that really counts. I see you shining... 

Okay, I just liked that a lot. So I wanted you to see it. Now we can get down to the more unimportant stuff. :) 

This girl! Oh, I love her! I cherish all the Wednesdays with her. 

This is my best friend. I'm so glad that she is alive. I love you, Heidi-Lou, I really do. 

This picture doesn't even show a fraction of how happy I was to be out of class with a iced coffee in my hands. 

Yes, yes, yes, yes. 

A lovely fall night by the fire. 

Relaxing with some cool kids. 

Well, that's that. :) the pictures from the last time I posted. My page views went from 28 to 674, so that has been awesome for my ego. I love to run, I miss running.. So much, but lately I just haven't felt up to it. I've gotta fix that. :) this weather has been awesome, just enough summer to make me crave cooler days. I was babysitting tonight and the four year old girl kept saying every time her brother whined "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!" It was pretty darn cute. Sometimes when I see people, I'm all like "Hi, you make me melt.." *nervous laugh* and I'm not a witch either.. Hahaha.(so yeah, how many of you actually got that? Awkward..) first moment alone all day... Does Geography homework.. I have no life. That is it for now.. Cuz my mind is going blank. 

Ephesians 4:29, 31

Happy Days.

Hi, there. 

So it has been awhile, hasn't it?

I've been rather busy I suppose, with school and such things. Today I walked to the mailbox and found my Starbucks Gold card! There was much rejoicing. I have been waiting for(what seems like :P) forever for it to arrive. My heart is very happy today. 

I am extremely excited for the arrival of autumn! The past few days have been nice and cool, but not quite cool enough for hot tea, :( much to my dismay. I enjoy some hot tea to go with my homework. But still, I am excited that soon it will be cold enough! This past year I've realized how much I love all the seasons and I really do. I love spring because it is the start of all things new, with everything growing and all the wonderful rain! I love summer because it is so hot and there is no school! I love laying outside and soaking up the suns rays. I love fall because it is so cool, and all the pretty leaves changing colors, I love our family get-togethers for Thanksgiving. And lastly, I love winter because it is cold, and the Christmas carols, and bundling up in blankets and the beauty of fresh snow, and hot chocolate and tea! 

Algebra is my enemy. Seriously, it is. I can't stand it. All the numbers get jumbled up in my head and I can't understand it. It is altogether terrible. Just in case you were wondering.

I love skirts. They are just so much more comfortable than jeans. I'd much rather wear a skirt(or sweats or gym shorts) than jeans. I didn't used to be this way, but lately I've been wearing a skirt, rather than jeans, whenever sweatpants aren't socially acceptable.

I. Love. Kansas. 

Seriously. Everything about this state is incredible. 

I love the random thunderstorms. 

the rain for two weeks nonstop. 

the dust storms.

the tornadoes.

the hotness in September(What?) 

the snow in May. 

So maybe Kansas is a little confused.

But I love it.

Everything about it.
I don't think I could ever leave long term. 

Even the Ocean can't steal me away.

Kansas is, well, HOME.

 I'm home.

 -Jaycie-

 

My week in pictures

I love this kid. Even after he throws a screaming fit. His cute little face covered in cookie crumbs saying "I love it!" makes me melt. Every time. 

These girls. Little divas. Fast friends. 

I love this. 

My new obsession in music. The oh hellos. 

Journal entry. Letter from a friend. 

The resemblance in our handwriting is scary. Oh dear. 

A thought.