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.






 

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. 

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

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.