Summer yet?

The Seattle weather has been flip-flopping back and forth from sunshine to rain a lot lately and I am ready for the sun to stick around for a while! Is it summer yet? Since I will be staying here for the summer I am very hopeful there will be sunshine and warmth (that's not too much to ask right?). In anticipation of spring and summer I have created boards on Pinterest, and have been pinning recipes and flowers and things to do when the sun finally stays for longer than two days. All that to say, this morning I made strawberry banana muffins for a meeting with the women of my major and they were delicious! (and totally a spring/summer food) Last summer I told myself that I would be better at making the things I pin on pinterest so I'm trying to get back into the swing of that. I also want to blog more. Last quarter I ran out of time to do the things I had to do, yet alone the things I wanted to do. So now I'm back. Back to pinning, back to baking, back to blogging, back a lot of things I missed and truly enjoy.

Time

Do you ever feel like there isn't enough time in a day? I suppose a better question would be- do I use the time I have been given to be as productive as possible? There are many days when I go to bed and wish I could have gotten more things done. I am 55 days away from graduating from college and it can't come soon enough! I have this hope that when I'm done with school I will have more time to get things done because I won't have homework to do, but I know deep down that I will still want more time. There are people I want to spend time with, books I want to read, blogs I want to look at, things I want to pin, movies I want to watch, shows I want to catch up on....oh to have an afternoon to be bored with nothing to do! Between school, work, church, and having some sort of social life the evenings at home by myself are few and far between. But I love it that way. I know myself and if I wasn't so busy I wouldn't be as happy as I am. I have never been happier than I am right now. I am so blessed in a million little ways- I couldn't even name them all. BUT I want to be a better steward of the time that God has given me. I want to be more organized, (how many calendars and lists can one girl have?!) so I can somehow get all the things done that I want to. I know that this means I sometimes have to say no to things, and that's okay! I just have to keep reminding myself that. For now, that means shutting my computer down and going to bed on time. Tomorrow morning: yoga day 1. Here's praying it goes well!

Reminiscing and Resolutions

Some 2011 highlights:

I was accepted into The School of Theology as an Educational Ministry major.

Spending time in the sunshine with my beautiful bestie, Hannah. This wonderful girl is now engaged and I couldn't be happier for her! So glad she is my roommate and friend for life.

I finished my Individual and Family Development classes, which means I have successfully completed one of my degrees. I have been so incredibly blessed by these women and the impact they have had on my life the past few years.

My "little" brother graduated high school and joined me in Seattle, across town at Seattle U.

Spent gobs of time with this little man and his brother (and sister when she joined us in July). Love this family so much!

My lovely friend Lisa was married to her high school sweetheart in July and I was honored to be a part of her special day. Such a blessing to know her and the rest of the ladies in this picture.

After Lisa's wedding I came home to help with VBS at church. I led the Discovery Science rotation and had a fun week of crazy food focused science experiments. Mentos in Diet Coke- it's always a winner!

I met this sweet little lady baby, Joanna Faith.

Went on my first road trip back to school in MY car! It worked out so great that Chelsea was able to drive with me. I was blessed to meet her this year in EdMin classes.

Started interning at First Free Methodist and have loved every minute. I continue to be amazed at how much I love what I do.

Moved back on campus and started my senior year of college. I would be hard-pressed to find more amazing roommates than these ladies. Can't imagine life without them.

Had an amazing weekend when my best friend Sarah came to visit! I showed her all my favorite places in Seattle and we even went to a Colbie Caillat concert!

Not only did I meet this wonderful woman, but I get to live with her, and now celebrate the fact that she is engaged! I have been blessed by Esther from the start, and know that it was God who brought us together as the best of friends.

Celebrated my 21st birthday in style with my favorite kiddos at church. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

I was accepted as a Falconette and joined this women's service club at SPU. Every week I am amazed at how much I like spending time with each and every one of these women.

My best friends surprised me with dinner at PF Changs for my 21st birthday. Love them more than words can say.

Came home for Thanksgiving for the first time in 3 years. You forget how much family means until you're not around them.

Old friendships, new friendships, our last Tradition in the Loop, and now 3 of them are engaged! So much love.

Assisted with the Children's Christmas Musical at church. I am so proud of how hard these kids worked and so honored to work with such wonderful people.

Celebrated Christmas early with my roomies. French toast, presents, Big Bang, and cuddling on the couch- can't get much better than that.

The hemoglobin to my myoglobin :) Love this picture. And this girl. SO so much.

Alumni Soccer Game at WCS. Nobody has great friends like I do. Beyond blessed to come home to such great people who will always be there for me.

Kayla and Sarah. Life would not be complete without them.

Christmas with the monkeys. Love me some Lambert kids!!

Merry Christmas from Riverside.

Ended the year with a trip to the mountains with Kayla (and 11 others!). There are no words to describe this girl, my best friend for life. No matter how much time has passed, it's like nothing has changed. We will always be there for each other, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Wow, it has been quite the year. I think the recurring theme is that I am truly blessed. My life is filled with love and laughter, friendship and family. I have learned a lot in this past year, about who I am and where God wants me to be. I have gone from being in a relationship to being single, and am a better person for what I have learned. I have completed a 3rd year of college and started the last. I have spent multiple days at Disneyland and the beach. I have grown in more ways that I can count. My year has been busy, continuing work at NQACC , now teaching in the Toddler rooms; beginning an internship at First Free and earning priceless experience; applying to graduate in June; and biggest of all- deciding on staying in Seattle after graduation. I don't know where God will lead me, but I trust in his promises for my life. As long as I am in Him, I am where I am supposed to be.

Resolutions are always difficult for me. Here we go:

1. Think before I speak. Complain less and speak kinder words.

2. Limit my time on the Internet and facebook.

3. In conjunction with the last resolution, spend more time with people I care about.

4. Read 50 books and keep track of them.

5. Remember to find something to be thankful for every day.

6. Take more adventures in Seattle- new restaurants, parks, museums, and more.

7. Spend at least 2 mornings a week doing some sort of physical activity (more than just playing with kids at work!).

8. Continue to be open to what the Lord has in store for my future. Allow Him to open and close doors and give Him the control.

I'm sure I could come up with more, but I think that for now it's a good start.

Happy New Year!

More thanks.

It's well into December and I haven't finished posting my Thanksgiving "thanks," so here we go:
22. the excitement of when a one-year old recognizes you (and blows you kisses through the window)
23. wearing flip flops in November- thank you California!
24. cooking with mom
25. eating leftovers and staying up late with best friends
26. decorating for Christmas
27. dinner conversation with good friends at church
28. praying and lighting advent candles as a class
29. beautiful Christmas music
30. successful ministry events

There has been SO much going on in the past three weeks I feel like I've barely had a chance to sit down. Hopefully I can write some more later while I'm at the airport.

Home.

Home, home, home! I am home for Thanksgiving and have so many things to be thankful for. First of all, I'm thankful I get to be home, because the last two years I was not. (holidays just aren't the same away from home). I'm thankful for the warm weather and sunshine- I'm wearing flip flops today! I'm thankful for the fridge full of food and the yummy smells coming from the kitchen. I'm thankful to be going out to celebrate my birthday tonight with my parents. I'm thankful to have family here tomorrow (even if it's not the original plan, it's still family). I'm thankful that I have friends who are just as excited to see me as I am to see them, even after we've been apart an extended amount of time. I'm thankful for Thanksgivings of the past and the memories that come with them. We always miss loved ones more around the holidays, and this one will be no different. Grandma & Grandpa, we wish you were here.

2008- the last time I was home for Thanksgiving, and the last time they came to visit us in California

There are at least a dozen pictures similar to this over the years. I miss playing cards with them.

My sweet Grandpa.

Someday we'll celebrate together again, but until then we miss you dearly.

Is it Thanksgiving yet?

November has FLOWN by! I feel like the more I cross off to-do lists the more I add to them. It's never ending. haha. I am very excited for a break from school, but I know that I also have a lot of work to get done over the next week. Praying I'll be able to get things done even at home.

Last night at church Pastor Blake shared stories of thankfulness and how we all have things to be thankful for- even small things that might seem silly. He shared 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Be joyful always;

Pray continually;

Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

This was such a good reminder to me that there is always something to be thankful for. We are not called to only give thanks when things are going well and everything is happy, but in ALL circumstances we are to give thanks. When its pouring rain and I've dropped my notebook in a puddle what can I give thanks for? That I have the ability to go inside and warm up and dry off; that I have legs that work to get me out of the rain; that I can afford an education; that I am able to put letters and words together to even write that paper; that I have access to water all the time and don't live in a desert... (you get the point). There was poster paper throughout the sanctuary and we were invited to write things we are thankful for. I started making a list of things that often get forgotten in my daily life.Things like safety, security, clean water, education, salvation, grace, warm clothes, clean bedding, a car with gas in it....the list really is never ending.

Continuing my November list of daily gifts/blessings/thanks from God:
8. drama-free roommates
9. professors and pastors who want the best for me
10. a job that allows me to rest when I'm sick
11. boyfriends who adore their girlfriends
12. Christmas shopping
13. children caring about others in need
14. roommates coming "home" after being gone forever!
15. sharing embarrassing stories with trustworthy friends
16. blessings words can't explain
17. Thanksgiving food made with love
18. surprises from my favorite people
19. Christmas sales
20. FM1 worship & dinner
21. the feeling of finishing a big assignment

In other news, my roomies surprised me for my 21st birthday with dinner at PF Changs. So fun!

My life would be incomplete without these ladies.

Things to be thankful for.

November has arrived! This is definitely my favorite month of the whole year for many reasons.

• It really starts to feel like fall and I can wear cute coats and scarves
• Holiday drinks and red cups at Starbucks!
• Stores are starting to decorate for Christmas
• Shopping early to get the perfect presents for loved ones
• Less school: Veteran's Day & Thanksgiving holidays
• Going home for Thanksgiving
• Celebrating many birthdays (including my own!)

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I don't think I would ever tire of listening to Christmas music or having special decorations up. Christmas scented candles. Special foods. Twinkly lights everywhere. Love for friends, family, and enemies alike. Sharing presents with loved ones. Wearing tacky sweaters and also dressing up for parties and church. I get in "trouble" for starting these things too early- I have been told Christmas can't come until after Thanksgiving, but who came up with that rule? I love everything about Christmas and don't see why we can share that love a little early each year :)

In October I started keeping track of one thing I was thankful for each day and am continuing to do it in November. At the end of the day how often do we look back and think of all the little things we can be thankful for. It doesn't have to be a life changing event, just something that we were blessed by.

Here is my thankful November list so far:
1. crisp winter weather
2. meetings with caring professors
3. Falconettes and red cups
4. love and hugs from kids in jammies
5. reading and rocking little boys to sleep
6. that extra hour to sleep
7. scheduled break days from classes

As the month continues the list will grow. Thank you Jesus for the blessings in my life.