Bridal Shower #1

This weekend, my lovely (ex-) roommate came to visit and we honored her with a bridal lingerie shower for her upcoming wedding! It was a wonderful time to see friends, have fun, and eat lots of yummy food. We had a girls night Friday, including pedicures and attempted bridesmaid dress shopping (for my OTHER soon to be married roommate), Saturday was the shower, and then Sunday we did some shopping, more talking, and of course more eating. It was so fun and such a nice break from school. [I did NO homework this weekend! Mostly because I didn't have any, but it was so great!] The shower also gave me an opportunity to make something else I found on Pinterest- the best brownies I have ever had in my entire life. Seriously, so good. Brownies, Reese's, peanuts, marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut butter, rice krispies...there is a reason they are called "crack brownies"! The leftovers are currently in my fridge and let's just say, they won't be around for long.

The wedding season has just begun, because in two weeks we will have another lingerie shower for Esther who is getting married in August. So much wedding stuff! I feel very honored to be a part of it all :)

A lovely sunshine day

Today was BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely perfect weather in Seattle- just what I needed. It started off with an attempt to see the Chimpanzee movie and is ending with watching Gilmore Girls. Instead of seeing the chimp movie, my friend and I ended up shopping for a while, which was just as fun (if not  more fun!) Got some cute things and a couple shower presents for my soon-to-be married friends. Then this afternoon my love and I went on a long walk down by the canal and then to dinner. I am so blessed by this man; I don't know what my life would be like without him :)

I'm watching Gilmore Girls knowing that my paper due Monday will not write itself, BUT painting my nails bright yellow and watching my favorite show sounds so much more appealing than writing a paper about my theological perspective on leadership. There's always tomorrow right? While I have enjoyed my 17 years of education, I am certainly ready to be DONE! Almost there. Almost there. Almost there.

Sunshine. Shopping. Walking. Sunshine. Boyfriend. Sunshine. Gilmore Girls. Relaxing. Sunshine.... Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful day.

sore sore sore

Okay, so I am the least athletic person you will probably ever meet in your whole entire life. It's true- I very strongly dislike (I won't go so far as to say "hate") working out or anything that would constitute working out. It has to be disguised in something more fun like long boarding or bike riding at the beach. All that to say, I started doing yoga in my living room a few days ago (no way am I going to a real class with other people to try and look silly) and I am so sore! I'm sore in places where I didn't even know it was possible to be sore. But it's a good feeling. I am enjoying the relaxation part as well as how I feel afterwards. I kind of like the soreness. It's like, hey I actually did something good for my body today. Way to go me! Tomorrow will be day 3- I'm getting up early to do it with my roomie before she has class. (I'm even getting up early on a day that I don't have to- what is happening to me?!) Maybe some day I will actually be flexible enough to look like a professional yoga person. Hmmm maybe I should also figure out what those people would be called....

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.