See ya 2012

I sorta fail, epically, at this whole blogging thing...but I think I've figured out why...there's really no specific reason for me to blog...I don't post recipes, pictures, quotes, stories, yada yada...I'm just like hey a blog sounds fun, and it's a way for me to vent... 

So, this is my last blog for 2012!  It has been a great year, I'm kind of sad to see it go.  At the same time, it has been a rough stretch, these past 4 months.  I am looking forward to all of the blessings 2013 will bring. 

Here are 12 of my favorite things from 2012/things that made it so wonderful:

1) Zach and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary - I never dreamt of meeting him, and when I did finally meet him I had no idea what I was in store for, no idea I had found my best friend, love of my life, and the one whom God would use to teach me and mold me in so many ways for the rest of my life!

2) Forgiveness - 2012 was a year of forgiveness and letting go of grudges...I had 3 people in my life with really rough past situations that had changed my life in many ways for many years.  Starting in the spring, one of those relationships was mended.  Shortly after, another one.  And then yesterday at church, the last one.  It has indeed been a year of learning how to forgive.  Not to mention how God has been teaching me to forgive myself for my own screw ups, and to let go of the guilt that I tend to carry with me.  He forgives us the first time we ask.  We need to forgive ourselves too.

3) 5 weddings & an engagement - Zach and I went to 5 weddings this year.  FIVE!  That's a lot!  It was fantastic because I LOVE weddings and it sparked so many ideas for us and our future together.  And, my best friend got engaged this summer and is getting married next spring.  I could not be happier for her!!

4) Graduation - I made it.  I graduated this spring with my BA in Elementary Education.  Kind of a big deal I guess.  Definitely a highlight of the year.

5) MYANMAR - I was blessed to travel to Myanmar this summer.  The most life changing event I have lived thus far.  Period.  End of story.  Can't wait to go back.  Zach is there now, so it's really cool that we were there in the same year.  He is ending 2012 and beginning 2013 there.  I can think of no cooler way to end and begin a year! 

6) Traveling - Zach and I got to do a lot of traveling, both together and individually.  We went on our first road trip together to Tennessee for a wedding in October (can't wait for all of the future road trips we'll get to take!).  He got to go on several trips with friends.  He did a lot more traveling than I did...lucky dog ;)

7) I got my first "big girl" job.  No it isn't exactly what I want, and some days it drives me crazy, but it is a start and I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the kids I do on a daily basis.

8) I became a Certified Group Exercise Instructor!  An unexpected step that I never saw my life taking but I am excited about the possibilities it could bring for me and my future!

9) Zach and I survived this fall semester...it was like tackling the largest beast I have ever met in my life, and then some.  It sucked, to say the least. But we did it.  And as hard as it was, we both came out stronger from it, I believe.  We learned a lot about each other through the struggles this semester brought for us.  While I can't say I'm looking forward to next semester starting, I know that we will make it and, again, come out stronger from the struggles it may bring us.

10) Serving locally - Zach and I are blessed to be able to serve our home churches like we do.  He plays music (and I join him when I'm there) at his church, and I have recently started teaching Children's Church every other month at my home church.  There are so many mornings that I don't want to get up "so early" and I always leave with a warm heart, overflowing with blessings from the things I learn from the children I "teach." 

11) Concerts - we went to quite a few concerts this year!  I LOVE concerts!  Together Zach and I saw Needtobreathe and Brad Paisley, and I got to see Thompson Square with my girls.  

12) I fell more in love with my best friend each and every day.  I can't say enough how blessed I am to have him.  As I said, the last few months have been pretty rough on us, and he has done nothing but love me through each and every crappy moment.  I have not been the most loveable person at many points throughout the year, but again, he has stayed right there loving me, encouraging me, and walking with me through everything.  I am so excited to see what this next year brings us.  

So yes, I would say 2012 was a very good year.  Compared to some of the things I have seen with my own eyes, seen on the news, I have nothing to complain about.  Nothing.  

Some new year's resolutions that I am going to try...
1) Eating better - NOT "going on a diet"  That crap doesn't work.
2) Reading a chapter of my Bible every morning when I get up - seriously, this would take like 5 minutes at the most...no reason I shouldn't be able to do that one.
3) Pray more (and more seriously) - I think everyone could use some of this.  

I've never been a big new year's resolutions person, so I'm stopping there.  There are always things we could all change, and I don't think it has to be right at the beginning of the year.  I realize things throughout the entire year that I need to change and work on.  Just my opinion :) I get the whole idea behind resolutions - new year, new beginning, woo hoo!  

I wish you all the best new year and hope 2013 is a great year for you! 

See ya 2012! 2013 here I come! 

Catch Up

Ok, I have some catching up to do on my Thankful Posts...here goes.

Nov 7 - I am thankful that Tony Bennett lost the election.  Along with all of the other teachers in the state of Indiana :)

Nov 8 - I am thankful for my little cousin, Kady, whose birthday was November 8.  I was there when she was born!  Crazy to think that moment was 10 years ago.

Nov 9 - I am thankful for Fridays...need I say more?

Nov 10 - I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be a Group Exercise Instructor - I passed my class today and am OFFICIALLY a CERTIFIED Group Ex Instructor!  I am so excited about the possibilities this opens for me to do at the YMCA now.  I never thought that I would EVER be a fitness instructor...ever!  I realized today that if I had gotten that full time teaching job I was hoping and dreaming and praying for this summer, I probably would not have gotten this certification today and I would have missed out on a lot of blessings my job at the Y has brought me.

Nov 6

I am thankful that the elections are over...I hate political ads, with a slight passion.  They're just mean, hateful, bash fests. 

I am also thankful that I got to spend some time with my beloved Mamaw today :) We went to lunch and then this cute little place called Nanny's Treasure Chest where I found some awesome treasures for the boyfriend.  I can't wait til Christmas now!  Only 49 days away, by the way...

Nov 5 Thankfulness

I am thankful for having a day off tomorrow, even though today was only Monday.  I am staying up, watching "You've Got Mail" and sleeping in tomorrow morning!  Simple, but too often I am not thankful for the little things in life.

Thankful

I miss my blog, I really do.  I have had so many great intentions of writing lately...and they've all fallen through, obviously.  Life has been crazy, to say the least.  I am doing everything I can to stay busy, and it's working.  I am constantly on the go.  But that is just how I am, and I'm okay with it.  There are days when I need to just sit and chill (those are generally days when I am blessed to get to spend time with the boyfriend).  

I've seen on Facebook a lot of people doing this daily thankful for...post.  Well, I decided that is my motivation to write this month at least!  I have a few days to catch up on, but that's okay.  Here goes.

#1 - I am thankful that God loves me no matter what.  Period.  End of story.  It is overwhelming and I have just started crying while thinking about this several times recently because we humans are so undeserving of His love and mercy, yet He gives it to us freely, no matter what.

#2 - I am thankful for my mom.  We can have a lot of fun together, not matter mother-daughter duos can say that.

#3 - I am thankful for my jobs at SES and the YMCA.  Things don't always go how I want them to and they both have their own sets of frustrations, but I see them both as opportunities from God and I am thankful for that.

#4 - I am thankful for my boy :) He just let about 40 minutes ago to head back home.  We went to a Colt's game today with my dad and Pam, and we had a blast.  He was only here for 27 hours, that's it.  I was so sad when he was starting to pack his stuff up.  I looked at him and said, "I miss you already and you're not even gone yet..." and he hugged me even tighter and said, "Don't be sad.  I'm right here.  We're together!  We're getting married one day!  We should be happy right now because we're together."  Enough said.

My Hope is in You

This will be short...I'm at school.  My students are at Music.  They will be back in about 13 minutes.

I am a mess this morning.  I have been a mess for the past few weeks, to be totally honest.  For many reasons.

1.  I have been sick.  I went to the doctor last Tuesday, got some medicine that reacted badly and caused my throat to swell and make it hard for me to breathe...no big deal, right?  I'm done with the medicine, throat isn't swelling, but I'm not feeling a lot better which is a bummer. 

2.  I'm exhausted!  I do this to myself all the time...I try to do too much, and I know it.  I am LOVING my job.  I am so sad that I only have 3 weeks left teaching.  Trying to balance everything is hard.  Each day is an adventure and I love it.  Even the bad/stressful stuff that I have to do every day.  There's no other job on earth I'd rather do.

3.  I suck at being okay with being 2 1/2 hours away from the love of my life.  Not that I think anyone should be okay with that, but I cried for like 45 minutes straight on Saturday about it.  I cried at church yesterday. I went into another teacher's room this morning and cried about it.  Needless to say, I hate it, and I am having a very hard time with it.  Monday-Friday sucks because I never know when Zach is free, never know when I'll get to talk to him, don't know if I'll be bothering him if I text him, on and on and on...I apologize for dwelling on it, but it's hard.  Zach saw something from one of his friends on facebook who was boo hooing about being away from her bf for like a week, and it was the first time in 6 years that they had been apart for more than 4 days...I want to punch people like that in the face, to be totally honest, because they have no idea.  Please don't be offended by that statement...

Even though I'm a mess, I have made a great friend across the hallway.  Someone that I never in my wildest imagination thought I'd be friends with because we had a terrible falling out when I was in high school.  She has been such a great support system for me this school year.  She made me a CD this weekend and the first song on it was "My Hope Is In You" by Aaron Shust.  And that's all there is to it.  My hope is in God and all that He has planned.  He even knows when the bad days are going to happen, but I know He can bring good out of them because that's just how He rolls.  I'm so thankful He has put people in my life to help me through it.  People that are 2 1/2 hours away, 2 1/2 minutes, and even people on the other side of the world that I know will pray for me and help me in any way they can.  God rocks.

5 weeks down, 4 to go

I can't believe I've been subbing for 5 weeks already...and I only have 4 more weeks to actually teach this year :( I have completely fallen in love with this class and it is going to tear me up to switch to this aid position in 4 weeks.  Not gonna lie.  I'm not looking forward to it.  I do, however, get to be an aid in 3rd grade, so I will still get to see "my" kiddos each day which makes me very happy and helps.  It has been a great learning experience, making me much more anxious and excited to get my own classroom one day.

I am sick...surprise surprise.  Thought it was strep...nope, just a sinus infection.  Thank goodness.  I didn't have a voice at all this morning when I woke up.  I still didn't have it when I got to school.  Had to write notes to my students all morning telling them what we were doing.  They were super quiet, it was great.  I'm thinking about just faking that I don't have a voice every once in a while ;)  Just kidding.  

Zach's sister, Quynn, got married this past weekend.  It was a great weekend.  A little bit stressful, but everything went well and was beautiful and fabulous for the lovely couple!  It of course sparked some wedding talk with me and the bf :)  I love it.  I can't wait to put our plans into place one day!  I miss him.  A lot.  He's very busy with school and it stinks!  It's a lot harder than I anticipated, I will admit that.  But, we both know that it will be worth it one day.  Even though it sucks right now.

Still here!

I am still here.  Sorry, it's been a while. So much craziness has happened the past few weeks, it's all kind of been a blur, but I am loving most of it. 

My first "Big Girl Job" is going wonderfully!  I am learning so much from all of it - there is so much more to teaching than I realized.  It's exhausting.  It's emotionally draining.  It's also one of the most rewarding things I have ever been able to experience in my life.  I love it. 

My birthday was fantastic.  The students I am working with made me feel so loved!  I had a little girl come to me and say, "I forgot to get you something for your birthday...so I got you these." and handed me 2 pencils she had gotten from her box.  How sweet.  It was great.  Zach sent me flowers on my birthday which totally made my day :) 


I had a "party" this weekend for my birthday, to which I asked people to bring bath towels for the orphans in Myanmar.  I got 48 towels and have some more coming in!  I was so excited I wanted to cry!  It gave us (Zach and I) the opportunity to talk to my family a little more about our trips and what Uncharted does there, which was fantastic.  

We went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory Saturday night - DELICIOUS!!!  And after that...we got tats :)

The last letter hurt...a lot

Getting ready to get mine...

Jer 29:11 in Burmese :)

Holding his hand like he held mine ;)

Rom 5:3-5

It was a great weekend.  I hated to see Zach leave and go back home.  He said it perfectly - 3 days together makes leaving that much harder.  I am very thankful that we're only a few hours apart because it enables us to see each other every few weeks.  It's not every day like we want, but it's better than once a month or something.  Our tattoos mean so much to us because we love love LOVE MM and the orphans and leaders, and we are both so incredibly blessed to be able to go and do God's work there, but those verses apply to every aspect of our lives...and this not so fun distance is one of those.  God knows what He's doing by keeping us a few hours apart for now, and it's going to develop our character and hope for our future together that God has planned :)

Big Girl Decisions

My diploma FINALLY got to me last Wednesday.  Everything was already official (May 14 I got my Teacher's License - that was pretty sweet) but holding that diploma just made it feel like my next chapter is officially beginning.  
I have had 4 interviews in the last week and a half.  Crazy.  Completely crazy.  I got a call Tuesday July 24 for an interview on Wednesday.  Then I got a call that Friday for an interview the following Monday.  Before my interview last Monday I got a call for an interview last Wednesday. It was like bam bam bam!  Those three interviews were for a teaching position and two assistant positions.  This past Friday comes close to topping the list of craziest days of my life.  Here's what happened.


I was supposed to get a call from Scottsburg Elementary about my interview with them last Wednesday (for an aid position).  I opened the Y Friday morning, had my phone right next to me all morning.  I got off work at 12:30 and still hadn't heard from SES.  I went to my dad's to chill for a little while, hoping they'd call...never did.  I planned to go to the Y to work out at 4:00.  It was getting closer to 3:00 and I still hadn't heard from them.  4 teaching positions had been posted on the school district website between my interview Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning.  I was so anxious, waiting for this phone call...I decided to get ahold of one of my teachers from high school (whose husband is our Assistant Superintendent) to ask her what I should do to let SES know I was interested in the teaching positions that had been posted.  So began the texting.  
I text her asking what she thought I should do.
She responds, telling me she thought they were interviewing today and she asked if I had an interview.
I text her back saying no, and told her what I interviewed for Wednesday.
She text me back saying Marc (her hubby) thought I had an interview Friday.
So at this point, I decided to call her...it was a little after 3:30.  She answers with, "You're supposed to be in an interview right now."  My heart dropped nearly through my living room floor.  I sat down, started crying, and asked her what she was talking about because I had never been contacted about an interview at all.  She gave me Marc's number and told me to call him.  I called him and said, "So I guess I'm supposed to be sitting in front of you right now in an interview..." and he said, "Yeah the 4 people interviewing are waiting for you right now..." I told him I was never contacted. He proceeded to ask me where I was, if I was close by, and I said I could be there in 10 minutes.  So I hung up, jumped up, grabbed my interview outfit and changed faster than I ever have in my life.  Picture this: My hair was in a super messy ponytail, I had on no makeup, I was crying...not a pretty sight.  I called him back to ask where I was going for the interview (good question, right?) and he answered kind of chuckling, told me to stay calm, not to stress, it was going to be alright.  I jumped in my truck, call Zach, hysterical, and then Marc calls me back.  The lady who was scheduled after me was there, they were interviewing her, I had 15 minutes to get there and I'd be fine.  So I turned around, threw some makeup on, and praised God for not having a big kink in my hair from my ponytail holder and was able to take it down and not look like such a bum!  So I got to the interview, and a lady comes out to get me, and says, "Did I not call you yesterday?" and I just shook my head.  She apologized and I went into the interview, about to pee my pants and hyperventilate at the same time, but it was all good.  I met the new people, saw the SES principal again, and as soon as I sat down he said, "Well, the reason I didn't call you this morning was because I thought I'd be seeing you this afternoon. But if it calms your nerves at all, if one of these positions doesn't work out for you, you have the Title 1 Tutor position that you interviewed for on Wednesday."  Talk about taking the pressure off!  I was so excited.  It made the interview so much easier and less stressful.  I think it went well.  We'll see on Thursday.  They may need up to 4 new teachers...depending on registration this week.  2 of the positions are 2nd grade positions...


My first interview, almost 2 weeks ago, I will find out about tomorrow.  It's near Evansville.  It's where I want to be.  I don't want to be 2 hours away from Zach anymore.  It sucks.  He came over this weekend and it was fantastic.  We got to talk so much about last week, this week, what it all means for us and our future.  This next year or so is going to be hard, and quite frankly, I think it's going to suck.  I have been begging God for a big neon sign about what to do with all of these interviews, where He wants me to be.  I think I got my big neon sign on Friday.  If you remember how my Myanmar mission trip worked out, this reminds me of that...things just don't happen like that.  Who happens to be talking to the Asst. Super.'s wife, only to find out they had an interview that they weren't informed about, and then gets there to learn the person who was supposed to go after them was in a hurry and it worked out better for her to get interviewed earlier...things like that don't happen for no good reason.  No, I don't want to particularly be here, yes because Zach is not here.  But there are so many things lining up just so, that I would be lying if I said I didn't think God wanted me here for some reason.  I'm anxiously awaiting this phone call tomorrow about my first interview.  I don't know what I'm going to do if they offer me a job.  I really don't.  Part of me wants them to call and say sorry but we hired someone else.  Obviously a big part of me wants to be there.  But the biggest part of me wants to do what God wants me to do, even though it's not what I want.  All summer He has been teaching me and reminding me that He has a good plan for my life, He's not ever going to leave me, and He loves me even what I don't love Him like I should.  If He wants me to teach at SES for a year or so, I know He has a good reason.  I may not see it right away, because I am just now seeing why He wanted me at the Y this summer, but I know from my entire life of experience that God reveals His plans in His timing, and often the reasoning comes later.  


I'm going to conquer this whole patience thing before it's all over with...

Today's Letters

Haven't done these in a while...miss doing these, even though only like 2 people ever read them (that I know of).


Dear Summer Campers, I am really sad this is our last week together.  You have driven me crazy at some points this summer, but I have grown to love each of you for who you are, what you're going through, and you have all brought something to my life.  I hope you have had a good summer.  I am going to miss you when this week is over.  
Dear Kaitie Whopper, I am so excited to get to see you Friday!!!!!!!!!
Dear Future Job, I know God has you figured out, whatever you may be.  I got a small glimmer of hope today about some possibilities.  And although they're not exactly what I want, I know whatever happens is going to be just what God wants, and the comforting thing is that what He wants is always what's best for us...even when we don't really like it...I don't want to waste anymore time worry about you and stressing out so much over you. 
Dear Zach, You're awesome.  I can't say enough how much I admire you, look up to you, and wish I could be like you.  You're so laid back and relaxed.  Yes you stress, but not nearly as much as I do.  I'm so glad I have you walking with me through this whole job hunt madness...I would have lost my mind a long time ago if it was not for you being by my side, telling me that everything's going to work out, there's no need to stress or worry, and everything else you've told me about a thousand times these past few months :)  I love you so much and I am so blessed to have you and to be able to spend my life with you! 

Adventures in Running

So, I went "running" tonight.  As Kasee once called it, exaggerated walking :) It took me 13 minutes to run just under a mile tonight...sad, I know.  But it was the first time in a LONG time I have gone jogging.  When I go exaggeratedly walking, I go to a lake that is about a quarter of a mile from my house, maybe a little farther away, but it's close.  There are always all kinds of characters down at the lake...generally lots of creepers, not gonna lie.  My story from tonight, for once, does not involve a creeper though!  
I was on my second figure 8 around the lake when I started walking, because I was about to die...and suddenly, I was stung by a little bitty bee (he had a big bite though).  Backtrack with me for a minute - my backyard is currently infested with yellow jackets making their nests in our yard beside the house...I've been out there to check em out several times, never had one bother me, and I go to the lake and get stung by 1 little stinkin' bee...anyways.  So I stop to see if there was a stinger or anything of the sorts (there wasn't) and I kept on walking.  Well, along hobbles this cute lil old man who had been fishing.  He was "calling it a day" as he said as I walked by, and I stopped and talked to him for a minute, then went on my merry way.  
But I had this odd feeling...know what I mean?  Not a bad or weird or creeped out feeling, but one that was like hm, maybe I shouldn't have hurried off so quickly...then "God Gave Me You" came on my playlist that I was listening to.  Now, this is kinda mine and Zach's song (cue the "Aaaaawwww that's so sweet.") and it just makes my heart melt a little bit every time I hear it.  But tonight it hit me in a different way and took on a new meaning for the moment.  I had no idea who this old man was, had never seen him in my life, don't know if I'll ever see him again, but it was like God was telling me he just needed someone for a few minutes.  
I kept on walking...
kept turning around and looking to see where he was...
I saw him heading to his car...
This feeling just kept on growing in my stomach, and I was going to feel awful if I did not get another few minutes to talk to him...so I took off...sprinting...I was dying when I got back to where he was parked.  We chatted for a few more minutes, about fishing, the weather, walking/jogging outside, and then left.  


Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
-James 1:27

Like I said, I know nothing about this man, other than the fact that he only caught 2 fish today and likes fishing when the water is ripply (his word, not mine).  He had a wedding band on, but I don't know if his wife is still with him or not.  All I know is God put it on my heart to go back and talk to him tonight.  James 1:27 is one verse that is now extremely close to my heart, especially after working in Myanmar.  Kids and old people have always had a special place in my heart.  We are to love others with an unselfish love, doing whatever we can for them, putting their needs before ours, going out of our way to show them love even.  

1 John 3:1 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."  

Romans 13:8 says "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

If this post means nothing to you other than this, I hope you are encouraged to love others, no matter how big or how small the act may be.  Reach out to someone who needs to see God's love this week.  It's what we are called to do.  God has given us everything and saved us, and certainly we can show our thanks to Him by loving on His people who need some love.

6/19/12

I have been applying for jobs out the wazoo...I feel like I have applications, cover letters, and resumes coming out of my ears.  I even have started dreaming about these jobs (had a dream I got an offer one night...wasn't happy when I woke up). It is so incredibly frustrating to have applied for 60 jobs (not kidding, at all, not even a little bit, 60 my friends) and have had 1 interview.  
1.  
Uno.  
Dit (that's Burmese). 
1 stinkin' interview.
What am I doing wrong on all of these applications?!  If these schools think I'd be a terrible teacher, I wish they'd just tell me already so I can change the plan for my life and find a new career if that's what I'm going to have to do.  Ugh.  If this were a tweet, I'd throw in a hashtag...actually, I will... #sofrustrated!


Dear God, I am sorry that I am even remotely doubting You and Your abilities to give me the perfect job You have planned for me.  Thanks for loving me despite my ginormous amount of doubt and being frustrated with You for making me wait so much.  Dear Bug That Bit Me Today, You hurt me dude!  And you left me a giant welp on my arm.  Rude.  Dear Distance, You suck and make me not happy.  I don't like you.  We are not friends...at all.  Dear Zach, I miss you.  This week doesn't seem to be starting much better than last week did for us :(  I don't like not getting to see you.  I'm excited to see you this coming weekend, but sad because it really won't be that much.  I'm just not me without you around.  I'm  a much more grouchy person who is not quite as pleasant to be around (just ask anyone who spends a whole lot of time around me, I'm sure they'll agree).  I just want it to work out so we don't have to fight this stupid distance thing for a long time, and I'm afraid it's not going to happen that way and that makes me even grouchier (is that a word?).  So, I'm sorry.  I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you in 5 more days.  Thanks for loving me all the time!

Joy vs Happiness

If you're looking for a happy blog to read, skip this one tonight...sorry. I miss the boyfriend...a lot...this whole distance thing sucks. Our schedules are allowing us to talk more this summer than we got to last summer...but it still stinks. Today wasn't a bad day by any means, ths whole past week has just been weird/rough. I'm still not totally adjusted to being home. I feel like an alien since I've been back. My heart, attitude, and entire demeanor has changed so much thanks to the wonderful people I was blessed to meet and work with in Myanmar...but no one at home can understand just how much of an impact it had. I admit, I didn't understand until I experienced it myself. So my big thought for the evning is this: it's okay to be sad even with God as my source of everything. He never promised things would be easy, or fun. He did promise to never leave us or give us more than we can handle, which brings me great comfort. But tonight it was like He was saying to me, "Don't feel bad about being sad right now...it's okay to be sad." I would have thought after all these years I would have learned to accept the fact that I am not Wonder Woman. I can't do it all and it's okay to not be happy all the time. Not trying to bring anyone else down, just maybe trying to get the point across that express your emotions as you need to. It helps much more than holding it all in.

Myanmar

Woah - where to begin?  Um...Myanmar is now my home away from home, I love it, I miss it, and I want to go back...tomorrow.  It was the best experience of my life.  Better than anything I ever could have asked for or even dreamed of having!  I leaned so much from those kids and leaders - much more than I think I could ever teach or show them.  I saw God's love each and every day, walking all around me, being given to me and everyone else so that we might learn how He wants us to love others.  I learned so much about how to love others, what true worship and service to God looks like - all from children who have nothing.  They were the happiest kids I have ever seen in my life and they were so inspiring to me.  I only wish there was some way I could express my thanks to them for all that they did for me while I was there to serve them!  I feel like I could write a book about the trip...and then some.  I am praying for the opportunity to go back one day soon - sadly I just found out the December trip is now full :(  I know God will get me there when He wants me there again.  He certainly taught me about His faithfulness and how He works out His perfect plans for our lives with this trip.  Jeremiah 29:11 has never seemed to stand out more than right now in my life.  It's still hard when things don't go how I want them to...but I would much rather God's plans prevail for my life than my plans prevail...because I know He already has them written out, has since before he started forming me in my momma, so I think that means He really really cares about and loves me and truly only wants what is best for me.  I am so thankful for being blessed with going to Myanmar.  I hope I get to go back...soon.

This is the little girl Zach sponsors :)

This is the boy I sponsor :)

5.23.12

Tonight has been extremely...not good.  Someone told us at our last team meeting for my Myanmar trip that in the next few weeks (a.k.a. last week and this week) that Satan was going to come at us from every angle...they weren't kidding.  I can't find my t-shirt that we all got for this trip...and I have torn my house apart...twice...and I just started balling tonight out of frustration about it.  No it's not like it's a requirement for us to have the shirt on the trip...but that's not the point.  It took something as little as not being able to find a t-shirt to lead me to thinking I am not prepared to go on this trip, wonder about what else I'm going to forget, how am I ever going to pack enough without going over the 15 pound weight limit of my carry-on bag, what if...what if...what if...who knew something as little as not being able to find a t-shirt could turn into such a small crisis? 


Dear Naung Naung, This time next week, I will have met you!  I am so excited that I can hardly stand it!  Dear Myanmar T-Shirt, Feel free to make yourself known at anytime in the next 2 days...thanks.  Dear Heather, You're getting married in 3 days!!!  I am so unbelievably excited for you!!! :) Thank you so much for letting me a part of your big day!  Dear Zach, I expect a huge hug from you Friday night when I see you...this week has not gone so well and I am in need of a hug...or 2...or 7...

Today's Letters

     Dear Cute Elderly Couple at the Lake, You were adorable.  I hope one day to be part of a cute couple just like you two were.  Sorry about your little dog getting away from you, but I'm glad I could help you get him back!  Hope to see you again because you made me smile.  
     Dear Job Applications, I'm tackling you tomorrow night and I will get several of you mailed out before this week is over.  Even if you drive me crazy.  
     Dear Sis, I love you and I miss you and I hope you had a better day today.  You are one of the strongest young ladies that I know!  Heck, you're one of the strongest people I know!  I am always here for you, even if I don't quite know how to help you.  

      Dear Zach, 3 days!!!  Can't wait to see you again.  It does kinda stink that we won't really get to spend a lot of time together until Sunday...and then I'm leaving Monday... :(  Thank you for being here for me, and holding my head up when I can't.  I don't know what I'd do without you.  I love you!  See you soon!!!

    

Crazy Week!

This week has been crazy...and it's only Tuesday. 
I say it's been crazy, let me rephrase - it's going to be crazy. 
For one, I haven't gotten any calls to sub this week (it's the last few weeks of school...I guess teachers do kinda need to be there...but still, I have no money!) other than tomorrow for half a day. 
I am beginning my packing for my trip, and it's stressing me out more than I expected it would...I have 14 pounds and a backpack to take with me...that's it...I guess I'm going to learn how to pack lightly...I have no choice!  
I am in a wedding in 4 days!  I am so excited for one of my best friends, Heather, and I know it's going to be a wonderful day for her and her soon to be husband, Kavan.  It's going to be hot...like 94...and the wedding's outside...yikes!  But I am so excited! 


Despite all of this craziness that seems to be piling up on me, somehow I'm calm...
Sunday was Youth Sunday at my church, and they honored all of the graduates, both high school and college.  So I had to go up in front of my church and tell em who I am and what I'm going to do with my life (even though I don't know at the moment).  Anyways, during the worship, the service, and the gifts we received as graduates, and later that day in talking to the Missions Board - Jeremiah 29:11 was mentioned 7 times...7...Zach and I joke about 7 always being the answer to everything, and I don't think it was ironic that my favorite verse, the verse I try to live by, popped up so many times.  Last night, my mom and I got into a big tiff about my trip...sparing all of the details, I went to Kasee's house to talk, cry, and vent.  When I was leaving her house, as I got into my truck, a lady who had called into KLove was talking about Jeremiah 29:11...I saw it on someone's facebook status this morning...I promise, God, I am listening.  Even though life is crazy at the moment and I don't know where/if I'll have a job come August, I know that God has it all planned out and will let me know what I need to know when I need to know it (say that 5 times fast...).  It's so cool how God keeps reminding me to chill out, He's in control, He's not going to leave me, He's not going to send me somewhere and not protect me.  I have been stuck on the verses in Matthew 6 about worry for the past week...I just about have the whole thing memorized by now.  I'm leaving in 5 days...I have 25 hours of flying to get there...that's not counting the layovers.  I'm kinda freaking out...BUT, every time I start doing the "What if this happens" thing in my mind, it's like God is here and says, "Hey, stop that.  I've got ya covered.  I'm not going to let anything happen to you."  It's so cool and I don't really know how to explain it.  I don't understand how God works sometimes, and there are things about Him we will never understand in this lifetime, and I'm okay with that now.  I am so excited about my trip to Myanmar because I know God is going to do big things.  I know this because of everything that has already happened leading up to this trip.  


It's hard to accept sometimes, but 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  It's actually REALLY hard to accept that sometimes.  But I'm learning that God has a reason for why we go through everything, good or bad.  The bad stuff sucks at times, but in all situations I think He is making us stronger, more dependent on Him, so that we can become more like Him.  One day we'll understand why we had to go through everything bad, hard, sad, whatever.  Right now I think the best thing we can do is trust that God has a good reason for everything in our lives.  Somehow that brings us peace that surpasses our understanding.

May 20

Dear Zach, You are my favorite person ever.  I love how much you make me laugh, smile, and just feel happy!  I can't imagine my life without you.  Dear Kasee, Your present was one of my favorites! "Square root of -1" love it ;) Thank you so much!  Looking forward to a gf date this week sometime!  Dear Jeremiah 29:11, You popped up a total of 10 times today...10...7 times at church alone!  I promise I'm listening.  Dear BFF, You've been gone 45 minutes and I miss you already.  I'm super glad we'll get to spend next weekend together too :) I love you!

May 18

Dear Emotions, Get off of this roller coaster already.  You're starting to bug me.  One minute you have me wanting to scream and then I turn around and you have me wanting to cry.  Come on now.  Dear Grad Party, You're part of the reason I had to write to the previous.  You're stressing me out.  I just want to see people that didn't get to make it to my graduation, as well as some that did make it.  I want you to be fun, not stressful.  Dear Monster Cookie Dough Dip, We're going to be best friends.  I just know it.  Dear Zach, I get to see you TONIGHT!!!!!!!!  I can't wait!  I'm so glad you're going to be here this weekend because you help me not be so stressed and I need that right now.  Be ready to put that giant puzzle together as well my friend!  T-minus 7ish hours until I see you :) I love you with all of my heart!

May 16

Dear SCSD2, I took today off, even posted it on SubFinder...and y'all still called me twice today...I'm glad that you want to give me work, really I am, but I needed today to get a lot of stuff done before Friday gets here...sorry that I ignored all of your calls.  Dear Kasee, I am watching Edward Scissorhands right now...and it made me think of you because I know just how much you love this movie :)  Dear Burmese Orphans, I get to see you in 13 days!!! I will be leaving to fly to your home in 12 days... I am SO EXCITED!!!  I am trying to learn some simple phrases so I can talk to you a little bit.  I have a feeling I'm going to be saying, "Nah ma lay boo" a lot though.  I can already say "Mein go na chit day!" and I know you'll understand that :)  (For those of you who don't know a lick of Burmese, like me, the first phrase means I don't understand and the second phrase means I love you).  Dear Zach,  I'm glad that your first day went well today, at Toyota.  I'm looking forward to the funny stories you're going to have from a summer with a team of jokers!  I think it's going to be a great summer for you there :)  I get to see you in less than 48 now.  I'm excited.  But only a little bit... ;)  I can't wait to hang out with you all weekend!  We're going to have a lot of fun stuff today...make some food, my graduation party, watching Kady and Kody Saturday night, church on Sunday, and all kinds of other stuff.  Random, but yesterday at Cracker Barrel, when we were sitting in the rocking chairs our front before we both left, that is now on my list of top 10 favorite moments we've had :) It was cute.  I see us doing that a lot in about 50 years...except we'll have rocking chairs on our front porch, not just at Cracker Barrel, and we won't live right by the highway...I hope.  I love you!!!

May 13

Dear Mom, Happy Mother's Day!  I'm sorry things have been so crazy lately.  Try not to get discouraged.  It'll all be alright.  Dear Legs, Why are you so sore today?!  I mean, I know I did an hour worth of dancing to my silly songs for Myanmar yesterday...but seriously, you shouldn't hurt this badly.  Dear Future Job,  I wish you would make yourself known...sooner rather than later.  Dear Zach, I was so happy to get to spend the entire day with you yesterday!  It was just what I needed!  Sorry that I was tired and kinda crazy emotional.  Thank you so so much for everything that you do for me.  I'm glad we get to meet for dinner on Tuesday :) I kinda can't wait, actually!

May 10

Kindergarten is much more fun to sub for than 8th grade...just my personal preference, but I'm sticking to it.  For one, I am bigger and scarier than all of them...and they are scared of my height so they listen to me, for the most part.  They aren't all smart aleky, and this makes them much cuter and more fun to be around.  They say the darndest things too!


Today's Letters


Dear Kindergartener who Stroked my Hair and Told Me It was Pretty, You made my day.  Thank you for being so cute!  Dear Tanner and Peyton, I am BEYOND excited that I get to watch you guys this summer in the afternoons.  It is going to be a fun summer!  Dear Kaitie, I'm sorry that I don't get to go on the Big Creek Mission Trip with y'all now.  It makes me really really sad :( But, like I said last night, we'll get to go on a mission trip together sometime, we just don't know when.  Don't worry.  I will still see you this summer and we will talk every single day!  I love you lil sis!  Dear Zach, 2 days my friend, 2 days.  Even though I'll only get to see you for a few hours, it's a few hours I will thoroughly enjoy spending with you.  I miss you.  I love you.  I don't like us both being busy and not able to talk...makes me sad...very sad, indeed.  I love you most! 

May 9

Dear Sub Jobs, Thanks for opening up.  The 8th graders today weren't as bad as I expected them to be.  I'm very excited about working with Kindergarteners tomorrow.  Then back to the middle school on Friday.  Please open up some spots for next week.  It'd be much appreciated!  Dear BF, I miss you...a lot...and it's only been 2 days.  Not even 2 full days!  Gah...this distance thing stinks...a lot.  Dear Myanmar, 19 days.  19.  That's 2 weeks and 5 days.  7 + 7 + 5.  10 + 9.  5 + 5 + 9.  19!!!!  Ahhhhh! I am so incredibly excited.  Dear Zach, Have I mentioned that I miss you?  I had a fantastic weekend with you and your family.  You're my favorite person to hang out with.  It doesn't matter if we're helping with a middle school talent show, walking around WalMart or Sam's Club, working on my truck, or just hanging out watching TV, you're my favorite person to do these things with.  I miss you when we're not together.  Not just when we're 2 hours apart, but even when we were just 2 buildings apart.  It really sucks when one of us gets not-so-good news and we're apart.  I don't know about you, but you're the first person I want to talk to and get a hug from when I get bad news, and good news for that matter!  Not that I'm wishing our lives away, but I'm really looking forward to the days when we get to always come home to each other and don't have to be 2 hours apart for extended periods of time.  I love you!

May 2

Dear MSDMV, I'm sad that you sent me an email informing me you had decided on all of the people to fill the open positions...and I'm not one of them.  Not that I was truly expecting to get an offer from my first ever big girl interview...but hey, I was really really hoping for it since my student teaching experience was so wonderful there.  Keep me in mind for the future...please!  Dear Kasee Michelle, I miss you, friend.  We need a gf date asap.  I'm sorry that I'll be out of town the next two weekends, then the following two will be filled with other plans here in town, or close by at least.  We need to go get ice cream one night.  And I'm excited that you're going to take some pictures for me next week, sometime :) You're the best and I can't wait to see you and catch up on life!  Your blog helps me stay updated, but it's just not the same!  Dear You've Got Mail, You make everything better...except you can't make my bf be here instead of there (yes, dear, I know...it all depends on perception as to whether or not you're here or there...to me you're there and not here and I don't like it).  Dear Zach, I'm sorry your roomies left a big mess for you to pick up...that's no bueno homie.  At least you're done with school and all of your finals!!  Thanks for all of your encouragement, especially with getting that email tonight.  Don't know what I'd do without you.  Only 35 hours until I start your way!!! :)

May 1

Dear First Day of Officially Being a Legit Adult, You weren't too bad.  Although, all of the unpacking I had to do was not so much fun.  It was really weird driving off of campus this morning, out of Evansville, and realizing I won't be going back as a college student...ever.  Yes, I cried, duh.  Dear All of My Stuff, I wish you'd unpack yourself...end of story.  Dear Tomorrow, I hope you aren't incredibly boring... what-with the fingerprinting, orientation, and then a haircut (YES!!) and hopefully some pool time so I can get some color to this skin of mine.  Please be a fun day!  Thank you.  Dear My Love, I am so glad you are in my life.  Your letter just made my day.  Yes, I read it before I was ever out to Schutte...and yes, I may have teared up a little bit while reading it.  I am excited about all of the things we are going to get to do this summer as well :)  I am very happy your apartment situation is going to work out fantastically!  What a blessing that it all happened so quickly and easily!  I miss you already and can't wait for Friday morning! :) Love you with all of my heart! 

Next Chapter

Well...I graduated...finished my last synthesis class tonight...now what? 
I'm moving back home in the morning... :( Not that I'm not looking forward to some time with my family, but the whole 2 hours/120 miles that it puts between my bf and I kinda stinks...a lot...especially when I'm used to be 2 minutes away from him and seeing him every day.  I've had tears in my eyes for the past week thinking about tomorrow...and I think come tomorrow morning I'm just going to be a big baby and cry.


I'm setting some goals for this summer...perhaps they are lofty goals that I may not achieve...but I'm setting them nonetheless. 


1. Read 10 new books - this shouldn't be hard since I have almost 30 books on my Kindle that I have yet to read...


2. Make at least 1 Pinterest recipe a week - whether it's a dessert or a legit food :)


3. Make at least 12 Pinterest crafts over the summer! 


4. Keep doing Today's Letters


5. Do something crazy, spontaneous, off-my-rocker...unplanned


Dear 2nd Graders, I am so glad I got to see you today!!!  It made my day to walk in and be swamped with hugs and love!  I have missed you all so much and it is so good to see that I did something good during my time with you.  Dear Blaze, I'm about to load you up with all of my stuff...don't be mad with how full I'm about to pack you.  Dear Angela, I am going to miss being your roomie...we've had such a good year and I wouldn't have survived without you!  Maybe one day we'll get to be roomies again :) Dear Zach, I loved getting to spend the day with you :) I can't wait for the day when we don't have to be sad about our time together coming to an end for a period of time (yes I know I'm going to see you again Friday...but still...).  I love you with all of my heart! 

April 29

I MADE IT!!!!! I am officially a college grad!  It feels fantastic!  It's scary at the same time.  I just breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when I walked across that stage and got my (empty) diploma case and heard my family yell for me.  It. Was. Wonderful!


Dear Parents, Thank you for all of the support, encouragement, and understanding you have given me the past 4 years!  I couldn't have done it without you.

Dear Patty, Thanks for being a great teacher, cousin, and someone I could look up to!  You had quite an influence on my becoming a teacher.  You are one of my inspirations and I love you!  

Dear Mylie and Payton, Thank you girls SO MUCH for coming to graduation! It made me so happy to have you there.  I just love you girls and I'm so glad that God has allowed me to be a part of your lives! 

Dear Zach, Do you have any idea how much you make me smile?  A LOT.  I can't even begin to tell you how much your support and encouragement has meant to me over the past year and a half.  I'm pretty certain I would have lost my mind without having you around to tell me everything will always work out...yes, you were right...now you have it in writing ;)  I love you and I am so blessed and overjoyed to have you in my life!!!  God has certainly spoiled me!

April 26

Dear God, Thanks for making today one of the best days in the history of the whole entire universe...Zach's birthday!  It is one of my favorite days ever now!  Dear Students,  I am sad to have to say bye to you tomorrow.  As excited as I am about graduating, I will miss you and all of the crazy, overdramatized things you talk about and say on a daily basis.  I will also miss the smiles and talking to you about life.  I hope that I have been able to make some small impact in your lives.  Dear MM, 32 days!  Dear Zach, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!  I hope you enjoyed your gifts this week (don't worry, the week's not over yet!).  I'm glad we got to go to dinner tonight and spend some time together...it kinda made my day.  I hope you know how incredibly thankful I am to have you in my life!  And I'm glad that we get to work through tough days together.  LOVE YOU!!!!!

April 24

Dear Encounter, I miss you already.  You have kept me somewhat sane these past 4 years and I am not happy about saying good-bye to you...I definitely wouldn't be who I am today if it had not been for this ministry group.  Dear Silly Songs Team, We are going to rock the socks off of the kids in May/June!  We have some awesome dance moves, if I do say so myself!  Dear Graduation, 4 days my friend...4 more days.  Dear Homie Z, I love you to pieces.  I don't know what I would do without you and your giant hugs that I love oh so much.  I am so sad that we aren't going to have anymore late night talks in the USI parking lot after Encounter...at least not with both of us as college students...it's weird...thank you for putting up with me and my weird emotions right now. You're the bomb!

April 23

Dear Lover Boy, This is what I call you around Angela now...she thinks it's funny, I think it's funny, so it's your new nickname.  I had a super fun weekend with you...despite the rain and cold for our group camping trip, us being super tired from sleeping on the ground in the cold temperatures Friday night, and me feeling puny Sunday and my nerves  about my interview taking over every aspect of my life.  I just love getting to experience life together, even when it's crazy and hectic.  Dear Students, I am going to miss you.  I feel like I have accomplished something in the past 7 weeks with you, now that (some of) you are sad that it's my last week.  Thank you for the memories, the laughs, the tears, and the lessons you have taught me.  Dear Interview,  You had me all kinds of stressed out this weekend...just so ya know.  Thanks for not going down the drain today.  Not too shabby for my first every Big Girl Interview.  I hope you turn out good results for me!  Dear Zach, I hope you have liked your little birthday gifts so far :) I love you so stinkin' much (and no, that's not like regular love you either).  Thank you for all of your encouragement about my interview.  You da bomb!  

April 19

Dear Papaw George,  Yesterday would have been your 87th birthday!  I miss you and I wish you were still here to experience all of the wonderful things happening in my life with me.  Dear Interview,  You and I are going to meet on Monday at 1:00.  I am excited.  I am nervous.  I am really looking forward to this experience and I am just hoping for the best!  I can't pretend to be someone that I am not...so be nice to me, please.  Dear Pinterest,  I do wish you would work...I miss you... Dear Zachary, Can I just say that I am super excited about how often we are going to get to see each other this summer!?  I know it's still a few weeks away and I am already stressing about it...I just don't like being away from you.  Things will work out, and I know this.  Sometimes it's just hard to really truly remember that.  I love you!  I am excited about camping with our friends this weekend and then hanging out with you and your family!  We're most definitely going to have to play Scrabble! :)  Love you honey!!!

April 17

Dear Students, Thanks for totally making fun of me so far this week because I'm sick and have had no voice...love y'all too.  Dear Job Applications, Why must you be so difficult?  Dear Students Who Stayed After School to Hang Out With Me,  Thanks.  You made my day.  It's good to know that I have done something to make a positive impact on at least a few of you!  Dear Homie Z,  Glad we got to go to Coldstone and Home Depot tonight! :)  Thanks for FINALLY telling me something you might sorta kinda want for your birthday.  Even though I was kind of loopy from taking Sudafed, I also enjoyed our time to chat after Engage tonight.  Those are my favorites! :)  Love you bunches!

April 16

Dear Mom,  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!  Sorry that I had no voice this morning to call and sing to you (not that I have much of a voice tonight either...imagine I sang to you).  I hope you had a wonderful day.  I'm sorry I didn't get to see you.  But I do hope you enjoyed your flowers :)  I love you!  
Dear Sinuses,  Have we not fought enough this year?  I do not appreciate you deciding to come back around all sassy like, causing me problems out the wazoo.  You can just go on and clear up now and not cause me anymore problems these next few weeks.  Thanks!
Dear Resume and Cover Letter,  You stink.  I do not like you.  I think you are kind of overrated and tonight you are just causing me a lot of unnecessary stress.  That's how I feel about that...
Dear Zach, Thank you oh so much for the flowers Saturday night.  They are sitting on my desk and I have looked at them a lot tonight because they make me smile (especially those daisies...don't you think daisies are the friendliest flowers??).  You're the best and I don't know what I'd do without you.  I love you to pieces!

April 14

Dear Lil Sis, I had so much fun hanging out with you last night and today!!!  It was much overdue, yes, but I'm glad we got the opportunity to have a slumber party before my graduation in just a few weeks.  And like I said, we'll just have to have more of them once I am back down here in the fall :)  Dear Migraine that I can tell is coming, Please go away.  I want to enjoy the time I am about to get with my wonderful boyfriend.  Dear God, Thank You so much for finding me worthy enough to have met Zach a year and a half ago.  Thank You for using him in my life in the numerous ways that You do!  I have learned and continue to learn so much from him.  I just can't thank You enough for him.  Dear My Love, I am so excited that today makes 14 months for us!  This past week was not really good for either one of us, which stinks.  I hope these next few weeks aren't too crazy, even though it's the end of the semester and graduation.  I am so excited that you are on your way back to campus.  Then we'll be headed to your parents house and will finally get some time together!   I don't like this being super busy and stressed all the time...it's no bueno homie.  I love you!  And thank you for loving me even when I am not easy to love!

April 12

Dear Big Bang Theory, Thank you for making me laugh a little bit tonight.  Much needed.  Dear Kasee, Thank you for letting me vent to you tonight.  I miss having you around.  I can't wait for more best friend/gf time this summer.  Dear Bad Mood, Go away or get better.  I don't like you being around.   Dear Homie Z, Missed talking to you today...we should probably talk more tomorrow.  You are for real the only person I want to hear from when I don't feel good or when I'm in a bad mood.  Love you most! 

April 10

Dear Teacher Recruitment Fair, You stressed me out today.  You did not got how I was expecting.  On the other hand, you allowed me to pass out my resume to several schools and make connections that I otherwise may not have made...I hope those who said they would call will, indeed, call.  Dear Kaitie ("Lil Sis"), You and I have a slumber party this Friday night and I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!  It is going to be a blast, I hope you know that.  I can't wait.  It's what I'm looking forward to most about this week!  I love you and I don't know what I would do without you!  Dear Leggings, I am sorry that I have been a hater of you before...I truly love you now.    Thanks for being here today when I just needed to be comfy!  Dear Zach,  You're the best.  You rock at finding gifts for me.  You're always so thoughtful and that means more than the world to me.  I can't wait to put my puzzle together, together :)  I read your letter a total of 5 times last night and every time, it just made me smile more.  I love you and I cannot say enough how inspiring and encouraging you are to me!

Good Friday

Dear Dog that attacked me at Garden of the Gods today, It was extremely rude of you to run and jump on me, bite my elbow and side, and continue barking at me.  I wish I had kicked you in the face...warn the next dog that tries to attack me that that is exactly what will happen.  Not cool dog, not cool at all.  Dear Laptop Charger, Why did you not scream out my name when I walked out of my apartment today without you? You knew that I would need you this weekend at home, because otherwise, my laptop dies (like it did) and I can't use it (which I need to be able to do).  We are fighting.  You have caused me some stress that I did not need.  Dear Reading Class, I hope y'all know just how much I do love you.  Our descrimination lesson this week was not to make any of you mad, upset, or hurt.  It was to teach you that picking on others because they are different in any way, shape, or form is simply wrong, not nice, and you have to be the ones to step up and stop this nonsense when you see it happening.  Dear Zach, I had a fantastic time with you today.  Getting up at 4 a.m., you're the only person I can say I'd do that for and have a smile on my face about it.  I loved all of our goofy sayings throughout the day, moments when we both said and did the exact same thing ("That was easy" *hitting the Easy button motion*), getting a little lost in the woods, our picnic lunch on the rocks, and all the jumping around on crazy big rocks we got to do.  I say we should do it again sometime...and next time, we'll know where to go for that sunrise ;)  Thanks for being the best thing to ever happen to me!  I love you most!

April 2

I got to teach some more today!!!  I was even left alone with my students a few times (not for long, but still, I was the adult in the room for a brief period of time and it was awesome).  A really funny story:  so I was teaching about volume of prisms and cylinders in my Honors Math class today.  I had drawn a picture of a rectangular prism on the board and was pointing it out to my students and made the comment of how nice and artistic it was, since I'm such an artist.  Well, one of my students started clapping...then another...and another...and soon they were all clapping.  For some reason, I started turning bright, glow in the dark, red at this!  I told them to stop, they didn't, so I told them again and they stopped.  I go back to talking and one of my students raises his hand and says, "Um, Ms. Reeves...your face is really red..." "Thank you...I know...I got sunburnt over spring break."  So then, I try to go on with the lesson, only to turn more red and get really embarrassed because when I get all the attention on me I don't like it and I turn super duper red.  For the rest of the day, those students reminded me of just how red my face got and tried to get me all embarrassed again...they have found one of my weaknesses.


Today's Letters
Dear Students,  It was good to see y'all again today.  Even better to get to teach a little!  It made me feel good when some of you said you will be said in 4 weeks when I'm gone.  I feel like I'm beginning to see why I'm there for the last part of this semester.  Dear Temperature, You were a little warm today...it is only the beginning of April...please do not continue to rise as the season and months go on.  Dear Naung Naung, I will be on my way to meet you in 8 weeks!  I cannot wait!  I am so excited to meet you and spend some time with you!  Dear Man Fellow, I loved our Sweet CeCe's date tonight :)  We will have to go again soon.  Our little WalMart adventure was pretty fun too! 

No bueno homie!

Spring break is basically over...no bueno homie!  <--this came from my girl date with Kasee last night...we were at Chik-Fil-A and I don't remember which one of us said it, but we thought it was just hilarious and declared it is our new saying.  We said it quite often at camp today! 


I love this Today's Letters thing...I like it because it's a quick, fun way to journal about my day and what's going on in my life at the moment.  I have always been an avid journaling gal, and recently it's gotten pushed behind the back burner and this makes me sad.  I love looking back through old journals and seeing how much I have changed over time, as well as how I have stayed completely the same in so many ways!  Thanks again Kasee Michelle for telling me about it! :)


Today's Letters


Dear Spring Break Campers, I will miss y'all.  You were fun to hang out with this week...even the times when you got annoying and whiney and got on my nerves...I hope to see all of you again this summer at summer camps (assuming I get to work them as well!).  Dear Kasee, Thanks so much for being such a fantastic best friend!  I had such a good time hanging out with you last night and I am looking forward to hanging out more this summer.  You were an awesome camp director this week!!!  Love ya girl!  Dear Santa Fe, Dinner was fantastic tonight.  You have disappointed me the past several times I have been to visit, but tonight was grand.  Muy bueno homie!  Dear Homie Z, I haven't gotten to talk to you much today and that's always weird.  Hope you've had a good time in Missouri though, with your fellow engineers.  I am somewhat really super de-duper excited to see you in t-minus 2 days :)

30 days...

That's when I graduate from college...in a mere 30 days...holy.moly.cow...I am so not ready for it.  I am excited but at the same time I am terrified.  I'm not even going to lie about it, or try to lie about it - I am so not ready to have to be a big girl!  I am going to miss college.  I am going to miss my friends.  We won't even get started on how much I am going to miss seeing my boy every day for a while.  I feel like a new adventure is getting ready to start for me, though, and for that, I am excited.  Knowing that God has it all planned makes it even better...even if I do struggle with being patient while waiting on Him to reveal these plans to me. 


Thank you Kasee for telling me about the letters blog...I read it and fell in love and am going to attempt to do that on here now!  Maybe, at least for a while, it'll keep me blogging on a regular schedule.  :)  I'm glad that I'm too busy to blog lately though, also like you said Kasee, I'd rather live life than just report it. 


Dear Spring Break, I have thoroughly enjoyed you but I wish you would last a little longer.  I will miss sleeping in until 8:00 every morning.  Dear Sunburn, it's been good to see you again.  Please even out a little bit this year, that is my only request.  Dear Kody, You turned 7 this week.  That makes me feel old.  I remember the night you were born.  I love you.  I miss you and can't wait to see you again.  Dear Zachary Steven, I love you more than I ever thought was possible to love another person.  I have missed you so much this week.  I'm glad you called me last night and woke me up (okay, maybe I was fully asleep, even though I told you I was only half asleep...) because I love hearing your voice.  I can't wait to see you!