Today I

Woke up around 9. I love not having to get up at a certain time. I then said a quick "Thank you Jesus" that we don't have kids yet, and I can sleep in. (Not that I don't want kids, I'm just thankful we don't have them now.)

Ate a cannoli for breakfast. Because I'm healthy and they're delicious. Here's the recipe.

Made a grocery list and planned our meals for the week. Because I LOVE to plan and make lists and to cook.

Didn't wear makeup or work clothes, thank the good Lord. I love to dress up y'all, but I didn't wear makeup in college at least 2 times a week. Now I wear it at least 6 days a week. I like to consider my lack of excitement to do that every. single. day. a blessing that my parents bestowed on me by always telling me I was beautiful and telling me that I didn't have to wear makeup to be beautiful. Seriously, what a blessing they are. Parents (I'm not sure there are parents reading this, but just in case) tell your daughters they don't need makeup to be pretty (or clothes, or boys, or whatever). I feel like my mom told me that all. the. time., and honestly (as she will tell you) I said "I know, mom." and got annoyed. It was/is so good for me though (hello, Peter). Also, my mom didn't always do that (be constantly 'put together'), so practice what you preach. It will rub off. (end my soap box tangent)

Got myself to the Farm to pick up our vegetables for the week. (We have a Harvest Share for the season.) I've legitimately never been more excited for vegetables in my life. It's a like fun surprise every time (except not really because we get an email in advance telling us what we're getting. It still feels like a surprise though.)

We're supposed to pick up between 9-12 on Saturdays, so I rolled in at about 11:30 (still on time) and got some extra herbs because I was one of the last to pick up (shocking, I know. Not.). Woo hoo for extra herbs! I got some I've never even used! (Lemon balm and lemon oregano) I'm excited for those.

Went grocery shopping (which I also kind of love minus the spending money part.) And bonus, I got to see 3 of my favorite boys in the whole world at the store. You're probably not supposed have favorites when you babysit, but I do, and it's them. I mean, I babysit them like 10 times more than anyone else anyways, so that makes sense, right? Hope this isn't offensive to any other families....

Came home and cleaned and did laundry. Y'all cleaning is so productive. Once I start, I usually enjoy it. I'm terrible at starting though. Also, I'm not a great cleaner, but it's so fulfilling and a great time to think....and to dance, which leads to the next thing I did...

Forgot to turn on the dryer, so the clothes just sat in there the entire time the washing machine was going with another load. The reason I initially waited to turn on the dryer was so I could finish dancing to my Hall and Oates song playing and still be able to hear it. Then I forgot all together. For your viewing pleasure:

Freaked out a little because I graduated a year ago. That is nutso. 

2 of my precious precious girls are graduating today, and it just blows my mind. I remember when we were at Kaleo falling hard and fast into sister-friend love. Sweet Natalie and Rachel, I love you to the moon and back.

Thoughtlessness, moving, and a Christmas party

Y'all, let me preface this with I'm not fishing for compliments with what I'm about to say. Please don't think I am.

Anyways....One thing I've had to come to terms with about myself is that I don't have the gift of thoughtfulness. I wish I did, y'all. I think I always thought I had it, but I'm not so sure. I'm actually pretty sure I don't. I'm also kind of ok with it. While it's a bummer, I'm glad I at least know, so I can work on it. Don't know what I mean? Here are some examples:
My friends/fam/husband are so good at birthdays and gifts. Justin swears he got me the best Christmas presents ever this year. (I don't have his or anyone else's gift and won't for a couple weeks). Chelsea is so great writing me letters, and she's the one in India. My sweet girlies always get me something I love or have mentioned for my bday and for everyone elses, and I'm lucky if I remember the day of much less the week of their birthdays. It's not like I think of stuff and don't do it, I simply don't just think it. I have to put a LOT of thought into stuff like that. Gift giving - also not my strong suit. That's it. Just a revelation I thought I'd let y'all know.

In other news, we're moving in 20 days! Just down the road...literally about 200 yards. Our current apartment has other creatures living in it, and I just can't deal with it. We're breaking our lease and moving on. (Thank you Jesus that we found a place that would give us the first month free). That makes me think that I've never shown pictures of our first home on here. Here are a festive few.

Sorry I didn't clean off the table from the party...

 Our tiny, but useful kitchen. Not much to see other than the pot rack. 

Our tiny but useful bathroom. 

I love our shower curtain, and it's called Jaipur. Bonus. 

This is us with John, Justin's bestie and our current roommate. He's on furlough from India and is staying with us while he's in Fayetteville. (Yep, we both have besties in India). 

On another Christmasy note, we had a Christmas party here last night! We went to the Square (which was lovely) and took pictures then came here and ate, hung out, and played games. Y'all there was at least 46 people in our apartment at one time. Yea. Wow. Didn't know that was possible. It was great though! People made and brought delicious snacks and dressed festively. It was so great. Here are a few photos from that. 

With sweet, Sarah. Love love love her. 

It was our (Rachel left - Natalie right) 3 year friendiversary! 3 years ago when these girls were wee little freshmen (they're seniors now!) they came over to my apartment and we went to the square to take pictures. (Nat brought Rach. That was when we met.) I have had the privilege of discipling these girls and being their friend for 3 years now. Words can't express how dear they are to me. 

Y'all. Last time Jusitn and I took pictures on the Square it was for our save the dates. Now we've been married for 6 months. Wait, what?!? Who am I?! Happy, that's who. 

This is Sarah and Jason (and Josh pretending he's not in the picture even though he knows he is, and Tim really thinking he's not in the pic). They're sibs. Sarah's my bro's age (and they're friends) and Jason's my age and we have worked together for the past year and half or so. He actually played a part in getting me my current job. I like you Biggs (how do I make that plural?)

Sorry about the delay

I've been getting married, honeymooning, and being a wifey! Hard life, I know.

Y'all. I'M MARRIED! Eeeeeek!

I love love loved my wedding despite the location change. That actually made me love it more. It was beautiful and exactly what I wanted. It would not have been so without my incredibly awesome bridesmaids/wedding party/family. Seriously, I feel like I did nothing day of and they set everything up and took everything down for me. If there were bridesmaids wars, mine would dominate yours anyday. Promise. Ha. Sorry, that was a little intense, but seriously, they're super. Also, not a bridesmaid, but my dear friend SarahJo was a super wedding coordinator day of. I have such super friends!

Really, I don't even know where to begin, so this is simply an announcement that I am back, and for your enjoyment a video of a spider that I took. Chels, don't watch it, but just listen to the audio. I recorded it for Justin, but it's pretty entertaining, so I'll share with y'all.

Neti Potting and the Star Spangled Banner

Y'all. For what seems like the trillionth time this semester, I am sick. Boo. I've been sick for a week on Wednesday. I'm also too stubborn to go to the doctor. I know, it's my own fault. This time though, my friend Sarah got me to try out the Neti Pot. This is a fear-invoking contraption if you've never heard of it. It's basically a plastic teapot you stick in one nostril and tilt your head, so that when you pour it, it comes out the other. Here's an example.

Isn't that pretty? Thanks, random girl who's humble enough to put that picture on the internet.
Pretty or not, I can breathe a lot better.
During my first Neti Potting experience I didn't lean forward enough, and it kind of went down my throat. It felt like I was drowning. Sorry that's gross, but I don't want anyone to be deceived if they try it.

On another note about being sick, I've been drinking lots of water and hot tea. I've read that I'm not supposed to have much dairy or caffeine if I have a sore throat. Bummer. I crave coffee, ice cream, hot chocolate, and pretty much anything that contains those things. Currently I'm drinking decaf coffee, and it tastes like dirt. I didn't think I'd be able to tell a difference. I can. Maybe it's my tastebuds....

On a totally different note, the most ironic thing ever happened tonight at dinner. Ok, so maybe not ever, but at least that I can remember.
Myself and 5 other lovely ladies were eating dinner at the Union talking about how weird this whole Osama thing is and how we're freaked out by everyone's reaction and rejoicing of a death. (Serious side note: really, why the rejoicing? He's going to hell which is exactly what we all deserve, and without Jesus I'd be just as unrighteous as he is before the Lord. Maybe I'm wrong, but I can't rejoice over the death of another one of God's creations.) Anyways, some news anchor or something said that this was the most important day in American history. What?! Really?! We all started naming days that were more important: "The end of WWII!", "D-Day!", "Ending slavery?!", "Uh, signing the Declaration?!", when, I promise, at the same time an all male choir started singing the Star Spangled Banner! Tell me that isn't ironic. Despite how really enjoyable it was, we all started dying laughing because of the irony. We sort of felt rude, but we really weren't laughing at them. After the SSB and watching a fellow Humphreys resident decide how to get around the boys without being rude as they were singing, we clapped for these beautifully voiced men. They then proceeded to turn to us and sing a song beginning with "A serenade to a girl..." Yep. They sang to us. Here's proof:

We clapped again, and they thanked us for being there and told us that it was a spontaneous performance. It should be noted that we were thrilled to receive such a performance.

Lastly, a boy got out a tuba, yes a tuba, and started playing Friday by Rebecca Black. We sang the random parts we knew. We got video taped by one of the boys iPhones. Maybe we'll be a viral video one day. 

This is lengthy. Sorry 'bout that. Hope it entertained you. 

Lovies. 

On Community and Quiet

Y'all. 2 things that bring joy to my soul, seriously bring joy, are community and quiet. Let me explain.

I love love love the various senses of community that make up my life and the world. There are little things as comforting as the community that I have with my sisters in Christ/best friends/the girls. There is a lack of judgment from these beautiful women that anyone could appreciate, and I get to know them better than lots of other people do. To know that at least one of many girls will always always be there for you is so neat. Knowing that I could tell them anything and entrust them with it completely is so refreshing from previous relationships and oh yea, a lot of the world. I cannot tell you the joy these sweet girls and my wonderful relationships with them bring me.

I realized my love for community on the Green Bus the other day. I know, that's kind of funny. I was on the bus by myself (do you know that I love public transportation? I do.), and we were coming up to my stop. It's a common stop, Lot 56, many students who desire to not pay more to park closer simply ride the bus up and down the hill that is the UofA to avoid walking an extra 20 minutes each way. (Who has that kind of time?) Well, as I said, generally, this is a pretty common stop. This day, the bus driver decided he would announce it and if no one got up, he'd just keep going. Well ya see, I don't have super balance therefore I don't usually get up until the bus stops. However, this day, I was the only one getting off. The bus driver said, "No one?" over the loud speaker and started to speed up. I started to get up and as I was opening my mouth to say, "No sir. Please stop. Me me me. I need to get off here." (or something like that.) at least 3 other people said, "You've got one!" "No, wait" or something like that. I assumed then, that they were getting off as well. The bus stopped, and I got off. Alone. It is a small thing, but how kind of people to speak for me when I was very capable of doing it myself. How friendly. I don't even know those people. Is that Arkansas community? Green bus community? I don't know, but it made my heart smile and make me realize that I adore a solid sense of community. This may explain my love for the dorms that I so want to leave, but still don't at the same time.

My quiet ties into my community. Particularly, with my friend Kelsey. I appreciate so greatly people that you can be with and be quiet and not be uncomfortable or think it's awkward, but really relish it and enjoy it. Kelsey is one of those people that I can do this with. This is funny because I'm not sure if we've ever actually spoken about it, but it is a joyful thing that two very messy spirits can be in one place together and just be. Don't get me wrong I appreciate your words and descriptions and stories, but I still adore that sweet silence. Honestly, I feel like that connects to people more than talking all. the. time. It's a soul soother.

Ya know what else is?
www.rainymood.com

Also, let the countdown continue that I will be a wifey in 43 days. Oh my heavens. That's soon.

Lovelovelove

So, it's been a while

I'm alive. I know you were all so concerned.

It's spring break. Wanna know what I've been doing?

Buying very necessary things like doors and window panes.  

 Wedding stuff, in short. 

Addressing invitations like a machine. 

I've also hung out with Justin (brother and fiance), spent time with my fam, graded Perspectives, did homework, and read a little bit (not as much as I'd like.) 

Thrilling right? 

Good news is, I'm hanging out with some super fun people tonight, AND Kels, Rach, Kelly, and Kaitlyn are coming over tomorrow to stay the night after their trip to Savannah. I'm so excited! 

Happy Spring Break, y'all!

This is my life

So, I without a doubt should be doing something else right now, but I'm gonna take a few minutes and finish a post I started a while ago. A girl can take a quick break from necessary things right?

Anyways....

Y'all, probably one of the most irritating things about myself is how much I don't want help, unless it's from my daddy or brother, doing anything that girls don't typically do. Ask Justin. It's dumb. I'm working on it. BUT, this week I did something I'm super proud of: Unclogging my gross sink drain. I don't know if you've ever tried this (with a drain I'm not allowed to use chemicals on AND the stopper doesn't come out), but it's hard. I bent and used a wire hanger to pull out ridiculous amounts of hair and some weird black substance. It was disgusting. I almost took a picture because I was proud of it, but I thought was gross to most people.
I'm so cool. I know.

Also on the cleaning note, wanna know how awesome my friends are? My sweet sweet friend, Rachel, sat with me on carpet and rubbed her hands around to help me make hair balls to throw away because the vacuums in this building are terrible and don't suck anything up. So, my carpet technically still needs to be vacuumed, but there's less hair. Thanks, Rach.

On Sunday the girls and I were coming back from a meeting, and it had been raining. The second we were getting out of the car to come in it started pouring. I love the rain, and it wasn't super cold, so I thought it was pretty enjoyable. However, I was holding books and stuff, so we all started running. Well, boys from the dorm next to our started yelling and cheering us on. (From what I heard they weren't being inappropriate which is a complete shock to me since living with a lot of boys. I appreciated that.) Kelsey yelled "I'm limping!" to us because her leg has been hurting for a while, and one of the boys yelled back, "Yea, you are wet!" What? Sir, that's not at all what she said. Ha. We couldn't stop laughing. This is way lamer typed out, but we could hardly breathe we were laughing so hard.

Wedding favors are dumb. The ones you buy are at least. Seriously, who cares if I have a sticker with our names on it on the bottom of a Reeses. Lame.

When I was doing a round the other night I saw a boy walking around the building in a very short dress being videotaped because he lost a bet. It was great. Welcome to dorm life.

And, for your entertainment...

There's a part 2 and an autotuned version also.

Lovelovelove

My little Patalie

I promised some talk of my girls, so here's part 1 of ?.

I'll start with Natalie because her birthday was a couple of days ago.
I have been meeting with Natalie for a little over a year and a half now. She just turned 21 a couple days ago. She's. A. Stud.

We first became friend her freshman and my sophomore year. We don't actually remember how we met, but we did, and I'm so thankful for that. I had a Christmas party one night at my apartment and she (and Rachel, another lovely lady who you'll get to know later) both came.

This is us that night. She's the beauty to my right your left. 

We hung out for the rest of the school year and she, along with Rachel and Brittany, was in my D-group at Kaleo. That summer was amazing. I grew a ton, and I got to watch them grow a ton. It was such a blessing to be called their leader. 

This was the night the girls (from left to right Rachel, Natalie, Brittany) got there. I started the summer by loading them up in my car and stating that my car smelled funny. Ha. So sweet of me, I know. It helped break the awkward real quick though. 

 

Anyways, I got to watch Nat grow so so much that summer.After living in the International dorm on campus last year and trying her best to share Jesus there, she lives in the freshmen all-girls dorm on campus. She's leading a Bible study there and meeting with her own girls regularly. When I say her own girls, I mean the girls that were in her D-group last summer (as well as a few new ones!). She's also an RA. She's also in nursing school. She's also going to India this summer. Yep. She's incredible. 

 

Nat is a blessing that I somehow get to call my spiritual daughter, and man does that make me excited. I'm one proud mama. She loves her Lord so much, and it is evident in the way she lives and loves others. She is teachable and asks good questions and you better believe that this girl is a servant. Even more than that she is a quiet servant. She does things because she loves people, but more importantly because she loves Jesus. If you talk Natalie, you will find that she is kind and genuine and warm in a way that can't be taught. She is humble and not afraid to ask for help and that is challenging and refreshing.

I adore her. I'm proud of her. I pray that I can be more like her.

Guard your hearts, boys.