Oops

Sorry y'all. I've sort of unintentionally been on a blogging hiatus. Ya know who hasn't though? Mrs. Yocum, my cheer coach/photographer. Take a look!

Justin and Celeste Engagement

I know, we've been married for 4 months, but it's on her blog now!

Lovey

Grown up job

Wanna know what I did at work yesterday? A lot of stuff, but here's one thing my boss showed me. (please note the emphasis on boss, I'm not YouTubing things at work.)

Isn't this incredible?! This was actually filmed at these people's wedding. I. Love. It.

Yes, my job is so draining. Ha. Kidding. I love it!

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Book Review

Yep. Well sort of a book review. More of my thoughts on books. BUT it's not required for a class for the first time in forever. I used to love to read, but then I think late high school and college sort of ruined it for me. Between class and different Bible/book studies, who wanted to read a book just for funsies? Not this girl. Now though, Justin has been reading the Hunger Games books, and after being urged by him and my friend, Ashley, I started them too. (Don't judge the books by the website. It looks way goofy. Or do. Whatever.) Y'all. I read the first 2 books in like 5 days. They're 300something pages each. Now, I'm waiting on Justin to finish the 3rd, so I can. It has been so long since I've gotten caught up in a book, but I love it. It feels more productive than Pinteresting things all the time, but really it probably isn't. At least I use the stuff I pin. I'm writing this to tell you that if you're a reader, or if you're not, read the Hunger Games. I cried 3 times in the first book (I'm an emotional reader.) Let me tell you why I love/hate these books: they are tragic and scary and lovey and unable-to-be-put-downy. What's so catching about them is that they could, to a certain extent, be real. Reading them is horrifying because people are killed intentionally where others can see to make a point, and this is a part of our history. It's not as if this hasn't happened in the past and is still happening other places in the world, and that is chilling and infuriating. It also makes me thankful that by the grace of God I don't live in an era where that is normal. How blessed are we to be in America in the 2000s?

Reading these books now has made me think of all the books I loved in the past; Are You There, God It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume, all the Boxcar Children books, The Babysitters Club, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Y'all, kids books are so fun. Is there anything you've read or are reading that I should check out? I'm determined to become a reader again and not stop once I finish this series. I hear there's a book called Justin Morgan had a Horse...might have to check that one out just for kicks. :)

Happy Labor Day, y'all! 

My New Smarty-pants Phone

Well y'all, it is done. I now have a big girl phone. An HTC Inspire to be exact. I like her. I'm still getting used to her, and currently I'm typing this with only my right index finger. Efficient I know. Justin says I need to start using my thumbs, and I don't really know why I don't. That's how I texted on my old phone. Pointer Finger just seems like the best choice right now. It's pretty neato that I can blog on here though. She doesn't have a name yet, buy I'd like to shoutout to my old phone Zena- You were a trooper and made it through 2 years of drops, babysitting, being dropped in vom while babysitting (not joking), being run under water, being caked in hairspray and face oil, and of course much calling and texting. You're my backup now, but it's time for you to rest. Live strong Zena.
You're touched, I know.

Grown Up!

Welp, even though I just got a new job, I just got a different one. I put in my 2 weeks notice at Boingo Bounce (which I LOVE working at by the way) to jump into the business world. Yep. I, who loves children and studied them, am going to become a power-suit and pump wearing business machine. Just kidding, but I do love women's suits. Don't hate. How cute is this?

Thanks, J.Crew

How unique is this?! Just kidding. I think it's really weird. Sorry Alexander McQueen.

Anyways, I'm sure I'll be learning a lot. It was a weird decision to make because I was still interviewing with an organization I love, but after much thought and prayer I decided that this decision was right. This was immediately followed with a lot of questions as to whether or not I'm being irresponsible, but I've already told the other place (Children's House if you were wondering) no, and committed to my new boss, Steve. Now, I will let my yes be yes and be a business lady, and I am thrilled (irresponsible or not).

This also leads to another big change in my life. I'm getting.....a smart phone. Yep. That's right, y'all. This hater  lover-of-not-always-being-accessible is getting one. My boss suggested it and someone (Chelsea) really wants me to get an iPhone to FaceTime her. I don't know about that because I can Skype her from my compy, but her chances have greatly increased. Any smartphone suggestions/advice out there?! I'd love it. I'll be making a purchase soon because my old contract just ended! Before I jump on this bandwagon though let me just point out that it isn't smartphones I hate. Nor do I hate the people who have them. I hate that I will always be accessible, and I extra don't like seeing people on their phones all. the. time. If I ever do that, please rebuke me. Seriously.

Happy almost weekend, y'all!

Baked goods

Y'all. Wanna know what I'm doing right now? Baking chocolate chip cookies before I go to work. Shocker. I'm using this recipe from BunsinmyOven because I love puffy cookies. I didn't actually know anyone preferred flat cookies. Huh. To each her own I guess. Here's what they look like.

 The left half was the first batch. I thought they were too done, so I shortened the time a little for the second batch. Generally I love burnt things. Cookies are the exception. They should be smooth and chewy and now crumbly. Hopefully the second will be better. Also, yes, that is a Darth Vader spatula. No, I did not purchase it. Thanks, mom.

The look beautiful, but I don't think they're a winner for a go to recipe. I do LOVE love love love love these. I made them last week, and they are wonderful. They're not super peanut buttery, but you can still taste it. Everyone who had them seemed to like them.

Bagels-another baked good that will now be a regular part of my life. Know why? A bunch of us camped out over night at the new Einstein Bros. in Fayetteville. The first 100 people got 1 free breakfast bagel/week for a year. I don't know why I decided this would be the one thing I'd ever camp out for, but I did. Justin and I got there around 10:15ish the previous evening. We joined about 8 others (not including 2 babies) who were already there. Most of those people were our friends anyways. In the first one hour we were there, more excitement occurred than in the rest of the night/morning. Almost immediately after Justin and I got under the covered porch it started raining. Then it started pouring. Then the wind blew so hard it knocked a sign over into the road from the gas station across the street. Then cars started running it over. The group decided it was not safe for the sign to be in the road, so Nathan, Ben, and Justin drove across the street to pick it up. Except they dropped Justin off then came back. I didn't really understand the logic, but whatever. Boys. THEN we heard a sound and noticed a power line hanging about 6ft off the ground in the road. Ben called 911, and cops came and redirected traffic. About an hour and a half later Cox showed up and fixed it. During this whole time everyone had opinions about what the cops were doing wrong with directing traffic and why they were doing what they were doing. Y'all. I hate situations like that. I for some reason have always stuck up for other people when I don't necessarily know their side either, and that tends to annoy the snot out of people I know. Seriously, I remember someone in high school telling me it was annoying. Maybe I'm being devil's advocate? I don't know. I don't think it's intentional. If they can't defend themselves and their actions, I might as well. Anyways, I felt bad for the poor cops and were certain they had dealt with these situations much more often than we had, and I strongly believe they are not idiots. (Have I ever told you that in my mind being an RA made me think that I knew what it felt like to be a cop? No. Maybe I'll tell you later, or maybe I'll forget.) Anyways, I don't know whether or not 52 bagel sandwiches was worth sleeping a car for an hour, staying up all night, smelling beer and pot, watching people be rude, watching people not follow rules, or watching people fight about where in line they were. Our friend, Tim, says it's worth it, but we shall see. I don't even know if I would've stayed there all night for the cash equivalent of 52 bagel sandwiches, but I don't actually know how much that is.

Here's us before we left our house. Yes that's a head lamp. Yes I had a much better attitude then.

Hey. Praise the Lord it's raining. Thank you Jesus. My parents field caught on fire in all this drought. More on that later. Go play in it! (Rain, not fire)

See ya summer

Y'all, first off I want to say that although it is 100andsomething degrees outside, I still, undoubtedly, love summer one trillion times more than winter, and I would prefer this weather over freezing any day except Christmas. So, all you haters wishing it were winter and complaining, I'll be doing it when we have 12 feet of snow. Bleh. That's all.

On another note, I GOT A JOB! Well, a part time job. At Boingo Bounce! Even better, with my friend Ashley! I'm so thrilled! I'm obviously still searching since I need a full time job ideally, but I'm thrilled! Bonus: I start tomorrow. Double bonus: it takes 4 minutes to get there from my house. Neato, huh? Thanks, Jesus. So, now I will be a grown up, and work. #notreally

This is a super random post because I haven't posted in a while, but if you weren't at New Heights Sunday, you must must must listen to the service online. There are few sermons/talks that I would listen to multiple times, but this is one. That one isn't on the website yet, but you should absolutely listen to this one. It's so wonderful, and Chels gives her testimony at the end. She was "for real a rebel". :) Hope you're not mad I did this Chels. :)