Reason, Season, & Lifetime

I read a quote somewhere once that said, "Friends come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." I really liked it, and I tucked it back into my brain. Last week, I saw it again on a blog I read. So, on Sunday morning in our small group when we were talking about the next chapter of life for our seniors, I knew I had to share this little gem with them. They're going through that hard phase of life that I remember going through just three years ago. Leaving everything you've known, embarking on something new, and the scariest part for me--saying goodbye to your best friends. As we discussed this topic, I couldn't help but still think of that quote. And a few days later, I'm still thinking about it. 

There are a handful of people you're blessed with that manage to be your friends for a lifetime. While I'm only 21 and only 3 years out of high school, I would easily say that my 4 best friends from high school are some of them. They aren't the only ones, but they are some amazing lifetime friends. We've truly been blessed to not just stay in touch since high school, but to still have genuine friendships. While they may not be the people I'm currently doing life with, they are the people who will be there for a lifetime.

These are the ones who you Snapchat at 4 in the morning just because you can. These are the ones who you have a group text with that never fails to make you laugh. These are the ones who cry with you for 3 hours in a hotel room in Gulf Shores, Alabama during your senior trip. These are the friends who celebrate special occasions with you.  

The ones who you make time to see when they come in town. The ones who wear crazy hats with you (exhibit A: picture above). The ones who you sit on the curb with outside of Smoothie King just because you want to catch up (great memory for us, Chels). The ones who tell you look beautiful when you don't feel like it but they know you need to hear that. The ones who stroll the aisles of Target with you pretty much every single time you hang out because they know it's your favorite store. 

These are the friends you made really good memories with, and you continue to do so. These are the friends who listen to all of your crazy life stories and then tell you their own crazy life stories. These are the friends who try to make you cooler by introducing you to the latest pop music because they know you wouldn't listen to it on your own (MB, you're the best at this). These are the friends who may not know the small details of what's going on in your life now, but they know the big stuff--and that's enough. 

The ones who you wear jackets like your moms do with you (shown in the picture above which is one of my favorite pictures of us). The ones who never fail to make you laugh with their stories (Sarah's the best one at this). The ones who will be the unofficial official aunts to your kids. The ones who know all of your dirty secrets and still choose to be your friends. The ones who choose to live with you even though they know you're slightly OCD (thanks Hannah). The ones who love you despite your faults.  

These are the friends who calm you down when you're stressed. These are the friends who pick up ground beef on the way to a party because you forgot to get enough. These are the friends who embrace the things you love because they love you. These are the friends who you can be real with. These are the friends who make you life a billion times better just because they're in it. 

I've traveled quite a journey with these four, and I'm grateful that it's really only just begun. I'm so blessed to have them in my life--for a lifetime. Hannah, Mary Beth, Chelsea, and Sarah, thank you for being my lifetime friends. I love you lots. 

Valentine's Day, A Countdown, and More

While I didn't have a "valentine" to spend the day with, I did get to spend a good part of my morning with one of my favorite boys in the entire world--Joe! I typically don't babysit just Joe. If anything, Jack and I will hang out alone while Joe naps. But this time it was just me and Joe, and I adored that time with him. He's still got some baby characteristics that Jack has grown out of, so it was nice to just hang out with that little munchkin. We also made Valentine's for Jack, Mom, and Dad (Casie and Graham), and I think he really did have a good time!

He really loved the foam heart stickers, and at one point they were all over his face and head. 

So. Cute.

I may or may not have bribed him with candy to take this. No shame.

While I had to help him (he's not even two), I was pretty proud of the way our cards turned out. It was also cute to see Jack's face when he saw that Joe had made something for him :)

Just 100 days until this is my view for 8 weeks :)

I am SO excited about this summer and what God's gonna do at CCC!

This girl turned 21. She's great, and I'm so blessed by her friendship. Hope you had a fabulous birthday, Caroline :) One of these days we'll do something spontaneous together!!

If you're like me and you watch Downton Abbey, you're sad with the way it ended on Sunday night. (I actually watched the finale about three weeks ago, so I've been sad for a while). I don't want to post the ending on here because my Aussie friends are still watching season 3. But, I hope you like this funny video!

I'm sure you've probably heard of Kid President. But, he has more than just that one. Watch this video to see more (so cute!).

And I know you've heard of Sweet Brown, but have you seen her latest video? She's in a COMMERCIAL. Watch it below!

Whew!

As always, a DNOW weekend is ridiculously busy. Add in class on Friday morning and a wedding shower on Sunday afternoon and I'd say this one was one for the books. This was the ninth DNOW I've been apart of, my third in college, and my second as a small group leader. I loved leading two years ago, but this year was a little different. I've been one of these Sunday small group leaders for these girls during this past year, and I've been close with these girls since they were babies. Okay, not babies, but little middle schoolers. Needless to say, I love these girls, and I'm going to miss them a lot when they graduate in May. So, despite a few tears that were shed, I would say this weekend was a fabulous one.

We started off the weekend with a wonderful dinner, and it was just the beginning of our spoiling. Senior girls have a tradition of staying at a home where they get spoiled--mainly with really good food. Friday night we had a delicious Italian dinner with homemade pizzas and bread, and to top it all off, we had THREE homemade cheesecakes. It was fabulous. 

The next day, the junior and senior girls and guys headed downtown to serve a church there and the community there. It was wonderful to see students step up, love on some kids, and just be the hands and feet of Jesus. I was proud of my seniors (and the juniors).

I'm not really sure what Matt and Ryan's job was or why they were holding these signs, but they did a good job at it!

And these girls did a GREAT job at stuffing hot dog buns with hot dogs!

Chaney and I were neighbors when we were little, and it seems like just yesterday I was playing with her in the backyard. I can't believe she's graduating so soon!

After some lunch with my parents, I headed back to the church on Sunday afternoon to celebrate Drew and Alli. And boy were they celebrated well! It was a wonderful shower, and this was most of their stuff--minus a rake and some cards!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! 

February Fun!

I wanted to post this on Monday, so I could do a "Miscellany Monday" post. But, alas, here we are, on Friday, and I'm just now posting this. So, pretend it's a Monday and this is miscellaneous and random and has no real flow.

Valentine's Decorations--my dad gave me that awesome chalkboard for Christmas, and I like the idea of decorating it with the seasons. (It's also going to be used at Hannah's wedding. Speaking of Hannah's wedding, my bridesmaid's dress came and I'm so excited! H+J's big day is getting close!!)

I decided to make a journal like this and write it in every day (or every other day) this year after seeing it on Pinterest. I have NO idea where I saw it because I don't think I repinned it. So I came up with my own, and I just write in it each day, add a few scrapbooking stickers, etc. I've been doing this since January 1st, and I JUST realized that I forgot the "e" in the word grateful. I can't believe it. 

Throwback Thursday--hello Robin's Mom jeans. Don't ya just love 'em? Circa 1997 people. 

MBM--in case I don't post again until after next Tuesday, happy birthday to the sweet Mary Beth!!

Super Bowl Commercials--What were your favorites? These two were mine. 

I'm headed off to DNOW to spend the weekend with my senior girls! I'm excited to spend this weekend with them--one of their last events in the student ministry. Have a wonderful weekend!