Currently...

I ran across this post that I wrote around this same time last year, and I decided to do it again this year to compare the differences!

Reading: Restless: Because You Were Made For More, by Jennie Allen. This book is incredible. Here's my favorite quote so far: 

"God is accomplishing a thousand tiny purposes at any given moment around us. There is only so much we can know, but we can leave the stuff we can't know to God and believe He has it all worked out. It may feel quiet, and we possibly even feel forgotten, but God is moving to work out His plans all around us. What is our part? Trust." 

Listening to: The Art of Celebration by Rend Collective which just came out yesterday. It is FANTASTIC. Hop on over to iTunes and buy it. Also, Tides by Bethel Music is pretty good. It's only $4.99 on iTunes. You can't beat a deal like that. 


Eating/Drinking: Baked Lay's BBQ Potato Chips and anything caffeinated...I need as much caffeine as possible to survive student teaching. 

Cooking: One Pan Chicken Alfredo.  This is one of the BEST pinterest recipes I have ever made. I will definitely be making this one again.

Running: Every now and then...I had a plan to become better at running this year, but let's be real, it's not happening. I ran some the other day at boot camp. I have all these dreams of being a cool runner, but I never put forth the time/effort to become one. Maybe one day.

Writing: Lesson plans, lesson plans, and more lesson plans. And reflections about lesson plans. It's all about lesson plans. 

Feeling: Ready for spring break, a little sad because Hannah + Jonathan  are moving, and sort of old because Jack turns FIVE in a couple of weeks. Five, people, five. 

Wearing: Gap, Old Navy, or JCrew pants + cardigans. #teacherlife

Missing: Camp, Australia, my besties, and free time. 

Wanting: To have my new iPhone...just trying to be honest here, people. 

Learning: How to trust those around me and how to trust the Lord COMPLETELY. 

Enjoying: Good books, evenings with friends, time at work, and catching up with some of my favorites. 

a few weeks in

I'm not sure whether going back to school after Christmas is worse than going back to school after the summer. Christmas break is such a tease to me. It's a wonderful time of the year, and so many of my friends are home. You eat good food, you make lots of memories, you turn a year older, etc. And then just like that it's over. In the summer, it's weeks and months of doing that, so I'm kind of ready for the routine again. Either way, I'm still partially in denial that I'm in the third week of spring semester. Part of it has to do with a canceled class and MLK day. Hopefully next week will be normal, and I'll be back in a routine.

Anyway, I've been enjoying people and life as much as I possibly can despite having to go to class. Pictures below prove this statement:

Casie, Jack, and Joe took me out for birthday ice cream. LOVE that family. 

;)

I went to camp last weekend, and it SNOWED.

Running ground school for the ropes course in 30 degrees will make you look like you're headed to the arctic. 

I also spent some time learning more about my job for the summer!!!

Have you ever heard of Graze? It's a company that sends you healthy snacks. You get your first box free. It was SO good! I really enjoyed these snacks!

"I Like You" by Ben Rector, my most recent favorite

2013 Year in Review

2013 was a fab year. In January, I wrote this, "21, you've been nothing short of fantastic so far! I cannot wait to see all the fun things that come with your year!"

This year was incredibly fun. I made and met some incredible new friends, God worked in magnificent ways, I fell in love with a beautiful place, and I continued on this journey that God has called me to. There are some things I wish had taken place during 2013, but they didn't, and I'm just going to have to be content in where he has me this year. So, without further ado, a look back on some of the highlights of 2013! 

January: I turned 21!

February: I led my senior girls in their last DNOW! 

March: Drew got married, and my BD and his wife got saved!

April: Kaila and I went to Atlanta, and I threw Hannah a bridal shower. 

May: I went to Hilton Head twice, and Hannah got MARRIED!

June: I went to camp!

July: I was still at camp!

August: I went back to camp for a weekend, and I went to Florida for Labor Day Weekend. 

September: I went to camp again (clearly I fell in love with camp this year).

October: I started my student teaching (and SURVIVED it).

November: I spent a lot of time with the Dukes at camp, and I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner! 

December: I hosted the FIFTH Annual Tacky Sweater Christmas Party!

2013, you really were great. I made some awesome best friends, I slept outside two times too many, I stood by one of my best friends as she got married, I drove to Asheville and back too many times to count, I had two of my best semesters in college, I read as often as I could, I cooked a 20 pound turkey, I was a student teacher for five weeks, I made it a full summer at camp, I watched my birth dad and his wife get baptized, I became an even bigger fan of phone dates and spur-of-the-moment visits, I spent more money at Gap then I should have, I joined a new church, and I made as many fantastic memories as possible. 2014, I cannot wait to see all the joy and fun you bring! 

Post Finals

Finals week is over, and I feel like I finally have my life back. This semester was incredibly tough in that it was so time consuming, but it is OVER. I have officially read 8 books in the last 10 or so days, and I'm currently working on books 9 and 10. It's so nice to read for pleasure!!! When I'm not reading, I've been spending some time working and hanging out with friends. I plan to enjoy every single minute of this Christmas break and not think about school ONCE!

 We made Christmas trees out of ice cream cones and icing and lots of sprinkles. I love these boys, and I love spending time with them!

This picture CRACKS ME UP. It's from our Thanksgiving dinner, and I think it's hilarious at how Kaila and I are making basically the same face. 

AUBURN WON THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP.

We decided to roll a tree at my parents' house (making our own Toomer's Corner), and one of my parents' neighbors, whom we've never met, drove by, yelled War Eagle, and joined in rolling Toomer's with us. 

Can't wait for Pasadena! 

And it's official! I'm going back to camp next year!

Miscellany Monday

I'm linking up with Carissa for Miscellany Monday today!

1. Well hello there blog. I sure have missed you, but you had to take a backseat for a couple of weeks due to finals. But no fear, I'm back because I am DONE! The semester is finally OVER, and I am thrilled. Now just to wait on grades (although I do know I have an A in at least one class).

2. These cuties had some pictures taken. Enough said. #proudAshAsh

3. Sweet Maggie rocked it in her musical a few weekends ago. I can hardly believe this is her last one at ACS!

4. I got to spend the day at Camp! It was so pretty, even though it was raining and I didn't really go outside of the Dining Hall. Only 25 days left until I'm there for the summer! 

5. I'm grateful that I go to college in Augusta because I don't have to say goodbye to my college friends for the summer. Well, not for the whole summer. I've got a good chunk of time before I head to camp and after camp before classes start that I can spend with them. I'm planning to soak up every minute!

6. This girl gets MARRIED in like 11 days! Eleven days!!! AHHH. We're headed to the beach this weekend to have "one last fling until the ring". Craziness, I tell you. How on earth are we this old?

7. When Ash Ash picks you up from school, you get a surprise! 

8. Roadtripped with Robin yesterday for a baby shower. She claims she was "watching the road by watching the rearview mirror". 

9. Loving this quote by Francis Chan: 

"It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn't call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace."

FINALLY.

I'm finally on Spring Break. FINALLY. One of the pros/cons about living in Augusta is that you have spring break during Masters Week. While this is all fine and dandy if you rent your house out for the week, it stinks when you're a college student and you haven't had a break since MLK day in January. After seeing ALL of my high school friends come home during their spring breaks or Easter weekend, I was so ready for mine! And it's finally here. Here's a little recap on the past couple of weeks...

This sweet boy turned TWO two weeks ago. I can't believe it's been two years since I headed to the hospital on a Saturday morning to meet this little guy. We got together and celebrated him + big brother Jack (whose birthday is two weeks after Joe's) last week. I sure do love those sweet boys. 

My dad and I picked up a mattress and box spring for a friend the other day. We shoved that thing in my car to shut the door. That resulted in us having to pull our seats forward and be jammed in the car. This picture doesn't show the situation completely, but it was quite hilarious.

We also celebrated my dad's birthday during Easter weekend. Happy Birthday to the best dad out there!!

This describes springtime in Augusta perfectly! It's officially Masters week. More than likely, I won't head to the beautiful greens this week and watch any golf there, but I will soak up every minute of this break. I'll be working a lot, hanging out with some fabulous new-ish friends, cleaning my house, and doing some DIY pinterest-inspired projects. I cannot wait! 

Happy April, friends! Enjoy the beautiful weather before it gets TOO hot. 

Drew + Alli

I know I've mentioned it before, but Drew is like the brother I've never had. I am grateful for him and our "siblingship", and I am so glad that I got to play a small part in his and Alli's wedding. Drew is by far the most excited groom I've ever met! The wedding planner said that he was the most excited groom she'd ever worked with (and she's done LOTS of weddings). Needless to say, his joy was contagious, and I don't think there was a single person who wasn't the tiniest bit excited for Drew and Alli.

The wedding festivities started off Friday night with the rehearsal dinner. It's crazy to think that it's been almost five years since we did this for Casie and Graham!

Managed to grab a pic with the happy groom about 2 hours before the ceremony!

Alli looked gorgeous. She was absolutely stunning. 

I loved getting to see them come out. They were so excited!!

Sweet friends at the reception.

And another!

Ahh, the happy couple!!!!

I didn't get a pic with the blazer, but this boy rocked that and the bow tie. SO stinkin cute!!!

Congratulations, Drew and Alli! What an absolutely perfect day!