Finals.. Part Uno

So being a freshman in college, I have not yet experienced the hectic, crazy feeling of finals week.  Until Now.  All was well this past week, and I was feeling confident and ready for this week.  Now, it is sunday night and I have all my flashcards made and materials put together, but I have no motivation to actually study the flashcards or materials... Boo.

So instead, I cleaned my room, did some laundry, ate a snack, and now I'm back to the same situation as before: the flashcards staring up at me as I neglect to flip through them... It's a painful sight.  Thankfully I only have one final tomorrow, and I get to use a cheat sheet.  So maybe by the time I finish that one, I'll feel more motivated to study for the other ones.. Probably not, but hopefully. :)

P.S.  I've made the decision to attempt to post at least once a week (Sunday).  Wish me luck!

Appreciate your Life

Lately, I have been noticing several signs being thrown at me to help others appreciate what they have.  I know we all have days when we wish we weren't stuck at school or work, when we wish we could just lay in bed all day, when we wish we could just forget everything... but those are the days we have to remember that God gave us what we have for a reason.  Now I'm not talking about the days when you feel sick and you just want your mommy there to give you medicine; I'm talking about the times when you just feel like you don't give a you know what and you just wish you could go back to bed and wake up on another day. 

God makes the good days good, and the bad days bad.  He controls our lives and what we're given.  It's all for His purpose.  We need to accept His wishes and make the best of what we've been given.  Don't try to throw your imperfections on others or make excuses for your actions.  You have the choice to accept God's challenge to live your life for Him, or to be that sorry kid who wishes she knew what she was doing with her life.  Be open to the challenges that you're facing.  Be thankful. Be appreciative.  And spread the good news.  Our God is an awesome God and through Him we can achieve all good. :)

BEcome Aware.

Don't judge a book by its cover.  Get to know people before you judge them, better yet, don't ever judge them.  You don't know their struggles or pains.  You don't know their past.  Be a friend.  Listen.

(Unknown)

Thanksgiving break was wonderful, but it was such a teaser! Coming back to my dorm felt oddly like returning home after a vacation.  I don't know if I like how that felt. Now I'm up to my ears in studying, projects, and papers.  Ugh.  Should have been on top of things.

Now that I'm back, I begin to realize who some of my new friends are and who some of my new "friends" are.  Yes, there was a slight difference there. Good eyes! My new friends are the ones that I missed and feel the need to reconnect with, while my new "friends" were the ones that, honestly, I didn't miss at all.. I actually dreaded coming back to deal with them.  But I guess that's how life goes; you win some, you lose some.

However, I am very grateful for the friends that I did miss. Surprisingly, I missed that house full of rough and tough teddy bears on S. College... Even their dirty dishes! (Well, maybe not that far..)  And I was ecstatic to go over and see their new bunked couches.

Very interesting to say the least.  And of course I missed my roommate.  We were up late last night (like usual) diddly daddling around and giggling when nothing is funny.  Typical stuff.

As for what's in the future, I am pleased to say that I will be hosting my first visitor next weekend! AND, attending my first ugly sweater party! Yesssss! Two goals accomplished in one weekend. I love being productive. Can't wait to see you Susan!!!!

Shopping to the Extreme!

I am now very proud to announce that I am thankful for SHOPPING! Yes! Who doesn't love shopping? The thrill of searching for items through crowded stores and loads of people. It's such a rush! And then finding the perfect top or even the cutest necklace. It makes you feel accomplished. Simply stated.

This year, our annual shopping trip was with a much smaller crowd than usual, but it was still just as fun, nonetheless.  Olive Garden was simply amazing, and as always, the hot tub was bubbly at the end of the night. :) 

The only cousins available for shopping.. It was sad. But it was fun! Danielle (middle) and Bridget (left), and Liz (not pictured) came along for a bit as well.  

All in all, I bought waaaaay too much, ate waaaaaaay too much, and entirely waaaaaaay too much fun. But this is one of those occasions you stick in the pot of good ones that you'll remember when you're 50 years old and you're taking your own grandkids shopping for christmas every year. I can't wait for it to be my turn! (well, lets be honest. I can wait. I'm just a little excited. Heat of the moment kind of thing. I can't wait for the rest of my life to begin! Eeeeeeeekk!)

And of course, to top off the entire trip, Bridget and myself took a classy picture. And classy is the only word worthy of our amazingness. 

Daddy's Little Girl

Today is my dad's birthday! So you can probably guess what I'm thankful for today... DAD! Yes! I am so thankful for having a father who has always been there for me, through thick and thin, through sadness and joy, and of course letting me make my own mistakes.

Dad and I have always had an unspoken alliance (sorry mom).  When it was his weekend off, he would take me and my brother to Sam's Place for egg, bacon, and cheese sandwiches early in the morning.  Then we would waste the rest of the day running errands and mowing the grass, and eventually, we would end up at Creekside for a beverage.  My favorite was always a Big Red.

As time passed, my brother and I became more involved in our school and sports and our saturdays would be spent at football games, volleyball games, wrestling matches, swim meets, and track meets.  I always knew I could count on Dad to be at every event to cheer me on.  And then Sundays would be spent at Grandma's house playing in the dirt.  Dad taught me how to drive the mule, the four wheeler, and how to fish.  I would probably be some girly-girl who was afraid of the dark (hehehe) without his guidance growing up.

Don't get me wrong, I love my mother and all she's done for me just as equally.  Every girl needs to experience her first over-night shopping trip and the purchase of her first homecoming dress, but she also needs her dad to show her how special she really is.  So thank you Lord, for letting me have the best daddy in the whole world! I love you Dad, and happy birthday!

Family Ties

Another thing I am thankful for is my family.  Not just my mom or dad, but EVERYONE.  I'm thankful for every moment I get to spend with each and every one of them as well.  I am so blessed to have grandparents on one side that have a cabin we can go to on the weekends, and of course for having everyone live so close to home.  We love spending time together and creating unforgettable memories.  Some of my favorites include cooking spaghetti on the fire, splitting wood, swimming in the pond, and visiting my other grandparents in Michigan.  I love spending time with everyone and laughing about the little things that most people overlook.  So thank you Lord, for the good times and the bad.  They're all worth it in the end. :)