January 25, 2013

Several Smiles...on Friday night

This day felt like a fail. I woke up with a 103.1 fever, I slept all day and could barely eat anything, and I missed my very first C-Stone game.

But, all bad things must come to an end! ;) I got to watch the last 30 minutes of an amazing, close, tense ballgame thanks to Skype and smart phones. We won!! I would have LOVED to be there, but considering I totally slept through the first half, it's a good thing I didn't go. :P

Here are some smiles:

That feeling after you take medicine, when you start sweating and you know your fever just broke. And also when your stomach growls :) Aleve, you are my friend. • Seeing/watching my friends tonight, being there with them thanks to modern technology • The technology fast our teen group just did - post on that to come • talking to Stephen on the phone for a long time this afternoon • the way both of my brothers make a point to say "I love you" before hanging up the phone (just talked to big brother #2 :)) • when Jackson just wants to sit in my lap • knowing my dad's bringing me home something cold and sweet to drink. Starts with a raspberry and ends with a tea. Eee!!! :) • the way my mom treats me like I'm 12 when I'm sick instead of 20. When I'm not living at home, and I get sick, I'm totally coming back here and laying on the couch :P (p.s. who else feels completely guilty when they're sick? Worst part about it!) • Being so close to my friends that I don't even care when they see me all nasty and sick (but there is a chance that they don't think that's such a good thing) • My nephews. I say it all the time, but they are the best little things ever • looking at old pictures • coloring (yes, in a coloring book. Don't judge.) • quotes, I just LOVE quotes!


January 14, 2013

Extra Birthday

Tonight, I thought that Mama, Amie, Christine, and I were going out to eat with a lady from church that I used to help babysit for. Amie and I have helped Mrs. Joanna keep some of her grandchildren for going on three years now, but this fall I had to stop because I began working at the church. I love that family to death, and I really miss going over there!

ANYWAY... she invited us to eat supper with her at Tully's Bistro, except when we get there, a bunch of my friends were waiting, and they surprised me for a (belated) birthday party! Here are a few quick pictures from tonight, it was super fun and special, and I loved it!

 Me and Mrs. Joanna :)
 On the left: Mama, Christine, Faith, Diana, Hannah, and Sarah
On the right: Mrs. Joanna, me, Kaci, (Amie taking the picture), and Grace


 Diana and Hannah
 Grace and Amie

The food was yummy! Yes, I have a huge bite in my mouth, we're all human, right? ;)

January 13, 2013

January 5, 2013

My 20th Birthday

Fun Fact: In 1993, 20 years ago today, I was the first baby of the year born in our town. It's kind of a small town. ;)

Look at the Google homepage - isn't that cool? :) I had no idea they did this.


I had a wonderful birthday!! It started with sleeping in (of course ;)) and then homemade doughnut holes! (I get those once a year. ;))

For supper we had bbq, fries, mac-n-cheese, and of course, strawberry lemonade cupcakes. :) As long as my meal included fries and cupcakes, I was a happy camper!

Here are some pictures of the gifts I recieved:

Alternative down comforter, Jimmy Stewart & "It's A Wonderful Life" pics, macadamia oil hair mask, hoodie, and an eyeshadow palette! Someone tell my family they spoil me too much!  
 Willow Tree by Demdaco nativity starter set
The colors in my eyeshadow palette - all but one of them is matte!
My brother has quite the sense of humor. ;) 

 I found these on my desk and car yesterday. The candle is from JD, and the glass is from Drew :)
Who else feels kind of awkward on their birthday? :P
  This was the most fun thing ever, of course! :)

All in all, I had an amazing 20th birthday! I'm sad not to be a teen anymore, but I'm hoping for my 20's to be just as outstanding as my teens. Thanks to everyone who texted/emailed/called/IMed me today - I love all of you!!

January 3, 2013

Things I Love Thursday ♥

I feel like I'm traveling back in time. A couple of years ago, I randomly started doing Things I Love Thursday, and for exactly one year, I never missed a Thursday. I wish I still had those old lists, because I know I'd still be repeating many of the same things. Happiness comes with change, but some of the deepest joy can be found in things that stay the same. Here is my list for this week. There won't be a Seven Smiles on Saturday...I'm sorry I haven't been doing that as regularly as I promised. Life gets in the way some times, and I wanted to take the time, right now before I go to bed, to share with you the Things I Love Thursday.

My friends.

At Our Generation Summit

They're the best!

My family.

You've seen my immediate family in plenty of pictures, but here's an extended version of my mom's side (Grandparents, grandkids, and great-grandkids):


 Other things include:

cream soda from a glass bottle • old fashioned preaching, singing, worshiping • that moment when your eyes are opened to the vast expanse of your blessings • meeting strangers, and having one common burden and desire: win people to our great God • organization • washing your face at the end of a long day • waking up and still having 2 hours of sleep left • goals for an amazing 2013 • those moments in a car, by myself, just soaking up the words to a song • my nephews, they will never know quite how they brighten up a day • quotes • missions • my church family, I love my church family so very, very much • these lyrics:

"Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross."