Valentine's Day ♥

 aka "Single Awareness Day". ;) I'm not one of those people who hates this holiday because I'm single, I don't mope around and act like my world is terrible, I usually just act sarcastic about it and joke with my single friends. That said, I don't exactly love Valentine' Day yet, either. I can celebrate it with my family/friends, and apply the love to them, but to be honest, Valentine's Day is advertised as a holiday for couples, and I'm ok with that. My day will come!

Sometimes, it's not the most fun thing to do, wait. I can't say it's not easy, because really, what's to waiting? You just go on with your life and you hope someone shows up (sooner rather than later, if we're honest). It's not FUN, but it's not HARD. 

One of my favorite quotes recently has been "If you're not happy single, you won't be happy taken. Happiness comes from within, not from men."

There are so many girls and boys who search for someone to date. My dad calls it "shopping", and that's pretty much what it is. They go from boyfriend to girlfriend, through breakups, to love, and all over again because their definition of love is warped. Love is one of the greatest gifts God gave us. I personally don't think a 14 year old girl really knows if she's "in love" with a 15 year old boy. Love, true love, is a mature emotion that grows and deepens with time. That's why I'm ok with waiting. When the time comes for me to be in love, I want it to be real, and I don't want anyone to have to question or wonder at the depth of that love.

I once had a Sunday School teacher use the illustration of a paper heart. He described dating around like this: When you meet and "fall in love" with someone, you're giving them a piece of your heart. He tore off a little piece of the paper and threw it away. What if that relationship doesn't work out? Your heart is no longer whole. You meet someone else, the same thing all over again. Another little piece of your heart, thrown away. The more times this happens, the more of your heart that's gone. Then one day, finally, you meet The One. You fall in love - real love - and you get engaged. On your wedding day, you officially give him/her your heart. But it isn't whole. There's only a small part of what once was. 

Someday, I will give my whole heart to someone. There will be no missing pieces, just one strong, beating heart, ready to be placed in the hands of a man I love and trust.

For the girls that read my blog, I have a list of books that have helped/encouraged me. I might not agree with every single little thing in every single one in them, but for the most part, they're very good books. I would love it if you would get one/all of them, read them, and let me know what you think. I LOVE talking about books!

Lady in Waiting: Becoming God's Best While Waiting for Mr. Right  by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones

For Young Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice
This book isn't as much about being single as it is practical advice for unmarried girls. Pretty much a lot of stuff that my dad has been telling me for years, this book just put it all in perspective. It's full of surveys and questions they asked a bunch of guys, and you'd be surprised at how helpful it is!

Preparing to be a Helpmeet by Debi Pearl
You may have heard of her book "Created to be a Helpmeet". This book is for younger, newlywed or unmarried girls.

Praying for your Future Husband: Preparing You Heart for His by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer
I'm going to go ahead and say that this one is my favorite, and yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that Robin Jones Gunn is one of my all-time favorite authors. This is an amazing book that teaches us how to pray for our future husbands, what to pray, and why we should be praying it.

I hope this blog entry wasn't too weird! I'm beginning to think I fail at blogging (it's been 10 days since my last post!) but I had a few minutes during work this morning and this was the result. This is me, and I'm always nervous putting stuff like this out there, but this time I really wanted to. I hope everyone - single or not - has a FANTASTIC Valentine's Day! I'll be spending my evening with three little boys, how are you celebrating?

Chocolate Toffee Saltine Candy

I made something in the kitchen tonight! Since I've been completely out of ideas for blogging recently, I thought I would share this recipe. It's realllyyy good! :)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Here's what you will need:

2. Line your cookie sheet with aluminum foil and begin heating the butter and sugar in the saucepan. Line the cookie sheet with the crackers, making them touch and getting them as close together as you can.

2. Take a moment to look at the heart you drew on your ring finger, eat some candy, and feel festive about Valentine's Day. (keep stirring the butter and sugar occasionally)

3. When the butter/sugar mixture has come to a boil and is foamy all the way through, spoon over crackers. Do this quickly before it hardens, and make sure you completely cover all the crackers. (Don't worry if the crackers slide around and get out of place, mine did.) Place in the oven for 5-6 minutes or until it starts bubbling.

4. Crush your heath bar.

5. Pull the crackers out of the oven and quickly, while it's hot, put the chocolate and peanut butter chips on top. Do this quickly to use the heat to melt the chips. Begin spreading the chocolate as it melts.

5. Sprinkle the heath pieces beautifully on the top. Put it in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes or until the chocolate hardens.

6. Take it out of the fridge, break into pieces, and Viola! Yummers! This is really good! I hope you try it, if you do let me know and tell me how you like it! :)

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!

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? ;)

Sm:)e

Our guests this weekend...

JACE

 

 JACKSON

 

TANNER

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!!

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."