Reminiscing.

WARNING: The stress and anxiety that these last few weeks of school are going to bring (and are already bringing) will be reflected throughout this post.

This year is quickly coming to a close and I honestly can't quite wrap my mind around it. Seeing this year's seniors posting about prom and graduation makes me feel incredibly... nostalgic, homesick, old. I can remember these same events of my senior year, just one year ago, so perfectly. A year couldn't have possibly passed by already... Right? But it has.

And in that year I have gone through so many transformations. These have mostly been really great. It's so incredible that I have had the opportunity to move three hours away, encounter Christ in a way that I never imagined happening, build so many amazing friendships, and just grow up a little bit. I wouldn't change any of that for the world.

It's sad, though, that the relationships with the friends that I have had my entire life have changed in their dynamic. It's sad that I don't get to see my family as often as I would like. It's sad that I no longer live in the comfort of the home which I grew up and don't know as of now when my next extended stay there will even be. It is these things that I can't get off my mind lately.

SO, I have decided that rather than being sad about it, I am going to put up some pretty sweet pictures from my senior year. And I will be happy in remembering that I got to experience these things with some pretty incredible people. Because you guys are all awesome and I want you to know how much I miss you.

Anna, Anna, Short Hair. And other things interesting.

Well, I've been inspired folks. I was inspired by my beautiful sister-in-law Aimee to chop all my hair off. Okay, I didn't chop it ALL off like she did, but doesn't she look great? Check out the link. Next step, tattoo! Just kidding. Maybe in 8 years.

As for other things interesting, I have been up to a lot of school work. It has been a busy couple of weeks and it's not about to slow down. Bring it on, school! I am just about ready to be out of here and off the Colorado for the summer. However, that thought is starting to bring a little anxiety. The thought of moving to another state is a tad bit frightening, but none-the-less exciting.

Since being back to school, I have also got to do some fun things like:

-Put bologna on my face (its not really bologna, but you can see what I'm talking about here. Isn't Morgan awesome?)

-Attend birthday parties for Aimee, Katie, Sarah and Carter.

Birthday party for our three FLG April babies.

-Spend time with my amazing core group, consisting of the fabulous Tori Vaughan and the joyous Margaret Bedwell. We spent an awesome Saturday morning at Capen.

This girl has been such a blessing to me.

-And enjoy a terrific Thursday afternoon at The Campus Lutheran Church for Mizzou Prayer Week.

Pray Without Ceasing.

God has placed some pretty phenomenal people in my life. So many adjectives.

Today is game day. Ohhh Yeah. Me+ multiple Plaza Canvas Groupies + various others will be spending our evening in St. Louis. Happy Friday, game day, beginning of the weekend! Love you guys!

Cardinal Nation.
(Special thanks to T. Vaughan)

My spring break thus far.

It's only Monday night, but my Ash Grove spring break SO FAR has been full of:

Family time.
Thrifting.
Much needed rest & time with the Lord.
Podcasts.
Crafts.
Trying to make an effort to work out,
But there is snow outside, so that makes things interesting.
& Living vicariously through all my friends on all of their trips.
       (I am SO happy to be home, but it is still fun checking up on everyone.)

I really don't have much to talk about other than show you some pictures of my sweet come up I found at a thrift store in Springfield Saturday.

Check. these. out.

I can honestly say that I have never been so excited about a thrift store find in my life. 

I did cut them because they went down to my knees.

Anyway, you can't tell me those aren't going to be cool. 

Well, you can, but I won't believe you.

I also made the wrap bracelet here ^ yesterday. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it's pretty cool.

I think so anyways.

Besides these two things, I have also made two pairs of shorts from jeans I found thrifting. I would post pictures, but I really feel like the two selfies I already have on here are probably enough.
Sorry if you are a guy who just suffered through this post and have no care in the world about what I have been doing with my time. Or if you are a girl too, I guess. The overalls were worth it right? RIGHT.

For those of you on break, enjoy it!
For those of you who aren't, keep pushing through! Summer is almost here. I think (if it will ever stop snowing).


SMILE :)
And leave a comment if you're feeling really generous ;)

This will take two seconds.

I'm tired of studying.

My spring break starts in 41 and a half hours.

If you live in the general vicinity of Springfield and are reading this, I probably want to see you next week. So you should text me and distract me from my studies. Like, now.

Also, I realized this today:
Two months ago today I was driving back to Columbia after a six week break to start my second semester here at Mizzou. Two months from today will be my first day working in Colorado for the summer. That means SOON. Whoa.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Also, safe traveling to those friends of mine who will be going to Honduras, Memphis, and other various places over their spring breaks!

My home-girl Katie. (She's one of the people going to Honduras
next week)

Cotton House with some really cool girls.

Cotton House with some really cool mustaches.

"Transformation Tuesday" with my momma. I miss her tons on tons.

P.S. I really love it when people comment on my blog. So if you should ever feel so inclined... I wouldn't mind. :)


Back to studying!

Feeling Passionate.

Right now my head is wondering how I am even going to formulate my thoughts on where to start.

(5 minutes later)

I'll start here.

Last week, I got an email back from the YMCA in Colorado. When I originally applied for jobs there for the summer I had no intention of getting my first choice at the Craft Shop. I had heard that it was pretty hard to get a job there, especially if you don't apply super early. However, I got an email back last week telling me that I got it! Not only that, but I will be working there with three other girls from The Rock, which is basically unheard of. I was, and still am, beyond excited. There was one kicker, of course. Because I got that job, I will be leaving for Colorado earlier than anticipated. I finish my last final on May 16th and start work in Estes Park on May 20th. That's CRAZY, but I can't give up my whole summer just because I was hoping to have a little more time at home. Still though, boo. Just kidding, I am so blessed and so fortunate to have this opportunity. Really.

The next thing.

School. More than ever, I have been feeling so interested in learning. I know, it's weird. Don't get me wrong, I do not enjoy all of my classes, but my history and education classes in particular... I wish I just went to those all the time. It is so reassuring to feel this way though. I am quickly becoming very passionate about teaching and about education. I never expected that to happen. Now, that being said, I may decide that I don't want to teach for my entire life. Maybe administration, counseling, ministry? or something crazy like that could still happen. In fact, I would say that my options are really, well, open. I'm just leaving it up to God and following His plan for my present. And I'm pretty sure I'm hearing Him clearly. 

And another.

Okay, so speaking of history. If you have not seen my most recent facebook status I urge you to take a peak. (Here's the link). I have no idea why I got so excited about Dr. Loewen's talk, but I really did. It is a shame that such things took place in America's history, and really still take place today. BUT, I think it is our duty as citizens today to own up to our mistakes, acknowledge them, and make improvements for our future. Some people think it is better not to bring such issues up at all, but I must say that I disagree. I think it is important. Then again, I love history, so my opinion may be slightly biased. 

This week has been crazy. Little sleep. Paper writing. Test studying. Meetings with God. Etc, etc. I would not have it any other way though. Who needs sleep anyways when you have COFFEE? (And a permanently burnt tongue). I have a really bad habit of trying to drink my coffee and tea before it has cooled enough to drink. Oops.

St. Patrick's Day and a Cotton House Party this weekend. One more busy week of school. Then spring break. That's a nice line up right there if I do say so myself. 

P.S. This video is hilarious. And so true. I love my life, haha. Have a good sense of humor.