Christmas was amazing. It was such a fun Christmas for everyone. I guess you could say this is the first part in a two part series of Christmas posts. Get excited.

Christmas Eve we went to the city nearby and ate at Red Lobster and had a family movie day at the theater. The bestie came and it was so much fun. The parking lot at Red Lobster also provided a great setting for a family photo op. (Although I look like a creeper in this one.)

Now enter Christmas morning. I so was not awake yet.

I don?t know why but my dad?s face in this picture makes me laugh.

My mom got a Willow Tree Angel. The funny this was, we bought each other the same gift this year. We both wanted the Josh Groban Christmas CD, and we got it for each other for Christmas.

This next picture makes me laugh so hard. This was after Eli had opened up all of his presents thinking he did not get a PS2. This was the only gift he wanted all year. It was the last thing he got. This picture was taken after he opened it, turned bright red, squealed, and gave my parents a hug and began to cry.

Last but not least is what had to be the best part of Christmas. My dad is one of the hardest people to buy for. My dad is very much Mr. Practical, so the only thing he wanted this year was a new bike. This spurred forth my creative side, so I ?pimped? his ride for Christmas.

I added a basket, two horns, a bright orange flag, and a license plate that reads ?Mista E.?

I also got money in the mail from my grandparents, an Old Navy giftcard from the birthdad, and a Macy?s giftcard from my Mimi. On facebook I got several Christmas presents. I think the funniest one was from my friend Jonathan because we both sent each other the same gift; a ?fancy dinner with Denzel Washington?. So funny.

It was an amazing Christmas.

yay for progress

Originally posted September 20th, 2007

Things I want to do before this time next year:

• Go to the ballet.


• Travel to another country


• spend a chilly Saturday afternoon at the art museum


• Make the Dean?s List


• attend a church service of a different faith


• Own a red pea coat


• Go on another mission trip


• attend an Opera


• be involved with a service project


• memorize a chapter of the Bible


• save 1,000 dollars


• Tell people how I really feel about certain things


• passionately pursue the Lord


• trust and obey.

Goodness. It is hard to believe that only a few more weeks and this year will be over. I cannot tell you how quickly this semester flew by. This was a trying semester in many ways, and my grades show it. I guess I am happy with them overall, but I do see areas that I need to work on, and things I will not do again. (Think everyday Civ at 8am) It feels wonderful to be at home, although most of us are sick. It is nice to be able to sleep whenever and not have a set schedule. Everyone is asleep and I am watching a movie with my parents, while snuggling with my sweet baby. It is so nice to be at home.

I have also discovered my love for Shakespeare. They are offering a class next semester over it and I am thinking about taking it.

These are my rain boots galoshes. I bought them several months ago but had yet to actually wear them until a few weeks ago. Since then I have come to have a sweet love affair with my rain boots. I wear them everywhere. They are so comfy and you can wear them with everything. (Including a red dress that I wore them with to church, much to my mother?s dismay.) I was told by a seven year old that they are not rain boots but galoshes. She advised me to call them galoshes because that it a fun word to say, I had to agree with her.

Life is beginning to slow down, but only a little bit. But in the midst of it all this is what is going through my heart and mind.

Will you come and let me be?

Can I be the change you want to see?

I want to use my talents,

And not let them fade,

For what use is a sundial in the shade?

The world needs to change,

and it can?t be done with me being here,

Sitting around basking in my fear

Help me lay aside my trepidation,

And turn it into your glorification

Your love for me is never ending,

So I will obey even though my future is pending

The unknown does tend to scare and frighten,

But with your love and protection my path doth brighten

Here I go about to shoot, the shot that will be heard,

As I go and spread Your word

Teach me to love with the love that only you give,

As I strive to glorify You in the way I live

Help me to live a life pleasing to You,

And not let my own wants to proceed through

I know I?m sinful, and sometimes unkind,

But with Your grace I am able to fit in Your grand design

Your plans for me I cannot dismiss,

For such a time is this

It took lots of coffee and several dance parties by myself, but, I finished the hardest part of studying for finals at 4 am this morning.

Earlier in the day my mom walked by and made the comment that our kitchen looked like Modern Europe and The Age of Reason exploded in our kitchen.

Note to self:

take a breath.

finals end Wednesday.

and if at all possible don?t collapse on yourself like a dying star.

I miss the history of Rome. I was neat and pretty, and you were easily able to tie it up in a bow and place it on the shelf.

The world just got messy from there on out.

Really messy.

I?m scared, but I?m back, and trying, though it may be oh so slow. No one may get that but me, and thats okay.

Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but

You, You are big enough

I, I am weak but

You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams

Come and give them wings

~

?For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel?not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.?

1 Cor. 1:17

?My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.?

2 Cor. 12:8b