Some BIG but little News

In my last blog post, "Full of Life", I asked the Lord for an opportunity to get involved in more things in my community and boy did he make it happen. I have been so caught up in everything that's going on that I haven't been able to update everyone (mainly family) about what is going on in my life. I have a lot to share so bare with me, I'm excited to let all of you know what is happening and why I have been so busy!

Last week had a lot of firsts for me. On Monday, I interviewed for a JV softball assistant coaching position at Fuqua (the school I lead Young Life at) and I started only hours later as the first base coach! So far the girls have gone 3-0 in their regular season, for fear of jinxing anything I am stopping myself short. It's hard being superstitious. Second, on Tuesday I signed up for my senior year of classes. SENIOR YEAR. I am on track to graduate early and I am doing it! A lot of people ask me "why?!" like I'm crazy for wanting to leave college a whole year early. Well, you're probably right I am crazy and I might go crazy this summer while I am taking 4 classes to catch up a little, but it will cost me a lot less in the long run. Of course I don't want to leave, in fact I really love Longwood, why would I want to leave a school like this? (P.S. for those of you that are looking for potential places to call home after high school, I would love to show you around Longwood, just let me know). Third, I am in the process of re-branding, and making a brand new, prettier, portfolio and blog site!!! I AM SO EXCITED! Thankfully, I am in a class here at Longwood where I am working with web design and producing a new portfolio to keep everyone up to date and have a better way of showing potential employers what I have to offer. So, be looking out for that as well. I don't want to give you too many hints, it will just have to be a secret until it's all done and finished!

Full of Life

Oh, how times flies. I know I haven't posted on the blog in a while and let me tell you, it has been hectic throughout the past semester, sometimes it even felt like there was no time to think! After taking 18 credits last semester and calling my dad at least once a month telling him that I would need to drop a class because I was going crazy, I have, thankfully, come to a semester that is not so strenuous. Whew! Good news though, I made it through the fall semester (with all 18 credits) and passed every class, and a decent GPA at that. It was definitely a learning experience for me, and although I am so happy that it is behind me, I've definitely learned to stay on top of things and have gained an appreciation for learning. Now you know what has kept me held up since the summer! 

Anyways, this semester is in full swing. After taking a winter class, I am only taking 15 credits this spring, hopefully this semester won't be as stressful as the last and that this semester will continue to teach me the important things in life, even if it doesn't have anything to do with school. In addition to school, I am involved in the Big Sibling Program, Young Life College, and I lead Young Life at a high school in Farmville. The next question I am asking myself is - what else can I get involved in? Now, I love my lazy time, oh I do. However, I feel I have been called to do something else where I can make a difference in this community. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm starting the search. 

Many times this week I have been asked the question, "How do you want to be remembered?" I have pondered the question and have finally come up with an answer - full of life. One night I received one of the best compliments I could have ever received, that I was "full of life", and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. How amazing would it be to leave the legacy such as "full of life"?  Although, this is what I was described as, that is not quite what I feel myself. Now, I'm not saying I am depressed either, I am just saying that I have not quite gotten to the point in my life where I can say that I feel full of life. BUT that's the beauty of the journey, and I hope to talk about it on the blog. Hopefully, this time I will stay committed to writing about it. 

Busy Bee

I have been so blessed lately to have had so many orders to fill! As I've started finishing up most of the orders for back-to-school decorations, I have to start getting ready to go back to school myself. With so many orders to fill and stuff going on I haven't had time to pack, however, most of that might just be procrastination, I mean who doesn't hate packing? As excited as I am to go back, I have loved this summer OH so much. But I am definitely ready to take on my second year, it will be a challenge, a joy, and every emotion/ adjective you can think of in-between. At times I will cry of happiness and sometimes I will scream with stress, but thankfully I know with the people around me I will be in good hands. I hope to go on new adventures. I hope to change my ways a little. I hope to grow a backbone when I need it. There are a lot of things I hope to do and be, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see! Here's to the second year!

Sunday Brunch

As I spend my last Sunday at home, I think back to the beginning of the summer and how fun filled it has been and how thankful I am for everyone who was in it and everything that has happened.
Here are a few things I am thankful for:

Kaitlin & Austin: We have grown so much closer these past months and I am so thankful for our friendship. Whenever I was bored, stressed, feeling spontaneous y'all would be right by my side encouraging me to follow through with whatever schemes I had planned. And y'all might just be a little crazy for doing that but thanks for spending your time with me no matter how boring my spontaneous trips turned out. Even though I am going to miss the living crap out of you both, I know i'll be visiting soon! Love ya!

David: About two months ago I ran into you at church, it was my first Sunday back in ages and your first Sunday as our new priest. Since then you already done so much for me than you know, you became a friend to me, inspire me, and encourage me and for that I thank you.

My parents: For still loving me even though I've made the house a mess this summer.

Classroom Creativity

Learning Tree (Unfinished)

Picking Peonies takes crafting to the classrooms! This afternoon I spent time with one of my dear friends (and high school YoungLife leader), Chelsea Patterson. Chelsea recruited me to help her decorate her classroom camping themed for her class of first graders. After experiencing the love and lessons Chelsea taught me as a YoungLife leader, I know these kids are going to have a great teacher to learn from and I couldn't be more excited to hear how this school year goes for her and her kiddos. I'm so glad I could help Chelsea put together this fun learning environment for these kids! Here are just a couple of the projects we took on today:

Mountain Literature

Sunday Brunch

This weeks Sunday Brunch turned into Sunday Linner (lunch & dinner) with some family friends. After a morning filled with God's grace at church and a little bit of personal shopping for some back to school clothes for Meg, we sat down at Macadoo's for Sunday Linner. As you know each Sunday I point out things from that week that made my heart happy and here are just a few:

What a Wonderful Wedding: Every other weekend I am asked to work for a catering company called Plantation Creations, where I help set up, serve, and clean up for various events. This weekends event was a wedding at Silver Hearth Lodge, and let me tell you each wedding I work my job gets more and more fun. This wedding was almost exactly my Pinterest board in a nutshell. The family was SO fun, and after a long days work they couldn't have been more appreciative of everything that we'd done for them. At the end of the day the mother and father of the bride made sure they knew my name and gave me a hug for all the hard work. It meant so much!

Family Time: This week I was lucky enough to get to see some of my good family friends twice in one week! Living out of town, I don't get to see them much but I was blessed to be able to get a quick visit in yesterday with them and spent a whole half a day with them today. I am so very fortunate for the family I have, wouldn't trade them for the world!

Canvas: You all are a blessing this week! I have been so fortunate to get a lot of canvas orders my way and I'm so thankful. I have also gotten the opportunity to put one of my pieces into a raffle for a fashion show I will be attending on Thursday, keep up with me this week to see what the final product is!!

I hope in each day you find many blessings, because even the smallest blessing can add up!
xoxo

Feature Friday

 Ladies, do you love to get your nails done? I've found something that's better than gel nails! This weeks featured guest is my friend, Tina O'Brien, and her Jamberry nails. 

Aren't they cute? These nail wraps come in over 300 styles to choose from, giving you the ability to mix and match to create your own unique and beautiful nails. The company keeps up with the latest fashion trends and introduces new styles twice a year, so there is always something fun and new to choose from. You can even create your own personalized nail wrap! YES, CREATE YOUR OWN. Jamberry has the first ever Nail Art Studio (NAS), an online customization tool so anyone can create personalized nail wraps by simply uploading your own pattern, graphic design or photo. Jamberries stay on for about 2 weeks on fingers and 4 to 6 weeks on toes. They don't chip or require any dry time, so for those people who are nail biters or rough on their nails like I am these are perfect for you! Tina works as a firefighter and I have yet to see a chip on her nails, if that's not strong I don't know what is! 

The best part of these cute wraps is that they are non-toxic so they won't harm your nails like regular paint and acrylic filing would. AND they're made in the USA. An American product for an All-American girl! 

Visit Tina's webpage to learn more about Jamberry nails and order yours today: http://tcobrien.jamberrynails.net