Hectic

These pictures are all from a photoshoot that one of my best friends Abby and I had this week. Our moms took the pictures (they're great photographers!), and these are some of our favorites. I'll post a link to the whole album eventually, and you can check out more of the pictures if you would like.

Well, this week was our first full week of school, and it was a little rough.

I definitely made a schedule for myself that is nearly impossible to follow. The best parts of my day are Writer's Workshop, French, and English class. Without those classes and those teachers, and I don't think I could handle school at all. Physics and Pre-Calc are just bringing me down. I have never doubted myself as much as I do in those classes. Ugh.

Yearbook is actually going really well! Yearbook Staff Applications were turned in today, and we got (surprise!) about 10 applications! We have choices! I'm really excited about the staff and about this year's book. It's going to be really amazing, and the whole process will become much more efficient.

I had my first dance classes of the year last night. I'm taking hip-hop, tap, and modern this year. I love dance. I have the best teacher, Miss Heather, and I have so many friends in my classes. It's just a great way to exercise, have fun, and best of all, relax a little from my horrible schedule.

The college/major search continues. I really have no new updates. I'm just trying to trust God to figure out what I'm supposed to do with my life.

This weekend, I have absolutely no homework! I plan on listening to music, reading too much Shakespeare and Austen (I'm just in the mood), and basically giving my fried brain a relaxing "spa weekend."

I went to a school football game tonight, and I saw so many of my old friends that I haven't seen in months and months. It was so great to see everyone. It was like having the "old group" back, which was a little bittersweet. It's weird to think about how many memories you have with certain people and then in a matter of weeks, months, or years, that can all change. You have to rely on the memories to even connect anymore. I don't really like it.

One friend in particular I was so happy to see. He and I have been relatively close for about 4 or 5 years now. Unfortunately, when he went to college, that changed a little. I was always nervous to call him a best friend because I wasn't sure if that was what we really were or if he felt like that too, but now, I don't care. He was a definite best friend to me, and I'm really grateful that he can still be a part of life even if it's in a smaller way than it used to be.

So...that's my little update! Let me know what's going on in your life and if you have anything you'd like me to pray about!

September Fun

I have been spending a lot of time with my wonderful friends lately. I've decided, just maybe, that by hanging out with my friends, the school year will go faster! School is going decent. There are some people that I'm having a few problems with, but I think it will be ok. I'm kind of stressed with my full schedule that I made for myself, but I think I can handle it.
This was when Corinne came back home for a visit from college. We had such a fun time hanging out with her. We had a great little hot tub party, even though the water was a little chilly.

My best friend Abby and I went shopping in the city before school started. We found these dresses, and we want them!! Too bad they are way too expensive. And it was a little big on Ab.

For my 18th birthday, I went to the zoo with my family. We had such a fun day. I waited all day to see the elephants because they're my favorite, but unfortunately, there were no elephants at the zoo that we went to. I did see zebras, though, and they're my second favorite. And, I found this fabulous garbage can. I want one for my bedroom!



Well, that's pretty much all that's been going on lately. I would really appreciate it if you would pray for me as I continue the never-ending college search. I'm waiting for God to show me exactly what to do, so I just ask that you pray that I have patience. Let me know what you need prayer for!

Happy September!

I will admit that when I woke up this morning, I was not exactly in a "Happy September" mood. School starts tomorrow, and I will officially be a senior. I am really excited about that, but there's just so much that's bringing me down about school already. Waking up at 5:30 in the morning because we have to leave early with my dad, doing homework and trying to keep up with all of the insane classes my dad and I signed me up for, skipping lunch to go to Yearbook/Chorus, trying to find time to get my license - ugh. It's just a lot. Last year I was miserable. It was horrible. Every day, my prayer was just, "God, get me through it. Let the end of the day come fast. Just help me through it."

But this year, I have decided to make my final year of high school worthwhile. My prayer every day will be, "God, give me someone who needs me in their life. Give me ways to impact students and community members. Give me a smiling face and a great attitude. Give me peace and calm in my stressful world. Give me patience for dealing with problems. Show me how to light my school on fire for You."

I am asking that you all please pray for me and my attitude in school. I tend to become a stressed, angry, crazy mess, and I am requesting that you pray that I am calm and joyful and at peace. I just have this feeling that there are people in my school that really need me this year. There are people who need smiles and hugs and cheerfulness, and I want to give that to them. I want to have a good attitude, and I want everyone to know as I walk down the halls that I am happy because I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I want them to want that happiness for themselves.

Thanks for praying, friends. Let me know how I can pray for you, too.