The gifts have been exchanged. The house is semi-clean. The couples have returned to their in-laws. Dad, Joanna, and Naomi are on their way to Pennsylvania. The crazy dry tree is down. Mom is packing up the ornaments. RuthAnn is updating her Kindle. Philip is ordering books. Those of us left at the homestead are watching Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. After that movie, we will then continue to relax and laze around the rest of the day watching movies, sleeping, and eating. I'm starting Pottermore since I finally have some extra time. I believe this is the best way to spend Christmas Day--relaxing around the house.
Have a lovely time with your family on this lovely day! Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
12.13.12
I wanted to share this amazing message I received from my dear sister Joanna on my last night of college classes--12.13.12. Yes, we can text books to each other.
"Spend a few moments tonight to think through nights that you've probably already tried to forget. Sleepless, dreary, bleary, tiring, exhausting nights. Nights that barely gave you enough sleep to be able to wake up the few hours later. Nights that you stopped yourself from doing anything fun because you had to be profitable every minute. Nights that you kept drifting off to sleep because your body literally couldn't do anything else. Nights that no matter how hard you worked you know you would end up reliving again sometime later because you had more projects to turn in. Nights that you knew were going to be some of the longest of your life--and probably were.
When you think about those nights tonight, be proud of what you accomplished and the sacrifices you have made to be where you are today. And know that it will pay off.
Enjoy your last night of college. Ever. Be proud. Do well tomorrow, and celebrate powerfully! I love you."
Every word about those awful nights is true, and sadly I had more awful nights this past semester than any other. I am ready to never have to live through any more of those nights again, yet I know life will bring all sorts of sleepless, dreary, bleary, tiring, and exhausting nights in my life to come--that's part of life. My sister's text was thoughtful and touching that when I read it to my parents, I barely made it through because of the heavy tears streaming down my face. Joanna has been there for my college years, guiding and advising me. My whole family has been there for me; I'm so thankful for all my family has done for me.
"Spend a few moments tonight to think through nights that you've probably already tried to forget. Sleepless, dreary, bleary, tiring, exhausting nights. Nights that barely gave you enough sleep to be able to wake up the few hours later. Nights that you stopped yourself from doing anything fun because you had to be profitable every minute. Nights that you kept drifting off to sleep because your body literally couldn't do anything else. Nights that no matter how hard you worked you know you would end up reliving again sometime later because you had more projects to turn in. Nights that you knew were going to be some of the longest of your life--and probably were.
When you think about those nights tonight, be proud of what you accomplished and the sacrifices you have made to be where you are today. And know that it will pay off.
Enjoy your last night of college. Ever. Be proud. Do well tomorrow, and celebrate powerfully! I love you."
Every word about those awful nights is true, and sadly I had more awful nights this past semester than any other. I am ready to never have to live through any more of those nights again, yet I know life will bring all sorts of sleepless, dreary, bleary, tiring, and exhausting nights in my life to come--that's part of life. My sister's text was thoughtful and touching that when I read it to my parents, I barely made it through because of the heavy tears streaming down my face. Joanna has been there for my college years, guiding and advising me. My whole family has been there for me; I'm so thankful for all my family has done for me.
Five Days of Christmas
Christmas isn't officially until Tuesday, but I have felt like I was in Christmas time since Friday.
It all started with leaving work three-and-a-half-hours early Friday morning. I used my time to make Puppy Chow and chocolate covered pretzels. All by myself. Baking with other people is okay, but baking in an empty house singing along with whatever music I play is perfect. I had just finished my clean-up when the family members returned from their jobs and errands. A lazy afternoon watching a movie with my sister, dinner preparations, and anticipating all the family coming home in a few short hours followed.
Then the family started trickling in. First, Joanna who lives an hour-and-a-half north. Next, Nathan and Kari surprised us from the Lone Star State. Later in the evening, Matt, Michelle, and Calin David (I'm having a nephew in May!!!!!!) drove from the Crossroads of America. When Josh and Brittany showed up the following afternoon our family was all together for the first time in a year.
Saturday was filled with cooking, eating, cooking, running last minute errands, cooking, relaxing around the house enjoying each others company, and cooking. Delightful chaos reigned in the house when some friends and their two children stopped by for two-and-a-half hours. It was Christmas with everyone home talking, relaxing, and enjoying each others company. It was Christmas with the feet of snow mounded against the doors and windows. It was Christmas with the cold biting your cheeks. It was Christmas with just a little family drama; not a lot because that's not how our family usually is, but there was some.
Today, I was able to give my Little Sister her Christmas presents, and then be encouraged at church by my Pastor plus spend some great time talking with Josh and Brittany as we drove to and from church. Now, I sit here blogging and watching football peacefully as I don't have homework or work.
The only sad thing is I don't get to stare at this beautiful tree much longer:
It all started with leaving work three-and-a-half-hours early Friday morning. I used my time to make Puppy Chow and chocolate covered pretzels. All by myself. Baking with other people is okay, but baking in an empty house singing along with whatever music I play is perfect. I had just finished my clean-up when the family members returned from their jobs and errands. A lazy afternoon watching a movie with my sister, dinner preparations, and anticipating all the family coming home in a few short hours followed.
Then the family started trickling in. First, Joanna who lives an hour-and-a-half north. Next, Nathan and Kari surprised us from the Lone Star State. Later in the evening, Matt, Michelle, and Calin David (I'm having a nephew in May!!!!!!) drove from the Crossroads of America. When Josh and Brittany showed up the following afternoon our family was all together for the first time in a year.
Saturday was filled with cooking, eating, cooking, running last minute errands, cooking, relaxing around the house enjoying each others company, and cooking. Delightful chaos reigned in the house when some friends and their two children stopped by for two-and-a-half hours. It was Christmas with everyone home talking, relaxing, and enjoying each others company. It was Christmas with the feet of snow mounded against the doors and windows. It was Christmas with the cold biting your cheeks. It was Christmas with just a little family drama; not a lot because that's not how our family usually is, but there was some.
Today, I was able to give my Little Sister her Christmas presents, and then be encouraged at church by my Pastor plus spend some great time talking with Josh and Brittany as we drove to and from church. Now, I sit here blogging and watching football peacefully as I don't have homework or work.
The only sad thing is I don't get to stare at this beautiful tree much longer:
Friday, December 14, 2012
Bittersweet
Today, I finished all my college classes. I know I still have student teaching to complete before I can graduate, but student teaching will be completely different than college classes.
Bittersweet has been my word for the past two weeks, and I'll explain. While I am overjoyed to be done with all the college classes and to be one step closer to receiving my bachelors degree, this is a huge transition and change in life. School is all I've known as I've been in school for seventeen years. There has always been new classes and subjects starting in the fall or spring. To know this era of my life is closing is bittersweet.
But I am ready to be done with the late nights, the constant homework, the guilt when I say no to homework because I need a break, the guilt for talking and spending time with my family and friends, and the heaviness which weighs me down all semester.
I'm going to miss my friends being so close, but I can't wait to see where the Lord leads us all. I am so interested to know where we will all be, to see what we have done, to hear where we have been in five to ten years. I'm going to miss interacting with certain teachers. But to be honest there are people and teachers I would be okay not seeing for awhile.
There's been tear and laughter as I check off my lasts.
My last class was wonderful since we read for the fifty minutes and it got to be with one of my favorite teachers, Dr. Lincoln.
I could barely walk into my last Chamber's rehearsal because I didn't want choir to end. Choir has been the best part of my college career--the music I've been able to learn and sing, the friends and people I've gotten to know, and the wonderful tours I've been able to participate in. My last choir rehearsal was lovely as we just sang through our songs, and we ended with Abide with Me and God Be with You until We Meet Again. I cried some before choir and choked up some, but I didn't cry at the end.
I walked out of those last forty minutes in the gym smiling and a bit gleeful.
My last late evening of schoolwork (which was last night) was quite the evening. I was stocked that it was my last night staying up late while being so exhausted to get a paper done and study for my final. I had received the sweetest and kindest text from my dear sister which I will share with you in another post, but I've currently misplaced my phone. Her text made me bawl as I remembered those awful nights and as I was so thankful for the numerous ways my family has supported me. Then there was drama about my paper being due in an hour and ten minutes when my paper needed at least three more hours of revision and editing (papers take me FOREVER). Then there was studying for my last final which consisted of reading through my notes once.
The last final of my college career. Also with my favorite teacher. I needed a 93% to keep my current grade; after the little studying, I thought I would score in the B range. I just checked though, and I scored a 94%. Happiness! I walked out of the classroom in a daze of exhaustion and amazement that my finals were done. I pretty much stumbled to the computer lab to reread my paper and submit it before 11:45. It would have been wisest to probably submit it about now time, but I had been looking forward to December 14th before lunch of being done with my college classes that waiting five hours wasn't an option. I wanted to come home for lunch and be done. I submitted the paper electronically at 11:46, and at 11:47, I posted on Facebook that I was done.
Since then, I've been telling myself that constantly--I'm done, I'm done, I'm done!!!! I'm not sure when it will set in, but I think I'm in shock. However, it's exciting because a new chapter is beginning, but it's sad because a chapter is ending--that's why it is bittersweet to me. Though, I think I'm feeling more of the sweet part than the bitter at this moment. So there's my crazy explanation of this bittersweet time.
Bittersweet has been my word for the past two weeks, and I'll explain. While I am overjoyed to be done with all the college classes and to be one step closer to receiving my bachelors degree, this is a huge transition and change in life. School is all I've known as I've been in school for seventeen years. There has always been new classes and subjects starting in the fall or spring. To know this era of my life is closing is bittersweet.
But I am ready to be done with the late nights, the constant homework, the guilt when I say no to homework because I need a break, the guilt for talking and spending time with my family and friends, and the heaviness which weighs me down all semester.
I'm going to miss my friends being so close, but I can't wait to see where the Lord leads us all. I am so interested to know where we will all be, to see what we have done, to hear where we have been in five to ten years. I'm going to miss interacting with certain teachers. But to be honest there are people and teachers I would be okay not seeing for awhile.
There's been tear and laughter as I check off my lasts.
My last class was wonderful since we read for the fifty minutes and it got to be with one of my favorite teachers, Dr. Lincoln.
I could barely walk into my last Chamber's rehearsal because I didn't want choir to end. Choir has been the best part of my college career--the music I've been able to learn and sing, the friends and people I've gotten to know, and the wonderful tours I've been able to participate in. My last choir rehearsal was lovely as we just sang through our songs, and we ended with Abide with Me and God Be with You until We Meet Again. I cried some before choir and choked up some, but I didn't cry at the end.
I walked out of those last forty minutes in the gym smiling and a bit gleeful.
My last late evening of schoolwork (which was last night) was quite the evening. I was stocked that it was my last night staying up late while being so exhausted to get a paper done and study for my final. I had received the sweetest and kindest text from my dear sister which I will share with you in another post, but I've currently misplaced my phone. Her text made me bawl as I remembered those awful nights and as I was so thankful for the numerous ways my family has supported me. Then there was drama about my paper being due in an hour and ten minutes when my paper needed at least three more hours of revision and editing (papers take me FOREVER). Then there was studying for my last final which consisted of reading through my notes once.
The last final of my college career. Also with my favorite teacher. I needed a 93% to keep my current grade; after the little studying, I thought I would score in the B range. I just checked though, and I scored a 94%. Happiness! I walked out of the classroom in a daze of exhaustion and amazement that my finals were done. I pretty much stumbled to the computer lab to reread my paper and submit it before 11:45. It would have been wisest to probably submit it about now time, but I had been looking forward to December 14th before lunch of being done with my college classes that waiting five hours wasn't an option. I wanted to come home for lunch and be done. I submitted the paper electronically at 11:46, and at 11:47, I posted on Facebook that I was done.
Since then, I've been telling myself that constantly--I'm done, I'm done, I'm done!!!! I'm not sure when it will set in, but I think I'm in shock. However, it's exciting because a new chapter is beginning, but it's sad because a chapter is ending--that's why it is bittersweet to me. Though, I think I'm feeling more of the sweet part than the bitter at this moment. So there's my crazy explanation of this bittersweet time.
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