Something Blue

 I was super sad when I thought I lost this cute little flower somewhere at work.  My bestest friend Esther made it for me (along with many other little goodies) for my 20th birthday. It is so cute and it is something I will cherish always.  Handmade gifts are the best. I love them so much.

I want to get crafty again. This Monday I got a coupon for a free photo book from Shutterfly and I cannot wait for it to come!

Let's Go!

I just have this crazy urge to pack up and hit the road. I want to go and stay in different National Parks and just be in nature.  I really am a outdoorsy girl at heart.  I love the thrill and excitement of camping outside. I love making fires and roasting different foods over them (mostly hot dogs and s'mores).  But right now I really just want to get up and go and not look back, just be somewhere where people don't know me. I want to learn something new about a city or historic site.

Maybe I'm just missing Tahoe.  That was such a great vacation that we were blessed with by our old neighbors. We went horseback riding, picnicing, a boat tour and even visited this super old "mansion" that a lady built right on the shore. She had Norwegian builders come and replicate the architecture. My family and I had a wonderful time relaxing and one of the best parts was a Shakespeare outdoor theater show we went to. The stage's backdrop was the beautiful lake. We also went river rafting on the Trukee River. I tried to get out and pull our raft over so we could swim but the current was too strong and my family got taken away without me. I had to walk through the river/stumble/float further down till I saw them all stuck in some brush waiting for me. It was hilarious and cute.  They steered themselves there because that was the only way the knew how to stop. I seriously thought I was going to have to go down the river in some random group's raft. Great memories.



Now let me just say this. I am no complaining.  The Lord as blessed me with the opportunity to serve Him and his children in Spain this summer.  I'm basically fully funded and my best friends will be experiencing it with me however that is not the vacation I long for. Yes, we are staying a few extra days to sight-see after the mission trip but its not the same when you are not with your family. I feel more relaxed when I know my dad is there to watch out for us and there to pick up the bill :) Who knows? Maybe Spain will fulfill my longing desire to experience a new place. I'm sure it is going to be amazing.  I can't wait to see what God is going to show me about his people, myself and our team.


I guess I'll just have to wait and see!


-AET

ohh

and this is what i kinda want to get married in once all of those dating books work!

just focus!

i have so many awesome thoughts and things i want to share but unfortunately i am too tired to articulate them now. i will soon though seeing as it is summer and all! what else will i be doing? i'm also super excited because my cousin bought me two new books today at the women's conference that was at my church. they are dating books which i've been reading a lot lately hah but these two are written by a comedian Kerri Pomarolli so they are hilarious and more like diary entries from her past dating experience. i can't wait to keep reading!

not to brag but...

i got straight As all year long.


okay...i guess i did mean to brag ;)

WOW

Some people are so ridiculous! So ridiculous that it IS funny!

Sweet Freedom

Oh it is so close. Tonight is the last night I will be doing homework for a while. All I have left is my Children's Literature Portfolio. This past quarter went by so fast. I think its because I actually had more than four friends at school this time around. It is so much more fun having something other than school work to think about when I'm there. Here are some things I'm really looking forward to this summer:

*spiritual growth
*increased wisdom/discernment/faith
*taking voice lessons
*our spain mission trip
*resting
*beach trips and bonfires
*visiting old friends
*spending time with the family
*hopefully painting my room
*a new job???

Just to name a few. I'm loving life and loving where I am at.  Life is so much better when you include God in every aspect. I continue to trust him and want to truly learn to rejoice in Him always!