Tired And Sore

Today was such a long day. Church went really well. My dad's sermon was so convicting. He preached about serving others and dying to yourself. Oh how many opportunities to help someone I've passed up because of my own selfishness! It makes me sad and all the more motivates me to do better.

Work went well too. Matt got lost on the way there because the rout we usually take was closed. Why is it that men never ask for directions? I knew the way and when I suggested it, what does he say? "No Casey. Don't worry. I got this." *sigh* We were probably twenty minutes later then we could have been. Anyway, we ate lunch and got right to work. Of course he left like two hours before I did but he didn't have to make ten beds either. You'd be amazed how sore you can get after only house cleaning. Everything hurts!

I got home about 5 and after taking my coat off and getting settled in front of my computer, it was time to leave for family night. I managed to get up enough energy to be pleasant and exciting on stage for the worship part (which I lead). It was a good night but I was soooooo glad to get home! So after reading Lucy to sleep and some pizza for dinner, here I am.

Here's a song for you from one of my favorite movies. I can kinda sorta play the piano part. Anyway, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8u12-1QtNM

Until next time!

Looooooooong Post

This is going to be a really long post so I might as well give you something to listen to while you read it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28RYGqIsdKE

So, where did I leave off? Tuesday? Okay. Wednesday I went to the Indiana Medical History Museum with my Biology class. It's funny. I forget how much I love history until I'm standing in a building that is a hundred some years old, looking at medical utensils that were used when it first opened back in 1895! Fascinating! There were brains in jars of preservatives, dyes used for bacterial studies, old records written by doctors about autopsies (barely readable because who can read doctor's writing?!), tables and chairs that were used back then and so many more things!! Afterwards, we all went out to eat. When I got home, I went straight to work and when I got back from work, I went straight to church to babysit. I didn't get back from church until about 10:30 (because I had to decorate for Friday) and was so tired that I went straight to bed.

Thursday was a pretty normal day. I did school, helped my mom around the house, did laundry, made cupcakes and worked. After work, my mom and I went out to dinner with the ladies from our church! We went to a Mexican place and though Mexican isn't my favorite, the company was wonderful and I had a great time!

Friday flew! When I got up, I hit the ground running. Somehow, I managed to get all my school done, do some laundry and make a trip up to church and back all before 3. Being a Friday, I was only at work for about an hour and a half. Then I picked Jess up and, after a whirlwind of getting ready, we went to church for my party! I don't think I ever got a final headcount but there were ALOT of people there! Of course there were some who didn't show up but despite those few disappointments, I had a fabulous time! I got to swing dance with several people and of course there were all the fun songs like the Cha Cha Slide (my favorite), the YMCA and the Chicken Dance. You'll never see a funnier site than my brother try to do the Chicken Dance!! He gets really into it but he looks like a stork!!! ;) Anyway, everyone stayed late and we finished out the night with an intense game of elbow tag. Then Jess stayed overnight. Needless to say, we were so tired that we went to bed fairly early..... well, if you can call 1 am early.

Today was pretty lazy. Jess and I slept in until 10:30 but didn't actually get out of bed until noon. Then we ate some pizza and leftover cupcakes and she helped me work on the power point for Family Night tomorrow. After spending another few hours chatting, I took her home. When I got back, I straightened up my room, ate dinner and watched a movie with the fam. And now I'm here!

Tomorrow is church and then work at the B&B. Matt's taking me as usual but Jess is also coming so I can start training her. She's going to be my stand in while I'm in Brazil. After work is Family Night!!!!! :D So it's going to be a good day!

Phew! I told you it was going to be a long post!! Remind me never to go so long in between posts again please. Until next time!

A Day In the Life

Well, I don't have much to report today. I finished a Biology outline in about five hours. Then I folded six loads of laundry. Six! It took foreeeeeverrrrrrr! After that I ate dinner and cleaned up the kitchen. At Lucy's request, I then pulled out the piano books and played some stuff. Then mom and dad went out for a late dinner so we put baby to bed and I started reading The Horse and His Boy to Gavin and Maisy. And now I'm here.

Here's a song that's from The Last of The Mohicans but it reminds me of another movie called Lorna Doone. A new favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKpYBBTteus

Until next time.

All Grown Up

Guess what! I had another wondermous day today! Sure, I'll be more than happy to tell you why!

First, I woke up. Today being Monday, normally I wake up in a terrible mood. But this morning, I was in a pretty good mood and coffee only improved it! My mom not feeling well, I got to drive the sibs to Co-op. I felt so grown up and it only got better! The Co-op moms deemed me responsible enough to preside over the worldview class instead of assigning an actual sub! Yeah we were only watching a video but still!!!! Then in Biology, I got 100% on the quiz we took today and the test we took last week (which is a first)! We also got to sleep through the VERY boring video. During recess, I got to practice my solo with Ms. Beth. I'm singing Memory from Cats (the musical) and now I'm wondering why I picked that song. It's sooooo pretty but it's sooooooo hard to sing!! You're jumping octaves in a measure! AH! Study Hall was much the same, running over lines and blocking with Robert, Becky and Aaron. Then came the best part, drama class! Not only did we block a whole scene but we also started working on the dance for the Finale! Woot woot! Ms. Kathy is really finding out who doesn't have rhythm (and that would not be me). It's quite interesting to watch.

On the way home, Garrett and I stopped by Marsh for some Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Bun ice cream! Yum yum! Then I spent a few hours writing my Brazil support letter. I got the rough draft done but it still needs some work.

This week is going to be quite the week but I won't tell you anything now so I'll have something to blog about later. Instead, here's a song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckd5Sjcv-Wg

Ah the great and powerful Newsboys. Until next time!

After The Party

Ah what a weekend. I'm not one to party but I definitely partied hard this weekend! Now before you go getting any of the wrong ideas, let me tell you about it.

Friday I finished school and work as usual. Then I picked up Jess and we headed to Jessica Green's for a youth group girls craft night! It was so much fun to fellowship with them and just relax. Then Jess came to my house to sleepover. Needless to say, it was quite interesting. A good mix of serious conversation and ninja rolling around my house. Yeah, we're just that awesome.

Saturday my grandma took us shopping (after sleeping in until 10)! First, we found the dress I wanted which was a total miracle since I found it back in December!! After lunch at Culver's, we went to Barns & Nobles, one place you don't want to take me if you want to get me out again. Jess and I got lost in the wonderful realm of books for a glorious 45 minutes. In that time, I picked out a book I wanted, Jess got it for me for my birthday and we met my grandma at the doors. When we got home, Jess's parents picked her up and 5 minutes later, Amy Middleton picked me up to babysit! I love her kids as my own. We played hide and seek, ate dinner, I gave them baths, we all watched Nanny McPhee and then I put them to bed. It was so good to play with them again!

Today was church as usual. I taught first service and since Jess was there for first, she helped..... well more like accompanied me upstairs. After sitting in second service (we had a good laugh about how late Matt was), Jess, Garrett, Matt and I went out for Chinese. Then it was back to my house as is becoming the usual. We watched about 20 minutes of Sense and Sensibility (Jess wanted to see it) before we had to switch to Tim Hawkins because Matt wouldn't stop talking!! Maybe I'll finish it tomorrow. The rest of the time we just hung out, talked and hit each other with pillows. Youth group was at 6 (which went well) and then I took Jess home. After a piece of pizza and a little review for our Biology quiz tomorrow, here I am. So now you see why I partied hard all weekend because any time spent with Jess is a party. :)

Unfortunately I can't think of an amusing song for you at the moment so I suppose I'll just say goodnight. Au revoir mon cherie!

No Words

Two big thoughts for today. One of them is about how great our God is. I was reading Psalm 68 this morning and marveling how David could find so many words to praise God. So many of the Psalms were written in praise to Him and it just amazes me! But I guess it makes sense. God can't be described in just one word. There aren't words for how amazing He is so it is logical that you'd use lots of words to make up for what you can't describe.

Here's my next thought. Have you ever had that feeling of anticipation but you don't know really for what? Like you're looking forward to something but you have no idea what it is. Well I have that feeling. Oh sure, I'm looking forward to this weekend (that's for another post) and my party next week and graduation and my cousin's wedding and Brazil but it's not any of those things. I don't know what it is. I guess I feel like this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu7sRdRrm_w

I'll let you know if I figure it out. Until next time!

Is Mystery Mandatory?

I've been thinking lately, who am I? What makes me me? And furthermore, what about me would make anyone want to be friends with me?

I'm told that I'm predictable, that really nothing I do is a surprise. Why is that? Well, upon some reflection, here's the conclusion I came up with. I feel God has given me a very clear cut purpose for my life and my future. I'm told that I am to be a friend to anyone who needs it; the listening ear, the shoulder to cry on, the comforting presence. In a hurting world, we all need someone who will be there for us no matter what. I also feel called to one day be a wife and mother and homeschool my children.

So in everything I do, I try to stay within these guidelines God has set. I suppose that if you know these two things about me, then yeah, I will be pretty predictable. And really, I'm okay with that. I guess I'd rather be the person who everyone knows will be there no matter what instead of the mysterious girl that no one can predict.

And now this song is dedicated to you dear reader. From your loving, constant friend, me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFy3YWpRx8

As for the other things I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I guess I'll leave those answers up to God. He knows me better than I could ever know myself so if I have questions, I know who to go to. Until next time!

Another Weekend

Well I don't have too much to tell you yet again. I finished all my homework which means I'm free for the rest of today and tomorrow to play in the snow and beat the kids at their video games! I have the feeling Sunday will be spent again hanging out with Jess and Matt. And we have youth group for the first time in the evening! :D I'm looking forward to it! Then of course throughout the free spots in the weekend, we'll be watching the Olympics which start today!

So I have two things for you to look at. First, an absolutely hilarious video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzoeEdW-EDQ

Now for another video, deeper than the last one and one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nig4Rbeoqwk

Have a fabulous weekend dear reader!

Oddly Happy

Yes you read the title right. This week has had it's ups and downs so far but I'm really oddly happy about it! Let me tell you why.

First, I got my complete Biology outline done yesterday. Second, I got my complete paper for worldview class written today! That means I have a bearable amount of homework for the next two days! :D

Also, I found out that I will only be going to Brazil for two months, not six. I'll be leaving with the BRCC medical trip in early July and coming back in August instead of December. I was told you need to be 20 to teach at the school but I'm not exactly 20 yet. Oh well. On the bright side, I will be here for three of my siblings birthdays, Thanksgiving (one of my favorite holidays), maybe get a car soon and be able to start college when I get back.

So there you have it! I'm in an oddly happy mood and those are as good of reasons as I can give you. And just to prove it, here's a quirky song for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzCpBoxF2gc

Until next time!

Hot Cider and Old Stories

Another snowy day in Indy today. And more on the way tomorrow! At the moment, the wind is pretty strong, making huge drifts that should be oh so much fun to play in (that reminds me of a song).

So I guess I should tell you what I did today. Well, I spent pretty much all day working on a Biology outline. The good news... I GOT IT ALL DONE!!! :D That was the only homework I did today.

For dinner, we all went next door to my Grandma's. Nothing like spaghetti and some yummy homemade tomato sauce! Then all the grown ups got to reminiscing about the old days and the blizzard of..... well I don't remember what year it was. And the photo albums came out with the hot cider and soooo many stories were told. I just love hearing my mom and dad's love story. It's pretty sweet. I love my family.

Oh! It's my mom's birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!

Goodnight dear reader!

Not Much

As you probably already predicted, I really don't have much to tell you about today. I had Co-op as usual. Classes were good, drama was fun and we got home a little earlier than we normally do. My mom and dad went out on a date tonight so it was just the siblings and me here. We ate pizza and ice cream and watched Robin Hood and Return to Cranford (well, ok I did). And now I'm here writing to you.

Really I have one thought for today. Lots of stuff has been going on in my life lately and here's a song that pretty much sums up how I feel about it. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHfj89ukEO0

Until next time!

Two Extremes

How I dislike feeling this way. So disappointed and yet so content at the same time. Like air and water. I guess I'll go with the happy first.

I got to spend all day with Jess and Matt again today. It was wonderful to hang out with them and laugh and joke around. First we just laid around my house. Then we went to the Ostendorf's for the first half of the Super Bowl. After we dropped Jess off at her house, I watched the third part of Emma and now here I am.

The other part to my day was not so pleasant. Kate and I had a talk this morning. I just want to say that, Kate, if you're reading this, I'm sorry. How I wish I could be the perfect friend but I'm human and I make mistakes. I'm so sorry I hurt you and I hope that you will find someone else who will be a truer friend than I. I love you.

Here is where I say, goodnight dear reader.

Thoughts of Gratitude

Believe it or not, I actually have some deeper thoughts for you today! I got this book for my birthday and I've been reading all day. It's called 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye' by Joshua Harris. So far it's really good and I highly recommend it. It's really got me thinking.

In the first chapter, there's a story about a girl named Anna and a dream she had. She dreamed that she was walking down the isle on her wedding day to take her place next to the groom. As the ceremony started, another girl from the audience came up and took the groom's hand. One by one, several others followed until there was a line of girls at the alter. When Anna asked the groom what was going on, he said "They're girls from my past. They don't mean anything to me now... but I've given my heart to each of them." Anna replied "I thought your heart was mine." "It is, it is," he pleaded. "Everything that's left is yours."

This story made me think of how glad I am that I've kept my heart. Oh sure I've had your little girl crushes and I won't deny that I've thought at times how nice it would be to have a boyfriend. But really, I'm glad I haven't moved beyond "just friends" with anyone. Part of it could be that, to my knowledge, no one since 8th grade has been looking to be more with me. I just want to thank God right now that He spared me that temptation. If anything like the dream above ever happened to me, it would only be me standing there. There would be no string of guys behind me with whom I'd shared my heart.

I'm so glad that on my wedding day, I can say to my husband "I'm giving you my heart, unbroken, unsoiled, whole and pure. Just for you." Until then, no matter what the world says, I am content to wait and serve God as best I can by myself. I know that someday He'll bring me someone wonderful who was worth waiting for, all in His timing. It'll definitely be a challenge and I may be tempted to stumble but when the day comes, I'll be glad I waited.

Ok, enough sentimental stuff. Goodnight dear reader. Sleep well.

Snowed Out and Snowed In

Oh the disappointment! Due to the huge snowstorm that blew in this morning, we had to call off tonight's party. Hence my party was snowed out and I was snowed in so I have a very uninteresting post for you.

So, today was filled with mostly homework. Biology, biology, biology test, biology, biology, biology, biology...... you get the picture. I did get all my homework done though. Then I read a new book I got from my grandma for my birthday! I Kissed Dating Goodbye. It's pretty good so far!

Tomorrow I'm sure I'll have lots of time to read!! That's AFTER I sleep in. :) Then a few friends and I are trying to coordinate an outing to the park to play in the snow. We'll see if that works out.

Sunday is church and I'm working at the B&B. Then it's the SUPER BOWL!!! Which the Colts are playing in!! We're spending the first half at the Ostendorf's and then coming home for the second half. Call me a lunatic but I'm skipping the second half to watch Emma!

Well, there you have it. I have nothing else to say so I shall bid thee, goodnight!

Beginning Again

Well folks, here I am once more. Except.... now I write as an 18 year old, not as a 17 year old! So far, I've not felt the effects of being "grown up". I'm sure that will happen soon enough though.

Aught I tell you about my day? Well, if you insist. First, I woke up at a glorious 7:30! I had all my siblings, my parents and my presents waiting for me in the kitchen. I got a purple skirt, socks, a Newsboys CD, an iTunes gift card and my favorite, a courting candle! Let me explain. First, a courting candle is the strange device you see in the picture. When a suitor comes calling, the father will twirl the little wooden piece up or down the candle stick based on how much he likes the guy. If it's farther toward the top, it means that the suitor is approved. If it's toward the bottom, good luck buddy. It's a thing they used back in the colonial days. My mom got one when she met my dad and now I have one. Should I be concerned?

Breakfast was omelets and bacon... and coffee of course! Then I actually did some school while talking to my friend Carl. Three cheers for humorous conversations to lighten up the heavy worldview homework!! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip..... ok you get it. Lunch was pizza and I spent my afternoon spending my gift card. Now I'm stocked up with good music! Then it was time for work. When I got there, all the little kids had balloons and shouted "SURPRISE!" as I walked in. They had all made posters that were hung up around the room and I got an amazing number of hugs. I love hugs. :) When I got home I hung out on the Internet for a while until my dad got home with dinner. More pizza!! While eating, we watched three episodes of Robin Hood! An amazing series if I ever saw one. And now here I am writing this.

Before I go any further, I must ask you a favor. They say there's a snow/ice storm that's coming our way and will go from Thursday night to Saturday morning. If it's as bad as they say, my party will be cancelled! Dear reader, if you would please pray that it will be very light or none at all, I would so appreciate it! Only God can change the weather.

One last thing. I've found a theme verse for this next year. Many know it well but I thought I'd share it with you anyway.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13:4-8a

I really want to work on loving like this over my 18th year. Yeah I know I need to work on it all the time but I'm going to be meeting so many new people, whether in Brazil or college, and loving them is going to be coming up constantly. Really it comes up every day if you think about it. So there you go, my goal for my 18th year. To be better about loving people like Christ.

So there's my day and all that it entailed. Until next time!

One Last Night

Well my friends, here I stand at the end of a journey. My 17th year is rapidly coming to a close. However, a new journey begins in a few hours.

In short, TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!! :D

I don't feel like I should be turning 18! I feel like I should be just 15! These past few years have sped by me and they left me behind. But time goes on as time will and here I am, almost grown up. However, just because I'm 18 doesn't mean I'm going to stop playing doll house with my sister or stop dancing around our kitchen like a maniac or even resist the urge to ninja roll or spy walk around my house. I'm going to take my own sweet time catching up to myself and there's not much anyone can do about it.

Just to prove it, here's an absolutely hilarious song. Be careful though. It gets stuck in your head like nothing else will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8

I wonder if the people who made that were homeschooled.

Well, here's my last goodbye while I'm 17. As the great Shakespeare once said... adieu, adieu, parting is such sweet sorrow.

Friends, Good Songs and Blood Smears

Please don't let the title concern you. All in good time dear reader. First I shall tell you about my day I suppose.

It was pretty good. Pretty normal.... as usual. We had Co-op today. Woopdidoo. Worldview was spent watching a fifteen minute video (through which I did my best not to fall asleep) and preparing for our quiz in Biology. Biology was a little bit more interesting. We did the blood smears today. That's where we take a tiny (seriously like a drop) bit of blood from a volunteer (not me) and look at it under the microscope. Then two other people in the class got their blood typed. You know; A, B, AB or O and whether it's Rh positive or negative. After this, we took our quiz on which I aced. Then came a lunch of baked potatoes. After, me and a bunch of other people in study hall practiced our blocking and lines. Then came drama which went very well. We got alot done and I think our director was pleased.

Now to give you my new favorite song. I think it's gonna be my theme song for the time being. Well, one of them. By the way, the video for this song is really stupid. Just listen to it and don't watch it. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gou7sarzyNA

As to friends, this whole thing with Kate is psyching me out. Apparently Kate's got problems with me so I'm not "allowed" to talk to her. "Give her space! Give her space!" is all I hear from Jess. I haven't talked to her in a week so today I wrote on her wall on FB "Just so you know, I love you. Deal with it." By the way, the last part is a quote from her book. Anyway, Jess then commented on it, giving me the definition of the word "Space". Then Kate goes "Give me an "S"! Give me an "P"! Give me an "ACE"! What's that spell? "SPACE"!" Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that letting your best friend know you love her was forbidden. Please accept my apology. Here, let me grovel at your feet. THIS IS DRIVING ME MAD!!! She won't tell me what's going on and I can't stand it. What a wonderful 18th birthday this is going to be.

Ok, I'm finished rambling. You could pray for me about this if you would. I would really appreciate it. Until next time dear reader.