Yet another recap post

Sorry for the long hiatus again.  One of these days I’ll get better at posting regularly.  I guess it just goes to show that I still have a ways to go when it comes to getting my life in a more balanced state.

The past two weeks have been unbelievably busy with school.  I’m happy to say that I made it through without complaining…and let me just go on record to say that I really think it made a difference!  Now that I’m on the other side of the crazy, here’s a recap of some of the highlights…

I’m not a runner…and really have no desire to be…but I sure do love cheering on all my friends!

Spent the afternoon in the library writing a paper…thankfully I finished in enough time to the birthday of my sweet friend, Megan!

Sunday School weekend retreat…complete with a bonfire and smores!

                   

Cheered on these two beautiful girls in their high school beauty walk!  The best part is the outer beauty is really just the inner beauty shining through!

 

Ben Rector / Needtobreathe concert.  I had a big test the next morning, but it was definitely worth the 3 hour study break! 

The next night’s study break was used to watch these cuties play their final basketball game.  They’ll probably kill me for posting a picture from AFTER the game…but I think they look adorable. 

This past weekend was fabulous…too bad I don’t have any pictures.  I kicked it off with lunch at the high school and spent my Friday night with the Porter family.  So thankful for the way they have adopted me like I’m one of their own!  Saturday was filled with baseball games and date night with my aunt and uncle.  Yesterday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL in Alabama…the perfect day for a walk with a friend and then it was off to see Wicked with the roommate.  All in all, a refreshing and relaxing weekend filled with all things that make me happy. 

Now, it’s back to this…

    

Last Dance

February 6.  I’ve had the day marked on my calendar since last December when I wrote all of the Mountain Brook High School basketball games into my calendar.  February 6=last home basketball game.  Last home basketball game=senior night.  Senior night=last dance and senior dance. 

With months to prepare myself, I hoped that I would be able to watch their performances without crying.  I even made sure to not sit with my family that night to try to cut down on the tears induced from others’ tears. Unfortunately,sometimes the best laid plans don’t always work out. I cried during 3 of the 4 dances…but that one time…that one time I was all dry eyed. So, I guess I should give myself credit for that.

With the exception of my fabulous cousin that I’ve known her entire life, I’ve only really known these girls for about two and a half years. It’s embarrassing how emotional I get. I’ve tried and tried not to…but the fact of the matter is, just like my mother, when I’m proud of someone, I cry…and Monday night as I watched those sweet cheerleaders and dorians dance together for the last time I was oh so proud.

 

 

So, yes…I cried.  Some of the tears were because I knew this was my last chance to see them dance as a group…but most of the tears were because I was oh so proud of the women they are becoming.  It’s been a joy to watch them grow these past few years. 

 

**sorry for the picture overload…it was hard enough narrowing it down to just these!**

No More Complaining

 

After years of conversations with high schoolers, I have found more times than not the advice that I’m giving them can be applied to my life.  Sometimes it has to be adapted a bit to fit a more “grown-up” situation…and then there are the times where it applies directly.  Like today.

Most of my sweet girls are getting ready to graduate high school in a few months. That is not the topic of conversation for today, as my heart is not ready to deal with it.  With graduation looming, some have acquired senioritis…and some have it much worse than others.  I’ve also realized that senioritis doesn’t look the same for everyone.  When I had it, I was sentimental about everything.  My cousin has it…but she adopts more of “I’m a senior, and I do what I want” mentality.  Then there is the type that complains. 

I have a few complainers in my mix too.  For months I had been saying “complaining doesn’t accomplish anything, it only makes you more miserable”…”quit wishing this away. school is here to stay, so make the most of it”…”when you’re complaining, it’s hard to be the light for God to your classmates and teachers.” 

After listening to months of complaining, I had reached my breaking point.  Of course, I couldn’t tell them that….whoops, guess they probably know it now that it’s on the old blog…oh well, they probably realized it.  So I declared February to NO COMPLAINING ABOUT SCHOOL MONTH.  I actually did it over text and as soon as I hit send and read it, I knew immediately that this was something I needed to declare for myself as well. 

At the time, I was getting ready to start my second semester of Divinity School.  The first semester was hard for so many reasons…but I didn’t make it any better by complaining about it.  In fact, it only made me and those around me more miserable.  I’m typically a positive realist…so this complaining about things was new for me…and I didn’t like it. 

So, now here we are.  February 1.  No complaining.  My girls know it.  My friends know it.  My family knows it.  No complaining.  When I get the urge to complain, there are plenty of other beneficial things I can do instead…pray, read my Bible, study for a class, exercise, call a friend and ask about THEIR day…the list could go on and on.

Since you’ve read all the way through the post, if you hear me complaining, you have permission to call me out on it.  You also have permission to call these two precious girls in the pictures with me out on it because we are serious about NO COMPLAINING.