while the parents are away...

... the kids will play! Caleb and I have been on our own since last Saturday. Mom and Dad have been on a much needed, much overdue vacation. They went on a cruise! Yes, I am jealous, but also so happy they were able to have a beautiful ten days away from everything. Me and the brother have done extremely well. He has had practice everyday, along with school work and just life stuff. It's been challenging trying to coordinate both of our busy lives together but it's been so good spending such a long time just the two of us. He really is the coolest brother a sister could ask for. It's been a good learning experience. Just three more days till the family is united!

the battle that never ends.

Do you know that extremely catchy, annoying song: "This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend..." and you continue to sing and sing these words over and over again? Well, I find that the battle I have with food in my life could be the new lyrics to this song. I try, I fail, I get discouraged, I try again. Over and Over again. I am so very tired of this cycle. I am not quite sure what it's going to take to get my life pointed in the right direction; for it to be a STRAIGHT path instead of the CIRCULAR one. I'm not going to give up, I am just so ready to be done with it.

peyton shawn is ten.

Peyton is the Big Double Digit one-O!

Today was such a good time. Me and the family headed out to Mattoon, IL to celebrate my little cousin Peyton's birthday! We had a lot of fun. Aunt Jodie made delicious food and banana cake!! mmhhmm! Peyton is so stinking cute and sweet. He has such a gentle spirit. And although he is only ten, he is freaking hilarious! One of them dry humor kiddos. I always enjoy spending time with him and my family. They are so cool.

(There weren't drugs at the party... he is just very tired!)

girls night out.

Tonight was wonderful. I was able to treat my mom to a night out on the town. All this week I have been giving my mom little cards just telling her things I love about her. Each day the card came in a little baggy.. they were color coordinated.. I was pretty proud of myself! :) Tonight was the big night. Gave my mom the card telling her what to wear and a Starbucks card. At Starbucks, I gave her a gift that explained the rest of the night. We went to the Fox Theater to see Celtic Thunder! She was COMPLETELY surprised which made it all the more worth it. These men have the most amazing, pure, beautiful voices! She loves them. It was very fun spending time with her. Sometimes I forget just how special she is; so glad she is mine.

newbie.

Rob Bell just released his newest book "Jesus Wants to Save Christians" and I am thrilled to begin reading it! My youth pastor recommended it to me as a challenging, good read. Velvet Elvis is Rob Bell's other book I have read. It too could definitely fit the description of "challenging and good". Rob Bell has such a talent and gift with teaching through words. I am very excited to find what he has to say and what I will learn about God and life through this book. I also just want to be cool and have more books in my blog "Library"!

beloved.

"I could more easily contain Niagra Falls in a teacup than I can comprehend the wild, uncontainable love of God." Brennan Manning

I finally finished reading "The Raggamuffin Gospel". It is probably one of the greatest books I have ever read. I have learned so much about myself and about God's love and grace through its pages. The quote above is one of my favorites from the book mostly because it just messes with me. God is so entirely more than what I have created Him to be! There is so much freedom in discovering that I can do absolutely nothing to earn God's love; nor will I ever be able to comprehend it in its completeness. The ultimate lessons I am taking with me from Brennan's book are God LOVES me just as I am. I can do absolutely NOTHING to make Him love me less or more. With that knowledge comes the freedom to be myself. I have nothing to fear because I have nothing to lose. Letting go of caring what people think of me and letting go of my fear of failing will take time and patience and persistence BUT God will love me just the same.. which is A LOT.. more than I can comprehend!