wright lanes

gavin's first birthday.

2010-05-01T18:43:00.006-05:00

The adorable, big one year old!

Mommy and the Birthday Boy.

Uncle Zachy and Gavin.

Aunt Michelle and Aunt Kelsey with Gavy.

Gavin and his Dad.

Great Papa MADE this toybox for Gavin!

And even though the toybox was filled with toys, he just wanted to play with the spoon!

Birthday boy's first cake!

He hated it because he was messy. He's even cute when he's crying!

Yep, brother and sister, Cubs and Cards fans.

My godson Gavin turned one on April 23rd. We celebrated together baseball style with lots of family and friends. Unfortunately, we had to be in the room with CUBS fans, but I survived. This kid better know his Aunt Kelsey loves him after putting up with those people! :) It was a great day celebrating this sweet, adorable baby's life. I just love him!

girls day out.

2010-04-10T01:19:00.012-05:00

Over my spring break, my best friend Kelsey and I decided to take our two favorite girls out. My sweet girl Kenedee and Kelsey's little cousin Josey agreed to come out with us for a fun, girls day! Me and Kenedee started out by getting Starbucks, then we drove out to meet Kels and Josey to get our nails done. The girls loved it! Then we headed to McDonalds for lunch which I guess is pretty cool when you are four years old. After that we went to Painted Zebra to paint some pottery! Kenedee picked a mug for her daddy and Josey picked a skateboard for her brother.. so sweet! After that fun, we went back to Kelsey's house and we all baked cookies and iced them! And that pretty much wrapped up our long, fun girls day! This was probably one of my favorite days ever. Kenedee has a special place in my heart and I'm so grateful to have her in my life. She told me she had a lot of fun and hopes we can do it again soon.. she said everytime she goes to Starbucks or paints her nails she will think of me! Don't think she knows how special that makes me feel! Love that girl!

picture perfect moment.

2010-04-10T01:00:00.002-05:00

You know those moments that you just want to keep forever? The ones that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and the world seems.. peaceful and alright? Well, this picture captured one of mine. I was sitting in my room, rocking back and forth in my big comfy chair, sun streaming through the curtains, cuddling my godson as he fell asleep on my chest. I'm telling you, it just doesn't get much better than that in my book! So this is just a reminder to not let these beautiful moments pass you by! I for sure could use more practice at finding these moments and I know I am going to try to look for them and soak in as many of them as I can!

brubby's birthday.

2010-04-10T00:38:00.005-05:00

The birthday boy! Can't believe my baby brother is 14!

I had the honors of decorating his cake. It's his soccer team logo.. he was very sweet and said it looked really good (it's a horse)!

He's pretty cute.. Caleb mostly got money for his birthday plus a sweet mini fridge filled with gatorade for his room. He was very excited!

Addi, Zach, Peyton, Gavin, Caleb, and Me.. some of the ten cousins celebrating Caleb!

One of our favorite family traditions.. The aunts kiss the birthday kid! Sometimes they have to get creative because we have learned how to dodge.. but they always get us!

Here's my great family.. So thankful for them! It was easy celebrating my brother's life.. I have such a great little brother who has one of the most crazy, funny, goofy, sweet, strong and loving personalities. So blessed to be his big sister!

my dream room.

2010-04-10T00:25:00.002-05:00

This is my new room! Back around Thanksgiving last year, our basement flooded with sewage water and we lost all of our furniture, our floors, and some of our walls in our family room, bathroom, and my bedroom. After our devastation of having to throw EVERYTHING away, we found out that our insurance was going to pay for all of it at full price! This was so surprising and so much fun. I was given a budget of money from what I lost in my room from the insurance company and then got to make my dream room. My big, white chair is my favorite.. it rocks, like literally back and forth! Excited to actually get to live in it this summer!

diet pepsi.

2010-02-25T14:05:00.002-06:00

I miss Diet Pepsi. I usually have it at lunch and dinner. Yes, I know it's not good to have so much diet drink BUT I like it. The good thing about me giving up diet pepsi for Lent is that I actually think about its absence in my life. I was reading in Romans the other day and came across this verse:
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation!

Romans 5:9-11

We have the promise of RECONCILIATION through Jesus because of his sacrifice!! Something I'm thinking upon as I miss my diet pepsi.

daughter not poser.

2010-02-22T10:47:00.002-06:00

Brennan Manning is one of my very favorite authors. This book I just finished of his was just really great. He talks about finding your identity in being God's Child and how that is who we were truly created to be. A "poser" is the identity inside of us that says we are less than loved and must work for our place in this world as God's child or whatever else we are trying to make into who we are. In my life, I struggle with failure and the idea of not earning my spot in God's love. The freedom that comes with knowing that I am truly just loved by God without achievements or measurements is hard for me to embrace, but so beautiful and redeeming when I do. He talks about praying and being completely honest with yourself and God with who you are and where you screw up. I learned so much. Loved this book!! Hope you read it.

"Quit keeping score altogether and surrender yourself with all your sinfulness to God who sees neither the score nor the scorekeeper but only his child redeemed by Christ." -James Finley

masquerade.

2010-02-20T16:53:00.003-06:00

(Me and my Best friend excited to be dressed up!)

(This blur is the INSANE fun we are all having dancing!)

I love to dance! My FROSH group that gets together and plans things for my campus ministry "Crusade" had the great idea of planning a Masquerade for everyone! All of us girls had the opportunity to break out our old prom/homecoming dresses and get all dressed up (the boys did too) and dance. It was so much fun. And yes, people actually did wear masks to this "masquerade". It was legit for sure.

just dust.

2010-02-15T22:05:00.002-06:00

From dust you came and to dust you shall return. The season of Lent is coming up this Wednesday and I am so excited about it. It's a time of remembering that we are just dust and then Easter comes around and we remember that God died for us, even though we are only dust! Brennan Manning explains in his book "Posers, Fakers, & Wannabees", that Lent is... "a symbol of admitting our failures and weaknesses and renewing our attempt at trusting God through thick and thin..." I really hope as I give up junk food and diet pepsi this year, that I will be aware of all that I continue to keep from God and try to control in my life and remember how great God's redemption and grace is.. and that it's for me, even though I'm dust.

my valentines.

2010-02-15T00:23:00.003-06:00

Usually, Valentine's Day is not the greatest for all us single ladies. But thankfully, that was not the case for me. Ever since my very first year of pre-school, my daddy has sent me flowers to school. Just what a little girl wants from her daddy, to be noticed and told she's loved. This year, they made it all the way to Springfield! So grateful to have a dad who makes me feel so special. My mom also sent me a little something in the mail. A pocket-card filled with ten reasons that she loves me. They are amazing parents. I am so blessed!

Embrace the Row.

2010-01-18T01:01:00.002-06:00

Six friends of mine and I had the wonderful opportunity to serve in LA a couple of weeks ago. We headed down to Cali super early in the morning on a Tuesday and came back the next Sunday with an incredible experience. Our week started out on Skid Row. If you are unfamiliar with the area, it is a few block radius filled with over 7,000 homeless people. After 10pm everynight, the people down there line up their tents and blankets side by side filling the street's sidewalks. (If you would like a good picture of it, watch "The Soloist"). There are several missions on Skid Row. Many of them, like the two we served at, provided more than just food and shelter, but also life-skills classes, parenting classes, transitional housing, GED courses, and all sorts of other parts that make up a beautiful program of restoration. My favorite part of these organizations is that the men and women they are providing services for usually help out/run the jobs in the program. We had the opportunity to work with some of these people in the kitchen and were therefore able to hear some amazing stories!

If I could summarize what this trip was to me in one word it would be "overwhelming". There was so much to be broken over. The people we encountered had so many needs of all different natures... emotional, physical, spiritual... and everyone was at different places in their lives but in need of healing in all of those areas. I have never felt so helpless. This incredibly emotional realization reminded me just how great and lifechanging and beautiful the hope is that I have in Jesus and that people truly do need hope.

snapshots of LA.

2010-01-18T00:41:00.003-06:00

This was the group. Josh, Emily, Tamara, Leah, Sarah, Me, Kyle.

Lots of reminders of how big God is.. mountains AND ocean!

My favorite! Got to chill with Batman down in Hollywood and it only cost me $1!

Got to learn from and hangout with the coolest youth pastor.

Met some really cool people like Jason. And ate some good food: Roscoe's chicken & waffles!

We had Starbucks like six times on this trip.. always a good thing!

Made some new friends and served with these cool kids from Pismo.

Heard some amazing stories about God's redemption in peoples lives.

A new favorite and tasty food that we also had a few times!

Left for LA at 3:30am and Left for home around 5:00am.. totally worth the lack of sleep!

cutest godson ever.

2009-12-02T12:03:00.003-06:00

I would just like to brag right now and say that I have the most adorable godson ever! This is my Gavin Thomas. He is now 7months old and he is the best baby! I got to spend a whole bunch of time with him at Thanksgiving and he just giggles and smiles at everything. I also was able to be a part of his dedication! So thankful to have him in my life.
(picture credit goes to Pam Cooley)

velvet elvis.

2009-11-10T09:40:00.002-06:00

Seriously, this book just amazes me. Rob Bell is incredibly wise and gives a great, different perspective on God and life with God. This book covers a whole bunch of great stuff and it's hard to choose favorites. I'm almost mad that I finished the book because there is so much to learn! He talks about what it looks like to be Jesus' disciple and to view him as our Rabbi and what his "yoke" is, and faith and our freedom in Christ, and about truth and the Bible, and the art of questioning, and about our identity and how we are new creations, and bringing God's Kingdom here... It's all good! I'm sure if I read it again, I'd find several completely new things to learn. Rob Bell definitely looks at things from a different perspective that is challenging. I recommend that as you read, do so slowly so that you do not miss out on anything!

".. maybe it means teaching people to use their eyes to see things that have always been there; they just didn't realize it.. so the issue isn't so much taking Jesus to people who don't have him, but going to a place and pointing out to the people there the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst." (Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p.88)

beloved.

2009-11-10T09:25:00.002-06:00

Coming to Missouri State and being on my own has probably been one of the most challenging, and life-changing experiences I've ever had. To leave all that is comfortable: my Christian High School, my Trinity Church, my parents, my friends.. All of these things provided safety and certainty for me. At MSU, however, my comfort, my safety, my certainty all left. I began school in a position of questioning what I believe and why I believed it. I was forced to see my life just as me and God and without all of the wonderful support I had before. It was now time for me to seek out whether God was my Lord or my imaginary friend. Through a whole bunch of questions, changes, fear, skepticism, Scripture, prayer, and honesty, God showed up! Not entirely sure if I've ever known truly that I am LOVED by my Heavenly Father. I've atleast never understood it so clearly before. But, as I was on a date with Jesus last week, He changed my entire perspective on our relationship. I am a beloved daughter of the Creator of everything. I now have my identity. I am Christ's and He is mine. I am a new creation with a new life that is full and has purpose. I did absolutely nothing to earn, achieve, or accomplish these beautiful things. I only have them because God loves ME.

proud fake sister.

2009-11-06T00:07:00.003-06:00

from left: My buddy Jarred, Me, Fake Brother Jackson

This week has been very academically challenging. I have studied over 20 hours for three different test! So, my wonderful moma gave me some gas money to head home for two days (since I am still jobless and can't yet pay for my own gas). It was great seeing my family and going to church. But since it was in the middle of the week, I was able to go see my high school's play on Thursday! I use to be very involved with these every single year. The cast and crew members are all like family to me. I had so much fun catching up with all of them! I forget how special they all are to me. There is one particular person that was very good to see and that I am very proud of and that is my "fake brother" Jackson. He played Seppi (the play was Heidi) and he was the comic relief of the show. He did so great! Jackson is the coolest kid ever and I miss speding time with him. I'm a very proud "fake sister".

halloween blowout.

2009-11-01T23:00:00.003-06:00

the sweet dance floor and dj table.. picture about 90 people crammed in here dancing like crazy!

me and my best friend Kelsey: Sporty Spice and Scary Spice

The Spice Girls!! from L: Sporty(Kelsey), Ginger(Sandra), Scary(Me), Posh(Erica), Baby(Hanna)

Halloween was the best night ever!! Me and six of my friends got to plan a big Halloween party for the campus ministry I'm a part of called "Campus Crusade" (Cru). Our freshman group is called "Frosh" and we were in charge of decorating and getting food. The party was at the Cru guys' house (The Nut House). They set up a sweet DJ table! And about 90 of us danced from 8 till midnight. It was craziness and seriously the best time I've had so far at college! Me and my four other friends were the Spice Girls.. it was so fun!!

dumpster diving.

2009-10-29T15:27:00.003-05:00

I think "Dumpster Diving" is the most fun thing to do.. ever! This is what you do.. drive to stores, look/get in the dumpsters, and take the wonderful things they waste! It's super. I went with some friends a few weeks ago for the first time. We got some things to sell in a garage sale and we got "in trouble" with a cop. It was very fun. So, I decided to take my Springfield friends! Lisa, April, Maggie, and Me went last weekend to at least 20 stores. I think we picked a day just after trash pick up because we couldn't find much. BUT we found a cute, fake pumpkin, some paint, and a few figurines! Two things to remember when dumpster diving: bring a flashlight and gloves and don't go in the "crushers". Everyone should do it!

learning.

2009-10-29T14:05:00.003-05:00

This is what I'm learning.. God is patient and big and just wants me to return to him.. no matter how far I go or what I do. He is always just longing for me and pursuing me. I have an ugly side. I mess up a lot. Yet, God still wants me and pursues me. Isn't that amazing? I'm learning who God is and in that I'm learning that I am loved. Now that I am starting to understand "being" loved, I am beginning to understand what it looks like "to" love. So thankful for God's love. So thankful to be learning in the grace of a patient, big, jealous God.

chicago with my friend.

2009-10-20T11:27:00.006-05:00

Last weekend, me and my wonderful friend Anna went to Chicago. As I have said before, every good road trip must begin with Starbucks.. especially at 5 in the morning! We drove from St. Louis to Chicago in about 5 hours and only made a few stops.. we did good and were in the city by 10:30!

This here is a picture of my cute friend Anna playing with the GPS. She liked it a lot.

This is a picture of me kissing my future husband Michael Buble!! We found his NEW CD at Starbucks and I screamed because he's just wonderful! So we bought it and listened to it almost the entire way to Chicago.. Anna was very understanding.
This was pretty much the extent of our "site seeing".. the Bean. We did get to walk ALL OVER Chicago all day long and it was very fun. But, we didn't really go see the attractions that normal tourists visit.

This is my friend in Chicago. We think all of the buildings are so stinking cool and we had a lot of fun finding our way around.

And this is a picture of our friend and youth pastor Kyle. He ran the marathon that was taking place in Chicago that weekend. He was running for World Vision and raised a lot of money for them! We had a lot of fun haning out with him and his wife and the two other couples. Almost all of our time on Sunday was spent trying to find a way to see him during his run. That was probably our favorite part of the trip. We were successful two times! This picture is him about a mile away from the finish line! He finished and did a super great job!

Me and Anna had a lot of fun just being together. It was good to spend some time with my friend since I'm in college now and don't really get to be a big part of her life any more. She is one amazing girl.

kairos moment.

2009-09-14T22:16:00.005-05:00

While in New York, I was challenged by my youth pastor to seek a "kairos moment". He explained this to be a "moment of crisis"; a time that you realize something is wrong or just that something needs to be changed.. and then you change it. Being in college feels a lot like being shoved into a whole mess of things I didn't expect. Almost every idea I've had about MSU and building relationships here and serving the people around me and trusting God with everything and being like Jesus to the people on this campus seems unattainable. I almost feel like I'm being laughed at. To think that I could do any of that on my own. But I wanted to! I wanted to make my family proud and my friends at home proud. I wanted to show people who Jesus is and I wanted to feel complete with it just being me and Jesus in this world. After this failed, I realized something... That I'M the one trying to do ALL of those things on MY OWN... Jesus wasn't the one in control. Although my intentions were still good, they were also still MY intentions. I had my own plan and the plan failed. This is my kairos moment: I am trying to control my life. God needs to be the leader. I need to trust in his plan and purpose for my life. My worth does not come from what I do, but Whose I am. Nothing good can come or has ever come from me alone. It has all been by God and it will always be by God. Knowing this now is both freeing and scary. I'm clinging to Psalm 18 (read below!).

Psalm 18

2009-09-13T22:30:00.003-05:00

Psalms 18: 1-33, 50.

I love you, God- you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live,

my rescuing knight. My God- the high crag where I run for dear life,

hiding behind boulders, safe in the granite hideout.

I sing to god, the Praise-Lofty, and find myself safe and saved.

The hangman's noose was tight at my throat, devil waters rushed over me. Hell's ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit.

A hostile world! I call to God, I cry to God to help me.

From his palace he hears my call; my cry brings me into his presence-

a private audience!

Earth wobbles and lurches; huge mountains shake like leaves, quake like aspen leaves because of his rage. His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke; his mouth spits fire. Tongues of fire dart in and out; he lowers the sky. He steps down; under his feet an abyss opens up. He's riding a winged creature, swift on wind-wings. Now he's wrapped himself in a trenchcoat of black cloud darkness. But his cloud-brightness bursts through, spraying hailstones and fireballs. Then God thundered out of heaven; the High God gave a great shout, spraying hailstones and fireballs. God shoots his arrows-pandemonium! He hurls his lightnings- a rout! The secret sources of ocean are exposed, the hidden depths of the earth lie uncovered the moment you roar in protest, let loose your hurricane anger.

But me he caught-reached all the way from sky to sea;

he pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning.

They hit me while I was down,

but God stuck by me.

He stood up on a wide-open field;

I stood there saved- surprised to be loved!

God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him.

When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start.

Now, I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted.

Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick.

I feel put back together,

and I'm watching my next step.

God rewrote the text of my life when I open the book of my heart to his eyes.

The good people taste your goodness, the whole people taste your health,

the true people taste your truth, the bad ones can't figure you out.

You take the side of the down-and-out, But the stuck-up you take down a peg.

Suddenly, God, you floodlight my life; I'm blazing with glory, God's glory!

I smash the bands of marauders, Ivault the highest fences.

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth.

Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him...Makes it.

Is there any god like God?

Are we not at bedrock? Is this the God who armed me, then aimed me in the right direction?

Now I run like a deer; I'm king of the mountain. He shows me how to fight; I can bend a bronze bow! You protect me with salvation-armor; you hold me with a firm hand,

caress me with your gentle ways. You cleared the ground under me so my footing was firm.

God's chosen is beloved.

she is just great.

2009-09-02T23:13:00.002-05:00

So I checked my college mailbox today and what did I find?! Well, there was a note that said "you have a package!" And in that package was the best surprise ever... My wonderful mommy sent me my favorite peanut butter with a smiley face spoon, an adorable picture of someone I love more than peanut butter and chocolate (my awesome little brother), and a super sweet note. I'd just like to point out that my mom is the greatest and has never failed at making me feel known, special, and loved. She is just great and I love her very much.

my new home.

2009-08-30T14:51:00.005-05:00

In case anyone was wondering.... this is what my dorm room looks like (at least my side)! It's very spacious and we try to keep it clean. I actually try very hard to make my bed everyday. My roommate brought a sweet flat screen TV and we have cable and a dvd player and a mini-fridge and microwave too! All I have underneath my bed is two laundry baskets and a shoe organizer thing, so we don't have a lot of clutter either. I really like my room. Our dorm is in the middle of everything on campus (yummy dinning hall right across the street and student union is right next store and all my classes just around the corner!) and our room is only two flights of stairs up. I love it.

days like today.

2009-08-30T00:22:00.005-05:00

Today was such a great day. My friend Jenn and I did all of our favorite things! First, we spent about an hour and a half at a used book store called "Redeemed". I bought three beautiful, old books. One is as old as 1898! It was so hard to limit myself. Then we went to a coffe shop called Sinatra's Coffee Gallery. They actually play Frank Sinatra and it was the cutest coffee shop ever (and delicious)! Then the two of us just drove around and found fun places to take pictures. A field, old barns, cows, signs, and doors are just a few of the things we captured. Afterwards, Jenn and I headed down town to walk around and ended up grabbing some coffee and listening to a very talented acoustic guitar player and singer. If I could describe a perfect day, it would look like the day I had today. The weather was gorgeous, I love books, coffee, jazz.. Frank Sinatra, taking pictures, beautiful scenery, the city, good music, and great company!

i'm in college.

2009-08-29T01:33:00.002-05:00

Goodness.. I don't even know where to begin! Well, I am officially a college student.. just completed my first week of classes and I'm completely settled into my dorm. I absolutely love this campus and my classes! It's so great with professors that actually care and are passionate about what they teach! Makes a HUGE difference. AND there are so many things to do! Hopefully, I will be participating in Hall Council for my dorm "Freddy" as the Community Service Chair. And, I am also looking forward to being apart of the Student Activities Committee for the entire school body! Oh, and my roommate is awesome and her name is also Kelsey! We get along really well.

College has really been a rollercoaster of emotions. Saying goodbye to my parents and brother and my few really great friends was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! Somedays have been good.. meeting friends and feeling as if I belong. But there have been a few moments that I feel unlikable and that making friends is something that will never happen or be easy. But wonderful people keep graciously reminding me that those things take time and it's only been one week. Other than those few moments, college has been awesome! I absolutely love going to classes and I have the greatest schedule! Taking naps is so stinking great... I don't even mind doing my dishes or my laundry! Being a big girl is very cool. I definitely feel as if I've grown up in the past week. I still have so much to say, but I think I'll space it out and put more fun pictures up.

book review: Glass Castle.

2009-07-31T22:20:00.002-05:00

I had to take a lot of deep breaths while reading this book. It's an amazing story of resilience and brokeness and family. There are just so many things one can learn from this woman's childhood. Not even sure how to start telling someone why I love the book or why they should read it. After every few pages, I would just look up and say "Really?". There are just so many things that surprised me and startled me and made me sad and happy and hopeful and lost and upset. It definitely stretched my perspective on the type of people that live around me and made me very grateful for the life, parents, and childhood that I had! I really hope you get the chance to read this book. It is definitely my favorite book that I have ever read... no joke.

Embraced New York.

2009-07-31T21:58:00.003-05:00

Just got back a week ago from my mission trip to New York.. It was so crazy! The city was so amazing.. I'm in love with it. There were so many people of all different backgrounds everywhere! There were so many different smells (good and bad) and noises and so many things that take your attention. We were able to visit all the boros except for Staten Island. They were all so different. I think Manhattan may have been my favorite. I liked the energy in TimeSquare and I also really liked Harlem. Not really sure where to begin with the trip. It wasn't exactly what I expected. We were able to do a lot of "behind the scenes" serving which isn't what we are use to with mission trips. Normally we are constantly with kids and people. But I think it was a good stretching opportunity for our group. I know I definitely was surprised and God used it to teach me some good things. One of my very favorite sites we helped with was a place called "God's Love, We Deliver". It's an organization that delivers hot and frozen meals daily to people that are unable to leave their homes and make meals for themselves due to an illness (HIV/Aids, MS, cancers, Alzheimers.. etc.) It all started with one lady just taking notice of a neighbor who had Aids and she just started doing his grocery shopping and cooking for him. Now the organzation serves 14,000 meals A WEEK!!!! This gives me so much hope. God is so much bigger than I ever give him credit. So in a very small summary, that was New York. I can't wait to go back!!

summer bucket list.

2009-06-24T21:46:00.002-05:00

go on a hike.

go camping.

take 10 really cool pictures.

make a family/friend photo album.

bake something new.

make dinner for my family.

make dinner for a different family.

have a legitimate slumber party.

go on a scavenger hunt.

host a trililogy movie fest with friends.

spend an entire day in the Loop.

go to Kayak Coffee shop.

go to the zoo.

go to the muny 3x's.

walk Forest Park.

have a picnic at Forest Park.

go to Shakespeare in the Park.

go swing dancing.

paint a picture.

try out some Indie music.
go to an art show.

learn about a culture.

go to a concert.

learn about a historical person.

read 3 books (atleast).

go antiquing/garage saling (with anna).

watch all the movies on my list.

do random acts of kindness.

do something crazy &/or spontaneous.

There's the list! Hopefully I can fit it all in. I'm going to try to take pics of each thing and post them so be on the look out. So glad it's summer!

to be confident.

2009-06-19T18:54:00.004-05:00

My prayer right now... I want confidence. The confidence to obey God when he asks me to do something that takes courage. Or the confidence to obey Him when He says it's time to give something up. I want the confidence to be who I am in all situations and around all people. To be who God created me to be in every relationship. I want confidence in Jesus. To follow him no matter what it takes. The confidence to let Loving God and Loving people be the center of my world. I want the confidence to not only dream up what my life and this world could look like but actually achieve those dreams. I wonder who I'd become if I'd actually receive the confidence God desires to give me. I guess "confidence" could be interchangeable with "trust". I desire to trust God in everything.

for me??

2009-06-14T00:15:00.003-05:00

Umm... I WON an iPod Touch the last day of camp! So crazy. They did a drawing of names tags of people who volunteered to help pick up trees & brush around the camp ground (had a bad storm a few weeks before.. lots of damage). Funny thing is: I ACCIDENTALLY ended up helping for an hour the first day. AND my name was only drawn because one of the ten (out of like 50 other name tags) picked had already won an iPod... so they needed to pick another and it was ME! Nothing like this has ever happened to me before! Still pinching myself.

last year of camp.

2009-06-13T23:37:00.007-05:00

my church family: camp blessing #1

my youth pastor & great friend: camp blessing #2

my girls: camp blessing #3

My last year (as a student) at camp! I've been going to Pinecrest Camp since 3rd grade.. that's eleven years! It's always been a wonderful time of just hanging out and having a blast. This year was perfect. Had a great speaker and a talented and fun worship leader. Plus the games were fun and the food was delicious! I always love camp just because I get to know my church family, my girls especially. We have such a great time just being with one another and goofing off. One of my favorite times is when we re-cap the week together on the last night. It's cool to see that God is actually doing stuff in people's lives. I've learned not to let camp be my emotional high for the year or to just let this time of escape from life be wasted. Last year it really did mark a time in my life that God just shook up my priorities. I learned that life is about loving God and loving people and that truly is all that matters. This year God showed me I'm not following him in everything. I'm still trying to control things and I'm not trusting Him. But I'm also learning that all of this is a process. It's ok to allow God's love and grace into my life. I'm so thankful for God's patience. And for all of these wonderful people in my life that love me for me and that spend life with me.

parental date night.

2009-06-13T23:22:00.003-05:00

My daddy and moma and I went on a little date the other night. The three of us headed down to a place called Forest Park and went to Shakespeare in the Park. We had some lattes and watched "The Wives of Windsor" ( set in the 1930's) in our lawn chairs. It was completely free and perfectly beautiful outside! I had so much fun. I really do have the greatest parents in the world. I'm continuing to realize just how much they have sacrificed for me and just how blessed I am to have been given parents that love me so much. It was a wonderful night. Definitely soaking up these moments!

feels more bitter.

2009-05-31T23:29:00.003-05:00

Wow. I can't believe I did it. I went on a REAL road trip! No parents and no plans.. with my own money and my own friends in my car! Kelsey, Meg, and I (also known as Nora, Bella, and Riley- our fake names we told the people we met-haha yeah, we're weird) left in the early morning for a 15 hour trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina! We beached and played and shopped and tanned and had an amazing time being big girls and making our own plans and doing whatever we wanted! It was perfect. Can't believe I am allowed to do things like this now. But it's bittersweet. Being away this last week and coming back to my family and my friends gave me a feel for college. It's going to be hard. I hate not talking and being a part of what went on in my mom's week. I hate not having fun with my brother or knowing what he did his first week of summer (found out he hung out with girls! NOT ok!). I hate not hugging my daddy after his long days at work and missing out on his silly jokes. And I hate not being a part of my church family's week. Seriously, I have to go to college? I don't want to miss these things.

graduation pics (the party).

2009-05-19T00:56:00.007-05:00

the huge yummy cake.

cake with decorations.

just one of the many creative ideas via my mommy.

my wonderful chef uncle dan making fettucine alfredo for 1,000's.

the left over fettucine alfredo.

lots of wonderful cards.

my family made me cry... alot.

the "treasure box" filled with notes and the picture board of my life.

graduation pics (friends).

2009-05-19T00:35:00.002-05:00

me and noelle.

three kelsey's.

me and the beautiful meredith.

me and mrs. neff.

me and mrs. nell.

graduation pics (family).

2009-05-19T00:31:00.003-05:00

me and daddy.

me and brubby (brother).

me and moma.

me and my 90year old great grandmother.

me and my cousin zach.

me and my godson gavin.

me and cousin addi and her son gavin.

gina, lily, me, jade, tori, and great aunt lee.

me and my aunts.

uncle dan, aunt beth, and me.

great uncle paul, aunt sue, & gma gmpa wright

my cousins lindsey and courtenay.

I'm done!

2009-05-19T00:12:00.004-05:00

graduates.

my family.

some of the cousins.

my wonderful aunts did this.

I'm officially done with High School... forever! It's hard to believe. I think, out of my entire life, this last weekend was the best time I've ever had. A lot of my family flew/drove in from out of state. We had fettucine alfredo and spent time together on Saturday before graduation. Then they all went with me to school and watched me graduate! Then on Sunday, we had the "friends" party and a lot of people dropped by. I had so much fun. I've never felt so loved or encouraged! This last weekend was such a gift. I'm so grateful to have so many wonderful and beautiful people in my life that love me!

next week.

2009-05-14T23:31:00.003-05:00

to do list for the next week:

forever part from high school on Saturday at 6:30pm
spend some great, much missed time with my family
hold my godson for the first time
go to 1,742 graduation parties
clean my very messy room and car
go see a movie with two wonderful people
relax and read books
start up weight watchers and exercising.. again!
unpack from Florida and pack for Hilton Head
freak out about college

book review.

2009-04-13T21:52:00.003-05:00

This is one of my all-time favorite books! it's about a man who was a modern-day slave. he literally had no idea slavery had been abolished and this was in like the 60's! Anyways, this man, Denver, decides to leave the plantation one day and gets on a train that leads him to Fort Worth, Texas. It is here that Denver became a homeless man. He had lived on the streets for about 30 years until he met Ron. Ron was an art-dealer, caught up in his work and the pleasures of money. Once his eyes were opened the life he was missing out on with his wife and family and God, Ron followed his wife's wishes and began working at a homeless shelter. There the two lives of Denver and Ron mixed and each were left forever changed. It is a beautiful amazing story! please read it!

This book, The Last Eyewitness: the Final Week, is the retelling of chapters 13-21 of the book of John in the Bible from the disciple John's perspective. I really liked this book, especially during Easter, because it makes the story of Jesus seems less like a historic account and more like an actual life event. It really just tells the of the events that happened between the time of the last supper and when Jesus ascended into heaven. It placed me in the perspective of a disciple back then and helped open my eyes to the idea of Christ's death creating so much anguish and hopelessness. I'm so glad Jesus defeated death so that we don't have to feel that pain and hopelessness!

letter to my future self.

2009-04-11T21:42:00.004-05:00

dear kelsey ann wright,

i understand that you are at a crossroads in your life.

i'd like you to remember right now (and in the future)

that you're in the hands of a mighty creator. please try

not to forget that you are one that is beloved and

cherished. it would be a good thing if you began to

look outside of your small box and tried to reach for the

highest stars. know that the God of the universe gave you

passions and desires for a purpose. know that who you are is enough.

know that that God is mighty to save. know that nothing

takes him by surprise that happens in your life. and know

because of that beautiful, scandalous night 2,000 years ago

you can now live freely, fully, gracefully, and lovingly.

please remember kelsey that this life is not about you

but about loving God and loving people. follow Jesus. now that you have

experienced His unconditional love, you can not remain stagnant.

because of Him, your life will change and it will be beautiful.

so embrace the scary, broken, messy, painful, harsh, hateful

world with confidence, for your loving Father, Maker, Rabbi,

Best Friend, and Savior is on your side and with you... forever.

He will be watching over you and redeeming you.

seek his perfect will and trust in his faithfulness.

please understand that you are now about something much greater.

learn. laugh. live. and LOVE.

sincerely,

kelsey ann wright

Haven of Grace.

2009-03-26T20:45:00.002-05:00

sweet baby Navea (3 weeks old)
sweet baby Cadin (6 weeks old)

I had the best time at Haven of Grace! But who wouldn't? getting to hold new born babies all day long! The Haven of Grace is a shelter for up to ten women who are pregnant or whom have babies. This was probably the nicest shelter I've ever seen. I thought it was a church and these women just stay there during the week or something. But actually the women can stay there for, I believe, up to an entire year. The shelter is a church building, super clean, and has a kitchen area and living room areas throughout the building. The women take turns during the week cooking dinner for each other and can eat from the kitchen whenever they want. They can stay there at all hours of the day and there are plenty of supplies to take care of their babies too. Once one graduates from the shelter, there are new, nice apartment buildings right next to the building that the women can stay in for up to two years! The ladies that worked at the shelter were so gracious and appreciative to me. It was a very well put together organization. The women who stayed there were all very young, some were not more than a year or two older than me. I was able to talk with some of them and they were very sweet. All I really did today was watch those two babies as their moms ran some errands for a few hours. I loved it! I'm going back tomorrow so hopefully I'll learn some more that I can share.

Heather's Birthday Present.

2009-03-25T18:43:00.003-05:00

Such a cute restaurant!

Delicious food!

Kenedee playing "Magpie Game"

My two lunch dates: Birthday girl and her adorable daughter

Today, I had the honor of taking my good friend Heather out for her TWENTY-NINETH birthday! Heather, Kenedee (her 3 year old daughter) and I checked out this cute mom and pop restaurant in Old Town St. Charles called "Magpies". It was delicious! I had the potato soup and the "gobbler" sandwich which I recommend to anyone who goes there. We had a good time just talking and playing Kenedee's game called, The Magpie game. We would pretend to be the waitress and ordered silly things. It was really fun. On the way to and from the restaurant, all three of us made up songs and sang them to each other. One of my favorites by Kenedee went something like: "I love Magpies and I love you and this is a big girl song and I'm very full and I don't want to take a nap and I love Magpies, it's cute like mommy and kenedee and kelsey and its beautiful!" We were laughing so hard. Glad I know these two wonderful girls! Heather has a beautiful heart. I'm very blessed to have her influence as a part of my life. I hope I can be a good mommy and follower of Jesus like my friend when I grow up.

The Shalom House.

2009-03-25T14:24:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I had the privilege to visit the Shalom House. This home has two parts. In the upstairs, there are twelve ladies that live in their own rooms. They are responsible for buying their own groceries, making their own meals, and cleaning their own rooms/items. The ladies are allowed to stay in this "transitional housing" for up to two years. In the basement, however, there are twenty-five beds. This area is open all throughout the day for women who have no place to be and the doors close at 9:00. The women who occupy the 25 beds are allowed to stay there and keep their stuff there for up to 90 days. This part of the shelter cooks meals for the women and provides meds and a place to stay warm and safe. This is the area that I was able to help out with. But all I really did was talk with the ladies and the staff and put some chicken in the oven. There isn't much that needs to be cleaned because the women who stay there have chores to do throughout the day and usually churches provide the meals for the women. I had a good time though just listening and being with these women. I'm excited to go back!

baby shower.

2009-03-22T23:56:00.002-05:00

the new moma, my cousin addi

the beautiful, delicious cake by my Great Aunt Lee

the godmother (me!) and the mother (addi!)

addi made that shirt for me. it says "godmother" in rhinestones!

this is my diaper cake that I made for addi and baby gavin

there were so many CUTE kiddos at the shower!

these are my third cousins (I think) tori and lilyanna.

i could not get enough of this ball of adorableness! his name is ky.

this sweet angel is Raigen. she's only a month old!

i loved holding her.

here's a close up of her. she kept making this cute face!

can't wait for addi to have our little gavin thomas!

april 24, 2009 is the due date.

This weekend I headed up to East Peoria with my moma. With my Aunt Jodie and Aunt Kerri, we through a babyshower for my oldest cousin Addi. Our new baby will be coming April 24, 2009, hopefully. Little Gavin Thomas will be the first baby to come to our family in over a decade! He is going to be so spoiled. Anyways, Addi's shower went really well. About 25 people, friends and family, came out to celebrate Addi and the baby. We played fun games together and had some yummy food. It was a good time to just hang out with the girls. All we talked about was how fun it's going to be to have a baby in the family again! I'm so excited. After holding all of these kiddos at the shower, I'm looking forward to getting through this next month and finally seeing baby Gavin for the first time! It's also pretty cool that I am going to be a godmother. Yay for babies!

new reads.

2009-03-16T20:59:00.004-05:00

Began two new books today! Very excited to learn from them. The first book, "The Same Kind of Different As Me" is an incredible story so far. In the other one, "The End of Poverty," I have only gotten as far as the forward from Bono, but who doesn't love Bono?! I am still reading "The Last Eyewitness: the Final Week" during this Lent season which is also going great. That book is one that retells the last week of Jesus' life from the Gospel John in a different and personal story form. I love it. In case you are wondering, it's not because I have too much time on my hands that I am able to read all of these books, it's that I don't have the alternative of T.V.!

y-not love.

2009-03-15T15:04:00.003-05:00

Just in this past weekend I have been exposed to some pain that Christians, the church, has caused people. I always hear from movies or leaders of other's stories about the church causing them pain: how the church had treated them poorly or how they felt outcasted and out of place or that Christians they encountered were judgmental. The past two days, however, I've been able to talk with two very great ladies about their "church history". One had told me she felt her church growing up was just completely superficial. That everyone seemed only concerned with telling other's faults and reminding them of their sin. She said the people were just so judgmental and she really didn't want to be apart of something like that. The other woman I had spoken with told me the church had hurt her very badly. She had trusted the people and the pastor but then some things happened and she felt that the rug had been pulled out from underneath her. She was shocked and completely devastated and hurt. In her own words, this woman told me it felt like a divorce. That returning to church was like trying to date and Ex-husband: awkward, scary, and hard. I have never been exposed to real life stories like this from people I know. I'm heartbroken!

It makes me so mad and sad that Christ's church has treated people like this. As followers we are ambassadors of Christ. When you choose to follow him, you have chosen to be like him which means you have chosen to LOVE people. I know I am not perfect, but I hope I am always intentional with my words and actions. That they will always be filled with life and love because if not, the consequences are sad and painful.

Daddy & Me.

2009-03-15T14:40:00.003-05:00

First Starbucks and the Art Museum!

Then Mai Lee Chinese Food!

Then Kaldi's Coffee Shop!

This Saturday Daddy and I went on a date together, our first one in a while. We started it with me treated us to Starbucks. Then, we headed to downtown St. Louis in Forest Park to walk through the Art Museum together! It was very fun. I'm glad we both like art. Afterwards, we headed to an area close to the "Loop" to eat Chinese food, another love that we both share (that mom hates). We ate at Mai Lee. It was delicious! And then we headed to Kaldi's Coffee Shop and had some chai tea lattes and read the paper. I had a wonderful time with my Daddy. I love him so much! He's so special to me and I'm so glad he's mine!

Family Springfield Tournament.

2009-03-15T13:55:00.012-05:00

Caleb played four fantastic games!

He even made the switch from defense to forward.

And even though it POURED and stormed on us...

It was worth it cause our boys WON!

The family and I went to Springfield, MO just a week ago to watch my brother in his season's first soccer tournament! It was a very good time watching Caleb and the boys win the tournament. They all played very well. Since we were in my soon to be "hometown", Mom and I took advantage of our time there checking out the sites and finding all of the good spots of town. I found a few awesome coffee shops and fun places to go! Made me even more eager to finish up high school. Anyways, Springfield was a great time. We had fun as a family!

Breakfast of Champions.

Daddy's donkey and garden at Lambert's

Brother and Daddy at Lambert's

Momma and Me at Lambert's

The food was so good!

One of the many fun places downtown!

One of the many cute, yummy places downtown to eat.

There were a few painted walls downtown, pretty cool.

TJ's Birthday.

2009-03-01T20:53:00.009-06:00

(the birthday boy, Tucker James)

(the cousins)

(caleb and peyton)

(the aunt's kissing tradition!)

(yummy birthday cake!)

This past weekend me, mom, and caleb headed up to Mattoon and celebrated my cousin Tucker's birthday! He turned 15! I can't even believe that. He gets his "white card" in just a few days too... driving! Tucker, out of all my cousins, is MY baby! I just can't believe how old he is. Anyways, we had a lot of fun celebrating him with all the family. TJ is one amazing kid! I'm very proud of him.

my first ash wednesday.

2009-02-26T19:19:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was the beginning of the Lent Season! I've lasted so far.. today (Thursdays) is probably my hardest T.V. day. I'm missing Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice! Oh well. It's been a good-different with the house being quieter and my time being spent reading and with Jesus. To kick off Lent my church had its first Ash Wednesday Service! It was very cool. Our pastors reminded us of our mortality telling us "from dust you came, to dust you will return" as they placed ashes in a cross shape on our forehead. We also took communion and worshipped together through songs. I really like Lent.

the next 46.

2009-02-24T22:49:00.005-06:00

Every year we Christ followers take time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and we call it Easter. One Catholic tradition leading up to that celebration is called "Lent". Although I am not a practicing Catholic, I am a practicing Jesus lover and I have decided to take part in this tradition along with my church family. Lent consists of sacrificing or fasting something with the intention of better preparing us for Easter time. My lent sacrifice is to fast T.V. and also to eat healthy (no bunny trails or "bad food days" allowed in my weightwatcher diet!). But its important to know that lent is not only giving up something, but also taking on something as well. So instead of watching my shows, I'm going to read my Bible and a book called "The Last Eyewitness: the final week". And instead of eating poorly, I'm going to pray for specific things when that craving comes. Both bad food days and t.v. are comforts and time-stuffers to me, so I'm very excited to see what my life and relationship with Jesus will look like without those two things for the next 46 days.

to be angelic.

2009-02-22T16:55:00.004-06:00

This Sunday afternoon I was able to spend some time with my new friend Cathryn. She has an amazingly giving spirit. Every weekend Cathryn heads down town and meets the needs of two men that have no homes, Rob and Terry. She brings everything from propane and food to matresses and tents! The pictures above are the men's tents. Today, Cathryn, her dad, and I set up a new tent for Rob and cleaned up around their campground. I was able to visit with Terry for quite sometime. He showed me inside of his home and filled me in on the purpose of everything inside of his tent. One of his favorite hobbies is cooking! With a propane burner, Terry said he makes everything from tea to fetticine alfredo! Both Rob and Terry were very nice and I'm looking forward to getting to know them! They sure do appreciate Cathryn. Terry told me today that he calls Cathryn his angel! I hope my actions are just as angelic someday.

morning date.

2009-02-20T23:28:00.002-06:00

I have the coolest little brother in the world! I really love any time that Caleb and I spend together and one of our favorites is Starbucks on the way to/from school. This morning we left early and grabbed some to start our Friday. Ever since I have had to quit my job, Caleb has felt quite deprived of his Starbucks on the account of me being broke! When I told the family at dinner that I had gotten a new job Caleb's reaction was "Yes, we can do Starbucks again!!" So glad I can give this crazy kid something to look forward to again! He cracks me up but honestly I'm really excited too!

road trip!

2009-02-20T22:53:00.007-06:00

me and kelsey b: my mo state partner

getting gas for the 4 hour trip

us spending the night in Blair/Shannon... our hopeful

dorm next year!

one of the picture of mo state's campus

on our way home when we had to pee really bad
this was the sign we saw!

us approving that famous bathroom

what good is a road trip without Starbucks?!

This past week my friend Kelsey and I took a road trip together to Missouri State University! It was definitely one of the most big girlish things I have ever done! We drove down Tuesday after school and arived 4 hours later. Right away we began our plans and went to something called Christian Campus House (kind of like a youth group) which was pretty cool! Then we settled into a friend's dorm for the night and watched The Notebook together in the suite's living room. The next Wednesday morning we woke up around 9:30a.m., took a 25 minute walk to my car, drove for another 20 minutes till we found a parking spot and then began our hour and half tour of the campus! After that, Kels and I went to lunch with one of my favorite teacher's friend. She filled me in about the studies, work, and life of a social worker! After talking with her for an hour, Kelsey and I headed home. It was a really packed, wonderful trip! Mostly, what I received from the trip was a dose of reality. Not in a bad way, but college is definitely not what I expected! I can't wait!

its boring.

2009-02-12T18:58:00.002-06:00

This week has been intense. I've been studying for tests, writing papers, watching tv, and going to play practice. In case you were wondering what keeps me going, it's diet pepsi! And yes, this is all I am writing about. Maybe that tells you just how worn out I am or just how lazy I feel tonight. Either way, I'm out of creativity for the day but it will return soon, I promise. Hope YOUR week has been good!

i'm a big kid now.

2009-02-08T17:37:00.005-06:00

i'm not sure why i waste my time watching t.v. or just laying around. sometimes even school and work seem a waste. but i'm always reminded that wherever there is people there's an opportunity to build relationships. and people are what matter. i really do long to make my life meaningful and i don't want to let time pass and miss out on anything or anyone. i want to seek out the injustice and be used by God to just be his love. but usually i don't act on these things. i feel that i'm at a point in my life that i'm being stretched in two directions and it's causing me to have to make a choice. i can either stay put and continue "thinking" about taking action or i can grow up and just do it. i'm beginning to realize i have responsibilities, whether they're as daughter, sister, friend, or Follower. it's weird but i'm a big kid now so i'm putting on my big girl pants!

update

2009-02-08T17:30:00.002-06:00

hello readers. i am very sorry it has been such a long time since i've blogged. i guess i'll just give you an update. first and foremost there are only 56 more days of high school left for me! with that comes lots of english projects and tests but i'm going to keep looking at that light at the end of the tunnel! my family is doing great and so are all the friends. yeah not much of an update, i've just been chuggin a long. nothing very interesting has happened lately but i promise to find something interesting soon!

parents.

2009-01-27T17:43:00.002-06:00

Meet my adorable parents. They have done some amazing things for me through out my life... like providing food and water, shelter, bed, and clothing, but more than that they have taken time to love me. Yesterday I was challenged to fight for my relationship with my parents; to find a way to make it work and to embrace their humanness. That may sound silly but it truly hasn't been until this year that I've recognized my parents are allowed to make mistakes too. They need grace and forgiveness just as much as I expect it from them. I know more times than not I have taken for granted what they have done for me. I fail to recognize the pure love they have for me and all they have sacrificed to be my parents. It must be tough being a parent. I want to honor them and obey them, but what I want the most is to know them and share life with them because I love them.

weight watchers #1.

2009-01-07T18:11:00.004-06:00

Today was my first Weight Watchers meeting of the year. Although I make the resolution to "lose weight" every year, this year feels different. My goal is to lose my 30-35 pounds within the next four months. Exactly four months from today is my Senior class trip to Florida. Usually I would use this as "motivation" to lose my weight but not this time. I want eating healthy and exercising to be a daily lifestyle for me. Being thinner and healthier for the trip would just be a great bonus! I'll update my losses over the weeks and months. Yay getting healthy!

78 more days.

2009-01-06T19:16:00.003-06:00

Only 78 more days of HIGH SCHOOL!!! I have officially returned to my last semester of my Senior year. I cannot even believe I am this old. I'm going to try my best to stay concentrated with my school work but I have a bad case of "SENIORitis"! Why isn't May 16th tomorrow (graduation day!)?

09 Resolutions List.

2009-01-03T00:46:00.004-06:00

New Years is probably one of my favorite holiday times. I love the new start it offers and the chance to just begin fresh. This year I have tons of Resolutions, as I do every year. I was thinking that maybe if I put them on my blog I might be even more motivated to actually accomplish them! So here's my favorites:

lose 35 pounds through Weight Watchers & Exercise

read 22 books this year

have an adventure day every other month

(this is my attempt to be more "risky" and get out of my comfort zone)

get involved with volunteering somewhere regularly

be a better daughter and sister with more dates with family members

write Litzi a letter every week

And of course I have my spiritual and individual goals between me and God. Hopefully I will be updating my blog with my accomplishments and not my failures throughout this year!

my favorites of 08

2009-01-01T21:25:00.013-06:00

became an official "regular" at Starbucks!

had the most amazing night of my life with my mom at my man's... i mean micheal buble's... wonderful concert! it was perfect.

went on one of my very favorite mission trips to nashville with my awesome youth group.

was able to spend christmas in dallas with my family and it was a tasty, wonderful time.

my senior homecoming was a blast and i was on court with my best friend (the queen!).

my little brother came to my school! i got to spend time with him every morning driving him to school. i cherish this time especially since 09 means college soon!

hoping 2009 will be even greater than this past 08. have lots of resolutions to fulfill, graduating high school, going to new york for a mission trip, headed to mo state for college, and who knows what will fall between those high points. can't wait!

Christmas in Texas

2008-12-28T13:14:00.005-06:00

There were so many wonderful things that we did together in Texas. But I thought I'd begin with my favorite and most memorable. My Aunt Beth arranged for an extraordinary chance to serve the homeless of Dallas, Texas. We put together 200 boxes of items: socks, coke bottle, candies, tooth brush/paste and wrapped each box and also put together a baggy of homemade cookies. On Christmas Eve all 14 of us packed a rented truck with the boxes and picked up buckets full of hot hot chocolate and headed down town. It was so fun handing out the packages and goodies. The people receiving them were so appreciative and nice. We were able to stop and talk to some for a while. Each group we came across saved their present for the next Christmas morning. I thought that was just the coolest thing. I'm very thankful my Aunt Beth thought of this wonderful experience to do as a family; to work hard together to help provide a special Christmas for complete strangers. It was amazing.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T09:53:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends! Hope you are with family and loved ones and are remembering the true meaning of today... Emmanuel was born... Redeeming Love is ours! Merry Christmas!

been a while.

2008-12-24T14:04:00.002-06:00

It's Christmas time! We are down in Dallas spending some time with the family at my Aunt Beth and Uncle Dan's house. It is always an enormous treat when we get to come and stay with them. They are an amazing couple of people. I have not updated my blog in... a while! Sorry. I don't have Dallas pics uploaded to the computer just yet either so those will be along soon. Just thought I'd say I'm having a blast in Dallas.. We will be off to Mattoon for the other side of the family Friday! Christmas time is my favorite! P.S. The picture is of my two girls: my cousins Lyndsey and Courtenay. Unfortunately they couldn't make it out to Texas and I'm missing them. I'll defintely be blogging like crazy soon! Until then...

our tree.

2008-12-07T20:38:00.007-06:00

Mom and Dad being cute.

Dad and his new, free mug from the tree place.

Caleb standing next to "his" size tree.

The tree.. still naked.

It didn't take much time today, but we had a lot of fun picking out our Christmas tree together. We never can all agree on which tree to pick. The standard is just tall and skinny. One tradition Caleb has every year is to find a tiny tree for him and me. A tiny tree really means a small broken off tree branch. We bring it home and claim it for our own. Today was a lot of fun. Reminding me just how close Christmas is!

The Joe Show.

2008-12-07T16:49:00.004-06:00

Today, we continued our annual family tradition of picking out the Christmas tree together. Here to talk about it is my little brother, Caleb or as he is known in this interview : Joe on The Joe Show. Enjoy!

babysitting adventure #2.

2008-12-07T13:27:00.007-06:00

Last night was so much fun! These kids were wonderful and loved to cuddle! Plus they were incredibly cute, as you can tell from the pictures. I traveled out to Alton, IL yesterday and arrived at their house around 5:30 p.m. We played all sorts of games from "Elefun" to "Operation: Spongebob Edition". However, "Thomas the Train Memory Game" was my personal favorite. We also ate pizza and chocolate sticks and towards the end of the night we popped in A Mickey Mouse Christmas Movie. After the movie, I battled with these kiddos for an hour and a half, asking them to please go to bed. Finally around 10:30 they all quieted down. I was told the parents would get home around 11:30 but it wasn't until 1:00a.m. that they came through the door. By this point it didn't matter and they definitely made it worth my while! They were very generous. Even with out their generosity, these kids are definitely in the top five of my favorites to babysit!

baby brother.

2008-12-03T21:58:00.007-06:00

The past two days for some reason my brother has been especially special to me. Maybe it's the thought of having to leave him next year or maybe its just how I've recognized how much he is growing up; either way, I've just been really proud of him. Today I found something that he wrote about God. Can't believe he is even old enough to be thinking "maturely" in a sense but it's so cool and comforting to know that God is working in my brother's life.. even now. Like I said, leaving him is a very tear-jerking, hard thought for me, but it's days like today that I realize my God is going to take care of my baby brother. Caleb truly is one amazing kid. It's cool to see the young man he is becoming. And it's nice to have a brother that helps me want to be a better big sister. I love him very dearly.

Snow!

2008-11-30T13:50:00.006-06:00

First snow of the year here in wonderful Missouri! So excited about it. I couldn't let this great day go by without celebrating it with a little time at Starbucks. I love this time of year!

Very Thankful.

2008-11-29T17:57:00.002-06:00

This Thanksgiving I am thankful... I'm thankful for my friends and their love and understanding. I'm thankful for my big family and the life I have with them. I'm thankful for my relationship with my parents and my brother. I'm thankful that they love me and that they are mine. I'm thankful for my house and the shelter it provides. I'm thankful for Starbucks coffee and books to read. I'm thankful for all of my abilities and talents. I'm thankful for my education and chance to go to college. I'm thankful for shoes and clothes. I'm thankful for entertainment like movies and plays. I'm thankful for my job and co-workers. I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful to live in the U.S. I'm thankful to go to such a wonderful youth group. I'm thankful for leadership and mentors in my life. I'm thankful for food and water. I'm thankful for joy and fun. I'm thankful for phones and laptops. I'm thankful for Jesus and his unconditional love and saving grace. I'm thankful to be me and to live this life.

Black Friday's Adventure.

2008-11-28T19:05:00.005-06:00

my fun black friday companions

our delicious nourishment: Ruby Tuesdays

me and the moma enjoying some caffine

the end result... lots and lots and lots of goodies

As you can see from my previous post, we began our day quite early. The beautiful ladies I joined today are officially considered "professional shoppers" in my book. They enthusiastically woke me around 3:30 a.m. and we headed out to Kohls then to Walmart then Target then Sports Authority then Hobby Lobby and then Mid Rivers Mall. I had so much fun spending time with my family and also so much fun spending my money! I must admit, I spent a lot! I got presents for each of my family members, some friends, and also for our crisis nursery family we are sponsoring. I did go over my budget but hey, it's black friday and it only comes once a year, Right?! Plus, 12 hours of store after store, one is bound to spend more money then expected! For replenishment we relyed on diet cokes, coffee, and stopped at Ruby Tuesday for lunch. That meal in the picture above is the one we all ate. All six of us ordered the mini burger and fries; we are so weird! Like I said, I had a blast today. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful women in my life that care about me and to whom I can aspire to be like. Especially when it comes to shopping!

3:30 a.m.

2008-11-28T18:53:00.003-06:00

My goodness! So early this morning! I woke up around 3:3o a.m. and we were out the door by 4:00 a.m. I accompanied my Mom, Aunt Kerri, Aunt Jodie, Nanny, and cousin Zach on a 12 hour shopping extravaganza! The start of this Black Friday 2008 was fun. This is a video.. sound bite really... of just how silly 4:00 a.m. makes me! tehehe.

my helper.

2008-11-27T22:16:00.003-06:00

This bottle of Vicks Throat Spray has been my faithful companion these past few days. It's been frustrating, being sick during Thanksgiving break. However, the only thing that matters is that I was able to taste the delicious Thanksgiving meal today! Although I had to chew quickly and breath between bites... it was worth it. The bottle will probably be gone by Sunday.

Oh Riley.

2008-11-27T13:43:00.003-06:00

Meet Riley. I am watching her this weekend while some friends are out of town. She and I have a love-hate relationship. The deal pretty much goes: if she leaves me alone I love her. This morning however Riley forgot our deal. I fell asleep on the couch last night (silly move by me) so this morning Riley was able to get eye level with me and stick her cold, wet nose in my face!! I immediately woke up. She began whining and barking, wanting me to let her outside. Like a good dog-watcher, I ignored her. I was paying her back for waking me so early and rudely! Although I am definitely not the biggest dog-person, my dislike of Riley is an over-exaggeration. Riley really isn't all that bad and I'm glad to take care of her for my friends. But sometimes, if it weren't for Riley being Kenedee Jane's pride and joy....

my boys.

2008-11-27T13:31:00.004-06:00

Thought you might enjoy a little view of the fun we are having this Thanksgiving! These are my boys... Tucker and Peyton (cousins) and my little brother, Caleb. I'm so proud.

Finally.

2008-11-26T15:11:00.005-06:00

It was amazing! Today I finally enjoyed a Grande Peppermind White Mocha Latte! It has been a month since I have visited my beloved Starbucks. I was challenged to give up something I love (Starbucks) that costs money and to donate the money I would have spent to an organization called bloodwater. Although I really did miss the time I would have spent at Starbucks and the delicious beverages, I'm very glad I had the opportunity to sacrifice. Also made today's drink all the more tasty!

Oh Happy Day!

2008-11-24T21:41:00.002-06:00

Oh Pilgirm's Progress. This book and I have had some tough days recently. It's boring and I'm lazy and we just don't make a good couple. I have been incredibly stressed over the paper I have needed to write covering this piece of literature and I pretty much have a heartattack everytime I think about it. But God saved the day. The paper is now due next Monday instead of tomorrow!! Is God great or what? I'm so relieved and.... happy!

last night's babysitting adventure.

2008-11-23T14:05:00.011-06:00

Last night was my first night watching these kiddos. We had so much fun! Started off the night a little shaky with grease spilling in the oven! But after that, everything went smoothly. First we played with playdough then watched some of a movie. Then while the cookies were baking we colored! The best part of the night was decorating those cookies! They thought it was fun. But my favorite was the kids' sugar high! They went CRAZY! Finally, we ended the night with a little Peter Pan. I had a blast. And they are so stinkin cute!

Homemade, First Edition.

2008-11-20T21:43:00.005-06:00

Today was the day I made my first homemade pie! Maybe you noticed from the pictures that I'm quite proud this achievement! In my Foods 1 class we partner up to attempt all sorts of culinary experiences. This weeks challenge was a beautiful, fruit pie. I chose apple. We made it in class and took it home to be evaluated by our family. I'm happy to say my family enjoyed it very much! I didn't think it was too bad myself.

sleep.

2008-11-19T22:34:00.003-06:00

The latest favorite passtime of mine: sleep. Although the transition from warm to cold weather is a sign of fun holidays soon to come, my body has decided it means Kelsey needs more sleep. I have found that lately my answer to everyone's "How are you's" is always "sleepy". Not a complaint. Just an observation.

Kind of Bored.

2008-11-19T21:26:00.003-06:00

I have this struggle sometimes. I feel like my life is filled with "empty" busyness. Going to school for instance, it's monotonous and feels a bit pointless, especially this year since I'm not taking any real classes. However, I do understand that my diploma will lead me to college which will lead me to my career and then I'm all grown up! And yes, the beauty lying in between the cracks of those places in life are people and experiences that will make me more and more of the person God intends for me to be... it's just right now... I AM BORED. School is boring. Same routines are boring. And the worst part is I've become lazy through the boringness. But I've decided to be determined. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to start taking responsibility in my life: with my health, with my homework, with my friends and family, with my work, with my possessions. and most importantly... with my time. So look out world!

(forgive the pic. I finally got my camera charger today in the mail and this was the prettiest thing around the house!)

just around the corner!

2008-11-13T19:56:00.007-06:00

Presents! As I have been "budgeting"... yes budgeting... like a grown up!... I have finally narrowed down for whom I will be buying presents this coming Christmas. This past wednesday at youth group our youth pastor challenged us to be Activist of Choice, and this Christmas is an opportunity to choose with our money. We were given several websites (TOMS shoes, BeadsforLife, Jedidiah Hope Collection, Freeset Bags, 1,000hills coffee) and asked to spend our money in a different way. This year my plan and hope is to only buy gifts that have a purpose. Check out these websites to see how to give in a new way this Christmas!

graduation on the brain.

2008-11-07T19:45:00.005-06:00

Only 6 months exactly till I am done with high school! I can not even wrap my mind around this idea. However, I am very capable of dreaming up what I want my future in college to look like. But actually leaving all I know and am comfortable with is an entirely different level of thought! This count down is just a reminder of how much exploring I get to do for college and how much change I have to look forward to. I am so old!

me and gene.

2008-11-06T21:43:00.003-06:00

Meet my new crush, Gene Kelly. Have you ever watched "Singing In the Rain"? Oh my goodness it's amazing! I am watching it in one of my classes. I wish so badly that I was able to sing, dance, and act. I especially wish I was this talented during 1952 so Gene and I could have done all of this together! He has just re-affirmed me of why I have fallen in love with old time movies.

give a cup save a life.

2008-11-05T22:33:00.006-06:00

What is it that keeps us alive? People usually answer this question with the good ole "0-2" and "h-2-0". Those two things are the bare necessities. Here in the U.S. water is a part of the daily ritual. We use it for a wide variety of things and don't pay attention to just how important clean water is to our lives and lifestyles. Unfortunately, there are other countries that are not as priveleged as us. 5,000 kids die EVERYDAY due to the lack of clean water. What a great consequence paid when such a simple solution is available. I was challenged today to take in this information and do as Christ says: take action. There are several organizations that provide an avenue to help these countries. They are working to provide clean water by building wells all around the world. One organization says just a $1 will give a person clean water! Four people could have had clean water by me giving up my $4 Starbucks drink tonight. With these ideas put into perspective, I see just how much I have and how much I waste. Starbucks is not necessary to keep me alive however clean water is a must! Give a cup to save a life.

official voter.

2008-11-04T20:19:00.003-06:00

What an experience! After all of the hype this year over the election, I found voting pretty simple. The past couple of days I did some "cram sessions". Took most of my information from NPR's comparison of the two candidates. I just researched on my own and figured out what I believe. Getting away from the T.V. and everyone else's oppinions was the best thing I could have done. Viewing the candidates side by side without the fancy talk and opponent bashing allowed me to just analyze their beliefs and make a choice of what I think is best. So I filled in a circle next to a name and that was that. Not as intimidating as I thought! I feel so grown up and patriotic. I like it!

to invite.

2008-11-02T12:20:00.006-06:00

Windsor Crossing is the church I go to with my family on the weekends. Today, one of the associate pastors, Tim, spoke about prayer. He challenged us to be honest and real in our prayers with God and to pray about everything all of the time. Although I have heard all of this before, one point Tim made was especially sticking. He said prayer is an invitation to God. It's God's people inviting Him to be a part of that area of their life. It's trusting God to take care of whatever it is and it's us taking the chance of being dependent on God. Lately, I have been thinking about my independence quite a bit. There are so many areas both big and small (from possessions to relationships) that I decide to take control of. But in order to gain the full life that I desire, one filled with the purpose God has in store for me, He has to have the control. So I am going to strive to release my grip on my independence. I am going to allow myself to be real and honest with God and start depending on him and inviting him in with my prayers.

my Mitsy.

2008-11-01T23:05:00.007-05:00

Rest In Peace my Mitsy... Kitty of 16years. Today, I found my Cat dead in the basement. I have had him ever since I was two years old. Although it was definitely time for Mitsy to go to KittyHeaven, it feels weird not having him around the house. The picture of socks is in remembrance of this silly cat of mine. He always would find our socks and drag them everwhere around the house making loud "meowing" noises. Since my parents are gone my youth pastor came to the rescue. He dug the hole and buried Mitsy for me. This day definetely qualifies as a top five on my Disturbed Kelsey Days list. However crazy it was, I am glad I have had Mits for such a long time. He was the best and always will be the best kitty I could ask for!

Saturday, November 1, 2008.

2008-11-01T09:42:00.001-05:00

It is November! Only two months left in this year; time goes by so quickly these days. My favorite part of this month's beginning is the changing seasons. It's absolutely gorgeous outside, and the leaves actually look like those in the picture! Besides beautiful scenery, some great things have happened on November 1:

996 First use of the name "Austria"

1765 Stamp Act goes into effect in British Colonies

1800 First President live in White House (John Adams)

1866 First Civil Rights Bill passes

1917 First U.S. soldiers killed in WW1 (not happy but historical)
1924 First U.S. NHL franchise-Boston Bruins

1946 New York Knicks win their first game agains Toronto

1969 Beatles' "Abbey Road" becomes #1 and stays so for 11 weeks

more cool facts.

while the parents are away...

2008-10-31T23:20:00.000-05:00

... 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.

2008-10-31T22:43:00.002-05:00

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.

2008-10-18T19:04:00.000-05:00

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.

2008-10-17T23:47:00.000-05:00

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.

2008-10-16T12:57:00.000-05:00

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.

2008-10-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

"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!

fall.

2008-09-28T22:22:00.000-05:00

Today was a gorgeous day. I love the fall! I had the opportunity to just sit outside today for hours. All I did was read and just watch the leaves fall from the trees. It was very relaxing and beautiful. Perfect start to my week.

time for r&r

2008-09-26T20:13:00.000-05:00

It's finally Friday! This has been a pretty good week at school. Not too much homework really which was nice because I definitely did not have the energy to do it. Tonight, I'm just relaxing. Hoping to watch a good movie and then head to bed early! I have a fun day planned tomorrow hanging out with my friends and going to a birthday party. Then Sunday will be another day of beautiful nothing! So excited to get rested.

Grey's Anatomy.

2008-09-25T21:08:00.000-05:00

Grey's Anatomy's new season premier was tonight. I watched it and loved it of course! This is one of "my shows". So excited for the rest of the season!