last night's babysitting adventure.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

... 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!