Right where I belong.

I saw this today and I'm pretty sure it was made for me, at this very moment in my life. I know that quotes like this are made to apply to everyone, at some point, but it still feels very personal and perfect.

Today is a day that I have been both eager for and dreading. I met with an adviser at CSU to talk about registering for classes. In my mind, she was going to be a mean professor that didn't really care about me or my future. Going from tiny Whitworth, with great Christian professors, to giant CSU has made me nervous. But, of course, it went great! She was sweet and funny and so helpful. I told someone today that I wasn't looking forward to actually going to classes in the fall, but I was glad to be back in Fort Collins. Registering for classes made me a little excited though! I'm anticipating a busy and probably stressful semester, but it will be good.

I am right back where I started from. After going to school out of state, transferring back to my hometown has its fair share of negative stigma. I grew up here, so I never imagined going to CSU. I didn't even apply to it as a "safety school." But then again, I didn't apply anywhere but Whitworth, making it ironic that I'm transferring. If transferring back to CSU wasn't enough, I decided to live at home too. For the most part, I love being home, so I don't really mind too much. But I can't help thinking of the negative stereotypes that go along with it. People are supposed to love college and freshman year is supposed to be great. All of this is to say...I feel a little bit like a failure, which is hard to handle. But I am not one to conform or to accept the most common route as the right one. Who cares if people think I was supposed to pick one college and stay there for four years? Who cares if living at home doesn't match the world's standards of cool or successful?

The future is scary and unknown, but it's under control...even if it's not mine. I really think I am right where I belong.

Growing Up

I spent the evening playing family bocce ball and eating pizza with people that I love. On the drive home, I told my parents I'm glad we're all growing up.

This is a subject I've always had mixed feelings about. I'm so excited for what the future holds and I probably spend way too many hours thinking about getting married and having kids (and building a family compound...), but at the same time, I mourn the loss of childhood things (mostly recess).

But life goes on and we are growing up. Soon I will have two brothers who are married and have adult jobs. Everyone is going to college and grad school, and the next few years will probably bring weddings out the wazoo. And even though it all seems sort of scary and daunting, it is so exciting! As we grow older, we are definitely growing closer. The last year has brought me much closer to Matthew and Cathy, especially, and the last few weeks have already brought about a better friendship with my cousin, Hannah. Oh, how our prayers are answered!

Tomorrow is Father's Day and we will be celebrating with a few dads, including Abba. Abby and Abba have been the best examples for us all and I love to see their joy as they watch their family grow bigger (and bigger...and bigger).

Growing up is fun and God's blessings are abundant!

Here I Go!

I don't know how I feel about blogging because, most of the time, I don't feel like I have that much to say. But I like reading blogs and I think people that write them are cool, so this is an experiment.

Many people start blogs in the midst of a life-changing event or in response to a momentous occasion, but I decided I don't want to wait for something big to happen. I would like to be a person that is so filled with Christ that I can find joy in the little things. I was also just thinking about a friend that, instead of waiting to try new things, just jumps wholeheartedly into something that she thinks sounds good. So this is me trying something new.

I spent the weekend before last with my older siblings in Atlanta/Birmingham. It was so much fun to hang out with the big kids! Even though they might still see me as an innocent child, it felt special to be included. We sure missed Alex and Olivia though. We overate at every meal (totes worth it) and laughed a ton. The Matt & Kim concert was crazy, skydiving was the bomb, and Just Dance 2 was hilarious. Between time with my family and time with my friends, I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am- wow!

The Gang - Martin

Just Dance 2...Boy Band