may recap

Tessa's a high school graduate (more than I can say)!  My best friend is moving on to greater things & I couldn't be prouder!  The years to come will be even better than what we've experienced so far.  She's such a force for good, and I can't wait to witness all she does.
I spent the week following her graduation with her & her family.  It was fun finally spending time with Tess in her home, after a year of her always visiting me.

We drove south for Caiden's graduation after a week with Tessa.  After his graduation, we went to his home for a graduation party.  Then the after-after party (name that show & we'll be best friends) was going out on the farm & riding a cow.  For those of you not in the midwest, cows are covered in flies & spit & grass & mud & all sorts of crap (literally).  I loved the experience, but it will (probably) never happen again.

february recap

My brother got a bearded dragon!  Adds to his collection of about... 7 geckos?  He's worked very hard and deserves her.  I love how sweet his spirit is.  He's definitely the loving one out of us siblings.  It's fascinating watching his personality grow, especially in the past year.  He's always hugging or snuggling up to me, or asking me if we can do something - anything (either he's bored a lot or he REALLY likes me, I'm going to go with the latter).  He's the perfect brother for me.  Wouldn't trade him for anything.

He turned TEN at the beginning of the month!! Double digits!

AND got 2nd at the Pinewood Derby!  He was bummed since he was so close to first, but we were all proud of him

The regional Priest/Laurel (500 kids ages 16-18) dance was Saturday!!  It was so fun being with Tess all day Saturday.  I met so many new people & met up with old friends.  In all honesty, last year I was ready to meet cute boys & find dates & make a ton of new friends (and that was accomplished at last year's P/L).  But this year it made me want my mission all the more.  I'm ready to go & serve the Lord by dedicating 18 months of my life to Him.  I want it so badly.  I got kicked out of the mission prep class at my church for youth for the fourth time in 8 months. And I'm already working on getting back in (I'm too young to be in the class).  I know going on a mission is what I'm supposed to do & I yearn for it every day.  I have fun with the life I live now, I don't want to come across as "the grass is greener on the other side".  But I do know that my mission, and the years following when I meet my husband & start a family of my own - those will be the years that bring more happiness than I could ever know now ...the trivial things that fill my life now won't amount to anything in comparison.  I live happily filling my life with family, church, school, work, friends - and I keep getting happier.  I've found outlets with my schooling & work that I have become slightly obsessive with doing.  Never have I found myself in love with what I'm learning at school.  But with college, I'm choosing what I'm studying & the challenge brings a gratification I never felt before with my education.  My dad has created an opportunity for me to work, doing what I love (plus make bank at the same time).  I value the experience I have of knowing what it is to truly do what you love & all the lessons I've learned working with him.  What I value the most is the wisdom from my dad that I don't have to fit into the mold of what everyone else does.  The work I do should be fulfilling my dream & passions.  Not working for a set rate, 9-5 - building someone else's dream instead of your own.  That is my idea of succumbing to society's version of "living".  The monotony of having a job (what an awful word), building another's dream, and having the job dictate the schedule & happiness of your life.  It's not really living, in my book.