goodbye LA, hello Clemson

10 hour drive here we go

poem

Crying may show weakness

But I believe in truth

In the honesty of feeling free

And not hiding away your youth

Formation and maturing

Can come with those little tears

Or in the form of a violent storm

And thoughts ringing in your ears

A different cause and situation

Maybe its joy, but maybe it's grief

Feeling mad or feeling sad

tears make those feelings brief

Let them out, don't chain them in

For this is not nearly the end

You never know what is to come

Just learn to wait and trust the Son

adventures of the young one.

Yesterday I went to the mall with my mother to finish up shopping for college things. So we walked in a store and ultimately decided to smell some of the perfumes. My mom proceeded to tell the woman helping us that I was leaving for college in 11 days. She then looks at me in a sort of confused, puzzled manner and says, "Oh I thought you were 14"

what!? 

keep in mind I was shopping for COLLEGE. 

L'espoir flotte

My best friend just returned from her adventure to France where she stayed with a host family to study French and also from Italy where she spent a few days visiting her precious family. I say precious...and I truly mean it. They are all absolutely adorable!

She had the best time exploring France on her own, seeing her beautiful family, and seeking her independence. I'm so proud of her for sticking through the tough beginning and reaping the vast benefits this trip had to offer. I can't tell you first hand about her experience, but I can tell you that she came back a new, enlightened, more mature, and generally happier person. I'm so happy that she got to experience this opportunity-filled adventure. way to go sus!

Patch and I made her a journal to record all her adventures in. And the best part about it is...we don't have to wait until we're 30 to read it! 

winnie the pooh

last week I took ella to see her first movie in a theater. Winnie the Pooh.

it was so adorable.

she loved it and was pretty good the whole time...except when she got distracted and begged for me to get her candy.

Then we played in the flooded streets of our neighborhood for the rest of the day. We had a blast, my friends.

Mom told me I had to remember her first movie because it's a pretty big deal. So I decided to blog about it. Dearest Ella Jane, we really do care about you. don't believe mom when she tells you she "just lost" your baby book.

oh the life of a fourth child.

since it's raining...

this is a song I wrote in the 3rd grade called sunshine complete with the original misspellings. I found it and was immediately brought back to the crazy creativity of yesteryear. I was such a weird kid (maybe I still am...)

Walking down the steet

Glad I'm my feet

Listen to the rhythm

Listen to the beat

You might find somthing to please you da da da

Listen you'll find

Something, anything at all.

You'll defently be happy

Even if you love.

You should enjoy the the things you have

Not wanting more

I love you, you love me.

Everything is great, life is great

Everything is GREAT.

where your heart lies, there also your treasure will be.

today's readings in church really spoke to me. 

During the homily, the priest spoke of finding great treasure and of the "nothings gonna stop me" attitude needed to find this treasure. Most importantly, he spoke of the greatest treasure of all, the kingdom of heaven. 

"to obtain this treasure, you must follow your heart." He warned that such a bold statement doesn't mean giving in to every whim or desire, but rather truly seeking God's will in your life. 

Like a pirate out of a children's novel that dedicates his whole existence to finding the coveted treasure, I have resolved to dedicate my life to following my heart in hopes that it will one day lead me to my precious loot. 

lehhsgggggooooo

rain rain go away

so lets talk about friday.

fun fun fun adventures for sure.

We started the day intent on going to false river to water ski and tube, but those dreams were quickly demolished by the ominous storm that had just struck. (It's been raining forever over here it seems!)

so we got to thinking.

and after thinking, and eating approximately 8 of the most delicious rolls I've ever tasted in my life,

we decided to go to this cross country course to slip n slide. Yep, we brought visqueen, soap, and a garden hose out to the park and had a blast slippin and sliding around. Except ants ate me alive. and my abs are so sore (hey maybe I'll earn that much desired 6 pack) 

We then went for a swim and had cannon ball contests.

HOW FUN!?!?!

i just love summer.

I'm gonna miss my friends next year when I'm away at school. They truly are awesome people. 

rock on my friends, rock on.

random thoughts of the evening

1. check out the new blog title! hope you all like it. the other one was starting to bore me. If you're interested, here were the other options:

2. I got a laptop! Yes, my college days are quickly approaching. wowz.

I don't know what to do with myself.

 regardless, I'm super excited.

3. Lately my friends and I have been digging adventurous night time runs. We run long after the sun has set. We look like a running cult...it's great.

4. yesterday I saw the same random stranger at two completely different places. how random is that?

5. I've been a fan of lists lately. especially to do lists. Now only if I could actually get those done.

have a stellar night!

bonus feature: here's my favorite song right now. it makes me want to take down mountains.

**excuse the inappropriate part in the beginning. once you get past that, it rocks. I promise!