Wednesday, November 30, 2011

No more class!

CHRISTMAS BREAK! Oh how I love thee.
For this moment I am skipping over the fact that I still have FIVE finals to take. Five. Five. Really? Oh boy.
But it is Christmas break in the fact that we are d-o-n-e with classes. High five for the fastest semester of my life. Daggum.
And it is coooold now. Like, don't-wanna-get-out-of-my-warm-bed-at-all cold.
Also, our internet is down. Perfect timing Comcast. (but really, probably a good thing. Forces me to get in my car and go somewhere public- thanks neighbs and Panera and Hodges- you suck)
So anyway here's to:
eating TONS of yummy soup.
and jamming to my main man, the Bieb's Christmas album
and cuddling and movie watching with the roomies
and studying (gag)
and wearing Wallabees for the first time all year- insert rolling your ankle with every step here
and showing off my dance moves at the Christmas formal. Shout out to my date. Ow-ow.
and YoungLife end of year leadership. The thankfulness. The words. Don't exist. Can't. Even. Form. Sentences.
and watching Friday Night Lights anytime I can- I am 100% not above passing up studying for this show. Yes, I've jumped on the bandwagon. A little late. But who's judging?
Now some quick pics to sooth your studying eyes:
 TWO PICTURES OF MY YOUNGLIFE TEAM BECAUSE I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! Don't judge me. Or do.


Friday, November 25, 2011

Thankful, thankful, thankful

So stinkin' much to be thankful for, I just can't stand it!
Thankful for
...my sweet, huge, loud, caring, busy, competitive, loving, hilarious family. I feel like this is totally a given, but they get a thankful shout out none the less!
...my friendsies. Where would I be without y'all? Probably living in my parent's basement spending my free time knitting and petting cats. Thanks for saving me from falling into this life before my time.
...East Tennessee. Thankful for the mountains, the accents, the people, the food, and all the other Southern traditions that come with life in this sweet little valley.
...Pinterest. Because without it I would continue to live my life as an uncrafty, boring, bad cook, lame human. So maybe I still am, but at least it makes me feel more creative.
...iTunes. I l-o-v-e music. And since I can't sing, I crank up the jams and drown my voice out. Perfection.
...seat heaters. It's cold outside, but my butt is warm. Yes please.
...turkey comas. I ate so much food yesterday I think I shall never be hungry again. And I'm pretty sure I have a Thanksgiving food hangover. Must. Go. Take. Nap.
...football on TV. Yeah, I'm really into the game. Perfect excuse not to leave the couch.
...only 30 more days until Christmas! Lots of cookies and lights and music between now and then. Oh yes.
...the Red Saile house. I love that we love having people over there. I love the house. I love that people just show up every.single.day. But I especially love the people I share it with.
 ...Jesus. Most of all. Without my Savior my life would have no meaning and my joy would be incomplete.
Some pictures of somethings I am oh so thankful for!
3/5 of the Red Sailers. (Thankful for 5/5ths though)
 FOOD (uh oh, I'm hungry again...)



Seester and Momma

Daddy

Brudder

The Fab Four. We'll never be able to take a real picture.


Turkey naps

And after dinner back massages

Happy Black Friday, Bloggies! I hope you are still so full and so happy you still can't move.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Just an update...

So... what's been going on?

Last Wednesday our neighborhood became a dark hole.
No power.
At least we were all in it together.
The boy neighbors were worried about how we would eat. #priorities
Fortunately, I have good friends who offered shelter at their houses. Thanks to all y'all.
My favorite part was playing murder in the dark and mafia with our dear neighbs. Fortunately (again), the power came back on so we got some quality visible hang out time.
So our day pretending to be from the olden days of darkness really wasn't all that bad.
Here's one of our neighbors. Because if this blog isn't for publicly humiliating myself and others, what's it for??
(Side note: we did wake up younglife on Wednesday morning. So I got up at 4. Drove over some down powerlines. Got back to my street at 6:30 only to discover- good gracious I can't get home!! Red Saile 100% blocked. So naturally I go to my biffle's house. "She has an 8a.m. so she'll be up soon," I think. Well turns out she gets up at 7:30. So I parked it (literally) outside her house and "slept" in my car for an hour. Talk about an experience.)
The view from our driveway. Hey 17 KUB trucks.


WE FINALLY GOT A WIN IN NEYLAND STADIUM!!!
So what it was against Vandy?
It was hands down the best game I've been to in college.
I don't know what made it so extra incredible. I guess the victory in overtime?
But it was fantastic. 
I didn't have an opinion before, but now I think the Vandy coach is quite the sore loser.

Monday I learned two valuable lessons: 1. Always look at the weather before you leave the house (SO unlike me not to know). And when in doubt, it is worth it to walk back down the flight of stairs in the parking garage to grab an umbrella from the car "just in case." 2. Double check your texts before you send them. Twitter does not equal texting one friend.

We've been having lots of parties at Red Saile. Birthdays and "just because" parties. And I love it. Keep 'em comin' through Christmas break.

So here's to backyard football games and triptophan turkey comas. Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Now three cheers for a FIVE day freakin' weekend!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I neeeeeed

Y'all. I need this. Bad. Today preferably.


Thank you for changing my life Pintrest

Umm... Seriously? Who wouldn't wanna crawl in this thing and take the longest nap ever?! 
Especially today.
Sideways rain? No thank you. 
Insert this gem into the Red Saile house and we can take some killer naps today. Our electricity is out. No internet, lights, tv, distractions. 
Mmm... My bed is suddenly sounding like a not so bad second place to this beauty. The "Moody Nest".
Insert hours of restful and much needed Zzzz here.
Over and out!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Say what, another list blog?!

Today I got frustrated. But I shouldn't have. There's so many great things to be happy about!
I don't know why I'm stuck on making lists recently, but I am. So deal with it.

I won my fantasy team last night. High five for Aaron Rodgers. He rocks.
I walked around outside BAREFOOT yesterday! Go ahead and make Tennessee stereotypes because it was awesome. Winter, don't come to Knoxville. Ever!
I also won a bet. I love making (and winning) pointless bets.
LAST FULL WEEK OF CLASSES! Holy cow, this semester went by super duper speedily. I'll do a thousand finger slaps for that.
Solo coffee dates. Holla for learning how to have "me" time.
Pretty fall leaves still clinging to the trees. Cling a little longer dear leaves!
Coffee + rain = perfection
Hallmark commercials that make me cry. (not sure why this is a happy thing. other than it is a happy sad cry)
Crazy dreams with random people in them. Huger Games plus friends into my subconscious mind? Hmm... weird. But okay, I'll take it.
Dinner reunion with the last year roomies! Nothing better than reminiscing about all the funny times from last year with my friendies.
 
And that's a wrap! Happy Tuesday, homies!

Friday, November 11, 2011

11/11/11

In case you hadn't realized, IT'S THE LUCKIEST DAY OF OUR LIVES!!
As of 37 minutes ago, it is 11/11/11!! 
Take all the magic from wishes at 11:11 or on the shooting stars or eyelashes or birthday cakes candles or four leaf clovers and multiply it by a million and you get today.

And don't even get me started on what happens at 11:11 on 11/11/11... better get the mega-wish of your lifetime going.  A perfect date and time palindrome that occurs only once every 100 years. Aren't we... lucky? ;)
Dream big people.

So pause, reflect on this moment, this unique occurrence that you won't see again in your life. Whoop, whoop.

But really, have a fantastic Friday.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Rainy Humpday

Rainy Wednesday, you make me want to curl up on the couch and snuggle and have a Disney movie marathon.
Psychology class, I despise you. I don't even need to take you. Yet here I am studying for another test. You are the worst decision ever. (Please don't fail me for whining about how much a hate you.)
Wake-up YoungLife, thank you for being the highlight of my week. I don't know if there is anything better than laughing at my high school friends as they wake up in a panic. You are totally worth getting up at 4a.m. for
YoungLife team, so thankful for each of y'all. Glad we can laugh, talk, cry, pray, and live life together. Y'all rock.
This is what my chair looks like. Hunt it down people!
All my friends who are leaders on "formally known as West side of Knoxville", I'll be praying like crazy for y'all this weekend. You friends are so incredible lucky to have you. Look for the chair I signed while on Work Crew there. And keep an eye out for my 'rents. Wahoo for their first YL camp since high school! Talk to 'em. They're me in adult guest form.
Anyone in Knoxville this weekend, we stand few and proud. If you're into Friday Night Lights and/or Lost please give us a shout out because that is what my weekend will consist of. Please and thank you.
Beautiful fall leaves, when you're in full swing and beautiful (like now) I start worrying you'll be gone way too soon. Please hang on to that tree as long as you can. I love you.
Flannel, I love you too.
MEREDITH, told ya I'd give you a shout out:) Thanks for reading my blog. You make me want to blog all the time. Give STC a hug for me!
This weekend, I'm not ready to let you go yet, so here's some catch up pictures
Thankful for friendships that last through the years

Oh baby, God is good!



This genius of a man, John Piper, tweet this the other day:
"Don't stop praying until the mountain has been moved."

Mmmhmmm....

Happy Humpday, Bloggies!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

It's da weekend!

We get a WHOLE EXTRA HOUR of life this weekend, Bloggies! 60 minutes of pure bliss. I am so excited I can't settle on one idea of how to spend it. Here's to endless possibility. High five for that!

In other news, I spent last night: a) roasting hot dogs over the fire b) burning my tongue on apple cider c) playing "never ever have I ever" d) getting way to way to competitive in mafia e) eating my weight in puppy chow f) snuggling in a tent g) debating the probably of actually contracting frostbite on my toes h) eating s'mores for breakfast i) being one with nature j) being in awe of God's creation k) realizing how out of shape I am while hiking up the most giant hill l) ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Go Vols and Geaux Tigers! (I'll always cheer against Bama)

Happy freakin' (long) weekend!

Friday, November 4, 2011

I'm gonna be a teacher!

This isn't anything new. I've been going to be a teacher since I was about 4 years old. But right now I am particularly pumped that it is what I get to do for the rest of my life.

Reach Them to Teach Them. Incredible.
The theme was "One."
One + One = Infinity
You + God = Unlimited possibilities

Manuel Scott was the keynote speaker. Holy motivation. He was in-freaking-credible. My favorite yet.
Manuel was one of the original Freedom Writers. From the movie with Hilary Swank. His story is played by the character Marcus. I haven't seen the movie. But clearly I desperately need to. I did hear his story though. Wow. What a difference one person can make.

Sooo, thanks fort the push Manuel... it's into the inner-city I go. I want to teach where kids need me most. Where they need a teacher who believes in them, gives them hope, loves them. Kids lives will be different because of having me as a teacher.

Call me naive. That's fine. I am. But, I can dream. I can try. I can run with the enthusiasm and passion that I have right now. Go ahead and tell me I can't. I won't make a difference. I can't honestly change kids' lives. No one will be there to support you when you need it. It's too hard. Fortunately (or maybe in your mind- unfortunately), I am stubborn enough to want to figure it out on my own. I'm headed to where I can make a change!
I've also been thinking about switching to high school eventually. What?! Who am I?? I adore little kids. But I love Halls High Schoolers too. And what a difference Erin Gruwell made for her high school students.

Anyway, just some thoughts.
I'm sure my mom will read this and die. Congrats Mom, you did this:)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

I love to talk

So much to say, so little time.

Reach Them to Teach Them. Rocked. Big time. More on that another day.






So yes, I love to talk. I talk A LOT. I talk to friends, I talk to strangers, I talk to people who try to get me to stop talking to them, I talk when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm nervous, when I'm bored, when I'm upset. I talk all the time. Fact: I'm a talker. I can listen too, don't get me wrong. But I very rarely am short on words to say.

Well tonight I get to talk in a totally different way. I am talking at YoungLife club. Every time I get to talk I am so honored. If I think about it too much I cry (which, let's be honest, isn't an incredibility unusual thing). But really, what a privilege it is to get to stand up in a room full of high schoolers and tell them about Jesus!! Wow.
I love how intentional it all is. I love picking out what I'm going to say so carefully. I love knowing what our Halls High School friends need to hear. And saying it to them.
I love that it's not me.
It never has been me.
I love that freedom.
I love that peace.
I just keep coming back to how incrediblely grateful I am for this opportunity. How easily I forget that it's not like this everywhere. I am far to quick to take this joy of my life for granted.

So anyway, tonight I will be talking. Intentionally. I cannot wait.


Happy Thursday!

Happy Halloween!!!

That awkward moment... where you write a blog post and forget to publish it......
Sorry this is 4 days late!

Happy Halloween, Bloggies!

This weekend I celebrated this spooktacular holiday with:
Halloween themed YoungLife club. Who doesn't love creative costumes high schoolers come up with?
A trip to Chatt-town to hang with good friends and spend some quality time with my baby bro.
Oh and of course that awe-to-the-freakin'-some concert we went to.
Holy cow, I discovered I am head over heels in love with Ben Rector.
And needtobreathe... they take my breath away.
Seriously, what a jammin' to music fun time.
Saturday, once again I watched my dear Vols lose. It's a rough life being a Tennessee fan.
But at least this time I watched it from the comfort of a couch. Call me a fair weather fan. I still love the Vols.
Sunday was the last day before we finally caved and turned on the heat. So the day was spent cuddling and watching movies.
Before braving the cold for a little Halloween celebration.
Rock, paper, and scissors.
Did we play? Absolutely.

Loved getting to hang with my brudder!

An unintentional Chelcie sandwich

Sweet friends. In pretend London.

Hi Blake

I. Am. In. Love.

Rock, Paper, Scissors. Heck yes.



Here's to trick or treating, bellies way too full of candy, sugar highs, scary movies, and getting to pretend to be someone else for the day.
Happy Halloweeeeen!