A Meadow of Grace

Don't cry over spilled milk?

2011-10-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

So here we are on the beautiful island of Kauai for our honeymoon. It's beautiful here and our hotel room is so relaxing and wonderful with an amazing view of the ocean, the only thing is that our room STINKS! Seriously... Here is why... Kyle and I bought some milk and cereal to have for breakfast in the mornings. We figured out little mini hotel fridge would hold the milk and provide us with the ability to have a nice little up of cereal in the morning. Well the milk was placed on its side in the mini fridge and over night it leaked! It leaked so much it filled the bottom of that mini fridge and dripped And pudled onto the carpet. I noticed this in he morning but by that time it was too late. I did my best to clean it up but there was no hope. We came back later that afternoon and our beautiful room with freshly. Hanged white sheets and perfectly tucked white comforter smelled like a baby's old spit up towel. I did everything I could to clean it up with the resources I had but no luck. It stinks! Kyle doesn't smell it but boy I do. I told the housekeeping manager and she said they would come spray something but that did nothing. Every time we come back to the room my nose is reminded of that nasty smell of the spilled milk. Yuck! Any suggestions?
We'd ask too be rooms but I love the view!

Hillary Clarendon, Will You Marry Me ?

2011-06-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well, my dreams have come true. I have finally met the man I am going to marry and we are now engaged! I can't wait to marry him! Here's what happened...
Like I said in my previous post, Kyle's grandparents have a beach house in Oceanside that his family goes to often. We planned to go down to the beach this week and Kyle told me to bring something fancy because he might take me out to a 'nice dinner or something, maybe buy me a steak" (Quote from Kyle). So I though hmm.. this could be it! I sure hope so! So we head down to the beach and spent a few days with his parents, riding bikes, kayaking and relaxing. Friday came around and Kyle told me to go get ready so we can go on our date. I always give him a hard time because he doesn't like to plan things so he tried to plan this night out for us as best as he could. I was sitting out in the sun, sweaty from the sun as he came out to me saying, okay, lets go to the movies now... Now!? He forgot to plan that I would have to take some time to get ready so that set us back a bit.. So we dressed up and left for the movies and then dinner followed but I was unaware of where we were going to eat. I was excited but did my best not to let myself think about it too much because I was not sure if he was going to propose.

Here we are about to leave

So we headed out on our wonderful date when all of a sudden we ended up stuck in traffic... Kyle got frustrated with the traffic because it was hot and we were not going to make it to our movie in time and then on top of that, I got carsick. He called his mom to find out where another movie theater was on the way but that got a bit confusing so basically, the big "fancy dinner that that could be THE night he proposes but I'm not sure' date did not start out to well. We didn't end up reaching the theater in time so we just went and walked around Nordstrom's Rack. I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the 'big date' but that was just because I thought it was going to be THE date. Anyways, we go to get in the car and we can't remember where we parked so there we were, wandering around the parking structure looking for the car, all dressed up. Kyle could tell what I was feeling by looking at me and said, "not turning out to be what you thought huh? We then got in the car and he mentioned that we were going to dinner reservations at the Hotel del Coronado! WHAT?! Why didn't he tell me that before hand! That is the type of planning I am talking about! I then felt that my sweet boyfriend had totally redeemed himself and planned something for us! (It's not like he never plans anything but he is just so laid back and spontaneous, I wanted a planned out date with thought :) ). So we drove out to Coronado Island (Traffic free) and sat by the Bay, looking at San Diego. We hung out for a bit on a little bench and laughed about the beginning of the date.

We then headed to the Hotel Del for our dinner reservations at 1500 Ocean.

Kyle claims that he felt at ease eating at the resaurant but I was pretty self-conscience about how I was carrying myself, how my hair was, if my elbows were on the table or not and so on. This place was fancy schmancy and I am definitely not used to fine dining but it was an awesome experience. Pretty opposite of what I pictured for our date, I thought we were going to Olive Garden or Applebees or something so this was really special.

The view from our table

At dinner I asked him what he had planned next. He said he planned we would walk along the beach but he forgot to plan in bringing me a sweatshirt or a blanket so he then went with his 'plan B' and we went to Rite-Aid and bought a funky blanket and headed to stroll along the beach. At this point I hoped the proposal was going to come but he wasn't acting nervous and again, I didn't want to get my hopes up. Anyways, we continued to walk along the sidewalk in front of the hotel and all along the water until we came to the end of the sidewalk so we stopped. As we stood there holding each other, looking at the water I thought this had to be it! My thoughts were interrupted when he said, "Welp, that's about all I have planned". My heart sank and I thought Uh oh.. this car ride home will not be a happy one. So we started to walk back when suggested we sit at a bench so we sat and talked for about 20 minutes.
(This picture was taken after the proposal, I didn't just take a picture of a bench before :) )

As we sat there, he kept looking back and forth behind him, I thought this was strange but didn't think too much into it. He kept asking me what I was thinking about and I kept saying nothing but obviously I was thinking, "you better be pulling out a ring soon! :)" A few minutes later he said, "Well, that's about all I have planned, Sorry I'm not a very good planner". Of course I told him it was wonderful because it really had been, despite the start of the date. I then thought, well, it's not going to happen tonight but that's okay because we had a great time together but then (Here's where it gets good) he said,
Kyle: There is one more thing
Hillary: What? (still thinking it was not going to happen)
Kyle: For you to marry me
Hillary: *looking at him next to her saying HUH?*
Kyle then swoops down on one knee and grabs my hand and with a big smile and watery eyes and says, "Hillary Clarendon, Will you marry me?"
Hillary: *silent* (I was shocked and couldn't say anything but cry!)
Kyle: Here look, here's the ring! (Kyle pulled the ring out of his pocket. It was in there loose the entire day! Nordstroms Rack, Dinner, the Bay, everything!)
Hillary : *still silent but crying*
Kyle: Well? Yes or no?
Hillary: YEAH!
Kyle then put the BEAUTIFUL ring on my finger and I hugged him but held my hand up and stared at the ring while we hugged! I was shocked but so happy! Kyle was also happy and later stated that those were not tears in his eyes but sand that got in his eyes. :)

We hugged and kissed and hugged and smiled and kissed all while I stared at my ring and kept saying, "Are you sure?". I then said he is now stuck with me for life and he said that was okay and he could handle it. :)

This is what Kyle's excited face looks like, although when he was down on one knee, his smile was bigger which really made me happy. :)

We took some pictures and then started back to the car. We called my parents, his parents, and some family and friends along with sending out a mass text with the good news!
Those of you who know me, know that I have been waiting for him to propose for a while now, even though we have only been dating for almost 2 years. I just knew I wanted to marry him for a while and remember calling my best friend, Courtney, telling her after our 10th date that I was going to marry this guy.

One more picture before we left the spot!

We drove home and of course I was showering him with questions like : how long did you have the ring? How did you plan to ask me there? When did you talk to my dad? What did he say? What did you say? What are you feeling right now? etc...
We got back to the beach house and his parents, who has not answered the phone early, were now asleep so we were just going to have to tell him in the morning. The next morning I woke up and threw my hand up in the air to look at my beautiful ring! I then went to Kyle's room to wake him up so we could go show and tell his parents. He told me he wanted to sleep and I should just tell them myself. Of course I said no way and that we both had to tell them. He finally agreed and we went to the living room to show them. I had my hands in my sweatshirt pockets and said to them, "Have you guys ever wanted a daughter?" They both replied with a yes and I then ripped my hand out of my pocket, showed them the ring and said, "Well now you have one!" We all hugged and I started to cry again. It was a happy and exciting time! I then put the news up on Facebook and enjoyed seeing all the 'likes' and comments come in.
The whole thing was so surreal and very fun! I am so excited to marry Kyle and am so thankful God brought our lives together. Before we met, we had both prayed for God to bring us someone in His timing and the next month we met! :)

Here is a picture from when it all began. We went to Disneyland on our 2nd Date (Big date for only a 2nd date huh? )

Also on a side note. Kyle's dad and my dad taught together years ago when they were fresh out of college. Our parents became friends and when they all had kids, our families would get together when we were younger. I was too young to remember this but we have a home video of our families on a vacation to Coronado when I was 2 and Kyle was 6. We were playing on the beach and walking around the bay area getting ice cream. It is so fun to go back and watch it now, seeing that I am now engaged to this little boy in the video with the over-sized hat and sweatshirt tied around his waist. I always ask Kyle if he knew back then that I was the one for him and his response always is, "I had no clue who you were". Romantic huh? :) Our parents got together once in a while, mainly our dads but the kids never came so when Kyle and I met up in August of 2009, we has not seen each other since we were little. The place where Kyle proposed is the same beach and area that we played on in the home video. Sweet huh?

Here is a picture of a video shot from that vacation years ago. My dad is holding me and Kyle is in the hat.

Well, I know this was long but I had to include all the details. Maybe I will print this away and pack it up and then when my grandkids ask how grandpa proposed I will remember exactly how it happened! :)

He Calms the Sea

2011-05-31T09:59:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Kyle and I went down to his grandparents beach house with his parents in Oceanside. I love going there and Kyle and I both agree that time seems to move a bit slower when we are hanging out down there. Anyways, Sunday night we were coming home from dinner when we saw police cars, firetrucks and ambulances on the street in front of the house. We then saw a helicopter searching the waves with its bright lights as well as 2 Coast Guard boats searching.

A man was seen around 7:45 P.M struggling to stay above water about 200 feet from the shoreline and now he was missing. The thought of this gives me a horrible feeling. I personally am terrified of the ocean. The waves are too strong and I am really, really scared of sharks. So when I looked out into the deep, dark waters that were crashing down on the beach with such mighty power, I couldn't help but feel so incredibly scared for whoever was out there. It gives me chills just thinking about being in that large, eerie body of water. It ends up that they searched for 3 hours straight and then continued in the morning but unfortunately had no luck.

This picture is beautiful but I would NOT want to be in that!

I could not help but keep thinking about this poor soul and the waves that captured him, but Jesus kept coming to mind as well. In the book of Mark, Jesus calms the sea with just his words. His words! The Police, Fire Department, Coast Guard, and Lifeguards could not calm the sea to make the waves stop so they could find this man. But Jesus, He just spoke and told the sea to be at peace and it listened! What a wonderful feeling it is to know that one of the things that terrifies me to death can be calmed by my Lord with just his words. I need to remember this for when there is a storm or big wave crashing down on me in my life. The Lord is stronger than anything out there and I am so blessed to have Him be on my side, being my life floatie. :)

This picture reminds me of something I would have seen in Sunday School

Mark 4:35-40

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The funny things you hear in the classroom!

2011-04-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

So during my student teaching, my kids said some pretty funny things that I just had to write down. I thought I would keep track of them and share them with others when I gathered a few. Here are a few funny things that my 3rd graders said:

1.
Girl: Miss. C, My rat died from a bladder infection.

2.
Me: You kids will be using multiplication for the rest of your lives so it is important that you memorize it now.
Boy: No, we won't have to use it after we are married.

3.
Girl: Miss. C, are you married?
Me: No, not yet.
Girl: Oh gosh, that is really sad!

4.
After a family emergency happened to my master teacher and the students regular teacher, I explained to the class that their teacher was sad and needed some time off. One kid raised his hand and said
Boy: Maybe if one of the parents had a lot of money, they could just buy her a corvette and she would feel all better.

5.
Girl: My mom said that some moms are just really lazy and they use school as a free daycare. (This was a random comment she wanted to share during a math lesson)

6.
Boy: Miss C. are you a Miss. or a Mrs.?
Me: I am a Miss.
Boy: Oh yeah, I forgot you aren't even married yet.
Girl: That's okay Miss. C. You are so beautiful, you don't even need to get married.

7.
I was talking to the kids about family traditions and what they meant. I told them that one day I would be able to share traditions with my own children and one boy blurted out-
Boy: No! What if you die when you are 30 because someone killed you?
Girl(says to boy): Don't say that! Miss. C is nice!

8.
The girls wrote "boys stink" on the board and one boy said, "I don't understand why girls say that.. Don't they know they will marry one of them one day? :)

9.
After I introduced the kids to writing in cursive one boy raised his hand and said, "Miss. C, can you speak in cursive?" I was very tempted to say yes and blend all my word together.

10.
(Another one about me not being married)
Girl: Miss C. You need to get married before you get ugly!

11.
Girl: My mom drinks this special tea at night that makes her loose 5 lbs in one night!

12.
girl: Miss. C, do you want me to hook you up with someone?
Me: No thanks,I have a boyfriend.
boy: What is hooking up? Miss C? Can you tell me what that is?
Me: Lets move on!

13.
One day I went out to watch the kids at recess when all of a sudden 6 of my students flocked to me and followed me as I walked around the playground. A kid from another class ran up to me to tell on someone and one of my students yelled at the kid saying, "She isn't just an ordinary yard duty! She is our teacher!"(I felt so proud! )

14.
Boy 1: Ouch! You hit me in the boob
Boy 2: Boys don't have boobs, they have nipples.
Girl: Oh! My dad has those!

Some things that my kindergarten students said

15.
Me: Joseph, you need to get your stuff because you are leaving for an appointment. Are you sick?
Joseph: Yeah, I am going to the dentist because I have a cough.

16.
I was just about to start video taping a lesson to turn in for my TPA when a boy said, " Miss. Clarendon, my armpits feel cold!

17.
Boy: It hurts really bad when I try to poop.

18:
An autistic boy in our class was holding my hand as I walked the class up to lunch. All of a sudden I felt a finger a finger follow the seam in the middle of the butt of my pants. Quite a surprise!

Where have I been??

2011-04-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I feel like I should blow the ‘dust’ off of my blog and start to attempt to write again. I haven’t posted anything for almost a year! That alone should show how busy I have been. I thought that since some things are starting to kind of slow down for me, I should take some time to write about what I have been doing.

Last August, I started my first session of my student teaching for my Multiple-Subject Credential. I was placed in a 3rd grade class in highland where I taught for 9 weeks under the supervision of a master teacher. I went into it not too excited because I was totally burned out from subbing in difficult classes and sick of going to school but it turned out to be an amazing experience. My master teacher, Marsha was wonderful and we became friends quickly! The kids were so cute and at the perfect age to teach. I loved teaching 3rd grade because they were young enough that I could be silly with them, read stories and motivate them with simple games but old enough to where they could do independent work and discover on their own. I loved teaching the kids and thinking of new and creative ways to teach them information. They were sure sweet and when I left, I was blessed with a wonderful rolling cart full of school supplies for my future classroom along with lots of handmade cards saying how much they would miss me and liked me as a teacher. God gave me this little boost I needed by giving me this class to teach.
Here is my cart they gave me!

Two days after I finished with my 3rd graders, I was sent to teach kindergarten for another 9 weeks. KINDERGARTEN! When I originally decided to become a teacher, I thought I would only want to teach kindergarten or 1st grade but after subbing and doing my first session of student teaching, I found out that I work well with the older kids. So, the news about being in a kindergarten class was a little stressful. I found out that my master teacher was the mother of a good friend of mine from elementary school so it was fun to work with her. Kindergarten is difficult today because the kids are so little and they are held to such high learning standards. I feel like their little brains are not developed enough to take on such difficult tasks but I guess it is good that they are being pushed. Kindergarten is not all about arts and crafts, nap time, snack and finger painting. These little 4 years old are learning how to read and write!

It was difficult at times to try and keep 24 kids sitting ‘criss-cross-apple-sauce’(Indian Style)for any amount of time but I grew to love their happy, sweet faces. They are so innocent and cheerful and it is uplifting to be around them, even though at times it can be a bit chaotic. The things they said were adorable and there is nothing like having a little kid come sprinting across the playground, with Peanut Butter and Jelly on their face, just to give you a big hug.
Here is a picture of the cute book they gave me!

Here is a picture of 2 of the pages they made. The one of the left says that she likes my earings and the one on the right said I had long hair and wore make-up!

So I finished my credential which means I am able to teach grades K-6 but since there are no jobs available, I am subbing. I have been getting quite a few jobs at Eisenhower, the high school where my dad, brother-in-law Ryan, and boyfriend Kyle all work. I like working there for many reasons but the number one reason is that all the kids know not to mess with me because I am Coach Clarendon’s daughter. When I write my name on the board and they see the word ‘Clarendon’, they know not to mess with me because if they mess with me, they mess with Clarendon. It works out great for me!
Here he is...

Now I am currently working on my Masters in Education and will be graduate May 7th but my final research paper will not be due till June 14th. I am so close to completing this long journey and I can’t wait! No more class and no more homework will be such an amazing feeling!

Gotta love them!

2010-05-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Today is Mother's Day and I would like to share why I love the mother's in my life.
Mama
I am blessed to have my mother as my mom. She is selfless and always thinks of others first. She will make sure I am happy before she is and I don't know why she would do this. She always has cared for me. When I was in the hospital for my back surgery, she slept in the room with me on a small cot just so she could take care of me. She always asks how my day went and will actually listen when I go on and on about what happened. I can tell her anything and joke around with her. She really is like a best friend to me. She has done so much for me and I appreciate every single thing, including carrying me around inside of her for 9 months and 2 weeks and then pushing me out. ;) She is an example of the mother, wife and Godly woman I want to be. I am so thankful for her and everything she is. When I was little, I was so attached to her that they called me her 'barnicle'. Even though I am older, I am still very attached to her. :)

This is the day I was brought home

My Grandma has been in my life since I was born and I am so fortunate to have my grandparents around since my childhood. My grandma is one of the sweetest, gentle women that I know. She always has something nice to say and is caring and selfless just like my mom. (I guess she passed it down to her) My grandma is a great cook and my favorite thing she used to make for me was butterscotch pudding. I have so many great memories with her and love her very much. She is also very patient and a prayer warrior. Here are a few pics of us..

My Nana passed away a few years ago but I still remember so much of her. She was so much fun to be around and had such a spunky personality. I still remember her laugh and how happy she was, even when she was sick. She loved her children and grandchildren so much. One person said that her only flaw was that she bragged too much about her grandchildren. :) She was a great mother to my dad, aunt and uncles and a great grandmother to me and my sisters and cousins. I am thankful to have had her in my life for so long and I look forward to seeing her again.

Sally. Sally is like an aunt to me, even though we are not related but she is also like a mom as well. She too is such a caring person that is willing to help at all times. She has been in my sisters and my lives since we were born and has been there for us always. She is part of the family and a joy to be around. She always knows what to do and how to do it. I lover her very much and wish she lived closer to us. :)

All of these women mean so much to me, taught me a lot and have been great examples of what a mother should be. I am so blessed to have them all in my life.

Atta Boy Kyle

2010-04-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

8 months ago I met Kyle and I was hooked. This past Saturday marked the 6 month mark that we have officially been dating. I told him I wanted to do something so he planned a surprise day trip up to Big Bear to go horseback riding. I love horses so this was a very thoughtful, special gift from him. I am so thankful that I get to spend time with him and be his girlfriend. He makes me happy and I'm blessed to be with a man like him.

Miss. Clarendon

2010-04-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

I started substitute teaching about a month ago and it has been interesting. My first day ever subbing I was placed in a 6th grade class in Rialto. I didn't know what to expect and I was excited but nervous to try and handle 6th graders.

I felt funny when I wrote my name on the board for the first time so I took a picture of it. :)

Right before I reached my classroom, the partner teacher informed me that this class was horrible and instructed me not to smile, be nice or give them an inch or they will walk right over me. So, I stood at the door with a serious face and for those of you who know me, that is hard to do. I was strick, firm and not friendly but it didn't work. They were crazy and obviously had no respect for me. It also didn't help that they kept calling me Taylor Swift and Ke$ha.(I don't see it)

Who is going to be afraid of a young blonde girl who is trying not to smile? I survived the first day but was exhausted.

This was a 2 day sub job so I was to return the next day and the teacher was shocked that I came back. Apparently subs in the past have not returned for a second round with these kids. The second day was just as bad if not worse. They were loud, ignored my commands, would not stay in their seat, asked to use the restroom ever 30 seconds and to top it off, they threw paper at me when I turned my back for 2 seconds to write on the board. This made me mad and I was thrilled when those 2 days were over.

I also did 1st grade which I thought would be fun but they were just as loud, they told on each other and would not listen when I was trying to actually teach them something. God gave me a bit of encouragement though when a little girl gave me an apple. It was very sweet. She also forgot her lunch though so I gave it back to her later in thee day.

Right now I prefer to sub in high schools because they listen to you for the most part and there is no teaching involved, just monitoring while they do their seat work. The only issue is they always ask me how old I am and the guys ask if I would ever want to date a high schooler.

Overall, I have gotten great at giving, "The Look". All I do is walk over to the student, cross my arms and stare at them. This usually works with the older students. I also find my self saying, "Really? you are really going to talk after I just told you not too?" or throwing up my arms and saying, "Seriously?"

There have been classes where I have been able to have fun with the students and joke around with them. This makes it fun and I enjoy the kids a lot more when I can be nice to them. :)

I also have subbed at Eisenhower High School which is where my dad teaches. Right when the student hear my last name they always ask, "Are you coach Clarendon's daughter?" and sometimes they ask if I am his wife and I just roll my eyes and say really??? All I do is say, "Yes, he is my dad and if you guys give me any bit of trouble he will be down here right away so i suggest you behave." This works great :)

It is funny how God will help me out just when I need it. I was just in the brink of thinking, "I really don't think I want to teach, these kids are just too much" and then the next day I subbed for a great 6th grade class in Colton. They listen to me, did their work and were respectful. It was so refreshing. I think it helped that I prayed for the class the night before and then the morning before on the way to the class.

Lots of these kids come from homes where there is a lack of love and attention. They have not been raised properly and their actions are a result of this. These students, although they are loud, obnoxious and annoying at times, really need love and someone who really cares. I hope that some day when I have my own classroom, I can love my students and how them that I do care. This will be done only with lots of help from Jesus! :)

Homework Time

2010-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Lauren here, documenting Hillary's hard work. We are here at Augies, and I am borrowing her computer because mine had a mental breakdown. She doesn't know I am posting on her blog :) Anyways, Hillary is hard at work getting her homework done. She is such a good worker. She is going to make a great teacher. I'm so glad that I have someone to share these long hours of homework time with. Uh oh, she almost just caught me. I better run. Peace & Love.

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma

2010-03-04T17:16:00.001-08:00

Monday, March 1st was my grandma's 90th Birthday! When I said Happy Birthday to her I said, "You don't look or act 90 years old grandma!" She said she didn't feel like she was 90 and was surprised she has lasted this long. It got me thinking about how incredible the human body is. My grandmother has had the same heart, skin, bones, feet, hands and eyes that she has when she was born. That stuff is 90 years old! God made our bodies as wonderful working machine!
I love my grandma so much and I am so blessed to have her in my life.

I love it when she clasps her hands together like this when she is happy

My most relaxing spot

2010-02-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

I like to ask people what their most relaxing scene,place,or activity would be because it can tell you a lot about what a person likes. For an example, some people love the beach and would love to be out on the sand hearing the waves as the sun sets. When I asked my dad this question, he said, "In my chair, in the living room, watching TV". This is funny to me but then again each person has their own point of peacefulness and I'm glad my dad can go to his everyday.
This is mine..
It would be in the mountains..

I would want to be laying in a hammock

With a big soft blanket underneath me like this one

and one of these on top of me

I would want to be listening to some Hymns too..

I would also want to be wearing comfy stretchy pants like these

Sipping on some coffee would be nice too..

Oh and lots of pillows

And some coffee cake maybe..

And having Kyle there too would be nice

and Jack..

My Favorite Super Bowl Commercial

2010-02-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

I liked this one, maybe because it was about love and not about Doritos or Budlight.

What a guy!

2010-01-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

I have been very frustrated/unmotivated with school lately and tonight topped it off. After class was over I headed to my car and to my surprise, my sweet boyfriend had left a card, soda and snack for me on my windshield. It was such a thoughtful surprise and just what I needed. Isn't he sweet? I think so!

You know who makes me laugh? Courtney!

2010-01-21T22:41:00.000-08:00

So my freshman year at CBU I met Courtney Weatherly. We lived on the same hall and became friends. That means, I have been with Courtney for 9 months out of the year for 4 years in a row. Now we have graduated from college, moved back home and are separated. I miss how much she makes me laugh and how much fun we had together. She is one of the funniest people I know and I miss having my buddy with me 24/7.
Court can say one word or make one face and she has me cracking up. She gets my humor and I get hers. We could go on and on about one small thing and end up laughing forever. I am blessed to have her as a friend.
Here are some pictures of our 4 years at CBU..
Freshman year

We played dress up together..

and even got food stuck in our teeth together. Around this time, we cleverly put our names together and called ourselves, "Hillney Weatherdon"

Sophomore year came along and I got to live next door to Court. We spent a lot of time together and this is when our friendship really took off..

I was even her for halloween!

Cowboy and Cowgirl-Halloween- we were just warming up..

A Sailor and his girl

YULE

Junior year came along and our friendship was going strong so we decided to take a family portrait

Here is us "twiprping it up" at the Disco skating night

Out to dinner..

We also went on many Disneyland trips together..
One time we went on Gay Day (We did not know it was until we got there.. big mistake..)

We celebrated Christmas together

She copied me and wore a green dress to Yule..

This is probably the ONLY time she let me drive during our time at CBU

I was able to witness her winning of "The Queen of Love and Beauty" at Medieval Times

Here we are with our black eyes at Campus Day

This happened every night..

We also came up with the best Halloween costumes

We kicked butt on our Volleyball team..

We looked stylish at Clash-n-bowl

This is how I am most of the time when I am around Court

We even had a photoshoot..

Then came our senior year.. We were always together

At the Zoo for her Birthday

Looking hot in our sweats..

Daanng..

My little Miss. Popular

Yule again..

We dressed up for the Dating Game at school.. surprise surprise..

Looked hotter than ever at our last Campus Day

Both went on ISP trips

We went for a different look this Halloween.. Truckers!

Clashed it up at Clash-n-bowl one last time

Saw some musicals

She cheered me on

Then came graduation day.. our 4 years of fun at CBU was over

Our last Disneyland trip on graduation day

We parted ways and went to our homes but saw each other a few times this past summer for a few weddings..

Courtney always had the top bunk and I had the bottom. I miss seeing this face peer over the top to talk to me..

Now she has moved to Arkansas and is far away but despite the distance, I know our friendship will continue because who else is going to laugh at me when I leave all the cupboard doors open and who will laugh at her when she talks out of the side of her mouth? :)

This will be us in 60 years..

You can never be too safe... or can you??

2010-01-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

HAHA

A great combo!

2010-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

I love musicals!
I love The Office!
So I love this video!

What does Tiger Woods need?

2010-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

We have all heard about Tiger Woods and his disappointing, horrible behavior. He has lost respect from many and has embarrassed many but... there is hope! My mom showed me this on the TV this morning. She said this man(Brit Hume) is how her hero and I would have to agree with her. Watch as Brit Hume speaks with Bill O'Reilly about how Tiger can be saved.

I am proud of this man for standing firm in his faith on TV. What a great example he is to share the truth, despite the negative feedback he may receive. He is right, the only way Tiger can pull himself out of this one is to give himself to Jesus and allow Him to change him, mold him, and create in him a new heart. There is hope for the lost and thank God for men like Brit Hume who will stand up for what they believe.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
Ephesians 1:7

Till death do us part... :)

2010-01-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 69TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!
Today, my grandparents have been married for 69 years. It is crazy to think that they have been married for more than half of their lives! Can you imagine how well you would know that person? Wow! That is true love and commitment.
Here is a picture of them when they were dating

And here they are today!

I love them both dearly and am thankful to have them in my life. They have displayed a wonderful example of commitment-so refreshing!

This couple has been married for 83 years!

I think the longest celebrity marriage is between Bob Hope and Dolores Reade: 69 years and the shortest would be maybe this one with a wopping 1 day!

The headache of having migraines...

2009-12-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

I am a "migraine sufferer" and it sucks. I have had a migraine pretty consistent now for about 2 weeks and I hate them. If you have never had one, it feels like your brain is being smooshed against your skull, while your eyes are tender/sore and you feel nauseated. Light of any kind sends horrible pains throughout your head and eyes, making the throbbing worse. When I get these, all I want to is sleep but that is not always possible and does not cure it. $ years ago, I had a migraine everyday for four months straight, it was horrible. I hope that never happens again.

I have taken different kinds of medication but none of them eliminate the migraine entirely. I looked up different cures for migraines and found some interesting ones so i thought i would share:
-soaking a piece of brown paper bag in vinegar and putting it on your forehead before you sleep
-taking a hot shower for 5 min then a cold for 5 min
-holding your breath underwater in a bathtub for 20 seconds
-having your children sit on your head... (strange, i know)
-Botox
-Drinking cold, cold milk
-Also, apparently putting anything on your forehead is supposed to help, such as cabbage leaves, peppermint oil, vinegar, heat, kids, lemon peels, sandalwood powder(what??)
-lukewarm water enema( this will help your head??)

So even though I hate getting migraines, especially when they last so long like this one, I am thankful that it is not something too serious and am able to live my life still. Right now, I am thinking prayer is the best medication.. if you have any goods ones, let me know!

I had a horrible reaction to this stuff!

Brad Paisley is great

2009-11-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

I love country music and I think Brad Paisley might be my favorite male country artist. He is hilarious and pretty much all of his songs have a sweet story to them. They are not trashy or filled with meaningless lyrics, they are songs that get you thinking.. here are some examples..

This one is very sweet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFmHHxXCVg

This one is funny

This one is great because it makes me feel better about always being late
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvKgnkIN8C8

You boys can take notes on this one-especially what the old man says in the beginning and the ending is pretty funny as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrxNkUbFizg

What girl wouldn't want to hear this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUOhaQ02_zc

I love this one too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHw3BX5MgPs

Heaven!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Zfx5qra_g

Wrong number to the right person

2009-10-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

So today I was sitting in my room doing homework, about to go crazy and my phone rang from strange number. A man answers and asked for Pete. I said you have the wrong number, he said he was sorry and hung up. 30 seconds later my phone rang again from the same number. I almost didn't answer but decided to answer again for some reason. The name man was on the phone and he said, "Hi, I just wanted to say God Bless you and cast all your cares and burdens on the Lord." I was shocked that he called me back just to tell me that. I told him thank you and that he was right, God can carry our burdens. I then told him I was a Christian and asked if he was too. He said he is then he told me all about his church, his family, his wife, his kids and his job and how good God has been to him. He gave me a lot of information in just a short 5 minutes but he just kept telling me to trust in God and that He is always faithful. What a great reminder! God is always faithful and I do need to cast all my cares on to Him, even the stressfulness of my homework! Isn't it crazy how God can work through a stranger over the phone to help you focus on Him?!
The best thing he said was, "I'm bald, and have a big old gotee so I kinda look like a gangster and I intimidate people but I just want to share Jesus with everyone because you never know what they are going through."

My dog has a twin

2009-10-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

So I had this song in my head and I found out it was from Robin Hood. I Youtubed it and watched the cute cartoon video and when the camera got a close up on Robin Hood's face at 1:08 minutes, it reminded me of my dog Jack! They must be related.. :)

My dog Jack

Why would He do that?

2009-09-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

This video gives me chills, breaks my heart, brings tears to my eyes but makes me feel so loved, blessed and overjoyed all at the same time.

Take the time to watch this video- I promise its worth it.

Its a simple video that represent the gospel-The amazing truth of God's love for us. His love is so strong that he gave the ultimate sacrifice... Our image of love in today's society is distorted and abused but in Christ, we find unconditional love. A love that is so strong, it will never fade or weaken. He is here, waiting with open arms, longing for us to run to Him, choose Him, serve Him, and love Him. So why would he do that? The answer is love.

Clean Sheets

2009-09-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

I washed my sheets today with Downy. My grandpa uses Downy so the smell reminds me of her so therefore I love the smell. I also love the feeling of clean sheets in a freshly made bed! It's a great feeling.. if you all out there don't wash your sheets often, you should try it because a- its obvious that you should b- that is sick if you don't and c- it feels so good to get into a clean,great smelling bed at night.

oh and a cute dog laying on it helps as well. :)

Ready.. cSET.. Go!!

2009-09-08T22:55:00.000-07:00

This next Saturday I take 2 out the 3 subtests of the CSET. I have been studying and I hate studying but I love coffee.. so.. I have decided to try and go to all the coffee shops around Redlands to study. I have had a good time exploring the different environments, music, service and drinks at each place. I have also carried around my flashcards, trying to fit in extra study time when I can. Hopefully it pays off!
here are some pics from my study journey!

GFE

This is at a cute little place in Redlands.. They made my Latte have an apple in it which was perfect since I am studying to be a teacher!

This made my night

Stells- We were bored

The golf course while working! :)

Energy=Shaky!

2009-09-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

So this morning I was feeling a little tired and didn't want to be sleepy in church so i tried drinking this Crystal Light on-the-go packets with energy, thinking it would not have that much Caffeine in it but it did!
These people needed some of my Crystal Light!

I rarely drink caffeine because it usually gives me a headache so when I do have some, I feel it more than when others drink it. Anyways, it sure worked because I was not sleepy in church, I was over-energized, shaky and anxious! I seriously felt like getting up and running laps around the sanctuary while listening to the message. I don't like this shaky, jittery feeling-especially when I have sit quietly. So I guess some people drink alcohol to have a good time, let loose, and spice things up but not me.. I just need a crystal light engergy packet! :)

Leaves are Blessings!

2009-08-31T10:19:00.001-07:00

I am doing a Bible study on the book of Colossians and I am loving it. The book rich with wisdom, truth, direction and love. Paul was an awesome Soldier for Christ! In the study, it directed me to Psalms 1 where the parts of a tree are associated with the parts and growth of a follower of Christ.

Psalms 1:3
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

This relates to Colossians 2:7 where it says..
Rooted and built up in Him
and firm in your faith just as you were taught,
and overflowing with thankfulnesss.

Just like a tree, I as a Christ follower need to be...
rooted in Him- He is the base of my life and where I get my nourishment. He is what holds me firm and keeps me grounded

Built up in Him- Grow in Him. Be strong and firm in my faith, never moving or budging in my faith, like a sturdy tree.

Overflowing with thankfulness-- Like the leaves on a tree, that flood the branches, fall to the ground and coat the grass, our blessings from God are just like leaves. We have so many of them covering our lives! They are everywhere! We just need to stop and look.

The study instructed me to make a list of all the things I am thankful for and how God has blessed me. Wow! What a great reminder of what I have. Just the wonderful gift of salvation is a big enough blessings that will overpower all the problems live can throw at me. I often forget this and get caught up with the small issues but listing out all the things I am thankful for has brought me back to the truth- I am blessed because I am a Child of God. Period.

P.s. The bible study book I am going through is called, "Cappuccino with Colossians" by Sandra Glahn. I recommend it!

Just DON'T Do it...

2009-08-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

*** We hope this does not offend anyone- we are simply expressing our opinions***
So I have joined the 24 hour fitness gym and have been working out a lot more lately. The gym is an interesting place because of the wide variety of people that fill it. During out workouts, my friend Lauren and I have noticed time and time again certain habits and styles of the people that keep recurring. We have decided to help all of mankind and make a DON'T list for the gym, accompanied by pictures of Lauren and I that will help those of you who are visual learners.
Here we go.. are you ready? Maybe you should write these down and make sure you do not do these! :)
1. DON'T WEAR REGULAR SHORTS
-We see this so often in men and women. They wear their cargo pants, jean shorts, slacks or whatever else they had on that day.. this is not correct or comfortable! I am sure if these people put on some comfy mesh basketball shorts they would realize what they have been missing.

2. DON'T WEAR REGULAR SHOES
-Vans, DVS, Etnies, Keds, and loafers were not made for the gym. To play the part you got to look the part people...come on, go buy a pair of Nikes.

3. DON'T WEAR NICE SHIRTS/BLOUSES
-I often see women wearing their snazzy dress shirt along with their workout shorts. If you are at the gym, its okay to not be dressed up in your best lacy blouse.
-You can't achieve the style "sporty yet classy" with this look

4. DON'T WEAR SUNGLASSES IN THE GYM
-We see this a lot and it does not make you look cooler, more intense or stronger..
-Actually, when are people going to understand that it is not cool or manly to wear your shades inside??

5. DON'T WEAR YOUR HAIR DOWN OR PILE ON MAKE UP
-Again, you are at the gym, not the mall, its okay to not look your best. Plus, doesn't your hair get in your way if it is hanging down in your face??
-The gym is for working out, not a dating service.. let the man like you for you!

6. DON'T STARE AT YOUR MUSCLE THE ENTIRE TIME YOU ARE LIFTING
-If you stare it it, it won't get any bigger..
-This one is always funny to watch

7. DON'T FLIRT WITH OTHERS IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR WEDDING RING AND ARE MARRIED
-back to # 5- go to the gym to work out, not to mingle with the singles and if you are married and have your ring on, don't start flirting with us.. we are not interested.

8. DON'T MAKE LOUD NOISES WHEN LIFTING
-This one is the most important. I have been in the free weights room many times and had to sneak out because I could not control my laughter. Men will try and lift SO much weight that they let out an uncontrollable, LOUD grunt that sounds worse than a woman in labor.
-If the weight is that heavy and you have to squeal then lighten your load before a load ends up in your pants.. there.. I said it..

9. DON'T GO TO THE GYM JUST TO SOCIALIZE
-Its okay to talk while lifting or doing your cardo but when you just sit and talk and catch up its weird!

10. DON'T WEAR JUST A SPORTS BRA- ALWAYS WEAR A SHIRT
-Even if you have been doing your crunches and your abs are crazy, keep them to yourself.
-If you are older, then yes, please, keep the shirt on.. there is a dress code so follow it.

***no picture is available due to modesty of the fitness models***

11. DON'T TALK ABOUT HOW BUFF YOU ARE JUST TO IMPRESS PEOPLE AROUND YOU
-Oh goodness, men do this and think if they talk about their reps and how much protein they ate that day, it will impress the girl next to them.. WRONG!

We have personally seen all 11 of these DON"T habits at our gym so don't think we made them up. Hopefully you can learn from this list or help a fellow friend learn. ;)

If you have any more, please tell us!

Thanks for reading..
Lauren and Hillary

This is a picture of the proper way to dress for the gym..notice the correct shirts, shoes, pants, shorts and hair.. :)

Apples, Cheese and Cream.. yumm

2009-08-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have been crazy about these three food items. I could eat them all day, everyday..

Fugi Apples! I love apples! Last year I got on this apple kick and i had like 2-3 a day, I have come off of my "addiction" but I still love them.

Cottage Cheese!

Whipped Cream!

Hopeless for the Homeless??

2009-08-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

So tonight my friend Lauren and I were approached by a family in the Target parking lot. They stopped us to ask for money because they were in need of food and a room for the night. The lady who asked was rude, forceful and her plea was passionless but her 4 year old daughter's presence was tugging at my heart. Lauren and I both reached for our wallets and then Lauren suggested we go get them food instead of just giving money. We came back with food from good ol'Chick-Fil-A but before we reached the family, yet another homeless lady came across our path. With a similar story about being in need of a place to stay, she asked for anything we could give. She seemed more sincere than the other woman but its funny how the stories are all the same. After giving her some money, we left and gave the food to the family. The woman took the food, drank her daughters kid's meal drink and gave us the impression that she was done with us and got what she wanted. I walked away feeling used and I hate that feeling. This where my heart starts to wrestle with some issues..
First of all, I want to give, I need to give, we are commanded to give. Most of us do have so much and we can afford to give but when you get asked by so many people, when do you draw the line? How do you know when someone really needs food or shelter and who am I to make that decision about their true life and their needs??

The story from the Bible always comes to my mind, about the good Samaritan. How can I read that story and then pass by someone who needs help? I want to give, I want to help, but most of all I want these people to know Jesus.
Check out this picture! Ha

He is the one who can help them, feed them, care for them and help them survive. Recently, when I have been stopped and asked for money, I try and talk to the person about my faith before I give them the money. This usually frustrates them and the moment I give them the money they say, "Oh thank you, God bless you" and they are gone so fast! Do they really mean that when they say "God bless you"? That is a powerful statement and I feel that it should be taken seriously but people have changed the meaning and now only use it as a symbol.. but that is an entire other blog.. :)
I came home and told my mom the story, told her how i felt used and upset and frustrated with the whole situation. She told me that I can't be responsible for giving to every single beggar around and I know that but how do I pass them? I have come across some that seem legit. They honestly do need help and are truly grateful. When I come across these people, they are the ones who make it worth it. I guess it is better for me to be give and hopefully out of some of them, one of them will truly be in need.
I am not giving to receive and to make me feel good, but to try and do what Jesus would do and gosh it is hard sometimes. I just wish that people would be more grateful, less obnoxious and willing to listen if they are willing to receive money.
Ultimately, all we can do is pray for them. Some really are in severe need and it breaks my heart to see this but I also know someone who can help more than I can and I know He is faithful to always be there..

Is 41:17. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them.

So I would love to hear from you all, whats your perspective, how you handle all the people who ask for money? Is it hopeless to help the homeless with money and food?? hmm..

p.s don't give to people with signs like this..

Exceeding Expectations- The Philippines! Amazing!

2009-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back from my ISP trip to Manila and it was amazing. I didn't really know what to expect from the country, the people or our task but I was blown away and am still being blown.. if that makes sense.
First of all, what I saw on the trip was God's plan and hand in everything we did. There were many reasons we were there and it was wonderful to see God reveal them.
So our team worked with a church called CBL (Church at Better Living). Right away, I and the rest of the team fell in love with all the members. We served with them and saw their hearts for God and for their people.

Their dedication to their community and the Lord was inspiring. Their close church community was full of love, accountability and fellowship. I soaked up every minute I spent with them and cherish the memories and lessons I learned from them all. I miss them all so much already!

Women of Worth Bible Study

Some of the girls!

CBL has started a church in an annex, which is one of the lower income areas in the Philippines. On Saturdays, the children come for singing, a bible study and snacks.

This is the group of older girls Cassondra and I taught!

On Sunday, there is an afternoon adult worship service for the adults living in the annex as well. God is at work in this area and our team was blessed to be a part of Gods plan. It was amazing to play with the kids, teach them from the Word of God, and probably the best thing was hearing their sweet, little voices sing and yell out, "Jesus"!
We painted the annex and made it look nice and blue for the kids! We also had a great time painting until the rain came and washed it all away!

We tried to protect the freshly painted walls from the rain

We also walked through the annex, meeting the families, inviting them to the new church and praying for their needs-amazing experience. We became attached to many of the kids there and their adorable faces and personalities.

We also worked with a church called Fort A. Bonifacio Christian Church. They open their doors daily to the youth. Its a place where students can come and play music, study and hang out. We worked with them a few days and Kaitlyn, Clinton and I got to share our testimony to the students as well which was neat.

We did a lot of street witnessing which was a great test of our courage. Walking up to someone you have never met before, not sure if they speak English is something that took a lot of boldness, courage and FAITH. God was with us and we had some great experiences that was all God's work, not ours.

We were able to go to an orphanage, go to the mall of Asia, which is the 2nd biggest mall in Asia, eat lots of McDonalds and also some really great home cooked Filipino food, hike up a huge volcano to see the middle, drive in Jeepney's which is like a taxi, discovered that LA traffic is nothing compared to Mania and Filipino pizza is not the same as American. It was very hot and humid and we were sweating most of the time!

I probably should not put this picture up because it is so nasty but oh well. This was after we hiked up a hill.. yuck..

We constantly hear the sound of motorcycles, music, people, horns honking and kids. We saw people everywhere, kids everywhere, cars everywhere, small little stands everywhere, cats all over the place, and flip flops on every foot! :)

The streets..

We also ate Balut and Durian! Both were disgusting and probably my first and last time trying them.

Eating Balut!

I know I have not included everything that we did but there is just so much that happened, so many emotions, feelings, lessons, convictions and memories associated with this trip. They are trapped in my brain and its hard to get them all out and make sense of them all.

Our last Sunday at church

What I learned the most is that everyone needs Jesus Christ. You could be the poorest person, with no food, water, family but if you have Jesus, you have everything you need. He will provide and take care of you. You could have everything in the world at your fingertips but are missing Jesus, leaving you empty, hopeless, and desperate for something bigger. God is the answer to everything. He is faithful to those who follow Him- In today's world, that is hard to find!

I know that I was made by God for His glory. He created me, put me in this world so that I can love Him, share Him, glorify and worship Him daily. It is a constant battle with sin and our world but with His help, I can accomplish this and praise Him!

Sorry this was so long!

Thanks for all of you who supported me on this trip!

Here is a video of the kids in the Annex and driving along the streets!

So long, farewell...

2009-06-14T00:32:00.000-07:00

I am leaving this Monday night for Manila in the Philippines! My ISP team (International Service Project) will be flying for about 16 hours in a plane and then landing at our destination! We are going there to serve the people of Manila and show Christ's amazing love to the people there. I am very excited for the trip and what God holds for us there.
Here are some pictures of Manila!

The trip will consist of...
-Hot, Humid weather
-VBS with kids!
-Interesting new foods
-The Mall of Asia
-Good fellowship with Brothers and sisters in Christ
-Hot, Humid weather..
-College and High School Students
-Being with my team for 3 straight weeks
-Discovering God's presence wherever I go
-Missing America and my family
-Loving serving my Lord!
-Meeting and making new friends!
-Karaoke
-16 hour plane ride!
-Hot, Humid weather
-Praying for my Mom and Grandma not to be worried about me. ;)
-Working with a church plant!

Here is a picture of Balut. Some eat this in the Philippines.. Interesting!

Wow, after writing out all those things I am pretty excited to go! I am ready to fully rely on God, draw near to Him, trust Him, love Him, grow in Him, praise Him and understand Him more while serving Him. It is all for His glory and I pray He will be glorified through our team's words, actions and love!

Please pray for my team as we are there for 3 weeks. We leave June 15th and return July 5th.

I know you guys will all miss reading my blog and won't know what to do without it so just re-read my old posts and that should hold you over till I get back but if you would like, you can read our teams update website at
http://www.calbaptist.edu/spiritual-life/international-service-projects/default2.aspx?id=7370

Courtney and Hillary will be together again.. for one day..

2009-06-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is right, I will see Courtney this Sunday and I am excited. Courtney is one of my best friends. We have this bond that I probably will never have with any other person.

This is us our Freshman year at Cal Baptist

Our sense of humor fits together like two puzzle pieces and we never get tired of each other. She can make me laugh so hard that tears appear and I love it.

This is and Court and I on Halloween our Sophomore year.

This is us our Junior year

I will only get to hang out with her for one day because she is going to Ukraine for 3 weeks with ISP this Monday! So be praying for her and her team as they go work with orphans! Way to live up to James 1:27. :)

Here is her team (I stole this pic from her facebook)

This is us at the zoo for her Birthday our Senior year!
Love you Courtney

My Messy, Memory Filled Room!

2009-05-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Iused to love reading these books!
This one fits my problem perfectly!

Well since I have moved back home from college, I came to a problem. I have to basically combine two rooms into one! I brought home everything from my apartment at CBU and I have to somehow fit it into my room at home. First of all, I hate packing, unpacking and organizing. I am not great at those three tasks and I wish I could hire someone to do it for me!

At least my room does not look this bad!

Another problem I have with my room and squishing two rooms together is the fact that I can’t throw away or give away anything. Everything I come across as I unload boxes and tear apart my closets, I either have sentimental attachments to them or I feel that I might randomly need it someday in the future. This makes for a messy cluttered room, which is what I have.

The sad thing is, I have been slowly working on unpacking and cleaning out my room since I moved home, which was MAY 3rd! What is taking me so long? Well, every time I go in there to clean or do something, I can’t wait till I can get out. For the first few weeks, I could barely walk in my room because I had unconsciously created a maze out of boxes, shoes, bags of clothes, chairs, and lots of other random stuff. Also, I have been watching my 4-month-old adorable nephew everyday so it’s hard to clean and unpack when you are holding a baby.
But… I am proud to say that as of last night, everything is out of my room, except furniture. I moved the bed, dresser, bookshelf, and desk around, vacuumed spots underneath things that perhaps have not been vacuumed for years. Now I am ready to load the room with my junk. I also am proud of my self for actually giving away 3 large trash bags of stuff to the Goodwill! I also threw away 4 trash bags of trash. It was so hard for me to give away so much stuff but I feel better now that I have consolidated.

I have been lucky enough to have my friend Lauren come and help me. She was forceful and made me throw and give away things that I really don’t need. My sister Katieanne also helped me. For some reason, I work better if I have someone in the room with me, pushing me to throw and give away items.

Here are some pictures of random items I found in my room. I can’t stand to part with them so they will have to find a special spot in my room.

My wonderful Sound of Music plate! I can't give this away!

Some of my old trophies from
High School- Do I throw them away??

This is a drawing I did in Elementary School. Notice how I made the cow going to the bathroom in the picture..

The original Nintendo set!

My hair manikin from my Aunt Jeanie-Real Human Hair!

This is my Gel Pen Diary from middle school!

My Letterman Jacket from High School- Wish I could still wear it!

I hate saying goodbye to endings..

2009-05-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my very first blog and I am writing about endings! It might not make sense but a lot of what I do does not make much sense. First of all, I don't like it when a good book is over and I don't know what happened next. I don't like it when a good movie ends with a horrible ending or a decent sequel is not made. (one of the best sequels is to the Anne of Green Gables movies)

My hate for goodbyes started when I was little. When I was young, I was strongly attached to my mother. This was fine, until she had to leave to go somewhere and I was forced to say goodbye. Even if it was for a few hours, it was hard for me. I can remember crying at the door when she left every Monday night for Bible Study. I didn't not want her to leave or have to say goodbye.

This is my mom with her big 80's hair and I.

When I lost my last tooth, I cried simply because my years of "tooth loosing" were over. I also cried when I turned 9 because I had to say goodbye to my "single digit years". You all are probably thinking I am crazy for these silly emotions and feelings towards endings but oh well.

LloydChristmas in Dumb and Dumber nailed it right on the nose in this clip..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPq7YukE1rk

There are also sad, emotional goodbyes that tug at my heart. I remember saying goodbye to my Nana before she passed away. I hugged and kissed her goodbye, not knowing that was the last goodbye I would say to her. Saying goodbye to my dog before we put her to sleep. I just hate goodbyes at times.

My Nana

I cried at my High School graduation because High School was over. Little did I know that God had a plan for me while I was at college and there was no reason to be sad about leaving High School.

High School Graduation-2005! This past may I graduated from California Baptist University. After living there for four years, being involved, making so many wonderful, amazing friends, it was now time to say goodbye to my school, friend and home. I dreaded this day for years and knew I would be a weeping mess, but God's peace was with me that day, that week and that month. The whole situation was bitter sweet. I said my goodbyes, packed up and moved back home and I am fine! No tears! I am excited and eager to see what the Lord has planned for this next chapter in my life.

My Best Friend at our graduation at CBU- No tears!

Even though saying goodbye is hard, I know that the greatest will be when I leave this earth. Even though it will be hard to leave the ones I love here, I will be saying goodbye to this worthless earth and living eternity in Heaven with Jesus. That will be the best goodbye of my life.