My 25th Birthday

What a great birthday weekend! Thanks to being a state employee, I had a four day weekend! I did a few things around the house on Friday, then went to our Friday night Bible class. Cory fixed super yummy Chinese food and a delicious chocolate cheesecake. Micah even offered to let me pull his tooth as my birthday gift, but I declined! :)

Saturday was a nice lazy day, then I went to dinner at Grandma and Dandy's house. Grandma fixed a great meal - roast, carrots, and potatoes. Mama and Robert were also there.

Sunday was a typical day - meeting, Mexican, and lounging. Leslie came over and we sat on the sofa doing Sudoku and reading People magazine.

Monday was my actual birthday, which I shared with MLK this year. Mama and Leslie took off of work (Lauren wasn't able to go - we missed her!) and we went to Colonial Heights for the day. Shopping, Starbucks, Movie, and Olive Garden - can't ask for a better day!

As for actually getting older, I don't think 25 is bothering me. I'm very excited about this year - I have a good feeling about it. I do keep thinking I see gray hairs, though, but not yet! ;)

THANK YOU to everyone who sent messages, cards, and gifts. It was a great day! Happy Birthday to me! :)

Unbeautiful

I love love LOVE this song by Lesley Roy:

Unbeautiful
Don't hang up, can we talk?
So confused, it's like I'm lost.
What went wrong? What made you go?
Don't pretend you don't know
This is me, I'm unchangeable.

When did we fall apart?
Or did you lie from the start?
When you said it's only you
I was blind, such a fool
Thinking we were unbreakable.

It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more.
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know what made me unbeautiful.

I've been told what's done is done
To let it go and carry on
And deep inside I know that's true
I'm stuck in time, I'm stuck on you.
We were still untouchable.

It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more.
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know what made me unbeautiful.

Wake up, wake up, wake up cuz I'm only dreaming
Get out, get out, get out, get out of my head now
Because we're much better
All together
Can't let go.

It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more.
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know what made me unbeautiful.

It was you and me against the world
And you promised me forever more.
Was it something that I said?
Was it something that I did?
Cuz I gotta know what made me unbeautiful
Made me unbeautiful...

Lessons Learned

I've learned a lot in the past few months. I've learned that I can do a lot more than I thought I could, both mentally and physically. I rode around tonight thinking about being alone and being lonely, and they are in fact two very different things. Some days, I can come home and be immediately drawn into my cozy little house, and other days, I hear all of the little noises that the house makes because there is no one else making a sound. And that's okay. I've learned that I can go to a movie by myself and enjoy it. I've learned that I can take care of my home (with a little help from my daddy and brothers-in-law!). I've learned that I can take a trip by myself. I've learned that I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for. I've learned that just because you're alone, it doesn't mean you're lonely. And just because you're with someone, it doesn't mean you're not alone. And most importantly, I've learned that I really CAN do ALL things through Christ, who gives me strength.

New Address

In the last few days, I have left my life and taken up residence on my sofa. It amazes me that the more time I have to be productive, the less productive I end up being. When working 40 hours a week and driving back and forth to Richmond, I manage to keep my house neat, my bed made, read books, and spend time with family and friends. When I have a four-and-a-half day weekend, I barely manage to change out of my pajamas into my sweatpants. Although I have done a few things during my break (re-arrange my living room, put together my new bookshelf, go to Bible class), I still have one bookshelf to go, dirty dishes from my pancakes this morning, and my Christmas decorations still up. I have not been as produtive as I planned, but I have slept as late as I wanted (8:15) and enjoyed my time with my couch, my fleece blanket, and the remote. I guess everyone deserves a break every once in a while. I'll get things together....starting Monday. :)

Sisters

Sisters ~ To me, there is no greater love than the love I feel for my sisters. I know that whenever I need someone to listen, I can call Lauren or Leslie and they will let me talk. When I need a shoulder to cry on, they will be there. When I am angry or happy or sad, there is always someone to share those emotions. They are and always have been there for me. One night this summer, I called Lauren. I had had a rough couple of weeks and there were ants invading my pantry. It was the last straw for me and I could not stop crying. I felt sorry for myself, my situation, and I was angry that I was there alone and had to take care of everything myself. It was 10PM, Lauren had been sick all day, and she came over anyway. She killed the ants and cleaned up my pantry. She did not complain - she was there for me. Another day, a few weeks before that, Leslie called me. Something major had happened in my life and it was a bad night. Leslie was on her honeymoon and I didn't want to bother her or ruin her day. She called me and cried with me. She didn't let the fact that it was her honeymoon or that she was having a great time deter her from calling me and crying with me and making me feel better. These are my sisters, my best friends. The movie "In Her Shoes" is about two sisters. They are so different, but so alike in many ways. One sister reads the other this poem on her wedding day, and to me, this is exactly how I keep Lauren and Leslie- I carry their hearts in my heart...

i carry your heart with me by E. E. Cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it inmy heart)i am never without it(anywherei go you go,my dear; and whatever is doneby only me is your doing,my darling)i fearno fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i wantno world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)and it's you are whatever a moon has always meantand whatever a sun will always sing is youhere is the deepest secret nobody knows(here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which growshigher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars aparti carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Ringing in the New Year

...more like SLEEPING in the New Year. I baked my cookies and got ready to party at the Loves' for New Years' Eve. I was fine when I got there, then had to leave 30 minutes later when I started feeling sick. I got home at 8:30, slept straight through midnight, and woke up at 7:30...bummer.