currently listening to...

This what I am currently listening to. I personally really like Taylor Swift, even if she is a little cuckoo. It's a good album.

dress up

Some of my favorite times in my college career have also been some of my goofiest. I've had nights spent singing along and acting out scenes from Disney movies. I've hosted a camp out in my room complete with fake leaves, fake nature sounds, fake mood lighting, and a fake camp fire. Last night my friend Eva and I got the brilliant idea to play dress up. Our friends Mika and Hannah sat in the living room and would call out a category. Eva and I would run into my room and try to find and outfit that went with said category. Then, Eva and I would walk out into the living room to model our fashions while Mika would play a song that was fitting to the theme and Hannah would take our picture. It was probably one of the more silly things I've done, but I loved it!

                                              Here we are dressed as nerds.

                                          Here we are as aerobic instructors.

                           This is me as a lawyer, serving Mika her court papers.

the unlikely disciple

Tonight I got to hear Kevin Roose, the author of The Unlikely Disciple speak. One of the things I really liked that he talked about was the notion that you don't have to agree with someone in order to respect them. I haven't read the book myself yet, but I definitely plan on doing so soon. From hearing him, I would recommend it.

lately

This weekend Sara and I helped on a family mission retreat put on by First Methodist in Conway. I'll admit I wasn't super excited about going on the retreat since school is really starting to pick up and I thought I'd be stressed out, but I'm so glad I went. Sara and I had some really good, much needed bonding time. It was also a lot of fun to play with all the kids and get to know some of the adults. I feel like I hardly get to interact with children while I'm at school (and if you know me well enough you know I really like to hang out with kiddos) so it was a lot of fun to just get to play with them. All the parents were also very nice to Sara and I, and gave us some good life advice. It's so crazy for me to think that I could be in their exact position in 15 years with a family! Since it was a mission retreat we also got to do a couple of projects. I really enjoyed that because often times I feel like I can get so wrapped up in myself, especially when I'm at school since I live there and work there and socialize there. I also think a weekend away does a person good every now and then.

On another note, we recently had a meeting for junior psychology majors and I've decided to take this coming week as a period for discernment. I'm going to OU to visit two of my best friends, so I think it will be a good time not to worry about school and just think about things. Then, when I get back to school I'm going to have some meetings with advisers to help me figure out some sort of game plan for my life. I'm actually pretty excited about it. I always feel better when I have some sort of game plan, so I really think this will help ease some of the anxiety I have.

meet henry

This is Henry. The newest member of my family.

don r. roberts elementary school

This afternoon I got the opportunity to go to the Don R. Roberts Elementary School dedication. Don Roberts is my grandfather and it was such a wonderful and emotional experience to be able to see my grandfather (I call him Papa) honored that way.

My Papa has been an educator his entire life. I never really knew just how much he had given to various school districts until this dedication ceremony. I was very proud to know how much he valued and demanded excellence from teachers and staff and how he felt that every child, no matter their socioeconomic status deserved a great education. This was especially meaningful to me since those exact principles have really been something that have been on my heart lately. Because of these new realizations I've decided to become an education minor and eventually work in a school setting. While I know that I'm never going to be a superintendent or a commissioner of education, I still feel like I'm able to somewhat pick up where he has left off and be the best teacher/counselor I can be by doing my best as an educator.

At this dedication ceremony they had a group of kids sing the school song, which was surprisingly emotional for me. It was a realization that these kids had their whole futures ahead of them and so much potential. Roberts elementary is now the biggest elementary school in the state of Arkansas. I know that kids that come through Roberts probably won't know anything about my Papa, but it's still beautiful to me that his legacy will remain through this school by the children that come out of it.

life is good

Lately, I've felt so blessed about where I've chosen to go to school. Last year was a real struggle for me, and I can already tell that this year is going to be better. For one, I finally feel like I have some direction in my life. That's not to say I have it all figured out (and from what I hear I don't have to yet), but I really feel like I have some sort of idea.

I also have some really great friends. I have the same closest friends from freshmen year, which I'm not sure everyone can say. I know that each of these people have my back and care for me just as much as I care for them. I'm also making some new friends. These people are really great too and I'm so glad I'm getting to be closer to them. A few weeks ago a large group of girls and myself watched Camp Rock 2 together. As silly as it was we all had a lot of fun with it. I'm glad that I am able to truly feel like myself with the people I surround myself with.

I've also decided this year that I'm going to get more involved in activities on and off campus. I'm interning for the children's ministry at a local church and I'm holding a position in the volunteer group I'm apart of at school.

I hope this post doesn't sound too much like I'm bragging about all the great things in my life. I'm just so excited and so optimistic about the year ahead that I can't keep it all in, ha.