I need to chill

So today was absolutely CRAZY! I went to school this morning and was called down right away with the rest of our play cast for a dress rehearsal. The middle school is doing a play called Christmas Scene Investigators that I wanted to get involved in this year. We have been practing for about a month now and today was our first real performance. We performed for the 4th and 5th graders today and Thursday we have our night performance for the community and parents and Friday we do it for our school (6th, 7th, and 8th grades), I have to say our first time through was a bit skaky. I didn't mess up of course ;) but there were others. But hopefully we are now ready for our shows later this week. So then I had to go back to 4th hour at school with all of my stage makeup still left on my face as I wasn't given time to wash it off. So I got to deal with all the guys and everyone making fun of me and giving me weird looks the rest of the day. And of course my part requires the most makeup out of anybody else in the cast so I was the easiest to make fun of. ;( But anyways, right when I got back I had a student council meeting. Our school is taking part in a fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network which is an organization which raises money for Hellen DeVos Children's Hospital and I am the chair of the committe so I am in charge of all that. Colleting, counting and sorting money, hanging posters, spreading the word, leading doughnut and cookie sales, keeping track of the competetions..ugh. it's just so much. I am going crazy I think! And of course all the extra added stress around the holidays..christmas cards, gifts, get-togethers...oh my word. Plus our band and choir concerts are comming up along with musical and basketball tryouts. And for all of you who don't think teenagers know what stress really is..lol..trust me I do. ;) I will post more pictures of my play this weekend from our Friday's performance for you all. This is just one of me and my friend shannon dressed up as an elf backstage before dress rehearsal....with all our crazy makeup just done.
This is just a quick video I wanted to show you all which Ingrid and I made of Sophia...hope you get a good laugh for the day ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3sweuthIQ

Smart Card Sunday

WOW that 5 day weekend sure did go by fast. It was so nice to take a break from everything though. We got together with family for Thanksgiving and enjoyed a delicious feast and I spent my other time chilling and getting together with friends. Nothing to special to report though..;)
but of course I must not forget about smart card Sunday... I've heard you've all been missing them...=[[

God is

watching out for you.

If you ask him,

He'll tell you where

not to go. Your part is

to pray for protection

from evil, to thank

him for his care,

and to obey.

- Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

I'm Back

I never really realized that it has been practically 2 months since I've blogged. I have definitly been missing it but time has just been going by so fast. I cannot believe Thanksgiving is already next week...and Christmas is nearly a month away..it's crazy! But as you all know I have been of course keeping busy- soccer and volleyball are over but I am still involoved in the play and student council. Basketball doesn't start until January so I will be taking a break for awhile unless I join a travel volleyball team. Other than that everything is crazy at school as well. With 2 advanced classes I have tests atleast once every week and lots of projects and homework. I am going to try to make more time to blog as volleyball is over so I should have more free time because I have definitly been missing all of you.
I am home sick today and have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I went to bed last night at 6:00 and slept all the way until 8:30 this morning and woke up with a sore throat, cough, and horrible headace which has been going on over a week, so there is definitly something wrong. But hopefully the doctor will just give me an antibotic or something later this afternoon.

Anyway, I just posted a few pics of me and my friends that I have taken lately..nothing too special..=]

As you guys may have noticed I am having a real hard time keeping up with the blog. With volleyball right after school, soccer after that, and 3 advanced classes I just don't have the time. Not to mention the football games, student council, church and bible sudy, and parties...I'm just so busy.

But the year has been going good. I made the A volleyball team and am hangin out with a lot of new friends. My classes are amazing and my locker is right by one of my best friends.
Hope you are all doing well. Middle school is so very crazy but I am doing great and putting up with all the drama! ;) Hope you all are doing well. hugs to everyone! <3

So umm yeah. I actually have a true excuse this time for not posting in awhile. You see, my laptop kinda fell of my desk and umm yeah it's fried. A crystal in the screen broke and so the screen is messed up. On the good side, my computer was having some troubles and we were planning and getting a new one but now we will just be doing that sooner. Other that that of course staying busy...the first home high school football game was Thursday which was a blast! I love love love football games!! =)It was so fun to see everyone again and see how everyone changed over the summer. School is on Tuesday. I can not believe it! Summer totally flew by. I can't wait to go back though. I am so thrilled. Just enjoying my last few days of summer outside, laying in the sun, playing with the neighbors. Can't wait to catch back up with everyone shortly.

nO tItLe

Do

the right thing. . .

especially when

no on is watching.

- Cherie Carter

So continueing to keep busy..shopping, hanging out with friends. I can't believe this is the last week of summer. Like I said I'll be more into the blog again when school starts. I'm excited for school but not about the waking up early and working part. But seeing everyone again will be fun. I've already been told a picture of the locker will need to be posted...don't worry Gwen I will do. Well, hope all is going well with everyone...

quick update!

So I was told all of my blogger buddies were getting a bit impatient and waiting for another post so I thought I better get to it. Right now I just have time for a couple posts here and there but not time to make it to all the blogs to comment. When summer dies down hopefully I'll get more into it again.
So as you all have probably seen we had a great trip up north. On the way up there I got a call from Ingrid saying I got my school class schedule so that gave Kenzie and I something to do on the way up there- calling everyone to see if we have any classes with them. It turns out I have classes with a lot of my friends this year so I'm pretty excited!

We didn't have good weather the first day as we were all buddled up with sweatshirts and blankets but the second day wasn't bad. I laid out every chance I could trying to get a good end of the summer tan before school starts. We had fun during the nights as well playing at the arcade and chillin in the waterpark. Overall the trip was fun..and a great way to end the last part of the summer.

Yesterday mom and I took the little ones to Wal-Mart to get some school supplies and decorations for the locker. And today we went to the mall and went back to school shopping for jeans. It was a great day...we had a blast! Thanks mom...<3>

Hope you all enjoy them like I am....love to you all!!

Summer's Almost Over!!!!=(

Well I'm back, I mean kinda

So I got my computer back! I'm so happy, I was like dieing without it! Well neways, I have been stayingbusy of course. I had a student council party today. We met all the upcomming 6th graders that will be on next year, signed up for comittees, and then went to Nate's house to hang out. It was definitly a fun day. I finally feel like I am getting caught up with everything...I just got my room all cleaned up and am keeping in touch with all my friends and now getting to the blog. oo, and the reason my title says "I mean kinda", well I'm leaving this weekend to go up north to Boyne with the fam. We like to take our boats up there to Torch Lake and we stay at hotel with an indoor waterpark so that will be fun. But yeah, neway...I added a few extra things since I haven't been on in awhile and missing out on some things..

Don't Start

tackling tomorrow's

problems until

tomorrow.

You don't have

tomorrow's strength

yet. You simply have

enough for today.

We don't need to

know what will

happen tomorrow.

- Max Lucado

You Are a Super Diva

Some may complain about your diva ways, but you brush them off.You simply demand the best - and there's nothing wrong with that.Don't stomp on the little people too much though!You still need them to get to the top.

Are You a Diva?

oo and those of you who may be wondering about my knee...

well we went to the doctors yesterday and I got an antibotic which is making it feel 80% better!!

Since I haven't posted in awhile I decided to add some cute pics of Sophia. I was in the bathroom doing my hair and when I cam back Sophia was in my room getting into my stuff as you can see...

Just Letting ya know..

I finally start to get back with the blogs and guess what? The computer people come to check out our computers in the house and fix some things and they end up taking mine away because so much needs to be worked on. So hopefully I'll get back into the blogging in a bit. I know it seems I've said that way to much this summer but it's been crazy busy. Anyway, we're celebrating Sophia's birthday today and having a blast. So for now just keep up with my mom's blog for all the latest family info and pics. I'm on her computer right now but she's already informed me this will be the only time...lol...she needs it for blogging I guess. Anway, love and miss you all! Hugs.. <3

Smart Card Sunday

Where in

your life are you

avoiding a choice?

Are you willing to

make self- honoring

choices today?

If you don't make clear

and conscious choices

you'll be stuck with

whatever shows up.

- Iyanla Vanzant

I'm Back!!

Hey everyone I'm back. I just got back tonight from Wisconsin. 12 students from our youth group went along with 3 leaders on a mission trip. It was amazing...that pretty much sums in up. But I know everyone will want to hear like all the details so I'll fill you in.

Ok, so we stayed at Crossroads Church in Madison, Wisconson along with 5 groups from other churches. There was a total of about 80 people. We were divided up into 6 teams with a mix of kids and leaders from different churches. It was awesome to meet new people and we ended up becoming great friends with all our group members and many more kids. So here's a typical schedule of what would happen during the day...

7:00 wake up
7:30 breakfast
8:15 quiet time with small groups
8:45 assembly for daily assignments
9:00 off to work sites
12:00 lunch break
12:30 back on the job
3:45 - 5:45 shower time
6:00 dinner
6:30 free time
7:30 - 9:00 worship and teaching time
9:15 small groups
9:45 hang out
11:00 bed time

So as you can see we were always very busy. The opportunity to serve was great and the members of our group made it fun. Here's a list of the projects we did...

Community Gardens- we picked 1,500 pounds of veggies which went directly to an outreach service
Middleton Outreach- we sorted clothes at a shelter
Holy Wisdom Monastery- we spreed ed mulch on a trail in the woods and cleaned inside
Second Harvest- we packaged food to be sent to shelters
Salvation Army- we cleaned, organized, and played with little kids there

Not only was serving an amazing part of the experience but the teaching time (service) was too. Rich, the speaker, was an absolute amazing guy. I could relate to all of his messages and he really made me think. Hearing his messages really brought me closer to God and made my week. I am so thankful that he was there. I can't even begin to explain how great he was. By the end of the service practically half of the people were always crying because he was so amazing and the stories he told were touching and incredible. Other than that we just hung out with all the awesome friends we met, played volleyball, pool, etc. We were all so sad we had to leave today. It was so so hard to say goodbye to everyone again as we are toally hoping to stay in touch and see them again next year. Anyway, our youth leader is goin to send us all disks with the pictures on them so until then I'll just post a couple we took last night of all our friends. We were running around dnapping pics of them all...pretty fun. So I'm just trying to catch up on everything...all the comments and blogs!

Wacky Wednesday...what extreme sport should you try

You Should Try Adventure Racing

Not only do you have the extreme attitudeYou've the extreme endurance for an adventure race!

What Extreme Sport Should You Try?

Smart Card Sunday/ 5 Reasons me-me

So it was nice to just take a little break from the blogs. I've been hanging outside all day long this past week and have not been on the computer a ton. but i didn't forget about smart card Sunday...

Take
your focus
off of how others
see you. Cease
being obsessed
with the need to impress
your friends and your
foes. Keep your concern
on the vision you see in
the mirror. Don't allow
the approval of others
to obstruct you
view of YOU.
- Travis Smiley

I was also tagged at the beginning of the week by Ashley to participate in this me-me "5 Reasons I Love Jesus" meme. So hear it goes...

1. He is always forgiving. ~ This is incredible! I am just now getting back on track from making some poor decisions that I regret and not being as close to him as I used to; and instead of being angry at me for making some bad choices and being farther than I wanted from him for awhile he welcomes me back with open arms.

2. He leads me in the right direction. ~ As many of you know, 7th grade was a hard year for me. My best friend and I got into a huge fight and we haven't really talked much since, which was one of the hardest things I've gone through. But after loosing her, God lead me towards some of my old friends who I now have reconnected with. Lauren and Kenzie are not only a ton of fun but great christian girls. The 3 of us have actually even started a bible study together this summer which has helped all of us grow a lot.

3. He helps me make the right choices ~ Being in middle school you are faced with hard decisions daily and have to put up with much peer pressure. I've already been faced with situations where God has given me the strength to say "no" to my peers and make the right choice.

4. He works in interesting ways. ~ Last week, I was really tired and not wanting to get up and go to church Sunday morning. I was sporting a frown all morning and didn't speak a word on the way there. But as I sat in church listening to Pastor Todd I felt like the sermon was faced all towards me and was exactly what I needed to hear. It just proves to show that God works in interesting and mysterious ways.

5. He has a reason for everything and will always keep his word of meeting all our needs. ~ You know, sometimes it's difficult for me to understand why God allows bad things happen. For example, why weren't we matched with one of the little girls we requested on the last COP list and why couldn't my mom have any kids right after me but could after Sophia. But we just have to remember that God has a plan for everything. Maybe there is a different little girl out there that is meant to be in our family instead of one of the three we last requested. And if my mom had Daniel earlier would we have chose to adopt Sophia? Then where would she be?
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

I have to say, thanks Ashley for tagging me. It really caused me to stop and think! I definitly need to do that more often! =)

what flower are u

Sorry I am getting to this so late. Our computer and cable went out all day and just came back on so I'm just getting to everything. You Are a Carnation

You are down to earth and grounded. You tend to be more traditional than trendy.Your confidence gets you through anything.People trust you and are very loyal to you.

What Flower Are You?

Smart Card Sunday

I decided to do 2 Smart Card Sundays since I've been gone for the last couple. Hope you enjoy them! =) Have a great Sunday!

From

the dawn of time,

God has known you

and loved you. He's not

waiting today for you

to get it together.

He's waiting for you

to come to him with

open, empty hands.

~ Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

The words

you use to describe

others make sharp

YOU-turns.

Your judgments,

criticisms, and

compliments

boomering back

to you. What you say

about others,

you're also saying

about yourself.

-Travis Smiley

Congratulations Gwen!!!

My wonderful Gwen was just recently matched with this beautiful little girl who they are naming Maggie. They are hoping to travel in 2-5 months to bring her home! This baby girl and this family were truly meant to be and I can't wait to see her in her mommy and daddy's arms. I love Gwen and her family so much and am so excited for them to bring another little addition to the family home soon! Stop by her blog to leave her with some warm and congratulating words...she'll love it! :)

Which Dessert are you Most Like?

Sorry I posted this so late but I wanted to wait awhile since I just posted my pics from the trip yesterday! Anyway...hope u all like the quiz!

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted.Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Gettin Back into the Swing of things...

OMW I've never had such a busy summer! So I got back from Europe on July 3rd, late at night. Left for Tennessee a day later. I Just got back from Tennessee Sunday night! Was gone at Kenzie's house all day yesterday our Bible study! So I am just now getting a chance to get back on the blog. I uploaded all these pics to Kodak before Tennessee thinking all of you could see them but it wont work so I just decided to upload a couple to blogger! Hope you all like them! I'm gonna try hard to get around to all the blogs today and upload more pics of the reunion soon! (the pictures are in order from the places we went...just like the bottom post)