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)