An Eve Remembered

I just realized that one year ago this day I was at a KOA campground with some of the most incredible people, failing to quench the butterflies in my stomach, singing songs from "My Fair Lady," watching the sunset over group discussion, feeling the wind kiss my face, eating mango trail mix, treading water in a swimming pool, listening to Snyder and Josh speak in unusual accents, trying to remember what I forgot, struggling to sleep, and pouring my heart out to God in prayer.

One year ago this day I was preparing to leave for Mexico.

One year ago this day I was excited out of my mind.

One year ago this day I was anticipating my return to a land most beloved in my heart.

This day I attend a lunch and silent auction for that very same trip.

This day I remember that I will stay home while others go.

This day my heart is saddened because the piece that belongs to the brickyard longs to return.

This day I find rest, though my heart still beats for a special girl living in the dust and dirt.

This day I praise God.

Please pray for this year's team and follow updates on their blog!

Carpe Diem!

Haylee's back in town! :)

She'll be here any minute to pick me up. We've got an exciting day planned, but it's the spontaneous things that always turn out to be super exciting! :)

Last night, Tyler told me not to return from my adventure with any piercings. Why would he say this?

Well...

Last time Haylee and I were up to no good. (As usual...but with her mother's permission!) 

Haylee got her ear pierced, and then we had a little fun with a henna kit.

We're off to Whole Foods today. There's no telling what kind of mischief might take place at a health food store!

Superb Sunday!

We had a full house this weekend; my sister and her best friend stayed over last night, and Tali's been hanging out here because her house is packed with company. I love having lots of people over. Sure, I need times to myself, but this was wonderful. Sometimes it's just nice to have a full house!

Church today was awesome, too! Our youth pastor, Clay, preached on Ephesians 1 (one of my favorite passages!), and it was much needed heart connection for me. He read a beautiful poem about the grace of God, and when I asked him for a copy of it, he handed me his sermon notes! Cool, huh? I'm sure I'll be posting the poem.

Tonight we had a spaghetti dinner and silent auction for my church's upcoming trip to Africa. It was incredible! Each person who participated in the silent auction received a printed name tag and bidder number. It was so fancy! Of course I showed my support by bidding on a few items myself (with my parents' number...heh, heh). I won hand-stamped greeting cards, a homemade necklace/earring set, and (drum roll, please!) a cookbook, an oatmeal cake, and an adorable cake plate that all came in one beautiful package tied up with a bow. I love the cake plate! It's a soft lime green and yellow. So pretty! I love dishes. :)

You know what's particularly awesome about THIS SUNDAY? I don't have to be at middle school early tomorrow morning. :) I'm officially finished with my school observations! Looking forward to practicing a lot of piano this week. Hm. I should probably study biology, too, especially since it's turning out to be an organic chemistry class. :/

Jessie Loves Maggie

Yesterday I had Maggie all to myself for three hours! Needless to say, I made the best of our time.

As soon as she was all set in her car seat, we took of for an adventure to remember!

(Can you believe how BIG she is in this picture!?)

Because yesterday was painfully hot (okay, and because I needed new mascara) we went to the mall. They have a play area there. Yes, I know it's lame compared to the beautiful outdoors, but yesterday was way too hot. Besides, Maggie enjoyed herself. I'm loving the hat; aren't you? On the way out the door, she told me her mommy said she needed wear the hat. A hat person myself, I was totally convinced. (I'm not so easily won over when she tells me her mommy said she only has to eat some of her lunch.)

Any fun outing should include ice cream, especially on a hot day. Maggie specifically told me she wanted vanilla ice cream in a cone with chocolate. I don't think they do that at the food court. Thankfully, there were two sweet ladies behind the Chick-fil-A counter who gave me a cup of ice cream with chocolate on top, a cone, and a spoon to scoop it into the cone for Maggie. Normally, I'd just say she could have one or the other, but this was our special outing. Afterward, Maggie thanked the two ladies who'd been so kind and flexible. One of them looked at me and told me I was doing a great job. I thanked her but quickly told her that Maggie is not my daughter. However, her real mom is doing an awesome job, so I'll give her the credit!

It's been so fun to see Maggie grow up. I love talking and reasoning with her. It's so interesting to see how children view the world and help them understand more about life.


After ice cream (and a complete wipe-down in the bathroom!) we got our picture taken in one of those photo booths. (I don't have a scanner, so I can't share those pictures.) I don't think I'd ever done one before; it was so much fun!

Maggie's face here pretty much says it all. We had a great time! The day got better, too, as we were later joined at the house by Wesley and Emma. I love those kiddos. I just wish they would all stop growing up so fast! They're making me feel so stinkin' old! I wouldn't trade today for all the yesterdays, because I love being a part of their lives as they grow up. :) Still, I wouldn't mind if they slowed down a little.

These Two

Just thought everyone should know how awesome these two are!

I'm house-sitting, and they both stayed over with me last night. We relived old memories, made new ones, laughed, stayed up late, raided the cupboards and fridge, laughed some more, and had the best time ever!

I love them.

The end.

Fishing Wednesday!

Last Wednesday, Tyler and I went fishing with Peter, Stephen, Ben, & Angela at B&A's infamous "backyard lake." Well, Tyler fished and I took pictures and chatted with Angela. Oh, and I untangled some line. It was super fun (as Sophie would say).

Apparently fishing is the newest thing - Wednesdays have now been officially dubbed "Fishing Wednesdays." We're going back over tonight! :)

I don't know what's going to happen when Ben and Angela go on vacation next week... ;)

Peter used a casting technique to catch small fish for bait. He was so excited about his hat. It definitely adds to the wild man look.

You can see the men are all very focused. Angela has her camera in hand, as I obviously did, too.

Ben used chicken livers as bait. They were so gross! I was trying my very hardest to be brave so Ben would invite me back. :P
I think this is so cute!

Stephen made his own path by venturing over to the other side of the lake. Isn't this a beautiful view?
And this is when Tyler caught a turtle...
Another thing that grossed me out was how long his neck got when they reeled him in! I was convinced it was going to come right off. I took this picture with my eyes closed...

(Note: the turtle made it back into the water safely.)
Here's Tyler using some of Peter's little bait fish. I think he may have caught a brim with this little guy.

Ben's happy because he caught a crazy orange fish!
So picturesque.
I like this one; I think it's very metaphorical. Notice how each person is doing something completely different. (Angela, I'm not implying that you're grumpy simply because your arms are crossed! ;)
Peter got the catch of the night! It was the ugliest-looking catfish I've ever beheld! Still, it was a good catch.
They're after the elusive bass tonight...

Spooked

Last night Tyler and I saw Taken.

I liked it. It was a good movie. The subject matter gave me the jitters a little bit.

However, I was fine until I woke up at 2:30 in the morning talking on the phone with a stranger!

I'm not even kidding! Apparently I answer the phone in my sleep.

All I remember is that some man kept asking for Bridget. When I somehow finally communicated that I was not Bridget, he told me I had a very nice voice.

By then I was becoming more cognizent, so I hung up the phone and lay in bed for a while. I couldn't sleep! Call me silly, but for the first time in years I walked over to my parents bedroom, told my mom I was too scared to sleep, and made her sleep with me the rest of the night. :)

Recent Happenings

My semester is over!

Yay!

That aside, lots of other things have been happening in these parts.

First, my sister had a birthday! Happy belated birthday to Julia! Isn't this a gorgeous picture of her? I love it. :)

Glancing at this picture, you might wonder why there are TWO Tsukasas...

It's because Tsukasa's mom came to visit! Seriously, don't they look so much alike?
Of course, Dad always has to show our guests his gun collection. In Japan, it's not lawful to own a gun, so this is kinda a big deal.
As you can see, Tsukasa still gets a little scared, even though she's lived in our home for two years.
Speaking of Tsukasa, she graduated on Friday! Congratulations, Tsukasa! Allow me to brag on her a bit. She received her AS in Respiratory Therapy. Can you imagine studying science in another language? I can't even pronounce half the terms she's had to memorize over the past two years! Although we look nothing alike, she truly is my sister!

On Sunday, I went to Ms. Williams' Annual Student Recital. It was so weird to walk in and not be on the program! Lauren and Kelly were also there! (Remember them from my piano quartet?) It was great to sit with them and relive old memories.

I love Ms. Williams' crazy hair! She's the greatest!

Speaking of recitals, I had my first student recital. Right now I'm teaching 3 young girls (probably two more by fall), and they all played so beautifully. They played solos and duets! Two of them only started after Christmas; all three impressed me! Would you believe I didn't get a single picture!? I'm so disappointed!

This morning (VERY early, I might add) I shadowed 1st and 2nd period band class at a local middle school. (Whose idea was it to make middle school begin earlier? >< ) I'm going to be doing that every morning this week (and the beginning of next). It was such a neat experience, but I'm still processing it all. It's only 10:30 in the morning, and I've been up almost 5 hours!

Off to read some, then going on a surprise adventure with a certain favorite boy. :D