the many faces of us.

don't worry leigh... there weren't any customers in the store while we were doing this :)

Interview tomorrow at noon in Washington D.C. at KidsPeace for my Social Work practicum internship next fall. 

Praying for peace, knowledge, and confidence.

where does the time go?

Originally, 3 and 1/2 weeks in Delaware before I left for Peru sounded like a pretty decent amount of time. WHERE DID IT ALL GO?! I have a week and two days until I leave for Peru and I have really mixed feelings about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked about going. Just feel like my time with Kendall and friends here has not been enough. (Is it ever?!)

I need to start packing... I don't even know where to begin! But thanks to my wonderful mother who sent me a "Peru package" with all of the essential random little things I need but don't feel like buying myself. i.e. Poncho, passport holder, luggage locks, plane pillow, ear plugs, scarf, chapstick, etc... She's awesome!! But still, so much to think about and no desire to think.

And I really wanted to read through some of my photography books before I left and haven't started. Guess it will be a quick scan for some quick tips!

Started wedding planning again. It's fun :] Kendall & I went and registered this past Saturday. Man, that's exhausting! A lot more goes in to it than you think! Kendall was a good sport about it all.

Good friend's wedding this weekend! I am so excited & happy for her!

very neat.

these guys might have too much time on their hands. {click}
however, it is very cool. check it out.

livin' with boys.

It makes me laugh. There have been a lot of things that I have learned since living with boys last summer and now again for a few weeks. Having only one sister, I'm used to a girl infested household (my poor dad...although he says he wouldn't change it for the world!)

My sister and I would run up and down the stairs in our bras and underwear when we were getting ready in the morning (Dad would already be off at work) without thinking about it. Now living with boys, they walk around in their boxers like it's no big deal. "Everything's covered!" Well ya, but if I would walk out in my bra and underwear, you would flip! Oh toooo funnnyyyy.

On the other hand, my new favorite thing.... a diffuser. It's the best friend of a curly haired person. People say that they like my hair curly. Well I do too, until it dries and looks like a lions mane. But with a diffuser, I can dry it how I want and can forego the afro. Hallelujah. Thank you Corlene.

Last night I got to hang out with these munchkins. Oh, how I adore them! It was so much fun to hang out & play with them again. (Notice how I use the term "hang out & play" and not "babysit". While yes, technically I am babysitting... It just doesn't seem like such a task with them like it did with the children I watched this past school year!) However, these three kids have more energy than you can imagine & they know how to wear you out. Power to their mother who deals with them daily 24/7! What a strong woman!

Kendall came with me to watch the kids & we had fun! He's going to make a great dad someday! I just know it!! However, that time is years from now. Many many years :]

photo deprived.

can we go on a photo expedition?

time's a blurrrrrr.

why is time flying by so fast? can't it just slow down? 

there are days when my life feels like this

slow down. i want to enjoy this life God has given me. 

every single interaction. every single moment.

graduating.

Wait what? I'm not only enough to graduate. I've only been in school for three years.
Oh, I don't get my diploma until December. Oh okay, I get ya. :]

Sunday, May 1, 2011::in the rain. [good planning EMU...] but i was surrounded by the people i love. 2 parents. 1 sister. 1 brother-in-law. 4 grandparents. 1 fiance. 2 soon to be in-law parents. 1 soon to be in-law brother & his girlfriend. lots of fellow graduates & friends. wow wonderful. 

I love this man. He has been nothing but supportive &  I know he will continue to support me in everything that I do.
[will post more pictures from grad later]

I'm done with classroom work & I'm done with EMU campus. The rest of the work I have to do to earn my degree is hands-on, life-changing, fun work::


Three weeks in Peru visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu & Arequipa.

4 months in Washington D.C. studying social issues & doing my social work practicum. 

Still deciding where to do it at:: 

KidsPeace - A treatment foster care program providing mental and behavioral services  OR

My Sister's Place  - A shelter for domestic violence serving battered women & their children 

I will officially graduate December 16, 2011. Fifteen days later, I'll be married. 

2011 has & will continue to be an exciting year. 

I am so blessed. Praise the Lord.