Sweet sixteen:

So my birthday was last Wednesday. I had an amazing day hearing from everyone, going to church and hanging out with some close friends that night. The next morning was one that I had been waiting for for a long time- I got my license. After that, my parents followed me to Cracker Barrel where we ate breakfast. Shortly after, i left for school, while my mom was freaking out. To my surprise, I've gotten to go do a lot of things since then! It's been great not having to rely on others to get around. But also, I realize that I am truly by myself now out there, and it's a huge responsibility to pay attention and be defensive.

On another note, this weekend was amazing as well. Friday was the 'family' party at my house. It was nice seeing them all together again. I got many great gifts, but one particular present was completely unexpected and brought me to tears. My aunt told me to open this small, white box last. Finally, I opened it, finding a beautiful jewelry set including a topaz necklace along with a topaz ring lined with diamonds. With them was a letter written by my aunt. It basically said that the jewelry belonged to my great-grandmother Grace. It went on to say that she was also born in November (the topaz is the November birthstone). It said that "I had made the last two years of her life happier by just being me" and that "she would want me to have the necklace and ring". I was overjoyed, this being one of the most sentimental, sincere things ever given to me. I love my family!

Then Saturday night was the 'friend' party. Although there were many who were busy and couldn't make it, I still had a great time! That night, Maci, Emily, and Bri stayed at my house and we all had a great time! Bri rode with me to church Sunday morning. Boy do I miss that girl! She's a hoot!

Lastly, I love my mom and dad so much. They've made this birthday such a memorable one! They strive way too hard to please us. At this point, I understand all the rules they had set for me in the past. Even if I was annoyed with them then, my parents knew what they were doing. They've made me the person I am today. They've grown our family up to be so close, so strong. They're lenient with me because we've grown so close the past few years, and a great trusting bond. I'm so, so thankful that God stuck me with them as my parents! I wouldn't ask for anything different!

Ketchup:

I admit, I'm a terrible blogger. I just don't have too much ever going on that anyone would really care to read about. So, I'm just going to catch up a bit.

Jared, Daniel, and I are getting to take a break from playing at church for a few weeks. Personally, I'm relieved we get to take a breather. Playing can be pretty awesome sometimes, don't get me wrong. But it'll be nice just getting to go into worship without worrying about not messing up, and "What do we do here"... yeah. Just getting to totally worship, you know?

One another note: my birthday's a week from today, sweet sixteen. Yeah I'm still a youngin, I know. But it's not every birthday you get your license! Yes it'll be nice. I'm also on a job hunt, any suggestions?

Also, Jordan has joined the blog world! Check her out: http://www.jordanawesome.blogspot.com/

Fall Break

Fall break has been great and I really hate to see it end. It's been nice taking a breather from all our normal chaos. High points of this week:
-Got to sleep in a little, that's always a plus!
-Went shopping & got some more winter stuff.
-It was Drew & I's six months... got to hang out a lot and went to The Factory.
-I had absolutely zero homework, which i don't think has ever happened before on a break.
-Got to spend a little more time with my family. That was nice, because with us all having different hectic schedules, getting time to just chill with each other is becoming a novelty.

My mind is starting to down because I'm getting tired... but I'm pretty sure that's the majority of my week. My parents have gone camping today & tomorrow. So I've just been hanging out with Maci catching up with her. That's about all for now. Love you all!

The fiend.

I've been doing a pretty bad job keeping up with my blog lately, I know. Nothing really exciting has been going on. But I'll try to do better!

In english, we are reading an interesting story talking about how sly and tempting the devil is to us as a human race. Not just the 'bad' people, but even our spiritual role models & mentors, parents, friends, etc. It's reminding us that we're not alone when facing the devil. But it's also explaining that he is worthless when he's alone, explaining why he tries so incredibly hard to work through each of us. One line in the story says, "The fiend in his own shape is less hideous than when he rages in the breast of man." This particular line struck me. It's explaining how the devil, when working through the life of one of us, is much more terrible and effective than just he himself. As Christians, we must be stronger. This world continues to make it easier and easier to conform to its low, selfish ways and values. But we can't be temped, we're better than that!

Love you all. Peace.

Superdad?

I walked downstairs when I got home tonight to find my dad watching tv... like this:

Should I be worried? I mean, I might expect this from my little brother, but not the old man.

Thank you all so much!

I was so excited to come home to that many comments after only having this a few days.
Thanks to all of you so much! I love each and every one of you. You all made me feel better, and gave me different viewpoints that I haven't really thought about before, so thanks again. You guys are awesome!

On a different note, I think that I get amused a little too easily. I was pretty excited today to realize that I can now to do two things that I'd never thought twice about before.

1. I can check the oil in my car.

2. I know how to use one of these things:

Awesome huh!? I feel very accomplished... I'm lame, I know.

I don't understand.

Why is it so hard to be myself? It feels like an ongoing battle, and it's driving me crazy. Many of my best friends graduated, and the others I pretty much never see at school, but the majority of them don't even go there. I just feel like I don't fit in there as well anymore. I'm not making a pity party for myself at all, it's just something that bugs me all the time & I just feel like letting it out a little. The only time I feel truly comfortable and myself is when I'm hanging out with friends or family outside of school. I've pretty much given up on a social life inside of it, because it's too hard. I'm just not upbeat and obnoxious all the time like everyone else, I wasn't made to be that way. The days I'm friendly, there seems to be no point to it. Other days, I just really don't care about anything but getting my work done and getting out of there. I'm seriously considering changing schools, I'd love to. But that wouldn't be at least until next year. So I'll just have to deal. I know I need to be more positive, it's something I'm going to work on.