my turn?

I've come to realize that I have an insane jealously towards anyone who gets engaged/married before me. And, this is especially the case if they are younger then me. I mean, I LOVE weddings. So, when will it be my turn?

Sometimes I feel hopeless and obsessive. Anyway, I guess my time will come.

count your many blessings...

... name them one by one.

Additions to my list of little things I'm thankful for:

chick-fil-a sauce
a cold dr.pepper
sewing machines
the excitement of finding money in your pocket
a melted heart from an adorable 3 year old's hug
"ms. ria"
sleeping in
hot chocolate
trips with my dad
relief of fall semester being over
getting the picture you actually wanted
my northface fleece
the game "angry birds"
the legit bass in my honda
my hair getting longer
"ah ha" moments

grrr

When I read Ryan's family emails, I get kind of anxious. And then seeing that this last one he talked about sending his family christmas gifts... is it bad that that makes me mad? Whatever. I still think I have every right to be mad.

In other news, today I went to visit my kiddos at Honeytree. To hear their little voices say, "MS. RIAAAAAA!" melted my heart. I love those kids! As much as they aggravated me, and pushed every last one of my buttons this summer, they still mean the world to me. And, I got to see Kayleigh today! I love my best friend for so many reasons. I love being home. 

My best friend :)

2 up 2 down

Get it? 2 up 2 down = VA? Okay, you still don't get it? Let me show you...

So in five days I'll be in VIRGINIA! I AM SO EXCITED! I miss home so much, my friends, family, dog cat. You name it and I miss it. Anyway, in a few days I get to see this precious face...

Yeah, I know you're scared. You should be. She'll rip you limb from limb. She'll tare your face right off. I promise. Don't let her duster in the mouth cuteness fool you. She's a ferocious attack dog. So hide yo wife, hide yo kids and hide yo husbands cause she's rippin apart errbody.

happiness

I've been having kind of a down day. I guess it's just the whole Ryan situation, so after contemplating what I could do to improve my mood, I decided to make a list of a few of the little things I'm grateful for. It goes as follows:

clean sheets

hair straightener

the clean feeling after a shower

satisfaction of passing a test

snowboarding

home cooked meals

answered prayers

roommates that always make everyday a new adventure

bowling a good game

getting lost in a good book

a chilly fall day

warm leggings

photography

the tingley feeling after washing my face

a night of no homework

good quotes

christmas music

a tan

waking up to fresh snow

a pretty sunset

a good hair day

:)

it's officially over :(

Ryan broke up with me...
for good.

and it really, really, really sucks.

let them flow

There are some days when I just really miss Ryan and all I can do is cry. For some reason crying helps me realize how much he means to me and just how much I love him.

I love you, honey bunches of loveeeee.
And I can't wait for you to come home in 9 months and 18 days.

baby Krew

My cousin, Whitney, had her baby boy a week ago. He is the most precious little newborn I have ever seen in my short 20 years. I had the privilege of taking pictures of him today for my photography final assignment.

To say that I was intimidated would be an understatement. I was terrified. When people see me as a photographer, I feel really weird. I don't like telling people what to do, and especially with a newborn! It's difficult to relax when everyone is standing over you thinking you're a professional. I'm FAR from a professional.

Sometimes I wish I had my own studio. I could have studio lighting, props, etc. I think that would make it a little easier. Anyway, I love baby Krew and his mommy. She is an amazing cousin and an incredible mommy.

Love you Whitney and congratulations.

Precious, huh?!

You'll figure it out!

Sometimes I get sick of people asking me how I feel about Ryan being on a mission. I've been through a whole slew of emotions, and once I'm forced to reflect on them to answer your question, it brings back the same emotions that I've worked so hard to rid myself of.

So, word to the wise. If you know a girl waiting for a missionary, do NOT ask her how she feels about her boyfriend on a mission. Sometimes it hurts too much to talk about it so we'd prefer to just not talk about it.

Please and thank you.