I just felt like running!

     For a long long time I've thought it would be so cool to run those 5ks where you cross the finish lines covered in colors, foam, or mud, etc but I never ran so I knew it wouldn't really happen. However, since I moved to Massachusetts I've been slightly motivated to run. I could only run a few feet but I wanted to get better! What is it about this state?! Everyone runs here! No wonder there is a huge marathon every year at the capital. Maybe its the beauty surrounding us that encourages us to see more of it quicker.
     So like I said I started running. The awesome family I live with has a super long drive way and the I'd take the dogs out I would run for a few feet then walk. I noticed after awhile I could run further before stopping and it felt great. Then a few family members joined a running club for the month of October ending with a halloween 5k race. One day they said we are going for our homework run wanna come? So I said yeah! They showed me their club training but it was too much I couldn't keep up and I was done after 2 laps around the small block with mostly walking and a little bit of running. Three weeks later and Ive joined every homework run since. Noticing overtime that I could run further without walking as much.
     I'm officially hooked! I don't want to stop. I want to plan my life around my next run. I want to run around the world. Ok ok maybe I'll go on another in a couple of days. My knees hurt right now from this afternoons run, which by the way we ran 5 laps around the small block and I could have done a couple more but we had a couple smaller kids with us that couldn't go anymore. So, you see, I'm proud! In just a few short weeks, one or two runs a week, I'm able to run/walk much further!
     Oh and I've signed up for the Halloween 5k! I'm so nervous but so excited! I know I can finish! It won't be fast but I'll finish! If God has brought me this far away from home to become a runner....well, I am ok with that.

I hope this encourages someone. If you want to do something you just have to start!

Always remember to #stayhappy

Miracles, disasters, and dreams come true??

    I haven't forgotten about this blog. So much has happened over time that I was kind of overwhelmed and didn't know where to start and how to put into words what has happened.
    Current day (February 2017), I am in an amazing home about half a mile from the beach. Cape Cod is beautiful, small and quiet, for now. God has led me here to accept an awesome job offer in Interior Design! I'll catch you up on that a little later.
    I am supposed to be nursing a headache but I was overwhelmed with urge to share some things. These are things God has brought me through, away from, and guided me towards.
    Imagine me, 19 years old, no longer a virgin, drinking every so often with friends to the point of not being able to function. Doesn't sound familiar? That's because it was my well hidden secret. I know I know, scandalous, right?! Now imagine that 19 year old searching for something she didn't really know existed. God brought people into my life who rearranged my thinking, believing, and desires. If He hadn't have found me at 19 wandering through my short life lost and stupid, I could very much be an alcoholic today. When I drank, it wasn't to take a sip and giggle for the rest of the night. I drank to forget, to not be myself, and to fall over drunk within the hour. If God had let me get to 21 (legal drinking age) it would have been very hard for me to turn around since I could legally buy it. 
     God chose me at 19 so it would be easier. It wasn't easy though and being on the straight and narrow has been very hard, nobody is perfect and neither am I. Wanna know what age I had my first experience with alcohol? 14 years old! Something I am not proud of! I was a D.A.R.E. kid that won the essay contest about why drugs were bad, I still I have my metal, I loved that program but I let influences get to me and continued to be influenced for five years. Five years of drinking (getting drunk) every so often. All before I was even legal. Looking back I am disappointed in myself but so very thankful for the overpowering positive influences that brought me away from that life style. 
     So theres my secret past. Obviously since I haven't written in a long time, I've graduated from Sinclair with my Associates in Interior Design. The worst part has been waiting to put it to use. I've worked here, I've worked there, I've worked anywhere but in Interior Design. I am currently in a super easy mindless job that is rough on the body job that pays well and isn't satisfying. 
     One day, I got the urge to search far and wide for an interior design job. After searching and emailing, searching and emailing I found an ad for a design studio searching for a sales girl and the title said Proverbs 31 girl wanted. BINGO!! A christian company wanting an interior design/ detail oriented woman. Where in the world was this dream? Cape Cod, a place I had only heard of and never had two thoughts about! Now here I am ready to accept the job and move to this beautiful coastal town in Massachusetts. 
     What else has happened in the last 3 years? (its really been 3 years?!) well there was a boyfriend and a breakup. So thankful that didn't last. There have been short trips here and there like Nashville and North Carolina. I've gotten so much closer with God and continue to grow closer everyday. There have been heartbreaking deaths, almost too many to count but I know I'll see them again in Heaven. 
     You know, God just became number one. He is always there and to see proof that he is working in my life is such a blessing. I'm thankful to be his child, cherished and loved. 
     I'll end it here with my absolute favorite verse. Good night and always #stayhappy

He says, "Be still and know I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
When life gets tough just BE STILL!

So, I wrote all of that over 6 months ago in February, 2017. It is now October 1, 2017. I moved to Cape Cod, my car packed full, my bicycle tied to the top, Charlie riding shot gun and my GPS taking me on a 16 hour journey through 5 or so states to the East coast. I am still here and its still beautiful, however, I am NOT in working in interior design and that first job did not work out and I am ok with that. I am still waiting to find my place in this world. In the meantime, God continues to look out for me. He has given me seasonal job at a local home and garden store that is still family owned 130 years later. I am going to a great church and through that church I found my family, the people who rescued me from failure and have given me a beautiful room and my own parking spot.
I encourage you tonight to think of several things you are thankful for. Although I am still not working in Interior Design and somedays I am so confused on what to do to make myself better, I know God is working ahead of me and opening up my future.
     I've been inspired to write more lately so I am hoping to get back into this blog!
Again I leave you with great happiness, positivity and hope to continue despite any hardships.
#itiswellwithmysoul

Summer's overrated, I just really miss school.

I have been out of school for 22 days or something close to that. It seems like a century already and I still have 3 months left!

The first couple of weeks were great, I caught up on sleep and cleaned my room, spent time with my dog, OH! and I got the best letter in the mail that I had received one of only a hand full or so of the design scholarships my teachers from the design department were awarding! I also visited a school that I may be transferring to and I also got news of being on the Deans List again! All of these amazing things happened because of school. The place I love, a place I call home since I am there more than my own home during the semester, a place where I have a social life and I completely fit in with all of the people because we are all going to school for the same thing. A place where I can learn everyday and my mind can grow along with my motivation to be a better person.

And now...here I am...in a state of well I really don't know what to call it. I can't tell who or what I am mad at. I have slid down the rocky hurtful side of the mountain I was on top of and I have now hit the dark lonely valley. Last week I wrecked my car with no real idea of what to do about it except drive around with a busted head light and hope that I don't get pulled over one day and get ticketed for that too. Yes, thank you God that I am ok, and now "my first accident is over" but do I really have to become this depressed about it? Every single time I look at my car I just replay it all over again, I don't even want to drive it anymore. The whole thing was so stupid and just a BIG MISTAKE that I can't take back.

Now I hate when people say "that's just my luck" but I feel like I am being punished for something...
Saturday I fell off the boat into the reservoir. Wasn't really a big deal since I can swim and I wanted to swim anyways, but this was about half an hour before I was planning and I was still wearing my glasses, which I lost, my iPhone and my "crap" phone were in my pockets and they're still drying out, so far both only work if plugged into the outlet, not on their own. So I went for a swim and lost my glasses, my phone for communication and my iPhone that I use for taking pictures and social media. Sure, I've been saying I wanted to go back to not having a phone but I didn't really mean cold turkey.

I just can't believe how fast things can change, one second I am so happy and excited about school and scholarships and the next second I've wrecked my car almost ruining chances of even being able to go back to school in the fall. It is completely lonely in the valley and it's completely lonely and boring not being in school. I miss my dog every day I am in school but he's not much of a talker. I don't like being a "baby" in my walk with God, it makes finding the answers much harder. Unlike a real baby I can't cry until I am given what I need. I have to keep my faith, know that God is there and look for His signs on what to do. For now I am all adventured out, and that's something I thought I'd never say.

This post was literally going to be 3 sentences, looks like God had other plans.
#StayHappy

Long time no see!!

    October seems like just yesterday but also like six years ago! Time is such a strange concept. I thought about my poor lonely blog multiple times wishing I had time to document all of the things whizzing along through my life with barely enough time to take it in and snap a picture as proof but I have literally been doing homework, projects, and working every second  of every day since August. Aside from the few chances I was able to sneak away and spend time at church and with family of course!
    During the last two semesters I have learned so many lessons and grown so much as a person! I am so thankful for the amazing friendships of people that have entered my life during these very hard semesters. My life is garnished with amazing lifetime friendships made throughout these awesome opportunities I have been given. I honestly don't know how my life would be if I hadn't gone to Clark State, Disney or Sinclair!!
    As I promised, this blog is to document the amazing events I am blessed with that change and mold my life. Having a photography certificate, its easier for me to show you all what I have been up to for the last 8 months since my last post rather than go on and on and on and on and on and on, etc. Why explain every last detail when I can post a picture and show you the story?
    Now that I have 3+ months off there will be more posts. Then in August I start my second to last semester before I graduate next Spring with my Associates in Interior Design!! I'd like to transfer somewhere to get my Bachelors but I'm not sure where yet. I'm checking out University of Akron Wednesday! But it all depends on where God leads me to go. If I find an amazing job after getting my Associates then that would be great too. If I am lead out of state to a college to get my Bachelors or if I am lead to do a complete 180 and do something completely different that He needs me to do I will do it. If that were to happen, all of these great experiences were meant to be just that, great experiences, to learn and network, make great friends and learn who I am along the way.
    I am beyond happy that I am out of the valley I was in during Christmas break. I was so stressed out with how I was going to afford the next semester that I became distracted and consumed with the stress. Fall semester I had three classes three days a week and it was really rough on gas. So I couldn't imagine how I was going to get through five classes four days a week. I spiraled down into a sort of self induced depression, so self consumed with this stress and forgetting about God and then one day two things happened that were so obviously signs from God pointing me back to Him. After that day my faith was the strongest it had ever been. I knew everything was going to be ok.
    Jump to five months later and that hard semester? It ended last week...It was a breeze! It flew by. I cannot believe I almost want to say it was easy! Compared to Fall semester it sort of was. I made friends, I learned amazing things from great teachers, I laughed until I cried, I only cried once and it wasn't even school related, I joined an Honor's Society and I am still very scared of public speaking but at least I can have conversations with people unlike when I was little and left the talking to the adults that I hid behind, boy have I grown up... Wait lets back up...HONOR'S SOCIETY??? Me, join an Honor's Society?! YES!!!! My grades are for once fantastic enough to be invited to join a National Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa. I have come so far and I owe it all to God for allowing all of these people to cross my path.
    Well here's to an amazing summer to us all! If you get too hot just think of the  Polar Vortex! Enjoy the experiences and people around you and live your life right! Now it's time for me to spend as much time outside with my dog and my new friends as possible!




He was so cold he just laid down.

Pretty girl helping me with my business card.

Le Stat helping with my sketch book.

He decided it was his turn for attention.

Pretty's turn for attention.

Charlie really wanted to go to bed.

Charlie and Pretty BooBoo in the middle of my Interior explosion.

I still can't believe she laid on that!

Oh that wire project....

My Iron Man toaster that reeeeally doesn't look like a toaster. Oh well.

I was so scared to make the first cut into this lino block! Then I loved it! Love Frank Gehry!

Weird picture of my serial plane.

Rendered this for my sketch book and for Home Depot's Bucket Design contest. My store loved it but I didn't win.

My house that I'd like to redo once I have better practice. The more I look at this the more I really don't like it, especially the terrible blue sky where my marker went out and I just couldn't fix it no matter what.

#PracticeMakesPerfect

My teachers encouraging words just for me towards the end of the semester for one of the projects. =]

I honestly don't think this is my final poster but I don't have easy access to the final at the moment. The only thing that changed was the words that you can't read. The bright awesome colors are still the same. I'm kind of proud of this one. Every step of this project I did on my own, took the photos at the Air Force Museum, edited them, dropped them into InDesign and edited them some more, added the text and edited it all some more.

Not enough caption for this project. I'll just leave it at- Say hello to my baby.

Love getting paid for my art skills...One day I'll get paid for it all. Art/design/photography/organization skills

Here's that Honor's Society I mentioned!

The back of the shirt says "Talk Nerdy to me"...

My life is a problem.

This thing called The Fast...

...it changed my life even more

We slept at church, didn't eat for 24 hours and volunteered around town. Amazing.

The winners of the "ugly" sweater contest at the church Christmas Dinner. Mine was nothing compared to theirs!

 

The live Nativity at church. This is amazing grace.

More recent. Lora and I at Easter. You can't tell but my arms are full of Easter eggs. (I participated in the big kids section of the egg hunt.) I can't thank Lora and James and Mama enough for taking care of Charlie while I was virtually absent.

Shelby, Catherine and I heading back to school to get ready for first year assessment. I just got to know these girls this past semester and we already have a lot of plans this summer and I know we will be great friends! They're great!

Sometimes I wish I was 3 so I could get away with decorating the pew with stickers for entertainment.

That one day when Cap came to Home Depot to visit me.

Back when things were normal and great. I miss seeing them all every week.

That one time when a spider ingeniously had me trapped.

Just one of the many times when Charlie acts like a human.

Took Charlie to visit Grandma and I sat him on her walker and he just sat there and went for a ride. He's the coolest dog ever.

Looking nice for the vet in his snazzy jean jacket.

Those cute kids down in the Submarine at Cosi.

When they are both equally excited about something they have this loving bond where they have to make sure each one is seeing what the other is seeing. They're adorable siblings.

Gavin and I both enjoyed this gadget! You gather the balls, those tubes suck the ball out of your hand and it shoots it out way over your head often falling on someone else's head or near someone. And repeat.

The kid's faces crack me up. His sissy must have been aggravating him or something. 

I brought all of my stuff for my shoebox gifts over to their house so Nevaeh and Gavin could help me pack them. They really enjoyed the fact that the toys going into these shoe boxes were going to kids around the world that may never have gotten a single toy in their lives.

Hey its Penny!

She's a mischievous elf.

Here she is zip lining.

Fishing.

Skiing. #ElfOlympics

click here>>>elfontheshelf.com

Magic seeds grew into suckers. Gavin's favorite,

MnM's

Weeeee!

Penny was caught by the kids toys and tied up on the wall.

Decorated with socks and underwear.

Sugar Angel

Sorry

Yoohoo

She surprised the kids with a Penguin!

Mischief Managed! I had so much fun helping Penny with all of her adventures during the Christmas break. Hearing the kids stories the next day of where they found Penny and what she left behind and seeing their eyes light up made it that much more of an adventure every day.

Gavin cheesing with our houses. He just really wanted to eat the candy now.

Nevaeh holding up the very heavy roof piece and showing off her creative hard work. Gavin was supposed to be in the picture but after his last picture he was ready for bed and he disappeared.

I saved this one for very last because it's the most recent and a very important milestone. This is from first year assessment where my portfolio was evaluated to make sure I was on the right track. This time next year I will be graduating!! 

They're, There, Their- They're different, get them right.
#StayHappy