New Bublé

Ok.  So a few weeks ago, I found out that one of my absolute favorite artists (as a singer, anyhow... I've heard he's kind of raunchy in concert)- Michael Bublé- has a new album coming out in 
April.

And I literally did a happy dance.  I LOVE his stuff!

TODAY, the first single was released from his new album
 "To Be Loved," and...

I.

Am.

In.

LOVE.

I downloaded it from itunes, and I've literally listened to
 this pretty much nonstop for like an hour.

Have a listen for yourself!!

Yes.  I can NOT wait for this album to drop on April 23rd!!

I'm Going Home

Well, for the two people out there who still haven't heard, I guess it's time to make this announcement...

I'm moving home!!!!  Back to South East Iowa, for this girl.

I've spent the last year and a half spreading my wings in Ankeny.  And I've enjoyed it!  The ups, the downs, the in betweens.  The happys and the sads.  The changes and the things that have stayed consistent.

But now, it's time for me to go back to my roots.  As much as I love the "city life," I love my family more.  And, as ridiculous as this may sound, I miss the small town way of life.  I really do.

So, in the coming weeks, as details unfold, I will be sure to share them with you here.  But for now, please pray with me that God will open up a job for me ASAP, so I can get back home to where I want to be.

Dear Self

Dear Self,

If the 23 year old me could sit down and have a chat with you, this is what I'd say:

To the 5 year-old me:  Sit on your daddy's lap more.  Snuggle with mommy more.  Take time to hug your sisters more than just at night.  Kisses are free- give your family lots of them. Savor your sweets... they'll last longer.

To the 10 year-old me:  Don't worry so much about who is and isn't your friend.  Be friends with everyone.  Appreciate your friend Alexandra more.  She won't be in your school forever.  Boys are icky.  Don't get caught in the PRE pre-teen agenda of "who's your boyfriend?". Also, pay more attention in Patch Club- memorize more verses.

To the 12 year-old me: Life is hard.  Bad things happen, but life goes on.  The best thing to do is learn from these bad things.  Love your family and friends more.  Spend more time with your sisters... without fighting.  Larry is going to be your best friend one day, so why not start today?

To the 14 year-old me:  8th grade isn't as big of a deal as you think.  "Graduation" is ridiculous.  Enjoy being friends with everyone.  It won't last forever. Practice the piano more.  High school is just around the corner, but you'll be fine.  High school isn't really that big of a deal either. And PS- boys are still icky.

To the 16 year-old me:  You're better than you think.  Don't be afraid to accompany the choir.  Don't push so hard for things to go your way.  Don't worry about what other people think about you.  DO spend more time with your family.  Do enjoy your carefree days of low responsibility. Soak in the memories. Thank your favorite teacher more than once for letting you go to NY last minute (but perhaps find someone else to room with when you go!).  Oh, and when that same favorite teacher suggests you try out for the community players production, DO IT!)  And read your Bible more.  Always read your Bible more.

To the 18 year-old me:  Your Senior year is amazing.  Don't waste it fighting with other people.  Especially people you're close to.  Sing your heart out.  Keep playing the piano.  Boys are still icky, so don't get all tied up in knots over them.  Don't miss a single baseball game (you'll only end up missing two).  Enjoy your last summer as a "kid."  Don't take it for granted.

To the 20 year-old me:  God will provide answers at just the right time.  Don't worry about the future. Keep a journal during Colorado tour.  Quit fighting with Elisabeth.  She'll end up being one of your long-distance best friends. And when Doc INVITES you to go to Europe, make sure you keep a journal then, too.  Stay calm.  At all times.  Sit back and trust God.  With the big stuff.  And the little stuff.  Take more pictures. When you move home, treasure the time with your family.  Don't hide in your room- spend time with your family.

Don't worry about tomorrow.  God has it all under control.  Make memories, and never be afraid to overuse the words "I love you."

Love,
the 23 year-old me

And Once Again... Right Now I'm...

I realize I just did this a few weeks ago, but right now, it's safest for me to update everyone in the mundanes of life rather than the big stuff.  Don't worry, the big stuff will come, just not yet! :)

Listening: Josh Groban's ENTIRE new cd "All That Echoes," which is his best album yet!  I'm totally in love with it!  I could listen to it nonstop!

Reading: "Peculiar Treasures" by Robin Jones Gunn.  Also, I just finished Nicholas Sparks' book "Safe Haven," which was fantastic!  I can't wait to see it in theaters with my friend Sarah on Valentine's Day!

Eating: Currently... like at this moment?  Nothing.  But for supper I had a breakfast BMT from Subway.  And tomorrow for breakfast, I'll have the other half!  Thanks to FebruANY $5 footlongs this month!!

Wishing: my trip to Ohio could have lasted longer than it did.  It was so great to spend time with my SISTER & the Yellow House family! :)

Needing: Answers. And direction from God.  I know these thing will come soon enough... just workin' on my patience.

Rejoicing: Over the love and support my parents always show me, no matter what I'm going through!  And for a much needed weekend spent with my best Helen! 

Indulging: Coke over ice.  For some reason, it's really addicting right now!

Enjoying: Valentine's Day stuff.  Like sappy love songs, Romantic movies, seeing roses everywhere, as well as pinks and reds and hearts.  And also my new laundry detergent.  It smells amazing!

Loathing: That Helen is so far away.

Saying: It's not a quotable type of saying, but I've found myself actually verbalizing the words "What do you think I should do?" a whole lot lately.   

Meditating: On God's faithfulness.  The hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness definitely is a great reminder!

Picturing: My weekend in Ohio.  Seeing Caleb in "Joseph,"  the adventures of Helen & Frank in Yellow Springs (the Hippie town... stuck in the 70's), and what my life will look like in 6 months.