Day 26: You're not seriously asking me this?!?

I would definitely say I had {and am having} a happy childhood. With caring friends and family, I was never far from love or fun. Ah, there are so many things that come to mind for today!!!

Day Twenty-Six: A childhood memory

When I was little, one of my favorite places to be was Mom-mom's house. It was always an adventure going there, for you never knew what snacks Mom-mom would have or what new toys would 'magically' appear in the basement. The best times there, though, would have to be with the rest of our family.



Pictured, from left to right: Chris, me, Owen, and Emma

 Ah....such good times were had at that creek, right behind Mom-mom's house. Even in the winter and fall we would trundle down there just to see if it was frozen or not. And in the summer and spring the wading was fantastic!!! Of course, there was poison ivy......but somehow we managed to avoid it. (:

I don't know if this memory is of the creek, Mom-mom's house in general, or just times spent with my family. But I do know that I would give anything to have those moments back again, just being a little kid.
Isn't it funny how, looking back, we realize how special those simple times were? Wading in the creek, watching cartoons in the basement, playing on the carport----at age nine, I never would have thought those seemingly normal moments would make such an impact on my life.

I hope that, in Heaven, we'll have something that gives us a good look back at memories....'cause I don't ever want to lose the pictures I have in my mind and in my heart.

Day 25: Dude, I am hungry!!!!!

Day Twenty-Five: A recipe
So, I haven't actually made this.......but Paula Deen has, so it must be delicious!!!!!!!

Slow Berry Cobbler

Ingredients:
Filling:
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen strawberries
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen blueberries
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen raspberries
1/3 to 2/3 cup sugar, depending on your level of preferred sweetness
1/2 cup baking mix

Topping:
2 1/4 cups baking mix
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:
Spray the insert of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, toss together all the frozen fruit, sugar and 1/2 cup baking mix.
Transfer the fruit to the slow cooker. In another large mixing bowl, stir together 2 1/4 cups baking mix, 1/4 cup sugar, melted butter and milk with a wooden spoon.
With your hands, drop bits of dough on top of the fruit in the slow cooker. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and ground cinnamon.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top of the dough and place the lid on the slow cooker.
Turn the power onto high and slow cook for 3 to 4 hours until the topping has puffed and the fruit is bubbling.
Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
{oh yeah, I found this recipe here}.

So, I totally would have put in one of my family's recipes.....but they're kinda secret. *evil grin* Oh, yeah, and I didn't feel like actually typing up a whole recipe. (: Forgive me?

I actually do hope to make this sometime soon......once I get in a baking mood again. And who knows when that will be?

Happy baking,

Day 24: Well, what WOULD you expect me to like?

I love movies.....pretty much any kind. That being said, today's challenge is kinda hard for me.

Day Twenty-Four: A movie no one would expect you to like

For those of you who don't know, I dislike DreamWorks movies. With a passion.
So, when we went to see the movie Megamind last fall.......I was not expecting much. And then the movie started.

To be honest, I actually loved the movie. The plot was pretty good, and the characters were likeable {to me, at least}.

I've never seen a Will Ferrell movie I really liked {not that I've seen that many} but he played a blue-headed, not-so-bad villain rather well.
Confession: by the end of the movie, I had a little big crush on Megamind. Is that sad, or what?!?

Not the biggest Tina Fey fan either.....but she was really good in this movie. Her character, Roxanne Ritchie, was perfect.



Haha, isn't that look just hilarious? And, in the background,  you can see his little robot-bad-guys. Oh, and his trusty sidekick: Minion.

Minion was my favorite character.....I mean, he's a fish, in a fishbowl, on top of a huge robot body!!! What's not to love?

Mmm, another DreamWorks movie I loved loved loved was How to Train Your Dragon. But that's another post for another time. *winks at Emily*

Have a fabulous day {or evening, or night, or morning....or afternoon ;)}!!!!!

Dude......how did they know this?!?!?

Kinsey and Hope, two of my best bloggy friends {who also happen to be sisters ;)} did these really neat personality quizzes a while back----and I, being the geek that I am, jumped on it! One thing you might not know about me is that I love quizzes of all kinds....especially ones that tell me about myself.

So, once I saw this totally sweet quiz, I had to take it!! By the way, here's the link in case you want to take it too {which I highly recommend!!!}.

My results:
Your personality type: "Harmony-seeking Idealist"
Quietly forceful, original and sensitive. Tend to stick to things until they are done. Extremely intuitive about people and concerned for their feelings. Well-developed value systems which they strictly adhere to. Well-respected for their perserverence in doing the right thing. Likely to be individualistic, rather than leading or following.

Careers that could fit you include:
Counselors, clergy, missionaries, teachers, medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, psychiatrists, writers, musicians, artists, psychics, photographers, child care workers, education consultants, librarians, marketeers, scientists, social workers.

And here's the little bar graph thing---once you take the quiz, you'll understand.

Personally, I think this quiz got my answer exactly right!!!! Sometimes I care too much, I am rather introverted, and I feel pretty darn deeply. Oh yeah, and I don't like following the crowd.

If you do take the quiz, please tell me what you got!!! I love knowing more about my followers/friends. (:

Day 23: what will people remember when I'm gone?

I often ask myself that question: When I'm dead, what will people remember about me? Today's challenge has something to do with that.

Day Twenty Three: A way in which you want to be remembered
I think most of us want to leave some sort of legacy. We all want to be remembered; we want to have people still talk about us when we're gone. But what exactly do I want them to talk about?

The thing I want people to remember about me is the love and happiness I feel in my heart.

I want them to think back and say, "Wow, she really knew how to make people feel happy!"

I want to be able to stand in front of God's throne and say, "Lord, I did my best to help other people learn how to be happy."

I pray that God will continue to use me as a tool for spreading His love around.....'cause God's love equals happiness. (:

Have a happy day, my dears. Don't forget to smile!!!!

Day 22: a past love

No, I'm not actually going to talk about a past love: just a website I used to visit. (:
oh yeah, and I am VERY happy to know that most of you put your hair up like me!! Sweetness.

Day Twenty Two: A website

Not very specific, eh? But anyways: I'm going to tell you about Neopets.

Seriously.....for about two years, Neopets.com was my life. Which sounds really lame, I know. But before my blog and all, I spent all my time on this glorious {not really} website.

You really should check it out, if you haven't already. Me and four other friends {including Angela} had our own guild, where we talked about the book series Warriors and other stuff.

If you would like, you could click here and see my own Neopets account. *sighs* I love all those pets......and I named all of them myself. Oh, except for Tweerool....he was adopted. *laughs*

So, if you're ever bored on a rainy day with nothing to do, create a Neopets account. It's mindless fun and games....which is sometimes a good thing.

Au revoir,

Some smushed together days

M'kay.....so, I definitely missed a few days. And I'm seriously sorry 'bout that!!! It was Emily's birthday on Saturday, and yesterday was pretty busy too. So, without further ado----my {missed and current} days.

Day Nineteen and Twenty: A talent of yours {plus a hobby}
These two things are pretty well connected.....so, here's my talent and hobby: laughing, and making people laugh.

I definitely agree with that quote. Laughing is a favorite pastime of mine....and anyone who makes me laugh is my friend. ;)
I can laugh in pretty much any situation, and I find laughter lightens many an awkward situation.


not my image---but I do love it. (:

 I also love making other people laugh!!! Whether it's a funny joke, a silly comment, or simply a shared look, seeing other people burst out into laughter because of me makes me happy. And, apparently, I'm pretty good at. I am so thankful that God has surrounded me with people who love to laugh, and who can always make me laugh too.



Day Twenty One: Something you do differently than other people

Hmph....well, there are quite a few things I do differently than others people. But one that I've been told is really weird is how I put my hair up in a ponytail.

again...not my image

It all started back at soccer camp last year. My roomate/friend, Jen, and I were getting ready for breakfast. I started to put my hair up and found Jen staring at me. "What's up?" I asked, and she was like, "I have never seen anyone put their hair up like that."

*laughs* Looking back, I guess it is a pretty weird way. I shall now explain with a little video.

Note: If you have trouble hearing me, you can plug your earphones into your computer. Oh, and forgive the bad quality. *shudders*

Haha, weird, right? If anyone else makes their ponytails like this, please let me know----I'd love to meet a fellow ponytail-er. *giggle*

Ah, it feels good to be all caught up again. I can't believe this challenge is almost over!!!! It's been really fun....and, if you care to join in on the fun, just go over to Bleah's  blog and link up!

Love always,

Day 18: This could be a tough one

 Seriously.....I think this is the hardest question yet!!!!

Day Eighteen: A time when you felt passionate and alive
As usual, I was stressing over today's challenge......and I totally didn't want to seem like a copy-cat by doing camp!!! So I was telling my mom this, and she said, "Well....if camp was when you felt most alive, then you should do that!"

So, here I am: writing about World Views once again {if you want to, visit my other camp posts here}.

That week at camp, I felt a burning passion and fire for God. I wanted to get out and spread His love and grace. At camp, I met people who made me look at things in different ways. I got to talk with other girls who go through the same stuff as me. And I learned that, while it's okay to be afraid, we must always remember that God is with us.

Pretty much everyday, I do or see or hear something that reminds me of my week at World Views. Those memories are good, but they also make me sad---at times, I just want to wish myself back to camp and never leave. I felt so loved and safe there......I felt like I belonged.
So yeah, that week was a time when I felt passionate and alive for God and His Word. I hope that this summer, I'll get that same fire and drive again. (:

Love y'all,

Day 17: well, I don't draw....

....and I really have no desire to embarrass myself on my blog. Yeah, like I haven't already. *sighs*
That being said, today I will showcase one of my favorite pieces by Claude Monet.

Day Seventeen: An art piece

Obviously, NOT my image ;)

Monet has always been my favorite artist. I love his style.....and my favorite pieces by him are the ones of his Japanese bridge. I hope that, someday, I will be able to visit this actual bridge!!!!!

Day 16: sheesh, so many personal questions!!!

Goodness, this challenge includes quite a few personal questions! But hey, I signed up for it......so I shouldn't really complain. *sighs* I've noticed that, lately, I've been complaing quite a bit about little things.....I definitely have to work on that.

Day Sixteen: A song that makes you cry

But I still miss you

All the times we spent together

To hear you talk about the weather

I always prayed you'd get well soon

I wish my prayers came true

I know Jesus has the answer

And He's way bigger than the cancer in you

But I still miss you.

The first time I heard this song, I thought "Wow, Hawk Nelson totally put my thoughts in to a song!"

I still miss Mom-mom, and I always will. But I know she's healthy and happy again in Heaven....and I'll see her there someday.
 
What's a song that makes you all cry?

Day 15: I admire......YOU! *points finger*

Okay, before my actual post...I have some news!!!!!!! I will be getting my braces off March 28th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my word, you have no idea how happy I am!!!! We went to the orthodontist yesterday, and my doctor was poking around, doing his stuff. He sits back, peels off his gloves, and says, "Well, we'll see you back in six weeks {my usual time} and we'll take off your braces!" He said it so calmly, and then he just walked off! I sat there, my mom squealed, and the hygienist was like, "Ooooh, congratulations!!!!!!!"
*happy sigh* So yeah, I'm super duper excited.

Day Fifteen: A person you admire
Today, it took me a while before I actually made the decision. I wasn't sure exactly how to write this post....but I think I finally decided to just write a letter to that person.
For most of  you, this post won't make very much sense....but this is my person I admire: my composition/French teacher, Mrs. Suder.

Dear Mrs. Suder,
I don't know if you'll ever read this letter, or realize how much your teaching has meant to me. You were the best Sunday School teacher I ever had, and now you are my most favorite teacher. You, my dear Mrs. Suder, are the reason I dream of becoming an English teacher. You've shown me what joys lie in reading literature and actually understanding it!!!! You've taught me how to write well, and even if I don't always exhibit the best work.....well, you understand. (:
Because of you, I want to enter the school system and show teenagers that writing and reading can truly be fun! I want them to discover the joy of a well-written paper and the hidden treasures of great literature......just like you have shown me.
You are hilarious, witty, smart, and totally loving. You know the right moments to tease me, and the right moments to back off. You understand when I am truly confused, and you never embarrass or belittle me.....you just give me a hug and assure me that it will all be okay.
When I have off days where nothing is clicking and my head is all a jumble, you understand and don't try to confuse me.

And so, I admire you for being such a fabulous, understanding, wonderful teacher and mentor. I'm so thankful that God has put a woman like you in my life.

Love always,
Me

Day 14: I wanna go there!!!!!!!!!

Wow....today is a definite challenge!!!!!! I dream of traveling the world, and visiting so many different places...but I promise I'll just choose one.

Day Fourteen: A vacation you'd like to take

I love to travel to different places, see new things, and expereince new and cool stuff. So, if I could take a vacation anywhere, it would definitely be to England and the British Isles.

I want to visit Big Ben,

the Parliment building,

one of these sweet telephone booths,

and Old Trafford.

Oh yeah, and driving along an Irish road,

and by a Scottish castle wouldn't be so bad either.

So, um, if any of my beautiful, dear, wonderful followers would like to send me on a vacation to the British Isles.....you know where to find me. *wink wink*

Love always,

If a guy said this to me...

Uh, yeah.....I pretty much want my future husband to say that. Even if he did ruin the marriage of a most beloved sister......and totally insult my family......and was rather proud......if he said this, I'd know he really loved me.


Okay, so I know today is Valentine's Day....and, for quite a few of us, we're not spending it with a 'significant other.' But hey, that's okay!!!!! 'Cause God's already got our wonderful, amazing husbands picked out.....and soon enough, we'll find that guy.

So, until then: eat tons of chocolate, buy yourself some roses, and say 'I love you' to a family member {or friend} today.

happy Valentine's Day, my dear friends. Love you all!!!!

Day 13: I really hate the phrase 'guilty pleasure'....just saying

Yeah, for some reason this phrase really gets on my nerves. I guess it's because, as Christians, we shouldn't partake in anything that makes us guilty.....but whatever. So, just to be annoying different, I'm calling this day:

Day Thirteen: Something you do that makes you happy

Sitting on the couch, eating and drinking this....

While watching either these guys,

Or these guys play. (:

Okay, so this may seem a little weird...but hey, I'm a soccer player and I love watching the pros. Especially if the game includes Jack Wilshere or Nemanja Vidic.......they're pretty much amazing. *giggles*

Your soccer-crazy-blogger,

Day 12: So many to choose from {once again}

Okay, so even though my wedding is still a long way off, I do like to think about it. That includes what music I'll have played.

Day Twelve: A song you want played at your wedding

M'kay, so I have a few songs I want played.....

For my first dance with my husband



I first started singing this song when I was three.....and I've never even seen the movie! *laughs* Isn't that weird? But whatever, I think this is a super romantic song and I so want it played. (:


For my dance with my dad



While this isn't the most tradtional daddy-daughter-dance song, it still has a special place in my heart. Dad's favorite band is Rush {they sing this song}, it's called Rivendell {which is from Lord of the Rings} and it's a peaceful song {which all first songs should be, I think}.


Of course, I'll have to keep my husband's likes and dislikes in mind.....and by the time I get married, my choices might have changed.
I suppose we'll just have to wait and see, eh?
Your soft-song-loving blogger,

I kinda bent the rules on this one...

Even though this is technically a tag, I decided to drag it out and redo it a bit. 'Cause I'm awesome like that. *laughs hysterically*
 You can read my previous version here.

8 Books I've Read Recently...

{01} Emma by Jane Austen

{02} So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

{03} Thr3E by Ted Dekker
{04} Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

{05} Sphinx Princess Esther Friesner

{06} Head in the Clouds by Karen Whitemeyer

{07} Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (currently reading)

{08} A Prisoner of Versailles by Golden Keyes Parsons

8 Songs I Listen to All the Time...

{01} London by Brandon Heath

{02} For the Ladies by KJ-52

{03} Beyond Measure by Jeremy Camp

{04} Bite My Tongue by Relient K

{05} A Love Song by Stellar Kart

{06} Enchanted by Taylor Swift

{07} Captured by Toby Mac

{08} Bowling Ball by Superchick

8 Things I Love...

{01} My bloggy friends (:

{02} Writing a {very} random short story

{03} Drinking Sprite

{04} Eating strawberry ice cream

{05} Reading the newspaper {I'm such a dork ;)}

{06} The movie Tangled

{07} Making {and eating!} guacamole

{08} Having a sleepover at my bff's house

8 Things I've Learned This Year...

{01} It's okay to cry during movies....just make sure you have a tissue!

{02} I totally belong in a Jane Austen novel.

{03} You can be friends {and soul sisters!} without even meeting the person.

{04} Prayer is the most powerful weapon a Christian has.

{05} Watching your team play in the Super Bowl is stressful.

{06} Pouring my heart out on this blog is okay.

{07} I am never truly alone.

{08} I cannot live without snow. Seriously.

8 Favorite Online Hangouts...

{01} My email

{02} Various band's websites

{03} Blogs I follow

{04} Barnes and Noble's website

{05} Amazon

{06} Polyvore {LOVE!}

{07}.....

{08} that's it. (:

8 Projects I Need To Work On...

{01} School...
{02}school...

{03} and school.

{04} Being patient with my little brothers. *sighs*
{05} Keeping my room and bathroom clean.
{06} Finding a good paying, but close to home, job.

{07} Training for soccer season

{08} Earning some money!!

8 Other People I Think Should Do This...

{01} All

{02} my

{03} followers.

{04} And.

{05} anyone

{06} else.

{07} Go

{08} ahead!


Oh yeah...one more thing:


SMILE! Jesus loves you.

  

 *giggles* Have a wonderful day, m'dears.

Day 11: Oh look, it's me!!

hehe.....well, I'm technically not allowed to post pictures of me....so I'll just do half of me. *giggles*

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently

I love this pen....had it since my Girl Scout days. *sighs over memories* Ah, such fun. Please forgive my hair being slightly messy....I had already taken like 80 pictures and my hairbrush was not handy. (:

Hope y'all have a wonderfully-wonderful day!!!!

What I wish I were wearing....with a bit of Switchfoot

Untitled by spottedfire7 featuring chunky jewelry

Day 10: Ahhh, wasn't I cute? *laughs*

Okay, so ten years ago I was five.....and my family didn't have a digital camera. We actualy *gasps* used film to take pictures. *looks around* Isn't film such an ancient word now? Crazy.

Anywho.....so, I only have pictures from when I was a bit older; around eight or nine. I tried to stay as close to age five as I could, though!!!

Day Ten: A picture of you taken over ten years  ago {or close to that}

So, at this time, I think I was about nine or eight....it was spring {obviously} and we were about to leave for church. I was wearing my most favorite dress ever and Mom had me pose with a tulip. *sighs*

Wish I could go back to that moment and wear that dress.....or at least find it in my size today!!!! *sighs again* 'Tis such a shame that we have to grow out of the cute clothes of our younger days!!!!

Love always,

Day 9---I'm a wannabe photographer...

....but I don't exactly have the greatest equipment right now. So, I'm stuck on hold and not really taking any photos at this present time.
Oh yeah, and sorry about the late arrival of this post....today was crazy to say the least. But at least it was spent with crazy friends {cough, Emily and Adam}.

Day 9: A photo you took

Okay, so this is not the best photo I've ever take....but for some reason I love the abstract-ness {is that a word?} of this picture. I mean the brilliant sun, the white puffy clouds, the random traffic light.....it just makes me feel giddy.

Wow, I must be really tired....I just said a picture made me feel giddy. *shakes head* Yeah, I'm going to bed.

Your overworked-blogger,