seize the day

I was sitting in my room not very long ago, just thinking. Pondering life, school, friends. Everything has been so busy--between school, church, things with friends, and a lot of adoption related things. I've become so lost in the day-to-day of everyday life, that I forget to take joy in the little things. Sometimes I want, so badly, to have something new and exciting to do or experience. But that made me think--how many times in our lives do we just forget to be thankful for the little things in life? I find it happening a lot on my own life--I tend to focus on the bigger things, especially school without stopping to savor the small sweet moments of life. I need to cherish the special moments like...

-reading books to younger siblings

-having tea with a good friend

-sitting outside watching the sun go down as the sky turns from a blue, to a deep pink to a dark black

-watching the snow flakes of the first snow fall to the ground ever so softly

-sitting in bed at night with a good book

-the smell of fresh pumpkin bread baking

-finding a new song and completely falling in love with it

-a hug from a friend

-laughter filling the house

Life is so beautiful, I truly want to learn to seize the day. To enjoy every moment, even if it's not that exciting or full of adventure, because we never know when something could be taken away. Often I become discouraged with the mundane moments we have in life. However if you stop, take a deep long breath and look around you, there are snippets of beautiful things. This life, though sometimes is void of excitement & activity, it is so full of little hidden joys. I want to seize the day and all the little joys hidden within.

just lovely things and thoughts

This past week has been all kinds of wonderful. A break from school and perfect weather. I'm absolutely in love with autumn--the changing leaves, the cooler weather, the sweaters and boots, the hot drinks. Every bit of it is positively enchanting. The air is crisp and fresh while inside our fireplace is roaring and we sit in the evenings to enjoy cups full of hot cocoa.

This morning, it is cloudy but as I sit here at my desk sipping "sleepy time tea," my favorite. When ever I drink this tea, it brings me back to the times where I used to sit with my grandma on her porch and drink this same tea. She'd let me have as many sugar cubes as I wanted to, and I'd put in so many ice cubes that by the time my tea was finally gone, it was ice cold and the bottom of the cup was filled with sugar. Those days where my grandma did that with me were always my favorite.  She has a collection of little spoons that she reserved especially for those "tea party" days. I'd always get to pick which tea cup I wanted to use and which spoon I thought was the prettiest. How I loved those days!

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Yesterday we went on a hunt for a few vintage things at a thrift store. I have to admit that digging through people's used items isn't exactly my favorite thing to do, but I love it when you find some things that you've been looking for. Lately, I've been looking for a few vintage things to put in my room here and there. I was absolutely delighted to find some old records and a 1967 Webster's Illustrated Dictionary. I've decided that even though thrifting isn't my favorite thing to do, the results are worth it. Finding these treasures made my day quite lovely.

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Earlier in the week my family went to a small farm nestled outside of a forest on the plains of Colorado. Animals were everywhere, a pumpkin patch was home to all sizes of orange pumpkins, and though the air smelled worse then anything I've ever smelled before, the scenery was beautiful. 

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On Monday, I'm back to everyday life again. Fall break is over. I don't feel ready to go back to school again. This school year has been much more stressful then I was anticipating. The work load I have seems to take over my life and I feel as though my life has been overrun with school work. It's a hard balance--spending enough time on my school work, yet still having time to do other things and not obsessing over my studies. However, I am finding that when I do have time off of school, I enjoy it so much more. These times of being able to spend time with friends and family, taking day trips here and there, are so relaxing and such a welcome relief from the day to day grind of school work. I am so thankful for the Lord's grace and patience with me--it is only in Him I am able to keep going. I am so blessed.

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Is that not the cutest smile you have ever seen? 

Several of you have asked how our adoption is going. We sent in our paperwork to China a few weeks ago, and very quickly after that, they sent us our log in date. Now, we wait. We are hoping that my parents will be able to travel sometime in February. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think and wonder about these boys. There is so much "unknown" right now. I find myself day dreaming about what they'll be like day after day. There is so much still to do before we bring them home! But, we are resting in the fact that God knows the exact day and hour that we will have these boys in our arms. Though that day seems so far off right now, we know that God's timing is perfect and every step of this adoption journey is planned out by the author and creator of our lives. 

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This week was hot chocolate, day dreaming, shopping, sitting down with a good book. This week was smiles and laughter. Here's to next week, being even better!

Happy Saturday, friends! 

w.o.w.

Today has been good. Very, very, good.

Why?

Because I can finally tell y'all something that I've been dying to tell you.

You people are not going to believe it. It took be a couple weeks to get used to the idea my self.

Ready?

We're adopting again!

And yes, you read that right.

they say a picture is worth a thousand words...

{So I'll stop talking now}

"walking in a winter wonderland!"

So, this morning, as I was getting up, look what I saw out my window!

Isn't it gorgeous?!

I actually went outside in my PJs and boots and hat and coat and took pictures.

It was like a snowy-frost that coated everything. The news people were calling it "freezing fog."

Don't you just love winter?

go air force!!

{Me & Elle}

{Me}

I can not believe that I still had these pictures on my camera, just waiting to be downloaded, but low and behold, there they were! But I suppose that now is as good a time as any to blog 'em.

A couple of months ago, my family and some friends went up to the Air Force Academy, to watch the Air Force vs. Navy football game. It was so epic!

Now, you should know that I'd never been to a football game, and really had no idea what to expect. And so you can imagine, me, at a football game. I had absolutely no idea what so ever about football games. I though touch downs were called goals...that's how bad I am at sports. :)

But, surprisingly, I had about the best time ever!

{Oh and a big thanks to Elle and Mr. Reese for explaining the game....I actually could figure out what the players were doing!!! High five!}

So, before the game, we had a party type thing in the parking lot...

Complete with pie!

Then, we headed into the football field...{where Elle stole my camera and took some awesome pictures!}

And the game began.....

During the game, we got funnel cake and cotton candy....

Listened to the band...

And took more pictures!

And I have to say, I had so much fun! I could even understand what the players were doing....most of the time.

Go Air Force!!

true confessions...

Confession: I'm supposed to be doing science home work right now, I'm not. :) But it's ok, my mom said I could take a break...I'm not that evil!

Confession: I haven't practiced piano yet today, and I so desperately need to.

Confession: I really, really, really, really, want some more outfits..."it's almost Christmas, Kimberly, you can wait till then!" But I'm really selfish, and I want them now.

Confession: I threw a fit today...yes, I know I'm a baby. But I needed to get it out of my system. {And in my defense, it was for a good reason.} Now I should be good for oh, at least a day, maybe two. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

Confession: I want to make my blog "public" so y'all don't have to keep logging in. Wouldn't that be so nice? Plus, then...maybe more people would read it?

Confession: I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really...miss our old camera. (REALLY!) It was one of those awesome dslr kinds. Adore! My dad says that we're going to get a new one...I hope so!

Confession: I...am running out of confessions. :)

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Do you have any {slightly embarrassing} confessions you wish to share? It feels good to get them out!

thoughts of today

Outside my window . . . It's sunny, but cold!

I am hearing . . . My brothers, shooting each other with Nerf guns.. oh the joys of being an older sister!

I am creating . . . a presentation for History class...7 minute speech...HELP! :)

I am looking forward to . . .CHRISTMAS! Oh and my birthday! 20 more days 'till I'm a teenager!!!

I am thankful . . . for my amazing, amazing, amazing church! It's such a blessing to me personally and to my family.

I am praying . . . for my grandma, who is having surgery today. Love you grandma!

I am hoping . . . that I get all my homework done, quickly! I have a ton to do, and not a lot of time!

I am remembering . . . the time my dad was on a business trip on Christmas...so glad he'll be home this year!

I am noticing that . . . my nails desperately need to be painted!

I am reading . . .Wispers of Winter by Tracie Peterson

Words to think about . . . "Any thing worth doing, is worth overdoing." Love this!

A moment from my week . . . Getting an A on my English essay...sorry, that really sounded like bragging, but it just made me really happy! :)

Something you may not know about me . . . I want to learn to play the guitar. My mom said possibly in like a year. Sigh!

One of my favorite things . . . my school. I'm absolutely learning so so so very much, it's like the best ever!

Well, I'm off to go do that History assignment I was telling you about, Au revoir!

for granted?

Sigh, life can seem so complicated at times, can't it? It seems just as you're starting to figure something out, your world falls apart. Life is so, so full of "what ifs." Far to many, in my opinion. We worry about things we shouldn't, and wish for things to be different. I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all, but it's true. But really, how often do we sit back, and thank God for what he's given us?

I need to be reminded again and again, that everything happens for a reason, for His glory. He plans out our days, before we are even born. We get so caught up in the day-to-day. Things like studying for the history final, or perfecting the piece of your artwork which is going in the exhibit. Things of that sort seem to take over my life, and I forget about what really matters. God. He is the one who gives me life and breath and everything I need. How often do I stop to thank him for that? How often do I take these things for granted?

I want to become more and more like him everyday of my life, but how can I do that if I'm not taking time to really talk to him, and thank him. I can't. It doesn't work like that. However much we want it to, it doesn't. We can't snap our fingers and automatically think we are somehow "closer" to God. We need to spend time in his word, take time to talk to him. But, how ever much it seems a good idea, it's hard to do. I get "so busy" with life. "So busy" with everything. It's no excuse. Even though life can seem so confusing, so scary, we know that God is with us. And through things that might seem so hard, and so big, he grows us through those experiences.

I want to be drawn closer to God. But I can't do it alone. I need his help. But he promises to help us, and we can take so much comfort in his word. I pray, that God would be drawing me closer to him. That he would help me to spend more time in his word, and in prayer.

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

a glimpse at my turkey day

Hey y'all!

Wasn't yesterday just wonderful? Food, family, everything! I wanted to share with you, a couple of things I'm very thankful for...

A- amazing friends B- Bible C- {my} cell phone

d- dogs, little ones! e- email

f- friends, I love y'all! g- the grace of God H- {MY} HOUSE

I- ice cream j-jokes k- kisses from Mei-mei

L- lip gloss m- my mom n- netflix o- old navy

P- PURSES Q- quotes, especially inspiring ones!

r-rhyming

s- sunshine t- target! u- ultra amazing earrings

w-washing machines x- 'xtra cute shoes

y- yellow pencils z-zebra stripes

Life is good!

For our turkey day, we got to go to my grandma's house, which was amazing, as always!

Here's some pics from yesterday!

Hope your turkey day was as amazing as mine! I'm so thankful for all of you! :)