Weekend and Valentine's Day.

As much as I love doing things chronologically and as much as it bothers me when things are not so, well, I'm just throwing all that out the window right now.
Valentine's Day weekend and day first, then Teenpact and then the blankets of snow we got in early January. I've gotten a little behind. . .in lots of things (thanks, TeenPact), but one by one I'm catching up. Bear with me. Yes, I know this throws out all order. Oh well.

This weekend after unpacking from Teenpact. Woah, freeze. I actually unpacked my bags the day after I got home. After a trip, my suitcase and things will usually sit out for a week. . .or much longer. I feel so accomplished. Play. Moving on. Valentine's weekend was spent with two lovely ladies in Tupelo. Because guess who came to Tupelo? Celtic Woman. That's right.

Feast your ears on this and this. Maybe you're thinking, 'This just isn't my type of music.'  Well, it hadn't been mine either until very recently when I gave them an unbiased listen. They've really changed my taste in music. Their traditional Irish elements, beautiful voices, simple harmony, and sheer talent blend to make incredible music in a culture full of auto-tuned, wacked-out Lady Gagas and Justin Beibers. Please say you love them.

So, off we went to hear them live. It was incredible, to say the very least.

Oh, and on the way, we met Matthew, the bagpipe-player. Why, yes, he did have a most attractive Irish accent. And yes, we did take a creeperish picture. Matthew did not judge us.

And then the day of flowers, pink hearts, sweet candies, chocolate, and simple love happened - Valentine's Day. No date or flowers delivered to my door. . .oh yeah, and no man for me. But today's been wonderful, in spite of that. I had my little valentine.

And I went on a date with some of my favorite girls. Did I mention it was classy? A classy date to Sonic, AKA, the drive-in house of class. Mhm.

I dreamed a dream

Today I heard the happy tune of the robin, reminding me of sweet Summer days spent frolicking through the woods, whistling across the way, of picnics in the warm noon sun, the delishness of the first ice cold lemonade, of flip flops, and gay laughter echoing through the trees. Hopeful of those days, I looked outside. The birds were only mocking, teasing with their happy tune, for through the window, I only saw an ugly grey, gloomy sky reminding me of the cold and all too-true reality of this February winter. This unwelcome, unwanted February winter.
For now, I must be content to hold tightly to the dream - the dream of the Warm Summer awaiting us somewhere beyond the cold, beyond the dreary, beyond the lackluster Wintry day of today.

Saturday.

Teenpact homework.
She & Him.
Looking like a grandma.

Oh, yes.

It's just that kind of day.

The Practice of the Presence of God

Of Necessary Practices For Attaining The Spiritual Life

1. That practice which is alike the most holy, the most general, and the most needful in the spiritual life is the practice of the Presence of GOD. It is the schooling of the Soul to find its joy in His Divine Companionship. Holding with Him at all times and at every moment humble and loving converse, without set rule or stated method, in all time of our temptation and tribulation, in all time of our dryness of Soul and disrelish of GOD. Yes and even when we fall into unfaithfulness and actual sin.

2. We should apply ourselves unceasingly to this one end, to so rule all our actions that they be little acts of communion with GOD; but they must not be studied, they must come naturally, from the purity and simplicity of the heart.

3. We must do all things thoughtfully and soberly, without impetuosity or precipitancy, which denotes a mind undisciplined. We must go about our labors quietly, calmly, and lovingly, entreating Him to prosper the works of our hands. By thus keeping heart and mind fixed on GOD, we shall bruise the head of the evil one, and beat down his weapons to the ground.

-Brother Lawrence

2011

(Excepting the fact that this is the 13th of January, I shall now talk about 2011.)

Welcoming in a whole new year. It seems strange since it feels like we just did this for 2010. Perhaps I'm simply getting old.
Well, it's sad to think there never, ever will be another year 2010. But that we've begun a whole new year full of things yet to happen is exciting.
I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but I did make a list of things - reminders, if you will - I'd like to do this year.
But first, I shall reminisce on many wonderful memories that 2010 holds. . .er, held. Well, still holds.

Anyway.

Here are a few of my favorite photographs from 2010. (Yes, I did just say photographs.)

In January, Katie left the States for a more scenic countryland - Florence, Italy - where she lived for many months. Finally, she came back home with so many tales and adventures and thousands and thousands of pictures.

In February, I took a road trip with three of my lovely friends to see Gone With the Wind at the Orpheum. (Read about that here.)

And then, TeenPact MS happened! (Read more here.)

April brought with it Spring and lovely days in the great outdoors.

In May, I wrapped up my finals, thus finishing my Sophomore year, and then went on to burn Walden with classmates. (You can read about that adventure here.)

June: National Convention!

July.

Tennessee.
Adventures.
Sunny days. 

August.

Camp Moriah, Santa Fe, tea parties. All things Summer.

Oh, and turning 16. That was kinda big. Little party. And big surprise party - thanks, Katie. :) I love surprises.

September sunshine and balloons.

October was filled to the brim with lovely Fall days, dear friends, campaigning for Senator Nunnelee (who won the seat!), and seeing Wicked for the second time!

November: Golden leaves and pumpkin spice.

December was wonderfully exciting because. . . 1. I had my first white Christmas! 2. My parents celebrated 25 years of marriage. 3. I applied to, interviewed for, and got a job as an assistant counselor at Summer Camp.

Most importantly, God has been so gracious to pour His love out on me this year. His mercies have indeed been new, morning by morning.

And this is the part of the program where I share a few of my resolutions:

-be dilligent in pursuing Christ.
-finish old books before starting new ones!
-be prompt in replying to letters. write more letters, and send less emails.
-run. consistently.
-be spontaneous. (how oximorionic. one cannot plan spontaniety.)
-go for a picnic!
-practice patience.
-play piano for at least 2+ hours every day.
-keep up with blog.
-sketch once a week.
-do something fun/new with hair this year.
-learn to cook. well.
-write character sketches.

My list keeps growing. The real thing is even longer. But I shall try to keep up with them!
What are yours?

25

(This is actually a picture of a picture on my phone. Ergo, the quality is terrible. Using the word 'ergo' in a sentence makes me feel intelligent. Ergo, that's why I'm using it.)

After six children and 25 years of marriage, my parents love each other more than ever.

Happy 25th Anniversary to some wonderful, favorite parents of mine!

This is the part where I tell you about my Christmas. Just like everybody else.

How original.

(This is assuming you actually care. If not, you can stop reading now.)

(Or now.)

(Now would be good.)

For those who do care, Christmas morning went something like this: My little brother was up and pacing the hallway at precisely 6:20 A.M. on Christmas day. Just waiting. He had to wait. He knew no one can go downstairs until at least 7:00 A.M. It's a rule. Always has been. Always will be. It's funny how that rule used to torture me and now I could go for a little more sleep on Christmas morning. Funny how things change.

But I woke up soon enough. Just to humor myself since I had heard so much talk about the chance of snow, I looked out my window.

I saw this:

Okay, okay. So it actually looked something more like this:

Which was a welcome sight on Christmas morning to a Mississippi girl!
My reaction went something along these lines: "A white Christmas! In Mississippi! It's a Christmas miracle! I think all my dreams just came true."

So, it was around six in the morning, I was tired and a tad bit delirious. But it was awesome! When I showed my sister the snow, she literally jumped up and down on the bed.

My sister's 22.

We all were pretty ecstatic and immediately turned this on, just to really characterize and dramatize the special moment.

This quickly became the theme song of Christmas 2010. (Except we didn't even have to dream!)

Christmas morning and a gimplse at the "Christmas Spider web."

Christmas afternoon/evening is usually a let-down. Every year, we have our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve and on Christmas day, after all of our morning activities, we have an annual brunch at our house with different families from around here. So afterward things are usually slow and boring. But this year, we ate chips and dip and some sandwiches and lounged around in our pj's watching Wives and Daughters. Good movie. Good time. I love my family. I love Christmastime.

I think I can safely say this was the best Christmas ever.