1.  Brown paper packages tied up with string. I just love that look! Especially if you put some washi tape to add some pizazz :)

2.  Twinkle lights and lampposts. Just another reason why I love Christmas! I vow to always always always decorate for the holidays. 

3.  I am going to make my own spin of this! Maybe add a heart here or there ;)

4.  Too late to add to Christmas list? 

I get so many fun obsessions from Pinterest. It's my favorite! MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!! Mine will be filled with cousins and food, the perfect combination.

The British Babies

Listen to her cute little voice. I love it! Favorite line: "it was really fun!" Also check out Savannah's sassy pose at the end. Diva in the making?

Today was my last day at school. Yippee! Tomorrow I'll be in Ireland with little Lisa. I planned our whole trip (she was really proud of me). Rick Steves helped a lot...

I went to the British Museum today (out of my own will, victory!) and IT WAS AWESOME.
Dialogue:
Me- "Ancient Egypt was my obsession when I was home-schooled. THIS ROCKS!!!"
Hannah-"I know I love mummies. Wait. Did you just say home-schooled!?"
Yes, I was home-schooled. I turned out okay I think...thanks mom. But really, the Egyptian exhibit rocked my socks off.

Pray it doesn't rain the whole time I'm in Ireland and Scotland! Ps- there have been gales in Scotland recently. HA 95mph winds. Awesome. Maybe I'll bring an umbrella and try to be like Mary Poppins :)

If I had an Orchard

What a crazy weekend! Saturday we went to the Tower of London and got to see the Crown Jewels....INSANE. So many diamonds....too many diamonds! Sunday we were supposed to go to Bath and Stonehenge but public transportation failed us. We left the lodge at 6:30am and found out all trains were cancelled so we had to catch a bus. Then we get to Wimbledon and the trains there were cancelled too. So we get on another bus and get to Putney Bridge and then finally we catch the District Line but we go to the wrong place. So we go back and then get on the wrong train again. BASICALLY we get to the Victoria station 15 minutes past the time we were supposed to be there and missed the bus to leave.

The weird thing was that I had so much peace the entire time. I knew that it was going to work because there was no other explanation besides the fact that Jesus was gonna work it out. It was quite a stressful situation but I wasn't stressed at all. In fact we did a music video on the train hehe. AND guess what, the tour people let us reschedule the day so that we can still go!!! Thanks Jesus :)

Last night we painted nails and watched Love Actually. We watched Love Actually IN ENGLAND!! I think it's awesome. This whole month has been like a sleepover, I love it! Did I already mention that Lisa and I share a bed? I will hold the record for sleeping in the same bed as her except for Joe MUAHAHA. Weird and awesome.  Here is a picture of how I did Hannah's hair the other night, isn't it hot?!?!?

Olga

I'm listening to Fleet Foxes right now which explains the title of the post. I love them. Especially in England. The weather is SO Fleet Foxes weather...cold, windy and cloudy. YUM! I will say that they aren't the same without Benjamin. I love music, it's the best! Soon I'll move to Christmas music hehe.

Today we are going to the British Museum and Harrods yippee! Ps- Harrods is like a department store on steroids. So so massive. Also- right now I'm doing some major people watching...I have a problem.  Another thing- I miss my little hispanic class. Oh how I love them! The kids here are really cute but I like MY babies.

I'm going to get an iced chai despite the fact that it's 45 degrees. Mom and Dad would be proud of me that I've only had Starbucks 3 times since being here :)

Big Ben

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from England! I love Turkey Day. Wish I was going to be home to eat the best meal ever with my family but my little London family will have to do :)

Things I'm thankful for: I am thankful for my parents and brothers. I am thankful for America. I am thankful for Ben. I am thankful for my best friends. I am thankful for my home. I am thankful for good food. I am thankful for Baylor community.

Being gone makes you realize what you miss about people. I miss Lauren's hugs and talks. I miss my mom's daily phone calls. I miss Ben's interesting facts. I miss mexican food. I miss discipleship. I miss Tri-Delt. Also, I really miss my phone (haha). BUT YAY FOR ENGLAND!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for me! I don't think we are going to be teaching very much....I think it'll be more observing and recess duty than anything. Not complaining. I'm tired! Feeling really sick today :( Booooo congestion and aches!! I'll get better, I got my Mucinex and my cough drops and my water. I'm gonna flush it out....IN THE NAME OF JESUS LEAVE NOW SICKNESS YOU HAVE NO PLACE HERE!!!!

You would not believe how different they do school here. It's like half the day they are playing!! I was so surprised. Also, for PE they just strip down in front of everyone and change. In the classroom. Boys AND girls!!! Shocking really. The kids' names are so cute...Owen, Lewis, Alfie, Isabella, Madelena...I just wanted to squeeze their little British cheeks! My teacher is SO nice and cute. I love her already. There are 4 teachers in my class including me so I really did absolutely nothing. It was a nice change ;) My class is Year 3 which is 2nd grade in the US. Babies!! I'm used to my 4th graders and I miss them SO!!! I really love how I was able to be at my school in Waco on the first day of school. It feels weird coming here in the middle of November. I'll be ready to go back to my class in January :)

Yesterday we walked 9 miles at least. I felt like an old lady because I was so tired! My back was killer. I can't be THAT out of shape. Lisa continues to make us go to museums. It's probably a good thing because I wouldn't go in them if I had my own choice ;) Thanks Lis for keeping me cultured.

Today I think we are going to Les Miserables!!! So. Excited.

London calling

Hello from London!!!!

It's already the third day. Holy moly. Currently in the busiest Starbucks EVER. No joke. Constant line (or queue in England). Rachel is munching on Galaxy chocolate....I'm getting a stockpile of this for every month muahaha. Lauren has fallen asleep AGAIN. We're keeping a tally...it's up to 4 right now. Hello we are Americans tourists! Lisa is reading Rick Steve's....she is OBSESSED of course. My little planner roomie! Mary Katherine and Hannah are obsessed with Viber. Hannah calls me tongue-girl because I can touch my tongue to my nose....hopefully it changes to Lizard-girl because tongue-girl just sounds bizarre. Rachel-"I think we're just going to pub it up tonight." Thanks for the update Rachel.

Room deets: Lisa and I share a room....and a bed. So we snuggle. Literally. Weird? Don't care because I'M IN ENGLAND!!! What what!? Also our shower/tub is SO LONG.

Funny and awkward:

1. Getting lost on the bus for 2 hours and getting hit on. Good thing Lis can flash her ring and ward creepers away....thanks Joe ;) 
2. Having to use a converter in Starbucks and them not knowing what an Iced Chai was...um HELLO.
3. Men here are not Gentlemen. I like US men...or really Texas men....or really just Ben. Hi Ben!
4. Lisa and me literally crying the night we got here. Thank goodness for each other :)
5. Us-"Hi do you know where Harrods is?" Random man- "Yea it's that massive building right in front of you with lights all over it." Oops.
6. Now Mary Katherine is asleep. 2 down, 4 to go.
7. Lisa has made a schedule for us. I love organized people. 

Wahoo yay England! More updates to come. Love you all!!

That time I was a teacher.

After almost 3 months of teaching, I've got a few things to say.
1. I love my kids.
2. I was made for this.

I love my kids. From their greased hair right down to their light up tennis shoes (you know, those ones that light up when you walk). They are the joys and the heartbreaks in my day. No matter what is going on outside of school, as soon as I walk in the door it doesn't matter. I forget about the outside world and I become Miss Caldwell. It's like I tell my kids, "Today is a new day. And you are in the sunshine room where nothing can bring you down!" My classroom is the sunshine room. Those kids come in to be built up, to learn, to be loved. And I try the best I can to give 'em all I got. That's fulfilling right there. Most days, I feel spent after school. It's like all my energy is gone and it doesn't come back till they walk in for breakfast the next day. I love it!!!! It's exhausting. It's so full of joy. It's crazy how much my kids affect me. Whether it's their lives at home or them just not getting a concept, I HAVE to help them! This is my calling. Jesus has been so good to me. So many stories, not enough words!

I was made to be there for little girls crying about their brother being in jail and not being able to talk to him. I was made to hug the kids with no friends. I was made to encourage the kids who don't get anything positive from home. I was made to be a constant in my kids lives for this time. I just love hugging and praising and reinforcing their socks off! I wish everyone could see all 21 faces. I just pray that even though I can't tell them about the unending and consuming love of Jesus, that they see some through me. I hope that someday they experience Christ's love in a way SO REAL! Rock my world Jesus. Teaching kids is the bomb.

Don't Hold Back

Today, what I'm thinking. 

Can't wait for my flag football game at 6...FAMILY is coming!! They love me :)

Rainy Day Lament

rain rain

come and stay

never never

go away

Another Early Morning

You know what, I really like mornings. This is convenient because my future occupation pretty much requires it. This morning I woke up at 3:45. Not on purpose. Inconvenient? Yes. BUT I was able to get so much done!! I cleaned and made muffins and worked and did laundry and got to spend time with Jesus with my yummy candle. 

I love mornings. His mercies are new every morning. I love that. 

This verse just brings me joy every morning. 

Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you. 

Show me the way I should go, 

for to you I entrust my life.

Read this version too.

Psalm 143:8 (The Message)

If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, 

I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. 

Point out the road I must travel; 

I'm all ears, all eyes before you.

Also:

Ephesians 1:19b (The Message)

oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Mhmm yes. Will you walk in that today? Days I walk in that are simply the best.

Birthday Bests

Welp Friday I turned the big 2-2. Every year it's the same, I don't feel any older at all. I suppose it is weird though because I used to look at Seniors and say, "Omg they are so old." Yep that's me now, a 22 year old stuck in a Sophomore body. 

It was a glorious day. People went out of their way to make me feel loved. It was so special. This was the first birthday I really didn't want or expect anything to be made a huge deal and it was a million times better than all the others before. I am really grateful for Jesus answering my prayers from that week. He worked through people to make me feel ridiculously loved and cherished. So thanks to everyone who contributed to that day because it was the best. 

My favorite picture of the night.

Oreo cupcakes.

So many laughs.

You know me, lovin food.

Look at that face.

P.S.- I found out that September 16th is Mexican Independence day, even cooler. 

Something Like This

I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

9-13-11

One Thing Remains

It's been so long little blog!! I have been so busy with school and work the past two weeks that I haven't found time to blog at all....

Good news: I DID IT!!!! First two weeks under my belt!!!! I got placed at a low-income school and I absolutely LOVE it. I thought I would hate it, I really did. Nope nope nope!! The minute my little (actually they are quite big, I am so short) 4th graders walked into the room, I felt SO much love for them. It was insane how much love and compassion I felt just leaping towards each of them. I knew it was my Jesus, I knew He was just loving them so much. It felt so good! Every morning, the Lord gives me so much energy for those kids. I love them so much already and it's only been two weeks!! I know without a doubt that I was made for this. I was made to teach. And the Lord has just blessed my socks off the past two weeks.

Second awesome thing: my parents fence caught on fire (they don't know how) and the Lord protected them from the whole house burned down!! You can read it on my mom's Facebook. The morning I found out, I was overwhelmed by emotion because they could have died but mainly because I was so thankful. SO thankful for protection! So thankful for our neighbor who happened to be smoking late that night and saw it!! WHOO HOOO JESUS ROCKS!!!!

Third awesome thing: this makes me cry every time I think of it. People started a fun run for my family. AH so humbling and SUCH a blessing and SO amazing. I have never experienced this before but the amount of people who have showed interest is overwhelming to me. The random people that barely know us and want to help. Coming home from a long day at school and finding my roommate inviting everyone she knows to the event on Facebook. WHAT A BLESSING!!! I feel so helplessly loved. So undeservedly loved! If you want more info, you can look at the event!

There are just too many awesome things to write out. Blessings every day. People are so cool. I wish I could hug everyone and tell them, COME ON JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!!!! At church this past week they put John 3:16 up on the screen and it just hit me. That verse is SO powerful and growing up in a Christian environment, I guess I became immune to it or something.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."-John 3:16-17

One thing remains: His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me!!! Get that song.

Dear Jesus, 

Thanks.

Holocene

Wishing for a rainy Saturday. For your viewing pleasure. Benjamin and I found out this was filmed in Iceland. I think I'll be visiting those mountain ranges someday ♥

God is L-o-v-e

I was listening to a sermon today that I've heard before and I felt like I should share what he was saying.

He was talking about how sometimes we as Christians feel like God isn't loving us fully. We feel like God has backed away from us because of something we have done to "make God upset." That is wrong. God is NEVER the one that leaves us or steps away from us. WE are the ones that do this!!! I am the one to isn't recognizing God's love that He is constantly giving me.

Andrew Wommack made this comparison: It's like if we were watching TV and all of a sudden the TV went black. We don't automatically call the TV station and tell them to start broadcasting again. They are always broadcasting. We need to check our receiver! Our receiver is the problem. This is just like so many other things in our lives! Just because we don't see the signal, it doesn't mean that it isn't there waiting to be seen. My Jesus wants me. My Jesus loves me ALL the time, no matter how well I do in school or how much I hang out with Him. He's the best friend I've got (I wish I remembered this). Such a simple concept that I forget sometimes. It's so foundational though! So many issues in life come from the root problem of not truly believing that God loves ME. I think..."I'm a wretched sinner. I'm not having a quiet time. I am self conscious."

Who cares?!?!?! 

You are righteous in The Spirit. I am righteous in The Spirit. See...

Romans 8:9-11 (NIV)
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

We were "made right" with God the minute He died on the cross. Done. THEN and FOREVER!!!! How stinkin awesome. Nothing you can do can separate you from Him. You don't need to confess in order to be made right with Him!! HE did it all. He did it all for me. And you. 

Oh how He loves.

Bloglovin'

If you're like me and read a million blogs, it's really hard to keep up with all of them! When I first got into blogs, I used Google Reader and it was great. BUT now I have a new way to organize and stay in the know! Bloglovin'. It's the best AND it has a trusty app for my beloved iPhone (I'm addicted to that thing).

If you want to follow me just hit the little "subscribe" button on my bloggy! Ps- did you notice I redesigned my blog? I'm not completely done yet, but I love it so far :)

Here is a beautiful video for your viewing pleasure that my friend posted on his twitter. I wish I could dance like this.

A Year Ago

One year ago today my Daddy was diagnosed with ALS. I can't believe it's been a whole year!! If someone were to ask me to sum up this crazy year in one word, it would be growth.

I feel like I have grown so much in this past year. In one year I have cried more than I have the past 20 years combined. In one year I have read more of the Bible than ever. I have been confused, frustrated, sad, encouraged, joyful, happy, loved and scared. I have felt as if I have been on a roller-coaster more times than I can count. I have watched my Dad fall on his face. I have watched him take action on his faith and walk on the treadmill.

I feel like this year has been the most amazing and ridiculously hard year I have ever experienced. How interesting that those two adjectives could describe the same experience! I'll tell you the story of my Junior year: My first semester of school after finding out that my dad had ALS was the most heartbreaking time. I felt like I was constantly on the verge of tears. It is/was the worst feeling. I got to the point where I was so frustrated with God. I remember vividly one time screaming in my car, "THERE IS NO POINT TO PRAY TO YOU AND ASK FOR PEACE BECAUSE YOU AREN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP MY DAD!!!!!" Man, was I wrong. About two weeks after that we got a christmas present. What a blessing. I have seen financial blessing in my life countless times, but nothing like this (funny how I have to re-learn this every time there is financial stress in our family). Over the next few weeks, I finally took my mom's advice to listen to some sermons. The man speaking talked about concepts so foreign to me. That we are already blessed, and that ultimately God wants us to be happy and blessed in this life. If you have time I HIGHLY recommend these sermons. With the help of those podcasts, and God's word, my spiritual life has been transformed (and continues to be).  From that point forward, I began to receive revelation that God not only didn't bring this sickness upon my dad, but that he hates it. Sickness is not from Him. Sickness is a curse, never intended for us. I began to have hope. I am sure my roommates can attest to this because I became less of a weepy wreck, to more of a delver in the Word or a searcher of Truth. Life felt like less of a hopeless journey with phrases like. "just make it through this hard time," to more of a battle! A battle. My second semester was spent winning and losing battles. But friends, I want to emphasize this: I beyond a shadow of a doubt KNOW that Jesus did not want this disease for my father. I KNOW that He hates that we suffer. I KNOW this isn't just something that I am going through to learn something. Yes, I will learn. And yes, I have. But that doesn't mean HE did this. This subject is so deep, and I definitely don't know near as much as there is to know, but I do know that I am learning. I do know that I have more hope and joy in my life because I know more now than I did that GOD LOVES ME. So immensely. And because of this, He would never do something to hurt me. Would you want to hurt someone you LOVED more than anything else? Now multiply that times a million bazillion. Yep, pretty sure He wouldn't ever want to see me suffer. 


Friends, this journey has been hard. Such a journey. I have been so encouraged and blessed by so many of you. Thanks. I know that some of the things I said may not make much sense because I have a hard time articulating things but I would love to talk in person if anyone wants! Just remember this right now because it is what I cling onto every day: 


You are loved. You are WONDERFUL.

OMG

I have been lovin OMG lately. I used to be a hater for phrases like that or lol and even shortening you to u. Lemme tell you I am a huge advocate for them now. Well, not lol, never lol. I say OMG all the time now. It seems that oh my gosh or oh my goodness are just too long in daily conversations. So I say OMG. 

Mom- "Today the Dr. said that Micah will have to get surgery on his nose tomorrow so now our trip is postponed a day."

Me- "OMG are you serious?" (Of course she's serious, why did I say that?) 

Micah broke his nose last Tuesday at church camp on the slip 'n slide. The slip 'n slide. 

His life is so interesting, it really is. 

OMG reminds me of myspace in high school. Myspace was so cool in high school right?! 7 years ago, prime-time for myspace. Xanga was cool WAY before that, it quickly fizzled out. Ben thinks that xanga was cool when he was in high school (he had one). Maybe in Kansas it was cool. These are the things we argue about. 

Today I ate oatmeal

I'm usually not a fan of oatmeal but it seemed a bit healthier than cinnamon rolls, which is what the brothers were having, so I opted for the healthier choice. I'm trying to eat better. Trying is italicized because it's not faring very well for me (I LIKE MY CHAI AND COKE EVERY DAY MOM). Mom and Dad think I am drinking too much sugar. Let's face it, probably am. But I like it (insert pouty face here). I'll give up soda when school starts again because it's easier to "just say no" (I realize I sound like a crack addict) when there aren't soda's in the fridge and the pantry just calling my name....Kambly drink me....Kambly open happiness....you get the picture. You can keep me accountable if you want. If I bite your head off, just give me a cup of sugar because I'll probably be having withdrawals. 

On another note: little brother Micah, 14 years of age, has a real habit of saying things that most people don't say out loud. I like to picture that with a hashtag for all you tweeter peeps: #thingsyoushouldn'tsayoutloud. Looks better. Today he said this: "I just took the biggest poop of my life. 10 inches. Had to flush the toilet twice." Disgusting. 

Reason #234 why sharing a bathroom with boys stinks, quite literally.

{I love my job}

My job is the coolest college job ever. I do so many things when I'm working....

1. Book flights to Chicago to visit my best friend.
2. Shop online
3. Find new music
4. Watch funny videos
5. Email & gchat
6. Design tshirts
7. Book flights to visit the boyfriend
8. Look at pretty pictures and dream
9. Watch TV and movies
10. Sit in a hammock
11. Lay in bed
12. Sit on couch
13. Drink chai and eat yummies
14. Listen to sermons
15. Text/call anyone who isn't working
16. I could tan, but it's too dang hot
17. Paint my nails
18. Talk to anyone that surrounds me
19. Work whatever hours I want
20. Write this blog post

I love my job. It is super monotonous but if you are skilled with multi-tasking like moi then you can do any of the above activities!! Thank you Jesus for my job :) 

{Weekend tafting}

tafting with adrie and april 

This weekend I finally got some much needed Vitamin D. I literally haven't seen the sunlight pretty much all summer! Some friends and I went to Lake Travis on Saturday. The lake is the lowest I have ever seen, so many islands! After being crispified, we went to Ape's and had pizza while watching the OC. I LOVE THE OC. Judge me if you want, Seth Cohen will always have my heart. 

I just love Adrie and April. April and I always just get each other. I love her so deep. I'm just really grateful that I have been able to have a friendship with her friends from school because that is so rare. Adrie is seriously the bomb and I have grown to really love her. Totally awesome fun times to be had with those two. Can NOT wait to go to Chicago again in the fall to visit them!!! :)

Also, today Micah informed me that he pooped in the dug out at one of his baseball games......how? Gross. That kid keeps me young.

{Things I'm loving}

Chocolate chips inside raspberries.
MMM!! I love raspberries.

Online shopping. It's bad. I can't help it, okay? My job is on the computer so I have a lot of internet time! Just bought this shirt & sweater.

Bangs. Had 'em before. I want them again. The grass is always greener on the other side....or hairstyle in this case? Give me a reason I shouldn't get them in the fall.

Nail polish. Surprised? Tart deco and turquoise & caicos are my current faveys.












And of course, blogs. I love reading blogs!!!!!! Got any suggestions? Just leave me a comment!

{Quote of the day}

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." 

—A.W. Tozer

{via weheartit}

{HP}

ϟ

Nuff said.

{Independence Day!}

Happy 4th of July!!! I love wearing red white and blue. And I really love American flags. So grateful our country was founded on biblical principles. So thankful for freedom!! 

P.S.-  April and I painted our nails alternating colors--Red, White, Blue--with sparkles. Awesome.

{YES}

This video makes me just want to scream SUMMER!!!!!!! 
Also, it has so many colors and glow in the dark (eeeeek!). Reason #247 & 248 why I love Coldplay.

Challenge: listen to this while driving home from work, school, pool or anything with the windows down. Just scream! It feels awesome. This one's for you Bo...

{Summer Lovin'}

Dear Frozen Mini Reeses, we have a love-hate relationship. Right now, I hate you. Dear Barton Springs, your subzero water temperature makes laying out bearable but Apey doesn't like your "floaties" (fungi, algae) so we won't be back this summer. Dear Boot-campers, seeing you raise your hands during worship makes me cry. Dear Little Brothers, thanks for acting like you were embarrassed that I visited. I know you loved it. Dear Andrew Wommack, listening to you while working has made the hours quite meaningful. Dear Summer, I love you.

{Dreamlights}

Okay watch these. When I watched them, I muted the video and was listening to Beautiful Things by Gungor. Bo showed me these videos and I'm obsessed. How did he know I would be? I

Here's the story. It's like real life Tangled!!!!!

{Sleeplessness}

Sleeplessness has been a commonality these days. I don't know what it is. Last summer it was the same! I would wake up every night last summer around 4am and text someone a random thought. I don't know why I did that, but it was fun.

I don't like being sleepless. Also, I'm not a huge fan of being a borderline insomniac. I like regular patterns. I like routine. I've been in Waco this summer off and on and I have found myself longing for routine again (hopefully that's a sign I'll like teaching). Every time I leave Austin, I yearn to go back. I yearn for my family and bosom friend. It's funny that I am saying this because if you would have asked me a few months ago if I was excited about going home this summer, I would have absolutely said "no."

There is just something about home that draws me back. Comfort, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The notion that no matter who I am at any given moment, I will be accepted entirely. What a lovely thought. That's God's kind of love right there. Do you believe God loves you? Do you really? I recognized recently that I didn't truly believe that God loved me. I always thought "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so" but I attributed this love to my performance. God doesn't love me more or less if I have a quiet time or tithe or share the gospel. He loves me just the same. No matter what. I love to love and be loved. What a mind blowing, life shattering, heart exploding thought!!! HE LOVES ME! HE BLESSED ME! Oh my, my little heart with burst. He loves me. He loves me. He loves you...right where you are...no matter what.

Go bless someone today, go love.

{via weheartit}

{Waco, my home}

If you like Waco even a little bit, you will love this.

{Moments}

{via for me for you}

Don't you love those moments? All I can think about are trips I've taken in college so far. 

Yum. They have been wonderful. 

{My heart will burst at the thought of..}

1. My dad being healed. Oh how I wait for that blessed day that his body finally responds to the promise written in the Scripture. The promise that He has already paid the price. We are saved. "Saved" in the Bible comes from the Greek word sozo. Sozo means several things: cured, ensured salvation, get well, made well, recovered and restored. Restored is my favorite. I love the notion that He restores me daily. He restores me mentally, physically and emotionally. He has restored everyone of us when He died for us...by His stripes we are healed- Isaiah 53:5. 
2. Having my own home. I get butterflies when I think about the tiny house that I so want in the future! It will be warm and cozy and clean. There will always be pillows and blankets in the living room so I can lay on the floor with loved ones and talk about life as we know it. There will be candles to make me feel like I am walking into a perfectly lovely store. I want a tin roof to fall asleep under with the rain pitter-pattering like a noise machine app on my phone. I want a rap-around porch with rocking chairs that I can sit and rock away the years with family. I want a yard with a swing on the tree so I can watch the world while swaying with the wind. I want flowers because there really isn't any better smell than freshly planted flowers in mulch. I want lots of crazy mugs that show how many places I've traveled and drank delicious chai and (hopefully) coffee. I want my bathroom mirrors to be covered in verses and Truths. I want mason jars and twinkle lights all over. I want a crafty room for the kiddies with chalkboard walls. I just can't wait for a home. 
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo
3. Europe in the winter! OH I cannot wait till I get to Europe and teach the little ones and travel and all things good. I have a feeling I will want to stay. Can't wait to pretend I'm really artsy fartsy. 
4. Becoming a teacher. I can't wait to love my students. I can't wait to know all of their names and little of what makes them up. I can't wait to write down silly quotes and take silly pictures of crumbs on their face or their shirts inside out. I can't wait to welcome them with a hug every morning and push them out of my class in the afternoon :)

I sometimes get so happy thinking about the future and what is to come! Joy joy joy joy down in my heart, YAY! 

I love the here and now. But as Anne Shirley says: tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it. 

{Quote of the day}

“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”

- T.S. Eliot

{This is the best}

LUCK - NYC Wedding Proposal from Aria Melody DJ on Vimeo.

{Sonnet 116}

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

-Shakespeare

{She's here]

APEY HAS A BLOG!
Yippee skippee my best-es-test friend in the world made a blog! Finally.
You should read it. Because she is, hands down, the most hilarious person I know.
Here is our most recent photo together at her precious brother's wedding!
I wish I could describe how much you mean to me, Ape. You're the bee's knees :)
I love you oh-so-dearly!!

{Coldplay}

Coldplay has a new song coming out on Friday!!!!! It's called Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.
I CANNOT WAIT.
As you know, Coldplay is my favvvvvvey so whenever new things come out, I listen on repeat.
Yay! Download it on iTunes this Friday!!
The lyrics and artwork are on their website so check it out :)

P.S- I leave Chi town today, I miss my Tejas.

{Anthology}

The new edition is here!!! I love this little mag.

1- because the theme just happens to be, Life is a Party. Ya know I'm gonna dig that.
2- it's so colorful!!! I love love love colors. Trust me, this magazine has so many colors you could squeeze the pages and out would spill a million Crayola Crayons. Perfection.


Okay, I'm going to stop there because you just have to read it! You can read it online right here or you can buy it at Anthropologie or you can subscribe!

{Wisdom}

“And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don’t just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn’t do it any better.

If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well. If you can’t be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”

- Martin Luther King Jr.

{Brownie}

My most recent obsession is my Pillow Pet that Benji Belz gave me. 

I named him Brownie cuz he's.....brown.

Cool fact: He can be a pillow or a pet! Sheesh those people are clever when they named these things.

I love him. I slept with him all night, which is probably why I woke up 50 times...#worthit.

Isn't he cute?

{Rainy Listening}

Good morning lovely rainy day.

Go here to listen to more rainy day tunes :)

Happy Thursday!! I love the 12th of every month. Ask me why and I'll tell you.

{Welly Times}

Our electricity just went out again. It seems as though 1231 D Wood is a target for brilliant electric sparks. Losing electricity makes me feel like life is on pause. Kinda really like that feeling. 

I love rain. I love gloomy days. I love summer rain. It makes life feel dreamy and peaceful. Also, I think it gives me a chance to find refuge from the crazy busy life that is so normal in college. Sometimes I like being a hermit :) Well time to listen to my rain playlist...yet another reason why I love rain!

This picture is dreamy. I'd like to be on a dock right now in the rain wearing some wellies. 

Sounds lovely, doesn't it?

{Us and Our Daughters}

I know, I have had a lot of posts about music lately but here's another!! 

I have a lot of time to listen to music while I'm working on mi computadora. 

I also have a lot of time finding new bands I love.

Homies- these peeps are good. Go buy their album? Worth it. My fav is "Honey."

P.S.- The ACL lineup is up. I'm going. Friday. Coldplay AND Ray? I swoon. $90 never sounded so cheap. Happy Birthday to ME!

{Calgary}

I literally cannot wait for Bon Iver's new album. JUNE 21st BABY.

Go. Listen. Fall in love.

Summer playlist.

In honor of Bo's birthday, {Insert singing happy 24th birthday}, I have made the summer playlist!  You can go here if you want to listen to it on Grooveshark. I will say that it's not perfect. 

It has both chill music and music I like to call "hype." 

I just wanted to give Bo a little present for his special day, hope you like it :) 

Here it is on iTunes. This version is more chill. 

Happy listening! 

P.S- this was my study break mom, I promise.

Tenuousness

Watch. This. Video. It's crazy awesome. 

I really wish I could whistle....

P.S.- Stay tuned this week for a playlist that's sure to enrich your summer sunshine happiness :)

Happy Birthday to you!!

Happy Birthday to YOU,

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday dear Laur Baur,

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

Today you are 21!

Wanna read 21 reasons why I love you? I know you do...

1. You are my best friend.
2. You are so loyal.
3. You are beautiful.
4. You are hilarious.
5. You love teen novels like me.
6. We named every Disney movie today with "animal companions."
7. You have beautiful brown eyes that do not look like poop even though you say that all the time.
8. You cry with me.
9. You are such a good listener.
10. We have known each other for so long. A decade to be precise. 
11. Everyone thought we wouldn't stay friends in college. How wrong were they?!
12. We have the same personality type. ESFJ's UNITE!!
13. We wear the same size clothes. Great for sharing. And being twins.
14. On the twins note, we like the same food. All food. 
15. We have the same love language :) Quality times are the best times.
16. You are so giving. 
17. You can sleep forever. Weird that I'm bringing this up? No. I love it.
18. You are so supportive.
19. You are so godly. I find myself naturally gravitating to your encouragement.
20. You have the same major as me!! We are the same person geez. {Insert high five/hug here}
21. The last and final thing: Heather described our friendship this morning as unconditional love. I don't know if I've ever seen it the way she was describing us. How we can fight and get annoyed and laugh and cry together but still love each other so deeply. Monday night is the best example, we can literally scream at each other with tears covering our cheeks and still end up embracing. It's funny how I picture our friendship in my head. I know we will always be friends. I know it. If you don't know why, see this post. 

Obviously 21 reasons I love you will never describe the friendship I have with you. You mean so much to me Lauren Marie Christensen. More than I could ever explain through email, texts, phone calls, notes, photobooth videos, wall posts or just words in general. My heart instantly feels fuller around you. 

I love you so much my dearest friend. This special day is YOURS. You rock.

Someday we'll have precious children like this. But for now, let's pretend these happy preshies are us, celebrating YOU :)

21. 21. 21. 21. 21. 21. 21.

I never knew...

Dear family, I never knew how strong you were until that was our only choice we had. 

Thanks for letting me be a part of all of your crazy lives. You are so loved. 

Kam

sista sista.

Dear Lauren,
I'm finally doing a post about you. I know that it has bothered you that I haven't haha. I just have so much, too much to say about you. I don't even know where to start! Here goes....

Laur, there are many things I love about you but the first that comes to my mind right now is the knowledge that you will always be there for me. What a comforting thought! When I visualize my life I see a few people standing next to me as the scenes change behind us. Jesus, my family, Apey, and you. I don't know if I've ever really developed that thought till now but I really do see that in my mind all the time! It's a combination of two things: 1. you are an amazing friend and 2. I never want to lose you. I will expand on point 1. You always listen to me, whether I'm sad or happy or mad or scared or worried or stressed. I find so much comfort when I think that I know I can always come to you and talk. And I do always come to you. I love that you are so wise. Whenever I talk to you about things, I know I'll get a good response. I love that sometimes those good responses aren't what I always wanna hear, and even though I may react badly to that, I love that you care enough to tell me I'm being ridiculous. I love that when I found out about my dad, you held me while I cried. I love that every time I am sad, I can be completely broken with you and not have to think about judgement. I really really love when I can be there for you when you are sad, I love it when you walk in my room after a hard day and crumple onto my bed and I scratch your back. I love how you love your family. I love how you genuinely care about everyone's life. I love how you ask a million questions to people when you first meet them! You make me laugh. I love to laugh with you. We both love the same things: coke, nail polish, reading (teen books), sci fi, mushy gushy movies, foooooooood, sunshine, etc etc etc. I love that you are so intentional. I love that you are bible study/discipleship chair, I'm so proud of you!! I'm so proud of who you are and how much you've grown since 6th grade. You are such an amazing woman. You are so loyal and caring. You are so selfless to help me with Tshirts every time. You are so understanding! I love that we are both non-confrontational but we can confront each other ;) I love that we can talk about what we struggle with and it's usually the same thing.

Your friendship means so much to me my precious sister. One of my favorite things is hearing songs or seeing movies or reading quotes that remind me of our friendship. The best thing about us is that we have been friends for a decade :) I cannot wait to graduate and teach together. I can't wait to have little play-dates with our kiddies! I am constantly reminded of the verse in Philippians 1:3 when Paul says, "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." That's how I feel about you Laur. I am so thankful for you. For who you are. For your selfless friendship. For your example.

I can't even imagine how much He loves you, so lavishly, wildly and immensely!

I love you more than I can explain, my best friend.

Mountainview Mustang.

Today was my last day as a Teaching Associate at Mountainview Elementary!!!!! Really bittersweet. I have been awaiting this day pretty much all year but now that it has arrived, I'm so sad!

Reasons I don't want to go:

1. I love the girls that I taught with. Our 3rd grade little team has been such a blessing to my year. Erin, Jessica and Kelsey have blessed me beyond what they could ever know. Seeing each of their face at 7:15 every morning, doing life together, sharing stories and laughs, and just being a team. I loved it. I am going to miss them so much next year as I'm interning at a different school.

I will share one story I love to tell: A month or so ago, I was having a really rough week. I felt like I was drowning, being forced down beneath the raging waters with the reality of situations and even lies that I was believing. I was feeling useless, not good enough, selfish, stupid, emotional and just downright depressed. I remember coming to the point in my prayers where I cried out saying, "Lord I just really need encouragement today. I need joy and happiness that comes from you. I need encouragement because I feel so utterly discouraged." So I go to school like every other day and had a mediocre lesson. My little team could tell I was upset and as I was leaving Mountainview to go back to Baylor, Erin handed me a card. When I got into my car, I read it and started bawling! Erin was so unbelievably encouraging and my heart felt so full!! It could not have come at a better time, thank you Jesus!!! Erin even said that she had the card for a while :) PTL that He has perfect timing. PTL that He blessed me so much with 3 amazing girls to work with and love!!!!!

2. I love my students. I loved seeing their sweet, shining and sometimes obnoxious little selves every morning! My favorite was Jami. Yes I know I shouldn't have favorites but I just can't help it. She was HYSTERICAL. She wore a parka when it was 80 degrees! AND she was such a Belieber. She wore a Justin Bieber shirt every day. Don't worry that they were "hand-crafted." She also looked like the little chunker from Up, except a girl hehe :)

this little gem is Jami. #1 fan!!

Another story: today one of my students said to me that she "had to tell me something right away."
Me-"Yes, Angelina?"
A- "I have to say that I've always thought of you as an older sister."
AW. I just about teared up, what a sweetheart. See, those moments are the moments in teaching that I live for. The moments I know I was called to do this. Because that's what teaching is all about for me, that's why I'm going to do this energy consuming, majorly underpaid job. I really believe that this is my calling. I can't wait to be the teacher that really affects her students. I can't wait for the parents of my students to think, "Hey there is something different about her. She has something I want." GOD!! JESUS!! THE HOLY SPIRIT!! Ah! I can't wait!!!! I just want to love my students. Bah I can't believe He loves me so much.


So basically to sum up this post, I just can't wait to teach my own students. I have said this before and I'm sayin it again! Not many people get to have true joy when doing their job, and I'm so thankful that I am called to something that compliments my gifts and my interests! I love kids and I cannot wait to teach 20 some odd little ones :)

Before our last day of class! We played Math Kickball :)

Hugs for me!

My favorite girlies!

P.S- I love being called Miss Caldwell.