Mother's Day

My poor mom doesn't get much credit or recognition around our house. My brother was born on her birthday, so she has to share a birthday, and Mother's Day has fallen on my birthday numerous times, and if it is not on my actual birthday, then it falls right around then and the family is focused on me. Oops. So this post is to give Mom a little recognition. 

I am very fortunate in the fact that I have grown up with my mom around all the time. When I was born she started working part-time and when I was still little she started working from home. My mom homeschooled me from the time I was in kindergarten until I started high school. That is a feat in and of itself, because I wouldn't have wanted to deal with the boys and I for 24/7. But she did that for us, to ensure that we were safe and loved and received a good education. My mom works three jobs and is so daggum tired that she goes to bed at 8:30 every night. Neither of my brothers drive, so she drives them around to all of their activities and school, and she did the same for me before I got my license. 

Mom is one of the most selfless people I know :: She loves her some coca-cola and some Big Bang Theory :: Mom loves to watch and talk about soccer, and the Braves are her favorite :: She loves her family, her jobs, and Jesus :: She diagrams sentences in her head when she reads :: She loves the mountains and hates missing our activities :: She loves Candy Crush and Frozen Free Fall :: She has a Book of Life where she writes grocery lists and plans and everything else down :: She is one of the strongest people I know :: 

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day. 

Always,

Caroline 

20 Blessings & Counting

20 years old sounds so much older than 19. In reality, I don't feel any different, and 20 isn't a huge milestone year, but nonetheless, I am old. I might look 12, but look out world, this girl is 20. I know you're all excited for another one of my lists. Here are 20 blessings and so much more on this birthday! 

I am blessed beyond measure by all of the following (but in no particular order):

1. Parents who love me and support me
2. Parents who have brought me up in the Word and taught me to live my life for Christ
3. My goofy brothers
4. A great church that employs me and both my parents-- and with this a pastor that continues to preach the Gospel! 
5. A Nana. Because everyone needs a Nana, and mine is the best! 
6. A roof over my head
7. Teachers who inspired my love of learning and who cared about me during those dreaded high school years
8. Professors who have pushed me and challenged me and made me better for it
9. A college and a town that I hold so close to my heart
10. My amazing friends who I would not be here without
11. Friendships that have lasted for 16 years and are still going strong
12. RAs and older friends in college that have loved me so! 
13. The opportunity that I've had to watch so many different little bitties in my life. I love me some babies! 
14. Potato salad and queso. I mean come on, let's be honest. Two of the biggest blessings we've all had the pleasure of experiencing 
15. Family on both sides that love me and cheer me on
16. A passion for soccer that took up a good part of my life. So many memories made
17. The opportunity to see some of the world (HELLO, PARIS) 
18. An amazing group of men and women (past and present) at church who have poured into me and loved me when I really needed it
19. Modern technology, so I can keep up with people I don't see all the time. Also for keeping me safe. I think we forget that this is a blessing in our lives that many people do not have access to
20. A Lord and Savior who is sovereign 

This weekend is obviously not all about me. It's also mother's day! I hope everyone has a blessed mother's day weekend. Hug your mamas, and hug those who have lost their mamas. 

Always,

Caroline 

Am I really a Junior?

As I sit here in my room back in the 'ville, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about my sophomore year of college. It ended very abruptly and I did not think much about leaving, and I got the heck out of D-Town yesterday without looking back, but now I'm feeling a tad upset. Even though I can move into my apartment in a little over a month, and I'm even going back up for a doctor's appointment next week, it will never be my sophomore year ever again. So, here are my humble reflections and thoughts about my sophomore year, and even some advice for people going into their sophomore year: 

Reflections:

Sophomore year was by far one of the strangest, hardest, and most rewarding years of my life. God blessed me infinitely, and I wouldn't have changed anything about this past year. Well, maybe I would have changed the building I lived in, but that's pretty much it; Lewis was scary, but it's fine. My classes were definitely more difficult in the spring, but they taught me more than I think I will ever realize. I was stressed out because of housing and getting into the Education Program, but both worked out, and I cannot wait to start my placement in the fall in Forsyth County. I strengthened existing friendships, and made more friendships that will last a lifetime. All the friends. I gained some great experience by going through several interviews, I got new leadership positions in two things I'm involved in. Last but not least, my relationship with God was strengthened and I pray that it continues to grow every day. 

Advice:

• Traditional dorms (especially ones that are almost 80 years old) are scary. Mold, mice, broken kitchen equipment from the RA desk, birds flying in from who-knows-where, dis-functional water pressure, clogged sinks, a laundry room with dryers that don't actually dry anything, loud neighbors with thin walls. It's a great time.
• No matter how hard you think freshman year is, it's got nothing on sophomore year. So be prepared.
• Be prepared to be thrown to the wolves when it comes to housing. Better to call 20 properties and ask a lot of questions and deal with scary realtors than to be homeless. 
• Join organizations. If you never joined anything your freshman year, join something. 
• On the other hand, do not join a million things if you don't have time. Know what you're capable of, and only do what you know you can do with the amount of time you have. You're all adults. Figure it out.
• Make connections: get to know your professors, your RA, your hallmates. The more people you know the better time you'll have. 
• Don't wait until the last minute to do assignments. Because that's just miserable.
• Realize that people are going to be dumb, people are going to be rude, and people are going to make mistakes. But still have faith in people. 
• Join a small group or get connected with an on-campus ministry if that's your thing. The more people you have surrounding you encouraging you in your faith, the better. 
• Find something to interview for. Going through an interview process is super scary but it's great experience for the future. 
• Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Whether it's making an A, getting a job, joining something, or doing anything. You can do it. 

I pray that for every upcoming sophomore, and every college student in general, that the Lord will bless your time in college. It is the best time of your life, so live it and live it well. 

Always,

Caroline 

"May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." -Psalm 20:4