It's official!

My First semester of college has come to an end!!!  And it's with mixed feelings. 

The first thing I did was cleaned my bookbag, emptied my folders and got rid of my papers! Halleighluia!!!  (Well actually I asked mom how to recyle my papers b/c I didn't just wanna pitch them because I had sooo many of them, so she told me dad could use them to start our wood stove. So for the rest of the winter, my college papers will be put to good use, and boy oh boy will I have fun BURNIN' 'em!!!)

So it's with excitment that I don't have the stress of studying looming over my head well... at least for the next 3 weeks... but I'm not going to think about how quickly that can fly by... I'm just going to enjoy each day as best I can! 

Tomorrow I get to help shoot my friends wedding picts so that should be exciting.  Maybe if I get ambitous I'll post some of the pictures I take so I can get feedback on how to improve. Lol!  (Only after the bride gets to see them though.)

I went Christmas caroling tonight in Piper City.  There was the cute old man at the retired home who insisted on giving us all chocolates.  At first he was very concerned if he had enough chocolate for all of us.  He'd count his chocolates and then count us, and then ask the lady next to him if she thought there was enough!  He was a sweety.  Then we went to the nursing home and after we finished each song a little old woman would clap her hands and say "Sing more, sing more!"  It made me smile!
It was a blessing to be able to put a smile on each one of their faces.  You could clearly tell they thoroughly enjoyed it!

Breathe

Whew... half way through my finals.  Offically got 2 down and 2 to go. I think I can finally fill my lungs with a full, deep breath.  Well, actually by tomorrow hopefully.  Right now, I should be studying for my next final.  Have I cracked the book yet?! You know me too well....Nada!  Am I worried about this final? Compared to the other 3--YES! Eeeek! Maybe I should stop my all-to-well-performed act called "Procrastinator" and put on my studying cap for the next half a day.  But why can I not make myself do it? Right now a nap sounds so much better, along with some hot cocoa and a good book in front of the cozy fire.  Grrr. Stop dreaming.  I can plan that for next week.

Anyone got a cure for sick-of-studying-blues? If so, I'd be willing to pay big bucks for it.....

Sentimental

I never knew I would feel this way.
Especially about college. 
But I kinda do. 
I'm sad to see this semester come to an end. 
Really. 
I won't miss the classes necessarily. (I don't enjoy it that much!)
I won't miss the craziness of tests every other day.
Or the all of the "1st times" I had this semester.
But I will still miss it.
I will miss the the great schedule.
I will miss my 1 hour lunch break.
And most of all, I will miss the few wonderful people that I get to spend it with.
Cortney. Lauren. Kristen. Kimber. Courtney.
It's been great.
No.
AWESOME!
I'm going to miss our weird convos,
our crazy ideas,
the odd looks people give us,
and just seeing you all every other day.
I'm sad.
I don't like to know that the end of this time is nearing.
Quickly. Like as in tomorrow.
Thanks for the memories girls. 
I love you all.

Here's just a few pictures to capture the memories to hold for ever.  I'll get some more of the others tomorrow.


Ahh. Cort. I don't know what to say!
But we ARE going to find time to see eachother next semester.
What ever it takes. Love you girl!



All I can say is... Thanks goodness Philosophy is about done!
(Although I will miss the odd teacher and many laughs.)

Courtney and Kimber- looking forward to many more memories!

Thanks Karla for spending the day with us, Monday.
 I know you really want to come now... ;)

Weekend Recap

Plus Thrusday.

Thursday, I had the privilage to serve a supper with 2 other wonderful ladies (Karla & Lori), for 3 couples from church.  We had a very blessed evening and everything went great! (And all of my food actually turned out!) There were only a couple mishaps that make for great memories! ;) Check out Lori's blog here for a picture.

Friday I had school.  Yum. :S And then we had a Christmas singing at Church.  I was very excited to sing Christmas carols finally! (And for the yummy snack afterwards....)

Saturday, I went to a gingerbread house making day that some forrest sisters planned.  We were each supposed to invite a sunday school aged girl to bring along.  I co-hosted Lily and Grace with Jenna. After some trial-and-error with the frosting, we got the houses to stand and they all turned out soo cute! We had a blast (and I think the girls did too)!  Enjoy the pictures...

Saturday night I got some River time in...He's a lil brat! I was innocently sitting on the couch doing my homework, when all of a sudden I was attacked by this lil guy swinging a sword!  He finds it halarious to wap people and make them scream/jump/or just plain react in some way, shape, or form!  He giggles and then runs away.  SO cute! I wuv him! Brent & Darla came over for supper and then I went to Josh & Ambers singing shower, and on to my aunt n uncles in eureka for the night.  Sunday I went to Washington in the morning and then Morton for a friends wedding (Heather Funk's - I went to Haiti w/ her...) It was a beautiful wedding and blessed day!

Now on to face another week full of studies and school work. (Praise the Lord I only have 2 more weeks!) (plus 5 more semesters... but I'm not going there!)

The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee

A dear friend emailed me this article and I'd like to share it with ya'll.  It's a great reminder about how we should spend our time!

The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee
When things in your life are almost too much to handle, when 24 hours is just not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar, and the coffee...

     A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.  When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
     He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.
     So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.  He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golfballs.  He than asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.
     The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked the students once more it the jar was full.  They responded with a unanimous "YES".
     The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.  The students laughted.
     "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.  The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends, your faith, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
     The pebbles are the other things that matter like you job, your house, and your car.
     The sand is everything else - the small stuff.  "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
     The same goes for life.  If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important.
     Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.  Play with your children! Take time to get medical checkups.  Take your wife/husband/lover/friend out to dinner.  Maybe even play another 18.  There is always time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
     Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.  The rest is just sand!"
     On of the students raised her hand and enquired what the coffee represented.  The professor smiled.  "I'm glad you asked.  It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend!"

~David Jones - Dispatcher

It's so good...

to be able to relax and have family time.

Wednesday night, the Leman family got together for thanksgiving.  Lots of people in a small house--little bit crazy!  Had a yummy supper of Dave's Chicken (actually I'm not a huge fan) with a bunch of side choices.  After supper, I found myself in a toy throwing war with Caleb and Shannon.  (Pretty sure I about gave Shannon a goose egg on her forhead... :S Sorry Shan!) ;)  It was good to spend time with the family.

Thanksgiving morning, Dad got ambitous and decided to make us pancakes for breakfast.  Just as a side note... I cannot remember the last time we have ever had normal, pancake mix pancakes for breakfast as a family. Litterally, it's been forever! Oh, and it wasn't just pancakes, we had cloth napkins too.  For BREAKFAST! AND there were cute turkey holders around then.  We ate in class for sure. Yea... and this was breakfast. ;) I will spare you the horendous picture of us... we look like zoombies who just finished fighting a war... it was a tad bit early for me! But you must see the adroable turkey's...

and those are the pancakes in the background...

After church we had the Eisenmann thanksgiving and let me tell ya... I cannot remember the last time I've ate such delicious food, and soo much at once!  I. Was. Stuffed.  Actually, more than stuffed. Ballooned.  We had turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed taters n gravy, sweet potatoes, cheesy carrots, lettuce, fresh fruit, fruit jello salad, dinner rolls, and 6 different kind of pie(I only tried 4!).  And then I had to leave and go to work.  Depressing.  But it was a good night.  Everyone was in the holiday happy mood and so was I, so it was great!  (However I don't recommended trying to work too hard after eating soo much... it's quite challenging!)

 Just getting ready to head to Latty, OH for a friends wedding.  Have a blessed weekend!



So Thankful

For my wonderful, loving family.
For a day of blessings.
For a warm roof over my head.
For the deliciously tasting food I take for granted everyday. (Even when it's not deliciously tasting.)
For a brother who willingly gives backrubs (but for one in return, of course!)
For time to spend with those I love.
For kids who make me smile.
For the best mother and father anyone could wish for.
For friendships that last a lifetime.
For green grass, blue skies, and sunlight.
For clouds, rain, and storms.
For answered prayers and unanswered prayers.
For God's undying love.
For life, in times of joy and in times of trial.
For smiles, and laughter, and hugs.
For stubborn residents at work.
For stressful days.
For life, and breath, and peace.
For a God who is All-powerful, Omnipotent, All mighty.
For the Hope I have in my heart.
For Christ, who willingly died, for me and for YOU, that we can be free, and sinless, and joyful.

 For ALL that I have been blessed with.

Hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Much love.