bye bye seventeen...

Well guys... it is currently 8:52 pm on a Monday night and I am laying in bed on the family laptop thinking about the past 17 years + 364 days + 21 hours + 8 minutes. The date is August 24, 2015, and it is officially my last day as a "child". I am not quite sure I can collect all of the thoughts in my head and write them down all within the next three hours, but I have one outlying thought I would like to share.

These past seventeen years have been so good to me, no doubt. I was talking with a friend today about how silly troubles of the past seem now, but that back then it seemed like the world was going to cave in. It is so ironic how the troubles of my toddler years were not having the community coloring book to myself, or leaving the house without my teddy bear. Yes, those were the moments where I literally thought the world itself was ending. In my teen years, my troubles progressed to curfew times, boys my parents did not approve of, and clothes that magically disappeared from my closet *cough-ALYSSA-cough*. Again- the end of the world. Period. Now, I find myself surrounded by an older generation much more often, and their struggles seem to be so much more "real" than mine used to be. Financial problems, infertility, and drug/substance abuse are just among the list of the stories I hear on a day-to-day basis. 

With all that being said, you would think that I am terrified of this idea that tomorrow I am a "grown-up". I was reading a book earlier called Anything, by Jennie Allen, and I came across a beautiful statement. "You have to thank God for the seemingly good and the seemingly bad because really, you don't know the difference." I have been completely blessed with a healthy and plentiful eighteen years of life, and most of the time I completely take this for granted. For the years to come, I wish I could say I am ready, but all I can say right now is I am preparing. I am preparing for a restless life, and a life that will be rich in love, friendship, family, and faith. I am also preparing for a life filled with struggle, disappointment, failure, and inconsistency...because let's face it, it happens to all of us. I am a strong believer in the fact that God will give and take away what He feels is best for His people, or what will draw His people nearer to Him. Even when life gets ugly and messy and nasty, it is still a part of the beautiful painting God has created on one of His canvases.

My hope and prayer for my future years to come is that I am willing to give up everything to do anything for the glory of God. I will move or stay; pursue or leave; speak or rest. Easier said than done, obviously...but I will take these things day by day, and I have no doubt I will be in a place where I belong. I am excited for these days to come. I can only hope that my canvas will be colorful.

Bring it on, eighteen.

Sincerely,

Girl Up Past School-Night Hours.

xx

Washington, Summer 2015 (pt. 4)

Our fifth and final day in Washington was amazing, and that day is the reason I miss it so much. Ever had one of those days where nothing in the day goes according to your plan? This was one of those days. Oddly enough, those days are my favorite days. (My Aunt, Dree and I actually discussed this topic in the car.) I am not a fan of surprises, and I am usually one who goes along with my day according to my schedule. Every destination that we planned to go to didn't work out. We tried four or five different places for dinner, but they were all way too packed. It was a Saturday night, and the streets were filled with the smell of smoke and authentic pizza. The sound of horns echoed between the tall city buildings and the once-in-a-while screech of tires would startle the elderly couples and kids holding their mom's hands. We found a hole-in-the-wall pizza joint and settled for a thin crust pepperoni pizza. Due to our inability to manage time wisely, we had to eat in ten minutes in order to catch the ferry at 8:10, so we stuffed our faces and ran a half mile down Pike Avenue to barely make it onto the boat. We managed to have boat security called on us, (long story), and caught a ferry that was running over an hour late back to Seattle. Roaming the streets searching for any coffee or ice cream shop was exhausting at 10:05 (they all happened to close at 10:00 btw). Admitting defeat, we wrapped up our adventure and headed home for the night. We jammed to our "song of the trip", Love Me Like You Mean It by Kelsea Ballerini, the whole ride home. We chatted about our days and adventures, and brainstormed about the future possibilities, This day felt so normal, so typical. I remember thinking to myself, this could be me everyday in a few years. I loved this day.

I miss you so dearly, WA. Please don't forget me.

Sincerely,

Girl Getting Back To Reality.
xx

Washington, Summer 2015 (pt. 3)

On our fourth day in Washington, I so very fortunately got to visit my other auntie, Shannon. We spent the day at the lake house with her and her family (minus Brandon), and had a blast paddle boarding, jet skiing, and barbecuing. :)

I love the lake. I love the water. I love boating. I think I have come to the conclusion that I would prefer the lake over the beach. 1 - The ocean scares me. 2 - I HATE sand. With a passion. 3 - The lake is so calm and relaxing. Loved this day with these people.

Sincerely,

Lake Lover.

xx

Washington, Summer 2015 (pt. 2)

Day three: Downtown Seattle. My Aunt took a day off of work so that she could hang out with us girls for the day. We were total tourists and visited just about every tourist destination that we possibly could.

First stop: The Troll.

Next: Thrift shopping while Auntie grocery shops.

Next Stop: Space Needle.

For Lunch: Starbucks Reserve & Roastery.

Next Stop: Pioneer Square.

Next Stop: Mark's Apartment.

Next Stop: Pike Place Market.

Next Stop: Original Starbucks.

Next Stop: Gum Wall. (Ew or Ahhh?)

Next Stop: Around downtown for dinner...

...and of course, dessert.

The city holds so much, and I loved getting to explore its nooks and crannies. I mean, I found a shirt that says "Without Ice Cream There Would Be Darkness And Chaos"... what more could I have asked for?

I sure do love this city.

Sincerely,

New-found City-girl.

xx