September Summarization | '14

Hello, Lovelies

Since it's been almost a month without a post, I thought I would summarize my September for you.

|first last day of high school|senior|grandparents leave for vacation|Hannah Rose born|senior pictures|autumn is my favorite|long walks with my boyfriend|6.5 mile walk to great grandma's house|pretty leaves|getting up at 5:45 in the mornings|football games|colorguard|1st place|best guard|homecoming week|homecoming court|parades|competitions|cousin Andrew turns 4|IHOP|band practice|dancing|splits|poster making|boring classes|lunch table taken over by underclassmen football players and friends|pizza eating|stealing apples|doing lots and lots and lots of dishes|performing|improvisation|jazz band|cool weather|I love potato soup|kitkat eating|orchard day|bible study|book reading|birthday party|brother and dad's birthday on same day|penguin gloves/mittens|writing poetry|applying to Seattle Pacific University|sending transcripts to colleges|sweaters|skirts|getting yearbooks|having a cold|jumping in bounce house|cotton candy eating|cuddling cats|hot chocolate and popcorn|grandma's old sweaters|best chocolate chip cookies ever|fortune cookies|

That was my September in a snap. What was your September involve?

HW<3

Last Day Before the Last Year

Hello, Lovelies

Summer has come and gone, and blog posts have slowly ceased... Sorry. My bad, really. Blogging hasn't been the only things to dwindle down recently either. My 365 photography challenge was halted, my online class uncompleted, ideas have gone away, laziness set in.

On the other hand, my boyfriend and I have officially been dating for 2 months, 1 week, and 2 days. We spend so much time together; I don't know what I'm going to do when school starts tomorrow and after he gets a job. I'll go crazy.

Speaking of school, my senior year of high school starts tomorrow at 7:15. That, my friends, is the real reason for this 3am blog post after such a long break. I am nervous, excited, and not ready for change. I wish that I could just pause life for a quick second because it just keeps creeping up.

I'm a senior. This is my last year of high school. I'm going to be moving away for college. I won't be around my family. I'm going to have to take care of myself. I need to get a job. I need to get my license. I need to get a car. I'm growing up.

And I just don't know if I'm completely ready for it.

I don't know how to send my transcripts to colleges. I don't know how to pay taxes.

I am nervous and excited to be moving out, paying for my own things, getting a job, driving.

I keep praying for calm and strength through this crazy bit of life, cause Lord knows I need to trust and relax. Just to breath.

Okay. Topic change:

My grandparents are leaving for Virginia today. Actually, my dad and I are taking them to the airport in an hour for a 7am fight. Baby girl, my cousin, is supposed to be born on the 10th. My grandparents are going down for her birth and helping my aunt and uncle out with their two boys. The younger one is celebrating his 4th birthday while the old people are down there visiting, too.

Departure date and time: 700 hours, 1 September, 2014

Arrival date and time: ?, 25 September, 2014

Three and a half weeks.

In the mean time, I am in charge of the house and keeping things in order. I also have school, band, football games, and competitions. I am cooking dinner for Tristan's family one night. Who knows what else is in store for this girl, but just thinking about it is making me tired.

One more little tidbit: Tristan and I are running for Homecoming Court together. I am super excited! My dress is this bright navy blue (that's not a good description), and I bought him a matching bowtie. I even learned how to tie it just for the occasion. Super excited, people, super excited!

Okay, that's it.

I didn't realize how much I had to say. Or how much I missed typing this all out! I will try and post regularly now that I kind of have a schedule. We'll see, I guess.

HW<3

Day 153

Hello, Lovelies

Love the shadows in this photo!

While shopping with my brother and dad today, I found these shoes. 

I'm so excited to wear them on the first day of my senior year of high school. They are super comfortable, and they will go well with most of my outfits.  : )

HW<3

Family Time | 125

Hello, Lovelies

A few weeks ago, my family had a bonfire. It was fun family time, and I got a few great pictures, too. I hope to have another bonfire before summer is over. School is only three weeks away, People! It's crazy how fast time is going by, and before I know it, I will be finishing high school >.<

HW<3

It's been too long

Hello, Lovelies

*Dramatic sigh* It's been too long, Lovelies. Too long. Let's jump right in with the catch up.

1. Band camp: The hot, sweaty, dying week was this past week, the 4th-8th. It was also a bit fun with the seniors (SENIOR!) planning activities to get to know the freshmen better. Another plus, we got through the entire drill and started cleaning. A first. Senior also camped out on our band director's lawn. A kind of crazy tradition that started 12-ish years ago.

Our band director is probably going to retire after this year, and so us seniors got him a basket of all his favorite things and necessities. We also have a bunch of other presents planned throughout the year.

2. Color guard camp was a little bit ago and, during band camp the guard had the opportunity to work with Phil, an amazing instructor. He had never worked with guard before, but he was so great. We got so much done and cleaned the work and had so much fun. If you follow me on twitter, you might have seen some tweets with #colorguard. Those were all quotes from Phil throughout the week of band camp.

We also have this little tiger mascot which was named #ROAR. Goes perfect with our theme of #FIERCE.

3. After being completely exhausted from 8 and 1/2 hour days of band camp all week, I would hang out with my boyfriend and sleep. A lot. In fact, I'm still exhausted two days later as I'm typing this. Sad. I know. And the fact that we have band practice tomorrow night makes me tired even thinking about it. But, I love band, so I'm also excited.

4. Today, Tristan and I went to get frozen coffee from Starbucks and walked around downtown Rockford for a bit. There is a dam and paths, and I took my camera with me so we could take some photos. He took a bunch of photos of me; I have five favorites. Here's the one I'm showing:

I'm including this as one of my senior photos. Which, by the way, I'm having friends and family take throughout the year. I love the idea of having people who care about me and who I care about take my photos rather than a stranger; it just means more to me this way. Plus, I have more control over which photos I like and want to be taken, so there's a plus.

5. Speaking of photos, I have missed most of the last week and a half for Project 365 photographs, but I will be trying my best to not miss any more. Also, I will be posting the ones I have taken that haven't been put up yet in the next couple of weeks. Expect a few post devoted to 365 photos only! There are so, so many photos.

6. I just really want to talk about my current favorite song real quick. It's titled Bones and is sung by Ginny Blackmore who has such a lovely voice. If you give this song a listen, I'm sure you'll love it!

Okay, Lovelies. I'm post again tomorrow because I am seriously behind. Until then,

HW<3

Meet Autumn | 126

Hello, Lovelies

Autumn is a cute, excitable, sassy five year old. Her laugh is infectious, and she is super sensitive. She is so funny; she acts upset but hides her face so you don't see her smile. Autumn gets unhappy and can be a force to reckon with, but she is also a joy to be around. It's impossible not to smile when you see her.

I had the opportunity to babysit her this past Saturday for seven hours. The photo above with her playing in the sprinkler is the second of two photographs I had the chance to take. She would grab the sprinkler and point it at me despite my telling her not to because of my camera. I quickly took the pic, then I snuck off for two seconds to put my camera away. Autumn really wanted me to play in the water with her, but at the same time, wanted me to take her picture. She just wouldn't make up her mind!

She was a delight to watch, and I may a hand full of times more before summer is up. Of course, I'm not excited nearly as much as she is.

HW<3

Delicacy.

Hello, Lovelies

People are like flowers. More specifically, roses.

Roses are pretty to look at, nice to smell, and very delicate. Without the proper care and conditions, roses won't grow. They will wither and die. Even without water for just an hour or two, they will droop. Thorns are roses number one defense mechanism.

People are delicate, too. Because we are so delicate, we tend to put up our defenses just to keep on keeping on. It's a struggle life. People guard themselves from getting hurt, much like a rose has thorns to keep bugs and animals away. Just another way to survive.

People are delicate, but they don't like to think that they are. Our society tells people that they have to be tough, manly, strong. Really, it's okay not to be those things. It's okay to hurt. It's okay to feel. It's even okay to cry.

No dramatic, complicated, over-the-top reason is needed.

It just is.

Because we are delicate.

HW<3

Zach's Sophomore Photos

Hello, Lovelies

The other day, well, really it was the other night, I took some photos of my brother, Zachary. My family had a bonfire, and the lighting was pretty near perfect. I think they turned out great. My brother may not like getting his photo taken (working on getting him to let me take his senior pictures in a couple years *crosses fingers*), but if I beg, he will stay long enough for me to get a few good ones. Take a look.

My brother's eyes are so pretty! (So are my boyfriend's!)

I don't think my brother realizes his potential. I see it. Although he may not believe me, I know that he can accomplish anything as long as he desires to. I can't wait to see the man he grows into; he's well on his way. He still has some growing up to do, but at the same time, who really wants to grow up?

Tanys, his girlfriend, is a lucky girl in my opinion.

I love my entire family, brother included. 

No. Matter. What.

HW<3

This House | 124

Hello, Lovelies

This is my home. It wasn't always, but really it was. I grew up in this house. This house holds many memories for me, and, through time, was made my home. Between every other weeks and Tuesday nights, this house was made for more than just sleeping.

This house was made for cooking and cleaning. This house was made for many Christmases and birthdays, many parties and dinners. This house was made for baking cookies and cuddling kittens. This house was made for marking the growth of all who have, do, and will live in it. This house is for memories.

When my parents divorced, my dad moved back in with his parents. Slowly, each of his three kids moved in also. Slowly, each of his three kids will move out. I don't know what the Lord holds for this house, but I hope it's something good.

HW<3

Mo's Pics From Hanging With Holly.

Hello, Lovelies

I hung out with Morgan (a while ago).

I had my camera with me. Naturally.

We took loads of pictures.

Here are some of the photos Mo took.

HW<3

Holly's Pics While Hanging With Mo.

Hello, Lovelies

I hung out with Morgan this past week.

It was, like, three weeks ago now.

Of course, I had to take my camera with me.

We took a bunch of photos.

Here are some of the ones I took.

My Project 365 Photo of the Day | 103

A post to come with the photos Mo took.

HW<3