The Last Days of Summer

What a whirlwind the past few days have been. This past Wednesday I flew out on yet another adventure, this time to Oklahoma! I know, probably not the destination you might be thinking, but my dear friend Leah asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding and this was the big weekend! I met my boyfriend for a few days prior to the event, to spend some much needed time together before the chaos began, and spent the past two days going from one wedding event to the next! What a blessing though. I knew no one other than Leah's family, and had met one of the other bridesmaids about four years ago, but I have to say, after spending so much time together, I have gained numerous new friends and had the time of my life! (Although I am now quite exhausted!) As I left last night, I took a moment to look back and remember how Leah and I met - she was my roommate my first year in Moscow, and how amazing it is to see her so happy, to be with someone who loves her dearly, and to know that I meant enough to her that she wanted me to play this role on her special day. I am so happy for Leah and Tyler, so I have to say, congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Anderson! In addition to spending time with Leah, I had the pleasure of seeing Angela, another Moscow friend! I had written a previous post with her exciting engagement news, and finally had the opportunity to meet her man, the other Naumann in her life! God has truly blessed me beyond belief with the friendships of these girls, and I am so thankful I was able to take part in such a wonderful celebration.

I got home about an hour ago, and I only have a few hours left of summer. Although my summer has been incredible, I am ready to begin this next school year, and to actually get in a routine for a change. It's been an exhausting past few days, and I know it won't get any easier with the school days starting! This is why we get paid the big bucks though, right?!

With that said though, I must get back to laundry and cleaning, but once again, I thought I would share this next post with you - something my friend Lizabeth posted last August, and something that I read to remind myself on those days where I feel like my life is in a rut, that I do have amazing friends - I am truly blessed.

Have a wonderful Sunday evening!

Happy Birthday(???)

Adalyne,
I love you because...
-You're our glue. You're the one that has kept us all together since college. I know that it's annoying sometimes, but it's comforting to know that someone is keeping tabs. You have a gift for it.
-You're your family's glue. Don't think that no one notices the effort you've put into your family in the last 10 years. It shows maturity beyond your years.
-You like to sing in the morning. Hard to believe, but there was a time that I didn't appreciate this. (That time mainly occurred when you would sing on our way to class at 8 o'clock in the morning when we had been stupid enough to stay up until 3 o'clock doing nothing. Good times.) Now, though, I realize that we needed someone to remind us that we should be grateful for each new day.
-You're brave. You've gone with the flow since college. You've lived in foreign countries and lived back in your hometown. You've walked through the doors that were opened to you and didn't fret when you weren't exactly sure what was on the other side.
-You're a world traveler. You've lived in Russia and Italy. You've studied in Spain and Greece. You've climbed Mt. Sinai, for goodness' sake. I want to have your passport when I grow up.
-You made me a world traveler. You were the first person to convince me to go overseas. You were the first person to have to endure me on an overseas flight. You were my roommate when our shower curtain mysteriously disappeared on our second day in Athens, and it never came back. (While that may not seem like a big moment, it was the first of many mysterious experiences in foreign countries, so I'll always treasure our water-covered bathroom in the Divani Palace Hotel). I caught the travel bug on that trip. Thank you!!!
-You're the reason that we'll remember these last 10 years of our lives. You take pictures of everything. You save every invitation, candy wrapper, receipt, postcard... I could go on. You know that it's important to treasure the large and small moments in life, and I am constantly running across pictures that you took on a day when I need it, and they make me smile.
-You love kids. You knew you were supposed to be a teacher long before I did. I love to hear you talk about your kids and see the way that you love and appreciate them. It is definitely your calling.
-You're a great hostess. The first big memory I have of our freshman year in college is our "Titanic and S'mores" Party in your and Erin's room. That was just the first of many parties, beach trips, and road trips that you have hosted. You haven't just captured the memories, you've made the memories.
-You're just a good friend. You love us. You take care of us. You reprimand us (when we desperately need it). You continue to call us even when we don't ever pick up the phone.
For all of these reasons and many more, I love you, Addie!!! Happy Birthday!!!