{A Little Saturday Inspiration.}

This particular verse has been my guiding light since I first discovered it back in high school. Growing up in a Lutheran household, I did the whole Sunday School and Confirmation thing. But in what sense have I truly "studied" the Bible? Yes, I have read passages. Yes, I have answered questions on a specific verse. But, only through church events have I been able to actually "study" the Bible. And James 1:12 was discovered during one of those afternoons.

For nine weeks, I busted my butt, struggling to find myself in a sea of 200 children and 30 adults. Yesterday was my last day at summer camp. And boy did I finish with a bitter taste in my mouth. I was constantly being shifted from group to group, acting as a sub, and never really able to establish summer long connections like the other counselors.

Well, today as I was running errands before I move back to Harrisonburg, I heard a little voice yell, "Ms. Kassie!!!" I quickly turned around to see a little girl standing there with her mom. So parents aren't alarmed their child is talking to a "stranger," I quickly responded with the automatic, "Hi, I was one of her camp counselors this summer." And to my surprise her mother replied, "Oh, I know! She talks about you all the time." Really?!?! I might not have been with her every week this summer, but who cares.

Relating this to James 1:12, the last nine weeks were certainly times of trials and tribulations, but I didn't give up. I knew this camp was a group effort and I would be letting the team down by abandoning them to struggle through with one less counselor. I might not have been a crucial asset every single day of camp, but towards the end when several counselors started leaving for school, I was most certainly needed. Not just for licensing reasons, but apparently for the kids too. I truly feel blessed knowing I made an impact on that little girl. I also feel blessed given the opportunity to realize just what age group I am meant to teach. Since I subbed for all seven groups, ages 3 to 12, I have realized my heart is with the first graders. And of course, that little girl was among all of my first graders this summer.

{A True Throwback Thursday.}

This evening I attended my little brother's high school freshmen orientation! (Insert pathetic whine about how they grow up too fast.) Anyways, I decided to tag along because I wanted to see just who his teachers were, which also gave me the opportunity for my knowledgable two-sense.

Then & Now.

Opening the assembly were this year's cheerleaders with "Ready, get ready to cheer. The Dragon team is here..." Sadly, I still remembered almost all of the words and motions. I suppose once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader. Afterwards we swooped in to pick up his schedule, then it was visiting teachers. It was great to see who recognized me (for better or for worse). This year my little brother has five of my former teachers! Only two truly remembered me and were glad to hear about my successes at JMU.

I also ran into my high school best friend, Cassie! Yes, we share the same name, but different spelling. Whenever we run into each other, we can always catch up and share a hug. Even if it's in the middle of Black Friday shopping or our little brothers' freshmen orientation!

What a lovely evening "stepping" back into high school. Old classmates. Old teachers. Old coaches.

What was your most recent Throwback Thursday? 

{Your Life Is Your Own.}

I found this past year has been a huge step into adulthood. I was starting to pay bills, be responsible for my own meals, and learning to balance work with school. However, the "best day of my life" hasn't happened yet. Honestly, it probably won't come until I am done with college and my parents officially cut me off from their expenses. By no means does that mean I am trying to expedite this impending step. I am extremely grateful for all they have done. Because of them I will be leaving college debt free with a decent cushion to start my independence. But I am certainly looking forward to that day.

Have you reached "the best day of your life" yet? 

{With Love}

Today marked a very special anniversary, four years with my darling and dashing man.

We have certainly grown as individuals and as a couple.

{Ready! Set! Create! Shelving Edition.}

Growing up I moved around A LOT. That isn't even an exaggeration. My life as an army brat involved at least seven road trips, seven moving trucks, and seven homes. But after serving for twenty-two years, my dad finally retired from the military. The idea of a permanent home became real and I moved into my last childhood bedroom. Considering I was twelve years old and given full reign on design, that meant everything was pink. Hot pink. (Luckily that only stuck around for a year.) I eventually grew out of it and the color scheme became blue and brown.

Then life got busy. Extracurriculars became necessary, school work got harder, and preparing for college was daunting. Several years later and my bedroom still reflects that teenage effort of decoration. I didn't mind it during summer breaks, but it did become embarrassing when college friends came to visit.

As my room was taken apart to replace the windows, we had to take down the shelves too. Since everything had found a temporary location, I thought this was a perfect time to repaint them.

Color of choice // "Pale Daffodil" 

Sanding, priming, painting. 

P.S. I totally recommend putting your hair up in a bun with such endeavors. While priming I accidentally dipped my tips into it. Oops.

After two layers of primer and two layers of paint, I let them dry overnight. They definitely proved to be too yellow to remain solid so during this weekend's shopping trip, I picked up a few snazzy flowers of various shades of blue. Glue gun in hand, I quickly got them down so this little do-it-yourself project could be declared complete.

Paint // $1

Flowers // $3

What's your most recent craft?

{Part Deux.}

This weekend was definitely the most celebrating I've ever done for a single birthday. In my book, a summer birthday was always the worst. It usually meant celebrating was a minimum since friends and even family were too wrapped up in vacations and other adventures. But I'm glad I was able to enjoy the big twenty-first birthday with everyone important to me!

FRIDAY.
It all started with a two hour Bonefish dinner. Kathryn and I caught up on our summer fun and ranted about the shenanigans known as work. Even though we see each other during the week, it doesn't give us much time for quality conversations. The food was extremely delicious and my Cosmo was a great choice!

Drinks // Cosmo & Pomegranate Martini

Dinner // Bang Bang Shrimp

Dessert // Brownie & Ice Cream

SATURDAY.
A waffle brunch and two old friends. I traveled on down to UVa's campus, weaving between the jay walkers and confusing streets. My sense of direction is usually decent but I definitely got lost TWICE! Considering I was sans GPS and smartphone, I don't think that's half bad. I met up with the girls at Becca's "Wash House" and we walked to Fry's Spring Station. The food was quickly devoured but we continued to loiter for another two hours. We caught up with each other's lives and discussed future plans. Even a decade later, we're still able to put aside our busy lives in separate parts of Virginia to get together.

Leanne, myself, and Becca at Fry's Spring Station.

Then I was Harrisonburg bound. Boyfriend and I cooked a very yummy Mexican-themed dinner. Turkey tacos, quesadillas, Mexican rice, and Inca cola. The tacos were definitely the best, but I could have passed on the rice and cola. Michael and I decided that the Inca cola tasted exactly like the butterscotch Dum Dums we all used to eat when we were younger. No thank you. And the rice wasn't awful, but it was nothing like the rice you get at actual Mexican restaurants. Oh well. Lesson learned to skip that next time. 

SUNDAY.
"Oh, Romeo. Oh, Romeo. Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" My parents, boyfriend, and I traveled to Staunton to enjoy American Shakespeare Center's matinee show of Romeo & Juliet. Before seating was opened we wandered their downtown. Michael and I took our sweet time, peeking through the shop windows and even stumbled upon a "Before I die, I want to..." display. Of course, I wanted to jot my own down. "Before I die, I want to travel the world."

With a ring of a bell, the doors opened. We took our "Lord's Chairs" and relished the pre-show performance. All of the actors sung modern and older songs while audience members visited the snack and drink bar. I chose to sip on a cabernet throughout the first act. Overall the modern, yet classic tale was very entertaining. Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk made an appearance. Let your imagination run, will you?

We closed out our Staunton adventure with an early dinner at Mill Street Grill. Turkey burger and margarita, perf!

Dress & Earrings // Kohls

Satchel // American Eagle

Watch // Timex

How did you spend your twenty-first birthday? Was it classy or full of shambles? 

{Growing Up.}

For most of the week, my house has been under construction. Well, before you start imagining holes in the roof and cranes parked in our front yard, we are actually in the midst of replacing all six front windows. Severe water damage and poor original framework has caused this project to take precedence. My room and my parents' have been in complete disarray. You can just imagine how distressed I've been.

Well, as I hit the week long reset button, I came across quite a lot of memories. Letters from middle school. Photobooth pictures with friends. Packets from church events. High school graduation cap and gown. Hand decorated shirts. Old toys. I decided to condense these memories into one box. Everything had to fit in that one box, and boy is it full.

As we enter the lives of twenty-somethings, we hit a strange moment of nostalgia. Our childhood was just long enough ago to subtly forget those late night conversations and inside jokes, but with one simple reminder we are able to recognize again the emotion behind every word and every smile. Here are just a few of my other findings.

SASSAFRAS BOX.
One summer I received a box that portrayed a solid representation of my friendship with Victoria. "It was always a dream of mine to meet Ron. I just wasn't expecting him to stalk me." I'm not too sure what was physically inside the box, but I vaguely remember joke birthday gifts, perhaps a boa and a toy car? Eh, those items might be somewhere around my room or more realistically sitting in a donation center. However, several years later and it's container has been tucked away under my bed waiting for it to be found again.

GINGER SANTA HAT.
Every December in high school was spent at the local Santa's Workshop. We created crafts, helped kids "shop" for their families, and wrapped gifts. My senior year, BETA Club overestimated the number of participating families, so our supplies were in surplus. Santa hats were decorated for every member to serve as a name tag, including me. There were two fellows who were very persistent in calling me "Ginger." So persistent that, that was the name labeled on mine. Stumbling upon this hat made me appreciate the time we spent there helping those kids make their Christmas just a little more special. It also made me wonder what these boys are up to now. I haven't really spoken to either of them in at least two or three years. It's truly sad how you can easily drift away from your friends that you spent every day with in school.

2005 LOST & FOUND PACKET. 
Although I don't remember this specific church event, it definitely made me think about my time spent at Eagle Eyrie and Roanoke College. In sixth grade, thanks to Victoria, I attended my first Virginia Synod ELCA event. And a decade later, I'm still attending. But instead of being a participant, I'm a leader. The circle that has incurred is just incredible. I have truly grown up through this organization and series of events. I honestly wish I could lead more so I could witness the same thing among the new generation of participants. But life gets in the way sometimes. Classes. Projects. Club events. Work.

Reset complete. Plus a new design.