spring break 2013

Let's start this post out by stating that I thought I was going to have an absolutely terrible, no good, very bad spring break.  Honest.  I was supposed to go to Florida with some friends, but after miscommunication I was left behind in the ole good midwest. I was not a happy camper when my mom picked me up for break.  My friends were continually talking about all they were going to do on spring break for weeks leading up to break and what did I have to look forward to?  40+ hours of working and three too many doctor's appointments.  Talk about a bad mood.  

Let us know take a moment of silence to thank my mom for trying so hard to make my spring break good.  Because it wasn't good at all.  It. Was. So. Much. Better. 

Seriously.  Spending time with my family for an entire week was exactly what I needed.  I know that I love my family.  But this week I learned just how much my family means to me.  Friends will come and go.  But my family--I will ALWAYS have them.  And for that, I am so blessed.  

My family is the champion of game night.  Because there are six of us, games get really intense.  And even though my dad is always saying "we are all winners," let's be honest, there is only one winning team.  Our all time favorite game is Hand & Foot. If we play the game all the way through, it usually takes us a good few hours, but even just a few rounds is a lot of fun.  We also played another game, Say Anything.  It was a Christmas gift this year, and I love it.  It creates many laughs and many inside jokes.  I also got to re-read for the third time The Hunger Games trilogy.  I seriously love those books.  I got so invested in them that I actually thought I was Katniss.  I may have known what was going to happen, but that didn't keep me from devouring each page and crying many times throughout.  And when the books ended I had to crawl back to this reality where I wasn't the Mockingjay.  I also got to read some really interesting and educating vegan books.  I absolutely love reading, so having an entire week to read anything I wanted (and no school books) was a huge treat!

During this spring break I also got to eat a few batches of our popcorn.  I am seriously obsessed with the stuff.  We make our popcorn on the stove, with kernels from our much-used and loved popcorn jar and the same kettle my grandma used over 20 years ago.  It is so delicious.  Seriously, for me, please try it some time.  I can make it at school, but somehow, when dad makes it, it is always special.  

I even got to see one of my best friends, Melyssa.  Both our spring breaks were this past week and she decided last minute to come home and surprise her family!  I was so excited I got to see her a few times!  It was so good to catch up with her and just hang!  

You think that's all my break entailed?  Not even close.  One of our family's favorite friends came to visit during the same week I was home!  They were missionaries in Guatemala for the past five or so years, so we rarely ever got to see them!  They just moved back to the States, but sadly aren't in our state.  I was so excited that I got to see them when I was home!  Their kids are the smartest, cutest little bugs I have ever met!

I also mentioned here about some basketball games and tetherball rounds E, C and I played.  Seriously, so much fun!  I cannot believe I had forgotten how much I've missed tetherball.  And it got me really excited for the summer night soccer games we have in our backyard with our full-size soccer goals!  Here are some more pictures from those games, because seriously, it was SO MUCH FUN!

And if that wasn't all fun and awesome and wonderful enough, my mom surprised me on Friday by taking me shopping (I hadn't been shopping all week, people!)!  I was so excited and absolutely loved spending the entire day with my momma.  I got some new clothes that finally fit (man, you would think losing weight is fun, but then you have no clothes to wear...).  

Oh.  And then today I was lucky to be home to go to C's art award show.  It was a pretty big deal that his art work was chosen to be in a national award show, and I was one proud sister to be able to go and cheer him on.  Seriously, my brother's got talent. Although when it comes to tying his tie, he needs a tad more work...(nice face, by the way, C)

And then I got back to school and got to do my homework at my favorite coffee shop with another one of my all time favorite people: Kalen.  She is my small group leader at my church here on campus, but has quickly become so much more than that.  She is someone I can call my best friend. Talk about a pretty awesome ending to a pretty awesome spring break!

My spring break was completely unexpected.  I am so thankful that I didn't go anywhere and that I got to spend it making money for this summer's adventures as well as with my family.  I truly feel so blessed to have the parents that I have who made my spring break as awesome as they did.  Seriously, whose parents go out of their way to make sure their daughter has a fun spring break at home?  

I love my family.  And I want my parents, as well as the world, to know how truly thankful I am for the wonderful, unforgettable spring break I had.  Sometimes it is so good to be reminded of the awesome, one-of-a-kind family God has given me.  I couldn't have imagined spending my spring break with people I love more.  You five rock. 

My confession: My spring break exceeded my highest expectations.  Thank you, family

I just noticed Baby A isn't in many of these pictures.  We didn't get

rid of her, promise! She has been sick with the flu, and thus spent 

a lot of time watching her beloved Netflix. Get better soon, Baby A!