The Ashley House

I have the hiccups while I am writing this.  Just thought you should know.  I've been getting them a lot lately.  I would google or webmd 'constant hiccuping', but I feel as if I will self-diagnose myself with stage 4 fatal-something rather and be paranoid about what it means.  So instead, I'll ignore it for now.  This may just be the beginning of the end for me.  You may see me on a talk show in a year or two talking about how my never-ending-hiccups started.  

But I love my house.  I currently live in a house with 4 other girls.  All between the ages of 23-27.  All awesome.  All beautiful.

I have lived with 8 girls in this house so far.  It's a revolving door of christian girls who come and go as their life stages ebb and flow.  It has been a catalyst to new friends, a bonding agent for current friends, and bridge to strangers who never really were...

Like the day I moved in 2 years ago (just temporarily between leases) and was greeted by a girl we quickly found out was from PA like me!  ... from the Philly area, like me!  ... from the same town as me!  ... from my graduating high school class!  Small world.

Or like how I can go to a party and someone finds out I live at the Ashley house, and people automatically start talking to me about another girl they know/knew who lived here, and what their experience was with the Ashley house and the Ashley house girls.

The joke is that you don't move out unless you are leaving with a ring on your finger (which is not necessarily true!)  This is a sisterhood type bonder.  A non-greek, non-partying your face off sorority.  One where you can always expect an open invite to include great food, great friends, and a great time (so... when are you stopping by?)

But this weekend was just a great weekend of enjoying living at the house.  Our living room and dining room walls needed to be repainted because it was just too beat up.  The walls looked sad and pathetic.  Kev and I taped, sanded, and painted the walls.  I was able to help get everything squared away for the hurricane (which did not hit us hard at all - thank goodness!).  I even came home tonight, looking at our living room and dining room mid-transformation just excited and at peace.  

I also had a great pow-wow one of my housemates, followed immediately with singing a lullaby to another one.  I shred with these girls, cook with these girls, talk about boys with these girls, clean with these girls, run with these girls, and so much more.  

Any Ashley house girl will always hold a special place in my heart.  I am really blessed for my home.

Life is so good.  And I do believe, it's getting better... <3

Friday Funshare and silly Hurriquake week...

So in between Earthquakes and Hurricanes, it does give us a glimpse into the unknown.  The fact that we don't control much in this life, much less, natural disasters.

Yes I felt the Earthquake.  Yes I felt the aftershock.  And while it was pretty exciting, once I realized that I DIDN'T run over the curb, I had complete peace of mind.  And while I think the entire DC area is about ready to unnecessarily prepare to bury themselves in a waterproof steel hole for this hurricane, I am still hoping that my kayaking trip tomorrow doesn't get cancelled....

See... he can do it!  I'm sure I could too...

Because I believe that life is ours to be lived.  To be lived loudly.  With love, laughter, passion, and faith.  I love being inspired, and challenged, and living life to the fullest.  I hate to miss out on anything, because each new experience enhances who I am. 

Steve Job's in an innovative, determined, hard-worker who has been on the cutting edge of technology for most of my lifetime.  However, finding things like this:  His Commencement Speech for Stanford University captured me and inspired me.  I hope it does the same for you.

It is definitely worth reading.

Life is SO good, and I do believe, it's getting better... <3

whatcha been up to...?

Weddings, parties, trips to the beach and to Philly and all over the place!  It has been a really busy and really great summer.  And the best part?  It's not even over yet... :-)

Kickin off the summer right with good friends, s'mores, bonfires, and LOTS of sparklers!

Lil Wave all wrapped up.  This was the only picture I managed to take of my small group beach trip... but I promise, we had a complete blast!

Most of the fam out for lunch in King of Prussia <3

Trying to rally out a win in our Derwood Bible Church softball tournament.  (It didn't work)

My love.

My current adopted substitute love

Lil CarBar's wedding!

In her Disney princess gown

P-ville bridesmaids!

The happy couple - post wedding

Phillies v. Nationals in Philly.  Look at that extraordinary view.  Mhmm.... Philly

Chillin with the Fanatic pre-game

One of the many reasons I keep going back.  <3

He answers us :-)

Younglife leader.
That title enthralls all types of thoughts and images. Some are good, really good. And some aren't.
A Younglife leader is strong. They are fun. Funny. Crazy. Christian. ALWAYS THERE (like seriously... don't they have grown up friends?!?). Tired (although you may not know it). They always know what is happening at the school, with your friends, on your team. They come to games and check out your art projects just because they want to. Not because they have to.
To some, a Younglife leader is a grown up friend who cares just as much about making them laugh as they do getting real and talking about life and God with them to make sure they are movin in the right direction.
Younglife leaders don't take no cr** and tell it how it is. Life is great and a gift, but some things about high school suck and we get that.
Younglife leaders live with passion, and intention, and love, and adventure in their hearts and a desire to show the love of Christ though that.

I am a Younglife leader.

Last year was supposed to be my last year leading. I have been leading for 3 years now, and while my relationships have gotten better and better, life has gotten more and more tiring. Having a full time job, maintaining relationships with friends, family, a significant other, and younglife friends is exhausting. Add to the mixing bowl trying to stay fit, trying to do things like cook to save money, and going to bible study, and living with some adventure in life - and that is a full plate!

This summer I took off Younglife. I didn't take off time with my kids, just time with Younglife events. I didn't go to camp, or summer campaigners, and didn't stress about the planning or thoughts or logistics for younglife. it was nice. Almost too nice. I enjoyed the extra free time. I was worried that by the time this fall rolled around I would still be enjoying my little sabbatical from younglife. I was worried that my heart wouldn't be in the right place for another year of service. That I wouldn't be ready for the energy, the passion, and the dedication to be the type of leader we are called to be with teenagers.

Last week that changed. It was like I woke up one morning and realized how much I missed club with my kids. I wanted to plan activities, club talks, and figure out new ways to encourage my high school friends to reach out to their friends. My heart and changed - suddenly, drastically - and I knew it was only of God. Within a few days of my wheels starting to turn, and the call in my heart pulling again, I pulled up my gmail to find out some great news. We were going to have a new leader. A guy. JUST what we needed in our club. JUST what we have been praying for even when all else seemed for loss.

He answers us. He answers us with perfect timing. He answers us with better answers than we asked for.
And my friends, I AM a Younglife Leader.


Life is so good. And I do believe, it's getting better <3

Philly Phootball Phrenzy!!

Pre-season has begun.  

My birds pulled out a clutch win against my 2nd favorite NFL team.  

We have stolen the spotlight from every other team in the NFL during this free-agent frenzy.

We have stocked our deck with aces, and put on our game faces.

We have been deemed 'superbowl favorites.'

We have been hated by fans of other teams who want what we have.

We have realized a trend that Philly is happening.

So... I have kept my mouth shut.  I live deep in Redskins nation, I get hated on for the Phillies stickers on my car, my Eagles shirts, my passion and fanage that has only been building for the last 25 years of my life.  I get labeled as "the Eagles fan" and get all the love and hate that comes along with that.  (Including the overused, under-researched insult 'You guys throw snowballs at Santa!'  - FYI - if you are going to hurl an insult at me for something fans did two decades before I was born, look up the story.  Here I'll make it easy for you -> Philly Loves Santa!)

But this is the most excited I have ever been for football season.  I am not going to lie.  I know that my life does not revolve around the Eagles, and that if there had been a lockout this year, I would have moved on with my life, probably gotten in more running, and less munching on wings and beer, but my weekends/occasional Monday nights would have been just a little bit emptier.  Missing something.

The last three years I have been PROUD to be an Eagles fan.  We may not have won the superbowl, and we may have lost in the first game of the playoffs last year, but we have been exciting.  Three years ago we had a seasoned team and were definitely superbowl contenders.  Over the last three years, we have lost (keep in mind all these people have been pro-bowl players): the core of our defense and leader of our team - Brian Dawkins.   The man who was booed in 99 but came in to be one of the best quarterbacks in the franchise - Donovan McNabb (and to a division rival - ouch).  And this year - one of the best kickers in the NFL, and hands down the best kicker in the history of the franchise - David Akers.  We have gained: a cocky rookie who loves being an Eagle, and even better can sock it to the Gmen and Cowgirls by scoring a touchdown on a game -winning punt return - Desean Jackson.  A reformed criminal who was not given a second chance by any other team, and is now walking the good path and making plays in his life and on the field - Michael Vick.  And now a plethora of defensive and offensive players, ready to hit this season with fervor and passion.  When the Eagles have looked like they lost their chance, BAM.  There we are again ready for a power season.  And that is what made the last three years exciting to watch.

So I have to speak to the hype going on right now.  

Am I beyond excited that we have signed some of the best free agents in the league?  YES.

Am I almost squealing for joy that Asmougha followed in the footsteps of Cliff Lee by turning down a higher paycheck in NY for a dream and team that Philly could offer?  YES.

Do I think that the Eagles have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the last 3 years, and am very excited that again it looks like another exciting season?  YES. 

Do I think that we could win the superbowl this year?  YES.

However, the danger is that Eagles fans always hope for the best and expect the worst.  This year the expectation is big, and we all know that.  Even with all the hype going on, I hope that my birds can realize that they will need to work hard for a superbowl.  They will need to stay healthy, and realize that just because they "have the dream team" does not mean anyone is ready to hand them the dream.   Andy Reid will need to push his guys.  He will need to be more efficient this year with calling plays that compliment the game clock.  We had had some great moments due to talent, and we have had some great moments due to luck.  And while I will take luck from time to time, AReid has to realize that he will not win the superbowl this year on luck.

I do expect a serious run at the superbowl.  And come February if my boys are playing in Indianapolis, I might consider selling my soul for a ticket, and will absolutely most definitely be crying if we win.

"To whom much is given, much is expected."  Luke 12:48.  Let's play like it my Phine Pheathered Phrends.  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24

I am my own person...

I like sundresses, nail polish, lemonade, and pearls.
I like football, and fights, and even though I hate to admit it - I think burps and farts are funny.
I like country music in jeans and a tank top, I like jazz in a slim dress, and just about everything in between.

I have no label.  And I'm ok with that.  Because as my friends will tell you, my label is: superballa.

I may not wear make up often, or look for the most trendy styles, or create beautiful hairstyles often, but when I do, I am very happy.

Enter my new obsession.
Women - this one is for you.  For women who know just enough about hair and make up to get by.  For women who want to add a little flair to their style.  For women with the summertime blues, knowing that they want to savor being a summer girl for just another few short weeks.

The Beauty Department
Lauren Conrad's Website

While I was in high school when Laguna Beach started, and was living the collegiate dorm life with The Hills, I never really got too into the Reality Show Fixations of Lauren Conrad.  But a few things I can assure you. 
1-  She is stunning
2 - She knows what she's talking about
3 - I have had my fair share of unflattering pictures and videos.  I have never seen one of her.  Coinsidence?
4 - She's always rocking the cutting edge, and shares her wisdom with us.
5 - This is the most important I believe - She embraces what she has, and encourages her readers to do the same.  Have thick eyebrows, crazy hair, or non-defined cheekbones?  EMBRACE it woman!

After reading this blog, I'm ready to become an LC Groupie and move to LA!  Thanks for the beauty tips LC!

We all have those days...

Days when we need to remind ourselves that love is not EARNED, it's given.

Days when we need to realize that who we were and what we've done is nothing compared to who we are and where we are going.

Days when we need to be humbled and realize that there is more in this world than just ourselves.

Days when we need to be reminded that there is grace, and love, and hope, and joy, and a future - just waiting for us.

I was out for a run and really needed to be encouraged a bit today, but in a way I couldn't verbalize to anyone.  So I tossed my concern out to the big guy (God) and was so moved when the song below popped up randomly on my radio.  It was a good song, and a good run :-)