It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 22)

Today (November 22), I am thankful for the life I have been blessed with.

I wish I had the words that could adequately describe to you how blessed I feel. Today is a day we set aside for our family, food, and time to just reflect on all that we are thankful for. That in itself is a blessing. 

A few things I am feeling especially thankful for today...

My family (those related by blood and those related by heart) that I like to call home

My dad who gives the best hugs and most heartfelt 'I love you's'

My little sister who is becoming a dear friend

My brother who I miss, but am incredibly proud of

His sweet girlfriend who we all love

Three best friends that witness my tears, my laughter, my anger and still love me

Two jobs that help pay the bills, but even more, that I enjoy working at

A school where I can grow and learn not only academically, but personally, relationally, and spiritually

The delicious food my family spent the day making (and the time spent together making it)

A God who has my heart, who will never leave me nor forsake me, who loves me for everything I was, am, and will be, and who I can find refuge and peace in when this blessing-of-a-life becomes hard to handle

I could go on for days.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is full of love and thanksgiving!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 21)

Today (November 21), I am thankful for home.

This break, being able to spend a couple of days at home, has been such a blessing and so needed. It's been great getting to catch up with friends from high school, have lunch with my aunt, curl up next to my dog, have life chats with my dad, and bake pies with my sister. I forget sometimes how much I enjoy visits home.
Feeling incredibly blessed today.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 20)

Today (November 20), I am thankful for long drives.

Driving home today was just what I needed; a little extra time to just clear and organize my thoughts. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 19)

Today (November 19), I am thankful for running.

It's a gorgeous day out today AND I had a few extra hours so of course I went for a nice, long run. I have missed running outside. I even used this run as an excuse to explore a bit! I ended up going on a route that I haven't gone on before which led me through downtown, where I had to stop in a couple of shops(: It has been a good day!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 18)

Today (November 18), I am thankful for baking.

I baked some red velvet cupcakes (my favorite) last night. They were delicious! 

I can't really explain why I love baking so much. There is something about it that just relaxes me. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 17)

Today (November 17), I am thankful for being involved.

Today was Rochester's Theatre Fest, which is where a bunch of high school students come to learn more about theatre and the like through various workshops. I'm so proud to be apart of the Rochester Theatre Program, it's full of some pretty fantastic people!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 16)

Today (November 16), I am thankful for good times with good friends.

I enjoyed a really fun evening getting to say 'see you later' to one of my friends, Anthony as he makes his way to Thailand to be awesome!

Mr. Turtle, youtube cats, slow motion everything, and lots of laughter, need I say more?

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 15)

Today (November 15), I am thankful for a night of nothing.

I got to do nothing tonight. I haven't gotten time to do that in so long. Too long. I have greatly enjoyed being able to spend time on random adventures, snuggling up in my pajamas, and watching TV tonight. I do not take nights of nothing for granted. They're the best.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 14)

Today (November 14), I am thankful for finishing 8-page research papers in 2 hours.

I am exhausted, but I'm done! I planned to organize my time better today, but things got in the way. So there I was, beginning my 8-page research paper due by midnight, at 10. It's okay though, it's done! I am still sane, I am still alive! 

I'm going to bed.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 13)

Today (November 13), I am thankful for shortened classes.

Tonight was my four-hour Psychology class. It's not a bad class, by any means. But, it's extremely difficult to sit through a class for four stinkin' hours! I don't have that kind of attention span! 

However, tonight, our class only lasted two hours. AND she brought us snacks.

*Insert happy tears*

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 12)

Today (November 12), I am thankful for pumpkins and friends!

What better way to celebrate Fall than take advantage of the wonderful gourd-like squash, otherwise known as the pumpkin? (Yes, I turned to Wikipedia to see if a pumpkin was a gourd or a squash and apparently it's both! Although in Australian English, 'pumpkin' generally refers to a winter squash) 

Now that I've educated you all on pumpkins, back to being thankful...

I had the pleasure of making some delicious pumpkin seeds with some pretty fantastic guys tonight! It was a blast goofing off with them, they always make life fun!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 11)

Today (November 11), I am thankful for hallways.

I'm really struggling with being in the hallway right now. It's scary and it's hard and I'm terrified. I'm afraid of what door will open and where it leads. But I do know that whatever lies behind the doors in front of me, it's going to be okay. God's got some kind of plan in the works. I just need to be patient and praise Him while I'm in this hallway.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 10)

Today (November 10), I am thankful for cute elephant-bird-babies.

Go see Seussical and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. So stinkin' cute.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 9)

Today (November 9), I am thankful for accidentally oversleeping.

Yes, I slept through my 8am and chorus today. 

At first I felt guilty for oversleeping, but then I realized that I couldn't help it (I didn't have my alarm to wake me up) so I was just going to accept it. I felt so rested, especially after a stressful and long day yesterday. Oversleeping was glorious. I wish I could do it everyday. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 8)

Today (November 8), I am thankful for pumpkin pancakes and my dear friend Liz.

This morning, my lovely friend, Liz, took me out to breakfast to celebrate my Queen-ness (and to also keep our annual pumpkin pancake tradition alive). It was a wonderful breakfast, both the food and the company. 

I am very grateful for such a good friend. 

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 7)

Today (November 7), I am thankful for Suessical.

I really love this show.

I haven't even been able to watch the whole thing due to being backstage, but it's such a great show. Throughout the show I catch things here and there and I have to practice self-control to keep my laughter on the inside because laughing loudly backstage is frowned upon. 

But even more so, I love getting the chance to spend hours every night with some pretty fantastic friends. One of my favorite things about theatre is the community it builds. Especially here at Rochester, each show has so many inside jokes, crazy moments, and more laughter than my bladder can handle. 

I am incredibly blessed and so grateful for the chance to be apart of this show and the Rochester College Theatre Department in general, it's pretty great!

Go see Suissical!

Click here for the scoop!

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 6)

Today (November 6), I am thankful for warmth.

You know that feeling of just being cold? Like you are cold to the bone?

One of my favorite things is going from that to getting cozy in bed or snuggling on the couch under a nice blanket and finally feeling that warmth take over.

It's so good.

I also really love going to bed with fresh, out-of-the-dryer blankets. That's the best.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 5)

Today (November 5), I am thankful for my fears.

You probably think I'm crazy and I can't exactly argue that. However, I really am thankful for my fears. As much as they really suck most of the time, I wouldn't be who I am without them.

Most of the time, especially when I'm in the thick of dealing with my fears, I hate them. They make me miserable. They make me over think and doubt everything. But they also challenge me. I'm challenged to see through their ugliness and find peace in truth.
And let me tell you, that peace-that's a wonderful place.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
Psalm 56:3

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 4)

Today (November 4) I am thankful for sleep. 

The past few weeks have been so busy, there has barely been time to sleep. But last night, I slept. It was marvelous. I went to bed kind of late, but not only did we get an extra hour (thanks to daylight saving), I slept in until 11:30!

So wonderful(:

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 3)

Today (November 3) I am thankful for His peaceful presence.

Don't be afraid-I'm right here.

Don't get discouraged-I am your God.

I will be your strength.

I will be your help.

I will hold you up with My righteous right hand.

-Isaiah 41:10

When my heart is feeling overwhelmed and uneasy, I find so much comfort in reading this.

I am incredibly thankful for that.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 2)

Today (November 2), I am thankful for restful days.

I love Fridays. I love being able to relax, do laundry, and not have any plans. Today was just a nice day. I had class in the morning, then had the entire afternoon to just be. Granted, I had to work tonight, but I enjoy my job (and I was surprised with Starbucks halfway through my shift. What could be better? I can't think of many things). It has been a good, restful day. So blessed by these kind of days, even if they are far and few between.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

It's Not Just Turkey and Pilgrims (Day 1)

Heyguesswhat! 

It's November! Which of course means that Thanksgiving is headed our way! I was perusing Facebook today and one of my friends posted a status about her goal to post something she is thankful for everyday in November. Well, I thought that was a brilliant idea, so I am going to do just that.

Today (November 1), I am thankful for opportunity. I am happy to say that come January, I will be interning at South Oakland Shelter! The news couldn't have come soon enough! It's been a bittersweet semester so far. Being at Rochester College is always amazing, surrounded by irreplaceable people. It has also been a scary semester, knowing that my time at Rochester is coming to an end in April.
That means real life.
That means a lot of unknown.
Hearing the news about the internship put a little peace in all of the answers I don't have. I'm so excited to see what this internship has in store. It's going to be good.

God is good.

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer: Project # 12 & 13

Oh my. It has been quite some time.

There are leaves all over the ground, meaning summer is no longer here and we are now in my favorite season of the year. Which also means that My Pinterest Summer is over. Fear ye not! I am going to continue posting my Pinterest projects. Admittedly, I have not completed all 30 projects, but I am going to complete my posts for the ones I have completed.

A lot has been happening.

Life has been crazy in beautiful yet scary kind of way. However, I will talk about my life updates at a later date. For now, lets talk Pinterest!

My twelfth Pinterest project:

Free Redbox!

Here's what you need:

-DVDONME

-BREAKROOM

-REDBOX

Here's what you do:

-Go to your local Redbox location

-Pick a movie

-Type in promo code

-Get DVD for free!

The Pinspiration!

I used this one night when a friend and I decided on some Redbox movies. I entered in a code and it worked! Warning: if you are getting two movies, do them on separate orders, you can only use one code per purchase! 

My thirteenth Pinterest project:

Going to the Chapel

Here's what you need:

-Different size hurricane glasses

-Ribbon

-Glass pebbles

-Hot glue

-Flower of your choice

-Candles (floating and regular)

-Tulle

-Water

Here's what you do:

#1

-Select the largest hurricane glass

-Cut ribbon according to size

-Wrap ribbon around glass, hot glue to hurricane glass

-Put glass pebbles at the bottom

-Fill hurricane glass with water

-Place floating candle at the top

#2

-Select tall, skinny hurricane glass

-Cut ribbon according to size

-Wrap ribbon around glass, hot glue to glass

-Place a single flower in glass

#3

-Select shortest hurricane glass

-Cut tulle according to size (long enough to make a bow)

-Tie tulle into a bow, hot glue to hurricane glass

-Place candle in bottom

The Pinspiration

My friends and I decorated for our friends' wedding this summer and these made up her centerpieces. We had a great time decorating and daydreamed about opening our own wedding business! Such a great day!

A late congratulations to Rachel and Brett!

You can't really see the individual glasses in this picture, 

but it's the general idea(:

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer: Project # 8, 9, 10, & 11

I figured I'd cluster these four together because they are all in the same category of 'beauty'. 

Sadly, I do not have any pictures to go along with these projects, however, they are all extremely handy!

So here we go!

My eighth Pinterest project:

Soft Feet!

Here's what you need:

-Epsom Salt

-Apple Cider Vinegar

-Water

-Four-in-one foot paddle or pumice stone

-A bucket/bowl big enough for both feet

Here's what you do:

-Fill bucket with warm water

-Add 1 cup epsom salt (let it dissolve before putting feet in)

-Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar

-Let feet soak for 15 minutes

-Rinse feet

-Scrub feet with the foot paddle or pumice stone

The Pinspiration!

I did this one night after a long day and it was not only nice and relaxing, but it also made my feet feel so soft! Once I finished this process, I took it a step further and lathered my feet with some Aveeno lotion and put on some socks to make my feet extra soft!

My ninth Pinterest project:

Dry Nail Polish Quick and Easy!

Here's what you need:

-Nail polish of your choice (the prettier the better!)

-A bowl

-Water

Here's what you do:

-Paint your nails to perfection!

-Fill bowl with cold water

-Immerse wet nails in cold water for a few minutes

-Remove hands, enjoy your dry nails

The Pinspiration!

This little trick works so well! I use this almost every time I paint my nails. I was skeptical at first, but decided to give it a try and was happy to see that it dried my nails pretty well! I would suggest giving your a nails a minute after removing them from the water to fully finish the drying process.

My tenth Pinterest project:

Make Your Mascara Last Longer!

Here's what you need:

-Your old, dry mascara

-Saline solution or eye drops

Here's what you do:

-Put a few drops of the saline solution or eye drops in your dry mascara

-Insert your mascara wand and stir

-Put some mascara on those beautiful lashes!

The Pinspiration!

I did this with one of my mascaras a while back when I noticed it drying out and it seemed to work for a little bit longer!

My eleventh Pinterest project:

Pearly Whites

Here's what you need:

-Toothpaste

-Baking soda

-Toothbrush

-Water

-Bowl

Here's what you do:

-Combine some toothpaste, baking soda, and water in a bowl

-Mix it up

-Brush your teeth with it once a week

-Enjoy your pearly whites

The Pinspiration!

I made this and am currently doing it once a week. I have noticed that my teeth appear to be whiter. I will be honest, it tastes kind of funky (it's a bit salty), but it's not too bad. I prefer using this instead of whitening paste or strips, cheaper and more natural!

Well, there you have it! A few beauty tips and tricks, thanks to Pinterest, to keep you looking your best!

bestillandsmile

A Day at the Park

What do you get when you mix Pop Rocks, parks, and a few wonderful friends? 

A day of pure awesomeness, that's what!

We began the adventure with a lovely stroll through Metro Beach! 

Munchin' on some Pop Rocks!

I love these ladies!

Me and James! 

Me and Dena!

Me and Liz!

I'm pretty sure he's trying to lick my head...

After Metro Beach we met up with Brett and Rachel (soon to be married!) to talk about some wedding plans at Panera!

Then we all ended up at the Duck Pond... 

Studs, right?

He's a monkey at heart! 

We then finished off the night with some Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

A phenomenal day, if you ask me!

So blessed

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer: Project # 6 & 7

My beautiful, best friend, Miriah, finally turned 21!

In celebration of such a fun event, we decided to make some delicious things which just so happened to fit into My Pinterest Summer!

My sixth Pinterest project:

Berry-Peach Sangria!

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of this fantastic drink, but I will tell you that it was sooooo good!

Here's what you need:

-A bottle of white wine of your preference (we used Barefoot Riesling)

-Two peaches

-Two containers of raspberries

-A container of strawberries

-Lemon-lime soda

Here's what you do:

-Cut up peaches and strawberries

-Put all fruit into a gallon pitcher

-Pour your lovely bottle of wine into pitcher

-Add lemon-lime soda to taste

-Stir

-Refrigerate (let it sit overnight for extra tastiness)

The Pinspiration!

I think this has easily become mine and Miriah's favorite drink! It is so easy and inexpensive to make!

And now for my seventh Pinterest project: 

Chocolate cake!

I found this recipe for making a box cake taste like a cake straight from the bakery, so I had to try it!

Here's what you need:

-Cake mix of your choice (I used Milk Chocolate)

-Ingredients the cake mix calls for

-An extra egg

-Butter

-Milk

Here's what you do:

-Read cake mix directions

-Add an extra egg

-Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount

-Use milk instead of water

-Follow cake mix directions for baking

The Pinspiration!

This cake turned out amazing! It was delicious and moist and rich. Mmmmm(:

Here's the finished product:

Thanks to Tom and James for taking lead on the frosting when I ran out of time!

We had an amazing time celebrating Miriah's 21st birthday with some great friends!

 Make a wish!

 Good times with great friends!

Being our usual selves!

I even took her out at midnight for her first 'official' drink! 

Happy Birthday to my best friend/sister/soulmate! You are such an amazing woman of God and I am so blessed to have you there to put up with all of my craziness! Luff chew!

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer: Project #5

And here it is...

My fifth Pinterest project!

Here's what you need:
-Canvas (I used two different sizes)
-3-D letter stickers (you could use wood letters instead)
-Paint (any color of your choice)
-Glue
-Scrapbook paper (I used a black and white vintage pattern)
-Felt birds (I picked these up at Michael's, you could use anything 3-D you fancy)

Here's what you do:
-Cut scrapbook paper to size of canvas' then glue paper to canvas
-Lay stickers out how you want them (for bird ones, I glued the birds to the canvas)
-Paint over everything with the color of your choice
(This is where I decided to be creative. I painted the letters/birds fully, but painted the background lightly so you could see the scrapbook paper through it)
-Let dry
-Enjoy your beautiful artwork!

The Pinspiration!

I really enjoyed doing this project. It took a bit longer than my other ones, but I love making things up as I go, which is exactly what I did here! I went into this project with another idea and this is what I got!

bestillandsmile
-

My Pinterest Summer: Project #4

Well, hey there! 

It's been awhile! 

I have been incredibly busy

Here's what I've been up to:

Caught this beautiful moment on the way
back from the gym a few days ago

Who doesn't love Star Wars fruit snacks?!

Gave blood the other day!

Even in the midst of the crazy, fun life I'm going about living, I have finished a few projects. (Yay!)

My fourth Pinterest project of the summer: 
Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

Prettified my mirror!
(Sorry for the mess of my room you see in the mirror!)

Here's what you need:
-A mirror (I used a full-length mirror from Walmart $5.00)
-Streamer (Any color you want! Got mine at Party City $.89)
-I found the "sail away" piece at Michael's for $1!
-Glue
-Hot glue gun

Here's what you do:
-Take a strip of streamer, begin rolling it like a cinnamon roll (or a rose...) (bunch streamer as you roll)
-Glue the end to keep it together
(You can use shorter pieces for smaller flowers, longer pieces for larger flowers)
-Make desired amount of flowers (I used a variety of sizes)
-Take a hot glue gun, glue them to mirror in the layout you wish
(At this point, you can use your own judgement, I added the "sail away" sign, but you could continue with flowers, or whatever you have laying around you think will look cute!)
-Attach the "sail away" sign to the mirror with a hot glue gun
-Take a look at that gorgeous person staring back at you in the mirror!

The Pinspiration!

This has been one of my favorite projects so far! It was so simple! I'm glad I learned how to make those flowers, you could use them on so many other projects!


I have completed a few projects, so keep a lookout for more posts to come soon!

bestillandsmile

Psalm 100

Another week of Elevate has come and gone.

Every year Elevate is bound to change everyone's lives in some way. Whether it be renewal, surrender, reflection, or all of the above; I'd experienced it all. Well, I thought I'd experienced it all.

I would be lying to you if I said that the reoccurring theme I experienced all week was this new-found passion and fire for life and God. I so desperately wish that's what I felt. I went through the week, my heart so heavy it exhausted me even more than the long days running around! I felt robbed of that typical spiritual high from camp. Everyone else was experiencing it, so why wasn't I? Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely incredible to witness so many baptisms and stories of people feeling God's presence, but I couldn't help but see it as bittersweet. I was filled with joy to welcome new brothers and sisters into the Kingdom and to listen to beaming friends as they were rejuvenated in the presence of God, but I couldn't shake the distance I felt from it all. I felt like a spectator; like I was watching God touch so many lives and change so many hearts, but that's it, I was just watching. God had me sitting this game out.

But I wanted to play.

I was that kid sitting on the sideline with that hopeful grin saying, "put me in, coach!"

I kept asking begging God to just break into my heart and do work. It didn't make any sense to me that this huge God of the universe that loves the unlovable and reaches the unreachable couldn't or wouldn't grab ahold of me.

In hopes of sorting through what was on my heart, I spoke with a friend, needing the words to just flow like water. She was so sweet as I sat there and rambled stuff that I can't even remember at this point, but nothing I said made sense and I couldn't find that peace I had been searching for.

I wonder why...

I had been looking in all the wrong places. I was trying to find inner peace from the people around me.  I'm a very relational person. The relationships I have with people mean the world to me. And I love these people so much, but they aren't my peace. They shouldn't be the place I go to for comfort when I feel alone. No matter how hard they try or want to, they will never be able to fix my problems, pick up my pieces, or make me whole. My worth is not determined by how many friends I have, whether or not there is a guy pining for me, or how pretty people think I am. None of that matters. My worth is so much more than all of that.

"It is He who made us, we are His."

Goodness gracious, Jessica Ann.

I read that passage so many times during the week. I knew what it said. I knew what it meant. But for some reason, it just wasn't sticking. I would read it, acknowledge it, then forget about it.

He made me

and I am His

I think I finally realized what my heart God was trying to tell me all week. While I don't think being a relational person is a bad thing, I was putting the wrong relationships first. I serve a jealous God. He wants all of me. Not what's left of me.

I am His

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer: Project # 2 & 3

Oh, what a weekend it has been! I don't even know where to begin...

My Pinterest projects. That's a good start.

On Friday I went to Salvation Army to pick up some shirts for work and decided to keep an eye out for anything I might need to complete some projects. And of course, I found a beautiful picture frame and a lace curtain that were perfect for two of my projects!

The frame I picked up for $2.99!

On Sunday my roommates, Miriah and Amanda, and I decided to take a trip to Michael's to pick up a few things we needed to be crafty. 

First of all, I have a hard time going into Michael's because it seems like every time I'm there I walk around aimlessly for an hour. Everything I see I start thinking of cool things I could make. 

Second of all, I always end up spending way too much money on these 'cool things' I see. However, I decided that this trip was going to be different. I went there with a mental list of things I needed to complete some projects. And let me tell you, I stuck to my list. Unless you count the other things I bought which were too good to resist. I don't count those things. (;

One of my 'list' items was my new best friend; my glue gun...

Isn't he handsome?

Anywho, when we got back we began our crafting adventures!

My second Pinterest project of the summer. Drumroll, please...

Picture frame earring holder

This project was super easy and quick to make!

Here's what you need:

-A picture frame (all you need is the frame; no glass. I just had one laying around)

-A piece of lace same size as the frame

-A glue gun (or any kind of glue that will stick the lace to the frame

Here's what you do:

-Cut lace to fit the exact size of the frame

-Flip frame to the back side

-Place glue along the edges of the frame

-Place lace on glue (stretch the lace so it doesn't slouch when you put your earrings on it)

-Put earrings on it!

The Pinspiration!

See. Super easy and quick! This project only took me 10-15 minutes to do! 

And now for my third Pinterest project...

My super-cool dry-erase calendar!

Here's what you need:

-Picture frame (you'll want a medium-large one)

-Decorative paper

-Card stock paper

-Dry-erase marker

-Glue

Here's what you do:

-Cover the cardboard that comes with the frame in your decorative paper

-Cut card stock into desired size squares

-Glue card stock to decorative paper according to a calendar (5x7)

-Place it all in the picture frame with glass

-Take dry-erase marker and create your calendar!

The Pinspiration!

I love this calendar for organizational purposes. 

I spent about $7 total for the entire project!

Two projects in one day! I feel so productive!

Now onto picking out what's coming next!

Have a blessed day(:

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer: Project #1

I have finished my first Pinterest project of the summer!

Braided t-shirt headband!

This headband was extremely simple!

Supplies:

-Old t-shirt

-Scissors

-Needle/thread

Here's What You Do:

-Cut the old t-shirt into horizontal strips about an inch wide (they will be circles)

-Make a cut across the fabric so it's just a line

-Sew three ends together

-Braid (measure your head so you know how long to make it!)

-Sew the last end together

-Finally, sew both ends together and put it on your head!

The Pinspiration!

Don't worry! There are 29 more projects to come! I just made a Salvation Army trip and found some great finds to make other Pinterest ideas!

bestillandsmile

My Pinterest Summer

I. Love. Pinterest. It's so hard not to. On a lazy night I can easily sit and pin everything in sight! Another 'guilt' of mine though, is NOT doing any of the awesome Pinterest ideas I pin!

So I have decided that through the course of the summer, I am going to complete 30 Pinterest ideas! On top of that I'm going to put my completed projects up here as a declaration of triumph! 

From recipes to crafts to whatever, I'm getting these done!

This guy right here is the board of the projects I want to complete!

(It's a work-in-progress! As I find awesome projects I want to do, I'll add them!)

Here I go!

bestillandsmile

A Little Home

"Sometimes you just need a little home."

This song just came on my iTunes, and got me thinking about how good it was to go home last weekend. I love living the college life, but getting homesick is not a foreign feeling.

There is something about pulling into my driveway after the drive from school, my little sister [Janelle] riding her bike around, my dad sitting on the patio, my dog running to greet me as I open my car door.

It's a good feeling.

It's home.

This trip home was a busy one! I was home for a night to pick up Janelle and head to Ohio for our cousins wedding the next morning.

Ohio, here we come!

It was a great trip to say at the least! Not only did I get to see my cousins, aunt, uncle, and grandma, I got to see my brother [Justin] and his girlfriend [Lyndsay] who currently live in Boston! My family tends to spread out across the country so when we can all get together, it's a pretty big deal. It was so nice just spending time and catching up with my family. 

 Janelle, Justin, and me with Grandma

 All the cousins together! (A rare occasion)

 Janelle, Lyndsay, and me!

Such a sweet couple. Congrats, Melissa and Paul!

The wedding was beautiful and it was such a blessing to share that special day with them.

The weekend went by too fast, but it was so good seeing everyone. We are all so busy and missing them comes easy. I am so thankful for events like this that gives us all an excuse to get together!

bestillandsmile

Jessica Ann

I can't imagine that I have a ton of interesting and life-altering things to say, but I figured I'd give this blog thing a try. I think I'm doing this more for myself than anyone who might read this. I like making memories, and I like remembering those memories even more. So here I am; documenting my life so I don't forget it!

That right there ^ that's me!

"Hello fellas, here I am!"

"So who is this Jessica Ann?" you ask (You weren't asking? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway!)

10 things I think you should know about me:

1. I am in love with God. He's wonderful and beautiful and all those good things.

2. My passion in life is to simply help and love people.

3. I love rubber ducks and teacup pigs (teacup pigs, by the way, are around $5000 and I will have one someday).

4. My relationships with people are very important to me.

5. I am afraid of birds (and I find it extremely mean when my friends try to navigate them toward me; which happens often).

6. I'm a bit of a geek (and proud of it).

7. I don't like to eat anything dyed blue, black, green, or purple (it creeps me out when things dye my mouth weird colors).

8. I'm trying to master the concept of living in the present and having faith that things will work out for the best.

9. I have a tattoo behind my ear that reads "be still" (from Psalm 46:10) with a bird (I know what you're thinking. "But she's afraid of birds..." Which I can only reply with: sometimes I don't make sense).

10. I love to be silly.

A little bit about what's happening in my life at this exact moment: 

I am 21 years old. I live in Rochester Hills. I go to Rochester College where I am about to begin my senior year (I'm both ecstatic and terrified that it's my last year of college) I am a Social Work major. I have lots of jobs currently which include: in the summer I work as an IT Student Worker (this is where I ask people if they have tried turning their computers off and on), I just (as in two days ago) got a job at Bath and Body Works, and in the school year I work as one of the Assistant Campus Ministers (I absolutely love this job). 

That's me in a nutshell(:

bestillandsmile