SEATTLE VACATION

as most people know, I went on vacation with my parents to Seattle a couple weeks ago.
it was probably one of the best vacations I have ever been on.
the weather was absolutely magnificent.
the city itself was incredible.
we went out to the mountains and it was beautiful.
we got to go see the Pacific Ocean, which was outstanding.
we happened to be out there on a Sunday and got to go to a wonderful church called Blue Sky Church.
which happens to be planted by the Vine from Carbondale, how cool.
overall, I loved it!
now, I want to move out there now.
I think my parents are okay with that too, haha.

waterfall at Mt. Rainier

mom & dad at Mt. Rainier

sunset from the Space Needle

Lenin Statue in Fremont

Bainbridge Island

sunset overlooking Pacific Ocean on 4th of July

loved this sign :)

northwesternmost point of the continguous US

mom & dad by the Seattle Aquarium 

Fremont Troll from "10 Things I Hate About You"

Lake Crescent

Space Needle

first Starbucks

this is the Air Force One that JFK used!!! [ I was kind of excited :) ]

Pike Place Market

Chihuly Garden & Glass

proud aunt!!

I've clearly been on a blog hiatus for unknown reasons.
but I'm back and with a collection of pictures of my sweet Jelly Bean.
Dane, Jean & Hallee Jae came over for lunch today after church.
we had a good time eating & spending time together.
of course, we had to take some pictures of our sweet girl.
so here are a few of them.

you could say that I'm one proud aunt :)

life as a college graduate

graduation.
yes, as you may have heard, I am now officially a college graduate.
as of May 5th, I have my Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications Design from the University of Evansville.
it's so crazy, but exciting all at the same time.
and I know your next question... "So, what are you going to do now?"
well, I don't have any plans at this very moment.
I am enjoying my time off from school and real responsibility.
I plan on putting applications in at lots of places in lots of cities.
and I'm putting the rest in God's hands.
only He knows what's going to happen.

my favorite college professor, Larmann [he taught me everything I know about painting]

getting my diploma from President Kazee

delicious cupcakes for the mustache bash

my awesome mustached friends

4 out of 5 roomies

UE graduate

graduation was wonderful.
so many of my awesome family and friends were able to be there to celebrate this milestone in my life.
it felt so good knowing I have so many people who will always support me no matter what.
we had a "mustache bash"/shrimp boil at my campus house afterwards.
it was delicious and so much fun.


22.
since graduation, I've celebrated my 22nd birthday.
I had a wonderful lunch with my momma.
got to go out for dinner and a movie with my awesome friends.
and then I went out the next night for dinner at Red Lobster with my parents.
overall, nothing too special.


my momma.
lastly, I know I've almost missed the boat, but I want to mention my momma.
I know Mother's Day was yesterday and I should have done this then, but I didn't, so I'm doing it now.
everyone likes to say that they have the best mom, but I'm pretty sure they are all wrong.
my mom is the best.
she's always been there for me, no matter what.
even when we don't see eye to eye, she's always there supporting me through it all.
she loves me unconditionally.
I have been blessed with Christian parents who have set a Godly example for how I should live my life.
there are so many people who don't have that, including some of my best friends.
I'm so glad I have parents who are able to step up and be parents to those who don't have an example at home.
I've also been lucky enough to have lots of "mommas" in my life who have had a positive impact on my life.
Mama Mel, Aunt Marsha, Grandma Freda, Grandma Linda, Gigi, Mrs. Small, Aunt Denise, April, Leslie, BO.
the list really could go on and on.
I'm so thankful for the people God has placed in my life, especially my family.

my momma, the new 'grammy'