twenty.

She is twenty.

This gorgeous girl with her clear blue eyes and her sweet smile.

And her freckles.

I am so jealous.

She's my best friend, my inspiration, my partner in crime.

We've been together for ages, exploring and living, fighting, (of course) but always making up.  Things aren't nearly as exciting by yourself, right?

 We  love many of the same things, hiking, cooking, playing outside.

So those are the things we do together.

And we've always been super cool. . .

Well, she has.  I had some bad days. . . 

But, of all the things we love, laughing makes the top of the list.  I can think of countless situations, one of us having a problem or being in trouble, but always finding something to laugh about.  

She's like that.

Finding the good in every situation.  

{I have to help sometimes, but we are still human here.  :)}

So this year on her special day, my mother asked many of our friends to write something encouraging to Lillian, beautiful words for her to read over and over as the years go by.

On the morning of Lillian's special day, my family gathered around (with the addition of our amazing friend Olivia, who is practically family) to read to her the beautiful words from her friends.
It was lovely.
We cried.

And laughed.

Thank you to all who took the time to write something encouraging to my sister, who was truly touched by the evidence of so much love.
We get so caught up in our problems sometimes, so blinded by sin and sadness that we forget there are countless souls who love us for who we are.
And most of all that there is ONE who will always love us no matter what.
And that is what fills my heart with joy.

"Lilleyin, I wish you did not go.  I lov you so much." - Melissa Anne

". . .Lillian, when asked to write a note for you, I did so without hesitation.  The words came so easily.  I did not have to 'think of something nice to say.' That's because you are a wonderful person!  And I pray that God would bless you richly on your birthday and always!  Keep following God's direction in your life and cling tightly to Him always. . ."

"You always have a kind, positive, encouraging word.  You are thoughtful and friendly to those you meet.  You are quick to laugh and to share others' joys and sorrows.  You are a wonderful example for me to follow, and I thank you for that.  And Lillian, on top of being one of the most genuinely nice people I know, you are also one of the most beautiful girls I know. . . You are such a blessing to so many people, Lil!  Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.  Love you, sweet girl!"

My dearest Lillian,
It has come.  This day on which we gather to honor you and your lovely life.
I can't even begin to find the words to describe all that you mean to me.  You are so patient with me, especially when I don't deserve it (which, by the way, makes be feel especially terribly, and more like a lowly worm than anything else.)
But that is what I need.  A constant reminder of the attributes I know I need to possess, but so easily slip through my fingers.  You have a grasp on life.
Things don't seem to take you by surprise.  And even when they do, you somehow manage to keep your head and deal with them (well, most of the time).  You are a daily inspiration.  Watching you grow into a Godly young woman helped me realize the importance of growing in faith.  I was stuck in a rut of non-growth, but you helped pull me out, whether you knew it or not.  My goal was (and is) to grow up to be just like you, loved and appreciated by all.  You don't seem to see it, but people love you.  They love YOU.  For your sweet spirit and your quiet laugh.  For your continuing determination to show Christ's love, even when it does not seem to be wanted.  I hope you realize this as you read these notes, I did, just barely fighting back the tears.  I love you so much, my darling sister.  You keep me held together.  I don't know what I would do without you, and I pray I will never have to find out.  (Well now that I have finished this on a depressing note, I ought to think of something funny to say. . .so. . .I shall end with a Daily Odd
Compliment.  "Today, I gave myself a headache, trying to picture how someone would describe a jellyfish to a blind person.  And that's when I realized I shouldn't be left alone and I miss you."  He he he. . .)
Much Love,
Eady

Learning.

Seventeen years is a long time.  Having recently passed another milestone in my life, I have been mulling over the past years, my relationships with people, but mostly the ways I have grown and all the things I have learned.  And the good thing is, it never stops.  I am so blessed by the ability to constantly learn and apply the things I have learned, changing the way I view myself, the way I treat others, and ultimately the love I have for my Savior.

So here's to another year of:

Learning to spend more time outside, enjoying God's stunning creation.

Learning to really talk to people.  Not just skin deep, trivial, small talk kinda stuff, but heartfelt conversations where you laugh, and cry, and love each other.

Learning to keep climbing towards my goals, to shoot for the moon and land on a star, to follow my dreams.  And when the journey seems slow, pray and study the Scriptures to make sure my desires are aligned with God's word, and keep working, trusting God's will for my life.

Learning to spend more time with the people I love.  (Preferably while eating food that I love.  Like Thai Chicken Pizza.  Just sayin')

Learning to stand out. and not be afraid about what people think of me.

Especially when you look awesome like this chick.

And when you're wearing killer heels, everything is ok.  Even when that guy is staring at you like you're  insane.  You're not.

Learning to be silly.  I think I have this one down pat.  Life is short.

Learning to love fully and without restraint.  It's one of those things we can't live without.  And it's totally worth doing well.  When you treat someone with love, you are doing them (and yourself) one of the best favors I can think of.  Maybe they're hurting, or sad, or just having a bad day, but love can heal it all.  

Learning to think positively.   It really affects the way you act.

These awesome, gorgeous girls helped me understand the importance of being positive.
 And the importance of laughing more.   Like, all the time.   ;)

Learning to pray about everything.  Learning to give God everything.  All the honor, all the glory.  He deserves it.  I don't.



What are you learning?

Reminicing

(This was supposed to be posted yesterday, and you know you love pretending. . . thanks a bunch!)    

     Yesterday the question in my five year journal was "What is your most cherished memory from the past year?"  Thinking of this brought back so many lovely memories from the past year, (and some not so lovely ones,) that I had to share with you.  So, here's to a wonderful new year, and I hope and pray that it will bring me closer to the ultimate prize in my walk with the Lord.

Not to mention the fact that it gave me an excuse to go through all our pictures again. . . 

There were not very many pictures from January, because my grandfather passed away.  We had seen changes in his life, and after speaking with a close friend of his who had been privately counseling him in spiritual matters, we are confident that he is with the Lord.

In February we took a girls trip to Charlotte with my best friend and her mom.  Our birthdays are the 3rd and 4th, so we drove up, (got lost taking a "shortcut") and spent two days shopping, eating, laughing, visiting her family, and trying on killer heels and clothes we couldn't afford.

Keeping a straight face is very difficult.

See?

Melissa "Annie Oakley" turned five in March and my mother turned fdsanoinjenj.  In case you were wondering, that is just another way of saying 29.

"Put 'em up!"

April is Lillian's birthday month, so we hosted a little "European Picnic" in the backyard with the fam.

Vegetables and hummus, meat, olives and feta, citrus rounds,  crackers and cheese,  and  rosemary artisan bread

 In May, we took a family trip to Virginia, visited Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, Monticello, Ashlawn Highland, and Polyface.

Statue of Thomas Jefferson in Yorktown.

I like doing hair.  People tell me I'm good.  Lillian makes fun of me.  She says I spend three hours doing my hair.  (Which is totally not true, just sayin'.)  Back in June was when I really started to do "fancy stuff."  

This was my first attempt.  I was really proud.  Of course, it fell out within a few hours, but I try to forget that part.

When we went to Williamsburg, I sewed a colonial outfit ensemble for myself.  (Lesson learned - summer heat + corset, long dress, and jacket + walking around all day is not fun.)  (Then again, having people ask directions and random questions is pretty neat.  And there was a lady who asked for a picture with us. . .) Anyway, in July, our church had a Father-Daughter Colonial Banquet, so, thankfully I already had a dress.  I tried to be period correct, but I ran out of time, and finished my corset with bobby pins.  Shhh, don't tell!

I got to be the "official colonial hairdresser," with some help from Nancy, my "official colonial hairdresser's assistant."

Ah, August.  I received this letter from a dear friend after a small incident with a  scared girl and a jack-in-the-box.  Which led to a little blood and a small scar, hardly visible anymore.  It was funny for me, and not so funny for the scared girl.  I did suggest climbing trees to her once and later she fell and had a concussion, though.  I guess we're pretty even, now.

Aren't those unicorns adorable?!?

We also went and rode rides at our county fair in August, which was too much fun not to mention.

I loved this ride.  It was like a hamster ball that rolled around and switched directions very roughly.  Lillian, on the other hand, did not care for it at all.  In fact, I was rather afraid she would lose the contents of her stomach onto me, but thankfully we hadn't eaten our funnel cake and fried cheesecake yet.

In September we went to the mountains with some friends, and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views.

Isn't the view spectacular?

Hold on,

There, that's better.  Oh, now I want to go back.  

October held our first (and only, unfortunately) camping trip of the year.  I posted about it here, so there's no use in boring you again, but I did re-edit this picture of my cousin and me. . .

There.  Aren't we so cute?  :)

Back in June, Lillian and I acted in a film produced by some friends of ours.  Actually, we met them during auditions, but a week spent in pretty much one room with no air conditioning, lots of bright lights, and about 12 people either makes good friends, or mortal enemies.  We're pretty much friends.  The movie premiered in November, so we took some girlfriends up to see it with us, and spent the day shopping before the movie.

Christina and me.  And Coffee.  (not pictured)

After the movie, we drove back to our house, had some other girls over, and watched Robin Hood until two in the morning.  And then stayed up a little later (*cough, cough* 6am)  talking.



And here's December, barely over, yet seems so far away.  (It's been a long day.)

Christmas has come and passed, as well as New Year's Eve, and now, on New Year's Day I have had the privilege of re-living the past year through pictures and precious memories.  I hope very much that this year will be as amazing and inspiring as the last.

WHAT MADE YOUR YEAR SPECIAL?

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening...

Well, not exactly.  Unfortunately, down in the South, we don't get much snow, so my title should be more like "Stopping by Woods on a Brown Winter Morning..."

Not as lovely and poetic, eh?

This morning, Daddy, Lillian and I went for a bike ride on a local river trail.

After eight miles up and down hills, Daddy informed us that his legs "felt like spaghetti noodles."

A&A

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted!  Things have been really busy around here, hopefully over Christmas break I'll be able to post more often.  Thank you for being patient!

Awkward:
- Missing your weekly blog post.
- Not knowing what someone really thinks of you.  Whether that funny look they gave you is just a funny look or if they are annoyed to death with you.
- Getting song lyrics wrong, then when someone finally sets you straight, you feel really dumb for not understanding the first time.
- Those unflattering pictures your five year old sister takes.

Awesome:
- Gelato.  Nutella gelato.
- Having a friend stay with you who helps clean your disaster of a room.
- BBC's t.v. show Robin Hood with Jonas Armstrong and Richard Armitage.
- Thanksgiving.  Pumpkin pie, pound cake, chocolate chess pie, apple cake, lemon pie, lime pineapple salad . . . the list goes on and on.
- Antique stores that never end.  And hats.  Beautiful, vintage hats with veils.
- Chocolate Mint Mochas.
- Finally getting to see the movie Lillian and I helped with / acted in this summer.
- Chick-fil-a's Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes.
- "Partying" until 2'oclock in the morning - Eight girls, Sparkling Lemonade, Parmesan popcorn, M&M's, watching. . . you guessed it. . . Robin Hood!!
- My new iTouch 5!  Got it in the mail this afternoon.  Instagram here I come!
- Christmas music.  : )

Family Reunion

Family + Camping + Food = Awesomeness

This past weekend we all piled into "Old Bessie" and traveled down to rural South Carolina for a few days.  After arriving at my great aunt and uncle's house, the festivities began.  I don't know about anywhere else, but here in the south, family reunions consist of much talking, laughing, reminiscing, and LOTS of eating.  Anywhere from oysters to 9 layer chocolate cakes to "hash" over rice.  (Hash is a South Carolinian meat dish consisting of minced pork, mustard, spices, and other odd ingredients.  Bleh.)  So if you ever have the opportunity to go to a Southern FR, GO...  unless you don't like food, then don't go.  But enough said, here are some pictures from the trip - 

Campsite

"Take me home, Country Road to the place where I belong"

Cousins 

After lunch Saturday, a few of us girls went on a "fall flower expedition."  To make a long story short, we got trapped by water, had to drive backwards down a skinny, overgrown path, then got stuck in some mud, had to drive backwards down another skinny overgrown path, and I got all splattered with mud in the process.  

I love the country.

But through it all, we collected some beautiful foliage and berries, and shared many good laughs.

Bear likes bacon and sausage and coffee.

For the first two days the skies were mostly cloudy, and gray, but the last day this was waiting for us outside the tent.

"The heavens declare the glory of God"

Thank you Aunt Mary and Uncle Derriel for opening your home to us and being such marvelous hosts!