Whoa - what's with the new format?  I hate change.  Stupid change. 

It's been forever.  Xanga's dying - at least in my life - and it makes me sad.  Remember when xanga was fun??

These past couple weeks have been amazing.  God's revealed so much to me about himself.  He's teaching me to trust him...and I suck at it.  I went into this year with a lot of fears about a lot of things.  And it was stupid.  Because God knew just what I needed...just who I needed...and just when I needed it.  And yet I still struggle with the whole trust thing.  There's a whole lot of unknowns in my life right now and to be completely honest...I'm scared.  I hate change and I hate not knowing.  Yet how can I have seen God in my life in such an awesome way and not trust that what he has in store for the future is just as amazing? 

I miss home - my mom...my family...my nephews...my cat...my bed...my room...I'm ready to come home again.  I love home. 

It's been a really really really long time.  I've been busy.  Really busy. 

First there was London.  I almost didn't get to go because my foot wouldn't shape up and get over itself.  I found out 3 hours before my flight left that I could go.  But hardly - my Dr. still didn't want me to.  I was in London with the whole terrorist thing.  That was a fun time.  Flying home was the pits, but we were just happy to land safely in Chicago.  I learned a lot on the trip and saw amazing stuff.  Good experience.

Three days after getting home I moved back to school for training and a leadership retreat.  I was sad to go so soon and to leave my family and my nephews and I was still jet-lagged like crap but it was good to be back.  I'm super excited for this year. 

And now I'm going to the lake for the weekend.  To get away.  To rest.  To spend some time quietly.  I'm tired and worn out after this last month.  It's crazy how life can turn upside down and all of our plans go flying out the window.  It really tests my faith sometimes. 

I need wisdom for the future.  I'm confused and I need direction. 

So folks, I'm sick of xanga.  Good and sick of it.  That's why I never update.  That and I spent the good part of last week in the hospital....haha. 

So...that foot picture, that was the least of my concerns.  Last monday I cut my toe.  A different toe than my last update.  It wasn't a big deal, it didn't hurt, whatever.  The next morning my foot was swollen and painful and I was sick and on antibiotics.  The NEXT morning, I was admitted to the hospital because the antibiotics weren't working and they needed to go to IV meds.  The infection was moving up my ankle.  I was in the hospital for almost 5 days and my foot WOULDN'T get better.  But...I'm home now, it's pretty much better, the end!  Smile, I was really sick of the hospital. 

This Wednesday I leave for a two-week mission trip to London.  I'm excited.  I'm praying that I have no more issues with my foot in the next couple days because that will end my travel plans completely. 

I've missed summer.  I wish I were a kid again.  I wish we didn't have to grow up.  Remember when summer used to last for like years and years and years?  And now it feels like I JUST got out of school.  While I'm ready to be done with work and go back to school, I still feel like I've missed out on my summer.  Or at least not had the experience that it should have been.  But I'm okay.  I got to go to the beach on Friday.  And I got to swim with my nephew today.  So I'm happy.  I guess tomorrow I'll just have to go play with chalk and Monday I'll have to find some way to get really really dirty like we all used to when we were kids.  That brings me to Tuesday when I have to be grown up again and pack and do laundry and get ready to go and go to the dr for my foot and go furniture shopping.  But we'll try to fit in some fun stuff sometime over the next few days!  :) 

Meet Franklin Eugene. 

He's not very happy right now.  You see, he's quite blue - or black/purple I guess - but he's keeping all his tears inside, which is causing him quite a bit of swelling. 

He's so mean to me.  I mean it's not like I broke his heart or anything, I only seriously sprained it.  And all he ever does is ache and throb, not to mention practically screaming every time I step on him.  Jeez, you would think he could be just a BIT more tolerant. 

So if you see him...tell him to be nice.   

Whoa dude, it's been a long time.  I didn't realize it's been that long.  Sorry.

I GET TO GO TO INDIANA THIS WEEKEND!  Yes, I'm pumped.  I haven't seen those friends in months.  AND - no work.  Hallelujah.  I really need a break, I'm slightly sick of children.  Except I have to drive 5 hours twice....to go to Indiana that is. 

Last weekend I had strep.  It was a bummer.  Especially since I had splendid plans for the weekend.  Who gets strep in the summer anyway?

I still have a couple weeks until August.  I'm excited.  But I'm starting to be ready to go back to school too. 

NEWS - Austen Isaiah Robert was born on July 10 - my dad's 50th!  He's so sweet (and my new nephew for those of you who didn't know).  I like him. 

Alright, I'm leaving.