lately.

i have been running from work to school, then back home again

i usually do homework in the mornings, but lately it's been at the oddest times. i was falling asleep last night trying to make a midnight spanish homework deadline. if you squeezed me, spanish words involving EL MEDIO AMBIENTE and LA NATURALEZA and EL GATO (duh) would come out.

i'm home for two or three half hour increments during the day

sneaking in "modern family" to maintain sanity (it's working. and i think i'm getting a six pack from laughing so hard. SCORE!)

giving up computer time during the day to do things like DISHES and MAKE THE BED; i'm embarrassed to admit just how much can be done in those 20 minute segments

feeling gratitude; we are incredibly blessed

dreaming about living in portland WILL IT HAPPEN? X)

The Things I Carry.

keys

books lots of books

a backpack 

scarves everyday

curiosity 

Past Tense oil from Doterra it cures headaches like a boss

snacks they make every day worth it ;)

a smile

bobby pins you never know when you'll need one

blessings

a journal and always a pen

a phone that gets way too much of my time

an attitude I know I can control but sometimes forget

what sometimes feels like the weight of the world on my shoulders 

eye glasses some large some small

compassion for my surroundings

an iPod primarily filled to the brim with Harry Potter 

hope for good things to come

and these are just a few.

What do you carry?

Happiness is....

..getting through a week you thought impossible

..waking up to a text at 6 a.m. with word and picture that your newest niece has been brought into the world. And not being able to fall back asleep because you're too excited

..friends coming to visit, so excited to see you and venture the place you call home

..fall photo shoots full of laughs

..the complete dive of Nell's Drive In, but dreamy cream drinks and deliciously greasy food.. and more laughs

..24 hours of fun and feel good with some of your favorite people that you couldn't have planned better if you tried

..feeling loved and that you have enough

..somehow getting your homework turned in by midnight without completely crashing the party

..facetime with family, where you are so excited to talk you keep interrupting one another

..hardly being able to hold back the tears talking about the newest little Thompson baby (name TBD)

..the smell of baked pumpkin cookies filling the apartment, and for once not stuffing yourself full of them

..crisp, fresh autumn air that somehow makes life feel new

..wanting to freeze time, but knowing you can't because there are more good things to come

This is happening happiness

Brotherly Timeline.

1990
I was unaware that my five older brothers were swimming in our pool in Las Vegas doing celebratory canon balls at my arrival

1992
They were sure it was broken. My brothers said a prayer at home and my arm was healed before the hour long drive to the hospital

1997
I didn't miss mom and dad as much when Clayton would let me jump on his bed and and dance to Louie Armstrong while eating popsicles

1999
Tyler taught me a few rad tricks and we put on a magic show: Malony the Great

2000
The excitement of the millennium wore Henry and I out so much we fell asleep before the ball dropped

2002
I open my purse to pay for my things and the store clerk sees Joey's senior picture and asks if it's my boyfriend. I blush

2003
Bad hair cut. Chris tries to cheer me up by hesitantly saying a girl's hair wasn't everything. But I knew he was lying and I cried

2006
Starting high school in a town I knew my brother's legacies still lived in. I was different

2008
One more year until graduation. I looked forward to getting a Marmot sleeping bag that doubled as ceremoniously becoming "one of the older kids"

2008
Braces again. Now Henry and I look even more like twins: I couldn't be more proud

2009
Wedding number four: Kyle this time. I knew I'd be next, and dreamed about when that day would come

2010
All of us at the cabin on Christmas Day, laughing and crying as we open the handmade gifts we made for one another

2011
At my wedding dinner: I weep endlessly as they all take the time over the open mic to tell me how much they love me and are grateful for the man I found to take care of me

2012
We're spread out over five different states, but they are still my best friends in the whole world



disclaimer: i don't know if my brother's were doing canon balls when i was born. but we had a pool, lived in LV, so why not?

the life of the student.

Writing lists that desperately need to be crossed off; grabbing warm papers from the printer and running to class; leaving the house without a jacket and regretting it as soon as it's too late to turn back; getting to know people you learn to call your close fiends; going to sleep in the cool mountain air; waking up chilly while the rest of the world is asleep; looking out the window wondering what the day holds; dancing in the tiny apartment; looking forward to the weekend like nobody's business; new glasses; weekend trips home; nights out with friends; snacking; lectures you can't write fast enough for; going to bed early; bike rides through campus;  completing assignments that once seemed impossible; daydreaming: is there really life after school? In the meantime, this gig isn't so bad.