twenty somethings

Sometimes I feel dumb telling people what I do. 

I'm a 23 year old, college graduate with a journalism degree from Grady College, 

living in Atlanta, nannying my nephew and working at a cupcake shop.

One of my best friends and former college roommates posted this article on my facebook wall.
"Success happens in the details"

It really helped me put things into perspective and remember that I am here taking some risks to go after something I really want to do. And from the words of Lorelei Gilmore herself,  'if we go down after two years...It'll be the most exciting two years of our lives!' (this quote is constantly in the forefront of my mind)

I'm so grateful to have the support of my family and friends around me. Especially knowing that none of them will ever let me starve :)

A few of my favorite quotes from the article:

*Success is not an Egg McMuffin, delivered to us for a $3, three minute investment. No, success is the Sistine Chapel—it takes years, pain, frustration, thousands of brushes, colors and crumpled up sketches before you have your masterpiece.

*our twenties are simply about building our endurance so that we can run the race in the future.

*Our twenties are a process, not a surprise party. You don’t just walk into the door and all of the sudden your calling jumps out from behind the couch. 

So if you are feeling anything similar to me, take heart. Know that just because we're out of college (maybe not even for some), in our twenties and feel like we are supposed to have everything figured out, we don't. God is the only one who has everything figured out. Don't be misguided by the confidence of your peers or elders around you. Yes some may think they have it figured out for now, but that won't last forever.

Its better to make mistakes than do nothing at all.

Sarah Kate's Bakery

Every time I tell someone that I moved to Atlanta, their first question is: did you get a new job?

That's a hard question to answer because after working at ESP full-time for the last year, I'm changing direction drastically and not getting a full-time gig right off the bat.

Instead, I'm spending three days a week watching my nephew (the cutest thing the world!) - My mornings now consist of smiles, dirty diapers, naps and lots of laughter. I love being able to spend so much quality time with him.

One of my main goals of moving to Atlanta is to continue working for
Sarah Kate's Bakery.

It is currently a special order online bakery in Marietta that only uses all natural ingredients and makes lots of delicious gluten-free goodies (they are my favorite and i don't have a gluten-free diet)

I've been working with Katie for the last two years and it has been SO fun!

Baking has always been a passion of mine and I'm so excited to be pursuing it.

Katie & I at the first wedding we did together!

Check out the facebook page now, like it and share the post on top for a chance to win a dozen gluten free cinnamon sugar donuts! (I had one yesterday - it was incredible!)

Side note: A Cup of Jo talked about this healthy snacking website that delivers snacks to you >

Naturebox.com. Click here, use the CUPOFJO code and get 50% off!

Endings & Beginnings

“beginnings are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s what’s in the middle that counts. so when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up. and it will.”

I share this quote to announce that I AM MOVING TO ATLANTA!

This week will be my last week with ESP.

I will spend one more weekend in Athens, celebrating one of my dear friend's birthday and saying 'see ya later' to many friends and people who have become my family over the past five years.

I'm excited about my new adventure but also a little scared and very much taking a leap of faith.

When I moved to Athens five years ago, I never imagined staying after I graduated.

But God showed me last year that this is where I needed to be.

Now, I realize that he wasn't done using Athens and the people here to help me grow.

Athens is the place that I have called home for 5 years;

where I fell in love with God all over again,

where many tragedies and heartaches have occurred,

where I found my lifelong friends,

where I fell in and out of like,

where I truly discovered who I am and who I want to be.

I am so grateful to all the people who came into my life while I was here; how much they gave to me, took care of me in my time of need, loved me and taught me.

I wouldn't be who I am without the influence of this beautiful city and the ministry here.

Making the decision to leave my ESP family was probably the hardest of all. 

Having only spent a year and a half with them, it amazes me how attached to all the individuals and families I have become.

Its not just my job, it really is my family.

And I am so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life.

If Atlanta wasn't so close, I don't think I could leave.

But 316 and I have become good friends over the years and, while I would like to stay off it for a few weeks, I know we will be reunited very soon.

throwback time...

My first picture in Athens after I moved. Walking around the day before classes trying to figure out where to go - we were like lost puppies. Thanks to Kelsey Chase for showing us the ropes!!!

 

My first UGA football game. I had no idea at this point how much this amazing woman would impact me.

My first roommates. Wouldn't have made it through the past five years without these incredible women by my side!

Life as I know it

Life never seems to slow down. Even during my 'vacation', I was running around like a crazy person - for a wedding, of course!

So many of my friends have gotten married and now the baby trend is starting amongst my brother & sister's friends. In fact, I became an Aunt two months ago! He is the cutest little bundle of joy. And in my completely biased opinion, a very attractive baby... I could talk about him all day long.

Sometimes life seems to be in fast forward...

Even though every day may feel like a week, I'm enjoying the stage of life I'm in. 

I have the time & freedom to figure out what I really want in life.

What I want to do, who I want to be.

I'm realizing so much about myself.

Like how passionate I've become for individuals with special needs and how I want to continue serving them no matter what I'm doing. Dreaming of ways to do this is really fun!

I love dreaming with Laura. She is one of the biggest dreamers I have ever met and I've learned so much from her constant desire to take things to the next level that I never think is possible.

And this year has been quite an adventure!

New friendships, dating one of my best friends, becoming an aunt, traveling all over for wedding after wedding and always planning events.

I'm sure the next 5 months of 2013 will prove to be even more so!

cutest little man EVER!

being sassy with my sister in Chicago!

My life at camp

At age 23, I've officially spent at least one week of every summer (except one-when i decided to eat and walk my way through the hills of Tuscany) for the past 17 years at camp.

Wow.

And I'm still here.

I have a full time, year round job and I'm still at camp.

And loving every minute of it.

Living in an RV, drinking as much coffee as humanly possible, bouncing around taking pictures and soaking in every smile and every hug that comes my way. 

I think I said this before but seeing these kids, who I've spent the last year getting to know, thrive during their favorite week of the summer creates an inexpressible joy in my heart that nothing will ever replace.

What brings joy to your heart these days?

Setting up our new home - sweet home

The view from my desk-lovely isn't it ;)

This is our living room, dining room, kitchen, office, baby room and wardrobe all in one. Efficient, right?!

My sleeping quarters...makes me feel a little like Harry.

Wedding Wednesday: The one where I was the maid of honor & the coordinator

Yeah, that happened. 

And it was crazy.

Oh and did I mention it was an outdoor wedding...

and it rained...

we almost had to move it inside.

But instead we made every one wait

And everything turned out alright.

Every wedding, something happens that you didn't expect and didn't plan for.

Because as much as we would love to control everything (lets be honest), we just can't.

What was that one thing at your wedding?

I want to hear all the good stories!

Have a wacky Wednesday!

The year of change

So much has changed in the last 8 months. Too many to count. 

I have been so blessed with an incredible life and my job reminds me of that constantly. I'm currently sitting in an RV at camp (where Laura, her kids and I are staying for the week) and searching through pictures I've taken this week. 

To see the smiling faces on the campers' faces and know that you had something to do with that is incredible. 

I've left the blogosphere for a while, partially because I filled up my picture quota and partially because I hit a point where I feel that people don't care about what I'm saying. But I want to make an impact and part of that might be by sharing the experiences I've had this year, with all of you.

God has taught me every day to love unconditionally and be patient. How to push through emotions or physical ailments. And how to serve no matter what. I'm so grateful for having these kids in my life and the impact they have made.

 And I have a pretty incredible boss :)

I mean, come on, who else lives in an RV with their boss for two weeks?!

Today I challenge you to think of the most influential person in your life right now and how you can impact someone else...could just be by giving them a hug every day.