Wednesday = LONGEST DAY EVER

YEP! This is me with my Anthropology midterm THAT I GOT A 98% on! HECK YES! My professor, he's hilarious. I have my anthropology class from 7-10 p.m. It's basically torture, but Dr. Tate (he insists we call him James) is such an awesome professor, the time seriously flies by. I actually look forward to going to his class! So we got our tests back today in class, and when he hands mine to me, he folds it in half so that nobody near me can see my score, and tells me "Um, Miss Branca, I need to see you after class... I'm really disappointed with your score!"

When I open it up?? Oh yeah, I got an A. He was cracking up at the expression on my face. I mean, this guy is just great. I wish ALL of my professors had the attitude he does... maybe I can invite my Geography professor to one of my Anthro classes to give her a taste of what GOOD teaching is....

Okay, well I have to go get some homework done. Praise the Lord for my good score! He's been so good to me this past week. 

Okay, so it's 1:45 in the morning, and I should be sleeping, but I can't. "Emily, why can't you sleep at 1:45 in the morning?!" you ask in alarm.... The answer? Because my back is in so much pain that I can hardly sit without wanting to scream out. It started this morning when I woke up. My body is so predictable. I can feel the pain approaching, and I know exactly how it will advance. It started with a tiny little pinch in my lower back, but throughout the day it turned into this gnarly, painful, swollen knot in my lower back. The only answer? Dr. Frank. He is my only hope! This man, Dr. Frank, is the MAN! He's my chiropractor, and I am going to see him FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING! My favorite thing about Dr. Frank is the fact that I can walk into his office without an appointment, anytime, any day, and he will fit me in within about 5 minutes. Dr. Frank is going to be my new favorite person tomorrow!!! Pray for my back. 

And one more thing, this week is going to be FANTASTIC because my long lost friend is coming to visit me.... okay, well she's not just coming to see me, maybe her family lives here too, and her husband's family too, but I'd like to think that I have something to do with her trip home  :) I miss her a TON, and really need her friendship right now. Kayla Platt is one amazing woman, and I can't wait to spend some good, quality time with her. 

Okay, perhaps I'll try sleeping now... maybe if I take some Tylenol PM it will help... 

Goodnight!!

Accomplished!

So today has been a fantastic one. I got to hang out with some awesome kids (thanks Stirring Moms!!), I vacuumed my house, I washed my dishes, I swept my kitchen, I paid rent, and it's only 1:00 p.m. I'm feeling very accomplished today. I've got to say that by far the best part of the day thus far was hanging out with the kids. There were seven total. Ages ranging from 8 months (I think? I don't know exactly how old the little guy was) to about 4 (again, it's a guess). They were so much fun! I get to do it once a month for a group of moms from the Stirring. I watch the kids while they get a little "mommy" time- they go get some coffee and talk about a book they are reading. It's such a blast for me, and I don't think they even know it. The mom's look at is as though I'm doing them a favor, but in reality, THEY are doing ME a favor!!! Those kids seriously bring so much joy to my day. I get to re-evaluate my busy, hectic life, and realize that time is so precious. I need to enjoy the little moments- like dancing around the living room with 7 kids- it's fantastic!!!

The Lord continues to show me my passion for kids. I think He has huge dreams for me with children, and He continues to lay these dreams on my heart. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Here's a picture Erika Edwardson (one of the amazing moms in this group) took the last time I got to help them out. I love how much is going on in this picture. 

Everybody, meet ROCKY

Here he is, in ALL his glory. My cat Rocky. He's such a character. I've been sitting in my living room for about 2 hours now doing some lovely homework (uggggggg) and Rocky has been seriously running ALL over my tiny one bedroom apartment. At every single movement I make, he freaks, and takes off in the opposite direction. He's up on the counters, on the couch, in the bathtub... he's CRAZY! I don't know if any of you reading this have met Rocky, but he's one unique cat. Very wild and FULL of personality. I mean, look at his picture. It kind of speaks for itself! This is his favorite pose. He'll strike it anytime. Usually on the arm of the couch. I love him, but at 4 a.m. I just can't deal with his freakish behavior. OH ROCKY! 

I'm glad that you've now been properly introduced. If you ever come over to my lovely house, I'm sure he will greet you with a carefully planned attack... usually to the leg. You've been warned!

it's offical

I'm exhausted. End of story. My mind is exhausted. My body is exhausted. My heart is exhausted. I'm starting to slowly fall apart. This is something I do when I get to the point of a meltdown... I get extremely overly anxious, and feel claustrophobic around just about anybody. I think this is my body's way of telling me I need to chill out a little bit. No more of this staying-up-until-2am-and-waking-up-at-7am business anymore. 

I think I'm going to go take a nap until I have to work at 4. Doesn't that sound glorious? I really wanted to get some "God time" today, but I have a feeling God wants me to get some "sleep time"... Pray for my body to quickly recuperate. Thanks.

lovelovelove

School!

Only three weeks into it, and I'm already counting down the days until this semester is over. I made the mistake of signing up for an online class... what a disaster! I'm such a procrastinator, and this online class is like the procrastinator's nightmare.... or dream, depending on how you look at it. I have an essay and a 60 point test due by the end of today. I haven't even started either of them. I'm beyond stressed out. Why do I do this to myself?! I have to leave for church in two hours. I haven't showered yet. I'm ridiculous. My choices are basically do a poor job on the essay, and have enough time for church tonight, or skip church and turn in a well written paper. I don't like either one!

What to do what to do.... Oh well, I suppose it will all work out just fine. 

My final decision? Going to church. School's overrated anyways! HA. Only 3 years left. Sheesh, that's kind of depressing. 

I guess it all comes down to just having a bit of faith... good thing I've got a LOT of faith, huh?? 

Something great in the works

So, I haven't really blogged in a while.... something great is soon to come, but I'm not quite there yet. 

So much going on in my life:

-school

-work

-the Stirring Kids

-Life Groups

-my car (constantly needing repair)

-did i mention school (16 units baby)

-volunteering with a kindergarten class

I'm a dreamer...