the quesadilla incident.

I'm not a mom, but I often get mistaken for one when I have Viola with me.

"Your daughter looks just like you!"

"How old is your daughter?"

"You look great for having such a young child!"


I got that all the time with Trina when she was 2 and 3. I was 19, but looked 16, and got mistaken for a young single mother on more than one occasion. I got many comments, some rude and some sweet. Now it's Viola that gets pegged as my daughter. Thankfully I don't look 16 anymore, especially since I'm 23, and can pass for a mother a little easier.



Last week Alicia and I took Viola out for lunch at a little Mexican food place while Trina was at school. The sleepy girl was in dire need of a nap, but needed to eat first. Our food came quickly and she eagerly dug into her rice and beans, completely ignoring her quesadilla. The three of us girls giggled and talked as we ate. Viola went between sitting and standing on the bench, bringing her food with her and making a mess.

There were two guys sitting in the booth next to ours. They were talking about the Holy Spirit and other serious topics. These conversations were all happening while Viola was making faces at them and attempting to play peek-a-boo. The guys smiled and continued on with their conversations. At one point, Viola was standing on the bench holding her quesadilla, which was covered in rice, and was waving it around. She proceeded to hit the guy in the back of the head with it, leaving a trail of rice stuck in his hair and on his collar. She froze before pulling the quesadilla back to her and sitting down. I froze and had no idea what to do our say. This complete stranger had Viola's rice stuck in his hair and there was no way I was going to get it out. That would be awkward!

He turned around as Viola jumped up. I apologized a million times, but informed him that I would not be getting the rice off his head. Vi continued to make faces and chat with the guys.

"It's ok, I have young kids, too," was his response. He laughed about it as he brushed the rice out of his hair.

Alicia was laughing so hard, Vi was in the tired giggly state of messily eating, and I was mortified.

faith.

Faith is my fellow Comm-major friend. We survived lots of classes together. We bravely conquered classes with Dr. Fetzer, Kammerzelt, Janosz, and Worrall. They weren't actually hard to survive... we just talked and giggled a lot. Aside from being a Comm student, Faith and I have some fun things in common. We both love photography, singing, discounted clothes, yummy foods, funny youtube videos, and coffee. Her attention to detail and organization and efficiency is an inspiration to me!

Love you, Faith!

Emma.

Emma was my daily reminder that life was not as bad as I thought it was. She was my daily smile, hug, funny story, prayer, encouragement, workout partner, and sister in Christ. She came into my room each evening to give Heidi and I hugs and to say "goodnight". 

One night near the end of the semester, we had a Smith 5 bridal shower for all the girls on my floor who were engaged. I helped plan and run the event. I didn't think it would be so hard on me, but it was. I stuck it out until the very end when we broke into groups to pray for all the girls getting married in the few upcoming months. I sat on the floor with my girls and quickly felt myself breaking. I escaped from the group in tears. Emma was across the room, but slipped away to my rescue. I curled up on my bed crying and Emma curled up and cried with me. Em's sweet and gentle presence made day to day life beautiful. Even the broken pieces.


Love you, Em!

Annie.

Annie. One of my first friends in Chicago. Our years together were studded with odd relationships and health issues and funny memories and french fries and fancy tea. Along with deep conversations, many tears shed, giggling, and huge life-changing realizations.

I could write a book about all our adventures, but I'll spare you. For now. :)

One afternoon Annie and decided to ditch life and headed downtown for a few hours. I think we both cut classes to do so. I know I eagerly did! We happily walked down Chicago Avenue and Michigan Avenue, peeking into the fancy store windows and trying on clothes and jewelry in Forever21. We talked and giggled the entire time. On the way back to campus we stopped in a little chocolate shop and oohed and ahhed over the delicious looking chocolates. It was a perfect little escape from the pressures of Moody life. 

Annie's one of my best friends. I feel like I've grown up with, but in reality, we've only known each other for a few years.

Annie was also good at calling me out on things. Her answer quickly became "go talk to Bobby!". So Bobby, you can blame Annie.

Love you, Annie! And I guess Jake, too.

Laura.

I often ran into Laura's room to tell her something exciting, ask a question, "borrow" some tea, snatch a quick hug, or to throw myself on her bed. I secretly didn't want her to graduate so she wouldn't move off campus. I love Laura and the gentle reminders she gave. She continually reminded me who God was and she reminded me who I was. God is sovereign and I am His daughter. His precious and priceless daughter.

Love you, Laura!

Heidi.

I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you.

We had too many adventures to just pick one to dive into. Tortilla chips, coffee, photo shoots, 17 Again, emotional ABC Family dramas, hysterical laughing, fashion shows, late nights, early mornings, nap times, high heels, pad thai, caffeine, frozen yogurt, cold weather complaining, boots, skinny jeans, blankets, forts, textbooks...

LOVE YOU!!!


This is the first of my "I miss Chicago people" blog posts.

Happy 2nd birthday, Vi!

Baby Vi. I'll be calling her a baby until she's 10. At least. I hope she's ok with that.

1 month. 

10 months.

22 months.

(almost) 24 months.

Happy birthday, precious girl! I can't wait for the next year's worth of adventures, smiles, hugs, and photos with you!

Love you, baby Vi! :)

**Look how long my hair was when she was 10 months!! Ah.

99 Days Till Christmas.

Yep. We broke the cardinal rule by listening to Christmas music and even singing along to it! 99 days till Christmas. Double digits. A party had to happen!

more talking than writing lately.

I've been doing more talking than writing lately. I've had lots to process and think through that wasn't suitable blogging material. At least for the time being. I've spent lots of time with my usual people and have said numerous times, "I'll post a blog about this in a year". And it's true. I probably will. I've been doing some writing and have a list of things to post next year around this time. :)

I never should have stopped writing. It's time to start again. Maybe tomorrow.