I found this little gem tucked away in the gardens of Hillwood Estates, in DC.  my mom, grandma and I spent the day there for her birthday.  it was more than fabulous!  

more to come soon. 

this week may be one of the busiest i've had in a long time!

happy friday to you!

summer reading.

this summer i plan on working. a whole. lot.  and i have a couple DIY projects brewing too(i'll keep you updated on those!)   but other than that, i just plan on doing a whole lot of this...

{source}

and in just about a month I'll be doing that here...

but with so many good books out there I need help!  what's on your summer reading list?

being the nerd that i am, the only books on my radar lately are text books(lame!).

unfortunately this will be on my summer list...

(annnd no, i have not read the hunger games yet. but they are at the top of my list!)

so tell me, what's your favorite classic, or brand-spankin-new summer read(s)???

that time where you kind of want to rewind 3 years...

boyfriend had his LAST undergrad class today at UMD!  i am soooooo proud of him :)  

i will miss my favorite study buddy while i'm in school next year, and he's off doing grown-up things...  like working.  

i'll miss those long days/nights in the library with him. studying, and maybe not studying, sometimes people watching. ok, usually people watching. 

that library... where the kids were too loud, the internet was too slow, and the library lady actually was mean.  

 without boyfriend, that library just. isn't. the. same.  

some of my favorite memories are from that little library at school. we even celebrated our 1 year anniversary there with take-out sushi while studying for finals. come on, if that's not the best date, i don't know what is! 

 so... to you trev, congrats! 

i'm excited for what's coming next for you!

{winners: most awkward couple faces!}

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

James 1:2-4 

{Rangely, Maine}

as i studied for an exam today this verse came to mind.  As this semester comes to an end, and my perseverance feels like it's weakening by the day, this is just the kind of reminder i need.  nursing school has been the trial i've had to face lately. 

there have been nights where i cried, felt defeated, and wanted to just give up.  i considered other majors and careers because i couldn't remember why i chose one that seemed impossible to achieve. 

well, come to realize, i had forgotten who chose this career for me. i forgot who had put the desire in me to care for people, and who had guided my steps to this point.  i was taking all of the credit when credit wasn't mine. i didn't put this trial in my life.  he did.  because he knows i can accomplish it, and has planned my life with this trial to refine me, and to grow my faith.  he has also given me the strength and perseverance to get to this half-way-point.  he specifically chose these trials for my life so that i can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. just the thought that he even wants that for me is mind-blowing.  the god of the universe wants me. little clancy. to be mature and complete. and to not lack anything. 

i often think i want an easier life.  stress-free, and less busy so i can do things i've pushed to the back burner.  but considering this verse, an easy life would be pointless.  there would be no opportunity to persevere, to trust God and come out on the other side of a trial stronger, and with more faith that you had before.  

i am so grateful for these trials i've been given over the past year.  for nursing school, for the tests that i thought would eat me alive, for the strained relationships, the heartache, and for the testing of my faith. 

 i am thankful that he cares for me enough to test me and refine me.

so, GO! climb that mountain of yours with perseverance this week...it's good for you!