A letter to Apartment 311

Dear Apartment 311,                        

With your spacious living room and amazing closet space, the 4 of us were never lacking the space that we needed to find moments of solitude.  But, as you well know, the moments of solitude were not what made the last 13 months great.  It was the moments spent sitting around the table in your open dining area, the moments when we decided that roommate sleepovers on the living room floor were awesome, the moments sitting on the kitchen counter having chats, the moments spent on your wonderful balcony that displayed the beauty of nature that can be found in the middle of the city, the moments of hyper-ness that occured regularly in your bedrooms and the moments of great joy that took place within your walls.

311, your walls had a front row seat to some of the best times of my life.  Your walls witnessed countless fits of uncontrollable laughter and lots of love.  Thanks for being such a great place to transition from student to full-fledged adult in a very short amount of time.  

Although I will not miss the toxic fumes that wafted in through your sliding glass door, the lack of light in your hallways or the sketchy-ness of your trash chute room, I will miss the time that was spent making memories within your walls.  

Thanks for being awesome, Apartment 311!

With Love,

Jamie

Promises...

Today, I packed up the rest of my belongings from apartment 311.  As I packed away memories and cleaned away what seemed to be 13 months of dust from the bathroom exhaust fan, I became increasingly aware that a phase of my life has come to an end.  This phase that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, has definitely been the best 4 years of my life.

Needless to say, the transition is taking a toll on me.  I am excited about the future, but watching the past slip away so soon makes my eyes fill with tears when I think about how amazing the last few years have been.  Today, I sprawled out on the floor of the very empty living room of apartment 311 and took 5 minutes to rest.  I had Pandora blaring in the apartment.  As I laid down, I listened to this song: Promises by Jared Anderson.  I closed my eyes and listened to the words echo in the empty room.  As I rested, I listened to the thunder outside and felt the warm sunshine pouring into the air-conditioned room.

THEN...I opened my eyes, looked out the sliding glass door and saw this:

I kid you not...as I listened to a song all about God's promises, with sadness about the past and a little fear about the future, I opened my eyes to see an amazing rainbow in the sky just outside my window.

God-- You knew that I needed that rainbow today.  Thanks!


Tonight, Dana and I are spending one last night on the living room floor of 311.   Good times will be had.  Tomorrow, keys will be turned in.  I might tear up.

Settled in...

Today, I can finally say that I am settled in my new apartment.  The old apartment has not been vacated just yet because there is cleaning to do and a few more things to move, but it will be done tomorrow.  


Although I am incredibly sad to pack up the memories of the last 13 months with my amazing friends, the new apartment is feeling more like home.  It will be interesting to see how things change as I transition into having more free time.


My new room will be a place to relax and enjoy my free time.  Here are some pictures of the new room in all of it's organized, clean and comfy splendor.

I have wanted a chocolate brown and celadon green theme for a while...this is just right:)  The new furniture was the perfect set to polish off the look...happy graduation to me from Mom and Dad (and myself)

Closet(s) and bathroom.  keeping with the color scheme:)

Closet organization...
Yes, I organize my clothes by color.
Yes, I apparently have lots of pink and red.
(don't worry the other colors are there, just hidden)

I have about 1/4 of the room to spare...

It is safe to say that MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS APARTMENT is the bed.  It is basically amazing.  The only bad thing about the bed is that it is really hard to get out of in the morning.

Sleeping on a cloud with soft blankets and lots of pillows = AMAZING.

My other favorite part...

the laundry room.  It's the little things y'all.
4 years of not doing laundry where I live makes this an amazing  addition to a great apartment.

I am not a parent...

I am not a parent, but I spend a lot of my time functioning as a parent.  I am a nanny, and when I am working with kids, I do my best to treat them as if they are my own.  This means that I take every opportunity to teach them, show them love and bring them joy.   I do not take my job lightly.

Another thing that I do not take lightly is the opportunity to learn from my experiences.  I have learned so many of the "tricks of the trade" when it comes to taking care of kids...I feel like I know more practical tricks than most people who have a child of their own.

Today, I learned something that I will never forget.  I spent over 10 hours with the girlies that I nanny.  Spending time with them on the weekend was unlike any other time I have ever spent with them.

My typical schedule with them is 3 days a week after school from 3:30 until 6:15.  In those few hours I never stop going...I get 4 girls in the door.  I give them snacks.  I assign chores.  I clean up the kitchen from lunchboxes and snack.  I assist 4 girls with homework ranging from 2-digit-subtraction and spelling words to essays and pre-algebra.  I make dinner.  I get the table set for 6.  I do laundry.  I break-up too many girl-fights to count.  I discipline for bad behavior.  I reward good behavior.  I play basketball.  I referee for backyard volleyball games.  I paint nails.  I clean up cat puke.  I read parent letters.  I see to it that each girl is bathed.

Basically, I do lots of stuff in a very short amount of time.  Which leaves me very little time to actually enjoy spending time with the girlies...which brings me to my point.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT (OR SOMEONE WHO IS AROUND CHILDREN)...SPEND TIME WITH THE CHILDREN.  GET TO KNOW THEM...DON'T LET TASKS AND BUSYNESS GET IN THE WAY..

I learned today that when you step away from homework, chores and schedules, you have time to enjoy them.  You have time to spend 2 hours quietly looking at books at Barnes and Noble.  You have time to play outside in the rain.  Play the Justin Bieber board game.  Sit down and eat dinner.  Read books.  Create awesome bubble baths with music (Justin Bieber, of course) instead of  having to say "let's see how fast you can shower."  Learn about their favorite lip gloss, nail polish colors and Polly Pockets.

You have time to get to know the people that they are becoming.

And listen to lots of the Biebs.  Justin Bieber is all the rage right now.  Luckily, the girly that hates JB was at a sleepover!!!

Confession:  The JB board game is actually kind of fun.  We played 3 times.

Basically, you do silly things to earn kisses for Justin Bieber...like sing the ABC's like an opera singer,  balance a penny on your nose for 15 seconds, sing 15 seconds of any given JB song, turn your pants inside out, do a line dance...you get the point.  It's actually quite fun.  

She loves the Biebs.

She loves the Biebs the most.

She says she thinks he's dumb, but secretly...she loves the Biebs too.

I left my heart in Little Canada.

Tonight is my first night in my new apartment.  It also happens to be my first night knowing that the friends that have become my family are painfully far away.  I miss them a lot. A lot.

As I settle into the new apartment over the next few days, my prayer is that the next months will be filled with laughter and memories.  As I pass over pictures and other small things that bring back memories of the last 4 years, I am hopeful that the coming days, weeks, months and years will be filled with moments that bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart..

But for now, I left my heart in Little Canada.

Well, Dangit.

So--I didn't blog yesterday.  I am not going to say that I failed.  (even though I kinda did...)

I was spending my evening with my wonderful friends who just happen to be slightly more important than a blog.

Daily posts will resume now.  I am actually going to make 2 posts today:)

2 down. 1 to go.

Today, roommate #2 moved out.  I am sad.  Luckily, I have Dana keeping me company for a few more days.  This transition makes me a little sappy.  I love them so much--nothing will ever compare to my awesome friends.  




(sorry for the short post.  In addition to being sad, I am working 65 hours this week.)

Sometimes a song is better than words...

This song...amazing.  So true.  The song on my heart and in my head lately.


Listen and be encouraged.


Kari Jobe- "You Are For Me"


My favorite line: "I know that you are for me.  I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness."


Romans 8:28- "And we know, that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to His purpose."


Now, if that doesn't give you the warm-fuzzies, I don't know what will.

This is one for the books...

Today, my job as a nanny was made immensely more entertaining.  prepare yourself for a story that will be like no story you have ever heard in your life.

As many of you know, I have been a part-time nanny for the same family for over 3 years.  They have 4 girls who are now 12, 11, 10 and 7.  I spend 3 afternoons a week with these girlies and they certainly keep me on my toes.

Today was a normal day...actually quite calm.  I was sitting on the couch with L* who is 10.  I was painting her foot with face paint.  While we were inside with the windows wide open, I saw K* (7 years old) running around outside.  Now, K* is a very energetic little girl and it is not uncommon for her to spend an hour in the backyard just running around and playing by herself.

Today, I glanced out the window to see her running around erratically.  She spent a good 5 minutes quickly bolting back and forth between the front and back yard.  As she passed the window while running through the very narrow, rarely used side-yard, I shouted to her... "What ARE you doing?!"  She quickly replied..."JUST A MINUTE!"

So, I continued working on the awesome painted foot tattoo that I was creating for L*.  Then a few minutes later, I saw K* take a dive next to the swingset out of the corner of my eye.  I jumped to my feet, anticipating a shriek of pain, but to my surprise I heard a very excited..."I GOT IT!!!"

I hurried out the back door to see K* struggling to stand up (with her back facing me).  And right as I said, "Are you Ok?"  she slowly turned around with a giant smile of accomplishment on her face and a creature in her arms...

When my eyes widened and I began to yell "WHAT DO YOU..."
She said without hesitation.  "A WOODCHUCK...I CAUGHT A WOODCHUCK!!!"
And sure enough, her 7 year old arms were clutching onto the body of a full-sized, terrified woodchuck.  YOU GUYS...SHE CAUGHT A WOODCHUCK WITH HER BARE HANDS!!!

(from the above link: "woodchucks can grow up to 32 inches long and weigh up to 14 pounds"...granted this wasn't a full-sized monster woodchuck, but still...it was a good 20 inches long...)

With all of the commotion, her dad came down from his home office to find his youngest daughter bear-hugging a woodchuck in their 1/8 of an acre, city of St. Paul backyard, while the nanny nearly died of laughter.  Her dad and I were able to convince her that unlike caterpillars and toads, woodchucks are not temporary pets and should not be allowed in the house.  She was devastated that her hard work just slipped out of her fingers and ran under the fence.

I am thinking that it's safe to say that we won't be seeing that woodchuck anytime soon.

Today...

Today is an amazing day that has been spent with my absolutely amazing roommates.  While laughter has filled the air, meals have been eaten together and "remember when"-s have been scattered throughout...there has been the sad reality that this is the last day that we will spend together as just us 4 roommates.  The last 379 days that we have spent as roommates have been some of the most amazing days of my life:)

I could write for days about memories, stories, inside jokes and hilarity, but now...my mind is stuck on the fact that one of my best friends is leaving bright and early to go cross-country to start a new phase of her life...I will miss her so much.

Today, we painted over the accent wall.  That light purple wall witnessed many hyper times, some tears, tons of laughter, tons of inside jokes, half-asleep conversations, a few random nights of sleeptalking/walking, hilarious discussions and lots of love...

Today, it was returned to it's original white-ness...ready to witness the lives of more people.  I doubt that the wall will ever see as much joy, laughter and love as it has seen in the last 379 days.

Tonight was for:

storm watching

Wind and rain

bowling

crappy iPhone photos of great friends

Fun times at the bowling alley:)

What a great day...bullet point edition.

Today has been filled with wonderful things:

• Lunch and working with a fabulous co-worker at Dunn Bros Coffee instead of in the office. Win.  
• Chatting about this: http://tomhaverfoods.com.  HILARIOUS.  Click refresh until your heart is content.
•  If you don't watch Parks and Recreation, you should.  You will not be disappointed.
• Fun with some amazing friends from work.  There was SingStar involved.  SingStar = pretty awesome, pretty embarrassing and pretty hilarious all in one.  I may or may not have broken out my no-longer-secret ability to rap Ice Ice Baby in it's entirety.  
• Lots of laughter.
• AND...LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST...
• NEW FURNITURE!!  (please excuse the crappy pics--I will be sure to do a Cribs: Jamie's New Room post in the near future)

How painting an accent wall made me cry...

Tonight, I took a step toward making my soon-to-be bedroom feel more like home.  I painted an accent wall.  I packed up the things I needed to paint a fresh layer of spring green onto a wall of the otherwise white room.  As I painted, I listened to Grey's Anatomy, but my thoughts were much louder.

I was wondering, could this new home ever feel as wonderful as the places I have called "home" over the last four years.  I didn't allow my mind to go back as far as the days when I lived in Indiana with my parents.  I was stuck in the last 4 years.  The amazing friends that I have had the sheer joy of spending my days and nights alongside.    The 4 different places I have called "home".  The way those places, people and years have changed me.  As I look ahead into the future, I know that the next year(s) will not be able to compare to the last 4, but I am excited for the way in which the new places, people and years will change me.

I will miss the girls that have been my family for the last 4 years, but I will relish in the beauty of building new memories, stories and inside jokes.  My mind is telling me that it will be wonderful, but my heart can't let go of what has already passed.  And I don't want to let it go.  I will hold onto the memories and the friendships that have filled my heart with joy over the last 4 years.

Busy Busy Busy

So, in my few days as college graduate, I have managed to keep myself quite busy.  In addition to packing, working 2 jobs, sleeping and driving all over the place, I have found that my mind is keeping quite busy as well.  As I press on into adulthood, I am finding myself with the all-too-familiar feeling of uncertainty.  When things are up in the air in any way, shape or form, I am incapable of quieting my thoughts.  Tonight, as I crawl into bed, I will be saying a prayer for a quiet evening of restful sleep...wish me luck!

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans that are for good, not for harm, plans to give you a hope and a future"

tonight, I rest in this truth.

goodnight!

ps-day 4 of blogging...check.

iStuff

So--If asked, I wouldn't say that I am a tech-y person, but sometimes when I am sitting down checking emails on my computer on my lap, texting on my iPhone while watching Netflix on my iPad...I wonder how I became this person who has gadgets encircling my sitting area.  I love using technology to stay connected, entertained and informed, but really?!  I have so many things and when one of them is not functioning properly (my iPhone is being lame today) I literally feel like something is seriously missing from my life.

It's then that I realize that the iStuff is truly just stuff.  I need to learn how to put the computer, iPad and iPhone down and say "iDon'tCare"

Until then...I'm off to the Apple Store, y'all...

Pictures are better than words.

Especially when you are tired and need to go to bed...

Enjoy!

This weekend was for:

Parents.  Friends.  Gaps and Gowns.  Magna Cum Laude.  Rain.  Laughter.  Furniture.

This weekend, like the past 4 years, came and went quickly.  I wanted to share a few pictures of the weekend so here is a glimpse into the last few days.  My parents came up for 48 hours to celebrate graduation and furniture shop (not originally in the plan).  They were proud to watch their daughter graduate Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern College with a degree in Children and Family Ministry (with a Spanish Minor)...

The weather was terrible--40s, rainy and windy--but the day was fabulous.  Mom was cold.

Roomies.

Me with my CFM friends and favorite profs..

 Like I mentioned, the weather was not fabulous but my roommates and I took advantage of the wonderful spring weather that began yesterday and had a photo shoot at NWC.  I will be posting more pics tomorrow but here is a taste:)

It was a beautiful day the flowers were blooming...rest assured, there will be a flood of flower pictures tomorrow!

That is all for now...

Operation: Blog Every Day has begun.

BREAKING NEWS

Two big things are happening.


1) I graduate from college one week from today.  No BIG DEAL!!


2) I am planning on blogging every day for a month starting on May 16th.  We shall see how it goes. 


Until then...

This is not a "craft blog"...

BUT, CHECK OUT MY CRAFTS!!


A friend of mine is having a precious baby boy this summer, and I had the brilliant idea to make some matching bibs and burp cloths for a gift for the baby shower next weekend.  Although I totally love the finished product, bibs are a little more time-consuming than one would imagine.  It's ok though, because Baby A deserves to spit up on the cutest bibs and burp cloths on the block:)

infant boys can totally pull off a graphic floral in green and brown.  right?

I am done going all "craft-blog" on you guys.  I just wanted to share my Martha Stewart skills with the internet.  Farewell.


*artsy-fartsy photos courtesy of my iPhone.