Love Notes

My mom is currently away visiting her family. I don't like to call her and bug her when she takes these trips because it's not often she gets to see her family.

Which means I've been missing her like something terrible here lately.

I was looking through some old folders and books and kept finding little love notes my mom had written me.

When I was younger and still lived at home, my mom would always leave love notes around the house. Sometimes, I'd wake up to one on my dresser. Sometimes, I'd be surprised to find one on my placemat when I went to eat breakfast. When I'd go away for competition weekends, she always managed to sneak one in my bag.

When I moved away for the first time, Mums would mail me tiny trinkets to brighten my day. She always managed to hide a love note in the trinket.

My favorite thing Mums did was for my sister. After my sister left home, she really missed family. She told Mums one day that she just missed her hugs and kisses. So, Mums went to the grocery store, bought some Hershey's Hugs and Kisses, and mailed them to my sister. With a little love note, of course!

Now that I'm so far away, most of Mums' love notes are mailed. But it's always such a great feeling to open your mailbox to find a love note from your mom!

When I was home for break, Mums hid a love note in one of my textbooks. I found it on a day I was really stressed, lost in that topic, and ready to give up. And then suddenly, I turned to the page to find one of her love notes.

I've saved a lot of her love notes through the years, even those written on a simple post-it.

Looking back, I'm not sure what compelled me to save all of her love notes, but I sure am glad I did!

If nothing else, I want to be more like Mums. Her random acts of kindness through her love notes always manage to suddenly turn a bad day around.

Mums, I know there were times growing up where you had to work more than you wanted to. I know there were times where you felt bad about leaving a simple love note on our placemats because we hadn't seen you in a few days due to your job. But, thanks for taking the time to share your love - whether it was through a present, Hallmark card, or a post-it. Your simple acts of kindness have really meant a lot to me, both then and now.

Love and miss you tons, Mums!!

Migraines and Blessings

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I'm a severe migraine suffer.

I have been diagnosed with chronic severe continuous migraines. Pretty much, that means that I wake up with a migraine, I got to bed with that migraine, I wake up the next morning and still have that migraine, so on and so forth. This pattern continues on for months without relief.

I've tried close to 30 prescription medications for them. I've been hospitalized multiple times this past year for them. And now I get shots for them because that's the only thing that somewhat helps.

Well, this round of shots isn't really working. Which means the nerves in my head are going crazy sending out pain signals.

But, there's one huge plus that's come out of all of this. I got to meet my absolutely wonderful doctor and his sweet and oh so helpful secretary. Seriously, she's the sweetest! How many doctor's secretaries do you know that would go visit a patient in the hospital just to say hey, let them know they're thinking about them, and wish them well? Yeah, she's pretty amazing.

And my doctor? Well, he's just as amazing. I'm not sure I've ever met someone so smart and knowledgeable before. Not only does he have great medical knowledge, but he's always stating things that really make me think hard about my life. Plus, he's so caring. How many doctors do you know that will call their patients back at 8 or 9 at night?

All this to say that I think because of the way I'm feeling, I think I've got one foot in the hospital door currently. But, instead of getting upset over that (like I typically do because I hate living in the hospital for 5 days), I'm going to be okay with it. If I have to go back to the hospital and be incredibly sick for 5 days from the meds they give me, I'm going to be okay with that.

I know God is watching over me. I know He brought my neurologist and his secretary into my life for a reason. And I am so thankful to Him for blessing me in that regard.

Even though life kinda stinks right now, I'm just going to sit back and let God take control. I'm going to take comfort in the fact that the Lord is watching over me. Whatever happens, it's out of my hands.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." - James 1:2

What I've been up to lately...

Well, I've got finals for my summer course this week. But, I haven't really been in the study mood.

Instead, I've been occupying my time by making cards...

And cooking (casserole in the oven, pot on the stove, and salad waiting to be made next)...

I've decided I'm going to cook my way to a good grade in my summer course - only kidding!

This time next week, I'll be on a little vacation! Can't wait!!

Wow has life changed!

Since I last posted, quite a bit has changed.

Since March, I left my job in Kentucky and moved further south for law school.

I donated a foot of hair to Locks of Love - a dream of mine I've had since I was misdiagnosed with cancer in undergrad. I'm glad I was finally able to donate back to help those who weren't as lucky as me...

I officially and successfully completed my first year of law school. My 1L year consisted of lots of memo and motion writing, but I loved every minute of it - as hard as it was at times.

I battled my health and spent quite a bit of time in the hospital. Luckily, the school was kind enough to let me continue to fight my body in order to get through my studies and complete my first year.

It's been one crazy year! But, if I had the chance to change any of it, I wouldn't.

God has truly blessed me, and I'm so grateful to Him for showing me just how strong and blessed I am!!

That about sums it all up! I'm hoping to get back into blogging. We'll see...

P.S. A few weeks ago, I had to take a flight back home. The entire flight, this song was stuck in my head. Enjoy!

What's going through my head right now...

So, here's what's going through my head right now.

Currently, I'm on lunch break.

Since I don't work too far from my home, I usually come home on my lunch (it allows me to get away for a while).

Right now, my head is spinning with, "Should I go back to work early? If I do, then I get to leave early. But, if I do, I'll probably get in trouble for not taking a long enough lunch. But, oh, how crummy of a day today has been, and oh how I would love to leave a bit early today! Then again, that woman from the apartment complex in Detroit is supposed to be calling me. What if she calls while I'm driving back to work?! I can't drive and take notes on what she's telling me at the same time! I mean, I'm good, but I'm not THAT good! I know what I'll do...I'll blog about this experience to pass the time until I have to go back to work!"

And that's exactly what I just did! Now, let's just hope that woman from the apartment complex in Detroit doesn't call me while I'm driving on my way back to work...

Long Time No Blog...

Well, a lot has changed since I last blogged...

I graduated!! Which means I'm now a Topper Alum! Woo!!

PROOF:

And, the same day that I graduated, I also turned 21 (and blew my birthday candles off the cake, oops!)...

With the new year came the news that Laura (my wonderful and lovely next door neighbor) would be moving back to her hometown. It's been about a week and a half since the move, and I still miss them terribly...

Shortly after that news, I received word I had been accepted into the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. I spent the majority of last week checking out the school and town. Pretty sure that's where I'll end up...

So, between working full-time, waiting to hear back from law schools, saying goodbye to my neighbors, checking out Detroit, and starting the packing/moving process, that's been my life as of December!

Oh yes...and I've decided that Michael Buble's "Just Haven't Met You Yet" is my song. Check it out HERE.

Laura

Laura's my neighbor.

She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met!

When Laura cooks "too much" food, she'll call me up and say something along the lines of: "I see your light is on. I cooked too much food again. Meet me outside with a tupperware container so I can give you some!"

Some means at least 3 meals worth.

Laura called me Friday night because she cooked too much. But, I wasn't home (she even commented on how she thought my light wasn't on, but she thought she'd call anyways).

So, Saturday night, Laura called again and said that even though I wasn't home, she dished out some of her food from the previous night and saved it for me!

Last night, Laura called me, commented on how my light wasn't on (I was at worship services), and told me to give her a call when I got home because she had something for me.

When I got home, I was met at my door by Laura. She had 2 gifts for me - one for Christmas and one for graduation. We exchanged tupperware for 2 gifts (I got the better end of the deal, if you ask me).

Tonight, I got a knock on my door. I opened it to see Laura's smiling face. She gave me a big hug and explained my gifts to me.

My "dream" magnet was to remind me to always dream big and remember that no goal/dream is unattainable. She also told me that she got me clear crystal heart earrings are because I have such a pure heart. She went on to say how much she enjoys having me back here (we live in the back part of the building) as a neighbor...that I've been "such a breath of fresh air."

People like Laura make me SO glad that I moved not only to my own apartment and to this complex, but here to Kentucky. I NEVER would have met her otherwise. She's my source of joy on a bad day. She's one amazing woman, and I am so incredibly blessed to have her in my life!!!