“Today We ‘Avenge’ Professor Chaos”

Posted by Caroline on May 13, 2012 in The Backpack | 0 comments

Today:

Clayton patiently {while I frantically} searched for my purse and called the place I was sureee it was hiding, just to find it right where I left it… in my car {with the wedding bands inside}.

We’ve been on a mad hunt for 5 matching ties for our ushers, and just in case you need 5 of anything… stores don’t carry them.

I’ve been making to-do lists like it’s my job.

3 hours of dance lessons with my dad and Clay.  We’re slowly learning my turns and slow, quick quick, slows.  I’m also getting to know my men all the more.  While focusing my dad stares over my right shoulder mumbling and I remind him to keep his tongue in his mouth.  Clayton holds “eyecontact” but he’s so focused he’s not really seeing anything.  It’s this blank stare but pleasant all in one.

Regardless, any dad and fiance that takes dance lessons is a 10 in my book.

It’s 1:30 a.m. and Clayton is working on a special “letter” the wedding guests are going to drop in our mailbox at the reception {one of my favorite projects for the wedding}.  Clayton just found out I was blogging and groaned.  When he’s productive, I can relax, right?

Today is one of those days where if I forgot my name, I probably wouldn’t notice.

{Chaos, much?}

These pictures were just before dinner & one of those nice breaks amidst chaos.  It was a reminder that it’s ok to be busy… if busy makes time for calm. 

If we’re always busy, there’s no point to being busy.

Rush around, manage the chaos, search for the purse, but let it not be a lifestyle; as my nerd fiance would say, may chaos not become our “modus operandii.”

{P.S. nerd fiance also came up with the title.  Something about comic books? or something.}

What reward awaits you as you journey through the chaos?

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Home Sweet Missouri

Posted by Caroline on May 10, 2012 in The Backpack | 0 comments

Every time I come home from Texas, my dad hangs a sign in the yard and shines this ridiculous spotlight on it.  Sometimes the sign hangs from the roof, & other times it will sit in a tree or be propped up on the landscaping.  Regardless of where it is, the spotlight demands attention.  My mom says people drive by and stare like our house is an impressive Christmas lights display.

No, dear strangers, we’re not a display.  We just have a quirky, endearing father.

…An endearing father that makes coming home… home… Even when I’m 23 & been gone for 5 years.

Every passerby knows we’re going to the chapel now, but do I?

7 days, really?

{Pinch me, please}

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Blessed Instead of Stressed

Posted by Caroline on May 6, 2012 in The Backpack | 0 comments

I showed Clayton I posted his photo; "I look way less cool than I thought. Dang."

Clayton and I spent most of Saturday at our church’s community garage sale.
{I have the sunglasses suntan line to prove!}
The garage sale was PERFECT timing for our move.  We piled up my car and sold everything we could and then gave away everything left on our table.

sitting in the sun I had a lot on my mind.

THINGS

initially cost hard-earned money.
we have fun with them for a while
and then they can be stress.
need to be organized.
can break.
can shrink.
shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.
I’m always loading, unloading, loading.

but, THINGS

can also bless.

This morning pretty Lulu walked into the Sunday school with my dress on.
She’s wearing the necklace my sister brought me from Mexico years ago and the bracelet I bought in Costa Rica.
my junk became a treasure to me when it became a treasure to her.
These things meant nothing, until I saw the joy on her face.

when we wisely loosen our grip on things,

they can BLESS.
not stress.

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Welcome the Sweat

Posted by Caroline on May 4, 2012 in The Backpack | 0 comments

One of my least favorite things to do is to move.

I’m one of those slow decorators that doesn’t fully settle in before it’s time to move ahead.  In the past 5 years, I’ve moved 4 times, and there’s always a few days between each move that I feel homeless.

I grunt, sweat, and complain about packing.

As if I were going to get away with complaining about my 1st world problem,

I see this:

To move my belongings requires boxes, because I can’t carry them over my shoulder… like so many.
To move my belongings requires sweat, because I have an abundance… unlike so many.

Though after our wedding Clayton and I may live in a hotel until our lease starts, we’re not really homeless.  We just have to wait a few days.

I complain because I have work to care for my blessings. <– {pathetic}

Come on, Caroline.  May a grateful heart squelch the complaints, welcome the sweat, and produce an ever-giving heart lent on charity.

{And, may I cling to this perspective as Clayton and I move 4 times in our first 15 months of marriage! Challenge Accepted.}

What burdens do you perceive in your life that are actually blessings in disguise? Daily annoyance of homework? Questions from little ones? Commute to a job?

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Camaraderie

Posted by Caroline on Apr 26, 2012 in The Backpack | 0 comments

I’m not sure if the library is really all that conducive for studying or if it is really more of a coping mechanism.

Others are plowing through work so maybe it’s not that bad?

And pumping caffeine through your veins at midnight doesn’t seem like a dumb idea when everyone else is, right?

There’s a weird camaraderie amongst procrastinators down here in the basement of the library.

Finishing up (most of) the semester tomorrow!  I feel like I’m beginning to peak around the mountain of school and see what’s just on the other side.

I see a white dress
tons of friends & family
hopefully some good dancing
& vows that reach beyond the day into eternity with my man.

*pinch* focus, Caroline.
school, school, school.

And now, High School Musical is stuck in my head.

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True Story.

Posted by Caroline on Apr 24, 2012 in Family, The Backpack | 4 comments

The picture captures a monumental moment…

my dad’s FIRST time in Starbucks.  He noted this “first” so non-nonchalantly, and then he ordered a water and coffee cake.

Who knew that the place I have to pull myself away from my dad had never experienced?!

It’s probably good my dad isn’t likewise addicted to $5 coffee drinks, but it hit me that some parts of our lives are compartmentalized in front of some people.  My dad and I will stick to going out to breakfast instead of going to Starbucks with no loss.  But, are there people I interact with daily that don’t know I find Salvation in Jesus Christ?  Have I never invited them along to experience something far better than Starbucks?

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