{georgia!}

this weekend, we headed to atlanta for adam tomberlin's wedding!

i met adam during freshman orientation.  we were both pre physical therapy majors (didn't last long for either of us), and it was great because our little advisee group had all 8 am's together all first semester.

the wedding was beautiful and both him and his now wife were so excited :)

i've also been making truffles like crazy... maryrose came home from arizona, and the natural thing to do after a stressful semester was bake!  her truffles turned out much better than mine (pinterest fail), but we made oreo truffles, both peppermint and peanut butter.  delish!  and then tonight, ian and i made the cookie dough truffles i made for katie's bachelorette party.

finally, ian and i decided it would be fun to make ornaments each christmas that have to do with what's going on in our lives at the moment.  this year, we're both grad students.  it only seemed natural we would use school related things to create ornaments, so we cut up pieces of work we'd done this semester, added some glue, some glitter, and these were our creations:

nerdy and fun!

also, today i got to meet my friend's brand new baby, lydia grace.  she is the most perfect little creation and i love her already!  thanks for your prayers! mom and baby are doing great :)  can't wait to watch this little babe grow up!

{babies!}

just a quick post...

my wonderful friend i blogged about the other day is in labor!!!!!  please pray for safety for mom and baby lydia.  she's done so well taking care of herself and her babe throughout her pregnancy, and i know she and david will be fabulous parents!  i cannot WAIT to meet this sweet girl!

i've also been making truffles with the lovely maryrose.  some were fabulous, some, a pinterest fail.  more later :)

off to georgia for a wedding!  road trip!

now go pray for ashley, david and lydia :)  oh babies... what a beautiful, incredible, crazy gift from God!

{misadventures of a somewhat crafty grad student}

welll.... we all knew it was bound to happen at some point...

i enjoy being crafty.  i like to see something (especially on pinterest...) and figure out how i can do it myself.  i've done some ornaments, a mirror, homemade laundry detergent... crafty/thrifty ideas have saved me some money and i like seeing fun things i've made!

i'm currently in the process of making christmas presents (more later... can't give those away yet!), but they involve making holes in mason jar tops... in the process, one may have slipped yesterday and i may have just about sliced my knuckle off my pointer finger on my right hand.  instantly there was blood everywhere... i may have needed stitches, but i figured i'd attempt first aid on myself.  i spent how many years as a lifeguard/ymca director and i'm the bomb.com at first aid.

popsicle stick, gauze, prewrap. bam.

the bleeding did stop, but today it is sooo swollen.  phew!  even typing is interesting... way to go, kel... way to go.

on a happier note, i got to hang out with future super mom, ashley today :)  her due date is tomorrow, and she's the cutest, most in shape pregnant mama ever.  i cannot WAIT to meet her sweet girl, lydia grace :)  start the prayers that that little girl makes her entrance into the world soon!  david has his last final today, and everyone wants as much time with her before school starts again (yes, they're both students... super parents of the year, people!), so she needs to come soon!!!

also if you want to read all about ash and david and lydia, go check out her blog here.

{one more}

it's official.

i have one semester of school.  ever. (unless i get my phd, and although i've thought about it, i want to get out, practice and pay off some debt before i do that...)

this means in 5 months, i'll be working.  like an adult.  like real world.  like eek!

to be honest, i'm kind of excited.  i've put in a lot of time, a lot of work, and a lot of free labor into this degree, and i'm ready to see what i'm made of.

it's crazy to think that come may, i'll be done with a classroom.  i've done school since i was 5.  i'll be 25 when i graduate.  that's 20 years of school.  20 people.  dang.

one more semester.  that's all that stands between me and being kellie crook, ccc-slp (and yes, be prepared to refer to me as such for a few weeks post degree ;).  and if i'm toying around with the idea of getting my fluency specialist license... kellie crook, ccc-slp brs-fs... aren't all those letters fun!?!?!?)

hope final's week is going well for everyone!

{not original title}

i can't think of anything creative to call this...

friday i got to see one of my best friends and her husband :)  whit and ben live in maysville, so getting to see them is always a treat!  they came down and we all went to cosi for dinner and smores.  it was a fun time to catch up and enjoy the lovely friends God has blessed me with!

new discovery: brad and i both like burning things... this may not be good

saturday ian had to study, so i got crafty.  i've had a mirror since sophomore year, and it was plain and boring, so it got an upgrade!

added a little paint

then lots of flowers

finished product!

on a sadder note, my dog, cali (more commonly referred to as chewy) was hit and killed by a car today :(  she was rotten as all get out and found herself in 5 different houses before my parents adopted her.  she had an affinity to chewing things (hence the name) and was known to do everything from getting on the stove to nibble on mom's recently baked pies, to stealing couch cushions off the couch so she technically wasn't on the furniture, to tearing up toys to the point it looked like it snowed.  like i said, rotten, but animals have a way of bringing humor to life... not easy stuff...

rotten 

moose and chewy

a christmas pup

last christmas.  they were thrilled with us

{funny observations}

there are 2 things i find distinctly "college student"

one is ramen, two is coffee.

you know it's true.  college students can make a meal out of ramen and coffee and they're 2 staples you'll find in 90% of college student's rooms.

the funny thing i've noticed is that everyone takes those 2 things very differently.

we'll start with ramen.  some people make it on the stove, others make it in the microwave.  everyone has certain flavors they always get (mine happens to be chicken).  some people go with lots of broth, i like to dump most of mine out, some only like the noodles.  then there's the flavoring.  some go full-on flavor, others do half, and some people just like the noodles.  then there's the vessel of cooking.  if you make it on the stove, you're about limited to a pot, but i have a specific bowl that's perfect for ramen, my roommate uses one of those huge glass measuring cups.  

oh ramen.  

then coffee... i pity the baristas who work at the starbucks on campus.  very rarely do they dole out decaf (it is finals week after all...) but there's the milk choice (whole, skim, soy), skinny with lots of whipped cream (i'll never understand...) flavor choices out the wazoo, black, sugar/splenda/sweetener/truvia, extra hot, tall/grande/venti (you're crazy)... goodness!

oh to be a college student... 

{316)

i love my church... i like that even though it's massive, it uses it's size to do huge things.

our current series is called 316, focusing on john 3:16.  the verse is all about how God loves us and what that should mean for our lives.  along with that, they're partnering with a group called lifeline ministries that focuses on feeding and bringing the word of Christ to poor and impoverished people groups throughout the world.

southland's goal was to feed 1,000,000 people.  1 person packs an average of 300 meals during the 2 hour time slot, and each meal feeds 6 people (3,1,6... coincidence?).  it's really cool because the meal of dehydrated vegetables, soy protein, chicken flavor w/vitamins and rice costs $.60 per bag...

last night, katie and i went with our girls from life group (plus our boys... and a few 1,000 other college students), and went to pack.

it was awesome and fun and such a rewarding experience to know that what we did last night is going to give meals to thousands of people.

our group total?  136,000 meals!

newlyweds, ready to pack some meals

we rocked the hairnets...

brad and ian had jobs that suited their personalities :)

{the reason}

the snow is falling and it finally feels like Christmas to me!!!!

i like taking time to stop, think, and realize all the many reasons to be thankful, especially during this Christmas season.

how easy is it to get caught up in the shopping, the decorating, finals and making holiday plans to forget why we celebrate Christmas?

Luke 2:11-14- Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

i love luke's version of the Christmas story... the simplicity of a Savior, born to poor, young parents.  he wasn't born into riches, his first bed was a feeding trough for animals, but he was surrounded by love.  i like that the God i serve sent Jesus as a humble, innocent child and chose to have him raised with wonderful, but normal parents.  i love that upon his arrival into this world, the stars shone brighter, people like shepherds came to worship him, and angels were telling people to not be afraid.

i'm thankful for a savior who lived among the poor and beaten down people, who had nothing visually that appealed the people, but who attracted all by his actions.  i'm thankful that he lived a life of a servent, even though he was the God of the universe.  i'm thankful he died on a cross so i could live for eternity.

in this Christmas season, i'm thankful for his humble beginning...

merry Christmas (a bit early!)

{wilmore christmas}

have you ever seen a hallmark christmas movie?  how about a lifetime one?  oh... you're not roommates with erica dupps? (love you :) )  well if you've ever wondered what one is like, it's wilmore christmas.

every year, wilmore has an old fashioned christmas.  this is complete with a tree lighting, santa in an old fashioned fire truck, cookies/hot cocoa/coffee/other christmas samplings, live music, and the finale is christmas carols at the church.  it's precious.

a few non-traditional favorites: ham sandwiches at the local grocery store (with people setting up lawn chairs for the live music... when was the last time you set up chairs in the grocery store?  i didn't think so...), being served cotton candy from a man in a kilt, santa skateboarding on a longboard, and hologram glasses that turn lights into fun festive holiday themes (like angels, snowmen and stars!).

it was a fun time with great friends and a holiday tradition i look forward to every year :)

the boys showing off their sweet glasses 

it's a star!

now a snowman

merry christmas!

{freedom}

i won't lie... i kind of like not working.
the past few days i've gotten so much done!  school work (which i have tons of), laundry, sleep, and crafty things :)

today i made homemade pizza dough, wrapped presents, finished my 10 page paper and finished most of my christmas shopping!

here's a sample:

presents: wrapped and ready

pinterest find... it's an orange peal candle! it was alright...

it's a Christmas tradition.... (mistletoe)

{elf yourself}

confession:

i love elf yourself (elfyourself.jibjab.com).  it's hilarious, and my family greatly aids in awesome pictures to pick from.

my lovely sister, kacy made this year exceptional.

go see for yourself... here

{thanksgiving}

i have so many things to be thankful for...

i have an awesome family who i got to go home and see for break!  it was so nice being home and hang out with my parents, relax, and visit.

my parents just moved over the summer, so it was my first time to the new house, and it's really cool.  it's on the lake, so this summer will be even more fun!  kayaking, canoeing, and wakeboarding, here i come!

that boy of mine gives me another reason to be thankful.  i like when he comes home with me.  he's funny, and cute, and treats me so well.  he does his best to show me Christ every day, and that alone is something to be thankful for :)

i'm also thankful because i'm done at the va!  it was a great learning experience, but i think i've realized i don't want to be a workaholic, and i don't really want to only do cognitive therapy for brain injuries 3-9 years out.  i can now sleep in, catch up on school work, and prepare for comps over the break...

another thing i'm thankful for... a new car!!!!
columbus (being so close to the honda marysville plant), has way more used hondas than lexington.  dad and i did some shopping via craigslist, test drove a few cars, and after much anxiety, prayer, and talking it over, i went with a 99 honda accord.

she's quite the upgrade from brownie... leather interior, sunroof, and my personal favorite... air conditioning! (it's the little things in life).  a name is still pending, but so far, we're bff.  with brownie, i gave her a goal of 4 years, and she was just shy, so this new car's goal is 10.  here's to hoping she surpasses it!

i have much to be thankful for this season...

{thankful}

today i am thankful for one particular client.

i would be lying to you if i said this semester has been a breeze.  a lot of the time i have felt stressed and pulled in every direction but the direction that helps people.

i wanted to become an slp because i wanted to see communication come back to people in one form or another.  i like seeing the joy on patients and families faces when they start to see the progress they've made.  that just hasn't happened a lot this semester.

i do have one client though, who has made some great progress.  it's especially encouraging because he hasn't made progress with other clinicians.  this could just be a timing thing where his brain is still healing, or he's putting forth more effort, but whatever it is, he's gotten so much better.

add to that his family is amazing.  his mom got me the best smelling candle from victoria's secret called indulgent vanilla (i don't usually like vanilla and this candle smells AMAZING) and wrote the sweetest card that i may have to read every day for the rest of the week.  it was seriously what i needed to get me through these next few days, and i'm so thankful for them.

i have 2 more days.  i can do this.

{the adventures continue}

well... showed up at my house tonight and the police were there.  earlier in the night my roommates had texted me to tell me someone threw my super cute pot ian got me for christmas at the door of our house (awesome.. it's shattered AND apparently someone hates us), and the neighbor got home and it was apparent someone tried to break into her house.  the police came in and took a look around at everything and told us to call if we saw anything suspicious.

on to happier things... Jesus prom was tonight!  it's one of my favorite things every year.  it's such a fun event and i love seeing people with special needs having a blast, but also people coming together to have a big party for them.  they have a blast every year... they dance and sing and they're the stars of the show. at one point, one of the guys i was dancing with looked at me and said, "thank God for tonight.".  that about summed it up for me.  thank God for these people who simply love life and love each other.  one of the guys remembered me from last year, and not just recognized me, but knew my name.  how insane is that?  they're just fun people!  if you've never been, come next year.  it will blow any of the proms you went to out of the water.

it's late, and i'm not feeling well.... here's to hoping my next week improves from the crappy luck i've had the past 2 weeks.  it would be super great if i didn't total anymore cars, have anymore run in's with the police (even though they've all been super nice), and my luck would turn around...

{car stuff and munchkins}

car drama continues... i'm quickly learning the process of getting things all taken care of isn't a quick process.

everyone i've talked to from the kid's insurance has been super nice (mostly b/c there's zero contest in who's fault it was... i wasn't even in the PARKED car).  they're getting me a rental car on monday and wednesday i think they're going to look at it.  my dad also taught me to be a responsible car owner, so i have all the maintenance records from owning the car, which the adjuster said could help get some $ out of the old girl.

now it's just the process of looking for a new car, trying to decide if i want to wait to buy one and try to share my fabulous boyfriend's car (how wonderful is he for letting me borrow his????  answer = super wonderful), and figuring out how much i think brownie's worth (i may try to push for emotional attachment...).

after a long day of car crap, i got to go hang out with my favorite kids.  we played in leaves, road bikes, and watched monster's inc.  it's a nice reminder of the important things in life when sweet little caleb looks at me and says 'hi aunt addi.  i uve you'.  or when claire argues with anyone else who talks to me that she was talking to me first.  busted cars are just little things compared to those sweet kids!

today was the praxis (blech) and off to hopefully find a seasonal job after this uk game!  weekends as an adult are just not as much fun as weekends without responsibility.  guess that's life!

{the final rip of brownie}

well... i knew this day would come, but you never think it's going to come as soon as it does.

brownie is dead.  may she rest in peace.  (and if you're confused at this point, brownie is my car that is unique and special to many... read about her here).

she went out in a blaze of glory too... old girl ain't goin out on the side of the freeway or refusing to start...

i was resting at ian's b/c of a sinus headache, and we heard tire squeals and a series of loud crashes.  in a sleepy haze, i told ian, 'gosh... bet that was brownie...'.  apparently, i'm that good.
ian's roommate took off outside, b/c he's rational and we're on kentucky avenue (home of many drunks), and was concerned he'd drive off without stopping.  he had the license plate memorized and everything, but thankfully, the dude stopped.  not before totaling brownie, another car, causing brownie to slam into yet another car, and doing some hefty damage to his own.

he also had about 10 people in his suv, which would have hit a pole if brownie wasn't in the way, so i like to think the old girl went out saving a life.

brownie in her glory days

poor old girl...

the antenna bent adds a nice touch

she got hit so hard she hit the telephone pole... it left it's damage as well

she's totaled.  he took out the trunk, the gas tank, the entire driver's side (which included both doors), my backseat got moved up about 6 inches so there's no leg room for anyone in the back, the back axle is bent, and all the lights need replaced.  she's dead.  and died a valiant death.

i know it's just a car, and i'm thankful everyone was ok and i wasn't inside when it happened, but i will miss my car.  she was the first car that was mine, and even though she was brown and often held together by pink duct tape, she was awesome (and if you've ridden in brownie,  you know this).  no other car will ever have the personality of that car, BUT i'm on to newer and better things!  so if you hear of a car for sale cheap, pass it my way.

i have many things to be thankful for.  i have a wonderful boyfriend who was so sweet and comforting and is letting me borrow his car, i have great friends who took off after the guy (and add that his dog, davey was so concerned and wouldn't leave the window... oh davey), the police were helpful, no one got hurt, and maybe this guy will think twice before being an idiot.

also funny, some drunk guy saw my 608 sticker, recognized it was southland and said he'd pray for me tonight.  who knows... maybe brownie will bring more good than i even know.  God can use an old, busted up brown car, right?

{fall oatmeal and surgery}

today, i got to see a laryngectomy.  being my first time in an actual surgical suite, i decided i should improve my breakfast from a granola bar to oatmeal.  also b/c it's the perfect excuse for my pumpkin pie oatmeal.

for real.  if you like pumpkin pie, you'll love this oatmeal.

last night i made a pot of steelcut oats that gives enough oatmeal for 4-5 morning breakfasts.
this morning i took a chunk off the stuff i made last night, added some vanilla coconut milk, some canned pumpkin, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice, and reheated it in the microwave.  hello heaven!

ok... so now on to the best day of work ever.

#1. i got to wear scrubs.  any time you get to wear scrubs, the day has been better.  if i work in a hospital, one of my requests is that i get to wear scrubs at least twice a week.

#2. i didn't really have to work, i just got to go watch surgery.

the actual surgery was really cool.  i got to stay for about 3 hours.  i came right after they made the initial incision, and then left as they were taking a pec flap (they take out a lot of cartilage, so it helps with blood supply and protection to the neck).  the surgery was crazy.  the larynx really isn't that big, and this guy's was pretty messed up from years of smoking and drinking.  i've decided in my next life, i will be a surgeon.  they have sweet jobs, but i'm not sure if i'd think it was super sweet after doing it for years and years.  who knows.  i'm happy to just poke my head in an o.r. every few years from here on out!

basically, it was a really cool day and i had a lot of fun just sitting in an o.r. talking to the doctors while they were working.  i've never gotten to be 3 feet away from a patient on the operating table, and it was definitely something i'd love to do again!

{confession}

i've got sick.

when i get sick, i turn into a big baby.

i kind of end up wanting to crawl into bed and cry.

the good news is... today i feel so much better!  i fell asleep at 9:00 last night and slept til 6 this morning.  talk about wonderful.  i came home and made vegetable soup, and i may go to bed early again tonight.

talk about a crazy life

{grumpy old men}

i've discovered a new soft spot...

grumpy, cranky, crotchety old men.

now let me preface that i hope i never become grumpy and mad at the world BUT i find them hilarious.

it's become a new favorite of mine to attempt to win them over.  i thrive on competition, and after you get out of hs sports and intramurals and such, there's just not as much opportunity for competition.  i have found mine.

there's something about trying to win these old men over.  each one is different, and it often takes some time and dedication.

i had one in particular this week who is pretty much mad at the world.  he was without a voice too, which meant even more mad because he couldn't yell at anyone.

i some how won mr. grumpy gills over through my somewhat decent ability to lip read.  who knew that one little skill could take a man from irately writing angry notes to my supervisor, nurses, doctors, and anyone else who would read to grinning at me as i left?

well, i came out victorious.  today he told me (and i quote) 'you're the only one in this damn hospital who can read lips' i told him i was sorry i wasn't better, but i was happy i could try and help 'well you're a whole hell of a lot better than anyone else in this place'.  well sir, thank you for making me the only individual you didn't hate in the hospital, i'm honored.

{the wedding!}

my best friend is married!!!!!

it was such a beautiful day... the weather (while cold) was beautiful, the fall leaves were changing, the church and reception were decorated so well, and the bride and groom were so obviously in love... wonderful :)

katie, erica, whitney and i all got to spend one last night with katie as a single woman and had a wild night complete with watching baseball with her dad and painting our nails (we live wild lives...).  katie and i shared a twin bed for old time's sake, and it was a great night of just being with friends.

wilmore is adorable, and the best part about katie getting married there was everything was so close.  her hair, the flower shop, and the cake shop were all on the same street, which made life easy!  we met for pictures at 10, she and brad had a first look at 10:45, and then it was pictures and lunch and relaxing until the ceremony.  kj did a great job and i'm pretty sure we all cried.

the reception was beautiful- katie's mom and aunts did an amazing job on the room- full of pumpkins, mums and fall-themed colors.  katie and brad opened with a dance (way to go brad... you are a good man for learning a choreographed dance for your new wife), the food was good, the cake was good, and they had a live band- funk seminary- and they were fabulous!

after some dancing and some laughs, they took off in a fancy rolls royce and this time today, they're off in the sunshine on a cruise!

it was a beautiful day, and i'm so happy for katie.  i have the greatest friends in the worlds, hands down (and beautiful to boot!).  God has made me a very blessed girl.

gorgeous sunset on the way to the rehearsal.  i like to think God was smiling on us :)

rehearsal dinner

my best friend is gorgeous.

so are my other best friends.

first dance

look at that kid... love her!

my mama came :)  we don't look alike or anything...

you're married!

ian and i carved pumpkins!  an owl and uk :)