I am reminded...

I am reminded as the day approaches. The 4th of April that is. I can't believe it has almost be ONE year since I experienced such a low point in my life. For those who know me well, you know I am talking about Ms. Cindy and Mackie. For those who aren't familiar with this, they are two beautiful angels that went to spend eternity with Jesus last April.  It is still weird at times going back to church and them not being there, especially Ms. Cindy.  Time has dulled the pain to an extent. The broken pieces are still trying to be fixed. Life normally makes sense to me and I can accept it for what is handed to me, but I still haven't come to complete terms with all of this. Its hard to. I guess letting go of trying to make sense of it all is what I need to do. Because let's be honest, it will never make sense when a life (or lives) is cut short.

April 4th just happens to fall on Easter this year, so I have a mix of emotions. I want to celebrate and rejoice for Jesus, but a little bit of me wants to be sad because of Ms. Cindy and Mackie. I know she wouldn't want that, so I have been trying to stay focused on being positive.

Every so often I like to write a little poetry. I don't normally share my writing...like ever, so I am definitely stepping out of my comfort zone by sharing some of it.

As April 4th approaches, I am reminded of the pain,
When I heard the news, the tears came just like rain.

The weekend was nothing unordinary, just a little retreat with with Cru,
The sun was out. The sky was crystal blue.

Suddenly, Saturday changed by nightfall,
My life turned upside-down with a simple phone call.

I fell to the ground, cried out in disbelieft.
I had never been consumed by so much grief.

I wanted to be mad at God for what He did to me,
But then I was reminded of all He did to set me free.

The pain had been dulled with the passing of time,
I try to not be selfish and claim what is not mine.

This life is too short to fill it with sadness and confusion,
I must let go of a life of selfishness and delusion.

Thank You, God for letting my life be touched by an angel,
Through Your Love, I take my life and start to untangle.

Those two beautiful lives will continue to have a special place in my heart,
Even though the distance keeps us apart.

God bless. Love you all. <3 Kacey

SPRiNG BReaK ADVeNTuReS!

While I didn't take a big trip for Spring Break this year, the week off from school was beyond awesome! A few things I did:

On Saturday, my mom and I went shopping. It has become a regular thing for us to shop for fabric whenever I come home to visit. I bought a few yards of fabric for different sewing projects. Most of the fabric is for birthday presents, so once those birthdays come and go, I will post pictures of the finished worked. Garen's brithday was on Monday, and my dad asked me to sew him something. Garen got a shot-gun shell reloader (picture on the right) for Christmas and my dad wanted me to sew Garen a cover for it. I was little unsure about it, because I had never sewed anything without a pattern. :/ BUT it turned out great!!! I cut out two pieces (24 X 24) of a thick fabric and a circle for the top. Honestly, I just started sewing pieces together, hoping that it would work. I ended up cutting off about four inches that wasn't necessary. I think Garen liked it! :)

His sewing project was completed on Sunday. On top of that, I got to hang out with my amazing friend, Brittany! She invited me over and I ended up being able to shoot a 9mm gun with her and her family. It was a little scary to even be holding something that powerful and LOUD. I actually did pretty well for the first time. I think Brittany and I are going to make that our new hang out activity.

On Monday, I visited Suzanne. I miss her soo much! She was at CofC my freshman year and transferred to UNC this year. It is always enjoyable hanging out with her and we always cook up something delicious! She made us chicken parmesan and I baked us some apple crisp. I made an oops at the grocery store and got Ritz Crackers instead of Nilla waffers, but it still tasted delicious with the crackers.

On Tuesday




(Garen's birthday), I made him a birthday cake. I had a new recipe that called for mayo??? A little strange, but it turned out quite nicely. The best part...decorating the cake!!! I love love love cake decorating. The cake is slightly childish, but all the cookie cutters I have are either girlie or Christmas themed.

I found out that if you ice the cake once (thin layer), then put it in the fridge for awhile, the second layer will be smooth and less crumbs. There is some cake poking out of the side, but I just didn't put enough icing there. O well, better luck next time!

On Wednesday, I headed back to Charleston. I had to be back early to do RA stuff. The rest of the break was spent getting head on some school work, sewing, exercising, sleeping, and reading. I finally got around to watching The Time Traveler's Wife. I definitely like the book better, but the movie was enjoyable.

I am finished with my dress! It is my FIRST outfit that I have made. I am really proud on how it turned out. It was definitely a learning opportunity, and there were plenty of times I have to just walk away from it because I was struggle with some aspect of sewing it.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

The ABC's of Me

So I just finished sewing a present for the little brother (I will post pictures up later!) and I came across this and decided to fill out information about me! Enjoy :)

The ABC's of Me...

A- Age: 20.
B- Bed size: At school: Twin. At home: Full
C- Chore you hate: Some yard work. Like raking up gum-balls (the stupid seeds things)
D- Dog's name: Daisy. She is a Bassett hound and is soo sweet! I wish I could bring her to college with me.
E- Essential food/item: Fruit. Vegetables. Bread. Basically all the food groups.
F- Favorite color: RED. GREEN. BLACK.
G- Gold or silver: Probably silver
H- Height: 5’2-ish
I- I am: a C. I am a C-H. I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N. (We just sang this song at church today, so I just had to throw it in there!). I am striving to become a middle-school teacher. I am thankful for all the many blessings and challenges in my life.
J- Job: I am a Resident Assistant (RA) in my residence hall, College Lodge. I love it! It has challenged me in so many ways, and I am thankful for the opportunity.
K- Kids: No kids! I would like to have some eventually, but that will be on the list AFTER I get married.
L- Living arrangements: School year: College Lodge Residence Hall. Summer: Back home with the family.
M-Mom's name: Cindy
N- Nickname: K-Griff, Ms. G, Kwacey the Quilter
O- Overnight hospital stay: Nope
P- Pet peeve: When it is obvious I am working on something, but someone comes up and continues to chat up a storm with me. (I am patient about it though!). When I let people borrow books/movies and they don’t give them back.
Q- Quote from a movie: "Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you're not too big? Maybe this place is just too small?" (Big Fish). “You want the moon? Just say the word, and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down” (It’s a Wonderful Life). “Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!” (Moulin Rouge).
R- Right or left handed: Right
S- Siblings: Two brothers. One older. One younger. Love them both.
T- Time you wake up: It varies each day. The earliest I have to get up is 5:45 on Tuesday mornings. I don’t like sleeping past 9:30.
U- Unique thing about your car: There is a small scratch on the back of my car where I back into a mailbox. The clock doesn’t work and hasn’t worked very well since I got my car. The automatic door lock doesn’t work in the winter.
V- Vegetable you hate: Sprouts. Eggplant.
W- Ways you run late: Generally I'm not usually late. If I am late, its due to dancing for too long while getting ready or spending too much time on Facebook.
X- X-rays you've had: Numerous. They have all been on my feet.
Y- Yummy food you make: Oatmeal Cookies. Shrimp Alfredo. Chocolate cake with buttercream icing.
Z- Zoo favorite: Elephants. Giraffes. Farm animals (They are at the Columbia Zoo).

What?!? It's almost the end of February?!

It amazes me how time can just fly by without me realizing it. I think being so busy with school I don't realize it. This post was intended to be posted at the beginning of February, but among other things, it keep getting pushed back.

Not too much has occurred besides the RA position, school, and small random events.

RA Position - I began a RA position in my Residence Hall. RA is being like the "floor mom", but I will NOT allow anyone to call me that unless it is Jordan Scott Edwards. If you know him then you will understand why he is the only one who can call me mom. I love this position so far! It has required a lot of my time, but I am thankful for the opportunity. The picture below is of a bulletin board I made for my floor. It was for a recruitment thing.

Classes - I am taking 18 hours and while it can get a little crazy trying to balance everything, I love all my classes (for the most part). I am finally in Education classes. I could possibly be a teacher in two years and that is just so crazy to me. I am excited, but a little intimidated at the same time.

Relationship with God - God continues to reveal Himself and His Glory constantly. It is amazing that through my struggles, I can grow closer to Him.  Right now in my life, I am working towards becoming more patient with His Timing. I am constantly wanting to know what is to come, and I am learning how to step back and let Him lead. I am working my way through 2 Corinthians and reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. In the Cru Bible Study I am involved with, we will be starting Whiter Than Snow this coming week. God is giving me many opportunities to get to know Him and love Him more.

Other Things: I made this quilt over Christmas Break. I finished it in record time (Four days, I think, maybe five). It's a throw blanket for my cousin, Candace.  She bought me the fabric, and I designed the pattern/layout and sewed it together.  I didn't run into any trouble with this quilt. I think as I continue making quilts, they become easier and easier. My sewing project I am working on now is a dress for myself. Mama Byrdie (AKA sort of like my grandmother) helped me sew it when I was home. Due to not having enough time and being afraid of sewing on a zipper, I haven't worked on it much since being back at school. However, this weekend, I went on a sewing craze and finished sewing on the flowers and I almost have the zipper sewed on. I found a blogging website with all these great patterns, and I want to try some of them out.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

So looking back at my previous blog, I realized that sometimes it does help to take breaks in between studying for big tests or exams, and it paid off because I finished with a 3.8! I was hoping for a 3.4, but this GPA really made me happy. This semester has been quite the challenge, not only in school but in other aspects as well. Each day I realize more and more how I need God in my life. He is the only One who will be able to heal my brokenness. I cause myself to fall, but He loves me so much that is willing catch me before I completely fall or will let me fall and help me back up.

I realize this year could have been a lot worse and for some people, it has been worse. I guess this year hasn’t been “terrible”, I have just been faced with issues I haven’t had to experience before. Death. In an instant, someone can be here and then gone. It’s painful to know that I will not be able to physically hug or talk to that person for a long time. I have to force myself to stay positive knowing that they are spending their time in heaven singing praises to Our Daddy. I must admit, I am a little jealous of them. On top of a few deaths, there have been a few other challenges in my life, but I am going to just leave it at that. (Pictures: Left - Gammy. Below - Cindy and Mackie)

I am ready for the new year to begin. We, as followers of Christ need to have a daily outlook on life similar to the one we experience when the new year begins. On New Year’s, we feel like there is a fresh start to everything, but in reality, we have been blessed with a fresh start each day. It’s much easier said than done of course, but I am challenging myself to have a more optimistic outlook for the upcoming year each day. I finally finished my New Year’s Resolution list. I pray that I can really stick to it. I need to critique it a little more by taking a few unrealistic ideas off. In reality, I KNOW I will not exercise every day :) My two big resolutions are to work on growing closer with God and working on my communication with friends and family.

I head back down to Charleston on January 4th. I have to been down there a week early. I got a job as a RA! Training for it is on the 5th and 6th. I could not be happier with the opportunity to be a RA. It will be a huge challenge and responsibility in itself for the semester, but it gives me all the more reason to rely on God for guidance and strength.

EVERYONE HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR! GOD BLESS AND MUCH LOVE!

I came across this picture on Stumbleupon.com. I thought it was pretty humorous. :)

So instead of studying...

So instead of studying, I decided to blog.

It has been awhile since I made a mosaic on Flickr.com.  I decided to make one instead of studying for my Chemistry test.  I will explain each picture from left to right.

1. 
   
   I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus died so that I could spend the rest of my life with Him. Every day presents new challenges, but I am able to get through them with the love of my Father.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   My future pet will be a pig. Not like a potbelly big that gets to be 100 pounds, but one that is miniature.  I think pigs are so cute!
   
3. Lately, for some reason, I have become interested in hot-air balloons.  I can't remember riding in one, but I have a feeling that I have been in one before.
   
4. This is a picture of my home away from home.  The "Lodge" (as it is known by its residence).  Its an old motel for those who aren't familiar with it.  It has its ups and downs living in it, but what residence hall doesn't??
   
5. I love love love to read! I haven't been able to read much lately.  During the school year it is hard to read with already having to read a bunch for my classes.  The summer is the best time for reading.  I would also love to have a library in my "dream" house.  Not a huge one, but one with wall to wall shelves and cozy chairs to sit in.
   
6. I have a new hobby.  Quilting.  In an early post, there is a picture of my first and only quilt.  I will be starting a new one over the holidays for my one of my favorite cousins. Aka Candace!
   
7. I love Disney everything. I haven't been to Disney World since 2007.  I am sure not much has changed, but the experience is just wonderful and I would love to go back sooner than later.  I also like the movies. Aladdin and Lion King are my two favorites.
   
8. Makeup.  I have wayyy to much of it, but yet I still continue to buy it when I go to the store.  Not only do I like it, but I also like putting it on. Glamming it up!  During the week I don't really wear that much, but on the weekends, I like to put on a little extra eye-shadow.  I also like doing other people's makeup :)
   
9. Christmas is just around the corner! Christmas is my favorite holiday.  I just love the feeling of being with family and friends.  Not only for those moments, but for the reason, the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
   
10. So, I kind of like to clean.  I mean, I am kind of disorganized at times, but I don't like things being dirty.  If I can see the dirt, I got to get rid of it.  I clean my dorm room once a week (vacuum, trash, sweep, clean bathroom, etc)
    
11. Cupcakes are wonderful.  I really like Harris Teeter and Food Lion cupcakes.  I know I should be a fun of the homemade kind, but I just like the "fake"/"non-homemade" kind.  Don't get me wrong, I will eat any cupcake if it tastes good. I have a small sweet-tooth!
    
12. And last, but not least, I like naps and bedtimes.  If I had enough time each day, I would take a nap.  I am sure when I was little I wouldn't take naps (Sorry Mom and Dad!!), but I love them now.
    

Well, that's just a little about me.  Pretty basic.  Now it's time to get back to studying...For now ;)

Update Since Last Post

These have been a busy past few weeks.  From Halloween to my birthday to my Clemson trip.  Here are just a few pictures to capture the moments.

This was my halloween costume for Halloween night. It was in the low seventies that night (Thank goodness!) so I didn't need to wear leggings underneath to keep warm.  I did, however have a pair of shorts underneath, because the outfit was just a "little" too short.

My Halloween costume from the Wednesday before Halloween.  A friend threw an early Halloween party at his house.  It was a lot of fun! This was my favorite costume out of the two.

Flowers I received from my amazing parents a few days before my birthday.  This picture does not do it justice for how beautiful they really were.

Kelley Daley put this outside my door on my birthday!

Adam and I went to Blossom for my birthday dinner.  It is located on East Bay Street.  I had salmon with pureed sweet potatoes and some greens to go along with it. It was delicious!

For my birthday weekend, Adam, Grayson, and I went to Clemson. I had such a great time! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sit with my boyfriend, Benjamin because he is in the band, but the game was still enjoyable.

This is Benjamin. I kind of like him. :)

The week after my birthday was an overwhelming and painful for one.  My "Gammy" passed away on Thursday, November 12 in the early morning.  It is always sad losing someone that you have grown up to have and know so well.  I have been able to create some amazing memories with her in them. I am so thankful for all the times spent with her.  My dad asked me to read her eulogy at Gammy's funeral.  He and my aunts and uncles had put it together and I just had to read it.  It was an emotional challenge but I was able to get through it with the Lord's help.  Challenges are waiting around every corner, but God is there to guide me through them.  The pain of losing someone will be here for a while, but I know it will get better.  I am thankful for all my amazing friends and family who have been so supportive through this time. I love you all.

Have faith and just keep smiling...It's what Gammy would have wanted. :)