Gallery Opening!

Our show opened tonight with a really fun reception! We had a great turn out and it was fun to see everyone's work, meet everyone's families, and finally say that it is over!!!!

My mom flew in this morning in time for the opening tonight. I really appreciate having her here, as this feels more important than graduation to me! We're looking forward to a fun weekend!

Several of my friends came out tonight to see my work. I loved having them there. Thanks for keeping me sane over the past four years and forcing me to take breaks! :) And, Lauren...thanks for breaking out the hot glue gun with me and sleeping with the lights on so I could finish projects.The interior design girls and Ms. Martin standing in front of Jena and Erin's hanging space. (Left to right: Marya, Me, Jena, Ms. Martin, Erin, and Tanya). These past four years of hard work would not have been the same (or nearly as fun!) without these girls! I'm going to miss them.

Ms. Martin and I in front of my wall.

Earlier today we had our senior reviews, where we give a 20 minute presentation to the art and interior design faculty and are critiqued for 10 minutes. It went really well and I think everybody did great. It was hilarious when Erin lost her train of thought and said "I'm sorry, I'm just having a brain, uh, a brain toot." It's like she cleaned it up for the jury. Hilarious. We gave her quite a bit of grief for that for the rest of the day. :) Scratch that. Rest of her life. I might post more pictures of this later.

Elise

Orion and Coda got to meet Elise this weekend. Orion didn't know what to do with himself, but Coda was fascinated by Elise. He kept talking about her and wanted to hold her and give her a bottle, but he never called her by name, he always called her "the baby." This picture captures his awe. Hilarious. I laughed out loud.
Look at her sweet face! I can't wait to meet her.

This is What Relief Looks Like

I know you don't believe it, but that took 7 hours to hang. Ridiculous.

Three Nails

In the past two or three weeks, God has been reminding me that any time I am tempted to sin, He ALWAYS provides a way out, and I must choose to take that way out to avoid sinning against Him. Needless to say for this stubborn girl, this has not been an easy lesson to apply and I have made very little progress in giving Him the glory He deserves with my life. Last week, I was struck by reading the story of Christ's death and resurrection. I just got a new Bible, and it amazes me how fresh His Word becomes when it doesn't have notes, highlighter, and dates written all over it from the past several years! As I read Luke 22:40-46, I was struck by Jesus' humanity and divinity coming to a very defining intersection. This was make it or break it--would He save us or not? It was this night many years ago, and he had just shared a meal with his friends. He loved them, had taught them, showed them how He was fullfilling God's covenant, but they still didn't get it. They still didn't love Him as much as He loved them. He withdrew from them and prayed to God, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from Me!" I finally got it. Jesus' humanity of being able to choose whether or not to die a gruesome death for us was facing Him. What if He had responded as I do when God gives me a way out of sin and sinned anyway? Oh, how this life would be so very, very different. Shattered and broken and absolutely hopeless for lack of a Redeemer! I hope you will join with me in praising the One who had a choice but still, He loves us!

And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfullness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:5-6b

Above all, fear the LORD and worship Him faithfully with all your heart, considering the great things He has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 (emphasis mine)

Idea Noted

Tell me this is not adorable. Do-able? Not so sure I'd be up for riding one of these in a dress.

She's Here!

Betsy and Rocky had a beautiful baby girl tonight around 5:30pm! She has long eyelashes and lots of hair! Introducing, Elise Makayla, 6 pounds, 12 ounces:

Betsy looked quite a bit like this herself as a baby...lucky girl, good genes!

The new family!

I have never seen anyone look so radiant after having a baby!

Please Pray!

Betsy's in labor, just one day before her due date! I'm so excited to have a little niece and see how beautiful this little baby is! She called at 7am, so she said she should be calling again this afternoon to report. I'll post pictures as soon as they're sent to me. In the meantime, please pray for a complication-free delivery!