Merry Christmas!

Today was a wonderful day spent with lots of family. Since my family opens our gifts on Christmas Eve, I slept in this morning and then got up and "attempted" to figure out my new expresso maker. Let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks. It took me six tries and a couple of burned fingers before I even got one that was halfway decent. Hmm.. maybe I should stick with Starbucks?

One of my new year's resolutions is to start posting more pictures on here, so maybe I will start that tomorrow. Haha.

Merry Christmas!

Letter for Greenlee

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't felt like I've had much to post about! But over the last week one AMAZING thing did happen...

Greenlee Elizabeth Colclasure entered the world on Thursday, December 17th, at 6:54 p.m. She was 8lbs exactly, and 19 3/4 in. She is PERFECT.

Summer was in labor for over 24 hrs and then had a C-section. They didn't give her an epidural until her 23rd hour of labor, but she never complained once. She is so happy and is going to be a wonderful mommy. I'm so proud of her. Life's a dance you learn as you go...

It seems like just yesterday, we were teenagers talking about the types of families we wanted to have and now we are old enough to start our own. At Summer's baby shower we were asked to write letters to Greenlee, I didn't feel like I had adequate time to write mine then so I hurriedly wrote something down, If I had more time here is what I would say:

Greenlee,

Your mother was my very best friend in middle school, Junior high, and High school. We cheered together, vacationed together, competed in pageants together, and just experienced everything life had to offer. You can always ask me for stories about your mom and I will never hold anything back. I knew I would always have a good time when I was with her. We went through some incredibly difficult experiences together, but they in turn made us stronger women. This is my wish to you, that you will experience all life has to offer, the good and the bad, because all of these experiences have something to teach you.

I hope you...

Try everything once (everything that is LEGAL, at least)

Sneak out of your house at least once, but don't go too far because believe it or not your mom will know you have snuck out, even if you try your hardest not to make a sound.

Study hard and don't skip classes except for once a semester to go on an adventure with your friends, you'll learn more those days than you could have sitting in class.

ALWAYS wear your seat belt, and make your friends wear theirs too.

If you're going to drink, don't drive. Call your mother. I promise she won't lecture you until the next day.

Do what your heart desires, even if it scares you.

Apply to more than one college.

Never fear rejection.

Spend your money on stupid things, like new clothes, because one day you'll have bills to pay and you'll wish you had more clothes.

Don't worry about the popular crowd, I promise they never go far.

Enjoy compliments, but don't accept them at face value.

If you rely on popular culture's definition of love, you will live in a state of constant disappointment.

Plan just enough that you don't forget major commitments, everything else leave up to God.

Always return your shopping cart.

Wear bikinis while you can.

Don't spend too much time in a tanning bed.

The thing about makeup is you want to look like you aren't wearing much.

If you marry your first love, you will miss out on the unique pain of a broken heart. This type of pain allows you to love and appreciate that one you do marry so much more.

You shouldn't go from being someones daughter, to being someones wife, to being someones mother without being someone yourself. Learn who you truly are first.

Men, as a rule, are not good mind readers. The sooner you learn this the better.

Help your mom while she cooks, if anything at least talk to her.

ALWAYS give clothes away, NEVER sell them to a consignment shop.

Always choose friends over boys (the only exception for this is for your husband, but really he should never make you choose anyway)

Be generous.

Always be the first to say "I'm sorry" and never go to bed angry.

Cherish your innocence.

Wait to date, preferably until you are 16 but I'll leave that up to your parents.

Yes, the sun will still rise tomorrow morning even if there are storm clouds all night.

Most importantly, Love God above everything else. Seek Him every moment of the day. Grow a faith that is REAL to you. You can always trust in God and He will always be there when it seems no one else is. When you seek Him, you will find Him. When you find Him, we will give you the desires of your heart. He has a plan for you that is good, and noble, and perfect. You are His princess and He loves you more than anyone ever will. His love for you will never fade no matter what you do. Don't turn from God, He will never turn from you.

Love Always,

Jen

I thought I would follow an idea from another blogger and do recaps of every year 2000-2009 (as much as I can remember) since we are about to enter a new decade!

2000-2001

The new millennium, I remember some people freaking out about what would happen in the year 2000. Turns out, nothing happened on a wide scale front.

My oldest sister graduated from high school.

She moved out of our house.

I became an Aunt to my nephew Hunter on November 7th, 2000.

I entered 7th grade at Cabot Junior High North.

I was voted Homecoming Maid.

I competed in my first pageant ever, Cabot Junior Miss, and got 2nd Runner Up, my friend Ashley Tinnell won.

I met one of my best friends at the time, Ashley Tinnell, when she moved here halfway through the semester and Christi, Ashley, and I were inseperable.

I "went out" with lots of immature 7th grade boys.

2001-2002

I made the 8th grade cheerleading squad.

I was on Student Council.

I sang in the choir.

I competed in Junior Miss Cabot again winning 1st Runner Up.

I also started competing in Miss Teen Arkansas preliminary pageants.

2002-2003

I was best friends with Ashley Payne, Loni Hefner, Christi Hankins and Summer Wilson. We called ourselves the "Foxy Five"

We thought we ruled the school.

We would get checked out for lunch at least once a week.

I was a cheerleader again.

I actually got an A in the feared Ms. Moody's science class.

Coach Malham danced for us in geometry.

I competed in Forensics ( as I did in 7th and 8th grade also), I was in reader's theatre and only had 1 line. I would always forget that 1 line.

I had my first "relationship" with Chad Glover.

I helped my friends when they experienced their first break ups.

We went to Breckenridge, CO for Spring Break and I cried every single day because I hated Skiing.

I won Junior Miss Cabot.

2003-2004

I entered High School.

I made new friends who attended CJHS.

I sat by Jason Aist in many of my classes and immediately had a crush on him (this continued all throughout high school )

Jason was oblivious.

I broke one of my vertebrae by falling down a flight of stairs.

I was a cheerleader again.

I got dropped a lot while stunting (thanks Christi) and once had to go to the hospital after being dropped on my back.

Chad was the cause of my first "broken heart"

I met John Miller and we immediately became good friends.

John asked me to prom, after first asking my dad.

I decided to not try out again for cheerleading.

I won my first prelim for MTA, Miss Teen Central Arkansas-America.

I worked my butt off for MTA that Summer.

I placed 1st runner-up in Miss Cabot.

Our girls basketball team went to State.

We went to Breckenridge, CO for Spring Break.

2004-2005

Many of the guys we hung out with graduated.

John left for college and I was very sad.

Christi didn't cheer this year either so we had a lot of fun actually being able to sit in the student section at football games.

I won my second pre-lim for MTA, Miss Teen East Central Arkansas

We went to Copper Mtn., CO for Spring Break.

I won Miss Cabot

I placed top 10 at MTA.

I met Tressa Horton, one of my future best friends.

I attended M-FUGE in Nashville and LOVED it.

John and I broke up right before my senior year of high school.

2005-2006

Senior Year of High School

I had four classes back to back with Jason.

I got really close to Stephanie Ham.

Christi and I were actually kind of distant most of this year because she started dating Chad Waller.

Ashley also had a boyfriend, Jacob.

I competed in Junior Miss and met many great girls who I would have future college classes with.

I traveled to the Bahamas with the Wilson's for Spring Break.

I GRADUATED!!!

I went on a Senior Trip to Destin, FL only to leave halfway through because I wasn't comfortable.

I was an SLA for M-FUGE in Nashville.

I was declined Scholarships at the U of A and in turn decided to go to Belmont University in Nashville.

Jason and I decided we should date.

2006-2007

I left for college.

I met one of the most amazing girls in the whole world, my roommate, Amanda.

I loved Nashville, but missed home.

I decided it wasn't the right time for Jason and I.

I took a class called "Denying the Holocaust".

I decided to leave Belmont and attend the U of A.

I moved to Fayetteville in Jan.

I roomed with Christi and had some of the craziest times of my life.

I amazingly managed to get an A in a course I should have had a C in because my professor saw me in my swimsuit.

I met Taylor Swift.

I worked at a Daycare that Summer and at Outback.

I traveled to Gulf Shores with the Wilson's and then went to VA to see Amanda.

We went to D.C.

2007-2008

I moved into a duplex with Ashley, Kathleen, and Randi.

JohnMark was one of my best guy friends.

Through him, Brad and I started dating.

I rushed and joined Tri Delta.

I was elected Treasurer of DDD.

I moved into the DDD house into a very small room with 2 other girls, Whitney and Kat.

I competed in the Miss U of A pageant with Tressa.

I kind of gained my freshman fifteen a year late. haha

I started working at Colliers.

Stephanie and Anthony got married.

2008-2009

I got my Pharmacy Tech License.

I moved into an apartment with Stephanie Steed, one of my pledge sisters in DDD.

I quit DDD.

I started attending Beth Moore bible studies with a friend, Rachael Smith.

I went to Breckenridge, CO with the Brown's

I broke my leg in 5 places.

I had emergency surgery in CO and then flew home to have surgery again in AR.

I had to go home for the semester.

This was the hardest/best thing that has ever happened to me.

One of my best friends got engaged. (Kristin)

Summer got married in June.

Through a series of events that happened because I broke my leg, God finally got a hold of my stubborn heart.

It was very difficult, but Brad and I ended our relationship.

Jayne Brewer began discipling me and instantly became a close friend.

I began a girls Bible study in my apartment and those girls became good friends.

My relationship with God grew in ways I couldn't have imagined.

Who knows what 2010 will hold!!

Finish

As of yesterday at 11:00 I am officially done with my fall semester. What a relief. This semester has been, by far, one of the most challenging, yet amazing semesters of my college career. I feel like I have really been stretched and in the end, have come out a changed person. A little of that might have been because of the classes I took, but I feel a lot of it has to do with how much my life has changed. Who I am has changed. For the better. Yes, much better. I feel like for once, I am finally getting a grasp on who I am as a person, and what I want out of life. Ok, maybe I'm not exactly sure where I'll be next year this time, but I know the ride will have been well worth it. God has an amazing way of bringing you to your knees, but it is during those moments that such sweet truth pours into your heart and soul. I have learned more about God this semester than I have in a long time. Never again will I sacrifice my relationship with Him for things of this world. I can't wait to see what God has in store. I know it won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

As for winter break, I look forward to hanging out with my family, spending much needed time with old friends, meeting Miss Greenlee Elizabeth Colclasure ( who is due to arrive tomorrow!), and doing lots of reading. Oh and there is still that one online class I have to finish. :( But for the most part I hope to rest and relax and let God speak to me through the calm before the storm of next semester.

It is so comforting to know that Christ has already conquered my world. He has great plans for me, and He knows where I'm going even when I don't. It's nice to know that I don't have to have even the next day planned out, I just need to listen for His guidance and follow where He leads.

Where have YOU been?

It's been a while I know, but it's finals time and so that pretty much dominates my life. Another thing that has dominated my life is a project that I have been working on:

http://comp.uark.edu/~jbradley

I'm really really proud of it! Unfortunately a lot of my grades this semester are borderline and so that means I really can't slack off when it comes to my finals. Not fun at all.

Well this is a short post because really I'm just waiting on Steph so we can go grab some yummy mexican food for dinner! Maybe I'll post later when I should be studying!