I'm Unique. Just like Everyone Else.

I haven't posted in awhile, but here is a little of what I have been up to. Enjoy. :) 

Our first Christmas tree... on our own :) 

This is actually a lot of fun... but somewhat difficult. 

I bought that 'C' just to makes sure that people know it was my tree. Of course. 

Ugly Sweaters :) 

My baby :) 

My Boys :) 

He is growing up WAY too fast. Stay young, Asher! 

Smiles all around

It was too hard for his self-esteem to be in a picture with me unless he covered my pretty face. 

I can break dance. 

He's the best :) 

I’ve been thinking about writing this for awhile. Mostly because my semester is now done, and I should have some free time to write this… but it’s exactly the opposite. I feel busier this week than I did last week. Maybe it’s because I no longer have the schedule, or the routine. Maybe it’s because I really do have a lot to do before I go to Ecuador on Monday. Can you believe that? Monday? Six days until I step on to that plane. Six days until I see my family for the 

first time in 4 1/2 months. This got me thinking about how abnormal it is for me to be living on my own. I’m only a senior. I’ve only JUST turned 18. It’s easy to pass it off as normal, but living on your own as a senior in high school really isn’t the norm.

I don’t know any other seniors who live on their own. Every senior that I know of still lives with their parents who make them dinner every night, and with parents who might just sing them to sleep. You know, just like any normal senior.

A lot has changed for me this semester. My whole family lives in another country. Yes, I can call them practically any time I want, but it’s not the same.

Some of the things that have changed are:

• I have to make my own meals
• I have to go grocery shopping
• I have to actually work so that I can live, because I actually need money now
• I have to keep a budget
• I have to clean everything (no parents or siblings to help, although I did a lot of cleaning before)
• I’m by myself a lot more than I used to be
• I’ve matured
• I’ve become more responsible
• I’ve grown closer to God
• I make my own decisions (Although I will usually call my mom and ask for her opinion if it is a big and important decision)
• I have a lot more freedom
• I stay out later than I used to (Every so often, that is. Normally I am home relatively early.)
• I have to make sure I remember to get the oil changed in my car
• I have to go have meetings at my bank
• I have to be the one that decides what is best for me.
• I make my own choices

There are many things that have changed this semester, and most of them are not all that great. Having to work can be a chore (although I LOVE my job), because there are days when I would rather just not go. There are other days where I just don’t feel like I can handle the boys, and everything else that needs to be done. Making my own meals becomes so tedious, and there are days when I just don’t do it. Growing up this semester was not always very fun, but it was a good semester. It has been a semester full of growth. Not only did I learn a lot from my classes, but also I learned quite a bit from living life. I learned a lot from experiences, and I learned a lot by just doing what has to be done. It hasn’t been a piece of cake, because there have been many struggles. I’ve felt extremely alone. I’ve felt overwhelmed. I’ve felt heartbroken. There were days when I wished with all of my heart that I could be with my family, because, you see, your family always loves you, no matter what.

I guess all that I have been trying to say is that this semester has caused me to grow so much. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s happened. I hope there is the same amount of growth, or more, next semester.

Also, thank you to all the people who have been in my life this semester. Thank you to all who act as my pseudo family (you guys know who you are). Thank you to my real family, for loving me, and for giving me this chance.

I am SO glad to have this semester done with. It feels good. :)