I feel like this week has hit me like a freight train going one hundred miles an hour! Summer school and enrichment started Monday, meaning no more sleeping in until 8 and having to be ready to go at a normal school hour. I was really beginning to enjoy those lazy mornings! Although it has been a busier week, here's what I've been loving.

I've been graduated for three weeks now, WHAT IN THE WORLD?! As I'm getting into the swing of adult summer life before I begin teaching summer school, I thought I'd share a few purchases I made this week and what else I've been up to post grad life. 

WOW! It has been since spring break that I posted?! I don't even know where to begin with all the change and updates that have happened since March. Ok so here's a quick run down.

1. The littles are finally here!! They've been officially home for five weeks and life has completely flipped upside down. But, aren't they just the most precious things ever?!



2. I just completed my first week of senior year! Wow, I have been a student for 18 years! I'm in my senior block so I will finally be out in the classroom for a full month this semester, one week in October and three weeks in November. I'm so excited and so nervous at the same time. It has finally all hit me that I'm going to be a real teacher in January and graduated in May. Now that is crazy! At ISU, they require you to have the same section for each class in your senior block. This way clinicals don't interfere with other classes and we're with the same classmates for the whole semester. I'm loving having a core group of friends as it's eased the nerves and we can all get through senior year together.



4.  My blog content won't be changing to much, although I did take a nanny position for the fall since working is not an option during student teaching. I still will be doing daily activities with my little one so I'll be posting some of her art periodically. Look for actual lesson plans as well as reflections from myself (hopefully they won't be major freak outs) when I'm in the classroom, as well as tips and tricks I'll be learning along the way!

Hello Friends!
Horray for another episode of High Five For Friday! This week as been the first full week of school/work since Christmas break, how crazy is that!? I'm more than ready for the weather to get nice again, the snow to melt and warmth to come back to the midwest.

I think the world has stopped, or I'm dreaming... I have been fully gluten free for two months! Now, to some this may be a psh whatever that's easy but for me, the queen of pasta and breads, it is like winning a national championship.

To start, my mom (who's a certified nutritional therapist and GAPS practitioner) has been telling me for a long time that I should really consider taking gluten out of my diet. Back in high school I had the worst skin, but not cystic acne just acne consistently and I never thought it was because of what I was eating. Then I went to college my freshman year and was eating like CRAP, I mean McDonald runs with my roommates at 11 pm to get a dollar menu McChicken - oh my Lord I can't believe I did that and I'm sharing this - it also didn't help that our dining center was not exactly high quality food either. I remember calling my mom in tears because my skin was getting worse and she'd always ask, "well, what have you been eating?"

I would also get the worst stomach aches after eating a gluten heavy meal. You can even ask Jonny how many times we'd be driving home from the restaurant and I'd be doubled in pain in the passenger seat. Yes, it was not pretty. But I was always in denial that it was the gluten because I LOVE my pasta!

So fast forward to three years later. In early December I had went out for a work Christmas party and we ate at a local, hometown pizza joint. I was telling myself to go gluten free since they had a GF pizza crust but caved after reading the menu. A pasta dish later and some wine from the local art galleries, I woke up the next morning feeling like a 90 year old arthritic woman. Not even kidding, my joints were so stiff and my hands couldn't grasp a thing to save my life. That was when I finally faced the truth. I needed to stop eating the gluten because I was on the fast track to celiac disease. I started that day taking gluten out of my diet.

Two weeks later our family was Christmas tree hunting for the third time we went for our traditional Starbucks drink and treat stop: Eggnog Chai Tea and a Cranberry Bliss Bar. My mom who had already been GF for some time, and I decided "screw it we're getting a Cranberry Bliss Bar because you know what it's Christmas and we only get this once a year" (I'm pretty sure those were our exact words). Now this is when you should stop and scream NO FAITH DON'T DO IT! But, this is also the turning point where I ate the gluten, woke up the next morning stiff like a 90 year old and realized, no I am for sure allergic to gluten and will not be eating this.

So. It's been two months with out gluten and I'm loving it! My acne is pretty much gone except for the occasional stressed because I'm a college senior pimple. And if any men are reading, I'd advise skipping down to the next paragraph... I used to get the worst stomach problems during that time of the month, but ever since I've not been eating gluten, I've had little to none cramping/issues. IT IS WONDERFUL! And best of all, I'm not even craving gluten, it doesn't even sound good to me anymore.

I wanted to share this with you all to encourage anyone who has thought about going GF. If I, the queen of pasta can do it, you can do it. Yes you have to plan ahead so you don't get stuck starving on campus and buy a beagle but it's honestly been the most worth while health investment I've ever made. I know I was probably boarder line celiac and now, my belly is healing and I've never felt better. Also, so many restaurants are now offering GF menus and options that it's not impossible to eat out once in a while. When Jonny was here we limited our eating out but I never had a problem when we did go out (we just couldn't go quick through the drive through somewhere, which was kind of a pain ;)

So, go gluten free. You can do it! If you'd like tips or recipes send me an e-mail or put them in the comments bellow. I'd love to help you out and get your health and mine back to tip top shape!

I have been counting down the days for Bloggers Online Bible Study to start and am in love! To be honest, I was a little nervous about saying yes to doing a Bible study with semi strangers, but thanks to Jonny for giving me that little extra push to go out of my comfort zone and try something new.

We are going through the book A Modern Girl's Guide To Bible Study and let me tell you, Jen has hit the nail on the head. Not only am I dying of laughter with each chapter but she completely speaks to my soul and rocks it deeply.

I love being able to journal throughout each day and read not only her words but the Bible. Journaling is one of my favorite ways to express myself and to be able to process what I'm studying is an amazing aspect of this study.

Something that really resonated with me was this quote: "God's Word is ignited by processing it with Him deliberately" (34) and how true is that?! Throughout this week I truly noticed a difference when I sat with the Lord and studied his Word, not just reading a quick Psalm and Proverbs for the day. I feel more filled and ready to take on whatever is thrown at me, which isn't that how we should always feel?

I am so excited for week two and for studying God's word with fellow sisters in Christ!

Last semester and year I felt as if I had over committed myself to work, school, relationships and extra curricular type things. And at the end of it all I was completely exhausted and my body was worn out. This whole idea to live simple took root around finals week in December when I was in the process of moving downstairs into a much smaller room and had to really prioritize and purge what I owned. Now that I've been living here for over a month I've fallen in love with the simplicity of my space, which has transferred over into other aspects of life.

Here are my top five ways that I've found myself to simplify my life for 2014 and am continuing to work on daily.

1. // Be Present 
After deciding I could graduate a semester early and newly being admitted into the Honors Program I started feeling like I had missed out on so much of college from transferring schools a few times, and now I'd be leaving in two and a half more semesters. I felt like I was finally settled and connected. Then it clicked, I need to be present in every day I'm on campus or studying or out in the classroom. Staying present has helped me stay in the moment of college life and not regret anything, clique I know, but it honestly is true.

2. // Learn To Say No 
To be honest, this is difficult for me. I am a person pleaser and HATE having to say no to someone because I feel like I'm going to disappoint them or they're going to find me flakey. But, I've started to really work on saying no, for example being asked to babysit on a weekend that I know I have an exam the following week or a huge assignment/project has really helped me stay balanced and refreshed. Not only that but my body has thanked me for not going 100 miles an hour.

3. // Clear the Desk 
I do this daily at work and home. I find it to be one of the easiest ways to start anything with a fresh mind and attitude.

4. // Spend Time Alone
I love this one and would add journaling/devotional time into it as well.

5. // Yoga & Exercise 
Every time I pull out my mat or am finished with a session, I always feel more energized, calm and refreshed. There is something about yoga and focusing on your breathing and the movement of your body that puts life's craziness on the back burner. I find myself less stressed when I'm done and overall in a much happier mood.

The unfolding of Your words gives light; 
It gives understanding to the simple. 
-Psalm 119:130 


*If you would like a fuller list of ways to simple living, check out where I was inspired by here:
 http://zenhabits.net/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/

One of my many goals for 2014 is to read more for pleasure. As a college student once the semester is in full swing I find myself wanting to do anything but read another book.

After picking up a few new titles and dusting off the covers of some old ones, I decided to make reading for myself a priority. And we've had no school for the littles since we're in extreme cold, feels like -34, I've had a few extra days to settle in with a good book!






















[Wheat Belly]
No, I'm not trying to lose the weight, but I am trying to gain my health back. After battling for years with acne and bad stomach aches after eating gluten, I finally decided I needed to be gluten free. Let me tell you, it has been a rewarding and challenging last month as I have been strictly GF (and yes even over the holidays!) But, I have never felt better and my acne troubles are beginning to clear up slightly. My mom got this book for Christmas and I've been dying to dive into it.

So far - the first 20 pages are spot on.

[A Heart Like His]
One of my dear friends told me about a e-book sale of Beth Moore where some of her books were FREE, so you know I had to jump on that. Beth Moore is one of my favorite Christian authors and I was so excited to pick up a few of her titles, even if it meant reading from iBooks. I started this one last night - a reflection on the life of David - oh my, it's powerful and I'm only a chapter in!

What are your current reads for January?

Hello friends! Day two of #12daysofblogging

I'm moving downs to the basement in my parents home, I know I sound like those typical kids that live at home, in their parents basement... But let me tell you, living at home is by far cheaper then living on campus and being down in the basement will be my own little apartment. Anywho, I've been on Pinterest looking for some inspiration since I am creating a new space and found some gorgeous ideas!