A week in...

This semester should be interesting. A couple of my classes are really great - I am especially psyched for my legislation class. I am going to be writing a bill concerning the juvenile code in WV-juvenile justice has become the area of the law (outside of property) that really sparks my interest. I blame a lot of it on Prof. Annitto who taught my juvenile justice seminar last year. She is awesome and has such a unique perspective on all of this stuff (she practiced in legal aid in NY before moving here). ANYWAYS. I am looking forward to working with her to write this bill-which is really funny since I have long said I am not political. I don't follow politics or get fired up about elections. But law school has changed that in a lot of ways-can't really get away from politics here! Other classes are probably not going to be as fun. Consumer Protection is like a different language, and I am not bilingual! But I will muddle through.

I'm working this semester too--and involved in a clinic. So I'll keep busy. This week at work I was reading the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. And you know I was in awe a little bit. I only researched a little tiny piece of that law. It took 2 full days. I can't imagine how much time would be spent learning all the nuances of it. And then I started thinking about what Hardesty said in Legislation--there are over 40,000 legislative bodies in the U.S. 40,000 different groups are enacting legislation and ordinances and regulations all the time. And it is going to be my job to read and apply and interpret those statutes. CRAZY!

Schoolwise that is what is new and fascinating :) I am excited to document my last year of school here. But so much more is going on too. I am learning a ton in God's Word. Reading Daniel with Abby has been one of the BEST things I've done in a while. Such a cool guy-such an AWESOME God I serve. One of my favorite pieces today was when an angel came to give Daniel another vision. Daniel is frightened, but I love what the angel says. "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." (Daniel 10:12). There are two HUGE things that make me like this verse. First, Daniel set his mind to something, and Second, God blessed him for it. I tend to let circumstances talk me in or out of doing things. I set my mind to things, get discouraged, and quit. But I love that this is doable. I can set my mind to knowing God better and He will meet me--I have a God that loves a little initiative! That opens so much up to possibility--

I have so many more things to blog about, but I have to STUDY! I am hoping to post about some great new recipes I've tried, some wonderful books I read, some lessons I am (slowly) learning, and some fun times sure to be had this week!

I'm sitting here...

surrounded by several law books, a cup of coffee and my planner. It is official. Summer is over. Fall has begun - despite what the calender says. My consolation is that it is my last year.

I have no idea what this year holds. I have no clue what twists and turns await me.

But I do know what I hope will happen....what I want to happen...

I want to grow in my faith. I want to cook new things. I want to spend more time with my kids. I want to run. I want to read the minor prophets with Abby. I want to relax. I want to watch True Blood with Corey. I want to invest time in my friends. I want to teach Lauren to knit. I want to marvel at God's work. I want to have dance parties. I want to take trips (mainly to Knoxville and Dayton). I want to read books in bed before I go to sleep. I want to pray - better and more often. I want to laugh- A LOT. I want to start hiking. I want to take care of my body. I want to play my guitar. I want to take a few long drives.

And what is great is that God knows all of these things. He knows that desires of my heart. And He will give them to me..."Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

So I am going to work on DELIGHT, and trust that all the other things will follow...

A lovely vacation

After a long summer of working full time and taking a class, a vacation was definitely in order. And Charleston, SC was a perfect destination. Corey and I stayed in the Marriott in the Business District, which put us 10 minutes from Folly Beach and 5 from downtown.

Our days were spent on the beach, and the biggest decision we made each day was where to eat. AND OH DID WE EAT! Corey and I have decided to vacation in foodie cities. Austin was our first spot. Charleston was equally delightful. We had lots of fresh seafood, but also a little of other cuisines as well. Our favorite spot by far was a Thai place called Basil. It was our first Thai experience and it was DELICIOUS! Corey had the Red Curry Duck, extra spicy. I had the Basil with tofu. It was awesome.

A close second was Taco Boy at Folly Beach. Fresh ingredients in awesome sauces. They also served a mean margarita.

My favorite (nonfood) spot by far was a bar on King Street called the Belmont. It was an old-fashioned bar that served old-fashioned drinks. Our bartender's name was Joey and he knew SO MUCH about cocktails. He had a passion for pre-prohibition drinks and made me a few of the best ones that I have ever had.

this is the old-fashioned: two slices of orange peel, rye bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, orange cordial. YUMMY!

We didn't take any tours or really do anything terribly exciting. But we walked all over down town. I am in love with the architecture of Charleston. The details are amazing, the colors, even the businesses all have a very trendy vibe.

It is easy to enjoy the simplest of walks. Our last full day was spent walking all over the place-doing some shopping etc. I was stung by a jellyfish the day before, and I was scared to go back to the beach. There is a huge market with handmade wares as well as a row of very, very nice shops on King Street.

It was such a relaxing vacation. We enjoyed every minute. But we were ready to get home...we missed our kiddos! I highly recommend Charleston to anyone thinking of traveling. Maybe not in August (it was HOT--100+ everyday). I'll leave you with some photos from all around :)