Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Two Years Ago...
I just had to show you this picture. This is me and Ginger (before Lia came to America) on our first day of school two years ago. That meant that Ginger was going into 5th grade and I was going into 7th grade. That was the beginning of my realization of college and other future goals and the year that my academics soared.
As you can see in this picture, neither one of us has brushed our hair or gotten dressed. I actually think that Ginger is wearing the same headband in this picture as the one she wore in our first day of school photo shoot this year! I was wearing braces then and I am so glad that I no longer have to.
We were in the height of adoption planning by then. We knew that we were adopting Lia by then and began making plans for travel and such.
So enough reveling in the past and living now!
So long!
Jade
PS: just to show how much I HAVEN'T grown, I'm still wearing both of those shirts now!
First Day of High School!
Even though I'm homeschooled I still think that it is a big deal to start high school. I had a great first day. Here are the pictures my mom took on our front porch.
Lia wasn't too happy with us by the time this picture was taken. Her outfit was completely picked out by her. Ginger always goes casual for school and of course I had to be dressed perfectly. The school outfit I chose was a white shirt, jeans, and a scarf.
Here's a close up of all three of us.
I was pretty excited to start school today. I love the idea of being on a schedule and learning. Ginger was pretty much dreading the start of school and Lia just wanted to learn how to read.
I am trying to journal my school days and here is the one that I wrote today.
August 19, 2013
I really enjoyed my first day of school. It felt rejuvenating and inspiring to be learning again and being on a schedule. I wake up at 6:21 every morning now. I make up my bed, read my Bible and get dressed. At 7:00, Ginger and Lia wake up and we all eat the breakfast that mama has sat out. I love figuring out what my first day of school outfit will be and I could not decide this year. After putting on the outfit that I had decided (orange skinny jeans, denim shirt), I completely changed my mind and put on my jeans, white shirt, and scarf. I love the feeling of being completely dressed. It helps me stay focused and prepared. I am doing 2 hours of math a day now. When my geometry book comes in I will be doing an hour of algebra and an hour of geometry every day. I am half a year behind on math so I will complete Algebra 1 so that I will be where I am supposed to be, Geometry so that I will have math completed for the year, and Algebra 2 so that I will be a year ahead. That means that next year I will be starting PRE-CALCULUS! For literature I am reading Romeo and Juliet. Mama and I read it together, voicing the different characters. I’m Romeo. I hope that I can switch to Juliet later. Handwriting is harder than I expected. I just can’t write beautifully. Hopefully I’ll make improvement. I got all but the last few pages of my literature book done before I left for tennis at 3:15. Tomorrow I will be more focused.
So that's my first day of school. I'll try to keep you informed about other things that are going on including the tennis season.
Best wishes to all!
Jade
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Note
I've always wanted to leave something in a book for someone to find. Today, I couldn't resist. I sent my sister to the library with a book. Little did she know what was inside...
I put it between pages 78 and 79 of Uprising (Rebel Force Series book 6).
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Possible First Day of School Outfits
Even though I'm not a public schooler, I still like to have fun with my first day of school outfits. Here are some possibilities. I would really like to wear my orange (my favorite color!) skinny jeans but I may not.
This picture was blurry but here is a close up of the shirt.
I will wear an undershirt because of it being a low v-neck.
This is the original shirt that I got to wear with these pants. The only thing is that it may be too hot outside to wear this.
As you can see, I really like blue and orange.
This is a new outfit that I created. The plaid shirt is pink with orange stripes which complements the orange shirt.
I just put together this outfit so I don't know if it looks good. The shirt is a size to big and I'll wear it with a purple undershirt.
I love my Avengers shirt and I might wear it just to show that on the first day of school.
So what do you think I should wear? I may add more outfits that I create to the list as well. I will let you know my final decision when I start school in a couple of weeks.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Changes of My Life
So much has happened since my last post. I've gone to Student Leadership University (I'll have to talk about that in a different post), youth camp, 4-H judging, and VBS. I'm not really very disciplined to write on my blog every few days and that's why you haven't been hearing from me. I hope to start posting again. With school about to start up, I'll have more things to write about.
One thing that I'd like to address right now is that...... I'M A FRESHMAN NOW! That's right. I am going into my first year of high school. Now I know that it is a big deal to begin high school if you are a public schooler but for me it isn't that different. I started some of my high school text books last year and the work isn't harder for me. It actually seems a little easier (mostly literature). In my homeschool coop the only thing different is that I'm allowed to go to the dances that we have. At my church, it will get very different. I'll be with all of the senior highers which will be scary but exciting.
The biggest change this year is tennis. I am now a member of the __________ High School tennis team. I already know some people from the middle school team but I'm still going to be one of the youngest. Thankfully I don't have to try out but it will be more intense. I don't know if I'll make varsity or jr. varsity yet because there is no way of knowing how good the other girls are.
There used to be a rule in some places that home schoolers could not do public school sports unless they took a class. We were prepared for this. Thankfully, there has been a new law passed that home schoolers cannot be denied sports. ________ High School has been generous with us and is allowing me to participate in their Flex Program. I will be taking Mandarin Chinese from the state college. This is a great way to learn this language because not many schools offer the language and we would probably have to find a really good online program if I was to speak it fluently.
So I'm really looking forward to my freshman year. Everything that I learned at Student Leadership University has inspired and motivated me to work hard this school year.
One thing that I'd like to address right now is that...... I'M A FRESHMAN NOW! That's right. I am going into my first year of high school. Now I know that it is a big deal to begin high school if you are a public schooler but for me it isn't that different. I started some of my high school text books last year and the work isn't harder for me. It actually seems a little easier (mostly literature). In my homeschool coop the only thing different is that I'm allowed to go to the dances that we have. At my church, it will get very different. I'll be with all of the senior highers which will be scary but exciting.
The biggest change this year is tennis. I am now a member of the __________ High School tennis team. I already know some people from the middle school team but I'm still going to be one of the youngest. Thankfully I don't have to try out but it will be more intense. I don't know if I'll make varsity or jr. varsity yet because there is no way of knowing how good the other girls are.
There used to be a rule in some places that home schoolers could not do public school sports unless they took a class. We were prepared for this. Thankfully, there has been a new law passed that home schoolers cannot be denied sports. ________ High School has been generous with us and is allowing me to participate in their Flex Program. I will be taking Mandarin Chinese from the state college. This is a great way to learn this language because not many schools offer the language and we would probably have to find a really good online program if I was to speak it fluently.
So I'm really looking forward to my freshman year. Everything that I learned at Student Leadership University has inspired and motivated me to work hard this school year.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Pictures I Created
In case you can't read what is written in green, it says the following:
"An example of two book series' using the same word for two different love stories...."
For those of you who have read both Harry Potter and Hunger Games, you probably know what I'm talking about right here. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out a few years before Hunger Games which means that Harry Potter had the copyright on the "Always..." line before Hunger Games.
Dobby has one of the best lines in the movie when he says "Dobby never meant to kill. Only maim or seriously injure." Right before he said this line he had crashed a chandelier to the floor. That's where I got the idea for this.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Updates and an Important Announcement
I'm really sorry that I haven't been posting. I guess I haven't had anything too incredible to post about.
I have started reading the Hunger Games series and I am on the third book right now. I love them all!
I have also started watching Downton Abbey with my mom and sisters. With the exceptions of a few scenes, it is really good and I'd recommend it for ages 11 and up (if you're younger than 15 or 16 you should probably watch with a parent).
I have also recently gotten into smashbooking. I ordered a smash book of my own after getting one for a friend and reading more about them. It is pretty much just free form scrapbooking. After you get used to it, it can be addicting.
Now I have some news.
I'm not going to be posting for a while.
My church is in the midst of a revival and we are having a 21 day fast. Now, a fast can be where you don't eat food or you can just take something important to you out of your life. I hope to fast food for a long period of time one day, but I think that at my age it wouldn't be very good for me and I don't really want to at this moment.
Instead I am fasting all computer except for what I use for school.
I will not be on the Internet, emailing, or listening to anything on my computer.
I have found that the time spent on the computer is taking up too much of my time. I'm going to use that time to get closer to God and do other more productive things. I plan on posting on March 4th, the day the fast is over, about what I learned from my experience.
Right now, I'm just really excited about what God is going to show me in the next 21 days starting tomorrow. So far, this revival experience has been amazing and has brought me closer to God. Hopefully this fast will put me even closer. So my friends, I will talk to you again on March 4th. See you soon!
I have started reading the Hunger Games series and I am on the third book right now. I love them all!
I have also started watching Downton Abbey with my mom and sisters. With the exceptions of a few scenes, it is really good and I'd recommend it for ages 11 and up (if you're younger than 15 or 16 you should probably watch with a parent).
I have also recently gotten into smashbooking. I ordered a smash book of my own after getting one for a friend and reading more about them. It is pretty much just free form scrapbooking. After you get used to it, it can be addicting.
Now I have some news.
I'm not going to be posting for a while.
My church is in the midst of a revival and we are having a 21 day fast. Now, a fast can be where you don't eat food or you can just take something important to you out of your life. I hope to fast food for a long period of time one day, but I think that at my age it wouldn't be very good for me and I don't really want to at this moment.
Instead I am fasting all computer except for what I use for school.
I will not be on the Internet, emailing, or listening to anything on my computer.
I have found that the time spent on the computer is taking up too much of my time. I'm going to use that time to get closer to God and do other more productive things. I plan on posting on March 4th, the day the fast is over, about what I learned from my experience.
Right now, I'm just really excited about what God is going to show me in the next 21 days starting tomorrow. So far, this revival experience has been amazing and has brought me closer to God. Hopefully this fast will put me even closer. So my friends, I will talk to you again on March 4th. See you soon!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Winter Jam = Awesome!
Winter Jam is something that our youth group has been going to for several years now. It's a night where we go over to Columbus on the bus and attend a huge Christian rock concert. I have had the option to go for three years now but turned it down. Until this year.
This year was my year.
I was going to Winter Jam.
The following artists were going to be there: Royal Tailor, Jamie Grace, New Song, Sidewalk Prophets, Matthew West, Red, and -drum role please- YOU'LL HAVE TO KEEP READING TO FIND OUT!
Anyway, Ginger and I had invited our friends Lune and Hazel to go with us. All four of us were super excited. We piled on the bus with everyone else in our youth group and our leaders and started off on our 1 1/2 hour journey. I had a blast just on the bus. Lune and I sat next to each other and talked and listened to music.
Then we arrived.
We started looking at the line.
It looked like the line for a presidential candidate campaign rally.
The leaders started preparing us for the fact that we were probably not going to get in.
DUH, DUH, DUH!
Well, we had to try to get in so we got in line and began waiting.
We waited...
and waited...
and waited...
and waited...
We had to pass the time somehow so we tried out the effects of mob phsychology. It took forever but we got everyone in line to clap and cheer with the help of another youth group.
The whole time we were waiting I was telling myself that we were not getting in.
There was no way that they were going to fit all of us in that building!
We continued waiting....
and waiting...
and waiting...
and waiting...
Then we started walking up to the front doors.
Lune and I almost screamed we were so excited. We were without a doubt getting in now.
Then we walked through the front door.
WE WERE AT WINTER JAM!
It took forever but we ended up finding seats behind the stage. I know what you're thinking, no one wants to sit behind the stage. I didn't care. I could see every single person even though they only looked about two inches tall.
Now what would this post be without pictures? I'm going to post a picture of every single artist that we saw and my reaction to it. I also might talk about it a little bit (especially my favorites!).
Here we go!
First up was Royal Tailor!
This year was my year.
I was going to Winter Jam.
The following artists were going to be there: Royal Tailor, Jamie Grace, New Song, Sidewalk Prophets, Matthew West, Red, and -drum role please- YOU'LL HAVE TO KEEP READING TO FIND OUT!
Anyway, Ginger and I had invited our friends Lune and Hazel to go with us. All four of us were super excited. We piled on the bus with everyone else in our youth group and our leaders and started off on our 1 1/2 hour journey. I had a blast just on the bus. Lune and I sat next to each other and talked and listened to music.
Then we arrived.
We started looking at the line.
It looked like the line for a presidential candidate campaign rally.
The leaders started preparing us for the fact that we were probably not going to get in.
DUH, DUH, DUH!
Well, we had to try to get in so we got in line and began waiting.
We waited...
and waited...
and waited...
and waited...
We had to pass the time somehow so we tried out the effects of mob phsychology. It took forever but we got everyone in line to clap and cheer with the help of another youth group.
The whole time we were waiting I was telling myself that we were not getting in.
There was no way that they were going to fit all of us in that building!
We continued waiting....
and waiting...
and waiting...
and waiting...
Then we started walking up to the front doors.
Lune and I almost screamed we were so excited. We were without a doubt getting in now.
Then we walked through the front door.
WE WERE AT WINTER JAM!
It took forever but we ended up finding seats behind the stage. I know what you're thinking, no one wants to sit behind the stage. I didn't care. I could see every single person even though they only looked about two inches tall.
Now what would this post be without pictures? I'm going to post a picture of every single artist that we saw and my reaction to it. I also might talk about it a little bit (especially my favorites!).
Here we go!
They were pretty cool. The main singer liked to dance.
I was still getting used to the whole idea of a rock concert at this point.
Then, it was Jamie Grace's turn!
She was the only girl all night but she was amazing!
Then came NewSong.
They were actually the ones who founded Winter Jam.
Then came the Sidewalk Prophets.
If you don't understand what I mean by words on a screen I will explain. Most of the bands would sing and you would want to sing with them but you didn't know the words. Well, Sidewalk Prophets actually had words on the screen!
Then came Matthew West.
This guy is on the River (a Christian radio station) all the time. I knew several of his songs just from listening to the radio so many times.
Then came Red.
Red is one of those crazy screamo artists in my opinion. His outfit was kind of creepy and there was fire behind him. FIRE!
In my opinion, the lead singer looked like Obi-Wan Kenobi turned into a rock star! Anyway, I' not big on loud music and I only call something music if you understand the words and can distinguish the melody line. Red didn't completely meet my criteria.
Hazel, Ginger, and Lune were rocking out while I was awkwardly sitting in my chair.
I forgot to mention it but in between Matthew West and Red there was an intermission where Lune and I got some popcorn! It was soooooooo good!
This next guy was in between these two I think but he wasn't a big part of it really.
That's right, Jason Castro from American Idol was there!
Now, it was the moment that me, Hazel, Lune, and Ginger were waiting for. Ginger and Lune were even going to have a screaming contest when this person came on stage.
I was so excited.
My stomach was doing back handsprings.
I felt like doing back handsprings I was so excited!
That was when he walked on stage.
That's right! Toby Mac was there at Winter Jam!
We sang some songs that I knew and some that I didn't know.
I couldn't believer that he was right there in front of me!
Almost everyone there had only 15 minutes on stage. Red had 23 minutes. Toby Mac had around 45 minutes! He was the highlight of the night and it was so amazing.
That was my reaction when he was done. We immediately left after he was gone. We had to hurry back to the bus so that we could go home. It was around 11:00 PM at the time.
We had fun on the way back. We listened to music. I got my iPod out and played the only Toby Mac song I own. It was so cool knowing that I had actually seen him!
So, as you can see, I had a ton of fun. I can't wait till next year!
PS: sorry I didn't get this post out sooner. I've been sick.
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