good things come in threes

I'm only 20 years old and I'm just starting my junior year of college so it's probably a little, or a lot, early to say this but I've added a new hope to my "hopes and dreams" list. I hope one day I will be able to adopt or foster a baby with Down Syndrome or a baby with special needs. Something in their smiles just makes me fall in love.

found this on Etsy.com recently.

(here's the link to the etsy page)

That's all for now... back to my research!

home: a place so sweet only Michael Buble should sing of it.

This summer of transitions has finally ended.
San Marcos->Dallas->Austin->Dallas->Houston->Dallas->Jacksonville->DC->Dallas->Austin->San Marcos.

corner of my room.
paper hearts!

If I hear the sound of suitcase wheels or see another Hudson News sign I just might go crazy. Living out of a suitcase isn't fun. I tried to make Houston, Jacksonville, and DC feel like home by unpacking into dressers and closets, but by the time the clothing was folded or hung up...it was time to refold and roll away. I've discovered a way of knowing you are in a home environment: milk. There was never a time this summer when I had access to a personal fridge and a grocery store that was accessible by a vehicle (not by foot... sorry Trader Joe's, I still love ya.) so I never bought milk because I hated carrying it across town. Now, here I am in my homey apartment with my very own bed and my very own fridge... ironically I have yet to buy milk since my roommate has a gallon in there and sharing is caring... but I finally feel like I am in a home environment.

I have unpacked all my resources from this summer's pro-life endeavors and I can hardly believe how many binders, papers, stickers, and brochures I have accumulated over the past few months... it is wild. I'm looking forward to sorting through all the loose papers and filing them in their proper divider! Ha ha ha...

I have many thoughts and blessings to share but it is late right now. Tomorrow I have a craft project I'm looking forward to as a reminder of defending LIFE for my room. Excited! I <3modge podge.

wall of my room. made this today out of twine, paper, and tape!

in conclusion

 I had a great summer in DC at the National Right to Life Academy. Here's a summary in photos.

spending time with some wonderful ladies
and celebrating birthdays.

learning with some brilliant ladies
and finding time to smile during momentary frustrations.

Living with a crazy, awesome, Russian-Rhode Islander,
potential future Catholic provided for some unforgettable times.

Spending time with some of the brightest
people I have ever met.

Appreciating those who offer their time and wisdom to us.
We were a very blessed group of girls.

I felt emotionally overwhelmed at times this summer, but what
kept me sane was knowing my best friend was coming to visit me!
We got to celebrate his birthday together in DC.

Roger Stenson. He was definitely a highlight of my summer,
of ALL of our summers. We all wished he was our grandpa.

This picture is a perfect example of the friendships we formed this summer.
Great girls. I can't wait to see what great things they will do in this world.

Belittled Women

my latest piece for Human Life International is up today!

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) states that its mission is to promote health and opportunity for every man, woman, and child; it attempts to ensure that “every girl and woman [be] treated with dignity and respect.” As a woman, I will gladly stand behind an organization that empowers me, dignifies me, and acknowledges the rights that accompany my femininity and humanity.The UNFPA’s idea of empowerment, however, seems to be limited to the promotion of birth control, and its dignity to the avoidance of children through sterilization. Its acknowledgment of rights is applied narrowly to those women who are “wanted” or who happen to be outside of their mother’s womb. In taking this tack, the UNFPA is in reality accelerating the very discrimination against women and children that they are purportedly trying to alleviate.

 Continue reading here.

oh and uh can I get an AMEN?!

"The best way to protect our First Amendment rights is to use them without fear."-Father Frank Pavone

My friend Chelsea tweeted this during the NRL Convention and I just found the piece of paper I wrote it on. Serendipitous! Okay now back to work.