College wk 1

My college experience has begun and I have had mixed emotions about it. I arrived on Sunday, and it was one of the most overwhelming days of my life. My parents had to leave earlier then most parents because of the long distance from home. I had a new space, and no new people yet, I was all alone for the first time. When I am home alone I always have the dogs for company and our house is full of everyone's stuff, you don't feel alone. This was just me and my stuff in a weird unfamiliar place, it was uncomfortable. Then there were goodbyes which is always the worst part of leaving. Then immediately following the goodbye I suddenly had a class, people with common interests and feeling similar things. I made friends, I am continuing to make friends! It feels like home. I am so excited for the classes that I am taking and I like all of my professors that I have met so far. I am happy in this place!
Glory to God For All Things,
Cecilia <3

Happy Birthday

Today is this beautiful woman's birthday. I am so beyond grateful to have her in my life. She is one of my best friends, my support through everything, and my wonderful mom. Thank-you for teaching me how to be a strong, intelligent, caring, giving, hard-working, faithful, self-sacrificing and loving woman. Thank-you for giving me all the wonderful opportunities you have. May God grant you many many years! Best Mom <3
Glory to God for all Things,
Cecilia <3

Evening Thoughts

I am having a hard evening tonight. I am so scared about leaving home to go to college. I don't think I have admitted that to anyone or even myself. It is a whole huge world of unknown and I have so little control over any of it.  I am going so far away from my family, friends, parish, home, and comfort zone. It has really been hitting me these last few weeks that I will have to say goodbye to all of these things that I love so much. I have to put my trust in Christ and let him guide my life, but it is hard and scary.

This is a prayer I love and it has been helping me tonight: The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge; the Holy Spirit is my protector. O All Holy Trinity, glory to You.

Glory to God for All Things,

Cecilia <3

Final Shakespeare Camp!

First Cast Picture

This week was my final Shakespeare Camp, it was a very bittersweet experience. We had a cast of 38 teenagers performing in Much Ado About Nothing. Most of the bigger parts were split in half and we had a large crowd of attendants. I was the 1st half of Beatrice, which is the part that I have wanted since 2010. It was by far the best Shakespeare performance that I have been a part of, and one of the best weeks of my life. I have made so many memories, new friends, and lines are permanently running through my head.
Here are some of the good pre performance pictures.

Last day!

Final touches

Lovely masks

Benedick and Beatrice pt 1

Benedick pt 2

The drunks!

Our fearless leaders

Mustache time

preshow bonding

Shirt signing 

more shirts

newest members of our troupe

an annual picture!

One more picture before the show starts!

Another Birthday!

This is an annual post and I may be repeating what I said last year... but I don't mind at all!
Today is this beautiful girls birthday!

Her name is Maria and I love her dearly! She has been on of my best friends for 10+ years. Next year I will be going to college, most likely far from home, and I am encouraged that I have such a beautiful and strong friendship that will last for always. Thank-you dear Bia for being someone with whom I can laugh, talk seriously, study, dance, drink tea, and dream. Thank-you for always saying the right thing and being there when ever I need.  I see you less and less but I love you more and more! Now pictures!

forced summer picture that turned out only cause Claud is awesome!

Best picture ever!

Shakespeare camp fun

Best picture of Nicole ever!

Dinner dance

Drama as usual! 

Brides around the world

Sweet friendships!

Glory to God for All Things,
Cecilia <3

Sweet 16

Today is the day one of my dearest friends turns 16. She is truly abeautiful person inside and out.  

She is a great friend and I love her lots. Happy Birthday my dear Nicole! I am sorry I will not be able to be there to celebrate with you! May God grant you many years!
Love Ceal

2015 in Review

I know things like this are a little cheesy but I think it might be a good way for me to reflect on my year.
In the spring I placed 1st in my event at the SDHOSA state conference. It was my third time placing at the conference but my first time placing 1st. I also had my last few Quiz Bowls with the team that I had played with since middle school. Then I finished my junior year of high school! This was exciting and also kind of scary, a theme of this year!
A couple weeks after school ended Sus started her summer internship working on breast cancer research and the same day was the first day of drama camp for me. This seems like a small thing, but for us, well me at least, this was huge. This was our first experience doing things completely separate from each other for an extended amount of time.
Then a week after that I went to Camp and quite frankly I was terrified! No communication to or from home, no one I knew, and no twin! But really it was so great, I loved every second!
Then I came home had a few days break and began Shakespeare camp which was as great and tiring as always.
The next week I went to Idaho for 3 weeks! This was my favorite part of the whole summer. I stayed with my aunt and uncle and 2 young cousins. I got to spend so much time with my aunt, who has lived far away as long as I can remember, meet my youngest cousin for the 1st time and get to know his older brother who was 2 and a 1/2 when I was there. I miss them lots and I am trying to figure out how I can go back next summer.
I came back from Idaho and spent a lot of time at home till school started which kinda drove me crazy but I needed a break.

I got to go see Sus present her research poster and I have never been so proud ever. She worked so hard and loved every second! I got to meet her boss and the student she worked with which was exciting because she talked about them everyday.
Right before I started school a got a job nannying for a family with 4 kids. They live on a farm and we have had lots of adventures. I love it, it has been such a wonderful experience for me.
I started my senior year of high school! I can't even believe that! It is so crazy and scary, preparing for my next step is so intimidating!!!! I am taking Calculus at the public school and I love calculus! I am crazy, I admit it. :) I am also taking Russian Lit and I have really enjoyed that. Most recently we read Crime and Punishment. I have also spent a lot of time working on college application stuff. It is not the most interesting process ever and plenty stressful.
One of my favorite things that started again this fall is I am continuing to teach the preschool/kindergarten Sunday school class at church. I love it, I love the kids, getting to know them, and teaching them the faith as best I can. Not teaching and seeing these kids once a week is going to be a hard thing when I am in college next fall.
On Labor Day weekend we had our homeschool groups annual family camp. Quite probably that will be my last one for a while and it was awesome! But it also made me sad, It was my first "last" in high school and I really haven't got that many.
On November 2nd I turned 18, and yes before you think that of course Sus turned 18 too, I am an adult officially and that sounds more exciting then it is. We had a great family Christmas, yummy food, lots of naps, family, and gifts. Our house looked very festive and I am resisting taking it all down.
It has been a great year!
Glory to God for All Things,
Cecilia <3