Shady's Back, Back Again.

If you are even still out there my precious readers... I'm back. I'm not sure how permanently, but I've been itching to write again and just didn't know where to start. 

I'll catch you up though.. 

Hailey and I moved into a perfect little apartment minutes away from school, and we are absolutely loving it. These past few weeks we've been meshing our styles together to add some charm to our humble abode. As soon as we put the final touches on the rooms you better believe there is gonna be a "home tour" post about it!

I started my third year of college almost a month ago. It's crazy that time has flown by so quickly and that I've been at JWU for two full years now?! I've been staying insanely busy with studying and homework for my classes, even though I only have three.. rough life, I know;) 

I am still nannying Ben and Ari and still pulling my hair out with their each and every shenanigan. They are sixth graders now.. and just like a wise teacher once told me, "once you hit middle school you become jaded and apathetic." Oh, how true is that statement.

I'm also working on getting more involved at school and have joined a few clubs. I was recently accepted into Collegiate Ambassador  Team (CAT) which works with potential incoming students leading tours, talking with concerned parents, and sharing my love of JWU with others! I'm also waiting to hear if I was accepted into Student Alumni Association (SAA), crossing my fingers!

As usually, I'm enjoying the easy and not so easy life as a college student. Counting every penny to make rent while taking midnight trips to Wendy's for frosties. Jordan, Hails and I have watched a record amount of movies these past few weeks to supplement for no cable. We eat out way too much, go to the gym far too little and try and meet as many new people as possible. 

The new school year is gonna bring challenges, (well, already is), but I am ready to take it head on. But my friends and I are gonna make the most to every minutes. Cheers to a new school year, even if I am a month late. 

Until next time and I promise it will be sooner than the last time,

Jasmine 

1 year, 100 posts, and 1 happy blogger!

Today is the one year anniversary of Sweet Somethings and coincidentally also the 100th blog post!

So much can happen in a span of one year: things of greatness, things of sadness, times of great joy and jubilation, deep thoughts, outings and vacations, adventure, love and heartbreak, holiday celebrations, filled with friends, family, acquaintances, picture taking and a whole lot of writing.

You, my loyal readers, have followed me along my finest and not so finest moments, reading, laughing, and even sometimes crying along with me. You even put up with my countless spelling and grammar errors, missing words and run-on sentences.

From one of my very first posts, you were my biggest fans. You continued reading, even when half of it didn't even make sense.

You trusted my baking advice and tried some of my favorite recipes like this and this. You cheered me on when I talked endlessly about all the cool cakes I made in class. And most of all reaffirmed my calling and passion, as I shared in this special post.

You were here listening as I poured my heart out when I was sad or upset about things. Even as silly as letting go of my sweet French student, Tino, last summer. More importantly, when I was thinking back to the scariest day of my life, when I heard my Mom had almost died if it wasn't for my Savior and Protector.  And most recently, having to leave a piece of my heart in Roseville.

Holidays were always followed by pictures and thoughts, which you promptly read along with.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and even Mother's Day, we celebrated together.

You let me talk endlessly about how much I love being a nanny. Reading all about this cool activity and that way of going about things. And always reminded me that I am a super cool nanny ;)

Reader, you were so very patient with me. You let me fuss, whine and talk about how life is just. not. fair. Fussing about people, about how hard I think life is, and finally understanding that it's all gonna be ok.

I experienced a lot of love this year too. In a whole lot of different ways. Here are my favorites, (Mom and Dad get Re-married! Roommate Soulmate Theory) and by the reader count they were yours too!

My loving readers supported my family and I through a big move to Iowa(Home Tour!) and gave a big cheer for me living on my own this summer(Summer Home!)

Most of all, you allowed me to share my heart. My jumbled thoughts about God and the way we should live our lives. You read along as I tried to teach myself  how to be a better follower of Christ and all around person, and while doing so touching your hearts too. Pouring my heart out about love, life choices, and what it means to have humility.

I could never be more grateful for the joy you have brought me by being so loyal. Thank you for every sweet, encouraging, and funny comment you left and even just taking a spare moment to catch up with my crazy life. You are all so special to me. 

With the most love,

Jasmine 

Don't worry.. I really am wearing clothes in this picture. 

Humility

As imperfect humans, we struggle with humility. We struggle with our own sense of pride, lack of humbleness and our own selfishness.

We tend to forget that the people around us are flawed, and likewise that we ourselves are flawed. We forget that there is only one man who has ever been perfect. No one but He has or ever will be perfect. 

Humans quickly place judgement on those who may be different, less fortunate, or walking on a path than themselves. Judgement occurs unrightfully in our minds when we witness things we do not believe or feel is right. Hate seeps into our soul when we experience how evil some people are. 

But is it our place to judge them, when we are just as imperfect as they? 

Where is our humility? Where is our love? Where is our compassion, grace, and humbleness? 

Why can we as humans not go to that lowly place, where our hearts are filled with the utmost love for someone who has done wrong, who has nothing to their name, or a misguided heart. 

God instructs us to find those people, to show them the abundant grace that he has always shown us, to remind them they are a beautiful creation of the Lord's, and let them know they are never alone. 

Matthew 25: 34-40 explains to us just how much God loves humility. 

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’


³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


When we act in humility towards the least of these, God is so pleased, for the least of these are His children as well, his precious creations.

To have humility, you need humbleness though. You must let go of your pride. You must be willing to step down onto an equal level with those whom need your humility. By embracing God's love within you and showing grace towards others, humility will come naturally.

I'd say the greatest act of humility was from God, Himself. He sent His one and only Son to the Earth for us, so that he may hang from that cross, wearing a crown of thorns and die to cleanse our body from sin. God weeped to see his son in such a state. But out of his astounding humility, He gave us Jesus, so that we may live a righteous life.

You were shown the greatest act of humility, shouldn't you return the favor?

Next time you see a homeless man asking for food, stop. Give him food, a smile, tell him how much he is loved.

Next time you judge a man like James Holmes, who killed 14 people and injured 74 in a movie theater, remember humility. Humility for his family. They lost a son too. 


And even remember humility when something as silly as a guy cutting you off in rush hour traffic. 


Your humbleness and humility is truly the greatest form of worship to God. Loving one another is the essence of Christ. Excepting all people with grace is what He stands for. And as disciples of Christ we should want to stand for all of that too.


"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12


Until Next Time,


Jasmine 

Isaac the Incredible Cat

Anyone who knows me well enough, knows that I don't really like cats. I kinda hate them.. (cue gasps from cat lovers all over the world.)

There are few cats that I have liked in my life. My cheese hot dog eating cat, "Kitty Jim," my ex-boyfriends snotty cat "Lily" (RIP Lily), and my cousins cat Corner who just likes to attack my leg. 

But most recently I have become so fond of a little kitty named Isaac. He is my bestie, Betsy's, pride and joy. He is the most lovable kitty in the world. You could throw him across the room or hang him upside down and he will come back purring. 

So today I am dedicating this blog post to Isaac the Incredible and his many faces and styles. 

"She's mine bro."  

Finger high-five!

"... And i dance, dance, dance,and i dance dance dance." 

"Come at me Bro." 

"Im using me super puurrrwer to make you pet me."

yoggaaaa

"Im sexy and I know it"

"CIIIIIRRCLLE OF LIIIFEE"

"This yogurt is delectable."

"I'm a jungle kitty, hear me puuurrr."

"I'm getting to second base toniiighhhtt."

"Im too sexy for me fur, too sexy for me fur, too sexy by far."

"Ive graced you with my presence.."

"So Vouge"

"I thought this was cat nip?!"

"Seriously right now.."

"Can I go now..."

"Im Meowtasic baby"

If you like what you see, check out Isaac on Facebook.. www.facebook.com/isaac.bauchmann

Until Next Time,

Jasmine and Isacc