There and Back Again: A College Tale

I realize that I should have posted these photos many months ago, but, hey, better late than never! Ben and I have lived in our first apartment for eight months now, so there have been some slight changes in our apartment since these pictures were taken. Still, since I know many of you will never get to see our Knoxville home in person, I hope you enjoy seeing these photos and hearing about how our little haven came together.  We are so fortunate and blessed to have such generous family and friends. Most of the items in our apartment were given to us, or we bought them for very cheap! Ben bought the dresser a year or two ago while he was living in Riddleton, and I painted it with homemade chalk paint. It's amazing how a fresh coat of paint can take a dated dresser and turn it into something pretty! My favorite piece of furniture is definitely our hutch. It was a wedding gift from my grandmother, and we had so much fun picking it out! I always joke that the hutch looks l...

On this cold, snowy afternoon, I've compiled a list of some of the material things I am thankful for.  The box of fruit my mom sent me My mom sends the most unique care packages ever, and I absolutely love them! Last time I was home for the weekend, I was talking to my mom about how expensive fruit is.  I really enjoy eating fruit, and sometimes grabbing an apple on my way out of the cafeteria just doesn't cut it. (Once, I was planning on buying a plastic tub of assorted fruit from Publix, but it was almost $12. Never mind. I don't need vitamin C that  bad.) So, for Valentine's Day, my mom sent me a box filled with apples, oranges, bananas, and some caramel dip, along with a Cracker Barrel gift card for Ben and I to use. My mom is awesome! My water bottle My purple 22 ounce water bottle never leaves my side. I carry it with me everywhere I go, whether it's to class, or to the gym, or to go eat. (This way, I don't have to get one of those tiny water ...

As soon as I sit down to study, so many thoughts run through my head.  I have discovered that I am a productive procrastinator, meaning that instead of putting off studying by wasting time on Pinterest or Facebook, I clean. Or do laundry. Or workout. Anything to keep me from having to study biology! These are the thoughts I had just yesterday when I needed to be studying: (Enters dorm room.) Hmmm. There's no way I can study in this room. It's a mess! We haven't vacuumed in... well, who knows how long. I know it's not my turn to vacuum, but what would Jesus do? He would totally just vacuum the room. Then, He would study for His biology exam. I mean,  "Let all things be done decently and in order," right?  (Vacuums room with ultra-cheap Dirt Devil from Target. Finishes 15 minutes later.) That looks so much better! Now I can--Wait. Is that toothpaste on the mirror? How did that get all the way up there? Good thing I brought some Windex from home! I kne...