Happy August! I used to hate the month of August. It was my third least favorite month! (first being June and second being September) Now I feel as if June and August have redeemed themselves! Having my wedding and my birthday in those months really helped. Sorry September.

After babysitting tonight, I feel the motherly urge again! These girls aren't toddlers either, which makes me sure I'm becoming more prepared for parenthood someday. I used to strongly dislike the ages of 7-10. I just hate the jokes and the thinking they're so smart when they really aren't. But now they're kind of growing on me! I am very excited to go through all stages of life with my future children. I am excited to take care of them, to teach them, to cook for them, to watch kids movies with them, to play with them. It will be a great time. I can hardly wait! Two years seems so far away.

I also am yearning for a puppy! I am sitting curled up with a terrier right now while the girls are in bed. Matt and I have been looking at rental houses in the area and might do that instead of a townhouse if the price is right and the location good. And if we do that then we'll probably try to get our coveted German Shepherd pups! I'd love going for walks with those giants. They'll probably end up weighing the same as me! Beautiful dogs. Emily will hate them, I'm sure.

Yes, I am feeling very ready for the next stage of my life, but I'm also very content where I am now. God's used this summer to teach me a lot. I plan on cherishing this year and seeing where it takes me. Life is good. All due to the Lord.

My birthday is in six days. I'm going to be turning 22! Most of my friends are much older than me so I won't go on about how old I'm getting. I'm pretty happy with aging though. I'll be pretty happy with each new year until around 45, I think. When my kids are all grown it will be awfully difficult to think of how old I'm getting. But thankfully, I'm not even halfway there yet. But truly, I feel like I've matured more in my 20's than in my previous years all out together (judging according to normal people at those given ages, not a 16 year old compared to a 22 year old). I'm very satisfied with my life and I am very thankful for what I've been given. Blessed be the Lord.

I miss a lot of my old high school and college friends. I guess this is just a part of life. Soon I'll probably have to say goodbye to the new "newly married" friends I've made in the past year. And then it will be other moms that occupy my time, I suppose. I've learned to try to get as much out of a friendship as I can. As much love as I can give and take. Because you never know who will be leaving the country for a couple years, or who will get married and move away, or who will get a great job offer. Life happens fast. I keep my friends forever, but I'm finally beginning to make new friends as I go.

I'm exhausted. And I hardly did anything today.