Easter

Happy Belated Easter from the girls! He has risen!

The whole family was together again. What a joy!

We got to see our Gran on Easter day!

I think we all look alike here--Gran, too!

The Easter bunny was good to us; he brought us some bunny ears!

We have a tradition of getting our Easter baskets on the stairs. 

It's one of those traditions we just can't let go!

We had a little too much fun with our gifts--thanks, Mommy!

Traditional Easter egg dying in our bunny ears. 

Finally we can't forget our precious baby angel, Tucker. 

She sported her Easter nautical-inpsired Easter dress with some bunny ears.

Possibly the cutest picture ever taken of her! (photo cred to Anna)

Also, this little lady just had a birthday yesterday! She's seven years old.

Our family wouldn't be the same without this lovely addition. 

We love you, Tucker!

We hope you all had wonderful Easters and special times with family. 

Blessings,

-Mary Claire

Lately

We've seen a lot of each other lately! And we couldn't be happier. :)

Two weeks ago the whole family came down to see Elizabeth perform at school. (See Sarah's post here) It was a blast to be with them! Next came this past weekend, which was scheduled to be "Dad's Day" for our sorority and my official initiation into Chi Omega. Mom was supposed to be with Anna this weekend for "Mom's Day" for Chi Omega at Anna's school and Sarah was supposed to be at her school doing various things like finishing her education... :)

BUT...

(The whole family together!)

(At initiation with my friend Madi!)

Instead of only Dad coming--which was exciting enough--my mom came as well and brought my sisters to surprise me at my initiation. It was so fun! When I saw their smiling faces I felt so loved that Anna would give up her Mom's Day activities and Sarah would take the time (and Dad the expense) to fly down and see me. I felt so special. I was able to show them off to all my friends who went on and on about how we look so alike and yet so different. :)

I am blessed to come from a family of people who tell it like it is and I would never have it any other way. Mom and Dad taught us to express our feelings--good or bad--so as to keep communication clear. Not only has this helped resolve conflicts, but it has also become a vital piece of how we love each other. Everyone has a unique relationship with each person within the family that is so important and inextricably linked to how this whole thing we call "life" works.

When we are together there is no stopping the laughter and fun. The nicknames get more and more ridiculous and the days are fuller and fuller of love. I am incredibly grateful for their sacrifices to come see me this weekend. It's not easy to pick up and leave so much during school, but my sisters and parents do that for me and Elizabeth. We feel so blessed that even as far apart as we are, there are sweet times like these when we can be together!

So obviously MY WEEKEND ROCKED.

-Mary Claire

I'm Back

So, I finally realized how to sign back in to my blog account! I apologize to everyone (especially my sisters) for being a lazy girl.

This semester has been a whirlwind already!  This is my last semester of college, and it is a weird sensation to almost be finished.  I am reluctantly back at college after a sweet time with my family while visiting Elizabeth and Mary Claire at their college.  Elizabeth was in Sing for Chi Omega and she performed like an angel.  We loved being able to support her.

Sweet sisters at Sing

My favorite part of the weekend was the impromptu meet and greet with friends of Mary Claire and Elizabeth.  We all went to ice cream and met some of the most fun and kindest people in the whole town.  I loved being able to put faces and personalities with the stories I have heard.  I was so proud to see the friends that the girls had made!

I am plunging into the great unknown after this semester.  I am hoping to do a discipleship program for a year at Pine Cove Camps called The Forge.  This program will provide me with an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord in a unique and wonderful environment.  I am mid-interview process with this, so any prayers would be appreciated!

Any other plans are completely up in the air.  I am trying to remaining calm in the midst of the transition, but I am comforted by the knowledge that the Lord has helped me thus far and that He will continue to guide my steps.  Luckily, all of my friends are going through this transition at the same time, and we are able to comfort and provide advice to each other and still have the time of our lives in our last semester!

Enjoy today!

Blessings

Happy February, everyone! Time is passing quickly around here and spring is on its way! Guess what that means... MY BIRTHDAY!! It will be my last year as a teenager, but let's not talk about that yet! :)

The latest development in Elizabeth's and my lives is my decision to join a sorority called Chi Omega. I am in the pledging process and will be initiated in March! I feel so blessed to be a part of the most amazing group of girls. My pledge class has a total of 86 girls in it and I have felt so welcomed and loved by each one, including the older girls as well.

(I love how similar we look here! Love you, E!)

I never saw myself as a "sorority girl" but have come to realize it is so much more than wearing Greek letters and throwing parties, or whatever my perception held. Especially at my school, Chi Omega is about creating real friendships and learning to love each other well as Christ loves us.

(Here is my wonderful pledge class at our 80's themed party!)

Even as I write this it fills me with joy to think about the beautiful lives I have come to interact with these past few weeks. Each girl has something unique and valuable to bring to the sorority and I truly feel like every person is a celebration of God's masterful creation. His plan is perfect; thankfully His plan put me in Chi Omega! I am learning so much and cannot wait to spend the next three and a half years with these women!

As usual, I can't seem to keep my pictures limited... Here are some moments I couldn't pass up!

This is my "twin" who went to high school with me, Ashley!

So blessed to continue our friendship as sisters.

This is my friend, Anna! She is incredibly caring and inclusive.

Mommy came to see my get my bid for Chi Omega! 

I have the most beautiful and selfless mother. 

My bestie Madi got a little excited about all our presents...!

We are so blessed!

So happy Monday and may the Lord give you peace and strength for today! He is so good. 

-Mary Claire Hill

Psalm 116: 5-7

"The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."

tfm: total Freshman Move

*(Thanks to Elizabeth for inspiring me to write again!)*

Y'all, I feel like such a baby! I'm officially a college student-woot woot-and in the throws of my first college finals. I'm just counting the days until I can be home and sleep!

(R to L: Madi, Bliss, Elizabeth, and Me)

I knew a little of what I was getting into after seeing all the girls go through their first year of college; I honestly think I was more prepared than most freshmen. I have definitely tripped up the stairs, dropped my books, and gotten lost in true freshmen style, but I have been surprised by how normal it all feels. Also, it has been so great to have Elizabeth here with me! Love my sissy!

The Lord has blessed me greatly. I cannot say that enough. Some of my best friends live on my hall in the dorm and are always there to strengthen and encourage me. I just keep hearing this phrase over and over in my head: "Ponder anew what the Almighty can do." His strength is apparent every single day. I'm so thankful that He reminds me how precious life is when I so easily get distracted. 

(Friends at a football game!)

(WARNING: Soap box ahead...) 

I've just been thinking lately of how fast time goes. Every day is incredible. Every day is so very human that it hurts sometimes. Life is predictably spontaneous; it's irrationally logical. It's a paradox. Life is full of "ifs" and "maybes" and "hopes." I've learned that life is full of longings. I long for the future--my hopes of what might come. I long for the past--the warmth and security of home. I long for people, I long for places, I long for life. I live it every day yet some kind of vivacity always seems just around the corner or just passed by. The position that we are in right at this exact moment in time will never occur again. You will never get this second back. You are never the same person, never in the same state, never the same at all. Yet we spend these precious seconds as we are right now longing. How sad! Every moment we breathe is a paradox of mourning and rejoicing. It's a breath of heaven and hell- of life and death-all at once. And what we choose to do, and say, and think, and be in this very millisecond can change the course of history. There is power in every moment; there is life in every breath if we so choose. 

I feel like this time in my life is critical to who I'm going to be. As I enter into this determining time, which was always my future, I'm excited to breathe life in every moment. I can't wait to experience what's ahead of me! This first semester has already flown by. Here's to what's next!

Next is a rather lengthy look at what my first semester has looked like! 

Sorry I went a little picture crazy...Enjoy!

(Mary Catherine, my roommate, with power tools in the dorm...)

 (One of my best friends who's in high school visited!)

(Freshman Formal with Grantham)

(Some of my blessings!)

(Game day bows from Madi's mom!)

 (Dressed to impress with my friend Luke)

 (The wonderful fans for my intramural flag football team. They were half the fun!)

(Road tripping...)

Can't wait to be on the road to home in less than a week! I am thankful for every moment of my college experience and am excited for Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

~Mary Claire

Psalm 103:2

"With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been."

Updates

Well time sure flies when you're in the middle of college!  We four would know, because ALL OF US ARE IN COLLEGE NOW.  That's right, even our youngest sister has made it to the big leagues.  On that note, a HUGE thank you goes to our parents for supporting us thus far in a million different ways!  We are four lucky girls to have parents like ours.
This year I changed schools and am with MC, while Sarah and Anna are holding down the forts at their schools.  Goodness we miss each other!  Thanks to technology we have been able to keep up pretty well; here is a picture from the most ridiculous of skype/oovoo/chat sessions...

I would say that our semesters have been going well.  God has been providing for us and teaching us so much as we grow up!  Mom and Dad have been adjusting to the life of empty nesters which has turned out to be a life of road trips this fall...they are such troopers!  They have visited us all more than once and have logged I don't know how many hours in the car driving.  Also, Anna has visited Mary Claire and I, which has almost won her the title of Best Twin.  (I'm still in the running, so don't get too comfortable, Anna.)

Here is a picture of Anna, Mom, and Dad's visit!

I have had a wonderful semester full of sorority things and my new choir!  I have loved being able to SING again!  I am so thankful for this semester and how God has provided me with amazing roommates, friends, and classes.  

Roommates!

Choir friends!

Old and new friends two-stepping...it's a huge deal in Texas, y'all.

Sorority sisters!

I am seriously so blessed.  Throughout all of the changes in my life my family has been supportive and loving.   One of the highlights of my semester was Thanksgiving break when the whole family was together for the first time since August!  There really is nothing better than spending time together.  We were in in heaven, or at least Tucker was...  

Sorry this post was a little picture-heavy, it is finals week and this girl is a little weary of writing.  But thinking about my family has been a great study break!  The Christmas countdown has begun, people of the world...get ready for a fantastic Christmas vacation!  Pictures to come...! :)

Elizabeth

Gatherings

Well hello friends!  Let's pick up where we left off, shall we?  Somehow in the whirlwind that has been my second semester of college we four sisters found ourselves back at home.  All of us, at the same time.  I will never take that for granted again!  It was such a relief just to be with all of my family members.  I come to learn more and more how priceless the encouragement of family is.

We were home for Easter weekend and I know I enjoyed every minute of it!  We had lunch with our extended family and had our traditional Easter egg hunt, which the younger three sisters still participate in.  After a rousing game of Dirty Easter Bunny (we've just recently started playing the gift-stealing game at our holiday gatherings) we waved our extended family goodbye and dyed eggs with just us 6.

I love the smell of vinegar, I think it's because I love dying Easter eggs so much! 

We combined efforts this year and had a joint carton, which worked a lot better for those of us who are a little more meticulous about our egg art. (yours truly)

We went to our Easter Sunday service and then returned home to open our Easter baskets, which were especially well-stocked this year!  I even got a Starburst jelly bean dispenser, which is the best Easter present I have ever received!!  We looked through our baskets on our stairs, which, other than the front porch, is our traditional spot for some reason.  Don't ask me why. 

We had lunch with my dad's side of the family and then had a photo shoot, 

because it seems like I can never find a good picture of us four.  Here you go, with a special thanks to M and D, our faithful photographers!

Of course we had to get Tucker in one, which is easier said than done.  She was camera-shy that day.  

The time at home for Easter was short and sweet, and was the perfect interruption for a busy semester.

Sarah and I were extra busy this semester because we spent most of it preparing for Variety Show, our school's dancing/acting/singing competition.  We practiced almost every day from February to April and I loved it.  It felt great to get back into the swing of learning choreography and figuring out costumes and characters.  Our sorority's theme was The Lion King and Sarah and I got to be lions.  We had so much fun dancing together, and our hard work paid off when our sorority won!   Dad even came up to watch us which was so wonderful.  Here are some pictures of our crazy costumes, hair, and makeup!

 We did each others' makeup, which looked especially scary mid-application!

 Finished!

Here's a close-up of our lion group during the show!

The morning after the show Sarah, Daddy, Karl, and I drove back home to see Mary Claire perform in Hello, Dolly at our high school.  Anna came, too!  Even now I still have songs stuck in my head from it; it was incredible!  I was SO proud of Mary Claire, she was a beautiful Ms. Irene Malloy.  She acted and sang her part perfectly.  

Only a few more weeks are left of school and I can't believe it.  I'm focusing on finishing strong and then speeding home to spend some summer days with my family!  Here's to more memories and blog posts! :)

-E