I Resolve To:

STOP RESOLVING SO DAMN MUCH!

Easy Enough Right? 

[well, sorta...]

You can read about the things I am focusing my attention on this school year in my last post, here.

For now, I want to state my hope that I can use this year as a time to BE IN THE MOMENT.

It is easier said than done, right?

I want to enjoy each day for the beautiful gift that it is, the blessing from the Universe to get to live another day, and let LOVE work through me.

What are you resolving [or not resolving] to do, in your own life journey?

Breath. Relax. Enjoy.

This is YOUR LIFE. YOUR TIME.

Make the most of it! :)

XO, Jessica from Crafting Happiness

My New (School) Year's Resolutions

I have made lots of resolutions since I started blogging. I wanted to run a half-marathon, and I did. I wanted to give up artificial sweetener, and I have (95% of the time). I have done stints as a vegetarian...stints (very short ones) without coffee...so what is it that I want to see happen this year?

In the abstract, I want health and happiness.

I want faith and growth and joy.

But abstract goals only come to fruition with concrete resolutions.

SO this year I want ...

More time spent with friends.

Weekly coffee dates with Chelsy, dinners with Abby, chats with my more distant folks (Danie and Erin and Meghan). I want to hang out with Lauren (knitting practice). Law school is finite, but I hope the friendships I have made here last.

Family Date Nights.

Once a week, I want to spend an evening without school books or cell phones. I want to watch fun movies, or go on walks. I want to eat ice cream (while it is warm). To enjoy the company of my hubs and the two crazy kids that we've been blessed with.

More time spent with Jesus.

Everyday-in His word. He has been teaching me about renewing my mind-being determined to know Him better, and not being ruled by my circumstances. I want to live in grace all the time, and live graciously toward others.

TRIPS.

(these might be a bit too out of reach, but I can dream)

I want to go places this year. Whether familiar (trips to K-ville) or new (NY??, Asheville, Seattle :), I want to go on road trips. It is one of my favorite things to do with Corey, and this year is the last that I will have 4 day weekends and no job requirements.

I have a feeling it is going to be a great year...

most images from pinterest

NEW (School) YEAR's RESOLUTIONS!

One of the perks of being a life-long student is that you get a few extra fresh starts a year.

Most People only get one- January 1st. Generally, by January 31st, your dreams of a perfect beach bod along with your commitment to volunteer at the soup kitchen have dwindled, and sadly you don't get an extra dose of "new year" motivation for another 365 days.

But as a student...

 I get to start all over every May, August, and January!

As summer is fading and our new school year is in full swing- I'm making a nice new list of resolutions.

Being that this is my very last school year (technically, I am in 22nd grade...)

I feel like I need to work extra hard to stick with it.

Here are a two of my major goals:

1. Exercise (of course!)

The classic resolution. Since I got married last may I have put on an undisclosed amount of weight. I don't like it AT ALL and don't even have babies to blame for it yet!

The realization that grown-up metabolism is setting in is hitting hard, but is definitely motivating me to get in shape and stay that way!

PLUS- it's the last year I have free access to the WVU world class rec center- I don't know WHY it's taken me 7 years to figure out how awesome that is!

2. Spending Time alone with God

Maybe this one seems weird to you- but it is truly #1 on my list.

In my life, I've come to recognize that my relationship God is the most crucial, and the least maintained.

When I consider the fact that the Creator if universe is interested and willing to meet quietly with me and speak to my heart, I deeply regret the things I have put before him.

Each morning I am sitting quietly with my journal and my Bible and just listening for the truth and peace he never fails to deliver.

Here are 2 of the verses that have really spoken to my heart recently:

Psalm 139:14

"Wonderful are you works and my soul know it very well."

and...

Amos 5:21 & 24

"I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies...Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Hope those words spoke to you heart like they did to mine--

and I hope that a fresh start finds you whenever you need it!

the beginning of the end...

this photo is for Lauren--and her love of cat humor :)

I must say, senioritis (or 3L-itis) has hit me hard already. I am over cases and briefs, and so ready for real work. That being said, I love my schedule! I'm in the law school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (and either Monday or Wednesday evening), at the office on Mondays and Fridays and HOME with Joe-bot on Wednesdays.

This year I feel like I am juggling a lot. Libby is in school now. Corey's wedding/party band has more gigs. I am involved in a bible study with Abby and a weekly play-date/catch-up time with Shawna and Chelsy. School stuff fits in there somewhere...

My classes are 50/50. I really like Legislation-I'm excited to write a real piece of legislation and present it to real legislators. I'm also excited to see what clinic looks like-it's a new clinic and we just got word that a case will be coming in. The others are ok-just not all that enthralling, unless the Dodd-Frank act does it for you (it doesn't for me).

I think the weirdest part about this year for me is that it is the LAST year. I have no plans on further schooling. This is the beginning of the end of my life as an academic. I want to enjoy it as much as possible! That's all from me...back to school stuff :)

3L Year is Finally Here!!!!

So far . . . my 3L year has been amazing!!!!  SOOOO amazing in fact, that when it came time to do this blog post, I realized that I have not stopped to take any pictures! So, accordingly, I apologize for the shortage of photographs in this post!

As Social Chair of the Class of 2012, I feel that it is my duty to make sure that all of my classmates are having fun and that the new students feel welcome!  This has been a great year for that so far!

Sunset on Law School Hill

The 1st Weekend of the Semester was the perfect beginning.  Thursday night was spent at Mutt's, catching up with classmates.  Friday night, the wonderful boys at the Mancastle hosted a Luau!

Drinking Soju, Korean Liquor, with my friend Jake who also studied abroad in South Korea


The day after the Mancastle Madness, I spent a wonderful day in Pittsburgh with my bestie.

This past weekend was epic as well.  Our class officers planned a bar crawl in downtown Morgantown.  We sold over 130 entry wristbands and made a lot of money for our class composite!

It was a great night, but unfortunately the only picture that survived is this one of me and my new soulmate, 1L Katie!  She is one of those great people that you meet and instantly find out that you have 5, 000 things in common with!

This post has reminded me to be more diligent in photographing all of the great things happening so that I can share them with everyone! Will be back with more later!

Hello 3 L Year!

I am ready for you!

This semester [and year!] is going to fllllllly by, I just know it.

Between classes, time in the clinic, work outs, yoga classes, indoor soccer, a new job [as the official law school blogger! yay!], and squeezing in time for fun with friends and family-

the weeks are already passing by super quickly!

I am super psyched fall is here, which means Pumpkin Season is here too :)

I am looking forward to my last year in law school.

*I am going to be sure to take advantage of this time to have fun with my friends before we all go our separate ways in May.

*I also want to clearly define what I want in my life and career, post-graduation.

*I want to make sure to take time out to Stop and Smell the Sunflowers.

* I want to explore new spots in the closest big city, Pittsburgh.

*And I am having fun trying out new styles and reworking my closet and accessories in unexpected ways :)

Hope all is well in your world!

Stay tuned for more updates from the Law Ladies.

We welcome you back!

XO, Jessica from Crafting Happiness

Life as a 3L

Today begins my 3rd week as a 3rd year law student.
WOW--time sure does fly.
Here are a few photos I snapped over the past few weeks

My desk in the Child & Family Law Clinic.

Gorgeous drive through WV on my way to a Clinic meeting.

Gorgeous drive take 2.

Street vendors at Clarksburg's Italian Heritage Festival.

View from Law School Hill of tailgaters at the WVU v. Marshall game.

Homework!

Look forward to some law school and life inspired posts coming up from my fellow Lady Law Bloggers!