NEW BLOG SITE and GOING AWAY PARTY!

I have decided to switch my New Jersey blog to this address instead of the Tumblr address it was at previously because many people were having trouble viewing and commenting on Tumblr. If you would like to read what I have posted until now, here is the web address: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/thenjyearoff

Yesterday was my going away party! It was a night full of friends, laughter, and memories.
My cousins, Amanda and Anabelle, came from the Bay Area the day before the party so that we could have some special cousin time together before I leave. They also helped me do all of the decorating and most of the food prep for the party.

Decorating 

Cousin picture!

They are my cousins but also long time friends so spending time with them was so special.

I ended up inviting close to 50 people to the party, each and every one important to me in some way. There was family, my oldest, newest, and dearest friends of all ages there and I love each and every one of them. 

Julia and Avonlee

Opening my pillow from Tim!

Aly and Me
Photo by Aly

We sat and talked, swam in the pool and hot tub, had epic water gun fights, did henna, and ate a lot of fruit and hot dogs. 

Swimming

Once it was getting dark and everyone's hands were getting all prune-y, we made s'mores and stood around talking, reminiscing, and of course, telling jokes. 

S'mores!

Anabelle, Amanda, Me and Jaclyn 

I had been really excited getting ready for the party and it was so much fun being at the party. However, in the middle of it all I suddenly realized that I was a little sad. Sad that I was leaving all of these amazing friends who have been through so much with me. Then I realized that I shouldn't feel sad and I started to feel grateful. Grateful that I had so many loving people who took the time to come and say goodbye to me. Grateful that they have always and will always be there to support me in everything that I do. Grateful for their advice and that they love me so much. 

I felt this gratefulness this morning in church when Pastor Ivan un-expectantly stood up with tears in his eyes and said some words of support and a blessing for me. Mom and Avonlee were bawling and I was just trying my hardest not to. 

Sitting here, thinking about the love I feel from the people around me and how grateful I am for each and every one of my friends, I can't help but cry a little.

It is in these really emotional moments that I am thankful for the little (and large) moments of laughter that come at the most random moments. Just now my mom dropped a bowl in the kitchen and it broke and she said, "Good thing you are leaving Lilly because we are now down one bowl". We laughed and laughed. It was the most perfect thing that could have happened in this moment. 

I will leave you with that story and a large, heart-felt "Thank You" for all of your love and support.