Someday, he'll get the A.

My little brother is a smart young fellow. He really is. He got some crazy high score on some math test and ended up being like second highest in the school but of course he doesn't share news like this and we hear second hand from someone else.

But anyway...

My parents hold Jake to a high standard--as they should. He is a funny little guy who is capable of great things. So when he brought home his report card that was mostly As, my parents were proud yet discouraged that it wasn't a noteworthy letter across the board. Now you might say that this is harsh--cut the kid some slack, right? Mind you, the only B he received was in physical education. P.E. My brother may be a smart cookie, but do not let this fact lead you to discredit his athletic abilities for the little guy thrives in many sports. He should have an A in P.E. I'm ridiculously uncoordinated and I managed just fine. Yet for some reason, this "secret genius" (as I heard a girl in his grade call him) wasn't making an A in what should have been the easiest class of his seventh grade career.

When my parents inquired about the unsatisfactory letter adorning Jake's report card in the "Wellness" category, this was Jake's justification:

"Writing on your leg is really hard."
What?
"Yeah. They make us fill out worksheets while we're sitting on the ground in the gym and I have to write on my leg. And it doesn't help that my handwriting sucks. So my worksheets always look bad."

We all had a good laugh after hearing this excuse but then of course my parents continued to pursue a slightly more legitimate excuse for the inadequate grade. Eventually the conversation ended with some noteworthy words on my mother's part...

"Well Jake, if it takes coming home and practicing writing on your leg after school, then that's what you're gonna do."

Of course this made me chuckle...but then it made me think. We often are our own biggest inhibitors in life by simply making excuses for ourselves (not saying my brother didn't have a legitimate problem--get that boy a clipboard stat). But if we take the excuses and limits that we place in our own lives and discover that the obvious solution sounds a bit ridiculous--like practicing writing on your leg--we in turn discover the excuse itself to be slightly ridiculous. If we can abolish the self-made obstacles, then there is one less thing holding us back from reaching our goals.

Someday, we'll see our crystal dreams...

My favorite musician supporting my favorite team.

What's not to love?

"Chip, don't go."

Someday, we'll look back & smile.

The Thursday Thirteen:
Memorable moments of 2012

{1}

Life-changing Mat Kearney concert.

"young, dumb, & in love."

{2}

Memorial day weekend at the beach. 

we still laugh about this trip...and probably always will

& never mind the fact that I'm totally fifth wheeling

{3}

The Collier-crew gathered for a goodbye photo.

{4}

Moving out of the dorm...such a bitter-sweet day.

{5}

Re-uniting with the "Six Pack" for summer break.

& yes, this photo was captured as I was falling into the fountain

{6}

Turning nineteen. Last of the teen years.

{7}

Visiting friends in their own college settings.

& enjoying the occasional (free) Tyrone Wells concert that comes along with doing so

{8}

Moving into my first apartment.

{9}

Enjoying some Duck victories with good buddies.

{10}

Voting in my first election.

'merica.

{11}

Living with some of the best roomies I could ever ask for.

some of the hardest laughs & most epic dance parties

{12}

Bringing home Charlie.

truly never thought this day would come

{13}

Ringing in the new year. Hello, 2013.

looking forward to more memories

Someday, we'll find what we're looking for.

A typical Hallin occurrence:

After a stuggle to pack snow gear and secure all Hallin family members in the Mazda, we were off to the mountain for an afternoon of sledding. Of course as we pull into the gas station to fuel up and snag a Redbox for the voyage, Mom says, "how about we just go to the beach?"

So we popped a U-ie and were now coast-bound.

Since 1997, in spirit of the New Year, Lincoln City, OR hides 150 blown glass balls along 7.5 miles of shoreline for visitors to seek out among the rocks and logs. Our determination to find one of these wondrous art forms lasted for about a mile and a half of shoreline. Our attention span sort of redirected and led us to simply enjoying the unusually warm weather gracing the normally overcast Oregon Coast.

We didn't find what we were looking for. But rather than finding the tangible beauty we initially pursued, we experience something much greater in value. We were nowhere near upset to go home sans a New Year glass ball as we had indulged in a peaceful, hakunat-matata* kind of day that met us with a few steaming hot bread-bowls of clam chowder and some spontaneity. And we enjoyed it as a family.

*a wonderful phrase: it means no worries...for the rest of your days

Sometimes life doesn't hand you what you want it to, but rather delivers an unexpected beauty that holds so much more worth than the original pursuit you had for yourself. Unpredictability is a beautiful thing. I don't know what 2013 will bring. I do however, have a plan not to make plans. I am looking forward to being surprised at what God has in store for me this upcoming year.

Happy New Year, everyone!

~

P.S. WHAT NOW, MAYANS?!