Ten years ago last week, I graduated from high school.  It really didn't hit me until I was seeing all of the graduation 2012 stuff at the stores.  I cannot believe I have been out of high school ten years.  I'm sure every year there is a class of ten year graduates who thinks the same thing.

With my class's ten year reunion approaching, I looked through some of my old high school photos and yearbooks.  I can't believe how different I looked.  This time ten years ago, I had just finished my last high school moments.  The awards assembly was over.  The senior banquet was over.  We had had Senior Sunday at church, Baccalaureate, and graduation. 

{Me on Senior Sunday at church May 19, 2002.}

I remember being scared about the future.  I also remember being ready to be done with high school.  I feel like I spent too much of my senior year being mad.  Things weren't going smoothly for me, but little did I know it was only the beginning to ten years of uncertainty.  If I had it to do over again, I would spend less time being mad and more time letting it all go. 

I also find it interesting how those four short years of high school can define how a person feels about themselves for the rest of their lives.  People are always commenting on how things were for them in high school.  Its only four years in what could be a 70+ year old life.  I feel like I'm not the person I was in high school.  I hope I have changed for the better. 

This week ten years ago, I was in Destin, FL with nine of my classmates. 

{Looking good at 18.  June 1-8, 2002.}

A lot can happen in ten years; college, jobs, marriages, babies, happiness, and heartbreak.  This was the trip when I knew things were changing, whether I wanted them to or not.  I laugh when I think of all of the kids that would be running around if we went on this same trip now. 

{Ready for adventure.  June 1, 2002}

Ten years ago, I had my own ideas as to where I would be and what I would be doing at this point in my life.  While some of these dreams and ideas never happened, some did.  I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be, but I don't think I've actually reached my destination yet.  With so many things still up in the air for me, I have to be still and know that God is in control.  Just like He was ten years ago when I took that first step.

On Saturday my mom and I went back out to Winding Brook Estate Lavender Farm again for their spring tea (see our previous visit here).  We went to the Autumn Tea back in October and the weather was great.  On Saturday it was unseasonably warm, making the tea lunch a bit uncomfortable. 

{The Lavender Shop.  Buy online here.} {Menu, tea selections, and a lavender lemon scone.} {Salad:  Mixed wild greens with strawberries, Mandarin oranges with raspberry lavender-honey balsamic vinaigrette.} {Sandwiches:  Lemon pesto chicken salad with shaved celery slaw on endive; egg salad with watercress on challah bun; baked brie with lavender poached pear, candied bacon in a phyllo crust; mozzarella, tomato, basil with olive tapenade on ciabatta.} {Desserts: chocolate mousse with lavender whipped cream and berries; lemon shot with lemon curd, whipped cream and raspberry; dreamsicle trifle with buttermilk citrus pound cake, orange marmalade, and French butter cream.}

Even though it was very hot, the lavender tea lunch was delicious. 

This weekend was very eventful to say the least.  My parents drove up for a visit and to attend a few activities. 

On Saturday morning my brother graduated with his Masters from Webster University.

{The proud parents...I think.}

Saturday night my mom, Jason, and I went to The Pageant to see David Nail.

{Me, mom, and Kyle.}

The concert was great.  Afterwards we got to visit with David and Kyle.  On Sunday my whole family went to a Cardinals game.  Before the game we ate at Broadway Oyster Bar.  It was delicious. 

{Fish Tacos.}

{Me, mom, and Zach.}

  
That's the weekend in a nut shell.  Short and sweet.

This Cinco de Mayo, Jason and I went to the "World's Largest Outdoor Yard Sale" in St. Charles.  These county wide yard sales happen a couple of times a year and I always look forward to them.  This year it was unseasonably warm, so it wasn't as enjoyable as usual.  Jason spent most of the time in the air conditioned car. 

Although it was miserably warm, I managed to purchase a couple of things and see plenty of unusual items.  Here are some of the most bazaar things I saw:

{Anyone interested in an old bed pan?}

{What I hope is an unused coffin." {Who doesn't need a nudist camp jigsaw puzzle?}

Here are some things I liked:

{I love colored glassware.} {I had to have one of these!} {Jason thought about buying these for his dad.}

After the yard sale, we went to cool off at The Foundrie. 

{Love these eyeglasses necklaces.}

It was a nice Saturday full of bargains.  I love my bird "tea party" feeder and bath.  I put it in the yard as soon as I got home.

{Love.}