Cookies, cards, wrapping paper, parties, Christmas movies, laughter, friends, family.... I've never had such a busy week in my life! But it's finally Christmas Eve and I'm so ready for tonight and tomorrow! I hope that your Christmas is filled with family and fun and good food and wrapping paper. But don't forget, somewhere in all the glitter, don't forget to thank God for His awesome gift to us, for the little baby in the manger that would save the world. Oh how great is out God!
Merry Christmas! Until next time!
"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~ Burton Hillis
"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." ~ Luke 2:6-7
Hello my dear loverly readers! So today, I thought I'd tell you about a problem I've had. Winter is my favorite season however, you all probably know that I love wearing skirts and dresses! Well, when you get to winter, skirts and dresses became a problem. But I figured it out! I had a pair of leggings and a few pairs of tights and suddenly, wearing skirts and dresses and staying warm at the same time was possible! Paired with a cute sweater and boots, perfect! :D Here's an example of what I'm talking about. :)
Adorable right? I know. :)
Fashion tip of the day: Don't be afraid to wear flowers in your hair during the winter months. They're still pretty then. :)
Okay, go be your lovely selves now and enjoy your day! And whatever you do, keep those smiles on! Until next time!
"The dress must not hang on the body but follow its lines. It must accompany its wearer and when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her." ~ Madeleine Vionnet
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
Hello my lovely readers! Boy have I got something to show you! Okay, my whole life I have always wanted to be able to feed my husband well when the day comes. I want to be a good cook and not the kind for which unburnt out of the bag chicken nuggets is a feat. I want him to look forward to coming home to a good tasty meal at the end of the day. And I'm working on it! It helps that I love to cook too. :) And oooooooh myyyyyy goooooooooodneeeeeeeessssssss. If you like cooking, you HAVE to check outthis website I found. It is never ending tastiness I tell you! There is sooooo much I want to try and I cannot WAIT until finals are over to get my apron back in business! Seriously! Just take a look at some of it!
Hungry? hehe ;)
Keep those lovely smiles on! Until next time!
"A way to a man's heart is through his stomach." ~ Old English Proverb
"She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants." ~ Proverbs 31:15
Hello my wonderful readers! Today is cold and kind of blah so I thought I'd give you some Christmas cheer. :) Here are a few pictures of some of our Christmas decorations. Enjoy! :)
Keep your smiles on! Until next time!
"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." ~ Buddy the Elf
"But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round... as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely." ~ Charles Dickens
I'm sure you've heard this quote before. It's a pretty common quote to find on people's living room walls and Facebook walls and any other walls you can think of. Normally, I'm not a big fan of these quotes but with everything that's been going on in my life, this one struck me.
I read this quote and what jumped out at me was "Don't be afraid!" If you've been reading my blog for a while, you've probably figured out that I'm a dreamer. I love fairy tales and happy endings and English cottages. But until recently, I've been very overwhelmed with the world and reality. Honestly, I've been afraid to dream because the world rarely has happy endings and I've not wanted to get my hopes up when they seemed impossible. My ideas and hopes and dreams for what my life might look like have been in a box under my bed.
That being said though, I never did stop asking God to change my prospects. I mean, He healed blind men and sick men, fed thousands of people on two fish and five loaves of bread and raised men from the dead.... so surely I can ask Him about my dreams right? Well, He taught me"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."(Matt. 7:7-8) All I have to do is ask and He does indeed answer! And not only does He answer, but His answers go far and beyond what I even asked for! Know what that taught me? DREAM BIG! Don't be afraid to dream the impossible! God has the power to bring your dreams about if it's in His will so don't be afraid to ask!
Now that being said, I've also learned not to get lost in dreamland. We do live in reality and we can't pretend to live in a fairy tale. So while I'm dreaming big, I do need to live my life to the fullest today. I can't wait around for my dreams to come true when I could be bringing glory to God.
So while you're dreaming big, my lovely readers, don't forget to live in reality and pray for those dreams. God has the power to make those dreams come true. :)
Keep your beautiful smiles on! Until next time!
"For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win!" ~ Dhirubhai Ambani
"If you don't have a dream, how can you have a dream come true?" ~ Jiminy Cricket
Hello my dear readers! In case you'd like to know, yes I'm still floating on clouds and dancing on sunshine. :) *happy sigh* I love my life.
Things around here have been just peachy! The Christmas tree is up and gorgeous, there's 2 and a half weeks of school left, it's actually cold outside and wedding plans are being tossed around a lot. Dearest Carl is already tired of them. hehe :) We've not set the date yet but I've started looking at the wedding budget with my wonderful Daddy. Lately he's so encouraging and happy and just much more pleasant to be around. I AM BLESSED! Anyway, we've got some ideas so once some things are set in stone, we'll really get rolling. One thing I do want to ask you, dear reader. If you live out on your own or are married or you just have some good ideas, what are some things I should think about asking for for my own home? Living with my parents my whole life, I'm sure there are things I won't think of until the day I have my own home and "Oh my gosh! I don't have this!" So if you have any thoughts, please let me know! I would greatly appreciate it. :)
Time for a holiday babble? Yeah, I think so. *deep breath* I'm loving this time of year right now! The Christmas music is out and there are so many activities to look forward to. And this semester is almost over! :D *happy dance* Boy will I be glad to be done with Anatomy!!!! Maybe I'll throw a party or something. But really! I'm so excited about quite a few Christmas gifts. And Christmas is going to be awesome this year! This is the first year that I'll have two families to do Christmas with! Twice the celebration! :D *happier dance* Also, the mime for Christmas Eve is turning out to be absolutely awesome!!!! I'm soooooo excited to do it! The two girls doing it with me are working very hard to memorize it and they are very excited about it as well which makes me happy. :) So in 2 and a half weeks, life will be all crafty, cookies, friends, carols and fun. :D hehehehehehehehe..... I can't wait! :D
Ok ok I'm done. Here's a fantastic Christmas song by Dear Harry, the Christmas music I grew up with. :) Enjoy!
Keep your smiles on! Until next time! :)
"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harlan Miller
Hello lovelies! Lately, I've been feeling sparkly! My life is just lovely and God is ever so good and sparkly things are ever so appealing. :) So, since I don't really have much of a post for today, you may revel in some sparkles for yourself!
Keep your beautiful smiles on! Until next time! :)
“Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.” ~ Henry Ford
Well, the turkey is eaten, the family is gone, the gingerbread houses have been judged (and we came in second! :D) and I am insanely thankful! Here are some things I'm thankful for:
- A great and glorious God who hears my prayers and is not absent from my life - An amazing family who encourages me and supports me - A wonderful fiancee who chases God and strives to be as good as he can be - The many friends God has blessed me with - My house, food and clothes - A brain equipped for creativity and imagination - My talent for making cheesecake (and other things :) ) - Answered prayer!
Okay, about the last one.... Well as you very well know, I have lamented college for a very long time (since before I even started going). I've been praying that, by some miracle, my dad would change his mind and not make me go. Well, I got an answer to my prayer today!!!!!!!! After a lengthy discussion, my dad and I agreed that I would finish up this semester and the spring semester and then I could stop. And the best part? That he will still support whatever choices I decide to make and be happy with me and proud of me! :D I AM BLESSED!!!!
So, being on top of the world, this song seemed appropriate:
Yeah, I'm on cloud nine right now. :) I hope your thanksgiving day was just as thankful and turkey filled as mine! Keep your smiles on! Until next time!
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. ~ Isaiah 12:4-6
And now for all you ladies who like particulars....... When: Last Friday night Where: Downtown on the Canal How: He wrote me a very sweet poem, read it to me and then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him
And of course I said yes!! :)
Keep your smiles on! Though I know they won't be as big as mine. :) Until next time!
"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." ~ Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally
"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." ~ Emily Brontë
"I have an engagement ring, which is my favorite accessory." Jules Asner
Hello my lovelies! For those of you who aren't married, do you ever dream about things you want to have in your house someday? And for those of you who are, do you have a home wishlist? Well, I have a few things I would LOVE to see in my home someday. Here's a few :)
Glowing good-smelling candles
Lovely delicate white china (just for special company :))
A cozy living room with a fireplace
Flowers on the kitchen windowsill
A piano
A porch swing
A yellow kitchen
*wistful sigh* Ah. I cannot wait to make my own home a comfortable and beautiful place for me, my family and anyone else who walks through our door! Someday!
Keep your smiles on! Until next time!
"Peace - that was the other name for home." ~ Kathleen Norris
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." ~ Jane Austen
"One's home is like a delicious piece of pie you order in a restaurant on a country road one cozy evening - the best piece of pie you have ever eaten in your life - and can never find again. After you leave home, you may find yourself feeling homesick, even if you have a new home that has nicer wallpaper and a more efficient dishwasher than the home in which you grew up." ~ Lemony Snicket
Today it is insanely cold. Mr. Sun decided to stay in bed for much of the day and the wind cuts right through you! However, driving down the road today, I saw it! The first few flakes of winter wonderland goodness! No, it didn't last very long but it was enough to make my day! :) Now I'm ready for winter!!!!
“A few feathery flakes are scattered widely through the air, and hover downward with uncertain flight, now almost alighting on the earth, now whirled again aloft into remote regions of the atmosphere.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne
Today is your average fall day. Homework, tea, texting and wind that gives the effect of something like this...
Leaves and cows flying..... yes, it's windy today. Maybe I'll land in Oz? Hmm....
Keep your smiles on! Until next time!
"A place where there isn't any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain..." ~ Dorothy
"Well, I - I think that it - it wasn't enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em - and it's that - if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with! Is that right?" ~ Dorothy
Hello my lovely readers! Lately, I have had a burning desire to do something crafty! But I've not had the time! >.< Oh well. Sometime soon. In the mean time, here are some crafty ideas for all you crafty ladies out there that love a good project. :) Enjoy!
Enjoy your weekend and whatever you do, keep your beautiful smiles on! Until next time!
"It is amazing to me how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished, as they all are... They all paint tables, cover screens and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished." ~ Mr. Bingly
Hello my dear readers! I apologize for my lack of witty posts the past few weeks. Honestly, I've not had anything inspirational to write about. But I figured I might as well catch you up right? Right.
Well, school moving along, slowly but surely. I have five a half weeks left. Also, I started my 3 eight-week classes like three weeks ago. So far, it hasn't been too challenging. Spanish promises to be the most difficult and I am eternally thankful for a brother who knows the language quite well!!! I've promised him any dessert in whatever quantity he desires when this class is over. Ethics and Psychology are interesting classes indeed. Reading and writing (which I'm good at) and some critical thinking and I rather enjoy them! Ethics especially. Anatomy is just as tormenting as ever. We have a test next week on muscles. Oh boy..... NOT! :P Math is a cinch really. There isn't much homework and it isn't hard to understand the concepts. *Sigh* Five and a half weeks...
I am currently still jobless. However, I did check back at the Christian Bookstore last week and I had an interview there last Friday evening! I've not heard back from them yet though so we shall see. It would only be a holiday job but it's something! Really, I'd prefer to watch my two favorite little monkeys after school! If this CB job doesn't work out, I'll probably go begging to their mother next. Yes, on my knees with chocolate and everything.
Random things... umm.... oh! Mime practice starts tomorrow evening! :D We are doing the song He Is by Aaron Geoffrey for Christmas Eve and I am soooooo excited! We're even doing the whole formal shabang this time! That's right! Gloves, white faces, black pants and matching shirts, aaaaaallll of it! *happy dance* Eeeek! :D :D :D Okay, moving on. Dearest Carl and I are just peachy keen. :) He's as wonderful as ever and I thank God for him every single day! Yeah, I'm blessed. Lately we've been working on an epic gingerbread house for a Thanksgiving Day Gingerbread House Contest with his family. It. Is. EPIC! And after Thanksgiving, I shall let you all in on the epicness. hehe :)
Other than that, I don't have much to tell. My life doesn't involve any pirates or hot-air balloons or wars or dragons. Really though, I think I'm okay with that! I'd much rather have a boring life than an interesting and tragic one! However, I can certainly make this life epic with some epic amazing music! :D Enjoy!
I hope you are enjoying life, wherever you are, whatever God has blessed you with. Keep your smiles on, dear readers! Until next time!
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~ Harriet Tubman
"There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles." ~ Author Unknown
Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title. ~ Shaggy from Scooby-Doo
One need not be a chamber to be haunted; One need not be a house; The brain has corridors surpassing Material place. ~Emily Dickinson
Tonight the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch. He flies through the air and brings toys to all the children of the world. ~ Linus from It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
