Merry Christmas!

My Family, Christmas.

This weekend we took our family Christmas card. We set the camera on time set, and attempted to try and capture a good picture, of all of us. My family is not the most easy going. My dad and brother are usually goofing off, not being serious, or trying to annoy one of us girls, my mom is making sure everything is perfect, the background, where people are sitting, yada yada. And my sister and I, well, we are usually sharing our opinions too but mainly looking pretty. :) Just kidding. After a few attempts, I'd say we got a few good ones. All in all, I love my family, and taking pictures is just another time we get to spend together, even if its hectic.

Happy Holidays!

Graduation: Melissa

I have known Melissa since we were wee ones. Our Mom's were sorority sisters in college, and so we grew up together, like sisters. Our friendship has continue to grow, and then we were lucky enough to become sorority sisters when we got to college as well. Melissa is getting ready to graduate in just a few weeks, and she asked me to take some graduation pictures for her announcements. Melis, I'm so proud of you, and I know you are going to be a great nurse. I can't wait to watch you love your patience and continue to grow. Congratulations!

Melissa, Thanks for being so dang beautiful.

reasons why I love home

With the holidays quickly approaching, my mind is filled with reasons why I cannot wait to get home. Something about being home is just more relaxing. Maybe it's the fact that my dad loves to cook, so we never go without a delicious meal. Or the fact that we all sit together and enjoy each others company. It's true what they say, there is no place like home.

Graduation: Jenna

Jenna is a senior at The University of Arizona, graduating from the Nursing College in December. I've known Jenna for the past three years through Young Life, and she is one of the sweetest people I know. She is so genuine and has such a heart for others, I know she is going to make a fabulous nurse. Congrats Jenna! I'm so excited to see where your future takes you!

create

Confession time: I am on of the least creative people you will ever meet. Well, let me re-word that. I mean I can write, and I suppose I can have creativity in my writing. But when it comes to drawing, painting, or being crafty, I have a fairly big lack of talent.

The ultimate artist....God. Let's be honest, His attention to detail is pretty unreal.

I'd rather...

be here.

lauren

Between the Lines

Books have not always been my my favorite things. To be honest with you, I am a fairly good reader, however I rarely find time to read and have trouble finding books I like. However that was until I read books like Crazy Love or Irresistible Revolution. Books that taught me something about who I was or about people in this world. I think Irresistible Revolution by Shane Clairborne is my favorite book of all time. If you haven't read it, do it. I promise you won't regret it.

Other books that are dear to my heart are series like The Archie Comics and The Clown-Arounds. However these books bring something different to my life. When I was younger I had trouble falling asleep because I would always fill my head with unrealistic scary thoughts. Okay, to be honest sometimes I still have that problem. But when I would read books such as these, filled with silly humor and childish stories, my mind would slow down, and for some reason, I wouldn't be afraid anymore. 

I appreciate that people use books for all different things. Some as simple reading pleasure, some as an escape, and some for educational purposes. Regardless, all books have value. 

On a side note, I also found these super cool book ends on sale at Borders. Lucky me!

Happy Reading!

Mother may I?

Lately I've developed a liking for Birkenstocks. I've seen them everywhere and each time I do I feel they cry out to me, "Buy me!"

I can't deny it any more. In just a few weeks (once I get paid) I will be a very proud owner of these lovely shoes.

purple door.

I am so lucky to have the friends that I do. Honestly my community is a huge reason I am who I am today. Three of my friends live together and were nice enough to let me shoot some pictures of them this labor day weekend. Alycia, Sarah and Sam are seriously all beautiful, inside and out. They all photograph so well so it is not hard at all to capture a great picture of them. They are all so fun to be around and I feel so blessed to have them in my lives. Here's a small preview of their beauty, and I hope I get to take more pictures of them soon :)

fun finds

With the school year approaching, and preparing myself to move into my sorority house, I have been gathering up necessities for the year. I also have become slightly obsessed with World Market and decided to go by after work to see what I could find. I am pretty thrilled with my purchases.

My first one, in attempt to going green, is a new coffee mug. It is ceramic coffee cup with a silicon lid and coffee sleeve. It's pretty dang cute if I do say so myself.

And my next purchase was a pair of cute little earrings that were on sale. You can never have too many earrings!

Happy Monday!!

beauty in the breakdown

A lot of times the most breathtaking kind of beauty is that which is hidden. A beautiful soul last longer than make up and hairspray. Since I was a wee one I've heard the saying "it's what's on the inside that counts."  Yet still, we get caught up in what we look like, and what others, and everything around us look like.

I was in Los Angeles, California this past weekend, and got the chance to see the city in a whole different light. I stayed with a friend who works in South Central LA, right next to The Projects. He explained to us the suffering and pain that is surrounding the people around him. The streets are filled with trash, buildings falling apart, graffiti everywhere, the whole area is a mess. Not to mention there are sweatshops, gangs, drugs, violence and people and conditions of extreme poverty everywhere. It's because the people there have been forgotten, and live in conditions that are so rare to see in America.

But inside this broken city, behind trees and trash, was one of the most beautiful parks I've ever seen. Behind beautiful gates hidden by vines, green grass, huge trees, and stone walls, was an oasis. In the same way, inside those houses that are falling apart, or inside the person that lost everything, is beauty.

There is beauty in everything and everyone.

charm

Every vacation is not complete without wonderful people to share it with. Tyler and I went on a trip with my family to Colorado, and along with enjoying each other's company, we enjoyed all the beauty around us.

clear skies, fresh air, and a beautiful view.

Telluride, Colorado has so much charm. I love small town charm.

Not to mention, gorgeous mountains that surround this quaint town.

grow

When planting a seed, it is very important to find the right home for the seed so it will bloom into a beautiful flower. A place where it will get sunlight and water. If you plant it in bad soil, it won't be able to grow, it needs good soil, a safe place to plant.

I think humans are like that too. We need to be planted in a place where we can get the things we need to grow, be nourished, and protected. But more and more I'm realizing its less about what surrounds the plant, or the person, and it only matters what they are rooted in. What their base is for growing. What's yours?

I choose God's word. Being planted in God's word keeps us safe and loved. Being planted in good soil enables us to grow, no matter what we are surrounded by.

"Be a rock to me where I live, where I may always come, and where I will be safe. For you are my rock and my safe place." -Psalm 71:3

independence day

4th of July. freedom. honor. courage.

lemonade. fireworks. friends. joy.

I found this lovely collage at this lovely blog, which is one of my favorites.
Although the credit goes to her and her.

Happy 4th!

Puppy Love

Faithful. Thats what dogs are. Faithful, loyal, and loving. If we could all love like dogs, I think the world would be a better place. They truly are man's best friend and they love people just because they exist, and are present in their lives.

Chase is one loyal, loving, and crazy dog. He is so sweet, a little bit weird, and will eat just about anything. I mean it. You name it. He is the son of our first dog who passed away this March, sweet Anna.

Chase lives for his walks, as soon as you say to him, "Chase wanna go for a....WALK" , his eyes light up and he starts jumping for joy. Ah the little things in life. Maybe I should learn to take Chases' approach on life and be joyful every time I'm walking somewhere. :)

That guy.

As girls, we all dream about that guy. The one we saw, or met, or maybe even just imagine, who will embody the things we love. Who will pull us out of our comfort zone, make us laugh, hug us when we cry, and always remind us of the beauty we posses. Well 21 years ago today, that guy, for me, was born.
I was lucky to meet that guy two years ago. He is more than I could have ever imagined or thought of in a man, and I am lucky enough to get to love him. His ability to love the Lord and love others faithfully and whole heartedly is something I admire every day. He is my very best friend, the love of my life, and today, and every day, I celebrate him.

Tyler, my love, Happy Birthday. Thank you for always making me laugh, and holding my and as we walk through life. There are truly no words to describe how grateful I am for you. 

little bundles of joy

I adore babies. I think that they have this way about them that can bring joy and smiles to anybody. I have been a nanny for years, and every baby I watch is precious as can be. I have a huge desire to go to Africa and work with babies who need love. But in reality, any baby makes me happy. A couple of weeks ago I got the chance of babysitting for a friend of mine's new baby girl, and let me tell you, she is a cutie. She has the funniest facial expressions and is such a little love bug.

Sweet sweet Claire Bear, I adore you.

graduation

This year was a busy time for graduations. First was U of A's graduation, where two of my friends Colter and Kyle both were graduating. I met both of these guys my freshman year, and they are both awesome men. We got to have a really great weekend with them before they packed up and moved away. 

Congrats Colter and Kyle, I am so excited for where God will bring you next!