This is Me

Memories From Galveston

2013-08-26T17:12:00.002-05:00

A few weekends we took a little trip to Galveston for one last family getaway before school starts. We stayed in a beautiful house right off of the beach and we all had a wonderful time. Instead of me talking about it, I'll let you relive it with me through photos!

(my mom loved this)

(gotta have that cool lime refresher from Starbucks)

I love all the architecture on the strand!

(the view of our house from the beach)

So my camera was doing something weird at this point, but in its weirdness came something magical. I kind of love this next picture.

We had a fabulous time!

xoxo

Free Printable!

2013-08-14T14:36:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a SPECTACULAR week so far! I am getting ready to go to the beach this weekend for once last summer hurrah with my family. Between packing for the weekend and packing up my stuff to go back to college next week, I decided to create a quote printable for my room. I have been trying to come up with some ideas to change room around with little to no money spent. I will be sharing some of my ideas with you next week so check back in. In the mean time here is a FREE printable for you of the quote I made. ENJOY!

And now the printable I promised you. Just click the image below!

If you have a quote request show my comment box some love!

XOXO

25th Wedding Anniversary

2013-08-14T10:48:00.002-05:00

Last week my lovely parents celebrated 25 years of love and happiness together.

What a wonderful thing it is to be a part of such a special celebration!

xoxo

We're Gonna Score Tonight

2013-07-31T17:29:00.001-05:00

Channeling my inner grease lightening tonight at the bowling ally for the El Campo little league fundraiser. Hope to see you there!

xoxo

10 Ways to Add Color to a Space

2013-07-30T20:39:00.001-05:00

I haven't been on since March, WOW. I have been so busy with school and interning that I just gave up blogging for a while. But now I am back and have some great ideas up my sleeve to blog about! To kick off my return I have compiled a list of ten different ways to add color to a space. Many people fear the use of color, but adding color to a room doesn't have to be as scary as it might seem. A lot of people I have talked to say they like to stay with a neutral pallet because they just don't know how to do color. Here is the list of my favorite ways to spice up a room without overdoing color!

1. Casework- this lovely bold blue is just the right color against these stark white walls. As is the coral in the second pic!

2. Furniture- this is such an easy way to add color into a space. And if you get sick of the orange (or whatever color you choose) you can easily spray paint the chairs and buy a few new dishes and TADA! Also the greenery softens up the room since all the walls are so neutral.

Here is another idea of adding color with chairs!

3. Throw pillows- this is a classic way to add color and texture to a space.

4. Accent pieces- like how easy is that!

5. Wall tiles- these wall tiles add just enough color to a space. You could also pull out the sea foam green color tiles and add accents pieces that color if you wish.

I love love love this wall tile too. It adds so much to this bathroom! (I couldn't find a direct link to the site so sorry, I'm not stealing!)

6. Accent wall- if you're feeling funky, go for it! I love the idea of having a bold accent wall in a space. If you aren't into bold colors, that's okay. Add a soft color that you like and I promise you will love it!

(again no direct link for this photo)

Light accent walls

7. Rugs- I love rugs! Especially ones with bold colors and prints. Turkish rugs are hot right now as well as Ikat print oh and how could we forget the infamous CHEVRON!

8. Lighting- this is an excellent way to add a pop of color to a room!

9. I love this idea of adding color to this inside of a bookshelf. It's a simple way to add color without going overboard! You can tie this color into the rest of the room by adding accents in the same color, or maybe even throw pillow, a blanket or even a rug if you're feeling crazy!

I just so happened to come across this space too! Perf.

10. Last but not least...this is a window display I designed while I was doing an interior design internship this summer. I added color to this space through the bold read sofa. The perfect piece of colored furniture can do wonders in a neutral room! (excuse my picture quality!)

I also like these orange chairs as a nice pop of color!

1. Adrienne Chinn Design via Houzz & She Knows Home and Garden 2.Velux via Houzz 3. Decor by Jennifer Inc via Houzz & 4. Michelle's Master Bedroom via Houzz 5.Home Decor 6. House Beautiful 7. Beth Dotolo via Houzz 8. NJ Residential via Houzz & Kate Jackson Design vis Houzz 9. Pintrest 10. Madison Modern Home via Houzz

Color can be easy to add to a space as you probably know now after reading this blog. If you still have fear of adding color, start small with a few accessories, then build up from there!

As for now...

xoxo
L

Chocolate Dream Protein Shake

2013-03-19T22:31:00.001-05:00

I have really been trying to get healthy lately, but there always comes a time that I get super busy and throw all healthy eating out the window.

This week I have started back up again with my clean eating diet and I thought I would share with you the recipe for the protein shake I just made myself tonight. First off let me touch on a few things...

I like to drink protein shakes at night because the protein helps to keep your body nourished throughout the night. When I am eating good and working out I like to drink at least two protein shakes throughout the day to ensure that my body is getting the right amount of protein it needs. I also like to incorporate healthy protein snacks in my diet like nuts, cheese, and yogurt to name a few.

Protein is a great for weight loss so don't be afraid of it! Protein is the building block of your muscles, and we need it to help build them. Whenever you don't have enough protein intake, your body starts to hold onto fat therefore causing you to gain weight. When your body had an efficient amount of protein levels, you start to drop fat.

I came up with this protein shake but you are totally welcome to add your own touches to it!

Chocolate Dream Protein Shake

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of dark chocolate almond milk (I just recently tried almond milk because sometimes regular milk upsets my stomach, although you should know that whole milk is the best, yes whole!)
1 scoop of vanilla whey protein
1 tbsp chia seed (chia seeds are the most amazing things I have discovered. Chia seeds absorb the flavor of whatever they are put in. They can pretty much be added to anything. They are beneficial because when chia seeds are exposed to water they become like a gel and increase in size and weight. This is great because they help you feel fuller without overeating. For more in depth info on chia seed visit this website
1 tbsp flax seed
2 tbsp Greek gods plain yogurt
5 ice cubes

Directions

blend everything together in the order listed above, the enjoy!
note: the chia seeds will start to expand in your shake is you don't drink it right away making it think and undesirable (after about 10 mins). Drink the shake as soon as you make it!

Since we all like images I made this little chart to show you the ingredients

I hope if you try making this shake you enjoy it! Remember to add protein to your diet, it is good for you!

-L

Regrouped, Refocused

2013-03-18T11:17:00.004-05:00

Coming off of spring break and pulling myself out of bed at the crack of dawn to get ready for school this morning wasn't all that great. Not to mention I didn't have my coffee until after I got home from school and well that's a whole other story.

The past week has been a really good time for me to just rest, think, restore, and restart everything in my life. Being so busy and then having such a long break (that flew by) has really helped me realize that sometimes I stretch myself way too thin. I think we all go through this from time to time when we feel like we are super women and that we can get everything done, and some of us are, yet sometimes we need to just step back from it all and just breath.

This past week I let myself sleep in, I ate yummy things, I saw friends who I haven't seen in a while, I visited with family...and it was good. I also got to see my boyfriends wonderful family who I haven't got to see since school started this semester and it was nice to finally catch up with them. I ended my spring break at church last night. I left everything there, maybe even my heart, and I walked away from it all restored and refocused.

We rush through life so much that we don't focus on what is really good for us. There are times when being busy is good, and then there are times when we need to take time off and talk with God and reestablish what we really want our lives to be about. Something that hit me last night at church was that I let too many things get in the way of my relationship with God, and although I am not proud to admit this, I put a lot of things before him. I thought to myself, what am I really trying to accomplish with my life? That part I am still trying to figure out, but there is one thing I know for sure, none of my joy can come from anything other than the Lord. Everything that is taking the place of God in my life has to go. This is what the sermon was about last night in church. If there is something you desire more than God, cut it off. It seems impossible, and it might hurt, but it has to go. I realized when I heard that, that there were so many things I do that is for my own personal gain, and really what is the point of that. Nothing good can come from self righteousness. Priding ourselves in accomplishing many great things will only lead to hurt and living a life of self fulfillment is sinful.

It is time for me to take a step back and let God be in charge of my life, but it can't just stop there. God didn't put us on the earth so that we could just live our lives for Him, he put us here so that we could spread the word to others and help them live in the light. This was the second part of the sermon last night. Living our lives for God and not helping others is just as sinful as worshiping ourselves. We must not only focus on ourselves, we have to reach out to others and help them as well.

^"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

John 15:12

There is nothing wrong with admitting that you aren't living your life the right way. Realizing it and doing something about it is the biggest step you will have to take. God already loves you and has forgiven you. Living in him doesn't mean that you have to be prefect, it means that you admit that you need him and want him to take control of your life. Nothing good can come from self righteousness. Take time and really think about your life, what you are seeking, and if it has anything to do with the greater good of others and following God's plan. For there will be a day when the world will end and you will be left to explain to Him what you did with your life. You pick your eternity.

-L

Finally, It's Spring Break!

2013-03-07T10:32:00.003-06:00

Thank you Lord that this week of school is about to come to a draw.

The word stressed is overrated, I need something stronger, like 10x stronger to describe my week. School really picked up these past few weeks and it seems like the days are getting shorter and I have just been running out of time. My closet looks like a mad woman came in a ripped out all of the clothes, maybe she did, nothings been fitting right lately and I feel like I need a major wardrobe change...not important, my desk is completely taken over by paper clippings, markers, pens, my new business cards (Yes, I now I business card, can you say official?) and well just a whole bunch of stuff, my sheets needed to be washed...like yesterday, my bathroom well it got a little attention because I couldn't deal with the toothpaste on the mirror and the makeup covering the counter top anymore, and I haven't seen my carpet in days and I'm wondering if its still there. My poor poor room. I feel like the people from Hording: Buried Alive are going to come in at any moment to intervene. But alas, I have finished everything that needed to done, and I am completely stress free and ready for spring break! Oh, and the greatest news, my Studio project, which was part of the reason my room has been upside down, was cancelled until after spring break, holla! I mean yeah it would have been nice to get it out of the way, but lets be honest I was really nervous and unprepared to present it tomorrow. Now I actually have time to take my clothes to the cleaners before we present after spring break, rather than giving them my beautiful (crappy) ironing job they would have received. I just finished my last midterm, which was an oral presentation (nerve racking), and now I can breath easy and finally chill out for a second. I still have one thing lingering in the back of my head and that is that I still haven't found an internship for the summer yet. It's seriously been crazy juggling school and getting resumes out. I seriously needed like 7 extra arms this week. I did however get a few resumes out and I am eagerly waiting to hear back. I will begin hardcore searching from now on since everything else is out of the way. I am so excited to see all of my friends tomorrow in celebration of their birthdays! I haven't seen my college station people in so long. What a great way to start spring break! I also can't wait to see my family and my little Tanner boy who I heard hasn't been feeling well lately, poor puppy, he misses me I guess. All in all I am just happy. Happy to be done with school work, happy to get to sleep in finally, happy to see friends and family and catch up with everyone lives, my poor parents feel like I have neglected them lately, and happy to just be alive.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-L

Perdenales State Park

2013-03-05T09:43:00.000-06:00

I has been a crazy, hectic couple of weeks and writing this post has been lingering in the back of my mind the whole time. A few Saturdays ago, Sonny and I took his little brother Spencer and cousin Jonathan to Perdenales State Park for some hiking. We had been wanting to visit Perdenales for some time now and we finally found time to make it happen! It did not disappoint. It was awesome. I can say with full honesty that at this point in my life, it was the prettiest place I have ever seen in Texas. I mean that's not saying much since I haven't seen all of Texas, but it was just so beautiful that I have seen enough of the lone star state. I literally took a whole camera card full of pictures so I will pick the best ones to show you...enjoy!

This was our first site of the Perdenales Falls- beautiful right?

This is me standing on a cliff. I didn't realize until I got home how many times I could have fallen off of one of these while we were there.

Sonny took this picture- of course its blurry lol.

Had to get my foot in to show you how high up I was!

And then it started getting dark on us signaling it was time to go.

This place was amazing! If you ever get the chance to, go!

Have a great week.
-L

Positive Change

2013-01-23T21:59:00.001-06:00

Change is good. Changing something shows that there was a problem, and you are taking control of it. I have been in college for nearly four years now, and with only one semester to go after this one, I can see that I definitely need a change. When starting college I was of course younger, straight out of high school, and lean. I'm not going to say I was in great shape, but I was naturally just skinny. I had been in drill team for the last three years of high school, which allowed me to have a crappy diet along with regularly working out and dancing. I use to make meals off of disgusting lean cuisine meals and I never really got the appropriate amount of protein in my diet. Fast forward three years to my first semester of college. This is where it all began. I was still eating crappy, but I lost my regular workout regimen. This is when the weight started to pack on. I felt hopeless at the time until I started to slowly change my eating habits and actually started to work out. The pounds started to come off and for a while I was is great shape. I got my "high school skinny" back until only a few years later when it all went down hill again. School started to take over most of my life and it just seemed like I would never have the body of my dreams. I stopped working out but I still ate semi healthy, but not nearly good enough. So here I am today at a weight that makes me want to throw up and I'm trying to make positive changes in my life. I am nowhere near the weight I want to be at but I am desperately trying to get there. It's hard, I'm not going to lie, and I'm only on my second week. Yeah I know, whoo second week, but I am writing this to keep myself inspired to want to make a change. I just want to be healthy. Yes I am also worried about bikini season because I felt awful about myself last year, but the summer will end eventually. Ultimately I just want to be a healthier version of myself. I hope and pray that this journey doesn't end soon like all my other weight loss journeys where I'm sitting on the couch a week later eating fast food and not caring about myself. Please pray for me that I will succeed this time!

I hope to post little tidbits ever so often to help guide you to making healthy choices as well. My first tip being: Love yourself no matter what. Looks aren't everything, keep that in mind, but push yourself to make the changes your life needs! Believe that you can do it and you will!

-L

Ps: freezing Greek yogurt and adding Stevia and fruit is almost like ice cream and it is delicious!

Amazing Cookies You Have to Try!

2013-01-14T22:23:00.000-06:00

As soon as these gooey, chocolaty, amazing, where have they been all my life cookie balls hit my mouth, I knew I was in love. I have to share this with you friends...I promise your life will be changed forever! I'm just going to say this, I may like these flour free, oil free, grain free, protein packed cookies better than a regular chocolate chip cookies. Did I really just say that...I think I did!

I didn't take any pictures of mine because well it was my first time to make them and they weren't so pretty. But I found these miracle cookies from this blog I found on Pintrest. I am just going to copy her recipe but you HAVE to go to her blog to look at the delisious pictures she took of her cookies!

Here is is people...may you forever be changed (I like being dramatic)

Grain-free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Recipe by: Erin D. | Texanerin Baking

Category: Cookies
Yields: fourteen 1 1/2" cookie dough balls
Prep Time: 8 min • Cook Time: 10 min • Total Time: 18 min

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups canned chickpeas, well-rinsed and patted dry with a paper towel¹
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons (165 grams) natural peanut butter ²
1/4 cup (80 grams) honey (commenters have used agave with success!)
1 teaspoon baking powder ³
a pinch of salt if your peanut butter doesn't have salt in it
1/2 cup (90 grams) chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C. Combine all the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, in a food processor and process until very smooth. Make sure to scrape the sides and the top to get the little chunks of chickpeas and process again until they're combined.
Put in the chocolate chips and stir it if you can, or pulse it once or twice. The mixture will be very thick and sticky.
With wet hands, form into 1 1/2" balls. Place onto a Silpat or a piece of parchment paper. If you want them to look more like normal cookies, press down slightly on the balls. They don't do much rising. Bake for about 10 minutes.

Notes:

My can of chickpeas was 400 grams, 240 grams without the water, and I used all but a few tablespoons.
Don't even try with regular peanut butter! They'll come out oily. You MUST use natural peanut butter. :)
If you need grain-free baking powder, you can use 1 part cream of tartar + 1 part baking soda + 2 parts arrowroot.

Check our her blog, and make these cookies!

I seriously hope you enjoy them as much as I do...

Tootles

-L

A Time For Change

2013-01-06T22:51:00.001-06:00

Here goes the longest post I've written in 2013 (or only)

*****

With only a week into the new year, I have decided that this year my resolutions are going to be big. I think it is cliche to say "I'm going to lose weight, get the house organized, yada yada.." Because in reality how many times do we do the things we say we are going to do. I want to make changes within myself this year. The type of things that will follow me into the years to come.

Losing a few pounds wouldn't be bad either...

So what are these "big resolutions" you are wondering. Well, to start, one thing I want to change the most is my spiritual life. I have been convicted (no not by the law) and it really took me by surprise I am one to say things and then not live them out. I know it's wrong but we are all guilty of this I'm sure. I like to think I am doing things I say I'm doing when in reality I'm just pretending, and I don't want to pretend anymore. It's time to make the change. A "big" life change. Recently I have been told that I do not have enough faith in God, and to be honest, I don't. I haven't been putting Him first in my life and it has really shown. The first major change for my life has to be to put God first. It just has to, because once you put Him first, everything will fall into place just as it should.

Another change I would like to make is the way I perceive things. I am one to immediately jump to conclusions. Call me a typical woman but I like to be in control of everything when in reality I need to step down and let God take the wheel. I like to freak out when things don't go the way I planned, and I need to realize that I do not have the power to predict the way my life will turn out, and I should find joy in that. It's a relief to know that I don't have to worry about anything when God is in control.

My last goal is to not to sit on the sideline of life anymore. I want to get out there and live. I want to push myself to do things out of my comfort zone. I want to live a life that when people look at me they see the love of God in every aspect of it. And I want to be a great friend and listen to people when they need me.

I want to ask you to pray for my to achieve these things, and in return I will pray that by you reading this you are inspired too!

*****
Now onto the main attraction...

This past weekend we took a trip to the ranch in Uvalde. It is such a blessing that I get to enjoy something like this because not everyone gets to do awesome things like this.

The first day we were there it was freezing cold and raining, but we made the best of things and still had a lot of fun. The rest of the weekend we enjoyed beautiful weather, cold yet beautiful!

Yep, that's my dad, not a bank robber.

I mean seriously this is the life!

Even Addy got to enjoy the wilderness!

There is a dry riverbed that runs through the ranch and along the mountain by the river there are caves. It was only necessary that we climb them!

The little guys loved it!

We had some wimps stay at the bottom!

We had a minor set back when one of the rangers broke down...

When we got back to camp from pulling the broken ranger in, Kendra and I took the little guys to check out the pond.

After our pond adventure, everyone loaded up and hit the deer stands. Kendra and I went as well with food, drinks, cell phones, cameras, binoculars, and no gun. If only you could have seen us. I'm surprised deer even showed up with all the noise we were making.

We did have success within our group. My dad shot an axis doe!

Before we left today I snapped a few shots...

These kiddos are just too cute!

We spotted a deer on the way out...

We use to swim in this river outside of the ranch in the summertime. Now its drying up. It's funny how things change.

We had a wonderful cellphone-less weekend and it was actually refreshing. I feels good to not have to worry about your phone all the time. Maybe that's another change I need to make this year. Limited cellphone access, hmm.. might be pushing it!

Make your year worth remembering!

-L

I Don't Know About You...

2012-12-28T21:04:00.001-06:00

...but I'm feeling 22! (thank you Taylor Swift, that was stuck in my head all day)

Of all the twenty-two years of my life, this one has probably been my favorite. I feel like I have really grown up. And by that I mean I feel like I have really made positive changes in my life. I feel more free now to just be myself. I'm not sure if it comes with age or what, but I feel like I'm really starting to understand the purpose of life.

Throughout the year I had my ups and downs, but overall It was a good one. And one that literally flew by right before my eyes.

My goal for this next year of my life is to live every day with intention. To do good by others. To not waste time arguing over the little things. To take in every moment and make it last. To push through the tough times at full force. To not second guess myself. To keep a smile on my face and keep my head held high. To love others and help those who need it. To give back more than I take. To lead by example. To enjoy time with friends and family. To be in the moment and to put my phone down when I'm with others! To photograph things that inspire me. To not let school completely take over my life. To never get lazy with my praying. And put God before myself.

******

Over the past year I have been having trouble with my cars battery and other things so for my birthday my parents gave me the best gift ever...

.... A NEW CAR!

As you can imagine, I was super surprised!!

It's so pretty! I'm on love. Ha.

I also got some other pretty cool gifts from my parents...

Later on in the evening my parents took our family and friends out to eat at Greeks so that I could have my favorite meal of salmon! It was delicious :)

I am so blessed.

Here's to many more birthday.

Here's to more happiness.

Here's to another good year of life!

-L

Let It Be Christmas

2012-12-25T20:39:00.001-06:00

Christmas day has come and is almost over with. I can't believe it's almost over, and that my birthday is in two days. This past year has seriously flown by and it crazy that in just six days we will be welcoming a new year. Today we spent time with family at grandmas house. I am blessed to be surrounded by people that love me and will always be there for me no matter what.

Kendra hates cotton balls so of course we so nicely wrapped her gift in them!

The granddaughters gave Nannie a key chain that said "gorgeous grandma" she loved it!
My picture turned out a bit blurry...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

******

I can't help but share a few more Christmas tree pictures with you. It's sad that in just a few days everything will be tucked back into the attic and pushed back into the closet. I love this time of year, I'm not ready to say goodbye.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

-L

A Little of This

2012-12-24T22:18:00.001-06:00

Upon all of the things I love about this time of year, my moms decorations is pretty high on the list. I love coming home from school to a home filled with Christmas cheer. We opened our Christmas gifts this morning and one of my gifts happened to be a new camera lens! I have been playing around with the thing all day and I think I got some pretty decent shots. I have been trying to teach myself how to manually shoot and I think I have gotten somewhat good at it. It still takes me a little time to figure out the best settings appropriate for the situation...I'll get there someday. As for now here is some pictures of my mothers beautiful house.

Another thing I love about Christmas is spending time at my grandmothers house. It is tradition for my family to gather around her big table and eat all day long. Besides getting a carb overload we share stories and gossip about the towns hottest topics.

I got the honor of having a photo shoot with my cousins Kayla and Kendra...Lets just say they are worse than trying to take pictures of kids!

They did however take a FEW good ones...

But out of them all, this would have to be my favorite...

This one is going on their new years card for sure!

Hope you are enjoying time with the ones you love this Christmas. Enjoy all the moments while they last for we are not granted tomorrow! Take in the little things, they are what mean the most.

Merry Christmas,
-L

Christmas Hayride 2012

2012-12-24T15:53:00.000-06:00

It's Christmas time so you know what that means...

The annual hayride! Last night we road around and looked at the sites and sounds of El Campo. Christmas blessings were wished and great memories were made!

As always we had a great time!

-L

CHRISTmas

2012-12-24T15:13:00.003-06:00

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year...it really is. There's giving, and laughing and families that come together to cherish one another's company. There's singing and praising and being thankful for the birth of our King. What saddens me about this time of year is that the word CHRIST has been taken out of the word CHRISTmas. And the now the word "Christmas" has been replaced for "Holidays." I come from a family of believers. We don't just say happy holidays. Christmas is about the birth of our lord Jesus. If you can't use the word with his name in it then you might as well not even celebrate the holiday at all.

Yesterday was our family Christmas with my dads side of the family. This gathering is always so special because we do not get to see this side of the family very much. We are all always busy and we live in separate towns. This years gathering was especially great because we got to celebrate closer to Christmas day than the previous years.

Family is what makes Christmas so special...

-L

Christmas Time In Grapevine

2012-12-23T01:28:00.000-06:00

After the state championship game we stayed at the Gaylord in Grapevine, TX. It was awesome! If you ever get a chance to go, GO! There's lots of sites, lights and all things Christmas.

We wondered into town on Saturday for some shopping and good food!

-L

Adventure

2012-12-17T23:21:00.001-06:00

There comes a point in everyone's life when you just can't take it anymore. I hit that point right around this time last week. With finals making their way into my life I wanted nothing more than to just get away. And quick. I just knew I wasn't going to make it until finals were over. There were so many other things I wanted to do and these presentations and tests I had were just getting in the way. Needless to say I made it out and everything went okay. Mid week Sonny and I decided to get away. We had lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant then decided to go on an adventure. I still couldn't tell you where we were and how we got there but we did.

Towards the end of our trip we charted some familiar territory which seemed so different this time of year. We go to this lake every summer and don't visit it much during the year. I could still smell the sunscreen and the taste the lima ritas on my tongue. It was beautiful but nearly lifeless.

-L

Prayers For Newtown

2012-12-16T21:31:00.002-06:00

It's hard to think that twenty little children will not be tucked into bed tonight or that six teachers won't be at school tomorrow. Many people have questions as to how things like this can happen to innocent people like these, in a pleasant town like that, in the land of the free. I too have questioned this horrific tragedy.

Many wonder how there can be a God if there is so much evil in the world. My answer to you is that there is a God and he puts these situations in our lives so that we can turn to Him and Praise him more. God did not promise that everyday would be a good one, but He did promise that he would never leave or forsake us. These are the times when we need prayer warriors to step up. We need to come together. Instead of pointing the finger we need to look up, we need to look within, we need help from our Lord, and He is here waiting.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

Psalm 91: 1-5

My heart goes out the everyone effected by this tragedy.
Take the time to hug the ones you love today and forever for life is too short.
Join me in praying for the families and friends of the victims.

-L

Coconut Flour Banana Bread

2012-11-15T17:20:00.001-06:00

I love to bake and this is one of my favorite things to make. It's fairly easy and really yummy. Oh and an added plus, it's guilt free! I have tried a few recipes and this is my favorite.

Coconut Flour Banana Bread

What you'll need:

2-3 rip bananas
1/3 cup of butter melted
6 eggs
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. coconut flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/3 c nuts (optional)

What you'll do:

In a small bowl smash the 2 bananas. Combine mashed bananas with melted butter. Mix it well! Add eggs, honey, and vanilla and whisk until the eggs are combined

In a separate bowl stir together dry ingredients. Add to wet ingredients. Add nuts if you wish!

Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 45 (I usually cook it for a little less time so it will be moist)

Then Enjoy!

I love to eat a piece in the morning with my coffee. So delicious!

recipe taken from here

-L

Made For More

2012-10-25T21:34:00.001-05:00

This is a subject that has been weighing heavy on my heart...

My mind lately has been on girls and appearance At a young age I was given barbies and other types of dolls to play with. I learned how to dress them and style them with fabulous outfits. As young girl I was also given play makeup and shown how it was supposed to be worn. If you were like me, at a young age you were already exposed to the idea of the "perfect woman". I'm sure as a girl you were told when you grow up to look for a rich man and marry him so that you could have everything you ever wanted. For years I had this make believe life in my head. It was perfect, I'd move to California, live on the beach with my rich lawyer husband and be a stay at home mom with two perfect kids oh and I'd have a sweet car. But even if these things did come true, they would all be in vain because none of these things would matter without Jesus. And thus I have learned that life is nothing without God.

My heart has been hurting lately for those who are struggling with appearance and this doesn't have to go for just girls. In general I have felt the need to address the issue of appearance and expectations. Let me start off by saying...YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Whoever you are, whatever your walk of life, if you are reading this please know, you are beautifully made. It is hard to see girls struggling with this issue, especially in high school and college. Going into high school is like starting over on the "social status." I get it I was there once and I went through hard times too. I just wish I had someone there telling me "you are more than all of this" because honestly you are. When Jesus made you, he took his time, he made sure that every part of you was beautiful. So what if your hair isn't as pretty as the girl that sits next to you in class...no one is going to remember your hair anyway. What makes you beautiful is your attitude, your heart, and your soul. You are wonderful in His eyes and know this, Jesus will always love you NO MATTER WHAT. This issue is going on with college girls as well. I see girls all the time in skimpy clothes and a mountain of makeup on their face. It saddens me because they are made for more than trying to impress some immature frat guy. And that is another thing too, and please don't take me wrong when I say this, but my heart also hurts for the frat guys and sorority girls. Life isn't about what party you are going to on Friday night, or how many people you can impress to get a pledge, and you don't have to be in one of those types of organizations just to have a leg up in the job industry. I just want these people to know that they are nothing without Jesus, and spitting on his face every weekend isn't going to get them anywhere in life. Happiness is not going to be found in people or places. Happiness comes from trust in God alone.

Lately I have just felt the need to get this off of my chest, I just didn't know when or how and I'm not sure if I am coming across as rude or caring but please know that I care deeply about this topic and I want to be anything but rude, there really is just no other way of saying how I feel. My main goal here is to get people to stop living in vain. And by that I mean, stop trying to impress everyone, stop investing in clothes you think will make you cool, stop fantasizing about marrying a rich guy or hot girl, and start living your life knowing that you are already beautiful and you don't need worldly things to make you special. You already are special in God's eyes.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

If you are struggling or hurting please know that I am praying for you. I hope that you will one day see that appearance isn't everything, your past doesn't matter, and you don't have to impress everyone all the time. Beauty is vain, and letting someone else decide how you should feel about your appearance is unacceptable. Take a stand. Tell yourself you are beautiful. Write it on your hand or somewhere that you will see every day. And let others know that they are beautiful too!

This song sums up everything I am trying to say please take the time to listen to it!

Beautiful-Mercy Me

Lyrics:

The days will come when you don't have the strengthWhen all you hear is you're not worth anythingWondering if you ever could be lovedAnd if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much
You're beautifulYou're beautifulYou are made so much more than all of thisYou're beautifulYou're beautifulYou are treasured, You are sacred, You are HisYou're beautiful
I'm praying that you have the heart to findCause you are more than what is hurting you tonightFor all the lies you've held inside so longAnd they are nothing in the shadow of the cross
You're beautifulYou're beautifulYou are made so much more than all of thisYou're beautifulYou're beautifulYou are treasured, You are sacred, You are HisYou're beautiful
  Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world beganOf all the wonders He possessedThere was one more preciousOf all the earth and skies aboveYou're the one He madly lovesEnough to die
You're beautifulYou're beautifulIn His eyes
You're beautifulYou were meant for so much more than all of thisYou're beautifulYou are treasured, You are sacred, You are HisYou're beautifulYou're beautifulYou're meant for so much more than all of thisYou're beautifulYou're beautifulYou are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
Please know that I too struggle with these things and sometimes I don't feel worthy enough to be loved, but that is when the Lord stops me and says my child you are more. 
-L

School and Other Shenanigans

2012-09-19T23:48:00.002-05:00

I have been meaning to write this post...for a LONG time.

With the school year well underway and tons of stuff piling up I have not found the time to really sit down and write, much less load pictures too a post as well. I am very frustrated right now because my CRAZY, LOUD neighbors are out and I can hear EVERY word they are saying. Seriously I don't care to hear you laughing GO INSIDE. Other than that, the semester is actually going pretty good, surprisingly. Yesterday I had my first big scare, and by that I mean tears running down my face temper tantrum like stuff (okay not that intense, but maybe). I lost my entire project, literally the whole thing, gone, vanished, goodbye from my world. Three weeks of work down the drain, until, yes its about to get better, my boyfriend found the recovery mode setting on my computer and there they were! My files some how ended up in my recycle bin and for some reason yesterday, note that I do not do this often, I deleted my bin. What was I thinking not checking what was in there first? I still have no idea how my files ended up in there, but Lord am I thankful for recovery mode. It was about to be a long weekend for this girl. And speaking of weekend, I am coming home this weekend! For homecoming of course. I can't wait to see everyone, I miss them!

*****

I have been thinking and considering a lot lately of changing my blog. I have been planning to transfer to WordPress and begin a new blog life there. I have been considering names and styles for the new blog, but it is going to be a very slow process, and by that I mean it probably will never happen. But I am going to try! I will keep you posted (literally) on that.

*****

Since it is nearing 12 o'clock I am going to keep this post short. I was going to load all of my labor day pictures to this post but I decided to make a different post for them. Actually what really happened is all of the pictures are on my external hard drive which is on my desk, which would require me to get out of bed, and I'm just not down for that. So labor day post to come! Trust me I know, its been forever since the holiday. I'm annoyed with myself too about how I can never post on time! Ah, school, why you must get in the way of everything?

Tata for now,
Have a fabulous Thursday!

PS: always back up your files, they obviously have a mind of their own.

-L

Holiday Frames

2012-09-17T11:00:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year!
We must start preparing for the holiday festivities.
Here are a few frames I have been working on:

-L

Once in a Blue Moon

2012-09-01T00:50:00.001-05:00

The moon is shining bright tonight and I have no words for it's beauty.

-L

(ps. I took 301 pictures of the sky tonight. So for the sake of not being repetitive I chose these to share with you.)