happy valentine's day

 (we hope it was a great one!)

the one with pictures and deep thoughts

I'm gonna be *that* person today. The one who doesn't post on their blog for months and then suddenly posts a mile long post complete with every single detail of their lives. Okay, maybe it won't be a mile long, and I promise it won't contain every detail of my life, but still. You get my point. 

A month ago my beautiful cousin, Jess, came home for her spring break. We went shopping, ate frozen yogurt, and laughed giggled (because that is what you do when you are around Jess) way too much. It was awesome.

I feel like I have been completely lacking in the photography department lately. I have close to zero inspiration, and I can't even remember the last time I actually did a photo shoot (that lasted longer than 10 minutes) with a person. (My dog doesn't count...right?) But I did capture the above image on the way to a country gospel concert in a tiny town south of where I live. 

 Okay. Can we just pause right here to appreciate how amazing these people are?? Grandma recently celebrated her birthday, and my cousin Gretchen wrote a tribute to both her and Grandpa. (Read them here and here. Trust me, you won't want to miss them.) I have thoroughly enjoyed living next to my grandparents. They are two of the strongest, most loving, most respected, most amazing people in the whole world. I could go on and on about them, but I feel like I would just be repeating what Gretchen said. Just go read those two posts and then come back (or don't...either way).

I feel like I have so much to say about this picture, but I have no idea how to say it. (Don't worry, that doesn't make sense to me either.) Recently I have had this new-found love for God's Word. I haven't really been reading through any book in particular, just kinda skipping around each time I open it up. The verse underlined in the picture is Philippians 1:6 which says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." I love this verse for so many reason, but I think a big one is just where I am in life. Freshman in college, just trying to figure out exactly what I want in life, and what direction I am heading. I often forget that God hasn't finished writing my story. He is still working in my life, and yet I don't always act (or think) like that is true. So this verse is a bit of a spiritual punch in the gut, reminding me that He is not done with me and that He still has some pretty legit stuff in store for me.

 Speaking of legit, I got to spend the past weekend at Washington Family Ranch in Antelope, OR. I went with a whole bunch of other college kids (see picture below) to help get the camp ready for summer. I honestly can't remember when I had that much fun. We worked in the mornings and early afternoons, and then had free time for a couple hours before dinner and a speaker in the evenings. Beautiful views + awesome people + no cell phone service + manual labor + no homework = plain old awesomeness. 

 Yeah. These are the peeps I went with. They are all super crazy. (In a good way.) 

 And now for the best part of the whole trip. (Drum roll, please.) I got to spend approx. 18 hours tearing down old fence. (That's me in the middle of the picture, behind the four-wheeler.) And no, I am not being sarcastic about it being the best part. This is the kind of stuff I live for, folks!! The whole thing was made even more fun by the fact that a lot of the people on our work crew didn't really know what they were doing, so I got to feel like I actually did. I didn't know anybody on the crew going into it (which caused the introvert in me to revolt), but I ended up making some friends and just having a blast with everybody. 

 And it didn't hurt anything that this was they type of stuff we got to look at all day. Hashtag best day ever!

(Photo credit goes to the awesome Sarah Gillihan.)

But seriously people, if you get a chance, go there. It is beautiful, awesome, and you'll get to eat some really great food and meet some even greater people.

The day after we got back, my parents and broskie and I headed to the beach for the day. We actually didn't even walk on the beach (which is super sad), but we did get Tillamook Ice Cream at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. (Ok, what is up with this picture?! As I said...photography slump. Hey, at least Matt is smiling.)

Man, I love where I live. (And that little furry creature in the center of the picture.)

 I love traveling. I love meeting new people. I love getting away from everyday life. But I really love coming home. 

 That's pretty much all the news I can muster up for now. If you have made it this far, congratulations. You obviously have no life. (Just kidding! Maybe...)  

I want to leave you with something that I was thinking about up there on those hills coiling barbed wire for hours. You know the verse in Psalm 23? The one that says, "He restores my soul"? I challenge you to figure out where that spot is...the spot where God restores your soul. I really felt that up there, and while it may not be feasible for me to drive 4 hours every time my soul needs restored, I also get recharged down at both the creek and the river that snake through the property where I live. I found myself asking why I don't walk down there more often...why do I curl up with a TV show after a long day at school instead of grabbing my dog and bolting for the river? My challenge to myself is to make recharging and spending time in God's Word more of a priority than catching up on Once Upon a Time. And I would challenge you to do the same thing. Find that spot where your soul gets restored, and then make it a priority to go there. I don't think we will regret it. 

30 things

This week, I am thankful for...

1. the smell of coffee early in the morning
2. baby smiles
3. crackling fires
4. country music 
5. hugs from a (almost) 5 year old
6. childhood memories
7. finished homework (before the weekend!)
8. everything about my dog
9. emails from my sister (even if they are only 3 short paragraphs long)
10. new friends
11. baggy sweatshirts, and yoga pants
12. having the house to myself for an evening
13. seeing old friends
14. hand lotion
15. shooting guns with my broskie
16. sore muscles
17. chatting on Facebook with my cousin
18. Friends episodes
19. the sacrifices our veterans have made 
20. fuzzy socks
21. new makeup
22. getting snail mail
23. good movies that I've never seen before
24. good talks with my broskie
25. hot cocoa
26. laughter
27. a long overdue chat with my Grandpa
28. young kids
29. my job
30. my family and the impact they've had on my life

I am thankful for...

1. pink daises
2. baby dimples
3. hair that curls (and doesn't frizz)
4. bright sunshine
5. mocha frappuccinos
6. calves
7. mail room notifications
8. thunder showers
9. pouring rain
10. fog
11. my dad
12. homework that is done
13. country roads
14. scarves
15. hometown football games
16. my little (only in the sense of age) cousin
17. random texts
18. encouraging words
19. my camera
20. the feel of my dog's head resting on my knee
21. checking things off my list
22. favorite songs
23. chocolate
24. my grandparents celebrating 57 years of marriage
25. my grandpa coming home finally
26. comfy clothes

just a couple pictures

of barns and babies

 I promise I am still alive. I have just been busy enough that my blog has not been top priority.

But here are a few pictures to assure you that I haven't just been sitting around eating watermelon. 

 The other day I was privileged enough to take some maternity pictures for a lady from church. You can see more of them on my Facebook page.

 And yesterday morning I got to take pictures for a family friend. 

(I love this one)

Okay that is the extent of my pictures from this week. I know, shocking. But I haven't really been doing too much that warrants taking lots of pictures. I shall try to do better this week. Until then, adios and enjoy your Sunday afternoon!

21 things I am thankful for

1. my new car
2. a beautiful sunset
3. air conditioning
4. my dog's happy face
5. dinner with my sister
6. my cousin Caleb
7. a gorgeous moon
8. payday
9. running
10. sweat
11. my very own bed
12. editing pictures
13. the smell of hay
14. hair that does what I want it to
15. protein shakes
16. the random man who held a door open for me in town today
17. the nice lady at the bank
18. a gorgeous post-sunset sky
19. clean clothes
20. a friend who is just a phone call away even at 10:30pm
21. sore muscles

living life

Sometimes it feels like I am waiting for my life to start. It feels like once I graduate from college, or get married, my life will really begin. 

But I realized something the other day. My life started over 18 years ago. And I need to start living like it. I don't want to just sit around and wait for something to happen, I want to go out and make something happen. 

I want to live like there's no tomorrow and love like I'm on borrowed time.    

I think this realization came about because of my graduation. I have stepped into a new chapter of my life and while that is exciting, it is also scary. Because now I am an adult, making (for the most part) my own decisions. And in case you haven't experienced it yet, or have forgotten, I am here to tell you that growing up is scary. 

I don't want to have any regrets when I'm an old woman. I want to live my life to the very fullest extent that I can. I don't want to be so busy making a life for myself or dreaming about things that will probably never happen that time passes by without me noticing. 

Every day that I wake, every breath that I take you've given 

So right here, right now

While the sun is shining down

I wanna live like there's no tomorrow

Love like I'm on borrowed time

It's good to be alive

47 things that I was thankful for this week

(4-2-13)

1. Assignments that load onto Converge
2. Simple makeup
3. That early morning feel
4. A clean dog
5. Workout clothes
6. Not feeling stressed out
7. Blue sky
8. Sunshine
9. Running hills
10. Yummy salads
11. Good books

(4-3-13)

1. Oatmeal
2. Sore Muscles
3. Smooth Jazz
4. Completing six 1/4 mile sprints without dying
5. Good books
6. Dandelions
7. Milk
8. An amazing brother

(4-4-13)

1. Spending time with my friend
2. Water
3. Duck dynasty
4. Chocolate
5. Fitness apps
6. Classes that get canceled

(4-5-13)

1. Peanut butter
2. Checking things off my list
3. Cherry blossoms
4. Walking and talking with my cousin's wife
5. Broccoli 

(4-6-13)

1. New hair care products
2. Finding the perfect birthday present for my friend
3. Glitter
4. Mascara
5. Laughter
6. Surprise birthday parties
7. Hugs
8. Games
9. Late nights

(4-7-13)

1. Coffee
2. Cousins
3. Teasing
4. Family
5. Instagram
6. Red fingernails
7. Rain
8. Chocolate

21 things I am thankful for today

    

1. hot pink toenails
2. sunshine
3. lush green grass
4. Sabrina's brown eyes
5. daffodils
6. spring beauties
7. dandelions
8. daisies
9. soft golden fur
10. pouring rain
11. thunder
12. grandparents
13. silly cats
14. chocolate
15. running
16. blisters
17. the feeling of being clean
18. flip-flops
19. sleeveless t-shirts
20. blue skies
21. white, fluffy clouds

Thankful Saturday

I love reading my cousin Lindy's blog, "Life With Open Hands". (Go check it out here) I especially love her "Thankful Thursdays." So much so, in fact, that I decided to do something very similar on here. But mine probably won't be every week and they probably won't be on Thursdays. But I will still be telling you of the things I am thankful for that particular day. So. Without further ado, let us begin.

• new makeup products and tools

• rain on the barn roof
• sleeping in
• watching Duck Dynasty while eating breakfast
• running four miles
• flowers

• getting almost everything done on my list for today
• projects completed
• a clean (rearanged) room
• pictures that turn out worse than you hoped but better than you expected (I was going for the whole drops-of-water-frozen-in-mid-air look. Okay for a first try I guess.)

• being able to text your brother whenever you feel like it
• feeling like you have a lot to do but not being overwhelmed by it
• a girl-afied bathroom

a warm house

endorphins

my dog's brown eyes

God's love

laughter

daffodils and puppy calendars

The End. Have a great day folks.

the $24.95 box and what it taught me

I still remember the first time I saw it. Sitting there on the shelf, just begging me to play with it. It was the coolest thing e.v.e.r. My brother and I decided that we just had to have it. We immediately asked Mom if she would buy it for us. I honestly don't remember if I was surprise at her answer, but I do think I was a little bit disappointed. She had said no. She told us that if we wanted it, we would have to work for it and buy it with our own money.

At the time, it seemed like we would never, ever, ever get enough money to buy it. But did that stop us from trying? You bet your bottom dollar it didn't. (yeah I know, horrible pun) I don't remember much about the process of saving for it. I don't remember how we earned the money. But I do remember that we worked together. And I do remember that it seemed to take for--ev--er to earn enough money to buy it. Maybe it was only a week. Maybe it was a month. But for us, it seemed like years.

Finally the day came. I'm pretty sure it was a Saturday. We made a special trip into town to get it. I remember sitting in the car, counting up pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. (No joke.) I remember us handing over the money and finally getting to hold the box. Oh the sense of accomplishment! Oh the sense of pride! Folks, that may have been one of the greatest moments of my childhood. Why? I will tell you why.

It wasn't about the box, or what was in the box. It wasn't about the fact that we were getting something new. It was about the fact that we had done it all by ourselves. Could our parents have afforded to buy that for us? Probably. If they would have though, would it have helped give us a good work ethic? Absolutely not.

Folks, while I remember playing with it after we bought it, it honestly wasn't our favorite toy. What I remember most about it was the fact that my brother and I had to work for it. It wasn't handed to us on a silver platter. It wasn't even handed to us on a dirty, wooden platter. We had to work for us. At that young age, my parents were instilling a great work ethic into us.

Of all my childhood memories, this one always stands out to me. Whenever I see the box sitting there with the other toys, fond memories come flooding back and I get that same sense of pride as when I first held it in my arms. Throughout my life, I have had to pay for a lot of stuff that most kids don't have to pay for. Clothes, cell phone, car insurance, etc, etc. And while it hasn't always been easy (at times it is down right hard), I think it has been worth it. I take better care of my stuff this way, because I am the one who had to work to get it. And I have a sense of pride and satisfaction that I wouldn't have if it had just been given to me. It has also taught me how to handle money with common sense that isn't so common anymore.

I would like to say two things. The first thing is to parents. Please don't be afraid to make your kids work for stuff, even at a very young age. Society will thank you for this, and so will your kids. The second thing is to kids. Don't hold it against your parents if they make you work for your own stuff. It will make you a better person if you have to sweat a little for something you want. Trust me on this. 

it's a Duck Dynasty sort of a day

Yesterday was not a good day. I have decided that today is going to be a much better day. And what better way to make sure it is a good day than to watch Duck Dynasty? Or, if you are at school (like I am) and can't watch Duck Dynasty right now (like me), then just soak up the following Duck Dynasty memes.

Your day will now be better. 

Sickness and the things that come from it....

Sometimes I find it hard to find the good in seemingly bad things. But I today I discovered that sometimes being sick can actually be a good thing. I got to relax, drink tea, watch old movies, and pin approx. 5 million beauty tips on Pinterest. Okay, not quite. But close.

Oh how I love Ma and Pa. If you have never seen one of their movies, you absolutely must. 

They're classic. 

This is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. 

I've always identified with Anne...maybe cause of how stubborn she is.... 

Found this life changing idea for a message on a drink. "Write down on a plastic cover and cut the letters out.  Cover cup and sprinkle cinnamon or cocoa on top of the stencil." 

$2.00 mascara?? I think I may have just died and gone to heaven. Read the review here.

These instructions on how to clean your makeup brushes are amazing. I tried it out on my brushes this afternoon, and they are as clean as a whistle! I wish I would have taken a picture of my foundation sponge before and after I cleaned it....cause there was a HUGE difference. 

This is awesome. 

Found a pattern for this skirt that I am itching to try. (Check it out here.)

I kept seeing these pictures with one "statement" nail. So I decided to try it. 

Okay, so mine doesn't look nearly as good, but who cares!

So while this picture is a little over the top, it kinda represents what I am feeling like. And now I don't have any excuses to not do homework. (another reason why being sick can be good....) So adios, amigos.