the last day of the 28 day challenge :) :( :/

So the time has come, the day is here. I feel like this challenge has been going on forever! And it's been really fun! But at the same time, having to post every single day wasn't always a success for me. And I'm not always feelin' it, ya know? So while this challenge has been lovely, I'm not too overly sad to see it go ;)

So, day 28: Hopes, Dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days

I'm hoping to fix some friendships, grow in some others, and just make some new ones in general. New friends never hurt ;)

I'd really like to just learn to chill. Relax. Not be stressed out about silly stuff that I shouldn't even be stressed about. (And believe me, some of it's silly). I need to just mellow out a bit, ya know? Learn to appreciate the little things, to be positive, to think of every moment as a gift from God.

In fact, I feel like I should make "Let go, and let God" my new motto in life. Because seriously, it's something I definitely, absolutely need to learn. I need to realize that God is always in control, and that He's always got a plan, no matter how hard it may be getting there. During this next year (and the rest of my life, of course) I just want to grow so much stronger in my relationship with Jesus: I want to learn to truly believe and rely on His promises, and I'd love to just fall in love with Him all over again. :) I've been a slacker in this relationship...but what better day to start over than today?

Oh, and of course, friends, Miss Bleah Briann made this lovely award, I believe she called it, for those of us who participated in this fun challenge. Thanks Bleah! :D

6,570 days later... (Or, uh, 18 years) ;)

So today is my 18th birthday! Weird.

So, just to be cute and fun, I'mma share with you 18 things that make me happy! ;D

1. YOU! Seriously. I love you guys. You brighten my days, and you're all so sweet!

2. Raccoons. Okay, nobody ever gets me on this one. But they just make me so very happy! They're just so darn precious.

3. Pretty/cute pictures. Ever notice how I do a lot of posts that are full of pictures? Yeah, it's because they make me happy ;)

4. The (sometimes bittersweet) feeling of accomplishment that comes when I finish a book.

5. Disney movies (duh). I don't have comfort foods. I have comfort movies: Disney movies :D

6. My bed! It's sooo cozy. You can totally see a little outline of my body on it, which makes it all the more comfy, of course

7. Instrumental music. I'm one of those people that gets butterflies at the sound of a violin, or the sound of an exquisite piano melody. :P

8. Sheets frozen mochas!! Mmmm.

9. K-Love. Check it out if you havent' already!

10. Going to a restaurant where the waiter looks like Derek Morgan ;D

11. Thunderstorms. Actually, we had our first thunderstorm of the year here last night, and I was beyond happy. Lovely way to start a birthday ;D (in my opinion, that is)

12. Thoughts of spring!

13. Finding a quote, or a song lyric that explains perfectly what I'm feeling and thinking.

14. Hanging out with friends that you pray with, and read your Bible with. Now, that's just cool ;)

15. My great big giant family. They make me pretty happy, I must say :D

16. Okay, this might sound silly, but blankets and heaters. I am constantly freezing this time of year, and I would be very sad without blankets and heaters.

17. Books! I love books. In fact, I just feel so against ever getting a Kindle or anything like that...It's just so not the same!

18. The precious, sweet little moments in life. Like my little siblings singing to me in the car, followed up with my little cousins calling to sing to me :) So, so cute and sweet!

Adieu, friends! :D

[picture via weheartit]

This challenge is almost over! (and I don't mind too much ;)

Okay, Day 26, which I missed: a childhood memory!

Oh goodness, how to choose just one?

Okay, I've got one that's popped into my head. When I was little, I had this baby doll, named Snookums. And that was the doll's legit name!! Anyways, so I loved loved LOVED this baby doll. I even remember trying to feed it mashed potatoes at one point...I failed. So I've got to explain something real quick: up until about 10 years ago, we lived up the driveway from my Nana and Pap's. It's kindof hard to explain, but basically, our houses were connected by a long gravel driveway, and a humongo yard, with trees and such in it. So since they lived right there, I spent a ton of time there. At one point, I'd had a little swingset for Snookums (haha!), and it was up in my Nana's backyard. Well, one night, as we were all getting ready for bed, we all realized with

shock, that Snookums was missing! So my dear father went out searching, in the darkness of the night, and eventually she was found in her swingset. The day had been saved, and Snookums was safe!!

Yes, yes, kindof a silly childhood memory, but a special one nonetheless ;D

Day 27: a physical feature I love

Easy: eyes. Eyes are like God's little artwork. They're so, so fascinating, and s

o intricately detailed. One of my friends from a few years ago has brown eyes that had a spiderweb-like design in them. My aunt Abby has blue eyes with a green ring around the pupil. In certain lighting, my eyes seem to have aqua-blue specks all throughout them! My brother's green eyes look like marble (you know, like the stone?) So, so cool! Definitely my favorite feature ;)

Okay. I'm gonna go eat some Chinese food now. Have a good night, friends!! ;D

[AND pictures from weheartit. I forget every single time! Grrr]

The Saturday [Evening] Daybook! :D

hosted by Jo March at Scraps from my Workbasket

And nah, it's not morning. Oh well! ;)

Date... February 26, 2011!

Starting time... 6:28 pm

Mood... tired. sleepy. nervy.

Outside my window... snow! Blech

I'm thinking... I really, really wish my VCR wasn't broken, because I'm so in the mood to watch Peter Pan. (the Disney version, duh).

I'm currently reading... Unlocked, by Karen Kingsbury. It's really good!

I'm listening to... the news quietly playing on the tv. Mom talking. Isabelle (my little sister) jump roping? Odd.

I'm wearing... Super comfy Nike pants, and a lovely purple shirt!

I'm looking forward to... my birthday. :) Birthdays are fun.

I'm hoping... that things would just get better, already. *sigh*

Yesterday, I... chilled with my mother.

I'm hungry for... Dairy Queen ice cream! Our Dairy Queen is closed at the moment though. :(

The song stuck inside my head is... Love, by Jaeson Ma. Love it.

I love... little furry woodland creatures. ;D

I loathe... spiders. Ugh.

This week, my goal is... finish the Karen Kingsbury book. Be more positive. Write a paper or 2.

Did I meet last week's goal?... no sirree. I just cannot bring myself to finish that book! It's small and everything, but I just have no ambition! Tsk tsk tsk.

Ending time... 6:37 pm

Hehee, that was kindof fun! ;D

a recipe requires...cooking. right? huh.

Yeah, I don't really cook. Or bake. I'm pretty limited in my abilities as far as all that jazz goes. (at least at this point in my life)

But there's something I can make...something life-changing. And it doesn't even require cooking, or baking!

Chocolate chip cookie dough. Yes, that's right. Chocolate chip cookie dough. Uncooked!! Come on, guys, live dangerously! >;)

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels.

And stop there!!! Go ahead. Give it a try.

Good, right? You'll never be the same, right? :D :D :D

[picture via weheartit]

[recipe via very best baking]

rawr rawr ramblings rawr

So there's an episode of Gilmore Girls where Rory has to do community service, because she was stupid and stole a yacht (I don't even know how you steal a ginormous boat and expect to get away with it) with her slightly annoying boyfriend. So, she's doing community service, and gets into an all-out fight with another misbehaved young lady. Her director, instructor, leader (I don't know what to call him) takes her inside and says, "You cannot be out there with your fight face on!!"

Friends, I've been Rory Gilmore lately.

Don't worry, I haven't stolen any large motor vehicles, or been forced to do about a million hours of community service as punishment...but lately, I have indeed had my fight face on.

Consistently. Kindof for a few weeks now. Just about everything irritates me. My nerves are shot. You know, what pops into my head is the image of a puppy. No, no, let's make it a tiger.

Cause tigers are adorable, yet ferocious ;) Okay, so you've got this tiger, and it's sleeping, and it looks all peaceful and calm and serene. You go over to the tiger and pat it's head a bit, show her a little bit of affection. And I mean, obviously, she likes it: she might as well be a tiny little kitten. But then, uh-oh, you accidentally sit on/step on her tail and bam! You totally just got attacked by the vicious sharp teeth!! Sucks to be you.

Yeah, I've been a bit like that tiger lately, and I feel pretty terrible about it. I just snap and snap and snap, at the littlest things, without even meaning to :/

I just want to go on a nice loooong vacation, or maybe even just go to sleep and not wake up for 3 or 4 days.

In all honesty, I don't think the neverending lack of sunshine is helping out too much either. Blah.

[picture via weheart it]

day 24: a movie no one would expect you to love

Ha! So this works out well, because I was actually planning on talking about a particular movie today...

Jurassic Park. (Ha, isn't that a humorous picture?)

Jurassic Park is actually like, a totally feel-good movie for me. I know, I know, that's crazy, and makes NO sense whatsoever. But it's sooo not the fact that people are getting eaten by dinosaurs! Pfft.

I love to watch this movie in wintertime, when it's all nasty and terrible and depressing outside, simply because of the rain and the thunderstorm. :o Not to mention the green that's everywhere, and the trees, and the obvious warmth emanating from the screen!! Oh, and you've got birds (dinosaurs?) and bugs chirping all throughout the background.

It's like a temporary escape from the seemingly neverending cold and snow outside.

And yes, I do realize that there are other summer-y movies, but just not like this ;)

And I do, in fact, love this movie. Did you ever expect that? ;D

[picture via weheartit]

day 23: a way in which you want to be remembered

I want to be remembered...

as a breath of fresh air. Someone who makes others smile, who makes them laugh, who makes them feel lighter and happier. Someone who can maybe even help lighten their load a bit...someone who shines with Jesus' light, and brightens the days of those around her.

"Happiness is a perfume which you cannot pour on someone without getting some on yourself." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm working on this, friends ;)

[oh yeah. picture via weheartit. i always forget...]

Day 22: a website? Hmmmm.

Hmmmm, hmm hmm. A website. Well, in all honesty, there are only a few websites I ever visit: Blogger (duh), Facebook (eh), weheartit (yay!), Aol news (respectable), and LoveGivesMeHope!!

Thus, my chosen website for ya'll: LoveGivesMeHope.

The stories really do make you go "aww!". It's such an adorable site. And always makes me feel happy :) I have teared up once or twice, as well.

Here's just a few examples of the sweetest stories!:

"When my sister was younger she came home from school one day and demanded I take her to the library so she could get books on sign language.

I asked why? She told me there was a new kid at school who was deaf and she wanted to befriend him.

Today I stood beside her at their wedding watching her sign "I DO". GMH"

"My parents have been married for 35 years.
The other day my mom told me that when my dad calls her up at work to see if she wants to grab a cup of coffee, she still gets butterflies in her stomach.
Their everlasting love GMH."

"Today I was at the grocery store with my mom.
As we were pushing our cart, I heard a woman sobbing. I turned around. There stood a couple, linked arm in arm, the woman laughing so hard she was crying, and the man with two carrots stuffed up his nose, laughing as well.
They were about eighty years old. Their love GMH."

You feel happier now, don't you??? Don't deny it!! *sigh* Stories like that are why I love that site ;)

[stories and picture via lovegivesmehope]

"What makes you different makes you beautiful!" ;D

Day Twenty One: Something you do differently than other people

Hmmmm, well, this could have many answers, haha! Hmmm, well...

The way I eat pickles is pretty "different". If they're in the little round circle form (like the above picture), I'll eat the inside of the circle first, and the outside last. It's special, I know. And then, if the pickle jar is empty, I'll get a straw and drink the juice. Mmmm my mouth is so watering right now! (I'm special, I know)

Days 19 & 20 and a few random tidbits

Oh gee. I did it again: I skipped a day. You know, I think I'm failing the concept of this 30 day (28 day) challenge. Oh well!

So Day 19: a talent, and Day 20: a hobby, actually kindof tie together for me, so it all works out! See, I am a very crafty person. For the most part, I mainly just have moments of greatness: I made a friend this book of quotes that was kind of scrapbookish, and oh my goodness, I just looove it so much. Probably my favorite thing I've ever made. And it's stuff like that: if I'm inspired, I can make such fun stuff! But alas, the inspiration does not always last, and then I go a few weeks with making nothing at all :( But that's okay! Because then I do, and it's even more fun than the last time ;D

So I've been a slacker lately as far as blogging goes. I just haven't been feeling it, ya know? Which is totally depressing, because I just love you guys. :') So perhaps I'll share a few of my latest random thoughts (or tidbits of thoughts) with ya'll...

1. I like Criminal Minds so, so much. And I mean, I normally wouldn't even be sure why? But now I realize that it's the moments of just...awesomeness, that make it so much better than any other crime show! For example: this lovely moment: Jack (little boy): Daddy, don't look!! Hotch: I'm not looking! Jack: All right, Daddy, you can look. Hotch: Well, that's not Spiderman. Jack: Spiderman's not a real superhero, Daddy. Hotch: Well, then who are you supposed to be? Jack: You, Daddy!!
Awwwwww so precious!! (And to explain, Jack had been trying to find a halloween costume). Also, chances are those aren't the exact words, I didn't look them up :o But it's basically that ;)

2. You know, I feel like I shouldn't be surprised that my PJ pants with Tinkerbell on them are the most comfortable. Or maybe the ones with Rudolph on them...hmmm. They're both so comfy!! They make my life happier :D

3. I'm learning so much more lately that everyone disappoints you at some point. I mean, when I think about it, there's really no one that has never made me feel some level of disappointment...I've got a friend who's reminded me before that Jesus is the only one who won't disappoint...and I'm realizing more than ever now that that is so very true. Don't ever forget it, friends!

4. So I've never been on a plane before. And now, I'm officially going to have to be on one this summer. Huh. The idea doesn't really bother me at all though; I mean, some people are really freaked out by the idea of flying, my father being one of them, but it kindof excites me! Like, yay!! Woot woot! I hope I don't have to sit by anyone weird though...Eh... And I couldn't resist putting that picture ^^^ It's pretty much priceless ;)

So there ya go, chickadees! Hopefully, I can get back into enjoying blogging again pretty soon. I know, I know, it may not seem like I haven't been into it, but believe me, I haven't. :/ Oh well! This too shall pass! :D

[oh yeah! all pictures via weheartit]

day eighteen: uhh...

[via weheartit]

A time when you felt passionate and alive.

Um. Gee. Is it bad if I honestly don't know? Well, rather, that nothing instantly pops into my head.

I mean, any time I'm with my family or friends having a time completely full of laughter, I feel awesomely re-energized ;)

Or if I'm just having some alone time with God outside, basking in His wonderful, beautiful creation...I feel pretty amazing then.

Do those count? They should! ;D

Day 17: an art piece

So I don't know the name or the artist of the this picture; I had to find it on Google images by randomly searching phrases I thought would help find it, and eventually I did find it! Though unfortunately, I'm unsure how to credit it to it's artist. Oh well. :/

So I'd seen this picture several times at the Christian bookstore our family likes to visit, but I'd always just passed it by not paying attention; until one time, for whatever reason, I actually stopped and looked at it, and was just blown away. I'd never noticed that the man was holding a hammer and a nail in his hands...whoa, right? And even though he's holding the items that brought Jesus such pain, even though he's the one that's inflicted that pain, it would seem...Jesus is holding him up, scars in his hands apparent. It's just so powerful, and I find it hard to look away at times.

To me, this picture is just such an incredible example of Jesus' forgiveness, his unconditional love, and the fact that he does carry us...even if we don't realize it at the time.

I am the thorn in Your crown,

But You love me anyway.

I am the sweat from Your brow,

But You love me anyway.

I am the nail in Your wrist,

But You love me anyway.

I am Judas’ kiss,

But You love me anyway.

-Sidewalk Prophets, "You Love Me Anyway"

Days 15 & 16 ;)

Okay, so I wasn't in the blogging mood yesterday, and therefore didn't do Day 15 :o But my answer to Day 15, "a person you admire", is Alice Henderson, from the show Christy. (Nobody ever said it couldn't be someone fictional ;) Anyways, she is just an amazing person; she may even be based off of a real person, because I know that the book the show is based on is the story of an actual woman? Yeah, I'm not sure, haha :)

Anyways, so Day 16! A song that makes you cry, and a song that makes you laugh.

So, as song that makes me cry. Let me first explain something: I am a crier. Cryer? It's what I do, haha. If I'm sad, I cry, if I'm happy, I cry. And I'm also someone who has had her share of crying in church...and when it comes to that, well, there are many songs that make me cry. But the one that comes to mind is the song "Healer" by Kari Jobe. Such a beautiful song. My favorite part: "Nothing is impossible for You...You hold my world in Your hands."

And a song that makes me laugh? Hmmmmm. Actually, Francesca Battistelli's "This is the Stuff" makes me laugh a little bit ;) I mean, it's funny! And so true! I mean, that stuff drives ME crazy too!

Day 14: A vacation you would like to take :D

I'm not sure what put the idea in my head...but for as long as I can remember, I've so desperately wanted to go to Ireland.

Perhaps it's all of the books I've read that were set in Ireland that make it seem so...enchanting to me.

Or maybe it's the castles dotted here and there that make one envision knights riding off to rescue a damsel in distress. ;)

Ah, or the cottages that somewhat resemble the one that Snow White's dwarf friends lived in...

(PS: that's like, my dream home right there, no joke)

Or maybe it's just the simple, yet extravagant beauty that seems to be everywhere you look.

Ireland is a place where I can imagine thinking "God is such a show-off" ;)

And I certainly hope I marry a man who will promise to take me there someday ;') ♥

That'd be the greatest gift ever.

;D

♪ ♫ Love is in the air!! ♪ ♫ (My top 6 movie couples)

Okay, so obviously I can't resist doing a Valentine's Day post. I mean, duh. So while I, like so many of my Blogger friends, am patiently waiting for my own Prince Charming ;D . . .it doesn't mean I can't live vicariously through others. Even if they are fictional. So I just have to share with you a few of my favorite (the sweetest!) fictional couples there are! At least as far as movies go. I haven't included books ;) So here are my top 6! (Not including Holly and Gerry from PS I Love You, because I already posted about them before ;D) (Oh, and my 6 are in no particular order)

1. George and Mary from "It's a Wonderful Life"

OHMYGOSH sweeetest thing anybody ever said.

That quote right there is just the most precious thing :')

2. Anne and Gilbert!!!! from "Anne of Green Gables" of course

Oooh my goodness gracious. My initial reaction to that picture is just to squeal uncontrollably like a little girl. This is definitely my favorite couple, ever. Ever, ever. I mean, it's Anne and Gil!! And if you haven't seen this movie and it's sequel, you have to. Go rent it or buy it or something! Your life will never be the same!

3. Allie and Noah from "The Notebook"

These guys have to be on any movie couple list; they just have to. Their undying love is just so inspiring...and beautiful. And sad. *sniffle* I just love it! *breaks into hysterical sobs*

4. Westley and Buttercup from "The Princess Bride"

Westley: Hear this now: I will always come for you.

Buttercup: But how can you be sure?
Westley: This is true love - you think this happens every day?

...be still, my heart.

5. Jamie and Landon from "A Walk to Remember"

Does this one even need an explanation? I think not.

6. Carl and Ellie from "Up"

*sigh*. This movie...Oh, this movie.

Carl and Ellie have the most precious relationship; they're very best friends for pretty much their entire lives! So so sweet. :')

So there 'tis! My top 6 movie couples. Are there any you personally would rather have on there? Let me know ;D

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day, guys!! :D

[all pictures via weheartit]

Day 13: Uhhhhh....

Okay, so today, I've seen 2 different "Day 13"s: a favorite pastime, and a guilty pleasure. So I went back and looked at my original "here's the challenge" post, and on that list, it was "favorite pastime". But I figure, this is my blog; why not do both? ;D

[via weheartit]

So a favorite pastime? Hmmm. Well, I actually really enjoy making magnets. Random, right? But I loooove it. It's just so snazzy and fun!

(and I've actually never made any like that. Ooooh)

And a guilty pleasure? Definitely buffalo chicken dip. Mmmm mmm mmmm.

[via this!]

Ooooh my gosh, I just want that sooo much!

I could eat it alll day long, and nothing else.

Oh wait, I've done that before. Whoops! :P

But it's so incredibly amazing, you just can't blame me ;D

This was a bad post idea...

five random complaints I have lately.

[via weheartit]

1. I'm starting to really, really dislike Facebook. Every time I get on, my reaction is "ugh". That site has gotten old for me. Yeah, I still get on, but certainly not for long. And then, when I put statuses up, and people put stupid comments on them, and I'm just like "Gooooo away". I've learned pretty quickly that I'd rather have you guys (my Blogger friends)' opinions on stuff than my Facebook friends. Whoa. So I've definitely learned lately that Blogger>Facebook. For sure.

2. So twice in the past week, I've poured myself a giant bowl of Cocoa Pebbles, put the milk in it, taken a bite...and found out that the milk was bad. What. the. heck. Okay, number 1: milk never goes bad in our house. Seriously. We have a house of 6 people; believe me, milk doesn't sit around long enough to go bad. Yet twice in one week? And of course, I'm the one who figures it out? I feel traumatized.

3. I don't know why I paint my nails. Because when I do, even if I wait for like, 3 hours before even moving, they always get messed up. Alwayyys. >:|

4. Gone with the Wind is a terrible movie. Scarlett O'Hara, though very fashionable, is so annoying and irritating! I mean, Rhett loves her! Like, really loves her! And she's so nasty and mean to him. It's awful.

5. (referring back to facebook) Why should someone care if someone else is a Steelers fan? Why should someone care if someone else likes Justin Bieber? Like, how does it affect them? It doesn't. People just like to be mean, if you ask me.

Whooosh, I feel a tad bit better. Oh, and this is probably the only complaint post you'll ever see from me; but I was in the mood *cough*

Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding

Oh, choices, choices!

Well, I have 2; because I just can't pick one, obviously ;)

The first is "Love is not a Fight" by Warren Barfield. And yes, it is the song played in Fireproof when they get their vows renewed! Aww! (And I'm not sure why the video turned out to be so big. Whoops! :P)

And then the second is Brandon Heath's "Love Never Fails". So, so beautiful. And I think that I either read or saw somewhere that he sang it at Carrie Underwood's wedding! That's just snazzy.

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently

Soo I'm also not much a fan of the idea of showing my face; but oooh yeah: look at that snazziness! It's tiny, and the fact that it's black and white makes it a little hard to see. Skill ;D

Oh, AND it is pretty recent, considering I just took it like, 15 minutes ago ;)