I am such a failure at thinking up clever post titles. Dagnabbit.

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~So remember that other wedding I got asked to be in? Well, we went dress shopping! And this was the chosen dress. That there is my color, purple storm; the one girl is wearing light purple, and the other is wearing a vibrant teal blue. Interesting color scheme, eh? ;) Anyways, suprisingly enough, I actually like this dress. I am NOT a strapless kind of girl. At all. Whatsoever. But I don't mind it on this dress too much. We'll see how it fits though when I get it. I'll have to get it altered of course...I'm 3 very different sizes so we had to go with the biggest size which will make it fit funny everywhere else, and so we'll have to work at it to fix it...I'm just not thinking about all of that yet. Ya know? Too much stress ;D

~Our work Christmas party was tonight (yes, on January 15th). It was pleasant enough :) My aunt Emily was my date, of course. Hehee. Everyone else brings their boyfriends, I bring my aunt. It's how we roll ;D

By the way, they had great cupcakes. Mmm.

~So I've been on Pinterest quite a bit lately. It's fun :) My favorite part is the crafty stuff though! Goodness, I must have a hundred things that I've decided I WILL do at some point! Speaking of, it did inspire me to do the whole Bible verse on canvas thing...can we just say I'm a messy person? Blue paint everywhere. I finished at like 2 in the morning, with paint ALL over my hands and arms (how it got there, I don't know), I go look in the mirror and it's all over my face and neck, I got it on my Bible cover. But my end result was pretty cool. It has glitter on it ;D

~Football is far beyond too stressful for me. Truly. Last night, I was nauseous and jittery for the whole first half of the Broncos game. Then for the second half, I was just baffled (it was so bad). But it was too much work. I actually think I may have like, sprained the muscles in my shoulders from being too tense. Gah. I need to lighten up!

~Going to a bridal shop is a lovely experience. I thought I was going to burst out crying while we were there yesterday...in a good way, of course ;) If there is such a thing. It's just such a happy place. Although, I've no idea how I'll ever be able to choose a wedding dress...they're all so beautiful!

~Okay, speaking of football, can I just throw this out there and say that for the most part, I so much prefer Tim Tebow with his shirt on than off? I'm sorry, but shirtless guys are just...I don't know. You know? Does this make me weird? Is this inappropriate for me to be talking about on my blog? (I mean, we're mostly all girls here!) What came first, the chicken or the egg? Doesn't he look nice in his cozy white t-shirt?

;)

All right, I'm done. ;D

Have you prayed for Tim today?

Maybe you're tired of hearing about Tim Tebow. I know his name has been thrown around non stop lately. In fact, I read somewhere that his name has been mentioned either in writing or on television over a million times just this past week. And some people I know are bashing him because he's been given so much attention.
*sigh*.
When I first "encountered" Tim Tebow, it started out with "Wow. He's snazzy...and cute!" End. But as I've gotten to "know" him recently, I've developed such a high level of respect and admiration for him, and I don't feel like he's this incredibly famous guy; I almost feel like I know him. Does that make sense? Probably not. Either way, even not personally knowing him, he's already been such a blessing to me, and I'm so thankful for him. Tim Tebow is a genuinely good man. He means what he says. His life reflects what he stands for. I've learned that he is so much more than a football player; the way he puts it, that's simply his platform for sharing Jesus, for making a difference...and boy, does he. There's a lot we can learn from Tim...there's a lot I can learn from Tim, and already have. And when I hear someone say that they "hate" him because he's "overhyped", I just can't believe it. I just can't believe anyone could say anything critical about him, especially someone who calls themselves a believer. Now I'm not saying that if you don't like him, you can't possibly be a believer...I'm just saying that what he's doing is what is asked of him. What is asked of us. Sharing the gospel, and the love of Jesus. Tim Tebow is my brother in Christ, and yours! A Facebook friend of mine put up an awesome status:

"Don't just cheer for Tim Tebow...pray for him. Pray that he would be delivered from temptation. He has set a wonderful example of living out his faith in Jesus. The cynics would love to see him fall. Even if he never won another football game, a scandal would be front page headlines. He'd be the first to tell you that he is a sinner, and continues to make mistakes, but let's pray that he would flee from all the temptations of fame and fortune, so that his witness for God would not be tainted."

So among all of your prayers, remember to keep Tim in that list too. He's becoming a bit of a spokesman for Jesus (as we all should be), and as my friend said, the cynics would love to see him fall. Well, all I know is that we've got an awesome God who listens to our prayers...
Have you prayed for Tim today?

Along the Tim Tebow lines...this touched my heart.

"A man never stands so tall as when he bends down to help a child." ❤

a day in the life :)

The hour is late, and the house is quiet. Gilmore Girls is on, which always brings a little touch of comfort to my soul; Lorelai and Rory are like old friends, and their constant banter and laughter calm me at the end of long days, as they chitter chatter in the background as I get ready for bed and wrap up the day. My little Christmas tree is lit, as are the Christmas lights still strung up around my room, each casting their lovely, warm glows on the walls. I'm fantastically cozy, and yet, there is a flaw in this seemingly perfect evening...the stink bug. Yes, the stink bug. I spotted him about 2 hours ago above my window, and then I lost track of him. But then, I found him again, up on my fan, way too high to reach! Then he flew over near my bed, and now, he's missing. And I just cannot sleep knowing that that little creep is creeping around my sleeping area. *shudder*

Today was a lovely-ish day, I'd say. First of all, I slept in far too late; that's what adds the "ish" onto the end of lovely. I hate sleeping in too late. It's such a waste of valuable hours! Thus, tomorrow, I'm setting my alarm! Even though I technically don't have to ;) Ambitious, I know.
Our local Christian bookstore is closing, which is completely depressing. But the plus side is that everything in the store went on sale today. So a friend and I went down and strolled around, and found some lovely deals! My favorite item I got: "The Love Dare". I've wanted it for a while, I just hadn't gotten my hands on it yet! I also got a little Bible Study that goes along with it. It's meant for husband and wife though, so it'll be going on the shelf for a while ;)

My amiga and I then made our way to Walmart on a search for Tim Tebow's book. Seriously, in the past like, 24 hours, I have gone from being slightly in awe of, to totally charmed by him. Tall. Dark. Handsome. Absolutely, totally in love with Jesus, and not afraid to share it. Courageous. Earlier conversation between my mother and I: me: "Mom, I think that I'm meant to be with Tim Tebow. Really...I think that I'm meant to marry him *stares off into distance, dreamily*" Mom: "Yeah, you and every other young Christian girl in America". ...She's such a downer sometimes.

Today, I rented the movie "To Save a Life". I've heard a lot about it since it came out many moons ago, yet I hadn't seen it. I think I liked it...I'm actually a tad bit unsure. I mean, it was certainly good! But it was a heavy movie. And I don't know how I feel about the ending. You know? I've got mixed feelings. It was definitely one of those films though that keeps you thinking even hours after it's over. For me, that's actually somewhat rare.

And ladies and gentlemen, that was the extent of my day. I know. Lame. But that's what happens when you work in retail and Christmas is over, and they no longer have any hours left to give you. You end up moseying. But hey, on a somewhat side note, I am staying at Harry and David! Remember my being a tad anxious about the fact that I was hired seasonally, and I thought for sure that they wouldn't keep me past that? Well, they are! ;D I'm a very happy camper!

Ah, Olive Garden commercial. Mmmmm yum! And it's 12:30 in the morning. I hate food commercials. You never see them at an opportune time.

How will I go to sleep with that little creep hiding out? What if he's in my pillows?? Eh... *shiver*

Aha!! Like, 2 minutes after I wrote that last sentence, as I was looking over this post, I found him!!! He is now captured in a cup in my room; I shall set him free in the morning. And now, I will get a lovely night's sleep, no longer worrying about waking up with a stink bug in my hair ❤

I just want to say that someday, when Tim Tebow gets married...I'm gonna be one sad girl.

Ladies, that is one incredible guy right there.

❤

The haps in 2011. and because we all have goals, whether big or small ;)

2011 felt like a big year. Probably because it kinda sorta was.

~my big brother got married! Eeep!

~my cousin got married!
(both weddings of which, I was in.) :P

~I went to the Dominican Republic, and got my first real taste of missions, and of being away from home.

~Oh yeah, I graduated high school. *hallelujah chorus*

~I got the chance to work with my Nana and my future aunt at the bookstore for quite a nice chunk of time!

~Got my first car. It's rough. It's noisy. I love it, and it feels like home ;)

~I officially became a coffee drinker. And a pear eater.

~My fifth little Elv was born!! (My aunt and uncle's last name is Elverson. I call their 5 boys "the little Elves" ;D)

~Speaking of elves, it was my first year of being one in our house, as I was the one who carried nearly all the gifts down the stairs! Thus proving how out of shape I am :/

~This year, my aunt and I made a new friend who is one of the most precious, beautiful, godly women I've ever known; what a blessing she's been in our lives!

~Went on my first women's retreat with our church this year...fantastic!

~Emily broke her leg! While I was in the DR of course. I remember, while I was there, thinking "I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if I get home and someone's got a broken arm or leg or something crazy like that." Well, low and behold, I get off the bus and she crutches on over! Thus, I became her chauffeur for the next month. Fun times ;)

~This was the year that we had to let go of our beloved senior pastor, who has retired, and we are still waiting for God to place the right man in our church to be the next pastor. (Though I have a feeling that Pastor Dick will simply always be our family's pastor...)

So much went on this year. It's one of those years that's ending, and I feel...different. Not the same person I was when 2010 ended. Of course I am in so many ways the same, but also, in so many ways, I feel so vastly different.
Ah, there's still so much more growing to do.

~This is my 2011 wrapped up in a single photo. (I was gonna do a bunch for every little blurb but had WAY too much trouble!) From left to right, that's my sister-aunt-friend Emily, me, and my aunt Abby, the one with all the Elves. This was taken at my cousin Steph's wedding. I love this picture soo much. See, it was originally going to be a Lauren and Emily photo, and Abby snuck in without my knowing it, and her hovering over my shoulder felt like a bug hovering over my shoulder (I've no clue how), so I swatted and kinda punched her in the face. Thus, the resulting photo.

Anyways, now to the goals!

I'm constantly making lists. Lists of "things I'd like to do this month", "books I'm going to read before I read anything else", "things I'm going to do with my kids some day". You name it, I've made a list of it!
So naturally, it just makes sense to have made a list of goals for 2012. Nothing crazy. Nothing (too) vague. All possibilities that very well may get checked off one by one. Which is, in fact, my goal ;)
So, here are the simpler things on my list so far:

~read the Bible cover to cover

~write a lengthy story

~Make my baby blanket (short story: I found really pretty brown and blue yarn. I told my mom I wanted it for Christmas to make a baby blanket. Thus, tada! Christmas gift!)

~Buy "Lady and the Tramp" when it comes out on DVD this year ;D

~Learn to be on time! (50 minutes late to meet someone yesterday, you guys. That is so totally ridiculously unacceptable, it makes me nauseous)

~Post-its in a bathroom! (You know, where you put encouraging post its on a public bathroom mirror, or on the back of the door? Always wanted to do that)

~Take more pictures.

~Write to a soldier.

~Get my wisdom teeth out. (Not a happy goal, but one that is beyond necessary!)

~Turn 19! In two months! (goodness!)

~Actually complete a journal cover to cover

~Ride a horse. ;)

~Pay Mom and Dad back for my car :P

~Learn how to make chicken dip the way Ems does (perfectly!)

~Dance with a handsome stranger in the woods.
...okay, I admit, I was watching Sleeping Beauty when I wrote this. What can I say, it's so romantic!

~Finish the Mark of the Lion series.

~Send a message in a bottle ;)

~Ride in a plane again. (please, please, please?)

~Have a picnic

~Make smores

~Try "schnitzel with noodles" (it is one of Julie Andrews' favorite things!)

~Propose to my boyfriend on February 29th!
...Okay, just kidding. I just recently saw the movie "Leap Year" with Amy Adams, and considering it's a leap year, I had to throw that goal in there ;) Heeehee. (Oh, and no, I have not recently randomly acquired a boyfriend ;D)

~Actually finish at least one of the many to-do lists I make ;D

And thus, a bit of my 2012 to-do list, among all of the other more difficult to reach goals and such ;)

Happy new years, you guys :) I hope everyone's year started out well ;D

I wonder if you know him?

"I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.

I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King!"

-Dr. S.M. Lockridge

It's that time of the year...

~when it's finally started snowing, and I can't help but feel like it's a personal gift straight from God to me! Pfft, as if I deserve it. Though, doesn't it say that "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17)? I'd say that snow can be a good and perfect gift :) (I'm ignoring the fact that it terrifies me to drive in it)

~when people go Christmas shopping out the wazoo. And you work at a very much Christmas-shopped-at location, so everyone and their brother is coming in. Including that guy you used to work with a good 2 years ago, and haven't seen since, and you're not really sure that you were ever even friends or not, so you very immaturely scurry to the back to do dishes instead of just saying hi. And then you cut yourself on the pear cutter, and there's blood everywhere.
Such is my life.

~when time FLIES by!! Goodness gracious, I can't believe Christmas day is almost here. I always want to spend December fully enjoying the Christmas spirit, but the days are going by so quickly and I've been spending so much time at work, that there's not been much Christmas spiriting! But I've got the entire week after Christmas off. That'll be my time for snow, Christmas movies, and such. :)

~Speaking of having all of next week off, in preparation, I've finally started reading the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. It's a trilogy, and I know that I'll love it, so I've been putting it off until I have the time to sit and do nothing but read. The time is almost here! And I've started book 1, and it just got interesting. So, I'm going to have to make it through these next two long days of work before I can get too into it!

~back to, "it's that time of year"...when Christmas shopping is too much fun! And since I've actually had a little bit of money this year, I've gone a little crazy. I'm happy though. It's fun doing gifts for those you love and enjoy :) My favorite gift so far though is for my Nana...I'll tell you if you'll keep it a secret!! You see, my Nana is the most passionate Christmas celebrator you'll ever meet. Her house is decorated year round (minus the tree, of course, for obvious reasons), she listens to Christmas music year round, Christmas movies, Christmas lights, Christmas presents being bought in January, everything! She's very into Santa Claus, and one day when I was passing out coupons for Harry and David at the mall, I went into Kirkland's, and I found the most beautiful portrait of Santa that you'd ever see. I had to have it for her. It's about as tall as me, haha! But I cannot wait to give it to her. I just know she'll love it! And it's probably the craziest gift I'll ever give, so it's fun. :)
By the way, speaking of that picture, I have all Mickey Mouse and friends wrapping paper this year. :D :D :D

~when even the grumpiest people have their little moments of joy. And when Christmas cheer makes even Eeyore at work smile :) Win!

~Not to mention, Mom and sister-in-law make Christmas cookies and Lauren gets to eat them all. Mwahahaha! :D