This One’s for the Girls

No, I’m not alluding to the Martina McBride song…but you are quite welcome, as I’m sure that song is stuck in your head now. I’m referring to some of the lovely ladies God hes placed in my life.

I just came home from my friend Kristen’s house where I spent the night with my closest girl friends. These ladies have been there for me for years, and I love how our friendship has only grown as we’ve matured. I am blessed by the sweet bond we share. We spent the night catching up, eating wayyyy to much food, and just enjoying each other’s company. These girls are great. One moment we can be having the most awkward conversation ever, and then segway seamlessly into the ways we see God challenging us to pursue Him. They are all truly an encouragement for me as I grow closer to Him. Although I didn’t take any photos last night, here are a few pictures of us from the past. As you can see, their beauty is real…both inside and out. Oh gracious I love these ladies!

 

 
(as you can see, we are big fans of tradition…every winter we look at Christmas lights together & every summer we have a Melting Pot date)

I also had my first blog date on Thursday! I first found Samantha from Today I Am over the summer (she was my first follower!) and after talking Samantha for months now, we finally sat down and had a Skype date. It was crazy because I wasn’t nervous at all about Skyping her…I just feel like I’ve gotten to her so well through her blog, emails, and letters. I was definitely excited to talk “in person.” Oh mylanta was it a blast! We literally talked for over two hours (and probably could have gone on longer!) We discussed about school and our futures, laughed a whole bunch, and even discussed accents…it was wonderful. My favorite part of all is that we prayed together at the end. Samantha has the sweetest heart, and such a passion for God. I left our conversation encouraged and overjoyed at the time we spent together. It is truly amazing how God can use this blogging community bring two girls that live almost 11 hours apart together! I am so thankful for this new friendship we are building.

So today, my heart is so full. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the friendships God has placed in my life. Whether it is with the girls who have been there for years, or someone I’ve just known a few months, He has placed such encouraging women in my life that I am so glad to call my friends. There is truly nothing like good quality girl time that is rooted in Him!

The Girl Behind The Blog: Show & Tell

Happy Halloween, friends! I’m super pumped to be linking up with Ashley & Erin for another Girl Behind the Blog vlog. I Was bummed when I missed last month’s so here’s mine this month.

So I realize I didn’t introduce myself…whoops. and I mumble a little. And the lighting is weird. But enjoy :)

Oh Hey There…

Hello friends, just stopping by to let you know that I do still exist. I realize that my last post was from almost 3 weeks ago. Yikes! I’ve just been so busy with school, friends, and all-around awesome stuff that I just haven’t had the time to sit down and flush out some good thoughtful posts. That being said, God has been doing major work in and with me these past few weeks (He’s pretty awesome like that) So stay tuned, I'm in the process of getting my thoughts down so I can let you lovely people know what I’ve been learning and growing through! Anywho, I’m off to go immerse myself in my orgo textbook and contemplate acid-catalyzed hydration and electrophilic additions you jealous? Stay tuned for some pretty sweet posts coming up!

Have a wonderful Monday!

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the LORD.”

                               -Ephesians 5:8

The Girl Behind the Blog: How Blogging has Changed You

I’m am super excited to link up with Ashley & Sarah for me first GBTB vlog! But please bare with me as this video definitely has its kinks :p

The Girl Behind The Blog- How Blogging Has Changed You

Time limit: Vlogs should be 2-3 minutes long

Introduce yourself and your blog
What is one of the main ways blogging has changed you?

How has blogging changed the way you reflect on issues that you wouldn't have before?

 At the end of the day, how are you empowered and encouraged by blogging- by your own and by others?

How do you think you could add to your blog being a blessing to yourself and others?

If You Really Knew Me…

So these “If You Really Knew Me” posts have been floating around the Bloggy world for a couple of months now, and I finally decided I would do one too.



Here we go: If you really knew me…

1. You’d know I am the messiest clean freak ever. My room at home is always messy, and I wait wayyyyy too long to do laundry. But when I do clean, I have to clean and organize. Every. Little. Bit. However, at school my room is always clean. Bed made daily, desk and closet organized, and laundry done at least once a week. I guess my philosophy is if people are going to see it, it has to be perfect.

2. You’d know I've always hated being late. I have to be on time or early to everything…or I get antsy. Its also my one of my biggest pet peeves when people are late.

3. You’d know I make weird faces. A lot. My friends tell me I do it all the time…I am not ashamed. These faces often end up on Facebook.

You're welcome.

4. You’d know I hate brushing my teeth (please don’t worry, I do brush daily!)  I really like my teeth and all the money my parents paid my orthodontist, so I do take good care of them. But it’s just such an ordeal. I brush, floss, gargle two different washes. I love the pearly white results, but it always takes so long!!

5. You’d know I love driving. I love running errands, exploring back roads, or just driving with friends. I find it therapeutic.

6. You’d know I want to be one of those cool soccer moms when I grow up. Cardigans, scarves, ballet flats, and driving a crossover…sounds good to me. Yes, it’s a random goal in life.

Via my Pinterest "Clothing" board

7. You’d know I love making people laugh. It is a big accomplishment if I can make someone laugh. This is why I chose my blog name. Laughter is one of the sweetest sounds in the world.

8. You’d know I say “like” too much for my own good. I can’t even remember when I started, but people always comment on it. I’m really trying to stop!

9. You’d know I already have a lot of my future wedding planned (including colors), and I haven’t even met the groom yet! But let’s be honest…I know I’m not alone in this. I'm partially blaming Pinterest for this one.

Via my Pinterest "Two Become One" board

10. You’d know I am an extrovert (my Myers Briggs is ESFJ) & that the littlest things get me super excited. I am always loud and crazy, even early in the morning…some people don't appreciate that :p

11. You'd know I am a people pleaser...it's a gift and a problem.

12. You'd know I'm a hugger. I hug everyone...it's my love language.
 

Well, now that you know all these tidbits about me…let’s be friends!! :)



P.S. I'm pretty pleased with my new blog design...hope you like it!

iPhone Happenings

This week it started: the goodbyes for college. Two of my friends have headed back to school, and my dear friend Kristen is currently moving into her freshman dorm. Sunday night, we spent hours at a diner gushing about the exciting aspects of college life, thoroughly getting us both pumped and easing our small concerns. Kristen, thank you for your always-encouraging friendship. I pray that your freshman year is amazing and I can’t wait to see how God grows you at Regent!

Anywho, onto my my week as seen by my iPhone:

Top: #SheReadTruth His steadfast love & faithfulness // True life…this was someone’s plate at the mall. Now that’s NRA dedication! // The sad and rainy spot my hamock and I should have been (wow can someone say #firstworldproblems?!)
Bottom: I almost poured my milk this way…rough morning // A constant reminder // My newly-made planner, complete with sections for homework, small group, IV meetings, and some blogging…I’m super pumped!

Top: Dinner at Bonefish Grill with my mom (those fish tacos are the bomb) // Bad picture, but there was a man dressed as Elvis getting into his car. My mom and I were bummed we didn’t get a picture with him // God’s teaching is a light // My first friar tuck…actually a success (I’m even rocking some curls again today)
Bottom: Shoutout To Samantha, this blogging world offers great encouraging friends. I’m blessed // “But Christianity is a cross, and a cross is ‘I’ crossed out” –Power of Positive Prayer // Shopping at Target with momma bear // Love me some smoothies

Top: Treasure His commandments // My Sunday best // Tiger’s new favorite nighttime sleeping spot…next to me. I’m not complaining :) // Birthday false alarm…
Bottom: Nothing about God is simple♥ // I found a new bakery yesterday!! // I ate both cupcakes and was not ashamed…so so good! // Just watching the rain

P.S. I'm working on some bloggy changes...stay tuned!

Friday’s Letters

Linking up again with Ashley @ Adventures of Newlyweds:

Dear Stella (my car), Why did you decide to not start this week?! I miss you, please get fixed soon.

Poor Stella getting towed 

Dear Nectarines, you’re my favorite.

Dear Shopping, I love you, especially with friends.

Dear Ariel, thanks again for the nomination the other day.

Dear Blog Friends, I’m so happy I’m meeting more you you. You gals are pretty sweet.

Dear Calc, You know I’m not liking you right now, I’m sure you don’t like me much either…but we just have one more week together. Let’s stick it out.

This happened. For about 20 minutes...she's needy

Dear Kitties, thanks for so much cuddling this week…even when I was trying to do work.

mmmmmmm

Dear Candles, I had forgotten how wonderful you are, oh how I’m going to miss you when I’m back in my dorm.

 Dear SUNY Buffalo Chapter of Intervarsity, Praise God! I am so glad the student board reinstated your charter.

Dear #SheReadsTruth, I’m loving this Proverbs study.

Dear God, thank you for you grace. I am learning to crave your wisdom alone.

Liebster

It’s a weird word, huh? Well…not if you’re in the blog world. The word Liebster is German and means sweet, kind, nice, dear, beloved, lovely, kind, valued, and welcome. It is also an award. The Liebster blog Award is given out to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. (sweet, I’m up and coming! Booyah) Anywho, I was nominated by the oh so lovely Ariel over at On a Whim. (You should probably go check on her blog…its cute) Let’s just say when I read her post yesterday and saw I was nominated, I squealed. Squealed, people. I was a tad excited! Oh and a random little tidbit, the origin of this award in the Bloggy world is unknown….so secretive :p

Here are 11 fun facts about yours truly (My answers to Ariel's questions):
1. Whenever I go to Starbucks, I either order a Skinny Caramel Macchiato (with extra shots) or a Nonfat Latte…BUT my all-time favorite drink is the Pumpkin Spice Latte…can it please be fall already?!
2. I spent my 18th birthday up at school. My birthday is in September, so I’m one of those babies who started college at 17. I spent the day hanging with a few friends and then I was going to go to the dining hall and eat everyone (we had this tradition that we would all go eat together and then the birthday person got a slice of cake with a fake candle on top…because we’re classy like that) BUT, my sweet friends had something else up their sleeve. You see, my friend David had covertly asked what my favorite foods were a couple days before. I was told to meet in my friend’s building, only to find out that everyone cooked a meal of my favorite things!! I’m pretty sure I cried. It was legitimately the sweetest thing anyone has ever done. AND they all got me little presents that were inside jokes. I had only known these people for a little over two weeks and they already were like family :)
3. If I could travel anywhere, it would be Europe. I honestly don’t care where, I want to see so much. My ideal spots include Italy, Paris, London, Madrid, and the Holy Lands. It’s on my bucket list.
4. I don't know if I could pick one go-to nail polish color. I’m stuck between Sally Hansen’s “Slick Slate'” & “Coral Reef”…with Finger Paints “Vintage Velvet” as a close third. I kind of have an obsession with polish.
5. My all-time favorite comedy is “Legally Blonde” (I can quote the whole thing) but I think my favorite movie is “Big Fish”
6. I would never want to own a motorcycle…they scare me.
7. My current favorite Pandora Station is “Coffee Jambs” I’ve been listening to it non-stop.
8. My dream occupation is to be a pediatrician, but ultimately I want to hold the title of momma in my life. I always have ♥
9. My name came from Sarah in the bible and my middle name, Elizabeth, is my grandmother’s name. Fun fact: my dad, brother, and I all have SER initials. It was not an accident. (My poor mom is left out)
10. My biggest celebrity crush…hmmm, I’m not 100% sure on that one, although my mom and I are loving all of the Olympic eye candy ;)
11. My first kiss was in my then-boyfriend’s basement (that sounds creepier than it was) We were in 11th grade. It was kind of awkward (but the first kiss is supposed to be, right?)

Da Rulezzz of Liebster:
1. Each person must list 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you plus you MUST create 11 questions of  your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award, which brings me to rule 3.
3. Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
4. Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.
5. Absolutely NO tag backs.
6. Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers
 
I’m tagging *Drumroll please*:
Samantha @ {Today I Am}
Kt @ A Place to Spit it All Out
Bre @ Blog By Bre
Kaitlin @ Desiring a Pure Heart
Hannah @ Figuring Out Life
Ashley @ Becoming Mrs. Kozell

Questions For My Noms:
1. What was the first blog you read?
2. What’s your favorite season?
3. Favorite sound in the world?
4. What was your best high school memory?
5.Which book have you read the most times?
6. Who is your best friend?
7. Would you ever sky dive?
8. Do you sing more in the shower or in the car?
9. Ice Cream or Froyo?
10. Did you ever have braces?
11. Toilet paper: folded over or under?

Shout out to Ariel again for the nomination :)

A Week of Awesome

Hello there, so I realized today that it has been a week since I last posted. Turns out this blogging thing takes some getting used to. Anywho, I figured I would share a little about these past seven days. Oh, and forgive me, as I do not have that awesome blogger mindset yet to take fun pictures to document my days:



one. Having my sweet friend Becky visit me last weekend. Our activities consisted of shopping, watching hilariously-horrible Lifetime movies, laughing like fools, and of course eating...a lot. (My stomach was not too happy with me) I am so glad she was able to come and see my home!

two. Starting a new devotional She Reads Truth. Truly ladies, this one is crazy awesome! My friend had told me about it, but I was hesitant at first to start because I was currently reading through another devotional. Then I saw a woman whose blog I read doing it so I decided to give it a whirl. Let me tell you, the author, Cindy Beall is awesome. This reading plan has legit been identifying everything I've been struggling with recently, and some of the readings are my favorite passages of encouragement! I have really been challenged these past few days to open up to God. Also, knowing that countless other women are reading this plan with me is quite encouraging!!

three. Water parks. Mountain Creek in particular. Confused? Allow me to explain. On Tuesday, I helped out as a youth leader for my old youth group. I wasn't planning on going on this trip at first because I had gone every year while in my youth group, but when my youth pastor asked for help I couldn't say no. I am so glad I didn't! I got to spend the day with some pretty awesome teens (is that weird to say if I'm still a teen? Because they were only middle school-aged) Anyway, it was so fun, even though it was a tad chilly, because there were barely any lines!! All in all awesome.

four. Catching up with friends that I hadn't seen in a couple of weeks. Tuesday night a few friends and I roasted marshmallows and enjoyed chatting outside in the beautiful summer weather. Wednesday, my friend and I ventured to an outlet mall to catch some sweet deals. The shopping was not nearly as good as the conversations he and I had during the drive though.  And last night, a couple of girlfriends and I met for some de-licious froyo and some much needed girl talk.

five. Continuing to try and figure out this blogging thing. I am currently looking for inspiration on how to jazz mine up a little!

Well, that's about it. I'm really going to try to be more frequent with these posts...and hopefully snap some pictures to add! 

A New Adventure

Blogging. Seems simple enough, you just write & submit. Well, not exactly. I have never had a way with words, and it always seems like everyone else is better at writing than I am. Well about seven months ago, I stumbled upon (literally… it was on Stumbleupon) a fashion blog. This girl’s style was amazing, and she wrote about her life as she was wrapping up college. Well, between her musings and outfit posts, I became hooked. Like literally. I scrolled back to her first posts and had to read the whole blog from the beginning! Then when I was caught up, I started reading one of her sponser’s blogs, and a chain reaction ensued. Over winter break I spent hours (wow, I’m cool) reading through from the beginning of about four or five blogs. They were fashion-related, life-related, and even a little God-related. It amazed me how attached I became to these women’s lives. When there was a baby announcement I was so giddy; a loss in the family, I felt sad. How was it that I had never met these women and felt like I knew them so well?

Fast forward to now: I currently am following over twenty blogs on Bloglovin’ (is that a lot?), and even have tabs open on my desktop of other blogs I want to start reading from the beginning. What started out as a vehicle for clothing ideas has transformed into learning about family, school, work, and ultimately being encouraged by women on fire for their faith in God.

I guess now would be a good time to talk a little bit about me. I am 18 years old, just a baby, starting out in the “real world”. I live in Pennsylvania, but just finished up my freshman year at Binghamton University. I have a passion for people, sweets, and being weird with friends. I love shopping, and have thankfully started to be a little more frugal about it. I am a born-again Christian and am always struggling to live my life in a way that can honor the Lover of my soul. I have often contemplated starting a blog of my own over the past few months, but I just kept shooting down my own idea. There have been a lot of reasons:

1. What would I write about? I feel silly even considering making a fashion blog. I love clothes but I am not very creative, and what good would just posting pictures of myself do? God? I love my heavenly father, but I can be very timid in my faith. It is something I am working on, and I don’t want to just sound like I am standing on a soap box 24/7. Then I realized, my favorite blogs I’ve read combine those things and tons of other aspects of their lives. My blog should be a journal. To document my (sometimes boring) life and show what drives me daily. My faith drives me, so through my posts, God will hopefully be apparent along with the little things that bring a smile to my face.

2. Will I be able to keep up with it? I am not one to stick with routines. Daily quiet times, keeping in touch with people, working out. I just become lazy, and settle for mediocrity. But maybe, just maybe, this blog thing can be different. It can keep me accountable to the things that are most essential to my life.

3. This one is the scariest to me: Will people read my blog? There are thousands of blogs on the internet. Some are pretty darn famous, and some don’t have any followers. I wanted my blog to be interesting to other people (me being a people-pleaser). And what about the people who already know me? What if they think this is stupid or narcissistic? Then it hit me, if I write the blog to please others, it will never meet my high expectations. So here it is. I am writing this for myself. As a journal I can look back on years down the road and reminisce about my joys, my struggles, and my growth.

   
 

And so begins my blogging journey. My hope is that it stays a constant learning experience for me, and that I can glorify God through my words. 

via