30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 21

Day 21: Picture of Yourself

Since today is Halloween, I decided to do Halloween pictures for pictures of myself!

We begin with a pictures circa 1995. This would be the year I was...well, I'll let you try and guess.

Did you guess? I was an...orange ghost. Yes. A ghost. That is orange. With "scary makeup". I apparently didn't really get the whole ghost thing. Like, the whole they're transparent or white thing. But, can you really blame me? I didn't really watch scary movies.

And fast forward 15ish years to 2010.

I was a ladybug for Halloween this year. We went to the Fall Festival and I took pictures for our photo booth. Fun, fun.

These were scanned in from my photobooth pictures. Sorry for the not-so-great quality!

Mom and me. :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 20

So, apparently I forgot to blog yesterday. I somehow got caught up in the busyness known as Friday. So, I guess that I'll just skip Day 19. Whatever.

In other news, Desi's football team made it past the first round of playoffs. AND...my high school team beat Dothan last night for the last regular season game. We're down to AU tonight and my mini heart attacks can end.  
Come on Auburn, beat Ole Miss!

Day 20: Nicknames

I have a couple different nicknames. Some make sense, some don't really.

At church, I'm known as either Lala or Miss Lauren. Most often, the kiddos call me Lala. It all started with one family at church that I babysit. They have a cousin named Lauren that they call Lala...so naturally that carried on to me. Eventually other kids heard them call me Lala...and even some of the adults call me Lala. Hey- it's all fun! :)

Love these kids. :)

My brothers call me Sissy. Which makes since because I am their sister after all. I love the fact that I am Sissy; I think it's such a southern thing. And when I have kids of my own, the oldest girl will be called Sissy. It's just something I like. :)

And...lastly, my parents call me Pumpkinhead. Yes, I know it's slightly crazy. I mean, it's really pretty unflattering. I don't like to think I'm orange or that I have a big head. It all goes back to my first Halloween or something like that. And since...I've been their pumpkinhead. Way to come up with a pet name Mom and Dad. Way. To. Go. Couldn't call me cupcake or something, could you? Pumpkinhead. Yep. That's me. 

Circa 1996

Tomorrow's Halloween! I'm excited. Can't wait to wear my costume and be a ladybug! :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 18

Firstly, I'd like to tell the world that my "baby" is growing up. My brother Max turned 13 today, and well, that makes me officially O-L-D. I remember the day he was born and now he is a teenager. Wow.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Day 18: Something You Regret.

I haven't done a lot that I regret. I mean, yeah, sometimes I regret something that I do like gossiping about someone or getting irritated with my Mom, but, I really don't have any big, major regrets. I haven't done anything too horrible, and I'm really a pretty good girl. 

I think if I had to say I regretted something it would be the amount of pressure I placed on myself to succeed in high school. I never really got out there and lived life. I pretty much stayed to myself and focused on getting through, getting out, and graduating with a phenomenal GPA. And when I didn't succeed in something, I felt like I was failing.

I first really started the whole blogging thing my freshman year in High School. I had a Xanga (does anyone remember those?) and did the whole blogging thing on that. It's really funny to look back and see what I wrote about. It was quite ridiculous. Then, I moved up into the wonderful world of MySpace and blogged on that. I plan on eventually transferring some of the posts over (at least the MySpace ones) to this blog so that I can have something to look back on. But, for now, I'm just going to post an excerpt from a post I wrote on May 12, 2008. I wrote it at the end of my senior year...and I think that's when I really realized what I had done. Going through High School just with the mission of getting out. 

Honors Day is tommorrow.

Last day of school is Friday.

Graduation is one week and one day away.

Its all moving so fast, and though on one hand- I can't wait

The other side of me just wants it to all slow down.

I mean, people have told me so much this year just to slow down-

These are the best days/weeks/months/year of your life.

I'm beginning to think I wasted it.

I mean, we're making all these plans.

Plans to get together-

Never lose touch.

But, somehow, I think we still will.

Try as hard as we can, our friendships will never be the same.

These days are over and gone.

What we have now, we'll never get back.

All the time we've (I've) wasted in the books, stressing out over AP

can NEVER be gotten back.

Every 60 seconds we spend upset is a minute of happiness we never get back.

So, here's my plan.

Make the most of the time I have left.

***Spend with fam[ily]- I love you guys to death. I mean it. Even when I get upset. I still love you,Mommy...Daddy....Maxy....and Desi.

***Spend with friends- I love you guys too...you're the ones I'll miss the most. Somehow I'll have to find a map to Tuscaloosa to see my Bama buddies...and Faulkner isn't that far away, I guess. But, really. Let's make this a summer to remember. I know we're all going places and working and such, but I'll make time for you if you make time for me. :]

*** Stop stressing- I think I have this one taken care of thanks to senioritis....but I'll put it one here for good measure.

Really. I'm gonna miss every last one of you. I think its finally setting in that its...almost...over. :[

So, will you help me? Let's make the time we have left together count. :]

-May 12, 2008

That's all for right now. :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 17

Day 17: Something You're Looking Forward To

1. I have a really cute halloween costume that I'm really excited to wear on Sunday. I'm going to be a ladybug! Yay for being able to fit into tween costumes that are a tad bit longer. I mean, I am wearing it to church for a fall festival and all! 

2. I am looking forward to receiving my order from elisejoy on Etsy! She is having a big sale this week on different items in honor of her approaching her 2000th sale. I got three prints and I plan on framing them to put in my room/dorm room/whatever I'm living in this Spring. 

3. I'm looking forward to getting all of this school stuff worked out! I am hoping to transfer this Spring to Huntingdon College in Montgomery. Of course, this all depends on stuff transferring, financial aid, etc. I've been ACCEPTED, I'm just waiting on all the kinks to work themselves out. I have a meeting with an admissions advisor tomorrow, so hopefully I will feel more confident after that. 

4. I'm looking forward to getting to hear BETH MOORE two times this winter. I am going to a Deeper Still Conference in December with Mom and her friends...then, I am going to the Passion Conference in Atlanta in January with some friends. Francis Chan is also going to be at this one. So, basically, I'm really excited. 

5. I'm looking forward to the days getting colder and being able to wear jackets and boots and bundling up all nice and warm. Oh- and hot chocolate with marshmallows. And Christmas and Christmas trees and candy canes and all of the other fun stuff that comes with the cold weather. Like...footie pajamas. I mean, really. I can't wear footie pajamas when it's 90 degrees at the end of October. That's just not cool.

Yes. I know. We're weird. And apparently have no shame. But you can't
say you've experienced "The Christmas Light Tour of Montgomery" without
tacky Christmas lights, Hot Cocoa, and footie pajamas. It just isn't right.

And...that's Day 17! Come back tomorrow to read...what I regret! Uh oh! :)

and this is how we do it...

I made a pie today.

And by making a pie, I mean, making the crust, rolling it out, peeling the apples, and mixing all the ingredients together. 

It's hard work you know.

But, the church Fall Festival is coming up on Sunday and I signed up to make a cake for the cake auction. And by cake, I decided I should make a pie (a scrumptious apple pie). I wanted to make a homemade pie (and crust) for that, so I decided I should experiment with one for Bible Group tonight. Just to make sure it all turns out right.

I made Pioneer Woman's "Scrumptious Apple Pie" and her "Perfect Pie Crust" using the recipe she has her website. I made the pie before and it turned out really good. This time, I left out the pecans. I feel uncomfortable making a pie for church with nuts since I know so many people that have nut allergies. I just figured that it would be for the best.

And the verdict is that it is good. It was definitely worth the effort to make the pie crust. It turned out flaky and had kind of a nutty taste (I had to use 1/2 whole wheat flour in the crust because I ran out of regular and didn't want to run up to the store in the middle!) and tasted pretty good! I'll be making it again on Saturday, so hopefully that one will turn out good, too. Now, I just have to find a cute pie plate to make it in. You know, everything tastes better in a cute pie plate! :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 16

Day 16: Dream Home

Some people dream of building their own home. I'm not one of those people. My dream is to do a "fixer upper". (You know, where you buy an older house and fix it up). There are several homes downtown in the city I live in that I like. 

Real house in my town. It's actually the house where Big Fish was filmed,
if you're familiar with that movie.

And after I got this dream house, I would have to decorate it, of course. I actually have a book that I where I cut things out of magazines and catalogs and all and paste them in there. So, I do have a plan for it and all. :)

Picture from raechelmyers.blogspot.com-- so not mine!

I really like the whole modern-but-not-too-modern thing. I like color- and I like it bright. And monograms. I love some monograms. But, I think the biggest thing that I would want to remember with my dream house is that I want it to be lived in. I want there to be toys strewn all over the floor. I want the beds to not always be made. I want to show that fun things are happening and memories are being made and that family is what really matters. I really don't want to live in one of those crazy immaculate houses that you're scared to touch anything in.

And- now I'm off to continue making messes. I'm currently in the middle of making a pie crust for this apple pie that I'm making. So, dancing to Taylor Swift's new CD is definitely a part of that one! I'll post pictures and such of the experience later.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 15

Woah...we're halfway there....

Day 15: Bible Verse(s)

I have several verses that are my favorites. Some of them I have liked for years, and others I have just discovered.

I have a life verse (verse I have claimed for my life, sums up what I think its all about kind of thing) and that is Micah 6:8. 

and this is what he requires of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.

-Micah 6:8

Another I have recently discovered and am working on is Psalm 34:4. It reads, "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears." I am trying to remember this one and say it to myself when I start to get anxious about something. I know that God has a plan for my life and he will deliver me from all of my fears. 

When I was in high school, a verse I really embraced was Psalm 45:10-11 which reads, "Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." I think it's important for us as girls to remember our inner beauty and how God is simply enthralled with us. Enthralled is one of my favorite words and when I read this verse, I remember that I am a princess and that the King (God) is enthralled with my beauty. He thinks I am amazing and he loves me. Even when my people (the world, media, etc.) say something different than I believe, I don't need to worry because God is on my side. I don't need to wear a certain kind of clothes or dress a certain way, or talk in a certain manner, or do things that don't honor the Lord just because "my people" do them. My numero uno priority? Is honoring the Lord. 

Embracing the inner princess. :)

everybody's hands go UP!

...and they stay there.

Thank you ESPN.

Weagle, weagle, WAR CAM EAGLE! 

#1 in the BCS. I think it's a pretty great time to be an Auburn tiger (though I'm not counting any chickens. The curse and Ole Miss scare me).

I'm going to close with a quote from the Montgomery Advertiser (local paper) from last Sunday after the Auburn/Arkansas game. I think it's one of those "only in Alabama things" and Mom and I are still laughing over it. :)

"Cam Newton is the biggest eraser you've ever seen. He's a 6-foot-6, 250-pound baptismal pool that washes away all of Auburn's sins." -Josh Moon (10.17.10) 

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 14

Day 14: A Picture You Love

I have a version that is edited of this one (unlike the sooc one above) that I like better. But seeing as that one isn't on my laptop...I think the above will do. :)

Go over to Katie's blog to see other people's favorite pictures. Yay! Fun!

I don't believe in karma but...

When my high school football team lost their game last night (to our rivals. it was sad. and THE WORST officiating I have ever seen IN MY LIFE.), I took down the post I wrote a week ago about how all my teams were undefeated. And how all I do is win (everybody's hands go UP and they stay there).

Call me superstitious.
I don't believe in karma. Or bad ahooeyhuh. But, whatever the case, I was NOT chancing it on Auburn and the Wetumpka Crickets (Desi's team). Not. Happening.

Not that I believe in karma or anything...
But, after I took that post down, my teams started winning.
Desi's team went through regular season play undefeated (playoffs are next week).
Auburn still has a ways to go. But, we did beat LSU today. So, that's a good thing.

Karma or no karma. Superstitious or not. I'm not posting anything bragging until after Playoffs (Desi), State (High School) and the Iron Bowl (Auburn). We'll wait until the end of the season for that stuff. After all, I don't want to become obnoxious or anything. After all, there's still a game at Ole Miss next week. I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch or anything...and I don't want any bad ahooeyhuh on my side. :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 13

Day 13: Goals

I'm a goal oriented person. I make up "To Do" lists. I have a bucket list. Oh- and I have a 101 in 1001 list (viewable on the sidebar). Since my 101 in 1001 is easily accessible, I thought I would just post my bucket list. I posted it over a year ago, but I thought I would repost it. After all, it includes most of my goals. :)

To do before I get old and gray and can't do them anymore:

1. Graduate college.
2. Fall in love and get married.
3. Have kids (after number 2!)
4. Dance in the rain.
5. Go to New York City.
6. Become fluent in another language.
7. Plant a garden.
8. Run/walk a marathon.
9. Win a game of minesweeper.
10. Book a flight on short notice and just go!
11. Change someone's life.
12. Learn to do yoga...and be good at it!
13. See a broadway show (see number 5).
14. Learn to sew my own clothes.
15. Buy and decorate my own house. Maybe a renovation?
16. Learn to ballroom dance.
17. Do something spontaneous (and number 10 doesn't count!)
18. Travel to a foreign country.
19. Learn to bake a great cake.
20. Find a cause to be passionate about.
21. Go backpacking.
22. Learn to be content.
23. Go to a ball.
24. Change the world.
25. Find the cure for something.
26. Learn to bellydance.
27. Change the world.
28. Conquer my fears.
29. Live in the now.
30. Go to England and find Harry Potter.
31. Learn to rap.
32. Teach.
33. Lead someone to Christ.
34. Go on a mission trip.
35. Adopt (a kid...or a cat).
36. Read through the entire Bible.
37. Invent something.
38. Become a real blogger (and have more than one reader!)
39. Visit all 50 states.
40. Make a wish on a shooting star.
41. Ride an elephant. Or a camel.
42. Climb a mountain.
43. Go to the Olympics.
44. Go to every Disney park in the world.
45. Invent my own flavor of ice cream.
46. Be a mentor.
47. Visit a castle.
48. Own a small town bookstore.
49. Visit Hollywood and meet someone famous.
50. Be in 2 places at once.

Beauty and the Bed Intruder

If you follow me on twitter you may have seen me tweet about watching "Beauty and the Beast". And you may have read that I found a correlation between "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Bed Intruder". And you may have been confused. Because really. What do Beauty and the Bed Intruder have in common?

I mean, I'm still all caught up about "The Bed Intruder" song. The whole "hide yo kids, hide yo wife..." You get the idea. I find myself humming the rhythm sometimes. It's catchy. What. Can. I. Say.


So what does Beauty have to do with this guy?

Nothing actually. I wasn't referring to a psychological longing for attention or something more. And I wasn't really looking all that deep. And in all actuality, Beauty has nothing in common with the Bed Intruder. It's Gaston!

When I sat down to watch one of my favorite Disney movies, I didn't intend on blogging about it. But, while I was watching the movie, I heard a song called "The Mob Song". If you listen carefully you can pick out that some of the lyrics go:

"The Beast will go after your children. He'll come after them in the night" (beginning)
and then later, the crowd sings:
"Bring your guns, bring your knives. Save your children and your wives. We'll save the village and our lives. We'll kill the beast!" (around 2:07 in the following video). View for yourself in the video below.



And...I've now proved that my love of Disney and YouTube borderlines upon obsession. I mean, really. Who would connect the dots between the two? Sure, it's not exactly the same. But, to me? Close enough. Before I looked up the lyrics, I thought the song went, "Bring your guns, bring your knives. Hide your children and your wives."

I just want to say, I'm pretty sure those townspeople were thinking...."We gonna find YOU!"

Oh wow. I'm going to stop now.
Really :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 12

Day 12: What I Believe

I believe...

in God Almighty the creator of heaven and earth

in Auburn and love it!

that I am here for a reason

that God has a plan for everything and it will all work out in His perfect way

that I have the best family I could ever ask for.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 11

Day 11: Favorite TV Shows

I don't watch that much TV really. Most of what I watch is viewed online after it airs. Or, of course, when I'm able to take control of the remote and talk everyone into watching TLC with me! :)

As stated above, I'm pretty sure TLC is my favorite channel. When I get the chance to watch it that is! I like:

Say Yes to the Dress

Four Weddings

I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant (Haha. I love this one!)

Toddlers and Tiaras

I liked Sister Wives for a bit (like the first episode), but I'm a little creeped out by it now. No offense or anything...but I don't want to share my future husband with ANY other woman!

I also like Glee. But, I don't really like the direction it's heading this season, so I don't know how much longer I'm going to stick around with that one. And Life Unexpected and Parenthood are cute. But, once again, this season really isn't my favorite. So, I don't really think I have a favorite TV show this season. All my favorites have gotten lame-o storylines that relate around topics I don't have an interest in. 

Who knows. Maybe I'll start watching Swamp People. (Let me tell you. I have a feeling that they could get some people for that show from Alabama. Just sayin...)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 10

Day 10: Something I'm Afraid Of

I could tell you about my fear of fireworks. (Really, they aren't fun for me). But, as someone that has anxiety on a frequent basis (i.e. what I'm going to major in, where to go to college, am i ever going to get married, etc.), I thought I'd address the topic that encompasses all my fears.

Failure.

Really, when you put all the things I'm afraid of in a list (with the exception of fireworks maybe) it can all be summed up in that one little word. Failure. Simply put, I'm afraid that I'm going to fail.

And yet...I know that God has a plan for my life. I know that I shouldn't be afraid of failure. I know that everything will work out if I just trust Him with my life. A book that I'm reading says, "We find the real beauty in using our freedom to serve God with abandon." I want to live a life of abandon. I want to live a life where I can acknowledge my fear of failure and move forward with my life. I am here on Earth to serve God with a reckless abandon, not to fear everything he might send my way. Not to fear everything that might happen.

And...end of seriousness. Hopefully tomorrow will be something a little lighter! Go over to Katie's Journey to find out more! :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 9

Day 9: My Friends!

First, there's this girl.

Her name is Alicia and we have been friends since 4th grade. College has definitely been hard (as in staying in touch and all. I'm pretty sure her college is the only one I haven't tried out), but we try and make it. It's always are party when we're together and we may have grown older...but I don't think we're any more serious! :)

Oh High School...

I had some other friends in high school, too. Some school friends and some church friends.

Grad Tea

Then, I went to college and I made new friends.

Lake weekend.

Formal

It IS possible to have a dorm sleepover. Just pull a mattress down the hall!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 8

Day 8: A Place You've Traveled To

For the "a place I've traveled to" blog challenge, I am going to talk about my family vacation to St.George Island! We don't take family vacations much, and I think this was the last one we went on. It was in July of 2009 and I posted about out trip on this post, so I'm just going to repost the pictures! Yay! :)

Cousins on the beach

Oyster hunting expedition

This is my pictore proof I tried an oyster!

What's a beach trip without a khaki and white beach family photo?

Find out where other people have visited over at Katie's Journey!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 7

One Week! Oh, we have made it SO far.

Day 7: Favorite Movies

I'm not a huge movie person, but I do have a couple favorites.

Matthew McConaughey Marathons are my FAV! :)

I had to have Daddy google his last name. And he said "Oh great. Now it'll look like I'm Googling Matthew McConaughey." To which I replied- "And that's a problem?"

Beauty and the Beast. Yes, I'm a Disney fan! :)

And I am ALL for musicals! And Disney? Oh YES! :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 6

Day 6: A Picture (or 2, or 3, or 4) of Something that Makes You Happy

Auburn Football

Photo isn't mine. Thanks Google.

This one is mine. Yay.

and Little League Football!

Today is homecoming for Desmond's Little League, so we're gearing up for the big game! (No worries, I'll update with the score later. We're hoping for a big win!). In other news, Auburn is playing Arkansas for a big game (in terms of staying on top anyways!) and so I'm also excited about that one. And...last night my alma mater clinched the region 6A title (which means we get a home game for high school playoffs!).

It does seem like I enjoy football. 

So, I think these pictures are fitting. :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 5

Day 5: My Siblings

Oh brothers. You've got to love them. I am the oldest child in my family by seven years. I always hoped and prayed for a sister....but, well...my parents gave me these things called brothers instead. And when I mention the fact I still need a sister, my Mom informs me that "That ain't happenin'."

Max is the older of the two. There are seven years between us. He will be 13 at the end of the month (I cannot believe my BABY is GROWING UP!). Even though he didn't come out a girl, I still think he's pretty awesome. After all, he's my fellow Auburn fan (Des is a fan of the unmentionable team) and he's super smart. He's doing Algebra as a 7th grader and I am so proud of everything my buddy is doing. He wants to grow up and go to MIT and do computer stuff. After all, he's had his own website since second grade or something like that. Oh my. And since he's about to get a Facebook and all, I'm going to have to stop posting embarrassing photos of him on there. Good thing I have a blog, right? :)

Desi is the youngest. There are 11 years in between us. What's so special about him is the fact that he's adopted (bet you couldn't figure that one out!). He came to live with my family when he was 9 months old through the process of foster care and  we haven't stopped loving him since. We have now formed an amazing relationship with his birth mother (aka, the "other" mother) and completes my family in the way that only God could complete a family. I can't imagine a life without Desmond or his mom (hey- I'm pretty sure she's the closest I'm going to get to a sister. I've got to embrace what I have!). I have learned so much through the experience. Desmond is the only one in the family with an athletic bone in his body. He plays football (and I worry about him ending up in a body cast. Seriously, who puts a 60 pound child on DEFENSE?) and baseball (he rocks. enough said). He also makes funny YouTube videos for me. Um, who's gonna regret that when he gets in High School? Not. Me. :)

And...those are my sibs! I love the fact that they call me Sissy and I am so blessed to have two little brothers that I can be an example to (I just have to remind myself of that when they get on my nerves. And talk about hiding things in my unmentionables drawer. Like spiders. Um, gross.)

what i've been up to...

Sorry for the poor picture quality here people.
It's because of something along the lines of me not wanting to go search for my camera...or the camera cord. And the fact I have a handy dandy webcam. Boy, are those things useful!

I believe it was guessed last post that my trip to Jo-Anne Fabrics had something to do with my quilting adventure. As you can see pictured above, I found some mighty cute fabrics. I am making making a quilt similar to this one, but it's not exactly the same because I'm using a pattern my Grandma gave me. Instead of the pink blocks like in the picture on the site, I am going to be using an off-white color (the same color that is going to be the background of the bow ties (and isn't pictured above because I assume everyone knows what off-white looks like!). I am going to be hand sewing this quilt (because there is just something special about hand sewn quilts.) so it may take awhile. But, I know it will be totally worth it to learn this skill.

I'll be posting updates on my progress every now and then...so stay tuned for the next post of "Quilting with Lauren"! :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 4

Day 4: Your Parents

Basically, I have the best parents in the whole wide world.

I know, they're pretty awesome. (Even though sometimes I act like they aren't. And that I don't know them. Haha.)

My Mom isn't my best friend (that would be weird! she's too OLD!), but she's still a super important person in my life. We're really close and I tell here, like, everything. I love the fact that she just got into couponing and  our Publix trips make me smile. And I've really enjoyed spending all of this time with her this semester! She's always been there for me. And...she's the reason I want to be a stay-at-home Mommy someday! She has a blog you can find here.  I love you Mom! :)

My Daddy is well...my Daddy! As I like to tell him, he's the best Daddy I've ever had (and well, the only one). I love everything that he teaches me and I love the example that he has set for me. If you read my last post (and the comments below it), you would see I have very high expectations for my future husband. A lot of  that is because I have an amazing Daddy that has taught me the way I deserve to be treated! He also has a blog (but he's not a Mommy blogger!) here. I love you Daddy! :)

I have some more to blog about...but I'll do that later! Guess who went shopping at Jo-Anne Fabrics? And guess what it's for? (Mom, you are SO not allowed to guess. You were there for the purchasing!) 

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 3

Day 3: Your First Love

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

-Deuteronomy 6:5

It's funny. I was just thinking about this topic the other day. It's actually been a topic in my journal as of late and something that I've been contemplating on. And after much contemplation, I've realized a fact. My first love, and my only love as of right now, is the Lord God Almighty. He's the one that created the heavens and the Earth. He knew how my life was going to play out before I was even born and has loved me since time began. And really- can any Earthly guy measure up to that? 

I mean, yes, there have been some guys that I've liked. But, I don't think being "Facebook-official" really means that you love someone. I think there's something else to that. I'm not thinking I'm going to find that kind of love until I find the man I'm going to marry. By that kind of love- I mean- A kind of love that is patient, kind, enduring, strong, humble, fights for justice, "you first", forgiving, understanding...you get the idea. I mean the kind of love that's discussed in 1 Corinthians 13.  And of course, since God is my first Love, any guy that I plan on getting in a relationship with should also have God as their first Love (this is mostly based in the fact that I'm not a fan of dating non-marriage material. personal preference) . When God is the numero uno, I believe all things work out way better. Hey- It's the way God intended!

And if you were wondering about the traits I like in a guy (meaning first love here on Earth, take out your notebook and get ready to take notes...), here's a Top 10 from my journal. I didn't think it was too private. Obviously there are some non-negotiables. I'll let you figure those out.

1. Loves Jesus.
2. Treats me like a princess. (Think frat boy opening doors here!)
3. Loves kids. Wants kids. 
4. Missions minded- open to inner city/foreign work.
5. Open to adoption.
6. Loves SEC football. Preferably an Auburn fan. :)
7. Embraces my weaknesses and finds the good in them.
8. Strong, In faith. In hope. In love.
9. Someone I can tell everything to. (Except what I'm getting him for Christmas!)
10. Tall. Dark. and Handsome. (Sorry! Can't resist!)

And...I think we can leave it at that! :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Meaning Behind Blog Name

Yay! We have made it to Day 2 (and I remembered!)! If you didn't read yesterdays's post, I'm taking part in Katie's 30 Day Blog Challenge. Today's challenge is to share the meaning of the name of your blog!

The name of my blog (if you can't tell) is "Not Your Everyday Cinderella". The story behind the name...well, that's a little more complex. It all started with my Mom. She started a blog about our family and named it "Everyday Adam". And, I jumped on the blogging train and started a blog called "Everyday Lauren". In that blog, I blogged about what I was reading in the Bible and learning about at church and all that fun stuff. Then, I decided I wanted to start a blog about my life and all that fun stuff. I was a freshman away from home at college at the time and it sounded like a good idea. So, I wanted something that kind-of went with Everyday Lauren but wasn't too matchy-matchy. And I really like princesses, especially Disney, so I decided that Cinderella should be in the title somewhere. And then, I realized that I'm NOT an everyday Cinderella. I'm a unique human being created by God. I am myself. So, thus came the name, "Not Your Everyday Cinderella".

I've thought about changing it several times, but I haven't found a name that I liked better yet. So, for now, the name is staying. :)

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 1

Day 1: Introduce, Recent Picture, and 15 Interesting Facts

I found this blog challenge today via Kayla's blog and decided to join in. You can go to Katie's blog to find out more and to join in on the fun! 30 days!

Mom and Me up in Chicago

Hi! I'm Lauren. I'm twenty years old (even though TSA agents like to card me before boarding flights...). I'm a junior in college, but I'm currently taking a semester off of school. When I return back this Spring, I'm planning on Major Change #4 (Elementary Education to Business). I'm madly in love with the creator of the universe and I can't wait to find out what He has planned for my life. :)

15 Interesting Facts:

1. My favorite color is pink.
2. My favorite number is seven (and has been FOR-EV-ER). 
3. Monogrammed things make my heart flutter.
4. Leggings, Nike Running Shorts, and Ugg Boots are my guilty pleasure.
5. I just discovered skinny jeans and I love them.
6. Dream job: Own a cupcake shop or run a child sponsorship program.
7. I'm an Auburn fan. War Eagle!
8. I'm guiltily obsessed with Glee. And Parenthood. And Life Unexpected. 
9. TLC is my favorite channel. Toddlers and Tiaras, Say Yes to the Dress, and Sister Wives anyone?
10. I love to read. Such a nerd, I know.
11. Learning to quilt is my new project.
12. I live at home with my parents and two younger brothers. Fun times, I know.
13. My favorite movies are Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Enchanted. Yes, I'm a princess kind of girl.
14. Adoption is something I definitely want to consider when I get older. My youngest brother is adopted and this has had a huge impact on me!
15. After spending a week outside the South...I've determined that I never ever want to leave! While Alabama is a bit backwards, there is nothing like my Friday Night Football and Saturday Nights at Walmart. Um, yes. I like living in my small town!

Oh yay! I am excited about these next 30 days! Come back tomorrow for Day 2.