My little leapling :)

Hi, I'm Esther and I'm 5.

I love my Esther girl.

Kelby + Me + Esther + Moe 

WE LOVE ESTHER!!!

So today is a very special day. 

IT'S ESTHER'S BIRTHDAY!!!! And I LOVE birthdays.

But this one is special because it only comes around once every 4 years!!! So this girl... yah, she's 5... and married... and in college. What of it?

Esther, you are my dearest friend and I love you to pieces. I am so happy I got to spend time with you on your special day even if it was just a few hours. You are such a light in my life and an incredibly Godly woman to look up to and have fellowship with. I LOVE YOU BIGGER THAN THE SKY MY BABY GIRL!!!

She showed me this video by the way... you need to watch it... I am obsessed.

PS... there is still time to send in your name ideas so GET ON THAT!

Oh, and the outfit below was crafted and worn by the wonderful Julianne Bandy. She is an artist both in real life and in her clothing (displayed in the picture below).

Dress: Thrifted, Shirt: H&M,
Belt: Thrifted (her mom's vintage coach belt... get out of town)

Party ends tomorrow.

Guys this is it...

Tomorrow is the day that I pick the winner of the gift card.... only problem is, pretty much 2 people have given me ideas. I am working with one idea that was given to me, BUT there is still time!!!

please Please PLEASE let me know your ideas. Seriously, just a quick Facebook message will suffice!!!

Also, theses next few weeks I might be slightly incognito due to the fact that it is that beautiful time of the year I hate to call MIDTERMS. Oh, and I am on the committee for the longest standing tradition at our school, Spring Sing. So to say I am busy is an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Also, get excited... I am getting my wisdom teeth pulled in 2 weeks and of course my mother will be video taping my exit from lala land into the real world. I am hoping we get something good haha.

Anyways, send in your ideas TONIGHT or TOMORROW!!!

Challenge for the day: Be mindful in your attitude in ALL situations. See the good in everything and look past the bad!

Content.

I am so happy with where I am at right now.

I have come to realize that more and more over these past few weeks.

Yes, I am busy beyond what my availability grants me. I am drowning in school work (a lot of which I am not particularly interested in). I get overwhelmed with what I have to do VERY often. I miss my family... a lot. And I don't get to cook (may seem like a blessing to some, but man oh man is that a rough one for me).

BUT

I am breathing. Yah, so I had a rough cold this last week, but for the most part, I am pretty healthy. I have incredible friends. I have an INCREDIBLE family. And above all, I have God.

So cheesy, I know. But seriously, this season of being single that God is bringing me through is making me appreciate the things have so much more than focusing on the things I don't have.  I am learning to be beyond thankful in even the smallest of things. Yah, it's hard at times to not have someone to be able to call whenever or who is constantly taking care of me and sweeping me off my feet, wooing me if you will.

BUT

HELLO, prayer is powerful and is much more exciting then seeing that special someone's name pop up on your phone. Let's be real, when you pray, you are talking to GOD... He's kind of a big deal.

AND

HELLO, He is constantly taking care of us. I don't even feel like explanation is needed for this, but in even the smallest of things, He is looking out for us.

AND

HELLO, have you ever seen a sunset? I mean, receiving a painting or something from someone is great and all, but have you ever thought about how God just paints the sky for you every night? I mean... woah. The God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, He had me in mind when he painted that sky. Talk about being swept off your feet!

I guess what I am trying to say is, I am learning to find the joy in where I am at right now. To be content even when the rest of the world says I shouldn't be or my heart tells me I am not. I want to be able to turn to those around me and say "I don't need you, but by the grace of God, I get to spend my life with you." I am learning to keep my dependence on God pure and focused and to know that I don't NEED anyone; not my family, not my friends, not my future husband. 


Who I NEED is God.

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

The Milk Man.

So fresh.

Farmer's market
Location: Cota St. and Santa Barbara St.

Ryanne
And that's what you get for jumping in EVERY picture...

I will be a florist one day
and I will not be allergic to the pretty flowers, like above lavender.
I think if I say it enough times it will come true.

Pants: LF, Shirt: Thrifted, Necklace: Falling Whistles
You should check out what my necklace is all about right HERE

This week has taught me a lot of things.

1. Sleep. More than you think you need to and on a more regular schedule than you think necessary.
2. Weddings are beautiful (let's be real, I knew this, but I just wanted to mention my cousin's incredible wedding again).
3. Ask your mom the first day you are sick for tissues, not the last after you have been using napkins the whole weekend.
4. Whenever you buy tissues, buy the "cool to the touch" ones. One thing moms know is what kind of tissues are best.
4. Don't open your groceries in the car. They will be gone before you get home.
5. 80's music is always the answer.
6. 3 1/2 hour naps aren't good... they are magical.
7. Don't buy air fresheners for your car when you are too stuffed up to smell anything adequately.
8. Find the joy in the little things rather than the frustration.
9. Laugh. A lot. Even if it ends in you hacking half your lung up.

I am sorry for the lack of posts this week... if you couldn't tell by the mention of tissues and hacking up my lungs, I was, uh, pretty sick.

And send me more names muh friends. Yall's really don't need that gift card I guess...

Recovering.

Sometimes the best kind of dinner is some leftovers made into a stir fry with pasta.

I like to call it my "open-the-fridge-and-see-what's-inside pasta"

Try it some time. It rocks.

Sorry about the lack of/the not so exciting posts. Whatever I got has knocked me off my feet. I am down for the count.

PS... I haven't gotten many suggestions for a title and alls I gosta say is THERE IS A GIFT CARD AT STAKE HERE PEOPLE!!! So suggest away! No suggestion is a bad one, but if I don't get any, I am just going to have to buy myself something. Which if you know me, you know isn't that difficult for me.

So save me from my shopoholism (yes I just made up that word, but its a real thing).

Lazy day.

Today was the third lazy day of the weekend. Mainly due to the fact that I have been feeling quite under the weather these past few days. But being home makes it all better... or at least I have my lovely parents taking care of me.

I was planning on making the breakfast in the pictures above this morning, but due to my lousy condition, my dear mother decided to make it instead. Here is the recipe!!! It was super duper yummy :)

Hope your day off was relaxing!

A Saturday at home.

Oh how I love to be home. But you know who is happier than I am, my mother.

We decided to keep it cool on our Saturday night in the House of Hormones and pick up some groceries to make a nice fresh dinner.

And I have to make a confession... one of my favorite places on the planet besides my bed and my family room sitting in front of the fire is... you guessed it, VONS. I secretly LOVE going to the grocery store. Besides being surrounded by food just waiting to be cooked, my favorite thing to do at the grocery store you might ask, embarrass whoever I am with.

I think I did a pretty good job at it :)

Oh, and we ran into our adorable 5-year-old cousin CJ.

Oh, so naked.

I will take you down!

Did someone say pudding.

Oh hi! I'm CJ and I'm cute!

Don't believe me?

Well check me out...

Ok, fine, not cute enough?

Sold ya, didn't I :)

After the groceries and visit with CJ, we made... HOMEMADE PIZZA!!!
Those words never bring about something bad.

Beginnings to pear, gorgonzola, candied walnuts (I couldn't eat it), and rocket.

Half margherita, one fourth pepperoni and one fourth pepperoni and bell pepper.

Let's just say... It was a tasty night.

A McCrazy start to the Weekend.

Mary + Shane McCann
I know it's a little fuzzy, but it's such a great moment.

These are my cousins.

Yes, the both of them.

They just got married and I was absolutely BLESSED to be a bridesmaid in their wedding (hence why this here blog hasn't been updated in a little while. I've been a little busy).

My weekend of fun started on Thursday as I drove down for the rehearsal dinner. This is where the tears began.

I am not kidding when I say this was the most authentic wedding I have ever been to. Mary and Shane are beyond fit for each other. They are an incredible pair that seeks the Lord in all they do. This was evident in their worship-filled ceremony and their love and appreciation for all that were there to support them.

I am so blessed to have the two of then in my life not only as family, but as two of my best friends and as an incredible example to look up to.

I love you Mary and Shane! I am so So SO happy for you guys!!!

Here are a few snapshots from the day (most of them are from my sister's camera, but there are a few from me!)

Juice it Up! Gotta get something healthy in us!

As Mary was getting ready, 

We were playing Mario Kart. What great bridesmaids eh?
Kelcie + Sarah? (I think I got it right, twins... what are you gonna do) + Jade

Maggie + Sarah? Haha I will get it at some point

Mary + Me

Ahhhh yeeeaaahhhh!

She's got style with those kicks.

Well hey here Jade.

Such joy.

Look guys! It's Mr. Royal! How good does he look all clean and new :)

Oh, and cupcakes.. what what!

The florist did an incredible job!

Well done ladies. I believe Emma + Sarah had a bit to do with all 275 of these.

Grandma Jean + Mary

Grammy + Papa
These are my grandparents. Yes, I did say grandparents.
They are lookin' GOOD for 71.

Shane!!! My new cousin! So happy you are now officially family!
Oh, and, hey mom.

Let's just say I was the last to leave the dance floor.