we should do coffee sometime

coffee love, originally uploaded by strange.little.mama.

I guess I have a ton of coffee dates coming up and I couldn't be more excited about it. I am hungry for the thoughts and opinions of my friends, family, and fellow believers. Greg and I are so perfectly on the same page that the cynic in me is sure that I must be missing something. That cynic is dying rapidly though and I'm so excited about the transformations that God has already taken me through!

I pray for wisdom, clarity, and God's active presence in this relationship.



Gems:
Verona: "reading your blog i am glad to see how happy you are."
Doodle: "aw... I'm so happy for you."
my dad: "sounds like he was made for you."
my mom: "is he coming to the forth of july?"
Greg: "I haven't stopped wearing the smile you gave me."

music plays across the universe

132/365 La même histoire, originally uploaded by Disco ♥ Tetris.

The music softly plays from the stereo.
All other sounds melt into a hush.
My heart dances to the beat.
As God reaches out to me.


Gems:
Him
YMCA kids
Godly talks with coworkers
my parents
Greg

love doesn't boast, nor do i

Love..., originally uploaded by Sara Judith.

God moves me.

God fills me.

God consumes me.

Give God the glory!

... Through Him, I can accomplish anything.



Gems:
boyfriend :)
great bosses
coworkers
church
tradition

this'll be me someday.. promise

second dance: *KISS* by Prince, originally uploaded by katenadine.

I fully intend to have a second dress on my wedding if I decide to have a formal gown for the ceremony... It just wouldn't be right if I couldn't really get down and celebrate my marriage to the amazing man God has for me!!


Congratulations, Jeff & Jackie!


Gems:
wedding season
successful first day
text messages
my awesome Big!
time with the boy

the sweetest bliss of summer

sweet summer bliss, originally uploaded by elisabethsarah.

I'm in an amazingly wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ, my Savior. And I am not at all willing to make room for another relationship with just any other man. I need a quality man who will pursue a relationship with me and challenge me to grow in my faith once he has me. I need a man who will encourage me and comfort me when I need it most.

But most of all, I don't need a man to be able to live a God-centered life and I don't need him to be encouraged to rise above the obstacles I encounter from day to day. I also don't need a man to be my sole comfort... I have family, sisters, friends, and a God who is alive and moving in my life.

So this is my thank you and my love letter to all of the amazing people in my life! My gratitude and admiration is overflowing for all of you... For putting up with all of my crazy antics and the crazy things in my life!! I love you all very very very much!

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moment, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God!!

[ Taken from my January 12th blog ]

Gems:
last night!!
reassessing
recommitting
text messages
last day of freedom

help! look inside... i'm trapped!

Day 293, originally uploaded by {damnittoby}.

My blogs.
My music.
My poetry.
My photos.
My writings.
My calendar.
My connections.

It's not that my computer is my life. But my life is contained by this computer. Could I live without it? Sure. Would I want to? Not unless God required it of me. That's not bad... Is it?


Gems:
lazy sunday
FloodKids
"Awesome!!"
old movies
clunky technology of ol'

my open hands open my heart

(210) Open heart, open hands., originally uploaded by Sarajea.

Have you ever realized how the connection between two people grows immensely with a simple touch? A brush of the arm... A fumbling foot... Reaching for the same thing...

It gets me wondering about my relationship with God and how much stronger it could be with His simple touch, soft caress, or strong embrace... But I still believe that we can feel Him in other ways... Through His children... His creations... His miracles... I want to fall in love with God all over again!


Gems:
the perfect day
the Incredible Hulk
Bennigan's
Sweeney Todd
a bid farewell

horror flicks & trembling hands

[129/366] Happy Friday the 13th, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Although I didn't end up with much as a result, I spent the entire day researching all the different horror films I could think of! My goal was to come up with a costume idea for the night, but after all the hours spent reading magazines, watching the sci-fi channel, surfing wikipedia, and re-watching youtube clips, I had nothing.

Nothing, that is, but the undeniable feeling that someone, or something, was going to attack me... like the killer in Psycho... like the dad in the Shining... like the mean kids in Carrie... like the serial-killer from Nightmare on Elm Street... like Damien from the Omen!!

It's all fun and games until you find yourself halfway through your shower and suddenly very suspicious about your home's security. Even after I got out of the shower, I felt uneasy and nauseous, quite literally! So I scribbled REDRUM on my arm and ran out of my apartment...

I just couldn't take it, okay?!
Just forgive me... for once...
I'll make it up, eventually...
Maybe.

HAPPY FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH!!!


Gems:
breakfast for breakfast
last minute fixes
laundry
creepy research
an amazing night with friends!

there's far too much filth 'round

Memoirs of a Woman of Leisure (II), originally uploaded by Miss Aniela.

I have a MOUNTAIN of dirty laundry and I'm in need of more socks and jeans. So what am I up to? I fully intend to go to the mall and buy the things I need, as well as a new shirt to wear simply because I don't want to wash my clothes today. LoL. It's genius, right?


Gems:
gentlemen
Strutters' Ball
talks with Liz
late nights
shopping

so i just ate pizza instead

Yum! :-9, originally uploaded by yoshiko314.

Operation breakfast-for-dinner has been cancelled.
Instead Big will be making breakfast for breakfast on friday.
I can't wait.

New jeans needed.
Mall excursion to be planned soon.
My current jeans are dying.

Swing dancing tonight.
Carpooling up to Orange County.
I love being a swing junkie!


Gems:
last minute dancing
sleeping past noon
eating groceries
time with my Big Sis
carpooling tonight

someday my prince will come

Bride & Groom, originally uploaded by Kristen Anna.

It's true.
I believe it.

Lauren's wedding was beautiful.
I'm still reeling!

I look forward to the future & my fairy tale.
In the meantime, I'm growing.


Gems:
direct deposit
lunch with Ashley
new iphones
time with Tommy
swing dancing

shopped & rose from the drop

Price Cut, originally uploaded by Ann LT.

I finally went grocery shopping for the first time in MONTHS!! It was freaking fantastic and I'm not even sure why. I cried extensively last night (for an added time over a smoothie that fell on my way inside of my apartment complex... after only drinking a few sips) and I desperately needed to sleep off the frustrations.

So that's what I did. I slept and slept and slept. Then I watched some Greek, went grocery shopping, and watched some more Greek. I saved $22.62 and spent $96.94. Did I need everything that I bought, probably not, but I loved every second of it!!

I will continue to watch more of the Greek marathon and then miss the season finale to go dancing in PB tonight. I could get used to this Swing Huddle thing. I will be sure to write tomorrow... I so missed my time with Compy. Till then...


Gems:
sleep
wedding photos
flickr
grocery shopping
Greek

best to worst in a minute flat

Speeding car, originally uploaded by Major Dude.

So I got pulled over for speeding just as we were getting home from Fresno. I had a bad feeling the whole day and wasn't really comfortable speeding as I was on Wednesday... Candace had to pee, we were almost home, and I had already been driving for FIVE HOURS... Come on!! Whatevs... My eyes are raw from crying. I just want to sleep!

Sorry for the late posts.
I didn't have internet.


Gems:
productive morning
alone time
fountains
the crossword
the French bakery

the bride is my best friend

The Bride, my Best Friend, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

And she looked beautiful...
She's sleeping with a BOY!!!


Gems:
smoothies
hair appointments
the mint boy
my dad can dance!
THE FIRST KISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rehearsals make perfect

[122/366] The Rehearsal, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

We spent most of the day prepping for the wedding.
A little time was spent on the rehearsal itself.
And dinner was interesting...


Gems:
Jessica
Rea
Dana
Dayna
Candace

and the word on the street is...

almost married, originally uploaded by becaboo.

Lauren is getting married this Saturday. That's in TWO days, people! Pretty exciting, I know. Tonight is the Hen Party and I expect only wonderful things!! A little drama thus far, but we handled it and I'm still sane. Maybe a nap is in order. I love you all and I'd love to update you, but I should get a move on. I will be sure to write a little each day and I'll just have to catch you up on the details after it is all done!


Gems:
Chile's specialties
sleeping in
Albacore tuna
tonight's Hen Party
chubby bunny

time for road trip fresnooooooo

while driving, originally uploaded by caterpillars.

Alright, again, I find myself with very little time for this blog. I love you guys, but I need to get ready to leave to Fresno. Car rides are the best, right?! They had better be. I have to drive for 6 or 7 hours with 3 other girls on my way to Fresno for Lauren's wedding. It will be amazing!


Gems:
dancing at Henry's
stalling from everything
remembering to blog
crazy Hula
morning coffee

my car is the happiest ever

The Happymobile, originally uploaded by arcticllama.

My car went in to the shop about two and a half weeks ago and got all the necessary fixes and tune-ups. Today I took it to Discount Tire Co. and got the worn down tires replaced. It's a bit of a bummer that the car is pretty dirty, seeing that I just got it washed not too long ago, but the inside is still looking great! So the Coastkeeper is ready for the drive up to Fresno.

All I have to do now is clear out the trunk, pack, and possibly shop for a few things at the grocery store. Lauren's Hen Party will be a blast and the wedding will be amazing. As nervous as I am, I am even more excited for her in this new step of life. She means the world to me and I only want to see her happy! :)


Gems:
great new dance venue
my alarm's snooze button
new tires for the Coastkeeper
last chance to dance for a week
4 more days until the wedding

i just have no time anymore

Clock Tower in Paris, originally uploaded by ZillaPhotography.com.

I had the whole day free and now I have no time for anything!
Oh well.
I'll write more tomorrow.


Gems:
have the day off... almost
Starbucks
getting the Hen party sorted
See's candy
the possibility of dancing

dreams of white picket fences

White Picket Fence, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

It was really great seeing all of the families worshipping together at Frippleville tonight. It was the last night of the school year, so we will be on break for a few months. Although it does seem to be a bit of a hassle at times, I really love volunteering as a dancer. The families are just so adorable... I look forward to the day that I have a family to look after.

And yes, I want the house with the white picket fence, a flower garden, at least one pet for the family, and a yard to play in. If that means a smaller wedding, less extra parties, and fewer people attending my wedding, then so be it. Our life after the wedding is what is most important.

It's late. I'm tired. Rant over.


Gems:
FloodKids
video lessons
Borders for hours
Hen Party plans
Frippleville