tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31576856983243724452024-03-04T20:49:45.456-08:00*Walk with me on this journey called life*Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.comBlogger741125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-55047793714740297362014-08-07T10:55:00.001-07:002014-08-07T11:11:43.504-07:00A year in the making.<div style="text-align: center;">
WOW.</div>
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It's almost been a whole year since I've written on this blog of mine.</div>
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As my fingers are touching the keys, it feels good. REAL good actually.</div>
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For those of you wondering, yes... I'm still here. And for those of you reading this, you've stuck around and boy my hat goes off to you. Ha. </div>
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Not even going to attempt to recap a year. </div>
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But let's start off with where I'm at, the here and now. </div>
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I turned 30 on June 11th. I've always been told the 30s are great and you really learn who you are and come to appreciate yourself and not try to mold yourself into who you think you should be. That your confidence truly takes a turn and it allows you to hold your head up high while saying "I'm 30, hear me roar." This really had me looking forward to the day I turned the 3-0. </div>
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I spent the day at my favorite place on earth, the beach... Siesta Key Beach, Florida. And with my best friend. It was the perfect day.</div>
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The day came and went... Woke up the day after my birthday and 30 really not feeling any different, but thinking, "What next Lauren?" </div>
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"What do you see your life looking like a year from now?"</div>
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I had the opportunity last month to go visit a friend that just moved back from Hawaii where her husband was stationed, and recently just relocated to Chattanooga, TN. Well, they live in Georgia, but it's right on the GA/TN line. It's a beautiful area that I've visited many times before as I have a handful of friends that live there as well. I've fallen more and more in love with the Chattanooga area each time I visit.</div>
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While I was there I began thinking to myself "This is it, Lauren. What are you waiting for?"</div>
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I love Florida, I love this place I've called home my entire life but my heart for a very long time now has been desiring a change. To go somewhere with a different change of scenery and figure who I am. I'm in a job that's not fulfilling and needed to get out of like yesterday and there's nothing holding me here. So with that I say after the first of the year, end of spring at the latest, I will be moving to Chattanooga, TN. I'm beyond thrilled to be excited about something again and to have a real and tangible goal to work towards. I've already started getting the ball rolling and making the necessary steps. So needless to say, the better part of the rest of this year and following will be working towards making this happen. There are just so many signs that this is the right decision for me and something I not only need to do but omg, something I HAVE to do. And I have such a peace about it. </div>
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30. It's going to be good. So very good. </div>
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More soon, and very soon :) </div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-91905349400070111292013-09-12T11:10:00.002-07:002013-09-12T11:24:14.565-07:00Wiping the dust off this ole' blog of mine.<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh my word. </div>
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April y,all. That's the last time I've posted anything on this blog.</div>
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I haven't felt the need to write or desire to write or post anything. But today, I do. I have tons of stuff inside and just need to let it out. </div>
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There are two specific important people in my life within the past few of years that have looked cancer straight in the face.</div>
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Cancer is such a death sentence, I hate it. </div>
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The first was my mom's husband Larry, who was my dad in every sense of the word, he died of terminal brain cancer in February 2012. It was a quick and aggressive cancer and was told he had a few weeks to live</div>
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Then we come to yesterday. My grandmother, my mom's mom, has been battling cancer for four years now. She told the doctor yesterday she wanted no more further treatment. She is at the end of the cancer road. My mom and she have a consult with Hospice tonight to get that relationship started and we're going to enjoy the rest of the time we have left with her.</div>
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Two stories of cancer but one major difference. Our dad faced it with complete peace and rejoiced till the very end until he was face to face with his savior. I can honestly say I have no fear of death after watching him. Absolutely none. It's not the end, but only the beginning. That was the greatest gift he left me.</div>
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Then you have my grandma who is deathly afraid to die. She knows where she's going but I believe she's just afraid of the process. It breaks my heart when she makes the comment "I wish I wasn't so afraid to die." I pray peace and strength to her heart and spirit every single day. I think there's a part of all of us that holds a little bit of fear of the unknown when it comes to death. I don't think any of us want to die and wish we could stay here forever. But we are not meant for this world. This is just our temporary home and we're just passing through on the way to where we're going. I thank God every day for hope of eternity spent with him. Eternity, it's what it's all about. </div>
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I wish desperately that cancer wasn't the cause of death for people, especially for the ones we love. But our God is SO much bigger than any cancer. But knowing that Heaven brings a cancer-free life and a body that's healed and free from it. Well, there's a whole lot of peace in that.</div>
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So if you would, please keep our family in your prayers as we walk this cancer road again with my Grandma. She's a warrior and has fought an amazing fight. She's my hero.</div>
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Thank you! </div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-9947486821259996402013-04-11T06:08:00.000-07:002013-04-11T06:08:35.651-07:00Sweep her off her feet.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">As a single gal, this real resonated with me and thought this was so great. Wanted to share.</span></strong><br />
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<em><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains
favor from the Lord." Prov 18:22, AMP</span></span></em><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Ok single
boys and girls, today and tomorrow we are going to focus on you! Specifically,
if you’re in your twenties and ready to start thinking about dating and
marriage – you have to do it right! Don’t buy into all the pretend love you see
in the media or gossip magazines. Relationships, love and marriage are a lot
more fun than what you see on TV or in the movies.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Ok guys –
here’s what a girl wants. She wants you to sweep her off her feet! All of her
life she’s had this crazy dream that she’s Cinderella and one day her Prince
Charming would come along and literally sweep her off her feet with the glass
slipper. You’d be surprised how easy this is to do! This is not an exhaustive
list, but here are a few practical ways to find and pursue the girl of your
dreams.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Pray
and Be Jesus-Focused:</span></strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"> If you want to find
an awesome Christian girl and experience a relationship that is blessed by God,
you better be a Christian. One of the number one things a Christian girl wants
is a real, Jesus-loving, praying, Bible-living, genuine Christian guy who walks
the talk. Lots of guys call themselves Christian, but they don’t treat women in
a way that honors the Lord. Girls are seriously looking for a guy that is
strong in the Lord. Girls don’t want to be the spiritual leader of the
relationship and the one who has to initiate conversations on godly things –
they want a guy who totally gets it and is on the same page in their passionate
pursuit of God. First step: Go after God, then go after the girl.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Ask
Her Out</span></strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">: Guys, you have to take
the initiative. Girls are responders; boys are initiators. Sure, you can find
the type of girls who will hunt you down like prey; but most Christian women
want to be pursued by a pursuer! Notice the passage in Proverbs, “A man who
FINDS a wife, FINDS a good thing.” You have to find her! That means you are the
hunter. That means you call her. You send the email. You text. You ask her out.
The worst that can happen is that she’ll say “No” – and that will be her loss.
Second step: Find her and get a date.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Be
Creative:</span></strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"> If you’re trying to win
the love of your life, the days of “Let’s just go to dinner and a movie…” have
to be shelved. She wants you to put a little more thought into it. Do something
fun and different. How about a date at the Zoo? Why not order Chinese take-out
and then set up a folding table and chairs in a local boulevard and have your
dinner in the middle of traffic? If you want to go to the movies, how about
doing a tail-gate party in the parking lot? Sure, set up tent and enjoy some
sandwiches and chips before the movie! Plan a Mystery Trip and go to
out-of-the-way towns, find the local dive and have dinner; then feed the ducks
at a nearby river. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. A drive to see the
sunset, a walk through the park, rent a canoe, ride bikes, go visit the elderly
in a nursing home, ride the Merry-Go-Round…the list goes on…girls love these
things! There are so many ways to spend time together – why settle for
something as basic as “dinner and a movie?” Third step: Don’t be predictable or
boring.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Learn
How To Talk</span></strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">: Boys – this may the best
piece of advice yet – girls like to talk! They do not enjoy sitting in silence
and staring at a TV, a windshield, a candle or the fun couple at the table next
to you that seems to be having so much fun talking to one another. Girls like
two-way conversations. As much as they want to hear about everything you have
done since birth; they would also like you to ask them a question about their
lives. That means you are going to have to become an expert at asking her
questions about her and learn how to follow it up with another question about
her before you start talking about you, again. They also love to talk about
God, life and other interesting and intellectually stimulating things – after
that, they don’t mind a little chatting about sports. Fourth step: Talk about
God, life, intelligent things and her…and after that feel free to talk about
sports.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Bring
Gifts</span></strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">: Girls love gifts! It’s not the price
tag; it’s the thought. What does your girl like? Flowers are nice, but it’s
even better if the gift is customized for her. Show her you’ve been listening
to her likes and dislikes and give her a gift for no reason. If she likes
Kit-Kat bars, don’t bring a Snickers bar. If orange is her favorite color, make
sure your gift is orange! Wrap the gift. Hide the gift. Plant the gift. There
are so many ways to give a gift – so have fun. Fifth step: Gifts always work.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">Make
a Dea</span></strong><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">l: Make a deal to be pure. If you want
the Lord’s hand on your relationship, choose to lead the relationship in a way
that puts Him first and honors Him and His guidelines. The world tells you that
purity is old-school and out of fashion; God tells you that purity is the
pathway to the type of relationship the world will drool over. Treat her the
way you’d want someone to treat your sister. Respect her. Recently a couple
that had just begun dating asked me to be a witness to a contract they had
drawn up. The man is an attorney and he wrote up a “legal” contract on their agreement
to have a dating relationship that remained pure. I signed the doc and told
them I was proud of them for taking the subject of purity so seriously; they
told me that they wanted God’s blessing in their relationship and they knew
that being held accountable was an important part of it. Sixth step: Keep it
pure.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><i><span style="color: dimgrey; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">"Father, I thank You
that my Prince Charming is out there. I know You are preparing me just for him.
I pray You help him today to take the initiative, and at the right time You
will help him sweep me off my feet. In Jesus' Name. Amen."</span></em></span>
</span></i>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-30605344743819388332013-03-27T10:14:00.002-07:002013-03-27T10:20:21.327-07:00Wisdom from Audrey.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXz4q7q9SRfzxs6H_4uP2_HmNkhvkwMC1junIvmCsVSrEKt8i6LTNDU72GUljDU27jxuRPPh_US3JsgM_9v-RwoGB4yt3kGTrNW6NPhkiD3fWL5WRcfktXOytpMXgMcpU78gq4wowNpsb/s1600/293554_107981152645642_107648636012227_63165_813700576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXz4q7q9SRfzxs6H_4uP2_HmNkhvkwMC1junIvmCsVSrEKt8i6LTNDU72GUljDU27jxuRPPh_US3JsgM_9v-RwoGB4yt3kGTrNW6NPhkiD3fWL5WRcfktXOytpMXgMcpU78gq4wowNpsb/s400/293554_107981152645642_107648636012227_63165_813700576_n.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw this and was like whoa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Never looked at it like this, but how true is it though?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like sometimes I don't give myself enough credit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's cool to think that in this world there is no other Lauren Kelly out there. Okay, other people with that name maybe. But I am THE Lauren Kelly, ha... JK! But seriously, no other person has my DNA, my gifts, talents, etc. I have something that only I can offer this world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's pretty awesome when you think about it. And if you're reading this, same goes for you too :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever had a desire, dream, or maybe it's even something as simple as you went on Pinterest and wanted to make a craft but thought to yourself "Nah, everyone else can do that but me" or thought to yourself "That's impossible?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to admit something right here and now, me and the Kitchen aren't friends. It's sad how little I cook at almost 30 years of age. But you know what, I think it's fear of failing in the kitchen that keeps me from cooking and experimenting in the kitchen and getting myself to love the kitchen and believing that "I'm possible" and that I can cook up a good meal. This might seem insignificant to some, but this is my truth, ha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it's that same fear that kept me in only one year of soccer in high school, instead of just doing it for the fun and to be a part of a team. And not realizing that "I'm possible" even if I never scored one goal that year and was by far probably the least athletic one on the team and still to this day surprised I even tried out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's the same fear that has kept me in court reporting school to this day far longer than I should have ever been there for fear of succeeding (Yes, I believe that you can be afraid of success) and believing that "I'm possible" and that I will be the best darn court reporter there is out there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The examples can go on and on and I'm sure you can insert your own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it's easier to focus on all the stuff that makes up the "Impossible" versus all the great stuff that makes up the "I'm possible."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone feelin' me? </span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-51597828822383577662013-03-18T07:08:00.000-07:002013-03-18T07:21:54.864-07:00Bloglovin.<div style="text-align: center;">
You might have heard the word on the street in the blog world is that google reader is shutting down in July. I loved this as a way to keep up with the blogs I read, so I was bummed when I heard this. But also glad at the same time because I was getting frustrated because there was no way to delete old blogs you may not read anymore or old blogs that the blogger may have shut down and is no longer up.</div>
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BUT, I found a great alternative and wanted to share with you about <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/">bloglovin</a>.</div>
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It's another great and efficient way to keep up with the blogs you love. So I signed myself up and I'm loving it. So don't panic and if you are looking for another alternative other than google reader. Go check out bloglovin. You just might like it!!! (Only downfall is you have to actually go to the blog itself to read the full blog in it's entirety, whereas before you could read the whole blog post in google reader, but the up side is now it's easy to delete blogs as I was mentioning before.)</div>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2040906">Follow</a> my blog with bloglovin!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-42423830940421293542013-03-12T08:02:00.001-07:002013-03-12T08:13:40.231-07:00Sister night with Blake Shelton.<br />
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This past weekend Blake Shelton was in Florida to play at the Strawberry Festival down in South Florida on Sunday.</div>
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Turns out his people contacted a local country music bar in Sanford called the Barn, outside of Orlando, and he wanted to do a surprise FREE concert on Friday night. Um, hello, you will not hear us complain. I live in Sanford, so call this fate if you will. My sister and I were all up on this. Blows my mind that a big name such as Blake Shelton would want to do this, as he never plays bars, but if you're reading this Blake (which the odds of that are like my odds of winning the lotto) THANK YOU!!!!! You made two girls VERY happy!</div>
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We made some friends and this was a great photo bomb, ha! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPONkcptDg18PYaN6jeJLlJVbq5G9abbvCkFmqKfxnkpMWKvKnYhuE1CWJmyPq9v9vIW1CGfnGvsPH4NrwHSDM7x3d3rBpvVZJDe_ayuhlnokKEFaMPpKI9-ehrkAoITqhC8r9K10N7jc5/s1600/blake+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPONkcptDg18PYaN6jeJLlJVbq5G9abbvCkFmqKfxnkpMWKvKnYhuE1CWJmyPq9v9vIW1CGfnGvsPH4NrwHSDM7x3d3rBpvVZJDe_ayuhlnokKEFaMPpKI9-ehrkAoITqhC8r9K10N7jc5/s320/blake+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, hellllloooooo handsome. Mr. Blake Shelton everybody.</div>
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We pretty much had AMAZING spot!</div>
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The only thing better would have been if Miranda Lambert were there. </div>
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What a fun, fun night. It was such an intimate setting and such great music and did I mention free? Craziness! The Barn was trying to keep it on the down low but hello this is Blake Shelton!!!! So the radio got wind of it and it just kind of blew up. Can't believe he came to our little ole' town.</div>
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Come back again anytime, Blake!!!!! </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-67677987281829169872013-03-07T11:06:00.001-08:002013-03-07T11:20:30.637-08:00Off the radar.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was reading </span><a href="http://blog.lproof.org/2013/03/hes-got-your-back.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LPMblog+%28LPMblog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader"><span style="font-size: large;">this</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> blog post from today over at the Living
Proof Ministries blog. One sentence that Beth Moore wrote really stuck out to
me…She wrote, “Girlfriend, you ARE very much on his radar.”</span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I thought about that for a minute to let it sink in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s easy for us to think that we’ve somehow dropped off the
radar. That whatever we did, whatever we said, whatever we thought, was grounds
for God to say “Sorry, because you did x, y, and z we are finished, I’m done with
you, you are officially off my radar,” and shut the door.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That is a far cry from the truth.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was such a gentle reminder for me.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Or you could look at it like this. You have a single girl,
such as myself, she longs to find that one, the one person out there in this
world that was meant for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one
person in this whole world that God said, “This one, that is the one for
Lauren.”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yet, still she waits for him.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sees person after
person moving on to the next season of their life, marriage, and some even
moving on to become mothers. </span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yet, still she waits.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">She feels like she dropped off the radar. That the attempts of
flinging her hands in the air saying, “God, look at me, look at me. I’m over
here.” That those were just failed and unsuccessful attempts at best. </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Off the radar, just gone. That somehow he sees everybody else but
you.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Oh, he sees me. He sees YOU. </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Every desire, every dream, it’s not hidden from him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Whatever you’ve been crying out to God about, every prayer
that you lifted up to him, it’s on his radar, oh very much so. </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Its hard for me to fathom, yet so beautiful to think, that I don’t
get lost in the sea of people in this world he calls his children. He doesn’t
play favorites. He doesn’t see Susie over there, but look over at me and turn a blind
eye. </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">His radar, it’s looking right at me.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And it’s looking at you too.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-2420503854706568622013-03-05T10:02:00.002-08:002013-03-05T11:23:45.364-08:00Throwing away my lenses.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One thing that God has truly been working with me on and
dealing in my heart about are the lenses I wear. The only way I know that for a
fact is there have been two separate instances recently where people in my own
life have addressed this. Can't tell you how many times people have said, "Lauren, why can't you see what I see?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Hello, Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We all have a set of lenses, and what I mean by lenses is
the lenses in which we view ourselves; what we see versus what other people see.
Oh my goodness, I’m to the point where I want to break my lenses in half and
toss them in the trash. See, the thing is, our lenses are ALWAYS different than
others and how they perceive us. We, as humans, and especially women, find it
so hard to see the value and worth in ourselves and what others see in us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The truth of the matter is, with social media these days; it’s
so easy to hide behind it. My hope and desire is that what you see on social
media is what you would see of me in real life and hope to be authentic. But if
I were being truthful, I feel freer behind social media ….. and when it comes
to face-to-face social interaction, I hold back. I recognize that, and I HATE
it. I’ve realized why that is….. When you step out from behind the devises of
social media and really have to put yourself out there, you are required to be
more vulnerable and you open yourself up to be judged and rejected.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I hope I’m making some sort of sense here. But I often fail
to realize I have some much to offer this world, so much value and worth that I
somehow can’t always seem to see in myself. And rather than embracing that, it’s easier
to shrink back.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I truly feel like I’m rambling here, but bear with me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em><strong>“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest
fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our own light, not our
darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a child of God. Your playing small
doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won’t feel insecure around you. You were born to make manifest the
glory of God that is within you. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people the
permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence
automatically liberates others. “</strong></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I think this quote adequately describes what I’m trying to
put into words. </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaX6w7x1mPO4btMwXJQ84oCHb2OLJwv7AA9QIA2llJTg3inolP-udLNi4gKpQVDmoztfTkmT2yXuMikY8jf6QOj1Bj2eNaggv4wlC6Z3d9IPrW2rwNCCtSyb__Vovp75jeu_PUPhM1-MI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaX6w7x1mPO4btMwXJQ84oCHb2OLJwv7AA9QIA2llJTg3inolP-udLNi4gKpQVDmoztfTkmT2yXuMikY8jf6QOj1Bj2eNaggv4wlC6Z3d9IPrW2rwNCCtSyb__Vovp75jeu_PUPhM1-MI/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lord, help me each day see what you see in this girl. Help
me to realize that my worth and value is found in you and you alone. I pray
that here on out, each day I will learn to love myself more and more; every
part of me. Take every doubt and insecurity and replace it with self-acceptance,
appreciation for who you created me to be and that means ALL of me. I’m a child
of yours and you love your children and therefore, I will learn to love me
despite what I think my flaws might be. Thank you for Lauren, thank you for
me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And if you're reading this and you struggle in this area, I hope your prayer is the same... Just substitute your name :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-35564652828014527372013-03-04T10:36:00.000-08:002013-03-04T11:01:59.425-08:00Exhibit A and B.<div align="center">
<br />
Happy Monday! </div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
I was looking through my phone at pictures I have taken within the last couple of weeks or so.</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
I came to one final conclusion.</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
Exhibit A: <br />
<br />
One weekend you'll find yourself at Disney World. </div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBJiG8dBkngbH1b-BH7ZEGq0H3hn2jF8ifYtDIZs82myMxHFBiGyBEY-uSU0rvugTY6nSF7Ir3NW2_pa3V8axIJvIHsK3SwBQDFUWmDCid_ZrFR-KaHfv6oO7IUjawZ8FZA0KD_tSnWtR/s1600/disney.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBJiG8dBkngbH1b-BH7ZEGq0H3hn2jF8ifYtDIZs82myMxHFBiGyBEY-uSU0rvugTY6nSF7Ir3NW2_pa3V8axIJvIHsK3SwBQDFUWmDCid_ZrFR-KaHfv6oO7IUjawZ8FZA0KD_tSnWtR/s400/disney.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S-3W90pd1kEtRbN99rqFUC2BwP7aNMCn__eK5xAzdPpzT_hOUnhB1rh9s_Ze6wg_SFjr39-fSODeCM6VCyiLT9pJALKz33k38_j74FD1ajdGrQFD5puUZWpt8wI0f2gey1pwuDvtF87Y/s1600/disney+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S-3W90pd1kEtRbN99rqFUC2BwP7aNMCn__eK5xAzdPpzT_hOUnhB1rh9s_Ze6wg_SFjr39-fSODeCM6VCyiLT9pJALKz33k38_j74FD1ajdGrQFD5puUZWpt8wI0f2gey1pwuDvtF87Y/s400/disney+1.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
Exhibit B:<br />
<br />
The next weekend, beautiful South Florida in February.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKG67X8b2yiVD8FiHlS6ONCmBjdtkpqajX7XjY4G3OlWC73xev7qElL_h7iZahqAtDTOe-S8vAzBLohEmaPrhvriQOlWd28mrOf8oA0yisf5_V_oHPt_4KaMyG8U755lOpHijq3moUYKL/s1600/beach+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKG67X8b2yiVD8FiHlS6ONCmBjdtkpqajX7XjY4G3OlWC73xev7qElL_h7iZahqAtDTOe-S8vAzBLohEmaPrhvriQOlWd28mrOf8oA0yisf5_V_oHPt_4KaMyG8U755lOpHijq3moUYKL/s400/beach+2.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66XKAZIpjCVq5vmBDi1nV6L32RQqaPyT28Q3RJjrOFSMwZ18pEXqpKrzBbuS8nRiCRIAGgSYYiubj5OZtXzfmzuMitLCD8hJCuNBjDZAH7G7mpWz0TR8yIA31l0n7WrvrYTIKdc7xQ92J/s1600/beach+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66XKAZIpjCVq5vmBDi1nV6L32RQqaPyT28Q3RJjrOFSMwZ18pEXqpKrzBbuS8nRiCRIAGgSYYiubj5OZtXzfmzuMitLCD8hJCuNBjDZAH7G7mpWz0TR8yIA31l0n7WrvrYTIKdc7xQ92J/s320/beach+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-xQxCEXBsIuZPgzCg5drlHL4QTfs1khb3nJrf9Yxlma5qo84ijHjtorKIivTYl0LyMwqnzADok0wS2gIfoGb2VmRIhF51qojLulcZutelTVZ6IIDt6UpLIcXm1tu71wMg3iNg1rzyb0V/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-xQxCEXBsIuZPgzCg5drlHL4QTfs1khb3nJrf9Yxlma5qo84ijHjtorKIivTYl0LyMwqnzADok0wS2gIfoGb2VmRIhF51qojLulcZutelTVZ6IIDt6UpLIcXm1tu71wMg3iNg1rzyb0V/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Need I say more?</div>
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</div>
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Florida...</div>
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I sure do love this place I call home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzroTtoUmNdz6q8prJOPvXs3qiBMFL1MjLeXp0K2nYr75aA5qaMe7K7VvsB2XWdSMSQF27oLJIoe2j1lxRbAybPX5ffZa2q0NvN8t8k_NsaXs4jdKNLuahN-_ZVz5evbBg65LUrj3dfQwz/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzroTtoUmNdz6q8prJOPvXs3qiBMFL1MjLeXp0K2nYr75aA5qaMe7K7VvsB2XWdSMSQF27oLJIoe2j1lxRbAybPX5ffZa2q0NvN8t8k_NsaXs4jdKNLuahN-_ZVz5evbBg65LUrj3dfQwz/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">What's your favorite thing about home? </span><br />
</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong> “</strong></span><a class="sqq" href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/home-is-the-place-where-it-feels-right-to-walk/354727.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Home
is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes</strong></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>”</strong></span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-58749442503287560382013-02-28T08:56:00.001-08:002013-02-28T08:58:06.352-08:00At the edge of the cliff.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You know that cliff moment in your life? I’m sure we’ve all had
them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s that moment where you’re on the edge of the cliff. You’re
just standing there saying, “Lord, what next?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I feel like I’ve been at that particular point for awhile. It’s
like I’m just standing, standing, and standing there looking at the waters
below and not knowing what they hold and scared out of my ever lovin’ mind. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have some pretty big life changes coming up here soon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I’m excited and scared all in one.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXCgQXaNQ6O6HPa62Bn-uM9EK8AVB09EQTTm3ggvFpGvx_1bcc0YSd983vaIcIQa4KHl7DYuw0DufqXQSupFFfDlrBwFfG67Lbn-PGqI7kXF_MoxJWA1JWfZjtOZEpdMPbOQbN7cRVE71/s1600/cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXCgQXaNQ6O6HPa62Bn-uM9EK8AVB09EQTTm3ggvFpGvx_1bcc0YSd983vaIcIQa4KHl7DYuw0DufqXQSupFFfDlrBwFfG67Lbn-PGqI7kXF_MoxJWA1JWfZjtOZEpdMPbOQbN7cRVE71/s640/cliff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But now, it’s my time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s my time to dive into those waters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Because something tells
me it will hold some pretty <strong>great</strong> stuff.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-80054978653961474332013-02-25T05:51:00.001-08:002013-02-25T06:00:40.008-08:00I couldn't do it.<br />
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I couldn't do it.</div>
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</div>
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I couldn't officially hit the delete button on this blog. </div>
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</div>
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Writing, it is my passion. </div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
You see, any card I'll give to someone, you'll find that I can fill the whole thing up with words. Back in school, signing a yearbook, I could fill up a whole page with more than just "see you next year, have a good summer."</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
Words, I love them.</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
My writing, it means something to me. I think about my words. I think about how they will impact somebody and what they will mean to a person. I realize that words stay with you longer than most anything else. They have the power to build up or tear down. They can bring such joy to the heart.</div>
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Words, they are powerful, oh so powerful.</div>
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<div align="center">
Writing is how I express myself and it comes so naturally to me. Writing allows me to express myself and be myself in the purest and truest form I know how. It allows me to get down to the deepest parts of my heart with the tap of a keyboard or hitting the pen to paper.</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
Just a couple of days ago AGAIN had a friend say (and have been told this MANY times) "Lauren, you need to write a book, and you need to submit, submit, submit, until you get that thing published." And can't tell you how many times people have told me, "Lauren, you have such a way with words."</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
I deleted this blog about a month ago. When you delete a blog, it's not fully deleted until a certain amount of days and then it's gone for you to never get back again. I was in the shower washing my hair this morning and all the sudden I had this urgency and thinking to myself, "Lauren, you fool, what are you thinking? Get that blog back NOW!"</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
So I race to get done with my shower, and in my towel and I'm dripping wet rush to my computer to make sure this blog is still here. I took a deep breath realizing it still was.</div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
This blog for me is no longer about the traffic it gets, the amount of comments, followers, etc. It means so much more than that to me now. Funny thing is I had a dream last night and God has already given me a title for this book. Who knows if and when it will ever be published, but this has given me a whole new excitement and passion for writing. </div>
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</div>
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I feel like I'm back to the true intent of why I should be blogging. <br />
<br />
<div align="center">
I need this blog, just didn't realize how much until now.</div>
</div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGxqDgHcj3Rh7dh6WCRQAALv5NuAdpM5glnw3mYKmW7l9_Ce2-iJvnYqrOqAS8cncVYwY945vBz5BoSIU6gLVE191AuAjz06lHnSB7V95Y5G0usGvECTbO8g5RVFX9L0B1TgS0dk_OR52/s1600/writing-nook-4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGxqDgHcj3Rh7dh6WCRQAALv5NuAdpM5glnw3mYKmW7l9_Ce2-iJvnYqrOqAS8cncVYwY945vBz5BoSIU6gLVE191AuAjz06lHnSB7V95Y5G0usGvECTbO8g5RVFX9L0B1TgS0dk_OR52/s400/writing-nook-4b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-22558199776414429592013-01-23T11:44:00.000-08:002013-01-23T11:44:37.766-08:00Shutting it down.<br />
I'm not going to be all dramatic, but the title speaks for itself. At the end of the week, this blog will be no more.<br />
<br />
Just out of respect for those that have and are reading, just didn't want to disappear and not say anything and that be that.<br />
<br />
There are multiple reasons for this. Too many to get into, ha! But if you'd like to keep in touch, you can jot down my email that is on the right hand side of my blog.<br />
<br />
For those of you who have read my blog and are currently reading my blog and click over to keep up with little ole' me, thank you for that and I love you for it. <br />
<br />
This blog was a special and unique part of my life and the friendships I made through this little space of the internet will be a huge part of what I take away from this. <br />
<br />
I hope that each of you could take something away from this blog, my words, and my heart and pray that it always came across in the way I intended. <br />
<br />
May God bless you ALL abundantly...<br />
<br />
XOXOXOXO<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-86932820319190981842013-01-07T06:05:00.000-08:002013-01-07T10:58:20.641-08:00Biggest Loser Blogger Challenge: Week 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Out of all the posts I have written, this is one of the ones I’m most excited and proud of.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s a new year. The slate is clean. With the new year it seems to make the impossible seem possible with the 365 days ahead of you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One of the things I’ve always struggled with is body image. Not in a huge way but enough to where I didn’t/don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">When January 1<sup>st</sup> rolled around I was already getting myself mentally prepared to make a change. So that’s when I was excited to see that my friend Becky was doing the </span><a href="http://www.thejavamama.com/2013/01/biggest-loser-blogger-challenge.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+terenceandbecky%2FzYqM+%28The+Branches%29&utm_content=Google+Reader"><span style="font-size: large;">Biggest Loser Blogger Challenge</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> (click here) January-March. It’s just the motivation I needed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I wanted to post a motivation picture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This was taken within the last year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Please realize that this is a horrible picture of me and focus on the niece, ha!! The beach = no makeup for me. But this was the best picture that depicts where I am at right now. Can't believe I'm doing this. My Mom took this and I remember at the time when we went scrolling through the camera to look at pictures I was mortified, but was never at the place mentally to make a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><img class="ev aG" height="640" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UdThbz1SIl4/UOrhXuqbHuI/AAAAAAAAAA4/xzVO8-vDyXg/w497-h373/photo.jpg" width="312" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to make a change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My current weight I’ll share is 130. Nothing drastic....but there is obesity on my dad's side of the family and with my short height of 5’2” weight gain is noticeable and have a few things recently I cannot fit into that I’m determined I will again and just don't want to let myself go there. Whether you just want to take your body back and feel more comfortable or a drastic weight change, regardless it's your journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So in sharing that… here’s what I’ll be doing this week for food throughout the week and exercise and wanted to track it here each Monday and document my progress... As it's a part of the challenge. I have about 10-15 pounds I would like to lose. I may or may not meet my weight loss goal by finish, but it will be a heck of a start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For Breakfast- Eggs with avacado and breakfast bars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For lunch – Tuna with wheat thins and salad</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Dinner – Healthy sandwiches, apples w/ peanut butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Snacks- Bananas, oranges, nuts, fruits, rice cakes, avocado, bell peppers/cucumbers with ranch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Of course all this is subject to change and not the same thing everyday, but I'll be switching it up each day. Might add/subtract but the goal is for it to ALL be healthy. If you have any other good quick meals for a person on the go or want to share healthy snack options, please share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I wanted to add that with my schedule I work full time and go to school three nights a week. So very easy to eat on-the-go and pick up that hamburger or French fries. But that’s all going to change. Also, my goal is to also not eat so late, but to eat on my way to school or while I’m at school. Got in such a bad habit of eating when I got home. Another goal is to stop eating when I’m satisfied vs. still eating while I’m full. And I snack on complete junk, enough said. Also, the fact I have a 8-5 desk job and sit all day and sit all night at school is not working in my favor... just sayin! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Also, I’ve quit soda and I'm drinking water. Haven’t had it since December 31<sup>st</sup>. I’ve cut out sweets and pasta/carbs as well. And of course I’ll treat myself on the weekends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>EXERCISE:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I will be doing the c25k workout program. You can download the app. on your Iphone. I actually started this before and so last week I started at week 3 because I already had a foundation. Of course these days could vary throughout the week, but I’ll always put in 3 days of this. This morning I started at week 4, day 1. Also, every Saturday I will be doing Zumba class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I feel this is a good start though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Again, any helpful tips will be appreciated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If you’re wanting to make a change like me, please go by Becky’s blog and join us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I’m so excited about this and what a great way to keep me accountable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So here's to my journey to taking my body back, eating healthier, and feeling better in my skin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Not looking to win this thing, but just a start to being healthier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wish me luck!!</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-59715915908897047422013-01-03T10:38:00.001-08:002013-01-03T10:52:08.053-08:00New Year...New Me.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Happy New Year…..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We are three days into the New Year. I’ve been kind of going
over in my head what I want this blog to mean to me in 2013 and the roll I want
it to play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I really want to be more intentional about blogging this
year. I have a deep urging that it’s important for me this year. I feel deep
down that this year isn’t going to be just another ordinary year. I truly and
honestly believe it’s going to be “MY” year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It will be the year I take back my body. Starting January 1,
2013, I started the c25k running program. I started it once before but don’t
think I was where I needed to be at mentally to follow through with it. I’m
logging my workouts on instagram for accountability. Also, starting January 1,
2013, I stopped drinking soda. It’s only 3 days without soda, so ask me in
about a month how my withdrawal is going, ha. And again, this is something else
I’ve also tried but could never do it. I’ve realized that you have to “want” it
in order to follow through with anything. I need to take care of the body and
temple God has given me and it starts with watching the food I eat and what I’m
putting into my body and exercise. I really feel like I have the mentality,
determination, and the faith in myself that I can actually do it this time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I am currently on break from school right now and will be
starting back next week to finish up my last semester. It’s been a long journey
and court reporting school has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in
my life. But I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and praise God he’s
been faithful to see me through to the END. For the first time in a long time I'm excited for what the future
holds and the doors and opportunities that will be opened up to me and the
people I’ll meet once I get out into the career field and out from behind a 8-5
desk job that I needed to leave like yesterday, but with that said, praise God
I have a job. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Spiritually, I pray that 2013 will be the year I draw closer
to God like never before. I want to seek him first in all that I do. I know
I can’t do any of this without him and that starts with staying in his word and
grounded in him. I am his child and I want to spend 2013 going deeper into
discovering the depths of his love for me so that I, in return, can go and love
others and love well and be the best daughter, sister, friend, etc.... but most of all to be the best Lauren I can be. There is so much work yet to be done in me. God knows my struggles. I don't think he's ever done perfecting us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I began to think about what my word for 2013 could be that I can hold
on to, reflect on, and instantly the word “Acceptance” came to my mind.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT7G4MARsXd4krOOQdSfHWcbe8zzxUD05JiQjwVo_6_BPF78WPMMGIoKDyhDEkOSj-6KZTpuCowlKDbsaYXq1L_DL_2TTukDXFFLs1SfndCM-oIino5AMjl4nZ1y0NiijbPbkLXCuQyCd/s1600/acceptance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT7G4MARsXd4krOOQdSfHWcbe8zzxUD05JiQjwVo_6_BPF78WPMMGIoKDyhDEkOSj-6KZTpuCowlKDbsaYXq1L_DL_2TTukDXFFLs1SfndCM-oIino5AMjl4nZ1y0NiijbPbkLXCuQyCd/s320/acceptance.png" width="312" /></span></a></div>
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Accepting God’s love for me, accepting how God created me to be, accepting
myself, accepting God’s will for my life and that his ways are not always my
ways. Oh that list could go on and on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is a good start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A new year, a new me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And hopefully I can spend 2013 blogging all about it :)</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-78730019112420158732012-12-31T06:08:00.005-08:002012-12-31T06:33:51.429-08:00Forgetting the past....Looking ahead.<div align="center">
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It's the last day of 2012.</div>
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It was the best of times and the worst of times. To be honest, I won't be sad to see this year go. 2012 started off with my dad passing away on February 9th from terminal brain cancer. Pretty safe to say we were ready for a new year in Feburary. Let me tell you though, January 2012 will be a month I will never ever forget. It was filled with some of the sweetest and most tender-hearted moments I will never forget in my life and will safely be tucked away in my heart forever. We knew our dad would only have a few short weeks left with us and God blessed those weeks like we never could have imagined. There was nothing left unsaid, not an "I love you", hug and kiss not given. That time, it belongs in a treasure box. It created a bond in our family that can never be broken. It's funny how I can take one of the hardest months and look back on it so fondly. That's only by the grace of God. He is so so gracious.</div>
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The rest of the year was pretty much all of us trying to navigate through our new normal and finding our footing, and moving on without him and going through all the "first" throughout the year without him. </div>
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But 2013.. It's going to be different. I really believe that.</div>
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I think I found a scripture and motto that I'm going to take with me into the new year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoa4xFEO7pY0mSAOVK-UtMqR6_qbx2B5eq-ACulFMoUorDzTu5w3PxP4eFJ3KiIbiIfSV7VO9d0aUUhJEEPZKr9zslHkdjpy9e6OubkspaWjxcyGt60Z8AeGCgttwj2arZ1yGrBLFyiwO/s1600/tumblr_mdpyuhQQJq1qhmhdfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoa4xFEO7pY0mSAOVK-UtMqR6_qbx2B5eq-ACulFMoUorDzTu5w3PxP4eFJ3KiIbiIfSV7VO9d0aUUhJEEPZKr9zslHkdjpy9e6OubkspaWjxcyGt60Z8AeGCgttwj2arZ1yGrBLFyiwO/s640/tumblr_mdpyuhQQJq1qhmhdfo1_500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's so fitting.</div>
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I'm believing that 2013 will be MY year. I have big dreams and desires that I'm praying to fruition. I pray that I will continue to grow into a better version of myself. There's always room for growth, always areas of improvement that can be worked on. I pray that I'll find peace and contentment like I've never known, and that I'll enjoy and love being me, and enjoy the person that God has created me to be. I pray that I'll continue to love people and love well, and be open to what God wants to teach me in 2013, oh boy could the list go on and on.....</div>
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I pray all this for you, too. <br />
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Whether your year was filled with happy moments or sad moments...There's something to be said about a new year, new beginnings, a fresh start and to wipe the slate clean. So here's to forgetting the past and looking forward to what's ahead.<br />
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With all that said, I end this year knowing I am so so blessed!! And hope you can take the last day of this year and count your blessings, too!!! :)<br />
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Have a wonderful and safe New Year. See you in 2013!</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-87807347002676484702012-12-17T05:35:00.001-08:002012-12-17T06:07:21.342-08:002012 Christmas Card.<div align="center">
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Today I am linking up with <a href="http://walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-card-carousel-2012.html">Faith's</a> annual Christmas Card Carousel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_DUJ8oLRBjEwPOFQJwqy0ozp35WPAw20ZLAypOC_RG0gY-fDRVdwv9GLg6EOGuUZGdv0OimYp_fuPuFWka3XytWAjgIN0_0rqJHPDzberr836XN3C4-qag5CwdqKbLh2rwjxy68-DJXe/s1600/christmascardbutton%252712-350.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_DUJ8oLRBjEwPOFQJwqy0ozp35WPAw20ZLAypOC_RG0gY-fDRVdwv9GLg6EOGuUZGdv0OimYp_fuPuFWka3XytWAjgIN0_0rqJHPDzberr836XN3C4-qag5CwdqKbLh2rwjxy68-DJXe/s320/christmascardbutton%252712-350.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of my FAVORITE things about Christmas is giving and receiving Christmas cards! It's a thrill to go to the mailbox each day :)</div>
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My sis and I did a sister Christmas card this year. We just LOVE the way it turned out. </div>
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Here are my cards for:<br />
<a href="http://travelwithlauren.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-card.html">2009</a><br />
<a href="http://travelwithlauren.blogspot.com/2010/12/signed-sealed-delivered.html">2010</a><br />
<a href="http://travelwithlauren.blogspot.com/2011/12/girl-and-her-dog.html">2011</a><br />
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Hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season.<br />
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Thank you so much for stopping by! Make sure you go by Faith's blog and share your card and check out the others.</div>
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-75997821086124882312012-12-05T07:47:00.001-08:002012-12-05T08:25:27.001-08:00Salt and Light.<div align="center">
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I was messing around on FB....Looking at the status updates, the pictures, yadda yadda.....</div>
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And I stumbled upon an interesting conversation thread on my newsfeed.</div>
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It was a video a guy I went to high school with had posted on evolution. It had over a hundred comments and so I was intrigued as to what people were saying. Didn't watch the video but started reading through the comments.</div>
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I'm not here to blog about evolution, so bear with me.</div>
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Y'all, and what I read written by this guy I went to high school with totally grieved my heart. There was absolutely no judgment on my part, but simply....my heart just hearts for him, especially as we go into this Christmas season and holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus. The gift which was the ultimate gift we could ever receive.</div>
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<strong>Matthew 5:13-16</strong></div>
<span class="text Matt-5-13"><span class="woj"><strong><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23248A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></strong></span></span><br />
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<strong><span class="text Matt-5-14" id="en-NIV-23249"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>“You are the light of the world.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23249B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NIV-23250"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23250C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-NIV-23251"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>In the same way, let your light shine before others,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23251D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> that they may see your good deeds<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23251E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> and glorify<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23251F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> your Father in heaven.</span></span></strong><br />
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And I can only imagine how much that grieved God. </div>
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I don't know the circumstances of his life that caused him to turn his back on God and change his beliefs in everything he has ever known...but I know not for one second has God turned his back on him.</div>
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It got me to thinking... am I doing my part?</div>
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Am I being the salt and the light here on this earth? To each and every person that I come in contact with, day in and day out... Do they see me not just talking the talk, but walking the walk?</div>
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To the unbelievers, do they look at me and see me and want what I have .....The hope, peace, comfort, and relationship that comes with knowing Jesus Christ.</div>
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Or to the person who may have turned their back on God, do they see me, not just by words but also by actions, and realize that all of that is still there for them, God hasn't left them or forsaken them, but they have gone so far astray that they don't know how to get back to that place and the enemy has them so deceived by the lies of this world. </div>
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This just was a smack in the face reminder..</div>
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Be the salt and be the light. </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-85241845809882690692012-12-03T10:56:00.002-08:002012-12-03T11:06:39.875-08:00Weekend this and that!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Monday to you friends!!</div>
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Why must the weekends going by so dang fast?!?!?! It was a pretty great weekend, if I do say so myself.</div>
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Woke up Saturday and it was December 1st, YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!! The countdown has begun!</div>
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No better time to start on the Christmas tree!</div>
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Got the tree up and the lights working. Cleaned up and there was an event going on nearby to promote pet adoption and Phil Phillips from American Idol was going to be there, so we decided to go check that out. </div>
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Is there anything cuter than this?? (You could technically be talking about Phil Phillps and the dogs... </div>
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Bwahaha!!!)</div>
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My sister with one of the pups!</div>
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Went to Mellow Mushroom (BEST PIZZA EVER!!!!) to eat and went back home to get the rest of the Christmas tree done. </div>
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! :)</div>
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How cute are these light up gifts bought from Kirkland's to go under the tree?</div>
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Christmas movies (Love me some ELF) by the Christmas tree lights. Doesn't get cozier than that!!</div>
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Sunday our church was decorated so beautifully for Christmas!</div>
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Went and ate lunch at Chipotle and of course no Sunday is complete without a trip to Target. Yes and Amen!!!!! </div>
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My sis and I had some picture fun!! :)</div>
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I love love love this one by the tree and love her!!! :)</div>
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How was YOUR weekend????? </div>
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I just love this time of year. Hope you are trying to soak it all up as much as I am!! :)</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-75705454629702386342012-11-28T06:39:00.001-08:002012-11-28T06:58:05.020-08:00Probability of a White Christmas! <br />
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Christmas season is in full swing!<br />
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I had to laugh when I came across this because when you have grown up in Florida all your life, this pretty much sums it up. In fact, the State of Florida should be 0%. Where the heck does that 5% come from?? Nevertheless, this Florida girl will hold hope to that 5% or less, ha! </div>
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Holidays feel and look a little different here in the Sunshine State. Safe to say that 99% of the time you'll find us in flip flops on CHRISTMAS DAY. </div>
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Traditions are different here. I don't have memories that come with snowy places where you're bundling up to go play out in the snow. We really need no fire place going to keep us warm. And seriously, when it hits 50 degrees here we call that COLD, lol! I don't know anything different. </div>
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I used to be jealous of those places that get snow and their White Christmas.... And if I'm being honest, I'm kind of still am. A part of me always felt like I was being deprived of those fun memories that can be made. We're the land of palm trees and I'm learning that I live in a wonderful place. (HELLO, Mickey???) Florida has so much to offer. I don't think I could ever leave a place where basically anywhere in the State of Florida you are within easy access to the coast and the Florida beaches. </div>
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It's a great place.</div>
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I think Santa thinks so too :)<br />
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So chime in. Where are you from? Do you get your White Christmas???</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-76267698413695810042012-11-27T07:16:00.002-08:002012-11-27T07:35:12.382-08:00Disney fun.<div align="center">
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One of the greatest gifts this blog has given me are the wonderful friendships I have made. </div>
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I truly am blessed to have found Courtney through the blog world and she has become one of my dearest friends. One of the great things is Courtney and her family make frequent trips to Disney and it's right in my neck of the woods.</div>
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I never got around to blogging about our visit a couple of weeks ago and wanted to document it. The Friday she came in she invited me to join her family. That night she set up a boat ride around Disney to see the light show on the water and to see the Christmas fireworks show over Cinderella's castle. I don't care how old you are, Disney will never lose it's magic and it always makes me feel like a little kid again. I think I take for granted all the wonderful perks the Orlando area has to offer. I love this place I call home! It was a great time. I just adore Courtney and her sweet family and kiddos.</div>
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Courtney's daughter and I on the boat. The two Lauren's :)</div>
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Gorgeous Fireworks.</div>
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Another picture of sweet Lauren and I at the end of the night.</div>
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Soooo blessed by Courtney's friendship!!! </div>
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Didn't get a picture of Courtney's cute son Connor and her husband and other family :( </div>
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It was such a fun night. Thanks for inviting me Courtney. Come back SOON!!! </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-23757692733030532362012-11-26T10:58:00.001-08:002012-11-26T11:13:37.877-08:00Family dynamics.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Family dynamics, it’s an interesting thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Holidays are all about friends and family and family
togetherness and it kind of makes you reflect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When you’re born, you don’t get to pick and choose your
family. You’re born and you just hope you fall into a good one, ha!! I kid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Absolutely no family is perfect, despite what TV portrays
half the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On my Mom’s side it's not big at all. She’s the only child. And there’s my granny
and my grandpa has passed away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On my Dad’s side there’s my grandma (my grandpa passed away when I was a baby), two aunts, and two
cousins. It was a huge tug of war in my heart but eventually I decided that I
needed to cut ties where my Dad’s family was concerned, except with my cousin who I grew up with and we're best friends. My relationship with
this side is pretty much non-existent, including with my Dad. It’s just a toxic
group of people. They are negative and have no sense of what family is truly
all about. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just couldn’t surround
myself with that anymore. I love them because they are my family and God calls
us to love, but it doesn’t mean you have to like them. There’s a major difference.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It really saddens me that it is the way it is. But I’ve come
to learn that family runs so much deeper than just blood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Every year, like clockwork, around Christmas that card with the
check comes in from my dad and it’s just simply signed “Love, Dad.” I replace
that with “Hi, I don’t talk to you the other 364 days out of the year, but here’s
your check.” If only he knew that it wasn’t his money I wanted, but just simply
some measure, just a teeny tiny fraction of what you would call a relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Anyway, going on a tangent here, lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I know nothing about any of this surprises God. I’ve learned
that I’m truly blessed in so many incredible ways with my wonderful Mom, great sister and brother and the amazing sister-in-law and
nieces he gave me. Not to mention the incredible family he gave us when my
Mom married Larry and will remain long after his passing earlier this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family, the people I do
life with on a daily basis, the people who live up to the word, I’m so so
thankful. Again, major fail on the picture taking but here is what I did get over Thanksgiving. Good looking group if I do say so myself!! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My gorgeous mom and I.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sister, granny, mom, and I heading to my brother's house for Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My adorable niece.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mom and brother.</span></div>
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I'm a blessed and lucky girl!</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-21660174832705383132012-11-21T06:04:00.001-08:002012-11-21T06:08:37.793-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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I'm a lover of all things Christmas, don't get me wrong. But it makes my heart sad that Christmas has become so much about the almighty dollar that Thanksgiving tends to get overlooked. It's actually my favorite holiday. The simplicity I love, there's no hustle and bustle. It's about good food, family, and taking the time to slow down and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. </div>
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Tomorrow as I'm surrounded by my family my heart will be so full. We will be spending it with my brother's family at his house out in the country. The peace and quiet I so love out there. Hopefully I can sneak away for even just a few minutes to take some time to be still in the quiet, where the country can meet my thankful heart and I can just reflect on all that's good in my life, be in the moment, and soak up the time with my family.</div>
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Wherever you're at tomorrow, hopefully you can take the time to do the same.</div>
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So much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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Be back next week.</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-18542213087051389662012-11-20T06:36:00.000-08:002012-11-20T06:50:20.494-08:00My testimony.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">There’s the
saying that you can’t have a testimony without tests. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone has
a story. If you’re reading this, you have a path that has lead you to where you
are today. You have a story. No one’s testimony is greater or smaller than another’s.
It’s YOUR story, uniquely yours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">In just
looking back at my life, I’m amazed at the faithfulness of God that he's shown in my 28 years.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">June 11,
1984, I was born. I was perfectly healthy except when I was born the doctor’s
noticed that I had a swollen foot. Just so happened my pediatrician had just
been to a conference about Turner Syndrome and he thought this might be what I
have (what are the odds?). I was tested and what do you know...that's what I had. You can read more about Turner Syndrome <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turner_syndrome">here</a>. There
are many, many symptoms due to Turner’s so a lot of my younger years involved a
lot of endocrinologist appts. Another symptom is hearing loss. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have hearing loss in both ears and have
had lots of ear surgeries even into adulthood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, due to Turner’s they say I can’t have
kids. But I know God has the final say. But if having kids of my own is not God’s
plan for me, I know there are other ways to build a family someday and that is
the desire of my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all my
health issues I always felt like there was something wrong with me, that I wasn’t
normal like all the other girls. I realized though that this is all a part of
my story. A story beautifully written for me and things could be so much worse,
so I count my blessings every day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My parents
divorced when I was only a baby. My relationship with my real father is pretty
non-existent and has really taken its toll on a lot of other areas
of my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With girls, that relationship
with your father is so vitally important. I’ve had to work through a lot of
feelings of rejection and my feelings of self-worth. I’ve finally come to terms
and thankful that my hope can be found in my heavenly father. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom
remarried after my Dad. She married a wonderful man who loved my brother and me
as his own. In that marriage my sister was born. And when my sister was only a
baby and I was 7, he passed away in a boating accident. We were out on the
water for a day of boating. I was in the water and the boat was drifting
further and further away from me. I was panicking and he jumped in to get me.
He got in the water to help me and he never came back up. Still to this day don’t
know exactly what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a
very hard time for our family and we couldn’t understand how something like this
could happen. I didn’t always grow up in a Christian home, so we didn’t have
the hope of Jesus to pull us through this time. We didn’t understand about God’s
plan in the good and hard times. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom was a
single Mom for many years raising three kids. My brother and mom had a very
rocky relationship. Following Scott’s passing for many years my brother had so
much built up anger that he just didn’t know how to deal with. He went through
a rebellious stage, didn’t want to follow rules and wanted to live life his own
way. He moved out of our house when I was in middle school and moved in with
our Grandma (my dad’s Mom). Honestly, it was the best thing for him, my mom,
and our family because their relationship would not be what it is today. It’s
an amazing one and now my brother has a wife and two beautiful kids of his own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mom
remarried again in 1998 and in 2005 due to circumstances which I will not get
into, that marriage ended and our church turned their back on us. We were
devastated and our world was rocked and we had lost a whole family and church
family. God had for many years been in the picture at this point and it’s only
by his grace that we got through this time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can
see, the area of my life in the father department has not always been an easy
one. But God more than made up for it with my amazingly exceptional mother. She
is not perfect and we were not perfect, but she’s always loved us fiercely and
was always the best mother she could be.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom then
met Larry in 2009 and shortly thereafter they were married. We all knew this
was it. She had found her forever and they would grow old together. We finally
had found a real father. Not only was he a father but a great friend. We were a
blended family and finally we gained a real family and had no clue the extent
to which we’d be forever bonded. My Mom and Larry only had a short 2.5 years
together before he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer which would take
him a few short weeks later. The time between Larry’s diagnosis and the time he
passed will be forever etched in my heart. It’s not about quantity but quality
and he left a huge impact on my life and the void in my heart will be forever
there with him gone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can whole
heartedly say that I got my father here on earth.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So that
leads us to now. I'm sure there are alot of inbetween moments I'm missing... but these are clear ways God has revealed himself in my life and so beautifully written my story. I don’t know what the rest of my/our testimony holds. The
bible says you will have trials and tribulations, but take heart because he has
overcome the world. There will be many great moments I’m sure, and not so great
moments. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the things we’re grateful for
and I guess today I’m grateful for my testimony and for the testimony of my
family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you’ve
been a reader of this blog, you might already know some of this, but if you’re
new, this is my story. I’m thankful that each and every thing I have had to go
through, that we have had to go through, and still yet to go through, is a
chance to grow, deepen my faith, and lean on God just a little bit more. We are resiliant!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know
people can look back and remember the exact day they asked Jesus to come into
their heart. As horrible as this sounds, I can’t. All I know is there was a day
when I looked back on everything and thought there has to be a God. There’s no
way I could have come out the other side if there wasn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">From that
moment, he persude me, and I’m so glad he did!</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-62664185007435520282012-11-19T07:19:00.002-08:002012-11-19T07:41:17.695-08:00The weekend.<div align="center">
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Creative title, huh?</div>
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I heart weekends so so much! It was one of those weekends I hated to see end. The Florida weather was just gorgeous and it was packed full of wonderful family time. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times... I am truly truly blessed with the family God gave me. Our family is not perfect, but would not trade it for anything in the world.</div>
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Got some good quality niece time in. My niece MacKenzie is two and developing such a fun personality and so FUN to be around.</div>
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As I said Friday, we had Thanksgiving Part 1 with Larry's Clan on Saturday. I wish I had gotten more pictures of this :(</div>
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Thanksgiving food is hands down my favorite food EVER!! LIKE EVER!!!</div>
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Nothing in this world makes me happier than a full house. For me a full house equals a full heart. I love when we're all together.</div>
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The end of all the festivities called for a glass of wine. Pink Moscato to be exact. Do yourself a favor, go out and get you some. BEST stuff ever and I'm not a huge wine drinker.</div>
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My pretty sis and niece.<br />
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My oldest niece Lexi and I being goofy.</div>
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Then to top off the weekend my Mom and I went to go see the new James Bond movie!!! Soooooo good. And that's coming from a person who could typically care less about these type of movies. My mom wanted me to go with her and she made the comment that if I'm going to get married to a husband some day that I better learn to like or at least endure these sort of movies...HA! I guess she's right, huh? But I was pleasantly surprised. I might just be a new James Bond fan and need to go back in the James Bond archives and watch the rest!! :)</div>
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It was a weekend I can safefully say was a GREAT one. Hope yours was too!!!! </div>
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And here's to a short work week and more family time coming up this week with Thanksgiving Part 2 for me. YAY!!! :)</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157685698324372445.post-26113124008348322272012-11-16T06:25:00.003-08:002012-11-16T06:37:45.295-08:00The holidays.<div style="text-align: center;">
We knew the time would come.</div>
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Back when my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer in January of this year and was only given a few weeks to live, and then passed away February 9th, we knew the year ahead would be full of alot of firsts without him. </div>
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Here we are going into the holiday season and we can already feel the void and an ache in our hearts for the person we miss so much. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and our family knows we have so so much to be thankful for. Truly we do. The way God has gotten us through this first year without our dad can only come from his grace alone and for that we have alot to be thankful for.</div>
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We have spent most of us this year all grieving in our own ways. We've just been trying to navigate and deal with our emotions following the passing of my Mom's husband and our amazing father. </div>
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This weekend we are having Thanksgiving with "Larry's Clan" as we have affectiontely named ourselves. For those of you who don't know, we are a blended family and have still remained very close. That was so so important to him and he expressed that desire so many times before he passed. I'm looking forward to all of us being together, chowing down on good food, hopefully lots of laughing, sharing fond memories, and reflecting on this past year and giving thanks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mpE9Ap3J9somqAbGlirQe48LJvPC9QCLQEkpoJvlciC7kL4Gvraq9dfVpYHKq6g_czQoViqrTmDWqqolwxFV8RQdIRh9fa2qhTz8dX_1-2iF51KKG0yH236Ex_f7A1ZWj1sytClW-QYH/s1600/larry's+clan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mpE9Ap3J9somqAbGlirQe48LJvPC9QCLQEkpoJvlciC7kL4Gvraq9dfVpYHKq6g_czQoViqrTmDWqqolwxFV8RQdIRh9fa2qhTz8dX_1-2iF51KKG0yH236Ex_f7A1ZWj1sytClW-QYH/s640/larry's+clan.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was our last family picture after he was diagnosed. I remember that day so vividly. There was so much laughter during this time when we were just trying to enjoy the days we had left with him. It's hard to believe we're coming up on almost a year later.</div>
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Today, I'm so thankful for this amazing family God has given me! I'm thankful that as hard as this past year was and I will not be sad to see it go..... </div>
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God still remained faithful. I'm so thankful. <br />
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Have a great weekend.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08257352882657911252noreply@blogger.com9