the one where today we are rich.

A couple of months ago my mom went on a business trip to Colorado.  While there she attended a conference where Tim Sanders spoke about confidence & leadership.  She had no idea who TIm Sanders was but he definitely left a mark on her by the time she left the conference.  She called me right after the conference going on and on about what Tim said.. (she would even talk as if they were on the first name basis: Tim said this.. Oh, Oh! Tim went on about this.. :) ).  Well she was gung-ho about all he had to say and bought one of his books on the way home called:

at the time mom was in the middle of Water for Elephants.. so she encouraged me to read it as I was in transition of finishing my last book and starting Heaven is For Real.  However, this was also when final exams were emerging & I really didn't like the idea of reading as a break from studying.  So I read a couple pages just to satisfy my mom.. and found two things:

one. the reason the book is called Today, We Are Rich.

two. two insanely good lessons to live by.

"...and because we were able to share, we are worth something.   By being able and willing to give we are rich."

&&

"Rich is a full cup & light heart."

Gorgeous, right?  Ahh, I have no idea why I stopped reading now that I am looking back.  But anyways, I started it back up this week & I am a very happy & mindful person.  Right now, I am in the part of the book about feeding your mind good stuff.  This is the first principle to total confidence.  It talks about being mindful of what you read, watch, how much time you spend of the computer, the conversations you have with people, etc.

So today, I am going start my "mind diet" and be more aware of the positive/negative things that I feed my mind.  Thus far, I enjoyed 30 minutes in the Book of Genesis & with a large lipped coffee cup with the lettering of Wild Thing on it. haha.  Then I got on my computer & read a couple of uplifting & entertaining blogs like Kelle Hampton.  & now, I am watching The Dr. Oz Show because Tim (&& yes, we are on a first name basis too) says shows like this are "insightful, helpful & positive in tone and intention."       

Whewww, long post.  

Sorry.. but I just thought this was worth sharing and help you feed your mind good stuff.  :)  

Happy Memorial Day!

the one with a sneak peak.

Here is a sneak peak for some sweet girls.

Sarah, Alex, Christian & Autumn.. 

Thanks!  Yall are the best for helping me out!

the one about a gorgeous country wedding.

So I realize I have been M.I.A. for a couple weeks.  I have been unpacking my move back home from Raleigh, I have been catching up on sleep, I have been running errands, going to high school softball/baseball games, && now being sick. :(

But I am back to blog about a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous wedding.  It should be in a magazine, not even kidding.  It was at a beautiful barn in Advance, NC.  && when I say barn I don't mean rustic, little barn.. I mean this:

It was the wedding of my sister's best childhood friend.

&& she was beyond stunning..

Photo by Tim Robison

The ceremony was centered on worship & the physical covenant of the love of our Lord. 

It was small, simple ceremony with vows, singing, cowboy boots, scripture reading, a groomsman's prayer...

it was beautiful from start to finish.

After the ceremony, the guests were lead to the side of the barn to enjoy some NEHI, Cheerwine, or Sun drops while the "transition team" transitioned the ceremony venue to the reception area.

Once the dance floored was created & the tables strategically placed.. the guest got to experience this...

Southern Weddings Magazine worthy, am I right?

The room filled me with tons of inspiration for my room in my new Raleigh home next fall.  I am definitely taking a few ideas from this wedding.. you shall see later this summer! :)

__________

Then the party began...

&& you'll never guess who caught the bouquet...

Like I said it was a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous wedding!  I was so thankful to be able to celebrate this special day with Lauren & her new hubby!

Yay for love! :)

the one on mother's day weekend.

 This past weekend on Mother's Day rocked.  It was so good to see all our family && show our thanks for the momma's that made it all possible.

My daddy's momma.

My momma's momma.

My momma.

Who loved her Mother's Day gift...

A gift where these people...

made this out of the scraps of a new kitchen table...

&& turned it into this chalkboard for mom's new kitchen..

I love my mom.  She is my best friend & knows me better than anyone I know.  She is inspiring, encouraging, creative, loving, a great cook, an even better listener, & care-giver.  

Thanks for all you do, mom.  I love you!

Overall, it was a great weekend.  We had so much fun spending time with people we adore.

Even these dweebs...

the one to update my playlist.

This weekend rocked.. && deserves a warm, long post.  So after Thursday (my last final) I will dedicate a nice, motherly post about the weekend at home.  

In the meantime, Anatomy & Cognitive Psychology are controlling my brain.

But it's iTunes Tuesday.. 

I am obsessed with the Adele Pandora Station.  It is seriously blowing my mind right now.  So as I hear songs come on, I update my playlist to the side -->

So.. go to the bottom of the playlist to hear some updated songs. :)  

They will not disappoint.. promise.

Happy Tuesday.. 

&& good luck to all college kids pushing through this last week!

Enjoy this random picture of some ducks my parents bought for their pond! heheee

the one with a thousand roses.

During Finals week, the stress in the library can get so thick you can feel it when you walk in.  To avoid that, my roomie found us hidden treasure in Raleigh to study in.. 

the Rose Garden.

We got up early one day last week & decided to study at the Rose Garden.  We grabbed some coffee & bagels to go from Brugger's && made a palate in the middle of the garden.

After we ate breakfast, we procrastinated by walking around && taking lots of pictures.

Then we got busy be studious students.

Then we took a break to teach ourselves how to shag...

&& yes, we did self-timed ourselves.

It was such a gorgeous day && way to spend the day studying physics!

Thanks rooms for the fabulous idea! :)

the one who runs with the Lord.

With this week being the start of Finals, I am been a little preoccupied with studying.  This weekend was surprisingly wonderful.. going into it I thought I was going to be stressful, busy, distracting, short, lazy, etc.  I just didn't have a good feeling about it.  But like I mentioned earlier, I was pleasantly surprised.  This post isn't about that, but I just thought I would let yall know.. since you seemed concerned & all. 

 Around noon on Saturday, Sarah Ann & I wanted to go get some cardio & run to our future house.   While we were getting ready, changing clothes, charging iPods, I was inspired by a couple friends in Raleigh, who just started running for an insanely good cause.  You can read about them here... They apply scripture, & lots of prayer to their runs & I find that inspiring.  Right now in my life, I want to discipline my heart.  I don't want my heart to be discouraged when things don't go according to plan, I want my heart to trust that the Lord brings you through everything, even the teeny tiny things.  I want my heart to be disciplined on pushing through with the Lord's strength & not my own.  I want my heart to beat furiously for my Savior.   So when doing my devotions Saturday morning I came across this verse:

Apply your heart to discipline & your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12

I wrote it on my wrist to inspire me to push through my run with Sarah Ann later on.  To know that in the middle of the run, it's gonna get hard & I am going to want to quit or slow down or go back the old direction.  But even with really small things, such a running a couple miles, it is the Lord's strength that pulls you through, not your own.  So when my side was cramping or my legs were starting to burn, I looked at my wrist & prayed for strength and discipline.

Sarah & I ran 4 miles with a very small amount of difficulty. 

He is good & faithful.  

Now, it's back to the books.. chemistry now until bedtime - eek! :(