Project Of The Day. #AfricanSkirts

I really, really, really don't like sewing or sewing machines. Sometimes I think "Man it would probably be a good idea to learn how to use this thing without help from mom. Just incase I really need to know how some day." But then I just can't get past the really not enjoying it phase. Any way, back in May, which was 8 months ago, I went to Africa and bought a bunch of fabric. When I got back I had great intentions to sew ties to the ends of the fabric so I could wear them as wrap around skirts. The only problem; I couldn't bring myself to deal with that sewing machine. Finally today, 8 months later, I somehow got in a mood to create these wrap around skirts. With help from mom of course. And my little helper Abby.

So there it is. I finally got some African wrap around skirts made. Mission accomplished.

6 Things

1. I stole my brother Chapman's T-shirt that says "Real men drive tractors." I wear it to bed sometimes because It makes me feel safe. 2. I have a horseshoe shaped scar right between my eyebrows because a few years ago my family and I were playing tag in the pool and my brother John David lunged at me and his finger nail put a gash in my head. Lovely. 3. The other day I ate breakfast in bed... Actually it was cauliflower in bed, which really isn't the same at all as breakfast in bed. 4. My sisters, Abby and Mary Alice, got a pogo stick for Christmas. They made it to 800 jumps at one time... Is that human? Well I made it to 38. That's got to count for something. Right? 5. I drink milk straight from the jug right out of the fridge. (I dont drink milk often, but sometimes when you are chewing that cookie you need a gulp or two.) This drives my family crazy and they freak out. I don't think Mary knows I do that yet... shhh don't tell her! ;) 6.Incase you were wondering, I might be a little on the strange side....

I Have Decided To Be Happy Because It Is Good For My Health.

Today Mary(my roomie, bestie) got to see her husband for the first time after 2 months as he graduated from Boot Camp! Woot woot! Go Alex!

Aren't they so beautiful! On another note have you ever heard this quote "You can take a girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl." Mary and I were raised in the sticks. Now we are both living in civilized land. Aka a neighborhood in town. We went on a walk and found the one little patch of woods in the neighborhood. Because, "Ya can't take the country out of the girl." =D

Also I had a blond moment. I was making a fruit,spinach, smoothie. I put all the ingredients in the blender and turned it on. Only then did I realize I forgot the blade... Oops

So I dumped all the ingredients into a bowl put the blade in the blender then poured all the ingredients back in the blender. #facepalm

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."

You know those weeks that are an exceptionally good week in every area of life. I love those weeks. That was my past week. My mom and little sisters except Hannah went out of town. Hannah came and stayed the week with Mary and me. One of those nights Leah(Mary's sister) came and stayed a night too. It was fun. We had a good time making dinners together. Watching movies. Eating chocolate (Suggestive dove chocolate to be exact. You know how they have little messages on the wrappers? We are pretty sure it was a sex bag of chocolate! Yikes!) We also ate a lot of asparagus. Did you know that if you eat a lot of asparagus it makes your pee stink? Well now ya know. You're welcome. Also, Asparagus is a very good source of fiber,vitamins A, C, E and K. Full of antioxidants and delicious! So eat more Asparagus people! =) I also made these.

Bacon wraped water chestnuts! They are so delicious! Eat these with your asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes and you will have a meal fit for a queen! On Wednesday Hannah and I went with my friends Erica and Latifah, ice skating at the outdoor rink downtown Columbia. It was cute and a fun activity to throw into the middle of our week! It was a bit on the cold side so when are fingers started throbbing we decided it was time to leave.

I managed to fall hard on my knees. I came home with a big blue bruise on each knee. Besides the cold and the bruises it was a fun night and it's always good to catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while. On Friday after work. I was feeling a bit of the shopping bug. Now, I just want to put out there that I have not done much shopping since the end of November because I have put myself on a strict budget. (I know, I know, Im so disciplined... ok I over spent on Black Friday so I had to chill out for a while!) So anyway I wanted to find some brown wedge boots I decided to check CATO because I always have the best of shoe luck with them! And once again I scored big time. They had brown wedge boots, my size, the last pair! 29 dollars. Here they are.

While I was there I looked at the clearance shoe rack they always have a clearance shoe rack with awesome deals. I picked up one pair of shoes that I probably wouldn't normally get but then when I saw that they were on sale for 4 dollars I couldn't resist. I cant find a picture unfortunately but they were a chuncky heeled black shoe with a tan strap. I also scored on a cute little open toed wedge that was bright mustard yellow for 7 dollars. Now as if this isn't enough, I guess Mary was feeling the shopping bug too on Saturday. So I decided to join her on her shopping adventure. She decided to look at CATO after seeing my success. She scored these cute little booties.

And I looked at the black dress pants and scored a very nice pair for 7 bucks! Can't beat that! So CATO's where it's at! You should go check it out! After our shopping adventure Mary and I came home and ate the meal I mentioned above for a second time that week because it's seriously the best! Then my mom came by to visit which was fun. For dinner I went with my family to eat dinner with a family from our church at their house. We played a long and exciting game of Dutch Blitz! My favorite!

On Sunday I was talking with some ladies at my church about doing the Cooper River Bridge Run. I said they should do it with me! Now we are planning that trip Im pretty excited about it this will be either my 5th, 6th or 7th time to do it. But now I've lost track and can't remember. I called my sisters on the phone 3 times yesterday to make sure they were going to go running that day in order to prepare for the race. haha Im kinda being a slave driver about it! I'm excited to do it with the ladies from church! =D Later on Sunday afternoon the Bausums came over to mom and dads. We played Kings Base, Guesstures, and Mafia. It was a good time. Aso Alex called Mary and I got to talk to him for the first time since he's been gone which is weird because he has called plenty of times I just haven't ever talked to him when he called. But this time I had to tell him about my crazy weird dream that he was in. =D Yesterday was my day off work. So I did some errands I bought a scrap book for 2014 that Im pretty happy about. And I bought a lot of produce. When I got home I made the best stinkin pizza EVER! No joke never had one so good in my life. I put a lot of fresh produce on it. I got the recipe from www.dontquotetheraven.com She wasn't lying when she told us we would eat the whole thing in one sitting!

So that was my exciting week. Today, Tuesday is a new day. I wonder what adventure it will bring. I'd like to leave you with this thought that has been on my mind. So often we are quick to point out peoples faults. To talk about the horrible things they have done. To gossip about others or even to speak rudely and harshly to those we love. Something that has stopped me dead in my tracks was a realization of just how ugly and nasty me sin is. How I do some of the same things I accuse others of doing. What if, instead of being quick to accuse and point fingers and talk about others we were quick to extend grace. Because really it' just about laughable to look at your self a dirty sinful thing pointing a finger at another dirty sinful thing. It makes no since. It's not our place. Instead lets live up to a higher calling. Lets extend grace when we are tempted to judge or speak rudely. Lets love others because we are so grateful for the grace and love that has been extended to us. Read Romans 12 and let it give you perspective on how we should think of ourselves and how we should think of and treat others. Romans 12. 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Peace In The Chaos

Do you ever feel like you are losing your mind? Like things are getting out of control? Like things are strange and not making since? And if you try to explain how it feels you just sound crazy? Because it's all in your mind. And no one else can understand your thoughts but you. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings that I would love to write out here or any where just to bring some kind of order to my frazzled mind. Here is the most beautiful thing though, despite my thoughts and feelings God has shown me himself like a light at the end of a tunnel. He has been teaching me how to trust him. I am reminded here and there through sermons and conversations and songs and books of his love. Today I heard one of my favorite songs that I have not heard in a while. It is by Sanctus Real. When I heard it today I thought, Wow hearing that couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. It basically sums up exactly how I feel! The line that describes perfectly how I feel goes "Whatever you're doing inside of me, it feels like chaos but some how there's peace. I believe you're up to something bigger than me, larger than life, something heavenly." Truly, I don't understand how I can be so peaceful despite the raging chaos in my mind. I imagine it has to do with this verse from Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Amen! I believe that! Jesus is guarding my heart and my mind! In all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path! Proverbs 3:6 With this New Year 2014 my prayer is to know God more intimately and understand his heart. Thank you Jesus for never leaving me nor forsaking me!

Bringing in the New Year at Stone Mountain!

With some dancing! ;)

And a beautiful lit up vilage at the base of Stone Mountain! :D

Also visited a German Village on Jauary 1st! And had a few laughs with my beautiful sweet friend Rebeca!

Cousins, Christmas and Christ.

I have some of the best cousins anyone could ask for! I found this quote.

It makes me smile! Here is a picture of all my cousins on my moms side. Actually it's a picture of me, my 6 siblings and our 7 cousins on my moms side.

We had a fun Christmas. Every year we cousins draw each others name at thanksgiving and play secret santa at Christmas! I drew my cousin Stephen. I drew him last year too. He got the same gift as last year. Jeans and a T-shirt. I dont think he minded. When we get older some how jeans, shirts, underwear and socks become exciting. Probably because we have gotten to the age where our parents make us get our own clothes. They are no longer freely provided. So now we are more grateful when we do receive clothing. It's a good thing really. And then again maybe that little theory only applies to me. Moving on. Here Stephen and I are after Christmas morning.

And here are all my girls. This one is from Thanksgiving we are blessed we all get to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together!

Some of our Chrismas included Apples to Apples. An AMAZING magical card trick from the amazing, beautiful Michaela.

It also included garlic mashed potatoes(my favorite) a silly string fight, a dog fight, some frisbee in the road, A LOT OF SPARKLING GIFTS, a "Merry Christmas Laura! :)" text, making a blanket with Aunt Vanessa and Aunt Alice along with some good talks.

some aprons made by mom and some socks hand knit by our amazing Mi-mi

Here is Mi-mi in the middle.

and a Happy Birthday song to Jesus. Thank you Jesus for such a beautiful blessed Christmas week! :)

So Much Hope.

Ann Voskamp has a way with words that whenever I read what she has to say, I usually cry. Here is a quote from her blog. "And Christ comes and cracks into this world and the carapace of our hurting hearts, and we can hear Him coming: "I came in unexpected ways the first time and I will come again in the hour you think not, so trim your wick, you there in the impossible dark, and light an unexpected flame regardless, and be ready with impossible hope — for I am coming again."