The Ultimate List

I don't know about you but ever since my life started to have its own crazy schedule my Mom always told me to make a list.

Going to the grocery store? Make a list.

Keep forgetting your homework? Make a list.

Your house is messy? Make a list.

Can't find your first list? Make another list.

You get the point?

Because of this training I see lists everywhere. (it's like a sixth sense) I was studying my Bible the other night and I was reading through Proverbs 31.

The ultimate list.

So many times, we as women, get overwhelmed and intimidated with this chapter. Thoughts overcome us such as..,

"I cat do that"

"No woman can be all of that"

"I don't want to wake up early"

As I thought through this passage in a new light I saw this as a different kind of list, not the kind we check off and mark as completed. This list will never be completed but it's a daily reminder of what we can mirror in our own lives.

I am a Proverbs 31 Woman and so are YOU because by the grace of God every day we have a fresh start to look at this list and try again. Everyday we have a chance to strive to be better. We do not need to worry or think of what a Godly woman should be because we have already been given the blue print and I don't know about you but that's a huge relief! 

I pray today you rise up and take hold of this list, rather than being intimidated by it, and realize you can reflect this list within your crazy chaotic life! 

-Stephanie

What I'm Loving This Week

Hello my dear friends!

I feel as though I haven't been on here in forever, oh wait it has been forever!

Between midterms, and a spring break filled with nothing but wedding appointment after appointment my poor blog took to the back burner.

But with all the time spent away from my blog I thought up some really great posts so stay tuned!

Enough of my rambling, here are a few things I'm loving this week and I thought maybe you would care!  

Drink: Sweet Tea! (Every day, all day)

Website: Simply Clarke's blog!

Song: Human by Christina Perri.

School/Work Related Thing: Making a power point for my Literature class. (I know I'm a nerdy it's been duly noted)

Beauty Product: Naked 3 Pallet by Urban Decay.

Tech: Designing my own Valentine's Day tags.

 Favorite Workout of The Week: This arm workout. It was a pain to get through but so worth it! 

Guilty Pleasure: Watching Chuck on Netflix.. .

 Random: There's 47 days till I graduate and 121 days till I get married.

Purchase: XO Earrings from American Eagle.

What are you loving this week? Write a blog and link me to it so I can find something new to love!

 -Stephanie

The Day Of Love

Hello there wonderful people of the internet, 

I hope this weekend someone showed you a little extra loving, whether it was a significant other or your BFF!

I was reminded by a fellow blogger on Valentines Day of 1st John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us." 

We don't need a holiday to show someone love, (although gifts are a nice perk) smile at someone today you never know what they may be going through.  

-Stephanie

DIY: You're My Favoite Book

Hello ladies!

Are you ready for Spring yet? I know I am! I've spent so many days in the house mainly because it's terribly cold out and I have no desire to go out. 

The up-side to long and cold winter days is it gives me time to make and create fun things.

Chris' birthday was this past week and I thought I would share with you what I did for part of his present!

You Will Need:

Paper

Fabric (I used burlap)

Needle & Thread

Pictures

First I cut out 5x5 squares of paper and fabric, I then sewed one square of paper onto one square of fabric making a pocket.

Once I sewed 10 pockets I glued a photograph to the side of paper that was pocketless.

If you want you can print the design I made for the cover!

After I finished all of my sewing and glueing I wrote a little letter/love note for each pocket.

Lastly I punched a whole in the corner of each page and tied them together with ribbon creating the perfect little book!

Homemade gifts are always my go to, and this one took a bit longer but it was worth it!

Stay warm folks!

-Stephanie

Life Is A Wild Ride

Can I just brag about my Mom for a bit?

This woman is amazing! About a year ago my Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and from that day on all of our lives took an unexpected turn.

I drove home this week from school for my Mom's mastectomy and it blows my mind how calm and collective she was when I arrived.

Praise God for a smooth surgery! After one night in the hospital my Mom was discharged and we have been at home taking it easy!

Watching my Mom process the fact that she has cancer and deciding to beat it is something I will never forget. I was convinced my Mom was the strongest woman I knew even before this sharp turn occurred, and now I have no idea how she does it! Through my Mom God has taught me many things, how to love, who to love, how to listen, how to give advice, and how to be strong. I would never, and could never ask for a better woman to raise me!

   

Thank you to everyone for your constant prayers and thoughts! I'm excited to announce that the day before I left to return to school my Mom was diagnosed cancer free! Tears came to my eyes as we left the hospital that day, My Mom no longer has cancer and I praise God every day!

Although the surgery is over, and the results are looking good, there is still a long journey ahead!

If you have gone through, or know someone who has been through breast cancer share your journey with us!

-Stephanie

Valentines Day: DIY

Love is in the water... or air... or not... either way Valentines Day is quickly approaching, and for those of us who have significant others this can become a stressful gift giving event.

Although society paints us a picture that this special day is for the men to wine and dine the women we simply cannot leave the men out! They deserve some lovin' too! 

Being a full time college student and a full time engaged couple Chris and I are on a tight budget, like many couples, this doesn't mean that your gifts cannot be a smashing success!

Here are 6 DIY Valentine's Day gifts that will woo your man!

1) A homemade mug! 

All you need is a mug, an oven, and sharpies!
Set your oven to 350 degrees.
After you have designed the perfect mug bake it for 30 minuets and you're done!

2) A Jar Of Reasons Why...

For this lovely gift you will need a bag of suckers and a jar!
First you must decide what you want to give reasons for... (i.e. reasons why you're awesome)
Next write a reason for each sucker that you can fit into the jar.
Add some cute decorations and a touch of you!
And bam! You're done!

3)  A More Thought Provoking Gift

Giving a book to your man that you both can learn from is a unique and fun idea!
Choose a book that reflects your relationship and the stage in your relationship is in!

4) The Classic Coupon Book

You may find it cheesy but some guys love cheesy!
Make a coupon book geared just for your man and his needs!
DO NOT FORGET: To put an expiration date on each coupon. 

5) A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Pictures bring back so many memories and will always be timeless. Make a collage of memories that were captured then frame them for a lovely gift.
You can make a picture college and print it for a very reasonable cost on Walmart online.

6) Mix It Up

Last but not least, a mix CD!
Create the perfect playlist of songs that will bring a smile to his face. Add songs that you two laugh about, and cry about, songs that bring back memories and good times. Don't forget to add that song you played on repeat once you realized you loved him.

There you have it! Six DIY gift ideas for Valentine's Day! I hope these have inspired you to spoil your man a little extra on Valentine's Day!

If you needs some more hints or tips on making your man feel special you can check out my other blog post!

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

-Stephanie

Engaged and 20

Recently there has been a post circulating Facebook and the internet, when I was home over Christmas break my Mom found it and read a list of 23 things to do instead of getting engaged.

Before you quit reading this post because you're tired of talking about this subject...

Wait. 

What I gathered from reading this post was that after marriage your life becomes a bore. No more adventure, no more late night decisions, and no more excitement, as if getting married was a death sentence.

And I suppose to some it may feel like a death sentence.

And I also suppose because I'm engaged at 20 this may seem like a completely biased response.

I have a different idea though, what if once you get married you start a life long journey with your partner in crime, the other half to your mini gang, your best friend. 

Marriage isn't a death sentence, maybe I'm buying into the "fairytale" of married life, but that's a chance that's worth taking. I've over looked the infamous list of 23 things to do instead of getting engaged and to my surprise this is what I've discovered...    

 ✔ Things I've Done

✔  1. Get a passport.

✔ 2. Find your "thing."

    3. Make out with a stranger. (something I've never craved to do)

✔ 4. Adopt a pet.

✔ 5. Start a band.

✔ 6. Make a cake. Make a second cake. Have your cake and eat it too.

    7. Get a tattoo. It's more permanent than a marriage. (never found one I liked enough)

✔ 8. Explore a new religion.

    9. Start a small business. (unless you count wrapping present for my brothers)

✔ 10. Cut your hair.

     11. Date two people at once and see how long it takes to blow up in your face. (I'll pass)

✔ 12. Build something with your hands.

✔ 13. Accomplish a Pinterest project.

    14. Join the Peace Corps. (never really thought of joining before)

✔ 15. Disappoint your parents.

    16. Watch Girls, over and over again. (don't know what it is, I might like it though)

✔ 17. Eat a jar of Nutella in one sitting.

✔ 18. Make strangers feel uncomfortable in public places.

    19. Sign up for CrossFit. (I signed up for Fitness Pal does that work?)

✔ 20. Hangout naked in front of a window. (I was three, but it counts)

✔ 21. Write your feelings down in a blog.

✔ 22. Be selfish.

     23. Come with me to the Philippines for Chinese New Year. (I just haven't gotten the money?)

 After checking off the items I have completed within my 20 years of life there's only 8 items I have not done. Technically I have 3 more years to finish this list (but what kind of a challenge is that?)
Instead of waiting 3 more years I thought it would be fun to list 8 things I've done that were not listed.

✔ 1. Skinned a deer.

✔ 2. Jumped onto a moving car.

✔ 3. Worked with Convoy of Hope onsite.

✔ 4. Visited elderly adults who have Alzheimer's weekly.  

✔ 5. Visited 22 US States.

✔ 6. Read the Bible three times from cover to cover.

✔ 7. Stood on the Continental Divide.

✔ 8. Got engaged in Disney World.

 If you want to marry young and God has confirmed in your heart that your significant other is your missing puzzle piece then I see nothing wrong with it. If you're not married and you're 23 + that's OK too! I may only be 20 but I've done a lot within these 20 years, and I have even more to accomplish within the next 20 years, and the only difference will be I get to accomplish those things with my best friend.

In the end though, the way each person lives their life is up to them. Your life cannot be defined by another person's opinion or list.

 -Stephanie

The Last First Day

This week I experienced my last first day of college before I graduate with my associates degree!

It's such an amazing feeling to know that on April 29th I'm going to receive my associates degree in leadership and arts! (Insert sequel here)

I have never known two years of my life to fly by so quickly!

It seems like just last week when I packed up all my stuff to move to school within five days. God certainly had a plan when he sent me off to college, I've learned so many lessons and made some incredible friendships. 

Cara and I the first week of college last year.

Cara and I on our last first day of college before we graduate in April.

There's this incredible feeling that bubbles up inside of me thinking of all the new doors and possibilities ahead of me.

Graduation, wedding plans, moving, there's so much running through my mind and I can't simply sort it all out, but it's all simply exciting!  

The Count Down
109 Days till graduation
183 Days till I marry my best friend

-Stephanie

Say Cheese

I love my family!

That's not me being sarcastic, I truly love my family.

Over Christmas break we celebrated Christmas day with my Mom's side of the family. After dinner my Mom decided it was time for a family picture considering everyone was in town.

The following is what we had to go through for one picture almost perfect family portrait.

My uncle Matt already prepared for his camera time

Everyone slowly joining Matt

Waiting... and waiting...

So close...

The little ones not realizing the importance of taking this photo

Natalie... taking a break from the family 

At last! 

As you can see it takes a lot to create such a beautiful family picture, and for the record we didn't even say cheese... we said Mickey! 

-Stephanie

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2013 In Review

It's amazing how much can change in a simple 365 days.

2013 has been a crazy insane year and reflecting on it reminds me that God's hand is in every situation through the good and the bad.

January

Discovered my love for watching impromptu... I know I'm such a hipster...

Photo bomb credit goes to our good friend Joe

February

Found out my Mom has breast cancer.
Such a twist in our year and mind set, she is the strongest woman I know and inspires me each and everyday!

Began my journey on crutches due to a Zumba incident... I don't want to talk about it...
 

March 

Continued my addiction to the TV show LOST 

 
Visited Silver Dollar City for the first time in my life, so much fun!

April 

Started blogging again,

and

Visited my brother David!

Finished my first year of college! And moved back home, which I missed very, very much!

May

Tried my hand at a few DIY ideas

No sew lace shorts

  
Dreamsicle Cake- yummmm 

I also babysat my two adorable cousins for the summer! 

June

Attempted to blog everyday in June #fail but it was fun!

Road tripped with my Mom to see my man!

Baby sat my brother and sister-in-laws dog Cali, I now have puppy fever and still want a dog.

July

Celebrated the 4th of July with my family!! It is simply our favorite holiday!

Finished all 6 seasons of LOST and was devastated at the ending. The result? Calling Chris at 3am crying..

Chris mailed me all of Luke Brian's current CD's making me a huge fan! 

August

Started my second year of college. 
My two favorite men moved me in! 

Fell in love with my beautiful new roomies

September

Chris proposed in Disney World! Seriously how can you top that!? 

October

Became addicted to taking Tea baths between studying sessions 

 

Bought my wedding dress over fall break 

November

One year and counting! 

Drove back home with the fiance for Thanksgiving, we love traveling together.

December

Study, clean, eat, and repeat. <<< Finals week in a nut shell for me.

My last Christmas with my family as a non married woman!

and
 
 My Mom's last Infusion Treatment! 

It's been quite the year! I am completely blessed and thankful for all God has done in 2013. I know next year will come with even more twists and turns and I'm excited to see what God has in store for Chris and I, our new home, and to see my Mom beat breast cancer and even more! 

Here's to 2014! 

-Stephanie