Today I Was Home MAY'd!

Happy birthday to me!. Whoo Hoo! Today I am 24 years young! Time has flown. I love getting birthday cards or cards of any kind probably because I like sending them just as much. Since my sister works for Hallmark she has easy access to the best of the best in greeting cards. I am so lucky to have her as a sister. I always value her opinion, am overly sensitive to everything she says, and often respond defensively. I am trying hard to work on all of these things.  

The card reads

 Front: 

" When friends say they're 'close as sisters' - 

Inside:

We're the kind of sisters they mean. Happy Birthday

So grateful for my family and especially her!


My birthday was celebrated first by sleeping in. Okay so I wasted a little bit of it (only til noon), but seriously I love sleeping in so I think one day won't hurt. 

Then my Mom joined me as I went to try on some more wedding dresses. Pretty sure I was successful this time, but I know the Big Guy upstairs was helping along with some other extra prayers. (It is National Day of Prayer)

Onto some less serious shopping and dinner to finish the day. Nothing to crazy for Cinco de Drinko, as my brothers call it,  but I thought it was a perfect day. 


Thanks Mom and Dad for bringing me into the world.


Now I look forward to my half birthday also known as my wedding day!!




The best things in life are homemade.

Sneak Peek

I really really hate when this happens...

...so I apologize in advance if your card got stamped like this. Just kidding I would NEVER send that out... I am a perfectionist.

In other news, I've been spending lots of time here...

And wearing something like this...

This is lots of new for me and really a HUGE step out of the comfort zone. I used to stay in the van when I was little because I did not want to get out and walk through the woods because I was afraid of bugs. I'm not proud of that. I am positive my parents are wishing Brandon would have come along sooner. Perhaps then I would have actually been able to contribute to the yard work and such. Never to late I suppose.

 I have really grown to like being outdoors and like to be helpful to Brandon and his adventures.  It is great to be out before the sun is up and watch how nature comes alive with the light. Another of my favorite parts is the conversations we have. Great bonding. I am so glad he is eager for me to learn and that he wants me to come along.  

I have a second interview with a bank next week. Hoping I get the job there even though I know that will pry into my 'not do anything' time, not sure how I feel about that but I need to work, just part of life. Still hoping that someday I will be using my creative talents for work.

I am slowly getting used to my new work space as you can see above. I finished my Christmas cards. Now I just need to write and send them! 

Lauren

Psalm 50:1 

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

Birthdays

It has been such a joy working with this family for the last 11 months.  Friday was my last day.  It is so bittersweet I can't even describe.  In life you get called in different directions.  This job has been absolutely perfect for me, but it is time I am being called into a different direction. Yesterday and today were the little one's birthday parties! Below are the invitations I created for each party. What a blast. I am so thankful they asked me to join them.  

Shout out to my sister for her amazing print! Very fancy. Thanks KARL!

Bug's Invites

LOOK AT THAT HANDSOME FACE!

What a blessing in disguise. They are such amazing kids. I will miss them more than words can say. God has taught me many MANY lessons and they have truly changed my life. I am so excited to be a mother someday!!

I have one more post coming 

soon before the BIG move. 

Apologies for the lag time between.

Happy Halloween!

lauren

21

Happy Birthday to my favorite little younger brother. Today he turns 21, however, I could have sworn he thought he was of age about five years ago. I have tons of story of the mischief he has gotten himself into and cannot count the number of times I have had to cover for him.  Those are in the past now and I am excited for him to make new, probably just as crazy, memories.  He acquired the taste for beer long ago. This is something I have never done. Ick!  So in honor of one of his favorite hobbies I present his birthday card and cake.

Favorite Pic (above)

 Bud Light bottle cap cake. 

After all this excitement and cake eating we decided to go bowling. So fun. Great family time just the seven us. Sadly I didn't break 100, and took last place of four, but I got in a good practice game before the annual bowl in Alabama that will be coming up soon.

I know he loved his cake and card, but is most excited to be able to purchase his own beverages of choice. Happy Birthday Brother!

Lauren

Better Late Than Never

This was supposed to be an August post but here we are September 4th, sorry! The wedding of my great friend Maddie took place on August 14th in Kansas City. 'She looked gorgeous' is an understatement! I was crying before she even made it down the aisle. She shed a few tears but when she casually whipped out her Kleenex that was securely tucked in her dress we all couldn't help but chuckle. Great wedding! Congrats Maddie and Chris.

Something I like to do for wedding cards it to take the invitation and turn it, or parts of it, into the wedding card. I forgot to take a pic of the invitation before I started so here is an idea of what it looked like after I took the scissors to it.

Here it is post surgery...

Now the fun part of this is, if you look really closely and it the right light, you can see through to the words of the invitation. I thought this was cool, you may think its tacky, not sure...

And of course a pic of the bride and groom!!

...and they will live happily ever after!

Lauren

p.s Happy Birthday Blair!