Think About It Thursday

Some sayings that my late grandfather lived by:

Life is not a matter of problems its a matter of solutions
A dog has four legs can only go in one direction
If the look stupid they probably are stupid
Experience is the accumulation of your mistakes
Marriage is the only institution that you go to bed with the enemy

As I think about these sayings it reminds me that no matter what happened to my grandfather he always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. I promised myself that no matter who told me I laughed to much I would ignore that and continue to do it. I feel that laughter keeps me from going crazy and from taking life too seriously. I think it is one of my greatest qualities and something that there is not enough of. So today when you find life getting you down just laugh, it will make you feel better.

What do you do?

What do you do when life gets hard? Do you roll with the punches? Do you let it get you down? Sometimes you lose the control of which you decide. Sometimes people make mistakes, I mean that is why Jesus died on the cross right? So why is it that others cant always find a place to forgive you? Maybe that is their imperfection, but does that seem fair? Lately some of the people that are closest to me seem to be drifting the farthest apart. It pains me to watch it unfold and it consumes the majority of my brain and my heart. I have always been the one who fixes things in my family. I feel this is the role of the middle child, the mediator. Stepping back and letting God take control is something I have always struggled with. I want everyone to like me and I want everyone to get along. I know this is not realistic but its the way I think. Again another middle child syndrome or maybe just a Lauren syndrome. I am facing a task later this week that I am not looking forward to. I hate confrontations regardless of whether or not I have done anything wrong. Today I am trying my best to lift this to God and let him speak to my heart.

School

As I enjoy my last sunday before classes begin I find myself excited and anxious, like a pre-schooler before his first day for kindergarden. Growing up I always felt this way, many of my friends did not so I always felt strange:) I got excited about school every year until about my sophmore year of college and I wondered if the excitement had left me forever. But as my excitement continues this year I know it has reemerged. This is such an exciting year for me. My first semester in the social work program, my last year of undergraduate, something I never thought would come and the realization that I know what I want to do for the rest of my life and I am excited about it! There is a long line of family members that love their job, something I feel is very rare in our society. Growing up I knew that whatever I did for a living, it would be something I loved to do, not just something that paid the bills. As I go through each class and as I volunteer at the Children's Cancer Center I know that I will love this career and it will be so much more than just a job.

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta

Im getting ready to start my last year of undergrad and I cant believe how fast it has flown by. This picture was taken when I moved into the dorm my freshman year. Wow!

Think About It Thursday

I received my letter of acceptance yesterday to the school of social work. It was such a great accomplishment and looking back it all made sense to me. I didn't always start off wanting to be a social worker. I wanted to be a physical therapist, so I started in pre-medical sciences during which I started volunteering at the children's cancer center and met Mary Ann. I then realized that pre-med was not for me. I thought about getting my physical therapy aide degree but decided against that. A fellow sorority sister was in the social work program so I decided to check it out. After reading the description I thought this would be good for me. I took a semester of classes and then decided to go into education. After a few classes I quickly began to see that this was not my calling. So I went back to social work where I began to feel that this was where my heart was and I could love doing this for the rest of my life. I started my last semester of classes before I would apply to the program. I struggled and struggled with economics and was sure that it would be what would hold me back, but after much hard work I passed economics and was well on my way. The past few months over the summer I waited and waited some more and finally the letter came. Its amazing how such a short letter can impact your life so much! I start my first orientation on monday and my first social work classes on wednesday. I am so excited to be on my way to achieving my bachelors in social work. I am determined to do the best I can in each and every class I take. It is very evident that God's plan is always in play. I now know that my true calling is social work and all of the struggles showed me that.

Wordless Wednesday

For more wordless wednesdays visit 5 minutes for Moms

Life's Challenges

I am patiently waiting for my letter of acceptance into the social work program. I have never wanted something so bad and been so scared of rejection in my life. It has to be here by saturday since school starts on Monday. I have registered for some other classes I need for back up. For the first time in my life I know exactly what I want to do and cannot wait to do it! A great man once said that walls are put up so you can tear them down. Im determined to get through this program and be a social worker. Im just not sure how I will handle the rejection if I dont get in. Each day I go to the mail box praying its there and each day its not. Im not even sure I will be able to open it once it comes. I can only hope that it will be here today so I can deal with whatever the letter says.

A Simple Act Of Kindness

Game On!
While visiting Fifi Flowers Design Decor I discovered she has this great game that focuses on "paying it forward" and I wanted to play HERE ARE THE RULES: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward.This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something fun, cute, & nice to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on. If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. Just a gift that will make the person smile. There are no cost restraints, but don't go crazy! If you'd like to join in, be one of the first 3 people to leave me a comment. You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. I hope people like this idea. It's a small way to bring a smile to some one's face!

Friday Foto Fiesta Finish

Happy Best Friends Day! With out this girl I do not know where I would be! I love you!!

I Believe

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we die
Pictures show that we lived! Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.
I Believe...That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe...That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe...That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe ...That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...That my best friend and I, can do anything,
or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe...That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe...That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe...That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe...Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.I Believe...That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Think About It Thursday

Do you really know how many calories you are eating? Lately I have been writting down my calorie intake and it is truly unbelievable how many calories things have. Those peanut butter crackers have almost 300 calories!!! So do a little bag of cheese its. The sushi I have eaten from Publix is loaded with calories. I do believe this is the reason why I was not losing weight, I wasnt gaining weight because I was doing 45 min of cardio daily. I have seen a huge difference in my weight loss since I have started to write down what I eat. Dieticians say that writting down what you eat is a great way to help with your eating habits. You are more apt to look at what you eat if you have to write it down and know how many calories you are intaking per day. Try it for a couple of days, you may be very suprised as to just how many calories you are eating.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday..Tell Me More

I am inpatient
I dont really like change, but I know its what is best
I am too sensitive
I wear my heart on my sleeve
I love music and feel it truly speaks to my soul
I smile when I'm sad
I love my family more than most people
The short time I was in the sorority I made some of the best friends I will ever have
I hate confrontation
I'm about to marry my best friend
I laugh at everything, and although some people may not like that it is what keeps me sane
I know the lyrics to just about every song
I love to ride with the windows down
I will always be a daddy's girl
My mom is my hero and I hope that one day I can be as strong of a woman as she is
I dont take time for myself
I want everyone to like me and yes I know that this isnt possible
Im still learning to love myself
I miss my brother everyday
I cannot wait to begin my social work career
I wish there was a cure for cancer

My Personal Prayer

My Personal Prayer


Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details - give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. Help me to endure them with patience, but seal my lips on my own aches and pains - they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all - but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Happy Birthday Brother

Today is my brother CJ's birthday. He is my older brother who died twenty four years ago from Neuroblastoma. For those of you who don't know, neuroblastoma is a rare form of pediatric cancer. I missed meeting him by just a year, something I did not know until I went to his grave for the first time after my uncle died in january. He died in 1986 and I was born in 1987. Its funny how you can have never met someone and love them and miss them so much. I only know what he looked like from the pictures, which are few are far between since he was only two. He looked like my mom's side and he loved lizards thats all I know. I think about him every day and know that my passion for helping those with cancer is deep rooted from losing him before I was even born. As sad as it was losing my grandmother, both grandfathers and my uncle I was at peace knowing that cj would have them as he sacrificed for so long. I know he looks down on me everyday and I feel better knowing that. I hope that I am making him proud and I look forward to the day we meet again and I can know his face for myself and tell him how much I love him.

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by Ronda at rondasrants.blogspot.com
Rules...Use only one word to answer and then tag four people!
1. Where is your cell phone? table
2. Your significant other? ryan
3. Your hair? blond
4. Your mother? inspirational
5. Your father? hardworking
6. Your favorite thing?sun
7. Your dream last night?nonexistent
8. Your favorite drink? sunkist
9. Your dream/goal? Acceptance(school)
10. The room you're in? comforting
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Your fear? unknown
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? sucessful
14. What you're not? pessimistic
15. Muffins?blueberry
16. One of your wish list items? peace
17. Where you grew up? valrico
18. The last thing you did? breakfast
19. What are you wearing? shorts
20. Favorite Gadget?wii
21. Your pet? jake
22. Your computer?reliable
23. Your mood?hopeful
24. Missing someone? brother
25. Your car? corolla
26. Something you are not wearing?makeup
27. Favorite Store? Target
28. Like someone? everyone
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed?today
31. Last time you cried?yesterday

Life is Too Short

Life is too short
Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness
Laugh when you can
Apologize when you should
And let go of what you can’t change
Love Deeply and forgive Quickly
Take chances, give everything, and have no regrets
Life is too short to be unhappy
You have to take GOOD with the BAD
Smile when you are sad
Love what you got and Always remember what you had
Always forgive never forget
Learn from your Mistakes but Never Regret

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,When the funds are low and the debts are high,And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,When care is pressing you down a bit,Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,As everyone of us sometimes learns,And many a failure turns aboutWhen he might have won had he stuck it out;Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;You might succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer thanIt seems to a faint and faltering man,Often the struggler has given upWhen he might have captured the victor's cup.And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out;The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;And you never can tell how close you are,It may be near when it seems afar;So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

I've Learned

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows. I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world. I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class. I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds. I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher. I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away. I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life. I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

August!

First of all..I cant believe it is already august!! Second I am soo excited!!! School starts in a few weeks and this fall is a semester with so much to look forward to. I am hopefully starting my social work classes on and on my way to completing the last year of my undergraduate! Holy cow..I am graduating in a year! My sister is getting married in November!! I cant believe how fast that has flown by..but I couldnt be more excited for her. My future brother in law is an incredbile man and he treats her like the princess she deserves to be treated like. November also marks the official countdown to my own wedding! I will be trying wedding dresses, picking flowers, and making all the decisions to make our wedding all I have dreamed of. Wow what a year..graduating and getting married..the two things I have looked forward to for as long I can remember are finally in grasps! I am so excited to begin this wonderful journey!!

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta

Old Habits Die Hard! Buffett concert every year since 6th grade!