Lauren + Joelcakes

Sitting at home in Tulsa on the couch with a glass of wine and listening to "Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michaelson as I begin to type... relaxing? Very much so. I have two weeks to relax and hang out before my crazy fall semester begins. I finished working at Orange Leaf, moved into a new apartment, and took my last final for summer classes last Friday. This summer has flown by and I can't even fathom the fact that it is already August 4th! Although I was super busy with work and class this summer it has been AMAZING! I have grown closer to friends, made new friends, and even met a wonderful guy! I know I have said it many times already but I am sooo glad/thankful for the people God has put in my life this summer.

Now I would like all of my many readers (all 5 or so of you!) to meet Joel Owen Schierloh. Isn't he so cute? He is studying graphic design at OSU and like myself, will graduate in May 2011. We have such a great time together! I am so glad he is in my life and can't wait to continue learning more about him.

Joel and I at Stonewall in Stillwater after I got off of work. : )

Hanging out after a yummy dinner at Marisa's party in Tulsa.

Being silly at the park! Picture taken by Mikaela : )

I hope to post more pictures of our adventures as they take place!

Oh happiness...

Lauren

Never a Clever Title - - Update of My Life?

So instead of writing long paragraphs about what has been going on in my life lately, I thought I would tell you all by posting pictures! There are so many wonderful things and people in my life right now! God has been working in so many amazing ways this summer!

Towards the beginning of the summer I went to Dallas to see one of my best friends, Rachel. I have mentioned her a few times! We had an eventful weekend together and even ventured to the party scene at The Village in Dallas where we left shortly after arriving. Love her and miss her!

Darci has been my partner in crime this Summer! She has been such a wonderful friend to me and is a great listener! She has a great group of friends which I have been able to spend time getting to know.

Then came Fathers Day... I went home and went to lunch with my family at Sonoma Bistro and Wine Bar (YUM!). We tried to go to these teaching gardens in Tulsa (still unsure of the name) but they were closed so we took a picture outside of them. My Aunt Holly, Grandad, and Della joined us too!

This picture is from Darci's 22nd Birthday at Tokyo Pot in Stillwater which is amazing! I will have to add another picture (the other ones were sideways on here). Anyway, Mary Roy, her friend, and I had to wear these hats/bands because we were first timers. Gotta love it!

Then came the 4th of July. I went home and went to the Riverwalk with my parents, Grandad, and Della. Yes, I took care of the "pool" people. (an inside joke you'll have to ask me about) After the show we went into Los Cabos for a drink until the traffic died down.

On July 5th, my family went horseback riding which turned out to be very humid but also relaxing!! My horse was very tall but I love riding horses! Our leader just happened to be from Sallisaw ( a small town in Oklahoma where my Mom grew up) which led to some good conversation!

Finally, I just recently went to Amy Snider and Jeff Lute's couple shower in Rockwall, TX. They will be getting married in September! I had a great time with my Rangerette girls! So many memories!

I will hopefully be updating soon with more exciting adventures and pictures! Another busy week ahead! Moving and finals shortly approaching!

-LC

Cosmic Love and The Moments Inbetween

Finally a few moments to sit down and blog! I am exhausted tonight. I did not have a rigorous day but I think laying out in the sun really did it for me. I have been wanting to blog for awhile now but then when I would sit down to write, nothing would come to mind. My blog doesn't really have a theme on which I write about all of the time. Usually I write about a memorable story or talk about what is going on in my life. Sometimes I wish I had.... a cooking blog, a photography blog, or maybe even a coaching blog in which I shared my day to day experiences and work.

I can't believe the summer is half way over! It is July but WAIT, where did June go? This past month flew by extremely fast. I have been so busy in taking 10 hours, working, hanging out with friends, and visiting friends and family that each week passes in the blink of an eye.

I discovered an amazing song today called "Cosmic Love" by Florence and The Machine. It was used for a dance seen on So You Think You Can Dance last night which gave me chills! When I listen to this song and close my eyes, a beautiful dance plays out in my mind. I see my body moving and different parts going on. It is such an inspirational song.

Click here to listen to "Cosmic Love" by Florence and The Machine


Word of the Day:

hunky dory\HUHNG-kee-DOHR-ee\ , adjective;



Definition: About as well as one could wish or expect; satisfactory; fine; OK.

How many times have you heard this word used? When I think of this word or even use it an image of myself wearing overalls flashes into my head. I do love the word but I'm sure I would get a few weird looks if I went around telling people I was hunky dory all of the time!
 
Words I have been focusing on every day:
 
Patience
Strength
Confidence
Faith
 
I have really been focusing on putting everything in God's hands. Sometimes I'll start my day by closing my eyes and saying "Alright God, you are in control today". It is so easy to get caught up in our crazy schedules and forget that he is there and guiding us every step of the way even when we can't see where the path will take us. Isn't it just amazing?
 
-Crews

Windows down, Music loud, Wind blowing through my hair

I have been wanting to write on my blog for awhile now but as I sit here I'm trying to figure out what to write about... you would think I would have an idea by now. Right?

This week has been filled with much rain (bleh) but Darci and I finally had the chance to lay by the pool for 2 hours today! Yes! Our pool time was followed up by dinner from Red Rock in Stillwater and hanging out until SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance if you didn't know...) came on. By the way, I hate that SYTYCD is on two nights in a row. I usually work on Wednesday nights so I never get to watch the amazing dancing! Anyone else have this problem?

For the past 2 weeks my life has been consumed in Spanish online, Literacy, and working. Spanish is not going so well but I know if I work hard I can probably pass the class, which is all I'm asking for at this point. I will start tutoring a student for my literacy class on Monday. We will be working with the students on reading, writing, and spelling. I am very nervous about preparing lesson plans and providing a positive learning experience for my tutee!

Things I have enjoyed lately...

1) class with Darci and Amy

2) meeting new people

3) visiting friends in Dallas (Ashley, Rachel, and Amy)

4) drinks with Rachel in Dallas

5) reading my new bible (Women's Devotional Bible)

6) journaling, reading, and blogging when I have the chance!

7) listening to GLEE volume 3 soundtrack along with Lady Antebellum CD and Courtyard   Hounds CD especially when driving with the windows down at night (truly wonderful)

8) Laying by the pool  and relaxing : )

I leave you with a  couple of pictures from the Rangerette days ---> hoping to blog more about this soon! I've been thinking about my friends and memories from Rangerettes so much lately!

-Crews

Cheesecake and Birthdays

My sister turned 18 this past Monday and the family celebrated by eating out at the Cheesecake Factory in Tulsa on Sunday night! They recently added 30 new items to their menu... because their book/menu wasn't big enough already? I'm definitely feeling old as I creep towards 23 this September and as Jess turned 18. Does anyone else feel like turning 18 happened just yesterday? I sure feel this way. Can't believe that was almost 5 years ago! Nothing much to update about just wanted to share this picture with everyone.

Side note: My new dream vacation is traveling to Rome to see the Sistine Chapel. Studied this in my art history class yesterday and decided this was something I wanted to do one day.

- Crews

All the Single Ladies, Now Put Your Hands Up!

Alright, it has been awhile since I posted last. My sister graduated from high school and although such an exciting moment for her, I was amazed by how long the ceremony seemed as an audience member compared to being a graduate. What a massive amount of people! It's like a race getting out of that parking lot! Anyway here is a wonderful picture of her and I after the ceremony/ after we found her in the mob of people. She is just so beautiful!

Since I last blogged, I have joined the single world again. Not something I was expecting to happen but it did. Thankfully, I have a wonderful family and friends who have been extremely supportive! I was able to go home last weekend to spend the weekend with my very best friends from high school, Rachel and Merillat! Also got to hang out with Emily!! Rachel and Merillat surprised me with a break up party Saturday night. We went to eat at Osaka where we sat with some random people then we went back to Merillat's for break up brownies, wine, and a sleepover on the living room floor. Merillat moved to Nashville so we knew this would be one of the last times we would all be together for awhile. Makes me teary eyed just thinking about it. I am so glad to have such wonderful friends, especially ones who throw me awesome break up parties!

I have also spent the first three weeks of my summer tanning, making dinner, watching movies, and more with Darci and Aubrey! If these girls were not here in Stillwater with me, I'm not sure what I would do. I love both of them and have already grown so much closer to them. Darci and I are single ladies on a mission for our next man! We've had fun with this so far! The other night we went to happy hour at "The Loft" in Stillwater, made dinner, watched Glee, and then wrapped up the night with Dear John. A wonderfully sad movie. I definitely felt drained/depressed afterward.

All for now! More to come soon!

Lauren

High School Graduation

My sister is graduating tonight from Union. I can't believe four years have passed so quickly and that this time has finally come for her. I still think of her as that cute little girl with the bowl cut hair and chubby cheeks. She has grown into such a beautiful young lady and I am so excited for her. She will be graduating in the top 10% of her class. She plans to attend OSU in the fall. I can't wait for her to be in Stillwater with me! I wish her the best of luck tonight and applaud her for her accomplishments! yea Jess!