I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside

The things I love about Christmas time...

Hot drinks (Favorites: Peppermint white chocolate mocha from Starbucks, Hot chocolate/maybe even with a smidge of Bailey's in it)

Scarves (they make me feel warm and cozy which is odd seeing as how I used to hate them!)

Christmas music (Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me...I've been an awful good girl)

Puzzles (usually Christmas themed... I stay up for hours working on them)

Puppy Chow (my sister and I always make it once a year during the Christmas season)

Family and Friends (I am so grateful to have people in my life who I can share a special time of the year with!)

Mistletoe (to share a kiss with that special someone)

Ornaments (I love looking at the ornaments on my tree at home and remembering when I made them or where we got them... gotta love the bells made out of aluminum foil or trees with craft sticks!)

Ice Skating (Even though I'm a wimp and don't take risks, I love getting out on the ice all bundled up... Especially when I get to share this experience with Joel )

Popcorn Tins (I know this is ridiculous but I have always LOVED the Christmas themed popcorn tins with the regular, cheddar, and caramel flavors!!)

Remembering the true meaning of Christmas of celebrating the birth of Christ and giving to others to show our love for them.  

There are so many more that I just can't remember right now but these are some of my top favorite things!!

-L0

Closet Conundrum

Yesterday, I was trying to organize and clean up my room. There wasn't much to clean but I just wish my closet could be more organized. I love organizing but my closet just doesn't allow for much of this/ I don't have all of the right organizational materials I need. I have a pretty small closet. You can take about 3 steps inside and the clothes on both sides touch your shoulders as you walk. All of my t-shirts are stacked together and my casual shirts and nice shirts are organized by color. Then my long sleeve shirts are all hung together. Not sure why I haven't color coordinated them yet. I also have a hanging organizer with tank tops and additional t-shirts neatly stacked on each shelf. On the other side I have all of my jeans hanging together, nice pants in one section, then skirts or anything else as a section. At the very back are my cardigans and light jackets. Scarves hang on a belt hanger. I have two shelves above each hanging rack which provide me with some extra space but are not as organized as my hanging clothes, this bothers me. Below my hanging clothes is a rolling cart with work out shorts and sweats, a laundry hamper, bin of shoes, and small round hamper with the rest of my scarves and gloves. Lastly, my shoes hang in an organizer on my door. I have done a pretty good job putting a bunch of stuff into a pretty small closet but it still bothers me.

How do you organize your closet?

I want to find some blogs about organizing which have pictures of closets and suggestions as to how to best organize small areas.

These are both nicely organized closets with a small space and larger space. So pretty.

I know it's weird. I think I could organize for a living.

Crews

Sticky Wax Strings

Oh my I haven't posted all semester! What happened to keeping up with blogging? Actually, I can answer that. You see, I love to journal more than I like to blog so my journal has received oodles of attention this semester and is full of memories, artifacts, and prayers. If only I could somehow post my journal entries in both my journal and on my blog at the same time.

This semester flew by. I took my last final this morning as an undergraduate! Wooohooo! This didn't really occur to me until after I finished my final. Only three more papers left to submit and then I will be on break until beginning my student teaching in the Spring.

Words to describe this semester: exciting, funny, hectic, surprising, adventurous, love, special, learning, nervous, experience, worship, friends, family

Looking back at the beginning of the semester it seemed like crossing off my last assignment and taking my last final would never come but here it is. Amongst all of the lesson planning, reading, reflecting, and mathematical thinking I would say this semester has been one of the best in awhile for me. I am so thankful for all of my college of education friends who stress out with me and drive our teachers insane trying to do everything perfectly. I'm also thankful for Joel who has continued to support me and deal with my stress along the way. : )

My sister has also been here in Stillwater with me and even though I don't see her much, I have truly loved being able to pick her up for a drink date or spend Sunday afternoon doing laundry. Can't wait to spend one more semester in college with her!

Teaching in a classroom of 22 second graders three days a week has been quite the learning experience. There are days when I love being with the kids and watching them learn but also days when I don't think I can tell a child where to turn in their paper for the tenth time that day. My patience continues to be tested. Its the days like when a little girl made me a complete jewelry set out of "sticky wax strings" that you are reminded of why you are spending each day working with kids.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Off to sleep!

Crews

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