laid back swervin' like i'm george jones

only the best song of summer

fam bam

having so much fun at the beach with the fam bam! 

unfortunately i've been too busy enjoying paradise to even look at this thing. 

I WON'T LEAVE

hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! 

free

It may sound crazy, but i've really enjoyed my time here in DC land. It's funny how God can turn something dreaded into something so unexpectedly wonderful. I feel like sometimes we forget who we are, who want to be, and where we want to "go". We get really caught up in little things; decisions about college, future, planning. It's all stressful, and for what? It's pointless anyway. It doesn't matter because as long as we have faith, we're gonna end up where God wants us. I believe in doing what you want. Saying what you want. And, when you want to. All of those things will get us where we "belong". There is a God, and He does have a plan for our lives. But how will we ever get there if we focus too much on silly little obstacles. We're all gonna die one day. Like it or not, it's gonna happen. So we need to decide how we're going to live today. Get up, eat what you want for breakfast, who cares how many fucking calories you're about to put in your mouth. Get fat. Be happy. Some of us don't have specific goals in life, we just know we want to be happy. So do things that make you happy. I think one day, while I'm doing small things that give me joy, I'll find the one that brings me the greatest joy. And that's how I'll know where to go from that point. And then the next will come, and the next, and so on. Til I die at least.

So basically through all this rambling I've come to a decision. Not one that I thought about for days, pondered over for hours, or really even weighed the pros and cons to. It just came to me. Like it's supposed to. From now on I'm going to live how I want. Do what I want. See what I want. Feel what I want. Wear what I want. Eat what I want. Read what I want. Be what I want. Love who I want. Dream what I want.

This isn't a selfish declaration of "screw everyone else, I'm all that matters to me". It's just a declaration of self-freedom. Life is so short, so why waste a second of it worrying about anything but your own life, your own feelings, and your own dreams/desires, and your own journey.  NO regrets. Allowing whatever happens to happen..Because I believe there IS a reason for everything.
It's simple, really.

crafts anyone?

today I was just doing my usual craftgawking when I stubbled upon these adorable little flowers! this summer is so exciting because not only am I getting to plan my next dorm room but I will also be redoing my room at home! whooo knows, maybe all this fun I'm having could lead to a career in interior design?! 

HERE'S HOW:

all you need is your favorite color felt, scissors, and a hot glue gun

wa-la! now what to do with them... 

all pictures courtesy of It's The Little Things 

exploring

Had a wonderful weekend with the fam bam hiking in the Shenandoah Valley!

 Just another beautiful thing about living up here. 

Nature is definitely a wonder, and we are so lucky to get to explore it! 

GO OUTSIDE PEOPLE, it's pretty.  

The National Harbor is one of D.C./Maryland's most treasured gems! Unfortunately it gets overlooked with all the national museums and monuments to visit. But seriously, if you're planning a trip, I would advise putting it on your list of to do's. Mom, Ash and I took a girls day this past weekend and visited. The harbor provided a great place to enjoy the Potomic river and soak up some sun while getting some much needed retail therapy! We enjoyed lots of unique little stores and ate some great food! DEFINITELY planning to do some more roaming before I leave. Maybe even take a paddle boat ride next time :)

nomnomnom yummy mexican!

lots of fun art

I WANT THIS CHAIR

There was a PEEPS store!

 AND A WHOLE LOTTA GELATO! 

shit happens. seriously.

As much as we would like to think we are in control of our own lives, we're just not. There is some outside force controlling every existence of our being. It could be karma, or even plain ole' luck. But I believe it's [God]. He seems to have a hold on his children guiding and directing us ways we never thought we'd go. The paths He takes us down may not be the ones we would have chosen for ourselves. However, it always seems to have the best outcome. When we take control of our lives, our time, and our destiny... it fails. Sometimes, this outside force throws us curve balls. It comes our way and knocks us on our rump so fast we don't even realize it until we're staring at the ceiling with no strength to get upright. Face it, SHIT HAPPENS.

I'm not sure if it's acceptable to have a "favorite" book of the Bible since they are all so important, but I do. Isaiah. The scriptures speak to me so strongly, and comfort me so deeply. As a goal this summer, I'd encourage whoever is reading this to really study Isaiah. Just sit down and allow the Lord to speak.

Isaiah 41:10- Don't be afraid, for I am with you.Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

 I HAVE to remember that through whatever it is life throws my way, God is in control. During the good times and the bad, there is no reason to worry, be scared, or try and fix it. We cannot fix our problems. God can. As cliche as it may sound, it is important to ask ourselves what would Jesus do? But seriously... God allowed Jesus to go through hard times, and just as He did, we are to respond with faith. 

It will be hard, but I can do it. It's not fun, that it takes an unfortunate situation to make me realize that my priories are mixed up. As much as I don't enjoy being tested, I must remember that it's all getting me closer to God. Relying on something outside of ourselves requires so much faith. Something, I have very little of. But ya know, when I look back at events in my own life, or lives of those fella's in the Bible, it was that

{mustard-seed-size-faith} that opened a door for God to enter and do marvelous things. 

There is beauty in every ugly situation. There will be good that comes from the bad. God, will bless unexpectedly and exponentially. We just have to ready our hearts. 

So when unexpected trials come your(my) way, remember that God is knocking at your door; asking for you to let Him in. OPEN THE DOOR. HAVE FAITH. Face it head-on. Through the good and the bad, God is in control [whether we like it or not]. Sure, we're gonna mess up, we're gonna go through STUFF, but when we allow God to be the captain of our team, WE WIN!!

Romans 8:28- And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.