Yesterday, I decided to get a little crafty. I started by heading to Lowe's to look around. I ended up with a window screen and about 35 of those paper paint samples. I headed to Goodwill and picked up an old golden frame with the most hideous picture I have ever seen in it. I ripped that picture out as soon as I could, so all that was left wast the empty, gold wooden frame. I painted a turquoise line around the frame to give it a little color and because I love turquoise. I cut out a piece of the window screen about the same size as the frame and tacked/hot glued it onto the back of the frame. This is what came from my crafty moment:

What I decide to do with all those paint samples I smuggled is yet to be decided!

Get up off-a that thing...

And dance 'til you feel better... If you don't know that song, you should get to know it. If this wonderful tune comes out of the ipod speakers at the beach house, everything just goes downhill from there- in the best way possible, of course. Now if you know my family, you know we all like to dance. And not one of us is actually a good dancer (although we all think we are). Freeman Beach Week 2011 is in full gear now, and that means the boogie'n has begun. With about 20 of us in one house together for a week, it can get pretty crazy. But this week is my favorite week of the year, and there is nothing better than having a dance party every night with all of your family. Here are some pictures of the week so far:

We even got Grancie involved- walker free!

favorite. such a classic.  

"Cause my baby, she wrote me a letter..."

I could get used to this!

We can't go one night without getting the train going... 

Mom learns (tries) to play the djembe. 

Lazy Day

I couldn't really think of a title for this post, but it's not going to be too long anyways. So what the heck. Today was a very lazy day. I woke up around 8:15, made a cup of coffee and started off my day by driving my sister to volleyball weight lifting. I sat in the car and started reading a book. You will see that his book would then occupy the rest of my day. I forgot how much I love reading. Every time I read, I think that same thing. My reading habits are inconsistent to say the least. When we got home from weights, I read until lunch time. After eating some left over mac n cheese I made last night, I hit up Goodwill. And then a few other thrifty-type shops. I came home exhausted with only a skirt and a pair of shorts and put my face into that book again. I read all afternoon until I had to eat dinner, and then read all night. I just finished at approximately 11:00 p.m. This book drew me in, just like any successful book should do, and I could not stop reading. I love/hate when this happens. Love: I literally removed myself from the world for a whole day and read an entire book. Score. Hate: But I also had lots of packing to do and was very unproductive. Oops. Anyways, I am going to recommend this book to any girl out there (it's Nicholas Sparks, of course). It is filled with love affairs, a psycho alcoholic, a very scarred woman, a kind hearted man, an interesting psychologist neighbor*, and two adorable children- all intertwined in a story of pain, healing, love, hatred, and suspense (trust me, it isn't at all that you think and it will continue to surprise you the more you read). Most definitely worth my lazy day:

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

*You will see why I call the neighbor "interesting" when you reach the last 2 chapters of this book. 

A Magical Moment

If you know me well, then you know that I have acquired a recent obsession with the movie Tangled. I talk about it quite often and if you've seen the movie, you better love it too. One of my favorite scenes is the scene with the floating lanterns. My dad knows how much I love this movie, so he bought my sister and I some floating lanterns! My sister's birthday was this past Sunday, so we decided to set off some of the lanterns! It couldn't have been a better way to end a day out in the boat and after some dinner at Carrabbas. Here are some pics of us:

Birthday Girl!

    

                                            

                                    

Bathing beauty!

She is so beautiful!

Lanterns!

Ready to Roll.

I am at this very strange point in my life right now. It's like life has been put on hold. Everything moves so slowly. Nothing seems to be happening. When I think about Jesus, my heart starts racing. I need to do something. I sit here and let my life go slow. I let nothing happen except painting most of the day away and driving places. It's time to do something. Now how many times can I say this before I actually get up and go? Go tell people about Jesus, go spread the kingdom, go be radical. I want that. I want to be different and be so consumed by my purpose that fitting in doesn't matter. That what people think doesn't matter. I want to be only after the heart of Jesus, not stagnant or lukewarm in my faith. But full throttle! I want to get in the Word and know things because I am seeking after my Heavenly Father. I want to listen, and hear, and open my eyes and ears. I can do this. Ugh. I can do this.

I have gone into some random areas today, but you'll get over it! Peace and love.

You alone are Holy

This is a great song to start off the morning. Listen to the words, you won't regret it! Have a blessed Thursday! 

Light Painting

I have been testing out some light painting shots and brought out the whole gang with some sparklers up at Lake Summit, NC last night. Result:

God Bless America

I have recently decided to learn how to use my camera properly and with that, learn how to use all of its features. Lucky for me, I have more than a few friends who are photographers. So I have been able to gather a few tips here and there. And from some photography blogs of course. I am not at all saying that I am a pro or that I am even good at capturing the moment at all, but I am trying and having a blast while doing it. In honor of the birthday of our nation, some friends and I took some boats out on the lake (Lake Summit) and watched a firework show last night. Here are some of the "captured moments":