cupcakes, Peter Pevensie, and dictionaries.....can it get any better than this?!?!?

Miss Jocee from Cupcake Dictionary is having an epically-amazing blog party!!!!! So, without further ado.....her questions/my answers.

What would your dream summer vacation be?
Traveling to Europe and seeing everything I've been dreaming of since I was a little girl.
 
After a rainstorm, what you think of when you see the sun peeking out from the clouds? "God, you are a marvelous Creator."

If you were stranded on a desert island with the sun streaming down on you and had ONE palm tree for shade, you can only have three things with you; what would they be? My iPod, my bff Emily, and a neverending glass of strawberry lemonade. :D

Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or neopolitan? If I'm on a boardwalk, strawberry. If I'm at home, chocolate.

If you saw your celebrity crush walking down the beach with a surfboard, what would you do?*blushes* I'd probably faint for a moment, regain consciousness, walk up and be like, "Hey, can you teach me to surfboard?" yeah, we all know that's NOT what I would do. ;)

If you went back in time for a day, what era would you go back to, and why? I have to say the 1940's. I just love everything about that time period! Well, except for WWII.....(:

What's your favorite thing about waking up on a summer morning? Knowing I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO!!!!!!

Your soundtrack or theme song(s) for the summer: Lots of Hawk Nelson, Relient K, Taylor Swift, and Britt Nicole. Among others, of course. (:

Say you went to California to visit family. What's the first thing you would buy? Something with sea shells on it.

Manicure, pedicure, or facial? Manicure

What's your favorite color combination? Purple, green, and orange.....or purple and silver.

If you were at the beach and you wanted to write a message in the sand, what would you write? Jesus loves you!

You're stuck in Paris with $10,000. What do you do? um, I wouldn't phrase it as 'stuck in Paris'.......but I would buy tons of souvenirs, have lunch in a little cafe, go to all the museums, then buy a plane ticket home. After all, I wouldn't want to stay in Paris forever. *wink wink*

What's your most favorite type of summer weather? The coolness right as/after the sun goes down. Everything is just so peaceful and beautiful.

Blowing bubbles while taking a bubble bath? Sure, why not?

Cupcakes or dictionaries? {sorry Jocee!} but I have to say dictionaries. There's just something about an old, yellowed dictionary that makes me happy.

well, there's my brilliant post for today. I'm going out of town to visit family in Delaware, so have a beautiful Memorial Day!!!! Don't forget-----if you see a war veteran, be sure to thank him/her for all they've done.

love ya,
~Lily 

a weekend checklist

Ride on a school bus for four hours? check

Win the State championship with the private school I'm playing for? check

Fall in love with this song? check
 
Have a sudden yearning to be six years old again? check

Sing Sadie Hawkins Dance with my teammates? check

Attend my community day and get a heart painted on my cheek? check

Survive the world ending, and have a good laugh about the absurdity of it all? check

Sleep on the floor of a moving school bus? check

Go swimming in a hotel pool and wish my neighborhood one was open? check

Get prank-called by a friend? check

Love the way my hair looks in two French-braids? check

 Be thankful for Christian friends? check

Mourn over the ending of my co-op? check

Find a country song that I actually want to buy? check

Have a seriously real, seriously scary, dream? check

Find out that my favorite teacher actually watches my favorite television show? check

Have a sudden urge to watch all the Harry Potter movies? check

Realize I have a seriously bad soccer tan? check

Find this epic quote? check

crazy, but fun weekend for me. As I'm sure you can tell. *wink wink*

love always,
~Lily

it's a beautiful world

before I start this post, I have a confession to make......I'm secretly in love with my character Finn. (:

What is their full name?

Finn Puck 

 Does his or her name have a special meaning? 

Not really....I've just always loved the name Finn. Originally, he was going to be Flynn, but then Tangled came out....and I couldn't really call him that anymore. ;)

Does your character have a methodical or disorganized personality?

Finn is definitely methodical. He likes to think things through, and doesn't usually rush into things.

 Does he or she think inside themselves more than they talk out loud to their friends? (more importantly, does he or she actually have friends?) 

Hmmm.....Finn is usually quite private, except when he's around Lenai. He can tell her anything without feeling weird. And yes, he was plenty of friends in the Silent Wood.

Is there something he or she is afraid of? 

Of never being worthy of Lenai's love.

Does he or she write, dream, dance, sing, or photograph? 

Finn has a rather nice singing voice.

What is his or her favorite book? (or genre of books) 

Finn is more of a poetry guy, but since he's blind, he'll just take whatever Lenai feels like reading to him.

 Who is his or her favorite author and/or someone that inspires him or her? 

*laughs* Lenai is Finn's inspiration.

Favorite flavor of ice cream? 

Finn strikes me as a butter-pecan sort of guy.....if that's even a flavor of ice cream.

Favorite season of the year?

Summer, for that is when the world smells and feels alive to him.

  How old is he/she?

Eighteen, same as Lenai.

 What does he/she do with his/her spare time?

Think about things, talk with friends, or just sit with Lenai.

 Does he/she see the big picture or live in the moment?

Finn generally sees the big picture, but sometimes his judgment is rather clouded.

 Is he/she a perfectionist?

Being blind, Finn has learned to deal with imperfections....so no. =D

 What does her handwriting look like? (round, slanted, curly, skinny, sloppy, neat, decorative, etc.)

Before he was blind, Finn would have had short, flowy writing. But now that his sight is gone, his writing is rather choppy.

 Favorite animal?

He loves lions, for some strange reason.

 Does he/she have any pets?

No, he leaves that to Ella.

 Does he/she have any siblings? How many? Where does he/she fit in?

He has one brother, Mark. Mark is about two years older than Finn, and is the picture of perfection. After their parents died, the boys' relatives left Finn to fend for himself, but took Mark in.

 Does he/she have a 'life verse' and if so what is it?

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 Favorite writing utensil?

A good ink pen.

   What type of laugh does he/she have?

A joyful, chuckling laugh.

   Who is his/her best friend?

That'd be Lenai. *wink wink*

 What is his/her family like?

he didn't really know his parents, and his relatives left him. So I'm assuming that they are rather cold and materialistic.

 Is he/she a Christian, or will he/she eventually find Jesus?

Okay, so my story doesn't have Jesus as Himself......more like Narnia and Aslan. In this story, Finn and the gang from the Silent Wood journey to find the Healer, who they believe can cure all their problems. The Healer is sort of like God in this story......I'm still trying to figure it all out.

 Does he/she believe in fairies?

Yes, in a way, Finn does. I haven't quite decided yet whether or not their will be fairies in his world.

 Does he/she like hedgehogs?

Um, I suppose so.

Favorite kind of weather?

A day with lots of sunshine on his face, a warm breeze ruffling his hair and the smell of wildflowers wafting past him.

 Does he/she have a good sense of humor? If so what kind? (Slapstick, wit, sarcasm, etc.?)

Finn is very witty, but not in a mean way. He's just plain funny!

 How did he/she do in school, or any kind of education they might have had.

He's very smart, but has never had a formal education.

Any strange hobbies? 

  Despite his blindness, he likes to whittle.

if you made it through this whole post....I officially love you. ;)  I just love Finn so much, I felt he deserved to get all the previous questions too. *giggles*


cheerio,
~Lily

All around me smilin' faces.......

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?
'Beautiful Ending' by Barlow Girl
Oh boy...not starting off very well!!!

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
'You Found Me' by Big Daddy Weave
Okay.....well, God did find me.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
'Somebody's Watching' by Dc Talk and Toby Mac
Hmmm.....not really clear.


WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
'Your Love is Extravagant' by Casting Crowns
When I find the guy of my dreams, I definitely want his love to be extravagant


HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
'Hold On' by Toby Mac
well, I am kind of tired today.....

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
'I'm Letting Go' by Francesca Battistelli
darn...I was hoping for something a little more profound


WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
'It's On' by Superchick
Okay, good song....but I wouldn't really say it's my motto


WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
'The Love We Had Before' by Fireflight
*sobs* But they still love me NOW!!!!!

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?'
Forgiven' by Relient K
What, they forgive me a lot?

 WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
'I'm Taking You With Me' by Relient K
but...who am I taking? I don't exactly have a 'significant other' yet!!


WHAT IS 2+2?
'Like the Sun' by Stellar Kart
Love the song, don't really love the answer :p

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
'Already Over' by RED
Don't worry, we aren't really over!!!


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
'Spirit of '76' by The Alarm
haha, now that is really random.


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
'Who Am I' by Casting Crowns
Now this could definitely be considered my life story----Who am I that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name?


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
'Follow Me There' by Third Day
Nah, I want to be a teacher


WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
'Bowling Ball' by Superchick
*cries* NOO!!!! That is not what he's really like!!!

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?
'Bite My Tongue' by Relient K
But why?!?


WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
'I Don't Regret' by Barlow Girl
I certainly don't regret living for God!!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
'Angels in Chorus' by Stellar Kart
I like angels...but this is more Anna's department *winks*

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
'You Are Everything' by Matthew West
I wouldn't say that's a fear...

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
'Myself' by Fireflight
well, that was a complete DUD.

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
'Lothlorien' by Enya
mmm, I would like to visit Lothlorien!!!


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
'Lazy Day's' by Enya
well, we have passed some lazy days together.....

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
'Dynamite' by Taio Cruz
*dances crazily* Great dance song....but doesn't quite make sense as an answer

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
'Deathbed' by Relient K
Dude.....this is such a sad song!!! He definitely had things he regretted!!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
'Which to Bury; Us or the Hatchet?' by Relient K
What is up with all these Relient K songs? And no, this song does not make me laugh


WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
'Midnight Blue' by Lou Gramm
nah, not a sad song

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
'You Are' by Tenth Avenue North
FINALLY a TAN song!! but hehe, doesn't really tell me much.


WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?'
What if His People Prayed' by Casting Crowns
This doesn't scare me.....it makes me happy!

 DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
'Bullet Soul' by Switchfoot
uh.....any ideas about what this means?!?


IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
'For the Ladies' by KJ-52
Nah, I wouldn't change anything about this song (:


WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
'All My Heart' by Stellar Kart
At the moment, my heart is perfectly fine...just saying

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?
'Let Me Love You' by Third Day
well, technically I tagged myself....

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?
'Life is Good' by Stellar Kart
oh yeah....now we're talking. *dances around*


Ah, such a fun tag. If you want to do it, go right ahead! Consider yourself tagged. ;) 

Once again, I'm just amazed at how much love you all have for me. As I read the comments on my last post, I was crying so hard.

My post on my sister was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was scared of writing it, scared that it wouldn't turn out the way it sounded it my head, scared that my followers would think I was crazy.

None of those fears came true. Instead, you girls gave me hope and encouragement. You reminded me that even though she's in Heaven, my sister is still watching over me. That she is my very own guardian angel. That she is waiting for me just as much as I am waiting for her. That she is proud of me. And that God has a plan for all of this.

From all the comments you guys sent me, I've seen that God truly has given me sisters----sisters in Christ, sisters in spirit, and sisters of the soul. We probably don't look alike, we probably live different lives, we probably won't ever meet on this earth......but we all share that love for each other and for God.

I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am, to all of you---my followers, my friends. I don't know what I did to deserve you all, but I thank God every day for your words, your posts, and your friendship.

 I hope you girls never forget how much you mean to me. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart and soul.

love you always and forever,
~Lily

No title really captures what I'm trying to say.....

My Sister in Heaven

Many years ago, I had a sister.

For a few moments she was here on earth.

But God wanted her with Him,

So she was whisked off to Heaven, 

In the safe arms of angels.

My parents were heartbroken over losing their firstborn,

Their precious baby girl.

Almost two years later I came along,

And lifted some sadness from my parents' hearts

When I was older, Mom told me about her,

My sister in Heaven.

I was shocked, confused, but mostly sad,

For I could never spend time with her here on earth.

And so I began to miss her too,

My sister in Heaven.

But I know someday when I die,

And angels carry me off to Heaven,

She'll be the first to great me,

The first to say, "Welcome."

Then, hand in hand, we'll stroll through Zion,

Singing praises to God our King

My sister and me in Heaven.

*takes breath*

I wrote this poem on July 17, 2009. It was a few days after my mom told me that I truly do have a sister.....except she's in Heaven.

It was such a shock for me, for I had never thought that I had an older sister. I had always dreamed of having one, of course, and sometimes I would even feel like someone was missing from our little family. 

But actually learning that I have a sister-----that was a complete mind blower. Even now, two years later, I still have trouble grasping the fact that my sister lives in Heaven.

I can't even remember the number of nights I cried into my pillow, asking God why He had given me a sister....then taken her away. He knew how much I wanted an older sister---how much I needed one. So why did it feel like He was teasing me?!?

After a few months of these questions, I decided to start a journal. And in this journal, I write letters to my sister in Heaven. She can't respond to them, and I don't think she'll ever read them----but it helps me soooo much to write down all the questions I have for God. Plus, I "tell" her all the things that normal sisters would tell each other......clothes I want, boys I like, and just girl stuff in general.

I don't know if this post makes much sense to those of you with sisters, 'cause you always have that sister there with you. You can talk to her, ask her questions, and laugh about silly stuff with her.

But those of you who don't have a sister---you know what I'm talking about, right? That longing to talk with someone of your own flesh and blood.............that slight twist of your heart when you see sisters together.......that feeling of loneliness you get sometimes.

Maybe someday, if I ever get the courage, I'll post some entries from my journal. Until then, though:

I love you, my sister!!! 

Looking back on the most stressful three days EVER......

I think that a little random {albeit mostly about school} is very much needed.

1. Wow. We only have one class left in the school year.......*cue sobs mixed with joyful shouts*
Since I live 'bout 45 minutes away from all my co-op friends, I won't see them hardly at all this summer! And yet.....I'm very glad to have all the work over with.

isn't this cute? I need something cameo in my jewelry box. :p

2. Pretty much all I have left for my co-op is my science honors presentation. I'm doing it on wildfires. Pretty cool, huh? *laughs* A few other people are doing stuff like rockets and combustion. 'Twill be a fire filled class next week!!!

3. I'm really getting into The Scarlet Pimpernel, the movie we're watching in French class. The guy who plays Percy is absolutely hilarious.....and not in the best way. ;) Oh, Gandalf is in it too!! 'Cept, he kind of plays a bad guy.....which is a little discomforting.

how very Middle Earth-ish.

4. I hate getting up in front of people and giving a speech. And yet, I'm in Advanced Public Speaking. Yeah, I don't really know why either. Could have something to do with my mom being the teacher........(:
We gave our 30-minute speeches on Heaven yesterday. Some parents and siblings came, including three former students who graduated last year! It was good to see them before the year ends.


5. For the past few mornings, I've been waking up with a song playing in my head. Mostly Relient K and Tenth Avenue North, but this morning I woke up with Taylor Swift. *shrugs* I wish I could control what goes on in my head during the night.

"and I've been locked inside that house.....all the while you hold the key."

6. Speaking of music.....I'm currently obsessed with Daydreams by Breanne Duren and Shaken by Hawk Nelson. Thank you, my dear friends who have awesome playlists on their blogs. ;) Without you, I would have a teeny-tiny window of music.


7. This summer, I'm going to try and focus on the little things.....long sunny days, trips to the beach, time spent with family. As I'm getting older, I'm realizing that the little moments do become big ones, later on.

8.  It seems like everywhere I turn, love is in the air!!!! I know at least three couples who are seriously involved.......and who really need to get married!!!!! *sighs* Sadly, money is always an issue.....it seems so silly, having to start off married life with a good job. I mean, who needs money?!? *snickers*

so doing this with my husband. (:

Well, I'm off to the library for some much deserved therapy. Fingers crossed I find some good books!!!

love always,
~Lily

Sometimes, I feel afraid

Of the usual things: spiders, heights, the dark.

But, I am also afraid of.......love.

I'm afraid of falling in love with the wrong person; of getting my heart broken by some guy who sweeps me off my feet. I'm afraid of getting in too deep, then realizing how wrong it was. I'm afraid of getting so involved with someone, having it end badly, then leaving a part of my heart behind.

Of course I want to know that feeling of being hugged by someone special; that first-kiss feeling. I want all of that....but I'm still afraid of love!

I mean, when you're "with" someone, you put every ounce of yourself into that relationship. You share things with that person, things that are special. And I'm not talking about one's purity, or even kisses! Just memories, and stuff like pictures. If things sudden go wrong, then what? You can burn the cards he sent you, or cut him out of your photos. But you can't simply cut a person from your heart and mind.

There are those things that always stay with you, that can never be removed. And what of that time wasted? No matter what, those moments and hours are gone forever.

I do believe in true love, and I think it's a wonderful thing! But it still scares me sometimes.

okay, so I know this was kind of a weird post....but I just felt I needed to get it off my chest. And this is the best place to do it, right?

m'kay.....

so, I'm totally digging my new look....except for one detail. I can't figure out how to get my text/sidebar separated more!!!!

And, since most of my dear followers are more talented than me......I was hoping you could help me find a way to fix it?

so, um, yeah, I guess that's it. lol, I just used three filler words in one sentence. I'm such a rebel. =D

love ya guys,

~Lily

That awkward moment when....

You're riding next to a motorcycle, whose rider has a dark visor over his face....and you wonder if he's staring at you.

You forget how many cups of tea you've drunk today.

You re-arrange your entire room, then kinda wish it had all just stayed the same.

You have over 10 projects due by Wednesday, and you don't feel like doing them.

The last three weeks of school feel like an eternity.

You say the word stupid in front of little kids and they make an O with their mouths.

You run in to your own player on the soccer field.

You watch a kissing scene in your class....sitting next to two guy-friends. *shivers*

Your new soccer coach's accent is way more interesting than the little lecture he's giving.

Your friend tries to teach you to moonwalk.....and you epically fail.

You wake up and think it's Monday.

Your favorite hockey team loses badly.

You realize you haven't talked to a former best friend in like two years.

You're totally craving ice cream....and there's none in the house.

You realize Mother's Day is Sunday....and you haven't gotten Mom anything.

You find out that Marguerite {The Scarlet Pimpernell} and Dr. Quinn {Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman} are played by the same actress.

You don't know about Star Wars Day, while everyone is saying, "May the Fourth be with you." haha, get it? Yeah, me neither. :p

You've been away from the computer all day and all the new posts to read just overwhelm you!

You run out of awkward things to say. (:

the abc's of me

Age:15....and a half. (: 

Bed size: honestly, I have no idea.

Chore you hate:  Emptying the dishwasher.

Dogs:  I have a bichon frise, and I love golden retrievers, Westies, and huskies.

Essential start of your day: Eating breakfast. I'm like a zombie 'till I get my cereal.

Favorite color: Green. Purple. Orange. I can't decide!!!!!!

Gold or silver: most definitely silver.

Height: 5'4. Pretty good, I guess.

Instruments I play (or have played): I used to play piano, and I hope to take guitar lessons this summer.

Job title: Babysitter? Nothing else really describes it.....

Kids: love 'em, don't have any of my own though, thankfully. ;)

Live: the Old Dominion State.

Mom's name: ummmm.......Karen.

Nickname: Doc, Sister Sue, Rynn.....none of which are really related to my actual name.

Pet peeve: People picking at their nails, or a knife screeching across a plate. Sends bad shivers up my spine. Annnd people cracking their knuckles.

Quote from a movie:

Buttercup: You can die too for all I care.
[she pushes him down a high hill]
Man in Black : AS... YOU... WISH.
Buttercup : Oh, my sweet Westley! What have I done?

Right or left handed: right all the way.

Siblings: two younger brothers, one older sister in Heaven.

Time you wake up: usually between 7:30 and 8:00.

Ultimate food.......either cantaloupe or pizza.

 Vegetables you dislike: Beets. Blech.

What makes you run late: *coughs* That would be my family.

X-rays you've had done: at the dentist, and once when I was little I had a full body one done. Oh, and I've had an MRI of my head. Does that count?

Yummy food you make: brownies......YUM.

Zoo animal: sea otters. Those little things are so darn cute!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!! I might just go outside and read a book, or write a letter. *laughs* Or do schoolwork....blah.

love always,
~Lily