it's moments like these that count

Awkward: 
finding a song you love, going to check out the rest of the band's music---and finding a curse word *sighs*
feeling like a pig 'cause you're the only one who took two cookies
wanting to wear makeup, but not wanting to actually put it on
wishing summer were here when it's only March
completely forgetting it's a new month and not changing your calendar
being caught up with Doctor Who and having to wait until next fall for new episodes
realizing what a sucker you are for sad movies
your Pandora ♥


Awesome:
Christmas lights strung up in your room
lotion that smells like an exotic place
soft and cozy blankets
getting your friends and brother interested in Doctor Who 
seeing special people at Chick-fil-a
talking with a dear friend for only ten minutes, but it making your entire day
getting a hug from the little boy you babysit
your Pandora ♥

Oreos have nothing to do with this post....but they sure are delicious

I feel like writing.

but I don't know what to write about

I feel like reading

but I don't know what to read

I feel like talking

but I don't know what to talk about

I feel like learning something new

but I know I'm too lazy

I feel like giving up on schoolwork

but I know it's super important

I feel like traveling

but I don't have any money

I feel like eating

but I don't know what to eat

I feel like singing

but {shockingly} my brain is devoid of song lyrics right now

I feel like hugging God

but I have a while before I can do that

I feel like I need God's word in my heart right now

but.....wait, there's no but. Just a kick in the pants to get off my laptop and read my Bible. Therefore, I will leave you with a few pictures that have encouraged me lately (:

Calvin, I love you♥

love always,

Lily

of cute things, an itch, and beautiful randomness

1. I have so many dreams for the future, but the most earnest I have is to travel. I've said it a million times, and I'll say it a million more! There's an ache inside of me that won't be satisfied until I visit someplace new. London, Paris, Munich.....I'd even go for Nashville or New York. It really doesn't matter, so long as I go to a place I've never been before.

I wish people still used film cameras

2. So I have this new obsession. It's an interesting obsession, and sometimes mindbending too. I am, of course, talking about Doctor Who. This is the closest I've ever been to becoming a fangirl. Or, as some people say, a Whovian. *chuckles* I'll introduce y'all to this amazing show some other time. For now, though....

I can't wait to write my Doctor Who post :)))))

3. I've been sixteen for about three months now. 'Tis a strange feeling, telling people I'm sixtten years old. When I look in the mirror, I don't see someone who will be graduating highschool in two years. I don't see a girl who can take her driving exam this summer. I don't see a girl who is old enough to get an actual job. When I look in the mirror, I still see myself at age eleven, when my world was happy and I could still be a little girl.

4. I like cute things. Cute things make me happy. And isn't this panda bear cute? He reminds me of Winnie the Pooh, which reminds me of my childhood, which reminds me of Disney, which reminds me that Beauty and the Beast will be in theatres very, very soon. *happy dance*

6. I'm amazed at how wonderful God is, right when I need Him to be. I have had many a bad day where I've though, "This is officially the worst day of my life." But then, He sends something or someone to brighten the fog that's hung over me. So thankful for His love :)

7. I've learned to really like hugs. I suppose it all began at World Views, when I hugged my girls good-bye about a hundred times. And now I've come to expect hugs from most everyone I see! Only girls, of course---hugs with guys are icky. Boys have cooties, ya know *giggle*

finger hugs are really cute too

I hope 2012 is going well for you, my dears. It's been great for me so far, and I'm so excited to see what God has in store for us all.

love always,

~Lily 

oh well....I at least got a cute journal

*Alternately titled, "my first visit to a store way out of my price range whilst wearing a boot to protect my broken toe*

ignore the tissue....in fact, just ignore the whole picture :p

super cute, right?

*sorry-for-self sigh* It all started in a seemingly normal soccer game. There was a drop ball, and my opponent was a honker of a girl with a foot like steel. None of my teammates stepped up, so I decided to do my duty and go against SuperWoman.

Ten seconds later, I'm on the ground with my right foot feeling like it's on fire. Oh, joy.

To sum everything up: the x-ray showed I have a small crack in my right big toe. Which means my toe is broken. Which means I'm in a lot of pain and it looks really scary. Which means I can't go to Florida for a soccer tournament. *sighs again* Oh yeah----and I have to wear this crazy looking shoe/boot thing. At least it makes my toe feel slightly better.

Now normally, when a girl is wearing something slightly ugly {aka, my boot} she tries to avoid trendy, upscale places.

But what does this girl do? Go to Anthropologie for the very first time. See, I got money for my birthday, and was told to spend it on, "something extravegent and totally not practical." So, I figured a nice journal from a really expensive store would fit the bill.

Let's just bullet point my visit, shall we?

1. Walk in with my little brother

2. Instantly see ten things I'd buy if I were rich

3. Go up to a girl bending over a display and ask where the journals are

4. Get red in the face as said girl replies, "Uh, I don't work here."

5. Hurry away and somehow manage to find the journal I'm looking for

6. Spend another five minutes trying to determine which of the five journals is in better shape

7. Get the checkout line, decide this journal doesn't look good, and go pick out another one

8. Wait in line for an eternity while the lady in front chats it up with the cashier

9. It's finally my turn, start to pay....and the card connected to my bank account won't work

10. Am forced to pull out the fifty-dollar bill I just so happen to have in my wallet {birthday money}

11. Awkwardly wonder if the cashier finds me suspicious with my boot, little brother, invalid card, lots of cash, and tired expression

12. Finally leave the store

13. It's pouring rain and my foot gets wet, 'cause the boot leaves my toes open

yeah....I won't be going to that Anthropologie again for a while. Should keep my wallet safe, though. *wink wink*

love always,

~Lily

that awkward moment when...

you have all these great posts in mind, but you just can't form the words.

you stay up really late finishing a Composition assignment and are practically dead by 3:15 the next day.

you have to stand outside your co-op, shouting a Shakespearean sonnet for your drama class.

you are starving but can't find anything you want to eat.

you think you understand chemistry....and then everything gets turned upside down and you're utterly confused.

you realize you've only capitalized two words in this whole post. and you really don't care.

you have a hard time saying, "I'm sixteen" 'cause it's just so foreign.

one certain person is constantly in your thoughts...even if this person is nice to think about, it's still awkward. *sighs*

you realize you are extremely ticklish.

all these gifs make you ridiculously happy. *giggles*

you realize this post is full of moving things and random sentences.

that lovely moment when all these awkward things make a perfect, perfect day.

Farewell, fifteen......hello sixteen

listening to: Red Sky by Brandon Heath
wondering: what my birthday dinner will be

Dear fifteen,
I must say, you were a very good year. And I will most certainly miss you! You were quite possibly the best year I've ever lived. 'Course, I don't know sixteen all that well yet, so I shouldn't be picking favorites. *wink wink*
 I met new lifelong friends, fell in love, and grew up so much with you! I've become closer to God, and am close to figuring out His will for my life. I learned a lot about myself with you, fifteen. We had some good times together, eh? WorldViews, getting my permit, becoming a pen-pal.....you were fun to be around.
 There were some rough times as well, but God got us through it. Now, however....it's time to bid you farewell. I'll never forget you, fifteen.
love always,
                  me

Dear sixteen,
 I pray you are sweet, as the cliche goes. So far, roughly twelve hours into our friendship, things are going well! It will take some adjustment on my part. After all, you're kind of old! "Big" girls are sixteen, don't ya know. *shakes head* Not sure I'm ready to feel this old.
 I plan on doing some crazy things with you, so I hope you're prepared!! Getting my license, playing volleyball, mission trips, a {real} job----I've got lots of things for us to do! Some of them are going to be scary, like getting a job. But God did not give me a spirit of fear; He gave me a spirit of hope and faith. Nothing is impossible with Him. Nothing.
 hello again, sixteen. May you be all I wish for, and more.
love always,
                   me

happy is as happy does.....and this happy is very happy

1. this website and these cute animals that I need to make!!! Seriously....isn't he just the most adorable stuffed animal ever? Once I actually have socks to spare/time to spare, I'll be making some of these little cuties.

 via

 2. My sweet sixteen party was on Saturday. Needless to say, it was one of the best days of my life. Surrounded by dear friends, with good food, dressed in a pretty dress....it couldn't get any better than that. (:

I don't turn 16 'till Friday, so this is kind of my birthday week. *laughs*

one of my favorite cards.....from Robert and Emily. I'm thinking Robert actually picked it out, though ;)

 3. I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of this movie. Logan Lerman + Orlando Bloom + Matthew Macfayden= a film I will definitely be seeing. Though The Three Musketeers isn't my favorite book, it's still a very interesting plot and should make for an pleasurable movie-watching experience {teehee, doesn't that sound like a movie review?!? and I haven't even seen it yet *giggles*}.

4. I got Little Dorrit as a gift from Emily. Once I get a break from the neverending load of school *sighs* I'l be delving into it. EJ also wants me to watch the BBC adaption of it, which I look forward to doing sometime in the near future. Have you read/seen Little Dorrit? What'd you think?

5. I've been pondering my future quite a bit lately. Where I'll go to college, what my children will look like, where we'll live, how me and my husband will raise them----so many questions, and only God has the answers. *shakes head* Just gotta keep trusting in Him, right?

wouldn't mind if His plan included my future family living in this house

6. I feel like life has been going a million MPH lately, with soccer, school, church stuff, and just the process of being alive. And yet.....I don't think I've ever felt closer to God than before this time. My relationship with Him certainly does go through ups and downs! I'm just so glad He's always there, even when I'm in a bad mood.

your-moody-blogger,

~Lily

October, thanks for being fantastic

I'm feeling alive and random.

 I'm currently wearing jeans, cozy socks, and my WorldViews sweaetshirt. Mom and I are watching "Four Weddings" with the fire warming my toes. Church was great this morning....as was my cousin's 6th birthday party last night. My back still hurts from all the piggyback I gave, but it was all worth it.

I've devoured probably 6 pounds of candy corn this weekend. My stomach is protesting, but I really want more! I've also filled myself up with apple cider, both hot and cold. *sighs contentedly*

I babysat on Friday, and the boys' mom lent me her copy of The Hunger Games. I love that my reputation as a book-lover precedes me :) Anyway, it was pretty good.  Like Lauren said, it was pretty sad/violent, but over all I enjoyed it. Hopefully I'll get to borrow the second one. ;) 

The first weekend of legit autumn weather....and I have a cold. *eyeroll* Figures, right? But at least I have blankets, tissues, and a full mug of hot tea. Oh yes, and last season of Psych on Netflix. Ohmyword, I fully admit---I have a weird, schoolgirl crush on Shawn Spencer. 

So in other words, my life is pretty content. Other than the crazy amount of schoolwork I have to finish. *third or fourth sigh* oh yes....and this picture is basically amazing.

*left to right* Emily, me, Hannah, and Lydia. Sitting outside of the movie theatre after seeing Lion King in 3D. 'Twas amazing, and so were our feet. ♥ ♥ ♥

love always,
~Lily

a penny for my thoughts? oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar...

listening to: If I Die Young by the Band Perry

reading: Pride and Prejudice & A Tale of Two Cities

^^^^my life as of late.

School, revamping my room, and taking pictures of my Samwise Gamgee......and waiting for fall to officially arrive. We've had some chilly days, but I'm still waiting on that one perfect day that makes me want to say, "Hey, Fall's here.....must you ever leave?"

love always,

~Lily

August is over, therefore this is my last 'random' post for a while :)

I did this tag once before, almost exactly a year ago. And, I being the bored/lazy person that I am, decided to drag it out again. *sighs* Aren't I just brilliant? um, that was rhetorical, no need to answer.

1. High heels or boots? boots....heels are too uncomfortable.

2. What time did you get up this morning? 8:00

3. What was the last movie you saw at the theater? Captain America......*girly sigh* Such a good movie.

4. What is your maiden name? not married, so I don't feel like answering.

5. What is your favorite TV show? Psych or White Collar.....and yes, USA Network does make the best tv shows!!!

6. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal......real healthy, I know.

7. What is your middle name? too personal....besides, it takes some explaining, which I don't have time/space for here.
8. What food do you dislike? Beets, pepperoni, peanut butter.....among other things.

9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? it's this special Relient K cd called The First Three Gears, and I pretty much just play it all the way through. So totally awesome. :D

10. What characteristic do you despise? Phoniness and mean gossipers.

. 11. Favorite clothing? Jeans and a cozy sweater/sweatshirt.

12. Anywhere in the world on vacation? A nice, leisurely tour of Europe.

13. Are you an organized person? Well, I like to be organized, but usually I'm just too lazy.

14. Where would you retire to? Either a pretty farm where I can raise horses {like Kentucky ;)} or a little flat in England.

15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My fourteenth birthday....my last with Mom-mom.

16. What are you going to do when you finish this? Run some errands......maybe including the bookstore :)

17. Furthest place you have ever been to? Which is further....Connecticut, or Florida?

18. Person you wish you could meet? Dead: C.S. Lewis and Audrey Hepburn. Alive: Laura Bush and Mike Donehey.

19. When is your birthday? October 14th.....so close!!!!

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm probably more of a night person, as I hate waking up in the morning.

21. What is your shoe size? 8-81/2.

22. Do you own any animals? yes, my Sammy Gamgee

23. Any news you'd like to share? I AM TIRED OF SUMMER. There, that's all. ;)

24. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian, or a bookshop owner.

25. What is your favorite flower? Queen Anne's Lace and gerber daisies.
26. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? October 12th....Psych comes back! And, of course, my birthday.

28. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Sea green
29. How is the weather right now? pretty nice, actually.

30. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Bleah, I do believe. :)
31. Favorite drink? Strawberry lemonade, Sprite, and peppermint tea.

32. Favorite restaurant? I'm currently craving something from Texas Roadhouse.
33. Hair color? Still brown, but the little wisps of my bangs are blondish..
34. What was your favorite toy as a child? My stuffed dog Pepper and my American Girl dolls.
35. Spring, summer, fall, or winter? Fall, then spring, then winter, then summer....I love them all, just more than some.

36. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate.....duh.

37. Coffee or tea? definitely tea.

38. Wish you were still young? In some ways, yes, I wish I were younger.
39. Do you want to get married? yes...unlike some *cough* people I know.

40. When was the last time you cried? I cried after WorldViews, but I've cried again since then....*shrugs* pretty personal question.
41. What is under your bed? junk, my suitcase, and my journal. sssshhhh, don't tell! ;)
42. What did you do last night? soccer practice. Oh, and I had some pretty crazy and exciting dreams.

43. What are you afraid of? losing my friends and failing my family.

44. Salty or sweet? I'm in a mood right now...so I'll go sweet.

45. Best quality you have? I {almost} always have a smile on my face, and I try to always make others feel welcome.

46. How many years at your current job? Been babysitting for almost four years.

47. Favorite day of the week? Still Thursday.

48. Favorite movie? Soul Surfer, Tangled, and Pride and Prejudice.

49. Have you ever had a crush on anyone? *giggles* um, yeah. And no, I'm not going to tell you who!!!
50. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? Why, indeed! That's why I'm tagging all of my followers....I want to find out more about you. 

And He is.....He is strong enough to save us.