Hi. I'm Lauren.

I felt like I had to introduce myself to the blog world again. It's been forever! I do believe I have a legitimate reason, though. But, nonetheless, I'm sorry to have put this off for so long.

I smile looking at my previous blogs. Especially knowing what I know now! For instance, I was so stressed over school...and guess what? I've done been graduated for a month!

(The use of improper grammar was on purpose, promise.)

I teach middle school Language Arts, I better know how to speak and write correctly! Ah, my job. Yes, I still teach at this wonderful school. No sarcasm there, folks. It's truly been a blessing to have this job. But, God has shown me that this is not where my heart lies.

It's funny how I used to know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have my kindergarten portfolio and I knew even then that I wanted to be a teacher. I attended over 4 years of college as an Elementary Education major and graduated with my AA and BA! But now, I'm not so sure what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have so many ideas in my head, teaching just seems to be the most practical for right now. Maybe I need to get back to the younger ones. Middle school is great and all, but when they're all taller than you and have major attitudes, it's hard to deal with the drama. So, maybe the answer will be found when I start teaching the little ones. Oh, I hope so.

Anyways, back to me and the changes that have been happening! There's been a small addition to my every day apparel. Just a little (actually, not so little) token from my sweet and handsome man. You guys know him, I wrote a special blog just for him! Then, he was my boyfriend. Now, I get to introduce him as my FIANCE! Yes, that's right! I'm engaged! It happened the same day I graduated. Talk about walking on cloud nine! I couldn't have asked for a better proposal, ring, or future husband! Check out the story on our wedding page! (I've been waiting to do one for years!!)

http://brandonlauren.ourwedding.com/

Christmas break was perfect! It started out not so perfect (my flight home was cancelled indefinitely.) I had to be a "big girl" and miss my first birthday and Christmas away from my family! Talk about hard! But, I had Brandon and his sweet family. I enjoyed joining in their Christmas traditions. Especially knowing they're future family to me too! We met my family and spent a week in TN with our close family friends. We saw snow, went sight seeing, made ceramic coffee mugs, and had an impromptu engagement picture session! All in all, it was a wonderful and much needed break. Needless to say, I hated having to wake up before the sun and get back into my "teacher" routine!

Nowadays, my life consists of lists. Well, that's a lie. My life has ALWAYS consisted of lists. I even wrote a lists of things to cover in this very blog! That's bad, isn't it? But, now my lists consist of wedding details. Every single random thought that pops into my head is written down. I've got 135 days to go! The big ticket items can thankfully be crossed off.

Boy? Check.
Parent's approval? Check.
Ring? Check.
Bridal party? Check.
THE DRESS? Check!!!
Photographers? Check.
Invitations? Check.

Now I just have to sort through my little notes and figure out the flowers, decorations for the ceremony, reception site, reception decorations, etc. Hmmm...I'm starting to get a little stressed. I better stop before the anxiety starts. Breathe.

Picture time!

                                          

My mom handed me my diploma. It was so special!

My amazing family!

Only a few hours later he became my fiance!

Most amazing moment in my life! So glad our families were there to get pictures!

I was in shock!

First posed engaged picture!

Showing off the bling to his mama!

We went out for yogurt and Chick-Fil-A to celebrate!

A few shots from our engagement shoot in Nashville, TN!

 One of my favorites.

 Can't wait to get this blown up and framed!

 Love!

 The bling!

My life! :)

Mushy Gushy Love

I was swamped with work last night. I was getting everything together to get ready for graduation and I had a migraine to top it all off.
I was in a mood. "Miss Meaness" as Brandon likes to call it.
He had been trying without any success at making my stress go away and nothing was working.

So, being the amazing guy that he is, he turned on a sweet slow song, pulled me up from the couch, and we danced.

It was just that simple, sweet gesture that reminded me how much I meant to him.
My heart was so full.

He has that affect on me.

If you know me at all, you know who my heart belongs too.
(I hope you'd first say Jesus.)
Then a certain guy that seems to have been following me around for quite some time!

I always enjoyed his humor, his smile, and obviously his looks. (Goodnight! He's gorgeous!)
But at first, I never let it get past the friend stage.

He's the funny, popular, "ladies man," and me? I'm the slightly less funny (at least to some...bahah,) I tend to stay in the background, and I wasn't looking to guys for anything more than friends.

If you told me, back in August 2008, that I'd be dating and planning a future with Brandon Crews...I'd probably laugh at you! Baha. I laugh now! He was Brandon Crews! I'm Lauren Wegmann! Just a new girl with braces and long hair! But even more, my heart was guarded and man, it was an impressive wall! I waited for God to bring along the guy who could see past the wall and break it down.

He pursued me for months without gaining anything but a smile from me and passive reaction. I look back now and don't feel sorry! Baha. Sorry! But, I was being cautious and rightly so. I was done with dating just to date. I wanted the next guy to be the last guy.

Then God, being the amazing perfecter of everything, changed my heart. He let me see that it was okay to let Brandon make me smile. He told me that the fuzzy feelings I got inside were there for a reason. I knew God placed them there. That God placed Brandon in my life for a reason.

And the rest, as they say, was history.

It's been the most amazing 2 years of my life and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'm glad I took a leap of faith and let him in. I'm glad I didn't let anyone's thoughts ruin mine. I'm so glad that I became vulnerable and trusted him to take care of me.

If I hadn't done any of that, I'd be missing out on everything! A sweet precious white ball of fur for one thing!
But, I'd be missing the hugs that make everything else fade away. I'd have missed out on the flowers, the movies, the day dates, and the road trips. I'd be missing on the best thing God ever gave me.

So, yes, this is a mushy gushy love story.

And it's mine.

Santa Baby,

Christmas is coming!

I'm not one of those "start listening to Christmas music in November" kind of people. I'm a "listen to Christmas music 24/7 365 days a year" kind of person.

Sad, but true.

Everything in me gets excited when the time is near for everyone else to join me in my Christmas merriment! Alas, the time is here.

I've grown out of "Christmas Lists" in a way. I used to have one posted on the refrigerator by November and would add on to it every commercial break. Nowadays, my list has changed to more "practical" items. But, there's still a kid in me who has secret wishes and wants. So, ladies and gentlemen, my grown up Christmas list:

-teeth whitened- I'm an instant gratification kind of girl. What's wrong with wanting super pearly whites?

-apron- I want to be the cutest thing in the kitchen! Lack of skills won't matter when I'm wearing this!

-Pandora bracelet - I love charm bracelets! I love how each one has it's own special meaning behind it.

-pearl ring- They've always caught my eye! I love them!

-Willow Tree figurines -I've got about 15 already. I need more to add to my collection!

-Beta fish- I loved Jack the Fish. I would like another one of him.

-Dr. Seuss books - I would LOVE to start my collection for future classrooms!

-Mo Willems new "Knuffle Bunny" book - He is my FAVORITE children's author! This book made me cry.

-Guitar lessons -I need someone to hold me accountable. I need a set time to practice or else I'll never get any better!

- Mac Book Pro -Pretty please! One with a yellow cover, also.

-Trip to Paris- I want to be here, sitting on a bench, in the pouring rain, with my yellow rain boots and jacket, and a clear plastic umbrella. Kthanks!

-Clear Umbrella- It's needed to make the above come true. But with a yellow handle.

-Fall/Winter clothes- It's my favorite time of year, but I don't have enough to keep me warm!

-Crock Pot- I feel I could be very creative with one of these. It's a must.

-TV- I need one. Point blank.

-Clearplay DVD Player- As soon as I have a house and family, this is a must! It takes out cuss words, inappropriate scenes, all of it!

-Old classic musicals on DVDs- I have the longest list already! Santa needs to get to shopping!

-Job upgrade- I need to be content. I'm thankful for my current job, but something has to change.

-Fred Astaire's albums- He voice melts my heart.

-Big coffee mug- Think "Friends." I love big mugs. Not for coffee, though.

-Big, pre-lit Christmas Tree- I can't wait to have my own!

-Manicure and Pedicure- I deserve it!

-Christmas in NYC- Snow? Shopping? Shows? Yes, please!

-Record a Christmas Album- Always has been a dream of mine.

-New, professional Camera- I love taking pictures. I would be a photographer if it could support me!

-Big, stylish purse- I carry a lot around with me. Brandon calls me a walking library! If I don't take it all with me, I'll surely forget it somewhere!

-Day at the spa- I deserve this too. But, only with someone else to come with me!

-The Harry Potter movies and soundtracks- They warm my insides too. The music is so eerie, it's beautiful!

-Calvin and Hobbes Collections and shirt- I have about 6 collections already. I LOVE reading them! Always brightens my day!

-Matching luggage set- I can always know which one's mine! Plus, I plan on traveling ALL over. I can do it in style!

-Watch "Glee" series- I'm interested to see what all the hype is about.

-Own my own boutique shop- Another dream. Oh, I wish.

-Make cards and other miscellaneous crafts- Something to do on the side, maybe start my business with it!

These are all wishes. I've had this list growing on my cell phone for a week or so. I'm sure by the time Christmas gets here I'll have more. But, this is it for now. So, Santa (aka Brandon, family, friends, and students) get started! I've been a real good girl.

"...it feels like chaos, but somehow there's peace."

Something Heavenly
Sanctus Real

It's time for healing, time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone, time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly


This is song has been the perfect song for my heart lately. The lyrics sound all too familar when compared to my prayers. What's crazy is that I'm not too terribly heartbroken or sad. I guess that's where the peace comes in, right in the middle of chaos. It's just that life is moving full speed ahead and I worry that too many things are being left behind.

Graduation is a mere month and a half away. It's almost been put in the shadows since I've already started my "big girl job." But, I get hit hard with the reality that there are still a million and one things on my list to finish before I can walk across that stage. Chaos.

Speaking of "big girl job", it is an absolute blessing to have this job, make sure you hear that. But, it's beginning to be a struggle to wake up excited for the day. My heart is starting to get farther and farther away from it. I know I'm called to be here for the time being. I know He put me here for a reason...it's just starting to get cloudy. Chaos.

In the midst of all this, there's little random problems. Just small annoying tornadoes that like to come in whenever and only stay long enough to do enough damage in my day. Chaos.

To make matters worse, I've been cursed with the "gift" or worrying. Oh, I'm a pro at it! Give something! Anything! No matter how small! I'll make a mountain out of it! It's pathetic, really. Chaos.

Despite all of this...all of the negativity, all of the "tornadoes", all of the worrying...there's comfort. There's hope to hold onto. There's promises to look forward to. Peace.

There's someone watching, waiting, and longing for me to just flat out give up! To give up all my worries, my burdens, my fears, all of it! He's already made the path for me. He knows my future and it ends well! He know every need I have and is always there to supply it. Surrender.


As much as I'd like to say that since I've written all this out I've been worry-free! But, it's a constant reminder. It's a constant battle and decision to set my mind on positive things. To think on what He's brought me through and to lie in His arms and know He will never leave me.

Is it time yet?

Christmas.

Soon.

Oh, the joy that fills my heart when I think about the wonderful things coming soon. Christmas has always always been my favorite. There are Christmas lights. There's something so magical seeing them on houses, on tree's, even people! You can't forget the Christmas Music to bring in the holiday season. My holiday season is more like a holiday year! No such things as "too early!" Then there's the Christmas decorations; the tree, wreath, presents, etc. One thing I miss is snow. Florida is dumb and doesn't provide it for me. Good thing I KNOW I'll end back up in NC one day! (Right, God?) :) Last, but not certainly not least...cold weather. I love to bundle up in all my sweaters, jackets, hats, leggings, boots, etc. Despite Florida's stubbornness towards cold, I wear my winter clothes proudly.

This year I have been especially looking forward to Christmas. I don't know exactly why it is. It could be because I'll be 22 this year. 21 was a "momentous occasion" because I was "officially" an adult. But 22, just seems to be a more mature and adult age. I love my birthdays regardless. My heightened excitement could be because I've been working on my school's Christmas Program since August when I was told that I would be the one in charge. I've been going through music, trying to find the exact version of song to use. Being the organized freak I am, I have many many lists to help aid in my thought process and try to make sense of the mush in my brain! I've decided on this:
The name of the program is : The True Meaning of Christmas

My middle school students will be the "main" part of the show. The plot is my students (time-travelers) will go from decade to decade to find the true meaning of Christmas. They start in the 30s, where the Pre-K students will be on the stage. then they go from the 30s to 40s and so on. Each decade is a different class singing a different song and representing that decade. The decades will each have their own meaning of Christmas: bells, trees, parties, gifts, etc. The time-travelers realize there still has to be more and decide to travel alllll the way back to Bible times. There, a shepherd explains why everyone was coming to see the baby. The program ends with all (pre-k to 8) students coming and bowing around the manger. Some will be dressed like sheep, donkeys, etc. Other students will be shepherds.

My 7th and 8th graders are helping me write the script and it has been coming along. For those of you near enough, come and see it! December 16, 2010. Yikes, 2 months.

Well, I hope my premature excitement for Christmas has taken your mind off the craziness of midterms, school, work, or life in general. The number one reason I can celebrate Christmas with such passion is because I know that  baby was born to die for me. That's something to remember everyday.

Merry Christmas!