1.31.2012

gtkY: My Husband





To continue in Husband's birthday week, I decided to dedicate today's gtkY to him! Being the super amazing guy that he is, he has always supported my little blog fetish and I got him to answer these silly question. I know basically everything about him and I am already madly in love, so here is your chance to get to know the "boy" from "boy loves girl." Just promise you won't fall in love, he's taken.


What is your name? (Or what do you wish you were named) I like my name. And it's kind of hard to think of my name being different. But if I had to change it, I would change it to Sir. Then noone could ever disrespect me again!
When is your birthday? February 1, 1985
Name 3 jobs you’ve had in your life. I worked for Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Florida. I have been a youth pastor for many years. And now my full time job (besides being a college student) is Husband. And yes, this counts as a job. Well probably more like a career. It's not like I want to get out of it.
If you could have ANY job, what would you do? If I could have any job ever I would start my own ministry called "Fire By Night." We would go all over blowing kids minds with the truth of God's word in awesomely applicable ways.
What are you most afraid of? I'm really not afraid of much. I mean, I don't like snakes or spiders but what real man does?! In all honesty, I'm not afraid of the dark...I'm afraid of what's waiting to get me in the dark.
What was your favorite item as a child? My G.I. Joe men. They went everywhere with me. Even when it was bath time, the Joes had water missions and fights that made them join me in the tub. Those were the best.
What are 3 movies you could watch over and over? In no particular order: A Goofy Movie (coolest movie ever) Hook (I want to think happy thoughts and fly too!) I Am Number Four ( I love movies with supernatural abilities and powers.)
Your dream vacation would be… I would love to go to Scotland or Ireland, because I love the movie P.S. I Love You...NOT!!! I want to go there because I love their accents and I would walk around there eating my bowl of Lucky Charms. 
Must have snacks? I love me some Swiss Cake Rolls and Mike and Ikes. Then I wash them down with a nice cold Mountain Dew.
Do you eat the stems of broccoli? I don't know what broccoli is.
Favorite ice-cream? Plain chocolate ice cream is the best ever! 
Favorite day of the week? Friday would be my favorite day of the week because I have all weekend to do college homework and I love doing homework soooooooo much.
What do you do most often when you are bored? I don't really ever get bored. Being bored is a personal problem. It means you are not mentally capable of keeping yourself entertained. I am way good at entertaining myself with randomness.
What is your favorite board game? My favorite board game would have to be Cranium. It's just so funny to watch people do stupid stuff, including myself.
Favorite smell? My favorite smell is my wife. I don't mean that in a weird stinky way. I mean that in the way that a wolf can smell the pheromones from from a female and know who she is. That makes it totally ok.
What’s under your bed? Under my bed is whatever my wife puts under there. It's usually our two dogs chasing each other, running under there. Well I guess there is that raccoon that lives down there.
Which useless superhero power do you wish you possessed? Well I love candy. Like a lot. I'm a little kid when it comes to sweets. So maybe if I could create my own candy in my hands, then that would be very beneficial...or at least for me it would, but I could make this place a little sweeter. (You see what I did there?!)
If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be? Lecrae. He is alive now and is the best Christian rapper ever. I know if we met, he would ask me to go on tour with him and rap with him. I could go by the stage name of CandyMan and could constantly create sugary goodness as I rapped and throw it out to the crowd. That would be BALLIN'!!!


There you have it, ladies and (maybe some) gentlemen! MY husband, inside and out. We definitely have the nerd thing going for us. Tomorrow's the day! I'm off to work up something good!




P.S. To catch a small glimpse of why Husband is beyond amazing, check out the surprise blog he posted a while back. Swoon!

1.30.2012

Mini Messages (Birthday Edition!)

(That's the face that he used to get me. Works everytime....)

Dear Mr. Crews,
Your birthday is THIS Wednesday! I'm a firm believer that birthdays/holidays are so much better when you're married, so I'm going to try my hardest to make yours fantastical! Usually on Mondays I write 5 mini messages to different people/things, but not today! Nope, it's all about you! I think it's only fair, seeing how I get a whole month of birthday celebration...you can have atleast a week.

Dear Husband,
I'm glad it took me forever to see your not-so-subtle hints. It makes our love story THAT much more interesting. Right!?

Dear Handsome,
I can't get over how perfect you are for me! I'm stubborn, grandma-ish, slightly introverted, and you are care-free, young at heart, and the life of parties. "You complete me"... I had to say it.

Dear Heaterhead, (we aren't big on pet names...but I have called him this before)
I love the way you sound when I wake you up really early for sometimes important, but mostly stupid reasons. You're sleepy/confused voice is way sexy.

Dear Brandon,
 I love the way you play with our furbabies and I know when it's time for babyCrews, I will fall in love all over again. I can't wait.

1.28.2012

spring break...

(Honeymoon! Our first...and latest...road trip!)



...is so much fun to plan.

especially when you have a guaranteed hot travel buddy.

like I do.

cruise? theme park? road trip?

ohmylanta.

I'm overwhelmed.

in a good way.

a really, really good way.

once we finalize the plans, you KNOW I'll let you all in.

(let the savings beginnnn!)

1.27.2012

Joy Filled Friday


1 long hair 2 finally doing something from pinterest (see picture) 3 days off from work 4 weddings 5 husband having days off from work 6 leaves falling like snow on windy days 7 making Husband laugh, even if it is at me 8 handwritten love letters 9 yummy wraps 10 chick-freakin-fil-a


I hope you have fantabulous weekends! My family is in town this week, Brandon's comes this weekend! love fun times with loved ones!

Oh, and a happy early bday to my Handsome man!
(He'll be getting a super special (probably lovey-dovey) post all to himself!)

1.26.2012

gtkY: Scribbles n' Things


Today's gtkY is Natalie from Scribbles n' Things! Natalie is a college student and book nerd, just like me! No shame. Over on her blog you see first and foremost that she is a fellow believer in Christ. Her insight on scripture sometimes has me feeling like I'm ready a Bible study. So awesome! Along with fun recipes, pictures, and love for her future, you are sure to fall in love with her!


1.     Why did you start your blog? Hmm… you know honestly I can’t really remember why I started blogging. At the time I wasn’t on Myspace, Facebook or any other social media site, but I had family who blogged. I guess one day I got bored enough to start one. But, I know that I blog now as a way to keep family and friends up to date with my life, share my faith and how I’m growing in that, to make new friends, and to have a creative outlet.
2.     What is your name? (Or what do you wish you were named?) Natalie, which usually translates to something along the lines of Christmas child or Merry Christmas, and I LOVE Christmas. I really like my name so I have no clue what other name I’d pick if given the choice, but I know some of the runner-ups my parents picked out were Rosalind and Gabriella.
3.     When is your birthday? September 14
4.     Name 3 jobs you’ve had in your life: Babystitting, babystitting, and babysitting. At least those are the only ones where there was payment in the form of money.
5.     If you could have ANY job, what would you do? Wedding/Event Coordinator or a Creative Director.
6.     What are you most afraid of? Hmm… there’s a lot… heights, snakes, clowns…
7.     What was your favorite item as a child? Stuffed bunnies. I have no idea why.
8.     What are 3 movies you could watch over and over? While You Were Sleeping, You’ve Got Mail, and pretty much any Jane Austen movie will do.
9.     Your dream vacation would be… Easy. A Trip to the UK, but I’d have to drag other people with me since I don’t like traveling alone.
10.     What are 3 websites you visit daily? Blogger to usually post and read other blogs, Facebook, and My e-mail. And Pintrest. Pintrest is addictive.
11.     Must have snacks? Chips with guacamole or salsa, hot, gooey chocolate chip cookie or brownies, or fruit.
12.     Go-to outfit and hair? Always dark wash jeans, some feminine/pretty top, heels or boots depending on the weather, and hair… whatever I feel like that day.
13.     Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Nope.
14.     Favorite ice-cream? Haagen-Dazs White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. It’s. Divine.
15.     Favorite day of the week? Either Friday or Sunday
16.      What do you do most often when you are bored? Um… Pintrest and work on future blog posts if I have an idea, or watch old episodes of Iron Chef and Chopped.
17.     What is your favorite board game? Recently it’s been Ticket to Ride.
18.     Favorite smell? There are so many! Cinnamon, vanilla,  fresh coffee, roses, lilacs, new books, homemade pasta sauce bubbling on the stove, brownies or cookies in the oven, and Balsam.
19.     What’s under your bed? Dust bunnies
20.     Which useless superhero power do you wish you possessed? Honestly, I can’t think of a superhero power that would be useless.
21.     If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be? OooO! This is such a hard question! The one person alive I cannot say since it’s a secret ;) But dead person… Probably C.S. Lewis.

Thank you, Natalie! And don't forget to check her out: Scribbles n' Things!

1.24.2012

gtkY: life of charmings


Hello, everyone! I'm so glad to be back on the regular schedule again! My sickness is gone and we are here with another one of my favorite bloggers, Brittany, from life of charmings. Brittany's blog caught my eye by the name alone! I live in a "fairy tale" world and she most definitely is a beautiful princess, with a handsome prince charming, and two adorable fluffs. On Brittany's blog you are always sure to laugh and, if you're like me, you leave feeling like best friends at a sleep over.

Everyone, meet Brittany!

1.     Why did you start your blog? Welllll… once upon a time, I was told that the husband and I would be moving away for a while for his job. Honestly, I was not too excited about the place we’d be going, but thought maybe a blog would be a fun way to keep in touch and document our adventures. So bloggy was born months before the move was to take place… but when the time to move drew closer, it ended up being called off! We didn’t end up going after all. But bloggy was here to stay.
2.     What is your name? (Or what do you wish you were named?) My name is Brittany! Nice to meet you :)
3.     When is your birthday? I’m a fall baby, November 28th, 1986
4.     Name 3 jobs you’ve had in your life. I worked at the Limited Too for a few months in high school, ha! Then when I was first married, I worked as an administrative assistant for my father-in-law’s engineering company for a year and a half. Now I sell my paintings!
5.     If you could have ANY job, what would you do? I would totally be the person that comes up with names for nail polishes and lipsticks! How do I get that job? Or if I could get paid to bask beside the pool all summer, that’d work out really well for me.
6.     What are you most afraid of? I am terrified of tornadoes! It started in middle school and it just never left. When I get stressed out I even have dreams about tornadoes.
7.     What was your favorite item as a child? I was beyond obsessed with my American Girl Doll stuff. Samantha, all the way!
8.     What are 3 movies you could watch over and over? When Harry Met Sally, Zoolander, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
9.     Your dream vacation would be… a romantic trip to Italy!! Which the husband and I are currently trying to plan for the spring! Yippy!
10.                       What are 3 websites you visit daily? Oooh, right now I’d say twitter, pinterest, and then various blogs… I love a cup of joe.
11.                       Must have snacks? I can’t go without having granola and greek yogurt in my house. And I’m kind of addicted to balance bars right now. But I’m a grazer, not a big meal eater, so these can be both snacks and meals for me sometimes throughout the day.
12.                       Go-to outfit and hair? In the summer I love shorts, a flowy, light colored top, tan legs, gold bracelets and cute sandals for daytime. With a side braid!  In the winter I’m all about black leggings and a slouchy sweater with boots. And hair down and waved a little with either a flat iron or curling iron. For evenings out, I always always love a dress!
13.                       Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yes! But, well, not if it’s just the stem. If I already ate the fun top part separately, I’m not gonna go back and eat the stem by itself. Also, I usually only eat the top half of asparagus. There’s just way too much stem to conquer there.
14.                       Favorite ice-cream? Chocolate chip cookie dough, always.
15.                       Favorite day of the week? Friday. There is just so much to look forward to on Friday. You have the whole weekend ahead of you!
16.                       What do you do most often when you are bored? Play with my fluffies, browse online shopping [oops!], check twitter way too much, organize. I don’t get bored very often, though! I guess I should say that I do these things when I’m procrastinating.
17.                       What is your favorite board game? Hmmm… Candy Land! I haven’t played that in years. But it was my fav growing up, for sure.
18.                       Favorite smell? Vanilla, fresh laundry, leather
19.                       What’s under your bed? Oh gosh, a broken mirror that needs to have the glass replaced, a box of gift wrapping, some other stashed away boxes! I wish I had some fun secrets under there. Someday.
20.                       Which useless superhero power do you wish you possessed? Flying. Is that useless? Maybe not. But I’ve always wanted to fly.
21.                       If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be? Lucille Ball. She has inspired me for so many years. I love that woman.

Thanks again, Brittany!
To get to know more of her, check out life of charmings!
And check out her videos. Crack. Me. Up.


1.23.2012

Mini Messages

Our first picture together. This was about 4 years ago. When phone camera's were lame and the pictures turned out really small.
But I love it nontheless.



Dear Job,
I love you. Seriously. Why did it take you so long to come into my life?

Dear Husband,
I think it's so cute that you're a little student once more. I'm totally relieved I don't have to worry about writing papers or taking tests, but I will always, always be in your life to plan out and organize your schedule. It's a twisted joy of mine.

Dear Sleep,
I don't know what I've done to make you leave me, but please come back. I miss you. I need you.

Dear Motivation,
I finally found you again. New, healthier, Lauren...here I come!

Dear Week,
You are FULL of funtimes. Friends, Family, Food. Love. Love. Love.



Don't forget! Tomorrow is our next gtkY!


1.21.2012

DIY: Sweatshirt Makeover

I have loved crafting and cutting up clothes since...forever. But I get an idea and run with it before stopping to document! But, looking at my 24 before 24, I made sure to slow down this time and grab a camera (aka phone.)

This is a very simple DIY. I feel silly even giving it directions, BUT nonetheless, I'm counting it as my first official DIY!

This sweatshirt was given to me when I was in seventh grade. (Woah, 10 years ago!) My family just moved to North Carolina and I missed cheerleading try-outs (devastating!) BUT, they let me try out late and I made the team (woohoo!)
I thought this thing was THE coolest article of clothing I owned. I mean, it had my name in the front and "Cheerleader" written on the back. Awesome.

But, as I got older, I formed more of a love for hooded sweatshirts and never had the heart to throw this one out. The memories! (And bleach stains from cleaning my cheer shoes-gone bad.)

Well, I woke up today wanting to wear it and decided to spruce it up a bit!

What you need:
Sweatshirt (obviously!)
Scissors
Chalk, pencil, washable marker (optional)
Puppies, Husband, or Roommate (not optional)


Here she is in all her glory! The neck line is the biggest thing that keeps me from wearing it nowadays. It's so high up! I'm in love with slouchy, v-neck, type shirts. 2 Lay your sweatshirt flat on the ground/table. 3 Since my sweater is black, I used chalk to draw my lines out. You may be a pro at cutting free-handed...but not me! 4 I drew a line from the bottom of the collar and up to the shoulders. If you have a hood, it can be done the same way! (FYI: If you're nervous about cutting too low, start with just taking the collar off. Then try it on, see how you like it, and go from there.)


5 Make sure your "shoulder seam" (that's what I call the seam that goes across your shoulders) is even and cut through both the front and back. 6 Clean cut! (Olive just HAD to be in the pictures!) 7 and 8 are very important to the process. Put the collar around your puppies and laugh. Take pictures if possible. If you have no pets, try your Husband/Roomate! It's fun. Promise.


9 This is optional. (Along with everything else! It depends on how you like it!) I didn't like how the bottom of my sweatshirt was so cinched in by the band around it. So, I drew a line and cut across (leaving the hem in-tact to keep from fraying majorly.) 10 Also important, tie band around said puppies/Husband/roomates. 11 The result! An off the shoulder, slouchy, sweatshirt! (Being home alone is the only excuse I have for the "myspace-y/dirty bathroom mirror" picture.) 12 My "collar" on Olive. She kept it on the entire morning! Such a good girl.


Well, as I said, easy-peasy. But, I hope you enjoyed it! Next DIY will be a wall hanging of sorts for the new house. So stay tuned!

1.20.2012

sick day(s)

doctor says:

"getting over the flu. sinus infection. double ear infection."

lauren says:

"just shoot me."


i'm the best at this game i like to call,
see-how-long-you-can-stay-sick-throughout-a-year.

really.
i at least deserve a trophy.
or a ribbon.

but i do have a pretty impressive stash of antibiotics and pain killers.

yay.

so i've been home.
not doing anything.
including blogging.

so our gtkY
and hopefully my health
WILL be back to normal next week.

until then
enjoy some lifelately pictures.

:date night with husband!
 :our little house is coming together! ("I Spy" pictures coming!)    : and everyone's favorite lunch!
:Bible study at the college. spiritual deodorant.      :helping someone's day.


 :pre-doctor visit meds.         :sweet babygirls snuggling with their sick mama.


:how to have a successful "sick day." a) take over couch with pillows and comfy blankets. b) meds, meds, meds. c) have an awesome brother to come bring you lunch. d)happy movies. (some of husband's got into my happy stack...those aren't my kind of happy.)
:the highlight of my week! receiving a letter and precious picture from our little boy Maycol. he's our sponsor child from Ecuador. 


have a happy, happy weekend!


1.17.2012

gtkY: elle keeps moving.


Our second gtkY is Elle from elle keeps moving. I found her blog through another blogger and I have never regretted that click! Elle is the mother and wife of a beautiful family. I mean it. Her blog is full of funny and sweet "mom moments" and I am totally keeping notes for future reference! Plus, some love to her husband and her own baby line. Enjoy getting to know my friend, Elle!

Why did you start your blog?
It sounds cliché, but I was pregnant with my first baby and thought it was a nice way to keep in touch with family far away.
What is your name? (Or what do you wish you were named?)
Elle Rowley. Actually, my name is Ellen, which I like, but Elle has been a nickname for years and it’s a name that people remember, for some reason, so I go by it professionally now.
When is your birthday?
May 22
Name 3 jobs you’ve had in your life.
Oh boy, I posted on this a few years ago because I’ve had so many that I felt it needed to be recorded.  It took TWO posts. I’ll give you my worst 3: janitor assigned to a room of cadavers (didn’t last long), envelope opener (job title and description all in two words), and assistant to the owner of a cookie factory (smell of cookies baking all day long and yet I was never given even one cookie - torture).  
If you could have ANY job, what would you do?
I have 2 of the 3! I’m a stay-at-home-mom and I have my own business making and selling Lulu Wraps (fabric baby carriers). The third dream job is writing books. It’s in the some day pile.
What are you most afraid of?
Not becoming the person God wants me to be.
What was your favorite item as a child?
Do you remember the brand Yaga? It was a Rastafarian brand that was cool for a day (or less). My brother and sister gave a Yaga t-shirt when I was about eight and I was just waiting for a photographer to put me in a magazine wearing that shirt, I thought it was that cool.
What are 3 movies you could watch over and over?
Jane Austen adaptations and any season of The Cosby Show
Your dream vacation would be…
We will hopefully be living in London for a semester next year, which would be a dream vacation and then some.
What are 3 websites you visit daily?
Facebook, my blog, and etsy.
Must have snacks?
fruit
Go-to outfit and hair?
High-waisted jeans and a boyfriend cardigan with a high, messy bun.
Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Too personal. Just joking. Yes, I do.
Favorite ice-cream?
Ice cream I can trade for cookies.
Favorite day of the week?
It’s Friday, it’s Friday.
What do you do most often when you are bored?
Look at my phone. It’s almost like a nervous twitch now.
What is your favorite board game?
Scrabble, but I’m up for a good discussion (politics, religion, parenting, education, fashion, whateves) way before a board game.
Favorite smell?
Cookies baking
What’s under your bed?
I don’t even want to know.
Which useless superhero power do you wish you possessed?
The power to do more than one thing at once. Oh wait, I already have that one. It’s called being a mom.
If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be?
The maker of The Bachelor so I could smack him in the head and thank him at the same time. 


I hope you've fallen in love with this sweet family! Thank you so much for participating, Elle!
Once again, check her out: elle keeps moving.
Don't forget to "follow" her, too!



1.16.2012

when i'm home alone, my life becomes a musical...

...but when there's company
I keep it inside.
Not just because they'd give me funny looks,
but they don't know
all the words and dance moves.
They'd totally ruin everything Olive, Bailee, I create.

OhButHey!
It's Monday!
I don't know about yours,
but this Monday was fantabulous
for me and mine.
Husband started school (again)
We're shooting for finishing this year!
I had funtimes at work.


And now pictures....







Our first real dinner in the new house?
Steaks on the Foreman.
With Mac and Cheese.
Velveeta of course.
And Ranch.
For me.
Of course.



Tomorrow is our next gtkY! Check back and see who's next!

1.13.2012

Joy Filled Friday


1 Beauty and the Beast 3D (I normally hate 3D movies, but I will not pass up a chance to see my favorite movie in theaters.) 2 Cooking with Husband. 3 Big Macs. 4 When my bangs finally reach the perfect length.(even though it takes 2 weeks and they're too long 1 week later.) 5 Finally unpacking boxes and watching them burn (Husband and Brother like bonfires.) 6 Answering phones at work all professional-like. 7 Lazy days at home with Husband. 8 Boy Meets World re-runs. 9 Filling out forms. 10 Hearing and watching old people sing and dance.