tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71352969398329596592024-03-06T00:11:43.152-05:00Outside the Framesnapshots of a bubbly girlLauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.comBlogger816125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-34340597401019684872014-08-07T08:45:00.003-04:002014-08-07T08:45:58.092-04:00What you've missed.If you haven't made the jump to following me over at my<b> new blog:<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/" target="_blank"> hopeforthemoment.com</a></b> then here's what you've missed this week:<br />
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<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/open-your-hands/" target="_blank"><b>Open Your Hands</b></a> - I shared the beauty of letting go of the tight grip you have on all your dreams and allowing God to take them.<br />
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<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/god-hes-pretty-awesome/" target="_blank"><b>God's Pretty Awesome</b></a> - All about taking time to see the hand of God working in your life and how abundantly clear I've seen it lately.<br />
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<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/lets-have-some-fun/" target="_blank"><b>Let's Have Some Fun</b></a> - a fun fest of my favorite Pinterest finds this week!<br />
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<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/if-im-being-real/" target="_blank"><b>If I'm Being Real</b></a> - sharing my heart on some tough stuff and how God is making it beautiful even in the midst of the ugly.<br />
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So make sure you're following at the new site so you don't miss a single thing! AND you can even sign up to have it sent straight to your inbox which takes all of the hassle out of it! You're welcome. ;)<br />
<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-16220786115127430782014-08-04T14:11:00.002-04:002014-08-04T14:11:25.427-04:00Are you following along?Hi friends! have you updated your follow along tools to my new site yet?<br />
<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/">http://hopeforthemoment.com</a><br />
Do it ok? Let's still be friends. Stop by and visit and get caught up with the goodness!Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-51490324455050982242014-07-31T07:55:00.001-04:002014-07-31T07:55:10.455-04:00Guarantee vs. WishI love when God shows me new things through something I thought I already knew so well.<br />
Especially when it comes to hope.<br />
Hope has sort of been the theme of my life. And I'd love if you would click <a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/hope-secured/">HERE</a> to go to my new home on the web and read all about it.<br />
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<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/">hopeforthemoment.com</a>Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-39394380014897347272014-07-27T19:13:00.001-04:002014-07-27T19:13:51.705-04:00Time for a Giveaway!!!!Hey friends! I'm giving away a copy of Jen Hatmaker's <i>Interrupted</i> this week! So....head on over to the new blog <b><a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/giveaway/">HERE</a></b> and weigh in your thoughts on the question I have listed. I really want to know!<br />
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Winner will be randomly decided this week.<br />
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<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-58097429385670990082014-07-21T08:12:00.002-04:002014-07-21T08:12:31.963-04:00awesomeness.<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.48000144958496px;">over the last few weeks, i have happened upon some pretty awesome things that i think you should check out as well. i’m a giver y’all. a giver. i cannot simply keep these great things to myself</span>...READ MORE <a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/awesomeness-2/"><b>HERE</b></a>.Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-88210162505228549912014-07-16T10:06:00.003-04:002014-07-16T10:06:56.239-04:00INTERRUPTED - A GIVEAWAY!<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
I’m so excited. I’ve been following <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; background: transparent; color: #c53279; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jen Hatmaker</a> for about a year now. <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I love her</em>. I think we could be real life besties. In fact, I’m sure of it.</div>
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If you were to ask her which of the books she’s written is her favorite, she would tell you it’s <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Interrupted.....<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/interrupted/">READ MORE AT MY NEW HOME</a></em></div>
Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-7216454272580515742014-07-14T10:51:00.004-04:002014-07-14T10:51:58.596-04:0060 Days.<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
In a mere sixty days, I will be 31.</div>
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Thirty-one.</div>
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Officially IN my thirties.</div>
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I think there is something special about thirty-one...<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/60-days/">READ MORE OVER AT MY NEW INTERNET HOME. UPDATE YOUR INFO SO WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS!</a></div>
Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-68844857696873808622014-07-09T15:02:00.001-04:002014-07-09T15:02:16.604-04:00Blurred Lines<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
ok, ok, ok. i haven’t given a baby update in quite some time.</div>
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well.</div>
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last week i sent chris for his re-test. a couple of days later the doctor called with the results. there was no change in the numbers and the way he sees it, IVF is our only option for pregnancy. It’s a bit of a double whammy with both of us having issues...<a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/blurred-lines/">READ MORE AT MY NEW INTERNET HOME BY CLICKING HERE.</a></div>
Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-52099409537023415042014-07-07T12:27:00.005-04:002014-07-07T12:27:57.449-04:00Road Trippin'<header class="post-header" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 class="post-title" itemprop="name" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 1.4em; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em;">Well let me just say this has been one heck of a summer so far.</span></h2>
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Apparently, life on the road is somewhat appealing to us. we just got home from a 9 day adventure that took us from Augusta to Panama City and from there to Texas and back. Oh and a pit stop in Atlanta. I’m pretty sure we were walking zombies yesterday when we finally walked through the door. As exhausting as the travel part was, it was simply a lovely trip!</div>
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And now I must tell you all about it through my iphone photos. <a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/road-trippin/">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND SEE MY NEW INTERNET HOME...</a></div>
Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-63478474468189016722014-06-24T09:19:00.002-04:002014-06-24T09:19:20.750-04:00Bet you never thought of it this way.<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<b>I'VE MOVED! UPDATE AND FOLLOW MY NEW SITE: <a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/">http://hopeforthemoment.com</a></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8em;">I’m a work in progress, it’s true. And over the past few years, I’ve really been working harder at being nicer to myself. It’s a roller coaster really, because I try to be nice to me, then I’m mean, then I get mad because I was mean, which makes me meaner. You see the dilemma? However….I’ve been a dirty self-talker for about thirty years, so it’s not going to all change overnight. There’s a lot of mess to work through.</span></div>
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I’m reading this book by <a href="http://holleygerth.com/be-kind-to-yourself-today/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; background: transparent; color: #c53279; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Holley Gerth</a> called “You’re made for a God-sized dream”. You know, cause I’m all about dreaming these days. But there was a section in there that completely kicked me in the gut and shed some light on the way people talk to themselves.</div>
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<a href="http://holleygerth.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; background: transparent; color: #c53279; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img src="http://holleygerth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Holley-Gerth-Button-250x250.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div>
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First, let’s think about something. Would you ever speak to someone else the way you speak to yourself? That question alone sheds a lot of light on just how nasty I am to myself. By nature, I am an encourager and always try to lift others up. Yet when it comes to the way I speak to myself, it’s quite appalling.</div>
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But second, look at this: God specifically tells us in His word that we are to love others as we love ourselves. The truth is, I love others much more than I love myself. And so, quite honestly, when we talk to our souls with harshness and judgement it is just the same as if we said it to someone else….and that grieves God just the same. Did you ever think that the words you say to yourself in your head hurt God’s heart?</div>
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If I really think about it, those ugly things I say to my soul don’t really bring any change in my life; just more rudeness.</div>
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Sweet friends, be nicer to yourself today. We are God’s masterpieces. We are made in His image. And we have <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Him living inside of us</em>. There is absolutely no reason for so much negative self-talk. That negativity hurts God in a way most of us never even thought about.</div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s time to give yourself some credit. It’s time to give yourself some love. It’s time to give yourself some grace</strong></em></div>
Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-7427482909993123932014-06-23T09:59:00.004-04:002014-06-23T09:59:56.917-04:00A good time was had by all...<div style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<b>***I've moved! Make sure to update your readers to my new link: <a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/">hopeforthemoment.com</a> ***</b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8em;">Oddly enough, this has been one of the best summers...so far. It's been full of travel, friends, and family and I just love it.</span></div>
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Last weekend, I was in need of a little beach time. Being only a few hours from Savannah makes it super hard not to go all the time! And having a bestie that lives there just adds to the enticement. So I drove down just for the day last Saturday to hang out with Amie, enjoy a beach day and a little pre-birthday celebration for her. It was honestly the perfect day.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8em;">As soon as I got home it was time to turn around and head to the airport for a work trip in Raleigh. I love traveling for work -really, I do. It adds a little excitement in my life! After that trip was over on Tuesday, I spent the week with my granny. We needed some girl time. I introduced her to the frozen yogurt places and I'm pretty sure she ate her weight in it! She's so darn cute. And yes, I stole a pic of her in her yogurt eating glory, but she would absolutely kill me dead if I posted it. The struggle is real y'all.</span></div>
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My honey came up to Atlanta Friday and we had a slumber party with his grandparents, quickly checked out the new outlet mall and did lunch with his parents on Saturday.</div>
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When I got home I was super excited to see that my diploma finally came in. It's officially official. Let's get this puppy on the wall!</div>
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Diploma + new Southern Living magazine + new Kate Spade ipad case = a great day!</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-2-1.jpg" href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-2-1.jpg" style="color: #555555; line-height: 1.8em;"><img alt="photo 2 (1)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-869" data-mce-src="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-2-1-300x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-2-1-300x300.jpg" style="line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Saturday morning before I left town, I met up with my Lacey's girls. Through high school we all worked at this little drug store called Lacey's. We've grown up together and I adore them. And when we left the drug store for our new grown up jobs, we all left a week apart from one another. It was crazy. These girls are those friends that you may not chat with everyday, but when we get together it's like no time has passed at all. And I know I can count on them for anything. Sadly, we were missing one of our girls, so Kristin's baby was the stand-in for our must-have selfie.</div>
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<img alt="photo 1 (1)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-867" data-mce-src="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-1-1-300x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-1-1-300x300.jpg" style="line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="300" /></div>
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No rest in sight, we met up with some of the peeps from a small group we lead to go hand out water at the local park. It's brutally hot here in Augusta and it was just a super small way we could do something nice and useful.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-3.jpg" href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-3.jpg" style="color: #555555; line-height: 1.8em;"><img alt="photo 3" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-871" data-mce-src="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-3-300x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://hopeforthemoment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/photo-3-300x300.jpg" style="line-height: 1.8em; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Now I need a nap just from writing that. Next week it starts all over again with a mini-vacay with Chris's parents and then a road trip to Texas to see mine.</div>
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The summer of 2014 will be a memorable one for sure. I prefer it that way. I'm all about making some memories. I love spending time with my people - nothing fills my heart quite like some good quality time.</div>
Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-76041722754596573802014-06-13T09:18:00.000-04:002014-06-13T09:18:22.099-04:00New Things!!!Hi my sweet friends!<br />
My home on the interwebs has received a face lift!!!<br />
And what this means for you is that I have a new blog link.<br />
<b>So, I'm gonna need you to come <a href="http://hopeforthemoment.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b> and follow me and update all of your feed readers, or sign up to get posts by email, or follow me on social media....whatever you pick! Or you can do ALL!<br />
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I'm super excited about what is in store for this new blog home.<br />
Oh and good news! I imported all of my blogs from here to there, so nothing is lost!<br />
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And if you haven't yet checked out the awesome <a href="http://curvymoi.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Moi</a>, well, you should. We've got lots of new content coming next week.<br />
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I'm super excited about this new journey God has me on, and it just wouldn't be the same without all of you coming along for the ride with me. So don't leave me!Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-1086701354287392772014-06-03T13:40:00.001-04:002014-06-03T13:40:50.082-04:00It's Here!!!!Hey friends! I've missed you so much.<br />
Life has just been, oh you know, slightly chaotic.<br />
There was graduation, vacation, the getting back from vacation, AND THE WORK FOR MY NEW PROJECT!!!!<br />
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Remember a little while ago I told you about <a href="http://curvymoi.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Mo</a>i, a website/blog for the curvy ladies?<br />
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Well I am happy to announce that it launched this week!!!!<br />
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Eeeeek!<br />
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You can <a href="http://curvymoi.com/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to check it out.<br />
And then add it to your feed reader, or favorites, or get it to your inbox by signing up for email. And follow us on instagram, pinterest and twitter too!<br />
*shameless plug*<br />
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But for real, if you or anyone you know could use a little encouragement, fashion advice, or a safe place to vent, send them over to <a href="http://curvymoi.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Moi</a>.<br />
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I have to say, launching this has oddly made me very vulnerable and I wasn't prepared for it.<br />
I've been so excited for launch day, but then when my friends/family complimented me on it yesterday after it launched, it felt strange.<br />
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I guess because I've tried for so many years to fit in with everyone else, and this kind of pulls me out and showcases the one thing I've hated about myself for my whole life.<br />
But this is just part of my whole journey to accepting me for me.<br />
I'm a curvy girl, always have been and probably always will be to some extent.<br />
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It's not a blog advocating an unhealthy lifestyle, but rather one that encourages women where they are.<br />
The truth is, we all have something we wish we could change about ourselves; but that doesn't mean that you should be miserable with life as a result of it. So while I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds, I am also working to love myself in the midst of the changing; to stop beating myself up every day; to stop making ugly comments to myself in the mirror. It's time for me to be nice to...ME.Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-19952093759793617992014-05-20T10:56:00.001-04:002014-05-20T10:56:48.074-04:00so much.my brain is a crazy place right now.<div>
there's so much in it that needs to come out and yet somehow i can't quite articulate it all.</div>
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for starters, i graduated! it. is. finished.</div>
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holla!</div>
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i can't express my happiness. and honestly, i'm quite proud of myself. i worked hard for this and had many a meltdown, but quitting wasn't an option. a few breaks along the way...yes. quitting, no. and so now it's not even a question i have to deal with. it's all done. praise jesus!</div>
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we headed to virginia for the ceremony - there was no way i wasn't walking across that stage!</div>
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my aunt and uncle came with us and that meant so very much. </div>
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i was weepy and emotional for the whole ceremony. of course i was.</div>
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they had the spouses stand and be recognized for all their support along the way. that was awesome because poor chris endured so much during my schooling!</div>
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the sad part was when they had parents stand and talked about the parents praying their children through school.</div>
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and there i was, with no parents to stand for me.</div>
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it sucked to be honest. but, it is what it is.</div>
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and i got a t-shirt, so that's all that really matters, right?</div>
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hahahaha.</div>
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and so now, i've got lots of time on my hands.</div>
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lots of time to think....which is good and bad.</div>
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i have big big dreams that in some ways seem so close and others seem completely unattainable.</div>
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chris and i both are in a season of dreaming and trying to chase them. and that's scary.</div>
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so it would only be fitting to hang this right in our living room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgz7mS5hSXjnLud8a4dHNyFIcvTafo4bxiv6G2Xpsal63rpI797XWssUoWL00jptTSyB3c_N2lG1ihHmQkH7tye38jW5HaJa_fZxQyLnSVguAKxCMB8ilWkmsciiwWGide-3dxWt-FHA/s1600/madewithOver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgz7mS5hSXjnLud8a4dHNyFIcvTafo4bxiv6G2Xpsal63rpI797XWssUoWL00jptTSyB3c_N2lG1ihHmQkH7tye38jW5HaJa_fZxQyLnSVguAKxCMB8ilWkmsciiwWGide-3dxWt-FHA/s1600/madewithOver.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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the hard part is trying to determine whether or not those dreams include children.</div>
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my last paper that i wrote for school was on the psychological effects of infertility on women.</div>
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i got an awesome grade on it, but it also made me realize just how deeply sad the roller coaster of infertility is. i just felt kind of pathetic after writing it. and 3 weeks later, the words of that paper are still haunting me. the bulk of this i'll save for another post on another day, but the gist of it is determining when enough is enough. </div>
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so in this season of big dreams, my prayer has been that i only pursue the dreams placed in my heart by God. that anything i desire that isn't what He wants, that he would please remove the desire from my heart. and that means that i have to be willing to let go of my dream of a child if that's not what He has planned for me.</div>
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maybe His plan for me to be a mommy is traveling to orphanages and rocking babies in my lap.</div>
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maybe it's something so completely different that what i would have imagined.</div>
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no matter the outcome, i have to be willing to let go of the way i imagined my life to play out and fully embrace the life that God has planned for me.</div>
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you see, we can either hold so tightly to our own plans that we miss enormous blessings and intimacy with God, or...</div>
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...or we can fully embrace our trust in God and let Him have His way.</div>
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time and time again He has shown me that His ways are better than mine.</div>
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the choice is fully ours.</div>
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Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-28589917139906488242014-05-04T09:41:00.001-04:002014-05-04T09:41:44.921-04:00checking off the bucket list!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
y'all. i've been a weepy mess this week.</div>
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there are quite a few factors to this madness:</div>
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PMS</div>
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the anniversary of mom's death</div>
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the anniversary of granddaddy's death</div>
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mother's day</div>
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a crazy work week</div>
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college graduation</div>
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vacation</div>
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all. this. week.</div>
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needless to say, my emotions and hormones and stress level have been on overload.</div>
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poor chris had to deal with my ugly cry at dinner last night.</div>
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he knows when that lip puckers up....it's a comin and there's no stopping it.</div>
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he saw it happening, and bless him, he said "oh no, no, no, please don't do that!"</div>
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bahahaha.</div>
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i bawled all over the land of public places yesterday.</div>
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the post office.</div>
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the mother's day card isle at walmart.</div>
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my couch.</div>
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the dinner table.</div>
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oy.</div>
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i think i'm a bit weepy in general because a major milestone is happening this week. </div>
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i've been working on this dang bachelor's degree for 11.5 years.</div>
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seriously...who takes that long!?</div>
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but honestly, as i reflect, i'm kind of glad. </div>
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i don't fit into a perfect mold and for far too long i kept trying to.</div>
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it's like that toddler toy where you try to match the wooden blocks with their shapes.</div>
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and i think i've finally let go of that for a bit.</div>
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and as i reflect, it brings me back to that lovely old 30 before 30 list that i created years ago.</div>
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i have 4 months left of being 30 and i've really done a lot.</div>
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in addition to the "x" marks, i accomplished a few others:</div>
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i got that other tattoo</div>
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i went to paris</div>
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i graduated college</div>
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i ran part of a 5k - that counts right?</div>
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i had those 30 days of quiet time with God - it was actually 42.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxvkQuyWD3iMJ50d7TEYE_JFj2aFIT7k0r80OUsrQzdTkeWTZ5TDwGvDOOVVBkY830BLPydOaXxPW5iZN9v4jkCHzdpZxao_QECVcRCPvzmy_zm1FGXD7NbRu3ZOWAtUUlCYjaIEYPsg/s1600/30_Before_30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxvkQuyWD3iMJ50d7TEYE_JFj2aFIT7k0r80OUsrQzdTkeWTZ5TDwGvDOOVVBkY830BLPydOaXxPW5iZN9v4jkCHzdpZxao_QECVcRCPvzmy_zm1FGXD7NbRu3ZOWAtUUlCYjaIEYPsg/s1600/30_Before_30.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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in all reality, i'm pretty proud of the things i have done in these 30 years.</div>
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it's been nothing short of adventurous.</div>
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i've lived in 3 states, moved 14 times.</div>
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we kind of go where the wind takes us.</div>
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we've traveled.</div>
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we've had fun.</div>
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and now, quite honestly, i'm a bit more excited for the next 30 years.</div>
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at some point, you have to stop desiring God's path for other people and embrace the one He has for you.</div>
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so to God, I say "let's do this."</div>
<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-86305606699100246432014-04-28T16:07:00.001-04:002014-04-28T16:07:29.441-04:00picture time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was getting some pictures made to celebrate my college graduation! </div>
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Well the pictures happened and we had oh so much fun!</div>
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The challenge was cute graduation pictures that didn't look too cutesy for a 30 year old!</div>
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And I think we have a success!!!</div>
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I'm really excited with how they turned out.</div>
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And I'm working really hard on not being overly critical of myself.</div>
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Instead, I'm practicing what I preach, and loving me!</div>
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All of me.</div>
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Curves and all!!!</div>
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So, I wanted to share a few of my faves with you....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb8ckTaWmYI4LyvC-irCyZo7dXFZvXQRqGGMD2G36F6QIp0WeaNPhkUzlmcMZ_BnJ208kkoIlbZKSoPBXK4-ZdUuIIMwGQrs_CGj41xHSrlg__cSYGrhABBEV5-Uneaw4seOQOj3-Co0/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb8ckTaWmYI4LyvC-irCyZo7dXFZvXQRqGGMD2G36F6QIp0WeaNPhkUzlmcMZ_BnJ208kkoIlbZKSoPBXK4-ZdUuIIMwGQrs_CGj41xHSrlg__cSYGrhABBEV5-Uneaw4seOQOj3-Co0/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0dAdrPloI5h9WKZpChhwyEweiAmTdIjb_bW0EJg1zwji38YyIdaRZSF03YlePA8fF9hlOdBsomAjEkkmOThDXHBw3_kTdVimSsIoA1_505ejgv3-DC9U7cww0O82QDS5kdo7RpMJVQ8/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0dAdrPloI5h9WKZpChhwyEweiAmTdIjb_bW0EJg1zwji38YyIdaRZSF03YlePA8fF9hlOdBsomAjEkkmOThDXHBw3_kTdVimSsIoA1_505ejgv3-DC9U7cww0O82QDS5kdo7RpMJVQ8/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Officially less than two weeks until it's official! Holla!!!!!<br />
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<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-80371214836484301092014-04-17T10:35:00.002-04:002014-04-17T10:35:37.001-04:00this day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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this day 10 years ago, my mom and i were moving out of our home that we had lived in for 17 years.</div>
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it was a tough day, emotionally.</div>
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but that night, i had a first date with this cute guy that had been a crazy flirt.</div>
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i moved all of my bathroom essentials first so i would have everything needed to get ready.</div>
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but as i got out of the shower, and was getting ready to fix my hair........there was a blow dryer no where to be found.</div>
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my hair can NOT air dry. it's awful.</div>
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and so i threw it in a pony tail and ran to the nearest big lots and got me one. </div>
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i remember i was wearing these cute little military green capris, a black t-shirt and flip flops.</div>
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i met chris at church for our saturday night service, where he was playing keys.</div>
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then we hopped in his mini-van and headed to dinner at outback.</div>
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caesar salad and a baked potato for me, and i was so nervous, that i couldn't eat it.</div>
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those days of not eating have long passed lol.</div>
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then we went back to his place and rented a movie. secondhand lions was the movie of choice.</div>
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and then he took me back to my apartment and the rest was history. </div>
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we've spent almost every day since together for the last 10 years.</div>
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aww, look how we've changed.</div>
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love you boo. guess we're in this for the long haul. ;)</div>
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<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-37762393468837357432014-04-16T08:39:00.001-04:002014-04-16T08:39:16.036-04:00exciting new things.there's something about my upcoming graduation (24 days to be exact) that has sparked a need for lots of new things in my life, and i couldn't be more excited about them.<br />
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remember a few posts back i told you about my new project, Curvy Moi. well i'm happy to say the website is all built, and now it's just waiting for my content. i am absolutely ecstatic about this little project, that has so much potential to be something bigger. we've got posts planned for months and ideas out the wazoo.<br />
i seriously walk around with a spiral notebook where i keep jotting down ideas. To refresh your memory, Curvy Moi is going to be a happy little place on the interweb for curvy girls. Too often, us curvy girls leave stores and websites a little frustrated and discouraged. we're creating a place for refreshment, encouragement and fashion for the curvy girl.<br />
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once i get that up and running, there is going to be a serious overhaul on the old blog here. it's getting a major facelift and content update. my absence here hasn't been for nothing - it's been a time of dreaming and determining how i can have the most impact. God and i have been doing a lot of talking lately, and it seems as if some of my dreams that have been hidden in the deepest part of my heart are getting a little light shed on them. i'm not quite ready to divulge everything just yet, but i do know, very clearly, that God wants me to be an advocate of hope. now, exactly what that looks like, i'm not sure. but i'm excited even for just the glimmers of direction.<br />
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i'm really working with God these days to tap into my dreams. for far too long, i've thought of dreams as just, well, dreams. but recently i have realized that sometimes God places those dreams in our hearts for a reason. so...i'm praying for dreams. for the courage to follow them. for the heart to embrace them. and for a spirit that's willing to dream them.<br />
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and most importantly, the beach vacay has been booked for may.<br />
graduation on saturday, then the beach on sunday. yes, yes, i do believe that panned out very well.<br />
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annnnnd lastly, my newest nephew Gunnar is making his grand entrance into the world today!!!! i'm eagerly awaiting the call that he is officially here!<br />
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now have yourself a happy wednesday!Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-57326893464560036152014-04-11T14:26:00.000-04:002014-04-11T14:26:07.797-04:00happy birthday mama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
today would have been my sweet mama's 56th birthday.</div>
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and in a few short weeks we'll be looking at the 8th year since she left us.</div>
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sometimes my brain can't fully comprehend the fact that she's gone.</div>
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like HOW have i survived this?</div>
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and so today, i'm choosing to celebrate her beautiful self.</div>
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that pretty smile.</div>
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those awesome hugs.</div>
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and that contagious laugh.</div>
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we went to smallcakes and got us a box of cupcakes.</div>
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i'm either celebrating or self-medicating lol.</div>
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happy birthday mama. </div>
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love you forever and always.</div>
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<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-25763780312557232622014-04-08T20:12:00.000-04:002014-04-08T20:12:07.365-04:00Quiet - but not silent.hey y'all.<br />
i know, i've been a little quiet lately.<br />
life has kind of....exploded a bit.<br />
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chris has been so sick for months.<br />
march was particularly rough.<br />
we finally found out last week what was wrong....mono.<br />
32 years old and finally got him some mono.<br />
luckily, as of right now, i haven't caught it.<br />
i mean since he's been sick so much i've kind of refused any kind of kissy kissy.<br />
that's real good for a marriage. lol.<br />
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i graduate in 31 days! t.h.i.r.t.y. o.n.e. d.a.y.s.!!!!!<br />
my cap and gown came in the mail this week and i just may wear it to work in.<br />
seriously the only thing stopping me is the amount of dog hair that would get on it!<br />
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i'm having a little photo shoot next week that i'm excited about.<br />
and nervous.<br />
this is really the first time i've been a customer on the other side of the camera.<br />
the pressure is ridic!<br />
but i'll be sure to share the goodness when it's all done.<br />
i bought 4 new dresses to choose from!<br />
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we're desperately trying to pull together a beach vacay because this little family of two is in dire need of a break!<br />
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the ridiculous amount of sickness chris has experienced over the last 3.5 months has also significantly prolonged our baby making process.<br />
it's kind of sad because when we started seeing the new doctor in december, there was a real possibility that we'd be pregnant by May. it finally seemed attainable.<br />
and well, here we are almost to May, and i've been on birth control for 4 months.<br />
i was only supposed to be on it for 2 months.<br />
i can't come off the birth control until chris's numbers change.<br />
and it all just seems to be nothing but road block after road block.<br />
and at some point in the game you have to come to grips that it really may never happen.<br />
you may not "win".<br />
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and while you may say, oh 4 months is nothing.....well it's actually an awful lot when this journey has lasted almost 10 years.<br />
so yes, every day counts in this mess. every single day.<br />
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well, there you have it.<br />
a whirlwind catch up of life.<br />
i'll be back in the blogging game soon.<br />
probably more like May.<br />
but soon!Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-32455050177724400582014-04-03T09:33:00.002-04:002014-04-03T09:33:56.317-04:00Curvy MoiIt's tough being a curvy girl in this world.<br />
There's the constant struggle between self acceptance and self loathing.<br />
And our media outlets and society are so contradictory.<br />
On one hand they're launching campaigns to love yourself while on the other they are constantly showing what you should look like.<br />
It's nasty y'all.<br />
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A few weeks ago I went dress shopping and had a terrible experience.<br />
And I may have had an epiphany/breakdown.<br />
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As a result, I have some very exciting news!<br />
One of my besties and I are launching a new website. We'll be launching it in just a couple of months, but we are so very excited about it!<br />
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It will be a place where the curvy ladies can go to get advice on the most flattering looks for their body types as well as leave refreshed and encouraged.<br />
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I can't wait to share it with you all! It's going to be EPIC.<br />
EPIC I say!Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-49821704223655024392014-03-31T09:30:00.000-04:002014-03-31T09:30:02.160-04:00a big day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
HAPPY 125th BIRTHDAY TO THE EIFFEL TOWER!!!!!!</div>
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Your beauty, oh tower, has brought me great joy!</div>
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So I couldn't resist a reason to celebrate you!</div>
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<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-59902502396457179492014-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:002014-03-21T08:00:06.277-04:00Life is good around the table.about couple of months ago I wrote <b><u><a href="http://lifeoflt.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-little-bit-of-honesty.html" target="_blank">THIS POST</a></u></b>.<br />
it was all about my desire for community.<br />
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it is amazing how when we speak something out loud, opportunities come to put it into action.<br />
for the last month, my house has been a busy little greeter of people. friends. community.<br />
and i am beyond grateful.<br />
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my heart has been so full.<br />
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i managed to finish reading bread and wine.<br />
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i know i keep talking about it, but it has quickly soared to the top of my list for favorite books EVER read. it just spoke to my soul in so many ways and i just felt full after reading it.<br />
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and i really, really, really want to be best friends forever with shauna niequist.<br />
i think we'd be awesome together.<br />
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and i want to start a cooking club. the kind like she has with rich food and rich relationships.<br />
i have ventured out in my cooking and that's just fabulous.<br />
for instance, i made grilled pizza with roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, grilled chicken, fresh rosemary and balsamic vinegar. who am i?<br />
<br />
i have purchased all of the ingredients to bake my own bread.<br />
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it's like a revival in my kitchen. and my heart. i can't get enough.<br />
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if you love jesus and food and the kitchen....please read this. for your soul. for your sanity. trust me, you need it.<br />
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and so, i leave you with this:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-d_0-2_SkSs" width="480"></iframe>Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-47794771390407332842014-03-20T08:00:00.000-04:002014-03-20T08:00:13.385-04:00wish list.i've officially made it two full weeks in a life with no social media.<br />
i have to admit, it's been a little difficult.<br />
seriously, there have been so many fantastic "statuses" in the past 14 days!<br />
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and then we throw in the fact that chris has been beaten up with what i'm convinced is the worst case of strep throat ever known to man.<br />
i've never seen anything like it.<br />
so we've been a bit bored....well because he can't talk.<br />
and since i refuse to be in the same room as him (i don't want to breathe his air), well there's only so much you can do to entertain yourself.<br />
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in the midst of boredom (which i really have no excuse for because there is homework, work, and jesus that could use my attention), i have decided to make a wish list of places i want to visit in my lifetime.<br />
because you know, traveling makes my heart skip a beat! ANNNND chris and i have been thinking a lot about reality lately. and the harsh reality is that we are not promised a happy ending with our infertility issues. God has not promised us a child. and so, we've decided that if it turns out that children will not be part of our future, then we shall spend a life traveling the world. not just for our own satisfaction, but to do good things. i'm not sure what those things are, but we'll definitely do some good!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2_llvjT4NugMpph6NLYJO-37xCp5AUvA5OgCm5s8yAZz-bTESRg6DzqjF2bWd0RwZvKBsgYTAE8DFcegK8rV8j6bBMZd1PE4bO3iYJSs34b3Lk1NgvTcfcAZeByqSpZy3_QKpzShfvo/s1600/to_travel_the_world_by_puddingpolaroid-d4umhbj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2_llvjT4NugMpph6NLYJO-37xCp5AUvA5OgCm5s8yAZz-bTESRg6DzqjF2bWd0RwZvKBsgYTAE8DFcegK8rV8j6bBMZd1PE4bO3iYJSs34b3Lk1NgvTcfcAZeByqSpZy3_QKpzShfvo/s1600/to_travel_the_world_by_puddingpolaroid-d4umhbj.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://globetrotterbaladeo.wordpress.com/2014/01/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(source)</span></a></div>
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here it goes!<br />
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let's start with the states:<br />
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<ul>
<li>seattle, washington</li>
<li>go skiing in colorado. i've been to colorado several times, but i've never been skiing there...or ever.</li>
<li>california - want to drive up the west coast from san fran to seattle.</li>
<li>portland, oregon. just because.</li>
<li>montana</li>
<li>lake tahoe</li>
<li>maine</li>
<li>a drive through new england in the fall</li>
<li>chicago</li>
<li>the great lakes</li>
</ul>
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now let's go international!</div>
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<ul>
<li>Vancouver</li>
<li>scotland (hubby's family is from here)</li>
<li>england</li>
<li>french countryside (provence)</li>
<li>italy: rome, venice, naples</li>
<li>i basically want to go on a culinary tour of europe. party in my mouth!</li>
</ul>
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ok so who wants to donate to my travel fund?</div>
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no? no one?</div>
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fine.</div>
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just kidding!</div>
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where have you always wanted to visit?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TWXAonanysbbckrKCjR6lk5n2Nk-0OYu-PP1GtzZ45o5Xt-tmIK-gz0cztvyvllxXJ-Sz5tOTzJXS5iagL6Pvuc4am0B23h9oT42lJLyU1ULEgR1LdHRteFdR_7VfXbIc-f7-Bn9HSI/s1600/406314_10151121785795659_152354500_n-640x426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TWXAonanysbbckrKCjR6lk5n2Nk-0OYu-PP1GtzZ45o5Xt-tmIK-gz0cztvyvllxXJ-Sz5tOTzJXS5iagL6Pvuc4am0B23h9oT42lJLyU1ULEgR1LdHRteFdR_7VfXbIc-f7-Bn9HSI/s1600/406314_10151121785795659_152354500_n-640x426.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://1000culturalencounters.com/2012/09/travel-the-world-4/" target="_blank">(source)</a></span></div>
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<br />Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7135296939832959659.post-18834238487369229722014-03-19T08:57:00.000-04:002014-03-19T08:57:02.150-04:00Finish This<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Wednesday! I'm linking up with a few bloggy peeps today for Finish This!</div>
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You should totally play along.</div>
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<a href="http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/finish-this-11/" target="_blank"><img alt="FinishThis--SMALL" src="http://nicoleandkevin.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/finishthis-small.jpg?w=611" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Droid Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;">When I need help with life’s mysteries, I turn to - </b></div>
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<span style="color: #777777; font-family: Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;">well it depends on the issue. Used to be my momma, but since she's not here anymore i delegate lol. sometimes my aunt, my granny, my bffs....but ultimately, as cliche as it sounds, mostly i turn to God. He's the end all be all.</span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #777777; font-family: 'Droid Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;"><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Droid Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;">My next challenge is figuring out - </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Droid Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;"> - how to really embrace and determine God's plan for my life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #777777; font-family: Droid Sans, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;"> - what's next in this hateful game of infertility</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Droid Sans', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.31999969482422px;"><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;">I shake things up - </b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">hmmm....shaking things up. as a general rule i'm a pretty low key rule follower. but i guess chris and i shake things up with our yearly moves! we really should just invest in an RV!</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent;">High heels are - </b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">well, i kind of love them. but i rarely go places to wear them these days, so they just look pretty in my closet. however, as cute as they are, the KILL my feet. so when i do wear them it has to be well thought out (and there's usually a pair of flats in my purse as back up).</span></div>
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Lauren Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747689609835045819noreply@blogger.com4