Thursday, June 28, 2012

Happy 25th birthday Leigh!!

 Today my bestie, Leigh, turns 25!!!
The only thing that sucks about today is that I can't spend it with her.... and this time we're finally in the same state!
                          
Leigh is seriously one of the best people I know. Without her, college life would have been unbearable (and probably the end of high school too). She's my best friend. My soulmate. She's put up with so much of my crap and still calls me a friend. She's always been there when I've needed her, no questions asked. She has such an incredible heart and is always willing to put others first. She is seriously an amazing person and incredible role model and I've learned so much from her these past 9 or so years. I'm blessed to be able to call her my bestie!!
So happy birthday Leigh-leigh!!! I hope it's the best yet, because you deserve it!

love always and always,
kel

Monday, June 25, 2012

summer reading

This summer I have been doing a lot of reading.
At first, reading was a goal of mine. I wanted to read 10 non-school related books in 2011.
Then, I wanted to read 15 more in 2012.
So far I have already surpassed that number and it's only June.
Now reading is more of a favorite hobby. One that I had forgotten about in the midst of school. Having finally graduated and now having way too much free time on my hands, I've falled back in love with books. The library has even become my favorite spot again.

So what have I been reading?
The current books on my selves (and library card) seem to be from one of 2 categories: Tudor era (Henry VIII of England) and comedy. 

I'm not entirely sure why, but ever since my trip to England (back in '97) I have been extremely interested in the Tudor reign. My interest was especially that of his wives and in particular Anne Bolyen. As I've gotten older I think my interest in that era is due to a couple things. One, to think that one lady changed the fate of an enitre county (and perhaps even ours) is astounding. Due to the lust and manipulation of Anne Bolyen, England completely changed it's country's religion from Catholic to Protestant, which many countries are still fighting about. The other reason for my interest in this subject is somewhat silly. For whatever reason the Medieval era seems romantic. Definitely not romantic as in love (because let's face it love doesn't exactly mean beheading your wives) but more in their style. The clothing style. The architecture style. It seems goregous and (that word again) romantic.

While my roommates have had a little fun in teasing me for my constant Tudor books, here are the ones I have so far read.....
The Constant Princess is about Henry VIII's first wife, Katherine of Aragon. It follows her as a child, destined to become the Queen of England, through her adulthood (and marriages to 2 Princes of England) and ends with the trial of marriage.

The Queen's Rival is about Henry VIII's first serious mistress, Bess Blount. The first woman to ever give him a son.

The Other Boylen Girl is probably well known due to the movie. It's the life of Mary Bolyen (future Queen of England, Anne Boylen's sister).  While the movie wasn't my favorite, a co-worker had been reading this book and told me that it was pretty awesome and much more informational than the movie had been. So of course, intrigued I picked it up at the library (and thus an obbession had begun..haha).

Mademoiselle Boylen is the book I am currently reading. It follows Anne Bolyen's life starting as a little girl.


The Bolyen Inheritance is another Philippa Gregory book and I loved it. It told the story of Henry VIII's 4th and 5th wives (Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard). It also told the story of another Howard woman.... Lady Rochford (Anne Boylen's sister-in-law).


Then of course, there are the more light-hearted books that have had me actually laughing out loud.

Bang Bang is actually a pretty good book and I had asked for it for my birthday (thanks Steven!!). While Chelsea Handler is insanely inappropriate and hysterical, just a warning she talks about sex and drinking a lot.

While wandering through Walmart one night, I ran across this book. The cover alone told me I would enjoy it and I honestly did. It is a little like Chelsea handler (only without the drinking and as much sex talk). Samantha Bee is extremely funny (if you didn't already know that from Jon Stewart's show). The only thing I didn't like was how randomly her stories were placed (and sometimes caused confusion since the timing was off).

Okay, who doesn't like The Office? Amazing show. Amazing cast. Amazing writers. So when I found out "Kelly" from The Office (and co-writer) had her own book out, I again asked Steven for it. It wasn't as funny as I had hoped, but it was interested to see how she grew up and got started in her career.

One of Steven's cousins introduced me to Jenny Lawson's  (also known as The Bloggess) blog last year. It was kind of love at first read. She's insane. And amazing. And her book was everything and more. Everytime I opened it I laughed my ass off. I even had to start reading it in opposite rooms from my roommates because my laughing would interrupt their tv time. Plus they constantly gave me funny looks for laughing so hard at a book. But her short stories are wonderful. And so is her blog. Just one question......when is the next one coming out?!?!?!?


What have you been reading this summer??
-kel

PS- Thanks to my pal Christen, I was introduced to Goodreads.com (where you can see all these books and others I intend to read). If you haven't checked it out already, you should! And then let's be friends!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Taken 2


Cannot wait.
Seriously.
Steven and I always joke about how often the first one is on tv. And now, there's a second one coming out. I'm seriously excited. You know, because I'm a nerd and all that.
And I love Liam.

-kel

Keagan's newborn photos

 My amazing friend Jen had her baby boy almost two weeks ago (June 11...one day before her's). I was so grateful to not only be able to be at the hospital moments after he was born and hold him, but to also take his newborn photos. (I also got to take his mama's maternity photos back in March, see here and here).
He is such a beautiful and happy little baby. I can't wait to watch him grow!
Welcome to the world baby Keagan!!!


 And congrats again to my amazing friends Joe and Jen. You two are going to be wonderful parents!!!!

xoxo, kel

Friday, June 22, 2012

back to reality

 Well.... vacation is definitely over. But luckily, Steven and I only had a 2 day work week and it's now the weekend! Huzzah!! 

I feel like our trip came at the perfect time. I was feeling so overwhelmed and stressed before we left. I literally was just over Jacksonville and all it had to offer (or lack there of). I was emotionally and physically drained. But the week away gave me clarity and some relaxation. I feel so much better for it. And the best part is that I was also ready to come home. I was ready to get back to work. Ready to see my girl friends. Ready to visit baby Keagan some more (my good friend Jen's 1 week old baby). Ready to sleep in my own bed.

Sometimes I think I just need a little boost and a quick reminder of how great life really can be. It's hard to see past the pitfalls and negativity at times. I feel like I've been dwelling too much on that lately. But now that I'm home again, I hope to not let it get me down.  In fact, I even got a rejection letter (subject to be talked about later) and didn't get upset. I didn't throw it away either, but bookmarked it with a note to myself. It's a good reminder that sometimes what we see as rejection isn't, but in fact it is just God saying "Not now" or "I've got something better in mind for you".

xo, kel

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Chicago & Wisconsin trip

This past week I got to visit Chicago and Wisconsin for the very first time.
Talk about an awesome trip.
And it even helped to knock of a goal from my 25 before 26 list (visit a new state....but I overachieved with two)!

 Steven and I spent the first half of it in Chi-town visiting his sister and their family and then the last part of the trip was spent in Wisconsin visiting more of Steven's family. It was the first time I had met almost all of them and I have to say, I already love them. They are some amazing people.
Between the awesome people and the awesome adventures, I almost didn't want to come back. 
We went sightseeing, kayaking, saw a Red Sox/Cubs game, went on a boat tour around Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and ate a lot of really awesome food.

So here are some pictures from the trip (although not even half of what was taken).





And now we are finally home. Resting up for work tomorrow. 

xoxo
kel

Monday, June 11, 2012

5 loves on monday


1.  so many pretty clothes.... seriously pages worth of items!

2. if only i had known about this bracket earlier!!!! and the blog!

3. make your own journal with photos as pages. yes please!!!!!

4. make your photos into pop art. um....awesome.


5. perhaps the best thing I've ever seen....turn your photos into coloring pages!!!!


xoxo kel

Friday, June 8, 2012

philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6-7   

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

 

 

So much is going on in my head and as much as I try, I keep worrying.

 I keep dreading.

 I keep looking at my phone every 2 seconds.

 But I also keep praying. 

His will be done. 

Not mine, but His.

Amen.