tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26714142873658509032024-03-17T23:03:41.564-04:00Bound By LoveA blog about life. Originally started to keep our families informed while my husband was deployed. Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-48794290888990434042014-08-27T10:13:00.003-04:002014-08-27T10:13:38.154-04:00see you laterhi lovelies. Since getting back from our big trip I've pretty much stayed away from blogging. It was unintentional and then I found I didn't miss it. I've struggled with comparison and jealousy in my life and though I've found the blogging community to be open and encouraging I want to eliminate any unnecessary reasons to compare. I got rid of Facebook a few months ago, and honestly it's been one of the best decisions. Coming home after our trip I've felt more content than ever and I don't want to do anything that will disrupt that. I've also realized that I've used blogging as an excuse to not put myself out there to make friends in the area and to really make a community for myself down here. I've hidden behind my posts and I don't want to do that anymore. I'm not saying goodbye forever, but I am taking an indefinite leave of absence. I've loved blogging and I'm sure I will again, but until I feel that need to come back I will be staying away. I won't be reading blogs or writing. I hope that those I've formed real friendships with will continue to keep in touch with email and texts.<br />
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As I walk away from blogging (for now) I want to say thank you for reading and sticking with me through the good and bad times. I'm hoping I'll be back at my little space of the internet soon but until then: be well, stay kind, and keep in touch.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-58075474404763932732014-08-10T07:13:00.001-04:002014-08-10T07:13:50.551-04:00Singapore-Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're still 12 hours ahead here in Singapore. Currently it's Sunday evening and we've already had a full couple of days here since we arrived late on Friday. Saturday we woke up early and had an amazing breakfast at our hotel, Dave loves the coffee they serve. After breakfast we took off walking and exploring. It was Singapore's National Day-which was commemorates the 49th year of Singapore's independence from Malaysia. It was very cool to be here for this holiday.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{largest indoor waterfall}</td></tr>
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We walked to the Gardens at the Bay and bought a ticket to the Cloud Forest. It was really amazing. I wasn't a fan of the highest walkway, but the whole place was beautiful.</div>
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Dave and I walked along the cross way from the gardens to the Marina Sands Hotel to meet up with his two coworkers that are on this trip too. In the background you can see the Singapore Flyer (the ferris wheel) and on the right that dome is the flower dome at the Gardens by the Bay.</div>
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We walked around and went to Merlion Park-a landmark of Singapore. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">The original statue at the Merlion Park measures 8.6 metres high and weighs 70 tonnes, and is one of Singapore’s most well-known icons. The lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals", and the fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion city” in Sanskrit). via <a href="http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/culture-and-heritage/a-touch-of-history/landmarks-and-memorials/merlion.html" target="_blank">YourSingapore</a></span></div>
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It was hot out so we went back to the hotel for an afternoon swim. before figuring out dinner and splitting up for Dave to buy some shorts and me to get a mani/pedi. We watched the fireworks for National Day from our hotel room. A great way to end our first full day in this beautiful (and oh so clean) city.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-21702197477073157142014-08-10T06:52:00.003-04:002014-08-10T06:52:56.924-04:00Perth, AustraliaHi friends! It's been a while since I've been on my little space of the internet. And it's been far too long since I've read my daily blogs (I'm missing your lives Cassie, Aubrey, Christa etc-but I'll catch up when I'm home).<br />
Anyway, we're now in Singapore but I'm recapping our time in Perth. I still can't believe we were lucky enough to have traveled to Australia! It was a fun week with perfect weather and honestly I enjoyed my time exploring on my own.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Dave and I with part of the Perth skyline}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{me taking the train (metro) out to Fremantle}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{no matter where in the world I am, I'm happiest by his side}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{kangaroo at the zoo!}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{venison, gator, kangaroo, wild boar}</td></tr>
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We went out to this cool restaurant that served a game platter on hot lava stone. The brought out the steaming hot platter and you had to cook your own meat. I really wanted to try kangaroo and I'm glad I had the chance. I wanted to try emu as well but couldn't find it on any menu. However, I did find emu jerky at the airport right before flying out, so I bought that and ate it. I crossed both things I wanted to try off my list! Kangaroo was really good and as for the emu jerky, it tasted basically like regular jerky.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Dave after his dip}</td></tr>
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It was a little chilly but Dave and his co-worker decided they wanted to get in the water anyway. We all wanted to go to Penguin Island (behind us) but when we got there we were told there were no ferry's going over because it's their mating season. So close. It would have been neat to see the penguins that call Australia their home year round.<br />
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Meat pies are also a big food in Australia so I may have had 3 of them during my stay! It was a great week and I'm glad I've checked off Australia on my world travel bucket list.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-72426343179150948762014-08-02T15:33:00.001-04:002014-08-03T16:30:23.674-04:00MIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hi friends. It's been a while since I've been on this here blog. I left you with some wonderful guest posts while Dave and I were on vacation with his family. We had a wonderful time relaxing, reading, playing tennis, golfing, swimming and playing games with family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XOAON_AWHGw/U96bxAuzB5I/AAAAAAAAE98/dWb2YFwIyJc/s640/blogger-image-1846307404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XOAON_AWHGw/U96bxAuzB5I/AAAAAAAAE98/dWb2YFwIyJc/s640/blogger-image-1846307404.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now we're off on a new adventure- we're in Australia. Dave is here for work and I am accompanying him and playing during the day while he's at work. We had Sunday together with two of his co-workers and decided to explore Fremantle. You guys are 12 hours behind us and as I'm writing this it's 4:30 in the morning and I'm wide awake. I'll be going back to sleep in a bit to try and get on this schedule. Here are a few pictures from our first full day in beautiful Australia.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1HINdyCmd7k/U96bz1s2XHI/AAAAAAAAE-E/wRIs97lcfYc/s640/blogger-image-1828144652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1HINdyCmd7k/U96bz1s2XHI/AAAAAAAAE-E/wRIs97lcfYc/s640/blogger-image-1828144652.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> {up at King's Park}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexBIgSCwJlySfRElbJoceh5A-FOdsypOgeS4X1oeEnVIIYgIs8TRurR2AqKNIBOxpIDTSGpClDvntFXf-WTAU3m_w8GXO2q-YwvISUoE0kcbHRpRt5J1rJFxAPxpWzlDBBlJB22AWm5I1/s640/blogger-image-1573547734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexBIgSCwJlySfRElbJoceh5A-FOdsypOgeS4X1oeEnVIIYgIs8TRurR2AqKNIBOxpIDTSGpClDvntFXf-WTAU3m_w8GXO2q-YwvISUoE0kcbHRpRt5J1rJFxAPxpWzlDBBlJB22AWm5I1/s640/blogger-image-1573547734.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> {the coast at Fremantle}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY1bDhBJuCBWQa2rjFe8OQ0_GM83n4A0XuaP-9I-qapa7ZpH1uhImFmwKxbDqOHC02aTBW8CUo6LRQIxGlK-3-IUAnEQsj_8He6zWaOsrm78Nho-x3XXTLKR7oxAhRxhPDFG_nQ0wm4yt/s640/blogger-image--1646142404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY1bDhBJuCBWQa2rjFe8OQ0_GM83n4A0XuaP-9I-qapa7ZpH1uhImFmwKxbDqOHC02aTBW8CUo6LRQIxGlK-3-IUAnEQsj_8He6zWaOsrm78Nho-x3XXTLKR7oxAhRxhPDFG_nQ0wm4yt/s640/blogger-image--1646142404.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> {part of the markets at Fremantle}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GDZuOkD3DLw/U96b23-IpzI/AAAAAAAAE-M/hL8qmbhr_r4/s640/blogger-image-152554552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GDZuOkD3DLw/U96b23-IpzI/AAAAAAAAE-M/hL8qmbhr_r4/s640/blogger-image-152554552.jpg"></a></div> {drinking a Fosters and two birds}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>You can follow me on Instagram ( @lobo86) to see what I'm up too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you sooooooo much to my mother in law who is staying at our house and taking care of our Finley. Love you!</div><br></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-75303273760943371662014-07-25T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-25T07:00:04.459-04:00Guest Post: greek salad recipe<span style="color: #a64d79;">We're wrapping up the week of guest posts with one of my oldest friends, Aubrey. And she's got a great recipe for one of my favorite foods: greek salad. So I hope you enjoy her post as much as I do. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnLm7nhCO5d8obDez1LAhqjSz7KNAoAIm8HuBX54Rfk7hFP3qCbsc9eIjpF9a44HDpYKH2yvuVGDFpILsGn0qVy28HZcT4DGszLsg1ZzKR2XlNwY1OmDd1RqkoFuFynzjNnAWShqBRg/s1600/aubrey-thefoundlife.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnLm7nhCO5d8obDez1LAhqjSz7KNAoAIm8HuBX54Rfk7hFP3qCbsc9eIjpF9a44HDpYKH2yvuVGDFpILsGn0qVy28HZcT4DGszLsg1ZzKR2XlNwY1OmDd1RqkoFuFynzjNnAWShqBRg/s1600/aubrey-thefoundlife.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>HI! I'm Aubrey and you can find me over at <a href="http://thefoundlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Found Life</a>. I love the Lord, I am married to the best man I've ever known and we have two fur kids - a dog, Hubble, and a cat, Phoebe who make our days more interesting! I am <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pluviophile" target="_blank">pluviophile</a>, and a lover of weird words like that. I am a <a href="http://greenanchorphoto.com/blog/" target="_blank">wedding and lifestyle photographer</a> in Northern Nevada. I've known Lauren for years and years! We met when we were in middle school when we were both living in Germany! I can remember plenty of sleep overs and days of laughter and fun with this sweet girl! She is kind, so nurturing, and encouraging! She is beautiful inside and out and has such a fun laugh! Thankfully over the years we have kept in touch, and I am so thankful for our friendship, and the fact that we can call each other and just cry and pray together! I recently just got back into blogging (on the personal side), so I want to give a huge thanks to Lauren for letting me take over her blog today!<br />
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I love to eat (who doesn't!?) but I am a very picky eater, the flavor and texture has to be just right and sadly for me, a lot of what is healthy has either a weird texture or flavor to me. So because I am so picky, when I find a healthy recipe that I love I get super excited! So I wanted to share a recipe for Greek Salad with y'all that I absolutely love!! I am not a chef by any means, but I enjoy cooking (I'll let you clean up any day though!!) and making things my own so I don't follow the recipe too strictly and you can feel free to modify it to fit your own taste.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">serves 4</span></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Lemon juice</b>, from 1 lemon</li>
<li><b>Garlic</b>, 1 clove, minced</li>
<li><b>Freshly ground pepper</b></li>
<li><b>Olive oil</b>, 1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons</li>
<li><b>Pita bread</b>, 4 rounds</li>
<li><b>Italian seasoning</b>, 1/2 teaspoon</li>
<li><b>Your favorite salad mixture</b></li>
<li><b>Cucumber</b>, 1 half-whole</li>
<li><b>Grape tomatoes</b>, as many as you want</li>
<li><b>Olives</b>, black</li>
<li><b>Feta cheese</b></li>
<li><b>Green onions</b>, 8, thinly sliced, optional</li>
<li><b>Green bell pepper</b>, 1/3, optional</li>
<li><b>Red onion</b>, as much as you want, optional</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #a7c9c0;">1.</span> </span><i>Make the vinaigrette:</i></div>
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In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, and a generous amount of pepper. Gradually whisk in the 1/4 cup of oil until smooth.<br />
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*I'm not sure if there is a reason for not mixing all the ingredients together or not, so I just throw them all in the bowl and whisk them together, none of that gradually mixing stuff... :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #a7c9c0;">2.</span> </span><i>Warm the pita:</i></div>
<div>
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Cut each pita into 4 wedges. Arrange on a baking sheet and brush both sides with the 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with the italian seasoning and place in the oven to warm for about 10 minutes.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsVJYyz9B1IPo-q21SBmpi5kwzDQuFwYq1n-y86KFPzMh1v6XQiNxLtWUck6O_KozUUmVkklsFWoyy0rnQYAfu5gK1lEvAK_u3tlip8gwviRliBL7bkGZXW8BWUc-kpnAlwAgEz0ssw/s1600/greek-salad_0008.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYacMrHh8xFfr0uPwmFpl_H_kNngedCSAGwzYkDqYaGCYrDBZh0omptjXRmJHRKNljoSIxW7QUVJw1Z1tbgSlv7QHynTZ6x4fX049lCcEkiveUe6oY2fNFwwrUFwvFTWgnencf-tNjg/s1600/greek-salad_0009.jpg" height="426" width="640" />*I enjoy the pita just a little bit crunchier so I tend to leave it in for a few extra minutes, or if you are running short on time, you can up the temp to 325°F (165°C).</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #a7c9c0;">3.</span> </span><i>Assemble the salad:</i></div>
<div>
Meanwhile, add the lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, green bell pepper to the vinaigrette and toss to coat evenly. Arrange on plates and top with the olives, and feta. Place the warm pita wedges alongside the salads and serve.<br />
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*I always cut the wrong amount of the vegetables to add in, so I usually cut them all right before I add them in and like I said up above, feel free to add as many as you want of everything. Cut everything how you like to cut them. I like the cucumbers cut smaller and I usually cut them into 4 pieces and for the tomatoes I prefer cutting them into multiple slices because the pop of the grape tomato when you bite into it (even when cut in half) is too much for this picky eater.<br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-7318692575966726862014-07-24T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-24T07:00:02.121-04:00Guest Post: Work as Ministry<span style="color: #674ea7;">Hi everyone, I hope you're enjoying all my lovely friends guest posting. Today we have Kelli from <a href="http://adeeperjoy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Deeper Joy.</a> She's written about a subject that I really struggle with-work as ministry. I hope as I find a new position, I will use my job to really live out God's word in the work place. Thanks so much Kelli for being here today!</span><br />
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Hey lovely Bound by Love readers! I'm thrilled to be guest posting for Lauren today - thanks for letting me take over your space, friend!<br />
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This is such a huge topic in my life! Just to give you a little background...I am a CPA. I work in the tax department at a commercial real estate company with six other women. Yep, seven accounting women all in one area! Sounds like drama, right? This might surprise you, but it's really not. We do talk about life and such, but we don't hang out outside of work and we don't take things personally.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Work As Ministry</span></b></div>
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If you are a Christian and have been one since you were young, you might have experienced what I have. I grew up in a Christian family, attended church camp, was a leader in the youth group and then attended a Christian university. Shoot...even if you didn't grow up like me, it's likely that you have heard this as well. I feel like it was engrained in my head that to achieve the ultimate status as a Christian was to "work in ministry". Many Christians receive this as a calling and I think that is awesome!</div>
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<b>What do we define as "ministry"?</b></div>
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Usually ministry is a position in the church such as a pastor, children's pastor, youth pastor/worker, domestic or international missionary, Christian counselor, or working for any type of faith-based organization. While I believe that ALL of these positions are WONDERFUL and so glorifying to the Lord, I think our view of what is "ministry" is far too restricting.</div>
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Aren't we ALL called to ministry? Whether you're a teacher, a construction worker, a social worker, a lawyer, an accountant, work in retail, work in hospitality, a mother, a father, a student, an administrative assistant, a blogger, a writer, a recruiter or a food server, YOU are in ministry. Aren't all places a work (with the exception of jobs outright involving sin like prostitution) a place of ministry?</div>
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<b>"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." ~Colossians 3:23</b></div>
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We are called to work as if working for the Lord. Working your hardest at whatever you do brings glory to the Lord. THIS is a ministry! If you prepare tax returns (haha...me!), prepare them with the best accuracy and diligence that you can. If you teach children, teach them important information and discipline them with love. This applies to all areas of work. </div>
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<i>How can you work as if working for the Lord in your career?</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Relationships</b></span></div>
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Be a light for the Lord in your workplace. Your coworkers are observing you and if they know that you are a Christian, they are developing an opinion of God by your actions.</div>
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<b>"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven."</b></div>
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<b>~Matthew 5:16</b></div>
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We are a reflection of Christ. I know this is tough because you are human and you are sinful. You won't be perfect but you can strive to live a Christ-like life through your words and actions at work. Be open about God's forgiveness but strive to be a good example. Someone may come to know Christ through you but could also be hindered by your behavior. I daily have to remind myself of this. I am often tempted to gossip and complain at work. Then I remember that it isn't Christ-like and I want my coworkers to see God's love through me.</div>
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I know this can be awkward - I know! I try to develop relationships with my coworkers. I want them to know that I care about them not just as coworkers, but as friends. We often talk about personal stuff without getting too nosey. This can be a tough road to walk but such a rewarding one! I pray often for my coworkers and am there for them to talk to if they need it.</div>
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This has honestly been what has kept me in my profession. Sometimes I hate the actual work (and have to remind myself of Colossians 3:23) but knowing that so many professionals would never come in contact with a believer otherwise, motivates me to stay there and love them. It is definitely a mission field!</div>
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<i>How can you better show the love of Christ to your coworkers?</i></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-65919169967725838002014-07-23T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-23T07:00:02.767-04:00Guest Post: Book Recommendations<span style="color: #0b5394;">Continuing with my guest posts, we have Carly here today from her blog <a href="http://carlyblogshere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carly Blogs Here</a> with some book recommendations. As I've brought my kindle with me while I'm on vacation in New Hampshire I'm anxious to get started on some of her recommendations. Thanks so much Carly for guest posting. Take it away...</span><br />
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I'm so happy to be guest posting on Lauren's blog today! While I share a pretty wide variety of posts on <a href="http://carlyblogshere.blogspot.com/">my blog</a>, some of my favorite posts revolve around books. I thought I would share a small selection of some favorites and recommendations.
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<b><i>Me Before You</i></b> is a recent read that I fell in love with from the very beginning. It's a story about friendship, love, and family. It will make you smile and make you cry and you'll be sad when it comes to an end. <b><i>The Gifts of Imperfection</i></b> is the perfect book if you need a little bit of encouragement or inspiration. It's one of those books that you want to highlight the entire thing because it's so relatable. <b><i>Sloppy Firsts</i></b> will forever be a favorite book of mine- I believe it's classified as new adult and is book one of a five part series. You can't help but love Jessica Darling and the rest of the very realistic set of characters. <b><i>An Invisible Thread</i></b> is the true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny. I've been a huge fan of Sarah Dessen for years and recently read <b><i>Along For the Ride</i></b> and adored it! If you're a fan of young adult books it's one you don't want to miss! <b><i>The Great Gatsby</i></b> is the perfect classic to read or reread this summer. Fitzgerald makes us all wish we could attend a West Egg party!
What are some of your all-time favorite books? Any recent reads that you've loved?
A huge thank you to Lauren for letting me post today! Feel free to stop by <a href="http://carlyblogshere.blogspot.com/">Carly Blogs Here</a> for more book recommendations!
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-935641449355055992014-07-22T07:00:00.001-04:002014-07-22T07:00:07.596-04:00Guest Post: no knead bread<div class="mobile-photo">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Hi guys. Today I have one of my best friends, Tera, guest posting again for us. She's got an amazing recipe up her sleeve that I'm 100% going to try sometime soon. I'm a sucker for bread and if it's as easy as she says my house is soon to become a bakery.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3aaOOG7Kc/U8a5zPo_UoI/AAAAAAAAE7M/nRe71fvT5XA/s1600/finishedbread-717895.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5g3aaOOG7Kc/U8a5zPo_UoI/AAAAAAAAE7M/nRe71fvT5XA/s320/finishedbread-717895.jpg" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6036716640559649410" width="300" /></a>Hello Bound By Love readers! My name is Tera... You may remember me from my guest post last month on<a href="http://boundsblog16.blogspot.com/2014/06/guest-post-meal-prep.html" target="_blank"> meal planning</a>. I'm stoked to be guest posting again for Lauren while she and Dave are enjoying a well deserved vacation.<br />
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Today I'm going to share one of the best bread recipes around. It's a take on the famous no knead method championed by Jim Lahey that my friend taught me to bake earlier this year. It's ridiculously easy to make and all it takes is a little forethought and a Dutch oven. Both key components! So let's get to it.<br />
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The first thing you is to possess a magical 6th sense that can predict your homemade artisan bread cravings about 24 hours before they hit. Ok, kidding but this bread does use a slow rise method so you need to let it rise for about 20 hour before baking. I usually prep the dough sometime in the evening the day before I want some bread say <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657897681" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday</span></span> night for a loaf <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1657897682" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Sunday</span></span> afternoon. In a pinch you could probably get away with preparing the dough in the morning and baking that night! </div>
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In a bowl place the following ingredients and mix just until they come together:<br />
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3 cups of flour (I prefer 2 cups of bread flour and 1 cup of whole wheat but you can use any mix you want)<br />
1/4 tsp yeast<br />
1 1/4 tsp salt<br />
1 1/3 cups cold water</div>
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After the ingredients are combined cover the bowl tightly. I use plastic wrap secured with a rubber band but use whichever method works for you. Over the next 18-20 hours you'll see your dough transform into a bubbly uniform mixture that is ready to turn into delicious bread. Punch down the dough and turn it out into a floured surface. Fold the dough on itself a few times and shape it into a ball with a distinct seam on the under side. (this will produce an opening in the bread when it bakes!) Cover the dough with the bowl you mixed it in or a floured tea towel and let it rise for another 2 hours. About an hour and a half in put your Dutch oven (you can use regular cast iron or enameled) into your oven and preheat to 450 degrees. You want the Dutch oven to heat up with the oven. When you hit the 2 hour mark and your oven and Dutch oven are piping hot pull out the Dutch oven and toss your dough seam side up into the pot. Place covered in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the lid and cook for another 15 minutes. Enjoy some seriously delicious smells in your house while all this is happening.</div>
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After 45 minutes total cooking time take your Dutch oven and delicious bread out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. If you listen carefully you'll hear your bread crackling and singing to you! After 10 minutes you are free to dig in. I'd recommend eating the whole loaf immediately with a little butter because it's so tasty steaming hot out of the oven but it also will last a few days stored in a bag on the counter. It is best fresh because the crust is wonderfully crisp and a great contrast to the soft interior. After a few hours of storage the bread loses it's crisp exterior and becomes more chewy. Still delicious just not quite as perfect as when it is fresh. Now... Feel free to enjoy your yummy homemade bread as an accompaniment to a pot of homemade soup, as toast or a sandwich, anything really. You can also separate the dough into four balls before cooking to make rolls or form it into a baguette loaf if you have an oblong Dutch oven.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6J28uJqkokYjChZqGr-l7XPRyyw5_WVSlcdHoImXqYe1vfgSTEtlA0Mveme5spYqAKsj5YvimImMDny75-Uqtbty2LaP6j7bm1jX33C9la5f0-lUGXTosyfJ2yKH-Ftay0TDYSozv8-N/s1600/Fotor0716133039-730027.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6J28uJqkokYjChZqGr-l7XPRyyw5_WVSlcdHoImXqYe1vfgSTEtlA0Mveme5spYqAKsj5YvimImMDny75-Uqtbty2LaP6j7bm1jX33C9la5f0-lUGXTosyfJ2yKH-Ftay0TDYSozv8-N/s320/Fotor0716133039-730027.jpg" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6036716680564317378" width="403" /></a>Lately I've been really digging it as a side to my take on the Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana or topped with mashed avocado and a little salt. How are you going to eat yours??<br />
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Copy Cat Zuppa Toscana:</div>
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Brown two or three mild Italian sausages in a pot with the casings removed. Add one diced onion and sauté until soft. Next add two diced potatoes and 2 quarts of stock of your choice along with some crushed red pepper and Italian seasoning. Let the soup simmer away until the potatoes are tender and add one bunch of kale chopped or torn into bite size pieces and a cup of milk just before serving.</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-37902244130396135332014-07-21T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-21T07:00:00.427-04:00Guest Post: The Ingredients for a Perfect Saturday<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Hi guys! While Dave and I are off on vacation I have some amazing girls guest posting. We're going to start off with one of my favorite blog friends turned real friends, Cassie. </span><br />
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<i>Hello Bound by Love readers, it's me again- Cassie from <a href="http://www.sagetheblog.com/" target="_blank">Sage</a>! I am so happy to be with you guys today while Lauren is off enjoying her vacation. I am a newlywed, west coast transplant living in the Midwest and attending graduate school. I like to think I am pretty interesting, but that could just be my self-serving bias... oops. Anyways, I hope you will stick around! </i><br />
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I'm not going to lie. I have had this post in my own drafts for some time. I can be indecisive, and I have about a million things to talk about so it was difficult to narrow down my thoughts. HOWEVER, I am here to save the day because I have FINALLY put together a list of the ingredients for a perfect Saturday. At least my perfect Saturday!<i> </i><br />
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1. <b>SLEEPING IN. </b>Now, this doesn't always happen, especially because my cats think that the best time to wake up is 5:30am. Also, our idea of sleeping in is like 8am, so if I make it to then I am pretty stoked.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{omg is that even for real? Cassie I want it!!! Makes my heart melt}</td></tr>
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2. <b>Breakfast in bed. </b>My husband is amazing, he is always up before me on the weekends cooking breakfast for us. I don't hate it.</div>
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3. <b>COFFEE. </b>Literally- it is not a Saturday without coffee and cat cuddles. It's just not. <br />
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6. <b>More coffee and quiet time. </b><br />
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5. <b>A nice long bike ride. </b>We are big cyclists and love to get out for a long ride on Saturdays together. Sometimes we even venture out of our introvertedness and ride with friends.<br />
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6. <b>Netflix & a nap. </b>Because who doesn't love both of these things? And after a long ride this is just about the only thing that sounds appealing.<br />
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7. <b>A homemade dinner. </b>Since we are trying to save money by not eating out, a lot of the time we eat at home, even on the weekends. I don't mind because I really love cooking, especially since it is summer and I can convince my husband to grill!<br />
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8. <b>Out early for drinks and sometimes even dessert. </b><br />
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8. <b>A bonfire in our awesome backyard. </b>Our backyard recently got a <a href="http://www.sagetheblog.com/2014/07/backyard-makeover.html" target="_blank">facelift</a> so we really love to spend time back there lately. <br />
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9. <b>Getting to bed early with a good book. </b>Because relaxation, duh.<br />
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<i>What are your ingredients for a perfect Saturday?</i> <br />
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<span style="color: #c27ba0;">Thanks so much Cassie! Aren't her cats adorable?</span><br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-69687604659935244862014-07-17T10:20:00.000-04:002014-07-18T08:07:19.659-04:007.18.14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kp2-EsnuG_s/U8cSFaTjviI/AAAAAAAAE8c/k6i-xy1ovi0/s640/blogger-image--1417680088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kp2-EsnuG_s/U8cSFaTjviI/AAAAAAAAE8c/k6i-xy1ovi0/s400/blogger-image--1417680088.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rhCAesEY3TI/U8cSBTNt2lI/AAAAAAAAE8U/sWHmlYa89do/s640/blogger-image--1939276263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rhCAesEY3TI/U8cSBTNt2lI/AAAAAAAAE8U/sWHmlYa89do/s400/blogger-image--1939276263.jpg" width="300"></a><strong>Dear Aaron</strong>, you get MARRIED tomorrow!!!! I'm so happy for you and so glad I get to be there on your big day. <strong>Dear Dave</strong>, we'll be together today after two weeks apart. Yes! Can't wait to kiss you. <strong>Dear Katie</strong>, I get to see and hug you this weekend! <strong>Dear Old Town</strong>, I've missed you and can't wait to walk your streets again before Aaron's wedding. <strong>Dear Finley</strong>, I'm sad I'm leaving you but I think you'll have a blast at the place we found to keep you. You'll get to swim! <strong>Dear readers</strong>, I've got some awesome guest posts set for the next week. Hope you enjoy. Thanks to <a href="http://www.sagetheblog.com/" target="_blank">Cassie</a>, Aubrey, <a href="http://carlyblogshere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carly</a>, <a href="http://adeeperjoy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kelli</a> and Tera for your posts. <strong>Dear Finley,</strong> I miss your face already.<br>
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<br>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-29651540612242512992014-07-17T07:00:00.001-04:002014-07-17T07:00:04.128-04:00boy best friend is getting MARRIED!<div class="mobile-photo">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FR_HhPValM/U8VlPrPxFTI/AAAAAAAAE5U/f416MCcYsZE/s1600/buddies-737143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FR_HhPValM/U8VlPrPxFTI/AAAAAAAAE5U/f416MCcYsZE/s320/buddies-737143.jpg" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6036342195541316914" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLyF5IxZcQQ/U77FFpndtvI/AAAAAAAAE2E/BQz4an4pt74/s320/Aaron-721463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLyF5IxZcQQ/U77FFpndtvI/AAAAAAAAE2E/BQz4an4pt74/s320/Aaron-721463.jpg" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6034477251584440050" width="320" /></a>It's true, I have a lot of best friends. I think it's because I don't have just good friends. You're either in the inner circle or you're an acquaintance. I do have good friends but most of the time I'd just say they're one of my best friends. Is there a rule? Does best friend have be to singular?<br />
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Anyway....<br />
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My male best friend is getting married this weekend and I couldn't be more excited. I'm so thankful for this relationship because it's different and special from any of my others. Guys are so much more real with you at times. No bullshit, just facts with maybe a little softening in the delivery because they're afraid you'll cry. I love Aaron because he's the brother I never had-so much so he protected me and warned me about stupid idiot guys using me (for my car people-not this awesome bod. haha). We met in high school in Germany when we were both the new kids and developed a friendship and have remained close since then. He gets along with my husband and I get along with his fiancé. There's an understanding there too with our spouses that this is a thing, and you have to embrace it. Nothing romantic ever happened between us and I think that's what makes it easy for our spouses to embrace this friendship. We've helped each other through a million things: college, lack of faith in God, heartbreaks, deployments, coming back to God, etc. It's a special friendship and I'm a lucky girl to have so many great men in my life.<br />
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I'm so happy that he found the love of his life in an amazing and adventurous woman. I can't wait for their big day on Saturday.<br />
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I've been the Matron of Honor in two weddings (my sister's and my best friend Megan's) and have given speeches at both receptions. As someone that hates to speak in public and as wedding season is in full swing I thought I'd give some helpful tips for those of you preparing a speech of your own.</div>
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Write your speech beforehand. Take the time for your loved one to do this. This is a special day and they asked you to be a part of it. Respect that and prepare for your speech. If you're nervous, go a head and read from your note cards. They'll appreciate the time you took to prepare and I can guarantee your speech will be better than blabbering off the cuff.<br />
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Nothing is worse than a speech of all inside jokes, or when you don't introduce yourself. Their entire family may know you but be sure there are people out there that have no idea what your name is or how you know the bride. Take a moment to introduce yourself and explain how you know one another.</div>
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One of them may be your friend, but this it THEIR big day. Include him in your speech. Tell him how lucky he is or how much he makes your friend happy. Just don't forget him-it's rude.</div>
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My favorite speeches are the ones that have me laughing AND tearing up. Try to be emotional and funny, if possible. <br />
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Be tasteful, don't use any curse words or words that people would find offensive. Also, watch out for large words that people may need a dictionary for. We know you're smart but you don't need to confuse people in the process. Keep it simple, people have been drinking!</div>
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Keep the speech short so that you don't lose people's interest. Also, they want to get back to dancing their butts off. About two minutes is perfect. You should practice your speech (ya know that whole be prepared thing) so you should know how long it runs.</div>
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The perfect wedding speech set up:</div>
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introduction</div>
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how you know the bride</div>
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personal/funny story of you two</div>
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how you're happy for the couple (including the groom) or why they're a perfect match</div>
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well wishes or prayers for the newlyweds</div>
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cheers!</div>
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Check out <a href="http://www.townandcountrymag.com/the-scene/weddings/Maid-Of-Honor-Wedding-Speech-Tips" target="_blank">this article</a> for more tips.</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-5039969131296969192014-07-15T08:57:00.000-04:002014-07-15T08:57:09.008-04:00Family rocks<div class="mobile-photo">
It's been a great ten or so days with my sister and her husband here in town visiting. I'm sure it's been hard for them as they're transitioning back to the states from China but I really appreciate them taking the time to come hang out with us. Mom and I have had a blast having them here, showing them around our new town, and eating. We do a lot of eating all the time, but enjoy it more when we're all together. Even Dad and Dave were in town for part of their visit so we were ALL together again. It was wonderful.</div>
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I'm so lucky to have my mom here full time but it was fun to have a glimpse of what it might be like to have my sister here as well. I'm doing pretty good so far on getting people I love to move down, so I'll keep working on them!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-36988395348577034482014-07-14T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-14T07:00:02.511-04:00365<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_07vw0ae9Q/U5hflR4Q47I/AAAAAAAAEk4/lAp98UiKOAI/s1600/oneyear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_07vw0ae9Q/U5hflR4Q47I/AAAAAAAAEk4/lAp98UiKOAI/s1600/oneyear.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a>It's been one year since we moved into our extended stay hotel in Tampa. I can't believe it. At times our life here feels completely separate from the life we had up in DC. I love Florida. I love the heat. I love the sunshine and all the animals I see out side (birds walking around everywhere, cows, turtles, manatees). I love the expanse of blue sky and white clouds as I drive. I love that it's me and Dave building a life together in a new place for us both.</div>
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So many things have happened for us since we moved down here and while it hasn't been all rainbows and sunshine we've grown together and have come out stronger for it. I'm so happy we chose Florida as our home and I'm looking forward to all the memories we will continue to make throughout our years here.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-76353346948204171002014-07-11T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-11T07:00:04.180-04:007.11.14<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Dear friends</strong>, it's 7-11, go get yourself a <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">free slurpee!!!!</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BycrOURSzQY/U7s5fNgP-4I/AAAAAAAAEw8/8CV6bliFLKo/s1600/IMG_6832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BycrOURSzQY/U7s5fNgP-4I/AAAAAAAAEw8/8CV6bliFLKo/s1600/IMG_6832.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{from last summer-after the beach slurpee time}</td></tr>
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<strong>Dear Spaz and Nate</strong>, thanks for stickin' around my house on Monday to make sure the painting and wet bar people could come and work. <strong>Dear Dave</strong>, I love you so much. You work so hard and I thank you. <strong>Dear Cassie,</strong> I can't believe we're done with our No Other God's study. I really learned a lot and am working hard on a daily basis to let my functional gods go. <strong>Dear Finley</strong>, thank you for being so good so far while Dave is away. Make my life so much easier. You're such a good boy (at times). <strong>Dear friends</strong>, please pray for my grandma as she fell and broke her hip. Pray for a speedy recovery after her surgery and for her husband (my papa), my mom and her sister as they navigate this new territory of how to care for their mom. <strong>Dear heart</strong>, you're still broken over our loss and its' ok. I really am trying to not take that hurt and anger out on anyone else. But it hurts so much that I can't rejoice with others for their happy news the way I should. <strong>Dear <a href="http://thefoundlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Aubrey</a></strong>, I thank GOD for you. I'm sorry that you understand my hurt and pain but I'm so thankful for your friendship and that you're someone I can call in the midst of a sobbing fit and pray with me. <strong>Dear Dave</strong>, thank you for always listening to me and understanding what I'm feeling.<br />
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Have a great weekend everyone!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-86277874443032274162014-07-10T08:33:00.001-04:002014-07-10T08:33:55.678-04:007 friends every girl needs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jL_L4ztzx74/U71YDQZKEVI/AAAAAAAAEy4/0gOykBIPzoI/s640/blogger-image--639362721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jL_L4ztzx74/U71YDQZKEVI/AAAAAAAAEy4/0gOykBIPzoI/s640/blogger-image--639362721.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{my faux bachelorette party since I was already married}</td></tr>
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The other day I was reading the <a href="http://theeverygirl.com/" target="_blank">Every Girl</a> and I came across this article about the <a href="http://theeverygirl.com/7-friends-every-woman-needs" target="_blank">7 friends every girl needs.</a> I copied the one I think I am to others (most of the time) below:<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><strong>The No BS-er</strong> This is the ‘hurts so good’ friend. This one is always hard for me because I have the ego of a peach (bruises easily.) But, after I stop crying, I’m always appreciative of friends like these because hot damn sometimes you really need to hear the truth. This is the friend who asks the tough question, or helps point out that your boyfriend/boss/roommate actually has a good point. They’re not rude or malicious (of course, people like that don’t quite deserve the title of ‘friend,’ now do they?) but they are not there to blow smoke up your bum. This friend is great because they keep you humble, help you to see a different perspective, and encourage you to keep growing and changing (which ultimately helps you as a human. Promise.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">They also said there was:</span><br />
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<strong>The Hustler</strong><br />
<strong>The Nurturer</strong><br />
<strong>The Bad Influence</strong><br />
<strong>The Opposite Life Stage-r</strong><br />
<strong>The Social Butterfly</strong><br />
<strong>The Historian</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I think friendship with woman is a very important thing. When you have deep friendships you protect them, you're slow to let new people in, and you'd do anything for them. I don't think all friendships can be categorized into those seven types but I do think they cover a good chunk of them. And some friends can be multiple of these. For example one of my best friends is a bad influence (that's cute BUY it) and a nurturer, but at times can be a no BS-er. But we're women and we're complicated so what else would you expect?<br />
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Where I am now in my life I am still maintaining these friendships while they live far away but putting time and effort into new friendships down here. I'm at the point where I want to invest in good people that can evolve into great friendships. I don't want those pointless friends anymore, the ones that leave you feeling bad or judged after coffee. I used to think it was about quantity of friends, but truly it's about QUALITY. I have such quality friends, I know if I called any one of them and said it's an emergency, fly down here, their plane tickets would be bought within the hour. These are the women I want to surround myself by. And if I need to bite my tongue and play nurturer when they need it and no bs-er another time, I'm happy to do it. They know me, and I know them and we can discern what each other needs at the time.<br />
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Do you have friends from that list?<br />
Who do you think you are as a friend?Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-67047971699391851112014-07-09T08:35:00.001-04:002014-07-09T08:35:35.211-04:00House Update: I'm blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I'm not, but our bathroom is.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Finley being a naughty boy as I take pictures}</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLrVuFN-cs2BKKvXCF5sUy2LG0JKz8a9BgGFBhfZAlpKokDqo5lv4r5FYUps51Fgl-c0ttg7ayksxUjn-5JQOsS0DmxCkWlmkIAzD8GsglmUtqbPVqx00TeT85RGJyH2q55jxUUBvzgFe/s640/blogger-image-2142390488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
Sometimes when I get excited about things I just want to do it. Forget the prep work, I just want to skip ahead to the fun part. Ehhhh that's not really the best idea, especially when painting one accent wall navy blue. The wall was jacked up, I'll admit it. This is why I should listen to Dave. He's smart and calculating and takes his time with things, which really means that we don't have to go back and fix stuff. But I was in charge of painting and I jacked it up (you really should take the time to painters tape the edges and walls and stuff). So Monday we had professional painters come in to fix the wall and to paint the rest of the bathroom. I really love how it turned out. Not only did they fix my navy blue wall but they painted the aqua color for a more pulled together look overall. <br />
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It's funny how we're still putting finishing touches on the house here and there even though we've been in the house about 8 months now. I'm so glad we decided to add some color to this bathroom and not just have one wall with paint on it. It feels finished now. Next, to finish the wet bar. Slow progress there.<br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-66445928908699390142014-07-08T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-08T07:00:04.346-04:004th with family and friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bpgzWHkSlSs/U7qUjXCrIwI/AAAAAAAAEwE/hoGtk_cBkzk/s640/blogger-image--580464834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteU08QkQNJ-iM2WCjSsnRcXXMwdkHSsYkn3K118dL1usx05OpMFrQsXmooMJ5QcIQcONzBLeNh1oX6S0XbKAzHBQhiMHod0121f-3InqK9HTVggB382WILVB3wzhv7CNQl6tYBR-O9G3e/s640/blogger-image-2039743603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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This weekend was so.much.fun. It's just what I needed. There's something to be said about being around old friends and family. It's natural, you don't have to try. They can nap on the couch while you do laundry and watch an episode of a show they think is boring. My friend Nicole and her boyfriend flew down last week and stayed with us. It was tons of fun. We ate well, bowled, played tennis, the men folk golfed, and had a lot of pool time at my parents.</div>
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For the 4th of July, my parents hosted a pool party/cookout. Everything was delicious and it was a blast to be together. Everyone pitched in with making things and we were all super full by the end of the day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aiJ0JhdEHlY/U7qUpKOGr2I/AAAAAAAAEwU/L5b2SEc3SXE/s640/blogger-image-1786292760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aiJ0JhdEHlY/U7qUpKOGr2I/AAAAAAAAEwU/L5b2SEc3SXE/s640/blogger-image-1786292760.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{me and my momma}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{my sister put this as my iphone wallpaper....it's staying like that}</td></tr>
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A lot of us spent most of our time in the pool. We played our own version of horse with the pool basketball hoop. We played USA because it's more patriotic and shorter. Everyone got really creative on how to make their shots. It makes it more difficult that the basketball hoop floats and can go anywhere in the pool. </div>
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We were home early enough to shower and relax and take care of Finley. Nicole bought some bottle rockets and sparklers and we had fun setting them off. We saw some fireworks that were set off around our neighborhood but not a massive show of them. It was a great weekend and I'm so thankful for the freedoms we have in our country because of the brave men and women that serve to protect them. Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-28635706940741679362014-07-07T08:22:00.002-04:002014-07-07T08:22:34.531-04:00Flag Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My best friend Megan and I have a tradition on the 4th of July to always make a flag cake together. Usually it's a regular rectangular cake, iced, with strawberries and blueberries on the top to make the flag. But this year I decided to take it up a notch (or two).</div>
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As someone that hates to bake I was unusually excited about this long baking process. Maybe it was the fact that I had so many loved ones in town that made me willing to put in the work. I found a <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/red-white-and-blue-layered-flag-cake/9aaef2a0-b01d-4cb8-9bab-c0d0451a1065" target="_blank">Betty Crocker Recipe</a> online and was excited to start. However, after reading the instructions I was confused on how to put everything together. So in case you're more of a visual person, like I am, I found this <a href="http://www.lifehacker.co.in/life/How-to-Make-an-American-Flag-Cake-for-the-4th-of-July/articleshow/19058225.cms" target="_blank">Video</a> for you to watch that will really help.<br />
Nicole and I spent Friday afternoon baking, cooling, cutting, and placing the cake together. It was really fun and people were totally surprised when we cut into it.<br />
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How was your 4th?Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-42293059632700511082014-07-03T10:30:00.000-04:002014-07-04T12:59:53.723-04:007.4.14<span style="color: black;"><strong>Dear DAD</strong>, yay for you being in town!!!! <strong>Dear Nicole</strong>, I'm so glad you're here! <strong>Dear Spaz and Nate</strong>, So excited you guys are in town too. Can't wait to hug on ya! <strong>Dear Momma</strong>, thanks for sitting at our house multiple times this week. You're the best. <strong>Dear Best Friend Megan</strong>, I'm sad we won't be spending the fourth together this year but I hope you're ready for our tradition of a flag cake. I really brought it this year! <strong>Dear Aubrey</strong>, I'm so proud of you for starting your personal blog back up. You're amazing and funny and I can't wait to read every day. <strong>Dear Friends</strong>, you should check out my friend Aubrey's blog </span><a href="http://thefoundlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">The Found Life</span></a><span style="color: black;">. She's crazy funny, a talented photographer, and has such a big heart. You'll love her, I swear.<strong>Dear friends</strong>, I'm doing ok. I still really struggle with our miscarriage and sometimes it hurts so much I don't know what to do. But Dave and I are so strong and so good that I know I can get through this. Just an update that I'm doing much better and the sadness is kept at bay most of the time. I just don't like thinking that people think we're fine and healed, because it's far from the truth, but we're ok. <strong>Dear Nicole</strong>, I loved sitting in my closet among all my pretty clothes and talking till midnight the other night.</span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Aah965nlJw/U7bdhuhSsdI/AAAAAAAAEvI/9Bh-Qcs09Rg/s640/blogger-image-898435569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Aah965nlJw/U7bdhuhSsdI/AAAAAAAAEvI/9Bh-Qcs09Rg/s640/blogger-image-898435569.jpg"></a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-66499139022460041822014-07-03T08:28:00.002-04:002014-07-03T08:28:56.052-04:00hey youIt's so strange-a nickname. It feels oddly personal, so I refrain from going by it to the outside world. It's homey to be called it-to be known so well by friends that they kind of fall into the family category and with that, pick up on what your family calls you and end up calling you that too. I love when I have my family and close friends around. Lauren isn't really said-it's not my name. <br />
I'm excited to be around such loved ones this weekend where I can slide back into my nickname like a comfy and well worn sweater. It makes me feel loved and known. <br />
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With one of my best friends getting in last night and my sister flying in today, and our pool party cook out tomorrow with my family I'm just really excited to be surrounded by loved ones that know me, really know me.<br />
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Funnily enough Nicole doesn't call me by my nickname as we met at work in a professional setting. More than 3 years later she still hasn't gotten comfortable with calling me anything but Lauren. I still love her lots though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{my VERY first instagram pic!}</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-35943802637473445752014-07-02T08:39:00.000-04:002014-07-02T09:12:41.552-04:00House Update: wet bar<div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; font-family: BlackJack; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: garamond,serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Well we finally settled on the first contractor for the wet bar. I wrote about the design </span><a href="http://boundsblog16.blogspot.com/2014/05/come-drink-with-us.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">here</span></a><span style="color: black;">. We went back and forth between people but in the end really loved the first design and was willing to hound these guys for a call back. Kind of sad that we've had to do this with people to take our business, but oh well. Anyway, we settled on a cabinet color, design, and this past weekend Dave and I went to pick out our granite. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; font-family: BlackJack; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: garamond,serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">It's been a kind of annoying process so far, so I really hope we are happy with the finished product. Monday my Momma was amazing and stayed at our house pretty much allllllllll damn day so the cabinets could get delivered and the guy could come and start putting them together. She was back at our house on Tuesday for the rest of the delivery. Dave is working from home today so that they can finish putting the cabinets together and install them. But before they do that they have to move up one outlet so it's counter height. Hopefully all the cabinets will be done today and then we can schedule them placing the granite counter top. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PwIZmWlUoW0/U7Ld5UH2HxI/AAAAAAAAEuc/zu_1s4jPKz8/s1600/wetbar-740123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PwIZmWlUoW0/U7Ld5UH2HxI/AAAAAAAAEuc/zu_1s4jPKz8/s320/wetbar-740123.jpg" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6031126827726413586" width="400" /></a></div>
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I created my little wish list of items we'll need to accessorize the bar. Basically we need a crap ton of drink glasses. I see an Ikea run in our future since they sell sets of glasses at a really reasonable price. I'm sure once the bar is done we'll put more thought into what we actually need. And we're not really the couple to keep any liquor in the house, so it'll be interesting to research what we "should" have on hand. It's kind of funny that Dave and I are putting in a wet bar as we're not big drinkers. There's hardly ever any alcohol in our house and even when there is we never drink it. Hopefully this will give us an excuse to invite new friends over and have a cocktail or two. Maybe while playing Cards Against Humanity-to soften the blow of what awful people we are laughing at those cards.<br />
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UPDATE:<br />
I guess I won't be needing such a large Ikea trip as my Dad just emailed me after reading my post, that he has a "shit ton" of glasses he will bring me. Thanks Dad!</div>
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</span><br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-82510305448092445942014-07-01T10:18:00.001-04:002014-07-01T10:18:18.378-04:00RandomToday was supposed to be a post about my summer reading list challenge, but since I haven't finished any more books it's kind of pointless to write about it. (I'm currently in the middle of The Memory Keeper's Daughter and am enjoying it.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{he's the cutest!}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{too hot at the dog park}</td></tr>
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My mind is kind of blown that it's JULY already. I don't know where the time has gone. One of my best friends flies in tomorrow and then my sister and her husband (still weird to say), and my dad fly in the following day. I'm excited for all the quality time with loved ones. June was a really good month. While Dave traveled for work my Momma and I got to spend a lot of fun time together-mostly over food, which I love. Dave and I love being back together and don't take those moments for granted. Finley, as usual, is the center of our lives but he's so stinkin cute it's ok.</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-19200511670776941072014-06-30T08:35:00.002-04:002014-06-30T08:35:49.763-04:00spiced up date night<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-umV_l2IKuXs/U2eor0xShfI/AAAAAAAAERw/rwJc3RKaGXU/s1600/datenight.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><br />
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Date night for us is typically dinner and a movie-usually redbox and we pick up pizza or Chinese, so it's always fun to mix it up. Cinebistro has reinvented the typical "date night" dinner and movie by combing the two together. It was fun to be served at our seats and enjoy dinner in the theater. My only issue was feeling a little rushed to eat my meal before the start of the movie. The food however, was delicious (albeit expensive) so this will most likely be an every once in a while date night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Not the best picture of us-but it'll have to do}</td></tr>
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We saw 22 Jump Street and it was hilarious. I don't know how Channing Tatum is so funny-but he is. I never saw 21 Jump Street but wasn't lost with this movie. It was laugh out loud funny and a great Summer Flick.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671414287365850903.post-88919873318297545962014-06-27T08:23:00.001-04:002014-06-27T08:23:14.957-04:006.27.14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Dear Dave,</strong> I love when you're home and we're back in our routine together. Although absence does make the heart grow fonder. And I'm more appreciative of all you do when you come back home, so that's the silver lining I guess. <strong>Dear work</strong>, thanks for being understanding about me taking my name out of consideration for the full-time job. I'm really excited to travel with Dave for his work and figure out this whole "what I want to do with my life" thing when we're done. <strong>Dear hair</strong>, I like my new cut. Perfect for summer and for a girl that hates spending any time on doing my hair.<br />
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<strong>Dear Nicole,</strong> we will be back together in just a few days! I'm really looking forward to your visit!!!! <strong>Dear Sister Friend,</strong> I can't wait for you to be back in the states, I miss you so much.<strong> Dear Dave</strong>, you work so hard and I'm so proud of you. Congrats on your promotion at work. You're an amazing provider and I feel so safe with you. Yesterday morning as I was pulling out of our driveway and you were getting settled in your car, I just looked at you and went, "God, I love that man, I'm so lucky." <strong>Dear Tera</strong>, thanks for your guest post. Can't wait for a follow up. I need to start meal prepping, so this is helpful advice. <strong>Dear Youtube</strong>, I'm ashamed to say I've been sucked down the rabbit hole a time or two. It stars with one funny video and before you know it it's midnight and I've watched hours of videos. But thanks for keeping me entertained when Dave was gone. <strong>Dear Finley</strong>, thanks for getting so much better about going into the crate. It's making life so much easier. <strong>Dear Friday</strong>, I woke up thinking you were Saturday. Fail. Thank Goodness Dave knows his days and made me get up for work. He's a keeper. <strong>Dear Friends</strong>, enjoy your weekend! See ya back here on Monday!</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02030362917881238951noreply@blogger.com2