A Father's Love

My Daddy and I have always had a special connection, even from the moment I was born. Countless times, Mom has told me the story that when Dad was holding me at the hospital the morning I was born, he looked at me and said "Lauren, I love you so much. If you ever need anything, I will be here for you. If you need money, I'll even sell the house for you and give you all the money."

Now let me tell you, I love that story for many reasons! First of all, and most importantly, I LOVE that my Daddy loves me and protects me and provides for me. I LOVE that he cared about me from before the time I was born. I LOVE that he still loves me and cares for me.

But I also LOVE that story because he told me he would sell the house for me and give me all the money...and I frequently remind him of that statement he made 22 years ago, however he has never given me the money from the house...how rude.

He has spent so many hours playing with me, reading to me, listening to me, and keeping me company.

He has showed me what it means to live a Christ-like life and has set such a great example for me. He lives a life honoring to God and leads Mom and our family in such a amazing way.

Now that I am older, we have become friends (very rarely does he have to pull out his "parent card" with me). We have long conversations about everything from school to friends to church to relationships. He always listens, but isn't afraid to give his honest advice. I am thankful for the time we have been able to spend together and the time we have been able to spend growing in faith together. 

Without my Daddy, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Over the years he has pushed me to continually keep growing. He fed me bottles and changed my diapers. He encouraged me to run for Student Council Vice President (I won, in case you were wondering...even though it was only for 5th grade), and then kept the "Vote for Lauren" poster for the past 11 years. He has taken thousands of pictures of me for school dances, graduations, and senior portraits. He has supported me through graduations from eighth grade, high school and college. He has listened to me talk about my broken hearts and wiped my tears. He has taken me on countless fishing and camping trips (which also consisted of removing countless flies and hooks from the bushes behind me...whoops). He has always been there for me, and I know he always will be. 

To my Daddy, I love you so much and I am so thankful that God blessed me with you. I am thankful for everything you have done and will continue to do for me. Thank you for your love, support and encouragement. I love you with all my heart! 

It is my wish that everyone could have a daddy as amazing as mine, but I know that's not the case. But everyone can have a Heavenly Father who will love you even more, who will support and encourage you through every up and down, through every happy moment, through every celebration. I pray that you will take a moment to thank your Daddy this Father's Day, and if you can't I pray that you would be able to find True Love with your Heavenly Daddy. 

Happy Father's Day, everyone. 

New Beginnings

The time has finally come! I moved into my new condo! Not only did I get to move into a new place (a definite upgrade from living in tiny, cramped dorm rooms for the last four years), but I got to move in with my best friend!

Keys to our new apartment

We are so excited to finally be able to have our own place together and to decorate and make it our own!

Moving in

 Using our muscles to hang up some pictures

The kitchen, complete with dinner, cookies and my new KitchenAid mixer that I got for graduation.

The dining room (previously we were sitting at the dining room chairs around the tabletop that was on the floor without the legs attached...this works much better). 

The living room

The living room again

Anyway, this is a new season of my life, officially being moved out of the home I grew up in. I mean, I have technically been moved out for the last four years since I have been attending school and working during the summers, but I have always gone home for breaks and holidays. Now this is my new home. My very own place.

My life is changing pretty drastically. And moving into my own condo is not the only big life change happening right now. I have finished school and am entering what all us college kids like to call "the real world." The real world consists of bills and jobs and making a lot more of my own decisions. It also continues to consist of school (but when will it ever not consist of school since I want to be a teacher).

My heart is a little torn since I am close with my family and it seems like such a big deal to be living on my own now. But at the same time, I am filled with overwhelming excitement!

I get to cook my own food!

I can buy Oreos and they will not be consumed before even taking them out of the grocery bag! 

I can put things wherever I want in the house!

I get my own room! 

I have a kitchen sink where I can wash dishes! 

Even better, I have a dishwasher! 

I don't have to put quarters in a slot to wash and dry my laundry! 

I have an entire closet to myself! 

I have a covered parking spot! 

I have a ceiling fan (let me tell you, I love ceiling fans)! 

I have a TV in my living room! 

While those may seem insignificant to most of you, they are very exciting to me! These are all new experiences. And it makes it even more exciting since it is my first place on my own.

I have been seeing new beginnings all around me, too.

My parents recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary

  

My baby sister graduated from 8th grade

   

My brother graduated from high school (and of course, he won't take a normal picture...and yes, we do, in fact, love each other, although the pictures above don't seem to show it).

  

 

This pretty lady got married

God is constantly reminding me that I am entering a new season in my life. He is showing me that life is changing - I've moved into the condo, my siblings are growing up and changing schools and choosing careers; my parents just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary; so many of my friends are getting married; close friends are having babies; I'm getting ready to student teach and finally be doing what I have always wanted to do. God is leading me out of the difficult, emotional, complicated season of my college life and is bringing me into a new season of growth in ways I can't even imagine! I am so looking forward to seeing what God does in my life in this new season! I'm so thankful that I can rely on Him and trust Him to lead me!

So, here's to new adventures!