Christmas, Piercings, & Awards <3

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Well no, that's not my kitty but I did think it was a darn cute picture ;)

I haven't posted in a bit and I know Christmas is over but I just want to share with you all the Christmasy things that went on :D

In the month of November is when my Christmas shopping began. The ladies got beautiful gifts from etsy.com and the men got gifts from Bass Pro Shop all except for the hubby. His gift brought the most complication, but it all worked out at the end. I really hope he enjoys his Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet and thanks to the UPS man for helping me out ;). ps. hubby's gift didn't get in until December 24th.

 

I wanted to make my own Christmas wreath this year so this is how it began, with some different colored yarn.

 

Umm, disaster maybe? I had no idea how to decorate this wreath. All I knew was that I had buttons, yarn, felt, and the two birds I had sewed the weekend before at the ranch. And don't ask about that little tree..I thought it would be cute..but I cut it retarded, figured maybe it could be a really weird cute tree and then hung it with white thread...ehh..well, for the first time and not having any instructions I was like, okay, I'll let this one pass, I'll have to definitely plan for next years ;).

 

After we picked out our very first Christmas tree together, and really, my first real Christmas tree since I was little, we went home let it sit for a few days then went ornament shopping! Here's some of our special faves :)

 

It's kind of blurry but it's a handheld video game with a sign that says super gamer. I thought it fit him!

 

                                                    I thought this was cute, it's a little wisk

 

And since the hubbs loves drums we got him this perfect ornament to match.

  

This was our first attempt at the Christmas tree. Now it's in a better location, more lights and the ornaments are better situated, all thanks to Edilma.

I received some beautiful Christmas cards from some very special ladies! 

 

This came inside of Grace's Christmas card! She definitely made me smile! Thank you Grace!

 

 Can you believe Lauren made these earrings?!!!  They are absolutely beautiful! Thank you soo much Lauren!! You are so talented!

 

Elizabeth drew these wonderful animations for me on her Christmas card! Thank you I loved them!

Thank you guys soo much for your beautiful cards and wonderful words!!

 

I made some rumballs, a family tradition, and just because I got married, my husband wasn't going to let me get away with not making them this year! They are uber yummy :D

OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS

Christmas morning we were both super tired from the previous night, but yet super excited to open our presents and see what we got each other! So we went out to the living room and he had me open my presents first!  He got me this GINORMOUS purse, he said it was so I can fit all of my stuff inside, my purses usually turn into a mary poppins bag, so this really was a great gift! He's so thoughtful. He got me a 53 piece baking set, a spatula, the turning table, and the lise watier concealer I have been wanting!! Then it was his turn! I got him a T-shirt, 2 flannel nice shirts, an inflatable punching bag, this workout bands you put onto a door, and...A Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet for his designing :D

After gift opening we went back to bed, then I read Luke 2, the story of Jesus birth, the meaning of Christmas. It's amazing that He took the lowest of all places to be born. Humbling himself for us.

We then celebrated Christmas at my moms. His parents and siblings went over we had a breakfast brunch filled with yummy food and lots of family love!

Our family with our great grandparents in the middle.. This was just their side :D

  

My second parents and siblings

                                                            Hubby with my Pops :D

After we went to go see the Christmas Carol in 3D which to our surprise wasn't in the theatre anymore!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! IT'S CHRISTMAS AND IT'S A CHRISTMAS MOVIE!!
Go figure! Instead we went to blockbuster and bought Up, Gran Turino, Dark Knight, and the Christmas Classics. We definitely were entertained all cuddled up!

 

only thing missing, was..

I don't know where one of my favorite movies went..but it vanished in my own house! >_<

The day after Christmas my hubby took me to get my last Christmas gift!!

It definitely didn't hurt like I thought it would, honestly, pulling out a nose hair hurts ten times worse. but maybe that's just my personal opinion. It's really weird to see yourself with something on your face at first. My first reaction was like oh no. I don't think I like where it's at, I thought it should be farther back, but then again, I don't know these things. After a while I've grown to get more used to it and like it more and more each time :D Thank you hunny bunns!

Last but not least, Emily Anne awarded me with an award! Thank you so much Emily Anne for even thinking of me! You are adorable!!

Name an author you love: Karen Rivers, only because she's the writer of my favorite book :D


Name an author you hate- hmm.. can't think of one.


The book you love- Reedeming Love, hands down my favorite! 

What always moves to you, or what makes you feel excited? 
shooting stars, animals, kids, something sweet and just because from alex, love: in any form. 

                                                     Something I hate: the news. 

I must pass this on to  7 blogs now so here you go:


Sandy from Filled with Wanderlust
Danielle from Sometimes Sweet 
Grace 
Laura from Violet Bella's World 
Caitlin from The August One 
Naka's Net 
Bianca from Goodnight Little Spoon 

Thank you guys for reading or at least looking at the pictures :D Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!! 


<3Lex 

  

An Open Heart Video.<3your friend

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Hello ladies,

well this post is kind of scary for me to put up. I guess I'm really not the best at being vulnerable. It's been within the past year that I've learned how to, but still, it terrifies me. Anyone who read this previous post would know how I feel about vulnerability. As well, it's  a lot easier for me to express myself in writing then with words, ever since I was a little girl, I used to leave little notes for my dad, but expressing myself verbally, I would find myself mumbling, stuttering, and messing up everything I intended to say. Yet, I feel I need to share this with you guys, no matter what may come of it. Some of the things I speak about in the videos, I have written about, so it may sound familiar, but here's my heart, open for you all, open for anyone who needed to hear it.







Please know you always have a friend in me.
<3Lex

Strawberry Christamsy Cupcakes!

Today has been a rather lazy day where I have spent all day in bed! No seriously, ALL day in bed, with Bangledash, my kitty, of course, since hubby is at work. I only got up to say hello to hubby and sit with him while he played some video games, made lunch, and then..I was back in bed.  Finally, at 7pm, a rush of motivation hit me...
CUPCAKES!!
Yes of course I have a cabinet full of cupcake supplies! I rushed to the kitchen and made some strawberry cupcakes! A little pinkness to spruce it up and make it all happy.
And well, since Christmas is coming up rather quickly, I decided to decorate them Christmasy of course. (I'm sure Christmasy isn't a word, but  um, well it is now!

                                                Strawberry cupcakes are very yummy!

Santa, things are going to be a little different this year. Well, I know you usually get cookies, but umm...this year, we're upgrading you with some cupcakes. Ps. hope you enjoy your new beard ;)

                                              A christmas tree atop a snowy mountain

 

Just a reminder to smile.

 

We're alive & have so many reasons to smile. So smile & pass it along to a family, friend, or stranger!

Merry Christmasy Time Loves!

<3Lex

OMG....Have you heard?!! A Giveaway!!

Hello lovelies! Just wanted to inform you that Violet Bella is having an AMAZING holiday giveaway!!!!! And who doesn't like giveaways..beautiful gifts for free!? gifts?! Really?! Winning!?!!
YES! you can dance with excitement now!

Do yourself a favor and HEAD ON OVER TO HER WORLD!!

http://violetbellasworld.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-giveaway.html

oh my lovelies!

Yipee!! Another award! Given to me by Rasha pronounced Ray-sha, whose blog I honestly can't stop stalking!! I think I've read through every last post and I can't get enough of her!! I really can't..if you look through her blog I think I've commented on almost everything! She's an amazing writer, who keeps me captivated the whole time! I definitely think she should follow that dream!

Okay first, my apologies, I haven't really understood this whole award thing, that is until reading the rules on Rasha's Blog on how this is exactly done and that you should contact the people you awarded! Woops! Sorry for those I have not contacted before! I'm just a noob!

Ok so the award this beautiful lady gave me is...

EEE!! Pretty Sweet!! Thank you Rasha! :D I absolutely love you!

So now, I must forward this to some bloggers whom I think have pretty Glamorous blogs. Okay, I can't keep giving to the same people, but please know I'd give it to you ten times fold if I could because I just love your blogs! But I also love these new ones and think their blogs are uber glammy!

Okay, so I narrowed it down to 10 and they are not listed in any particular order.
You should all go check these lovely bloggers out!

<3Kate Lunacy, Beautiful Lunacy is 18 living in Germany with an amazing eye for fashion, design, and everything beautiful. The words underneath each picture are heartfelt and dreamy.

Just a visual example of picture on her blog.

<3Alexz, Bird Trouble is so stinking CREATIVE! She has the cutest stuff in her store! Wish I had enough money to buy one of each!

<3 Biscuit is simply an adorable fun loving wrapped in cuteness kinda girl who is currently sporting hot pink hair! The funnest part is she takes me everywhere she goes!! well..in her blog..of course :D

<3 Cris, Hello Sunshine is absolutely amazing and beautiful and opens up her heart to her readers! I'm so glad I've gotten to know this amazing girl! The beauty of it all is that she is 16! With a great future ahead of her! Thanks for letting me be a part of your life now Cris <3

<3 Cassie, Honeybunny in Wonderland I love scrolling through her page! It's Cassie's version of a real life Alice in Wonderland and I honestly can't get enough of her outfits..I secretly wish to raid her closet! I just want it all!! ok..let me calm down from all the excitement! I really do love just scrolling through Cassie's blog! It's like fiction meets real life!

<3I love you to the moon I really can't resist her adorableness! She looks like such a sweetheart and I really enjoy reading her posts and seeing those beautiful creative ornaments her sis and her painted!

I mean really...can you resist that adorableness?!

<3Jamie, Inspired Mess what a rolemodel this woman! She is just so full of life despite everything she's had to face in her life!! She is an overcomer! A source of creative beauty! I really do hope to be like her someday!! Jamie, you are an amazing woman!!!!!!!!!!

<3Mermaid in a Manhole is a beautiful person, in and out, with a heart that was made to lift others up through her uplifting advice. Her posts pierce through your heart, and you leave her blog a better person then when you came in.  Thank you Mermaid!

<3Miss Indie umm..please. Have you seen this woman's stuff?!!! Do I really need to explain why I wanted to give her this award?! She is FREAKING AMAZING!!! PURE TALENT! PURE CREATIVENESS. I'm sure....her picture has to be right next to creative in the dictionary! <-cheesy line..but it really should!

Last but not least...

<3Strawberry Koi I found this girl on youtube actually and OMG! She is a pure vintage beauty filled with vintage love!!! My goodness, really, I'm sure you guys probably know about her but if not...GO NOW!!

Thank you again Rasha for passing this to me and I recommend you all to go check out these lovely ladies!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend filled with LOVE!

<3Lex

The Song that Sings your Hearts Tale

What does the title even mean?
Each of us has a story in our hearts. We carry it within us and even hold it deep inside so no one else can read it. The thing is, a song will always find you. The song with words that match your hearts tale.
There is a song that knows my story well. It's as though our hearts are connected and it sings the words within my heart, my very thoughts that flow along the melody.
So I will share the song that sings my hearts tale.

Click here to listen to Have Mercy On Me by JJ Heller.

Here are the lyrics as well:

I’m tired of being afraid
I’m wondering how I got this way
I’m trying to remember what life was like before
Panic moved in without even knocking on the door

Have mercy on me
I’m not who I used to be
Have mercy on me
Jesus, please

I’ve been praying and asking you to take it all away
You never do exactly what I say
You see me from the outside, a lover looking in
But all I see is danger moving underneath my skin


Have mercy on me
I’m not who I used to be
Have mercy on me
Jesus, please

I know it’s not because I don’t love you enough
It’s not because I’m weak, it’s how you choose to speak to me

I love your blog Award

So Lauren from the little things we do made up this cool award and somehow I was one of the 11 awarded.  If you guys haven't gone to her blog, you really should! She is the absolute sweetest cutest girl!

Here are some of the blogs that I absolutely love and must  get my daily fix of!

Stacy & Geoff Lang @ underaged and engaged are just simply the cutest most funniest couple! They are actually married now with a itty bitty baby on the way! Their blog invites you to all their little adventures with silly pics and videos! Honestly, stop by, you won't regret it!

 Laura from Violet Bella I know I awarded her before but I honestly cannot get enough of all her inspiring photography! They are breathtaking and her jewelry is beautiful! Not only is she uber talented and beautiful, but she has the most beautiful heart!!

Bri from During Winter not only is she an amazing friend but she has a heart that follows after God! She is full of inspiration and insight, and might I add, she sings AMAZING! Go listen to her music! as well, she is a great cupcake baker and always knows how to make you smile. :D Yay for smiling!

Jacque always knows how to put a smile on my face. Her blog is filled with joy and quirkyness. You can't help but love her.

Grace  oh my! Where do I even begin with this girl? She is a talented photographer, who loves to bake, is absolutely a classic beauty with such a sweet heart and love for her boyfriend. So many adorable pictures in there. Although I've never met her, I'm glad to call her my friend :D

Katie is super sweet and leaves me the most encouraging comments!I love visiting her blog, it's dreamy and she has the cutest pictures of all the exciting things going on in her life! Plus a really cute store!

Katie @ Skunkboy Creatures this woman is a source of crafty inspiration! I can't get enough of her pictures of all her little creations, her family adventures, and new hair and clothes! She is an essence of cuteness!

Silvia, the Uniqorn is from Germany and she is soo sweet! can you tell I can't get enough of sweet people? She is a lover of beauty & fashion & family! She has super fun pictures! Thank you for all your comments my love, you always put a smile on my face when I read them. I love that you're empathetic and caring!

Jaelynn, pardon my french always has the cutest self portraits followed by an invite into her mind or day. Her thrifting adventures make me wish I could go with her! I love reading her blog and being part of her little world, even if for that moment!

Kandee Johnson is one of the most amazing makeup artists I have ever seen! She transforms from princess Jasmine, to Snow White, to Michael Jackson, to an Oompa Loompa! Not only is she extremely talented with makeup but she has a heart of gold and is a fellow Jesus Lover. She is an example of someone who has been through hard times and survived and followed her dreams!! Check out her youtube channel too!

Caitlin, The August One this girl is an awesome christmas decorator. She is the type of person you probably can't help but laugh when you're around, she's not afraid to be silly and I love that about her. And no matter how many faces she puts, she still manages to look adorable!

My list can honestly go on because there are so many inspiring amazing blogs that I love to read but I'm keeping it to 11. All the blogs I follow have something different and intriguing about them and would recommend them :D

Thanks guys for reading and thanks for being a source of inspiration!

<3 Lex

my heart is broken but it is mendable.

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This past week has been a hard week for me filled with heartache, sadness, lack of motivation, and tears.
I haven't really been able to write much because, well, my point of writing to you all is to encourage, not to drag any of you down. I feel as though I must share this though. This is for anyone who is feeling this way at this moment.

I shared with my mom the other day how I felt the depression was finding it's way back. Each day a little more sadness had been added and it was getting harder to fight off. Motivation had fleeted from me which made it harder each day to force myself to do something, keep myself afloat. Once again, I just wanted to hide from the world in my little cave. There's an uncomfortableness I feel when I'm around people I know when I'm at this state because I fear they can see right through me, see that my heart is aching, see my weakness. At that same moment, I don't have the energy to fake a smile, so instead, I disconnect myself from the world as though there's no existence.

My mom is the greatest though, she never looks down or judges me, instead gives me words of comfort, encouragement, and always sets my eyes on where they should be, without negating my feelings.
Last week she told me to check out a teaching by Jon Courson, called, The "Defacto" savior. Of course, me being stubborn and feeling "I didn't have time" I put it off...until today...until the moment I felt desperate.

These questions came up while listening...I ask you to write these down and answer them when you have some time to yourself. Maybe you'll learn something about yourself..I know I did.

1. Who or what am I serving? - we all serve something...
2. Who is my "De Facto" (Infact) savior? - What does this mean? (See question 3).
   
3. Who or what do I turn to when I'm depressed? Anxious? Worried? Afraid? Despaired?
4. What is the first thing you grab?? whether the remote control, video games, computer, food? alcohol? drugs? sex? God?
   

Whatever you Answer to 3 and 4 are your "DeFacto" saviors.

My "De Facto" savior has been video games (WOW) I used it as a place of escape from reality, a place I didn't have to think about any worries or pain. I realized this and gave it up..but I did not realize until now...I had others.

My computer...When I'm depressed, I run straight to my computer. Looking for a source of happiness out there whether in a blog, video, or pictures..internally I cry out DISTRACT ME! SAVE ME! HELP ME!

Food...I either eat a lot or don't eat at all when I'm down..hoping somehow I'll eat away my pain which only causes more pain when I look in the mirror...such a conundrum.

Bed....I just lay in bed...thinking...or wanting to sleep so I can sleep through it all. A refuge of escape.

Alex...(my husband) When I'm down I expect that he will help me and get me out of this depression, but that is too much responsibility to put on one person. He is human, how can I put that kind of pressure on him, when the ONLY one who can truly comfort me is God.

There's a story in 2 Chronicles 16:12, if you don't have a bible just click 2 Chronicles 16 
, this story is about a man named Asa who loved God and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  As time went on he got a disease on his feet (for us this may be, depression, financial problems, relationship problems, school, physical issues)and in this time Asa did not seek out God but instead the physicians.
This isn't saying Dr.s are bad, but who or what do we run to first at the sight of a problem!?

He didn't ask, "Lord help me! What do you want from me? What can I do for you?"

and honestly, I haven't either. I have ran to everything else but God. Sure I've prayed, but I have not sought out God. I have not poured out my heart to God. (and then I wonder how I've gotten this way).

Instead of pouring out to God I have been more like these guys in Judges 10:

¹¹The LORD said to the sons of Israel, "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines?
 ¹²"Also when the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hands.
 ¹³"Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will no longer deliver you.
 ¹⁴"Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress."

God has delivered me from SOOOOO much throughout my life, and yet, I have forsaken him and served objects, these little "gods", such as my computer, music, myself, my husband, video games, anything and everything, asking them to help me, to give me instant relief,but I have not sought out my God.  When nothing else can be my "De Facto" Infact Savior!

God's heart breaks for us, who else's really would?

Who or what are you serving? Who or what is your "De Facto" Savior?

I feel so ashamed, that all along, my Savior has been here, stretching out His hand to help me, and I've pushed it away, saying, "these things" will save me.

If you guys would like to listen to it you can go here ->http://www.joncourson.com/teaching/teachingsplay.asp?teaching=T453

Hope you guys enjoy, don't put it off like I did.

<3 Lex

"I love Me" Award

I felt really honored when I receieved this award from Caitlin from The August One. It's kind of ironic to receive this but thank you! You guys have to go check out Caitlin's blog, she is a very beautiful, funny, intelligent, fashionable sweetheart!

So with this award I must list 10 things I love about myself. Anyone who knows me, knows this is a toughy for me, but here it goes...

1. I love that I'm a kid at heart.

2. I love that I still gasp at a shooting star.

3. I love how I can see past someone's smile and into their heart.

4. I love that I was able to gain wild deers trust and have them eating out of my hand and following me around. (does this count)

5. I love that I can relate to people, from little kids to old age.

6. I love that I'm approachable. Always wanted people to know I am here for them.

7. I love that I can keep secrets & gain others trust.

8. I love that I can bake :D

9. I love that my ears are teeny

10. I love my beauty mark that is shaped like a heart.

I present this award to:

Laura

Lauren

Anna

Bri

Twilight Vampire Makeup Tutorial

So doing a vampire look has been on my mind lately and since I had nothing to do yesterday I decided it was a perfect time to do it!  In the video you can also compare my natural eye versus the Solotica Hidrocor Ice. :D

Hope you guys enjoy the video :D

As well, since I had so much time, I did what us silly girls do, and play dress up..lol
I've always wondered what a drawn in mole would look like so.....

Just a bunch of sillyness really..hope it's somewhat entertaining

<3Lex

Operation Beautiful

So while reading a blog I really enjoy, http://www.mermaidinamanhole.com/,
I found something that is so completely amazing!

So many of us girls struggle with our self-image, constantly wanting to strive to be beautiful.
I am a guilty party, past words haunt me when I look in the mirror, and often I feel as though I've lost all reality. This is why I am so thankful for Caitlin who has created this amazing project!

Operation Beautiful

What is Operation Beautiful?
Here is a quote from Caitlin herself, " I began Operation Beautiful because I am dedicated to ending “Fat Talk” in woman and encouraging a positive body image.  I truly believe that your beauty comes from the inside, and your unique qualities that make you YOU should be valued and celebrated. "

I don't know about you, but this motivates me to write encouraging post its and put them up. It's these little things that make you smile when you were almost ready to cry.

Caitlin, I thank you for starting this!
and the rest of you readers, I hope you go visit her site and lets spread OPERATION BEAUTIFUL!!!!

<3 Lex

Wedding Series #3

Well, after the getting ready and ceremony, I guess this means we're at the reception.

People were greeted in the front with these lovely nameplates. After seeing them in one of my favorite wedding magazine, southern weddings, my mommy and mother in law made them and blessed me with them. As well, since my hubby and I are World of Warcraft fans, we decided to name the tables after different worlds in WOW, only the pretty names of course. <3

Blue and Green are Alex's favorite color so I wanted to incorporate that into the theme.

Since Alex is a MAJOR music lover, I wanted him to pick the song for our first dance, I swear he is the best song picker ever, we danced to This is the First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes.

First time I saw this pictures it brought tears to my eyes. Just the look on my dads face says so much. I picked out our perfect Father Daughter song, There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney.

Alex and his mom, Susana, danced to Josh Groban's, You Raise Me Up.

                                       Our flower girl, Sophia, went to go take Susana a tissue <3

                                          After the best man and maid of honor speech

The birds on top of the cake holds a sentimental value. When Alex's grandfather was alive, he would buy his wife, Alex's grandma gifts with birds and called each other the love birds. Before our wedding, his grandmother gave us this musical bird as a gift, so we decided to put it as our cake toppers. <3

                                                            The original cake toppers

The end <3

PS. If you're interested in hearing the songs, here ya go:
First Day of My Life:


There Goes My Life:


You Raise Me Up