Friday, December 31, 2010
ohana means family
Last night was "Girl's Night" with my aunts and cousins and it was so much fun. I don't think I've ever been more thankful for my family than right now. I just love them. And I love that God can bring joy in the midst of our brokenness - which was proven to me last night. In some ways I think all of us have kind of gone through a season of what Beth Moore would call, "pit dwelling." If you aren't familiar with the term, check out her book "Get Out of That Pit" - I promise its a good read. In her book she says there are 3 ways to get into a pit - you get thrown in, you slip in, or you jump in. Between all of us, I think we've gotten all 3 ways covered. I know God will get us through and I'm so glad He gave us each other in the meantime.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
black swan
Back to Black Swan...Rodarte designed all of the costumes which is the main reason I really want to see the movie. Perhaps I will wait till it comes out on DVD so I can fast-forward anything gross. In the mean time I managed to find a few pics of the costumes...
[pictures from Tavi's Style Rookie blog]
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
i'm dreaming of a white christmas
"My cup runneth over..."
Friday, December 24, 2010
oh christmas tree
In honor of Christmas Eve I thought everyone might get a kick out of some of the ornaments that annually make an appearance. We've never been a "themed tree" kind of family and I like that. Actually, I take that back...Mom tried the "themed tree" idea one year. Key word: one. Those ornaments are now in a box labeled "ugly ornaments." No lie! So those don't get put on the tree anymore. Personally I like the mix of memories that adorn our tree every year. Without further adieu...
First grade gold spray painted macaroni ornament - fancy!
Soccer Tigger circa 1999
I don't know who or where this ornament came from, but for as long as I can remember Brie and I have fought over who gets to put it on the tree. Now we have to take turns - it was her turn this year.
I found Nemo!
Ballet slippers I got from my friend Stevie this year!
Brie's first grade ornament!
Brie's Barbie Dream House
Cupcake, of course.
PEEPS!!!!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
brie budavich
So I must look like a selfish jerk - I posted on Facebook, but I totally forgot to write here that...MY SISTER IS ENGAGED!!!!! It is crazy, weird, and wonderful all at the same time! Matthew has been living here since he got back from Africa and he already feels like a brother to me. I could not be more happy or excited for him to join our family. I don't want to steal my sister's thunder by sharing their engagement story or posting pictures of her ring (which is BEAUTIFUL and super sparkly) so be sure you ask her about both - its a really sweet story. Here is a picture of the newly engaged couple...
& the coconut cake I made up in 5 minutes that they ended up LOVING - score.
Monday, December 20, 2010
love letters
I borrowed my sister's copy of Larry Crabb's "66 Love Letters" and started reading it this weekend. I LOVE it. Basically Crabb goes through each book (love letter) of the Bible sort of summarizing the chapters, giving highlights, and interpreting what he thinks God is trying to tell us. Crabb also gives his own personal reflections on each letter. It only took reading one chapter before I was completely convicted.
Crabb wrote this about Genesis from (what he thinks would be) God's perspective...
"When you finish reading My first love letter to you, I want you to realize that I never underestimated how thoroughly you'd mess up your life or how painfully you would struggle and suffer, and I don't want you to underestimate your failures or struggles either. They're all part of the story I'm telling."
"But neither have I underestimated My determination or ability to enter the mess you've made and the pain you feel and turn everything around. I can, and I will, make everything good again. Never, never underestimate Me. I have a plan, a very good one, and it will move ahead to completion. Guaranteed! Trust Me. Why? Because I love you even when you're messing up badly. I love you in the middle of your pain even though I don't relieve it as quickly as you wish. I am worthy of your trust, no matter what happens in your life. I have a good plan, and nothing will stop Me from carrying it to completion."
Not too long ago I cried to my mom about how frustrated I was with God. I felt like I had been obedient and patient and "good" but there was just nothing to show for my work. I knew moving home was what I was supposed to do, there is still no doubt in my mind about that, but when things didn't fall together like I thought they would I began to question God's plan for me. I thought I was doing everything right, but everything was going so wrong. So I rebeled. Not in a gocrazyanddobadthings kind of way, but in my heart I did. I think it started out as a lack of desire to read my Bible, pray, and spend time with God and before I knew it my lack of desire had turned into full out disobedience. And I hate that God had to bring me through another valley to get my attention, but I am so thankful for His promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - But he [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I've also taken a lot of comfort in Tenth Avenue North's song "You Are More" - just another great reminder that no matter how much we mess up, the Lord can restore us...
There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
the christmas spectacular!
My ballet was this weekend! On 12/11/10 (kinda cool, right?) and it was soooooooooooo much fun! We were at the Ferguson Center at CNU, the same place I saw Amy Grant at a little over a month ago. The show was awesome, the place was packed, and the proceeds went to Operation Smile. It can't get much better than that. Here are a few pics from backstage and a couple onstage. I thought about posting video but I think I'll keep that as a special memory for those that paid to see it - it was for charity after all!
Erin with our really healthy dinner which consisted of Mountain Dew, Reese's Pieces, Chips, & Starburst. You know, the Dancer Diet.
Erin, Emily, & I hanging out backstage! Get a load of that makeup!
All of the girls before our dance!
Performing Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Reed Pipes - classic.
Emily & me after our March of the Toys dance!
Friday, December 3, 2010
veni, vidi, vici!
The Pop Tart Project is over. I can finally say I have tried every flavor of something (and something delicious at that!) But I bet you probably have some questions so I'm going to try my best to answer as many of them now, but feel free to leave me a comment if I still leave you wondering!
What was your favorite flavor?
My favorite flavor was Chocolate Banana Split, which is unfortunately not around anymore :(
If I had to put them in order it would go a little something like this...
Chocolate Banana Split
Ice Cream Sandwich (formerly Vanilla Creme)
Brown Sugar Cinnamon
Chocolate Fudge
Pumpkin Pie
Vanilla Milkshake
Raspberry
Strawberry Milkshake
Hot Fudge Sundae
Blueberry Muffin
Strawberry
Orange Cream
S'mores
Blueberry
Cherry
Cookies and Cream
Chocolate Chip
Wild Grape
Cinnamon Roll
Apple Strudel
Gingerbread (ew, just ew)
Hey! You cheated! You didn't try all of the unfrosted, lowfat, and 20% DV Fiber varieties!
First off, I don't like you accusing me of cheating and second off...this is a technicality. I did not try the unfrosted versions mostly because I don't like them and because honestly, if you've tasted the crust of a frosted variety with a bit of the middle then you have practically tasted the unfrosted variety. Am I right or am I right? As for the lowfat and 20% DV Fiber varieties - I've had both (previous to this project) in efforts to justify my love for 200 calorie, sugar filled, calorie laden treats and if you were to put all three varieties of the Brown Sugar Cinnamon out for me to taste I don't think I'd be able to tell a difference. Truly.
If you could invent your own Pop Tart, what flavor would it be?
I did invent my own, kind of, click here to see my varieties. The first one (cotton candy & marshmallow version) is my personal fav.
What retired flavors do you wish you would have been able to try?
Caramel Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Strawberry Cheese Danish, Mint Chocolate Chip, French Toast, & maybe Guava Mango.
Before this project I did get to try Hot Chocolate, which was good, and Wild Berry, which was average. I am not sure if Wild Berry is retired or not, but I haven't seen it in a while.
Why is Pop Tarts spelled so many different ways throughout your blog posts?
I'm still a little unsure of the correct spelling of Pop Tarts. I think technically it is Pop-Tarts...not to be confused with PopTarts or Pop Tarts? Did I spell it any other ways?
Will you still eat Pop Tarts?
As much as I love Pop Tarts, and I DO love Pop Tarts, I probably will not continue to eat them on a regular basis mostly because of the HFCS. I think I will always save a few of my favorites to have as occasional treats, but I may have to switch to Nature's Path Organic Toaster Pastries. Cherry chocolate anyone? Don't hate me Kellogg's!
Are you going to try every flavor of something else now?
Probably not. The Pop Tarts really satisfied, but if I did, I would probably have to pick something a little more healthy - like yogurt or Larabars. But secretly, I think all varieties of cereal would be a quite a feat.
chocolate chip cookie dough
Ok, so this is my last flavor to try and I can't find the picture so I had to resort to this dinky stand in! Can you believe I'm done? That I finally tried them all?!? Don't worry - the next post will answer all those questions you are dying to know (like which is my favorite perhaps?) But for now...the chocolate chip cookie dough pop tarts. Described in one word? "Ehhhh." They were alright.
Toasted: They were good warm, definitely the best option of the three, but they don't compare to warm cookies so don't get your hopes up.
As Is: They were good, I mean, just not great. I was expecting more delicious cookie dough flavor.
Frozen: Now this was the big disappointment. I've been known to eat cold cookie dough straight from the fridge and was hoping for a similar feeling when biting into these...but like I said, "good" but not "GREAT!"
Pop Tarts Fact: Pop Tarts are not certified Kosher...bummer.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
3 three's
I recently joined a small group at my church here at home and we've only met three times, but I like it so far. One thing I really miss about LU is the fellowship and I figured this was about as close as I could get. In our CG (community group) we have each taken turns sharing our "3 three's" - 3 people, places, and events that have shaped who we are. I shared mine last week and thought it would be fun to share on here too. Here goes...
3 People:
1. Jesus. Honestly, Jesus is the only person that has ever changed my life. Every single decision I make, everything I do, all that I stand for is based on a personal relationship with Him.
2. Brie. Out of all of the best friends I've had growing up, my sister is my BEST best friend. I can't imagine life without her.
3. My parents. They are my biggest supporters and set the best example. They both work so hard and make so many sacrifices for me and my sister. I love them.
3 Places:
1. Liberty University. Believe it or not, LU was not my first choice of school. I originally wanted to go to Belmont in Nashville. My parents weren't into having me 11 hours away so we compromised - I would spend a year at LU and if I hated it, I could transfer to Belmont the following year. I went into LU thinking, "let's get this year over with," and absolutely fell in love with the school and people. My time there is where I really made my faith my own and where I was challenged to grow. Good thing I didn't transfer!
2. Kanakuk. My summer at Kanakuk was one of the best and hardest summers of my life. (Read more about my time at Kanakuk here) but it was the first time God really got me alone and revealed some sin in my own life and taught me the true meaning of child-like faith. Looking back, it was an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for the world.
3. NYC. Just take a look back at my blogposts from summer of '09 and you can see what a lasting impression NYC had on my life. NYC is one of my favorite places in the entire world and I miss it pretty much everyday. Being there was indescribable, like I was truly in my element. And surprisingly enough, it was probably the time I was closest to the Lord. In NYC, my life was my testimony. The way I lived and what I stood for was so radically different which made me very conscious of every decision I made. I want to go back ASAP.
3 Events:
1. My salvation. I didn't grow up going to church, but I was saved in elementary school. I got in trouble for being too hyper and talkative in class and my "punishment" was to sit in the front of the room next to a very quiet girl who eventually became a close friend and invited me to church. I got involved at church and wanted a personal relationship with Christ and the rest is history. Like I said, my relationship with Jesus is really the heartbeat behind everything I do.
2. The summer of my freshman year of college. I went into college not really knowing what I wanted to do. College was just the next step, ya know? So that following summer I spent earnestly praying that God would give me a passion and a purpose...some sort of direction for my life. It was that summer that I really felt God calling me to magazines and to specifically starting a Christian girl's magazine. This January Lily Girl's Magazine will celebrate its first anniversary. God is good. All the time.
3. My first real job. I took my first real job for selfish reasons - partly out of desperation and partly because I wanted to feel like a real grown up. There was a fair share of good and bad, but looking back...it was the hardest year of my life. Through it all, I really learned so much though. Most importantly, grow where you're planted.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
for today - peanut satay!
I forgot to post about this, but about a month ago my mom and I went to our local Thai restaurant, Pataya, for my first Thai experience! And I, of course, was on a mission...for peanut satay (one of my 10 things to try in 2010). It was pretty good. The peanut sauce was super sweet, delicious, and probably pretty calorie dense. I don't think I will be eating this everyday by any means, but it was a nice little treat out especially since it was followed by some mango sticky rice!!!!!!!!! YUM!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
26 dresses
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
turn, turn, turn
On Sunday night my friend Caitlin and I headed over to CNU to see Amy Grant perform. I can unashamedly say that I LOVE Amy Grant. I always have. I remember getting teased for it by the older girls on my hall freshman year of college. Whatever. There is just something about her music that is so comforting to my soul. No matter my phase in life I can always find at least one song that speaks directly to my heart. This was the first time in a long time that I had seen her in concert and it was just as good, if not better, than I remember her. The Ferguson Center is small and intimate and she interacted with the audience the entire night. I loved it and so did Cait (this was her first Amy Grant concert). Amy ended her concert with the Byrds song "Turn, Turn, Turn"** and it couldn't have been a more perfect song for my exact stage in life right now.
**I couldn't get the video to upload on my blog for some reason, so if you'd like to see it check it out on my FB page!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
raspberry
Toasted: Yummy, like a way better version of Toaster Strudel.
As Is: Not overly sweet or tart, a perfect medium!
Frozen: Good all around!
**I had them at Pop Tarts World with lemon frosting and had the lemon frosting been better, they would have been totally delicious!!!
Pop Tarts Fact: Kellogg's sells more than 2 million Pop Tarts every year.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
10k & 10 hours
This weekend was quite eventful...well, at least Saturday was! My friend Beth drove down Friday night so that we could get up SUPER early on Saturday morning to run the Wicked 10k in Virginia Beach. It was SO much fun! I absolutely love running with Beth so I was really glad I got to complete my first 10k with her. And I am now a full believer in the "runner's high" b/c that run was such a thrill! It was especially entertaining b/c everyone was dressed up in Halloween costumes. Beth went as Pippi Longstockings and I went as cotton candy - which made for a very warm and toasty 6 miles. Here we are after the race:
And check out my "lucky laces." I got these at the Susan G. Komen 5k I ran at the beginning of the month and even though I don't really believe in "luck" I thought it would be fun to have some sort of "lucky" item to wear at my races...I mean all the pros do it, ya know?
After the race we had to speed back home so I could get ready for my cousin Amanda's wedding reception! My fam and I made the 10ish hour roundtrip to celebrate with Amanda and John. They got married in St.Thomas (I think) but had their reception back in the states and it was BEAUTIFUL! Amanda had everything 40s themed - from the feathery centerpieces down to her curly hair, red lips, and cute gloves. It was awesome. I love any excuse to get together with my entire extended family, they are a blast to be around. I am so blessed.
Oh yeah, Happy Halloween!
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