brave!

I went and watched Brave. And loved it.

 "An impetuous princess discovers that her reckless choice has put both her family and her father's kingdom in peril in this animated adventure from Pixar films. As a toddler, Merida (voice of Kelly MacDonald) saw her father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly), do battle with one of the fiercest animals in the kingdom -- a horribly scarred hulk of a bear named Mordu. Though Fergus lost his leg defending his family, Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), managed to escape the beast before it vanished back into the forest. Years later, Merida has grown up to become not just a skilled archer, but also a beautiful princess who inspires a competition among the eligible bachelors in the land. But Merida has little interest in getting married, and the harder her mother pushes the issue, the more fiercely she resists it. When the tournament for her hand gets under way and a deep divide opens between mother and daughter, Merida makes a wish that threatens the future of both her family and the entire kingdom. Now, with only a brief window of time to set things right, Merida must summon the courage to atone for her mistake and prevent a past tragedy from destroying any hope for a peaceful future." ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A journey of girl who needs to repair her relationship with her mother. One might think she must go on some large quest to find the answer, when it really was  something she had to change about herself. That's all I'll say about what happens! *zips mouth*

One thing that I absolutely love about this movie, was the music. The music is gorgeous! Beautiful voices and instruments (search through my MixPod to hear a couple songs :D).

And another thing...the graphics are stunning! You can see every strand of hair, and so much more. It really is amazing.

So...would I recommend it? Certainly! It was a *leeeettle* different from your typical Disney movie, part of it the setting being in Scotland (the accents were wonderful, too!). I've always loved that culture anyway, though.

Was Merida perfect? Not at all. Was there magic? Yes, a little (really, when you think about it...what Disney movie doesn't?). Is is worth watching? Definitely! 

Here's the trailer...

 

Now, my dear readers, the question is...are you brave enough to watch it? ::sly grin::

overruled...invasion of parental rights...a MUST-WATCH!

   PUH-LEEEASE watch the whole thing. It's a half-hour, but is something everyone--especially parents-- need to watch. 

the look that kills us...

       That size that every woman has to be. That look that every woman has to have. That supermodel every woman has to be like. It kills us. It kills us not because we actually want to look like them, but because we feel that if we don't look like them, we won't be accepted. We as women want someone to love us, to accept us, and to appreciate us. We want to be told we're beautiful, we're accepted, we're loved. But the only way we can get that is to prove ourselves to young men, to the world, and to ourselves. It kills us not to have that admiration and respect that we so crave and long for. It kills us every time we go to the check-out stands, and see those doe-eyed women on the magazine covers titled, "Lose 6 lbs in one week!" or "How to get that flat belly by Memorial Day!"

         It has been a battle for women for many, many years. Back in the days of Mary Slessor, it was considered beautiful in Africa to literally be obese. You were considered ugly if you were slim and toned. Now, it's the exact opposite. It's so sad to see women today who desire value and worth and try to achieve them by trying their utmost hardest to meet the toothpick-thin expectations of Hollywood. It's not right. You are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made by the Most High God, are loved by Him so much, and NO culture, NO magazine article, NO number on the scale can ever change that. Ever.


         Now, I'm *not* saying that it's wrong to eat well or exercise or to lose weight. Within themselves. In fact, I think it's important to strive to be healthy. However, if you're doing it to gain the approval of the world...then there's a problem. If you're doing it to impress your friends, or a certain young man, I just wanna let you know, that if they really were your friends, or if he truly loved you, you wouldn't *have* to impress them. Your friends would already accept you for who you are, not for how thin you are. That guy would truly love you without you having to look like someone you aren't. And if they don't...that's their problem, not yours.


          We need to see ourselves how God sees us, not how man sees us.

          Is anyone with me?

my new blog!

     Hey ever'body! Sorry I haven't posted for a couple days; things have been kinda hectic.
   
     However, I have started my first second blog! Yay! There I'll be posting the recipes from now on, more of my own photography, even a splash of fashion every now and then. I was going to transport all of the recipes I have up here, but I decided not to in fear I would lose all your sweet comments *sniff*. I only have two posts, and probably won't post on it for a little while so I have time to cook and take pictures and stuff. And just to warn you, it's still in quite a bit of construction. But I hope you enjoy it :D

      http://daisiesandcheesecake.blogspot.com/

who i am...

    [...ok, so this isn't my *actual* picture, and I don't take credit for it, but it does show what my soul looks like :)]

     Alright, so I've been writing on this blog for what, two months now? I think it's time I tell you a bit about myself. Sure, I have a little profile, but I don't feel it really tells you who I really am, though.

      I am a fifteen-year-old girl who is still learning, and growing, in Christ. I'm not perfect, and never will be, but I just want to share with you the things that I learn in my day-to-day life. I am just an ordinary girl, with an extraordinary God, who has a passion to encourage women-- young and old-- to seek more of Him, to become women after God's own heart, to flee the lies bombarding us today with reckless abandon, and, even more, to live life fully unto the Lord and be filled with His joy. Happiness...is just an emotion. However joy...is a state of the being. And part of joy is being content. Be content with both who and how God made you, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

     Anyways, I said I'd tell you a bit about myself, right? Okay, so here are a *few* things...


~ I love, love, LOVE to read. And write.

~ I love to cook and bake. And eat the stuff I cook and bake. (Just had to add that in there.)


~ I'm deathly afraid of spiders. If I see one, you will hear me screaming, "Bloody Murder!" as I run across the house and scream like Miss Piggy would (or react like Lucy in A Charlie Brown Christmas when Snoopy licks her. (does anyone know what I'm talking about?)).


~ I love Jane Austen. And John Wayne.


~ I love Celtic music. (Bet ya didn't know that ;))


~ I fake a British (and an Irish) accent.


~ My favorite book of the Bible is the book of Ruth.


~ I play the violin and the piano.

~  I am very passionate about honoring God with our bodies through eating well and exercising.

~ I am a bit of a dreamer

~ I love...

~ I eat squirrel and rabbit. Yes, you read that right.

~ This is so me, *laughs*...

  ~ I am a hopeful romantic. Someday I pray that I will be married, and I want God to write my love story, not me.


~ I also love the Psalms and Proverbs.


~ C.S. Lewis is pretty much one of the best men who's ever lived. Don't even try to talk me out of it.



     Note: I will probably update this periodically, because this is just kind of a rough sketch of myself. So I may add some stuff, or delete some stuff, because I'm still growing, and usually with growing comes change of, well, who you are.

    

be thou my vision...

     Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me , save that Thou art

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my True Word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father, I Thy true Son

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Be Thou my Battle Shield, Sword for the fight

Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight

Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Son!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

a jane austen-esque style...

     I do this hair-do All. The. Time. It's *so* easy, and I always get compliments on it :D.

     Here's how you do it. This is the post from raising4princesses...

I love finding feminine hairstyles and sharing them.

Ladies, {tapping on my desk for attention}

I believe we have to fight for all things beautiful, delicate, and girly

 or our granddaughters will only see things like this in storybooks.

You're a lady, be beautiful.

God made you that way.

{stepping down off my soap box}

Try this beautiful twisted hairstyle with a simple trick for added body.

I'm blessed to have some gorgeous sisters and sis-in-laws.

With Prince's Sister, Heather visiting the last 10 days

 we've had a little girl talk, late night movies, and desserts.

So much fun.  Gonna miss this gal.

I squeezed in a quick tutorial photo session right before we headed to the airport.

Break out the pins and try it!









    All the credit goes to [http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com].  
    Go here to see the whole tutorial on her blog:                                  [http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/2012/01/upsy-daisy-updo-tutorial.html]

the river of time series giveaway!

    Wanna win any of these books?...

...then go to the below website to enter!

               
        http://www.rachellerea.com/2012/06/tributary-by-lisa-t-bergren-review-and.html

got water?

 (credit unknown. but it's pretty cool :D)

         
       I'm sure you've heard the same ol' story hundreds of times. But it's true: we need to drink more water. It's so simple, but so important. On a day-to-day basis, we don't drink enough. I've been beginning to think that that's part of the reason we have certain health problems, such as obesity, skin blemishes, dry skin, circulation, hypertension, etc. I just want to encourage you this summer to drink lots and lots of water.

          

 Here are just a few benefits of drinking water...

 ~ increases energy-- it does! Do not underestimate the power of water. Drinking a nice, cold glass of water-- whether it be sassy water, bottled water (with no added minerals), or plain, filtered water-- will give you a boost of energy.

~ helps with high cholesterol

~ helps with water retention-- believe it or not. If your body is retaining fluids, it may seem logical to drink less water. However, the opposite is true. To lose the excess fluids, you may need to drink more water. Dehydration can cause the body to retain fluid that will be released when you drink more water. Probably didn't know that, huh? I know I didn't :)

~ increases good health in the brain-- the brain is *extremely* sensitive to water loss. It's said that the brain can barely stand even 1% loss of water. If it were to have only 84% water instead of 85%, the brain will start not to function like it should. Isn't that crazy?!

~ hydrates skin-- your skin is the largest organ in your body. Water will help clear it of pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes and will help with your dry skin to keep it firm and moisturized.

~ helps with chapped lips-- have you ever had those times where you'll keep putting on chapstick but it just doesn't make that much of a difference? It's probably because you're not drinking enough water. Your lips are probably croaking, "I'm thirsty". It definitely helps!

~ flush toxins--it's so true. Water is probably one of the simplest and most powerful ways to detox your body.

~  alleviates headaches-- have you ever been out and about, and suddenly you get a headache? It's most likely because you didn't drink enough water that day. So before you pop an Advil in your mouth, grab a bottle of water and drink the whole thing, then see how you feel.

~ helps with mild depression-- you have to admit: drinking water improves your mood a little bit. It does me :).

~ alleviates back pain, cramps, stomach aches, etc.

~ increases metabolism

~ aids digestion

       So, my conclusion is: when in doubt, grab water. Grab a water before you grab a Diet Coke! Or a Mountain Dew. Or an iced tea. Or Crystal Light. You get the point.


        I bet that, as of this very moment, as you're reading this post, you are not drinking water. Am I right?  Precisely my point. *grins*

sassy water!

        Have you ever heard of sassy water? You should! It's very good for you, and pretty easy to make. It comes with a lot of benefits, including detoxing, weight-loss, helping with constipation and bloating, and as well as your over-all health! It's sort of a homemade vitamin water, because it's just full of the natural vitamins and minerals that seep from the lemons and cucumber and all that healthy stuff.  I love it because it actually tastes good and is a nice, refreshing drink to have during those hot, sweltering summer days when you want something besides plain ol' water!


          So here's the recipe...                                                                

    Sassy Water <3

 
~ cucumber

 ~ mint leaves (about 12)

 ~ lemon

 ~ a wee bit of ginger root (1 tsp, grated)

 ~ and lots'o water (2 qts)

      
      1) Fill up a large container of water.

      2) Cut up the cucumber and lemon into slices.

      3) Throw it into the big container full of water, along with the mint leaves and ginger
 
     4) Let sit overnight in the fridge so it can soak into the water.

      5) Pour over ice and enjoy! Cheers to the summer! :D

 

khan academy is AWESOME!

         If you are like me, you can relate to the following...

          However, Khan Academy is a free online program where you can learn math in an easy, fun way. He shifts your relationship status with math from "It's Complicated" to, well, "It's Not That Complicated". I find both math and science very difficult to understand, but with Khan Academy, I feel that I can learn anything. 
  

        
         He, Salman Khan, has everything from history to science to math and even to events that are going on today. You just watch one of his videos on how to do a certain concept, then you can practice, then you get badges and rewards! It's not childish in any way, shape, or form, but it does make it rather fun. Also, you can comment on his videos and ask questions from other members of Khan Academy. How cool is that?! You keep track of your progress--including what areas you need to work on more, you see how long it took you to master a certain concept, *and* you get to go at your own pace! Salman is one of those rare people who is brilliant at math but can still explain it to those who don't understand it.

         All you need is a Google or Facebook account, and an open mind. So what are you waiting for? Go try it!

                                               http://www.khanacademy.org/

a love story gone wrong...

     This is another story I had to write for school. (If you didn't guess it already, it's kinda sad. Just wanted to clarify that. :)) I had to produce the emotion "indignation", where you feel that someone got something that you deserved. I sort of twisted it off of Wives and Daughters, except, it has a, well-- *surprise*--bad ending.

      She was unhappy. Her wonderful father, Mr. Gibson, who was a widower, just remarried the woman who could care less about her, and who had a daughter, Cynthia, her age who almost seemed as if she tried everything in her power to make life miserable for her. Trying to forget her woes, she smiled as she watched him. He was talking to his friends about something obviously important to him, for his face was bright with radiance, and his brown eyes were lit up in absolute passion. She gazed at him, wishing she could take part in such a lively discussion. Could he ever love her? Could he ever return her feelings? He was a friend of the family, except that he hadn’t met her stepmother and stepsister. She was sure that if he asked, her father would give him full-hearted consent. She was pondering these things until her thoughts were interrupted by hearing her stepmother mention to her friends,
      “Oh the poor dear, it’s obvious that she won’t have any proposals thrown to her any time soon. My, anyone’s dinner would curdle in their stomach with one glance at her! One would think she has lost her bloom–if anyone could possibly believe she had any in the first place!” It was true. Molly possessed a wiry build, untamable red, frizzy hair, and such a pale complexion as would make it seem she would faint at any moment. When she heard this, her throat suddenly felt dry, and her cheeks burned in mortification. She looked at him again when suddenly, his eyes met hers. She almost thought he would look away, embarrassed, as he had done many times before, but now he steadily held her gaze, as if he were unquenchably in love. It seemed almost as if in that one moment, there was no such thing as time. Could it be true? Could he really see something in her? Her heart pounded at the thought. To be eighteen and in love–with Mr. Knightly!
        It was a few weeks and Molly replayed that evening over and over in her mind. She though of it so often, it was faded and thin, like a letter too often read However, she had to wait on her stepmother and stepsister frequently. Sometimes she envied her sister Cynthia’s beauty, but then she’d remember that evening with Mr. Knightly. Molly decided to go on a short walk to reflect about this. Her bare feet walked across the cold cobblestones as she took in the spring beauty. It was early in the morning, and the sun was just rising, and slowly stretching her fingertips through the fog and the budding cherry trees and willows. Molly took a deep breath of some nearby lilac, which helped calm her frayed nerves. She continued on soaking in the loveliness when suddenly she saw Mr. Knightly walking up the path. He seemed to be reciting something to himself when he saw Molly and looked rather shocked.
       “Mr. Knightly,” said she,”what brings you here? I don’t believe my father is ready for your study today in Plato.”
       “That’s not what I’ve come here for,” he said. “I’ve come on very important business.”
       “Oh dear! pray, nothing’s wrong, is there?”
       “No,” Mr. Knightly said, stepping closer and taking her hand, “No, I just wanted to ask your father if, well, you could, if I may, I–I wanted to ask you if you could possibly–Molly, you, you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. Do you think–could you consider–may I take your hand, in marriage?”
         Molly stood there, speechless. She observed the sweat on his forehead as he stood there, anticipating her reply. She looked into his eyes, and smiled. He needed not another answer, for she had already given it. He stepped in closer, still gazing deeply into her eyes, and gently touched her red frizzy hair as if he would rather have no other in the world. Then he softly kissed her, amidst the rising sun and budding flowers and the promising signs of spring. However, Cynthia watched them through the window, envious. Seeing Mr. Knightly go toward Mr. Gibson’s office, she darted away, and walked the same direction.
         Mr. Knightly walked quickly in anticipation to ask Mr. Gibson permission for Molly’s hand in marriage when he ran into Cynthia. Embarrassed, and asking her pardon, Mr. Knightly began to slowly forget where he was going, and what he was doing, when he gazed at her. He was captivated by her, and stared into the green eyes under the rich, dark lashes, which batted innocently at him. He suddenly remembered his business, and walked into Mr. Gibson’s office.
         The clinking of glass filled the crowded room when Mr. Knightly stood up and said, “I have an announcement to make!” All the guests at the table hushed, waiting. “I have been honoured by a certain young lady in this room, to take her hand in marriage. I have learned that true love isn’t about money, or reputation, nor is it marrying the person whom you can live with, but rather, the person whom you can’t live without.” He glanced at Molly, who gazed at him lovingly then blushed. “I never thought I would find love, until now.” He walked towards Molly, then walked to the seat beside her. He put his hand on Cynthia’s shoulder, then announced his engagement to her. Everyone applauded, except Molly, who could hardly believe it. Her mind was racing. What had just happened? She rose out of her seat quietly, then ran to her room and cried herself to sleep.
       “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded wife?” said the minister. Molly stood beside Cynthia, her heart crushed and sore. Cynthia, knowing what had happened, had “tried” to make her feel better by making her the maid of honour. She stared at Mr. Knightly, partly longingly and partly severely. It was all Cynthia’s fault. She took the one thing, the one person, whom she loved so dearly. After the wedding, she walked up to the new couple to congratulate them, silently praying that she wouldn’t cry, and greeted them, then said bitterly, “I wish you all the happiness in the world, Mr. and Mrs. Knightly.” Cynthia gave her an in-your-face smile while Mr. Knightly never took his eyes off his new wife. Molly’s heart was bleeding and raw, and knew no happiness as she felt the injustice done to her by her wicked stepsister.

things i'm lovin' right now...

     This has helped me a lot! I have extremely dry skin, so all those beads exfoliate my skin and clean off all the dead skin cells. It makes my skin feel very soft, especially after the use of a good moisturizer. I've also notice a reduction in blackheads!

     This cereal is absolutely delicious! Surprisingly, it doesn't have that sugary taste in the strawberries, and it actually tastes like real, authentic, dried strawberries. Did I mention it's delicious?

     I love the scent of this lotion! It's not a BOOM!-IN-YA-FACE kind of scent but rather a subtle, feminine scent. It also feels *really* good after showers. Your whole bathroom will smell good!

     Ooh, my goodness. This is so refreshing to my skin. It feels like a nice, cold glass of water sinking into your pores. I use this as my facial moisturizer every day. I strongly suggest this lotion.

 

      This website. I have been motivated, encouraged, and blessed by Michelle! You should check it out.

~*~*~ What are you guys lovin' now?~*~* 

Note: Just so you know-- which you probably already do-- I wasn't hired by these people to rave about their stuff. It's just me and my partial-ness to these products. *smiles*

i'm back!

...from the Ligonier Conference up in Seattle! And got to see these men:

 R.C. Sproul...

 John MacArthur...

Steve Lawson...

...and Douglas Bond!

     This conference was amazing! They were all very powerful speakers, and they have made me think of things I never thought of before. 

     And there were book signings! I got this book signed...

my MacArthur study Bible...

 and then...

    And then my Dad and I got these books...

and R.C. Sproul signed this:

    

     So, yes, I had a wonderful time. Except I got a cold the *very* first day of my summer vacation. But I'm not going down without a fight! :)

     Oh, and by the way, we didn't get these books in "kindle edition", I just snagged the picture from amazon and that little "Click to Look Inside" and "Kindle Edition" came with the picture.

     Have a wonderful summer vacation!