10 Things That Make Me Happy :)

1. A great quiet time with the Lord followed by some worship
2. Falling asleep in my husbands arms; then getting to wake up to his cute sleepy face
3. Girl time with my bests... making dinner, sipping on vino, and encouraging one another
4. Long breakfasts at my parent's home with the whole family on a warm sunny morning sitting in the backyard
5. A yummy cup o' joe with the right hall N half
                                                                                   

6. Having happy hour on a porch during summer
7. My nieces' kisses
8. Working out so hard that the next day I'm really sore
9. Spending an entire day at the beach; soaking in the sun, sand picnics, playing in the water, walking along the shore, and bonfires
10. Really good music that touches you so deeply
                                                                                 

11. Ice Cream! & An exceptionally good hair day! {Sorry I was never good at following directions}

<3 Gabrielle

My Public Apology

Here goes...I am sorry. I am sorry for how obsessed with food I am. I am sorry that I love to take pictures of my food, post pictures of my food, and send texts of food to my bests. I am sorry that all day long, I am constantly thinking about food and the joy it brings me.


When should I eat next? What should I eat? What should I make for dinners and lunches this week?

Even right after I eat, I am still thinking about it. My husband laughs at me because even after we stuff our faces and sit down to veg in front of the tv at night, I will see a commercial for some restaurant or food place or DAIRY QUEEN and say out loud "Ooo! That sounds so good right now!" He thinks I'm crazy because even when I am so full I can always find something that I think sounds good.

But really, Im not sorry. I am not sorry that I like to show my love for others through food, through new flavors, and that I love to feed my body the nutrients it needs in the most tasty way possible.

I don't mean to post meals to show off, or to show how fancy my meals look. I genuinely love cooking, it is a passion of mine.I love making bright colorful meals and sharing them with those I love.

-Lauren

That's Kamp with a 'K'

Day 12: What do you miss most?

I was talking with a friend of mine who is finishing up her last semester in college and she was telling me about her summer plans. At the end of the conversation she asked me what my summer plans were. I literally laughed out loud and not because it was a stupid question but because I hardly remember what is was like to have a full summer “off” of work or school. I got very envious of her and the summer she was about to enjoy on a mission trip to South Africa. 

Talking about college summers reminded me of my summers spent at Kanakuk Kamps as a counselor. They were some of my most favorable memories in life. Sometimes when  its humid in the mornings and has a musty smell in the air, I am taken back to the rocky shores of Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Kamp was the perfect harmony of hot, sweaty summer nights and lake swims, crazy dress up parties and heart to heart conversations with my campers. I loved everything about this place. It was beautiful- it was the scenery around me and the faces of my dearest friends made this place incredible. 

Here’s what I miss most about Kamp...

THE PEOPLE

Sweet Kaylee

Kaylee- She was my first friend I made at kamp. This sweet southern bell has a heart of gold and we shared some great heart to heart chats. 

Celebrating 4th of July with Addison

Addison- This Oklahoma girl has a way of making you feel so loved and special. I will never forget the time she gave me her rain jacket when I was going on our 2 day trip outside of kamp. This was the rainiest 2 days that kamp has ever seen and she never complained once that I had taken this important piece of clothing from her. 

My Co- Counselor and dear friend Jordan

Jordan- My co- counselor and partner in crime. We loved our girls well together and this lady is always looking to laugh and create fun in any situation. She was the leader and backbone of our cabin and the girls flocked to her for her wise, sound advice. 

THE OFFICE GIRLS

Cynthia- Running OG Nation

For half of the summer I worked in the front office, working behind the scenes of kamp and enjoying every minute of air conditioning that room had to offer. We were a tight knit group of girls, who laughed our heads off most of the day. Cynthia was our fearless leader and our most dear friend. 

THE PARTIES

A few nights a week there was a ridiculously fun, themed party. The entire kamp dressed up and everything from the food to the decor to the activities was centered around that theme. 

Yes, that's me and Kenz gettin' our country on 

Color Extravaganza 

Noah's Arc Party

THE LAKE

I have to give credit to Kamp for teaching me how to wake board, water ski, inner tube like a pro, cliff jump like I was fearless. The water was warm and the surroundings were rocky and covered in lush shrubs. Any chance I could, I would spend it out on a boat or on the dock. It was my favorite hang out spot, no doubt. 

THE KAMPERS

My heart beat is to serve others and being a counselor means that 24/7 you’re putting your girls' needs first and responsible for making her summer the best one of her life. I wanted her to encounter Jesus and have a blast while doing it. I can remember each of those 24 girls sweet faces so vividly still. I miss them a lot. I love watching them(through facebook, of course!)graduate high school and attend college and grow into the amazing women I knew they would be. I proud of them. 

That’s kamp with a ‘K’ and I would go back in a heart beat if you gave me the opportunity. 

-Erin

Day 11: Sell Yourself In 10 Words Or Less

In one of my classes in college we had to give a 30 second "elevator speech" selling ourselves. I say, been there done that. I'm not looking for a job or a boyfriend these days so let me just sell you on my friends instead....

The Core Four Babes: 

Erin- 

Er's heart is pure gold. She has a title among our friends "The nicest friend." But really. she's the friend that will drop every obligation, plan, commitment, and priority and fly/drive to your location in time of desperate need. She is the only person I know I can text at 4:00 a.m. when I wake up for my workouts because she's hittin the gym too. She loves actively with time spent, gifts, paying for your coffee etc. She is the most diligent and committed person I know. In friendship, in her love for her family and nieces and nephews, in her eating habits, in her workouts, in her jobs, and in her pursuit of Jesus. When Erin is having a bad day, walking through a terrible season, or receives bad news about jobs, boys, her health and the like, you can be sure she is seeking Jesus as her source of rescue and peace and stability. She is moldable and teachable, eager to be the best she can be. There was a point in college when we lived in the same bedroom, were both waitresses at the same restaurant, and worked out together on a daily basis. I could never get sick of this girl or run out of things to talk about with her. She is a beautiful friend inside and out.

Lauren-

Lo babe. When I think of Lauren I envision the most perfect balance of maturity and stability with unleashed joy and light heartedness. She carries herself with poise, she's full of knowledge, she is responsible, she has true favor in life and walks humbly in it, but when you get Lauren goin around 10:00 p.m. or so you won't even know what is coming. She's this hyper ball full of fun that is can't even be explained. She is HILARIOUS and full of life. She makes the party every time. Lauren is my fitness and food inspiration. We can be found exchanging recipes,  emailing fitness plans, and sending pictures of our meals frequently. I've run two of my half marathons with Lauren and you can be sure she will right there by your side encouraging you and kicking your butt the whole time. Lauren is a picture of Proverbs 31 woman. She loves her family so well. Its really fun to be around her and her husband. They honor one another with their actions and the way the speak to each other. They prioritize one another above anything else. They are power couple. She is a beautiful friend inside and out.

Gabrielle-

Gabrielle is someone I can count on to celebrate life REALLY well. If you want to be at a happy hour or on a patio with anyone, its Gabrielle. She values life and seeks to enjoy it to its full capacity not just live it. She can be found spoiling you with gifts that are really meaningful and thoughtful. I call her my heart friend because we are very similar in spirit.  She's well dressed and always knows the latest fashion trends so when I get a compliment from her on my outfit choice I know I'm lookin good. She is committed to her family. Her parents, her husband, her brother and sister in law, and her niece are some of her very best friends. We share a love for frozen yogurt that can't be stopped. She makes a MEAN cup of coffee. Pour over style. Perfectly thick and bold and made with lots of love. We were the basement dwellers in college and I cherish that season waking up to one of my best friends every day. She is a beautiful friend inside and out.

Life is so much richer with these 3. I don't know what I would do without their intentionality, encouragement, and love. They are a gift and one of my greatest blessings and cannot be described in 10 words or less. I bet your sold! Happy weekend!. Go love your friends well today and express your appreciate for them.

~ Mekenzie

Embarrassment!

My MoSt embarrassing moment. Ok here it is... {chirp,chirp..cricket,cricket}
I DON"T HAVE ONE!!.. Weird right??
I used to  get embarrassed SooOo easily.. a cute cashier guy; my face would turn red, ordering lunch; reeeeed face. But now I just don't get embarrassed that easily, I think I'm more the one who does the embarrassing :) And there isn't a specific incident that is my "go to" most embarrassing moment.
So, today I get to share my hub's most embarrassing moment {he gave me permission}.

"I was 11 years old sitting in my back yard on a warm sunny day. I was out gettin' my tan on and hoping to get as dark as I could. After a couple hours outside I was pumped to see that I had tan lines forming. I went inside to show my mom the tan line on my thigh... BUT I accidentally pulled my shorts up a bit too high and well, my little dupree made an unexpected appearance. Needless to say, I was the most embarrassed I've ever been and so was my mom." {re-writtten in my own words}

There you have it! You now know a little but more about the best man there is :) You're welcome!

 


Wishing you a day full of embarrassing moments :)


<3 Gabrielle