you know what?

you don't know what others are going through.  so choose to be kind always.  

I tell you what.  this is really difficult for me to do sometimes.  

I am grateful for people who remind me of the kind of person I want to be.  

I'm not going to pretend like my life is rainbows and butterflies all the time (I do have my fair share of all of that) because, for the most part, life is hard.  Life is not fun sometimes.  I find myself in tears more often than I'll admit.  But you know what?  It's going to be okay.  I'm going to be okay.

Especially when tender mercies in the form of kind people show up and remind me that things are good.  And will be okay.   Because everything is okay in the end.  If it's not okay--it's not the end.  

(let's see how many times I can say okay before the post is over)... 

That is all.  Be nice. Be kind.  Because you don't know who really needs you to be kind to them that day. 

2D Design

This took me 8+ hours.. And by the end I couldn't feel my right arm.

I haven't completely gained feeling in my thumb yet... Hopefully that heals pretty soon..

But I thought this turned out really cool!  Thought I should share.

almost half-way:

 Done! Finally!

So what I had to do was design a 1"x1" template, and repeat it on a 19x24 sheet of paper, rotating it every time... It took what seemed like forever but it turned out pretty awesome if I do say so myself. 

oh yeah, remember how I never posted this?

these fotos are from the rodeo 2011.. Oh, you know.. just 8 months ago!  (i totally dropped the ball on posting these... sorry friends!)

Mark and the gorgeous Amy!

"intently watching"...Marie isn't posing, though... Nor is Amy. Haha. Nice.

You can barely see my friends in their rainbow shirts... one is in a red cowboy hat.  Haha. They did the wild cow milking. what a treasure to watch.

Amy Marie!

I don't know why I'm the only blurred person... Erin=not photogenic.

Erin y Adelaide

Erin y mi amiga famosa Janet (love you girl!!)

Fresh Strawberry Shakes. Mmmm.

Just can't wait til Summertime!! It's going to be the bomb dot com.

wedding dress illustrations

I am again promoting my Wedding Dress Illustrations!

 

I have an Etsy Shop!!

To check it out (or to {please} order an Illustration) go HERE!

they're perfect as Bridal Shower or Wedding gifts.. trust me!

this illustration was done for Jalene Taylor!  (she also took the photo.  Thanks Jalene!)

 

for more information email me

 marierin @ gmail {dot} com

this kind of love

i will have a pre-wedding shoot.  for this moment. i giggled and got the lump in my throat watching this.  i love that look on his face when he sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. way adorable. <3

check it


The "First Look" from David Perry on Vimeo.

Dear Whitney,

I grew up listening to your music.  It was always playing in my house, and my sister, mom and I would always dance around the house.  We are all huge fans.  We even have some old home videos of us dancing to I Wanna Dance With Somebody.  Your music video for that song is awesome.  I am loving your hair and all the amazing dance moves going on.. I can see where Anna gets her inspiration for some of her best dance moves....
 


I absolutely loved how you portrayed the Fairy Godmother in the remake of Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.  The emotion you put into every word you sing is brilliant.  Gah.  I love your voice.  You make it seem so easy, yet nobody can even compare when they try to sing your songs.

(poor video quality.. but the song is awesome)


This week my mom introduced me to one of her favorites of yours, and one of my new obsessions.  Oh. My. How did I ever live without this song?!  Buying it on iTunes ASAP.  I love how genuine you are in this video!  So adorable.  Everyone will love this song.  Jammie?  You will love it.  




Thank you for being such an inspiration to not only me, but people worldwide.  Thank you for creating such fun music to sing to(and dance to)!  You will be missed!  

I will always love you, Whitney!

awkward family fotos

the other day I was laughing out loud looking at the fotos on the awkward family photos website.  My dad walked over to see what was so funny.  I showed him what I was looking at, he laughed along with me, and then we got to this picture:

and dad says


wait... what's wrong with that picture?!... oooh dad.  This is why you don't get wardrobe choice privileges when we get our family pictures taken..



and for your enjoyment, some more of the awkwardness:

blegh. dating.

my friend shared this quote with me.  and sadly, it's true... 

...people, we need to fix this.

ranunculus

{future husband take note:}

ranunculus are my favorite flower.

to see more of this arrangement, go HERE

happy news

so

I got into the Italy Study Abroad Program!

I've known since November, but still hadn't really made it known on this here blog.  It's been a really long time coming and is a miracle/dream come true in more ways than one.

I leave in May and I'll get back in June.  I cannot wait.
While in Italia, I'll be studying all sorts of Art History.  My emphasis will be in Baroque art and architecture (one of my favorite art periods) and Art History to the Renaissance.

I'll be visiting these places (to name a few)

 

hiking in Cinque Terre

Roma

Florence

Venice

Any of you been to Italy before?  For those of you following me on Pinterest you've probably already seen my board dedicated to Study Abroad {Eep!} but I would be oh so grateful for any tips or insight you have on the subject.  

1. Things to get me even more excited than I already am 

2. Help me get prepared. (ie long flight, traveling abroad tips, art history books to read, saving money....)

needless to say, 

I am more than excited.

Not going to lie, I cried a little thinking about it today.

PS thank you to those of you who have helped at all in getting me to go.  You know who you are, and I love you all more than you know.

for those of you who watch the bachelor...

kelly ripa's courtney impression is just... uncanny.
and daniel radcliffe is simply amazing.


{anyone going to see The Woman In Black?}

oh courtney and your crazy lips!

sorry about the sound.. this is the only vid i could find!

post no. 601

ha.  i must think i have a lot to say or something with that kind of number!  i'm actually really glad i have all of my random thoughts down.  i've told friends before that i love blogging more than journaling sometimes because blogging captures my everyday cares and worries along with my personality.  fun times!

anyway, this is not what i wanted to tell you about!

many of you know i've been on about a million dates.  i've joked (mostly being serious) that i could write a book about all my first dates alone.  oh, the awkwardness that occurs!

well, dear Brittany over at Really-He's Just Not That Into You asked me to write about {just} one of the worst dates I've been on.

if you are curious and want to read all about it,

go HERE.

also... plenty more where that came from!   i may share one or so on this blog coming up!

good times! 

amigos de mi hermana!!

Hola, y'all!!

Soooo

Anna sent me the link to her companion's blog!  Kinda fun to get a different perspective from her!

Anyway, go HERE to watch some videos. 

Man, I miss that girl A TON.  Srsly, she's only been gone 6.5 weeks.  It seems like it's been eternity!

For those of you who have sent missionaries/served missions:  Please tell me this gets better?


k thanks, adios!

toms ballet flats? okay!

i just want these. 

maybe for my birthday.