Senior Photoshoot {for summer 2013}

Sooo I'm gonna be a senior in just one day! ONE DAY! That is like, soo scary!! :/ haha So my uncle is taking my senior pics this summer, and I'm going with a country theme, cuz of course, I'm a country girl at heart! lol So here are just a few to get my inspiration going! :)

 

 

 

 

 

*all pictures via pinterest, www.shawn-johnson.us, and taylorpictures.net*

As you can tell, I have a lot of Taylor Swift and Shawn Johnson pictures!! haahaha I just love all of Taylor's photoshoots because so many are country-themed, exactly what I'm going for! And Shawn's an Iowan girl like me, so her pictures were ones I liked too. lol

Love,

Manda

 

The Bikini Question

May 28, 2013

by Maura

86 Comments

Photo Credit: Rey Swimwear 
By Rachel Clark | Guest Blogger
Summer is rolling around, and our time at the beach or pool just skyrocketed! I think we can all agree that the majority of girls wear bikinis at any place involving water. However, I don’t. Most of my friends think I shy away from bikinis for the wrong reasons. They either think I am insecure, am forced away from bikinis like the plague, or have some weird hatred for skimpy swimwear. All of those reasons are wrong.
First off, I’m not insecure about my body. Secondly, no one is forcing me to do anything, I am independent in my swimwear choices. Lastly, I don’t hate 2-piece swimsuits. I think some of them are really cute. I really like the vintage bikinis in style now, so retro! And I’ll share a dirty secret, I really like the nautical inspired, strapless bikinis. If there is one style I love, it’s nautical.
But wait, you say, I thought you don’t wear bikinis? You’re absolutely right, I don’t. Then why am I telling you all of this? Because I want girls to know that dressing modestly is a SACRIFICE.  It’s not always fun or easy. Sometimes you’d rather wear something else. I would like to wear a bikini at the beach, I think they’re cute. I also find all the extra fabric of tankinis annoying when trying to swim. And lastly, more material on swimwear = more $$$.
So why don’t you just wear a bikini, you ask? Why? Because I am making a sacrifice for the guys around me. I’ve heard the excuse, Guys just have an imagination, it’s not a girl’s problem. Frankly, I think that’s stupid. Part of it is our problem. The way we dress impacts those around us, especially guys. I don’t really want a guy to look at me and notice me for my butt, upper thighs, or chest. I’d rather him notice my smile or God-loving personality. Well sure, you say, that’s all fine and good, but guys should be able to control their imagination and look beyond our bodies. That’s true, they should control it. But it’s important for girls to help them as they try and do so.
Let’s try and put ourselves in a guy’s shoes. I think we can all agree that as girls, exercise is important to us. We want to stay healthy and are often working on getting fit. We work out and stay away from carbs or sweets. We use all of our willpower to not eat the chocolate cake on the counter! Now, let’s pretend that someone picked up that chocolate cake and followed us around all the time, 24/7. We can never get away from the chocolate, it’s always right there, tempting us and even smelling all ooey gooey and chocolate-y. Most of us, myself included, would find it easy to break down and eat the cake. And we would probably continue to break down and eat cake, because it would always be there. Our exercise goals would be long gone in no time.
This is how I imagine it is for guys. Girls are walking around all the time with barely any clothes on at the beach or pool! Guys can never get a break from it, even if they’re trying to see past all the bodies to find the smiles and personalities within the girls.
So really, how hard is it to not wear a bikini? If you’re like me, it might be a little disappointing.  You also might have to save a little more babysitting money to buy a cute (yes, cute ones do exist) tankini or one piece. But honestly, a little disappointment and a little extra cash aren’t that hard to swallow. Especially when such things are to fulfill a God given responsibility. In his Theology of the Body, soon to be Saint John Paul II said, God has assigned as a duty to every man the dignity of every woman. He also assigns to every woman the dignity of every man. Let’s make a commitment this summer to ditch the skimpy swimsuits, earn self respect, and help our brothers in Christ.
P.S. You are enough. 

*creds to:  http://madeinhisimage.org/the-bikini-question/ for this totally awesome post!! :)

Love,
Manda

Hannah's Sweet Sixteenth!

Hey guys! Last night I got to go to Hannah's 16th birthday party and just hang out with some crazy awesome people and make lots of memories!! :) We ate pizza, (more on the pizza later) brownies and ice cream, and played 4-square, basketball, volleyball, Things, and Just Dance 4, and also had a bonfire!

Me and my girlies.

this pizza box... was slightly large. just slightly... ;) adam loved this box! lol

me and hans with the "H" pillow I made for her!!

So that was my Saturday night!!

Love,
manda

just a quickie little update

hey guys,

sooo you know that vlog i promised y'all awhile back? well, i haven't done it yet just cuz life has been super duper busy with finishing up the school year and all that. so i'm planning on taping the vlog in like two-ish weeks, cuz then i'll be outta school and i'll have time to actually do stuff then!! :) soo thanks everyone for your patience! its appreciated. much.

have a great rest of your week!!! and don't forget - Jesus Loves You!

Love,
manda

Ready for Summer {Maxi Skirts}

I think I would wear a maxi skirt every day of the summer if I had more of them!!! I love these long flowy skirts! They are so breezy and cool. Here are just a few looks I found on Pinterest that I fell in love with. I hope you like them too!

Speaking of summer, I only have one full week left of school, then its just finals for three days straight, a half day, and then I'm free! And a senior. That is soo scary, you guys!!! Can't believe I've only got one year left of high school!!!! :)

Love,
Manda

Friends' Performance {You Can't Take it With You}

Hello everyone!!

Last night I got the privilege to attend two of my good friends' homeschool drama production of 'You Can't Take it With you' starring Jimmy Stewart in the film. Hans and Allie did an amazing job! I so wish I had a video of their swing-dance routine because it rocked the house, but sadly I don't! Just watching them made me wanna learn how to swing dance! haaha Okay so onto the pictures. :) I didn't get any from the performance, but that's okay. Allison or Hannah might post about it on their blogs, and since it was their performance, I'll let them show you the pics from the actual play. But here are just some pictures from afterwards. :)

*my girlies. love them with all my heart! <3*

I am soooo crazy proud of Hans and Allie, and everyone else in the play! They were all amazing and going to see the play was one of the funnest nights I've had in a long time!!! Thank you Jesus for letting me go! :)

Do you enjoy going to plays? What was one of your favorites? Did you like these pictures?

Love,
Manda

You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Just a few extremley precious things that have made my day today! :)

Recieved this sweet little gift of a note and homemade cookies from my darling girl Hannah today!! Like, seriously, can she get any sweeter?? Friends that pray together, stay together!

Saw this on Facebook and basically melted into a puddle!! Soooo adorable!!

I love them. I really, really, really do. They are adorable, and they have the biggest hearts for Jesus! Going on Sadie's twitter, I am always encouraged by what she posts!! #DuckDynasty #Awesomeshow #Hugefan #BroandSisinChrist

What has made you smile today? Share about a sweet blessing from the Lord today, in the comments below!! :)

Love,

Manda

What I Wore {Geometrics}

I wore this outfit to church yesterday. The shoes were my Jr/Sr "kitten" heels I wore Friday night. This is probably one of my all time favorite dresses!! I love the cut, and the flowy, drapey sleeves. The print is super summery and fun, and the material is t-shirty, but thick enough to not show anything. Its basically the perfect dress to wear on a Sunday when I'm in the nursery, which is every Sunday! :) I added the jean jacket to ward off the slight breeze, and threw on my Mom's silver necklace to match the shoes. As the days go by, and the weather gets warmer and sunnier, I'm just aching to be done with school and have freedom for 2 months! Anyone else feel the same way? haha Okay onto the pictures!!

Love,
manda

Junior/Senior {2013}

Last night was my school's equivalent to Prom!! We went to a nearby country club for dinner, then to a friend's house for the afterparty!! It was soo much fun! The journey Mama and I went on to find everything (dress, shoes, clutch, jewelry) was crazy but totally memorable!! :) I can't believe its already over. It flew by!! So here are some pictures from my fun night! I went with my friend Felicia, and also my twin Andrew. :)

*This beautiful girl did my hair at my house before hand! She did a wonderful job!*

Me with Felicia, Emily & Sierra!

mom and dad surprised me with this!! it matched my dress perfectly!

*me and rachael!! she looked gorgeous, and we kept saying she looked so much like jennifer lawrence from THG!*

*me & Felicia!*

*Emily and I*

*Lizzie & I*

*I wanted to take this adorable little pink car home with me so bad!*

*Katie & me*

*i love this guy!!! he's so sweet, and absolutley hilarious!!! thanks ryan for a good time at the after party! haha*

*we loved our cake pops! i had 2!!*

*love these people!!!! awesome times*

*favorite picture from the whole night, I think!!*

*love Natalie soo much!!*

All in all, it was a wonderful night and I'm soo soo glad I went!! :)

Love,
Manda