HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2012 in review:

*I met my bestie Hans, along with Allison and Mercy.

*Renew happened!

*Sonshine was epic.

*I turned 18 and became an adult!

*I voted in the presidential election.

So many awesome things happpened this year. I am soo excited to see what God has in store for me in 2013!!

Blessings,
Manda

New Years Eve-before-Eve Party

Tonight I had the wonderful privledge to hang out with some pretty awesome people who make me smile. This is what happens when we get together. (Just wish Stephen and Mercy coulda been in these too!)

Here I look like a charging monster and here Allison is thinking about picking her nose...

What? We can actually smile and look nice???

Just kidding!

Hans and I chillin. :) #loveher

*Creds for the pics to Allison and Hannah*

I am so blessed. Thank you Jesus.

Love,

Manda

I Feel Silly Doing This...

But I'm going to make a birthday wishlist. My birthday is next month and I'm gonna be 19!


First up:

I would really love a 4th generation iPod touch. (This prolly won't happen, but a girl can dream!) I've never had one, and I'd be able to store more music on it than my old MP3 player. Plus it would have a camera, so that's a plus, on the days I don't have my camera with me.

I need this for Snow Camp! (Which, ironically, is on my birthday...) and preferably brown.

No explanation needed I think!

Every girl needs a pair of these in her life!

*credit: Bella Thorne twitter*

i would love either sparkly/glittery eye liner or shadow!

And I think that's mainly it!

Love,

Manda

Christmas!

So here are just *some* of the pictures taken by my mom while we were at our grandparents. :) My uncle who's an amazing photographer, took a TON of pictures, but since I'm not sure when he'll be posting those, I'm just gonna go ahead with the ones I do have, and then once he posts the ones he took, I will prolly try and post a few of those (if he lets me. haha) He took some pretty great pictures while we visited my grandma's gravesites, so I'd like to share those as well. Okay on to the pictures!!

//me and my sweet cousin Katelyn//

My family got the privledge to sing at Grandma and Grandpa's church on Sunday.

//alaina, me & grandpa playing catch phrase//

//i got to be the 1st person who's nails were painted by kate. she did a pretty darn good job//

//L-R: Dylan, Alaina, Grandma, Me and Andrew//

//me and my other li'l cousin Kara. Kara and Kate are sistas//

//me & my sistas with grams//

//my amazing pops and grams! love them soooo much!!//

What was your Christmas like?

Love,

Manda

Home Sweet Home

We've arrived home at last!!! :) I can not wait to sleep in my own bed tonight. This post won't be long, because this very sick girl needs to get to bed!,  but I just wanted to say 'Hey!' and that I will try to post all the pictures taken over my Christmas break on here ASAP. I didn't personally take really any pictures, but Mom mainly took some, so I will be using those from her camera. :)

I would love to hear about everyone's Christmases and what you got, etc.!!!

Love,
Manda

Christmas Playlist

I've been listening to quite a lot of country music lately. Mainly its been a nice li'l mix of Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, and also a few songs by Josh Turner. Also, some Jackie Evancho's been thrown in, along with just random Christmas songs from the radio. But I just thot I'd share what's been floating my boat music-wise latley.

1. 'Christmas in Heaven' by Scotty McCreery

2. 'Dirt Road Prayer' by Lauren Alaina

3. 'Santa Claus is Back in Town' by Scotty McCreery

4. 'The Call' by Regina Spektor

5. 'La La Land' by Demi Lovato

6. 'I Told You So' by Mclaina

7. 'The Locket' by Lauren Alaina

8. 'Your Man' and 'Long Black Train' by Josh Turner/Scotty McCreery

9. 'Do It Anyway' by Lauren Alaina and Martina McBride

10. 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' by Jackie Evancho

11. 'Mary Did You Know' by Scotty

12. 'O Holy Night' by Scotty


As you can see, I've got just a gigantic little crush on Mclaina!!! :)

What's been on repeat for you recently?

Love,
Manda

Be Blessed

My all time favorite hymn sung beautifully by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill.

Love,
Manda

To the 20 children killed in Conneticut

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the ai
r.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

 

credit:  Brad White Ministries

 

 

Family Christmas {2012}

Tonight the fam celebrated our Christmas before we head to our grandparents this coming Friday. :) We always eat a special dinner, but this year it was different. Since some of us hate the Christmas soup we've had for the past bajillion years, Mom made two soups and Meg and I ate the soup that everyone else wasn't eating! :) Then we read the Christmas story, which is so special, and then we open up presents.

And I just realized that I never posted a Christmas wishlist this year. My bad, sorry y'all! Well what I really mainly wanted were brown combat boots... and whadya know? I got 'em!!!! Sooo many outfits are being planned in my head with these babies. :)

hehe Hans & Mack, look what I got!!! :) Surprise, surprise!

Me with all my gifts. :) (Mack, yours are in there!)

{What I got In a Nutshell}

- one mustard yellow beret hat

- three scarves

-one pair of brown combat boots

-liquid brown eyeliner

-Scotty Mcreery Christmas album

- pearl necklace with earrings

- $10

- two pairs of patterned tights

 

Tomorrow is Sunday, so I'll be attending church and then... Christmas party at SNL tomorrow!!!!!!!! Can.Not.Wait. Good times ahead, to be sure. :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love,

Manda

What I Came Home To

I just  had to share this! After babysitting pretty much all day, I came home to this sweet sweet note from Hans:

Hehhee yes its backwards but I don't care!!!!!!!!!!! To translate: "Feel better soon Manda! Love you girly <3 xoxo".

Isn't she the sweetest!?! I'm soo blessed.

Love,
Manda

Fridays

So last night I lost my voice. Completley. I've been squeaking all day long and it has been just a jolly time! And tonight I went to my high school's basketball game. They got creamed but it was still a fun time hanging with Hans, Katie and Meghan! :) Oh and our adorable cheerleaders!!! (Allyson, Sarah and Natalie!)

//Me and Nat!//

//So I don't think Hans needs an introduction. Y'all know she's my bestie for life!!!//

//Me and Allyson!//

I am babysitting tomorrow and it should be interesting without a voice. Prayers that I will get my voice back ASAP would be much appreciated!!

 Thanks for all the love and support y'all show me!! xoxo

Love,
Manda

Quote of the Day

Gabrielle Douglas ‏@gabrielledoug

God doesn't have a cell, but I still talk to him, he doesn't have a FB, but I'm his friend, he doesn't have a twitter, but I follow him. 💖 

I love this!! Its so true. God is always there for us, He's never too busy! So go and chat with Him. He's listening. :)

What is one thing God has taught you recently?

Love,

Manda    

Benefit Concert 2012

This past Saturday and Sunday, was my church's Benefit Concert called 'the Dawn of Salvation'. My mom sang in the choir and my sisters Meg and Lis; Hans and her younger sister Meghan, and I all helped serve refreshments in the lobby beforehand. Good times. :)

//Saturday's outfit//

//Hans, Katie & I. Love you gals!!//

//Besties forevs. Me & Hans.//

After the concert the fam gathered with our Chinese students (see this post)

and we had dinner with them. We got to hang with Sarah and Abby, friends of ours, for the meal. Oh what a blast!!

//eating with chopsticks is sooo hard!//

//candy-canes + 5 girls  = trouble//

//SISTERS FOREVS. Sunday night. L-R: Meghan, Hans, Lis, Meg, Me & Allison//

In all, I had a wonderful time being blessed by my church family and getting to be with my friends. (And even Spencer was fun hanging with, I must admit! Even if he is slightly annoying.) ;)

::listening to: 'Long Black Train' by Josh Turner::

Love,

Manda