dream big.

"It will cost you nothing to dream,

and everything not to."
-unknown


{via Creature Comforts}

I've got big dreams. Big dreams for today, and for tomorrow. And sometimes a little voice in my head tells me that my dreams are silly...but I like to just ignore that voice and not listen to it one little bit. Not one bit.

If you've got big dreams, I say...go for it! What have you really got to lose?

weekend adventure: yummy pizza & a drive-in movie

This past weekend we got to hang out with some of our favorite people and go to a couple of our favorite places: Lupi's pizza and the drive-in movies.

If you live near Chattanooga, TN you simply must
try Lupi's pizza {if you haven't already.}
It will change your viewpoint on pizza forever.



My dear friend Lauren. I miss her already.



Ben!



Laura and Thorne doing the classic Thorne pose.
And Andrea to the rescue with her Tide to-go stick!



No, Thorne...that's not your pizza.



I love it when husband smiles. :)



At the drive-in bundled up {it was cold!} waiting
for the movie to start.



What a great bunch of friends.
We are blessed.

i'm going to miss this girl.

One of my bestest friends, my dear friend Lauren, is moving away tomorrow. She's moving to Alabama, and will live approximately 450 miles away from us. I am going to miss her dearly.

Lauren and I have built many memories over the past 5 years of living in Cleveland. And here are just a few of the many photos to prove it:

Steak 'n Shake 2005 - our first picture together.



Lee University's production of "Father of the Bride"
Spring '05



Studying for our Psychology final Spring '05.

Taken at the beginning of Summer '05.

Alpha Psi Omega formal.
December '05



Backstage before Lee University's production of "Cinderella"
Spring '06



Making funny faces while ushering for Lee's production of "Antigone"
Spring '06



When Jonathan proposed to me on April 14th, 2007
Lauren was there taking pictures.
She was the first person I got to giggle with about being engaged.



July 28th, 2007
Our wedding day.
Best bridesmaids ever.



Drive-in movies.
May '08

Bethany's wedding.
May '08

Lauren's 23rd birthday.
September '08

Annual Christmas Party '08.

Even though it is the end of a chapter in our lives, I know we will have many more memories to come.

And as Dr. Seuss perfectly stated, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." {Although I have to admit I shed a few tears while gathering these photos for this post...}

You are loved, Lauren. And you will be greatly missed!

on being absent and a cute little video.

Well, I have unintentionally taken a short sabbatical this week from reading and writing blog posts. Oops. Ah, well...this week has been uber-busy with some new major responsibilities with work, spending lots of time with a friend who is moving away soon, and enjoying life.

I'll try to get back into the swing of blog writing sometime soon, I really will.

Until that time, here is a super-cute video that one of my favorite bloggers, Nina, created documenting her recent trip to Norway. Go visit Nina's blog...now. It's so lovely.



p.s. I absolutely love the song in the video too! I'm going to have to look up the artist and get some of his music. :)

i heart pens & paper.

There's just something magical about having a new notebook full of blank pages with dozens of colorful markers at your fingertips. I absolutely love it. The possibilities are endless.

{all photos by me}

have a lovely memorial day weekend.

{photo by yyellowbird via flickr}

Like I know many of you are, I am definitely looking forward to a nice long Memorial Day weekend. Tonight husband and I are having our weekly date night, tomorrow we're going to a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game with friends, Sunday will be spent with family after church, and Monday will involved yummy food grilled outside {and possibly a strawberry pie to top it off.} I just love weekends, don't you?

What do you all have planned for this weekend?

In the meantime, here are some fun links for you that I discovered this week:

I'm a sucker for Reese's peanut butter cups, so this cake looks absolutely scrumptious!

While we're on the subject of baking, this raspberry buttermilk cake would make a perfect summer after-dinner treat!

Meet Sam & Ashley - I'm loving this video of this very particular but completely adorable couple.

A list of summer fun activities to do in the Chattanooga, TN area.

These bright nail polish colors definitely say summer to me.

Yummy fruit kabobs would be perfect for any Memorial Day cookout.

This unique almost-outdoor office design is absolutely amazing!

Have a very lovely weekend, friends!

quote inspiration: life is full of beauty.

{via creature comforts}