Wrapping Up The Year

I've seen this on a couple of other people's blogs and I thought I would join in. While I did a wrap up of blog posts for 2011- here is a summary of LIFE in 2011. Kind of. Can you ever really sum up life? I didn't think so. But here's to trying.

Looking Back at 2011 and Looking Forward to 2012

Can you believe that it is almost 2012?

It's been a whole year since I really started focusing in on this blog. I had this blog ever since March of 2010. You can read my first post here. But in December of 2010 I decided to really dig in and blog for real. I joined 20sb and bloggers.com. I started to post more regularly. I joined Love Bomb, It Starts With Us, and Love Drop. Through all of this I've made some amazing online friends and some real life friends too. It has been one heck of a year for Love Woke Me Up This Morning. Here are some highlights...

God Is For Us

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas with those you love most. I know I am!

Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs by Casting Crowns - reminding me always of how powerful and wonderful God's love is for us.

Finale - The Beginning

What an amazing conclusion to this album. 

Heartbreak Hotel

"He's really hurt me," my friend told me last week.

We were sitting at Starbucks. It was filled with college students cramming for finals, friends catching up with each other, and an unusual amount of hipsters. I didn't even know that many hipsters existed in our little town. As I sipped my peppermint mocha I listened to my friend's story about her boyfriend. Without getting too much into the gory details, she was feeling insecure and began comparing herself to other women.

A Beautiful Dawn

Bethlehem Dawn (Album Version)

Have you ever seen a sunrise? They are pretty awesome.

I don't like to get up ridiculously early very often - I need double the coffee for that. But when a group of my friends suggest getting up to watch the sun rise together I always have a hard time saying no. There is something about watching the sun rise and the night turning into day that I love. These are some of my favorites:

Gabriel Throws the Party of the Millennium

Glory To God (Album Version)


First... don't press play yet.

Second... don't judge me for posting this song through MySpace. I couldn't find any other full version of the song to put on this post. If any of you have suggestions for better ways to do this please let me know.

OK - now I want you to imagine the angel choir that sang to the shepherds. What do they look like? What do they sound like?

I don't know about you, but when I typically think of the angel choir at Christmas, I picture this:

God With Us

Last year, during Advent I started a series on Todd Agnew's Christmas album, Do You See What I See. This album is so unique and so special - I can never get tired of it's music. My mom and picked it up a few years ago just before Thanksgiving. Normally I am not a big fan of listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. However, this album was the exception. My mom, sister, and I could not stop listening. It is still one of our favorite albums and it doesn't feel like Christmas if I don't listen to it.

Each song is sung by a different person in the Christmas story. The innkeeper, Joseph, Mary, a song for Jesus, Elizabeth, Simeon, etc. It makes you think about what each person may have been thinking, feeling, and experiencing. One thing that I love is that this album truly grasps the ideas of Advent - waiting and hoping for the coming of Christ.

Well, I never finished the series- but I'm going to this year! To catch up check out my Do You See What I See tab and all of the links are there. I'll be updating that page throughout December.

Today... the Wise Men.

December Update

Hello, Friends!

For the last two, almost three weeks now life has been crazy. Which  means I have been behind in pretty much... life. Ha ha.

However, things are starting to calm down. At least I hope they are. For all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers, just thank you again. I know I've said that earlier this month - but you really have no idea how much it has meant to me.

But since I've been behind on life I've realized that I haven't properly introduced you to my blog sponsor swap of the month yet!

End of a Era of Love

For the past year I have have the privilege of being part of an organization called Love Drop.

Once a month they pick out a person or family who is going through a rough patch and drop love on them. It can be in the form of a huge check to help them pay bills, an all expenses paid vacation, service dogs, a car, gifts, cards, hugs - the sky is the limit for this group.

Every month I dedicate a post to Love Drop to help spread the word and share love with people who need it. 

This month is the FINAL LOVE DROP.

Share the Love

Long story short....

It's been a rough week.

I'm doing okay and I'm still breathing. Although any thoughts and prayers sent my way will be very much appreciated.

For all of you who have already been thinking and praying about me (and my friends for that matter)

THANK YOU. 

You have no idea how much it means to me.

But I've decided.... I need some cheerfulness in my life. Therefore I am introducing:

A Writers Realtiy

I sat at the table hunched over my laptop and sipped on my pumpkin spice latte, when suddenly; a face appeared at my shoulder.


"What are you working on,?" he asked....

Want to read more of this post? I'm guest blogging for Alexis today! Check it out:

http://lexisjen.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/a-writers-reality-guest-post/

Emotobooks- Guest Blogger

A perk of NaNoWriMo is that you can make some new writing friends! This is Alexis and we decided to guest blog for each other. I'll let you all know when my post is up on her site.

Also- December is almost here and that means I'm looking for a new Sponsor Swap friend! If you are interested or have questions please email me at lovewokemeupthismorning@gmail.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Emmy, for letting me hang out for a little while at Love Woke Me Up This Morning. I'm taking this opportunity to reach out to writers---and readers---and let you all know about something very new and very cool called the emotobook revolution.

There's A Place For us

I know this is a week or two behind but...

Did anyone else LOVE Glee's episode "First Time"?

When I first saw West Side Story in high school I didn't like it at all.

Then I watched it again a few years later and now I LOVE IT.

So you can imagine how happy I was when Glee did West Side Story...

I Am [blank] Because...

I found this idea from the blog Lily White.

I am weird because...

Go Write Your Novel!

It's week 3 of NaNoWriMo!

As I go through the month of November I realize more and more that the struggle of writing 50,000 words isn't much of an issue for me. If you frequent my blog you know that I can write some really long posts. I've been telling stories ever since I was a kid and I hated it when my teachers would tell us we needed to write a short one page story. My stories always ended up being about 20 pages.

Paradox

When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes.

I believe and I doubt, 

I hope and get discouraged, 

I love and I hate, 

I feel bad about feeling good, 

and feel guilty about not feeling guilty. 

I am trusting and suspicious. 

I am honest and I still play games.

 Aristotle said I am a rationale animal; 

I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer. 

To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, 

the light side and the dark. 

In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God's grace means. 

As Thomas Merton put it, "A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God." 

- Brennan Manning

Please Don't "Redeem" My Novels

It's not a secret that in recent years that my fandom for "Christian" music and books has died down.

When I was in high school - I was all about these scenes. Our youth group was always going to Christian rock concerts and I loved every moment. I would make my mom listen to the Christian radio station, even though it wasn't her favorite. (Although I'm pretty sure she was a bit relieved when I wasn't listening to the popular rap and hip-hop at the time.) I also dove into Christian fiction books and ate them up.

Now... I haven't enjoyed doing this as much. One of the teenagers I work with once told me how he found it hilarious that his youth minister would rather listen to Lady Gaga (paws up little monsters!) than the local Christian radio station. There are some Christian artists that I enjoy and I play their music frequently on my ipod, but more often than not they are overruled by the Gaga.

Life Post-Potter

First - I'm guest blogging over at my friend Leslie's today. You should check it out!

And onto other news....

In case you live in a hole and/or have not been following my Twitter conversations this morning...

THE HUNGER GAMES TRAILER WAS RELEASED TODAY!

New York, New York - It's a Wonderful Town!

Love Drop is at it again! They just came back from the Indianapolis area where they dropped $2,500 worth of baby gifts on newborn triplets (they're so cute!!), and THIS month they're trying to round up the love for another mother who needs our help -- this time fighting against cancer for the 3rd time in 10 years.

Any of us in the same situation would probably use any extra money toward medical bills, so that's why this month we want to instead focus on giving Marci and family the gift of quality time together. Let's send them somewhere amazing and help them form memories that will last forever! We're looking for creative ideas this month... financial gifts too, but also anything that will help them escape together for a while.
Want to help Marci and her family from Fort Collins, Colorado out? Here are 3 ways:

I'm Gonna Write A Freaking Novel - I'm Gonna Write A Book!

One of my blogging friends, Becca, shared this video with me on Twitter today. It made my afternoon - and it was perfect timing since I just sat down at Starbucks to get some writing done. I thought I would share it with you all. Maybe it will help you understand the craziness that is me during November.



I think my favorites parts are the dancing with laptops, cursing in the cemetery, and her Harry Potter poster (of course!) What's your favorite? And how is your word count? I am at 9,271 and I'm starting chapter 3 today!

Excerpt of the day:

“Something special will happen with this branch,” Lily told Myla. “And someday, things will be better. You will see.”

“Do you promise?” Myla asked as she sniffed away more tears.

“I promise. Now chin up and no more tears. People do not want a teary eyed baroness do they?”

Myla shook her head and wiped her eyes. She was tired of crying and she felt as though all she did was cry. Lily was right, no one wanted a teary eyed baroness. She needed to be brave. Her mother was brave, so she could be as well.  

November Sponsor Swap and NaNoWriMo Update

Happy November everyone!!!!!

I would like to introduce you all to this month's sponsor - Jessica!

Hello to Emmy's wonderful readers! I'm excited to be sponsoring Love Woke Me Up This Morning. My name is Jessica, and I live in Chicago with my wonderful husband, Mike, and our pet rats, Bert and Ernie. My blog, Faith Permeating Life, shares reflections on finding God and happiness in everyday life. I talk about the ups and downs of marriage, wrestle with being both very Catholic and very liberal, and mix in other random reflections about life. I also host a monthly linkup of book recommendations called Three Books on Thursday. Please stop by and share your thoughts!

So You Want To Do NaNoWriMo? #2

Only a few more hours left until National Novel Writing Month begins. Well... at least here in the mid-west. Are you ready? In case you missed it - check out my first blog post with my last-minute tips.

Last night, I gave some ideas on how to start brainstorming your story. Tonight I'm going to talk to you about character.

So You Want To Do NaNoWriMo? #1

The internetz are buzzing. It's the night before Halloween and people who are normally social butterflies have become hermits and hovering over their computers instead of going to a Halloween party. People start to stock up on coffee. Some are begining to freak out because they feel like they aren't prepared.

It must be NaNoWriMo time. National Novel Writing Month.

Donny Osmond Is My Favorite

It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that one of my favorite Bible stories is one that was an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

You Never Let Go

Last week I traveled to Joplin, MO for Camp Noah.

Whenever I come back from trips like this and people ask me about it.... I never know what to say.

Fire Fear Month

There are a lot of great things about October.

Fall, pretty leaves, Halloween, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, etc.

But there is one thing about October that I HATE.

Why Jesus?

It doesn't mean that I don't have doubts sometimes...

I doesn't mean I have it all together...

It doesn't mean I don't have questions....

It doesn't mean that I know everything...

But I do know that Jesus loves me - and his love is for all people.

Why do you choose to believe in what you do? Why do you stand for what you stand for? I would love to hear your opinions and stories!

This post was part of Sierra Nicole's October Blog Challenge.

A Friend's Story

Today I am blog swapping with a friend of mine from college. Rachel was a few years older than me, and we kind of knew each other my freshman year. Then, when I was a sophomore she was one of the leaders for the Weeks of Welcome Staff (we welcomed the new students in the fall,) and we became really good friends! 

Where Did You Go?

It's only October 10 - and I'm already freaking out wondering where October went.

Story

10 days old: I get baptized and my parents throw a party

Source

Apparently I Have No Hope

In a little over two weeks I will be traveling with a group of people from my church and another church in the area to Joplin, MO to do a program called Camp Noah.

You Gotta Put Your Behind In Your Past

If you don't follow me on Twitter...

Or "like" my page on Facebook...

Source

Then you probably haven't heard that I went to see The Lion King in 3D Sunday night.

I've only been listening to the music and singing the songs for two days now!

There really is nothing like watching a Disney movie to put me in a good mood. I remembered that I always loved The Lion King - but I hadn't watched it in so long that I had forgotten how good it really was.

I also found out that I can still say almost all of the lines along with the characters...

Just Call Me Grumpy

On the one Monday I would call glorious (Labor Day of course.... it's a day off!) I was sitting at Starbucks and had a conversation about relationships. And my goodness, for a girl who isn't in a relationship- I sure have a lot to say about them!

I was saying something along the lines of how you can't put all of your eggs in one basket, and that while the person you are with should help you to be a better person, ultimately you need to be a better person for yourself and for God. Because what if something happens? And not just breaking up. But what if your significant other gets into a freak car crash? What do you do then?

My friend looked at me and said "Wow Emily, you're such a realist."

I stared at her back and shrugged my shoulders saying "No, not really."

Me? A realist? When did that happen?

I Don't Care if it's 95 Degrees- September is Here and I Say it's Fall!

One of the blogs I follow is Life of Meg - and she has the cutest ideas for creating community on her blog and getting people interacting with each other. The most popular one is Mingle Monday where people can leave encouraging comments on other people's blogs as well as leaving the link to their own personal blog.

Her latest idea I could help but share! It's so cute and fun. I hope you follow her blog so you can participate!

It's called: Fall Frenzy!

A String of Pearls

I have several friends who watch the TV show Mad Men. So, naturally one day I decided to jump on the bandwagon at do some catching up on Netflix.

The Cape

"In my office (well… cubicle), you will find a vast array of seemingly random objects. Empty spray paint cans, extra t-shirts from youth camps, piles of books that I have never read but make my look intelligent, teddy bears, an old “boom box”, etc. But tack to the wall you will find a bright pink Superman cape. It has been hanging there ever since I first walked into my office (cubicle) in 2008 when I started working as a full time youth minister. A friend of mine hung it up and said it was because I was going to be a “Super Youth Minister...."


I am a guest blogger today! If you would like to keep reading this post click here. 


I hope you all are having a fabulous Tuesday - and aren't too freaked out by that random earthquake on the east coast!

Sisters... Sisters... There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters...

If you can name the musical the title of this post is from - you get the prize of being COMPLETELY AWESOME.

Any ideas where this is from????? ;)

I have to say - there is nothing quite like sisterhood. Sometimes you love each other - sometimes there is that dreaded sibling rivalry where you just can't stand each other. But even through those times... there is something about sisterhood that can't be denied. It's a connection that will never go away - and even those of you who say you don't like your sister, you know that you don't want it to.

I should know... my dad has been "blessed" to live with an abundance of women.

No one knows sisterhood like the four of us!

I have one older sister, three older half sisters, and a ton of sisters who don't actually share blood with me. And considering that I'm a girl who breaks a lot - having all of these sisters has been amazing. They are people who are there by your side every step of the way. My older sister has always had my back, and I think hurts more than I do whenever I've had to go to the hospital for yet another operation on my legs.

To the right I posted a picture of myself, my sister, and two of my "non-blood related sisters" (who are each others sisters coincidentally) that I've grown up with. Can you guess who is related to who in this picture? Ha ha. This picture was actually taken at the wedding shower for the "sister" in the right corner. I was blessed enough to be her bridesmaid.

But sisterhood - there for each other until the bitter end. There is nothing like it.

Which is why I want to talk to you about two amazing sisters - Lucy and Tracy.

Lucy is the recipient of this months' Love Drop - and her story is amazing! Check out this video:

From the Love Drop Website:

"This month we’re working with two of the sweetest sisters you’ll ever meet. Lucy was a healthy young woman until last fall, when she discovered that she had aplastic anemia, a very rare, life-threatening disease. A bone marrow transplant is Lucy’s best chance for survival, and her sister Tracy is a perfect match.

"These two women and their family are sticking together and working through the toughest time of their young lives, so this month we want to join forces with them and provide six months of insurance payments for Lucy, for a total of $3,000. As a thank-you to our team, the family will be sending out special “Lucy” bracelets to anyone who gives $25 or more."

You can find the other videos for Lucy here and here. 

Watching the videos of this family this month have inspired me! They are so amazing - and going through so much. Yet, they have smiles on their faces and laugh and enjoy each other's company. I know that through all of my operations, I wouldn't have gotten far without the rest of my family there by my side loving me. This is probably one of the toughest situations Love Drop has had to face yet. The drop goes down next week - can you help? Giving $1 can change a life!

Go to  http://www.lovedrop.us/ to find out how you can help!

BLOG SWAP DAY!!!!!!

It's 20SB Blog Swap Time!

 

Well, it's the first day of school here. As I was getting ready for work this morning, I saw the school buses full of children driving down the street and I could almost hear their groans about not wanting to go back to school. I used to be one of those kids. The word "summer" used to conjure the feeling of the wind in my hair as I rode my bike all over our small town and the taste of banana milk shakes. Now "summer" has a different connotation: it's the time for adventures before the time where you can share them with other people. 

This new definition (not that it is really coherent) came from some of my experiences in college. I went from summers of fun to summers of trying to predict my future through internships.  In the summer of 2008, I found myself left in my college town with an internship at a hotel. I had no idea what I was doing and I was basically on my own. Until I discovered that some mutual acquaintances from school were also in town for the summer, working some mindless summer jobs. We got together for one of our birthdays early in the summer and that started it all. As our mother put it, we became "the Foursome," a close-knit bunch who loved to do everything together. 

The Foursome on One of Our First Adventures

We all brought something different to the table in terms of our sense of humor, style, and interests, but when we came together our adventures were always epic, which was only added to by the fact that I, the youngest in the group, turned 21 that summer. It was great. We had our inside jokes, ridiculous summer playlists that distinguished us from anyone else, and crazy nicknames that nobody understood but us. 

That August, the fall of our senior year, I went back to school for the first time wanting to be there. To share the summer's adventures with my other friends. We all seemed to be that way. While it was difficult for people outside of the foursome to comprehend the fact that we had all become such great friends, it was evident that things were changed forever and we would have to integrate our friend groups. So, at a time when most college students are upset about leaving behind college, we were developing a circle of lifelong friends. Even after graduation, the foursome stayed behind in our college town for one last summer of internships and hilarity, even though we knew that in August two of us would leave for graduate school and the others would start "real" jobs. 

It's been three years since the foursome was together for a summer of fun, but our friendship is still there in the weekly phone calls and the cross-country trips to see each other. I can always get back to that summer with our Summer 2008 playlist and some "Bennie and the Jets".

- Molly



If you like my writing, or if you want to read Emmy's 20sb Blog Swap Post, check out my blog! www.adventuresonmainst.blogger.com

My Usual End of Summer Routine

Yesterday morning I met a friend for coffee - at Starbucks naturally. We actually have been there so often together lately that the baristas have compared us to Themla and Louise. Well... without the driving off of a cliff part. We have no desire to do that.

http://cinepad.com/reviews/thelma.htm

Anyways.

We were sitting at Starbucks and she mentions to me "you haven't blogged in awhile." This is the second time she's mentioned this in about a week or two. I sigh and tell her "I have nothing to blog about. It would just be, I'm tired. I got back from BigStuf, I was tired. I went up to Chicago. I got sick. I slept. I came back to Missouri. I'm still tired."

I also think that the 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge and the guest bloggers spoiled me - I didn't have to think of my own blog topics for two months.

So... that's what I'm going to blog about.

I'm tired.

http://melissatarot.wordpress.com/

This happens at the end of every summer. For two or three months I go on youth trips, help with VBS, train teenagers for camp, run lock-ins, and don't sleep. Then when it's time for the teenagers to go back to school (which is now, because Missouri schools start crazy early) I crash. I usually get sick along with this and cough for months afterwards.

Isn't it pretty? Suggestions for names are welcome!

As my conversation with said friend goes on, I mention how in my new car (YES! I got a new car - goodbye PT cruiser!) I have the Glee Vol. 4 CD in it and that's what I've been listening to. It makes me happy and puts a smile on my face. I tell her how I'm trying to fill my life with things that make me happy. Among the things that make me smile that I tell her about is naturally the latest book I've been reading: The Hunger Games. Which ... is a really disturbing book that makes me want to cry but I can't put down.

My friend points out the irony in this.

"That doesn't seem to be very happy."

Well... in a way it is. For me at least.

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

It's the emotional masochist in me. (A term another friend and I use to describe ourselves quite often. But usually it's about men... but that's another topic for another time.) For some reason, when I'm tired and/or in a bad mood I decide to read a book about people killing each other for a TV show. Yes, it's very uplifting and exactly what I need to put a smile on my face again.

Sigh.

So... that's what I'm working on now. Finding a way to get un-tired (if that's even a phrase) and to make myself smile.

What do you do when you're tired? (Other than sleep.) What things make you happy when you're feeling exhausted with life?

Share by commenting below OR tell me what makes you smile either on my Facebook Page OR join the conversation on Twitter (#thingsthatmakemesmile).

Beautiful Things

Because some things just can't be put into words...

Pictures from BigStuf Camp in Panama City Beach  last week:

There's nothing like sand under your feet

When I Overload on Harry Potter Pictures

Images from last week's midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.

The end of an era.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

A Note From Emmy:

Bobby and I became friends when were were in the play Faith County this past spring (those of you who saw the play know him as "Gladys"). He is an amazing person - and always so positive and uplifting! I'm so glad he offered to do a guest post - and I know you will be too!

------

The creators of The Price is Right probably never intended their program to produce anxiety.  The sounds of someone spinning the Big Wheel or winning A BRAND NEW CAR always makes my stomach tighten and my breath shorten just a bit.  I've developed that weird association in the hospital waiting room.  Over the last few years, I've spent more time than I care to think about waiting there to see how my mom's latest surgery would turn out.  Coincidentally, the waiting has spanned many Showcase Showdowns.

All By Myself- Guest Post

Note from Emmy: I met "Relevant Notes" through 20sb - and have LOVED her blog! I think you'll love her too, and I really enjoyed this post. Since moving to Missouri, I've had to get used to some "lonely moments" and have even learned to enjoy them.
----
 I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.

-Henry David Thoreau

 

I Solemnly Swear I Am Up To No Good

Day 31: What Affect has Harry Potter had on Your Life, and how Much Does it Mean to You?

I can't believe at this time tomorrow I'm going to be preparing to see the final midnight premiere of a Harry Potter movie. I'm really excited to see how they do it - but I'm also dreading it. It's all going to be over. On Saturday I'm leaving on a youth trip with 16 teenagers - and they said that while we're there they want to see Harry Potter with me.

I think it's because they all just want to see me cry and geek out the entire movie. :P

I didn't want to read Harry Potter at first. I remember hearing about it and how awesome it was - but I thought Harry Potter was the dumbest idea ever.

SUPERMEGAFOXYAWESOMEHOT

Day 29: Did You Enjoy A Very Potter Musical?

No. Not at all.


I didn't think it was TOTALLY AWESOME.

I don't quote the musical nearly EVERY SINGLE DAY!

I don't have the words to all of the songs memorized.

You Know You're Jealous Of My Job

I am back from camp! We had such an awesome week - I can't even explain to you. I'm so proud of the teenagers who were our camp counselors this year. They had a lot of responsibility on their shoulders with helping to start a new camp and being in charge of a bunch of 4-6th graders! They did an amazing job and I'm so glad they were all able to come!

Throwing Snow Balls

Day 26: Would you rather own The Invisibility Cloak, The Resurrection Stone or The Elder Wand.

I Miss the Old Nick at Nite

Day 25: If You Could be Able to Work One Spell Without a Wand What Would it Be?

I was stuck on this one - so I asked PM2 what spell he would want to be able to do.

Beautiful Ending

Day 24: Nineteen Years Later - are You Happy With The Way Things Turned Out, or do You Wish Something Had Been Different? (Example: Neville Married Luna)

I'm going to point out YET AGAIN - that if you don't want spoilers stop reading. :D

I Am A Feminist- Guest Post

Some of you who aren't as avid of Harry Potter fans as I am are probably ready to read something different - here is a guest post for you all (who may or may not be HP fans) from my friend Melissa!

----

I am a Feminist

I said it. The F word. Feminist. Are you judging me yet?

The Best Gift

Some of you may or may not have known - but yesterday was....

MY BIRTHDAY!!!


You know what would be the best gift?


Helping out Felicity and her family. Check it out.

Sparkly Vampires?

Day 21: Harry Potter or Twilight?

Twilight of course.

It's a Crime I Tell You - A CRIME!

Day 20: Out of all of the Characters That Died, If You Could Bring One Back, Who Would it Be?

There are so many characters that I wish didn't die. The end of pretty much every book starting with Goblet of Fire is heartbreaking. It's as if JK Rowling put on a blind fold, then started randomly pointing at characters and when she was done that was who was going to die. So it's a hard choice.

PIgfarts Pigfarts Here I Come!

Day 19: If You Had to Meet One Member of the Cast, Who Would It Be?

Easy!

Tom Felton who plays Draco Malfoy.

Must I Answer This One?

Day 18: Do You Prefer the Books or Films?

The books.... duh.

So Depressing

Day 17: Least Favorite Book

I want to start this post clarifying that I really do genuinely enjoy ALL OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Day 16: Are You Excited About the Last Movie, or are You Afraid it Won't do it Justice?

I have so many mixed emotions about the last movie!

Friendship, Friendship, Just A Perfect Blendship...

I want to give a shout out to friends today. It hasn't been much fun for me the last couple of weeks - but at the same time it's been awesome. I was able to go to two weddings a couple weekends ago up in Chicago. One wedding was for a friend I've known for literally my entire life and I was one of her bridesmaids. It was such a beautiful day! Then the day after that a former college roommate of mine got married, and there were so many old friends from college that night. We had so much fun! The entire weekend was filled with dancing, reunions, love, and enjoying time together. 

Then the drive home happened. 

UGH. 

My poor little PT Cruiser!

The Main Thing- Guest Post

Day 14: Team Voldemort or Team Harry?

Really? Is this question really necessary? Why in the world would I choose Voldemort- the most evil wizard ever who also happens to be racist and can be compared to Hitler, over my hero Harry Potter?

Seriously.

So with that - I have another guest post for you all!

I Really Like It... I DO!

I hope you all enjoyed my first guest blogger of the summer yesterday! I think she did an excellent job. Tomorrow is the next one - hope you like it!

Confusion = Guest Blogger!

upsidetrader.com

Day 12: Your Favorite Ship

Um... I'm not really sure what is meant by "ship." Because they don't go sailing or anything that much in Harry Potter.

So...

Here's a guest blog instead. Enjoy!


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Secretly... I'm A Readhead

Day 11: What Character Do You Feel You Are The Most Like?

The character I feel like I am the most like is Ginny Weasley. Which is why I didn't mention her in my post about my favorite female character.

While I may not have red hair, a gaggle of brothers, I haven't had a million boyfriends, and would probably die playing Quidditch, I think we are still a lot alike.

Ginny can hold her on while hanging out with the guys. A lot of my friends are guys, and while I'm not really a "tom boy" (and neither is Ginny by the way), I can still hold my own. At least from what I can tell.

Ginny doesn't give up on people easily, and neither do I. Even when Harry shows absolutely no interest in her at all, she never truly gives up on him. She is still his friend, and holds a special place in her heart for him. I try not to give up on people either. They mess up, make mistakes, and sometimes ignore me completely. But I still have hope for them, and having to "give up" on someone is really hard for me. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but that's how I am. 

Master of Death

Day 10: Horcruxes or Hallows?

I would totally choose the Deathly Hallows over Horcruxes. 


For those of you who may not know what the heck Horcruxes and Hallows are... here is what http://harrypotter.wikia.com says:

I NEED A HERO!

Day 9: Your Favorite Male Character

This one should be pretty obvious.

Picking Out My Schedule

Day 8: What Do You Think Would Be Your Favorite Lesson?

My initial thought was Defense Against the Dark Arts- but when I thought about it... I changed my mind. The idea of Defense Against the Dark arts is awesome. However, it's only awesome when Lupin is teaching, and part of me feels like I would get really scared during class.

We Wouldn't Last A Day Without Her

Day 7: Your Favorite Female Character

I feel lame for picking one of the power trio. I feel as though I should be more creative.

But I can't help it.

I think Hermione Granger is fantastic.

How We Gonna Pay RENT?

The Love Drop  team is at it again! Last month they gave over $9,200 worth of cash, goods and services to their recipient, the Stalnaker family, who had been going through a financially hard time due to the effects of the BP oil spill on the Louisiana economy. The family was in need of a car and the Love Drop team was able to surprise them with one, making it one of the most exciting Love Drops ever.  You can watch how it all went down here. 

This month they rally behind the Aubins  - a Michigan mother and her three children who  are mourning the death of Keith, husband and father, after his lengthy battle with multiple health problems.  Our goal is to raise at least $3,600 to pay the family's rent for three months, which will allow them to focus on what they need to during this time, without fear of losing their home. Additionally, since Keith was an organ donor, he leaves a powerful legacy and the Love Drop team hopes to raise awareness of organ donation this month to honor Keith's memory. Help us make this month special for the Aubins! Check out the youtube video about the family:

You're A Prefect? We Had NO IDEA!

By the way - if you're already bored reading about Harry Potter everyday, feel free to contact me about guest posting this summer! :D

And moving on...

Day 5: Least Favorite Male Character and Why

I Hate That I Don't Hate You, Not Even Close, Not Even A Little Bit, Not Even At All

Day 4: Least Favorite Female Character and Why

This one is almost too easy... it's a bit ridiculous. (Also, if you can name what movie I got the title of this post from, you are AWESOME!)

That Makes Me Very Angry

I've been LOVING all of your comments and how you all have been getting into the 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge. Feel free to comment on the posts and share your opinions on each day's challenge question - if you agree with me, or if you have a different opinion! I love hearing your thoughts. Also, if you want to catch up on the other Harry Potter posts I have created a page for all 30 Days. You can look ahead to see what questions are coming up  too! http://www.lovewokemeupthismorning.com/p/harry-potter.html

Day 3: Are there any film adaptations that have made you angry because they ignored important parts of the book?

Lets Go Camping!

Day 2: Your Favorite Movie

I thought I was going to say one of two movies - but when I really thought about it, I surprised myself. My favorite Harry Potter movie was actually...

My Love for Draco, Horcruxes, and Relationship Drama

It's time for the 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge!!!!!!

Which means that the premiere of the final Harry Potter movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, is going to be here in a month.

I Break

Last week someone asked me to write on this topic:

"Being different and overcoming obstacles maybe? Or loving yourself... ♥"

I Feel So Loved!

This morning I woke up to....

MY FIRST BLOG AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And So It Begins

louisebittersweet.deviantart.com

Summer has officially started here in Cape. Well... maybe not officially since summer doesn't technically start until June 21st. HOWEVER - it has already hit 100, school is out, my summer wedding schedule is mapped out, we have done camp counselor training with the high school youth, and Vacation Bible School is only two weeks away.

It's summer.

Prayer Doesn't Always Work

Yesterday morning I asked my friends on Facebook and Twitter if they had any topic requests for my blog. One friend said they would like to hear me write about Psalm 34:4.


When I read that I couldn't help but smile. Psalm 34 is special to me.

Why So Scared?

First - how do you like the new background for the blog? Yay for coffee! :D

OK... now onto my real post for the day.

It's been a rough couple weeks here. There's been a lot of emotion and struggles going on - and it's not even including the crazy storms we've been having. Earlier this week one of the pastors and I breathed a sigh of relief when we realized that it was over. I'm so glad it's Friday (Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday...) and tonight is the FAITH COUNTY CAST PARTY, tomorrow Leslie is going to help me organize my closet, and I have Monday off. WOO HOO!

The Other Box - Part 2

I have issues with labels. In my last post, I talked about how there seem to be different types of genres of blogs and that I'm not sure which my blog would fit into. If they had a list of "types" of blogs I would have to check the box labeled "other."