Building Hope

I am lucky enough to be the Historian of my school's Habitat for Humanity service club. This year we will be building our EIGHTH HOUSE! Two weeks ago I went on a build to meet the family we are helping. They were so energetic and helpful. I enjoyed watching them work on their future home and stare at the work that was being done. Their eyes screamed complete joy. I can't explain in words what being on a build is like or how much I appreciate all of Habitat's work in our community. So, below I am posting a video I made from the last build I went to. I hope you can laugh at our volunteers fun humor (please remember we were up bright and early in the freezing cold so we are a wee bit delirious) and smile at the thankfulness of the family and the giving hearts of our volunteers.

Enjoy:
https://vimeo.com/60403875

Love, 
Laurey

Starting Off Right

Hello my friends! Thanks for coming back over to my wee little corner of the internet. I am so excited to share with you guys the first set of pictures from my Photos for a Purpose fundraiser! This Monday, I went to the beautiful waterfall in Liberty Park and took some precious pictures of the Braswell family. Try looking at this face and not saying "awwww"

Wow. My heart just melted. THOSE EYES!! The whole family was quite wonderful to watch. The little girl always had her eyes on everyone. She made sure her "brudder" was near and kept a close watch on Mommy and Daddy. I love that quality about her and am sure it will one day form into caring characteristics. Take a minute to look at her sweet cheeks in this picture.

Does she not look like Boo from Monsters Inc.? You could try to disagree, but you would be wrong. She looks like Boo. Now if that hasn't been too much look at them altogether.

Here are some more of my favorites:

Those pearls are oh so precious

"Look Mommy! I got you a flower!"

We like to play with rocks during photo sessions. You should try it sometime.

And the Mommy and Daddy together! This is such a great picture of you guys.

So if that isn't a great start to a week and fundraiser, then I don't know what is. Following this session, my friend Sarah and I met up at Newks. We nibbled on some lunch, walked over to Whole Foods, and soaked up the spring-like day like birds by a bird bath. It was just the dose of happiness I needed to start off the week and I am oh so thankful.

On top of all this superbness, I also started a Vimeo account this weekend. To say I am thrilled is an understatement. Now I get to show you guys all of the videos I make and you can watch them whenever you please. However, I can only load one video a week, so the first video you guys get to watch is one I made for my family's Thanksgiving. Unlike most families, mine goes camping for the turkey holiday. We crack jokes over the campfire, sleep in tents, and in the morning we realize how thankful we are for heating and plumbing. It is quite splendid and it is definitely one of my favorite traditions. So the link to the video is below if you are interested in watching. THIS IS FOR YOU HANNAH!!

https://vimeo.com/59860055

So after a weekend of starts, I must share a bit of wisdom I have learned. Starting off right is the key to everything. Don't stick a toe into the water and hope everything will eventually work out. Jump into the water with everything you have. Give it all you got! Start off the way you want to end up and it will save a lot of time in-between. So this is what I challenge you with tonight: whatever you start next, whether it is your homework, a meal, a workout, a day, start it with ALL YOU GOT. See how far it will get you. 

Love, 

Laurey

Bits of Happiness

Last week seemed to be a very unlucky week. I spilled my coffee continuously, only had decaf coffee to drink, totally blanked on a math test, and then sealed it all off with a game of bumper cars (yes.... a small parking lot wreck) before going to take my first ACT. Somehow I managed to keep myself together all week, but I did come home yesterday after my test and cried to my sister on the phone, watched a hopelessly romantic movie meant for pre-teens, and cuddled under a big quilt. However, today is a new day and tomorrow marks a new week. I decided this morning that writing a post on the good things from this week would give me a better outlook. Who knows, maybe it will become a weekly thing.

So here are my first "bits of happiness":

• Happiness can be found in every song by Jillian Edwards. Her voice is so pretty and airy. It took me forever to figure out which song I wanted to post, but I finally made a decision.

July and June by Jillian Edwards

• For me, happiness can be found on the back of a shampoo or skin care bottle. I have, and always will love the small descriptions on the back. Today I bought a grapefruit scented face wash and lets just say it had the best description I ever read. It made my day.

• Happiness can be found on pinterest. Look at some of the precious pins I found this week:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbro0paWsS1qzjlz4o1_1280.jpg

http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/2012/03/take-picture-mini-poster-freebie.html

http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/originals/c7/08/7f/c7087f54bc387b5061c1b0076bf6a3eb.jpg

http://inspirinquotes.tumblr.com/

• Happiness can always be found in the Word. This week, while I was stressing over the ACT and just about everything else, I flipped open my bible to a Psalm and found great comfort in this verse: "May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant." Psalm 119:76 Whatever you face this week, whether good or bad, think on this verse and let his love fill and renew your heart.

I hope you have a wonderful and positive week. Look for the bits of happiness in your life and fully absorb them. Hold them in your hands and let them brighten your eyes. You won't regret it. 

With love,

Laurey

Photos for a Purpose

Welcome back my friends! This spring my school will be participating in Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society. Almost everyone has been affected by cancer through either family members, friends, or maybe even themselves. While thinking of ways to raise money I decided that using my gifts would be the best way. So today I am kicking off my Photos for a Purpose fundraiser and I need your help!

Maybe you are a Mom who wants to have some more recent photos of your children but you don't want to spend excessive amounts of money.

Maybe you realized the other day that you haven't changed your Facebook profile picture in a while and it is time to mix it up.

Maybe you have a group of best friends and it seems like you can never find a picture of everyone together.

Maybe you are couple who wants some cute pictures for Valentines Day.

Whatever the scenario, I am here to help and you can feel good knowing that all of the money is going towards finding a cure for cancer (which means you can also make it a tax deduction)! Below are some packages that you can choose from. Feel free to contact me through Facebook or by my email at: lauren.livingston@me.com


Friends Forever Package:
Cost: $25.00- two people
         $30.00- four people
         $35.00- six or more people
Includes: A one hour photo session and a CD with edited pictures. Only one CD included; however, it can be shared. Your choice of location and option to bring props. If you need help with ideas for props, I am happy to help.

Kiddos Kicking Cancer Package:
Cost: $30.00 (any number of kids and parents can be included)
Includes: A one hour photo session and a CD with edited pictures. I am also available to come to sports events if interested. Your choice of location and option to bring props.

Single Portraits Package:
Cost: $25.00
Includes: A one hour photo session and a CD with edited pictures. Your choice of location and option to use props.

Pets Package:
Cost: $20.00 (any number of pets)
Includes: Thirty minute photo session and a CD with edited pictures. Your choice of location and option to bring props.

Limited spots are available for photo sessions due to my busy schedule, so hurry and let me know if you are interested! Please feel free to share this with other people you believe would be interested. Also let me know if you have any other ideas. Hopefully I will get to shoot you soon (I just laughed out loud at how strange that sounds)!

GO RELAY,
Laurey