BRING LOLA HOME!

I want to adopt. I have wanted to adopt for years and I sincerely pray that the Lord will allow this dream to become a reality in my life. I believe He gave me the heart to love His as if they are my own, and I want so desperately to be the arms that hold one that doesn't understand what that feels like.

I have watched many of my friends bring home children and make them part of their forever family. My dear friends from World Changers Calvin and Erica Ho are currently in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl from China named Lola. Lola has a few special needs, but she is the perfect fit for their family - and Calvin and Erica already know she is their daughter.

Nevertheless, adoption is SUPER expensive and doesn't happen overnight.
Would you be willing to consider supporting them as they bring their daughter home?

Purchase a LOVE BIG t-shirt from Apparel 1907 they're only $19.99 and 100% of the profits go directly to the Ho family.

Brown Paper Packaged Tied Up in Strings

Every so often I say the words, "IT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR LIFE" to a friend, co-worker, random stranger contemplating a purchasing decision. There are a few items that I use/wear on a fairly regular basis that I absolutely adore - items that have brought me great amounts of joy and will forever be noted as my favorite things. In no particular order, I bring them to my blog just for you!
(if you want to know where to purchase said items, well...here's potential stores: Bath & Body Works, Sephora, Birchbox, Nordstrom, and Target)

CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine - ULTRA. This stuff is incredible - it provides the soothing comfort of chapstick with the ultra shine of an expensive gloss and a side of tingle. FAVORITE.

I'm actually obsessed with perfume of all varieties, but since I am a Kate Spade girl at heart, today we will celebrate twirl - with a glass of champagne in hand and confetti in our hair. FAVORITE.

Alex & Ani bracelet with the initial "S". This is a staple in my jewelry wardrobe. I wear it virtually everyday - it pairs perfectly with a watch, with another alex & ani bracelet, with diamonds - it is versatile and simply stunning. I have gotten more compliments about this bracelet than anything else. ever. FAVORITE.

Dove Dry Shampoo. BRING ON THE DIRTY HAIR! With the fresh scent and revitalizing texture, this dry shampoo makes second day hair better than freshly washed! FAVORITE.

Seche Vite. We have talked in great detail about my undying love for painted nails and corresponding hatred for naked nails. With Seche Vite on the market - no one has an excuse. This stuff dries instantaneously and creates a strong top layer that is resistant to chipping. With Seche Vite, your nails will shine like diamonds in the sky for at least a week. FAVORITE.

hello award season!

I absolutely LOVE award season! I am kind of a tv junkie, and although I'm not at all into fashion magazines (mostly because I watch so much tv I don't have time to read them) something about the red carpet for an award show is oddly alluring. Back in the good days when my dearest adventuremate and friend from college lived nearby, she and I would make an entire day out of these shindigs. We'd pick out special snacks and watch for hours discussing the wonder and excitement that television and cinema brought to our lives. We call ourselves televisions athletes and Megan has generously awarded me the gold medal! Gan lives in Central California now and isn't as readily available for shared couch viewing, but we managed some texting and a full fashion re-cap by 9:00 this morning. I told you, we're into it! I already shared my full response with Gan earlier today, but for those of you who consider yourselves award-show-aholics, join me in discussing your favorite fashionistas from the Golden Globes.

First place goes to Julianne Hough for this spectacular gold beaded flutter tulle dress and punk rock hair - PERFECT for her "Rock of Ages" celebration! LOVED IT!

Second Place goes to Zooey Deschanel for this incredible red number that perfectly suits her personality! The simplicity of the pearls also pairs perfectly with this classic look - she's so sophisticated!

Third place goes to Jennifer Lawrence for this coral number with the metallic belt. I am not in love with the boob area, but the gorgeous hair and modern touch made it a winner in my book!

Julia Luey-Dreyfus takes fourth with this stunning black lace dress, the corset top and sweetheart neck made it young while still looking entirely appropriate for a woman of her maturity. I think this was a perfect selection!

Adele is a classy bitch. Always. And she nails it again. She looks stunning in this all black dress with perfect tailoring and that embellished neckline is absolutely ravishing. She is absolutely gorgeous.

This is my winner for worst-dressed...the boobs are atrocious and the hair looks like a mix between balding and star trek. At least she won an award for her performance in Zero Dark Thirty, the Fashion Police are going to have their way with her tonight!

a year in review...

Emily came to California to visit and I took her to Disneyland for the very first time! 

Gan and I celebrated Kenz’s 26^th birthday while Em was in town with an attempted hot balloon ride that never came to be, but breakfast at Old Vine was beyond delicious and outlet shopping is always fun.

Gan, Kenz and I celebrated my birthday with a fantastic girls trip to San Francisco, which included breakast at dotties, lots of adventures with public transportation, another “S” for my collection, beautiful city views, dinner at foreign cinema (perhaps the best meal I have ever eaten), hot tub time, a bike ride through Golden Gate Park, and a LOT of great coffee!

We found out Izzy had biliary atresia and started praying God would provide a liver.

A LOT of my friends had babies!
I returned to CBU after 5 years to sing at the farewell concert for Dr. Gary Bonner who retired as dean of the School of Music. 

My big brother Kevin graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing AND passed his NCLEX!

Enjoyed a bit of Carlsbad beach camping

Celebrated Gan’s birthday over breakfast at “Break of Dawn” which was again, delicious – I think breakfast is my favorite meal to eat out! YUM!

Madeline turned 4 and had a fabulously fun park party!

Enjoyed a bit of bubbly and some dessert at POP when Gan was in town for a quick visit 

IZZY GOT A LIVER! 

Gan, Kenz and I took our 3^rd annual trip to the San Clemente Beach House where we ate out a lot, caught a movie, did a couple awesome pinterest DIY activities and just enjoyed some serious down time!

Kevin, Jamie, Madeline and I spent the day together at the La Mesa Oktober fest before Kev left for OCS with the US Army.

Izzy was released from the hospital and dedicated at church, what a monumental opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness.

Sara came to visit, so I took a week off work and we played! We went to Disneyland, to a taping of 2 Broke Girls, and to see Hairspray!We also had a quick WC reunion - ALWAYS a JOY!

Madeline came to stay with me while mama was on bedrest and daddy was away training with the Army! We had a wonderful weekend together and made memories to last a lifetime! 

Dad and I traveled to San Antonio, TX to visit Kevin and see him graduate from OCS. We had a wonderful weekend away and really enjoyed getting to see a taste of Kev’s army life. While we were there, Dad and I ate at Lulu’s and experienced the 3lb. cinnamon roll from Man vs. Food – WHOAH HUGE! 

 Charlotte Rose Swope was born on November 18 bringing a refreshed sense of the meaning of love.

Izzy turned ONE and we celebrated her life with grateful hearts and joyful spirits! She is a miracle and we will forever praise the Lord for her life! 

The Swope Family celebrated Christmas all together in San Diego just before sending Kevin, Jamie, Madeline and Charlotte off for the adventure of a lifetime in Hawaii! We will miss them terribly but are looking forward to lots of vacationing in paradise in 2013!

Looking back I just have to be thankful for the many blessings of 2012. God is incredibly faithful and never fails to fill my life with joy, laughter, amazing family, and fabulous friends! I can't wait to see all the adventures that are in store for 2013!