Gone

He's gone.
Viewing is Saturday night.
Funeral Sunday afternoon.


I had a WONDERFUL grandpa.
Love you more than anything- I know you are singing praises right now!

This is my last memory/picture of me and my grandpa.

Rain

I guess you have to go through the rain to get to the rainbow.

Im heading to Kingwood within the hour, to turn around and go to Lake Charles with my mom and dad. Things just keep getting worse. On tuesday night, my grandmothers sister passed away and now her husband is fading fast. Four-seven days has turned into 24-48 hours. Ill be back when I can-

I know you all are praying but just continue to keep us all in your prayers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU&feature=related

Rough

They have given grandpa a 4-7 days to live.
I cant believe it. This was never supposed to happen, yet its life.
Mom is in Lake Charles and stays in the hospital with him all the time. My grandma hasn't left much either. They have been switching off. Pray for their strength and that they will be able to find refuge in the Lord.

"You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy"

-Keep us in your prayers-

Beauitful Weekend

This weekend was lots of fun! On friday night, Justin insisted to me that he didnt feel like driving to see me so I pouted and sat around being pathetic and sorry for myself and then at around 9:50ish...I get hit in the back with a water bottle only to turn around and see him standing there. : ) Made my day. I was just upset I hadnt showered or put make up on, or cleaned & vacummed my room. Oh well...

Saturday morning I had to go to Delta Gammas philanthropy event from 8-10 and I feel it was a great success. This year we did something new called Anchor Slam where teams of three played each other in a bracket tournement. It seemed like it was going well when I left and later all the boys said they had fun. so thats great. when i got home, i made some biscuits and then we decided that it was a beauitful day so we should do something outside...such as GOLF! So we went to conroe and played...well him and mr. knight played while me and mrs. knight sat in our own golf cart which I got to drive and I am excellent driver, besides the curb I hit. ; ) It was a very fun day. The weather was beautiful and we just drove along and watched our favorite men play golf. After they golfed we went and ate at the Yacht Club which was absoultely beauitful overlooking the water. After we ate we came back to College Station. It was a very fun Saturday.

Today Justin didnt feel well so we didnt do much. I made taco soup and brownies and we just kinda sat around and did nothing all day! It was a very fun weekend. I like weekends like this.

My favorite picture I've ever taken

I captured these baby birds in our front yard my junior year of high school. Photography has always been such a passion for me and I am happy to be getting back into it. I recently came across this photo and a poem I wrote to go with it. It is as follows:

Cry For Love

Lauren Hardy

CRY FOR LOVE

Small, helpless, begging for attention
The baby birds cry out for help,
Unable to help themselves
Depending fully on their parents.

The noise they make is so soft
But so loud to those who listen.
If forgotten about, or not shown love,
The baby birds will not thrive.
Not only will they not thrive,
They will cease to exist at all.

How many people are like this?
In this world people want to be noticed.
They may not be the life of the party
Or be the jock from the football team
But they all need the same.

If not noticed, they will begin to wait
Like those baby birds
Waiting for someone to show them love.
And if no one listens or shows them love
They will also cease to exist.

Kaylee Rose

Wheel of the World

Love goes out, out like a light.
Out like a flame and you cant find it anymore.
Just when you think its lost in the rain, it comes back knockin' at your door.
Its the wheel of the world turning around.

God put us here on this carnival ride.
We close our eyes, never knowing where it'll take us next.
Babies are born, and at the same time, someone's taking their last breath.
Its the wheel of the world. Its the wheel of the world turning around.

In the blink of an eye, it can change your life.
And it never even slows down.
Its the wheel of the world.
I dont know what it is, Im flying high, but Im wondering why Im sinking on this ship going down
Life keeps on moving anyway.
Its the wheel of the world. Its the wheel of the world turning around.

It can open your heart, it can break you apart.
And it never even slows down. Its the wheel of the world turning around.

Its the wheel of the world turning around.
Its the wheel of the world turning around.
Its the wheel of the world turning around.and around.
-Carrie Underwood, Wheel of the World


Kaylee was born. Beautiful and Healthy; both mom and baby.
Grandpa is doing worse. They have taken him off his medicine.

Today I felt like this song is how life is going. The wheel of the world is turning around and around, its opening my heart, breaking me apart and it will never slow down.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Kaylee Rose!!!!

Today my cousin, (might as well be one of my sisters), Erin is having her baby. It will be the first grandchild for my aunt and uncle and the first great-grandchild for my grandparents. Im glad they are both still here to enjoy this new life. Erin had her epidural at 10am and they are predicting nine hours from when she started at 9am this morning. only a few more hours till precious kaylee rose is a part of the family. so excited i can hardly wait.

This was all of us at her baby shower on January 19th.

Jessica, Erin, Me and Emily. Arent we a pretty family?

Happy Valentines Day TecH R

I wish I could be with my Valentine on Valentines Day but since I cant I have tired to make the best of it. I have experienced a joy today only a teacher would understand. Today I went to my preschool and they were having their Valentines Day party and they had made me a white bag with colorful hearts glued on it so and written Ms. Hardy on the top in a pink marker. As the kids came in, my bag filled with Valentines written to me and even some presents which I was rather shocked about- I had no idea the kids even knew my name. My favorite Valentine came from my favorite little boy. It was a power ranger card and he had written on it To: TEcH R From: ANDRew. It was adorable. I just wanted to hug him. I have never noticed little boys and girls like each other in my class until today. It was the cutest thing I have seen in quite some time. Andrew had made Lexie a card which the teacher had written for him. He told her he loved her and hoped she had a happy family and a good life and that he loved her again. When we gave it to her and read it to her, Andrew went in a corner (where he could still see her) and blushed and smiled so big- it was adorable. Then for the rest of the day, they only played with each other. It was the cutest thing. Apparently their parents are friends and they have “play dates” with each other regularly. SO CUTE!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Hope everyone’s is as blessed as mine has been. Love you all- Wish I could be with you all more!

Me and My Real Valentine: I love the way he looks at me.

Dont Go Hungry

I dont have much to say today besides...DONT GO TO THE GROCERY STORE HUNGRY. I reminded myself today as I pushed the cart around the grocery story of that master card commerical where it says Milk and Bread: $135, Not going to the grocery store hungry: priceless. Granted I did NOT spend 135 dollars but much more than I had wanted too. Oh well- at least I will eat great the next week! Hope everyone is having a great day and just think Wednesday is almost over...its almost the weekend again! YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. dont forget to check out my Project 365- I update it daily.

Standing For What I Believe In

I just felt I needed to express my beliefs. I feel that more and more today things are accepted as being okay and the more you hear it the more it just doesn’t matter anymore. Which has always made me sad to watch myself as I become desensitized to what is important and knowing the difference in right and wrong on TV, school , etc. I used to absolutely feel like cussing was like nails on a chalk board, absolutely could not stand it. Because it was against everything I had ever been taught- but in today society you cant even go to class, turn on an animated movie without hearing it. Eventually you become desensitized and that makes me sad.

My favorite Christian band of all times is Casting Crowns. They have a song for everything. In todays society there is definitely a "Stained Glass Masquerade" and I challenge each and everyone one of you to take down your mask and ask yourself what really matters, what’s really important and what do you have your brothers and sisters in Christ for if they aren’t able to help you in times of need? Aren’t able to agree with you on an issue? Not able to STAND UP for what you believe in? The lyrics are:

"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small?
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover that I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open to every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded in the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing and we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching can we really fall apart
But would it set me free if I dared to let you see the truth behind the person that you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open or would you walk away?

Would the love of Jesus be enough to make you stay?

Today in my quiet time I really reflected on those words. Look around you, who has a painted grin on and who will let you in? There are some things that I will always know are wrong and I pray that I will continue to think this way and never will I be desensitized. I also pray that God will show me some good Christian leaders in my life.

I know I totally went off on a tangent but today there was just a lot of things heavy on my heart. I always thought that if you could make a soundtrack to your life, what would be on it?? My soundtrack would be just what I have done that the past two days.

Some of my favorite verses dealing with these issues:

Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler; whoever is led astray is not wise Proverbs 20:1

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for others, building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12

With You

Im at home today. This week is going to be a long week and Im already tired. Oh well once this week is over I can rest. My favorite song right now is With You by Chris Brown and when I hear this song it just makes my day better. Here is the lyrics I love...

You're my sweetheart And I'm so glad that you are mine You are one of a kind and...
You mean to me What I mean to you and...
Together baby, There is nothing we won't do'cause if I got you,
I don't need money, I don't need cars, Girl, you're my all...And..
Oh! I'm into you, And girl,
No one else would do,'cause with every kiss and every hug,
You make me fall in love, And now I know I can't be the only one, I bet there heart's all over the world tonight,With the love of they life who feel...Wat I feel when I'm With you.

Project 365

So I stole this idea from one of my sisters friend who is doing it and i love the idea so i decided to do it myself. It is called PROJECT 365 and you take one picture every day post it that way in the end you have your year in summary of 365 pictures...give a take or few considering im getting started a little late. But check it out... ill put the link on the side over there with the blogs along with in this blog....

http://picasaweb.google.com/LaurenMartha

Wedding from Saturday Pictures

Little Mommy

Just came across these pictures and thought I would share them with everyone. Me and my sister really get into the Christmas spirit. Granted this was a few years ago but our ears and lights never fail to come out of the closet every year.

I LOVE MY SISTER!! I cant wait for us to be in Dallas together.

Longest Day Ever

Today has just not been a good day. It hasn’t been awful but it has just been long and I’m exhausted. I don’t know everyone does it.

It really started last night when I ate a "Snickers Charged." It tastes just like a regular snickers so I didn’t think anything of it come to find out...its got more caffeine than two cans of coke, some other crap and B vitamins. I didn’t think it would affect me but when I tried to go to bed at 1- it didn’t happen. My mind was racing with things I needed to get done. Finally at 3:30 I saw the clock for the last time. It was a rough night and when my alarm went off at 6:40 I wasn’t happy.In between classes I went to Betuell to refill my migraine medicine in the hour and 40 minutes I sat with everyone with the flu for the full hour and forty minutes just for the nurse to tell me, "Can you come back at 3pm?" UGH!!
So I reluctantly left and headed to my last class for the day. All the while having eaten nothing. I was getting grumpier by the minute. I ran home after class put in a load of laundry, checked some email before jumping back on the bus and heading to my 3 o'clock appt which ended up lasting till 5pm and the best part of it all...he wouldn’t refill my migraine medicine and told me that was to much medicine for a young girl my size to be taking and wants me to go a neurologist and get an MRI. Like I have time for that?!

Okay okay, I’m done complaining. I hope everyone has enjoyed my venting session. : )

Maybe Ill go take a bubble bath and relax....ha!

Fun Weekend!!

My back is feeling much better. It is still tough to bend over and pick up things off the floor but Im working on it. All day Friday I was so excited for this weekend! I just knew it was going to be a great weekend and it was...

Friday night Kimberly and I went to dinner and then we came home and just relaxed after a long third week of school. Then Justin got here and I was soo excited to see him. I had just seen him the weekend before but it felt like ages. Once he got here kimbo, chelsea me and justin all went over to Kevins parents new house. Its beautiful! We stayed over there and watched them play Wii for awhile then came home. Saturday we went to eat lunch with a bunch of his buddies from the core then headed over to Taylors to see what his family was up too. After hanging out over there for a little while we came back to my house and got ready for the wedding. The wedding was at 5:30 and Kimbo came over and did my hair and makeup. Justin looked very handsome in his suit and I looked pretty good myself and off we went to the wedding. It was a very pretty wedding. It was very small and the majority of the budget definetely went to the reception. After the wedding the reception was at Christophers-it was a beautiful reception.

The time came for the cutting of the cake, the toast, and throwing of the bouquet and the garter. The thew the garter four times before anyone caught it, and you know who...Justin caught it. No one would let him live it down for the rest of the night. And as the night went on no one would let me live it down either!

Anyways- the weekend was definietly fun and I cant wait for next weekend...DELTA GAMMA RETREAT! yippie : / However I do have a long week of quizzes, readings and tests this week so I guess I should get to studying.

My life is going so well. There will be ups and downs and there will be arguements but in the end I am just as happy if not more happy than before. Life is great! I love you all.