1. The Very Best Blueberry Muffins Ever
So I've always been all about the Betty Crocker blueberry muffin mix. But let me tell you, these were the most delicious muffins I have ever had. Make sure to mix gently so the blueberries stay intact, and be super generous when you sprinkle on the streusel. Believe me, you need to make these today. 

 2. Hungry Girl's Ginormous Oven Baked Omelette
I have been making this casselrole for years and I don't think Ben and my dad will ever get tired of it. I recommend serving it with salsa and sour cream, hot sauce, or ketchup to give it a little extra flavor. But here's the important part. This ENTIRE DISH is less that 600 calories. So if you have a quarter of the dish, which is a giant piece, you'll only have 140 calories. Listen, this is a good one. 

3. No Bake Avalanche Cookies
Ok first things first. These look kind of gross. I am totally ok with admitting that. But guys, I love cookies more than anyone I know and these are my hands down absolute favorite. The fact that they are incredibly easy makes them that much better. TRUST ME, you need these in your life. 

I love sharing recipes, and I would LOVE it if you shared yours! Comment below!

​1. Erin Condren Teacher Planner
I have been agonizing about whether to buy this planner all week and FINALLY gave in and bought the most beautiful customized teacher planner. It shipped today and I will post a full walk though when it gets here, but guys, it's incredible. If you're a teacher, and ESPECIALLY if you're an elementary teacher it's a worthwhile consideration. Watch the video below and just try not to fall completely in love with it. 

2. Aruba Look-book
This absolutely stunning post all about one of my favorite blogger's trip to Aruba is getting me even more excited about my honeymoon! I'll be posting all about our packing and planning later this week, but for now I'm taking a break from the wedding craziness to appreciate some crazy gorgeous vacation inspiration. 

3. Painting to Music Activity
In music class this week my first and third graders made these murals as an artistic response to the mood of several pieces of historical music. Their creations are so cute and their insights were impressive and thoughtful so I definitely recommend the activity. But just so you know, "washable" paint does not necessarily come out of carpets without half an hour of scrubbing and some heavy duty carpet cleaner. I learned that the hard way. 

4. Lesson I Learned in my First Year of Marriage
Ok so we are two weeks away from the wedding today and so the even is pretty much all I'm thinking about. This adorable article was a great reminder to be giving my upcoming marriage just as attention. Click below to check it out!

nAs many of you know due to my constant posting about it on social media, I LOVE my job and I LOVE the Columbus School for Girls Summer Program. I've gotten a lot of questions lately about what a Summer Program is and why in the world I would choose to work this summer while also planning for my wedding in two weeks (what?!) and preparing for my full time time this fall.

First, a summer program is school based community dedicated to creating memorable and educational experiences to enhance the summer learning of children in the area. At CSG, I teach elementary music in the morning and hang with the 3-5 year olds in the afternoons.  

But why come back during this crazy summer? There are so many reasons, but primarily, prior to CSG I always believed that I was meant to teach high school. I thought I wasn't great with young kids and that my exacting personality was made for high school music teaching. But here at CSG, working with the youngest kids brought out a side of myself I hadn't met before. I loved the natural curiosity, genuine compassion, and high energy you find in elementary students, and I loved even more that I found all those same qualities in myself when I was them. It completely altered my outlook on the future of my career, and now, thanks to the influence of CSG, I'll be teaching elementary music in the fall. 

Finally, I've fallen in love with the family I've found here at CSG. The students, parents, and staff have become my true friends and I feel so indebted to them for the wisdom and acceptance they have shared with me over these three years. 

Plugging into the Bexley community though summer program work, and being joined by Ben this summer in doing that, has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life.

However you get involved in the work of the world around you, your contribution is valuable and worth making the time to participate in. How do you work in your own community? Comment below and tell me all about it!

When I started blogging again, I was worried about pigeon holing myself into one specific topic or set of issues. I think I originally got away from it because although theology and biblical life application are among my greatest interests, they don't encompass the scope of my day to day life, or the zillion other things I'm interested in.

I think as young Christians, we inadvertently accept a lot of unnecessary guilt about indulging in the things of this world. Of course, we need to keep our hearts and minds focused toward the things that are eternal, but I also believe God created us to love the world we are living in, and to find even Christian community in activities and events that are accessible and attractive. 

So that said, my mom, middle sister, and I recently started an overwhelmingly beautiful study by She Reads Truth on the book of Proverbs. We are walking through the book of wisdom over the course of a month and approaching our study topically instead of chronologically, which is a new approach for all three of use and wholly enlightening. We come together each week to be a little wise, and a little broken, and a little curious - completely vulnerable and accountable to one another. 

Then, we plop right down on our couch and watch the Bachelorette. Is the show stupid? Yep. Do we have nicknames for every single person and talk about their odds all week? Absolutely.

We are daughters of the King AND we are women who like reality tv. The heavenly and the worldly live in each and everyone of us.

​So let's abide in Christ, and abide in each other and our world in an authentic way. Let's leave the guilt; and let's be holy and fun.