WE MADE IT IN AMERICA

Last weekend Conor, Austin and I went to Made in America, the COOLEST music festival in Philly filled with an absurd amount of people dressed in red, white and blue. The concert was general admission which is the best/worst because you never know what to expect. Our game plan all along was to arrive early(10:30AM), go straight to the main stage and stay there until Kanye West (YEAH) performed at 10:30PM that night. Unfortunately, that meant missing J. Cole and a few others that were performing on different stages but... sacrifice. While waiting for Kanye, we did see Cherub (who?), The Neighbourhood, Big Daddy Kane, City and Colour and The National (seen jumping into Conor's arms in the video below) Thankfully, everything went exactly as planned and we experienced Yeezy from the very front row.  If you're thinking "hey, that sounds SICK" you're exactly right... but it didn't come easy. Here's a few tips if you're planning to do the same thing at #MIAfest next year:

-Don't drink water. If you start to feel dehydrated, small sips only because if you leave to use the bathroom, you're not getting back.
-Make friends with the people around you since you're more than likely stuck with them for the next 12+ hours. But don't be too friendly or they'll think they can push their way into your spot and YOU WAITED FOR THAT SPOT.
- Don't eat anything. Possibly the hardest part for all of us because FOOD.
- If someone asks to switch spots with you for "one band" because it's their "favorite band" and "you're just here for Kanye" you respectfully decline. If they persist, call for SE-CUR-ITY.
- Don't fall for the "nice guy" next to you offering water and cliff bars from his backpack. It sounds appealing when you haven't eaten for so long you think you have forgotten how to chew HOWEVER, he's trying to give you no choice but to have to leave your spot for the bathroom. Stay strong.
- Play games to pass the time. We played "Which body part do you want to cut off most right now?" Legs, back, head.
- Don't bother bringing deodorant, everyone smells and there's barley enough room to lift your hands above your waist anyways.
- Be nice to the security guards, our bro Courtney hooked us up.
- If your friends start to say "I'm so hungry" you tell them NO, YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY. Hunger is for the weak.

Ask all three of us and we'll give you the same answer.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. #YOLO
Would we do it again? I mean, we'd have to be out of our minds, right?

The best week of the year.

Every summer, my family and our closest family friends go to The Outer Banks and it never ever disappoints. Last week was obviously no exception... filled with game nights, bike rides, smoothies every morning, getting up before the sun to watch it rise on the beach, kayaking (and that little wave we didn't see coming), the best food and hanging out with my family for an entire week. RAD. Here's a few (+ a few more) pics from the days that never fail to be my favorite of the year. Props if you make it to the end.

Decree: a thing, and it shall be established

You know when you discover the best tv show or see a really great movie and can hardly wait to tell someone about it? Well, I have plenty of tv shows I could recommend (HMU)... but in this case I’m about to share a book with you that will ROCK your world. My friend Becky and I stumbled upon this little gem a couple years ago and somehow it got lost on my book shelf (one very small book shelf) and I re-discovered it a month or two ago. 

DECREE: a thing, and it shall be established by Patricia King

This book is filled with biblical truths that you can take hold of and claim over your life. Healing,  wisdom, prayer, favor (ect) and every time I read it I get PUMPED and here’s why - It has changed my mindset when it comes to taking what The Lord says in his Word and making it come alive in my everyday life.

How many things do we live with and simply "accept" because we think “it’s just the way life is”? God has given us the authority to create and speak LIFE into every day. All of this is not to say you should never have a bad day, never have a negative thought or go through seasons in life that are harder than others... Because we all do. But I have to ask myself am I accepting this or am I speaking against it? The Lord loves us so much and WANTS to bless us but it's up to us to dismiss the things that are not from Him and instead, speak His truth over our lives. It can be kind of scary when I think about how much power we hold by what comes out of our mouth, but it's also amazing when we realize what can happen by simply declaring and believing that The Lord wants to overwhelm and cover us with His goodness and blessing everyday. 

I’ve found in my own life that sometimes it's hard to recognize the difference between talking about your struggles and complaining/speaking negativity. For me, I think it's easy to start sharing with someone something I am struggling with then slowly can turn into complaining. But it's what we do with that struggle - whether I am speaking life or death into it - that makes the difference. Saying something like "I'm really having a hard time being patient" is different than "I'm just not a patient person" because when I say something like "I'm not a patient person" I'm actually speaking that very thing over myself. AND WHO WANTS THAT? 

Making these declarations and actually saying them out loud is something I have been trying to do each day even if it's just 2 or 3 minutes. So here’s a few lil suggestions: 

1. Go buy this book. I got mine on Amazon! (Gold mine) 

2. Rather than just reading it silently, say it out loud. The devil cannot hear our thoughts and there's power in speaking out these truths confidently! Wait till no one is home if you want, because I know I feel awkward otherwise. ("No, I'm not talking to myself")

3. Share it with everyone you know because positivity and JOY from Jesus is what is going to bring change. I'm continually learning that He wants us to walk everyday in blessing, no matter where we're at in life. It's simply our responsibility to declare it and believe it no matter what the circumstance is. 

Happy Birthday to my (not so little) brother!

Today my super cute, super smart, and super cool brother turns 19. HAPPIEST birthday BRO. Enjoy these cute pics and try not to get too embarrassed as I get a little sentimental. 

Growing up, Conor and I were pretty close and for the most part, always got along. When he was born, I couldn’t wait to have a little brother (pronounced cawn-aw) and that’s when my 3 year old motherly instincts shined through. My mom homeschooled both of us so we were together almost everyday and although I didn’t realize it back then, now I see how special (tear) those days were because not everyone got to spend that much time with their siblings. As we got older, both of us started working at our family’s stand at Central Market (sooo much bonding) and most of the time, working with your sibling is the greatest :)

Now let me just tell you why I love my brother (don’t cry mom.) He is, as stated above, super smart. He’s going to Millersville University majoring in Elementary Education and I have no doubt he’ll be the best and COOLEST teacher to all the lil tikes. Plus he’s one of the most patient people I know and a great older brother. He’s also the best sport when I convince him we need to do things like get up at 5AM to see the Today Show in New York City. Conor and I have similar taste when it comes to music/movies/tv shows and he’s constantly up on the latest. He’s always fun to be around (except early in the morning) because you never know when he’ll start one of his #swaggie freestyles...not to mention he’s got some killa moves. I love embarrassing him on a daily basis which is half the reason I wrote this (other half is just cause I LOVE YA) happy 19th brother! You da best. 

Mr. & Mrs. McConnell

Photo: (the amazing!) Caroline Logan Photography

GET READY to hear about the greatest day ever. A few weeks ago, I had the honor of celebrating two of the most wonderful people coming together as husband and wife and let me tell you it was the most perfect and happiest day. Like, 60 degrees and sunny in March? That's not real. Jesus blessed this day in so many ways. Brett and Becky met in Spain last summer, got engaged in December when Brett moved to PA, and were married 3 months later (this may be my favorite story to share with everyone I do/don't know). My heart was just filled with so much joy and happiness for them and their their day perfectly reflected who they are.

Becky and I went to the same church growing up but only became good friends within the last couple years. She’s my favorite running partner, shopping/BB’s buddy and best of all, both of us prefer laziness over anything else on a Friday night. We both get excited about the same things (which is practically everything) and basically, she’s just my real life BFF. (-_-) and now she’s Mrs. McConnell!!!!!

Photo: Caroline Logan Photography

DANCE DANCE

As mentioned above, Caroline captured their day so perfectly and if you haven't already seen her blog post of all the pics, GO NOW. You'll die. And while you're at it, check out their amazing wedding video beautifully captured by Kent Mast Photo and Video. You'll laugh and cry and want to watch it over and over again (trust me).