I HAVE MOVED TO A NEW BLOG!

  W I L D B L O O M

[formerly under the oklahoma sky]

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a new direction.

beauty in humble places was my first real blog. i started sharing my photography, daily happenings, random thoughts, and life lessons with the world, not really sure what to expect. as i reflect on all the time & money invested, new friendships, and a few tears, i'm so grateful. along that journey, i found my voice. i discovered that it's okay to have strong opinions. i learned that blogging isn't just a hobby, it's a community of women who are going though life just like me. we share our lives (the good & the bad), while walking in the grace of our mighty God.

i will always cherish beauty in humble places, but it's time to move forward. after two years of blogging, i know exactly what i want to share, write, and post. a new direction. a new blog name. in some ways, a new me. while everything will be new, there's one thing that will stay the same: my straight-forward, no sugar-coating attitude. i'm still gonna tell ya how it is and what i think. and that's that.

so without further ado, my new blog is    under the oklahoma sky

oh mylanta, i'm excited! the name randomly came to me one day at work, and it's been stuck in my mind ever since. so head on over and check out the new blog! there is a new blog lovin and facebook page, so make sure to follow one or the other.

currently.

▲creating:
- the vision for my new blog! i am writing, photographing, and creating new content, so that's why i've been mia lately. it should be ready within the next two weeks. hopefully. until then, you can look at the pretty picture up there to remember what i look like. kidding.

▲ listening: 
- "overcomer" - mandisa.
- "don't ya" - brett eldredge.
- "joyful noise" soundtrack. no shame on this one.

▲ reading:
- book four of HP.
- relevant magazine.
- she reads truth: women in the bible part 2 plan.

▲ watching:
- the office, season five.
- big brother.

▲ looking forward to: 
- wednesday night youth group!
- getting the iphone five next month.
- cooler temps this weekend.

▲ praying for:
- IGNITE. we started a youth group at church last wednesday night. you're probably wondering why we just started it. well, up until now, there hasn't really been any youth at my church to have a group. i've been asking God to make something happen for close to a year. and then when it did, i was all like, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, Lord. i can't do this. i don't know how. truth is, i don't know how to be a leader. i can think of more than five reasons why i shouldn't be part of this. but i will be obedient in the midst of all my questions.
- protection for my heart . the enemy has so many tactics to try to get me to stumble or turn from the Lord. i'm human, but i also serve a risen Savior who has overcome this world. greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. i've believed the lies for so long. i'm learning to silence the lies with the truth of God's Word.

▲ making me happy:
- iced coffee.
- my pretty vscogrid.
- fifty-cent notebooks.
- random hugs from bubba.
- the new blog.
- blooming sunflowers.
- fried okra.
- kind words from strangers.
- OU's home opener and my birthday on the same day!

i started blogging HERE now! make sure to follow along!

should i stay or should i go?

i've been thinking about this little blog. where i started; how far it's come; what i've learned.

i'm debating on how to move forward.
do i continue on with BIHP and leave well enough alone?
do i delete some of the content that i don't really care for?
or do i completely start over, new name, new design, and all?

i've put in two solid years of blogging. i've "met" some really wonderful ladies. blogging has blessed me more than i could have anticipated. in all honesty, i want to start fresh. i have a new name picked out. and i lurrrve it. but all that time i put in to this blog, is that wasted? i know now exactly what i want to post, write, and share. so this is the crossroad i'm at.

i'm not worried about losing readership. and i'll save this blog and keep it up to remind me how far i've come. but i'm just not sure.
any opinions?

baby, you're a firework.

the fourth of july is my new favorite holiday. behind Christmas, of course. 

freedom, family, friends, food, and fireworks -- that's what i call a good time.

happy birthday, mama! and you too, 'merica.
to those who have served/are serving this great nation, thank you.
we are the land of the free because of the brave.

iphoneography.

 created with the amazing typewriter app.

a month in review // june.

[insert long sigh] june was a busy month to say the least! between falls creek and vbs, i think i was away from home more than i was there. but looking back, i wouldn't have it any other way. it's so funny - a year ago today, i started teaching sunday school. i didn't know a thing about kids. i didn't know that i would grow to love each one and appreciate their differences and personalities. i didn't know that i would learn so much from them. i didn't know just how much i want kids of my own. i serve an awesome God, lemme tell ya.

learnings:
- "under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors."
- i am competitive when it comes to sports. i may not be any good, but i'll always try!
- it's not what people call you; it's what you answer to.
- when you think something is silly for junior high/high schoolers, think again. it'll end up being their favorite thing. #VBSlessons 

happenings:
- falls creek!
- my vscogrid went live.
- VBS!
- welcomed the arrival of summer with italian ice. 
- many pictures of beautiful, blooming summer flowers were taken. be still, my heart.

popular posts:   falls creek 2013 // in the hurricane // summer lovin' 

summer lovin'.

summer is: strawberry lemonade, sandals, lightning bugs, tan lines, lots of sunshine, iced coffee, italian ice, VBS, cut-off shorts, sno-cones, drive-with-two-fingers-cause-the-steering-wheel-is-too-hot kind of days, freedom, fun in the sun, warm southern breezes, makin' memories, s'mores, windows down; music up, picnics, fireworks, fresh veggies, that fresh-cut grass smell, wildflowers adorning the highways, sweet tea in a mason jar, bright-colored nails, blowing bubbles, bare feet, pool days, watching a sunset from the porch swing, root beer floats, bbq's, garden-fresh salads, ice cream, bonfires, outdoor concerts, beachy hair, flip flops, and road trips.

summer isn't just a season; it's a feeling, it's a memory. it's a time when you just smile and feel the sunshine on your skin, 

the breeze in your hair, the sights of God's beautiful nature, and the company of loved ones.