{birthday pt. 2} iris gardens

If you would've asked me when I was 10-years-old what I would want to do on my 23rd birthday, I would have never said "I want to go to the iris gardens!" When I was younger, my mom often would request to go to the tulip fields or iris garden for Mother's Day. Classic mom idea [and a wonderful idea I might add]. However, I can recall many a trip where somewhere along the way my mood or attitude would start to dwindle...and let's just say I was usually ready to leave before my mom was. BUT I guess a cliche would have it, I am absolutely my mother's daughter and this year I wanted to go to the flower gardens for my special day. Having my birthday on this particular weekend always has it's array of activities, from Mother's day events, everyone and their mom going to Lake Shasta, and just it being a popular weekend for activities to occur. All this to say, many of my friends were occupied with previously arranged plans. But before you assume that based upon this first picture that I went BY MYSELF....I assure you I did not :)

[birthday pt. 1] three generations to celebrate

Let's just say I had an incredible few day celebrating my birthday - before it was even my birthday! Also, I realize I haven't formally introduced my beyond incredible family...how the heck did that happen?! Ok. So my birthday this year fell on Mother's Day [which is actually a common occurrence] and it also happen to work out that amazing Grandma - who I haven't been able to see for five years! - was coming out. So therefore we took the liberty of coordinating all our crazy schedules so we could celebrate my birthday AND Mother's Day for my mom and my grandma. Three generations to celebrate all at once! You might think " oh boo you have to share your birthday celebration with other people," (and actually you're probably not think that at all) but it was just a huge blessing to have my entire family together, Grandma included. 

[My amazing parents, Mike and LeeAnn. Seriously they're the best.]

[Beautiful Grandma Gwen. I have never met someone more full of Jesus than her. She powerfully radiates and lives out His love]

cinco-de-almost-my-birthdayo!

 Happy cinco de mayo!...aka one week til my birthday :) Just thought I'd share my sunny outfit in celebration of this summer-like weather we've been having. LOVING IT.  Hope you all had fantastic wonderful weekend! Now back to reality. Aka school. Five more weeks of classes...I can make it! 

Ok anyways. Birthday posts will be up as the festivities unfold, yay! That's all :)

[Shirt, belt, earrings: HM | Shorts: Forever 21| Shoes: Target]

{come what} MAY

Happy May! First post in a while and first post in the brand new month. This IS my birthday month - 12 days baby! - and I'm gonna be the big old 2-3. Scary huh. Ok not really because I still feel like a small child. I've started to reflect on the past year but when I did I immediately thought of my New Years goals I set for myself (thank goodness I blogged then otherwise they'd be lost in the abyss of my brain). And here's best news: I've already accomplished (almost) four!

1. Start and consistently post in my blog: considering I haven't had a functional computer for the past two months I'd say I've done quite well!
2. Take a trip outside of Oregon: I took a pseudo-spring break weekend down in Arizona and just got back from Laramie, Wyoming of all places. I drove out there with my girl Emily since she got her big-girl dream job at a hospital out there. Definitely farrrrr to much driving but always a fun adventure!
3. Perform Somewhere: Ok this one is bittersweet, but I sang at my Nana's funeral with my sister and brother in law a few weeks ago. It was such a beautiful service and wonderful celebration of her life. She is so missed and loved, but I praise the Lord I will see her again one day. 
4. Move out of Corvallis: Ok, I still live here. BUT I got a paid internship in Portland for the summer, aka I'm moving to Portland!!! I'm so stoked because the Lord pretty much threw this in my lap and I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. This also mean I get to live with my other twin pug, Ruthie...we've literally been talking about living together since she graduated last year and moved back up to PDX. 

All this to say God has really blessed me even  in this first quarter of the year, and I'm stoked for what the rest of this spring has in store. The weather so far has been BEAUTIFUL and warm! This is unheard of for the Willamette Valley this time of year (I'm still in shock) so obviously this means another stylish spring ensemble was long overdue....and I promised I'd throw in some royal blue so here you go! 

Oh I also want to mention this entire outfit cost me less that $50. I'm a bargain hunter always and forever. 

[dress: $8, Old Navy - or as I call it old naval | Shirt: $14, TJ Maxx]