New Address

This blog is MOVING over to lusmith.wordpress.com effective immediately!

check it out!

lauren

New Directions

and I'm not referring to the Glee group of high schoolers that i might or might not be slightly obsessed with downloading songs of on Itunes...

no, not new directions in my life/career/location either...(see 2009 for that)...

this new directions refers to this here blog. to be honest, i am bored with my posts recently. As much as i love posting pics of fun trips i have been on recently...let's be honest, do you really care? i'm guessing no ...and much of my work life now cannot be blogged about... confidentiality agreements and such...

so, in fairness to my one reader (shout out Sarah J in NC :) ...I am heading down a new path for this blog. Basically, I am going to be writing more, posting pics less, and working on developing into a legit writer. (one of my lifelong dreams*) When I was in Charlotte, I started trying to write a book...ended up being more of an article and didn't get picked up by anybody :( ...so i've got some work to do and so i am going to look to get inspired. Here are some of the blogs that i have been reading lately and am daily challenged by their wit, humor, knowledge and all around greatness.

Don Miller

John Acuff

Today's Letters

www.lyndsights.com

www.annieblogs.com

so...here we go...new direction...

pretty sure i should calm down on the use of the ... if i wanna be that legit writer!

lu

* more on those later

The Coast 2010

Our annual trip to Port A (Port Aransas, Tx) was last weekend! To say this is my favorite weekend of the year would be a big understatement! It never disappoints with fun friends, delicious food and lots of sun and sand between my toes! This year, we incorporated some oldies but goodies, as in the greasy watermelon aka 2:00am wrestling match in the pool...speed scrabble (my words with friends skills were put to good use)...shrimp boil at 10:00pm...spoons...signs...paddle ball...sunburns...good times!

Brookie and Jim are always the best hosts and make it a weekend to remember each year!

the whole group (with our props)

with some of my besties, Sarah and Brookie

All of the girls...

...and the boys

Dance partay...

more dancing...

...and more dancing leads to...

dress up time!!

Such a great group! Can't wait for next year!!!

HILLSONG LIVE...

This Friday night... Can. Not. Wait!

TEAM USA!

The Boys

Now...

Here are some of my favorites!

My absolute favorite player, the Texan, Clint Dempsey...

He doesn't play every game, but Feilhaber is a great when he does!

The Hero, Landon Donovan

Defender Demerit

Cherundolo....a cutie too!

Bradley...the coach's son but he completely earned his spot on the team!

Boca :)

If you don't watch US soccer, here are some reasons, you should...these cuties; the pride that each country takes in their team; because it really is exciting; and did i mention these cuties?!?!

Now, how can I meet them? :)

God Bless America! (and the US Soccer team!)

sorry in advance if this is hard to read...

not sure why it is formatting this weird...

Well I can sum up what I have been up to this past week in one word....

FUTBOL. and if you have been living under a rock (or on your honeymoon,

Marisa and Aaron :)...that means it is World Cup time!

and even better than just that it is on...the US team is making history!

I have basically watched at least one game everyday...getting up early to

watch or DVRing and watching at night...I am sucked in for sure!

Yesterday, I knew I had to work from 9-7pm at my counseling site, so I was

hoping to either follow it online or on my phone, but much to my surprise and

utter happiness, my boss had decided to buy some rabbit ears so we could

watch some of the games at the office...and did we ever! :)

At one point, 5 out of the 7 of us on staff were in there biting our nails watching

the US/Algeria game. I was following the England game on my

phone, so we were aware of the importance of the US scoring a goal! It was

intense....Oh and did i mention that we were watching it on the

Spanish channel, so I couldn't understand the commentators...which was probably

a good thing, but it made it for hilarity when those around me

watching were yelling at the US team in Spanish! When we scored, our room erupted!

Literally, we were jumping up and down, hugging each other,

and I shed a couple tears! It was a little like this...what a fun moment for the US!

As for the American players, if they ever stumble upon this blog, just want to throw this out there....I am single and have a huge weakness for futbol players!

So, as you can see...I have been busy cheering on the US and am thoroughly excited that I can see them play Ghana on Saturday before I leave

for church camp with the kiddos on Sunday!

Just wanted to give those of you who don't appreciate the amazing thing that is happening in South Africa right now for our country in a sport that we

do not garner much respect, a little look into how exciting it is for a soccer fan like me! :)

stay tuned for some pics of some of my favorite US players! I know...you are sitting on the edge of your seat, but please just indulge me :)

Catching up...

Blogging has not been a huge priority in the last month or so...but I will update you with a little of what I have been up to.

The first is probably obvious to those who know where I am in my life/career right now...WORK has consumed my days, nights and some weekends the last few months. It is going really well, racking up all those hours toward my goal of 3000 by next summer.

Last weekend I got to play in a golf tournament with my dad and 2 of my guy friends for one of my jobs. We had fun, everyone played really well, but it was super hot!

My sweet friend Marisa gets married this coming weekend (June 19th), so we have been showering and celebrating her for the last couple of months too! Can't wait to see her as a bride on Saturday as she marries her love, Aaron Miller!

I am in somewhat of a slump this time of the summer...I miss the camp life and being carefree during the summer months...probably doesn't help that most of my friends are either stay at home moms or teachers, so their schedules are a lot more free this time of year... trying to keep my eye on the prize...3000 hours.

My sister is in full on wedding planning mode in DC. Getting excited for the fun things we have planned to celebrate her and George's union in November.

I am in the home stretch of my time at Frisco Bible Church...come July 2, it will be the first time in 7 years that I will not be on a church staff. Weird...but what will I do with my Sundays now that they aren't a work day? I'll tell you, I am going out of town on weekend trips for a while! Road trips to see friends and much needed vacation time!

Speaking of vacation, I'm pretty excited because I just booked my first trip ever to Alaska. I'm hoping to see some awesome views like this one:

Well, until that trip, I will be working, playing on the weekends, and watching as much of this as I can!

Swing Low Sweet Chariot...

Doris Jean Dalton Smith

January 11, 1922 - April 19, 2010

(how gorgeous is she!)

Me as a little girl with Gran Gran

At DTS graduation in 2005

Thank you for all of your sweet messages over the last couple of days. It has been a sad week...early on Sunday morning, my sweet grandmother, Gran-Gran went home to be with Jesus. She lived a full 88 years of life and I am so grateful for the time I had with her here on earth. I am named after her with my middle name, Dalton carrying on her maiden name. We have always had a special bond all my life. One of the big reasons I moved back to Texas last summer was because I wanted to spend time with her in her remaining time. God gave us almost 9 months of sweet time together, most of which was her beloved weekly trip to the beauty shop. She and I had that in common...there is nothing like getting your hair done! As I was singing during worship tonight at The Porch at Watermark, tears came to my eyes as we sang these lyrics...thinking that Gran-Gran is in the presence of the Lord now...free of pain, suffering and weeping! Thank you Lord!

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone


No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

You Hold Me Now by Hillsong United

As for the title of this blog entry: When we were growing up, Gran Gran would always sing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as we would swing on her swing in her backyard. I have always loved that song and think of her when I hear it...I am making a DVD to play at the visitation on Thursday night with lots of pictures of Gran Gran and our family over the years...and am using that song as one of the background songs. I'll try and post the video next week...

A little shout out...

You HAVE to check out my best friend Ali's little ones on her blog and also her photography website...she is a very talented child photographer! Shout out to my girl and just want to let yall get to see how cute her kiddos are and I'm sure you can imagine how much fun I am having with them each week! Today, we had a lovely "picnic" and swinging session in the backyard in the perfect spring weather! Some of my favorite moments every week are spent being "yaya" with these 3! Love you Al, Junebug, and H.P.!

A Longhorn in Aggie clothing...

One of the bright spots of watching the Aggies play in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament (i can't discuss the outcome, because it still hurts to think about it...) was getting to see my bestie, Ali sport an A&M shirt...mind you, in all 20 years that I have known her, i have NEVER seen her wear the Aggie Maroon! Even being married to an Aggie hasn't brought this unlikely event about...until now...whether its the fact that she is now the mother of 2 and by having a 3 week old old at home, her defenses have been down or if we are finally wearing off on her or if it is simply because I lovingly donned a longhorn tshirt for the national championship party this year and she posted it on her blog...it has finally happened!

(just please don't pass this along to her granddad or any of her burnt orange blooded cousins...i fear for my own life if they see this)

Also, disregard the fact that I am NOT in maroon...my only maroon shirt is now part of my tshirt blanket that my mom had made for me...i must restock my Aggie gear i guess now...

"beware the ides of march"

Never did I think this statement was as true as I do now being a therapist! I have several pretty tough cases right now at work and I'm praying that when April gets here...things will be looking brighter! However, I am trying to remain emotionally healthy myself, and it seems to be working because....

I am in a happy mood for the following reasons:

~March Madness starts today and Aggies play tomorrow
~The sun is out and the temps are rising in Dallas
~My sister asked me to be her Maid of Honor
~I'm getting some good pampering this weekend...sleep and a manicure!
~Got to see some of my favorite friends, Cassie and John in Houston this past weekend
~Having lunch with Ali and baby Hamilton today
~i'm currently dogsitting and sleeping in a Heavenly Bed
~looks like spring is finally here!

if you need to get ahold of my in the next couple of weeks....i'll probably be sitting on a patio somewhere drinking diet coke watching college basketball! Welcome to spring and April...get here soon, please! :)

Lately...

Since my 30th birthday, (which was 2 months ago) I still feel thirty, flirty and thriving...Thankfully more of my friends have gotten to celebrate this big milestone (and more to come) :) So...here's a recap of what has gone on since then... (December is a blur, so here is a fast recap...there was lots of christmas celebrations, I won second place in our cousin christmas exchange with an Obama chia pet, a ski trip to colorado with the fam which started with a road trip with Sarah involving a huge ice/snow storm, and an uneventful New Years Eve)...

In January, I started 2 more jobs (that makes 3 total if you are counting)! My life got complicated very fast! It has been incredible so far...gaining hours, getting experience and finding out what it means to be a counselor! I am really enjoying both of my counseling sites, which are very different, but are giving me lots of great experiences!

We celebrated Ali's birthday early (late January) because we weren't sure when Baby Boy Wood would make his debut (more on that below) and had such a fun time at Jorge's surprising her with Mexican food, a cake and a fun night with friends!

Jeff, Christina, Nel, Ali, Erin, Max and JaneAnn

On Valentine's Day, my little sister Kim got engaged to her love, George Hicks. They have been dating for about a year and a half and are both very successful professionals in DC. Our family got to spend some quality time in Colorado with this couple and it is apparent they are made for each other! They balance each other out really well, and he fits into our family so well! I am really looking forward to getting to know him better and have him as a brother in law!

Kim admiring her beautiful ring

The newly engaged couple celebrating

The planning has already begun! :) Ryan married in 2009, Kim in 2010, maybe 2011 will be my year? We will have to wait and see...I'm leaving it up to the Lord and His plan for my life...but it would be pretty cool, don't you think?!

And early this morning, 2:02am to be exact, this Yaya got a little "nephew"! Hamilton Paul Wood arrived and he is absolutely precious! He is so cute and I am already in love with him...as is everyone who has met him so far! His momma did a great job and thankfully, this baby came a lot faster than the last one! I got to spend the night with Kennedy last night and play with her this morning while Ali's parents went to the hospital. We had so much fun and I think she is going to be a great big sister! I am so blessed by my friendship with Ali and Nelson and getting to be Yaya to two of the cutest little kiddos around!

Here is the cutie pie!

Sugar (ali's mom) made this cute wreath for the door!

Mom, Dad, Hamilton and Yaya

with Al and Hamilton (HP)

Love this pic of Ali and her son

Who could resist this cute face? big sister Kennedy

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

It's been such a fun week celebrating my 30th birthday with so many friends and my family! Last Friday started with lunch at my favorite place, Celebrity Bakery with my mom. Then it was off to get pedicures with the girls at my new favorite place, Village Nailery. Then we headed up to Frisco to stay at our fun hotel called NYLO. Brookie flew in from Austin to stay with us and it was such a fun girls night! We had dinner at Mi Cocina complete with delicious birthday flan brought with singing waiters. Then we had a slumber party at the hotel! Didn't get much sleep but it was so fun catching up and laughing together! Saturday, we went to Breadwinners for breakfast and then did some Christmas shopping.

Saturday night was the big party at my house. It was so fun...the only problem was I didn't take any pictures til the very end...after almost everyone was gone! Guess I'll just have to relive those fun memories in my head. I feel so lucky to have so many great friends around me who truly care about me and love celebrating this big milestone with me.

My final birthday celebration came last night, when my sweet cousins Matt and Seema took me to dinner at Rise No. 1. I hadn't been there yet, and was really excited to try all their delicious souffles...and they were absolutely divine. I will definitely be back there soon!

So, I am thirty! It feels good...not too different at all! So...there's the update, now I'll get back to this..

baking yummy pumpkin bread!

The end of an era...

Tomorrow, I turn 30. Wow, it looks weird even when I write it down like that. Weird and scary...but then again, I am also so grateful for what I have gotten to do, see and experience in my last 30 years. My life has been a blessed one so far and I know that God has so much more in store for me in the next 30 years of my life. But for now, I want to face this next decade of my life with complete gratitude for the past and a renewed hope for the future! As the verse at the top of this page says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." God knows that desires and I trust and believe He will give them to me in His timing! So, bring on my 30's!

I saw this video on another person's blog and "borrowed" it! (Sorry for the slight profanity in the title) but it really did make me smile and think about how great our God is all over the world! It combines 3 things I love: dancing, music and smiling little faces in far away places! I hope it makes you smile too!

Hilton Head Wedding Weekend

I am a little behind on posting pictures...maybe because I don't have a working camera, other than my iPhone one which isn't that great...so here are some pictures from my friend Julie.

Part of the reason I went back to Charlotte the weekend after Thanksgiving was to be at Sarah and Mackie's wedding in Hilton Head. We had such a blast celebrating with them and hanging out at the beach. We stayed at our friends' Kristy and Jake's awesome condo which was a short walk from the shore, which we took a walk to on Saturday morning. Then we played some tennis at the club down the road...fun to play with my old tennis buddies. We felt like such yuppies playing tennis in Hilton Head.

Christmas trees at the Westin hotel







The Bride-to Be watching the West Virginia game








Mel, Julie and me at the beautiful reception











The Charlotte girls (Julie, Mel, Sarah, me and Ash)

It was so much fun to catch up with these girls for those couple of days at the beach! Congrats to Sarah and Mackie as they start their new life together! Miss you already! :)

Fun times in Charlotte!

Thanks to Jake, this is the video of them surprising me for my birthday. Hopefully you can

see the shock on my face and hear the surprise in my voice when I got to Kristy and

Jake's house...(oh, and i was 30 minutes late) :) oh, and yes, i do say, "I'm glad I'm wearing

something cute"...when I am nervous or center of attention, I tend to say random, sometimes

inappropriate things. insert phrase above! :)

I did have an AWESOME time in Hilton Head/Charlotte this past weekend! Sarah and Macky's

wedding was beautiful and a blast! Since I've already had one celebration, I feel 30 already! :)

only 8 days to go til it's official!

During the 2 days in Charlotte, I got to see lots of friends and faces that I have missed the last

5 months...it was further confirmation that I am where God wants me to be, because He has

allowed me to have such great friends in both Charlotte and Dallas! I am so blessed!

Lots of pictures to come...(when I get them from some friends) but thanks to all my

wonderful friends who made time in this busy season of life to see me when I was in town!

I love you and miss you alot!!! :)

This weekend, I am off to Houston to see my friend Mandy who is in town from Charlotte

and can't wait to catch up with my girl, Cassie who lives in Houston! :) Good times!!!

I promise...pictures to come...

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

I am officially in the holiday spirit...hence my blog redesign!

It is t-minus...

6 days til Thanksgiving

7 days til I leave for the Carolinas

21 days til my 30th birthday

34 days til Christmas Eve

36 days til snowboarding in Colorado

41 days til a brand new year!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Embrace the celebration! :)

What I've been up to...(in pictures)

This workout is kickin' my butt...seriously! Shredding until I turn 30!

One of the best books I have read in a while...making me think about life and the story mine is telling...

This is hawaii...i wish this was true, but sadly, i was just the chauffeur to the airport so my parents could go to Paradise!

Loving this latest masterpiece by the Shanes...it is AWESOME!

I can't get enough of the NCIS marathons that have been on...get sucked in every time!

And probably most importantly, I have been looking for an LPC internship...have been narrowing it down and have some great options that I will fill you in on when I make a final decision!

That is all for now...off to watch Taylor Swift on SNL tonight and read a little of Don Miller's Blue Like Jazz before bed! Inspired to make my life/story better each new day!