Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!! (ADD #25)

Merry Christmas!
I hope that these words find you well, happy, and joyful, even if you don't celebrate Christmas. I personally have had a fantastic day so far, even though its only like 8:45 in the morning. You would never guess what I am typing this from? My very own new IPad!!!! I am so freakishly psyched and thankful that Santa Claus would be so generous this year. I have a story that I would like to share with you. Every Christmas Eve, we always sit around the Tree and read this story. I hope you enjoy!!!

Teach the children...

Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa. As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn't help feeling that something important was missing. It wasn't long before the tiny twinkling tree lights lulled me to sleep.

I don't know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasn't alone. I opened my eyes, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus himself standing next to my Christmas tree. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him, but he was not the "jolly old elf" of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed, and there were tears in his eyes.

"Santa, what's wrong?" I asked, "Why are you crying?"

"It's the children," Santa replied sadly.

"But Santa, the children love you," I said.

"Oh, I know they love me, and they love the gifts I bring them," Santa said, "but the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It's not their fault. It's just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children."

"Teach them what?" I asked.

Santa's kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly. "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent."

Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. "Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen, with its unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that mankind's thoughts should turn heavenward as well."

Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. "The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that 
God always fulfills His promises, and that wise men still seek Him."

"Red," said Santa, "is the first color of Christmas." He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. "Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave His life and shed His blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red, it should remind them of that most wonderful Gift."

Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. "Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep."

Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. "The glow of the candle represents how people can show their thanks for the gift of God's Son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow in Christ's foot steps... to go about doing good. Teach them to let their light so shine before people that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkling lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see."

Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. "The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy: white to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock the foundation of the church, and the firmness of God's promises. The candy cane is in the form of a 'J' to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth. It also represents the Good Shepherd's crook, which He uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life."

"Teach these things to the children."

Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of fresh, fragrant greenery tied with a bright red bow. "The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven-turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle, without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children."

I asked, "But where does that leave you, Santa?"

The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa's face. "Why bless you, my dear," he laughed, "I'm only a symbol myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving. If the children are taught these other things, there is no danger that I'll ever be forgotten."

"I think I'm beginning to understand."

"That's why I came," said Santa. "You're an adult. If you don't teach the children these things, then who will?"
(Author Unknown)

Merry Christmas!!!!

<3/ Audrey Ryan


Sunday, December 22, 2013

NYC Nail Polish Review


Hi Guys!
Since I got such great feedback from my last nail polish review, I thought that it would be awesome to do another one. A few days ago, I picked up three polishes from the NYC Long Wearing Nail Enamel line. I got the shades Midtown MImosa, Empire State Blue, and Wine Bar. Trust me, the photos down below do not do justice as to how truly bad these nail polishes are. I am disappointed with this brand although what can I say. They were only a dollar. The photos down below must have been taken after three or four layers and a topcoat.

As far as staying power, I am not impressed. I have Empire State Blue on my toes and wine bar on my fingers and they both need to be redone badly. Without a topcoat, they chip after only a day of wear. Although, depending on the topcoat, staying power can vary. 

These polishes are as translucent as it gets at the drugstore. I had tto use three coats for Empirre State Blue, four coats for Wine Bar, and Seven Coats for Midtown Mimosa which used a crazy amount of polish. I wish that these colors were more opaque but they just aren't and to show up well, that many coats is nessesarry. 


I hope that you found this review helpful!
<3/ Audrey




Friday, December 20, 2013

Crazy Schedule, Adjusting to the House, and Xmas Break! (ADD #24)

Hi Guys!!!
It feels like it haven't written to you guys in forever. I have been so busy recently and I apologize for the lack of new content. However, I go on winter break next week so I can work on writing a bunch of new posts. I am settling into my new house great. I don't think that I will do a room tour until my bedroom is done downstairs. Sharing a room with a sibling is a nightmare.

Although I hate to say it, today was not my day. So after school, I had to go retake some math quizzes and my teacher ended up leaving early. I called my mom and she told me to ride the bus. I went out the back doors and watched my bus drive away. Then the doors locked behind me and I had to walk all the way around the school to get to the front doors where I could get cell signal and call my mom to come get me. Uggggggh. . . On the bright side, Christmas break lasts for three weeks this year and I am so stoked. When do/ did your guys' breaks start? Comment down below and we can chat!

<3/ Audrey
   

Crazy Jenga Block Towers

So this is what we did in math....

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

One Year Saving Schedule via College Prep


Thanks for making this chart! I will definitely be using it this upcoming year.
To read the full article, click here.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Disney Wish List Ideas


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Holiday Gift Ideas for HER


Sunday, December 1, 2013

MOVING DAY, Thanksgiving, and English Papers (yes again) (ADD #23)

Hi Guys!

I am officially moved into my new house!!! It's so exciting and scary and nervous all at the same time. I am going to my old ward for the last time today and I am so sad!!! I still don't get internet until Tuesday which is horrible. I am at my dad's work right now because I had to submit an English paper, again. Right now we are reading The Book Thief  and we have to write a paper on every six chapters or so which is horrible.

Thanksgiving was on Thursday and it was great! My mom made six pies and they were deeeeelish. I love the days after Thanksgiving because we still have leftover turkey. Well, I have to go back to my house now. Sorry if this post wasn't the longest but I promise that better posts will be coming once I have the internet up and running. See you later!

<3/  Audrey

Friday, November 29, 2013

Update!

Hi Guys!
So I have to type this really fast because I am about to leave. I moved this weekend so there might be a lack of posts for a little while! My new house is so cool and I am psyched about the whole dealio. I love that word. Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving (to all my states friends) and Chou to everyone else!

TTYL
<3/ Audrey

Friday, November 22, 2013

Top Beauty Products for Nov 21st, 2013


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Kelly Clarkson- Wrapped in Red Review

Hi Guys!
I have decided to do something kind of cool this year. As music artists release their Christmas albums, I will do a music review on them.  Kelly Clarkson just released her Christmas album Wrapped in Red. I LOVE this album. It really is true when critics say that she can sing anything. I love how upbeat and original some of the songs are, but at the same time, some of the songs are classic and beautifully done. Good job Kelly!

Kelly Clarkson – Wrapped in Red
Kelly Clarkson – Underneath the Tree (My personal favorite song on the album)
Kelly Clarkson – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Kelly Clarkson – Run Run Rudolph
Kelly Clarkson – Please Come Home for Christmas (Bells Will Be Ringing)
Kelly Clarkson – Every Christmas
Kelly Clarkson – Blue Christmas
Kelly Clarkson – Baby It's Cold Outside
Kelly Clarkson – Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)
Kelly Clarkson – White Christmas
Kelly Clarkson – My Favorite Things (love this one too)
Kelly Clarkson – 4 Carats
Kelly Clarkson – Just for Now
Kelly Clarkson – Silent Night

Hope you liked my first Christmas post!!!
<3/ Audrey

4000!!!!!!

Hi Guys!
I can't believe that I'm writing this post already. It seems like yesterday I was so close to 3000 and I was writing the 3000 post. Once I hit 4000, like always I will have a special post up. Tell your friends, show your family, and comment down below what you want to see on my site in the future! You guys rock!

<3/ A

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

English Projects, Debate Tournaments, and Paintings (ADD #22)

Hi Guys!
I am really starting to like these daily posts. They are way fun to write and a great way to wind down at the end of the day. I just finished writing my English presentation. We are reading The Book Theif (There will DEFINATELY be a review coming) and I have to present on Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler. It is a pretty somber subject and I hate having to research. I am glad that I don't have to actually read it because the book itself is over seven hundred pages long.

Jane just got back from a debate tournament and I just wanted to shout out and let you guys know how AMAZING she did. She took 6th overall and I can't wait to hear her speech. (joyhappinessandfun.wordpress.com)

Yesterday I was bored so I did a painting. It turned out really well and if you want to see a picture, comment down below. I recently learned how to enable comments so that you can comment even without a Google account. Awesome, I know. Hope you enjoyed this little update!

<3/ Audrey

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Audrey's Daily Drama #19: Moving, Testing, and Stressful Math Projects

Hi Guys!
This >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is how I feel right now. Sorry that I haven't really been around much lately. I have been so intensely busy with EOT's (End of Term) coming up on the 31st. I can imagine what teachers say about end of term. On top of all that stress, I also have a big announcement. I'm moving!!!

Yes, the rumors are true, it is finally happening! Moving day is two weeks from tomorrow and I have such mixed emotions about the whole thing. I am sad, scared, excited, and nervous all at the same time. I'll be staying at he same school which I am really grateful for. I could not switch schools in the middle of the year. I just don't have the guts to stand out and make new friends. 

Well I hope you guys enjoyed this little update. I will try to be posting more often now that the term is drawing to a close so don't forget to follow me for updates. 


Stage Fright, Writers Block, and Freckles (ADD #21)

Hi Guys!!!!
I am talking in church today and I just finished writing it. I haven't talked in church forever and I am so nervous! If there is one thing that I am absolutely TERRIFIED of it is public speaking, even if it is only in church. It was especially hard to write considering how bad of a writers block I've had lately. (hence, the lack of new content lately) I am going to start trying to do like a daily update or something. It is short but at least it's something. I honestly don't know why I wrote freckles in the title. Two title topics doesn't quite look right so I needed a third. Randomness!!!!!! Like this post for a RANDOMNESS TAG!

<3/ Audrey

Emma's Party (ADD #20)

Hi guys!
I'm at my friend Emma's party right now. (See love doctor convo) We are going to play that one game with the words and the synonyms. Something with apples. Emma did my nails, ill insert a picture below. Well, the party has been fun. We painted nails, and chatted, and all that jazz. Talk to you later webbies!

<3/ Audrey

Totally tourist!

Totally tourist!

White tee
$40 - whistles.co.uk

Nylon hosiery
modcloth.com

Circle skirt
$19 - shelikes.com

Mini skirt
amazon.cn

Cydwoq grey ankle boots
$310 - gravitypope.com