Tiered White Gauzy Skirt and Chartreuse Top

Good morning! Today my twin is helping me out- Everyone say hello to Brianna.  All together now, "Hello Brianna!"  She is shy in front of the camera so please help her to feel welcome.  She is the one that takes the photos of me for these posts normally (or Mrs. Cottage). 

 Sorry for the lack of posts lately. It feels like life is going a hundred miles an hour around corners. LOL! This year has by no means turned out how I expected... and I have to admit a good portion hasn't been that great. But He is always in control- maybe one day I will understand why it turned out like this. 

Lil' bit is no longer with us. My heartbreaks every time I think of his sweet face, I wonder how he is adjusting to his new family. The house is so quiet with out him, yet so loud. But its all the wrong sounds. I accidentally slam the door coming in from doing chores and wince because he should be napping- only to realize that there is no one to wake up. Sounds crazy right? I'll be the first one to say it,and yet as I watched the car pull out of the driveway carrying him away it took my heart with him... 

Anyway hopefully I'll be able to start posting regularly again soon. Today Brianna is wearing a green top, white tank and white skirt. With a shark tooth necklace and green purse. 

Cotton tiered white skirt: Walmart
Green knit top: 2nd hand shop
Lace trimmed white tank top: Ross
Green purse: Ross
Sunglasses: Ross
Sandals: Ross
Shark tooth Necklace: Zoo

Hair: This hairstyle is great to get the hair off of your neck and when you can't do a French braid yourself.  I take the top section of hair and make a ponytail in the back.  Then grab the rest of your hair and pull it back to the nape of your neck and secure with an elastic band.  You can make more sections than this, but this is a quick and easy way to do your hair and it really does keep you cooler in the sizzling summer heat.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

17 Years Of "Us"

Some one turned 17 at the Cottage today.

Well two of us did really...

Our first birthday. I'm the one with the cake on my face looking at my momma off camera no doubt telling me to "wait for the picture to be taken" or  "look at the camera" as Brianna prepares to dig in. LOL!

It's always been the two of us. I guess that's how it is when your a twin. One & Two. Briana and Cheyenne. B&C. Always two. Never alone, one always has the others back. A constant team. Even now you rarely see us apart. One always following the others lead. Together we are whole. That's just how it is- how it will always be.

This was after I caught my hair on fire since mom is holding both of our hair back. (I'm on the left and Brianna is on the right.)

I don't know whether to say it as an announcement or a fact. My twin and I turned 17 today. The first thing that comes to mind after that isn't I want my learners permit or only a year until I graduate High School. But where has the time gone? Where? It seems like just yesterday I was feeding the ducks at the lake at my sixth birthday- or was it 5th?

I'm on the left Brianna is on the right.

The other day I was looking at pictures of our birthdays over the years. Each one with its own story... its own disaster, its own perfect memories. Like the year I caught my hair on fire blowing out the candles on the cake with my sister. Or the fact that it almost always rains when we have a party and sometime when we didn't, and as I write this the storm clouds are just beginning to clear and the thunder becomes further and further away as sunshine streams through the front windows. Or the year it rained really really hard and dad had to pull the grill up to the back door so he could cook lunch in the rain. Or the fact we always had our party at two o'clock.

As I looked through the 17 years of photos I had to notice who else was in them... I noticed who was in my life then that wasn't in it now and wonder why? How had knowing them changed me? Influenced me to be who I am today... Thank you. To everyone of you who were in those photos- even to those who left it in a storm that broke my heart. Thank you- you helped make me who I am.

Brianna is on the right and I'm on the left.

I couldn't help but smile at the ones that were still in my life as we grew together... Its weird where life has taken us all. Some to other continents some still are in the house they always have been in but they are all grown up. Some of us have more siblings than when we first met, others have nieces and nephew now. Crazy, It seems like we should still be playing hide-and-seek at night. Or so many other little girl things. Not driving, or working with orphans, not chasing new siblings or holding them and laughing at their giggles as we tickle them...

Where has the time gone?  Why aren't we still on that trail ride for our sixteenth birthday?
This morning as I sat reading my bible as Mrs. Cottage made our traditional birthday breakfast of waffles and bacon. The scents of both mingling with the smell of maple syrup in a heavenly mixture that smells like- like my birthday. Of birthdays gone by. Of laughter and smiles and the occasional birthday candle wax resting on top. The birthday Mr. Cottage was working second shift so we went out for an early lunch and had a girls day shopping. Then ending our birthday at a friends farm as she taught us how to show goats so we could help her at the fair that weekend. So many many good memories. Funny how even the disasters have become good memories.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful, talented, beautiful, partner in crime, best friend, sometimes crazy twin sister.  I love you so much.
 
This is a slide show I put together of my birthday through the years. :)

Crisp White Sundress and Teal Jewels

 Good Morning! Happy Tuesday. School is back in session here. We are Juniors this year. I'm excited, I've missed school especially history. But I can't believe we only have two years left of school.

 This Saturday we are having our birthday party. I can't wait to hang out with my friends, family and adopted family, I love them so much. Its been awhile since I have seen most of them. Two of my aunts are even coming! Seriously I can't believe I am turning 17 this year. Where has all the time gone? I guess the bricks my dad was always joking about using didn't work... LOL! Poor dad. If it's cool enough we are going to have the party out in the yard, dad has been helping me string lights out in the trees over the table. It looks beautiful when the sun goes down. I wish you could see it.

So today I am wearing a white dress, blue/turquoise necklace and earrings, and black flip flops. 

Dress: Ross

Jewelry: Necklace: Burks Earrings: Burks 

Shoes: Dollar Tree

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? -Mark 8:36Have a great week! 

Bermuda Shorts For Summer Sun

Good morning! Life is still crazy busy here. My 17th birthday is just a few weeks away, so we are planing a party. This year my best friends are in town! I'm so excited!!!

 Lil' bit has gotten so big and handsome! I can't believe he is almost 5 months old. Seriously where has the time gone??

Tomorrow is our youth groups back to school bash. Their will be a dunking tank, water slides and free ice cream plus there is supposed to be a surprise. I thought I would share the outfit I am going to wear. They asked us to where long shorts and a black shirt (all the girls are wearing black shirts, so we will match when we take on the boys). So this is what I came up with. I didn't own a pair of shorts so we had to run out shopping for my sister and I.

 Today I am wearing: Brown Shorts, Black shirt, White tennis shoes, white and silver ankle bracelet, white stud earrings, Shell and bead Bohemian style necklace.

Shirt: Target Store

Shorts: Target Store

Shoes: Walmart

Accesories: Scarf: A Gift Sunglasses: Ross

Jewlery: Necklace: I made Anklet: Walmart

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalms 118:1

Oh by the way the cat's name is Luna. 

Sweet Summer Sundress

 Good morning! Today my best friend Anna is helping me out again. :) She spent the night a couple days ago, it was so amazing to hear her stories from Africa. It was just like old times staying up late talking and laughing. I have missed her. I love how even when I'm having a bad day she can make me laugh. So today she is wearing a dark blue dress with black boots.

Dress: Ross

Boots: Co-op Riding Boots

...And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,    confirming the work that we do... Psalm 90:17

Have a blessed day!

Pretty Black And White Eyelet Outfit

Hey guys! Sorry it has been so long. We have been really busy (please tell me its not just us)! So much is going on in our lives, I wish I could share it with you guys but for right now your prayers would be much appreciated.

Tonight my friends and their little sister are coming over for a sleep over and surprise party. Shhh!!! Don't tell them! And may I just say that my mom is AWESOME! I'm mean seriously I asked her last night while we were stuck in traffic if we could have a party and celebrate all of our birthdays together before they go back to Africa, so this morning we drove all over the place getting balloons and streamers and a cake and candles and gifts, and stuff to make pizza. Now the living room is decked out in purple and white streamers. Purple and blue balloons (they didn't have enough purple) in the shape of stars that are tied to the backs of chairs. Gift bags wait to be opened by the fireplace and a pillar of white balloons hang from the ceiling in the corner. We are going to have a great time, even if its been raining all day and the pool is freezing. LOL! Oh speaking of surprises I may have one for you coming soon! Keep your eyes open! Have a blessed day and I'll see you soon!

Today I am wearing a black and white eyelet skirt, black tank, black shirt, cream lace shoes, white & gold necklace, and a beaded headband.

Skirt: Vintage Store

Tank: Walmart

Shirt: Vintage Store

Shoes: Walmart

Jewelry: Necklace: Burkes 

Accessories: Headband: Walgreens 

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. Psalms 119:7

Red White And Blue Flag Skirt

 Hey guys! Sorry its been so long since I have posted on of these its been a little... well crazy. A couple weeks ago we had to put our dog down. It was really hard on our family, plus trying to keep up with my friend's crazy scheduled so we can spend some time together before they go back to Africa, keeping up with the yard work and gardens, and we have out of town family visiting. So it's been a little hectic. :) But I'm looking forward to some fun tomorrow!

Happy Independence Day to all my American friends. I love the 4th of July! From the food to the fireworks to just spending time with my family. I love it! So today I'm wearing a skirt I made (Check out my post about it here) in red white and blue (I told you I loved it), a black tank, a black vest, silver flip flops, red white & blue star earrings, Cowboy hat necklace, red, white & blue scarf (flag pattern). When it gets to Red, White and Blue I can be very serious... LOL!

Shirt: Walmart

Vest: Ross Store

Flip Flops: Ross

Skirt: I made

Accessories: Scarf: Walmart

Jewelry: Necklace: I made Earrings: Walmart