Happy Birthday Brother!

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Originally uploaded by [haley] L

(picture courtesy of Haley Lamb)

Today is my little brother's 26th birthday! He was married this September...and we LOVE Katie to death.

I don't often do this...so here's my chance to tell you all of the amazing thing about Matthew that make me smile!
**He's the most generous person I know. If you are his friend or his family he's going to bend over backwards to help you. Don't even try to go out to eat with him and expect to pay! (He'll leave the whole price of the meal as a tip if you do. STUBBORN!)
**He freely gives of his talent and time. He's helped me move (pre-Daniel) countless times. He laid our wood floors FOR FREE. He's just a solid guy. Committed to the finish. He'd die for what he believes in.
**He's a natural comic. When we were little. I'd try and make people laugh...but I just wasn't funny. Matthew, however would just say something...and laughs all around would come for him.
**He likes fast cars. Enough said.
**We sing together to oldies songs in restaurants and public areas. We look at each other and just laugh. I love it!

There are many many more reasons why he's the best brother...but these are just a few! Matthew...thanks for being the best brother there is. You make me want to work harder and be a better human being. I love you! I can't wait for you and Katie to have a baby first !!! *wink wink*

Happy Birthday Daniel!!!!!!

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Originally uploaded by Whitley

It's not everyday that a man like Daniel comes along. He's the kind of guy that all girls dream of..but one very LUCKY girl got!

You've heard me on several occasions speak about him...but it never gets old. He's truly the best man I know. I love and respect him...and would happily give my life for his anyday.

I almost always post about things that he does that I love...so I'll switch it up and share things that he does that makes me laugh.

^^He raps at lightening speed with a special voice. I can tell he feels so cool when he knows all the words to an especially complicated rap song.^^

^^His little dance he does with his arms up by his side and knees slightly bent..twisting side to side when he feels good.^^

^^ He'll run and slide on his socks in the kitchen and do an oldies twist shout or a Michael Jackson scream^^

^^He's great with kids. All kids love to be around him. He's so attentive and they just gravitate towards him. He'll even act like one...to get a laugh out of them. Wish we lived closer to our niece and nephews! They would want Uncle Dan all the time. ^^

^^Car Dancing. Daniel is SHAMELESS it's just too funny.^^

I love this man...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! To see some cute pictures of Daniel when he was little...check out his mom's blog here!

--picture courtesy of the ever lovely and talented Jasmine Star.

A BIG BIG Surprise FINALLY revealed!

I'm world's worst when it comes to keeping surprises from my husband...but for over a month...I've kept his sweet birthday gift a secret.

This is what I told him-- We are going on a trip...I can't tell you where...but there's a huge event involved.

For weeks he has guessed Michael Jordan, Grand Canyon...and Jasmine Star...



Today he read her blog.....and with her sweet personality she so graciously put the reveal on her blog. He was reading it during his lunch...and once he got to the end of it...he realized he was in it.

The video is about 2 minutes... he reads her blog out loud...and at the end...it's so cute when he comprehends what has transpired.




So...we are going to LA for a photoshoot with Jasmine, to San Diego to see it's wonders and visit with my friend JT...and perhaps we can swing by Santa Barbara too!

p.s. Daniel's birthday is November 20--but we are celebrating early. Thanks to the family that contributed to Daniel's gift..it made it so special for him. Click here to read Jasmine's post!

Happy Birthday MOM!

A special Happy Birthday to my Mom (Daniel here...) today! In true Daniel Lanning fashion...here's a birthday poem for you!

It is so hard to celebrate
With you so far away
To show how much we love you
On this special day

There's been a few dozen birthdays
Over these past few years
But we hope they keep getting sweeter
And be void of any tears (unless they are happy tears)

So on this day be merry
And take some time for you
Know there is much love coming from the south
From this two-person Lanning Crew

**We love you Mom!

Pinned up on the inside!

I (Candice) have had several blogs pinned up on the inside of me the past couple of days...the way they used to be pinned up back in the days of my blog, "China Girl Quotes." I've had zero time to post....but today...I'm going to share some and hopefully share some tomorrow as well.

Let me first say...it's quite an experience for me doing Guest Services at Elevation Church. I've always considered myself a leader. But a real leader doesn't just lead people, they also lead other leaders. What's the difference, you may ask? Well...there are people and volunteers that just enjoy being led, shown where to go and they will own whatever you ask of them...but leaders...are different.

When leading a leader you will need to provide the why's, how come's and more. Leaders think of all of the detail that it takes to pull something off--not just the task. Leaders see the bigger picture and realizes the sacrifice that it will take to get there. Leaders look out for their teams and the best interest of the ministry itself and of those following.

I never in a million years would have guessed that God would have placed me in a position to lead leaders...but I am being stretched and challenged every step of the way. It's exciting and frustrating at the same time. If you are leading leaders, I imagine that you will feel some of the same things--but in the end, when you ask leaders to take a risk with you for a vision bigger than yourself, if they are the right leaders--they will go there with you. BUT....not without the 'why'.

Let me encourage you to not be discouraged by leaders needing to know the why--lead them in a way that they have confidence in the vision that you are placing before them.

***
In a personal note...Happy 77th Birthday Pa! I love you so much and wish we lived closer. His birthday was actually June 3rd...but I'm posting it late...

What day is it again?

Life has been running full speed for both Daniel and I ...and some days...I wake up and have to ask myself, "what day is it again?" I absolutely love what I do at Elevation Church. God has given me some amazing people to work with. Today, I overheard one of the people I work with said to another..."can you believe what we get to be a part of every day? how many people can say they did this kind of thing at work today?"

I agree.

I love the opportunities I have to grow and be challenged to grow...one of those opportunities included me getting to post at Access:Elevation. Go check out that post here.

...in addition to loving work...

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday (my birthday) such a fun an memorable day. Who knew 28 would be so exciting? My husband hooked me up with all kinds of good stuff...along with my family, friends and co-workers. Thank you so much!

....in addition to my birthday....

so many pictures are coming from the Lanning Family with the Beautiful Mess. Keep checking us out to get a sneak peek on those!

Easy as 1,2,3

First…I’d like to give a shout out to our nephew, Micah Matthew, who turns 1 today. We love you and look forward to the day you live closer to us…so we can spoil you rotten! You are so fun and sweet to be around you. Aunt Can & Uncle Dan love you tons. We’re sending our love to Taiwan for you today!

Second…If you will take a look to all of our links, you may notice that they are looking a little different today. We have added more than double the links we had before. We have links to our Elevation Staff Homies that I work with. We have links to our favorite photographers. We have links to blogs of folks we like to keep up with (with the exception of family…we’ve decided to keep those on the DL). Not all of our links link us and we are totally comfortable with that *wink wink* .

Third…I am off to Newspring today with the rest of the Elevation Staff. I’m totally looking forward to catching up with my old homies from there. It’s so hard to believe that I have been gone from Anderson for 3 years! God is doing some amazing things there.

Ella Bella...

Ella Bella...
Originally uploaded by Whitley

My good friends, the Van Hamme's...had a fiesta for their daughter, Ella. SO sweet...they let her devour a small cake, no holes barred! (Which was hard for me to watch...since I hate getting dirty and messy stuff). All in all a great time. Click here to see some of my favorite pictures from the day.

The little boy in the pictures...well ....he's my nephew. Cute. I know..

Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

Good Morning!! Today is my husband's BIRTHDAY!!! What an amazing, one in 100 billion man did I find! Daniel you are more than I could have ever dreamed up. I love you SOOOOOO much! Have the best birthday ever!!!

(this picture...taken by photobooth...of us..this morning)

Oh...and I don't want to forget..today is also my 1st cousin, Dana's birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CUZ! LOVE YOU!

disclaimer

disclaimer: this is daniel, i am the guest writer on my wife's blog today.

i have the most wonderful wife in the world.....and she comes up with the best surprises.

my birthday is in just under a month and candice told me she had my birthday present to give to me today because part of it had to be used before the big day (and she is not good at keeping secrets). i had no ideas on what it could be....and even couldn't get it after multiple guesses. anyway, the best wife in the world bought me/us partial season tickets to the Charlotte Bobcats games! We get to see 12 games (of teams that include San Antonio, Miami, Dallas, Cleveland, Boston, and Chicago) and will have great seats. Candice did this all on her own....I had only mentioned going to a game or two. Not only did both sides of family members go in on a new in-ground basketball hoop for my birthday (that is already been placed and used), but now we have tickets to see some of the best teams in the nba.

Thank you, Candice! I love you so much!

So I've been celebrating my birthday for a month already and will have another month to celebrate coming up!


On another note......one of my best friends in college, Jeff, and his wife, Amy, had a baby boy this morning.....Ethan John. Praise the Lord he is a heathy baby with a healthy mom and dad!

Happy 30th Birthday Rachel!!

Daniel and I would like to wish a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our sister Rachel! Today is her 30th...and she doesn't look a day of 25! I hope today is the best birthday ever. We can't wait to see you next week...and then in Taiwan!

Love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDITH!

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Originally uploaded by Whitley

So today is Judith's birthday (in the center of our silly picture) I have a TON of pix of this lady...but this one cracked me up...so I used it (forgive me Ju). Anywho...girl enjoy your last year in the twenties *wink wink* (i'm not too far behind). You are missed and and I hope this day is the best day ever!!!
----
So ballroom dancing is fun! Daniel and I learned more of the foxtrot last night...and we added SWING! Once we get the basics of ALL the dances we will pick a couple to focus on for good. Our best dances are the one's we did last night (the rumba & salsa...give me a run for the money). SO fun!

We are staying busy being a married bunch! Loving our church (Elevation)...and getting involved. More to come :).

A Very...Happy Birthday...

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Originally uploaded by Whitley

...to my mother-in-law, Nancy! I hope today is filled with fun and happiness...so glad you got to spend it with Liz, Jason , Reba, Ben & Brock . Daniel & I love you a ton!

........

Dance lessons. Part 1. Daniel and I had such a fun time. The instructors at Queen City Ballroom made us feel totally comfortable...and we learned the waltz & salsa. So fun....we are going again...Friday. Love it. Try it. You will to.

........

Twas a Good Weekend...

Thank you to all who made my birthday a GREAT one this weekend. Thank you for all the cards, calls, facebook messages, and e-mails.

Thanks to my husband for all his cooking, making the weekend a fun one, and gifts. I love you Daniel.

Pictures to come...

Happy Birthday Ben!

Happy Birthday to Ben....our brother-in-law....you are getting old! (wink wink)! Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Reba!

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Originally uploaded by Whitley.

Today is my sister-to-be's birthday! I hope to day is so great...and that you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

-I have another wedding shower this weekend and I'm so looking forward to it. My friend/bridesmaid Jenni is doing the honors.....so it should be a fun time in Augusta.

3 more weeks....23 more days...till we get married. Oh...check out the church that's "Bringing Sexy Back' Sweet..huh? .

Happy Belated Birthday Lori & Melody..

Happy Birthday to both Lori and Melody! I am SO sorry for the belated nature of this post...but with 28 days till the wedding...I'm a bit discombobulated at times! Hope its a great weekend for you both...and that you eat lots of chocolate cake!

Happy Birthday Jason!

Jason....
Originally uploaded by Whitley.

Today is the birthday of my brother-in-law to be! I hope you have an amazing birthday Jason .....and that you don't eat too many sweets!! :)
~~~
So. Speaking of sweets...I started this meal plan...to eat better. No, it's not a diet. My mom has designed it for me (it's her line of work...).I find myself fixated on food. Isn't it funny how we want something (like a Snickers bar) when we are no longer allowed to have it? Somehow it feels as though we are missing out.

I think it can feel the same way with a Christian walk. You know that living for Christ is a much better way to live life than your old one. God has provided the Word for us (Bible) so that we can stay on track and do what's best for us. But somehow, we fixate on what we can no longer have....We want it only because we can't/shouldn't have it. It feels like we are missing out.

I think the Lord understood all along what we would battle...and he spoke of it through Paul in Romans 7.

Romans 7:15-25 (New Living Translation)
15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[b] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Just a thought.