#RIPTom

This is hitting me kinda hard. I don't {didn't} know the kid. Never met him. Never talked to him. Don't know his friends. Don't know his family. But I am affected.

I do not know what happened and like a lot of people in our area I keep refreshing social media and news outlets looking for answers. Was he mixed up with bad people? Did he drink too much? Was there a horrible accident? These are just some questions going through my head and I'm sure there are many other questions and rumors going around especially since the last tweet that he ever sent gives everyone an eerie feeling. He was found/seen after the tweet but it is almost like a foreshadow and/or crazy coincidence!

This is the 2nd missing North Dakota college student that ended in death this year - This type of thing isn't supposed to happen here!

North Dakota is a close-knit state. That of course comes with too many people knowing your business but it also comes with a feeling that we are all connected one way or another. NDSU also has it's own feeling of being connected, of being a family and I think Alumni across the state are feeling this one! I was a freshman just 8 years ago and I think of all the dumb shit my friends and I did, this could have easily happened in my group of friends too.

I have a heavy heart. My prayers & deepest sympathy go out to Tom's friends and family. I pray answers are found and justice is served!!

Remember to tell your friends and family you love them - tomorrow is not promised

…

Has a case like this ever affected you?

Updates: Death Ruled Homicide

5 Tips for College Freshmen

When Nostalgia is hitting hard, you have 4 beers {your buzzed limit is 3} at a work outing, and you are steps away from your Alma Mater - Of Course you go walk around on campus pretending you are 19 again right?!  

Well I did!! I felt like I fit right in, I haven't changed very much appearance wise since I set foot on NDSU campus 8 years ago and being back made me really wish I had a class to go to - I even got asked what I was majoring in while at the coffee shop. 

The Communication Department {where I spent my time} got a remodel right after I graduated so I tried convincing my husband I needed to go back to school but he wasn't having it - plus if I went back I guess I wouldn't go for the same thing!! 

I had a great walk around the place I called home for 4 years and relived some amazing memories. Of course it got me thinking about what was awesome and about some things I may have done different so here is a little list for the Freshmen just starting out on their college journey!

1:: Experience Dorm Life - No matter how much you will be homesick, or just want to live with your friend who is a junior; don't do it! Have the college select a random roomie for you, you may never talk to them after that first year {like me} or you may become best friends, either way it is something you need to say you've done!

2:: Get Involved - Now this is something I didn't do enough of because I was either afraid of rejection or afraid of what others might have thought of me << Don't do that!! Get involved in everything that interests you because here you will find the people most like you, the people who you probably wouldn't have met otherwise!

3:: Be Single - {Okay this can be controversial and is totally my opinion & experience} I went to college with a boyfriend who was thousands of miles away and in my experience it held me back a little. I used the line "I have a boyfriend" a little too much {the guy was just inviting me to a freshmen event not hitting on me (embarrassing)}. And by this I'm not saying be a slut, I'm just saying if you decide to go into your freshmen year with a boyfriend don't let him hold you back!! 

4:: Make Mistakes - You are no longer living with your parents, you are {more than likely} away from your home town - this is your time! College is when you find out who you really are and some mistakes are going to be made, big ones & small ones and when you learn from these mistakes you are bringing out the true you; so don't be afraid to make mistakes as long as you take something away from them!! 

5:: Have Fun - this one is simple just make the most out of your days and Have Fun, create the memories that will last a lifetime so when you come upon your 5 year reunion you want to go back again!! 

Coffee Date

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … to send Mother Nature some wine & chocolate; apparently she needs a care package to loosen up and maybe we will get Spring!! 

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … I'm super excited for a night out with my Hubby tonight! Celebrating my birthday 2 days early!! 

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … March Madness is in Full Swing and our Alma Mater won for the first time in NDSU history and are playing again tonight - I think another upset is in order!!

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … I am a hopeless romantic through and through and if you don't like the movie Serendipity I'm not sure if we can be friends any more!!

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … this day of production is slipping away from me; so much for organizing the house.

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … My succulent plant at work is blooming more everyday. I've had it for 5 weeks and haven't watered it yet!!

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … My sister has a great new blog >> Check out Erika Joy Design

If we were having coffee I'd tell you … to fill me in on your life >> aannnddd GO

Linking up with Alissa

Evicted!

Have I come off as the rebellious type to you? No, well then I haven’t been completely forthcoming with you. Okay slightly kidding but let me tell you about >>>

That One Time We Got Evicted!!

Flashback to May of 2010 - My Graduation from North Dakota State University. I graduated in 4 years with a degree that wasn’t University Studies but it very well could have been because I had NO CLUE what I wanted to do with my life. Anyway this was something to be celebrated {of course} so we decided to party the night away.

We closed the bar down and walked across the street to our apartment, oh how I miss the convenience of college bars! I was one of the last two to leave the bar, walking back over I could hear my roommates {aka hubby {then boyfriend} and his cousin} and then they came into view … on the roof. First Reaction: They are drunken fools … Second Reaction: ROOF PARTY!!

Oh yes, how was this not a FABULOUS idea?! Don’t worry this was not the roof of the whole building. Our apartment was on the 2^nd Floor and our unit happened to have a balcony with super easy access to the roof of the parking garage. We. Had. A. Blast. And that is probably an understatement. It was a perfect Grad night until there was a knock on the door…

THE COPS.

Oh and not just any cops … BICYCLE COPS!! {This still cracks me up} Yes while strolling with their pedal bikes, our Roof Party was found - the celebrating was a tad too loud I guess! We were let off with a warning but told to break the party up and anyone not residing at our apartment had to go home.

One of my favorite moments was my friend asking the cops if they had an extra helmet for her, and could just give her a ride home - Note: Bicycle Cops at 3am don't find that funny!!

We woke up the next morning reliving our awesome Roof Party and thankful we got off with a warning ... 

{If Only That Were True}

The apartment owners got notification of our party warning and decided  to Evict us! We had 3 days to move out with no place to go. 

Long Story Short :: Don't have a Roof Party at your Apartment Complex, because the Bicycle Cops will find you!! 

Faithful Footprints : Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Today I have a very special treat {or two} for you. A guest post and my very first iPhone wallpaper download.

Today I'm enjoying mimosas in my sweatpants watching my Alma Mater {North Dakota State University} play in the Championship football game for their chance at winning for the 3rd year in a row!!

Here is the iPhone lock screen I'm currently sportin' and have it available for you too if you are a Bison Alum like myself! 

iPhone 4s

Now without further ado I'd like to welcome Brianna to Mrs. Laura Beth!

com.par.i.son noun 

: the act of looking at things to see how they are similar or different

Comparing ourselves to others is common in today's society. Let's face it - our lives are open books for others to see, judge, and criticize, especially with all of the social media sites available today. Through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many, many others, we plaster our day to day for all the world to see. And for us bloggers, we're really an open book.  And with our lives posted for all to see comes the thief of joy: comparison. 

Think about it. With so much out there for the world's eyes, we see a lot more into people's lives than ever before. Seriously. Even if you are merely 'acquaintances' in reality {say, a coworker}, if you're friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you see way more into their lives than you would otherwise. You know where they ate dinner and who they ate with. You see pictures of their pets and how they spent their weekend...and in some cases, you get every.single.detail.  And then...we compare. We compare our weekend with that of your neighbor or best friend from high school. So and so is newly engaged, and all of a sudden you're comparing your ring with hers or her fiance with your husband. He may make tons of money and shower her in gift after gift. Your husband doesn't. But what you don't see are all of the downs that go along with the ups. You don't necessarily see that her fiance is never home in time for dinner or that he very rarely has quality date nights with her. You don't see that she's actually very lonely - I mean, let's face it: gifts aren't exactly the greatest company!  Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone else's highlight reel. Some people only show what they want others to see {don't we all?}. So comparing yourself to others' greatest moments is only hurting yourself. It's not fair. You are a completely different and unique person with a completely different set of circumstances and life experience.  You have to stop comparing your life to someone else's so that you give yourself a chance to actually live your life. What really comes of always comparing your days to someone else's? Is it joy? Happiness? Love? I don't think so. It's lonely and hurtful. It brings a sense of unfulfillment and emptiness. It's hard.  We're not built to spend the days we're given on this earth comparing ourselves to everyone else. You are here for a reason. We all are. And, surprise, surprise...our purposes are all different. We are meant for different goals and dreams. We are made for different careers and homes and families. How fulfilling would life truly be if everyone were exactly the same? What if we all looked the same, acted the same, reacted to things in the same way, loved the same person, had the same homes, same career? It'd be impossible! You wouldn't have doctors, lawyers, farmers, techs, fast food employees, bosses, etc. The world would not function the same. It's just not meant to be.  So, stop it! Stop comparing your life, dreams, goals, aspirations, faithfulness, and being to someone else. YOU are uniquely YOU for a reason. Figure it out and make a choice to stay true to you.  Be thankful for what you have instead of longing for what others may have. Love your family. It's the only one you get! Be there for each other and truly live for yourself. No one else is going to make you happy - you've got to do it for yourself!  And now for the big question: how exactly do you stop comparing yourself to others? I'm not saying it's easy, but it's possible! For starters, find the joy in the little things in your life. Whether it be that you woke up this morning or kissed your husband goodbye for the day. Find gratitude in those small things - not everyone gets them! Realize that every single thing that you get to experience is special and unique.  Another big step is to minimize your time on social media networks. Don't spend 5 hours a day trolling Facebook. Don't read blog posts wishing for that life. Don't follow every single celebrity and their families on Twitter. They live a different life. It's okay! Just limit your time and involvement in social media and you'll find yourself actually living and enjoying your life! 

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else. -Galatians 6:4 

BLOG//TWITTER//BLOGLOVIN

Bison Vlog Like a Boss

Short and sweet post here for you. On the way to my parents for Christmas and cheering on our Alma Mater in the Football Semi-Finals.

Linking up with the always lovely Ashten so watch my video below ... or don't whatever your little heart desires!!

Excuse my Absence...

I've been completely exhausted lately. As I type that I feel horrible because two of my really good friends recently became moms and I know they are exhausted and have total reason to be; me ya not so much I just like sleep. So please excuse my absence and current laziness. 

Meet my new favorite parents:

We have a busy weekend planned. Sunday marks our 1 year wedding anniversary. Wow I can't even believe how fast those 365 days went! We have a weekend full of Football {Go Bison} {Go Vikings}; eating prime rib and leftover wedding cake! 

Be sure to follow my Instagram and Twitter for weekend updates!

Photo by Milestones Photography