It's precisely midnight on the East Coast... which means it's 10pm here. STILL! 2014 is looking good, even if 2013 wasn't all that bad. Here are my favorite moments via Instagram/Flipagram from 2013.



I know... it goes fast and there are a lot of them, but it was really hard to narrow it down!

Do you have any resolutions for 2014? I decided this year I'm just going to go with it. I have a lot I want to accomplish, but always putting pressure on the year seems to make it, well, stressful. I don't want to do that this year. So, here's to making this year one of the best, least-stressful years!

Congratulations Katie M. from Standpipe & Sprinkles for winning the wonderful giveaway from Diana Meredith Designs! You can contact Diana through her facebook to receive your $10 credit to her etsy shop! For the rest of you, make sure to check it out, still. Diana really has some beautiful creations!

Happy New Year!

Like I said yesterday, I'm so excited for 2013. Because Clark and I decided it is going to be "our year", we thought it only appropriate we stay up until midnight. We're paying for it this morning, since Michael woke up promptly around 6:30... and we didn't really get to bed until 1am. Woo hoo!

It wasn't too difficult staying up since Michael decided he wanted to be up until 11pm. He went to bed around seven or so, but then around 8:30pm woke up screaming and would not be consoled. So we moved into the living room, offered him some "juice" (water), and let him stay awake until it was easy to put him to sleep without screams. I think there's a molar to blame.

I've decided that, for now, I need to keep my resolutions private. While I desperately want to share with y'all what exactly I have in mind for 2013, I'm giving it some time. If I put it all in writing immediately and want to hold myself accountable to numerous things, I will put an overwhelming amount of pressure on myself and end up caving in a matter of days, weeks... maybe months. But I wanted to share one thing with you.


This verse is Proverbs 19:21. It is my verse for 2013.

Normally I stick to Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.:

But this year I needed something that was a little more personal. I'm not saying that knowing God has wonderful things already mapped out for me isn't comforting. I just needed a verse that took in to account the fact that I can still make plans.

Maybe this makes me a little selfish... but I'm only human. I want to know that I can make plans to my heart's content that revolve around God, and know that the plans that are meant to be will be-- because the Lord's purpose will prevail.

Happy New Year! What are your New Year's resolutions?

I am SO ready for 2013!

2012 hasn't been awful, but 2011 and 2012 definitely had more bumps in the road than I ever could have predicted. They weren't exactly as I envisioned they would be... but, then, what year has been?

Our Christmas vacation was wonderful. We got some much needed time with my side of the family. I always know when we have a wonderful time because I don't have a TON of pictures. This means that I was so distracted with the family-wonderful-togetherness that I forgot all about pictures. But, here are some that I did capture....











We felt so blessed to have a white Christmas and Michael got to experience play-time in the snow (which he loved). He screamed every time Papa or Dada tried to bring him inside from playing. He loves being too cold over being too hot, so it only makes sense he loves playing in the snow.

I haven't laid out my New Year's Resolutions yet. I'm struggling a little bit, if I'm being honest. Every year starts out with so many expectations and high hopes and then December 31st rolls around and I tend to feel like I failed because I didn't "stick to the plan".

I think this year I'm making resolutions sweet and simple, and remembering to focus on what's important. After all, I don't want to start the New Year worrying about new recipes, cleaning the house, or keeping up with the world. I'd rather greet the New Year cuddling with my babies and focusing on how wonderfully blessed I am.

I have a roof over my head, food on my table, wonderful family, the sweetest pets, encouraging friends, and the love of Christ. How could I wish for more?

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you start the New Year in a way that's the best for you.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the winner of the Diana Meredith Designs giveaway! If you haven't entered yet, today's your last chance!