Memories

This week I've been reflecting on the year...some firsts, some funny moments, and some favorite pictures I took. Today I want to look at some of the memories that stick out the most from this past year.

Snowmageddon - not only did I get a day off work, but the snice (snow mixed with ice) was impossible to shovel. Great day for staying in jammies, watching movies, reading books, and staying close to the fireplace!
Cupcake class!! Went with my friend Angi Spangler and made a dozen or so pretty amazing cupcakes!

Low country boil on the beach at sunset. YUMMY!!

All my kiddos...they brighten my life so much. Proud to be their aunt!

New friendships formed while helping Olivia plan her wedding. Loved being her bridesmaid!

Miss Rachel Ashley's baccalaureate service. Proud of her!

Speaking at the Fairmount book club meeting...

All the game nights with my fellow buddies. (Even when I lost...I had fun!)

My visits to Sonic. Oh Sonic. How I miss thee...

Brown County vacation with Rachel...not only writing...but also SHOPPING!!

My farewell party from IWU. (I really would like more of that punch right now. And a handful of the cupcakes!)

Fireworks on the 4th of July - with Jamie! (And many other fun outings with Jamie!)

Olivia's wedding day - hot day, cool dress!

Being baptized by Brian Holland...

Sister day! Lori came home to put together my yard sale and we all got to be together for part of the day.

Saying goodbye to my sweet baby Kaegan...

Anne of Green Gables party with Julie Crandall. (SO FUN!)

Spending a day at Lake Webster...gorgeous.

A day at the Cherished Moments Craft Hideaway with friends!

Extraordinary Women Conference with Marie and Faith!

Working with this beautiful lady EVERY DAY.

Visiting Lori, Jeff, and Cassie in Kansas...what a great relaxation time!

SSMT: Verse 24

This is it! The last SSMT verse of 2011. I can't wait to go back and string them together in light of the entire year...and see how God wrote the story of my life and laced it with promises and direction from Scripture.

Last year in the days of the desert, there were times when my heart ached so badly for some hint of something...anything...from the Lord, that I'd curl up in the fat chair and just imagine I was curled up in Abba's lap, and I'd lay there until He quieted my heart. Often I fell asleep and it was as I drifted off or began to awaken that I'd hear those words I needed so much.

Last night as I tried to find the right verse to end this SSMT project, I found this one:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

I was drawn to it, but I had no idea what God meant for my life through the words of this verse.

So I curled up beside the fireplace and drifted off to sleep, imagining myself drawn up into the Father's strong arms, and when I began to awaken (thank you, text message), I began to understand what it means for me.

What I began to understand is bigger than this blog post, so I won't unpack it right now. I'll just leave it at this!

I will say I'm SO glad I did the SSMT project this year. What a boost to my heart it has been to see how these 24 verses fit right in with the life I'm living. God is good!

A Funny Little Year

2010 may have been the year of tears but 2011 had a good amount of laughs hidden in it.

Like...the surprise ice storm? (Okay so it was funny LATER.)
Running around Florida in my swimsuit and without my ID...

The real picture that looks photoshopped. What's up with my head?

Too.Many.Hours.of.Painting.

Moms who don't want to be in pictures...

Realizing fears...

Yummy punch!

GOLF!!

Laughter is good for the soul...and my soul is pretty happy as this year concludes!

My Favorite Pictures

As I continue to mentally close the year...some of my favorite photography moments.

Snow...
Ice...

Indian Rocks Beach...

Sunset...

Little Bit o Static on a Really Cute Girl...

Brown County State Park...

Miss Adelaide...

Monument Circle...

IWU Prayer Chapel...

September 11, 2011...

Flying Solo...

David Phelps...

A Year of the New

Hard to believe it's time to begin mentally recapping the year, reflecting on what God has done, and enjoying a celebration of HOPE.

Thought I'd start by taking a look at some of the NEW things I experienced this year.

Pancakes with the Princess...
Florida!

Science Central...

Watching the Marion Easter Pageant...

Walking along the Canal in Indianapolis...

Bocce!

Resigning my Financial Aid Job...

A week long writing retreat in Brown County...

Beginning my new job at WBCL...

Participating in a Parade!

Bachelorette Party!

Baseball Game!

Friendraiser!

Working concerts...

Corn Maze!

Football Game!

Destination Thanksgiving!

Introducing David Phelps at a concert!

Indeed...a year of the new and the beautiful!