What a Year!

Fun Facebook app of my year in pictures.  It was a year full of heart ache but also a LOT of fun!  Starting in the upper left hand corner

1. Rachelle Kirkindoll and I at the New Kids on the Block concert.  AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
2. Girls Night Christmas party - dancing the night away
3. Family hike with The Plant
4. Paul and I at Pismo Beach for a Marriage Retreat
5. Paul and I's New Year's kiss, ringing in 2010
6. Getting crafty and making a new purse
7. Anna is such an amazing friend!  So blessed to have her in my life
8. 10 Year Coffee Talk Reunion at Pismo Beach.  All my best friends from college.  Amazing group of women!
9. Paul and friend Jeremiah showing off their muscles at Pismo
10. Holly Graham celebrating Vanessa's 30th birthday!
11. Alanna and I at Sophia's 3rd birthday.  She is too cute!!
12. Bella!  We got a dog this year
13. Vanessa's 30th Birthday!
14. Wine tasting with my mom for a girls weekend in Sonoma
15. My kiddos, Luke and Alanna.  They are cuddle bugs
16. Mom and I at the Vineyard. 

Style School

I am getting ready to embark on a new 6 week adventure (drum roll please)  Style School.  This is something I really wanted to do but thought I was going to miss out and then they open a few more spots and I got in (well, paid my $60) side note - so glad I didn't blow my Christmas money!

I am so excited to do this!  I need inspiration to try new things and get the creative juices flowing again!!

  A few of the lovely things we'll be making.

What I'm Reading

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

I have never read this classic novel and it is used and referred to time and time again in Twilight other great books and movies, I figured I should probably know what they are talking about.

Don't I look a little snooty holding this book?  Why? Because it's a CLASSIC and that means I am extra smart and refined!

New Year, A New You

Do you believe in Resolutions?  I don't really.  Someone told me for 2010 they wanted "Revelations not Resolutions".  I kind of liked the thought of that.  It doesn't even have to apply to your faith in God.  I think we all could use some greater Revelation in our lives aside from our knowledge of our Higher Power.  So, in honor of that thought (Revelations, not Resolutions)  I have made my list of New Year Revelations I am asking for and seeking in 2010:

• Revelation to see myself the way my husband sees me
• all he sees is beautiful and all I see are faults
• Revelation to know my purpose 
• huge and I think this is a life long process and journey but one I want to honestly examine and begin to work towards something not just live
• Revelation to stop living in fear of man - fear of judgement
• fear of man keeps me from doing so many things I want to do like art and to live creatively
•  Revelation of a deeper love for people
• Paul and I have a joke about me not being very tolerant with other people's stupidity and poor life choices.  I don't want it to be a characteristic I am known for.  It makes me sad that people say, "I use to think you were so mean then I got to know you and you're really very nice"  I would much rather people just say the very nice part.  BUT I do not want to loose my sense of justice, standards or morality.  How does this balance and how do I still stay true to who I am? (HINT: REVELATION!)
• Revelation of my many blessings
• I am incredibly blessed and I do not want to loose sight of all the good in my life even in the face of adversity and want

And just for the heck of it... here are a few Resolutions to break:

• Send pictures of my kids to my Grandma once a month.  She lives in New York and will not touch a computer and is always asking for pictures of my kids and I am REALLY bad about sending them to her.
• Clean-out the old - clean out closets, garage, old Rubbermaid Totes with God knows what in them
• Start taking pictures again - photography miss it
• Start college again, change major to Business Marketing and minor in Graphic Design.  (It's taken me 3 years to decide on a major)
• And because I am an American - loose weight!

Rain in Autumn

This Sunday, I was encouraged and inspired to dream again and reach out for hope.  I am desperate for an in-breaking of light in the midst of the darkness that Paul and I have been stumbling through.

Thank you Lord for knowing me.  Thank you Lord for seeing my tears.  Thank you Lord for loving me.  Thank you Lord for saving me.  Thank you Lord for pouring down your healing rain to soften my dry heart.

(click on picture for link to podcast)

Thank You

Thank you to all veterans who have fought and served this country for my freedom.

New Obsession

I have a new love!  A website that I visit regularly to look but not buy... (Lord, please bring a job to Paul!!!!!!)

ModCloth.  It is like Anthropology light - light as in not as expensive.  Whimsy, unique and pretty are words that come to mind.  Also fun home accessories.