It's another year...

It happened again. A new year, another January.
Although I notice a new year, I often don't fuss over it.
The though of a "New Year's Resolution" drives me mad. In my mind, it's a set-up for failure
And who likes the feeling of failing? Not me.

So instead I come up with some Goals. 

Same thing? I don't like to think so.

Here are my, "goals" for 2014:

~Read my devotion every day. Morning, afternoon, or evening. Read it Emma!!

~Finish my Sophomore year of school strong. {I tend to fall off toward the end}

~Go on a mission trip, or start the process of a mission trip.

~Pray more (enough said)

~Start a memory jar for 2014

In July I attended a three-day girls retreat with some of the girls from my church. While there, I received the Jesus Calling devotion by Sarah Young. If you don't own this devo, I strongly recommend you buy it. It so simple, yet so powerful. Buy Jesus Calling

Although Jesus calling is great, I feel I need a little bit more on a day-to-day basis. As Jesus calling only gives me 2-4 scripture verses. So along with Jesus Calling I have started Devotions for the God Girl by Hayley DiMarco. Although this only gives you one verse from a chapter. I read the entire chapter (not just the verse) each day. Another plus: it goes through the entire Bible. So you get devotionals from each book of the Bible! Buy God Girl

Another thing that has been in the back of my brain is, Missions. Most of you know I traveled to Haiti back in June. See Haiti Post

It was an amazing trip and I loved the kids/people. But it's just not where I'm supposed to be. Don't get me wrong, the little girl I love and think about everyday is there... but I'm not feeling God pulling me to Haiti. I am still longing for China. The question is: Is the longing of me? Or God's tugging on my heart?

Finally, I am starting a memory jar! What is a memory jar? Basically, you write down exciting (or simple) happening in 2014. Then, on December 31st, 2014 (New Year's Eve), you go through an read all of them.
I thought it was a cute idea, so.. why not? Right!? Memory Jar

Well, with nothing else left to write; Happy 2014!!!

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

– Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Winter Wonderland~ Photo Shoot

A friend, who happens to be an AMAZING photographer, asked if was interested in being a second shoot for a photo shoot she was doing. Of course I was thrilled accept, and I had SO much fun. It was a "Winter" themed shoot (obviously) and there was snow on the ground which was perfect. Half way through it started raining so we had to shoot while holding umbrella's, which was hard. Nevertheless, I got some great pictures and Treneka even helped me edit them! 

Sunday Snapshot- {Red & Black}

You really know I'm back when I take nice pictures for a Sunday Snapshot!

Yesterday I was able to second shoot for a friends Photo shoot! Which was super fun, and I will do a whole post on that in a few weeks. 

For today I thought you guys might want to see a little of Lily and Joshua! They were just so cute I decided to make it a Sunday Snapshot!

 

 Sweet Joshy still in his pajamas loves getting his picture taken.

 Lily has the most beautiful smile EVER! Like when did this kid become so photogenic?

Despite the fact I was upset with the lighting, their faces were just too adorable! I had to add this to the post.

Hope everyone is enjoying their December!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. [Luke 2:14]

Catching Up!

First off, thank-you to the lovely people that welcomed me back into cyber world! I love you guys!

Second, I finished the family page so if you haven't checked it out, go take a look!

And to those of you who want a post about my brother's wedding, I will be posting about that in the (hopefully) near future. But not right now because much back-story will need to accompany that post, and I can't sit down an write all that. So, just be patient with me! :)

To get you back up to speed on my life I do a quick run through.

May We got a kitten!!! Like OMG!! His name is Latimer!

 He is such a people cat, and lets Anna-Grace and Ally do just about anything to him!

August Lily and Joshua started PreSchool! They are learning their alphabet, so far they have made it to "N".

September Aaron graduated "A" School in Great Lakes.

August-November We took field trips to Colonial Williamsburg..

.. Yorktown

... Mount Vernon and Montpelier.

October Lily and Joshua celebrated their 4th Birthday's at Chuck-E-Cheese.

October Ally got her ears pierced for her 9th Birthday

..and celebrated at FunLand.

November Judah Alexander was born! He is my Mom and Dad's best friends fifth child! So he's like a little brother to me!

Isn't he darling?!

Last week-end Mom, Dad, and I went to the Operation Christmas Child processing center!

So, obviously it's not everything that happened while I was gone, but it's a lot of what happened!

See ya guys soon!

A LONG break.

In case you didn't notice, I've been gone a while. Truly, I don't know how it happened. My life was just in a phase of boring. I know, lame excuse. However, I also got REALLY busy when school started. My workload went up again, so I just didn't feel like blogging when I had free time. So, Sorry! I'm going to try to better. I can't promise lots of posts. But when I do, I promise they'll be thorough. Which means, I'll need ideas, like, what do you guys want to read? Your the readers, what interests you? 

If you didn't noticed, I changed a few things! (It's my way) I have an "About Me" page which you can read by clicking the picture of me and Joshua to your right! --->

I'm also working on a "Family" page which isn't done yet, but I let you know when it is!

So be on the look out for my next real post!

Missed you guys!