December Gratefulgrams

"Far from what I once was but not yet what I'm going to be." {Unknown}

Happy 2015!

It's so incredible to look back, over the weeks, months & year to see how the Lord has led, directed & worked through our lives. In the span of just 5 months, Dean & I found out we were pregnant (August), celebrated our 1-year anniversary early in Canada (September), decided not to renew our townhome lease (October), began the job search (October), slept in a hotel/friend's basement/apartment/on a pull-out couch (November-December), traveled to visit different companies (November), accepted an offer (November), said good-bye to our church community & friends (December) & moved into a new little rental home in Columbia, SC (December).

We are thrilled to have this opportunity for newness - a new location, a new job, a new season of life. Like Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1-3, 11, "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born ... a time to uproot... He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Here's to living each day of the year in light of God's mercies, which are new each morning!

1. A place to keep all my prayers #Vmpjournals/ 2. Sunrise + photography + beautiful friend / 3. An incredibly (bitter)sweet farewell from my SG ladies / 4. Sharing the news about #MyFairweatherBaby / 5. Hosting our very first Christmas / 6. Capturing moments like this of my amazing sister

Sunflowers + an anniversary trip

In the classic movie You've Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly played by the ever-charming Meg Ryan says, "They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" when Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, surprises her with a bouquet when she's sick.

If a handful of daisies are friendly, how about a whole field of sunflowers?

When Dean & I were driving through West Chester, OH, on the way to visit our nieces & nephew, I spotted the glorious field of bright yellow dots up ahead. SUNFLOWERS! I have always wanted to frolic around & photograph in a field of these beauties. Anyone getting married in or near a sunflower field? I'd love to photograph your wedding :)

Being the wonderful husband that he is, Dean helped make my photo dream come true! We pulled into a parking lot across the street & darted across, camera gear in tow, for our mid-day frolicking.

P.S. No flowers were harmed in the midst of our shooting. We plucked this flower off of a fallen, uprooted stalk :)

With our upcoming 1-year anniversary (it is hard to believe it's been that long since we said I do!), Hubby & I will be driving to Mont Tremblant to celebrate next week! It's been years since I've crossed the border into Canada (family vacay, circa 1995 or so) & we are SO excited to spend time exploring the beautiful town, hiking through trails, reading great books & cuddling together. Have any of y'all been to Mont Tremblant/Quebec area? We'd love to hear your recommendations for places to see & restaurants to try!