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hello, friends!
i hope your christmas was merry & bright!
we spent a week in arkansas, visiting & celebrating with friends & family.
it is nice to be home, though. we are unpacking our things & enjoying the last few days of the current year.

as we look to the new year, i am reminded of one of my favorite parts about keeping a blog… the ability to look back & reflect.
it reminds me of how i have grown individually, how luke & i have grown together & the memories we have made and will continue to make.
2010 has been full of both absolute joy & deep sadness.
still, i am thankful for all of it because i have learned so much in 2010.

over the next few days, i plan reflect on some of my favorite moments in photos.
let me know if you plan to do the same!
so… to begin!

january

a family retreat to lebanon, missouri. we stayed in a beautiful cabin & made resolutions for the new year.

february

a simple breakfast together spent in scripture & prayer.

a trip to kansas city in celebration of six months of marriage.

bright light after many months of darkness… little hints of spring.

march

late morning french-pressed coffee with luke.

one of our many date nights {i really love that luke like dressing up. it makes it that much more special.}

starting seeds in the sun room for our spring garden.

april

my 21st birthday party spent with amazing friends!

spring in full bloom!

breakfast on our porch with tori during one of her lovely visits.
—–

i’ll be back tomorrow for may through august!

we stayed in most of the weekend & i do not regret it one bit.

we found a perfect balance between finishing projects, checking off our to do list, & taking breaks to relax while watching the twinkling lights on the tree.
we even managed to take a walk around the neighborhood with huckleberry after waking up to a few inches of snow.
i wrapped some gifts, cleaned the house & enjoyed a homemade pizza made by luke.

life is really good right now & i am thankful.

luke & i are soaking up every moment of the christmas season.
this time of year brings such joy & warmth to our home, our lives & our hearts.

to be really honest, it has been an incredibly difficult season of life. i’ve overcome a lot of my sadness {thanks to luke, our little pup, sweet friends, & the company of family}, but some days it is still hard not to be critical & examine every part of my life that isn’t quite right.

still, i am thankful for this time of year.
i am thankful for my husband, my family & the blessing of such a warm & cozy home.

having our home decorated for the holidays is just another reason to feel so blessed.
the twinkle of the lights, the wooden nativity scene, the handmade ornaments adorning our tree… all are so dear to me.

{our mantel with thrifted vintage ornaments & our stockings}

{& dear ol’ huckleberry, the sweetest christmas pup of all!}

i am looking forward to the next couple of weeks.
classes will be out for winter break & christmas celebrations will commence!

thanks so much for reading.