A New Chapter

When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I am going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys farther on.

LM Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

It seems like just yesterday that I started this blog...

but in all actuality it has been four years.

Four years of growing

of learning

of hard times

of good times

of gained friends

of lessons learned

of faith increased

of prayers answered.

This past year was the most eventful yet.

I started dating and was engaged and thus 

began the wedding planning (and lack of blog posts).

Then my sister got a job offer to teach in Ohio

and we said our goodbyes in August.

Shortly after my mom was diagnosed with cancer,

had surgery, and began radiation treatments.

Have I ever mentioned on here how much I love my mother?

She truly is a godly woman and a wonderful role model.

I watched her and was in awe of her selflessness through this time.

God was graceful and after completing radiation

she is cancer-free.

Amidst that I was married to my best friend and soul-mate.

He is my better half and makes me strive to be a better person.

I love him dearly and couldn't imagine my life without him.

We started a blog together where you can follow us as well

as a joint photography blog.  We would love to have you

come on over to either one for a visit! :)

Thank you for the input and comments over the years and for

reading my innermost aspirations.

The book is not ended, rather a new chapter has begun...

 

Living in the moment

 Just a fair warning...you are entering picture overload.

I usually like to just pick a few of my favorites but I really had a hard time just choosing a few!

Today was a beautiful summer day and what a better way to spend it then

go for a picnic with my wonderful sisters?

We packed a lunch and stopped at Subway then were off to Coffee Creek...

our favorite picnic spot.

After eating we went for a brief walk stopping along the way to take pics

and capture our last summer together. 

Coffee Creek is such a wonderful place to see God's creation in such a glorious display!

God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me two sisters.

I really cannot imagine my life without them.

I love them both so very much!

Ya, she is going to love me for this one...

But, for those of you who know Lauren, this picture is just so her.

Funny, silly, and always able to make me smile.

Flawlessly beautiful.

Seriously.

And better yet, she is just as beautiful inside as out.

And then there is Brooke.

My sweet spitfire sister who is always ready to take on the world.

Love her killer smile!

I am so grateful for opportunities like these to make the moments count and create memories.

The best thing about having sisters is that I always have friends.

Family time

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back

and realize they were the big things.

Little things such as going on our annual day trip to Shipshewana, IN

where we enjoy shopping the market and spending family time together.

A family in harmony will prosper in everything.

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

So very thankful for sisters; I love you both!

Pretty sure this was the best ice cream EVER! :)

We do not remember days we remember moments.

Enjoyed making moments with my family; truly I am blessed.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is the birthday of a pretty special lady in my life...

A mother of 3 girls.

All of who hope to be half the woman she is someday.

A mother who has made so many sacrifices.
One who has worked a job in order to put her daughters through a Christian school.
One who cannot sleep at nights until all her girls are home.
One who never shops for herself and goes without in order to give more to her family.

A great friend to so many.

I love that she can strike up a conversation with anyone.

I love how giving she is and I know she is appreciated by so many.

A wonderful wife.

Still  crazy about my dad...27 years of marriage have made them even more in love.

A daughter who loves unconditionally.

A lady who is an excellent cook, great listener, advice giver, and godly Sunday School teacher.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

I love you so much and I am so proud to have such a godly example in my life.  I am so blessed!

I hope you have a great day and remember that this day and every day of the year you are celebrated and appreciated in so many ways.

Love,

Your daughter

New Blog::

Come follow us over at:

McDonnell Adventures

The Pearls: Part II

 Part I- of this post was written well over two years ago.

The young lady in that story has since gotten older and

has never forgotten the lesson she learned from her mother.

A lesson on letting go and trusting God -

Trusting in His timing and knowing that His ways are far

higher than hers.

The fake pearls were given up five years ago.  Really it seems

like a lifetime ago and the young lady has learned so much

and grown stronger because of it.

Sometimes she wondered about her real pearls.

She knew that God never takes something without

giving something far better in return, but there were

times she doubted.  She thought perhaps those

real pearls were over rated and maybe she shouldn't be so picky.

But then one day God brought someone into her life.

Someone who made her a better person.

Someone who made her eyes twinkle.

Someone who made her realize that genuine is so much better than fake.

And then it happened.

He knew her story,

her past struggles, and

had read about her giving up her fake pearls.

So one fine day he presented her with black velvet box

just like the one from her story.

When she opened it she saw a beautiful strand of

genuine pearls. 

He told her that she meant so much to him

and  how he hoped he could be her set of real pearls.

A few months have passed.

Every time that young lady puts on those pearls

she is reminded of the past lesson learned

and she is so grateful that she gave up her fake pearls.

On November 2, 2012 that young lady will put those genuine

pearls on and walk down a church aisle to start a new life with him.

And she couldn't be more blessed.

I have a goodly heritage

I love my family.

I love that a midst our busy schedules we still spend time together.

I want to treasure each one of these moments.

I don't want to become too busy with my future plans

that I forget about my present life.

This past Friday, we took a break from the wedding planning 

and went down to the beach for a picnic.

Picnics at the Dunes are a favorite summer tradition.

We had a wonderful time and I was glad 

I had a camera to capture some of these moments.

Moments that quickly become memories preserved

through pictures.

Memories that I know I will carry with me through all my life.

I am so thankful that God put me in the family He did.

 Thankful for parents who are godly and raised my sisters and I 

to serve the Lord and keep Him first.

Parents who led by example and

practiced what was preached in church.

I am thankful for moments with my two sisters.

Sisters that I will miss, but I know will remain close despite the distance.

Truly I have a goodly heritage.

Pin It Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.