just simple things | b+w

In the last few days, I have spent more time drank more tea, writing, and reading than I have in a long time. 

and it's been good. simple. and sweet. and I have been loving b&w too. I used to really hate it, I know it's horrible, but there is something real, and raw about it. It captures the feeling in a photo. 

and you guys have probably noticed the new design. I am so extremely happy, because this is the first design I have ever created myself. #happydance.

so what do you think? 

a short video I want to share with you.

I was planning on posting something else today, but God had other plans. 

I found this video on the purpose of life . and I was once again blown away by the GOSPEL and the beauty of it. 

so, please I am asking you to stop your life for a couple of minutes and watch this: 

trust me, it's worth every minute. 

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. "

-Galations 2:20

a collaboration of our New Years

our Christmas present was a get-away to a condo in Estes Park. we hadn't had a break since the boys came last May. It was so beautiful. Estes Park has always been on of my favorite places, especially in the winter. 

Winter has always been a favorite with me. I love the cold, the snow, the hot drinks, the Christmas lights, and cozy fires. 

*inset rabbit trial here*

||  I have determined that I need to find a town tucked away in the mountains, where it is always snowing and Christmas and I can live in a cabin with books that reach to the ceiling and drink tea and coffee.  that would just be the best. ||

*end of rabbit trail*

 it snowed a little bit, we walked the shops, read books, watched movies, went to the library, and slept late. And we went shopping. There is this leather store where everything is below $30. and I found the bag of my dreams. I could have actually stolen all of the bags there, they were absolutely gorgeous. 

((and I was finally able to take a picture of the stars. I was super happy, it isn't anything super glorious, but it's a step in the right direction. ))

HOW WAS YOUR NEW YEARS?

snapshots of 2012 || with a favorite quote

// some favorites from 2012 // almost - wordless recap. 

"To be human is to be beautifully flawed."

-october baby

a fresh start | January 2013

today is the first day of a new year, 2013. that number seems so strange to write. This is rather cliche` but this year flew by.  It seems like just a couple of nights ago, I sat up waiting and watching the clock till it turned 12:00. 

this past year I have learned so much. my life was flipped upside down in so many ways. 

but, God has been so faithful! I have never felt so alive, and happy, and just blessed.

I can't describe how very blessed I feel, but I do not have a perfect life. 

I make mistakes, I have problems, I cry, and sometimes I feel as if I can't go on anymore. but, I am still so very blessed. I have my family, and my church. I am surrounded by the best friends in the world. and I have Jesus!

I will not be doing a 102 list this year. I want to still make goal lists, but I want to write them as monthly lists instead of an entire year.

last year, my word for the year was HOPE. and it is really amazing how that all played into God's plan. I did have a lot of HOPE through the year! 

but this year I was thinking about what word I was going to choose, and one day I was scrolling through Tumblr. and I saw this word. and it just struck me. so, my word for 2013 is:

this is who I want to be know as. I want to love life, and live it to the very extreme. 

and I will not be doing a 102 list this year. I will still make a goal list, but I want to write them as monthly lists instead of an entire year. 

lately, I've been feeling like my life is so cluttered. I have a lot of good things that are going on in my life, but I don't feel organized and I just need to clean up all the clutter in my life. and that is what I am planning to do for the month of January. today, I signed out of my polyvore and pintrest. I am going to try to go off of sugar for the month of January. these are just a few little things I want to just take time away from, they aren't bad things, but far not. but I just need to take a little break. 

I want to focus on spending more time with God, reading more, writing more often, and growing in my photography. I will, however, be posting on here. and I want to be more real. It is so easy to paint a picture of the life you wish you had all the time, when you have the internet to hide behind; but I don't ever want to do that, because my life was designed by God. He has a plan for every moment, every little mistake or blessing is all part of his final plan.

[typography and photo by yours truly]

so, here is to 2013.

may it really be the best year yet!

xxx. 

marcia

p.s. I want to especially thank you guys for sticking with me on this journey! you guys really are amazing and all your sweet comments really make my day!