:: New Beginnings & Fresh Starts ::

I'm all about new beginnings and fresh starts and that is what the New Year is to me. 

I might not always the best at keeping to these new beginnings and fresh starts, but I like to think that I at least try, which is better than nothing right?

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.  -Dale Carnegie

Be always at War with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and let each New Year find you
a better person. -Benjamin Franklin

For me personally I read B.Franklin's quote as "your vices" being the iniquities within myself. 

If I don't turn to fight them daily, then their is no hope in trying for anything greater. 

The war begins within myself.  

It begins with self-examination, which by choice either leads to change or stagnation.  

Lord willing, I choose the change.

Change is already there. I must be willing to reach out and take it. 

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. -LORD

 

Here's most of our goals for the year. 

We decided to write them out like this so we can observe them daily. 

Our #1 goal is to read the Bible daily and read it all the way through in one year. 

I personally have never done this before. So far we're on track, and I absolutely LOVE it. 

I feel guilty that I've been missing out for so long. God has been pouring, more like DOWN POURING into me through His Word. I am SO blessed by it. 

I could go on and on and on about the things He's teaching me through it.

The Word is meant to be our life. Our substance. Our truth. 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.- Matthew 4:4

How can we be and make disciples if we ourselves are not being discipled through the written manual God specifically ordained for US?  

This is my focus: To experience more of God's POWER in my life through His Word, and through a relationship with Him. 

We have a choice to either allow Satan's power to rule, or God's power to rule in and over us. 

Lord willing I'm striving to choose God's power and I hope you are too.

 

I transformed this frame into a chalkboard, wrote our goals on it, 

and then both Kevin and I signed it. 

 

:: Cheers to new beginnings and to fresh starts!!  ::

Life [2010] in pictures/video...

...I decided it would be neat to pick ONE picture from each one of my 2010 photo album's. 


So here you are.  {starting with the oldest 2010 to the newest}

We brought in the 2010 New year @ City View. 

--all dressed up for the night.

Kev reading to us on a Friday snow day

Jewelry made.  eMVie

Kevin. Paul. Van Wynsberg

Another Snowy Day spent exploring.

Pillow Covers I was making.
I never did a blog post on them, but here's the beginning stages;
Front pieces.

Bailey's 2nd litter of puppies. She had 4; 1 girl and 3 boys. Precious.

{ Jonathan & Amanda }

- these two are awesome, and I love there engagement pictures together. 

{ Vandegriff Wedding }

This was our first wedding ever to photograph. It was a privilege and honor to do it for these guys.
I heard that the bride did not want this belt buckle worn during the wedding, and so I guess he put it on during the reception. I like this shot Kev got with Amanda in the background. Ironic.

{ Mike & Alyssa }

Loved taking their engagement pictures!
It was the perfect day. Sunny. I loved it.

{ Mahone Wedding }

I enjoyed the location of their wedding. It was beautiful.
I love the details that went into this wedding.

JORDAN

For some reason I don't think I ever blogged the pictures we took with the Cowan family. 

Their little girl Jordan is precious. She was fun to capture with the cmera. 

Don't these muffins look delicious? Well they are...and they're weight watchers [with maybe a Melanie touch] --> Muffin Mornings

Matt Cote sitting alone reflecting on his mini golf losses and wins. 

Great times with the Cote's this year.

Kevin as Mr. mom.

I'm glad he loves the pups as much as I do. He will be the best daddy someday. :)

College Life

I don't think I blogged this event, but Kev took some good shots, so maybe I still will. 

For easter we had an CL egg hunt at the Masters Inn. It was loads of fun. Pic of some of the CLifers that showed up. Good times.

This is what you do when you have puppies in your home. 

You kiss and hug them a lot. Lots of love in this place because of these lil guys.

Kevin's Aunt, Uncle, and three cousins came and stayed with us for a weekend. 

They drove from Ohio to VA to check out colleges for their daughter. 

They enjoyed getting to see the pups, and we enjoyed having them stay with us! :)

[don't think I blogged this either]

This picture is in our "personal" folder for 2010. 

We are VERY serious photographers. VERY. no laughing.

Nahh. not really. ;P 

Took this picture after we added all these photos to the gray wall. 

This was a fun project we did together.  We like how it turned out.
Fills the space with good memories. :)

Kevin is the Graduate! 

I don't think I blogged this event (wow fail). But I do think I posted pic's on FB.

Here's Kevin and his goofy self walking along side his dad. :)
He accomplished SO much this year! I'm so proud of him and thankful to the Lord, who gave him the strength to endure it al.

PARIS VIDEOS!!!  Yay. Love these. Here's one for ya.
Here we are eating a the Louvre. Delicious.

We made it to PARIS.

I dropped the ball on our Paris pics though... I have a ton I never posted.. but did post some.
This was such an amazing trip. The best part, was the fact that Kevin enjoyed it so much as well. He was reluctant to go, so the fact that he wants to go back means a lot.
Here's one from each album I have on Paris.

Inside Notre Dame

In Paris. This wall supposedly says LOVE in all different languages. 

Wish I could read them all to tell you for sure. ;P

The gardens at Versailles. Beautiful.

Someones home along the river. ;(

On top of the Eiffel Tower. 

In front of the Ark de Triumph

In front of the Venus de Milo statue

I really need to blog the pics from the Lourve. The Lourve is filled with amazing art. 

The Seine river goes for miles, and many people walk along it. 

It was so peaceful, and surreal to be there.

& yes Starbucks in hand. ;) Needed are our fix. Though it's not as good, as in the States.

It sparkles so beautifully. 

Inside the house of a hat designer. Her name was Isadora. She was awesome!

She's the one to the right, standing with a mint green dress on. 

She showed us some hats she's made, and taught us how she makes some as well. It was neat.

Washing my arm because a bird pooped on me. Yep. 

Entering the Metro lots of memories in the metro. 

Everything I bought in Paris. 

Can you tell I have a black and white complex when it comes to clothes?

Sunday Shots

Pres. Home 5k.  

We were whipped. Sarah, Erin, and I.

Tim & Sara

Baby Alaina was on her way...

The day THIS came in the mail... It took Dunks and I three years to pick out our (already paid for) wedding album pictures. We were happy when the final product arrived! 

Baby Norah-  Little Norah was fun to take pictures of!

I didn't end up blogging the pics, but I'm pretty sure their on FB. 

She's so cute!

At City View waiting for my friend Jen to arrive to her surprise birthday party. :)

This fall we headed out to the pumpkin patch with Tim, Sara, and this precious little one...On Sweetest Day. 

I learned how to make these super easy pumpkin muffins. They're quite delicious. 

I bought these little gems for a great price on Urban Outfitters website. 

I like birds. What can I say; I was born a Finch. ;p

My co-workers took Karen and I out to dinner on our Birthday (we share the same b-day). 

It was fun; thankful for the people I get to work with. :)

Here's us blowing out our candles...

These lovely ladies made turning 26 better than ever. 

One more flame added to the fire.
Love this boy. He turned 27 this year. 

Kevin and I attended our first Marriage Retreat this year, 

and I'm so thankful we did. It was awesome. 

This is what siblings do when they get together...well, we do.

Thanksgiving Day in Michigan - hangin with my little brother Tyler. <3 him. 

Lady friends  in the Mitten. 

We saw SANTA today!! Madison was excited! [and so was I]

[some] Items needed to make a baby wreath. 

Chrystal's baby shower! I have yet to blog this event. 

Progress of the Christmas tree I was making...

Final Product. 

Baby Wreath made for Chrystal.

Brentwood COFFEE BAR Christmas celebration! Another one I have yet to blog, but will. 

Gifts for my ladies. They inspire me to serve. 

Kevin surprised me with a gift a day or two after surgery. 

Can you tell I was shocked?

Awww puppy bellies; I love them!

She found a friend. precious.

Here's the guy [other than Jesus of course] who brought Christmas spirit into the Van Wynsberg home this Holiday season. With surgery, losing someone dear to me [RIP Pa], and other things, I was having a really rough few days leading up to Christmas. Christmas had a funk. It felt lifeless. BUT Kev came to the rescue and on his own accord started hanging decorations everywhere. It made the whole house feel like Christmas, and it brought a sense of joy to our home. I am forever grateful that he did that. It really meant a lot to me. He is my blessing.  God. Is. Good. 

Though all was NOT well this season. I can say I did learn the real meaning of Christmas. 

I felt the pain of the world on my shoulders, I had anxiety that I felt was going to kill me. I was sad and stressed [for more reasons than mentioned above]--&; and then it dawned on me, like peace in the night;
THIS is why the baby was born. THIS is why He came. 
This is why I need him. 

THIS is why we celebrate HIM today. 

So through it all, God showed me the true meaning of His love &; I wouldn't trade that for anything. 

It was a great 2 0 1 0.  It had it's ups and downs, but doesn't every year? I do think 2 0 1 1 is going to be great. I'm ready for it. Ready to be able to run better, faster, and harder. Ready to grow spiritually, give more, and love longer. I'm ready to be the best me God created. I'm ready for the possibilities. I'm ready to give up the things that keep me from Him. I'm ready to take baby steps to achieving the goals set out in front of me. 

[This is Pa and I, the night I got engaged to Kevin. Kevin and I might not be married if it weren't for the fathers love Pa showed me/us] Missing him today.

RIP Pa. [Michael Settles] 

Pa passed away on December 19, 2010

Pa was a second father to me. 

His life was a blessing to many.

We love you Pa. I'm grateful that we'll see you again one day :)

. 2 0 1 0 .