Here we are at the end, here we are at the beginning.

2011 is in our rearview mirror, fading into the distance, and 2012 has sauntered joyfully in. I'm slightly sad to see the year go because it was one of the very best years yet. I also have a plenty of mistakes and regrets, but I don't think I'd take many back because I have learned so incredibly much from each one. And now I am ready to welcome in the new year, fresh, with no mistakes in it... yet. I know I will leave this year with plenty of them, but I hope I will also leave with memories, things made beautiful, hearts encouraged, knowledge gained, faith strengthened, and more patience and love for everyone I may meet.

I love new beginnings, clean slates, and a chance to change. This year, especially. I can't wait to change the way I do things slightly. To stop wasting my time, and do things that will improve me as a person in stead. To use my imagination, spend time with kids, and go on adventures I'll never forget rather than wasting time on Facebook that, in 50 years, I will only regret wasting. That is something I wish more teens these days would understand-- these are the most free days of our lives, and we can do so much with them, if only we get off the computers, phones, TVs, and get creative with our entertainment. I hope this year will be wonderful for you, full of things you will never forget! 

A blessed new year to you!!

Love, hugs, and great waves of inspiration,

Lou

[entirely random picture of bread from our saturday morning outing]

new year's goals and other such ramblings

this year i have quite a few of them!

1. drink more water, drink less soda. Eat more veggies and run more.

2. build up the courage and run track again.

3. read more.

4. become a better blogger and get to 100 followers!

5. work on core/abs strength. 

6. be a better secret-keeper. (i know this sounds terrible, but sometimes a secret gets

leaked to even just one person, and i want people to know that if they trust me with a 

secret, it will remain as if no one was ever told.)

and for my biggest project of the year:

7. i'm going to start a project called "365: a sketch a day" where i try to sketch

every day possible. (but really it will probably be about 340 because of two missions

trips in the summer). i just figure that since i'm planning on majoring in art, 

i should be a little better at drawing. so hopefully i'll do periodic posts about my better sketches.

of course, with all of these, i will be trying to grow in my faith, love for the Lord, patience and biblical love. and i pray that all of you will too! 

... now comes the part where i brag about my christmas presents. ;)

from adelle, now hanging by my bed to keep me dreaming for years to come. love it. love her more. 

some totally  a d o r a b l e  chicken feather earrings from Em! how cool is that?! i absolutely love them. and her! :)

the hunger games mockingjay pin. oh. yes. (i didn't actually get the book, i just figured it was more interesting than my hand)

my yearly calendar in audrey form once again! :)

my tiffin!!!

i am in love. but i still need an adventure to take it on. or at least somewhere to go to eat lunch.

from anthropologie!! we found it on super crazy reduced clearance and i fell in love.

I also got an awesome artist beret hat from lib that makes me feel like i'm in france. and cam gave me one of the coolest presents ever, but i didn't take a picture, so i may tell you about that later.

what did you get for Christmas?

----------------------------------------------------------------


did i ever tell you that i like the hunger games? well i do. i couldn't remember if i mentioned it or not. ;)
anywho, there's a song from the movie that's out and i just adore it. it's kind of sad, but i keep listening to it over and over again. you can listen to it here.

Have a wonderful evening, and read a book by candlelight for me, would ya?
I think i will.


Sending love and hugs,

Lou