"A Foggy Day In London Town"

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed New Year! 

Unfortunately, I have been sick this week, so some of my resolutions are getting off to a late start.  I have been able to get a lot of reading done, though!  

For the moment, I don't have much to say, as I feel like there is a marching band about to pound through my forehead... But I wanted to share some photographs I took the past couple days.

A kohlrabi leaf from my sister's garden

Raindrops caught in the porch screen, just a' gleamin' like diamonds...

Polka dot umbrellas make me smile :)

"A foggy day in London town"

And just because I now have this song stuck in my head:

What are you up to these days?

Looking Backward 2012 // Looking Forward 2013

I can hardly believe how quickly time has flown... It seems incredible that we're already at the end of 2012.  So much has happened this past year.  So many moments of mountain top glory, and so many agonizing hours of pain and confusion.  I must say, I never expected the past year to go as it did... but in all it has been a tremendously wonderful year.  I have learned a lot. About myself. About the way I view life and the way I view others.  I have learned, ultimately, the undeniable need I have to rest in God.  When storms rage, He is a refuge and comforter.  When good times come, He makes them sweeter.

This past year, I have had to put aside some bad relationships.  It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I never thought I would get over the pain.  But looking back I can see that I have done the right thing, and that God was at work all the time.  

Also this year, I have made some friendships that I think will last forever.  The MK retreat back in July was a time I will never forget.  I think it was one of those defining moments in my life... Time seemed to stand still as I worshiped, wept, prayed, and worshiped some more with Missionary Kids from all over the world.  I feel so blessed to have been a part of making that experience happen.

This year I also have been privileged to work with an amazing group of people at the barn where my family volunteers, and have getten to know them better nearly every Friday.  They are such sweet girls... their love for God shines through in everything they do.

So much has happened this past year... so many births, weddings, new experiences, and daily routine - all folding into phenomenons we call "past" and "memories".  

Looking forward, I wonder what the coming year will hold.  Who will come into my life? Who will go? How will I get to serve in the Kingdom of God? What new experiences will I have? What is God planning to do in my church? In my youth group? How will I grow closer to God? 

These questions and so many more flood my mind.  But whatever happens, I feel secure in the knowledge that God holds each day in His hand.  No day is wasted.  No moment insignificant.  All are a part of His Perfect Plan and I can't wait to be looking back next year and see what He has done.

So here's to the New Year... May it bring you blessings and may you see God's power and love working in your life!

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  II Corinthians 5:17

New Year, New Goals, and My Newest Addition

With Graduation and the Christmas Season behind me, I have begun to set some goals for the coming year.  Among these many and varied goals, I have included that I would like to begin blogging again on a regular basis, as I am finding myself with too much free time on my hands - at least until I start college in the Fall.

The past several months have been an interesting transition for me.  The difference between a home educated daughter and a stay at home daughter is far greater than I had imagined!  I have suddenly found myself with time to work on craft projects, help around the house, and do all sorts of things I never had to time to do before.  Admittedly, with all the extra free time, I feel much more leniency in when I get work done.  This unfortunately often results in (forgive my bluntness) laziness and procrastination.  I have discovered that schedules are more my friend now than they ever were when I was still in school!

So, for this new year I'm going to try to stay consistent with blogging.  And aiding me in this goal, is the newest addition to my life...

Meet Caillette (pronounced Colette, I'm just weird, and wanted to spell it all crazy ;) ), my Chrome Book:

Isn't she incredible? I just love her :) 

Do you have any special goals for the coming year?

A Milestone

One year and twenty-eight days ago I had an idea.  

That idea became a blog.  A blog called Life Unfolding.  Since then I have written 49 posts, and an uncountable amount of words..

And now I am writing more words to add to my collection... this time for my Fiftieth post :)

To celebrate, I decided to share 50 random facts about me... 

Buckle your seat belts.. Here. We. Go.

1. I am a child of God - bought and paid for by the blood of the Lamb!

2. I am slightly addicted to Pinterest

3. The sound of rain makes me happeh

4. Sometimes I get a random urge to use a deep south accent :)

5. Sweet tea is God's gift to southerners... I'm sorry to all my northern friends!

6. I'm an Alabama Crimson Tide girl :)

7. I play piano, and am learning guitar

8. I'm a runner girl - 13.1, here I come!

9. Thrift stores are my best friend

10. I love capturing all things bright and beautiful through photography

11. I have the cutest cocker spaniel in the world... His name is Strykar Higgins :)

12. Most people see me as quiet and reserved... what they don't know is I have a crazy side!

13. I love antiques

14. The color turquoise makes me smile

15. I could read all day and not get bored

16. Ice cream is quite possibly my favorite thing

17. But coffee is a close second :)

18. I love quiet Saturday mornings when I can lay in bed and just think

19. My mother is my hero, role-model, and confidant

20. My sister is my BFF :)

21. Starbucks has way too much of my money!

22. I have chartreuse glasses

23. Someday, I want to go backpacking across Europe

24. I love the beach - but what Florida girl doesn't?!

25. I am half way to 50 ;)

26. I love to laugh

27. I have been home-educated all my life

28. I'd rather sit on the tail-gate of a pickup truck than go to the mall any day!

29. A cup of hot tea and a good book are the perfect complement to a rainy day

30. I don't mind cleaning - as long as I'm in the mood for it!

31. I like to create things

32. I like scarves, purses, and flats

33. I do NOT like heels... they just make my feet hurt!

34. Michael Bublé, Adele, and the Piano Guys are musical geniuses

35. Sometimes I turn on jazz or 50's music and swing around my bedroom :)

36. While we're on the music subject, Kari Jobe is incredible

37. I could actually keep talking about music forever :)

38. I love road trips with my family

39. I volunteer at Freedom Ride, Inc. on Friday mornings

40. I love to bake - cookies, pies, cakes, etc.

41. I just made myself really hungry :)

42. I enjoy thinking about deep, spiritual things

43. My church is amazing - I'm so blessed to be a part of it!

44. I want to learn how to play cello and bass guitar

45. I think adoption is one of the most beautiful things on earth

46. My dream house has a library, complete with comfy chairs, a window seat, and a window that takes up a whole wall

47.  I love whimsy - the word itself makes me happy.. whimsy..

48. Sometimes I pick up an old book just to smell it :)

49. I'm learning to wait on God for His perfect timing... A hard but necessary lesson

50. I'm Holly Lou, and you're 50 random facts closer to knowing me :)

If you read all of those... You are awesome!  Thanks for sticking with me :) 

Here's to another 50 posts!

Changes

The first, and perhaps most evident change..

• I made a New Blog Design - thanks to Pinterest for providing me some incredible pictures! :)

Some other changes..

• My sister's blog, Life in Parenthesis, also got a new design by yours truly (if you haven't ever visited my sister's blog, you're missing out on a lot of fun :) )
• High School Graduation - it's so hard to believe I'm almost done!
• Entrepreneur - I'm opening up shop as a photographer, blog/web designer, and graphic designer!

I'm so excited about what God is doing in my life right now... I'm seeing so much unfold, and other things preparing to unfold.  

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

What new things are happening in your life?

In My Own Little Corner

My room

Reading Corner

Wedding Ring Quilt

Wall art I created

Close up of flowers/yo-yo's

I have slowly been redecorating my bedroom and am loving the changes.  A few simple little pieces have completely changed the look and feel of my little corner.  A touch of whimsy, slightly country, and vintage-y shabby chic... three of my loves in my favorite place - I'm one happy girl :)