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It's a rainy, first day of the New Year here in Florida. I've contemplated taking my Christmas tree down, but I just can't seem to gather up the energy to remove the beautifulness displayed in my living room corner. I really do wish it could stay up all year long.

So instead, I've decided to put my creative energy to good use here on the blog and give it a little makeover for 2014!

Because, what is a new year without a new blog design?!

I was going for clean and simple this year. Easy to read, easy to navigate and purposeful. Everything you see, from the top menu to the sidebar, has a distinct purpose. I wanted it to reflect my inner desire to get back to the basics of blogging - where it is all about the writing.

I experimented last year with this blog - joining the Influence Network, participating in blog challenges and linkups, writing guest posts - all in an attempt to experience online community. And while I did meet some awesome ladies and have loved seeing their blogs thrive in these types of avenues, I'm just not sure it's the right approach to blogging for me. I'm more of a write-when-inspired, what's-on-my-heart type of girl. I wanted my blog design to feel the same way.

So, that's what this makeover is about for me.

When you visit this blog, I hope you feel as though you just sat down at my kitchen table for a cup of hot chocolate (or coffee, if you like). Warm, cozy, friendly, personable. Those are the adjectives I would like to believe describe me offline and I hope they are what you feel when you visit my little space online too. :)

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2013 will always be remembered as my very first year of parenting. I began this year with a cuddly, four month old and ended with a very active, going-on-sixteen month old.

This has been one of the best years of my life.

Literally. One of the best ever.

And I say that with gratitude and a little bit of caution, because I know the mountain top can only be so wide before it descends back into reality. We have experienced difficult years in the past and cried many painful tears, so this year feels like sunshine after a good, long rain.

Not to say we haven't had our good moments in the past. Josh and I have definitely been blessed with a loving marriage, supportive parents and wonderful church families. We have never walked alone through any storm that we faced and God's faithfulness through difficult times has been proven in our lives time and time again! We are better because of it.

But honestly, this is the first year that I can remember when there hasn't been something very painful we've had to go through. No divorce, no deaths, no cancer, no bad diagnoses... this is rare. And I don't want to let this year pass without giving praise and glory to God for His grace and lovingkindness towards us in 2013.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. Psalm 63:3

Here are 13 reasons I am rejoicing over 2013:

1) A better understanding of God's unconditional love for me. 2) A Christ-centered and loving marriage. 3) Watching Micah grow and learn something new everyday. 4) Expecting a baby girl, Hannah Leigh. 5) A wonderful ministry at Church @ the Springs. 6) New friendships. 7) God's provision for our family while allowing me to stay home. 8) Settling in to our rental house, so it feels more like our own. 9) A growing passion for photography. 10) Teaching music lessons from home. 11) Growing up and FINALLY getting on a schedule of going to bed and waking up earlier. 12) Becoming a better cook (by actually cooking at home more!) 13) Learning to live with gratefulness for each day.

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I am looking forward to 2014 and all that it will bring. Becoming a mom of two (under two!) is sure to be quite the adventure. And I am very eager to share all of the the joys and trials that come along with it. Because friends, we are not alone in this world and we were never meant to walk it alone. I am learning that day by day. And this year, more than any other, has taught me so much about the importance of community. I desperately need it. So, here's to more community in 2014.

And as always, here's to more blogging in 2014 too!

When my sister and brother-in-law came down to visit for Christmas, they asked me if I would snap a few photos of them for their "Happy New Year" card (aka. when you forget to send out Christmas cards until it's too late!) It was good timing too, since they just purchased their very first home! These are two of the most hardworking people I know and I couldn't be happier for them. What a blessing! I look forward to seeing all God will continue to do in their lives.