dogs

2017 Inspiration in Pictures

I don’t have any specific goals for this year. It just feels like too much pressure. Rather, I have some inspiration. There are things I want to do, see, accomplish, and experience. Ultimately, I’m leaving what happens in 2017 up to God. He’s way better at planning than I am. I’m just going to follow His lead. Love God and love people. That’s what I want to do every single day.

I hopped on Pinterest and started an inspiration board for the upcoming year. Actually, I named it my 2017 Happy Board. I browsed around and wanted to see what would catch my attention. Some things surprised me (I didn’t pin as many travel pictures as I thought I would), and some things definitely didn’t (I pinned all kinds of dogs).

So, here’s a breakdown of my inspiration for 2017!

2017-inspiration-collage-1

It appears that I want 2017 to include copious amounts of coffee, studying my Bible, and writing.

Really, though, I am determined to get on some sort of a writing schedule for my book. I’m thinking I may lock myself in our office for a few hours on my days off of work or head to a coffeeshop so I’m not tempted to do household chores. Either way, I don’t want to stress about it too much. I love the quote I pinned, too. I need to believe I can finish my book!

As for the Bible studying, I’m going to study the women of the Bible this year and seeing what God has to show me in their stories. I’m currently reading Ruth and really enjoying it. She was such an upstanding woman.

2017-inspiration-collage-2

Ah, creativity. This didn’t surprise me one bit. Anything that involves a paint brush, camera, or any type of crafting makes me happy.

I’m inspired to use my camera and capture memories big and small. I’m also hoping to frame some of my watercoloring if I deem it acceptable, haha.

2017-inspiration-collage-3

Gardening, yoga, campfires, and house projects. A random conglomeration, yes, but I’d like to make each of these things happen.

I’m already wistfully counting down the days until Jimmy and I can start our garden again. I’m hoping to paint a coral accent wall in our office, refinish a bookshelf in our living room, have campfires with Jimmy, and continue to practice yoga. Bonus points if Malcolm joins me 😉

2017-inspiration-collage-4

Dogs. Always dogs. I don’t know if this means I’d like to have another (eek!), or if I just want to keep pet sitting as much as possible. Either way, I hope 2017 involves lots of dogs. The volunteer quote is so true. I’ve been in contact with an organization I applied to volunteer with in the upcoming year. Hopefully I’ll be able to share more details soon!

Oh, and how pretty is that bedroom? Jimmy and I might do a bedroom overhaul this year. We’re thinking of getting a headboard, maybe painting a peacock blue accent wall, and just updating our sparsely decorated bedroom. The top right picture reminds me that I want to have as many dates with my sweet husband as possible.

2017-inspiration-collage-5

This last collage is totally random, haha. The cake is inspiration for Hannah’s bridal shower. Yes, I am making her bridal shower cake and I am so pumped! The kitchen is another renovation I’d like to work on this year. Mostly, I just want to repaint our cabinets and walls.

Hot cocoa reminds me of coziness, and I I’ll take as much of that as I can get this winter. The bottom right picture is from Washington DC. It has been a few years since I’ve visited and I’d love to go again. The top right picture is always what I hope to be. It reminds me to love others as much as possible.


While it may sound kind of silly, writing this post helped me have more of a focus for what I’d like this year to look like. I’m praying I will follow God’s lead for my life and do my best every day.

Happy New Year!

Blogging in between

It seems like Thursday is my blog day lately! Probably because I typically have Thursdays off from my regular job. I’m pet sitting two dogs today, so I’m blogging in between visits to the pups.

I just wanted to share some random pictures and thoughts from my life lately, as usual!

Let’s start with books, one of my favorite things to talk about.

adopted-for-life

I picked up a book from the Christian book store last week and I’m enjoying it. It was the first time I’ve bought a book in months and months, so it was quite a treat. Adopted for Life is about the priority of adoption for Christian families and churches. The author is great at relating adoption with how Christians are adopted into God’s family. It’s a pretty dense book, so I’ve been reading a few pages each day and really pondering the scripture references and the author’s points.

As I’ve mentioned before, adoption is something Jimmy and I talk and pray about a lot. I’ve had it on my heart since I was a young girl (and even mentioned it years ago here on the blog). As much as I want to just know what the future holds in terms of children, I am continually learning to trust that God has it all figured out. Whatever His plan is will be amazing.

lola-garbage-picking

Even at 10-years-old, Lola still keeps me on my toes. She hasn’t got into the garbage in months, so I’m sure you can imagine mine and Jimmy’s surprise when we came home from church and a quick pet sitting run at like 9:30 pm to find garbage all over the kitchen floor. Oh Lola, you are a goober!

sister

My sister-in-law and I painted ceramics together this week. It was so nice to talk, laugh at our painting skills, and do something creative. I really needed that relaxation time, and I always enjoy hanging out with my sister-in-law!

sunday-paper

I’m trying to start back up a little Sunday tradition that my dad and I had going before I got married. One of us would buy the Pittsburgh Post Gazette each Sunday and then share it with the other after they finished reading through it.

Jimmy and I stopped at a gas station to fill up his truck and I went inside to buy coffee this past Sunday afternoon. When I saw the newspaper near the cash register, I bought it and sent my dad a picture asking if he wanted me to bring it to him when I would see him at Sunday night church. Of course, he said yes. Tradition reinstated! I love my dad.


Alright, I’m off to pet sit and then I’m going to figure out what to bake to bring to an Origami Owl party tomorrow night. I’m so excited! I hope everyone has a great day 🙂