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Yearly Archives: 2012

favorites from 2012.

I thought long and hard about doing some sort of new years resolutions post. Ok, well I didn’t actually think that long about it, but I decided to not write about any sort of resolutions, although I have plenty. Plus, who needs to read that I need to eat way less chocolate and drink way less coffee? ;) So instead I made a little list of some favorites from 2012. Much love!

 

ALBUM: Favorite album of 2012 (you know, the kind you listen to over and over) had to be The Rocket Summer’s Life Will Write the Words.

BAND: New favorite band I found this year…probably Hudson Taylor. Just watch a few of their youtube videos and you’ll love em.

SONG: How can you pick just one song?! To Those Who Wait or Love Will Be Enough for Us

MOVIE: Having a toddler around, I don’t watch too many movies these days, so this one is hard. I might skip this one, haha. What was your favorite movie from 2012? I’d love to know!

BLOG: Favorite blog is Sally Clarkson’s I Take Joy. It is pure encouragement for me in this season of life of being a young mom.

BOOK: Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler…read this in just a couple of days. Such a good read!

BABY/TODDLER/MOMMA ITEM: My timi & leslie charlie diaper bag. I think it’s going to be a lifesaver with two little ones.

PHOTOGRAPHY ITEM: The 5d Mark III I switched to at the beginning of this year. Absolute favorite.

STORE: Altar’d State ….such a beautiful store, with beautiful clothing that I absolutely love. It’s like Ruche/Anthropologie but a little easier on the wallet ;)

MEMORY: Finding out we’re expecting #2. Hands down the most blessed memory from this year.

 

instagram, beauty, and comparing.

 

Ok, so if you are use instagram you know how easy it is to find yourself browsing random users photo streams right? There’s no way that I’m the only one. It’s so easy to see who likes what pictures on that little social network and you can so easily go from one user to another. (If you have instagram you know what I’m talking about…) Anyways, the other day I came across some girl’s instagram feed and I quickly glanced through her pictures. She seemed to have it all together, and definitely looked like a model. Perfect hair, perfect body, perfect makeup….she had it all together.  In no time, I was thinking to myself “Ooh, I want her hair.” “I want…” And started comparing. Yikes. It is amazing how quickly we as women can start comparing. Maybe it is all just vanity. Maybe even covetousness. Whatever it is, it isn’t good.

As I kept looking through a few of her pictures, I was reminded once again that I needed to totally re-focus myself and my thoughts back to what true beauty is. It is so easy to lose sight of this sometimes! I needed to be reminded to stop those little thoughts before they evolved into coveting. To not compare. To not even look at things that would make me discontent with what the good Lord gave me. If I know that true beauty is reflected from within- If I know that I should not be comparing then that’s that. But what am I going to do about it? Maybe limit my time on social network type things, not look at certain magazines, or even Pinterest. (Even though I don’t use Pinterest but…still. You get what I’m saying!) The fact of the matter is that my time can be spent either comparing or I can be investing in the word of God or simply reading things that will help me grow. I can be looking at pointless pictures that are really, really unattainable or I can be thanking God for what He has blessed me with. Either way- once again I need to remember that true beauty is defined inwardly, definitely not outwardly.

 ”Therefore, the models of beauty that I seek to emulate must be women of worship whose lives are governed by the Spirit of God and exhibit the fruit of Christ. As I walk past my reflection in mirrors and store windows [or social networks, blogs, pinterest, etc. :) ], I must choose to view myself through either the mirror of God’s Word or the mirror of this world. The choice I make is the difference between life and death. It is the difference between creating an idol
and being the temple.” 
-r. franklin

christmastime.

Wow! I can’t believe how fast Christmas came and went this year. We had such a great few days traveling, spending time with family, and eating lots of good food! Leland was old enough to understand opening presents and such this year which made it fun! We tried to explain to him Jesus’ birthday but I think he still has a little ways to go fully comprehending it ;) It is always so nice to see family…I absolutely love this time of the year!! Jay took some of his vacation days which was nice too. Now, it’s time to get back into a somewhat regular routine before the little one arrives in just a few months! I didn’t take many pictures when we were traveling or on Christmas day because I loved just making memories and being present in the moment. But, I did get just a few :)  I hope that you had a blessed Christmas as well!

A stop during our travels at a Christmas tree farm.

My mom, sister and I made these gingerbread men…delicious!!

 …Oh, I love my parent’s Christmas tree! So beautiful.

…Nice hat ;)

…Leland and his new train table which he loves! So cute :)

…A couple of small gifts. (I also received an espresso maker from Jay which will definitely be put to good use! Woo!)

Much love!

 

a very merry christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!

May you have a blessed time with your family and friends celebrating the birth of our Savior.

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”

Isaiah 9:6

Much love, Arielle

from the phone.

Some recent pictures from my phone:

1. Our Christmas card this year 2. My little man 3. Stocking hung on the fireplace…

4. Passed this random shack one day 5. My sister and I 6. Wonderful Christmas records

7. Mountains in Tennessee 8. Our house is decorated with these! 9. New favorite sweater

10. Love him! 11. Cards in the mail with photos I’ve taken for friends & clients. 12. Christmastime.

instagram: arielleelise

2012 weddings- a thank you.

Just wanted to give a simple THANK YOU to all of my beautiful couples from 2012.

I was truly blessed to be a part of these weddings and it made my YEAR to photograph each of them!

….Much love to you all!