I Will Not Miss 2013

I woke up this morning to numerous bloggers posting recaps of 2013, their year in photos, posting about all the happy memories in the past 365 days. I'll be honest. 2013 was a sucky year from my point of view. It was a year full of battle, a year of chemo, radiation, and 3 surgeries that my mom had to endure, a year that involved moving twice in one year, a year where we almost lost our house to foreclosure, a year of losing 2 grandparents, and a year of losing my closest friends.

But it was also a year where my mom fought for her life and tremendously came out the other side cancer free, It was a year of adventure for my family and I moving to a new house, It was a year we thankfully sold my childhood home to wonderful people, it was a year where 2 of my grandparents got to meet Jesus, a year of making new friends, a year where I started doing something I absolutely love: blogging, a year where I found the college I want to attend, and it's been a year where I've grown closer to my loved ones.

I'm not complaining, I'm simply stating, that my family and I are happily waving goodbye to this hell of a year. But as I always say, everything happens for a reason. And I truly believe I would not be who I am, and I would not have the great relationships with my family members that I do now, If we hadn't gone through a little bit of a struggle first. I believe God gives us only as much as He knows we can take. Which is why I hope He blesses us with an easier upcoming year.

Happy New Years Eve everyone. Be safe and have fun tonight celebrating the end of a happy or sad year, whichever it may be. I know we will be raising a glass to a new year!

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

Natalie's Style

Sweater & Pants: Ideeli

Shirt: Anthropologie 

Shoes: Jack Rogers

Newly Camera Obsessed: Photo Journal #1

Hi! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!! For Christmas I got a Panasonic Lumxi DMC GF5 Camera. I wanted to upgrade from just a point and shoot camera. I LOVE this camera. I've only owned it for 72 hours and I can't seem to put it down. I've always loved photography so I'm ecstatic to dive deeper into the hobby and see where it takes me. I can't wait to share more and more photography on here as well! If you're in the market for a small, compact DSLR camera, and are looking to get more in depth in photography and want more than just a point and shoot, definitely consider this camera! Here are a few practice snap shots I've taken around the house during the past few {first days} of owning this baby.

Not only am I obsessed with my camera, but also obsessed with this cutie, my little brother Connor {who got a hold of some pretty pink eye shadow on Christmas day}.

What was one of your favorite Christmas gifts you received this year?