News Years Eve

Well the end has finally come. To celebrate the end of the year and the end of this blog, Christina and I got cupcakes. She insists that frosting is gross while I disagree.Anyway, thank you for those that followed me along this journey of photos. I shall not leave you empty handed should wish to continue blogging with me. At midnight my new blog starts up: As Ruin Falls. Check it out sometime.

Anyway wrap ups for the years 2010:

• Faced a lot of rejection but got through it.
• Returned to Fresno where God challenged my ideas about ministry.
• Started my teaching credential program and realized how much I love working with kids.
• Went to a LOT of weddings.
• Started up my photography business.
• Moved in/out of a house five times.
• Took well over 2,000 pictures throughout the year (my computer likes that one)
• Got three new cameras (and had one stolen).
• Made new friends, saw some go.
• Drank beer from at least 10 different countries in December alone.
• Turned 23 years old
• Rode a horse
• Got into at least three new tv shows 
• And had a lot of awesome adventures and stories 

Ok 2011... you've got some catching up to do.

Candle Light Service

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne on over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:2-7

Christmas Explosion

This is just a taste of the insanity that is my Mom's house. As you can see, our house is a Christmas explosion. But the stockings that you see - are some of my favorite items in the house because we've had them since I was born. Also, there are no regular ornaments on the tree - no bulbs that you buy in bulk, no each one was hand picked every year that I have been alive - from the baby blue one for my first Christmas (my mom thought I was going to be a boy) to the 'Smore-Man to the chalkboard to signify that I am going to be a teacher.

Gnomes and Rockets

Today Sarah invited me over for a small Christmas party at her place. She made us dinner then we opened presents she got us and then decorated Christmas cookies. I decided that the food coloring (used to make new colors of frosting) looked like little gnomes so I started calling them that. Then I proceeded to call the frosting decoration tubes rockets because that's what they looked like. What's not captured in this picture is my new Christmas jingle. It goes like this:

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, I'm decorating cookies.
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, Sarah doesn't like them.
Oh Christmas Tree, you are a cookie, I just wish that you looked pretty.
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, I'm decorating cookies."

Autumn Fest

Melissa Triplet is an amazing person. She planned the best Halloween party I've ever been too. We bobbed for apples, carved pumpkins, played Mafia. I always play the narrator in Mafia because I find I have a guilty looking face and people kill me off right away so I just sit there for most of the game. Thus as the narrator - I don't have to worry about looking guilty, not looking guilty or whatever. Then we ate pumpkin pie and bbq.

Cesar Chavez Day

Thanks to Cesar Chavez for not only the amazing work he has done with labor rights and immigrant workers - but he also gets me a day off of school.

This allowed me to go to the beach for a bit and take a short retreat day and chill with these seagulls.

Valentines Day Cards

Best Valentines Day card ever. I got it from my mom. And these are my favorite Up! quotes: 

Carl: "Hey, let's play a game. It's called: 'see who can be quiet the longest.'"

Russell: "Cool! My mom loves that game!"

Alpha: "Now you must wear the cone of shame."

Doug: "I do not like the cone of shame." 

Doug: "Hey, I know a joke! A squirrel walks up to a tree and says, 'I forgot to store acorns for the winter and now I am dead.' Ha! It is funny because the squirrel gets dead." 

Doug: "I hid under your porch because I love you." 

Ricky and Lucy

How awesome are they!!! Ricky and Lucy are my little dancing toys. You wind them up and they dance. Best Christmas present EVER!

Christmas Lights

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1

Even the darkness is not dark to you and the darkness is as bright as the day for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139