dutch empire.

hey sweet friends!

i am excited to travel with y'all today! if you're not sure what i'm referring to.. the influence network is hosting a link up. if you're unfamiliar with the influence network.. you can read more about that here and then you should join because i can't speak highly enough about it!

the link up is a chance where we are able to share about where we're from and where we're currently living. so that means i am going to show you all the reasons you should come visit me - and then i can go read all the reasons why i need to come visit you!

i was 'born and raised' in the wonderful city of holland, the dutch empire as we know it.
no.. not in the netherlands though - although i did try to convince someone of that once. they believed me for a while until my accent started to sound a little more australian.

i'm talking about holland, michigan.

but instead of describing my town.. i decided to take lots of wonderful photos of some of my favorite spots and sweet memories made.

entering into downtown, the arriving spot for those coming by train. welkom.

the famous 'peanut store' where there is more candy than y'all will know what to do with. you can't visit without leaving with some sweet treats! - if there is any left when you leave.. and a hint.. their caramel is to die for!

found.. one of my favorite vintage stores. ohhh i could spent hours in there! definitely one of the spots i would take you to. along with spring sweet and the cottage corner.

we are surrounded by water and lots of outdoor activities. one of my favorite things i picked up last summer is stand up paddle boarding. have you tried it?

these downtown streets are lined with colorful tulips during tulip time. if i mention holland to people.. the first thing they typically mention is our awesome tulip time festival. i have so many memories parading down these streets as a little girl - in my big wooden shoes and dutch dancing outfit! and outside of the festival.. these are some of my favorite places to dine.

the other thing holland is known for is our beaches. they are wonderful! most of my summers have been spent on the lake.

when y'all come to visit.. it is a must that we stop by jp's coffee while downtown. mmmmm coffee that is local and delicious - can't get much better than that!

big red. that's the lighthouse. you can't leave without a picture of big red and the sunset!

as i mentioned earlier.. the cottage corner. this place is PACKED full of furniture, antiques and other amazing home decor. you can go there to shop or envision ways to diy some of the wonderful pieces yourself.

and you have to stay for at least one sunset! they are so gorgeous going down over the lake! so many people drive there and sit and read from their cars while the sun goes down, others stand on the pier.. but my favorite spot it tucked away up in the dunes with my husband on a blanket. doesn't get much better than that!

 

 

and i would totally bring you to one of my latest favorite spots!!! the downtown farmer's market! i started going there last summer and i can't get enough of it! we are totally supportive of the live local, shop local, support local and this is just one way to go against all that crazy factory farming that's going on! but that post will come later..

 

 

i grew up in holland and lived there until i moved to college. once college was over and i got married and we moved to holland where my husband and i are currently living. it's a central city between where i work and where he attends school. we're not sure where we'll be next - so we are soaking up as much of this sweet community as possible while we're still here!

ohhh i could have shown you SO many more places i adore in this town. just showing y'all around makes me fall a little more in love with it myself.

isn't it charming?
come visit?

hello, 2013.

i'm so glad you're here. not only because the holidays are so hectic, or that 2012 felt like a 'complacent' year. but i have got a really good feeling this year is going to be much more god glorifying and fruitful than the year previous.
there is just something in me this year.. it's a new year, new beginnings. i want to take full advantage of that.
i've got some ideas in mind of things i want to see happen and actions i want to take to make them happen.
here are my 5 prayers for 2013.
1. i pray that i walk with, grow with, and bring more glory to god in all things this year. so often i find myself going through seasons, struggles, trials, exciting moments and much more without focusing on the lord first. i pray this year i am able to be more spirit led and christ focused in every season and step. i want to be so indulged in scripture and prayer that i am completely in-tune with the will of my sweet sweet savior. 2. i pray that i am more dedicated to blogging and the influence network community. going to the influence conference last year was one of the best choices i made! i made amazing friends, learned so much about this incredible blogging world, and what it means to have influence! i pray that the lord would use this blog and network to strengthen and use me for his glory. 3. i pray that i love well and love more. i will be the first to admit that last year i tried to fill my plate way too full and didn't put enough effort into the things that meant most to me. i long to be a better wife, daughter, sister and friend this year. i pray that i would be a better listener, encourager and take more time to invest in those that have invested in me. 4. i pray that i be intentional with my free time. i complain a lot about not having much free time but then when i get free time i typically waste it on things that don't matter. this year i pray that the lord would show me those moments and that i would make the most of them with. whether that is digging more into the word, spending a little more time in prayer, meeting a friend for coffee, or visiting with my husband - i don't want to waste the precious time i've been given. 5. i pray that i live with less. there are so many things i spend money on that i don't need or use. i think about ways that i can be a better saver and steward of what i've been given. i think of how much more debt we could potentially pay off, or the freedom of being able to give when the spirit prompts me. i pray this year i would live below my means and be a better steward of the things the lord has blessed us with and use it more for him and his kingdom.
so there they are. my 5 prayers for this year - the 5 things i'm trusting in the lord to help me with.
what are you praying for and trusting in the lord for in 2013?