There’s no place like home.

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After three countries, and almost twenty days away from home, for the last time this year, I’m unpacked and finally putting my passport aside – at least until 2013.

I really do love traveling, experiencing new things, and getting all these stamps in my passport. But still, nothing quite beats being home. And actually getting to stay for awhile.

While the deadlines are pressing and there a ton of things on the to-do list (Christmas in 13 days!), I’m excited for whatever is left of twenty twelve. And I’m totally looking forward to spending time with people I miss (:

It’s good to be home.
For sure.

Hello, December

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Hello last plane ride of the year. Hello Christmas lights + decorations, presents wrapped under the tree, and all things Christmas. Hello Christmas break (!!!). Hello home, family, friends, love, fun, and warmth. Hello eating until I’m stuffed + running to work it all off. Hello end of 2012. Hello, Christmas – and remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season and all that He’s done for me.

Hello, December. You’re one of my favorite months of the year.

I’m pretty excited (:
xo.

Collect moments, not things.

Last week, with excitement + anticipation, and two carry-ons, I boarded a plane to the Land of Smiles and came home with a camera full of pictures, and a heart full of memories, which I wouldn’t trade for anything.

While things didn’t always go as planned/expected, God was sovereign through it all and I really couldn’t have asked for things to work out any other way.

I soaked in every moment of being there – bonding with the kids, eating good food, laughing + hanging out, playing games, traveling, experiencing new things, taking pictures, teaching, spending time with friends… And loved every single minute.

Like this first post, time passed by waaayyy too quickly, and I wish we could’ve stayed longer. But I was reminded of so many things and left that town with my heart so full, and especially thankful + grateful for so many good things.

I miss this place already.

So many good memories;
God is so good, really.

Right now: Thursday

Still majorly missing being in Pua.

Enjoying looking at pictures and remembering memories made.

Hardly believing how close we are to the end of twenty twelve.

Reminding myself to enjoy each moment that is left of this year.

Trying to get work done by this weekend.

Unpacking + packing for the next trip.

Needing rest.

Not minding if things slowed down a bit, but grateful for everything that keeps me busy.

Learning to be patient.

Trusting God for whatever He has ahead.

Giving my plans and dreams to Him.

Looking forward to Christmas break.

Excited to start wrapping Christmas presents and making Christmas cards soon.

—-

I’ll look back on this and smile because it was LIFE and I decided to live it.

I hope the rest of your week is amazing.
xo.

Collections / travel

Since I’ve been doing so much traveling lately, I thought it’d be quite apt to share some cool travel type and designs (:

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Source: babyology.com.au via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: designworklife.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: designworklife.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: ascotfriday.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: homedesign.marthastewart.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: veerle.duoh.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: blog.onwander.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: visualgraphic.tumblr.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: soul-surfer.tumblr.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Who knows? Maybe it’s time to book a ticket someplace and explore!
Enjoy the adventure!

So much to be thankful for.

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Where I’m spending Thanksgiving this year is in itself something to be thankful for.

There is truly something to be thankful for in every day. And every day, I remind myself to count my blessings and be thankful – for the good, the bad, the ugly… Everything.

The list of things I’m thankful for seems to be especially long this year; God is so very good.

Those who are the happiest, never did have everything. But rather, they are thankful for everything they do have.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is (real) life.

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Things have been crazy busy around here.

But that’s what I always say, don’t I?
Honest, though. They have.

Packing + re-packing. Traveling. Road trips. Plane flights. School assignments. Trying to get things organized. Getting into the Christmas spirit + being excited for Christmas. Anticipating catching up + spending time with friends again. So many good things to look forward to.

While I may not be scrapping or relaxing or baking as much as I’d like to, life is good and I am loving every minute of it; God is good.

I’m ready for all this adventure!
I hope your week is amazingggg.

P.S. And I still remember those pictures I promised. Looks like they’ll have to wait until things slow down a bit!

This calls for a party!

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Time certainly flies and I actually kept this up for an entire year.

Today is exactly one year since I started this blog – one year of writing and pictures and all that jazz. I’ve loved thinking about things to write for this space and sharing about all my adventures in food + paper + life.

THANK YOU for sticking around and reading about happenings in my little corner of this world. I’m so grateful for family and friends and readers (like you!) who support me in this.

It’s definitely been good.

Today, I’ll do lots of happy things to celebrate Amelia Writes Here turning ONE (:

Thank you, again for being a part of my life here.
And I hope you decide to stay for more.

Have a fabulous weekend, xx.

Spotted lately.

Things have been quiet around here lately, I know.

It’s been terribly busy so I’ve just been trying to stay afloat amidst all the work that needs to get done. I’m totally excited for Christmas this year and eagerly anticipating Christmas break!

But until then, here are a couple of fun pretty things that have caught my eye lately.
Some of these would make great Christmas gifts. Just saying (:

1. For the Makers

For the Makers is a monthly box of DIY crafts delivered to your doorstep! They bring the fun to you and give you inspiration and tutorials on their website. How cool is that?! Pity they don’t ship international though. But this is definitely something I’d do if I lived in America.

2. Rubber stamps and the new look at Oh, hello friend.

All things vintage at Oh, hello friend. Their new website looks amazing and those rubber stamps are too cute. Also check out the other categories – makes me happy (:

3. Freckled Fawn Glitter washi tape

Glitter + washi tape. What’s not to love? Especially that fuschia and gold, eeekks!

4. Studio Calico Kits

While scrapbooking has pretty much taken a back seat for me right now, these thoughtfully put-together kits by Studio Calico are so inspiring; they make me want to start scrapping again. Each kit also comes with exclusive stamps and products – super fun.

5.  Christmas rubber stamps by Ann-Marie

Designed by Ann-Marie, these stamps make me itch to get my Christmas cards done already!

It’s really beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here with Christmas catalogs + decorations + shopping. Now, all we need is some snow. It almost feels as if we might just zoom right past Thanksgiving and fast forward to Christmas.

Happy Friday!

I hope your weekend is super duper (:

Hello, November

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I can’t believe that we’re already at the beginning of November – only eight more weeks left of twenty twelve!

While October was pretty quiet around these parts, I hope November might just be a little bit more exciting.

Hello, traveling + road trips. Hello classes + assignments. Hello rain and cooler days. Hello red Starbucks cups. Hello making Christmas cards + presents, listening to Christmas music and getting into the Christmas spirit. Hello one year since I started this blog. Hello, enjoying every single moment + memory that will be part of twenty twelve.

Hello, November. I think you’re going to be busily good.