a series of smiles.

One of our many stops while traveling these past two weeks was perfectly enough, Disney World, and there were tons of photo worthy moments. While exploring the Magic Kingdom, {which is even more magical at Christmastime}, there was a certain baby girl who decided to delight all passersby with a series of smiles and with a smile like hers, all faces within a five mile radius were suddenly inspired to return the gesture. She's pretty convincing when she smiles, you just can't help but light up the same.

Well, today starts a new year and as incredibly blessed as 2011 was, I'm simply praying for more smiles in 2012. So, is smiling more one of my new years resolutions? Not exactly. Me and new years resolutions seem to clash a little, they're not exactly easy for me to keep, especially when they're based on these crazy ideal and somewhat unrealistic standards I like to set for myself. Instead of making a long list {which is slightly tempting for this list-making gal} of all the things I want to do, change, or complete in 2012, I have a simple hope that I pray is noticed by this heart of mine...I'd love if the year 2012 is pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle, filled with a series of smiles, smiles not only from our little family, but from all those we know, and even those we haven't had the pleasure of meeting. For when smiles are paired together, a strikingly meaningful picture is created, a world and a life worth more than any words, I could ever pair or string together, could say. For when we smile, others are encouraged to do the same, choose the same, dream the same, and impact the same. And whenever we give a smile, we receive one, too.

Happy 2012 everyone, I pray it's all you hope it to be and much, much more.   
::

*Click here for the post I wrote in honor of Jenna's wedding - she's a girl whose friendship always makes me smile. 
*& special thanks to one of baby girl's amazing Auntie's for giggling with her in these pics.