Welcome 2012!

I was looking at the post I made at the beginning of January 2011.  I think I did a "slightly above average" job of accomplishing the changes I wanted to make in myself for the year.  I did fail miserably in one in particular.  Click here to see that list.

This year I've decided to be more specific so that I can hold myself accountable but with the blessed knowledge that I'm forgiven when I fall short.  So here goes, my list of resolutions for 2012.

* Read the entire bible.

* Nuture my relationship with my husband.

* Become more involved at church.

* Eat healthier.

* Exercise more (Goals:  Walk 6 hours a week and bike ride one hour a week.)

* Visit Ethiopia.

* Drink more water.

* Fund raise for a well somewhere in Africa.

* Get more sleep.

* Pray purposefully for my loved ones (family and friends).

* Pray everyday.

* Pray for those in need.

*  Read 12 books.

*  Attend a Christian Women's Conference. (already scheduled.  Yay!)
                 The Pearl Event II - The Double Strand.

*  Start a business with my husband.

*  Begin to learn the piano.

*  Make more time with my mom.

*  Visit my Dad.

*  Learn to sew.

*  Use my resources (time and money)  to bless others.

*  Join a bible study.

*  Be more organized.

*  Begin to learn another language.

*  Always be an encourager to others.

*  Show my gratitude to others.

*  Eat out less and plan menus.

*  Give more gifts from the heart (homemade).

*  Gift my kids and grandkids with more of my time rather than just gifts themselves.

*  Learn to take better pictures with my camera on settings other that auto and ISO.

I've listed quite alot of resolutions and I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can go.

Have a blessed New Year everyone!

My four favorite things about Christmas.

My Grandbabies!

Merry Christmas

                   From our family to yours,

     Have a very Merry Christmas and a
                         blessed New Year and 
                 remember the reason for this 
                               holiday season.


                      Happy Birthday Jesus!



                                                A few memories of Christmas 2011.
                                                          (Pictures of a few of our new decorations)

Christmas Morning 2011

Family room tree

                       Everyone needs mistletoe

The best two words I know.

 

Mike has a taste for everything retro.  Something about reliving his childhood.  ha!

He got these "retro Christmas robots" last year (never thought I'd have an occassion

to use those three words together).  

                                       

I saw this idea on Pinterest and my sweetie made it happen for a Christmas party.

Still trying to find an excuse for not taking them down.  Valentine's Day possibly?

Maybe he could add a few pink balls.  :-)

This year I asked Mike to make me for
Christmas, 2 magnetic chalkboards to
hang in my breakfast nook.  I love them.
My favorite gift from him.

I also saw these candy dish stands on Pinterest and Mike made them for

me for Christmas.  I plan to use them again for Valentine's Day.

He also made a white one so I may get to use them for 4th of July (if I only

had a blue one).  Sweetie!

I try to display Christmas cards thoughtout different places in our house.

My favorite are the picture cards.  I didn't get to make one this year which

I'm very sad about, however I have a fantastic idea for next year.  Yes, I'm

already planning next year.

This is something you won't see often (as in never).  Mike does most things but

he doesn't cook but he was great and pitched in for Christmas brunch.

Dylan got twin revolvers from us.  Poppy's favorite and Dylan

liked it pretty well himself.

My sweet big baby grandgirl.

Kelly and Matt weren't able to make it this year so the day after Christmas,

as in 3:30 am, I hopped in my car and headed up to see them for a couple

of days.  It was a long, long, long drive but so worth it.

Makenzie Belle

I love this photo of Brody, in his camo playing with his sister's stocking stuffers.

He gives equal opportunity to all toys. 

And an additional little bonus to my trip was waking up the first morning

after I arrived to this.  It only lasted a few hours, but for this Florida

girl, what precious hours they were.

Looking down Kelly's street.

Kelly's house at 6:00 am, December 27th, 2011.

                                                                 

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

A boy who loves his train.

Multitudes on Mondays (Christmas Edition)

                              Joining Ann Voskamp 1000 gifts.



              Hope you'll visit. Just click on Multitudes
                     on Mondays picture above.


                Remembering to be greatful in all things



I'm thankful for:

461.   the birth of Jesus.
462.   a great sermon at church followed up by a sweet Christmas program that
                my nieces and nephews were in.   
463.  Carrie, Melissa and Dylan coming with us.
464.  the Christmas shopping done, mostly. :-)
465.  Richard and Marlene hosting our family Christmas celebration this year.
466.  cousins at Christmas time.

Most of the cousins who "will remain nameless" did not want pictures this year.

467.   our parents.

468.  the influence that Tim Tebow has on the high school kids.  Yay God!!!
469.  Christmas trees.

470.  homemade gifts from my husband.  The Best!!
471.  all the packages being mailed.
472.  more people putting up Christmas lights this year.
473.  the precious announcement that our family will add another member by way
                of adoption.   Click here  to see our surprise.
474.  the upcoming trip to see grandkids.
475.  a brother in town visiting.
476.  24/7 christmas music on not one, but two radio stations.
477.  egg nog.
479.  Christmas movie marathons.
480.  gingerbread houses.
481.  the nativity  (the inside and outside kinds)

482.  little girls in Christmas dresses

483.  big girls who will still wear Christmas pajamas for her Nana.

                               What are you thankful for?

Gingerbread House

My first gingerbread house where I actually made the dough, cut out the pieces,
baked them, assembled and decorated.     I was able to use enough icing to cover
up most of my mistakes and I was happy with the results.  The best part is the entire house smell like gingerbread all day.  I don't think I'll ever go back to the pre-baked
 kits.   I also don't think I'll ever be entering any gingerbread house competitions
either (which was a dream of mine).  This one took me 4 hours and it's fairly small.
 I will just be content with a little one for our home.

Kristi's 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

Kristi from   ...and babies make four    is having her annual 12 days of Christmas giveaway.  Click on the link and join the fun.