insta-pics #41

1. Our house is coming along. Hubby will start flooring this week and the first coat of paint has been put on. This is when I really start getting anxious to move in!
2. We celebrated new years with a bunch of friends. This girl is the reason I met hubby, love her so much!
3. Sweet girl cuddled up with her Jessie doll that she got for Christmas.
4. Some cross stitch progress.
5. T was being silly one day and she would point at the potty and say 'pee' so I took off her diaper and let her sit on it. She loved it, she was so proud. And she actually stayed on it for awhile. Potty training an 18 month old....hmm I'm not sure I'm up for it, but we'll see.
6. S did some fine coloring the other day. She first colored all the flower centers yellow and then colored every single petal (one by one) blue. She was very persistant (it took awhile) but she was so happy when she was finished. It's sure neat to see her skill improve.
7. Woke up bright and early yesterday to drive to a friends wedding. We even got to drive into the sunrise.
8. The wedding was so beautiful and I am so happy for the couple. It was extra special because I got to see and visit a lot of my college friends. It was a great day.

As for right now my family is at church and I am home sick with a nasty cold, blah. I guess it was going to be my turn sooner or later.... hubby had it new years eve, poor thing. Anyways hope your feeling happy and healthy!

Happy Sunday!

Well, Hello 2013

Being this is the first post of the new year, I figured I'd share some of my goals and thoughts with you for 2013. 

Embrace Color

I've always shied away from using color too much in home decorating and in my wardrobe. This year I am determined to add more color in my life and surround myself with things that make me happy....which are usually more colorful.

Read More

Pretty standard and vague but 2012 didn't have a high book count, unfortunately, and I'd like to change that. Less TV more diving into the written word. Including my Bible.

Play

My girls are getting so imaginative and I want to make more of an effort to let the dishes/ laundry/projects wait and get on the floor and play with them. This time is short and I have to get with it while I still can. 

Empty plastic cup of coffee? Count me in!
 

Host

I got this idea from Allison who included this on her resolution list. She is planning to have people over to her home more often... and I think it's a great idea. When we are in our in-between houses (like we are now) I never feel like having people over because it isn't 'my space' and that gets me in kind of a rut. So this year I plan to be a hostess more often. Those of you who live close to me, be prepared a supper/coffee date may be in your future!
 

Encourage

I have been inspired over this past Christmas season with all the talk of random acts of kindness, with one friend in particular actually (who did a different 'act' for every day in December leading up to Christmas). She did it with her kids and I think she got a lot out of it. So I have challenged myself to encourage others, through words and action. Doing random acts throughout the year for friends, family, and strangers. Praying God will help me with this one....I may have to step out of my comfort zone, eek!

Anyways, there you have it! Being not much of a resolution keeper I figured these were quite realistic and possible. Of course I have the desire to exercise more, eat less, perfect myself in other areas yada yada. But those type of 'goals' (for me anyways) end up making me feel like a failure more than being inspired and staying positive. And no one needs that.

Hello 2013, I think you're going to be a great year!

insta-pics #39 and #40

 I never got around to posting last week in all the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle and I couldn't stand ending the year off on #39.  So it's a double week (again... sigh) but lets pretend I posted 39 last week and 40 this week Ok? Great.

Let's get on with it...

 insta-pics #39

 1. Recieved my first homemade Christmas decoration from S, with help from her Awana leader. Many more of these type of things in my future, yay!
2. My lil baby is growing up. She sat at the counter with big sister for lunch and loved it!
3. S was my shopping partner for some last minute things and she fell asleep between stops while reading a book. So sweet.
4. I lucked out on the local garage sale page and got a large vintage pyrex bowl to match a small one I already had (which was also found at a garage sale). Score! 
5. My muffin tin advent calendar became empty way to quickly. Seriously, where does the time go???
6. My little sweetie wore my old Christmas dress to church on the 23rd (which my mom made). Pretty darn cute, even if she looked straight from the 80's!

 insta-pics #40

1. I attempted to rock some yellow (via my headband and jeans). Verdict is still out on whether I pulled it off or not.
2. After finishing all my Christmas present crafting and baking I decided to start a new cross stitch just for me. It's been a fun project to work on during the holidays.
3. Familiar with Zoolander? T is pulling off 'Blue Steel' quite nicely....and her hair cracks me up daily, man does that kid have a mop!
4. Again sitting up to the counter, sisters having a snack.
5. Yesterday we spent the afternoon with friends behind our house playing on the pond rink. S even tried skating for the first time!
6. That same afternoon the girls getting a ride in the sled around the rink. It was so nice to have some warmer weather for a change.

Well that concludes my insta-pics for the 2012 year!

  I plan on taking the rest of the year off. See you in 2013!

Happy Sunday!

A gift.

I had my sister in laws name this year in the family draw on my hubby's side. As part of her gift I decided to make and frame a scrapbook page for her. Their family had really nice pictures taken back in summer (same photographer as us actually), so I had some great pictures to work with. The one of them walking away (above) is one of my faves!

 I used the CTMH paperpack Avonlea as my starting point. Added some texture with velvet rub-ons, ribbon and flowers as well as some filigree brads. I didn't want to take away from the photographs with a large title so I just used the small 'family' tag and the rub-on above the large picture.

I am definitely happy with how it turned out. And she had it hanging on her wall Christmas day so I guess that's a good sign that she likes it too.

P.S. I made a couple other handmade gifts this Christmas season... I made my mom a 12x12 scrapbooked calendar and my mom-in-law a mini album. I had been trying to get these projects done in time for Christmas (hence the shortage on posts in December) and totally forgot about pictures for the blog, oh well, there's always next year!

Have yourself a merry little christmas.

From my family to yours, we hope you have a very merry Christmas! 

And all the best in the new year!

- Card design free from Becky Higgins.