2013 CHRISTMAS CARD [MERRY CHRISTMAS BLOGLAND]

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Seasons Greetings!

I wanted to share our family Christmas card with you guys! We went rustic this year! Really really happy with it!

(This card is edited. I printed 50 cards and mispelled "Comfort" with "Confort"-Oh well. At least blogland will see it corrected)

:)

I considered having a back to the card, but that didn't happen! Boo! But if I would've have a back, it would've been this! 

 

My kids are seriously goofy! No clue where that came from?!

 

Not to get all serious on ya, but as always, it's that time of year when people start reflecting on the past year and dreaming up the great things in store for next year.

Well, I gotta say...I'm kinda feeling...well...meh!

Don't get me wrong, this was a great year...

1.

 I lost 30 lbs by exercising and eating right (gonna have to peel off a few of these holiday pounds after the holidays, but that yummy cornbread dressing and loads of chocolate is WORTH IT!

2.

We were able to get a few...very few...things started in repairing our home...as much as funds would allow. But I am SO HAPPY that we won't fall through the bathroom floor now! Yippeee! And maybe we can get another goldfish and it won't freeze to death since the heater is working again

(True story---Our fish froze to death while we were on vacay one year-The house was THAT COLD)

3.

I have a great family with precious kids and a devoted hubby!

4.

With today's economy, we are simply blessed to be employed and have a home! PERIOD!

 

I can go on and on about stuff like that and I am TRULY GRATEFUL, but I can't help it, I just feel...blah!

It's hard to explain why! It's weird! I'm weird, I know!

I guess, there are just some things that didn't pan out like I would've hoped. Being in this place is good for me. I am usually pretty optimistic and happy-go-lucky (which I don't plan on ever changing), but from time to time, I tap into reality! haha! I'm not gonna get all into detail about that stuff, it won't make my point come across any stronger, therefore it's just unnecessary. But I am SO SO SO happy about realizing that life isn't about all of your dreams coming true. It is about understanding that people change. Dreams change. ...and even though disappointment hurts, anticipation for the NEW dream that God places on your heart will be greater and more fulfilling than before.

But all in all, I AM READY FOR A GREAT 2014!

FOR REELZ!

I am hoping for the following:

1.

Making more quiet time for prayer and devotion.

2.

More time making music---not for anyone else---just making music! Gotta get back on the piano and improve those skills.

3.

More work on the house, duh!

4.

Maybe renewing my wedding vows for my 15th anniversary! Could be fun, huh?!

And

5.

Peace, Love and Joy in my home.

 

Just simple.

 

Merry Christmas everyone and I hope and pray your new year is full of dreaming, whether they are old dreams or fresh and brand new!

 

Love,



I AM BACK {BEACH VACAY RECAP}

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I'M BACK!! Missed me???

<The CORRECT answer is "YES">
Well...
I. MISSED. YOU.
:)

The getaway was great!

Great weather....Great waves....Great tan {no sunburn---woohoo}....Great times!

Here's a few snapshots via Instagram!

I would LOVE to follow you on Instagram....You can follow me here

Getting some pretty fingers and toes!

Little man went para sailing with his friend!!

Beach Bums, 2012!

I'll be back soon...have some pretty beach shots coming...I GOT MY "GOOD" CAMERA BACK FROM NIKON! YAY!

Smooches,

CHECKING IN:A PHONE PHOTO DUMP+MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RECAP!

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OK I KNOW...I'VE SERIOUSLY BEEN MIA!

A BIG "NO-NO" IN BLOGLAND.

It's been close to a week since my last post and If you read my last post, you will understand why!

It has been INSANE! I am not complaining, I promise! I did this to myself!

Just calling a "Spade--A SPADE"

What do I have for you today....?

UMMMM...A phone photo dump!

Yes...I know...It's not a clever "craft", but we have been hustling, people! It has taken me three...YES, THREE...years to get the hubby on board for some home improvement projects!

I THINK I HAVE CREATED A MONSTER!

No complaints though...I'm just sayin'!

*Love you babe*

 We needed a building for storage because we have no attic space and snagged a display model for a STEAL! So, our memorial day weekend was spent working outside.

YEAH...SHE IS WORKING SOOOOO HARD! CAN'T YOU TELL!?

HERE'S THE "STEAL"...IT WILL WORK FOR NOW! IT WILL BE GETTING A MAKEOVER INSIDE AND OUT...SURPRISED? DIDN'T THINK SO! I LOVE MAKEOVERS!

MY LITTLE HANDYMAN IN THE MAKING WITH HIS POPPIE! DO YOU LIKE OUR VERSION OF SAW HORSES? HA!

WE TOOK A PIECE OF THE FENCE OUT TO USE WASTED PROPERTY SPACE...

BOY, DO I HAVE PLANS FOR THAT FENCE!



I'll be back soon with some cool projects...there are many many projects in the making!

On top of ALL this stuff, I am working hard on my little girl's dance recital stuff, editing pictures, creating programs, etc etc etc...Bear with me....

*In Arnold's accent*

"I'll BE BACK"

Do ya'll still love me????

:)

Nelly

FAMILY FOCUS FRIDAY:UPDATING FROM DRAB TO FAB {WITH FAMILY}

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Wanna know what I did today?

Well, today I had to work...No, not at my normal "day" job! I HAD to SLAVE and SUFFER as I WAS POKED & PRODDED to help my mother-in-law (hereinafter known as MIL) and REDECORATE HER LIVING ROOM! 

OH THE AGONY...

*enter sarcasm*

I know that you all know I am full of bologna!

It is ALWAYS a pleasure to redesign or redecorate...I enjoy this more than almost anything.  It's my FAVORITE JOB-besides being a mommy and wife, but that's not a J.O.B., technically. 

AFTER ALL, IT IS FAMILY FOCUS FRIDAY, RIGHT!

MY MIL IS FAMILY...

and I am focusing on her today so...

IT'S LEGIT!

:)

This wasn't a full-on complete redecoration, just a little bit of sprucing up and updating.  She has a casual, old world style throughout the home with a palate of brown, black, a little red, rust, more brown and more black, some olive and more brown and more black...get the picture! She is debrownifying (I love making up words) just like me!

We are pulling in some scrumptious, serene blues, with mercury glass and mirror accents to lighten and brighten the space.

This is just a little taste.

Whatcha think?

I am DROOLING over this round mirrored...mirror! It is so blingy but in the RIGHT way! It is calling my name...."NEEEELLLLY??!!?  BUY MEEEE?!?!"

Don't you here it?!

Well, I am hearing something sounding more like...."Nelly, MAKE me! I am WAY out of your budget!"

UGH! The truth hurts!

So, after rearranging as much as possible, pulling from here and there to work with what we had on hand, we decide to make a rush trip to town...just to pick up a few odds and ends...Really, only like 3 things were on the list.

Weeeeellll...This is me stuffed-LITERALLY-in the backseat!

DO YOU LIKE?

TELL ME! TELL ME! TELL ME!

UPDATE:

Also check out my VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY EVER-HERE!!

Show some love and check it out!

SMOOCHES, 

NELLY

  







RANDOM:CUTTIN' UP AT A PHOTO SHOOT

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SO, while working over at my munchkins dance recital photo shoot...

MISS "THANG" grabs me to the curtain and starts posing! 

She was like..."C'mon MOM!"

Photo by Tracy Godeaux Photography

 WE POSE!

Photo by Tracy Godeaux Photography

WE DANCE!

Photo by Tracy Godeaux Photography

 WE HUG!

 I LOVE THESE MOMENTS!

SIDE NOTE: My Lil man just called his buddy from school on the phone and is chit chatting away...First buddy phone call...I am not sure how to feel!

Old, maybe?

or just weird?

Mixed emotions?

He's getting so big!

*SIGH*,

FAMILY FOCUS FRIDAY:FAMILY NIGHT IDEAS

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THIS IS SO TRUE....and CERTAINLY so with my Lil Fam! 

We can certainly have some NUTTY times! 

Meet the Crew...

THE KIDDOS...

THE PARENTS!

I have no apologies for our goofiness...honestly it is one of my FAVORITE things about my family!  WE CAN BE DOWN RIGHT CUH-RAZY!!

and I love it! 

We put the "GOOF" in goofballs! 

It's so great!

The one thing that my kids will FREAK out over is a 

good ole...

down home...

super duper fun...

FAMILY NIGHT!

Straight up, they love knowing that it's a time when the whole family is focused on doing the same thing, all at the same time....something that happens quite less than often.

It warms my heart seeing this desire in their eyes! I PRAY that it remains for a 

long, long, long time...

(those of you with teenagers are probably nodding your heads right about now thinking 

"Yep, Pray!)

Yeah, I am not oblivious that their desire for family time will most likely fade as they get older, but until then, I am feeling challenged to not only build my time with the family in quantity

BUT ALSO IN QUALITY!

I found these three great ideas for Family Night Fun on Pinterest!

A SACRAMENT MEETING:

This idea is basically a time set aside once a week and including a life lesson, spiritual message, song, prayer time, fun game and activity and yummy refreshments!

 The Real Housewives of Riverton

AN OBJECT LESSON WHILE BAKING TOGETHER:

This idea was so awesome, because she used the lesson of "Confidence" and called them "Confidence Cookies".  Check out her post to get the details!

You can usually gain ANY kid's attention when cookies are involved!

Raising Lemons

FUN THEMED NIGHTS:

HOW FUN IS THAT?! I am all about themes....

Especially when it involves kid stuff because the sky is the limit 

when it comes to cool creative ideas!

Some themes could be:

• Night at the Drive-In: Rent a projector and put up a sheet outside and sit in the car and watch the movie...of course with lots of popcorn. 
• Dance Party: Hook up that Kinnect or Wii and "Just Dance"! We have so much fun with this one!
• UNO Tournament: This game is suitable for nearly all school ages.  Use skittles or M&M's as the Jackpot to make it interesting.
• Space Night:  2 Teaching Mommies has some cool fun space-y food ideas. You could end the night laying out in the yard star gazing! (This is one that we will be doing soon...for sure!)

2 Teaching Mommies

"THE FAMILY" IS THE BUILDING BLOCK OF OUR SOCIETY!

Lets build on a firm foundation while making some AMAZING memories at the same time!!