How can you take a bad picture when you have someone as cute as Amelia as your subject? Well, here is Amelia and she is as cute as a button!! She is my best friend's little girl and she has a way about her that she comes into the room and everyone pays attention to her. I was taking pictures of the flowers and when she came out my camera took over and couldn't help but to turn it's attention to her.

Valentine's Party

   I didn't want to be the annoying person with the camera during the party, I hate my own picture to be taken so I took pics of the tables and put the camera away when people showed up. It was a nice night, a beautiful night.

Beth put out crackers, cheeses and grapes for an appetizer. We decorated with flowers, candles and lots of mason jars. The white milk glass dishes were my Grandmother's and they are so beautiful that we had to use them.

   Beth and I decided we wanted to use lots of candles and we have lots of mason jars. Who knew it would turn out so beautiful. We used Groupons at Field of Flowers for all the flowers. The mirror is from Ikea.

   Dinner was simple and served buffet style: meatballs cooked in a crock pot, salted potatoes and asparagus. Dessert was mini cheese cakes, eclairs and homemade chocolate hazelnut pudding. We wanted everything to be simple and easy so we could enjoy the party.

   On the way home today I stopped at the park for a little photo shoot. I haven't used my camera in a while so I feel like I'm getting used to it again.

Christmas 2011

 

The plan was to get to the beach BEFORE the sun rise. Plans change. We woke up a little late but it was still a beautiful morning.

Paris likes to collect things.

Yum, Christmas dinner!

Thanksgiving.

   It's Thanksgiving! WooHoo!! I love this time of year. I love reminding myself of all the good things in my life. I have done my fare share of whining but how can I whine on Thanksgiving when I can fill a notebook with things I am thankful for.
1. My family. I love them so very much. They are such great people and they make me laugh. I am so proud of them. My hubby is such a good man. He really takes care of us and works so hard and he loves me so very much. My kids. What can I say, I just think they are good stuff! <3
2. My best friend and her family. I love her so much and I got to spend most of the day with her, cooking and chatting. I love her family and she loves mine. That's pretty special to me :o)
3. A special little surprise, I got to see my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. It has been a long time and I always have a good time with them.
4. My hubby grilled a wonderful turkey. Oh, I am so thankful for grilled turkey.
5. The kids were so good today. Everyone got along and there was no fighting, even when the Dolphins lost.
6. Home made chocolate chip cookies. Apples with Nutella.
7. Realizing I'm OK, even though I gained back those 30lbs I lost. It's not the end of the world.
8. Making my little apartment my home.
9. Painting a scratched, hand-me-down dining table that I love so much.
10. The surface that I do my push-ups on every day is getting closer and closer to the floor. Pretty soon I will actually be doing them on the floor, again. I started with the wall then the bathroom counter now the lower bar on my foot board.
11. You. I'm thankful for those of you who take a minute to read my blog. It really means a lot to me. Thank you <3
   I could go on and on but I will leave it at 11.

11/11/11

   I woke up this morning with the sun streaming through the window, my true love with his arm around me and joy in my heart. Today is truly a beautiful day. It's a day to enjoy. I feel like a flower shining brightly in the sun.
   This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!!!

His Gifts to Me

It was this time last year when I was getting into the spirit of thanksgiving. I do this every year and I tell myself to remember to be thankful through out the year. That flies out the window by the time New Years has passed. Last year was different. I started writing things down when they popped in my head and left facebook status up dates about things I was thankful for.
   Not long after starting this a friend gave me a book about this very subject, a coincidence, I don't think so. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. This is a book about her life and how she struggled and how God taught her to see the gifts in life. What I liked about it was I didn't feel like I was being lectured.
   Anyway, I started making more of an effort to write things down when they happen. I have a note pad app on my phone that I list my gifts, blessings an moments. I was blown away when I read through them the other day. I had forgotten many of them and was so thankful as I was reading through that I had written/typed them down. They are truly gifts from God and I felt like the wealthiest woman in the world when I was reading them.