Looking Back...

As you know, I don't like to do New Years Resolutions, but goals for the year. I did not make too many goals for myself this year, but was able to check off alot of them.

2012 Goals

1. Apply, Study, and Pass the NCIDQ.

 I AM PROUD THAT I WAS ABLE TO DO THIS IN ONE TRY!! SO BLESSED!!

2. Go On a Family Vacation

We were able to spend a glorious week at the beach with my family this summer.

3. Enjoy Being a Family. 

It was important to me to spend a lot of quality time with my two men and enjoy being a young family.

4. Complete At Least One Room in the House.

Although we made several improvements, not one room is "done". I  guess technically the laundry room and powder room are complete. But I am close to being finished with several other rooms and hope to accomplish that this year. 

5. Finish our Backyard.

 

We did get the yard sodded, but we are still needing to landscape. We put in a gravel patio that we are using for a fire pit area and I can't wait to get some nice chairs down there to enjoy by the fire!

6. Have Friends Over More

 

This one I feel that I didn't get to this year. Between studying for four months and having a young son, I just couldn't get it together in this category. This one is getting tagged for 2013!

7. Slow Down and Enjoy Life

Although I didn't slow down much this year, I do feel that I am finally getting the hang of being a working mom and still getting to enjoy family life. Now that we have a few big things under our belt, I hope to do this next year. 

8. Join a Sunday School Class

We have been going to a class since the Spring. We are really enjoying the fellowship and getting to know everyone in the class. We look forward to growing closer with everyone. (And maybe even work on #6)

9. Join a Bible Study

I hate to admit it, but I have not been in a Bible study in about 10 years and I knew it was time to get back into that! I joined a Women's Bible study at my church and really enjoyed it. 

10. Volunteer

I have always had a heart for service and volunteering, but have been so busy and mentally stretched thin, that I just couldn't make myself volunteer. Now that I feel that I am getting back on track and not so stressed all of the time, I look forward to having the opportunity to give back to the community.  

What goals did you make for yourself this past year that you achieved?

Laundry Room Update

On my To Do list, I initally wanted to paint the laundry room to give it some color.

Before

The past month, we have done a little work in there to make it more user-friendly and I have now decided that I like the crisp white walls.

DIY Pedestal

Great Storage for Shoes and Bottles Underneath Washer/Dryer

We Added Hanging Storage To The Other Side Of The Laundry Rooom

The washer/dryer, pedestals, countertops, and shelf are all white. If we were to do any type of color on the wall, it would be WAY to choppy for my tastes.

Although not what I had in mind, we have updated our laundry and I love how it works for us!

LAUNDRY ROOM TO DO
-Paint Walls (no longer doing)
-Add Rug
-Washer and Dryer Pedestals
-More storage

FINISHED!!!!

A Late Thanksgiving!

I have had this post written for a while now and just haven't gotten around to posting. After the happenings on Friday, I realize that all the little problems don't matter and the house will get clean when it gets clean. I would rather spend fun time with family and friends and enjoy the good things in life. 

Praying for all of those affected by this horrible act. Praying for Peace and Healing this Christmas Season.

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Hey All!

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving a few weeks ago. I was able to spend it at my family's farm with my whole family and it was great! I do miss them and hate only seeing them a few times a year (we live 5.5 hours from them).

Here's our little photo op of Brodie:

I didn't partake in the 25 days of Thankfulness although I have SO MUCH to be thankful for! Check out what I was thankful for last year, here.

Although a little late, here are a few things that I am thankful for:

1. A Merciful God who has watched over and protected us this past year. There are so many things that could have really brought me down, but knowing that He was there for me helped me get through the tough times!

2. My loving family that is supportive and generous. I hope to teach Brodie to have those same values.

3. My wonderful husband- I have put him through alot this year and he still manages to stick around,

hehe!

4. My adorable son! I don't know what I did without him. He melts my heart everyday and I didn't know that this kind of love existed!

5. Our amazing friends and neighbors- we are so lucky to have yall in our life!

6. My job- I love what I do and all that I work with!

7. My home that I get to come home to everyday.

8. Laughter- nothing is better than hearing that deep laugh of Brodie's when he is REALLY tickled about something!

9. My health- although it's been less than ideal this year, things are moving in the right direction and ready to get back on track!

10. Prayer. So many things this past year have been trying for us and many other people. Prayer is a wonderful thing- it is comforting, peaceful, and it works!

11. I am thankful for everyone that helped me as I studied for 4 months for the NCIDQ- between financially helping, babysitting on Saturdays so that I could study, a few days off of work to study, and the people who helped me study-- I am so thankful for the love, support, and understanding as I pushed through and took all three sections of the exam. Because of you, I got this in the mail today:

WAAA HOO! I passed! I am now a NCIDQ certified Interior Designer!!

Washer/Dryer Platform

We have had some busy elves in our house this week. (And lots of advil and baths for the short one)

If you remember in my TO DO list, I wanted a few upgrades in our laundry room: Washer and Dryer Pedestals.

Before:

Pedestals:

PROS

-Don't have to lean over to do laundry

-Storage drawer beneath

-Looks Nice

CONS

-EXPENSIVE (about $500 for the pair)

-What do you put in that drawer?

-Loose workspace on washer dryer tops

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So Greg and I decided to make a platform. 

Well, this really was Greg's project, but I gave him the inspiration. :)

Here's the process in pictures:

 

  

We love it! And for about $150, well worth the project!

Gone National...Again!

Last year, Haskell Interiors (my daily job) won 

the Signature Kitchen and Baths' Transitional Kitchen of the year.  

See Post Here.

Well, we did it again!

Signature Kitchens and Baths' 

Traditional Kitchen of the Year!

Check out Haskell Interior's Website and Blog.