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?

Back-yard Dreaming

As one of our many things that we wanted to do this year, I had always wanted a beautiful, lush blanket of grass in a backyard. Unfortunately, it looks like this....

Greg and I decided that we would seed the backyard this early spring so that this summer we would have grass.

Unfortunately this is all weeds and rocks-no grass!

Greg spent one LONG day of tilling up the ground and seeding to realize-- we have a TON of rocks in our yard and even with the thickest grass, the rocks would cause problems.

We deliberated all the options and finally buckled down and decided to hire someone for the job.

After a two week waiting list, they came in, spread the top soil out, laid out the flower beds, laid sod, and were done IN ONE DAY!!!

It was amazing to leave for work with this....

and return home to this!!!

We still have to do landscaping and create our patio that will eventually be a fire pit but we finally have a beautiful backyard for little man to play on this summer!

Lamp refresh

A few years ago I bought a lamp at an auction. It was one of those that I got caught up in the moment and bought it without really thinking about it.

So yeah, nothing special. Definitely not my style now. U-G-L-Y shade.

Here it is before the makeover.

I used a little silver metallic paint and a new lampshade from target.

And voila! Doesn't it look so much better! And for only $13.99 I have a new lamp that actually looks like it belongs in my home!

Backyard Dreaming

So with this crazy warm weather, I have been dreaming of finally finishing our backyard. We have done nothing since the house was built..meaning green weeds and rocks in the backyard.

No place for little man to play this summer. So here's one of my many ideas that I have swarming on my pinterest boards...

All images from my pinterest boards

Has anyone tackled your own patio or pergola? Tips appreciated!