2011: A YEAR IN REVIEW

New Years Eve has always been a time of reflection on the past but more importantly looking forward to the coming year. A time when we can think about the changes that we want or that we need and then resolving to follow through with those changes throughout the year.

2011 has brought a lot of change in my life. While working full time, my husband and I took on the challenge of taking classes through the Institute of Theology by Extension and took over leadership of our church's college group. Every Saturday we hosted INSTE at our home and the 2nd and 4th Sunday we hosted college group. Though we have been extremely busy, God has blessed us with a home and we are so proud to share it and bless all who visit. We also started doing P90X though had to quit when I got really sick. In the past year, I have been sick seven, yes, you read that right, SEVEN times.

We have suffered tremendous loss this year at work and I am so hopeful that 2012 will bring some positive change! God is faithful and I know that He is working and moving.

This year we did a lot of traveling over the mountains visiting family and what a blessed time we had. In June my husband and I celebrated two years of marriage and we took a road trip to Glacier National Park. In July we traveled to the Oregon coast for our annual family vacation. We also did a lot of home improvement projects! My husband built me some beautiful furniture for our home and is now enjoying rebuilding our classic car one piece at a time. More on our Mustang later.

2011 has brought a lot of hardship but I am grateful that I have gone through it because I have become a stronger person. I have had a few revelations and learned a tremendous amount about myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My husband and I have grown in our marriage and are learning how to love and serve one another daily. What a blessing that is!

So, 2011, I am still grateful for everything you have brought but I am hopeful for what 2012 will bring!

With the way this week has gone though I just hope we can stay awake for new years! Haha! Happy New Years Eve!

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DRESSER TURNED TV STAND MAKEOVER

Tonight, I am so excited to share with you what hubby has been working on for the last few months in his spare time. Let me preface by saying that we've had our TV hanging on the wall above our fire place since we purchased it about a year ago. And though I liked it there and it fit well, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. You see, while the TV is on and you're sitting on the sofa curled up in a warm blanket drinking hot tea, you can't have the gas fireplace running. Not only do I use the TV for viewing movies and television shows, but I listen to a lot of music through it. I love our fireplace but would love it more if I could use it! So to solve that problem I was on a mission to find a nice TV stand. After searching online and finding a lot of great furniture options, I realized I didn't really want to spend any money. We had a dresser gifted to my husband years ago that we were planning on selling or donating but I really wanted to find a new u

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DIY HOMEMADE MOD PODGE

We all know how expensive Mod Podge is at the craft store, right? And since there are so many projects which use it, I thought I could find a homemade version online . Love pinterest ! This is seriously the easiest DIY project I have ever done. Supplies: A Jar (I rescued an empty Tostitos Creamy Spinach Dip Jar YUMMM which was on its way out to be recycled) Elmer's White Glue (I used two 4 fl oz bottles) Water Before I made the Mod Podge, I washed out the jar and spray painted the lid silver. I also took off the label from the jar and did my best to get rid of all of the adhesive (first tried a paper towel and rubbing alcohol, but it didn't work and then I tried olive oil and it worked like a charm). Instructions: Empty glue into jar Fill the empty glue bottle with water and pour into the new jar with the glue (Ideally, you want 50% glue and 50% water) Shake, Shake, SHAKE the jar That's it! You have made homemade mod pod

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DIY BOOKCASE REVEAL

This has been a long time coming. Mostly because I have been putting it on the back burner for, oh, 6+ months? Hubby actually built it back in November/December-ish and it has taken me this long to finish painting. Oh well. My thought for the office was to have something light in color and a little modern and I found the Expidit bookcase from IKEA online. via I liked the design but thought maybe having a back behind the shelving would be good. Hubby said he would build it for me so I gladly let him! I didn't take too many photos because hubby isn't a fan of being in photos. Here is what I have, so take a look! This was my bookshelf for the longest time. You can see that most shelves are painted except the very bottom and the right side of the bookcase. See how hubby added a trim on all of the horizontal pieces? It gives it a bit of character and I really like it! So, after using the bookcase for a bit, I thought it nee

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