Reflection

Well we're a month in...2011. Wow, 2011...shouldn't we be driving hover cars by now? How many times have you heard that one :). Kind of lame but it really does make you think.  I have spent some time over the last month thinking about, rather reflecting upon, my life...our life.
This year we are focusing on the positives in life. Focusing on the love that we have for each other and our loved ones.  Loved ones = God, family, and friends.  Recognizing that time is more valuable than ever before and should be used wisely and spent on those whom are worthy of such a valuable 'commodity', if you will. After all, time is a commodity isn't it? Its a 'product' of our lives, a 'service' to others, a 'good', an 'article of trade' in which we give for others...

2010 was so bittersweet. More so than ever before. The year started out with the biggest high of our lives, with our wedding and all the celebrating that comes along with that... and ended with one of the biggest blows either of us have ever experienced. In between the beginning and the end were periods of ups and downs and learning experiences and life lessons.  One of the best parts was that we had each other to lean on through it all, which brought us closer than ever.  We were able to see how God truely does work in our lives and how our relationship with Him changes the way we see and experience every day life. I am so greatful for my life, my husband, my family and my friends.  So greatful that I can admit my short comings and my wrong doings and recognize how I could have done things differently...with out making excuses for the things I do and the way I feel.  We may not be able to change the past but to know how to handle it next time is all a valuable part of the learning experience...and I thank GOD for allowing me to be a part of this learning experience...these life lessons.  I wouldnt want it any other way and I will take it ALL, the good with the bad...especially knowing that it's all for something and never for nothing... We would not be who we are with out these experiences.

{6} FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,

      AND HE CHATISES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.

{7} It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? {8} But if you are without discipline, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. {9} Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? {10} For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. {11} All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Always a work in progress...

Life, relationships, this blog, what ever next great idea I come up with...always seems to be a work in progress...
Funny how things that first sound like a great idea take on a whole other life when you put those ideas into motion.  Kind of like my cute little doggie print in the previous post who has since found a completely different home than what I originally had planned.  I have had all sorts of ideas on how I want our bedroom to look and I have finally narrowed it down.  It has taken on a vintage feel...kind of a 20's classic elegance with modern updates. I love vintage! I love character more than anything...and that is why it is so hard for me to actually pick a theme and stick with it!  I can't help it.  I love fun unique items.  I see one cool trinket and suddenly a whole new world of ideas comes flooding in. 

A few awesome items that I have inherited  FINALLY came back from the painter.  My grandmother's drop leaf oak table and hutch are now residing perfectly in my kitchen and bedroom.  We put the drop leaf table and chairs in the kitchen of course and opted to place the hutch in the bedroom as a tv cosnole...just needs new knobs.

 Its always a work in progress but as long as it makes me happy, I enjoy the time spent doing it, and I am always making steps toward the final product, then progress can take its sweet time...I'm not in any rush.

African Grey

We are currently re-doing our bedroom.  I am thinking that I want most of the wall art and room decor to be taken from all aspects of our life.  I see lots of old antique pictures and picture frames, containg loved ones from a time gone by.  Two of our most adored loved ones are of the furry kind...and just as much a part of the family as anyone could be.  While following another blog I came across a graphic design artist that sells these prints on Etsy.  Her name is Whitney Coleman and her shop name is African Grey - sounds like a bold earthy color and immediately makes me think of elephants and jungles. 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AfricanGrey

African Grey and Whitney Coleman can also be found @

http://africangreydesigns.com/

http://whitneycoleman.com/

Vegas Baby!!!

July 17, 2010 - Jeremy & Candace's Wedding

Jeremy & Candace had their ceremony in the FABULOUS Venus Gardens at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV.  Reception followed in a ballroom at the hotel.  We had a BLAST!  So much fun to take a big family trip, it has been a looooong time since we did that.  The wedding was definitely the hilight of the weekend but we also had tickets to The Beatles 'LOVE' which was AMAZING to say the least. I highly recommend everyone see this show - especially Beatles fans! You will not be disappointed.  We also ate some great food and the pool at Caesar's is fantastic.  I have stayed at a couple different hotels in Vegas but Caesar's is by far my favorite.  It was a very successful weekend - we didn't win big but we didn't lose much either.  I 'd say breaking even makes for successful trip!

Cute Clothes

http://www.bodenusa.com/

I received a new catalogue in the mail the other day...super cute clothes!!! Check it out.

Champagne taste on a Beer budget

If you haven't heard of Ballard Designs yet you are MISSING OUT!
My Aunt Sherry clued me into this place and I am forever hooked...  Get on line and order their free magazine so you can enjoy it too!
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/

For those that love Pottery Barn (which I do) but can't quite fork out those $$$ just yet, this store is for you!

A lot of the items are Pottery Barn-esque without the price tag. 

Cute in the Kitchen!

How stinkin' cute are these aprons from Anthropologie!!!

I also gotta have this oven mit and hot pad!