My First Pinterest Party

I was invited to my first Pinterest Party!  I was SO excited!  Then I was informed I had to pick my own project.  Oh my – what to choose, what to choose.  My project and craft boards had some good ideas.  However, it did not take long as my daughter’s birthday was fast approaching and I wanted to do something for her room.

She found a project she liked.  The actual pin showed a very large paper mache monogram, decorated with ribbons and flowers.  We did not find the paper mache in the craft store, but we did find a wooden letter she loved.  She choose the ribbon and flowers.  Here is how it came together.

 

 

Here is the beginning.  Wooden letter, zebra ribbon, silk flowers.

 

 

 

The 'S' with the ribbon on.  I used modge podge, then trimmed the extra ribbon in the tricky areas.

It was tricky wrapping the ribbon on certain areas.  So I used white craft paint to finish it out.

I hot glued the silk floral stems to the side.  I later discovered there were flat florals - oh well, it still turned out great.

Here it is!  My first "Pinterest" project.  Shelby LOVES it!

Currently, it is hanging by a temporary ribbon on the fireplace screen in our family room.  After her party, the ribbon will be removed and she will hang it on the wall in her room. 

And in case you did not know, my daughter has a very serious addiction ... zebra print!  More zebra themed pictures will be coming soon and my blog background has been changed in her honor.

2012 recap

Biggest blessings

From my son: January 13^th of 2012, Spencer was officially diagnosed with Dyslexia.  I had suspected it for a very long time, but was able to get it confirmed.  So the journey began.  It is January 1, 2013 and he is reading!  He also manages to make me laugh on a daily basis.

From my daughter:  She is growing and maturing at a super fast rate.  She is driving independently, working several jobs, dating, and has the ability to purchase me great gifts.  I love the time we spend together, our great conversations and prayer time.  

From my husband:  He has not left me!  He goes to work every day at a great personal sacrifice to provide for me and the kids.  I am SO thankful for him! 

Hardest time

Sadly, I was “at the end” of another person’s judgment toward me or my family.  However, it was during this time that I grew stronger and was reminded again that God is the protector of my reputation.  My TRUE friends had my back the entire time.  Blessed is the woman who has a true friend!   

This summer I helped my daughter during some difficult situations with friends.  Her pain was heart-breaking.  We prayed together.  We cried together.  Through it all, she is learning life lessons and continuing to mature in her faith.  

Biggest change

We started our 8^th year homeschooling, but I did not renew my membership with the support group that I had been a part of for seven years.  I know it was the right decision but it feels so strange.  I miss them all.

I started this blog!

Shelby.

Spencer.

Here is a brief recap of our year:

January 

•   Shelby celebrated her 16^th birthday*
•  I started teaching at Summit Academy 

March

• DNow weekend and a tornado.
• I had a birthday.  There was no cake.  The end.

April

• Chad & Crystal’s wedding – perfect day!*
• Shan had a birthday.
• Shelby gets her first job at Five Spot Yogurt. 

May

• Spring Formal*
• My niece, Kendra, got married*
• A new family member was born – Leighton*
• Went to Six Flags with a bunch of crazy homeschoolers.
• Re-connected with a friend from years ago and spent many hours with her in her home.  We worked and had some great conversations.
• Read the entire Hunger Games series – thanks, Tori!
• Had my first good “Month of May” in many years.

June

• Shelby got her driver’s license*
• Shelby went to her favorite summer camp, Impact, for the third year.
• Great Father’s Day weekend – saw all the dads.*
• Spencer started playing soccer again. 
• Synergy week at our church*
• Swimming

July

• Fireworks
• Summer Olympics*
• Swimming

August

• Anchor’s Kickoff Weekend – this year Spencer attended.   
• Back to school.  Shelby is a Junior, Spencer is in the 6^th grade. 
• Shelby starts working for Georgia Theatre Company.

September*

• Trip to the mountains
• Family reunion
• Visit with Mom and Poppa Do
• Visit to Rock City – one of my favorite places.

October

• Our yearly family vacation to Panama City Beach – shorter than normal,  but loaded with fun and relaxation*
• Hoedown – whoop, whoop

November

• Celebrated our 22^nd anniversary. 

December

• Spencer celebrated his 12^th birthday
• One of the best Christmas seasons I have had in many years.

*Special memories of the year

 

I continue to serve on my church’s praise team, women’s ministry and hospitality team, and help out with the youth when needed.  I have enjoyed encouraging women in their homes with organizing projects.  I hope to continue to provide my services where needed.   Writing my blog is also very therapeutic and fun for me.  And of course, there are those wacky Walton ECHO ladies – we are planning the next big dance.  Woo Hoo!  Facebook – oh how I love thee!  Being able to keep in touch with people, especially those who live far away, is great.  Please note:  I do NOT plays games on Facebook.  I keep my statuses as positive as possible.  If I need to say something hard or messy, I will do it here on my blog.  If it is private, I keep it private.  

2012 was not productive for my fitness goals.  I stalled.  And I mean STALLED.  So 2013 brings a renewal of getting back into shape and getting more pounds off the waistline.

It was a great year for the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Falcons are on the rise.  Super Bowl, here we come!

I hope to write more and continue to share my heart and life with those who are following me on the blog.  If you are following me in your car, that is creepy.  Stop.  I am also looking forward to being more ‘electronically’ up to date.  An IPhone or something similar is definitely in my future. 

The most important thing I want to do this year is spend more time with friends and family – in person. 

Everyone is so busy, but I plan to do my part to get together as much as possible. 

2012 was a great year; looking forward to 2013. 

Have a very Happy New Year!