SNOW!!

Tonight, we met at Mom’s home and created our winter craft.  SNOW.  For some reason tonight, we had so many issues.  Paint spilling. Modge Podge sticking to everything except for where it was supposed.  Silver glitter sprinkled everywhere. A delightful 5-year-old excited to help her aunt. Paint brushes flying through the air landing in places they were supposed to land. It was a crazy night.  But…we had lots of fun and plenty of laughter. 

This is what the unfinished project looked like.  My dad cut these out for us.  Isn’t he amazing and talented?

After painting, modge podging, glittering and adding plenty of adorable embellishments…the finished project.  Simply adorable…if I would say so myself. 

Now…to place it in its home for the month of January.

I love these cards!!

Tonight, I taught my monthly card class.  I was so excited about tonight’s class.  In fact, every time I looked at my cute little creations, I would just smile.  I wanted to do something a tad bit different.  I decided that we would make mini cards and a cute card holder.  Aw…I love creating things and sharing them with my awesome friends. 

Isn’t this mini card holder simply adorable?  I think it is.  It was so easy to make. Oh, my goodness, I just fell in love with it. 

Then, I added 4 miniature cards.  I had so much fun creating these cards.  They just bring a smile to my face every time I look at them. Love them!!

Aw…I love making cards!!

~Michelle

Goals…

I came upon this quote and it made me smile.  I need to remember that ‘striving can be more important than arriving’. 

~Michelle

Hello…2013!

I cannot believe that today is the beginning of a new year. It seems like last year passed by so quickly. In fact, it was like a whirlwind. I am excited for a new year. I am excited for change. I love new beginnings and start overs. As I look on this New Year, I am excited for the many things that I will be experiencing. I am hopeful that there will be many wonderful things that will bring me joy and happiness.

I have been thinking a lot of about my goals. As I look ponder the many goals that I set last year, my heart ached. I don’t think that I really accomplished any of them completely.  On the same note, as I started thinking about the things that I want to accomplish this year, I became excited for what this year will bring.  As I was contemplating the many things that I want to accomplish, I grabbed my journal and started a list of things that I want…

I want to grow more spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

I want this year to be the best year that I have had so far in the many years that I have lived.

I want to grow closer to our Heavenly Father.

I want to become the best person that I can be.

I want to live up to my full potential.

I want to become a better friend to my family and friends.

I want people to feel like they are a better person when they leave my presence.

I want to become more physically fit.

I want to get out of debt so that money is not bondage.

I want to laugh more.

I want my heart to be touched in ways that bring me closer to the Spirit.

I want to feel good about myself.

I want to be more organized with items, time and stuff.

I want to smile more.

I want my faith to be unwavering.

I want to be a true follower of Christ.

I want to be a good example to others.

I want to become more knowledgeable in the gospel.

I want to become more knowledgeable in lots of things.

I want to love running. I want to run to relieve stress.

I want to be kinder in word, thought and action.

I want to attend the temple more often.

I want to trust people.

So, as I thought a lot about my wants (desires), I revised my previous goals, added some and kept some. I am excited about what 2013 will bring for me. I know that I am going to make it the best year that I have had thus far.

What are your plans for 2013?

Happy New Year!

~Michelle

It is New Years Eve!!

I really can’t believe that it is the last day of the year.  I am sad to see this year end but I am excited to see the beginning of another year.  So…goodbye to 2012 and HELLO to 2013.

I enjoyed the evening at my parents with family and friends.  There was plenty of food, games, fun, and laughter.  We played…

It was so much fun.  If you haven’t played it, I highly recommend it.

At one point during the night, I looked over to see this crazy little girl staring at me with her gorgeous brown eyes.

I wasn’t quick enough to get a picture of her.

So, I tried again…

and again!!!  Aw…I love this girl!!  She truly makes me smile!!

Happy Last Day of December and 2012!!

~Michelle

Reading and loving it!

I can’t believe that this year is coming to a close.  Where did the time go?  It seemed to pass by so quickly.   I just can’t believe it.  I have been pondering the goals that I set at the beginning of last year.  I was hopeful to accomplish every single one of them sometime during 2012.  As I read the list, all I do is  smile not because I accomplished them but because I have actually set goals that help me become a better person.  I am hopeful for the upcoming year…a new beginning…a time to re-evaluate and to move forward. 

One of the goals that I set for 2012 was to read more often.  I love to read but when I do, I feel guilty because I have so many other things that I SHOULD be doing.  I set out a goal to read 100 books.  I knew that  I probably wouldn’t be able to accomplish this particular goal…I was just hoping that if I had that high of a goal, I would make myself read and not feel so guilty. 

Well, dear friends…I did read more and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I read 19 books…a lot more than I would have read if I wouldn’t have made it a goal to read more often and enjoy it.  So…for the year 2012, I read

1.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2.  The Gift of Angels by Rachel Nunes

3.  Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

4.  Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

5.  Nourish & Strengthen by Maria Hoagland

6.  Lost Without You by Annette Lyon

7.  Lemon Tart by Josi Killpack

8.  English Trifle by Josi Killpack

9.  Devils Food by Josi Killpack

10.  Lipstick Wars by Christine Thackeray

11.  Last Entry First by C.K. Abbott

12.  Key Lime Pie by Josi Killpack

13.  He Loves Me Not by Christine Kersey

14.  Don’t Look Back by Christine Kersey

15.  Blackberry Crumble by Josi Killpack

16.  Scrappy Cupcake Angels by Kristah Price

17.  Your Happily Ever After by Dieter F Uchtdorf

18.  Forget Me Not by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

19.  Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

As for 2013, my goal is to read and enjoy 25 books.  Look out world, I am going to read and not worry so much about the other things that I need to accomplish!

Happy Reading!

~Michelle

Eggs…I wish you would sink!

It seems like things get neglected during the holiday season.  I know that this happens for me. My mind is preoccupied with so many other things that sometimes I forget the little things.  I was reminded of this very thing when I opened my refrigerator door.  It had been neglected.  Seriously neglected! I threw away so much stuff that sadly to say…was once yummy and delicious. 

As I was cleaning off the bottom shelf, I noticed that I had 3 (18-pack) carton of eggs.  What?  3 cartons…where did they come from?  I looked at the expiration date and noticed that they all expired in December.  Not wanting to throw them out, I decided to test each egg.   I filled a glass full of water and placed each egg one at a time to see if it would float or sink.  I was hoping that they would sink.  Guess what?

They ALL floated to the top.  Sad to say…all 54 eggs were chucked (not gently set) down the garbage disposal.  Lucky garbage disposal.

I wish I wouldn’t have neglected them. 

~Michelle