An Award...

I got an award from my gal pal Kelly a little while back, and I have been so crazy busy lately that I failed to post it. This award means a lot to me because it is the Kreativ Juice Award and heaven knows I sure try to keep those creative juices flowing!

Thanks so much to Kelly for thinking of me as a creative blogger, but more than that as a friend. I appreciate this so much!

One of my blog friends Kelli has decided that I deserve this Honest Scrap Award, and coming from her it is a real honor. Kelly is an encouraging, fun-loving, all around great gal with 2 of the cutest kids ever. You should swing by and see her when you have a few mins. because she is the real deal.

Here's how this works:
In accepting this award, I need to do the following:
1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share "ten honest things" about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

10 Random/Honest Things About Me:

1. I am the oldest of 3 kids. My sister and I are almost 2 years apart and my brother is 7 years younger. I am the typical oldest child, a people pleaser.

2. I have a college degree in Business Management, and am a licensed cosmetologist. Currently though, I call myself a kitchen beautician because I only do hair from home. I always thought I wanted to own my own salon, but as with most people, my ambitions have changed as I have had children. Being with them is what is most important to me at this stage of my life.

3. I am a carbaholic. I could eat dessert or bread for every.single.meal. I'm talking only desserts and bread too, no veggies, no meat, etc. Since that is not a healthy eating plan, I do eat choke down other healthier foods.

4. I am fickle by nature. You know that saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss". That's me. I grow tired of things quickly and am always changing things.

5. I can not stand for my food to touch. Especially if the foods are runny, like vegetables or beans. I know, I'm a wierdo.

6. I am impatient and LOVE shortcuts. I wish I was not this way, but it is just in my nature. If there is a quicker way to do something, I'll find it. If something is gonna take a long time to do, I will probably not take it on. I want quick results.

7. I met Lonnie in college and we have been married for 6 years. One of my sorority sisters dated a guy he played football with, and that is how we met. He is my soulmate and I love him completely. He is an only child and only grandchild. Our 2 boys are the only grandchildren on both sides. That is why they are wrotten!

8. I'm a busybody. I get it from my momma. I love to go and see and do. I have passed that gene on to my boys, especially Connor.

9. I LOVE to shop. I mean I could shop every single day and never get tired of it. Bargains make by blood rush and I can always sniff out a good bargain.

10. I let my boys climb all over our furniture. I mean serious rough housing like doing flips off the back and jumping from the end tables. They are wild and rambunctious, but somehow they know they can only do this at home and in the family room. They never attempt to set up an "obstacle course" at anyone else's house, thank goodness!

I tag... Stacie, Amanda, Gwen, Hat Chick, Sarah, Krista, and Michelle because they are blogs I enjoy and friends I have made via this blog. Thanks for being the real deal ladies!

Lemonade Anyone?

I was so honored to receive the Lemondade Award from my dear friend Mandi over at Misses Canadian Pie. If you don't know Mandi, you really should stop over at her bl0g and visit with her. She is a wonderful Christian and is just full of creative ideas and inspiration.

What this award is about...
Bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude. ( Now do you see why I was so honored?)

What you have to do...

Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you also pass it on to other bloggers who you think show great attitude and gratitude. Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Now for my nominees, drumroll please...

1. Tricia @ Craft Addict

2. Jenn @ The Hamilton Family Blog

3. Melissa @ 320 Sycamore

4. Susie @ Bienvenue

5. Edie @ Life in Grace

6. Amy @ A Little of This and a Little of That

7. Positively Creative @ Livin' Life Patino Style

8. Patti @ Peanut Butter and Honey

9. Shannon @ Bless Our Nest

10. The Gals at Little Birdie Secrets

I chose these blogs because I follow all of them and just love the people that write them. Keep up the good work!

WARNING- LONG POST AHEAD!!

Okay so you have been warned and if you are reading any further, then you are fair game. It has been a whole week since I have blogged and I am in withdrawal! I have been checking up on all of the blogs I follow, but I have been running around crazy since Thanksgiving and have not had any spare time to post. Lots happened, both good and bad, which do you want first? It's up to me? Okay, well I'm gonna start with the bad so we can finish with the positive and move on.


My life has been a bit like a bad country music song since Saturday. The holiday was wonderful and shopping was great, we got lots of good deals and it was not near as crazy as black fridays in years past. I was so excited to get home Saturday morning and Deck the Halls, craft, and drink coffee while I sang Christmas music at the top of my lungs. We woke up to pouring rain, so only the inside of the house could get decorated, okay no big deal. THEN we got home and realized our garage had been robbed (luckily they didn't get into the house) and that put my festive mood to a screeching halt. They only took guns, so it could be worse, but it still leaves you feeling so violated and just flat out pissed off! Well, after spending an enchanting morning with the police and visiting neighbors to "see if they saw anything", I finally came in and started putting up the Christmas trees, the mood was gone, but it still had to be done.

I got the trees up, but still have to do the mantle. That will have to wait until this week. We put our big tree in the formal living room, and then put a smaller tree for the boys, in the family room and they each have a tree in their rooms as well. I have to admit, as the decorating progressed I did begin to catch the spirit of the season.

On Sunday, I had to travel back to TN to get the boys, and to say that the traffic was bad would be an understatement. I sat still way more than I moved and it poured rain the whole time! Wrecks were everywhere, and it was just a bad day to travel, thankfully God kept us safe and we made it to TN in 8.5 hours (it usually takes 5).

It snowed on Monday, which was beautiful, and we had Connor's 2nd birthday party at Nonnie's house. It was fun, but Walker was still sick, so he had a rough evening.

Connor cheering for himself. We had to let him blow out his candles 4 times.


Here he is after he licked the chocolate cake.

Travelling home was fine, but on the way back, our precious dog Bella passed away. She was a beautiful blue neopolitan mastiff and the sweetest dog ever. My wonderful Mother in law did all she could to save her. She even took her to the emergency vet, but she had a heart attack and there was nothing they could do. The worst part was that she was only 7. She was our first "child" we got her before we got married, so she will always be special.
Connor loved to ride Bella like a horse.

I don't know who loved the ride more!

Needless to say, it has been an emotionally draining and tiring few days, but I am glad to be home so I can start spreading some Christmas cheer and get the rest of the house done. The boys are still not feeling quite right, 2 weeks later, so we are going BACK to the doctor today.

Now for the positive... I got my first blog award, AND I'M SO EXCITED, I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT!!! I'M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL, AND I THINK I LIKE IT! ( I hope you are singing the song now!)



I don't know if you have ever read Miss(es) Canadian Pie's blog or not, but she is fabulous and writes about her journey as a new bride and turning their house into a home. She always posts the very best deals and steals around. I love her for several reasons, (her name is Mandi too) but she is one of my first blog friends and so that makes her extra special! (Mandi thanks so much for this. I really appreciate it!)

So, the rules to this go something like this...

1. Post the award on your blog

2. Link me for giving it to you

3. Link back to the originating post nominating you

4. Pass the award on to 5 more deserving people

5. Post these rules for your recipients

Seems simple enough! Here are 5 other blogs that I adore and would love to send this award to:

1. Edie @ Life in Grace

2. Amanda @ Imperfectly Beautiful

3. Amy @ A Little of This and a Little of That

4. Wendy @ The Shabby Nest



5. Positively Creative @ Livin' Life Patino Style



I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I am off to a night of laundry and crafting. I have to get some of these Christmas presents made!