It’s a new year!

Happy new year to you and yours! How did you guys ring in the new year? Did you settle for a night in to watch movies and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve? Or, are you a bit more social and ring in the new year with friends, family, and strangers by partying and shooting fireworks? No matter how you celebrated, I hope you rang in the new year in a way that suited you! We celebrated most of the night with friends, but then came home early because my husband’s wife isn’t much a of a night owl and likes the comfort of her own home, so I guess we had the best of both worlds! Even after a late night out though, I still forced by tired body out of the bed to go and worship the Lord. What better way to start off the new year than going to the Lord’s house to worship and give him praise for letting us see another year!

Like our church sign will be saying in the coming days {since I’m responsible for it}…

Jesus adds life to your years and years to your life!

To start the year off right and reflect on all that 2011 brought, I thought I might highlight some of the happenings that were documented right here on the blog and shared with each and every one of you. All of the original posts can be found by clicking on the pictures!

January {Raggedy Chair Makeover}

I took a dusty, nasty antique chair that my grandmother gave me and gave it a good coat of spray paint and reupholstered the seat. It now has a home beside the guest bed {until nightstands are placed there} to hold a basket of towels for guests.

February {Strawberry Trifle Recipe}

I shared this recipe that came from my great aunt, and it makes for an excellent choice of dessert for the one you love on Valentine’s Day!

March {Wedding Planning and Anniversaries}

This was the kick-off month of all wedding festivities that would be the focus of 2011. My sister began planning for her wedding AND my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

April {A Vacation}

To celebrate our anniversary a month in advance, Colby and I took a trip to Tennessee for some rest and relaxation. How many of you remember our near death experience with kicking horses on the downside of a steep mountain? I vote that the scariest moment of 2011.

May {Candy Land Birthday Party & Exterior Home Makeover Reveal}

My sister and I planned a candy land themed birthday party for my niece’s 3rd birthday party! It turned out to be a hit, and I can’t wait for this year’s extravaganza. All the details can be found from the linked picture below.

Then, I shared with you how much the exterior of our home has changed from before we moved in and renovated to the present. Big difference!

June {Two Makeovers and a Grade Change}

June was a busy month for me. I was attempting my first semester of graduate school {4.0 GPA}. I was changed from Kindergarten to 2nd grade at work, too. In the midst of it all, I still found time to share with you two room makeovers that had found near completion.

First, was the bathroom…

And then there was the kitchen….

July {The Month of Crafts}

Patriotic Wreath

Hospital Survival Kit

A Diaper Cake

August {Two New Recipes}

September {A Wedding and A Shower}

During this month, I tried my hand at throwing a Monograms and Mimosas shower for my very good friend, Andrea. For my first shower, I was pretty pleased.

Later in the month, we celebrated the first of four weddings for the rest of the year. We were all very proud of Kevin on that day!

October {The Month of Weddings and New Curtains}

While there were three weddings during this month, I only had the time and energy to blog about one. Andrea and Whitney tied the knot first in October, and this was the first of three weddings that I was actually in this month. Crazy month with lots of memories!

In house news in this particular month, I finally got curtains up in my kitchen.

November {Weddings Recapped & The Cough and Carry}

Coming down with a cold? Make yourself a cough and carry to reduce the getting up and down, so you can rest a little more.

But let’s not forget those weddings that I was a part of during the month of October…

Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Sheffield

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Hobbs

December {Christmas Extravaganza}

So…I clearly didn’t finish the 12 days of Christmas that I had intended to pursue. Between Christmas festivities and other happenings that I’m not going to talk about just yet, it simply didn’t happen. By the time I got home, the last thing I wanted to do was look at a computer and blog. Rest is all I wanted. So, let’s just focus on what I did  get to post all the way to day seven. These are my favorites….

The Christmas Card Display

Burlap Garland

Burlap Wreath

Overall, I think 2011 was a pretty good year. I am excited about 2012, and I can’t wait to see what is ahead for Colby and myself this year. God has been good to us. He has blessed us in all that we do, and I give him all the glory for the wonderful life that we are able to lead. I’m not one for making new year’s resolutions. However, I do believe in thinking about ways I can improve as a person in all aspects of my life. Like the Junior Miss motto, we all just need to “be your best self”.

I’m hoping for a bigger and better year for the blog, too. Thanks for all of your support! I hope you all continue to read and gain something from this that I just consider to be a creative outlet.

P.S. I always put these cute fonts as headers, but I don’t think you guys are able to see them, which turns out making the blog look stupid. Let me know if you can see them!